Raven Neece, Joshua Thigpen, and Karly Barnes/Credit: Jackson Co Sheriff's Office

(KAIR)--The investigation into a suspected crime ring involving the theft of electronics to be sold online has led to a Missouri residence.

That follows the March 28 arrest of three Missouri residents accused of making three trips to the Holton Walmart to steal electronics as part of their alleged criminal operation.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a press release, says his office joined with the Platte County, Missouri Sheriff's Office to serve a search warrant Friday at a Ferrelview, Missouri residence.

At the home, located near the Kansas City International Airport, Morse says items believed to have been stolen from the Holton Walmart, along with other electronic devices, ledgers, and documents, were seized.

Authorities believed the trio sold the electronics on Ebay.

The three were arrested after the Holton store staff March 28 recognized them from two previous trips and notified authorities.

A traffic stop followed near the store, and all three were arrested.

The two accused of committing the thefts in the store are 36-year-old Raven Neece and 31-year-old Joshua Thigpen, both of Ferrelview, Missouri.

With them in the car was 27-year-old Kansas City, Missouri resident Karly Barnes.

Morse says a search warrant was issued, and thousands of dollars of high-end electronics were found in the car.

It's believed the three stole from locations in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa.

Neece and Thigpen each face three counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of criminal trespass, felony theft, attempted theft, and two counts of tampering with a theft detection device.

Barnes faces charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, and tampering with a theft detection device and theft.

When arrested, Morse says she provided a false name, believed to be that of her sister.

Following their arrests all three were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

Additional charges are expected.

(KAIR)--The line-up for LakeFest 2018 is complete.

That follows Friday afternoon's announcement of the opening act for the annual concert held at Atchison's Warnock Lake.

Opening the concert will be A Thousand Horses:

The country-meets-southern rock band, known for the hit song “Smoke,” will serve as the opening act for Maddi and Tae, who will be followed by headliner Brett Young.

LakeFest, scheduled for Friday evening, July 20, will again serve as the kickoff for Atchison's annual Amelia Earhart Festival weekend, which marks its 22nd anniversary this year.

The Saturday following the concert is marked with numerous events, including that night's “Concert in the Sky” fireworks show, commemorating famed aviatrix, Amelia Earhart, who was born in Atchison.

Advance tickets for LakeFest go on sale May 1 for $25.

Tickets the day of the show will be $35.

Frank Goodpasture/Credit: Atchison Co Sheriff's Office

(KAIR)--Two separate arrests were made Thursday in Atchison County, with two men facing drug related charges in connection with unrelated crimes.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News the first happened in the morning, following the report of a suspicious vehicle, in Huron.

The report led to Deputy response, and to the arrest of 44-year-old Frank Goodpasture, of Atchison. "Deputies were dispatched to Huron, in the 100 block of Myrtle Street, for a suspicious vehicle driving around the area. When the Deputy arrived out there, he encountered Mr. Goodpasture, and during his discussion with him, he located what's believe to be methamphetamine and a pipe use to smoke methamphetamine."

Goodpasture faces charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Following his arrest around 10:30 Thursday morning, Goodpasture was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

Dedrick Haley/Credit: Atchison Co Sheriff's Office

The second arrest stemmed from an unrelated investigation that had been ongoing for 4-months in Atchison focused on the alleged sale of illegal drugs.

Laurie says that led to the arrest of 42-year-old Atchison resident Dedrick Haley during a Thursday night traffic stop in the 500 block of U.S. Highway 73, in Atchison. "This was another case where we had been working for quite a few months now, and Deputies were finally able to make some [alleged drug] purchases from Mr. Haley, and he became a target about 4-months ago."

Haley now faces charges of distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of marijuana, and distribution of drug paraphernalia for illegal use.

Laurie says Haley was not found in possession of drugs at the time of the traffic stop, around 10:30 Thursday night.

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

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) - The wife of a prison inmate in southeast Nebraska has been accused of smuggling illegal drugs to him during a visit.
 
Court records show 50-year-old April Golka, of Gretna, is charged with supplying her husband, Jason Golka, with drugs and other contraband. A public phone listing for her couldn't be found Friday. The court records don't list the name of attorney who could comment for her.
 
Thirty-one-year-old Jason Golka is serving a 90-year sentence at the Tecumseh prison for 2004 murder convictions in Sarpy County. Records say he killed two women in Gretna when he was 17.

(KAIR)--An invited guest of the Atchison Rotary Club, Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner came to Atchison Thursday.

During his time in the community, he served as the guest speaker during the day's Rotary Club meeting, as well as taking time to make stops around the city.

LaTurner was appointed to the role of State Treasurer last year, following the resignation of Ron Estes.

At the age of 30, LaTurner is cited as one of the youngest statewide officials, both in Kansas, and across the nation.

Prior to his appointment as State Treasurer, LaTurner served as Senator for the 13th District of Kansas from 2013 until 2017.

Among his stops in Atchison was KAIR 93.7 FM, where MSC News Director Brian Hagen talked to LaTurner about his visit, as well as the role his office plays in state government.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Utility Department will be starting construction in mid-April or early May on a Wilson Street Sanitary Sewer Improvement project.

General Excavating of Lincoln will serve as the contractor.

The project will consist of installing a new sanitary sewer collection line and manholes. The work will be done in an area from the intersection of 18th and Wilson Street, extending south to the intersection of 15th and Wilson Street.

Some traffic flow issues may be caused by temporary road closures during construction.

(KLZA)--The Pawnee City School Board continues to consider possible participation in a lawsuit for Nebraska State Property Tax and School Finance Reform.

During the March School Board meeting, a motion to commit to joining the lawsuit proposed by the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska and authorize  Superintendent Brian Rottinghaus to take any necessary action to carry out the motion was tabled.

The proposed motion was worded so the Pawnee City School District would only join the lawsuit if four criteria are met: 1) no meaningful legislative solution becomes imminent in the 2018 legislative session; 2) there will be no expense to the school district to pay prosecuting attorney fees; 3) that at least two other public school districts in Nebraska participate in the lawsuit and 4) that the plaintiffs' joint action agreement would allow the district to withdraw from the lawsuit at any time.

The topic of joining a lawsuit will be discussed during the April 9th Pawnee City School Board meeting.

(KNZA)--The Troy school district will be searching for a new 7th-12th grade principal.

Josh Hevel, who also serves as 7th-12th grade athletic director, is resigning at the end of the current school year.

The USD 429 Board of Education accepted his resignation during their regular meeting this month.

Hevel has served as principal since the 2016-17 school year.

(KNZA)--Union Pacific Railroad is abandoning an area rail line.

Doniphan County Clerk Peggy Franken informed the County Commission Monday of the railroad company’s abandonment of the St. Joseph Industrial Lead from near Elwood in Doniphan County to near Robinson in Brown County.

Union Pacific has sent a letter to the Doniphan County Appraiser's Office informing the office that it will no longer be reporting the 31 miles of rail line in the counties, beginning in January 2019.

Franken said it will affect the county's budget.  She said the abandonment of the of rail line will result in a reduced assessed valuation for the state assessed utility of nearly $3.2 million beginning in 2019.

Commission Chairman Tad Gieger suggested exploring options for the abandoned railroad property and land ownership research.

In other action, the Commission approved the purchase of a new courthouse computer server from Lock IT Technologies to replace the current 2012 server at a cost of $7,491.  The new server will come with a 5-year warranty.

And the Commission approved the purchase of a 6 by 16-foot Titan tilt trailer from Larry Turpin for $6,180 for use in the Road Department.  

(KMZA)--Nemaha County will be getting new election equipment.

County Clerk/Election Officer Mary Kay Schultejans presented the County Commission Monday with a quote from Election Systems and Software for the new equipment in the amount of just over $76,000.

The Commission agreed to allow Schultejans to spend up to $80,000 for the new equipment and all necessary accessories.

Schultejans says each of the eight polling locations will be getting a new voting machine.  In addition, each of the polling locations will be getting a machine specifically designed for those with disabilities along with the county clerk’s office for advance voting.

She said the machines are similar to what is being used now, just an upgrade.

The county’s current election equipment was purchased in 2005.

Schultejans says new machines will be in place for use during the August primary.

(KMZA)--Two Democratic candidates for Kansas Governor will meet the public at appearances set in Seneca Saturday, March 31st and Monday, April 2nd.

Robert Klingenberg will be at the Home Plate Cafe, located at 811 North Street, Saturday afternoon at 2:00 and Jim Ward will be at the Cafe Monday evening at 7:00.

Klingenberg, of Salina, is a route driver for Frito-Lay.  He is a 2008 graduate of Salina South High. Kalib Martin of McPherson is his named running mate.

Kansas House Minority Leader Jim Ward, of Wichita, has served in the Kansas House since 2003 and represents the 86th district. A practicing lawyer in his firm, Ward holds a BS from Creighton University and a law degree from Washburn University. He is also a former Kansas senator, school board member, and city councilman.

Beverages and light refreshments will be served as the candidates speak and take questions.  Everyone is welcome.

Ward and Klingenberg are among seven Democratic candidates vying for Kansas Governor.

The two candidates appearances are being hosted by the Nemaha County Democrats.

(KLZA)--Pawnee City is in need of volunteers to serve on the City Zoning Commission.

Currently there are two vacancies on  the board.  Anyone interested in serving should contact City Hall.

During the Monday night City Council meeting, a Swimming Pool Manager and two Assistant Managers were hired for the upcoming season. Lisel  Vetrovsky will  be the Pool Manager and Sabre  Menninga and Ann  Cline will serve as Assistant Mangers.

Council members also heard an update on the City Pool project. A majority of the work is done but some weather with temperatures consistently above 50-degrees is required to complete some fo the final touches.  Dirt work and re-seeding the area around the pool is also to be completed prior to the pool opening for the season in May.  

Raven Neece, Joshua Thigpen, and Korilynn Barnes/Credit: Jackson Co Sheriff's Office

(KNZA)--Three Missouri residents are arrested in Jackson County following the theft of numerous electronics from the Holton Walmart store.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a press release, says the alleged thefts occurred February 9 and March 25, by two of three suspects. He says the pair returned to the store Wednesday morning and allegedly attempted another theft.

Investigators believe they wanted the items to sell online.

They were arrested after store staff Wednesday recognized them and notified authorities.

A traffic stop followed near the store, and all three were arrested.

The two accused of committing the thefts in the store are 36-year-old Raven Neece and 31-year-old Joshua Thigpen, both of Ferrelview, Missouri.

With them in the car was 27-year-old Kansas City, Missouri resident Korilynn Barnes.

Morse says a search warrant was issued, and thousands of dollars of high-end electronics were found in the car.

Investigators believe the stolen items, including electronic tablets, ipads, and video games, had been stolen from locations in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa.

It's believed the trio used Ebay to sell their ill-gotten gains.

Neece and Thigpen each face three counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of criminal trespass, felony theft, attempted theft, and two counts of tampering with a theft detection device.

Barnes faces charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, and tampering with a theft detection device and theft.

Following their arrests, all three were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KMZA)--A Marshall County wreck Wednesday morning involving a semi and a farm tractor left two injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol it happened on U.S. 77 Highway, about 2.5 miles north of Blue Rapids, shortly before 8:30.

The Patrol says 81-year-old James Borgerding, of Blue Rapids, was making a left turn into a field entrance when a southbound semi attempted to pass him and struck his John Deere tractor.

The semi driver, 29-year-old St. Joseph, Minnesota resident Michael Harne, was transported to Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville.

Borgerding was taken by private vehicle to the hospital with what the Patrol described as possible injuries.

TOPEKA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 22, 2018--Atchison County, Kansas, Emergency Management launches KanPay Counter, a solution provided by Kansas.gov that conveniently processes credit card payments over the counter.

“We want to deliver the convenience and efficiency of online payments to our constituents across all of our county offices,” said Wesley Lanter, Director of Emergency Management.

The Atchison County Treasurer’s office has used the KanPay Counter solution for several years. KanPay Counter is now available in several other county offices. Those offices include Emergency Management, EMS, Sheriff, Noxious Weed, Road & Bridge, Register of Deeds, HR and the Clerk’s Office. Atchison County Emergency Management Department, in collaboration with Kansas.gov, is now providing KanPay Counter payment processing for the Courthouse, the EMS facility, and for the Noxious Weed office.

KanPay Counter is designed specifically for state and municipal governments to process credit card and electronic check payments.

The partnership between Kansas.gov and the state operates under a self-funded model where no tax dollars were used to develop and maintain the payment service.

(KNZA)--A former Hoyt man already facing a new trial on child sex charges is now facing additional charges related to the alleged possession of child pornography.

Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller tells MSC News that Leon Holloway, currently of Onaga, was bound over Tuesday on nine counts of sexual exploitation of a child following a preliminary hearing.

Arraignment is set for May 25th.

Holloway was charged in 2015 with rape, indecent liberties with a child and two counts of criminal sodomy stemming from alleged incidents occurring between April 2013 and March 2015 in the city of Hoyt involving a girl under the age of 14.

A mistrial was declared in December on those charges after a Jackson County jury was unable to reach an unanimous verdict.

Miller says his case on the new charges is now combined with the molestation case, which set for trial in July.

Holloway remains free on bond.

(KAIR)--A man accused of burglarizing an Atchison car wash is behind bars in Atchison County.

City of Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News 23-year-old Roger Duckett has been jailed in Brown County since his arrest in January.

That was made in connection with the December 18 burglary of the Irish Mist Car Wash, located in the 900 block of U.S. Highway 59, in Atchison. "The burglary had occurred about 6 a.m. that morning when forced entry was made into the office area of the car wash. There was a lot of damage done, to not only get into the building, but to break into a machine where some cash was taken. Within days, we had suspects developed, and within weeks we had Duckett as a suspect, and in custody in the Brown County Jail."

Duckett's arrest followed a joint investigation between Atchison Police and Brown County authorities.

Duckett, who is listed as a resident of Leona, Kansas, as well as Falls City, Nebraska, faces charges of burglary, theft, and criminal damage to property.

Duckett remains jailed in Atchison County, held on a bond of $10,000.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners Tuesday approved the purchase of a new skid-steer for the Road Department and a new pickup for Emergency Management.

The skid-steer will be purchased through the State of Nebraska contract award program from Merz Farm Equipment in Falls City at a cost of $62,839.

The County will be able to take advantage of the zero-percent 48-month payment option.

Commissioners also approved the purchase of a 2019 three-quarter ton pickup from Hullman's Ford, Lincoln, Mercury in Falls City at a cost of $32,220. It was the low bid of five submitted last week.

In other business, the Board approved renting a building in Humboldt for $250 per month, including utilities for use by the Emergency Management Agency to store an emergency trailer.

(KAIR)--Being prepared for the worst.

That's the reason for Thursday's Atchison County training session, focused on the approach of the spring severe weather season.

The session will take place Thursday evening in the Atchison Elementary School cafeteria.

The free training session, which is open to the public, will begin at 7:00, and last about 90 minutes.

A National Weather Service meteorologist will discuss various aspects of severe weather, storm spotting, and severe weather safety.

The training session is being held to prepare for the spring severe weather season in Kansas.

The session was scheduled to be held last month in advance of Severe Weather Awareness Week, but was postponed due to winter weather conditions.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) —The number of people indicted in the death of a 10-year-old Kansas boy on what was promoted as the world's largest waterslide has grown to three.
The Kansas Attorney General's office says Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts co-owner Jeffrey Henry and ride designer John Schooley are charged with reckless second-degree murder in the indictment unsealed Tuesday.

According to a press release issued by the attorney general's office, also indicted is Henry & Sons Construction Company, Inc., a corporation involved in the design and construction of the waterslide

A Texas judge has ordered Henry held without bond.

Victoria Cisneros, spokeswoman for the Cameron County District Attorney's Office, says the 62-year-old Henry appeared for a hearing Tuesday, when county prosecutors asked that Henry be held without bond at the request of the Kansas Attorney General's Office.
Henry will remain at the Cameron County jail in far south Texas as he awaits extradition to Kansas.

The attorney general's office announced Friday that the Schlitterbahn park and its former operations director, Tyler Austin Miles, had been indicted on 20 felony charges, including involuntary manslaughter.

The charges stem from the 2016 death of 10-year-old Caleb Schwab.

His family says the criminal indictment shows that issues with the water park company "go far beyond" the boy's death.

The family released a statement Monday in reaction to the 20-count indictment released last week.
The Schwab family says they have "full faith and trust" in Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and know he'll "take appropriate steps in the interest of public safety."

The indictment alleges the slide met few, if any, industry standards and that necessary repairs were avoided or delayed. 
 

(KLZA)--The annual Severe Weather Awareness Week events will take place across Nebraska this week.

Activities to promote preparedness will be held through March 31st as a way to encourage all Nebraskans to get ready for the hazardous weather conditions that can occur during the spring and summer months.

The National Weather Service will conduct a Test Tornado Drill Wednesday, March 28th.

At 10:00 A.M. The Storm Prediction Center will issue a Test Tornado Watch for Nebraska and Iowa counties with the test message tone alert and sent through the Emergency Alert System.

At approximately 10:15 Weather Forecast Offices in Nebraska and Iowa will issue a Test Tornado Warning that will last about 20 minutes. This will also be sent using the Emergency Alert System.

In Richardson County, schools will be participating in the mock tornado drill.

In Pawnee and Johnson Counties the schools will participate as well as the Pawnee County Memorial Hospital and Johnson County Hospital.

Emergency sirens will be tested in both Pawnee and Johnson counties on Wednesday.

Resources for staying prepared for weather emergencies including tornadoes are available on-line at the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency website: nema.nebraska.gov.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Legislation that would help put guns in the hands of Kansas schoolteachers has prompted worried lawmakers, teachers and citizens to a pack committee hearing.
 
 The bill reviewed Tuesday by the House Insurance Committee would hold school districts potentially negligent if they don't permit a licensed employee to carry a concealed gun on premises.
 
In addition, insurance companies would not be allowed to refuse coverage to schools because they have armed staff.
 
During the committee's hearing, supporters proposed an amendment to strike the section that would hold school districts negligent. But that move did little to turn opposition around on the issue.
 
The legislation has provisions similar to another school safety bill up for debate in the full House that is focused on improving school infrastructure instead of arming staff.

(KMZA)--A Centralia man has been arrested in connection with the alleged theft of a pickup truck.

The Nemaha County Sheriff's Department says 54-year-old Kirby Walls was arrested Saturday on a charge of theft.  

The Sheriff's Office took a report Saturday morning of the theft of a 2014 GMC pickup from 520 4th Street in Centralia.

The vehicle was located later Saturday northeast of Seneca and Walls was taken into custody.

He remains in the Nemaha County Jail.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A water park company's co-owner was arrested Monday in Texas in connection with a Kansas criminal case arising from a 10-year-old boy's death on what was promoted as the world's largest waterslide.
Records show that Jeffrey Henry, co-owner of Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts, was booked into the jail in Cameron County, Texas. He was being held without bond, and a jail booking clerk said he would remain there until a court appearance Tuesday.
Henry's arrest follows a Kansas grand jury's indictment last week of the Schlitterbahn park in Kansas City, Kansas, and its former operations director, Tyler Austin Miles, on 20 felony charges. They included a single count of involuntary manslaughter over the death of Caleb Schwab in 2016.
Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Winter Prosapio said in a statement that considering last week's indictment, the company is not surprised by Henry's arrest. The company also promised to aggressively fight the criminal charges against Miles and the park, and respond to the allegations in the 47-page indictment "point by point."
"We as a company and as a family will fight these allegations and have confidence that once the facts are presented it will be clear that what happened on the ride was an unforeseeable accident," she said in an emailed statement.
Attorney General Derek Schmidt's office did not immediately respond to phone calls and emails seeking further comment, details about Henry's arrest, or information about exactly what criminal charges he faces. The Kansas City Star reported that Henry was taken into custody by U.S. marshals out of Brownsville, Texas.
Prosapio said Schlitterbahn does not expect any changes to the Kansas City park's season, which is set to open May 25 and run through Labor Day. The big slide there — Verruckt, or German for "insane" — has been closed since Caleb died.
The boy was decapitated after the raft on which he was riding went airborne. He was the son of Republican state Rep. Scott Schwab, of Olathe, and the family reached settlements of nearly $20 million with Schlitterbahn and various companies associated with the design and construction of the waterslide.
The two women who rode with Caleb suffered serious injuries and settled claims with Schlitterbahn for an undisclosed amount.
The indictment against Miles and the park alleges that Verruckt met few, if any, industry standards and that Miles delayed or avoided necessary repairs, even after the ride's brake system failed.
The indictment also said Henry helped design the giant waterslide even though he had "no technical or engineering credentials" and that he set a "rushed timeline" for its construction.
Schlitterbahn said last week's indictment is "full of false information," and the company also rejected its allegations that Miles and the company withheld information from law enforcement officials. It said the allegation that Caleb's death was foreseeable is "beyond the pale of speculation."
Miles' attorneys said in their own statement that they welcome the opportunity to prove his innocence in court.
"Not only had Tyler ridden the slide numerous times, but, as the State is aware, he had scheduled his wife, to ride it on the day of the accident," the attorneys, Tom and Tricia Bath, said in their statement. "These are not the actions of someone who believed the ride to be dangerous."
___
This story has been corrected to show that the Schlitterbahn co-owner's first name is Jeffrey.
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Also contributing was Terry Wallace in Dallas, Texas.
___
Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna .

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Linda Brown, who as a Kansas girl was at the center of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down racial segregation in schools, has died at age 76.
Her father, Oliver Brown, tried to enroll the family in an all-white school in Topeka, and the case was sparked when he and several black families were turned away. The NAACP's legal arm brought the lawsuit to challenge segregation in public schools, and Oliver Brown became lead plaintiff in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision by the Supreme Court that ended school segregation.
Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel at NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., said in a statement that Linda Brown is one of a band of heroic young people who, along with her family, courageously fought to end the ultimate symbol of white supremacy — racial segregation in public schools.
"She stands as an example of how ordinary schoolchildren took center stage in transforming this country. It was not easy for her or her family, but her sacrifice broke barriers and changed the meaning of equality in this country," Ifill said.
Peaceful Rest Funeral Chapel of Topeka confirmed that Linda Brown died Sunday afternoon. No cause of death was released. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Her sister, Cheryl Brown Henderson, founding president of The Brown Foundation, confirmed the death to The Topeka Capital-Journal . She declined comment from the family.
The landmark case was brought before the Supreme Court by the NAACP's legal arm to challenge segregation in public schools. It began after several black families in Topeka were turned down when they tried to enroll their children in white schools near their homes. The lawsuit was joined with cases from Delaware, South Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that separating black and white children was unconstitutional because it denied black children the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law. "In the field of public education, the doctrine of 'separate but equal' has no place," Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote. "Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal."
The Brown decision overturned the court's Plessy v. Ferguson decision, which on May 18, 1896, established a "separate but equal" doctrine for black's in public facilities.
"Sixty-four years ago, a young girl from Topeka, Kansas sparked a case that ended segregation in public schools in America," Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer said in a statement. "Linda Brown's life reminds us that by standing up for our principles and serving our communities we can truly change the world. Linda's legacy is a crucial part of the American story and continues to inspire the millions who have realized the American dream because of her."
Brown v. Board was a historic marker in the Civil Rights movement, likely the most high-profile case brought by Thurgood Marshall and the lawyers of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund in their decade-plus campaign to chip away at the doctrine of "separate but equal."
"Her legacy is not only here but nationwide," Kansas Deputy Education Commissioner Dale Dennis said.
Oliver Brown, for whom the case was named, became a minister at a church in Springfield, Missouri. He died of a heart attack in 1961. Linda Brown and her sister founded in 1988 the Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research.
The foundation says on its webpage that it was established as a living tribute to the attorneys, community organizers and plaintiffs in the landmark Supreme Court decision. Its mission is to build upon their work and keep the ideals of the decision relevant for future generations.
"We are to be grateful for the family that stood up for what is right," said Democratic state Rep. Annie Kuether of Topeka. "That made a difference to the rest of the world."

(KLZA)-- A second meeting to gather input on the HTRS School District will be held Tuesday evening in the Commons area at the school in Humboldt.

During the first meeting last week around 30 people attending the meeting to provide input on what they feel are the strengths of the HTRS District and some areas that could use improvement. 

Superintendent Sherri Edmundson said while around half of the group was teachers and administrators some good input was received.

The second meeting is coming up Tuesday evening. The second meeting is geared more toward businesses in the Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer School District. The school wants to find out the types of skills these businesses need  young people to have when they graduate. 

Tuesday's meeting begins at 7:00 P.M. 

(KLZA)-- Visitor restrictions at Community Medical Center in Falls City that have been in place since February 7th have been lifted.

The visitor restrictions were implemented due to the high rate of influenza in the community. Only 1-2 primary family caregivers had been allowed to visit patients and no one under the age of 18 was allowed to visit unless special exceptions were made.

Community Medical Center CEO Ryan Larsen thanked everyone for their cooperation.

(KMZA)--A two-vehicle Nemaha County wreck Monday afternoon sent a Summerfield woman to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 29-year-old Emily Flemmer was westbound on U.S. 36 when she swerved to miss a vehicle that was stopped to turn south onto K-187.  Flemmer lost control of her car and struck an eastbound SUV driven by 29-year-old Andrew Olberding, of Seneca.

Flemmer was transported to the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca with what the Patrol described as disabling injuries.

The Patrol report indicates Andrew Olberding received possible injuries, but was not transported for hospitalized treatment.

A passenger in his vehicle, 61-year-old Seneca resident Keith Olberding, was not hurt.

The Patrol says all the occupants were buckled up when the wreck occurred shortly before 4:30 Monday afternoon.

(KAIR)--A pickup truck, found wrecked and abandoned, leads to an investigation by the Atchison County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News the 2006 White Chevrolet 2500 was discovered overturned in a creek, located west of K-7, in the area of 310th Road and Pratt Road, shortly before 4:30 Friday morning.

The owner, Tyler Molt, when notified of the discovery by a Deputy, reported that it had apparently been stolen from his property, located at 10382 K-7 Highway, sometime after 10:30 Thursday night. "They advised us that they had left the keys in the vehicle, and didn't even realize that the vehicle had been taken until the Deputy knocked on the door. [We're] not really sure what may have occurred, but the vehicle was located not too far from the residence, [where it] actually struck a guardrail on the bridge. [There was] significant damage to the bridge and the vehicle ended up in the creek upside down."

Laurie says nothing was reported missing from inside the truck, and there are no suspects yet identified.

The case remains under investigation, and anyone with related information should contact the Atchison County Sheriff's Office.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man faces drug charges following his arrest stemming from an investigation that began last year.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News 18-year-old Ethan Hale was already in jail on unrelated charges when he was arrested Saturday on an Atchison County District Court warrant. "This incident happened back in November of 2017,” Laurie said. “A Deputy was performing some narcotics purchases, and controlled buys, and trying to purchase methamphetamine and also fentanyl patches from Ethan Hale. They were able to purchase both from him on two different occasions. [The] affidavits [were] sent up to the County Attorney [and] warrants [were] issued here this past week. Mr. Hale was in jail already and we were able to serve those warrants while he was in jail."

Hale now faces charges of distribution of methamphetamine, no drug tax stamp, distribution of a narcotic, and use of a telecommunication facility to facilitate a controlled substance transaction.

Hale was jailed at the time of his latest arrest in connection with the theft of a handgun last year.

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph woman has pleaded guilty to an endangerment charge in the death of her one-month-old daughter last August.

The St. Joseph News Press reports 22-year Doris Koon entered the plea Monday in Buchanan County Circuit Court.

Sentencing is set for May 9th.

Koon was charged after she spent three hours Aug. 21 walking the halls at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph with the lifeless baby.  A security guard at the hospital found the mother with her child's body.

In court Monday, a tearful Koon told the judge that on the night before the child's death she consumed alcohol and then co-slept with the baby. When she awoke, she found the baby had died.

Koon remains in the  Buchanan County Jail.

(KAIR)--St. Joseph, Missouri police have identified the victim of a Sunday night shooting.

KQ2-TV reports 24-year-old Lorenzo Lucas was found shot outside a home in the 2400 block of Lafayette Street.

Police are investigating it as a homicide.

Officers responded to a shooting call in the area around 7:00 p.m. Sunday.

Police have not made an arrest or released any suspect information at this time.

(KNZA)--Unemployment rates for area northeast Kansas counties last month contained mixed news.

According to a report issued Friday by the Kansas Department of Labor, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Nemaha and Marshall Counties all saw an increase in their jobless rates from January.   

Atchison, Leavenworth and Pottawatomie Counties saw a decrease, while Jefferson County’s unemployment rate held steady.

Leavenworth County had the highest unemployment rate among area counties at 4.1 percent, while Pottawatomie County had the lowest at 2.9 percent.

Elsewhere, Atchison County’s unemployment rate last month was 3.6 percent; Brown, 3.3 percent; Jackson, 3.6 percent; Jefferson, 4 percent; Marshall, 3 percent and Nemaha County, 3 percent.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4 percent in February.  That’s down from 3.5 percent in January and 3.8 percent one year ago.
     

(KLZA)--Unemployment numbers improved in most Southeast Nebraska counties in February.

Unemployment in Otoe County was up two-tenths of a point to 3.3 percent. The jobless rate in the other five counties in extreme Southeast Nebraska dipped slightly in February.

Pawnee County has the best jobless rate at 2.7 percent. The highest unemployment rate is in Johnson County at 4.2 percent.

In Richardson and Nemaha counties the unemployment rate is 3.3 percent for February and in Gage County the unemployment figure is 3.6 percent.

In all five counties the unemployment rate was one to two-tenths of a percent lower than in January.

The statewide jobless rate dropped a tenth of a point to 2.8 percent. That is well below the national unemployment rate of 4.1 percent.

Nebraska Labor Commissioner John Albin says the state labor force and number of employed workers both increased in February.

(KMZA)--A two-vehicle Nemaha County wreck late Sunday night sent an Axtell teenager to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 19-year-old Marissa Slone was eastbound on U.S. 36, west of the K-178 junction, when she approached another eastbound vehicle driven by 48-year-old Jerry Birdsley, of Centralia, at a high rate of speed.  Slone went into the westbound lane, sideswiping the left rear corner of Birdsley's car.  Slone's car ran off the roadway and rolled, coming to rest on its side.

Slone was transported to the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca with what the Patrol described as possible injuries.

Birdsley was not hurt.

The wreck was reported shortly after 11:30 Sunday night.

(KMZA)--Two Sabetha residents have been arrested on burglary and theft charges.

33-year-old William Franks and 28-year-old Kellie Franks were arrestedThursday by the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department on Nemaha County warrants.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert says both are alleged to have entered a home in rural Oneida and exerted unauthorized control over a washing machine.

Kellie Franks was released Thursday after posting a $5,750 bond.  William Franks, at last report, remained held in the Nemaha County Jail on a $5,750 bond.  

Lippert says no hearings have been scheduled in the case at the present time.

(KAIR)--An early Friday evening Atchison County rollover crash sent a Saint Joseph man to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports it happened on 310th Road, just east of Anderson Road, a half mile west of U.S. Highway 59.

22-year-old Brandon Meyers was westbound on 310th when his GMC Yukon went left of center. The Patrol reports Meyer's lost control of the vehicle, which struck a fence and overturned multiple times before landing in the south ditch.

Meyers was transported to the Horton Community Hospital for the treatment of possible injuries.

The Patrol says he was buckled up when the wreck happened shortly before 5:30.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - A former executive with the Kansas water park where a 10-year-old boy died on a giant waterslide has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Tyler Austin Miles, who was an operations director for Schlitterbahn, was booked into the Wyandotte County jail Friday and is being held on $50,000 bond. 

According to a press release issued Friday by the office of Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, charges have also been filed against the waterpark corporation.

Both Miles and the corporation were indicted by a Wyandotte County grand jury.

Along with involuntary manslaughter, both were indicted in connection with injuries sustained by 13 other persons, including four other minors, while riding the waterslide. Those charges include aggravated battery and aggravated endangering a child. In addition, Miles was indicted on two counts of interference with law enforcement and Schlitterbahn was indicted on one count of interference with law enforcement.

Miles entered a plea of not guilty Friday and a jury trial date has been set for September 10 at 9 a.m. A status conference has been set for April 25 at 2 p.m.

The Attorney General's Office is prosecuting.

The Associated Press reports that Winter Prospapio, a spokeswoman for Schlitterbahn, said the company was "deeply disappointed" that someone was charged for the "terrible accident." She said Schlitterbahn stood by Miles, who left the company for another job in September. 

Caleb Schwab died in August 2016 on the 17-story Verruckt water slide at the park in western Kansas City, Kansas. An autopsy revealed the boy was decapitated when the raft that he and two women were on went airborne. It hit a pole that supported nets that were designed to keep riders from flying off the ride.

(KNZA)--A report from a concerned citizen leads to the arrest of two in Brown County.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, in a news release, says the investigation began early Friday morning following a report of a suspicious vehicle in a Morrill roadway.

A deputy responded and located the vehicle, with its lights off while stopped in the road.

Merchant says two occupants were arrested after the deputy spoke with them.

22-year-old Nina Travis, of Falls City, faces charges of possession of meth, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to distribute.

18-year-old Garden Grove, Iowa resident Veron Nellis faces charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal use of weapons.

According to Merchant, it was later learned that Nellis was wanted on a $10,000 Brown County warrant for burglary/theft.

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

(KAIR)--An employee of an Atchison nursing home is facing a felony charge in connection with the alleged battery of an elderly resident.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News his department launched an investigation after concerns were reported.

The investigation led to Thursday night's arrest of 38-year-old Tammy Puckett as she arrived for work at Medicalodge of Atchison. "We conducted an investigation on Thursday focusing on an incident that occurred recently, involving an 80-year-old male victim. That incident involved a physical battery that occurred against the victim at a local nursing home where the victim resided.

The 38-year-old suspect was taken into custody around 10 p.m. Thursday night as she arrived there for work."

Puckett, identified as a resident of Leavenworth, now faces a charge of mistreatment of a dependent adult. "In many cases, this would constitute a battery, but because of the circumstances involved here, and the age of the victim, Kansas law constitutes this [as a] charge [of] mistreatment of a dependent adult, which is a felony," Wilson said.

Following her arrest, Puckett was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

Wilson says the victim did not require medical treatment as a result of the battery. 

An email to Medicalodge from MSC News seeking details of Puckett's employment wasn't immediately answered.

( KNZA)--U.S.Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins will be in attendance Tuesday afternoon, March 27th when the Second Harvest Community Food Bank holds a Fresh Mobile Pantry in Sabetha.

The mobile pantry will take place at the corner of 8th and Main Streets from 1 to 2, and is open to the general public while supplies last.

Second Harvest CEO Chad Higdon says the Fresh Mobile Pantry allows them to provide fresh produce and protein to those who otherwise may have to go without.

Higdon says Second Harvest is proud to have the ability to transport food to communities across the organization’s 19-county service area and help the nearly 51,000 food insecure people.

Three local Fresh Mobile Pantry locations are also set next month.  They include April 9th in Effingham at St. Ann’s Catholic Church from 10 to 12 noon ; April 10th in White Cloud at Casino White Cloud from 8 to 5 and April 12th on the Kickapoo Reservation from 11 to 12 noon.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators took a step Thursday toward greater transparency in law enforcement, with the Senate unanimously passing a bill that would require departments to share body camera footage more quickly.

The bill would give law enforcement agencies up to 20 days to release requested footage, fast-tracking a process that currently can take months. But the quicker access would be limited to the subjects of the footage, their attorneys, legal guardians or next of kin.

The House passed a version earlier this month but still must consider a small change made by senators before it can go to Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer. And despite the 40-0 vote in the Senate, the measure still faced some criticism.

Democratic Sen. Faust-Goudeau of Wichita said the legislation doesn't go far enough and is a "softer version" of what is needed. It still leaves police with too much discretion over determining policy on body camera use, she said.

Kansas law does not require officers to wear body cameras, though many departments do. Departments also set their own guidelines for when cameras should be turned on or off and how long the footage is preserved.

Faust-Goudeau said she wants a bill that would clearly define police procedures on recording equipment.

Democratic Rep. John Alcala of Topeka authored the bill. He understands the criticism but is proud of the bill regardless, he said.

"We need to be reasonable in how we move forward knowing it's going to be a complete culture shock to law enforcement," Alcala said.

Alcala said rebuilding lost trust between his community and law enforcement is of primary concern. He said he felt Topeka was "on the edge of unrest" after two officers shot a 30-year-old man, Dominque White, outside a Topeka park in September. White's father was not able to view the body camera footage from the incident for nearly three months.

Alcala could not get everything he wanted all at once but said he plans to revisit police transparency when legislators study various issues this summer.

The Senate also approved, 39-0, a bill designed to make law enforcement agencies more transparent about the property they seize from suspects. It would require the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to compile data on what gets seized and to monitor whether reports from law enforcement agencies are accurate.

The House approved the same measure last month, and it goes next to Colyer.

(KNZA)--A Sabetha woman convicted in a May 2017 Hiawatha home invasion has been sentenced to 120 days in prison after she was found to have violated the terms of her probation.

24-year-old Jazmene Hicks was recently handed the sentence in Brown County District Court after being arrested February 28th for a probation violation.  

Hicks will be placed on 12-months supervised probation after serving the prison time.

She had been given a suspended 56-month prison sentence in November on four counts and placed on 36-months supervised probation.

Co-defendant, Edgar Martinez, was sentenced in November to 5 ½ years in prison on three felony counts.

A third defendant in the case, 28-year-old Bern resident Oscar Martinez, was extradited to Brown County last month from the state of Nebraska where he had been held on separate charges.

Martinez faces felony counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and aggravated battery along with a misdemeanor count of criminal restraint.

A preliminary hearing for Martinez was continued this week at the request of his attorney to May 16th .

He remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a $100,000 bond.    

(KNZA)-- A Holton man accused of child-related sex crimes involving a girl under the age of 14 has waived his preliminary hearing.

19-year-old Chaz Zibell was bound over to Jackson County District Court this week on six counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child.

Arraignment was set for April 27th.

Zibell was arrested last September following an investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

According to the criminal complaint, he is accused of possessing child pornography and soliciting a 13-year-old girl for pornography pictures.  The alleged offenses occurred between July and November of 2015.

Zibell remains free on a $10,000 bond.

(KNZA)--The Horton City Commission has a new member.

Rex West took his seat on the Commission this week after he was sworn in as interim Police Commissioner by City Clerk Kim Knudson.

West was appointed earlier this month by the Commission to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Bryan Stirton following his appointment as interim Mayor.

West will fill the remainder of Stirton’s term, which expires in January 2020.  The position is up for election in November of next year.

West retired in June 2016 after 31 years with the city of Horton, the last role as city supervisor overseeing the Public Works Department.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas lawmakers have advanced the first piece of a plan for complying with a Kansas Supreme Court on public school funding.

A special Senate committee on school finance approved a bill Thursday that would revise the state's formula for distributing more than $4 billion a year to local school districts. The measure goes next to the Senate and a debate there is expected next week.

The bill's changes are designed to make the formula fairer to poor school districts. It eliminates several provisions that the Supreme Court said favored wealthier districts.

The court ruled in October that parts of the funding formula were unfair and that the state isn't spending enough money overall on its schools. The Senate committee's bill does not significantly boost the state's overall spending.

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle Jefferson County wreck Thursday afternoon sent a Perry woman to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 36-year-old Sarah Foulk was northbound on Linn Road, north of 23rd Street, when her car left the roadway for an unknown reason and struck a concrete bridge rail.

Foulk was transported to Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Hospital.

The Patrol says she was buckled up when the wreck occurred shortly after 4:30 Thursday afternoon.

(KAIR)--New dash cams, utilizing the latest technology, is approved for purchase for use by the Atchison Police Department.

That follows action of the Atchison City Commission during their meeting Monday afternoon. "We're asking you for seven units," Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told the Commission, as he outlined the reasons behind the more than $33,000 request. "We think the cost is right...the need is there. We have seven patrol cars, we don't put them in our unmarked cars."

Citing the value of the cameras in legal proceedings, Wilson, during his presentation, also cited their use in settling citizen complaints. "I found that out in early 2000, that's when we got our first unites. [The video from the cameras] eliminated completely, to zero, the number of complaints that we have."

Wilson explained that the request to replace the current dash cams means upgraded technology for his department. "What we've also asked you for here is a panoramic camera, it's kind of a new theory. The panoramic camera, which is $200 more, it's a third camera that's in there, and it goes from side to side, so if somebody's at the left fender, or the right fender, almost to the doors, it's going to [record] that, too."

Following Wilson's presentation, and brief discussion, the Commission approved the purchase of the seven new cameras unanimously.

(KAIR)--Temporary stop signs, placed at four Atchison intersections noted for heavy pedestrian traffic, will remain in place through the near future.

That follows discussion during Monday's meeting of the Atchison City Commission regarding whether or not the stop signs should remain in place permanently.

City Public Works Director Justin Pregont addressed the Commission, outlining the city staff recommendation pertaining to the future of the stop signs. “There are four intersections that are currently, temporarily, designated as all-way stops. Those being 3rd and Commercial, 4th and Kansas, 5th and Santa Fe, and 6th and Santa Fe. The ordinance in front of you would officially enact all-way stops at 3rd and Commercial, 5th and Santa Fe, and 6th and Santa Fe, and 4th and Kansas would revert back to a two-way stop control, with north/south on 4th being able to flow freely. Additionally, this ordinance would enact an all-way stop at 8th and Commercial."

Commission discussion followed the presentation, with opinions voiced on which stop signs should stay and which should be removed.

Mayor Allen Reavis called for a vote, but it ultimately failed to gain Commission approval.

Following the failed vote, and with suggestions voiced, it was decided to continue to keep the signs in place for up to an additional 90 days.

That is intended to allow further review, including the exploration of possible alternatives to alert drivers to pedestrian traffic in the affected locations.

The temporary stop signs were put in place for a 90 day trial period at the start of the new year.

(KNZA)--An arson investigation leads to the arrest of a former Jackson County volunteer firefighter.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, says 27-year-old Jacob Kenneth Grant was taken into custody Wednesday evening and faces 13 counts of arson.

According to Morse, his department's investigation focused on numerous suspected arson grass fires that occurred from February 28 to March 20, in southwestern Jackson County.

It's alleged that Grant set the fires, and then responded as a member of the Delia Fire Department.

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

(KAIR)--Social security numbers are at the heart of the latest rip-off attempt circulating in the local area.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse has issued a news release to warn area residents about the scam, which he says is being attempted by telephone.

According to Morse, the person contacted by the caller is told that their social security number has been compromised, and they have 24 hours to return a phone call to address the problem. If the call is not returned, Morse says the caller threatens the would-be victim with the seizure of assets.

Saying that scamming “is a billion dollar industry,” Morse says this latest scam, like others that have gained recent attention, is simply an attempt to gain personal, financial information.

He says no business should ever be conducted by telephone with anyone unknown, and that no information should ever be provided to such unsolicited callers.

Morse says that anytime the legitimacy of a phone call must be questioned, it's most likely a scam.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge has handed down a mixed ruling in the lawsuit brought by the Kansas attorney general seeking records related to former President Barack Obama's proposal to move detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the Army prison at Fort Leavenworth.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree concluded Wednesday that the Defense Department fulfilled its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act except for five documents, which the court will privately review to determine if information was improperly withheld.

The judge noted the Defense Department did not immediately comply with the state's freedom of information request when the lawsuit was filed. It has since produced more than 2,000 pages of documents about Obama's plan to close the military detention facility center in Guantanamo Bay.

Kansas had argued the search was insufficient.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a woman has been charged with helping to orchestrate the killing of her mother's boyfriend at a northeast Kansas lake and her mother with helping cover up for her.

Eighteen-year-old Ashlyn Hemmerling is jailed on $1 million bond on a first-degree murder charge in the death of 22-year-old Taylor Sawyer, whose body was found March 14 at Perry Lake. Hemmerling's mother, 37-year-old Sarah Hemmerling, is jailed on $100,000 bond on an obstruction charge.

Ashlyn Hemmerling's boyfriend, 22-year-old Jonathan Blevins, also is charged with first-degree murder.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig says authorities believe Blevins pulled the trigger, Ashlyn Hemmerling helped orchestrate the homicide and Sarah Hemmerling helped her daughter disseminate a false story.

The suspects' attorneys didn't immediately return phone messages from The Associated Press.

___

Information from: Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World, http://www.ljworld.com

(KAIR)--All that remains in the plan to rename the Atchison Post Office in honor of Atchison's famous daughter is the signature of President Donald Trump.

That comes as the United States House of Representatives Tuesday night passed the Amelia Earhart U.S. Post Office Act.

The legislation was introduced in the House in November 2017 by Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins.

The Kansas Republican, in a news release announcing the passage, says the “courageous actions” of Earhart inspired her, adding that the famed aviator also inspired many others “to dream big and accomplish lofty goals.” Jenkins, in the release says that because March is Women's History month “it seems fitting...to rename [Earhart's] hometown post office in her honor, to continue her legacy and inspire future generations.”

The legislation for the renaming was also introduced in November in the United States Senate by Kansas Senator Pat Roberts.

It gained Senate approval earlier this month.

Roberts, in the release issued by Jenkins' office, calls Earhart “one of the great pioneers of our nation, whose story began at home in Atchison.” Saying “she is an inspiration to all aviators and a role model to women around the world,” the Kansas Republican adds that renaming the post office “is one more way to honor [Earhart's] incredible legacy.”

The legislation now goes to the President to be signed into law.

Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, was born in Atchison on July 24, 1897.

Each July, Atchison holds a weekend festival in her honor.

(KMZA)--Those planning a controlled burn in Nemaha County are being asked to notify the county dispatch before doing so.

The Nemaha County Commission and County Emergency Management Director Todd Swart came to that decision Monday, after learning that fire departments were called out several times last week for unreported controlled burns.

Commissioners decided a burn ban would not be necessary.  Instead, those planning a controlled burn are asked to contact the sheriff's dispatch at 785-336-2311 beforehand and let them know the location of the burn.

In addition, your asked to stay on site to monitor the fire to make sure it doesn't get out of hand.

In other business, Logan Bausch and Martha Smith with Northeast Kansas Environmental Services met with the Commission to report on the organization’s activities for 2017.  They also requested $10,000 in funding from the county for 2019, which is the same as they received this year.  Commissioners will consider the request when they draft the 2019 budget.

And at the request of County Senior Services/Public Transit Director Diane Yunghans, the Commission approved the appointment of Chris Grote, of Sabetha, to the Nemaha County Advisory Council.

(KNZA)--For the 5th year in a row,  the Hiawatha Police Department has been recognized by AAA Kansas for their efforts in addressing local traffic safety issues.

Bob Hamilton, law enforcement liaison for the Kansas Department of Transportation, presented a 2017 Community Traffic Safety Award to Police Chief John Defore during Monday’s Hiawatha City Commission meeting.  The Department received a Gold Award—the second highest award presented.

Among other things, the Police Department was recognized for its participation in seatbelt enforcement campaigns, fostering safe school zones, staging a mock DUI crash event, having a community-based traffic safety committee and having a policy requiring employee seatbelt use.

Hamilton says the Hiawatha Police Department is among forty-two law enforcement agencies across the state receiving an award.  Also receiving an award locally were the Horton Police Department and Brown County Sheriff’s Department.

Hamilton says the award is presented by AAA to encourage communities to address local traffic safety issues in a coordinated and cost-effective way.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Council Monday evening approved a compromise to a request from the Richardson County Commission for two parking stalls on 18th Street on the north side of the Courthouse for Sheriff's Deputies and two handicapped stalls on 17th Street south of the Courthouse.

The request was tabled earlier this month.  On Monday evening, County Commission Chairman David Sickel explained the Board has decided for security reasons to allow just the south entrance to the Courthouse as a public entrance.  He said they plan to redo the curb on the south side  to make the entrance handicapped accessible.

Councilman Derek Leyden expressed concern about possibly losing two parking stalls in the courthouse area.  

Currently, there are four handicapped parking stalls adjacent to the courthouse on 18th street.

Council member Mike Dougherty, a Richardson County Deputy Sheriff, explained why the Sheriff's Office wants to be able to park on the north side of the building and utilize the sliding glass door on the lower level to transport prisoners to County and District Court.   Dougherty said the existing parking lot on the east side of the Courthouse is heavily utilized and crowded.  He said it would require a Deputy to park, let a prisoner out and then have the prisoner stand there is shackles while the Deputy parks the patrol unit in a parking stall.

The approved agreement will create two handicapped  stalls on the south side of the Courthouse. The four handicapped stalls currently on the north side of the courthouse on 18th street will be removed and the raised area in front of the sliding glass door entrance to the lower level of the Courthouse will be designated for Sheriff's Department parking from 8:00 A.M. 0 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.  

The compromise actually creates two additional regular parking spaces on the north side of the building.  The motion passed unanimously.  

(KLZA)--The Auburn  Board of Education approved the expenditure of more than $84-thousand dollars in various technology and safety upgrades during their March 12th meeting.

Superintendent Kevin Reiman  said the district is eligible for federal government reimbursement  of 70-percent of the cost for certain technology upgrades.

Board members approved a bid of $61-thousand dollars for  to K-12 ITC for wireless access points and a bid for network switches in an amount of $10,100 was awarded to Dove Connection.

The Board also approved upgrades to recording systems in district school buses. The system which records STOP Sign violations as well as activities on the bus is five years old and are starting to fail.

A bid of $13-thousand was awarded to Angel Tracks.  The company can replace the recording devices in the current cameras saving the school district an additional $13,thousand.  

The project will include 11 of the Auburn School Districts 13  buses.  

AUBURN, Neb. (AP) - A judge has ruled that prosecutors have presented enough evidence to try a man for first-degree murder in the case of a Peru State College coed who went missing more than seven years ago.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports the ruling came Tuesday in the case of 36-year-old Joshua Keadle, accused of killing 19-year-old Tyler "Ty" Thomas.

Thomas disappeared Dec. 3, 2010, after leaving a party near the Peru State campus. Authorities say Keadle, a fellow student, told them he and Thomas had sex in his vehicle that night, and that Thomas threatened to report he had raped her.

The state issued a death certificate for Thomas in 2013, even though her body has not been found.

Keadle's defense attorney had argued that without a body, there wasn't enough evidence to even show Thomas had been murdered.

 Keadle, already in prison for the 2008 rape of a 15-year-old girl, will be arraigned April 16.
 

(KAIR)--A vehicle, parked on property in Atchison County, incurs more than $1,000 in damage, and an investigation is launched to find out who's responsible.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, the 2002 Chevrolet mini van had been parked at 8768 308th Road, in Huron.

The owner of the vehicle, who lives in Topeka, reported to the Sheriff's Office that he believes the damage happened sometime between February 24 and March 11.

According to the report, the van's back windows were broken out, the back hatch was damaged, and the van was moved around 50 feet into a waterway.

No suspects have yet been determined.

Anyone with information about the crime should contact the Atchison County Sheriff's Office.

(KAIR)--Atchison based MGP Ingredients names a new Vice President.

CEO Gus Griffin, in a press release, announced that Thomas “T.J” Lynn is named to the role, but will also continue to serve as general counsel and corporate secretary.

The release says he was appointed to those roles in August, 2017.

Griffin, in the release, calls Lynn “a key member of our leadership team,” adding that the responsibilities he performs “are vitally important to supporting MGP's business goals and commitment to growth.”

Griffin calls Lynn's appointment to the role of Vice President “indicative of the tremendous leadership abilities, knowledge, and talents” he brings to MGP.

The release says Lynn, in his general counsel role, has responsibility for commercial matters, corporate compliance obligations, litigation oversight, contracts, and intellectual property and labor/employment laws.

As corporate secretary, his responsibilities include advising the board of directors and senior management on matters relating to relevant federal and state securities laws, and assuring compliance with applicable corporate government requirements and best practices in conjunction with outside counsel.

(KLZA)--A St. Joseph man died from injuries suffered when he was ejected from his vehicle during an early morning wreck Saturday on Interstate-29 in Holt County, Missouri.

According to a Missouri Highway Patrol report, 55-year-old Jesus Faudoa-Morales was southbound on I-29 in a Ford Explorer about five miles north of Oregon when his vehicle skidded out of control, traveled off the west side of the southbound lanes, returned to the roadway and skidded off the east side of the roadway and into the median.

The vehicle overturned and Faudoa-Morales was ejected.

He was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck.

The Holt County Sheriff's Office, Atchison-Holt EMS and South Holt Fire Department assisted at the scene of the wreck.

(KLZA)--The Auburn City Council is moving forward in pursuit of having a person serve as a combination Economic Developer / City  Administrator.

Mayor Scott Kudrna introduced the proposal. The Mayor says he feels its important the City have someone working on economic development and making sure that it is a component of the new comprehensive plan being developed for the City of Auburn by JEO Consultants.

Kudrna said the City would like to possibly piggyback with the Auburn Development Council in hiring someone for the position.  ADC has contracted with Bill Hunter of Peru, who has experience in the economic development area.

Kudrna says it's possible other entities such as the Auburn Board of Public Works and Nemaha County could also be included.  

The Mayor says moving forward with the position on a contract basis would give everyone involved a chance to see if it is working for them.  He says rather than moving forward with a full-time hire, doing this on a contract basis would give the City a chance to “test the water” and see if it is working for those involved.

Since the Auburn Council meeting March 12th, the Auburn Development Council did contract with Bill Hunter to perform economic development work on their behalf.

Other entities joining in will need to be worked out and agreed to.  

(KAIR)--Student signatures are submitted to the USD 377 Board of Education in opposition to possible changes regarding prom attendance at the Atchison County Community High School.

The issue was addressed when the Board of Education met March 13, following a request that was made by some students to allow underclassmen to attend prom as a guest or as the date of a Junior or Senior,

According to information included with the agenda for the meeting, only Juniors and Seniors have historically been allowed to attend the prom, although there is no set district policy stating that freshmen and sophomores are prohibited.

Two students, Junior Daisey Norris and Sophomore Victoria Caplinger, voiced opposition to the proposed change.

Norris submitted to the board a list of 44 signatures from upperclassmen opposed to the change, while Caplinger presented a list of 17 underclassmen who also disapprove.

Superintendent Dr. Andrew Gaddis tells MSC News no immediate decision is made.

Instead, the Student Council will work on developing a policy to propose to the Board of Education in the future.

The policy would not take effect until the 2018-2019 school year.

The School Board during the March 13 meeting also approved a resolution pertaining to the Board's intent to non-renew the contract of a certified teacher.

That followed an executive session focused on the move.

Gaddis identifies the teacher as Brandee Falk.

According to the USD 377 website, Falk is a kindergarten teacher who began working in the position in 2015.

(KAIR)--The City of Atchison officially has a new City Manager.

That follows action of the Commission Monday evening approving the contract agreement for Becky Berger to formally begin serving in that position.

The vote to approve the agreement followed an executive session of the Commission.

Upon returning to their open meeting, the Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the agreement.

Commissioner Charlie Perdue case the lone no vote.

"I'm just excited to be officially in the role now,” Berger said, following the vote. “It's been challenging and fun the last seven months doing the job, and I'm very excited to be able to hire somebody to replace my old position. There's a lot of things I want to hit the ground running and get going, so I'm looking forward to it."

The City Manager's position became vacant following the resignation of Trey Cocking last year, who ended his duties August 30.

Since that time, Berger has served as Interim City Manager.

She had served as Finance Director/Assistant City Manager since 2013.

With the emphasis placed on operational costs, Monday's meeting of the Atchison City Commission also included a focus on the future admission fees of the municipal swimming pool.

Deputy Public Works Director Clinton McNemee presented the matter to the Commission. "It was a topic that kinda popped up in the Park and Forestry Board meetings a couple years ago, then it kind of got put on the back burner as we focused on some other projects. We've recently reignited that conversation. The proposal is to raise the base admission rate from $1 a person to $2 a person in hopes to reduce the subsidy that it is to run the pool every year."

Mayor Allen Reavis, following McNemee's presentation, spoke first, saying he opposed the increase. "I personally will oppose any change in the rate. It's increased attendance, it's a lot more affordable for a lot of people."

Commissioner Shawn Rizza, a former member of the Park and Forestry Board, cited the operations deficit as a reason to support the increase. "We had a budget deficit of $98,000 last year...that doesn't include any improvements we made in the pool, any concrete work and stuff like that. We are by far the lowest priced pool in the area."

Following the discussion, Reavis called for a motion on the increased admission fee.

Rizza moved for the increase, but the motion died due to the lack of a second.

Instead, with the majority of the Commission apparently favoring no change, the fee will remain in place at $1 for the upcoming swimming season.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) - The number of lawsuits accusing a former physician assistant at a Veteran's Administration hospital in Leavenworth  of sexual abuse is approaching 100.
 
The Wichita Eagle reports that Kansas City attorneys Dan Curry and Sarah Brown filed three more lawsuits last week on behalf of former patients of 66-year-old Mark Wisner, of Horton.

He was sentenced last year to more than 15 years in prison for sex crimes involving patients at the Eisenhower Veterans Administration Medical Center in Leavenworth.
 
Curry said he expects to file a few more lawsuits in the near future, bringing the total number to around 100. Some seek $2 million or more in damages.
 
Prosecutors said Wisner performed improper and medically unnecessary genital examinations on patients from 2012 to 2014. He resigned and had his license to practice revoked in 2015.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff’s Office has been recognized again by AAA Kansas for their efforts in addressing local traffic safety issues.

Bob Hamilton, law enforcement liaison for the Kansas Department of Transportation, presented a 2017 Community Traffic Safety Platinum award to Sheriff John Merchant and Public Safety Resource Officer J.D. Clary during Monday’s Brown County Commission meeting.

It’s the fourth time the Sheriff’s Department has received a AAA Traffic Safety Award, but the first time its earned the platinum award---the highest award presented.

Hamilton says the department is among only eleven sheriff departments in Kansas to qualify for a 2017 award, which is provided to encourage communities to address local traffic safety issues in a coordinated and cost-effective way.

Among other things the Brown County Sheriff’s Department was recognized for its participation in the SAFE seat belt usage program, its “ teen lifesaver” initiative with the high schools, participation in an area Traffic Safety Committee and conducting child passenger seat training and driver improvement classes.   

(KNZA)--Around 120 members of a Holton-based Kansas National Guard unit have returned home after year long deployment to Kuwait.

Soldiers from Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery were greeted by friends and family as they returned from their deployment Friday.  The soldiers arrived at Topeka’s Regional Airport in two separate groups.  

The battery, along with other soldiers and elements of the Kansas Army National Guard, deployed in April of last year to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.

Kansas Adjutant General, Major General Lee Tafanelli, said it was an exciting mission for the soldiers of the battery.  Tafanelli noted it was the first time since World War II the soldiers have deployed to function as a field artillery unit.

It was the third deployment for the unit since 2001.

(KAIR)--Additional arrests are made in connection with last week's murder of a 22-year-old man at Jefferson County's Lake Perry.

According to online Jefferson County Jail reports, 18-year-old Ashlyn Hemmerling and 37-year-old Sara Hemmerling were both taken into custody Friday.

Ashlyn Hemmerling faces a charge of first-degree murder, and is held on a bond of $1 million.

Sara Hemmerling faces charges including obstructing apprehension of prosecution and committing a felony.

She's held on a $100,000 bond.

The body of 22-year-old Taylor Sawyer was discovered Wednesday in the Lake Perry area.

On Friday, 22-year-old Jonathan Blevins was formally charged with first-degree murder in connection with Sawyer's death.

(KAIR)--Atchison will celebrate Saint Patrick's Day Saturday, March 17, with activities, including the annual parade. 

MSC Radio News Director Brian Hagen talked with Janie Pickman, Chair of the Parade Committee about the plans for the holiday. 

(KAIR)--An investigation into illegal drug activity at an Atchison residence leads to the seizure of drugs and to one arrest.

According to Atchison County Undersheriff Toby Smith, the investigation focused on a residence located in the 300 block of Atchison Street.

It was there, Thursday, that the investigation led to the seizure of what Smith identifies as methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Arrested at the scene was 35-year-old Amber Renee Hanlan.

She now faces charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Following her arrest, Hanlan was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A new report from two out-of-state consultants says improving student performance in Kansas public schools could cost the state as much as $2 billion more a year.

The report released Friday stunned some legislators. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in October that the state's more than $4 billion in spending a year on aid to public schools isn't sufficient under the state constitution.

The report outlined multiple spending scenarios, and all assumed that the state would boost its high school graduation rate from 86 percent to 95 percent within four years. That would be the nation's highest rate.

The consultants' lowest projected increase in annual spending would be $451 million, or almost 10 percent. The largest figure tops $2 billion. The consultants suggested phasing in any increase over five years.

(KAIR)--Tuesday marks the first day of spring, and Atchison City Commissioners are looking beyond the new season, to the next, as they consider a proposed price increase for admission to Atchison's municipal swimming pool.

The matter is on the agenda for consideration at Monday's meeting, with admission to the Lion's Pool proposed to increase by one dollar for the upcoming summer.

According to information included with the agenda for Monday's meeting, the current one dollar admission fee was implemented for the 2012 season, with the cost having been $2.00 for many years prior to the decrease.

The documents indicate that use of the pool doubled from 2011 to 2012 when the decrease was approved, and it's projected that it's likely an increase would eliminate excess capacity at the pool, leading to what the documents call "safer and better experiences for pool users."

The documents cite the need to reduce the number of "unsupervised, older children who routinely pay the dollar to loiter at the facility rather than swim." The document calls that activity "a recipe for behavioral problems including theft and fighting."

It further states that “the operating costs of the Lions Pool have increased significantly over the last three seasons while the revenues relative to expenses are decreasing since 2014.”

City Commissioner Shawn Rizza is a past member of the Atchison Park and Forestry Board. In a Facebook post clarifying the proposed increase, he stated “The pool had an operational deficit of $98,714 last year, and that number doesn’t even include any improvements made. Even raising rates by a dollar leaves us as the cheapest pool in the area. The pool will never have a balanced budget. It is a service the city provides for the good of the community, and that comes with a cost, but it seems fiscally responsible to have the pool users carry a share of that cost.”

The original proposal to increase the cost was made by the Atchison Park and Forestry Board in 2016 to offset operation expenses, and is again proposed following further review.

The matter will be discussed when the Commission meets Monday afternoon at 4:30 at Atchison City Hall.

(KMZA)--A new superintendent has been hired for Vermillion USD 380.

According to a news release posted Friday on the district’s website, the Board of Education has appointed Matthew Rogers to the position.  His contract begins July 1st.

Rogers has served as principal at Parsons High School for the past six years.  Prior to that he served as assistant principal and athletic director at Parsons for six years.

Rogers began his career in education in 1993 as a permanent building substitute teacher at Metro High Schools in Wichita.

He and his wife, Cary, have been married for twenty-four years and have three children.

Rogers will replace Mischel Miller who is resigning at the end of the current school year to take a job with the state Department of Education in Topeka.  Miller has served as superintendent of USD 380 since July 2015.

Rogers says he’s extremely excited to join the USD 380 family and can’t wait to get involved in the community.

(KAIR)--Students at Atchison's Maur Hill-Mount Academy were not among others from the local area who took part in Wednesday's nationwide 17 minute school walkout, timed with the anniversary of last month's Florida school shooting.

Instead, the private Catholic High School held a 17-minute prayer service for all 17 victims of the shooting.

According to a post on the Maur Hill-Mount Academy Facebook page, the idea for the prayer service was presented by Sophomore Ellie Todd-Nichol.

The post says that along with the students killed February 13, prayers were offered for their families, as well as for healing and positive change for the country.

The Associated Press reports the coordinated walkouts were organized by Empower, the youth wing of the Women's March, which brought thousands to Washington last year. It offered the students a list of demands for lawmakers, including a ban on assault weapons and mandatory background checks for all gun sales.

(KNZA)--Efforts are underway to bring a wrestling program back in South Brown County USD 430.

Horton High School Athletic Director Mark Ross presented a proposal to the  Board of Education this week to add the sport for the high school and 7th and 8th grades.

Ross estimated it would cost $7,000 to implement the program.  He noted that the uniforms, mats and equipment used when the district last had wrestling five years ago are still in good shape, which would reduce the cost to start the program back up.

He said that 12 high school students have expressed an interest in the sport, along with a handful  of 7th and 8th graders.

It was the consensus of the Board to move forward.

In other business, the Board approved a calendar for next school year.  The first day of school for students will be August 22nd and the last day will be May 21st.

Following an executive session, the USD 430 Board approved by hiring of Robyn Allen as district curriculum director.   Allen is currently a 7th grade teacher at Atchison Middle School.   

(KNZA)--The remaining funds from a bond issue approved by Hiawatha USD 415 voters in 2015 will be utilized for the replacement of the interior doors at the high school.    

The Board of Education Monday evening accepted the low bid submitted by Overhead Door Company, of Topeka, in the amount of  $216,251 for the project.

It was among two bids received.

In other business, District Maintenance Coordinator Matt Cluck went over the bids received for the replacement of the high school track.  The bids included various options.

The Board tabled action until next month’s meeting, saying they wanted more information before making a decision.  Two of the companies that submitted bids will be asked to make presentations at next month’s meeting.

The Board approved the funding of extra coaching positions at the high school and middle school as presented by the building’s athletic directors along with providing extra funding for the Science Olympiad program.   

Following an executive session, the Board approved the hiring of Sara Gift as 5th-12th grade instrumental band teacher.  Gift is to graduate from Kansas State University in May.

As part of the consent agenda, the Board accepted the resignations of Karie Covert as girls tennis coach and Katie Miller as assistant softball coach.

Kelsey Lee was hired to replace Covert as girls tennis coach.

(KNZA)--Due to a recent decline in flu activity within the Hiawatha Community Hospital’s primary service area, the Hospital is lifting the current visitor restrictions, effective immediately.

That’s according to a press release issued this week by the hospital.

The visitor restrictions were put in place January 10th to protect patients, visitors, and employees from the spread of the flu.

While the hospital is returning to its normal visitor guidelines, the release says there are still cases of the flu and flu-like illnesses within the region. The hospital requests that anyone feeling ill or having any signs or symptoms of the flu to not visit patients. Symptoms include cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, and fatigue.

The Hospital says anyone seeking treatment at the hospital or its clinics exhibiting these symptoms still needs to use a mask while present in the facility. Masks are provided at no charge at most of the hospital’s main entrances.

The hospital always recommends proper disinfection of hands by washing with soap and water or using sanitizing gel or foam when entering and leaving the facility to help prevent the spread of illness. Hand sanitizer stations are available at most of the hospital’s main entrances and several places throughout the facility for everyone’s use and protection.

(KMZA)--Nemaha Central students will be making up some school time which was lost due to the solar eclipse and inclement weather earlier in the year.

The USD 115 Board of Education this week approved having students attend a full day on April 2nd and from 8:00 until 12:30 on Monday, April 16th.  Lunch will be served on April 16th.

Board members also approved the calendar for next school year.  Students will begin classes on Thursday, August 16th.  Spring break will be March 11-15, 2019, which is the same as regent universities.

Superintendent Darrel Kohlman presented an updated floor plan for the proposed four-classroom addition that would connect the elementary/middle school and high school.   The latest estimated cost is $1.3 million.

Kohlman also presented cost estimates for updating the main restrooms at the high school, which came in at $118,000 and the high school locker rooms, which came in at $180,000.

Plans were also presented for the Vo-Ag greenhouse, which is estimated to cost $270,000 and a separate classroom, which is estimated at $200,000.   

The projects will be discussed further at the next regular meeting.

Resignations were accepted from two Nemaha Central High School teachers effective at the end of the current school year.  They include English/social studies teacher Betty Hecht and science teacher Chris Vitt.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The Kansas Senate has approved two relatively narrow gun bills after rejecting numerous gun-control proposals during a lengthy debate.

The vote Thursday was 25-15 on a bill clarifying rules for allowing people with permits to carry concealed guns in other states to carry concealed in Kansas.

Senators voted 40-0 to pass a bill making it a felony under state law for anyone convicted of domestic violence to possess a firearm within five years of a conviction. The change would allow prosecutions in state courts rather than federal courts that may not have time for them.

The House passed both bills last month but must consider Senate changes.

Senators debated but rejected proposals to ban the use of bump stocks and impose a three-day waiting period for gun purchases.

(KLZA)--The University of Nebraska Medical Center is partnering with the Falls City Community Medical Center Family Medicine Clinic and the Southeast District Health Department in a heart disease study.

Dr. Patrik Johansson, associate professor with the  College of Public Health, talked about the partnership during a  Tuesday afternoon press conference at Community Medical Center.

Studies indicate heart disease rates are higher in rural Nebraska than in urban areas. Studies also show that heart disease is preventable.

Dr. Johansson said the study will attempt to answer if an intervention that was successful in inner-city Baltimore in reducing blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol can be adapted to rural Nebraska.

Community Medical Center CEO Ryan Larsen said it's exciting to be included in such a study. He said CMC is committed to trying to be a good partner for the program and hope to see results for years to come.

Funding for the study is supported by the Center for Patient, Family, and Community Engagement in Chronic Care Management, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of rural Health, the UNMC Colleges of Nursing and Public Health and Rural Health Education Network.

During the six-month study, a community health worker will work with the RN Care Coordinator at the  Family Medicine Clinic. Master of Public Health student Grant Bruggeman from Auburn, who also works full-time at the Southeast District Health Department, is the project coordinator on the study.

(KAIR)--The theft of a vehicle from the Atchison Walmart parking lot sparks an investigation that leads to one arrest and to the recovery of the vehicle and other stolen property.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News it began when his office received a report after the owner of the SUV discovered the vehicle missing. "We responded midday on Wednesday to a parking lot, in the 1900 block of U.S. 73, where we had a 21-year-old victim reporting the theft of a 2013 Dodge Journey from the parking lot."

Wilson said the investigation was launched, soon leading police to the whereabouts of the vehicle, and ultimately to the suspect. "It was soon that we learned that that vehicle was in a parking lot in the downtown area, and we did locate that vehicle in the 600 block of Main. We also conducted an investigation at the scene, we were able to get a good description of the person that had taken it. We were able to identify that person as being Dennis Wolfe. We knew where he resided, we went to his residence, we took him into custody for the theft of that vehicle, as well as recovered property that was near him, that associated him with the theft of that vehicle."

With the 47-year-old Wolfe in custody, Wilson said the investigation then led police to another location where cash, allegedly stolen from inside the SUV, was located. "There was a quantity of cash that was taken from the vehicle, after the vehicle was taken. That also was recovered in a separate scene."

Wolfe was arrested on charges including burglary and vehicle theft.

He was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — Security guards at a Leavenworth middle school will be carrying firearms beginning next week.

The Leavenworth Board of Education voted Wednesday to buy the firearms and other equipment such as handcuffs and Tasers.

The Leavenworth Times reports two retired law enforcement officers who work at Richard Warren Middle School will begin using the equipment when students return to school next week after spring break.

A statement from the board said the officers will be responsible for the equipment and will be certified twice a year with the Leavenworth Police Department.

Leavenworth High School already has an armed school resource officer from the city police department.

(KAIR)--The Director of Nursing at Atchison's Benedictine College is named as a future leader of Kansas higher education.

Dr. Bill Buron is one of twenty Kansas college faculty members selected for that achievement by the Kansas Independent College Association.

A news release from the association says the twenty “will comprise the second class of participants in KICA's Aspiring Campus Leaders Academy."

It will begin with a two-day training in May in Lawrence.

The news release calls the leader's academy an “outgrowth of several years of conversation about the lack of high quality training opportunities targeted for those in academics, not administration, at smaller, private colleges.”

Buron, in a statement emailed to MSC News, said he is “very honored and excited for the opportunity to participate” in what he calls an “outstanding leadership program” that will enhance his “ability to serve faculty and students as the Director of the Nursing Program.”

The not-for-profit Topeka-based Kansas Independent College Association was founded in 1976 and “develops and enhances the competitive standing of its 19 member independent, non-profit, regionally accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities and strives to assure opportunity and choice in higher education for all students.”

(KNZA)--A Topeka man is in custody after a man's body was found at Perry Lake.

According to a press release from Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig, 22-year-old Jonathan Blevins was arrested Wednesday in Lawrence with the assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the death of 22-year-old Taylor Sawyer.

Blevins was booked into the Jefferson County Jail, where he remains in custody.

Herrig says the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received a call shortly before 10:00 Wednesday morning from a Douglas County Sheriff’s detective advising he had received a call from an individual  stating they had witnessed a murder at Perry Lake Tuesday night.

Herrig says the Sheriff’s Office responded to Perry Lake, where Sawyer’s body was found on a trail in an area that has been closed for several years. He was found with apparent gunshot wounds.

The case remains under investigation.

(KMZA)--Additional cuts are planned at the Wetmore Academic Center to assist in the viability of the school.

Prairie Hills USD 113 Superintendent Todd Evans says the Board of Education this week examined projected revenue and expenses in order to determine the amount of adjustments necessary to bring the school back within the parameters of viability established by the Board.

Based on the information presented, he said the Board identified a reduction of at least $80,000 as a goal to reach.

A proposal to accomplish that will be presented at the April meeting.

The Board voted last month to cut a teaching position at the school, which would save about $61,000.  The reduction will be made through attrition, as an elementary school teacher will be retiring at the end of the current school year.

The main challenge being faced at the school is a declining enrollment.

In other business, Evans said the lone bid was accepted from Edelman’s for the construction of a new press box at Sabetha High School in the amount of $95,702.   The district will pay $47,851 towards the cost of the project.

In working with the Sabetha Booster Club, the Board had previously approved paying for half of the construction expense up to $60,000.   Evans said the Board indicated a willingness to further work with the Booster Club to help support additional needs—including a sound system.

And the USD 113 Board approved a 2018 summer food program in Wetmore. .   

Last year, Evans says the program served 818 meals.  After revenues and expenses were calculated, he said the district had a net program balance of $637.

(KMZA)--A groundbreaking ceremony is set Friday morning for a new senior housing project in Frankfort.

The ceremony will take place at 10:00 at the site across the street from the Frankfort Community Care Home at 510 North Walnut and next to the Nutrition Center.  The public is invited to attend.

According to a press release from Marshall County Partnership 4 Growth Director Ellen Barber, eight new easy-access, stair-free ranch-style homes will be constructed at the site by the Frankfort Community Care Home.  They will allow for no yard or home maintenance and include a safety shelter.

Jarrod Smith with JD Construction will serve as general contractor for the project.   The release says the construction company will also oversee the infrastructure development, which is being funded by a $300,000 grant through the Kansas Housing Corporation that was obtain through the efforts of Marshall County Partnership 4 Growth.

As the new senior housing is filled, the release says it will open needed homes in the community for rent or purchase.  

SHAWNEE COUNTY – The Topeka Police Department has requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue an endangered person advisory for a missing Topeka man.

The whereabouts of Gary “Junior” Darby-Bey, 27, are unknown. Darby-Bey is a black male, 5 ft. tall and approximately 125 lbs. He has short black hair and brown eyes and walks with a limp. Darby-Bey was last seen Tuesday night at approximately 11:30 p.m. in the 5200 Block of SW 10th St. in Topeka, Kan. 

Darby-Bey is a person with diminished mental capacity and authorities believe he may have had assistance leaving the area. Law enforcement is concerned for his welfare because he requires medical assistance to ensure his safety. It is believed Darby-Bey may currently be in the Northeast or Central part of Kansas, or in Southeast Nebraska or Western Missouri.  

The Topeka Police Department asks anyone who comes in contact with Darby-Bey to immediately call 911. However, if other information is known about this case, or past sightings occurred, please contact the Topeka Police Department at (785) 368-9247.

(KNZA)--A Holton man required hospital treatment following a Wednesday morning, two vehicle Shawnee County crash.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 23-year-old Taylor Lake was transported to Topeka's Stormont Vail following the 8:45 crash.

He is identified as a passenger in a car, southbound on U.S. Highway 75, a mile north of I-70, in Topeka, that was changing lanes for an emergency vehicle stopped on the right shoulder.

Another southbound car was also changing lanes, for the same reason, at the same time; and, as the vehicle Lake was riding in merged, the driver didn't have enough time to break, causing the car to rear end the other car.

According to the Patrol, everyone in the two cars were buckled up, and only Lake suffered injuries.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is dead, killed Tuesday morning in a head on crash south of Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Saint Joseph Police identify the victim as 56-year-old Jeffrey Smith.

Funeral services for Smith are planned for Saturday morning at Atchison's Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home.

KQ2-TV reports Smith was driving a Buick Lacrosse that crossed the center line of U.S. Highway 59, at Parker Road, and struck a semi head-on.

The driver of the truck was not hurt.

Police are continuing to investigate the fatal crash, that happened around 8:00 Tuesday morning.

(KAIR)--Students across the nation joined together in protest Wednesday, calling for gun control measures on the one month anniversary of the deadly Parkland School Shooting.

The protests were intended to last 17-minutes in remembrance of the 17 students killed.

Joining what the Associated Press calls “tens of thousands of young people in communities big and small,” were students from across the local region.

That included high school students from such local counties as Atchison and Brown.

In Hiawatha, two members of the Student Council--senior Martina Bourland and freshman Raven Stroud--planned the event.  "It's too common today," Borlund said, in regards to school shootings. "I think that, as a school, you should feel safe and at home, and right now I don't think many students feel this way.”

Stroud, saying she feels much has been done in Hiawatha to prevent school violence, said she took part in the protest to remember the school shooting victims. "I did it because of the 17 in Florida. Some [students] might have done it for the 2nd Amendment, but I did it because of the lives that were lost."

More than 115 students took part in the event at Hiawatha High School.

Students in Atchison also took part, and High School Principal Brian Hanson told MSC News the school worked with them to provide a safe protest. "We had a group of students that approached me last week, asking about the national walk-out day. As a school, we were not openly promoting it, but we also wanted to make sure we had a safe, organized environment for the kids to express themselves. The kids actually organized it, we provided a place for them to spend that 17-minutes outside of school. When the 17-minutes were up, our kids all came back inside."

USD 377 Superintendent Andrew Gaddis confirmed that “a small number of students” from the Atchison County Community Schools did “request to participate in the nationally organized Walk-out.”

In an email to MSC News, Gaddis said the schools complied with the requests and “used it as an opportunity to teach our students how to appropriately conduct and participate in a demonstration,” adding that the students remained on school property and received supervision.

MSC News also confirmed that among other local students that took part were some from Nemaha Central High School.

The Associated Press reports the coordinated walkouts were organized by Empower, the youth wing of the Women's March, which brought thousands to Washington last year. It offered the students a list of demands for lawmakers, including a ban on assault weapons and mandatory background checks for all gun sales.

The organizers are seeking to keep up the pressure for stricter gun laws despite resistance from the White House and little action over the years on Capitol Hill.

(KAIR)--Despite the sight of Atchison County's rescue crews, there's no need for alarm.

That word comes as Atchison County Emergency Services hold a county-wide disaster drill Wednesday morning.

Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter, in a news release Wednesday says the agencies and organizations are “performing an exercise to pre-plan/train for a large scale tornado emergency/disaster in the area.”

He says residents who notice ambulances and/or emergency vehicles in the areas of W Riley St. or N 6th Street in Atchison, should not be be concerned and there's no reason to notify 911.

Anyone with questions/concerns should call 913-804-6131.

 Agencies taking part in the drill, planned to last until 12 noon, are:

Atchison County EMS

Atchison County Rescue

Atchison Fire Department

Atchison High School

Atchison Police Department

Atchison Sheriff’s Office

All Atchison Nursing Homes/Senior Care Facilities

Atchison Hospital

(KNZA)--An interim Doniphan County economic development director has been appointed.

Following an executive session Monday, the County Commission approved the appointment of Leah Johnson to the position for a term of 60 days upon acceptance of an employment package offer.

Johnson has served as part-time economic development administrative assistant since April of last year.

Adrienne Korson recently resigned as county economic development director, effective March 13th.  She had held the position the past two years.

Korson has taken a job with the Greater Wichita Partnership as an economic development specialist.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for causing recurring flooding that damaged farms and property in four Midwest states along the Missouri River.

The ruling Tuesday in Washington says the government must compensate farmers, landowners and business owners for the flood damage in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. The damage has been estimated to exceed $300 million.

More than 300 farmers, landowners and business owners argued in the lawsuit filed in 2014 in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims that the Corps has altered its practices regarding the river's water storage, release and flow management. The suit contended the Corps unconstitutionally deprived plaintiffs of their land, essentially taking it without compensation.

On Tuesday, Judge Nancy B. Firestone found in favor of the plaintiffs in five of the six years that the flooding was claimed dating back to 2007, disallowing the flood claims in 2011.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer has declared a drought emergency, warning or watch across the entire state.

Colyer signed an executive order Tuesday following several weeks of abnormally dry conditions in all 105 counties.

He declared an emergency for 28 southern Kansas counties and a warning for 29 other counties in central and southern Kansas. The remaining 48 counties are under a drought watch.

The order directs state agencies to combat drought conditions.

 It also opens up land in the federal Conservation Reserve Program for cattle grazing and temporarily lifts height and weight restrictions on trucks for easier shipping of hay into drought-stricken areas.

Colyer said the state must act because conditions are not expected to improve and "we need to get ahead of this as early as possible."

(KAIR)--The sound of gunshots leads to a report to Atchison Police, and that ultimately leads to the arrest of a Cummings man related to an alleged domestic incident that sent his victim to the hospital.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News the investigation was launched Saturday night around 11:00 after his officers responded to a residence where the alleged gunshots had been fired. "Officers responded to a shots fired call in the Branchton area," Wilson said. "It was determined that a disturbance had occurred at a residence in the 1500 block of Center Street, and a 19-year-old female had been struck, choked, and threatened with a handgun. Then this 23-year-old suspect left the residence and fired the handgun outside the residence."

Wilson says both the victim, and the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Brandon Ross, had both left the residence by the time police arrived, but she was located a short time later. "We did subsequently locate the victim, and after speaking to [her], she was treated for injuries and released at the hospital."

Ross was located by police Monday morning. Following his arrest, he was booked into the Atchison County Jail, and faces charges including aggravated assault, aggravated domestic battery, and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

Wilson says reports made in connection with the incident indicate that Ross and his victim are married, and did not live at the residence where the alleged domestic incident occurred.

(KMZA)--A classic scam recirculates, with the caller making threats of an arrest in an attempt to gain financial information from would be victims.

Nemaha County Sheriff Rich Vernon tells MSC News his office has received reports from residents who have recently received the phone calls. "This is a scam involving people pretending to be from the federal government, telling you that you have a warrant, and wanting you to pay them on the phone to get rid of the warrant. The federal government will never call you, they will not call you and tell you you have a warrant, this will never happen."

Vernon says callers asking for gift cards as payment should be an immediate red flag. "That is not something that is normally done, and is their way of getting the money untraceable.”

If this, or any similar call is received, Vernon says to provide no information and to hang up in order to keep from falling victim.

(KMZA)--An arrest has been made in connection with a Nemaha County domestic assault case last month.

The Nemaha County Sheriff's Department says 29-year-old Harold Fischer, of Paxico was arrested March 7th on a Nemaha County warrant for aggravated battery and aggravated assault.

The Sheriff's Department says the charges stem from an alleged incident occurring  February 21st in Goff involving his girlfriend.

Fischer remains in the Nemaha County Jail, held on a $75,000 bond.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is facing charges in connection with alleged child sex crimes, arrested on a Johnson County, Kansas warrant.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News 26-year-old Gary Love was apprehended Friday in Atchison. "We were contacted by the Johnson County Sheriff's Department on Friday morning as they attempted to locate a 26-year-old Atchison man that they wanted on an outstanding warrant out of Johnson County, charging him with three counts of aggravated indecent liberties [with a child]. We were given an address that he may be at. It was determined on Friday morning that he had left that residence in a vehicle. We spotted that vehicle in the 300 block of Main, stopped it, and took him into custody."

Following his arrest, Love was booked into the Atchison County Jail, but later transferred to the custody of Johnson County.

According to online Johnson County Jail records, Love remains in custody, held on a bond of $50,000.

According to a spokesperson for the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, the initial investigation was handled by the Overland Park Police Department. 

Love, prior to his arrest, worked as a custodian for the Atchison County Schools. Following his arrest, USD 377 Superintendent Andrew Gaddis issued the following statement: 

                                                  OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Gary D Love was employed by USD 377-Atchison County Community Schools as a custodian from January 7, 2018 until March 13, 2018. USD 377- Atchison County Community schools follows set procedures for screening potential employees, which includes background checks. If and when new information pertaining to an employee is brought to the attention of the school district, the district takes such information seriously, conducts a thorough investigation and acts according to its findings to protect the students and patrons of the district. Specific information regarding the employment of an individual is confidential and cannot be disclosed.

(KNZA)--KANZA Mental Health and Guidance Center CEO David Elsbury has resigned.

Elsbury informed the Brown County Commission Monday that he submitted his resignation March 1st, saying he decided he needed to change things in his life.

Elsbury’s last day will be March 30th.  He says he plans to remain in Hiawatha.

Elsbury has served as CEO of KANZA since August 2006 and been employed by the agency since 1982.

Virginia Freeze, who currently serves as director of business operations for KANZA, will serve as interim CEO until a permanent replacement is hired.

Elsbury he believes the services provided by KANZA are criticial to the community and thanked the Commission for their support the last 12 years.

KANZA serves Brown, Doniphan, Nemaha and Jackson Counties.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Police Department is sending two officers to active shooter response training later this month.

Police Chief John Defore says Captain Dennis Entriken and officer Brandon Lowe will take part in the ALICE training program March 20-21st in Tonganoxie.

ALICE-- which stands for Alert, Lockdown, Counter, Evacuate-- features a more proactive response to active shooters.

Once the officers complete the training, Defore says the police department will be setting up classes with the Hiawatha school district to train their staff.

Defore said he received a call from USD 415 Superintendent Lonnie Moser a few weeks ago asking for training on active shooter response for his staff. He said the timing could not have been more perfect, as he had just signed up the two officers for the ALICE training.

He says he hopes the officers will also be able to train the department’s other officers, churches and other organizations in the community.

The training comes after a shooting rampage last month at a high school in Parkland, Florida that left 17 dead. In the wake of that shooting, there’s been a spike in active shooter training at schools and other organizations nationwide.

(KNZA)--The preliminary hearing for a Hiawatha teen accused of the rape of a 13-year-old girl has been pushed back again.

The hearing for 19-year-old Nicholas Miller was continued last week at the request of his attorney and rescheduled for May 2nd.

A judge in November found Miller competent to stand trial based on an evaluation conducted by Kanza Mental Health.

The judge in August had granted a motion filed by Miller’s attorney for the  competency evaluation.

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

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

(KMZA)--For the second year in row, the Seneca Police Department has been recognized by AAA Kansas for their efforts in addressing local traffic safety issues.

Jim Hanni, vice-president of AAA Kansas, presented Police Chief Jordan Weaver with the organization’s 2017 Community Traffic Safety Platinum award during the Seneca City Council meeting last week.

Hanni said thirty-four police departments across the state were selected for the 2017 awards, with sixteen being platinum awards.   

The Seneca Police Department received the silver award last year.

The award is presented by AAA to encourage communities to address local traffic safety issues in a coordinated and cost-effective way.

Among other things, the Department received points for their participation in seatbelt enforcement campaigns—include SAFE.

(KMZA)--The city of Seneca is preparing for the opening of the city’s aquatic center this spring.

On the recommendation of City Superintendent Brian Ruske the City Council Wednesday evening accepted a bid from J.F. McGivern, of Topeka, to re-paint the pool at a cost of $52,350.

The Council requested Ruske get recommendations from other cities who have used the company and request that they guarantee their work.

Ruske said the pool was last painted 3 to 4 years ago.

The council expressed disappointment that the pool needs to be painted so often, saying that pools should only need to be painted every 5 to 7 years.  However, City Administrator Matt Rehder said in talking with other cities with pools, in their experience, they need to be painted more than every 5 years.

In a related matter, the Council approved the hiring of the 2018 pool staff as recommended by City Recreation Director David Hutfles.  Included is 19 life guards.  Hutfles said he would like to hire one more person, but can get by with the 19 hired.   

The Seneca Aquatic Center is to open Saturday, May 26th.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A new law in Kansas promises harsher sentences repeat drunken drivers who kill or injure others.

Gov. Jeff Colyer on Friday signed "Caitlin's Law." It takes effect in July and stiffens penalties for drivers who cause accidents while intoxicated or while circumventing restrictions placed on them because of DUI convictions.

Colyer said state officials hope tougher penalties will send a message to people with a history of driving under the influence. The presumed prison sentence for a person with a previous DUI conviction will be nearly 8 years, rather than 5½ years.

The new law is named for Caitlin Vogel, a Stilwell special education instructor killed by a drunken driver in 2016 with two previous DUI convictions at the time of the accident. Her 26th birthday would have been Friday.

(KAIR)--An Indiana man goes to jail in Atchison County, held on charges related to computer-based financial crimes.

According to a news release from Atchison County Undersheriff Toby Smith, 27-year-old Allan Peotter was arrested March 2 on Atchison County District Court Warrants for identity theft, computer crime, theft, and attempted theft.

According to the release, Peotter's arrest stems from an investigation that began December 6, 2017, after the Sheriff's Office was contacted by the Exchange Bank.

The financial institution reported suspicious activity involving an out of state customer's account.

The investigation revealed that Peotter had allegedly used, and provided, necessary personal information related to the affected customer's account, which allowed the alleged wire transfer of $8,500 from the affect account to Peotter's. .

An arrest warrant was issued, and Peotter was taken into custody in Allen County, Indiana.

He later waived extradition and was brought back to Atchison County to face the charges.

He's held on a bond of $10,000.

(KNZA)--Hiawatha Police have arrested a Topeka man on a charge of electronic solicitation of a child.

Police Chief John Defore says 49-year-old Dennis Prochazka was arrested Wednesday following an on-going investigation by undercover officers with the police department.

Prochazka was booked into the Brown County Jail.

Defore says the investigation is ongoing and all futher press releases will be at the discreation of Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill.     

(KNZA)--The 2018 Brown County Fair Spotlight Auction will be held Monday and Tuesday evenings, March 12-13.

It will be broadcast over KNZA 103.9 FM from 5:30 to 9 each evening.

The Spotlight Auction is a live radio auction of merchandise, services and chamber dollars donated mostly by area businesses, with bids taken via the phone.  

About 330 donated items will be auctioned off this year.

You can see pictures of the items being sold and view the flyer online by going to the Brown County Fair Facebook page.

Those unable to call on the two evenings can call the Brown County Extension Office and give a maximum bid on the item or items you would like to buy, and one of the Fairboard members will be the bidder for you.

Proceeds from this year’s auction will be used for the operation of the 2018 Brown County Fair to be held July 9-13.

(MSC News)--It's been around for nearly 20-years, and the Kansas Highway Patrol wants to make certain the public remembers in order to avoid a tragedy.

The Kansas Safe Schools Hotline was established in 1999 through a partnership with the Patrol and the Kansas State Department of Education.

Implemented in order for the public to place anonymous tips pertaining to threats of school violence, the Patrol, in a news release, says awareness of the hotline is a must in light of school shootings across the nation.

Patrol Superintendent Colonel Mark Bruce says “Kansas is not immune to its schools being threatened with acts of violence,” saying that the “serious issue” “demands assistance from the public,” and encourages everyone to treat any threat “as real, and report it to law enforcement authorities immediately.”

The toll free number, 1-877-626-8203, is available 24 hours a day, year round.

The release says any potential threat to schools should be called in to allow “the authorities to look into the validity of the threat and sort through the details.”

(MSC News)--Daylight Saving Time will begin at 2:00 Sunday morning.

Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed Saturday night.

Daylight Saving Time will run until Sunday, November 4th.

The Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office urges residents to practice fire safety by testing their smoke alarms and changing the batteries.  The office says alkaline batteries should be replaced at least once a year, and a good rule of thumb is to change the batteries when you change your clocks.    

(KNZA)--A Highland man convicted on charges in connection with a short Brown County chase last June has been placed on probation.

Zachariah Brown was sentenced Monday in Brown County District Court to a total of 36-months in prison on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and possession of methamphetamine. The sentence was suspended and he was placed on one year supervised probation.

Brown pleaded no contest to the charges in December.  In exchange, two misdemeanor charges were dismissed.

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

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

(KAIR)--A Friday morning Atchison crash between a car and a semi sent a Leavenworth man to the hospital.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News it happened in the 2000 block of South U.S. Highway 73, where 19-year-old Leavenworth resident Preston Pfannenstiel was northbound on the highway.

His car crossed the center lane into the southbound lane, where Pfannenstiel's car collided with a southbound semi tractor trailer.

Pfannenstiel was transported by EMS for hospital treatment of his injuries.

The driver of the semi, identified as 38-year-old Gary Benight, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, was not hurt.

The wreck happened around 7:30 Friday morning, with Atchison Police joined by the Atchison Fire Department, and Atchison County EMS, at the scene.

(KAIR)--The push to rename the Atchison Post Office in honor of Amelia Earhart advances.

According to a press release from the office of United States Senator Pat Roberts, of Kansas, the U.S. Senate approved the Amelia Earhart U.S. Post Office Act Wednesday night.

Introduced in the Senate by Roberts, the legislation was also introduced in the U.S. House by his fellow Republican from Kansas, Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins, in November of last year.

The legislation now goes to the House for approval before being signed into law.

Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, was born in Atchison on July 24, 1897.

Each July, Atchison holds a weekend festival in her honor.

(KNZA)--The Horton City Commission has filled the vacancy created by the recent resignation of police commissioner Bryan Stirton.

During a special meeting Thursday morning, the Commission approved the appointment of longtime former city employee Rex West to fill the remainder of Stirton’s term, which expires in January 2020.  The position is up for election in November of next year.

Stirton resigned from the position following his recent appointment as interim mayor.

West was among six candidates who expressed an interest in filling Stirton’s term.   The other five candidates were Cody Spire, Chad Reynolds, Carol Barton, Bobby Bacon and Avery Thornton.

Commissioners said they were pleased with the interest in the position.   

West retired in June 2016 after 31 years with the city, the last role as city supervisor overseeing the Public Works Department.

He will be sworn in and take his seat on the Commission at their March 19th meeting.

(KNZA)--A new Hiawatha city clerk has been selected.

On the recommendation of an interview committee, the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening approved the hiring of Tish Sims, of Camdenton, Missouri, effective April 2nd.

Sims will fill the temporary role of clerk of the city, with anticipation of her appointment as city clerk in May.

City Administrator Mike Nichols says Sims currently serves as deputy city clerk in Camdenton.

She was among three candidates interviewed last week.

Current City Clerk Vivian Constable plans to retire effective May 7th when her position is up for re-appointment.

Sims will train under Constable until that time.

(KAIR)--A new study published in the journal Forensic Anthropology claims that bones found on the Pacific island of Nikumaroro are those of Amelia Earhart.

The study says the bones were discovered in 1940.

The Washington Post reports the study is attributed to University of Tennessee professor Richard Jantz.

The 13 bones were uncovered by a British expedition to the island.

A past study of the bones concluded that they were not that of Earhart; however, Jantz, in the new study, argues that the study of bones at that time was not well developed, and the methods used were inadequate, with the findings not likely to have been correct.

According to The Washington Post, Jantz co-developed a computer program that estimated sex and ancestry using skeletal measurement, in order to compare the found bones with those of Earhart.

The outcome of his findings reveal that Earhart's bones were, as stated in the study, “more similar to the [found bones] than 99 [percent] of individuals in a large reference sample.”

Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, was born in Atchison on July 24, 1897.

Each July, Atchison holds a weekend festival in her honor.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas City, Kansas man has been sentenced to nearly 12.5 years in prison for a drunken driving crash in Leavenworth County that killed a woman who was riding on his motorcycle.

The Leavenworth Times reports 48-year-old Steven Harris was sentenced Wednesday for a September 2015 crash that killed 48-year-old Dawn Caruthers.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says a motorcycle driven by Harris went into a ditch and he and Carruthers were thrown from the vehicle. Caruthers died at the scene.

Harris pleaded no contest to manslaughter in January.

Prosecutors said Harris was drunk when the crash occurred. He also had 15 previous convictions, which prosecutors said showed he had a history of driving when he shouldn't have been.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Council had two parking requests on the agenda Monday evening.

The first was a request from the Richardson County Commissioners for two handicapped parking stalls on the south side of the Richardson County  Courthouse and to designate two parking stalls on the north side of the building for law enforcement.

Council member Derek Leyden raised concerns about already existing parking issues in the area.  Leyden noted a large number of workers in the downtown area park on Stone Street as well as courthouse employees parking around the courthouse.

Leyden suggested perhaps the Sheriff's Office could utilize the off-street parking lot spots used by the Department when the Sheriff's Office was located at the courthouse.

The request is due in part to the Sheriff's Department providing security at the courthouse and for court sessions, and a proposal to have just one entrance to the courthouse for the public.  

Leyden suggested it might be an option to designate two parking spots on the east side of the courthouse along Highway 73.

The request was tabled until the March 19th Council meeting.  

The Council did  approve a request from South School Principal J.P. Holys for no parking on the south side of 10th Street from Fulton Street east to the alley.

(KAIR)--A familiar face becomes the new City Manager for the City of Atchison.

City Finance Director/Assistant City Manager Becky Berger is named to the role, following a search narrowed to four finalists for the position. "I'm very excited," Berger told MSC News. "This has been a great organization to work for, and we have done a lot of really positive things that I'm excited to continue to bring forward. I can't imagine anywhere else I'd rather be."

Atchison Mayor Allen Reavis, in a press release Thursday morning, made the announcement of Berger's selection, saying the City Commission is “excited to announce the selection process has come to a close,” adding that it's anticipated that Berger's formal appointment to the position will “be completed after final contract approval,” with the contract to “be voted on at the March 19th City Commission meeting.

"We had, at one point, seven candidates that were just amazing," Reavis told MSC News. "That turned into four and it was tough, it was a really tough choice. It was down to two, it got tougher, and Becky came out on top, and we're behind her a hundred-percent."

Berger, looking towards the future, stated her goals in the role of leadership. “A lot of what I have in mind is continuing on a lot of the successes we've already built,” Berger said, citing the city's economic development programs, and what she calls growth and improvements made by the city.

The City Manager's position came vacant following the resignation of Trey Cocking last year, who ended his duties August 30.

Since that time, Berger has served as Interim City Manager.

She has served as Finance Director/Assistant City Manager since 2013. 

(KNZA)--A second candidate has filed for 1st District Jackson County Commissioner.

Former Commissioner Ed Kathrens joins incumbent Rob Ladner in seeking the Republican nomination.

Kathrens, of Circleville, served one term as a commissioner from 2011 to 2014.

The commission seat is the only county office up for election this fall.

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

The primary election will be held August 7th and the general election is November 6th.   

(KAIR)--Concerns of an intoxicated driver are reported to Atchison Police; and when the suspect vehicle is located, a pursuit begins, ending with a collision with a fence, and the arrest of a 27-year-old Atchison man.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News his officers located the pickup truck around 7:00 Monday evening in the area of Jackson Park. "We began looking through the park area, eventually locating him outside the park, on the north side, around the area of 4th and Green where he attempted to elude officers. He then drove in a northerly direction through the city, eventually ending in the northeast part of the city, where he went down several streets. He actually went down a street adjacent to the college where he struck a piece of construction machinery...eventually striking a fence in the area of 1st and P, where he was taken into custody."

Arrested was Michael Drimmel, who faces charges including driving under the influence, fleeing and attempting to elude, driving while suspended, reckless driving, transporting an open container, and no proof of insurance.

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

(KNZA)--A man wanted on multiple warrants—including from Doniphan County and the state of Missouri-- was arrested late  Tuesday  morning in Hiawatha.

32-year-old Jacob Walsh was taken into custody through a joint effort between the Hiawatha Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

According to a news release from the Police Department, Walsh had recently moved into a home at 404 Shawnee in Hiawatha.

A trooper observed a man, who appeared to be Walsh, enter the home  Tuesday  morning, but when officers arrived, no one would answer the door.

According to the release, a picture of Walsh and information related to his wanted status was posted to the Police Department's Facebook page since he was not located and a search warrant couldn't  be obtained.

Walsh, within an hour, apparently became aware of the Facebook post and voluntarily came out of his home and turned himself in to a trooper.

He was arrested without incident and transported him to the Brown County Jail. Walsh was later transported to the Doniphan County Jail, where he remains in custody.

(KNZA)--A Sabetha business is among 17 small businesses that will be recognized by the Kansas Small Business Development Center during an awards ceremony  March 13th in Topeka.

NorthWind Technical Services, owned by Marlene and Mike Bosworth, will be recognized as an “ Exporting Business of the Year.”  

The company has more than 35 employees and provides process automation services, industrial control panel fabrication and engineering services to clients throughout the United States and around the world.

Awards recognizing existing, emerging and exporting businesses of the year will be presented.

Each of the eight Kansas SBDC regional centers selected businesses for the awards.

The businesses were selected from more than 24-hundred businesses that received one-on-one business advising services in 2017 from the Kansas Small Business Development Center.

Kansas SBDC state director Greg Panichello says collectively the Kansas SBDC team believes the 17 small businesses selected for recognition are excellent examples of small businesses that have learned to adapt and succeed in challenging times.

The Kansas Small Business Development Center is a statewide advising, consulting and training service for small businesses funded by federal, state and local partners.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Top Republicans in the Kansas House have outlined school safety proposals that include new state standards for public schools and state funds for security upgrades.

Leaders of the House's GOP majority said Tuesday that their package would set aside $5 million for security grants to local school districts.

GOP legislators began work on what they described as a comprehensive school safety package the week after a mass Valentine's Day shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida.

They said their legislation will direct the State Department of Education to work with other agencies to develop statewide standards for secure buildings. It also will require the state's 286 school districts to adopt safety plans meeting the guidelines.

The department also would hire two new employees to review the local plans.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Library and Arts Center remains very busy with more than 47,500  people passing through the doors in 2017.

245 new patrons joined the Library in 2017 bringing the total to nearly 5,200.

Librarian Hope Schawang told the Council Monday night that a tight budget and a small staff make if difficult to serve the needs of those patrons.

Last year money was provided in the budget to hire an additional part-time person to allow the Library to be open on Fridays.  This year those funds were not included in the budget.  

Schawang explained it takes two people to keep the library open due to the size of the building and for staff safety. She said she will be asking for the additional funds to be added back in next years budget.

She also noted that by not having the extra person, it means overtime hours when someone is sick and when staff member take vacation.

Councilman Jim Wisdom asked City Administrator Gary Jorn about the reduction in funding in the current budget. Jorn noted that several departments suffered budget cuts and that a number of capital improvements have been delayed due to budget restraints.

Jorn pointed out that the library budget has increased in recent years and noted the Library Board decided to pay for custodial services amounting to about $1,000 per month, instead of using the funds for help pay for staff.  He also noted the Library has also gone over its budget.

(KNZA)--A Holton man was arrested Tuesday afternoon on drug and battery charges.

According to a news release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, deputies with the Sheriff’s Office arrested 28-year-old Hunter Dean Snyder for a parole violation in the 20000 block of U.S. Highway 75, south of Holton, just before 3:00.

Morse says a Jackson County drug detection K-9 alerted on Snyder's car, where deputies seized methamphetamine, hydrocodone and drug paraphernalia.

He says the encounter with Snyder also resulted in the investigation of an earlier altercation that allegedly occurred in Jackson County.

Snyder was booked into the Jackson County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine, hydrocodone and drug paraphernalia along with failure to have an interlock device and domestic battery.

(KAIR)--The victim of an alleged homicide in Dodge City, Kansas, had ties to the local area.

According to KAKE-TV, 27-year-old Shantel Rose Brungardt Winkler was found dead late Sunday morning in a Dodge City motel room, the apparent victim of a shooting.

Brungardt Winkler, who was residing in Howell at the time of her death, has family in the local area.

The Facebook page of her father, Anthony, cited by the TV station as saying that the single mother of three “loved her babies more than anything in the world,” lists connections to Leavenworth County and Atchison.

Her step-mother, Carrie Ann Brungardt, tells MSC News her “beautiful daughter” had previously lived in McLouth.

According to her obituary from the Ziegler Funeral Chapel, in Dodge City, Brungardt Winkler was a graduate of Jefferson County North High School, in Winchester. 

An 18-year-old Dodge City man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting.

According to The Dodge City Globe, Boston Cole Boswell was charged Monday with first-degree murder and theft of a firearm.

He's being held on a cash bond of $500,000.

Dodge City Police continue to investigate.

(KAIR)--Atchison's famous daughter is getting the Barbie treatment.

According to a press release from toy manufacturer Mattel, Amelia Earhart is included as part of the company's new “Inspiring Women” series, with the famed aviator to be represented as a Barbie doll.

According to a picture accompanying the release, the Earhart doll is dressed in a leather flight jacket and holding a leather flight helmet, with both a pair of goggles and a white scarf around her neck.

According to the press release, Earhart is one of three dolls in the series.

In the news release, Lisa McKnight, the Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Barbie, says announcement of the “Inspiring Women” series is timed with International Women's Day, which will be recognized Thursday.

McKnight says the company is “thrilled to shine a light on real life role models to remind [girls] that they can be anything.”

The release does not provide a date for the availability of the new dolls, but says each will come with educational information about the contributions each woman represented made to society and their respective fields.

Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, was born in Atchison on July 24, 1897.

Each July, Atchison holds a weekend festival in her honor.

(KNZA)--Representatives of the Hiawatha Cemetery Society Board met with the City Commission Monday evening to request financial assistance from the city for 2018.

Board member Dave Wilson told the Commission they need $20,000 for continued maintenance of the cemetery grounds.

The city provided $5,200 to the cemetery board last September to help them finish out 2017.

The cemetery, located on the north edge of Hiawatha, has existed since the city was founded in 1857.  Since that time, the cemetery has operated with private funds and no tax dollars.  However, those funds have dried up.

Commissioner Bill Collins says he thinks the cemetery board needs to look at other avenues of funding besides the city.  Collins says the city needs all the dollars it has to address its own problems.  

Mayor Steffen Shamburg says the city doesn’t want to take over operation of the cemetery.

Both Shamburg and Collins appealed for public donations to the cemetery.

Following discussion, the Commission voted to provide up to $20,000 in incremental payments to the cemetery society for this year.

City Attorney Andy Delaney and City Administrator Mike Nichols will work with the cemetery board on future funding for the cemetery—including the possible formation of a cemetery district that would have taxing authority on its own.   Delaney says that would require a petition signed by at least 51 percent of the qualified electors in the proposed district.

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph man has pleaded no contest in Brown County District Court to a charge of electronic solicitation of a child.

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

Sentencing was set for May 7th.

Buehler had originally pleaded not guilty in December and a pre-trial hearing had been set in the case.  

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

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

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

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

(KNZA)--The city of Horton is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the City Commission created by the resignation of Bryan Stirton as police commissioner.

The Commission accepted Stirton’s resignation during their regular meeting  Monday evening following his appointment as interim mayor.

Those interested in serving as police commissioner are asked to submit a letter of intent to the Horton City Hall in care of the city clerk/administrator by 5:00 Wednesday evening, March 7th.

Candidates must live within the city limits of Horton and be a registered voter.

The Commission will hold a special meeting at 9:00 Thursday morning to appoint someone to fill the remainder of Stirton’s term, which expires in January 2020.

The position is up for election in November of next year.  

(KAIR)--A 57-year-old woman goes to jail in Jefferson County, accused of attempted murder.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig tells MSC News it was shortly after midnight Sunday morning when his office was called to a rural Meriden address, where a man was found to have suffered injuries during an alleged domestic altercation.

An investigation was launched, and that led to a search for Michelle Gonzales. "They found her sitting in her car, on Decatur Road, north of U-24, which kind of sits between Grantville and Perry," Herrig said. 

Herrig said the victim refused medical services, and is identified as the ex-boyfriend of Gonzales, who apparently formerly also served as his caretaker.

According to an online Jefferson County Jail report, Michelle Gonzales was taken into custody early Sunday morning, on charges including attempted murder in the second degree, theft of property or services, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, criminal use of a financial card, and mistreatment of a dependent adult.

(KAIR)--United States Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins is concerned about the affects a trade war would have on the United States economy, as well as the impact that would be felt in Kansas.

During a weekend visit to Atchison, the Kansas Republican voiced her opposition to President Donald Trump's push for the implementation of tariff's on steel and aluminum, which experts say could result in a trade war. "I was a little bit taken aback by the President's announcement this week, don't agree with that approach," Jenkins said. "Agriculture and manufacturers here in Kansas benefit greatly with trading partners in Mexico, Canada, and across the world. If anything, we need to be goingthe direction of opening up new markets...it's even an issue of national security to start a trade war with someone."

Trump last week announced a plan to impose a 25% tariff on imported steel and a 10% tariff on aluminum.

According to The Hill, U.S. trading partners have already threatened to retaliate against American exports.

Jenkins spoke Saturday at the latest Legislative Coffee forum, held at Atchison's Santa Fe Depot

Offering an update on the happenings in Washington D.C., Jenkins was joined by Kansas Republican Representative, Dr. John Eplee, who provided the crowd with an overview on the works of the Kansas Legislature.

(KAIR)--A 91-year-old Atchison man requires hospital treatment after his car is struck by a semi Saturday morning.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News James Asher was westbound on Harper Drive, stopped at a stop sign at K-7 and then pulled onto the highway into the path of a southbound semi driven by White Cloud resident Wesley Hullman.

Wilson says Asher suffered injuries, and was transported from the scene by private vehicle for hospital treatment.

The wreck happened around 7:30.

( KLZA)--Former Richardson County Sheriff Vernon Buckminster is being remembered.

Buckminster, of Rulo, died Sunday at the age of 70 following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Buckminster was a farmer before becoming a Richardson County deputy sheriff.  He was elected Sheriff in 2006 and served one 4-year term in office.

A memorial service for Buckminster will be 2:30 Friday afternoon at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Falls City.

Buckminster is survived by his wife  Toni, sons Brian and  Blake. Step-daughters Tracy Dlouhy, Jenn Uher and  Becky Gossman and by a sister, Elaine Craig.

(KLZA)--Friday, March 1, was the deadline to file for the May 15th Primary Election in Nebraska.

There are a number of contested races for positions up for election in Richardson County this spring.

First District Commissioner Jim Davidson is not seeking re-election to the Board. Two Republicans and one Democrat seek to replace Davidson. John Caverzagie and Kala Richey will seek the Republican nomination. John R. Coonce is the only Democrat seeking the seat and is unopposed in May.

Incumbents were the only ones to file for the other County offices up for election this year.

In Falls City, there are four candidates for Mayor. Judy Murphy, current Ward II Council Person is running for the seat currently held by Jerry Oliver, who did not seek re-election. Also filing for Mayor are Jonathan C. Kirkendall, Carla Rhodd and Shawna Bindle. The two receiving the most votes in the May, primary for the non-partisan seat will face off in the November election.

There are two contested City Council races. In Ward II Kaylie Ractliffe, Lucas Froeschl and Chris Simon are seeking to replace Murphy. Two will advance to the General Election.

In Ward III both Terry Lee Stradtman and incumbent Mitch Merz will advance to the General Election.

In Humboldt, Dale Oehm, Ted Schuler,  Robert Mendenhall and Jamie Dorney have filed to run for Mayor. Incumbent Crystal Dunekacke did not seek re-election. The top two in the May Primary Election will advance to November.

Both City Council races in Humboldt will eliminate one candidate in May.

Michael Arreguin, Jan Wilhelm and incumbent Doris DeJonge seek the Ward I Council seat. Kendra Douglas, Dustin White and Heather J. Schuler have filed for the Ward II City Council seat in Humboldt.

The candidate filing deadline for Village Board of Trustee and Educational Service Unit #4 is July 16th.

All the candidates filing for the Falls City and HTRS District 70 School Board will advance to the November General election.

Three will be elected in Falls City. Incumbents John Martin, Richard Malcolm and Kevin Scheitel filed for re-election while Joseph Jarred, Tedd Gilkerson and Bob Campbell are also seeking election.

Incumbents Scott Ogle and Neal Kanel are seeking re-election to the HTRS Board with Leah Reyes and Tim Schaardt also seeking one of the three seats up for election.

(KLZA)--A rural Brock, Nebraska man has been charged in connection with a two-vehicle wreck last month that claimed the life of a Pawnee City man.

52-year-old Monty Eaton has been charged in Nemaha County Court with a felony count of manslaughter stemming from a February 3rd wreck north of Auburn that killed 26-year-old Travis Ries.   

Bond has been set at $50,000 and a scheduling conference in the case has been set for March 13th.

The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department says Ries was a passenger in a car driven by 25-year-old Heather Spurlin, of Pawnee City.

Investigators say Spurlin tried to pass a sport utility vehicle driven by Eaton when he turned left into her car.

Spurlin and Ries, who were not wearing seatbelts, were ejected.

Spurlin was flown to a Lincoln hospital.  Ries was pronounced dead at the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn.

Eaton was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.  

(KLZA)--Despite a rumor to the contrary, there is no threat to safety at the Falls City High School.

That statement is made Friday by High School Principal Gale Dunkhas.

Dunkhas, in a statement received by MSC News, says “there has been some misinformation about student and staff safety” at the high school.

Saying that the safety of the students is a priority, Dunkhas, in the statement, says the Falls City Police Department “will continue to have a presence in Falls City Public School buildings."

Although there is no imminent danger, Dunkhas ends the statement by saying that “all threats should be reported to administration.”

(KAIR)--A stolen vehicle catches the attention of an Atchison Police Officer on patrol, and once the vehicle is stopped, and the investigation concluded, three go to jail in connection with the theft.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the car, reported stolen in Lansing, was stopped early Wednesday morning. "Shortly after midnight on Wednesday morning, we had an officer check on a suspicious vehicle that stopped near a downtown business. It was determined that the 2001 Pontiac Grand Am had been stolen reported stolen in Lansing sometime the past weekend. The driver, and two occupants, were taken into custody following the traffic stop in the 500 block of South U.S. 73."

18-year-old Sidney Darrenkamp, 23-year-old Darius Fleming, and 30-year-old Kylee Walker, all of Atchison, were taken into custody for theft of a vehicle.

Wilson said although the vehicle was reported stolen in Lansing, it's owned by an Atchison resident.

(KAIR)--United States Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins will be among those in attendance Saturday as the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce, in a partnership with Medicalodge Atchison, hosts it's second in a series of Legislative Coffee forums.

The sessions allow area residents to discuss legislative issues with elected officials in an informal setting.

Chamber President Jacque Pregont tells MSC News Jenkins confirmed her attendance this week.

Joining Jenkins at the forum will be fellow Republican Dr. John Eplee, of Atchison, 63rd District Representative for the State of Kansas.

The Legislative Coffee will begin at 9:00 Saturday morning at the Santa Fe Depot, at 200 South 10th Street, in Atchison.

Coffee and pastries will be served, and the public is invited.

(KNZA)--Brown County is preparing for this summer’s chip and seal road projects.

The County Commission Wednesday accepted the low bid submitted by Kansas City, Missouri-based Vance Brothers, Inc. for the purchase of  500,000 gallons of RS-IHP road oil in the amount of $1.70  per gallon.

The bid was among two received and was less than what the county paid last year.

In other business, bids were opened for assorted tubes for the three road districts.  The Commission accepted the low bid submitted by Welborn Sales, of Salina, for a total of $44,526.   It was among three bids received.

Bids were also opened for the right to harvest about 22-acres of brome hay at the county landfill this year.  The Commission accept a bid from Troy Kolb, of Hiawatha,  for a total of $1,115.  It was among three bids received.

Northeast Kansas Multi-County Health CEO Kristin Watkins visited with the Commission about the possibility of adding on to the county health department building located at 907 South 2nd Street in Hiawatha. Commissioners suggested Watkins contact the state to see what grants are available.

And at the request of DOVES Director, Debbie Duncan, the Commission approved a $4,000 donation to the Atchison-based domestic violence organization.  

(KNZA)--The Horton City Commission has filled the vacancy created by the recent resignation of longtime Mayor Tim Lentz.

During a special meeting Thursday evening, the Commission appointed Bryan Stirton to fill the remainder of Lentz‘ term, which expires in January 2020. The position is up for election in November of next year.

Stirton, who currently serves as police commissioner, was among three who submitted letters expressing an interest in filling the vacancy. The other two candidates were Bobby Bacon and Jack Hare.

With his appointment as interim mayor, Stirton will have to step down as police commissioner. The Commission is to act on his resignation from that position during their regular meeting Monday evening and will set a special meeting for appointing someone to fill the vacancy.

The Commission also directed City Attorney Kevin Hill to draft an ordinance for their consideration Monday revising the duties of mayor, which will be limited to presiding over meetings. Lentz had handled a number of additional duties----including oversight of the current pool project. Just how that will be handled will be discussed at Monday’s meeting.

(KAIR)--No credible threat to student safety was found.

That's the outcome of an investigation at the Atchison Elementary School Thursday.

Dr. Susan Myers, the Superintendent of USD 409, told MSC News Atchison Police were called to the school around the start of the school day, following a rumor received by the district. "We had a rumor come in by telephone regarding a student possibly bringing a gun to school, and so the police were immediately called."

Myers says it was quickly determined that no gun was present, and there was no actual threat to students at the school.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News his office investigated the tip, that he said was “related to a concern about a statement made from one student to another student,” with that statement apparently the basis of the phone call received by the district.

Wilson said police investigators looked into the situation with the school staff, and the investigation has been concluded.

Parents were notified of the police presence, and that no threat had been found, in a Thursday morning alert sent by the district.

(KMZA)--Both Nemaha Central schools in Seneca were placed on lockdown Thursday morning after a threatening note was found in a boys restroom at the high school.

The schools were placed on lockdown for about three hours.

In a Thursday afternoon interview with MSC News, Superintendent Darrel Kohlman said the precautionary measures were taken due to the nature of the note. "We went into lockdown and contacted law enforcement because [the] safety of our students and staff, we take everything serious," Kohlman said. "We worked with several agencies, starting with our local police department, the Nemaha County Sheriff's Department, and the Kansas Highway Patrol, with some outside other law enforcement helping out, and the Seneca Fire Department, helping secure our buildings and our grounds. After a few hours, we released our students back to normal activity, because we felt like the threat was no longer a viable threat. We knew that our students and our staff were safe and so we went back to normal operations in both buildings."

According to a news release from the Seneca Police Department, one student was removed from school to be interviewed, but was not arrested. 

The release states that the investigation is ongoing.  

(KLZA)--Weather permitting, work is scheduled to begin Monday, March 5, on two bridge projects west of Stella on Highway 62.

According to the Nebraska Department of Transportation, A.M. Cohron and Son, Inc., of Atlantic, Iowa, has the nearly $3.7 million contract.

The work will include removing and replacing both bridges and approaches. Work also includes rail, grading, new culverts and concrete paving.

On March 5, Highway 62 will be closed, west of Stella, and traffic will follow a marked detour.

The detour will utilizing US-75 south from the Highway 62 junction to Highway 73, then east to Highway 67, then north to Highway 62.

The project is anticipated to be completed by fall of 2018.

The Department’s manager for this project is Bill Jasa of Tecumseh.

(KNZA)--Two area Kansas lawmakers are seeking re-election.

State Representatives John Eplee and Randy Garber have both filed for another two-year term.

Eplee, an Atchison Republican, is currently serving his first term representing the 63rd District which includes Doniphan County and a portion of Atchison County.

Garber, a Sabetha Republican, has represented District 62 since 2011 which includes Brown and Nemaha Counties along with portions of Atchison and Jackson Counties.

So far, neither candidate is facing any opposition.

Numerous local, state and national offices are up for election this fall.

Candidates have until noon, June 1st to file.

The primary election will be held August 7th and the general election is November 6th.
 

(KMZA)--The state is seeking a new location for its driver’s license office in Seneca.

David Harper, director of vehicles with the Kansas Department of Revenue, spoke with Nemaha County Commission by phone Monday about their need for more space.

Harper said they have outgrown the space they currently use on Main Street and asked about possible office space that the county would have available for use.

Commissioners suggested a room that is available in the county-owned Pioneer Building.

Commissioners later reviewed the space at the building.  

Commissioners plan to  get back with the state on the square footage and cost of rent.