(AP)-- Republican Jeff Colyer promised a "new day" of openness shortly after taking the oath Wednesday as Kansas' governor, addressing the public and a GOP-controlled Legislature that is deeply divided over a court order to increase state spending on public schools.

Colyer, the state's longest-serving lieutenant governor, replaced former GOP Gov. Sam Brownback immediately after Brownback stepped down to become U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. Colyer, a 57-year-old surgeon, took the oath for his new office in a ceremony inside the Statehouse.

Colyer largely avoided policy issues in his inaugural address. He is expected to give a longer and more detailed speech to a joint session of the Legislature in the near future.

But ahead of the ceremony, a top Republican lawmaker urged him to push for a long-term settlement of ongoing legal battles over education funding that led to the Kansas Supreme Court's mandate.

Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, who is influential among GOP conservatives, said Colyer should either support rewriting the state constitution or initiate settlement talks with four school districts suing the state.

(KNZA)--In the wake of Hiawatha Community Hospital’s announcement that it plans to close its home health agency, various area agencies have united to ensure continued access to home health services for Brown County residents.

A multi-county task force of health care professionals met January 18th to develop a plan for coverage.

According to a press release from the Hospital, the home health services currently offered by its agency will be divided among the various agencies largely based on where a patient lives in the county.  The county has been  divided into quadrants using Highways 36 and 73 as boundaries.

The northeast quadrant of the county and a few areas in the southeast quadrant will largely be covered by the Doniphan County Health Department.

The northwest quadrant of the county will largely be served by Nemaha County Home Health and Hospice.  

The southwest quadrant and much of the southeast quadrant will be covered by Holton Community Hospital Home Health and Hospice.  

The Northeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department will cover all parts of the county.   Atchison Hospital Home Health also will cover portions of the southeast quadrant.

The Hiawatha Community Hospital announced January 3rd that it plans to close its home health agency no later than April 30th of this year.

Hospital CEO Jeff Shelton said the decision is directly related to the regulatory and financial barriers set by Medicare , which limits the hospital’s ability to financially sustain a hospital based home health program.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents of a phone scam involving bogus claims of TV Guide subscriptions.

Sheriff John Merchant says he’s had a number of reports from county residents that have been contacted by phone regarding their TV Guide subscriptions.  

The callers told residents they can offer a greatly reduced rate if they will renew over the phone.  The callers then requested bank account information so they can process the payment.

Merchant says several residents have done so, had second thoughts and called TV Guide direct.  They were informed that TV Guide never solicits by way of telephone and advised its a scam.

Immediately, the residents notified their banks and then contacted law enforcement.  

Merchant reminds residents not to give out your personal information over the phone, and if something sounds too good to be true---it probably is.

(KNZA)--A former Hoyt resident is facing a new trial in Jackson County on child sex charges.

The Holton Recorder reports a judge has set a five-day retrial in the case of 52-year-old Leon Holloway, currently of Onaga, for the week of July 16th.

A mistrial was declared in December after a Jackson County jury was unable to reach an unanimous verdict on charges of rape, indecent liberties with a child and two counts of criminal sodomy following a week long trial.

Holloway was arrested in May 2015 by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department following an investigation into alleged sex offenses occurring between April 2012 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.

A judge delayed action on a motion filed by Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller to consolidate the two cases.  The motion is to be considered at a March 26th preliminary hearing on the new charge.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' attorney general and conservative lawmakers worry that the State Department of Education has informally tweaked policies determining how school funding is distributed.

Their concerns are likely to prompt a broad, independent audit of how the department distributes more than $4 billion in aid each year to the state's 286 school districts.

Education Commissioner Randy Watson said Tuesday that he's working a plan for such a review.

A state audit last month said a calculation used by the department for decades in distributing transportation funds was "not authorized" by law and cost the state an extra $45 million over the past five years.

Top Republican legislators failed to get the department's deputy commissioner suspended but continue to ask whether similar issues exist elsewhere in the funding formula.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' attorney general and conservative lawmakers worry that the State Department of Education has informally tweaked policies determining how school funding is distributed.

Their concerns are likely to prompt a broad, independent audit of how the department distributes more than $4 billion in aid each year to the state's 286 school districts.

Education Commissioner Randy Watson said Tuesday that he's working a plan for such a review.

A state audit last month said a calculation used by the department for decades in distributing transportation funds was "not authorized" by law and cost the state an extra $45 million over the past five years.

Top Republican legislators failed to get the department's deputy commissioner suspended but continue to ask whether similar issues exist elsewhere in the funding formula.

(KNZA)--No burn permits are being issued in Brown County until further notice.

That word Tuesday from Sheriff John Merchant.

The National Weather Service says very high fire danger conditions are expected through Sunday.  

Meanwhile, Doniphan County has lifted its burn ban that was implemented Tuesday.

County Emergency Management Coordinator Julie Meng is urging residents to use extreme caution when conducting any open burning.

(KAIR)--An Atchison traffic stop leaves two jailed on drug charges.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News Tammara Hetz was behind the wheel of the car around 9:00 Monday morning. “An officer located methamphetamine during a traffic stop in the 200 block of North 7th. The 48-year-old driver, and her 46-year-old passenger, were taken into custody."

Hetz was taken into custody on charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, the same charges faced by her passenger, Jason Thomas.

Following their arrests, Hetz and Thomas, both of Atchison, were booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KAIR)--An Atchison woman goes to jail, arrested last week on drug related charges.

According to a report from the Atchison County Sheriff's Office, the arrest of 27-year-old Tyra Parsons came as the result of an investigation that began mid-October of last year.

Parsons was arrested on an Atchison County District Court warrant for distribution of a controlled substance. She faces additional charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and use of a telecommunication facility to facilitate a controlled substance transaction.

Parsons was taken into custody Friday.

Following her arrest, Parsons was booked into the Atchison County Jail, held on a bond of $20,000.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House approved a bill that would toughen penalties in some drunken driving cases on the same day it approved allowing restaurants to serve alcohol earlier in the morning.

One bill would allow restaurants to begin serving alcohol at 6 a.m., rather than 9 a.m. Restaurants and bars would still stop serving at 2 a.m.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports supporters said the bill would bring the state in line with surrounding states, which attract breakfast and brunch business away from Kansas. The bill faced little opposition.

The other bill would toughen penalties in some fatal drunken driving cases, with the minimum for aggravated battery increasing from 38 months to 47 months and the minimum for involuntary manslaughter rising from 62 to 89 months.

Both bills still require Senate approval.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) - A judge has denied a request to release police records in the nearly 30-year-old disappearance of a Leavenworth County  teen.
 
Alberta Leach says she and her husband, Harold Leach, are "devastated" and considering an appeal. The Kansas City Star reports that their son, Randy Leach, was 17 when he vanished in the spring of 1988.
 
Their lawsuit alleged that authorities violated the Kansas Open Records Act by refusing to release some of the older records. But Leavenworth County District Judge David King ruled that the records "contain no information" that would "promote the public interest."
 
Leavenworth County Undersheriff Jim Sherley commended the decision, which was released Sunday. Sherley says it will enhance the likelihood that the case is one day solved by protecting the identities of confidential witnesses.

(KLZA)--Two current City Council members have filed for re-election in Falls City.

Derrick Leyden has filed for re-election in Ward 4 and Donald Ferguson has filed for re-election in Ward I.

Leyden was appointed to the Council during the current term following a resignation from the Council.

Leah Reyes of Humboldt has filed for a 4-year term on the Humboldt – Table Rock – Steinauer School Board.

City Council and school board elections are non-partisan elections.

Incumbents have until February 15th to file for office, with a filing deadline for non-incumbents of of March 1.

(KLZA)--A man arrested in Falls City on four  warrants out of Kansas is now facing several local charges.

The Falls City Police Department arrested 24-year-old Cullen Harrell, currently living in Falls City, Sunday on warrants out of Douglas County, Kansas.

Harrell allegedly resisted arrest and is now facing charges in Richardson County of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, obstructing a peace officer and tampering with physical evidence.

Assistant Police Chief Jamie Baker tells MSC News that during the arrest, Harrell was found to be in possession of what is believed to be drugs. The substance is being tested to see what it is.

Harrell is currently  being held in the Richardson County Jail.  

(KAIR)--Proposed legislation before the Kansas Legislature would mean automatic equal custody of children between parents who are divorcing, unless the court finds clear evidence saying otherwise.

Senate Bill 257 was filed in December by Leavenworth Republican Senator Steve Fitzgerald prior to the start of the current legislative session.

The House version of the bill was introduced January 23, and has gained a number of sponsors, including local Republicans, Dr. John Eplee, of District 63, and Randy Garber, of District 62.

A hearing on the legislation is scheduled for Tuesday at the Kansas Statehouse.

The Kansas Chapter of the National Parents Organization, which encourages shared custody, has been working to see the passage of the legislation.

Member Ron Holm is a Wyandotte County resident whose first hand experience with divorce, and the resulting custody battle, led to his push to see a change in Kansas law. 

MSC News Director Brian Hagen talked to Holm about the bill. The interview can be heard here.

(KAIR)--Details are released regarding the Atchison Police pursuit that left an Effingham man dead early Sunday morning.

The victim is identified by the Kansas Highway Patrol as 45-year-old Raymond Bosch, Jr., who died after his vehicle ran off the road on the west side of Atchison and smashed into a retaining wall.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News the pursuit began when an officer, westbound in the 2000 block of U.S. Highway 59, spotted an eastbound vehicle, driving left of center, coming towards him.

The officer turned around and attempted to stop Bosch's pickup truck, which Wilson says was driving on the wrong side of the highway.

The pickup drove north on 14th Street to Main Street, and then went west on main, refusing to stop for the officer.

According to Wilson, the Officer began to back off of the pursuit at 19th and Main Street, but continued to travel west, several blocks behind the westbound pickup truck.

According to the Patrol's report, Bosch failed to maneuver a curve in the 2200 block of Main Street, which sent the pickup onto a private residential lawn, where it struck a retaining wall and rolled over.

Bosch, who died in the wreck, was not wearing a seat belt, according to the Patrol's report.

The fatal wreck happened shortly after 1:00 Sunday morning.

Editor's note: below is the initial story published after the KHP completed it's preliminary investigation. 

(KAIR)--An Atchison pursuit turns deadly when an Effingham man crashes his vehicle after losing control early Sunday morning.

The Kansas Highway Patrol identifies the victim as 45-year-old Raymond Bosch, Jr.

According to a report from the Patrol, Bosch was westbound on Atchison's Main Street, pursued by law enforcement, shortly after 1:00 Sunday morning.

Bosch failed to maneuver a curve, sending the vehicle onto a private residential lawn, where it struck a retaining wall and rolled over.

Bosch, who was not wearing a seat belt, according to the Patrol's report, was pronounced dead following the wreck.

It's not immediately clear what led to the deadly pursuit.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) - Authorities say a Leavenworth police officer who fatally shot a man has been fired.
 
Leavenworth Police Chief Patrick Kitchens said in an email Monday that Officer Matthew Harrington was terminated Friday for violating the department's use of deadly force policy. The release says Harrington was responding in July to a domestic argument over who owned a sport utility vehicle when he shot and killed 47-year-old Antonio Garcia Jr. while Garcia was in the SUV.
 
Harrington doesn't have a listed phone number and it wasn't immediately known if he had an attorney.
 
Kitchens says police aren't releasing body camera footage because the investigation is ongoing and it's classified as evidence.
 
Leavenworth County prosecutor Todd Thompson said in a news release that it's reviewing the shooting and awaiting requested information.

(KMZA)--What do visitors think of Seneca?

As part of “ First Impressions” program developed by K-State Research and Extension, a volunteer team from the Pottawatomie County community of St. Mary’s recently visited Seneca to report their “ First Impressions” of the community.

The team acted as “ secret shoppers “ for the day to discover what they could about the town.  They followed a set procedure established through the program and documented their results.

Seneca Area Chamber and Downtown Impact Executive Director Kylee Luckeroth says those results will be shared during a public meeting  Wednesday evening, January 31st at 5:30 at the Seneca Free Library Community Room.

Following the presentation, Luckeroth says two or three project areas will be identified and time will be allowed for discussion and initial planning.  She says everyone is encouraged to attend.

According to a news release, the focus of the “ First Impressions” program is to help communities learn about existing strengths and weaknesses through the eyes of visitors.  The release says the results from a visit can serve as the basis for community action and as a way to document changes in a community over time.

(KNZA)--The preliminary hearing for a Holton man accused of shooting at law enforcement officers during a standoff last month has been postponed again.

Jackson County Shawna Miller tells MSC News the hearing for 31-year-old Patrick Miller was continued last Thursday at the request of the defense.  He is now scheduled to appear in court February 8th for a status hearing.

Miller is facing 11 felony counts—including three counts of attempted capital murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder.  In addition, he faces 7 misdemeanor counts.

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

Miller allegedly first multiple rounds at officers from the residence and struck a sheriff’s office vehicle that his wife was being detained in.

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

No injuries were reported.

Miller remains in the Jackson County Jail, held on a one million dollar bond.   

His 23-year-old wife, Erica Miller, faces two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of domestic battery, in connection with the incident.   She remains free on a $10,000 bond.

(KNZA)--The preliminary hearing for a Holton man accused of shooting at law enforcement officers during a standoff last month has been postponed again.

Jackson County Shawna Miller tells MSC News the hearing for 31-year-old Patrick Miller was continued last Thursday at the request of the defense to  February 8th.

Miller is facing 11 felony counts—including three counts of attempted capital murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder.  In addition, he faces 7 misdemeanor counts.

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

Miller allegedly first multiple rounds at officers from the residence and struck a sheriff’s office vehicle that his wife was being detained in.

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

No injuries were reported.

Miller remains in the Jackson County Jail, held on a one million dollar bond.   

His 23-year-old wife, Erica Miller, faces two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of domestic battery, in connection with the incident.   She remains free on a $10,000 bond.

(KNZA)--Three Troy Grade School students are among six winners in the Fire Safety Poster Contest conducted annually by the office of the State Fire Marshal.

Kindergartner Andi Grable, 1st grader Ella Grable and 2nd grader Nicole Wissler were among the winners honored Friday by Governor Sam Brownback and State Fire Marshal Doug Jorgensen during a ceremony in the Governor’s office.

The competition kicked off in October in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week.  Participants were asked to use this year’s theme, “Every Second Counts, Know 2 Ways Out,” in their entries.

Schools across Kansas encouraged participation from their students, who demonstrated their knowledge of fire safety that they have learned in school or at home.

The poster contest was divided into grade categories: Kindergarten through 5th grade.

The winning posters, along with those earning Honorable Mention recognition, are currently being featured on a display in the Capitol Building rotunda and are highlighted in the 2018 Fire Safety Calendar.

(KAIR)--Held under a Hollywood theme, the spotlight was on Atchison success, as the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet Saturday night.

A who's who of Atchison business leaders, with many dressed in character for “A Night at the Movies” were in attendance at the Atchison Event Center as a ceremony, complete with the annual presentation of awards, was held.

Named as the Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year was Kelsey Wolfe, who represents the Atchison Family YMCA.

The Excellence in Leadership award was presented to Jesse Greenly for his community involvement, including his three years of facilitating the Leadership Atchison County class.

Earning the Entrepreneur of the Year award were Derek and Kelly Franklin, the owners of Atchison's downtown Hardware Store.

The Atchison Rotary Club was named the Organization of the Year, while the Tourism Award was presented to Paul Lundgren, the driver of the Atchison Chamber's trolley and coach.

The 2017 Quality of Life Award was presented to Rick Berger, whose accomplishments include the effort to renovate the Atchison Area YMCA.

Named as Team of the Year was the Boys and Girls Club of Atchison, with the efforts of Sean Crittendon, George Ross, Joseph Curry, Cindy Hoverson, Kathy Mountz, and Rosalee Wilkinson, all cited.

The final award of the evening went to the Business of the Year, which was bestowed on Paolucci's one of Atchison's oldest businesses, as operated by the Begley family.

Photo credit: Atchison Fire Dept.

(KAIR)--A Saturday night house fire in Atchison causes no injuries, but leaves heavy damage in its wake.

Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf tells MSC News firefighters were called to the 1100 block of Commercial Street, around 9:40 Saturday night.

When they arrived at 1141 Commercial, they found heavy smoke and flames engulfing the front porch of the single family residence.

Graf says the fire was quickly brought under control, but the porch sustained heavy structural damage, while the remainder of the residence sustained heavy smoke damage.

According to Graf, a neighboring residence, at 1139 Commercial Street, sustained damage to the vinyl soffit due to the radiated heat of the flames.

The occupant of the home told investigators she was in the back part of the residence when someone knocked on a side window, attempting to alert her to the fire.

Opening the front door, she was met with heavy smoke, and closed it immediately, limiting the spread of the fire.

Graf says the resident is temporarily displaced, and is staying with a friend.

It's believed the fire began in a flower bed and spread to the porch, but the actual cause of the fire is not yet determined, as the investigation continues.

(KAIR)--A Platte City, Missouri teenager is dead, killed Saturday night in a single vehicle Platte County crash.

The Platte County Sheriff's Office identifies the victim as 17-year-old Luke Hogue.

According to a news release issued Sunday by Sheriff's Office spokesman Erik Holland, Hogue was northbound in the 10800 block of N Highway when his vehicle left the roadway and collided with a tree.

The release says Hogue was traveling alone, and is believed to have been speeding at the time of the fatal crash.

Alcohol is not believed to have played a factor, but the investigation is continuing by the Platte County Sheriff’s Office Crash Team.

The wreck happened around 11:40 Saturday night.

(KMZA)--A cut AT&T fiber line is blamed for a 911 system outage that affected several Kansas counties--including locally, Nemaha.

The Nemaha County Sheriff's Office sent out a text alert early Saturday evening advising of the outage and urging residents to call the department's administration number in case of an emergency.

The Sheriff's Office sent out another text alert around 8:30 Sunday morning advising that Nemaha County's 911 system was back in service.

At least 10 other Kansas counties 911 systems were affected by the outage.   

The Nemaha County Sheriff's Department's 911 system is temporarily down.  In case of an emergency you should call the administration line at 785-336-2311.

(MSC News)--A Leavenworth man is the newest Kansas Lottery millionaire.

Richard Van Tuyl, Jr. appeared at Lottery headquarters Friday afternoon with a Powerball ticket worth $1,000,000!

The ticket matched the first five numbers, but not the Powerball, in the Wednesday, January 24 drawing.  Van Tuyl’s $2 Quick Pick ticket had the numbers 5-9-11-33-64 Powerball 17. Had his Powerball number been 21, he would have won a $92 million jackpot.

The 59-year-old describes himself as an occasional player. He said he may get a ticket for every Powerball drawing for a few weeks, and then not play at all for two or three months.

Van Tuyl purchased his Powerball ticket Wednesday night at Star Gas in  Leavenworth after going out for dinner.

“I put the ticket in my sun visor, parked the truck in the garage, and slept great that night. Didn’t give it another thought,” he said.

“The next day I pulled up the Powerball numbers from the night before on my phone, and there I am, holding my phone in one hand and my ticket in the other. My eyes were saying ‘yes,’ but my brain was saying ‘no.’”

After returning to the store where he bought the ticket and having the clerk print out the winning numbers and then consulting his sister, he was finally convinced he really had won a $1,000,000 prize.

“I signed the back of the ticket right away, put it in an envelope, and put it back in the sun visor of my truck,” said Van Tuyl. “When I got home, however, I did bring it in the house. I was afraid my truck might catch on fire or something.”

Van Tuyl works for a construction company in the Kansas City area and is also involved in his family’s farming operation near Leavenworth. He and his wife Tammy have two grown children and four grandchildren.

“I’m going to pay bills, pay off my house and put the rest in the bank for now,” the lucky winner said.  Van Tuyl told Lottery officials his daughter is married to a Marine who will soon be assigned to security at the U.S. embassy in Malta, an island nation located in the central Mediterranean. Van Tuyl is now planning a trip there.

The Leavenworth convenience store where Van Tuyl purchased his winning ticket is eligible to receive a $1,000 bonus for selling the ticket.

(KNZA)--Speed is being blamed as a factor in an early Friday afternoon Brown County crash that claimed one life.

The Kansas Highway Patrol identifies the victim as 40-year-old Ernest Reynolds III.

The Patrol says the Morrill resident was behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Eclipse when the fatal wreck occurred.

According to the Patrol's report, Reynolds was westbound on 280th Road, a mile east of Hamlin, at Horned Owl Road, driving at a high rate of speed.

The Patrol's investigation shows that Reynolds lost control of the car, which left the roadway to the south, went through a barbed wire fence and a telephone pole before going airborne over a creek bed and crashing into a pasture south of the roadway.

The Patrol says Reynolds was not buckled up when the wreck happened shortly after 12 noon.

Funeral arrangements for Reynolds, who has ties to Atchison, are pending.

Dennis Martin and Savannah Martin

(KAIR)--The execution of a search warrant, at an Atchison residence, sends a father and daughter to jail on drug related charges.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie says arrested, following the late Wednesday night raid at 415 Riley Street, were 50-year-old Dennis Martin and 18-year-old Savannah Martin.

Laurie says the search warrant was executed following an investigation pertaining to the distribution of narcotics. "This actually started out as numerous complaints called in from the neighbors, in the neighborhood, about a lot traffic in and out of that residence," Laurie said. "We were able to make a purchase out of the residence, which led to the search warrant."

Laurie says the arrests, and seizure of suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia, were aided through the efforts of the Atchison Police Department's Special Response Team, which made entry into the residence, securing both suspects and clearing the residence for Sheriff's Deputies to safely search for narcotics.

Deputies located approximately a half-pound of marijuana, small quantities of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, United States currency, and a 9mm handgun, resulting in the arrest of Savannah Martin.  

Deputies also located what was believed to be methamphetamine and pipe's commonly used for smoking methamphetamine, cocaine and paraphernalia commonly used to snort cocaine, marijuana & pipes, THC Wax, and possibly THC oils used in vapes, or electronic cigarettes, resulting in the arrest of Dennis Martin.

After they were taken into custody, the father and daughter were booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KMZA)--Two new scams are working their way around the local region and area authorities are putting out the warning for residents to be aware and to not fall victim.

Nemaha County Sheriff Rich Vernon Thursday released a statement outlining the two scams.

The first scam involves Netflix, with the victim receiving an email from the streaming video company telling them that their financial information is outdated and that their account has been suspended until they upate it. They also provide a link, which, Vernon says, takes those who click on it to a fake Netflix account. That account is used to steal financial information.

The second scam involves a phone call, with the caller claiming they are from the Federal Government and that they want to award a grant of around $9,000. This call often comes in from a number that appears to be coming from Washington D.C.

Vernon tells residents to never give out financial information over the phone when contacted with an unsolicited offer.

Vernon says anyone who may have been a victim of the scams should contact their financial institution immediately and contact local Law Enforcement.

(KNZA)--Burn bans have been issued for Brown and Doniphan Counties.

They were implemented Friday due to very windy conditions.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says his office will not be issuing burn permits until further notice. 

Doniphan County Emergency Management Coordinator Julie Meng says her county's burn ban will remain in place until further notice.

A burn ban was issued Thursday for Atchison County and also remains in effect until further notice.

The National Weather Service has placed the area under a Red Flag Warning.

The Weather Service says high winds combined with dormant grasses will result in an elevated fire danger risk across the area.

(KLZA)--A state grant will be sought for the Richardson County's handi-bus program.

The County Commission Tuesday approved having Southeast Nebraska Community Action submit a grant application to the Nebraska Department of Roads for a $62,000 grant.

The Commission also approved entering into an agreement with SENCA to administer the grant funding.

Commissioners were told that SENCA has been offered an opportunity through the state Department of Roads public transportation assistance funds to purchase a 7-passenger van for $23,000.

It would require a 10-percent match from local sources.

The Board will consider the request for additional funding for the 10-percent match during their January 30th meeting.

(KLZA)--Due to the anticipated retirement of the lone full-time driver at the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department, the Falls City Council has approved on-call pay for part-time drivers covering shifts.  

Ken Simpson who has been gone from the department due to health reasons is expected to retire in early March. Since January 1, the fire station has not been manned.

 Department Public Information Officer Jon McQueen presented a proposal  to the Council January 15th  to continue an on-call schedule utilizing six people to cover 24 hours per day, seven days per week.   

In the recent past, on-call  fire fighters were paid $3 per hour during the week and $4 per hour on the weekends. McQueen offered a new plan to the Council, suggesting simplifying things by going to a flat rate of either four or five dollars per hour. The lower rate would cost the City $35,040 annually with the $5 rate costing $43,800 per year.

At one point, the City employed three full-time drivers with someone always at the station.  When one driver retired, he was not replaced and for several years two drivers pulled shifts with the fire station unmanned on weekends.

Following another retirement, the City employed just one full time driver working 40 hours per week, daytime hours only. In addition, the driver was assigned the duty of City Building Inspector.  

McQueen who has been a volunteer firefighter for more than 30 years said he would like to see the city continue to have a full-time driver employed. McQueen said scheduling service for the trucks and keeping equipment including ladders, pumps and a $20,000 air compressor maintained to pass annual inspections keeps a full-time employee busy.

City Administrator Gary Jorn told the Council that money is an issue, noting the budget is tight and that a lot of capital improvements and capital outlays were cut from this years budget as well as technology upgrades due to revenues not matching up with expenditures.

McQueen said he understands funds are tight but said the Council needs to make a decision on which way to go.

Jorn explained the plan was to phase out the full-time drivers as they retired, but said the Management Committee did not have a recommendation on what to do at this time.

Following a lengthy discussion, the Council voted unanimously with Councilman Derek Leyden absent to pay $5 per hour for on-call shifts beginning January 16th.

Under this plan the cost to the  City for on-call time would amount to $43,800 annually. 

(KAIR)--Atchison County has been placed under a burn ban.

The ban was implemented on Thursday by Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter.

Lanter says no open burning is permitted until further notice.

The issuance of the ban followed the National Weather Service issuing a Red Flag Fire Warning based on current weather conditions.

(MSC News)--Check your Powerball ticket.  

The Kansas Lottery says a ticket sold in northeast Kansas for Wednesday night’s drawing matched the first five numbers to win a one million dollar prize.

The northeast Kansas region includes 21 counties, including locally, Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha and Pottawatomie.

It’s the third one million dollar Kansas Lottery winner this month.

On Jan. 3, a Wichita couple won $1 million in the Holiday Millionaire Raffle grand prize. And a Pottawatomie County resident claimed a $1 million prize in the Mega Millions drawing in Randolph Jan. 12.
 
No one has come forward yet to claim Wednesday's winning ticket. The numbers were 5-9-11-33-64 Powerball 21.
 

 TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Sam Brownback plans to step down as Kansas governor at 3:00  Wednesday afternoon, January 31st, following his confirmation by the U.S. Senate to an ambassador's post.
 
Brownback sent a letter of resignation Thursday to the Kansas secretary of state, detailing his plan to step down next week. Fellow Republican Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer will be elevated to governor.
 
Brownback's office has yet to release the details of Colyer's swearing-in ceremony.
 
 The Senate voted 50-49 along party lines Wednesday to confirm Brownback's appointment by President Donald Trump as U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. Vice President Mike Pence broke a tie to ensure Brownback's confirmation.
 
Brownback is a former U.S. senator who was elected governor in 2010 and re-elected in 2014, both times with Colyer on his ticket.

(KNZA)--Three Sabetha families have been honored by The Greater Sabetha Community Foundation.

Honored at the Foundation’s second annual Community Celebration Gala on January 13th were the Gene Garrett family, Glen and Joelline Stoller family, and Stan and Donna Keim family.  

The three families were chosen for recognition by a committee of GSCF board members.

Gene Garrett Family

The Gene Garrett family was selected because of their ongoing commitment in the grocery business. This year was their 45th anniversary of opening in Sabetha, and the committee looked at this, the quality of service, the longevity of the family in the business and the many young people who have worked at Country Mart over the years. GSCF wants to encourage local, family based businesses and remind the people of the area how important it is for us to shop and support local businesses like Garrett Country Mart.

Glen and Joelline Stoller Family

Joelline Stoller and the late Glen Stoller are the example of a family who demonstrates civic virtue. Glen was an active community member for many years. He was instrumental in the recycling program, the Lions Club, and scholarships for local students, as well as serving in many capacities surrounding education. He was a school board member and a volunteer scorekeeper at basketball games for many years. Joelline served the community by teaching hundreds of children and young adults piano.

Stan and Donna Keim Family

Stan and Donna Keim have given our community a state of the art baseball field. The field they built has become a center for summer activities from America Legion baseball to hosting the Sabetha Lobos summer collegiate baseball team and now a high school baseball program. The committee wanted to recognize the generosity displayed by the Keim’s and their commitment to the athletic programs for young people. Sabetha is proud of Somerset Park. The committee chose to honor the Keim family for their giving something of this magnitude for so many to enjoy for years to come.

Serving Sabetha Strong has been chosen as the ongoing theme for the Community Celebration Gala, which will take place each year on the second or third Saturday in January.

(KLZA)--Flu season is in full swing, and as of Wednesday, Kansas is the sickest state in the nation.

The company Kinsa, who makes thermometers, records daily data to see where flu-like symptoms are spreading in real time. They say based on Wednesday's data, over 1% of Kansas' population - about 29,000 people -are sick.

Those people are experiencing high temperatures and flu-like symptoms, such as cough, chills and sore throats.

 Kinsa also says other than Wednesday, the Sunflower State reached peak sickness levels on Saturday, January 13th.

   
TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) - An inmate has pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder stemming from a prison uprising at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution last March.
 
Court records say 27-year-old Eric Ramos entered several pleas of not guilty during a teleconference Tuesday. He's charged with first-degree murder, assault, two weapons counts, and tampering with evidence. The records don't show that a trial date has been set.
 
Prosecutors say Ramos killed 31-year-old Michael Galindo during the outbreak of violence March 2 at  the Tecumseh prison. The bodies of Galindo and 39-year-old Damon Fitzgerald were found after authorities restored order. No one has been charged yet with killing Fitzgerald.
 
Authorities have said the uprising began because inmates were angry that prison staffers had confiscated 150 pounds of homemade alcohol from them.

(KLZA)--Unemployment figures were higher in six southeast Nebraska counties in December while the statewide rate remained steady at 2.7 percent.

According to a report from the Nebraska Department of Labor, Richardson and Johnson counties had the highest jobless rate in the area at 3.4 percent.  That was up six-tenths from November in each county.  

Pawnee and Otoe counties had the best numbers during December with a 2.9 percent unemployment rate, but that was up six-tenths in Pawnee County and three-tenths in Otoe County.

In Nemaha County, the unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 3.3 percent.

Gage County had the largest increase in unemployment, up seven-tenths to 3.3 percent.

Statewide, the unemployment rate has not changed since September.  The state rate of 2.7 percent is well below the national unemployment rate of 4.1 percent.

Nebraska Labor Commissioner John Albin called 2017 a strong year for non-farm jobs in Nebraska.  

(KNZA)--Next week’s regular meeting of the Doniphan County Commission has been rescheduled.

County Clerk Peggy Franken says the meeting will be held at 1:00 Monday afternoon instead of 8:30 in the morning so Commissioners can attend the funeral services for longtime county employee Bernie Masters.

Masters worked in the Doniphan County Treasurer’s Office for 25 years before retiring in 2012.

She died Monday at the age of 84.

Funeral mass for Masters, of rural Troy, will be held Monday morning at 10:00 at the St. Charles Catholic Church, in Troy.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas is moving forward with a plan to have the nation's largest private-prison operator build a new state prison.

Top Kansas legislators gave their final approval Wednesday to the project during a meeting with Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. A state law authorizing the new prison in Lansing required a final go-ahead from the Legislature's top eight leaders.

Tennessee-based CoreCivic will build a new, 2,400-bed prison to replace the state's oldest and largest prison in Lansing.

Kansas will pay for the project over 20 years through a lease with the company and spend a total $362 million. The state will oversee day-to-day operations.

The legislative leaders split 5-3 over the project. The department has faced skepticism about whether the lease-purchase deal is the most cost-effective option.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback as ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, giving his home state a new leader.

Vice President Mike Pence had to cast the deciding vote Wednesday so that the Republican governor's nomination by President Donald Trump could be approved on a 50-49 party-line vote.

Brownback planned to resign as governor, but his office in Topeka was not expected to release the details until Thursday. His departure will automatically elevate fellow Republican Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer to governor.

Brownback tweeted his thanks to Trump, Pence and the senators who supported him, saying he's looking forward to starting in the job.

Colyer said he thinks Brownback will serve in his new position wisely.

But Tom Witt of the LGBT-rights group Equality Kansas expressed strong disappointment.

(KAIR)-- New Vehicles are approved for purchase for the Atchison Police Department

That happened Monday, during a special meeting of the Atchison City Commison.

The vehicles will be two 2018 Ford Police Interceptor utility vehicles, and are subject to replace the department's 2015 sedans.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told the Commission the current purchase rotation utilized by the City is proving to be econmical. “Because the vehicles are built as police packages, the department gets a real good resale value. We will sale two 2015 sedans this year and we'll get somewhere between 40-45 percent back then what was paid. That's the advantage of having a three year cycle.”

The vehicles are being purchased through Shawnee Mission Ford at a cost of nearly $60,000.

Commissioners approved the purchase on a unanimous vote of 5-0.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man accused of setting homes and vehicle ablaze during a crime spree last May in Horton has pleaded guilty to all nine felony counts against him. 

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says 27-year-old Dustin McCulley surprised officials January 18th when he said he wanted to enter the plea after reviewing the evidence against him.

McCulley had originally pleaded not guilty in August and a jury trial had been set to begin next week.

Sentencing has been set for February 23rd.

McCulley was charged with one count of aggravated arson, five counts of arson, one count of felony theft and two counts of burglary.

Authorities say McCulley set two residences on fire early May 9—including one which was occupied at the time it was set ablaze.  In addition, police say he set four vehicles on fire, stole a pickup truck and burglarized two other vehicles.  No injuries were reported in the fires.

McCulley remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a $250,000 bond.

Jere Bruning (left) presents a check to refurbish the Library’s lights to Library staff member Traci Hinton.

(KNZA)--The Morrill Public Library recently received a $1,000 donation from Jere Bruning to refurbish the lights in the Library stacks and reading areas.

“The Board of Trustees is working on plans to rejuvenate and preserve our historic building,” said Library Director Jessica Ezell. “But thanks to Mr. Bruning’s generous donation, we were able to go ahead and address an immediate need that benefits everyone right away.”

Bruning is an ongoing supporter of the Library and its services. In recent years he has donated for the purchase of AWE educational computers for the children’s library, the digitization of the newspaper collection, and the purchase of dies for the Library’s paper cutting machine.

For more information about the Library, visit www.hiawathalibrary.org.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska state officials have unveiled a new system to alert the public when vulnerable adults and children go missing.

Gov. Pete Ricketts said Tuesday that the Endangered Missing Advisory system will be used to help find people who don't meet the criteria for the Amber Alert system.

Amber Alerts are distributed statewide through the emergency alert system when authorities believe a child has been abducted and is in danger.

The EMA system will send regional and county-level alerts about missing people to local news media outlets and those who sign up at the Nebraska State Patrol website.

The process to trigger an EMA starts with a request from local law enforcement to the State Patrol. The missing person must be considered in danger based on a variety of factors.

(KNZA)--A revised bid has been accepted for an upgrade of the Brown County Sheriff’s Department’s 911 system.

On the recommendation of Sheriff John Merchant, the County Commission Monday accepted a bid of $324,722 from Commenco, of Kansas City, Missouri, for the upgrade to the Next Generation 911 system.

The original bid of $221,000, accepted by the Commission last October, included all the county dispatch services being located at the Sheriff’s Department.  The new bid includes a back-up system located in Horton and also a five-year warranty on all equipment.

The new equipment will be financed through a five-year lease purchase arrangement and will be paid for with funding generated from a 911 fee collected on phone bills.

Merchant says the state is mandating the county upgrade to the new 911 system by 2019.

In other business, County IT Director Sandy Carter met with the Commission to discuss the purchase of a new computer server for the courthouse.  

The Commission approved the purchase of the new server at a cost of $32,900, with a five-year warranty.
 

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

According to a report from the state Department of Labor, Atchison County had the highest unemployment rate at 4 percent while Nemaha County had the lowest at 1.8 percent.

Elsewhere, Brown County’s unemployment rate was 2.7 percent; Doniphan, 3.1 percent; Jackson, 2.5 percent; Jefferson, 2.9 percent; Leavenworth 3.2 percent, Marshall, 2.6 percent and Pottawatomie, 2.5 percent.

Marshall County was the only area county to see an increase in its unemployment rate.  

All the figures were down from December 2016.

The state Department of Labor says Kansas saw its unemployment rate drop slightly in December to 3.4 percent and reach its lowest point in nearly 18 years.

(KAIR)--A tractor trailer catches fire in western Atchison Monday afternoon, with firefighters rushing to the scene to extinguish the blaze.

According to Captain Patrick Weishaar, of the Atchison Fire Department, the Kenworth caught fire while westbound on U.S. Highway 59 around 3:45.

The fire began in the engine compartment, with the driver telling investigators he began to encounter problems as he made his way into Atchison, crossing the Amelia Earhart Bridge.

Fire Chief Ted Graf tell MSC News prior to the arrival of firefighters, an unknown passerby, apparently equipped with an extinguisher, brought the fire under control. Firefighters, upon arrival, then finished the job.

No injuries are reported.

(KAIR)--An investigation is launched following the illegal dumping of tires on private Atchison County property.

According to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, the report was made Sunday.

He says rural Atchison resident Ryan Weber reported that someone threw 10 tires out of their truck and into a creek on the property, located on Pawnee Road, at the Deer Creek Bridge.

Laurie says there are possible suspects in the case, but an arrest is not yet made, as the investigation continues.

According to Laurie, the location has long been a site used for illegal dumping.

(KAIR)--A door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman from Jefferson County is barred from doing business in Kansas.

That word comes in a press release from Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who says Jason Todack was banned following the decision of a judge.

According to the news release, Judge Teresa Watson approved the consent judgment against Todack, a resident of Meriden, in Shawnee County District Court last week.

Todack was also ordered to pay the attorney general's investigation costs and a civil penalty.

According to Schmidt, Todack sold “Kirby vacuum cleaners in a manner not in compliance with Kansas door-to-door sales laws.”

Schmidt says Todack “violated the Kansas Consumer Protection Act by failing to notify consumers of their three-day right to cancel the transaction and cashing consumers' checks prior to midnight of the fifth business day.”

The news release stated Todack conducted his business under the company names of American Made Matters Corporation and KCONE Corporation.

(KLZA--No changes to the HTRS School Board leadership for 2018.

During the January 8th Board meeting, Rock Herr was elected to continue serving as Board President with Scott Ogle to continue as Vice-President of the Board.

The Board voted to extend the contract of  Superintendent Sherri Edumundson by one year, making it a two-year contract. Negotiations on compensation have not yet taken place.

Board members also approved holding a special meeting on February 21 to discuss topics for a community meeting that will be held at a later date.  

(KLZA)--The Mound City Board of Education has approved a contract extension for Superintendent Ken Eaton.

The extension,  running through the 2020-21 school year, was approved during the January 17th Board meeting.

In other business, Board members met in executive  session to discuss the candidates for the Elementary / Middle School Principals position.

2018-19 contracts were approved for ACES Director Cindy Naber and School Psychologist Haley Humes with letters of employment approved for Social Workers Debbie Fujinami and Brittnie Morgan along with office assistant Emmy Brown.

Approval was given to adding a $10,000 life insurance benefit for qualifying Mound City School District personnel beginning July 1.  Those that work half-time or more for the district will be eligible.

The Board also approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Missouri Assessment Partnership for the Mound City School District to take part in the consortium to help improve and hopefully realign the assessment program in Missouri.

(KAIR)--Like flowers in spring rain, stop signs sprout at key intersections in downtown Atchison, but it's not immediately known if they will remain in place permanently.

Motorists this week began to encounter the four way stops.

They are now in place at the locations suggested to the City Commission in November by Director of Public Works Justin Pregont. "3rd and Commercial, by the New YMCA, 4th and Kansas, by the Library then 5th and Santa Fe and 6th and Santa Fe, on the south side of the Atchison Middle School," Pregont told MSC News in late November. 'The goal downtown is not to have cars drive as fast as possible, it's to keep everybody safe. Make sure that motorists are safe, make sure that pedestrians are safe, people on bicycles."

The signs will remain in place for 90 days, allowing city officials to study the effectiveness of their usage.

If it's decided that the four way stops should be permanent, an ordinance will be drafted and placed into the hands of the Atchison City Commission for a final decision.

(KNZA)--A former Hiawatha High school biology teacher convicted of having unlawful sexual relations with an underage student has been sentenced to three years probation.

24-year-old Gabrielle Bauman, of Fairview, was sentenced Monday in Brown County District Court.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says Bauman will have to register as a sex offender for 25 years.

She pleaded no contest in November to a felony charge of unlawful sexual relations.

Bauman was arrested in August after Hiawatha police investigated a report made to the school district administration in mid-June.

Bauman was convicted of engaging in unlawful sexual relations with a Hiawatha High School student, born in 1999, between November 2016 and May 21st of last year while she was a teacher at the high school.

Hill says the victim and victim's family asked that Bauman receive probation.

The Hiawatha Board of Education accepted her resignation in July.  Bauman had taught at the high school for a year.

(KAIR)--The Jefferson County Commission has organized for the new year.

That came with a change of leadership for the Commission during the January 8 session.

At that time, former Vice-Chair Richard Malm was selected by his fellow Commissioners to hold the Chairman's position for 2018.

2017 Chair Lynn Luck made that motion, as well as the successful motion to install Commissioner Wayne Ledbetter as Vice-Chair.

The Commission unanimously approved of Ledbetter holding that title for 2018.

An Atchison man goes to jail following a traffic stop that resulted in what authorities are calling the seizure of a ½ ounce of methamphetamine.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie says it happened Friday when a vehicle driven by 46-year-old Charles Young was stopped in the 500 block of U.S. Highway 73.

Laurie says the stop, which came due to Young driving while suspended, led to the discovery of the meth.

Young was arrested on charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving while suspended.

He was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

Another traffic stop last week also sent an Atchison man to jail on meth related charges.

Laurie says 40-year-old William Gehring was stopped Tuesday by a deputy. "We had some information about him driving a vehicle, and we knew him to be suspended. When the Deputies saw him driving, followed him to the location there in the 1500 block of North 7th Street, he stopped him and saw him throw something back into the vehicle, which ended up being methamphetamine."

Gehring was arrested for driving while suspended, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

(KLZA)--The Nebraska Department of  Transportation recently announced 22 proposals have been selected from the 68 submitted in December for the second round of the County Bridge Match Program.

The program was created in 2016 as a result of the Nebraska Transportation Innovation Act.

The program provides 55 percent of the funding for innovative replacement and repair of deficient county bridges, with counties responsible for the other 45 percent.

In October, the Department of Roads announced $4-million would be distributed in the second round of requests for proposals.  In all, 59 counties submitted 165 projects for consideration.

Local projects approved include:

In Richardson County, the replacement of two bridge and removal of another.  A bridge 2 miles north and 1.7 miles west of Rulo will be removed.

A bridge two-tenths of a mile southeast of Dawson will be replaced and a bridge a miles east and 4.5 miles north of Humboldt will both replaced with steel girder structures.

In Pawnee County, two bridge replacement projects are to be replaced.  The first is 2.5 miles north and three-tenths of a mile west of the Nebraska Highway 8 and Nebraska Highway 99 junction.  The second bridge is a miles south and 2.3 miles east of the junction of Nebraska Highways 65 and 67-C Junction. Both bridges are to be replaced with culvert pipe structures.

In Nemaha County, three bridge replacement projects have been approved.  All three bridges are to be replaced with culvert - pipe structures.  

The first project is located  2.4 miles west and 9.1 miles south of Johnson.  The second project is a mile north of Howe and the final project is  4 miles east and 1.5 miles south of Julian.

In Johnson County, two bridge replacement projects have been approved.  A bridge 4 miles west and 7-tenths of a mile north of the junction of Highways 50  and 62 and a bridge 2.2 miles west and 2.5 miles north of Tecumseh will both be replaced with culvert pipe structures. 

(KNZA)--A Doniphan County murder suspect has been found competent to stand trial.

District Judge John Weingart recently made the ruling in the case against  41-year-old Christopher Colhour, of St. Joseph, based on an evaluation report from the Larned State Hospital.

A pre-trial conference has now been set for February 6th.

The case was put on hold last year after a motion was granted for the competency evaluation.

Colhour faces charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping and felony theft.

He’s charged in the death of 64-year-old St. Joseph resident Daniel Purvis.  

His body was recovered from the Missouri River, south of St. Joseph, on May 27th of last year after a week long search.   The search was launched after Purvis’ vehicle was located in Troy.

Colhour remains held in the Doniphan County Jail without bond.

(KLZA)--Filing deadlines are coming up for the May primary election in Nebraska.

The deadline for incumbents to file for office is February 15 with the non-incumbent deadline being March 1.

A number of individuals have already filed for various positions at the Richardson County Clerk's Office.

Pamela Scott has filed for re-election at Clerk of the District Court on the Republican ticket.

Amanda Young filed for Richardson County Treasurer on the Republican ticket. Young was appointed Treasurer during the current term due to a resignation.

Terry Lee Stradtman has filed for Ward 3 City Council in Falls City which is a non-partisan position.

Two incumbents have filed for seats on the District 70, Humboldt-Table Rock – Steinauer School Board. Neal Kanel and Scott Ogle, both of rural Dawson have filed for re-election.

John Martin of rural Falls City has filed for re-election to the District 56, Falls City Board of Education.

Dale Oehm has filed for to run for Mayor of Humboldt.  Two people  have filed for the Ward I City Council seat in Humboldt.  Michael Arreguin and Janice Wilhelm are both seeking the Ward I seat.

Three people have filed for seats on the Village Board of Dawson.  Incumbents Charles Laux and Lyndsay Maahs both seek re-election and Michele Wendlandt is also seeking a seat on the Board.

Robert Tichy of  Rural Humboldt is seeking re-election as Richardson County Surveyor on the Democratic ticket.  

(KMZA)--The top spellers from five area schools competed Saturday in the Nemaha County Spelling Bee in Seneca.

Kristi Edelman, a 7th grader from the Fast home school group in Sabetha, captured 1st place by correctly spelling the world “excruciating.” She is the daughter of David and Sheri Edelman.

Taegan Quigley, a 7th grader at the Centralia school, took 2nd place. She is the daughter of Ronald and Brenda Quigley.

The 3rd place winner was Ryan Uphaus, a 6th grader at the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School, in Seneca.  He is the son of Jim and Kelli Uphaus.

Edelman and Quigley will now advance to the Regional Spelling Bee to be held March 10th in Topeka.

Winners of the Regional Spelling Bee will go on to compete in the National Scripps Spelling Bee in Washington D.C.

The Nemaha County Spelling Bee was sponsored by the Alpha Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle wreck Sunday evening on a Brown County road sent three Horton residents to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 17-year-old Jolanda Simon was northbound on Grasshopper Road, south of Powhattan, when she lost control of the Dodge Grand Caravan she was driving after exiting a curve.  The vehicle left the roadway and went into a field where it overturned, coming to rest on its side.

Jolanda Simon and two passengers, 15-year-old Mahaley Simon and 13-year-old Jaiden Simon, were transported to the Hiawatha Community Hospital.

The Patrol says all three were properly restrained when the wreck occurred shortly after 8:30.

(KNZA)--A large crowd was on hand for the annual dinner of the Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau Saturday evening at the Fisher Center.

A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of several awards.

Honored as " Business of the Year" was State Farm Insurance.

Current Chamber and Visitors Bureau President Kate Miller was honored as  "Volunteer of the Year."

Jodi Twombly was the recipient of the " Civil Servant of the Year" award.

Miller said a lot was accomplished last year, with one of the main highlights being the Solar Eclipse event which drew an estimated 13,000 visitors to the community.  She said several of those visitors have returned to the community since that time.

As the Chamber looks ahead, Miller says the organization plans to bring back the ambassador program.

The Chamber will also be hiring a new director and adding a part-time assistant director. Current Director Deida Leander will be leaving at the end of February  to focus on her young family.

Miller recognized outgoing Board members Mike Grier, Jere Bruning, Eric Thompson, Jessica Rush and Jake Wisdom, whose terms have expired.

She also introduced six new members who will be joining the Board. They include Andy Runer, Ashley Olson, Bonnie Marable, Debbie Philips, Jeff Shelton and Nancy Tuma.  

The keynote speaker was Baron Stringfellow, of Horton, who travels the world teaching businesses about fraud through the art of magic.

(MSC News)--The Jefferson County community of Valley Falls is in need of a new police chief.

WIBW-TV reports that's because the Valley Falls City Council Wednesday voted three to two to not reappoint Bronson Campbell to the position.

No reasons for the decision were stated at the session.

Two of the three who voted against the reappointment are new members of the council.

It's not known when a new police chief will be hired.

Campbell has been controversial due to two civil rights cases that were brought before him.

According to the Associated Press, in June 2015, Clayton Conser sued, claiming Campbell used excessive force when he used a stun gun on him. Then, in November 2016, Jamie Petitt filed suit alleging Campbell harassed her.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Transportation is recommending that the traffic lights at 1st and Oregon in Hiawatha be removed and the intersection be made a 4-way stop.

City Administrator Mike Nichols shared the initial results of a traffic study conducted by KDOT with the City Commission Tuesday evening, which he says indicates the traffic flow at the intersection does not call for signals.  

KDOT initiated the study in response to the city’s desire to see left turn lanes and signals installed at the intersection.

Commissioners voiced their opposition to the intersection being controlled by stop signs, citing safety concerns and the history of the intersection being controlled by traffic lights.

Nichols says KDOT will send the study to the city for review once its finalized.  He said from what he’s been told, the city will have input into the final outcome on whether a change is made.

(KNZA)--Possible facility improvements for the Hiawatha Fire and Police Departments will be explored.

The issue was discussed at this week’s City Commission meeting.

City Administrator Mike Nichols outlined several options following conservations with the fire department. They ranged from the replacement of the old gas station at the corner of 4th and Oregon currently used by the fire department, to combining the entirety of the department’s facilities to one new building, to construction of a public safety building that would house both the police and fire departments.

Nichols said the most pressing need is the replacement of the old filling station, which he says is close to falling down and cost a lot to heat.

Nichols says it was also decided to look into the possible replacement of the fire department’s main facility, and police department building as well, since both department’s have outgrown their current facilities.

He said anything beyond the replacement of the old gas station would require the issuance of bonds and the hiring of an architect.

Commissioners voiced support for exploring the possible facility improvements further.

Nichols will solicit quote’s from the city’s two on-call engineering firms for architectural services and bring them back to the Commission for consideration.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has approved an increase in the price paid for meals prepared for the county’s Meals on Wheels program and county inmates.

Kitchen Director Judith Allen met with the Commission Tuesday to request the increase, saying the price of meals has not increased since 2008.

The Commission voted to increase the price paid for meals prepared for the Meals on Wheels program from $4.50 to $5.00 per meal, and for inmate meals from $3.00 to $3.50 per meal or from $9.00 per day to $10.50 per day.

The increase was effective as of January 16th.

In other business,  the Commission approved up to $2,500 from the liquor tax fund to pay the cost of a countywide school assembly on suicide prevention and alcohol and drug abstinence.

KANZA Mental Health will be holding the assembly, with guest speaker Kevin Hines speaking about his own recovery from mental illness and substance use.  

(KAIR)--The costly theft of numerous geese decoys is under investigation by Atchison County authorities.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie tells MSC News an Easton resident reported the theft of nearly 4 dozen decoys, taken from the area of River Road and Woodson Road, in rural Atchison County. "It's not a really heavily traveled area...they had their decoys out in that field, had them out there for, obviously, quite a bit of time."

The theft is believed to have occurred sometime between January 1 and January 17.

According to Laurie, no suspect information has yet been developed.

Laurie says the value of the missing decoys is estimated at around $1,600.

Anyone with information related to the theft is urged to contact the Atchison County Sheriff's Office with details.

(KMZA)--A vacancy has been filled on the Seneca City Council.

The Council Wednesday evening approved the appointment of Kylee Luckeroth to fill the vacant Ward I Council position, and she took her seat on the Council after being sworn in.

Luckeroth was among two applicants for the position, formerly held by Bruce Hermesch.  The other applicant was Jim Musselton.

The Council determined that since Musselton was planning on moving from the ward in about a year, Luckeroth was best applicant.

Council member Ray Shinn asked Luckeroth if she had any conflict of interest since she is the executive director of the Seneca Area Chamber and Downtown Impact.

Mayor Joe Mitchell said City Attorney Martin Mishler had been consulted, and the only conflict would be when the Council is voting on travel and tourism grants that might be awarded to the Chamber/SDI.   At that point, Luckeroth would need to abstain from voting.

In other business, City Superintendent Brian Ruske updated the Council on the sewer rehabilitation project.

He said the work of lining the sewer lines with PVC type piping is 60 percent done.  After that, Ruske said minor repairs will done on some lines that have collapsed or fallen.

The work is expected to be completed by the end of June.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The Kansas Corporation Commission is studying how recently enacted federal tax cuts could affect public utilities.

The KCC on Thursday announced the general investigation and ordered utilities to track all savings from the tax cuts and to keep those funds in a separate interest-bearing account.

 The tax cuts reduce the federal corporate income tax rate from 35 to 21 percent.

The commission's announcement came after Westar Energy, Kansas City Power and Light, and Black Hills Energy announced they will ask for regulatory approval to lower their rates because of the tax cuts.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports KCP&L expects to save up to $100 million a year, while Westar anticipates it will save about $65 million a year. Black Hills did not say how much it anticipates saving.
 

(KMZA)--A Marysville woman was injured Thursday afternoon in a single-vehicle wreck in Clay County that claimed the life of the driver of the car she was a passenger in.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 41-year-old Melissa Haas-Menard was transported to the Clay County Medical Center following the wreck on Broughton Road, southeast of Clay Center.

Killed in the wreck was 49-year-old John Linn, of Clay Center.

The Patrol says Linn was westbound when he came upon slower traffic. Linn swerved to avoid the traffic and lost control of his Ford Mustang, which entered the north ditch and overturned.

The Patrol says Linn was wearing a seatbelt, but Haas-Menard was not, when wreck occurred around 4:00 Thursday afternoon.

(KAIR)--The fourth man, wanted in connection with a Tuesday night armed threat, has been arrested.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson says 23-year-old DeAndre Turner-Fults was arrested Thursday.

He was taken into custody on an Atchison County District Court warrant for aggravated assault.

Wilson says Turner-Fults was one of four who are alleged to have gone to an Atchison apartment, brandished guns, and made threats, prior to firing off the weapons as they left the residence in the 500 block of North 9th Street. “The two victims, aged 23 and 25, reported that four men appeared outside their apartment door making threats, as two of the suspects displayed a handgun and a shotgun. The four suspects then left the apartment area and the victims heard a number of gunshots."

Wilson says the warrant for the arrest of Turner-Fults was issued after he allegedly fled the scene of the crime in a vehicle.

The other three suspects, Bryan Davis, Jr., Daishon Johnson, and Jameel Kirkland, all of Atchison, are alleged to have fled on foot, and were arrested within minutes after police arrived on the scene.

Following his arrest Thursday, Turner-Fults was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KAIR)--New details are released regarding the acquisition of what once was the operations of Northwest Pipe Company, located at the Shannon Industrial Park, in Atchison.

A news release is issued by the City of Atchison, saying the hiring of local employees is set to begin in the coming weeks, while operations at the facility are expected to be fully functional within the first quarter of 2018.

Known as Atchison Tubular Services, the news release states the Houston-based Tex-Tube, which has manufactured steel pipe for more than 70-years, coordinated the acquisition of the former Northwest Pipe facility with the participation of one of its affiliate companies serving as the buyer.

The plant, once reopened, will function much as it previously did, with manufacturing to be conducted in Atchison and sales conducted at the company's Houston headquarters.

In coordination with Tex-Tube, the City and County of Atchison will jointly fund a project to extend what the news release calls “quality broadband internet service” to the Shannon Industrial Park.

Atchison Mayor Allen Reavis, in the news release, calls the project “a great opportunity for the City and County to work together to further economic development in Atchison County.”

Northwest Pipe Company closed its local operations nearly two years ago.

Editor's note: below is the full press release as issued by the City of Atchison January 18, 2018:

Atchison, KS – Nearly two years after Northwest Pipe Company disclosed plans to idle operations at its Atchison facility, a leading manufacturer of steel products announces the restart of the plant’s operations. Tex-Tube, a Houston based company that has manufactured steel pipe for customers around the world for more than 70 years, coordinated the acquisition of the facilities with the participation of Almacenadora Afirme as buyer, and at the same time Almacenadora Afirme will operate the newly acquired plant through a transforming company, named Atchison Tubular Services.

On December 22nd, 2017, Almacenadora Afirme, a Tex-Tube affiliate company, acquired the Atchison plant with the intention of supporting the expansion of Tex-Tube’s pipe manufacturing operations into Atchison. Based on an agreement between Almacenadora Afirme and Tex-Tube, the plant will function in much of the same manner as it previously did, with sales activities taking place at the company’s headquarters in Houston, and manufacturing occurring at the Atchison facility. For that purpose, the manufacturer Atchison Tubular Services plans to start hiring local employees in the coming weeks and expects to be fully operational within the first quarter of 2018.

Isidro Cantu, General Manager of Tex-Tube, responsible for bringing the Atchison plant back into full operation, commented on his eagerness to resume tube production at Atchison in the next few weeks, to begin reaping the envisioned benefits for all stakeholders: employees, the community, and the company. “We are certain that people in Atchison share our excitement to see that plant running again. We have learned that many of its former employees are ready to rejoin the company, which reaffirms our confidence in the highly skilled workers of Atchison”, Mr. Cantu added.  

In coordination with Tex-Tube, the City of Atchison and Atchison County will jointly fund a project to extend quality broadband internet service to the Shannon Industrial Park. This project will bring much needed IT infrastructure to the property, as well as all current and future industrial park businesses. Mayor Allen Reavis said, “This project is a great opportunity for the City and County to work together to further economic development in Atchison County”. He added, “we look forward to more successful partnerships in the future”.

Atchison officials are excited to welcome Almacenadora Afirme and Tex-Tube as important community partners and look forward to the positive impact this investment will have on the Atchison community.  The closure of the pipe production facility was a difficult economic setback for Atchison, and Almacenadora Afirme and Tex-Tube’s efforts to bring those jobs back to the community will give a much needed, appreciated, and noticeable boost to the local economy.

(KAIR)--One Kansas City man is arrested, while another remains on the run, following a theft-turned pursuit in Atchison.

Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News it began Wednesday evening, at Walmart,

where officers responded after the theft was reported around 9:30. "As the officers arrived, a Pontiac Grand Am drove away from the area and fled south on U.S. 73. That vehicle left the roadway at 262nd and U.S. 73 and became disabled in a ditch. The driver bailed out of the car and fled on foot. That vehicle, it was determined, had been reported stolen out of Kansas City, Missouri."

As the search began for the driver, police learned that a second suspect was also involved, having left the store on foot. "That suspect was spotted in the area of the 700 block of Spring [Street]. A foot pursuit ensued, eventually leading officers to a vacant residence in the 400 block of South 6th."

Wilson says that suspect, identified as 28-year-old Gage Bryant, was apprehended, while the other suspect, believed to have driven and wrecked the stolen car, remains on the run. "The [driver] fled into the darkness into a field area. He's not been located but we believe we have determined who he is, and we will present that case to the prosecutor's office. We believe that he, too, is from the Kansas City area."

Bryant was taken into custody on charges of interference with law enforcement, possession of stolen property, and possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

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

(KAIR)-- Two Kansas City area residents were arrested Tuesday night in Jackson County following a traffic stop near Mayetta.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, says 39-year-old Tashara Yeargin-Charles and 31-year-old Jeremy Laray Whitley were both arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and transporting an open container.

Yeargin-Charles, identified as the driver of the vehicle, also faces a charge for driving with a suspended license.

Whitley, a passenger in the vehicle, also faces a charge of interference with law enforcement.

Morse says both were also allegedly in possession of a number of checks and identification documents that did not belong to them.

The pair was booked into the Jackson County Jail.

Additional charges are possible.

(KMZA)--A Pottawatomie County resident a big winner .

The Kansas Lottery reports the resident recently made a trip to Topeka to claim a one million dollar Mega Millions prize.

The winning ticket matched the first five numbers, but not the Megaball, to win the hugh prize.

The lucky winner, who wished to remain anonymous, purchased their ticket at Hunt and Hearth Liquor in Randolph, Kansas.

The KS Lottery says the store is eligible to receive a $1,000 selling bonus.  

(KAIR)--An Atchison home is uninhabitable following a Thursday morning house fire.

Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf tells MSC News firefighters from the Atchison Fire Department responded to the residence, located at 109 South 14th Street, shortly before 8:20 in the morning.

He says the fire began in the kitchen, and firefighters were able to extinguish it.

According to Graf, a resident of the home was evaluated at the scene by EMS but refused transport for hospital treatment. 

(KAIR)--Atchison motorists Thursday morning should avoid the area of 109 South 14th Street. 

That's the location of a structure fire being battled by crews from the Atchison Fire Department. 

Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf confirmed that firefighters are on the scene around 8:20 Thursday morning. 

Few details are immediately known, but no injuries are reported, as crews work to extinguish the blaze in the frigid morning temperatures. 

(KNZA)--A rural Jackson County home is being listed as a total loss following a fire late Wednesday night.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says the Sheriff’s Office received a report at 11:15 of a fire that was later found to be at a residence at 12170 X Road in the southeastern portion of the county.

Morse says the house was fully engulfed when fire crews arrived on scene,

He says it was determined that no people or pets were inside the home at the time of the fire.

The occupants are Louis and Christina Williams and 3 children.

The fire was brought under control shortly before 12:30 Thursday morning.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Responding to the scene were fire departments from Hoyt, Mayetta, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Rock Creek Township along with Jackson County EMS and Sheriff’s Office.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss has told legislators that judicial branch employees are so underpaid that the problem threatens the state's ability to provide justice.

Nuss made an aggressive pitch for greater funding for the court system during his annual State of the Judiciary address Wednesday to a joint session of the Legislature.

The chief justice's speech came a week after Republican Gov. Sam Brownback released budget proposals that did not include nearly $20 million in additional funds sought by the courts for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Nuss said the pay for all job classifications within the court system are below market rates and some by as much as 21 percent.

He said low pay has given Kansas courts an unusually high turnover rate.

(KNZA)--A new Hiawatha Water and Lights Superintendent has been hired.

The City Commission voted Tuesday evening to promote current Water and Lights Department employee Brad Scott to the position.

Scott is to begin his new position February 2nd at a salary of $20 an hour.

He has worked for the city for 12 years.

Scott will replace Rick Koenig who is retiring next month after around 44 years with the city.

The Commission also voted to advertise for the hiring of a new city clerk.

Current City Clerk Vivian Constable has announced she will be retiring in May when her position is up for re-appointment.

(KAIR)-- A traffic stop Monday in Holton leads to an arrest for meth and theft.

47-year-old Vaughn Cortez Schnegelsiepen, of Topeka, was arrested after a Jackson County Sheriff's Deputy noticed the vehicle he was driving had an altered 60-day-tag.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, says Schnegelsiepen provided the deputy with a fake drivers license of another individual.

Schnegelsiepen was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, identity theft, possession of stolen property, giving a worthless check, theft by deception, interference with law enforcement, driving with suspended license, display of a fictitious driver's license

The suspect is also under investigation for recent crimes that involve the forging of checks at area businesses.

The Topeka man was booked in Jackson County Jail and bond is set at $35,000.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, says he's "extremely honored" to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.

It's the highest honor the nation's legislative body has for a civilian.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, presented the medal to the decorated World War II veteran, and Kansan, during a ceremony at the Capitol Wednesday.

Dole also ran for president, winning the Republican Party's nomination in 1996. He lost to Democrat Bill Clinton.

Kansas 2nd District Republican Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins was among the many who spoke during the ceremony, citing Dole's accomplishments as a leader to both Kansas and the nation. 

Also in attendance was Republican Kansas Senator Pat Roberts, who, along with Jenkins, introduced the Bob Dole Congressional Gold Medal Act on July 24, 2017.   

It passed the Senate on August 3, 2017, with every single U.S. Senator cosponsoring the legislation. It passed the House on September 5, 2017.

The 94-year-old Dole thanked his colleagues and staff, and all the speakers, including President Donald Trump, for their "kind words." Then, in a flash of his trademark wit, Dole said of the tributes, "They're probably not true, but they're kind."

Dole is only the 8th out of 1,973 Senators to earn the award. Other Congressional Gold Medal Senate honorees include Senators Robert Kennedy, John Glenn and Harry Truman.

Left to right: Bryan Davis, Jr., Daishon Johnson, and Jameel Kirkland.

(KAIR)--The sound of gunfire sends Atchison Police to the city's 9th and Laramie Streets Tuesday night, and leads to the arrest of three in connection with what Police Chief Mike Wilson says was an attempt to threaten two residents in the 500 block of North 9th Street. "As our officers arrived in the area, it was learned that two men had been threatened with firearms in an apartment complex in the 500 block of North 9th. The two victims, aged 23 and 25, reported that four men appeared outside their apartment door making threats, as two of the suspects displayed a handgun and a shotgun. The four suspects then left the apartment area and the victims heard a number of gunshots."

Wilson says it was only a matter of minutes for three of the four suspects, who allegedly fired off their weapons after stepping away from the apartment, to be located.

"They make the threats, with guns in hand, at the door. The victims backed away from the door on the inside. The suspects went to a nearby roadway, and fired off a number of shots as they fled the area. Officers began searching the area, and located three of these suspects on foot, in the 800 block of Division, and they were taken into custody. We have identified a fourth suspect believed to have fled the area in a vehicle."

Arrested were three Atchison residents, 24-year-old Bryan Davis, Jr., 22-year-old Daishon Johnson, and Jameel Kirkland.

All three, facing charges of aggravated assault, were booked into the Atchison County Jail.

Wilson says investigators say the suspects and the victims were acquainted, and believe the incident stemmed from an unspecified, unresolved issue.

(KNZA)--Icy road conditions are blamed for a single-vehicle wreck late Wednesday morning on a Brown County road that sent two to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 53-year-old Daniel Post, of Hiawatha, was westbound on 240th Road, east of Mulberry Road, when he lost control of the Dodge Dakota he was driving on the slick road.   His vehicle entered the south ditch and rolled 2-3 times, coming to rest in an adjacent field.

Post and a passenger, 53-year-old Independence, Missouri resident Dorsey Simpson, were transported to the Hiawatha Community Hospital.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says both were trapped in the vehicle and had to be removed by emergency personnel.

The Patrol says neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt when the wreck occurred shortly after 11:00.

Assisting at the scene were the Brown County Sheriff’s Department, Sac and Fox Tribal Police, Squad 48, Town and Country Ambulance along with Hiawatha and Robinson Fire Departments.

(KAIR)--A rural Atchison County burglary leaves authorities puzzled, as the thieves leave stolen guns behind and take no more than $30 in cash.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie tells MSC News the victim arrived home at the 10518 242nd Road address, in Effingham, to find that the residence had been broken into. “The victim came home to the residence and noticed that the house had been broken into. After they called, and deputies arrived, they noticed that the guns had been left outside the residence. Once they looked further into the house they realized nothing actually really was stolen, except for some loose change and a piggy bank."

Laurie says the investigation continues, and calls the case unusual, as it remain unclear why the rifles were left behind.

Access to the home was gained by breaking out a window, with the crime believed to have occurred sometime between 11:00 Friday morning and 6:00 that evening.

Suspects are being sought, and anyone with information about the case is urged to contact authorities.

(KMZA)--Two teenagers convicted of vandalizing the Wetmore Attendance Center in August will have to serve 10 days in jail and pay nearly $66,000 restitution.

Jayme Hodge and Jarred Kramer, both of Netawaka, were sentenced Tuesday in Nemaha County District Court on charges of felony criminal damage to property and theft.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert says both received a 12 month sentence on the theft charge and 6 months on the criminal damage to property charge. The sentence was suspended. Lippert said Hodge and Kramer were remanded to the Nemaha County Jail to serve the 10 days, after which both will be placed on 24-months probation.

In addition to court costs and other fees, the pair were ordered to pay restitution totaling $65,821. They were also ordered to complete 200 hours of community service work and to refrain from entering any property owned by USD 113.

The two teens pleaded no contest in December to the charges. In exchange for the plea, a charge of burglary was dismissed.

Hodge and Kramer were arrested in September following an investigation by the Nemaha County Sheriff's Department.

(KAIR)--Two men, one from Missouri and the other from Arkansas, face Atchison County charges, ranging from the possession of meth to possession of stolen property.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News that's due to the discovery that the truck the pair was traveling in had been reported stolen in Arkansas. “It was at 1 p.m. on Friday afternoon when officers stopped a 1994 GMC truck, at 2nd and Parallel, that was reported stolen in Carroll County, Arkansas. Two subjects were taken into custody that were inside the truck.”

Wilson says the truck remains in the custody of the Atchison Police Department as the related investigation continues. “We have been in contact with the Carroll County, Arkansas Sheriff's Department, as well as the owner of the truck...the two subjects we have in custody were associates of the victim of the case. [Both] claim that they are not the ones who stole the vehicle that caused it to be reported in Arkansas."

Arrested were 45-year-old Joey Williams, of Eagle Rock, Missouri, and 54-year-old David Weston, of Beaver Carroll, Arkansas.

Williams faces charges of possession of stolen property and operating a vehicle without a license, while Weston faces charges of possession of stolen property, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Following their arrests, both men were booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KMZA)--An investigation is launched following the burglary of a rural Seneca residence.

The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office says the residence located at 1425 U.S. 36 Highway was broke into January 10th sometime between 1:00 and 3:20 in the afternoon.

Taken were multiple items including jewelry, electronics, credit cards and coins.

The loss was estimated at $5,800.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information on the burglary should contact the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office in Seneca.

(KAIR)--A new television series focused on adults who secretly went back to high school takes place at Topeka's Highland Park High School; and as the second episode of the A&E channel's “Undercover High” debuts Tuesday evening, local viewers may remember one of the featured high school staff members from his time in Atchison.

Daniel Ackerman is the assistant principal at Highland Park.

According to his biography posted on the A&E website, Ackerman is a graduate of Atchison's Benedictine College, receiving his Bachelor’s degree in History, with a minor in secondary education, in 1995.

After his years in Atchison, Ackerman began an 11-year period of teaching in an alternative program at Topeka's Washburn Rural High School, completing his Master's degree in Educational Administration from Topeka's Washburn University in 2006.

His career in secondary education then took him to Highland Park and to his current featured presence on “Undercover High.”

According to A&E's website, the series “follows seven young adults, ranging in age from 21 to 26, who embed themselves for a semester” at the Topeka High School.

“The participants pose as typical students–attending classes, making friends and participating in school clubs and activities–to provide an inside look at what it’s like to be a teenager today.”

“Undercover High” airs Tuesday night at 9:00 on the A&E channel.

(KNZA)--A new scam is being reported locally.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says he’s had several reports of residents receiving text messages stating their bank account has been compromised and are given a number to call back.  When the number is called, the residents are prompted to enter their debit card number.

Merchant says most financial institutions will not text you such information. 

He says there have been several variations on this scam, as residents are also
receiving phone calls with the same information from a number that they do not recognize.  The callers are representing themselves as bank personnel and are concerned about debit card usage, with the callers asking residents to verify their debit card account numbers.    

All callers have been reported to have thick foreign accents.

Merchant reminds residents not to give out your personal information over the phone or by text message.

He says if you feel you have been a victim of these scams, you should notify your bank at once and contact law enforcement

(KNZA)--Someone from the local area could be much richer, with the Kansas Lottery reporting a ticket sold in northeast Kansas in Friday’s Mega Millions drawing won one million dollars.

The northeast Kansas region includes 21 counties, including locally, the counties of Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jefferson, Jackson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha and Pottawatomie.

The winning ticket matched the first five numbers, but not the Megaball, to win the one million dollar prize.

The winning numbers in the January 12th Mega Millions drawing were 17-18-33-46-60 Megaball 24.

Someone in northeast Kansas also won nearly $357,000 in the January 10th Super Kansas Cash jackpot.  That winner has yet to come forward as well.  

(KLZA)-- Wind chill advisories are in effect from 5:0) p.m. Monday, until noon on Tuesday for southeast Nebraska.   

Strong northwest winds and bitterly cold temperatures will drive wind chill indices down into the 15 below to 25 below zero range today. Dangerously cold wind chills of 20 below to 30 below zero are anticipated tonight into
Tuesday morning.

A Wind Chill Advisory means that cold air and the wind will
combine to create low wind chills. Frost bite and hypothermia can
occur if precautions are not taken. Make sure you wear a hat and
gloves.
 

The former longtime owner of the Humboldt Standard newspaper is being remembered.

John “Jack” Cooper died January 6th at the age of 85 at the  Colonial Acres Nursing Home in Humboldt.  

A memorial Eucharist Service for Cooper will be at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, January 23rd at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Falls City.

The Wherry Mortuary in Humboldt is in charge of the arrangements. 

(KLZA)--Marvin Bohling has been elected Chairman of the Nemaha County, Nebraska Board of Commissioners for 2018.

During the January 10 annual reorganization meeting, Bob Hutton was elected vice chairman.

Commissioners approved a resolution setting salaries for county elected officials with a five-percent increase from the 2018 salary for 2019 and a 2.5 percent increase in salary for each year for 2020, 2020 and 2022.  

Tom Catlett was appointed as County Surveyor for 2018.

In other business, County Assessor Mallory Lempka met with the Board to discuss increasing the hourly wage for her office assistant Ashley Mayer to the same level as the clerk assistants in the Treasurer's and Clerk's offices, which starts at 65% of the elected officials salary, maxing out at 70%.  The Board approved the request and will review again at next year's budget hearing request.

(KLZA)--A Humboldt man has been sentenced to prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

According to a news release from Acting U.S. Attorney Robert Stuart, 43-year-old Timothy John Kuker was ordered last week to serve five years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Information provided to federal prosecutors indicated Kuker was responsible for the distribution of at least 1.5 kilograms, which is about three pounds of methamphetamine, in the Lincoln area between September 2013 and September of 2015.

The Lincoln / Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force investigated the case.

(KMZA)--Plans have been revised for a new addition connecting two Nemaha Central schools.

USD 115 Superintendent Darrel Kohlman updated the Board of Education last week on the project that would tie together the elementary/middle school and high school.

After meeting with the custodial staff, administrative staff and architects, Kohlman said its believed the best use of space would be to add four classrooms with a hallway through the center instead of three classrooms with a hallway along one side.

Its hoped that blueprints will be ready for viewing at next month’s Board meeting.

Eric Stallbaumer with AHRS Construction, of Bern, was present to explain the differences between a design, bid and build process and a construction manager at-risk process.

The construction manager at-risk process was used when the elementary building was built in 2008.

In other action, John Deters was welcomed as a new board member.  Deters will serve in position 6 which was formerly held by Jean Placke.  Kohlman said no one has applied so far for the vacant position formerly held by Joe Reitz.  Reitz was elected in November to replace Ilene Enneking.  Kohlman said the Board can operate with six members, but is hopeful someone will come forward.

High school senior Max Holthaus updated the Board on the mobile app he is working on for the district.  Holthaus said the app will be available to the public soon.  The app will include a twitter feed, calendar of events and notifications of sporting events along with other announcements.

Holthaus also informed the Board that he and another individual have considered the possibility of re-designing the district website.         

(KAIR)--Applications for Kansans eligible for financial help with heating homes for the winter will begin to be accepted Tuesday, January 16th.

According to a press release issued by the Kansas Department for Children and Families, the applications are for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, known as LIEAP.

The program provides an annual benefit to help qualifying households pay winter heating bills.

In 2017, nearly 38,000 households received an average benefit of $525. To qualify, applicants must be responsible for direct payment of their heating bills, with income eligibility requirements set at 130 percent of the federal poverty level.

 Westar Energy will host a series of workshops across the state to provide on-site support for those filling out an application.

Atchison

Jan. 19 9 a.m.-noon Project Concern, 504 Kansas Ave.
Jan. 19 9 a.m.-noon Catholic Charities, 502 Kansas Ave.
Jan. 19 1-4 p.m. Salvation Army, 926 Commercial

Leavenworth

Jan. 23 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Catholic Charities, 716 N. 5th

(KLZA)--David Sickel will serve another term as Chairman of the Richardson County Commissioners in 2018.

During the January 9th Board meeting, Jim Davidson was elected Vice-Chairman and duties were designated for all three Board members.

In addition, the Board reaffirmed the appointment of Steve Darveau Jr. as Highway Superintendnet at an annual salary of $48,000. Mona Godeman was re-apponted Veterans Service Officer at an hourly wage of $16.73 per hour, representing a five-percent increase.

Brian Kirkendall was re-appointed Richardson County Emergency Manager at an annual salary of $47,000 which is a 2.3-percent increase. J.T. Lyons will continue as Noxious Weed Superintendent, receiving a 2-percent pay increase making his hourly wage of $14.15.

Rachel Jean, Richard Gulland and Kimberly Riggs were appointed to the Greievance Board for the County Road Deapartment for 2018 with Mona Godeman and Brian Kirkendall re-appointed to the Board.

Kristy Gerweck, Sandra Stalder and Madaline Wilhelm were re-appointed to 4-year terms on the County Visitors Committee. Commissioners were notified by letter that Richard Martin is resigning from the committee. A replacement will be appointed at a later date.

(KNZA)--Two new members have joined the South Brown County USD 430 Board of Education.

Monday’s meeting marked the first for Jamie Bottom and Kate Ross since being elected in November.

Board President Jason Smith welcomed both to the Board.

Bottom replaces Gregg Dishon, who stepped down in December after 12 years on the Board.  Ross replaces Tim McClaskey, who stepped down last month after 16 years on the Board.

Following an executive session, the Board voted to move forward on hiring a curriculum and testing director for the district.  

In other business, Superintendent Jason Cline informed the Board there’s a foundation problem on the northeast corner of the elementary school building.  He obtained a bid from AHRS Construction, of Bern, to repair the foundation for a cost of $4,800.  It was the consensus of the Board to have Cline move forward on the repair.   

Cline also told the Board the LED lighting project is still incomplete at this time, with a few lights remaining to be replaced at the high school and elementary school.
 

(KNZA)--Three new members have officially joined the Atchison County Community Schools USD 377 Board of Education.

Kelli Bottorff, Lori Lanter and Corey Neill took their seats on the Board  during the January 8th regular meeting after winning election in November.

They replace Jeff Martin, Steve Meeks and Tana Hoffman, who stepped down last month after a combined more than 25 years of service on the Board.  

A new state law took effect last year, moving school board elections from April to November of odd-numbered years.

With the change, newly elected board members now take their seats on the board in January instead of July.

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle weather-related crash in Atchison County Sunday evening left a Denton woman injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 35-year-old Bridget Taylor was northbound on K-7, about two miles north of Atchison, when she lost control of her Dodge Journey due to the weather conditions. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole.

Taylor was transported to the Overland Park Regional Medical Center for the treatment of unspecified injuries.

Two passengers, 17-year-old Kaitlyn Williams and 5-year-old Gracelynn Taylor, both of Denton, were not hurt.

The Patrol reports all the occupants were properly restrained when the wreck occurred around 9:20 Sunday evening.  

(MSC News)--Fire crews from multiple agencies battled a house fire in Wathena Friday evening.

The fire was reported in the 700 block of 3rd Street.

KQ2-TV reports no one was home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(KNZA)--A Holton man convicted of killing his wife has been sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison.

Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller tells MSC News that 67-year-old George Fleshman, Jr. was sentenced Friday to 9 years and 9 months for second-degree murder.  

Miller says Fleshman will also have to serve 36-months post-release supervision and register as a violent offender.

A Jackson County jury found him guilty last month of killing 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.

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the public water supply located in the City of Robinson in Brown County.  The advisory affected all customers west of Main Street.  KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a line repair which will result in a loss of pressure in the system.  Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Robinson 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.  

(KNZA)--A former area lawmaker and Doniphan County community leader is being remembered.

Galen Weiland, of Bendena, died Wednesday at a St. Joseph hospital at the age of 78.

A Celebration of Life service for Weiland will be held Monday morning at 11:00 at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, in Highland.

Wieland served in the Kansas House from 1990 to 2001, representing the 1st District.

He was the former manager of Bendena Grain Company.

In addition, Weiland was the former director of the Doniphan County Economic Development Commission and the Doniphan County Chamber of Commerce.  He also served on various boards in Doniphan County.

Among his survivors are his wife, Ruth, along with two children

(KAIR)--Despite the slick roads that came as winter weather struck the local area Thursday, no injuries are reported in any of the handful of Atchison area wrecks caused by the conditions.

Two were overseen by the Atchison County Sheriff's Office, including a rollover wreck on U.S. Highway 73.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie says the driver of the Nissan van was northbound on the highway, at 218th Road, when the snow packed highway caused the driver to lose control.

The van crashed, rolling over onto its side.

Also Thursday, a Chevrolet Malibu, traveling on Kansas Highway 7, left the roadway due to slick conditions.

The car ran into a ditch, north of 318th Road.

Laurie says a passenger, who was pregnant, was transported to the Atchison Hospital for precautionary reasons, but later released.

In the City of Atchison, one of three minor wrecks Thursday is being blamed on the weather conditions.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson says that happened at 10th and U.S. Highway 59 when the vehicle, driven by a Nortonville resident, apparently slid on the slick road.

That caused the vehicle to collide with a traffic light.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Board of  Education elected June  Bowers as President of the  District 56 Board of Education Monday night.  Scott Hollens will serve as Vice President for 2018.

The Board also approved a contract extension for Superintendent Tim Heckenlively.

The two-year rollover contract runs through June 30, 2020. Heckenlively will receive a 2.9 percent pay raise for the next year.

The Board continues negotiations with the teacher bargaining group.

In other business the Board approved a hiring incentive of $3-thousand for all new teachers beginning in August, 2018. 

(KAIR)--An Atchison traffic stop Tuesday leads to what police identify as methamphetamine and marijuana, and Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News that alleged discovery led to the arrest of 44-year-old Daniel Jennings. 7:30, on Tuesday evening, an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle in the 300 block of North 15th on a traffic violation. It was determined that the driver was found to be driving while suspended, and he was subsequently found to be in possession of methamphetamine, and marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.”

Jennings, of Effingham, faces charges for possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia, as well as driving while suspended.

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

(KAIR)--A rural Effingham resident is facing drug charges, and three others face various charges, following the serving of a warrant this week.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie says a Deputy, seeking the whereabouts of 58-year-old Glen Ballard, responded to a residence at 4771 Highway 116 Sunday afternoon.

Ballard was located, and was found to be possessing a handgun, along with a glass pipe that authorities allege was used to smoke methamphetamine.

Ballard was taken into custody on charges of possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, and interference with law enforcement, because Ballard attempted to flee.

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

Three others who were at the residence were found to be wanted on warrants, primarily for failure to appear in court.

(KAIR)--No new measures are yet implemented at the Atchison Hospital due to the recent spike in influenza cases across the region; however, Collin Richards, nurse manager at the hospital's inpatient care areas says if the severity level increases in the Atchison area, that could change.

Richards, in an emailed statement to MSC Radio News, says it's likely, based on cases in surrounding communities, that the number of flu like illnesses will climb in Atchison.

Until that happens, visitors to the Atchison Hospital can expect no changes to the requirements, although Richards does urge staff and visitors to take normal precautions, such as properly washing hands.

He also asks that potential visitors be in good health before arriving, and those with colds, fevers, coughs, or other ailments, to avoid visiting.

In recent days, due to a cited high number of influenza like cases, area hospitals, including the Hiawatha Community Hospital, have placed limitations on visits, as well as encouraging the wearing of masks by those who do visit.

(KNZA)--The Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education will consider the possibility of combining elementary classrooms at the Wetmore school.

Superintendent Todd Evans says the issue was discussed again at this week’s meeting, driven by the need to find ways to keep the school  viable.

Evans says the Board instructed Director of Student Learning Jennifer Gatz and Principal Rick Schnacker to provide the Board with a recommendation  regarding the potential of combining at least two classrooms for the 2018-19 school year.

In other action, Evans says a bid was accepted for two roofing projects at the Wetmore school.  The Board accepted the low bid from Midwest Coating, of Topeka, for a combined cost of $74,500.

Evans says the Board established a deadline of April 9th, with the intent that the majority of the work be accomplished during spring break to avoid disruption to the learning process.

In addition, Evans says Sabetha High School Principal Sheri Harmer provided the Board with an update on the work that’s been done by the Booster Club on the design of the proposed new press box for the high school football stadium.

The Booster Club took some of the suggestions from the December Board meeting and were able to trim some of the costs, reducing the estimated cost from nearly $150,000 to $120,000.  

The Booster Club also provided the Board with a visual example of what the exterior of the press box would like with advertising.

The Board voted last month to provide up to $60,000 for the project.

The Booster Club plans to use the district funds along with their funds, donations and advertising to pay for the project.

The next step will be to get bids.   

(KLZA)--A Falls City resident alerted the Falls City Police Department of a recent scam attempt.

The local resident received a letter, alleged to have been from the Publishers Clearing House.  

The letter notified the individual they were a winner on money,  but were to no tell anyone, and provide the company with bank account information so they could deposit the winnings.

Assistant Police Chief Jamie Baker said there were several red flags tipping off the scam attempt.

The letter was in a regular sized envelope,  with a Florida return address. However, the letter was postmarked in Canada and the phone number to call with questions was in New York.

Baker warns that anytime you receive notice you are a winner, and someone asks for bank account information, or wants  you to pay them a fee, it is a scam.  

(KAIR)--Someone from the local area could be much richer, with the the Kansas Lottery reporting that Wednesday night's jackpot winning Super Kansas Cash ticket was purchased in northeast Kansas.

Locally, that includes the counties of Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jefferson, Jackson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha, and Pottawatomie.

The ticket matched all of the numbers in the drawing of January 10, which were 1-6-12-14-28 Super Cash Ball 16.

The Kansas Lottery, in a press release, says the value of the winning ticket is nearly $357,000.

(KLZA)--A Falls City man has been arrested on a felony charge of burglary and misdemeanor charges of terroristic threats and disturbing the peace.

Early Monday morning, David McPherson is alleged to have entered a Falls City home in the 2200 block of Chase Street. The residents of the home, a man and a woman and two children were at home, and heard a noise.

McPherson left the home and the man living in the house confronted him. Falls City Assistant Police Chief Jamie Baker said McPherson then threatened the man with a knife and left the area.

A short time later, Falls City Police Officers found McPherson a short distance away from the  home and arrested him.

McPherson is in the Richardson County Jail.  

(KNZA)--Charges have been filed in connection with the Thanksgiving Day shooting death of a St. Joseph man.

According to a press release from Buchanan County Prosecutor Dwight Scroggins, 22-year-old Shawn Robertson, of Savannah, has been charged with second-degree murder, or in the alternative voluntary manslaughter, in the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Logan Beems.

St. Joseph Police responded a report of shots fired late November 23rd of last year in the 23-hundred block of South 18th Street. When they arrived, police found Beems dead along with another victim that had non-life-threatening wounds.  

According to court documents, Beems was shot multiple times in his back and the back of his head.

Robertson is to be arraigned in a Buchanan County courtroom Friday.

(KNZA)--A report of a suspicious vehicle in Brown County leads to the arrest of two—including one on drug charges.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says deputies responded Tuesday to a report of a suspicious vehicle stopped in the middle of the road with its lights out.

Merchant says the vehicle was located, and two individuals arrested, after the Sheriff’s Department K-9 alerted on the vehicle.  A third individual was issued a citation.

25-year-old Michael Costa, of Hiawatha, was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

28-year-old Julian Geiger, of Robinson, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear.

23-year-old Brendan Boch, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was issued a citation for no proof of insurance.

As of Thursday morning, Costa remained in the Brown County Jail on a $25,000 bond, while Geiger remained jailed on a $2,000 bond.

The Kansas Highway Patrol assisted.

(MSC News)--The latest round of winter weather has forced numerous school closings, and other cancellations, across the local area; and, due to the inclusion of ice with the winter conditions, caution is being urged for those needing to travel.

In the City of Atchison, crews began work early to get ahead of the freezing precipitation.

Director of Public Works, Justin Pregont, tells MSC News crews began treating streets at 5:30 Thursday morning.

Since that time, sleet accumulations have created slick conditions on area roads, with crews continuing to treat the travel routes.

Pregont says plowing operations will be utilized, as needed.

Statewide, the Kansas Department of Emergency Management is reminding motorists of travel dangers, discouraging travel until the wintery weather passes.

      Use caution when taking the first step out your door! Ice is accumulating on all surfaces across much of Kansas.

      The temperatures are frigid and it's precipitating, a wintry combination that has resulted in hazardous driving and walking conditions.

      A winter storm warning is in effect until noon for portions of central Kansas. Winter weather advisory is in effect until noon for east central Kansas, north central Kansas and northeast Kansas. The heaviest snow should fall mainly west of a Hiawatha to Council Grove line. Expect heaviest snow and blowing snow with total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches just west of Topeka. Wind blowing snow at 45 mph will reduce visibility though snow may not be as deep from Topeka eastward, a layer of ice is making travel treacherous.

      The Kansas Division of Emergency Management is reminding Kansans that road travel is discouraged during extreme winter storm situations, particularly when there is an icy build-up on roads. However, if you must travel, there are some precautions you should take to keep yourself and your family safe.

      Keep at least a half a tank of gas in your car at all times in case you get stranded or stuck in traffic. Arrange your travel plans to leave well ahead of bad weather and let someone know your itinerary and expected arrival time. Make sure your cell phone is charged so you can alert them should you be delayed.

      Always keep an emergency kit in your car. Recommended items to include in your vehicle include:

·       Water

·       Snack food

·       Shovel

·       Windshield scraper and small broom

·       Flashlight

·       Battery powered radio

·       Extra batteries

·       Matches

·       Extra hats, socks and mittens

·       First aid kit with pocket knife

·       Necessary medications

·       Blanket(s)

·       Tow chain or rope

·       Road salt and sand

·       Booster cables

·       Emergency flares

·       Fluorescent distress flag

      Information on winter driving tips is available from the Kansas Highway Patrol at http://www.kansashighwaypatrol.org/259/Winter-Driving-Tips. You can also follow the Kansas Highway Patrol on Facebook and Twitter at www.kansashighwaypatrol.org.

      If you must travel, get the latest road information from the Kansas Department of Transportation by calling 5-1-1 or visiting the KanDrive website at kandrive.org. To find information on road conditions when not in the state, call 1-866-511-5368 < tel:1-866-511-5368 > .

      For a complete list of items for a home or car emergency kit and for other helpful preparedness information, go towww.ksready.gov

      Be sure your home is prepared, as well, with a home emergency kit that contains enough essential supplies to allow you to shelter in place for at least three days. Keep abreast of weather conditions by tuning to your local weather station.

      If you have to work outside, observe the following safety precautions:

·       Use many thin, warm layers rather than a few thick layers.  It will insulate better and allow you to strip off layers if the temperature climbs.

·       Do not work alone, if possible. Working with a partner allows you to keep an eye on each other

·       Work in short periods to avoid over-exertion

      Outdoor pets are especially vulnerable to bitter cold and extreme wind chills. Bring outdoor pets inside if possible or ensure that they have a draft-free enclosure with straw-type bedding that is large enough for your pets to lie down, but small enough to hold in body heat if they must remain outside. Always make sure that your pets have access to food and non-frozen water.

      For additional pet safety information, go to avma.org http://avma.org and for general winter preparedness information, go to www.ksready.gov.

(KMZA)--Icy road conditions are blamed for a single-vehicle wreck Thursday morning in Pottawatomie County that left a Wamego man injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 32-year-old Joseph Fialkowski was eastbound on U.S. 24 Highway, east of Wamego, when he lost control of his pickup truck due to the slick road conditions and his vehicle rolled into a field.

Fialkowski was transported to the Wamego Community Hospital.

The Patrol says Fialkowski was buckled up when the wreck occurred shortly after 6:00 Thursday morning.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Board of Education will not change when they elect Board officers.

Following a lengthy discussion Monday evening during their regular meeting, Superintendent Lonnie Moser says the Board decided it was more of a benefit to keep the election of the board president and vice-president in July instead of moving it to January.

The discussion was brought about due to the Kansas Legislature’s decision to move school board elections from April to November. With the change, newly elected school board members will now take office in January.

Following an executive session, the Board approved a one-year extension to Moser’s current two-year contract, which means his contract will run through the 2019-20 school year.  Moser is in his first school year as superintendent of USD 415.

In other action, the Board accepted the resignation of 2nd grade teacher Leslie Wheeler, effective at the end of the current school year. Also accepted was the resignation of Kathy Lindstrom as middle school volleyball coach.

Moser informed the Board that plans are to interview up to four finalists for the high school principal position January 22nd. Early next week is the deadline for applications.

Board members Tom Simmer and John Wright will serve on the interview committee.

Moser says plans are to make a recommendation to the Board by their February meeting on the hiring of a new high school principal.

The position came open following the resignation of Andrew Gaddis at the end of last school year. Alan Jeffery is serving as interim principal this school year.

Moser also said finalists for the middle school principal position are tentatively scheduled to be interviewed February 2nd, with a recommendation to made to the Board by their March meeting.

Current Middle School Principal David Coufal is retiring at the end of the current school year.  

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission has approved the purchase of two new patrol vehicles for the Sheriff’s Department.

The Commission Monday approved the purchase two 2018 Dodge Chargers from Nemaha Valley Motors, in Seneca, for a total cost of $42,000 with the trade-in of two 2014 Dodge Chargers.

Bids were also received from Honeyman Ford, of Seneca and Aberle Ford, of Sabetha.

Sheriff Rich Vernon informed Commissioners he has hired Baxter Defore, of Hiawatha, as a full-time corrections officer.  Defore began work Monday at a salary of $13.18 an hour.  He replaces Paul Streeter who took a job with the Sabetha Police Department.  

In other business, County Senior Services and Public Transit Director Diane Yunghans informed the Commission that in order to move forward on a grant application to fund the construction of a new Nutrition Center and transit office in Seneca a public hearing must be held.

Yunghans said the public hearing has been set for Monday, February 5th at 10:30 in the morning at the current Seneca Nutrition Center at 504 Edwards Road.

If awarded, the grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation would pay for 80 percent of half of the cost of the building, which has been estimated at nearly $700,000.  The total project cost, including furnishings and land for the building, has been estimated at just over $913,000.

Yunghans says the final grant application is due February 16th.         

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — A St. Joseph police officer who shot and killed a woman will not face charges.

Buchanan County Prosecutor Dwight Scroggins said Wednesday the officer acted properly during the October death of 25-year-old Samantha Hennard, of St. Joseph.

The St. Joseph News-Press reports police were called to a disturbance involving a stolen vehicle. While officers were en route, they were told two people who were armed fled on foot.

A Missouri State Highway Patrol investigation found officer Brant Hutchison saw Hennard and ordered her to stop. Investigators say Hennard continued running and eventually turned and fired twice at Hutchison, who returned fire. Hennard was struck once and died at the scene.

Scroggins said Hutchison reasonably believed he needed to fire to protect himself and others from serious injury or death.

(KNZA)--Due to an increase in flu activity, the medical staff at the Hiawatha Community Hospital is limiting hospital visitors, effective immediately.

The hospital said in a news release Wednesday that it’s taking the action to limit the risk of exposure to patients, as well as other visitors and staff.

The hospital is asking that visitors only come if its absolutely necessary, especially individuals under the age of 18.

The release says all visitors to the Hiawatha Community Hospital, Hiawatha Family Practice and the Highland Clinic should properly disinfect their hands by washing with soap and water or using sanitizing gel when entering and leaving the facilities in order to prevent the spread of the flu virus.  In addition, they are encouraging everyone, not just those showing signs of illness, to put on a mask.

The Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca is also limiting visitation due to the flu outbreak.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle Atchison County wreck early Wednesday evening sent a Nortonville woman to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 39-year-old Melissa Gilliland, of Lancaster, was southbound on U.S. 59, about two miles southwest of Atchison, when she slowed down for traffic and her mini-van was struck in the rear by a southbound car driven by 28-year-old Tara Hammerschmidt.

Hammerschmidt was transported to the Atchison Hospital for the treatment of unspecified injuries.

Gilliland was not hurt.

The Patrol says both drivers were buckled up when the wreck occurred shortly after 5:00 Wednesday evening.  

(KAIR)--Three people, including a young child, require hospital treatment as the result of a double vehicle Jefferson County wreck Wednesday afternoon.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports it happened on U.S. Highway 24, at Kiowa Road when the two vehicles crashed head-on.

The Patrol reports it happened when an eastbound Pontiac G6, driven by 41-year-old Jessica Lynn Harvey, of Topeka, was eastbound on the highway and crossed the center line.

That caused the car to smash into a Jeep Cherokee, driven by 26-year-old Caitlyn Marie Midyett, of Topeka.

Harvey and Midyett both suffered what the Patrol calls disabling injuries, and were transported to the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas.

A 4-year-old passenger in Midyett's vehicle, identified as Nathan Bingham, was also injured, and was transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail for treatment.

The Patrol says all three were properly restrained when the wreck happened shortly before 2:00.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man first goes to the hospital, then to jail, following what authorities say was a two county pursuit early Wednesday morning.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie says 28-year-old Blaine Walker fled when Deputies pulled behind his vehicle, that had stopped on the side of Atchison's River Road, shortly after 12:30 in the morning.

Before Deputies had a chance to learn if the driver, later identified as Walker, needed assistance, he sped away at a high rate of speed.

Deputies followed, pursuing Walker into Doniphan County, where he lost control and wrecked in a ditch.

According to Laurie, Walker managed to flee on foot into a wooded area.

Deputies successfully located him and took him into custody about 10 minutes later.

Complaining of head and neck pain, likely due to the deployment of airbags in the suspect vehicle, Walker was transported by EMS, and Deputies, to the Atchison Hospital.

He was later released to the custody of the Atchison County Jail, facing charges including driving while suspended, felony fleeing and attempted to elude, felony interference with law enforcement officer, possession of methamphetamine, possession of simulated controlled substance, identified as synthetic marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was also arrested for a felony KDOC warrant.

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Doniphan County RWD 3 located in Doniphan County. The advisory was issued because of a water line repair which caused a loss of pressure in the system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing samples collected from the Doniphan County RWD 3 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

(KNZA)--105 months in federal prison.

That’s the sentence handed to a Leavenworth man for trafficking in methamphetamine.

U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said in a news release that 40-year-old James Cartwright was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kansas.

Cartwright pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

In his plea, Beall said Cartwright admitted he sold thousands of dollars worth of meth to investigators working undercover in Overland Park and the metro Kansas City area.

(KNZA)--A change of leadership for the Doniphan County Commission.

That came during the Commission’s annual re-organizational meeting Monday, with Second District Commissioner Tad Geiger selected as commission chairman for 2018 on a 2-1 vote.

Commissioner Tim Collins, who served as commission chair last year, cast the lone no vote.

Sheryl Pierce was re-appointed as Health Department/Home Health Administrator.

The Commission approved the re-appointment of Francis Hubbard as county Noxious Weed Director and Julie Meng as the Hazardous Materials and ADA Coordinator.

Dr. Bradley Gaul was appointed as County Health Officer for 2018.

The Commission also voted to designate The Kansas Chief as the official county newspaper.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development has postponed their annual meeting, which had been set for Thursday evening, January 11th.

HFED Director Mikaela Moore said the Board decided to postpone the meeting due to the potential for precipitation and cold temperatures on Thursday, saying they didn't want to risk hazardous driving conditions.

The meeting has rescheduled for next Thursday evening, January 18th at 6:00 at the Klinefelter Barn.

(KAIR)--Eric Noll will serve another year as the Chairman for the Atchison County Commission.

That followed the annual re-organizational session, held during Tuesday's meeting of the Commission.

The decision to re-elect Noll to the position didn't come without discussion at the session.

Noll had nominated 1st District Commissioner Jack Bower to head the Commission, but a second could not be found.

3rd District Commissioner Bill Pohl began to second the nomination, but only with the stipulation that Bower serve a two year term in the role.

Noll, who represents the 2nd District, said that making the term contingent upon that timeline was looking too far into the future.

Pohl questioned County Counselor Patrick Henderson about the Chairman's position, asking if it gives a candidate, in his words, “a leg up” during an election.

Henderson was unable to answer that inquiry, saying instead the only power the role provides a Commissioner is to lead meetings and to call special sessions.

The motion died for a lack of a second, with Bower then moving to re-elect Noll.

The decision passed unanimously.

Bower was then elected to the role of Vice-Chair.

The line of questioning apparently stemmed from Bower having been appointed to fill the unexpired term of Jeff Schuele, who resigned last year.

The 1st District term runs through January 14, 2019.

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the public water supply located in the City of Robinson in Brown County.  The advisory will affect all customers west of Main Street.  KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a line repair which will result in a loss of pressure in the system.  Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

The advisory took effect on January 9, 2018 and will remain in effect until conditions which place the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be adequately resolved.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

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

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

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

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

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

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

(KAIR)--A weekend investigation by Atchison Police sends an 18-year-old Atchison woman to jail on drug charges.

Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News the probe led to the arrest of Sidney Darrenkamp along with the alleged discovery of cocaine. “On Saturday afternoon, officers conducted an investigation in the 2100 block of Forest Park Avenue that did result in drug charges involving an 18-year-old female for possession cocaine. Cocaine was seized."

Darrenkamp now faces charges in connection with the possession of the cocaine.

Following her apprehension, Darrenkamp was booked into the Atchison County Jail where she remained in custody as of last check.

(KAIR)--A new year for the Atchison City Commission.

That was marked Monday with the swearing in of Commissioners as chosen in November by Atchison voters.

The Oath of Office was followed by the selection of Commission leadership for the new year.

That happened early in Monday's special meeting of the Commission, which was the first session of 2018.

Sworn-in by Atchison City Clerk Deb Clem were incumbents Dr. Allen Reavis and David Haussmann, as well as newcomer Shawn Rizza.

Rizza replaces Larry Purcell who had served on the Commission for more than two decades, but was defeated in his bid for re-election.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, leadership was selected.

Reavis easily won re-election as Chairman of the Commission, ceremonially referred to as Mayor, with no others nominated for the role.

It was a similar story for Haussmann who retained his role as Vice-Chair, ceremonially referred to as Vice-Mayor.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Community Hospital has announced it will be closing its Home Health Agency no later than April 30th of this year.

Hospital CEO Jeff Shelton said in a news release that the decision is directly related to the regulatory and financial barriers set by Medicare which limits the hospital’s ability to financially sustain a hospital based home health program.

He added the decision was very difficult and came only after the hospital Board of Trustees, medical staff and leadership team carefully reviewed the historic financial performance of the service and the reimbursement barriers created by being a Critical Access Hospital with a hospital based home health agency.

Shelton said letters were sent out Saturday to their current home health patients notifiying them of the pending closure, and the hospital will be assisting them in identifying agencies that may be available to continue providing home health services.

He also added that all efforts will be made to transition current home health personnel to vacant positions currently open within the hospital.

Northeast Kansas Multi-County Health CEO Kristin Watkins met with the Brown County Commission Monday to discuss the pending closure.   Also on hand were representatives of the Hiawatha Community Hospital.

Watkins says as the only remaining home health provider in the county, currently at capacity, there is a very likely potential for upwards of 17 patients in need of home health services to remain unseen on a daily basis . 

She said her agency cannot, at its current staffing, meet all the county’s home health needs and don't have the resources to hire additional staff to fill the service void left by the closure of the hospital's home health agency.  Watkins added the only thing they can do is ask for county financial assistance to hire more staff.

Watkins said it would probably take three additional full-time staff members to accommodate the impending home health need, which would cost an estimated $200,000 annually.

Commissioner Keith Olsen said he would like to see the three counties that are part of Northeast Kansas Multi-County Health -- Atchison, Brown and Jackson--work together to come up with a solution.

Commissioners asked Watkins to visit with the other counties involved and report back to the Commission.

Editors note: the following statement was released by NEK Multi-County Health CEO Kristen Watkins,

All over the state of Kansas, non-profit Home Health organizations are closing their doors due to funding cuts and increased regulations. NEK Home Health and Hospice, like many others, operates our Home Health department at a loss that has, for twenty years, only been sustainable through our hospice revenues. We remain committed to providing services but we are currently operating near patient capacity and do not have the resources to hire additional staff to fill the service void left in the wake of Hiawatha Hospital's closure of their Home Health program.  We have provided quality care to our three county region since 1972 and will continue to do so but must reiterate that we do not have the resources to take on patients that have lost care due to the recent changes at Hiawatha Hospital nor do we have the resources to hire any additional staff. We are committed to working with our local partners in healthcare to be part of the solution to this community health crisis.

(KLZA)--No injuries, but major damage was reported to a house in Falls City following a fire Monday evening.

The Falls City Volunteer Fire Department and members of the Falls City Rural Fire Department were called to 2203 Morgan Street shortly before 6:30 Monday evening.

Fireman Jon McQueen estimated flames were 30-feet in the air when firefighters arrived.. 

Neighbors reported hearing an explosion.  The State  Fire Marshall is investigating the cause of the fire, and said it was possible the explosion heard by neighbors was due to a major back draft.  

McQueen also reported the fire was so hot that the vinyl siding on the house next door had melted.

 The home is owned by Kendra Ballagh.  

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A research associate at Kansas State University has been charged with shooting and wounding a police officer in Manhattan.
 
Riley County prosecutor Barry Wilkerson said 38-year-old Mark Harrison was charged Monday with three counts of attempted capital murder.  Harrison made a brief first appearance in court Monday afternoon and is being held in the Riley County Jail on a $6 million bond.
 
The Riley County Police Department said in a news release that Sgt. Pat Tiede has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. Tiede was wounded Friday afternoon while responding to a report of a domestic situation. Tiede surrendered after barricading himself inside a home for two hours.
 
Kansas State spokesman Jeff Morris told the Manhattan Mercury that Harrison is a research associate in the university's mechanical and nuclear engineering department.

(KLZA)--The Pawnee County Sheriff's Department has received a more than $15,000 grant from the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice.

Sheriff Jayme Reed says the money will be used to outfit three cars in the Sheriff's Department with ECitations allowing access to the state computer system. There will be a $60 fee per computer for access to the state system.

Reed informed the Pawnee County Commission of the grant award at their January 2nd meeting.

She also said new radios have also been installed in all the Sheriff's cars. 

(KNZA)---The Brown County Commission has re-organized for 2018.

During their annual re-organizational meeting Monday, Steve Roberts was re-appointed as commission chairman.

The Horton Headlight was designated as the official newspaper for the publication of county legal notices, with many of the same legal publications to also be published in The Hiawatha World.  The Horton Headlight  submitted the lone bid of $2.00 a column inch to publish the notices.

The Citizens State Bank and Morrill and Janes Bank, both of Hiawatha, were designated as the county’s official checking and investment banks.

Dr. Byron Bigham was re-appointed as the District Coroner of the 22nd Judicial District for a 4-year term.

The Commission approved the appointment of Jim Scherer to the NEK-CAP Board of Directors.

The Commission also approved an agreement with the Horton Community Hospital to provide ambulance services for the southern portion of the county.  The county will pay the hospital $65,000 to provide the service for 2018.     

(KAIR)--Additional details are released regarding the future of the former Northwest Pipe operation in Atchison.

Late last month it was announced that the facility had been purchased but no immediate word was given publicly about the fate of the operations.

That changed Monday during the special meeting of the Atchison City Commission.

Mayor Allen Reavis, citing a meeting with the new owners, announced that plans are being put in place to reopen the facility, located at the Shannon Industrial Park. “We met with the new owners last Friday,” Reavis said. “It will be called Atchison Tubular Services, and they're hoping to have it back open in full operation in the next few weeks. I didn't get an exact number on jobs, but they want to go back to full employment just like it was before, and they're striving to hire back all the people who worked there before, if they can find them.”

Reavis commended his county counterparts for their assistance in making the reopening a reality. "Part of this project we worked with the County on, to help make it happen. We had a very good cooperative effort to help fund some of the infrastructure needs out there for the [industrial] park, so we're going to move fiber optic out there and help get it into the park for internet."

The former line pipe energy tubular business was purchased for $37.2 million, leading to speculation about the fate of the facility.

It has sat vacant since the time it permanently closed in January 2016.

More than 100 jobs were lost with Northwest Pipe'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 local location.

(KAIR)--A Friday night Atchison County disturbance leads to the arrest of one after authorities say a young teenager suffered abuse.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, Deputies responded to 18873 258th Road shortly before 10:30 following a report of a disturbance.

It was there that 31-year-old Nicholas Mullins was arrested on charges of abuse of a child and domestic battery.

Initially believing that a 13-year-old had suffered a broken arm, the teen was transported by EMS to the Atchison Hospital for treatment.

However, Laurie's report states the arm was not broken, and the teen was later released from the hospital.

Mullins was booked into the Atchison County Jail on the charges, and remained in custody as of late Monday morning.

(KAIR)--An Atchison resident, and registered sex offender, is back in custody in connection with an alleged violation stemming from his registration status.

According to a report from the Atchison County Sheriff's Office, 41-year-old William Louis Owens was arrested Tuesday.

He was taken into custody on a Cherokee County, Kansas District Court Warrant charging him with nine counts of aggravated violation of the Kansas Offender Registration Act.

Specifics of why the warrant was issued aren't immediately known.

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

According to online Kansas Bureau of Investigation registered offender information, Owens was convicted in November 1999 for indecency with a child.

The conviction stemmed from a crime committed in January of that year in Corpus Christi, Texas.

According to online legal documents, the crime involved a 4-year-old girl.

(KAIR)--Two men go to jail, blamed for burglarizing an Atchison car wash, and for stealing valuable parts from vehicles parked in the city. "Forced entry was made into the Irish Mist Car Wash control room in the 900 block of U.S. 59 around 1:30 a.m. on December 18,” Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News. “On the same night, thefts occurred from a number of vehicles that were parked in the 2600 block of U.S. 73. These thefts included catalytic converters, and exhaust cleaning system tools, and wheels."

Wilson said 39-year-old Ernest Reynolds III, of Morrill, in Brown County, was arrested Saturday, while 22-year-old Roger Duckett, of Leona, in Doniphan County, was apprehended Sunday. “We've had an investigation ongoing. We developed two suspects. We knew that they frequented the Brown County area. We worked with Brown County law enforcement to locate these two subjects and they both were taken into custody over the weekend."

Reynolds and Duckett both face charges of felony burglary, felony criminal damage to property, and theft.

Reynolds was arrested by the Brown County Sheriff's Office on related warrants and booked into the Atchison County Jail, where he's held on a bond of $10,000.

Duckett was arrested on related warrants by the Hiawatha Police Department and booked into the Brown County Jail, where he's held on a bond of $20,000.

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle weather-related wreck Sunday morning in Buchanan County, Missouri left a Faucett woman with seriously injured.  

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it happened shortly after 10:15 on Missouri Route DD at Cherry Street in Faucett.

The Patrol says 49-year-old Tina Masterson was eastbound when she lost control of the pickup truck she was driving on the ice-covered road. Her vehicle traveled off the road where it struck an embankment.  The pickup overturned once, coming to rest on its wheels.

Masterson was transported to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph with what the Patrol described as serious injuries.  

Left to right:Darren Dale McManus, Paul George Tuckwin, and Robert Neal Kirk 

(KAIR)--Three are arrested as the result of a Jackson County drug investigation.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says the arrests followed the execution of a search warrant at a Mayetta residence Saturday afternoon

Arrested following the raid at 205 East Jones Street were 54-year-old Robert Kirk, of Topeka, 51-year-old Darren McManus, of Hoyt, and 53-year-old Paul Tuckwin, of Mayetta.

Kirk faces charges of possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia, while McManus and Tuckwin both face charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Following their arrests, all three were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Riley County police officer was shot when he responded to a domestic violence call in Manhattan.

Riley County Police Department Director Brad Schoen says one of the first officers to respond to the call Friday was shot by the man in the home, who then barricaded himself inside. Schoen says the officer's injury is not life-threatening. No other officers were injured.

Schoen says the man surrendered without resistance after about two hours.

He says a woman was able to escape the home.

The shooting happened around 12:30 p.m. Friday northwest of the Kansas State University campus.

An investigation is continuing.

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle wreck Friday afternoon in Holt County, Missouri left a Craig man injured.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 60-year-old Dennis McCarthy was westbound on State Route C about five miles north of Mound City when his pickup truck traveled off the north side of the roadway.  The vehicle went down an embankment and overturned, coming to rest on its passenger side in a creek bed.

McCarthy was transported by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph with what the Patrol described as serious injuries.

The Patrol says McCarthy was not bucked up when the wreck occurred around 3:15 Friday afternoon.

(KLZA)--The Auburn Chamber of Commerce has alerted businesses of some counterfeit money used in an Auburn business.

A counterfeit $50 bill was turned into the Nemaha County, Nebraska Sheriff's Office. A bank in Auburn discovered the counterfeit bill, described as “well done.”

It is believed the individuals passing the counterfeit bill were from out of state and said there were headed toward Omaha.

No other counterfeit bills have been discovered. 

(KLZA)--Dennis Schaardt has been elected Chairman of the Pawnee County Board of Commissioners for another year.

During the January 2, annual re-organization meeting Jan Lang was elected Vice-Chairman.

All other appointments for 2018 will be the same as in 2017 including Highway Superintendent Chris Rauner and Amanda Burki as Emergency Manager.

Commissioners also approved a resolution establishing salaries for elected officials of Pawnee County for the term 2019 – 2022 as set during their  December 19, meeting.  

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Robinson located in Brown County. The advisory was issued because of an anticipated loss in pressure.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

For updates online, go to the KDHE news website at https://khap2.kdhe.state.ks.us/NewsRelease/nr_index.aspx, the KDHE Facebook page at http://Facebook.com/KDHEnews or the KDHE Twitter page at http://Twitter.com/KDHE.

(KNZA)--A man who had been sought by Jackson County authorities on multiple charges, including kidnapping and aggravated assault, is in custody.  

Jackson Co. Sheriff Tim Morse tweeted Friday morning that 33-year-old Shaun Barber has been captured.

Details surrounding his arrest were not immediately available.

Morse had sent out a news release Wednesday seeking the public’s assistance in locating Barber, and offering a reward for information leading to his capture.

Warrants were issued last month for his arrest on charges of kidnapping, two counts of aggravated assault, aggravated battery and domestic battery stemming from a December 8th domestic incident on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation near Mayetta.

( KLZA)--Don Ferguson was elected President of the Falls City, City Council during the first meeting of 2018 on Tuesday evening.

The Council then elected Judy Murphy as Acting President of the Council.

The annual mayoral administrative appointments were all approved unanimously 7-0 with council member Kirby Roubidoux absent.

Gary Jorn will serve as City Clerk/ Treasurer / Administrator. Duane Armbruster will continue as Chief of Police and Michael Dunn was re-appointed City Attorney with Ryan Dorcey, Richard and Chris Halbert to serve as Assistant City Attorney's.

Mayor Jerry Oliver reported he is looking for volunteers to serve on six committees. Anyone interested may contact City Hall.

The Mayor also announced that two long-time city employees are retiring. Bob Olberding who has worked at the City Power plant for 38 years and Sarah Smith who has served as a Police Department dispatcher is retiring after 45 years of service.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle wreck early Thursday morning in Buchanan County, Missouri sent a St. Joseph woman to the hospital.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 41-year-old Glenna Crews was southbound on I-29, about 4 miles north of Faucett ,when a semi struck the driver’s side rear of her Toyota Prius after changing from the passing to driving lane.

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

The semi driver, 34-year-old Armstrong, Missouri resident Kenneth Fehling, was not hurt.

The Patrol says both drivers were buckled up when the wreck occurred shortly before 5:30 Thursday morning.

(KMZA)--Due to an increase in flu activity, the medical staff at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca is restricting visiting hours effective  immediately.

The hospital says the action is being taken to limit the risk of exposure to patients as well as other visitors and staff.

The hospital is asking that visitors only come if its absolutely necessary, especially individuals under the age of 18.

Officials say all visitors to the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital and Seneca Family Practice should properly disinfect their hands by washing with soap and water or using a sanitizing gel when entering and leaving the facilities in order to prevent the spread of the flu virus.

(KMZA)--Services have been set for the Wamego volunteer firefighter who died after a fall at a fire station.  

Services for 68-year-old John Randle will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 at the  Wamego Middle School, which is a change from the original location.  

The Wamego Fire Department said Randle had returned to the station after helping to fight a structure fire early Monday.  The department said in a news release that he fell while he was returning a fire apparatus to service.

Randle was airlifted to a Topeka hospital, where he died on Tuesday.

He had been a volunteer firefighter with the Wamego Fire Department for 14 years.

Among his survivors are his wife, Jody.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission held its first meeting of the new year Tuesday evening.

The Commission granted approval for the Fire Department to seek a grant through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters grant program for the purchase of new gear.

City Administrator Mike Nichols said the grant application is due February 2nd.

The Commission also approved seeking bids for 2018 concrete work.  Nichols said he plans to bring the bids to the Commission at their January 29th meeting for consideration.

Nichols reported one letter of interest and resume has been received so far for the streets and lights superintendent position.  The application deadline is January 5th.

Rick Koenig, who currently holds the position, has announced he will be retiring next month after more than 40 years with the city.      

(KLZA)-- Richardson County District Court Judge Julie Smith and County Court Judge Curtis Maschman have requested security be provided by the Sheriff's Department during court proceedings. 

During the December 26th County Commission meeting, Sheriff Don Pounds informed Commissioners of the request.  Pounds requested the Board approve hiring additional staff within the Sheriff's Department for courtroom security.

Pounds estimated it will involve about  28 hours per week for the security, noting the additional hours for courtroom security will decrease the time available for investigations and calls. 

The Board took no action on the request for additional staffing. 

In other business, the Board approved renewal of an agreement for CBM Managed Services to provide meals to inmates at the Jail for 2018.  The price will increase from $4.67 per meal to $5.04 for 15 - 19 inmates with the price for 20 or more inmates going up 35-cents each to $4.04 per meal.  

Commissioners also reviewed with the Sheriff damages to the Boy Scout Road south of Humboldt in early November. A driver pulling equipment caused the damage.  Commissioners noted a report needs to be completed before a ticket can be issued.  

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City officials are seeking permission to use City Revolving Loan Funds to eliminate slum and blighted areas in the downtown area.

If approved by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the City could use the funds to repair and upgrade building, including electrical, plumbing and HVAC to meet state standards.  In addition, under the proposal, funds could be used to upgrade structures to meet ADA standards and for curb cutting to meet ADA regulations. 

During the  December 26th Pawnee City Council meeting, Crystal Dunnekacke with  Southeast Nebraska Development District discussed the ongoing process with the Council. 

If the proposal is approved, the City could use the funds to make improvements to the Kobza Building in downtown Pawnee City which has been offered to the City.   Currently the building is not usable.  
 

(KAIR)--Two go to the hospital, and a dog dies, as the result of a Wednesday evening house fire in Atchison.

Fire Chief Ted Graf tells MSC News his crews were called to 510 North 8th Street at 7:15.

Seeing both flames and smoke upon arrival, firefighters went to work, and were able to contain the fire within the living room and kitchen of the home.

Significant damage from the smoke and heat was incurred elsewhere in the residence.

According to Graf, the homeowner had been away from the residence for about 30-minutes, returning to find the fire.

She briefly attempted to extinguish the flames while trying to free her two dogs and cat.

She was transported to the Atchison Hospital by EMS for the treatment of smoke inhalation.

A firefighter was also transported to the hospital, having suffered a leg injury at some point during the firefighting effort.

Graf says one of the two dogs was killed, while the cat is unaccounted for.

The four occupants of the home have been displaced, and are receiving aid from the Salvation Army.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office will assist with that effort.

(KAIR)--A residential fire is battled in Atchison, and motorists are asked to avoid the area.

Fire Chief Ted Graf tells MSC News crews, as of 7:50 Wednesday evening, remained on the scene of the fire, at 510 North 8th.

Graf says the 500 block is closed to traffic until further notice, allowing crews to work the scene.

According to Graf firefighters have been able to bring the fire under control, but continue their efforts to extinguish the blaze.

Additional details aren't immediately available as fire crews work through the frigid temperatures.

(KAIR)--Past crimes catch up to an Atchison man, including an alleged attack on a woman, and the 30-year-old goes to jail in Atchison County on related charges.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News Phillip Roles was arrested Tuesday in connection with the past allegations. "On September 23, officers investigated a disturbance that had occurred in the 700 block of South 5th, after a 27-year-old female reported being thrown to the ground, drug through a yard, and choked.

The suspect, Phillip Roles, was not located that day, but a warrant was later issued.

On the afternoon of October 1, an officer attempted to stop a Chevrolet Malibu in the 1600 block of South 6th. The driver, identified as being Phillip Roles, fled from the officer and is now charged with a number of traffic offenses.

He also has been wanted on outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court."

Wilson says Roles was already in the custody of Missouri authorities at the time he was arrested for the Atchison crimes. "In early December, he was taken into custody on the Missouri side, in Buchanan County, and was taken to the Buchanan County Jail, where he remained for a number of weeks on charges over there. This week [Roles] was brought to Atchison County and now faces these charges."

Roles faces charges including aggravated domestic battery, criminal deprivation of property, fleeing and attempt to elude, reckless driving, driving while suspended, driving after being declared an habitual violator, and failure to appear in court.

(KAIR)--A lengthy, extensively documented report is released, outlining in detail what happened just over a year ago when a chemical plume was released in Atchison.

More than 140 individuals sought medical attention, while one MGP employee and five members of the public required hospitalization as a result of exposure to the chlorine cloud produced from the mixture of sulfuric acid and bleach at Atchison's MGP Ingredients.

Those details are among the findings listed in the final report of the U.S. Chemical and Safety Hazard Investigation Board.

The case study, known as "Key Lessons for Preventing Inadvertent Mixing During Chemical Unloading Operations" focuses on exactly what transpired on the morning of October 21, 2016, what led to the inadvertent mixing, and what could have been done to prevent it.

The report places responsibility for the accident both on procedures at MGP and the procedures used in the delivery of the sulfuric acid by the Harcros Chemicals truck driver.

Both companies made changes shortly after the incident to avoid a future situation.

The 48-page report concludes with recommendations to MGP, Harcros, and the Atchison County Department of Emergency Management, including the need to “coordinate planning and training activities to ensure emergency responders within Atchison County are prepared for future incidents involving hazardous materials.”

To see the full report, go here.

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph, Missouri man is facing a felony child sex charge in Brown County.

38-year-old Daniel Ray Cook made his first appearance in a Brown County courtoom Wednesday on one count of electronic solicitation of a child.

A preliminary hearing was set for January 10th.

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

Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore says Cook was arrested New Years Day following an on-going investigation by undercover officers with the Police Department.

The Police Department was assisted by the Kansas Highway Patrol.

(KAIR)--Two separate Atchison area burglaries leave authorities searching for missing guns, and for whoever stole them.

Both of the crimes involved forced entry into two residences.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie tells MSC News his office is investigating a break-in that took place near Effingham, at 9008 250th Road. “The residents left town for a little while that day, and when they returned home, between 3 pm and 9:30 pm, they noticed the door in the rear of the house was kicked in...noticed that there were a lot of items missing.”

Taken were seven handguns, a shotgun, keys to a vehicle, and loose change.

The total value of the missing items is estimated at around $4,300.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News his office is also investigating a case of forced entry, with that crime reported on Monday. [The owner] reported the theft of three long guns from a residence in the 1500 block of North 7th. We are following a number of leads on that."

Wilson says two rifles and a shotgun were taken, but an estimated value isn't immediately available.

Anyone with information about the crimes are urged to contact local authorities.

(KMZA)--The victim of an early morning December 26th house fire in Pottawatomie County has been identified.

The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office Wednesday identified the victim as 35-year-old Wade Stewart Parkhurst, of Wamego.

The body of Parkhurst was located inside the residence at 3769 Stewart Farm Road following the fire, with his death attributed to toxic gases from the blaze.

Five others in the residence were able to escape safely.

The Fire Marshal’s Office says the fire began in the basement of the residence.  While the cause is still listed as undetermined, a news release says more likely than not its accidental, associated with a failure or malfunction of several electrical components.

Foul play is not suspected.

The residence was listed as a total loss, with damage estimated at more than $350,000.

 WAMEGO, Kan. (AP) - Wamego fire officials say a firefighter died after a fall at a fire station.

The department said John Randle died Tuesday from injuries he suffered Monday.

Randle had returned to the station after helping to fight a structure fire early Monday. The department says in a release that he fell while he was returning a fire apparatus to service.

Randle was airlifted to a Topeka hospital, where he died on Tuesday.

 Further details were not immediately released.

(KLZA)--A fire causing significant damage in downtown Falls City Wednesday is under control according to Falls City fire officials.

The fire apparently started in the building housing Petrillo's Mexican Restaurant in the 1500 block of Stone Street. Firefighters responded to the scene around 9:00 a.m. and will likely be on the scene through the night watching for flare-ups.

There have been no reports of injuries in connection with the fire, including to firefighters who braved temperatures in the teens, heavy black smoke and slippery conditions while fighting the fire.

Significant smoke and water damage was done to attached buildings including Chaney Furniture on the east side of Stone Street, the H & R block building and a building at the north end of the block housing offices and second floor apartments.

A number of businesses were closed on the east side of Stone Street when power was shut off due to the fire while others were closed down due to the heavy smoke that could be viewed from miles away.

The State Fire Marshall will investigate the cause of the fire.

Falls City firefighters were assisted by the Falls City Rural, Hiawatha, Rulo and Verdon fire departments.

(KNZA)--A boil water advisory has been issued for Doniphan County Rural Water District #3.

The water district said Wednesday the boil advisory is being issued due to water line issues with their tower north of Denton.

Customers are advised to boil the water they use for drinking or food preparation for one minute prior to use or to use bottled water.

The boil advisory is to remain in place for two days.   

(KLZA)--Pawnee City officials are seeking permission to use City Revolving Loan Funds to eliminate slum and blighted areas in the downtown area.

If approved by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the City could use the funds to repair and upgrade building, including electrical, plumbing and HVAC to meet state standards.  In addition, under the proposal, funds could be used to upgrade structures to meet ADA standards and for curb cutting to meet ADA regulations.

During the December 26th Pawnee City Council meeting, Crystal Dunnekacke with  Southeast Nebraska Development District discussed the ongoing process with the Council.

If the proposal is approved, the City could use the funds to make improvements to the Kobza Building in downtown Pawnee City which has been offered to the City.   Currently the building is not usable.  

(KMZA)--The Kansas Attorney General’s Office has filed charges against two inmates who escaped from the Marshall County Jail in October.

46-year-old Jeffrey Guenther and 30-year-old Matson Hatfield face one count of attempted first-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder along with multiple other charges.

Authorities alleged the two men lit a cell on fire and obtained two shotguns  while escaping from the jail October 14th.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says Hatfield fled to a nearby home and surrendered a short time later.  A pickup truck also was stolen at gunpoint from a civilian county employee.  The KBI says Guenther was arrested after rolling the truck in rural Gage County, Nebraska.

The KBI says shots were fired at a Marysville fire department truck and a man in front of a home.  No one was hurt.

The Attorney General’s Office is seeking to try the two men together.

The Marysville Advocate reports Hatfield is being held in the Washington County, KS jail with other Marshall County inmates while the fire-damaged  jail undergoes repairs.

Guenther is being held at a jail facility in Lincoln, Nebraska.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is facing numerous charges, including child endangerment, following what authorities say was his attempt to flee after an alleged New Years Day domestic incident..

According to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 31-year-old Ryan Billings is accused of striking a 28-year-old woman at 1123 Mound Street.

The victim, apparently attempting to elude Billings after the attack, reported the crime to a Deputy in the 1000 block of Mound Street around Noon Monday. "The female was walking on the street, and that's when the Deputy pulled up, and saw the vehicle driving behind..he assumed that's what was going on, some type of domestic dispute of some sort."

When Billings was told to exit the SUV to be arrested, Laurie says Billings refused, instead speeding away behind the wheel of the SUV, accompanied by a young child who was not properly restrained.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News as his officers arrived to assist the Deputy, the SUV nearly collided with one of the police patrol cars. "As officers attempted to stop the vehicle, it feld south on tenth. Officers did not attempt to continue pursuit of the vehicle, because it was believed that Billings' small child was in the vehicle."

It wasn't long after police had given up the pursuit that Billings was located, having crashed his SUV. "About 30-minutes later, officers responded to an accident at 17th and Commercial. The same SUV driven by Biilings had struck two parked vehicles."

Billings, and the three-year-old child, were not injured in the crash.

Billings now faces charges including aggravated endangering a child, child not in passenger safety system, fleeing and attempting to elude, reckless driving, domestic battery and interference with law enforcement.

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

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners have proposed salaries for the upcoming 4 -year term of county officials, which will be 2019 - 2022.

During the December 26th meeting, Commissioners proposed the annual salary for the office of County Clerk, County Clerk of the District Court, County Treasurer and County Assessor for 2019 be established at $53,295.

Deputies within these offices will be paid 75 percent of the officials base salary.

For each remaining year of the term, the salary will increase 2 percent.

The sheriff's salary is proposed at $61,659 for 2019 with an annual increase of 2 percent. The county attorney salary is proposed at $68,934 for 2019 with the same annual increase.

The chief deputy sheriff and deputy County Attorney will be paid 80% of the elected officials salary.

The salary of the Commissioners is proposed at $23,470 for 2019 with the 2% increse each of the remaining years of the term.

The county surveyor salary is proposed at $11,832 in 2019.

The election commissoner salary proposal is for $3,000 for each calendar year and the County Clerk, who is the budget-making authority, will receive $2,000 annually.

Each official would also receive and be a member of the same health, medical and life insurance group plan as offered to all county employees. All officials will also participate in the retirement plan as mandated by state law.

Commissioners were expected to act on the salary resolution Tuesday.

(KNZA)--An online petition to urge officials to widen U.S. 75 Highway north of Holton has hit its goal.

Sabetha native 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 with an Omaha woman about 12 miles north of Holton.

Killed in the crash were 42-year-old Carmen Ukele, 11-year-old Marlee Ukele and 62-year-old Stephen Ukele.

They were returning home after watching the Sabetha football team, which Carmen Ukele’s two sons play on, capture the 3A state championship in Hutchinson.

Murk started the petition December 1st at Change.org, and told the Topeka Capital Journal she reached her 10-thousand signature goal on December 30th. 

She plans to leave the petition online to continue gathering signatures.

Murk plans to send the petition to Governor Sam Brownback’s office, Kansas Transportation officials along with state and federal lawmakers.   

(KNZA--New security measures are in place at the Brown County Courthouse.

As of January 1st, firearms and other weapons will be prohibited from being brought into the Courthouse by members of the public.

Individuals will have to successfully pass through a walk-through metal detector prior to being allowed in the Courthouse.

The metal detector has been placed at the north entrance of the Courthouse and it will be the only point of entry.  All other doors will remain locked from the outside.

Kansas State Statue requires the county take the security measures in order to prohibit firearms and other weapons in the Courthouse.

Three part-time security officers will man the courthouse during regular business hours. They will be employees of the Brown County Sheriff's Department.

At their meeting Friday, the County Commission approved an additional $5,000 annual salary increase for Sheriff John Merchant to administer the Courthouse security.          

Editor's note: the following is a public notice of the new security measures at the courthouse provided by Sheriff John Merchant

SOUTH DOORS CLOSED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
Effective January 1, 2018, firearms and other weapons will be prohibited from being brought into the Brown County Courthouse by members of the public. To prohibit firearms and other weapons in the Courthouse, Kansas State statute requires the county to adopt “adequate security” measures that will require all non-exempt individuals to successfully pass through a walk-through metal detector prior to being allowed in the courthouse. This metal detector will be placed at the North Entrance of the Courthouse and will be the only point of entry for non-exempt individuals to the courthouse.  All other doors will remain locked from the outside and will only be utilized for entry and departure.  

EXEMPT INDIVIDUALS
The following persons are exempt from the screening procedures set forth above (with appropriate official identification):
a. Judges of the 22nd Judicial District and their employees
b. Employees of Brown County, Kansas;
c. Deputies and Jailers of the Brown County Sheriff’s Office and inmates in their custody,
d. Uniformed State, Federal and/or Tribal Law Enforcement Officers;
e. Employees of the State of Kansas whose primary office is located in the Brown County Courthouse.

No person having authorized access to secured areas after having passed through the screening devices shall permit any person access to the courthouse without going through the screening procedures absent proper written authorization from the County Sheriff, County Attorney or other designee of the Brown County Commissioners.