(MSC News)--A man suspected of the armed robbery of a Beatrice, Nebraska convenience store is in custody after leading authorities on a high speed chase across portions of southern Gage County and northern Marshall County.

23-year-old Johnathan Klein, of Beatrice, was taken into custody Wednesday on multiple charges following the chase, which reached speeds over 100 miles an hour.

Klein is accused of robbing a convenience store in downtown Beatrice late Tuesday night, leaving with a small amount of cash. No shots were fired during the robbery and no injuries reported.

Beatrice Police Chief Bruce Lang says an officer attempted to stop a car driven by Klein late Wednesday morning after he left an apartment and the chase ensued.

It ended near the Kansas-Nebraska border after a Marshall County deputy shot out two of the suspect's tires.

A passenger in the vehicle, Wesley O'Keefe Junior, was arrested on outstanding Gage County warrants.

Both men were booked into the Gage County Jail.

(KAIR)--Motorists can again travel the 800 block of Atchison's Commercial Street.

According to a post on the City of Atchison's Facebook page Thursday afternoon, the location has been reopened to traffic.

According to information posted by Assistant City Manager Justin Pregont to the City's website, the project was primarily funded through an $850,000 federal transportation grant.

The work was undertaken to reconstruct the 800 block of Commercial Street using the same streetscape concepts as those utilized in the 200, 300, and 700 blocks of Commercial Street. The concepts include tree, benches, and pedestrian lights.

Construction began in early February.

(KMZA)--An investigation by the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department has lead to the arrest of two for allegedly distributing methamphetamine.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert says 29-year-old Jacob Feldkamp, of Marysville, and 24-year-old Jamie Jackman, of Topeka, have each been charged in Nemaha County District Court with two counts of distribution of methamphetamine.

Lippert says Feldkamp is accused of distributing between 1 and 3.5 grams of meth within one-thousand feet of school property on March 23rd and April 13th

Lippert says Jackman is accused of distributing between 1 and 3.5 grams of meth on January 20th and January 27th.

Both were arrested last week and are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 5th.

Feldkamp remains in the Nemaha County Jail on a $250,000 bond while Jackman is being held on a $150,000 bond.    

(KAIR)--A visit to the local area Wednesday by Rotary International President Ian Riseley.

That included a late afternoon stop in Atchison, and a visit to the Atchison Family YMCA.

Atchison Rotary Club President Chris Taylor told MSC News the local chapter had planned a program to be held in honor of Riseley's visit.

His day also included a visit to Saint Joseph, Missouri, where KQ2-TV reports Risely promoted his mission to help the environment.

In a video message posted to YouTube, Riseley called on Rotary members across the world to plant at least one tree for 2018. “This year, I've called on Rotarians to be involved in planting trees, at least one tree for every Rotarian. Worldwide, 1.2 million trees, but I know we'll plant much more than that.”

During his time in both local communities, Riseley met with local Rotary Club members.

In Atchison, Taylor said the local Rotarians, working under Riseley's “One Rotarian, One Tree” theme, will donate 100 trees to the City of Atchison's tree farm for future growth.

In Saint Joseph, Riseley was presented the key to the city.

(KAIR)--It's being called a long and distinguished career for a familiar name at Atchison's MGP Ingredients who heads into retirement.

According to a brief release issued Tuesday by the company, Steve Pickman's retirement becomes official Thursday.

Pickman has long served as public relations manager for MGP.

The release states that “although it will be difficult to replace Steve,” his successor has been hired, “and she will be starting on June 11.”

However, information about the new hire is not immediately made public, and will be released once she begins to serve in the role.

Pickman, in an email to MSC News, says he has been with MGP for 33-years, saying that, “overall, it has been an exceptionally wonderful experience.”

Calling the people great, and saying that MGP is like a second family, Pickman, in the email, says he has reached the point in his life “where it's time to start a new journey and begin some new adventures,” noting that he will continue to focus on writing.

(KNZA)--Services have been set for the former Sabetha resident killed Tuesday afternoon in a head-on collision on U.S. 75 Highway north of Topeka.

A Mass of Christian Burial for 25-year-old Trey McCluskey will be Saturday morning at 10:00 at the Mater Dei Holy Name Catholic Church located at 1114 Southwest 10th Street in Topeka. Burial will follow at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka

The Kansas Highway Patrol says McCluskey was driving a SUV that was struck head-on by another SUV that was traveling the wrong way. The driver of that SUV, a 72-year-old Lawrence man, was also killed.

McCluskey's 25-year-old wife, Taylor, was injured in the wreck and transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital.

The wreck remains under investigation,

McCluskey, who was a Topeka police officer, was off-duty at the time. He joined the Topeka Police Department in July 2015 and was a 2011 graduate of Sabetha High School.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man goes to jail, arrested during the long Memorial Day Weekend for alleged drug crimes. “This is our 40th drug arrest of the year,” Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News, saying that Michael Goner was arrested Saturday. “It was shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday evening we had an officer on patrol stop a vehicle in the 800 block of Main for a traffic violation, and the 39-year-old driver was taken into custody for driving while suspended, and then found to be in possession of methamphetamine, several oxycodone pills, and drug paraphernalia.”

Goner was taken into custody for driving while suspended, as well as on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of an opiate, and obstructing legal process.

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

 KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - Two maintenance workers at a Kansas water park where a boy was killed in 2016 have been indicted in the case.
 
 The indictments unsealed Wednesday charge David Hughes and John Zalsman with obstruction of justice. Both men pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Wyandotte County Court.
 
Hughes was maintenance supervisor at the Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas, and Zalsman was on the maintenance staff.
 
Ten-year-old Caleb Schwab was killed while riding the 17-story Verruckt waterslide in August 2016.
 
The Kansas City Star reports the indictment involves whether a brake mat meant to slow the rafts on the Verruckt was repaired after it fell off days before Caleb was killed.
 
The men allegedly told Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents the brake mat never existed but the indictment says a video showed it had been on the ride.
 

(KMZA)--A Sabetha man has been arrested on child sex charges.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert says 20-year-old Gage Gresham has been charged in Nemaha County District Court with aggravated indecent liberties with a child, criminal sodomy and indecent liberties with a child.

Lippert says the complaint alleges Greshman engaged in sexual intercourse, sodomy and lewd fondling or touching with a 15-year-old child.

The case was investigated by the Sabetha Police Department.

Greshman was arrested Saturday.

He remains in the Nemaha County Jail, held on a $200,000 bond.

(KNZA)--A former Sabetha resident was among two men killed Tuesday afternoon in a wrong way, head-on collision on U.S. 75 Highway, north of Topeka.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 72-year-old Peter Bieri, of Lawrence, was northbound in the southbound lanes when his SUV collided head-on with a SUV driven by 25-year-old Trey McCluskey, of Topeka and formerly of Sabetha.

Beiri and McCluskey were pronounced dead at the scene.   

McCluskey's wife, 25-year-old Taylor McCluskey, was a passenger in his vehicle. She was transported to Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Hospital with serious injuries.

McCluskey, who was a Topeka police officer, was off-duty at the time.  He had been employed with the police department since July 2015, and was a 2011 graduate of Sabetha High School.

The Patrol says all three occupants were wearing seatbelts when the wreck happened shortly before 2:15 Tuesday afternoon.

The wreck remains under investigation.

(KAIR)--A longtime Atchison educator is leaving the local community, accepting a job in the field of education elsewhere in the state.

Dr. Paul Ogle has most recently served in a number of roles at the Riverbend International School, in Atchison, including the position of Headmaster.

According to an April 25 story in The Salina Journal, Ogle, last month, accepted the job as principal for the Southeast of Saline School District.

In that position with USD 306, he'll serve as principal for grades 7 through 12 for the 2018-2019 school year.

According to the newspaper, Ogle applied for the position because he was impressed with the school district.

According to his biography posted on the Riverbend school's website, Ogle served as a science teacher at Atchison High School for 10-years.

He also taught biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, and microbiology as an adjunct professor for Highland Community College, Barton County Community College, Dodge City Community College, Colby Community College, and Butler County Community College.

He accepted the position as Headmaster of Riverbend International School in April 2014.

A Facebook message sent to Ogle seeking comment on his new position was not immediately returned.

(KNZA)--No injuries were reported in a semi-tractor fire south of Holton late Tuesday night.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says the fire was reported near 190th Road and U.S. 75 Highway around 10:30.

Morse says a second semi-tractor parked next to the original semi also caught fire.  The fire was extinguished about 30 minutes later.

Morse says the fire is believed to have started from one truck charging the other truck by jumper cables.   

Responding to the call were the Mayetta, Prairie Band Potawatomi, Hoyt and Holton Fire Departments.   In addition,  responding to the scene were the Jackson County EMS, Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribal Police and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle wreck on U.S. 75 Highway, just north of Topeka,Tuesday afternoon claimed two lives--including a former Sabetha resident.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 72-year-old Peter Bieri, of Lawrence, was northbound in the southbound lanes when his SUV collided head-on with a SUV driven by 25-year-old Trey McCluskey, of Topeka and formerly of Sabetha.

Beiri and McCluskey were pronounced dead at the scene.   

McCluskey's wife, 25-year-old Taylor McCluskey, was a passenger in his vehicle. She was transported to Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Hospital.

The Topeka Police Department says Trey McCluskey was an officer with the police department and was off-duty at the time.

McCluskey was a 2011 graduate of Sabetha High School.

The Patrol says all three involved were wearing seatbelts when the wreck happened shortly before 2:15 Tuesday afternoon.

The wreck remains under investigation.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission is considering elimination of the county road supervisor position.

Commissioner Thad Geiger opened the discussion at Tuesday meeting of returning management of the road department to a road foreman in each of the three county road districts.

Commissioner Jerry McKernan concurred, saying he did not think the road supervisor's position, currently held by Bob Edie, has worked out as intended when implemented in 2013.

At that time, the road department was restructured to act as a county unit with the road supervisor overseeing all operations of the three road districts.

McKernan said the second and third districts have had no oversight by the road supervisor.

Commissioner Tim Collins said having a road supervisor can be benefit to the county, however the supervisor is only as good as the backing from the Commission.

Action was tabled until next week's meeting.

( KLZA)--A Humboldt woman charged in connection with an embezzlement scheme while employed at Humboldt Implement has been sentenced to four years probation and ordered to pay $7,500 restitution.

47-year-old Vicki Manning was recently sentenced in Richardson County District Court on a felony charge of theft by unlawful taking or disposition.

Manning was charged with the theft of funds between December, 2014 and May 5, 2017. However, it was alleged the embezzlement had gone on for several years prior to December 2014 and included more than $77-thousand.

Beside being ordered to pay $7,500 restitution, she also was ordered to pay court costs and fees amounting to more than $1,600.

Judge Julie Smith also ordered Manning to successfully complete the Money Management Group as directed by the probation officer.

(AP)--Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens says he is resigning after months of what he called "legal harassment."

The Republican governor made the startling announcement Tuesday. He will resign effective 5 p.m. Friday.

The resignation comes amid a special session in which the state Legislature is considering impeachment. Two potential criminal cases against Greitens remain unresolved.

Greitens said in a brief statement that the past few months have been "incredibly difficult" for him, his family and friends. He says that while he has made mistakes, he has broken no laws.

A St. Louis grand jury indicted Greitens on Feb. 22 on one felony count of invasion of privacy. The charge was dismissed earlier this month, but a special prosecutor was considering whether to refile charges. Prosecutors say Greitens took a compromising photo of a woman with whom he had an affair without her consent in 2015, before his election.

Greitens also was charged in April for allegedly using a charity donor list for political purposes.

(KLZA)--374 days in the Richardson County Jail was the sentence for a Sabetha man charged in connection with an October, 2017 break-in at the  Richardson County Courthouse.

25-year-old Harvey Webster was recently sentenced in Richardson County District court on a felony charge of attempted burglary.  Misdemeanor charges of theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief and resisting arrest were dismissed.

Webster was arrested October 25th of last year following an investigation by the Richardson County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska State Patrol. The investigation determined that Webster had scaled a light pole outside the east entrance to the courthouse and broke into the building through a second floor window late October 23rd or early October 24th.  

The County Clerk's office was ransacked and the Registerer of Deeds and County Treasurer's offices were also entered.

Webster was allowed credit for 175 days served in jail and he must pay fees and costs of about $280.  

(KNZA)--Hiawatha ACES is gearing up for its fifth year of providing free lunches to local kids.

The non-profit organization’s Summer Lunch Program will be held June 4th through July 27th from 11:30 to 1:00 Monday through Friday in the basement of the Brown County Sheriff’s Department  ( use west entrance).

According to a post on the organization’s Facebook page, the program has been very successful in the past, and goes a long way towards bridging the nutritional gap felt by some kids when school is out for the summer.

Last year, around 75 kids were served per day.

The program is co-sponsored by Second Harvest, which provides ready to cook food for volunteers to heat and serve.

The program is open to any child up to the age of 18, and there are no income guidelines.  Parents accompanying children will have the option of purchasing a low-cost meal for themselves.

The organization says volunteers are needed to help prep and serve the meals. Those interested can sign up through a link on the Hiawatha ACES  Facebook page or you can call 269-274-4759 for more information.

(KNZA)--There is a vacancy on the Doniphan West Board of Education.

District 2 board member Carla Johnson, of Bendena, has resigned and the board is seeking a replacement.

The Board must appoint someone to serve the remainder of Johnson’s term until December 31st, 2019 or until the next general election.

Those interested in the appointment should contact the school district office.

(KAIR)--Local area soldiers, who died in the line of duty, are being remembered during a special run that began last month.

According to a news release from the Kansas Adjutant General's Office, America's Run for the Fallen is a nationwide relay foot run in tribute to every military service member who has died while serving or as a result of serving during the War on Terror since October 12, 2000.

Among the Kansas National Guard soldiers being recognized as part of the run are Sgt. 1st Class Clinton Wisdom, of Atchison, and Sgt. Don Allen Clary, of Troy.

Both members of the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery were killed November 8, 2004, in Baghdad, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, while serving as members of a personal security detail for a convoy that included the head of the Iraq Survey Group and several Defense Intelligence Agency analysts. 

When a vehicle driven by insurgents charged the convoy, Wisdom  and Clary were killed when the suicide bomber detonated his vehicle-born improvised explosive device. 

Because of their actions, none of the members of the ISG were seriously harmed.

Master Sgt. Bernard Deghand is also honored through the run.

The Mayetta resident, and member of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 35th Division Artillery Embedded Training Team was killed in action in Afghanistan on September 15, 2006. Deghand died as a result of small arms fire while conducting combat operations as part of Operation Mountain Fury.

Sgt. Courtney Finch, a resident of Leavenworth, and a member of the 714th Security Force, died in Iraq on July 24, 2007. 

America's Run for the Fallen covers more than 6,000 miles in 19 states and honors nearly 20,000 service members.  The run began on April 7 in Fort Irwin, California, and ends August 5 in Arlington National Cemetery.

The run will come through Kansas from May 31 to June 5. 

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A deal has been reached in a whistleblower lawsuit alleging the city of Leavenworth retaliated against an employee who reported the city had defrauded the U.S. government.

A trial had been set for next month on a claim of retaliation made by a former employee who says she faced adverse consequences after reporting ongoing maintenance problems and dumping of solid wastes at the city's waste treatment plant.

She alleged the city failed to comply with contract terms that required the city to protect the public health and environment in its handling of sewage disposal and wastewater treatment for three federal agencies.

Her lawyer says the deal settles retaliation and damage claims, but allows her to appeal on environmental and fraud issues.

Leavenworth's lawyer didn't return a call for comment.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha community leader is being remembered.

Paul Rockey died Saturday at the age of 63.

Rockey was very active in the community. He was president of the Hiawatha Sons of the American Legion Squadron Post 66, ran the Hiawatha baseball program and managed American Legion Baseball for more than 25 years. In addition, Rockey constructed and was groundkeeper for the Noble Baseball Park and established a local Major League Wiffleball organization.

The funeral service for Rockey will be Wednesday morning at 10:00 at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center, in Hiawatha.

The Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, in Hiawatha, is in charge of the arrangements.

Among survivors are his wife, Nancy, along with two sons, Brady and Bryan.

NETAWAKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas transportation officials are beginning a pilot project to determine how drones could be used in future road design work.  

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that last week marked the first time the Kansas Department of Transportation has employed drone technology in conjunction with a road project.     

The department has contracted the Kirkham Michael engineering firm to operate the fixed-wing drone back and forth above part of the US-75 highway in northern Jackson County. The device is equipped with a still camera that takes hundreds of images of the terrain below.     

Kirkham Michael municipal engineer Wayne Scritchfield says there are many advantages to using drones to do survey work for road projects, including safety benefits for drivers and workers.     

Officials could use drones for road work in the future if the pilot is successful.  

(KLZA)-- No injuries were reported after a fire destroyed a Falls City home early Sunday morning.

At about 3:00., the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department was called to 915 Wilson Street.  

Fire Chief J.R. Wisdom said the house was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived on the scene, but the residents of the home, Terry Frederick and a minor child, were already outside the home.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshall's Office. The home is owned by Jeff Moyer.

There were a number of flareups after the fire was extinguished. Firefighting equipment and personnel were on the scene until about 2:00  Sunday afternoon.
 

(KLZA)-- A White City, Kansas man was hospitalized following a motorcycle wreck southwest of Dawson, Nebraska, Sunday morning.  

A release from the Richardson County Sheriff's Office indicates 65-year-old George Newbury was eastbound on Highway 8, approximately a mile west of the junction with U.S. 75 Highway when he lost control of the 2015 Indian Roadmaster motorcycle he was riding. 

The motorcycle went into the south ditch and Newbury was ejected.  

He was transported by Humboldt Rescue to Community Medical Center in  Falls City and later transported to a Lincoln hospital.

(KNZA)--A motorcycle crash on K-7 Highway in Doniphan County Saturday afternoon claimed the life of a Mound City, Missouri man.

The Kansas Highway Patrol identified the victim as 64-year-old Charles Loucks.

The Patrol says Loucks was headed north-northwest when he veered right.  Loucks overcorrected to the left, causing him to lose control of his Harley Davidson motorcycle.  His motorcycle left the highway onto the right shoulder drop off where it came to rest.

Loucks, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The wreck was reported shortly after 3:30 Saturday afternoon about 7 miles north of U.S. 36 Highway.

(KNZA)--A Holton man charged with shooting at law enforcement officers during a standoff in December has been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison.

Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller tells MSC News that 31-year-old Patrick Miller was sentenced Friday to 204 months in prison on one count of attempted first-degree murder and to19 months each on two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer  The three sentences were ordered to be served consecutively.

Miller was also serve 36-months post release supervision and will be required to register as a violent offender.

Miller pleaded no contest last month to the charges.  He had originally been charged with 18 counts--including three counts of attempted capital murder.

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

When officers arrived, Miller ran into his house and began shooting at officers and his wife, Erica Bell, who was inside one of the police cars.

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

No injuries were reported.

A two-day jury trial is set for Bell, beginning September 18th, on two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of  domestic battery.

(KAIR)--The search for a stolen Missouri vehicle ends in Atchison, when the SUV was spotted and an arrest made.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the vehicle was located Wednesday evening. “Police officers had been on the lookout for a 2009 Dodge Nitro that had been reported stolen in Saint Joseph, Missouri on Tuesday,” Wilson said. “At 6 p.m. Wednesday, we had an officer spot that vehicle driving near 5th and S Street. The vehicle was stopped, and a 32-year-old male was taken into custody, and the vehicle was recovered.”

Arrested was Atchison resident Adam Hunter.

Wilson says he was taken into custody on a charge of possession of stolen property.

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

( L-R)--Viviana Mejia, Tara Palmateer and Sheriff John Merchant

(KNZA)--Two Horton High School seniors are recipients of memorial scholarships from the Brown County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a press release from Sheriff John Merchant, the $1,000 scholarship went to Viviana Mejia and the $500 scholarship went to Tara Palmateer.

The award was accompanied by a Brown County Sheriff challenge coin presented to each recipient. The coin was designed to honor fallen Deputy Todd Widman.

The release says the scholarship opportunity was established several years ago to honor those in law enforcement  who have given their lives in the line of duty, and to promote the importance of continuing  educational opportunities.

The scholarship is made available  through the community education fund
which consists of donations, grants and offender registration money.  Both
Hiawatha and Horton  students will receive a $1000 and $500 scholarship
provided by the Sheriffs Office. The self funded program requires no tax
dollars and will be made available for years to come.

The Sheriff’s Office also presented three, $250 Wal-Mart gift cards to students who participated in the SAFE program. This years winners were Tara Palmateer, Ally Bottom and Camryn Lowe.

SAFE stand for SEATBELTS ARE FOR EVERYONE and is a statewide program to encourage teen drivers to buckle up every time they are in a vehicle.

By statistic, teen drivers are more prone to accidents since driving is a learned skill, and by using seatbelts, they increase their odds of surviving a crash by this simple potentially life saving step.  

( L-R) Public Safety Resource Officer J.D. Clary, Ayana Grier and Kylie Ann Thompson

(KNZA)--Two Hiawatha High School seniors are recipients of memorial scholarships from the Brown County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a news release from Sheriff John Merchant, the $1000 scholarship went to Ayana Grier and the $500 scholarship went to Kylie Ann Thompson.

The scholarship and Brown County Sheriff challenge coin was presented  to each recipient by Public Safety Resource Officer J.D. Clary.  The coin was designed to honor fallen Deputy Todd Widman.

The scholarship opportunity was established several years ago to honor
those in law enforcement  who have given their lives in the line of duty,
and to promote the importance of continuing  educational opportunities.

The scholarship is made available  through the Sheriffs Office  community
education fund which consists of donations, grants and offender
registration money.  Both Hiawatha and Horton students received a $1000
and $500 scholarship provided by the Sheriffs Office. The self funded
program requires no tax dollars and will be made available for years to
come.

The release says the Sheriff’s Office also presented three, $250 Wal-Mart gift cards to students who participated in the SAFE program. This years winners were Felicity Thomas-Rodecap, Kim Korthanke and Tanner Chartier

SAFE stand for  SEATBELTS ARE FOR EVERYONE and is a statewide program to encourage teen drivers to buckle up every time they
are in a vehicle.

By statistic, teen drivers are more prone to accidents since driving is a learned skill, and by using seatbelts, they increase their odds of surviving a crash by this simple potentially life saving step.
                                                                            
                                                                            

(KAIR)--A canopy tent, and a throng of workers, has been noticeable to passersby of the Atchison Public Libary in recent days, with a public art installation being placed on the steps of the 5th Street entrance.

Deborah Geiger, Executive Director of the Atchison Art Association, talked with MSC News late last year, explaining the plans for the “Tree of Knowledge,” which is now becoming a reality. “The “Tree of Knowledge” is a Mosaic piece,” Geiger told MSC News. “The artist for that is Lorna Garrison, who is a local artist. [She was] born and raised in Atchison, and then moved away, and then came back and reconnected with us. We told her about this idea of language. That was the next piece that we thought was really important in our community. What we read, how we talk to one another, these are all super important, and all these things really come together at the library.”

Geiger told MSC News in an email Wednesday, May 23 that about a week of sealing and weatherproofing remains before the project is completed.

She said a dedication is scheduled for June 29, with details of the ceremony to be finalized soon.

The “Tree of Knowledge” is one of two public art installations planned in Atchison this year, with the second known as “Root to Rise.” “[It's] a three-dimensional sculpture, and it uses loft and movement from a grounded position as its principle visual component,” Geiger told MSC News in December. “It's location will be at 10th and Main. It's that green space with Westar, so we have partnered up with Westar and they're super excited about putting that piece in there. The premise underlying it is that people are the heartbeat of our community, and really the most critical and vital element to our culture.”

“Root To Rise” is expected to be installed sometime in August or September.

(KLZA)--Falls City Council members received updates on removal of dilapidated houses and aging computers during their Monday evening meeting.

City Administrator Gary Jorn provided information about several houses, noting that a contract for just over $4-thousand to remove asbestos from a house at 1102 Barada  Street has been signed.  Triple S Construction was previously awarded the bid to tear down the house.

Discussions with the owner of properties at 1701 Schoenheit and 1024 Chase Street to have the houses razed are also ongoing.

Jorn also reported to the Council that research is underway to find the best way to upgrade the City computers.  Currently computers are leased by the City for use in the city office for five years, then moved to other City departments.

Jorn is working on a computer upgrade plan and also discussed that the City Server will be unsupported starting in August.  He said that is a big-ticket item that will need to be reviewed during budgeting.

It was also noted during the Administrators report, the City is looking into the costs to scan City Council and  Board of Public Works meeting minutes and agenda's to make space and make it easier to search for information. 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas utility regulators have approved the merger of the two largest electric companies operating in the state.

The Kansas Corporation Commission's decision Thursday that means Topeka-based Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy of Kansas City, Missouri, will become subsidiaries of a new company called Evergy. Great Plains is the parent of Kansas City Power & Light.

Missouri regulators approved the merger earlier Thursday. Both companies' shareholders overwhelmingly approved it in November.

Westar said in a statement that the new company will have an equity value of about $15 billion and 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the merger is expected to generate savings and efficiencies. Westar will give customers $23 million in credits on their bills, while KCP&L will issue $7.5 million in credits.

(KLZA)--During this weeks Falls City Council meeting, City Administrator Gary Jorn updated Council members on a number of improvements and repairs at the pool.

The bathhouse and offices have new epoxy floors.  The pool was filled last week and no major problems were found. A minor leak in the concession area and a problem with the boiler have been repaired.  

Jorn also noted some touch-up painting needs to be done to the pool.  The contractor offered a 3-year warranty and the problem areas are still under warrant. 

The Aquatic Park is open 1:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Daily.

(KLZA)--The Pawnee City School Board  voted unanimously to renew a contract with Providence Working Canines, Inc. to conduct four, unannounced sniffer dog sweeps of the school during the 2018-19 school year when they met May 14th.

In other action, the Board voted to accept with regret the resignations of teachers Allison Colvin and Tyler Colvin, effective at the end of the current school year.  They have accepted jobs in Columbus.

Board members also approved hiring Cynthia Burki,  Jessica Jacobsen and Angela Sholty as full-time certified teachers starting with the 2018-19 school year.

The review of the “Superintendent Evaluation Instrument” for the 2018-19 school year was referred to the Negotiations Committee. 

 TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) - Three judges considering the death penalty for a Nebraska prisoner who killed his cellmate have set a hearing to announce their decision.
 
 Johnson County District Court documents say the hearing regarding 40-year-old Patrick Schroeder is scheduled June 1.
 
 Schroeder has freely admitted strangling 22-year-old Terry Berry in April 2017 in their cell at Tecumseh State Prison in southeast Nebraska. Schroeder told investigators that he killed Berry for being too talkative and said he had warned Berry several times that he needed to "shut up."
 
Schroeder offered no rebuttal to prosecutors' assertions that he should be sentenced to death. He's said he believes in the death penalty.
 
Schroeder has been serving a life sentence for killing a 75-year-old Pawnee City farmer in 2006.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners Tuesday approved a motion to notify Speece-Lewis Engineers that they will no longer be requested to serve as Highway Superintendent.  

On May 4, Steven Darveau Jr. obtained his Highway Superintendent license.  Darveau has served as the Acting Highway Superintendent since late 2017.

Darveau informed Commissioners during the meeting that a majority of the 1-year projects on the 1 & 6 Year Road Plan have been completed.

Sheriff's Department Sargent, Jeff Frederick updated Commissioners on the  Jail and Law Enforcement Center.  Frederick informed the Board that a refund check has been received from the K-9 company for the drug dog that has not been delivered, less $1-thousand for the shipping and handling.  

John Day with Blue Valley Behavioral Health updated the Board on the organization and requested Commissioners consider the continued funding for the organization in the next budget.  

Army Corps of  Engineers Outreach Specialist Kenneth Wade met with the Board, relaying that if any issues come  involving the Corp of  Engineers, that he would be available to help resolve the problems and direct questions and concerns to the  proper departments.  

(KAIR)--Special honors for a longtime Atchison businessman, who's stepping down at the end of the month following 56-years in his role.

The spotlight was placed on John H. Mize at the start of Monday's Atchison City Commission Meeting, with a proclamation in honor of Mize, the executive chairman and chairman of the board of the Blish-Mize company, read aloud by Mayor Allen Reavis. “Whereas John Mize has reached this milestone with pride, dignity and grace, and will retire on May 31, 2018, therefore, I Allen Reavis, Mayor of the City of Atchison, Kansas, do declare May 31, 2018 as John Mize Day in the City of Atchison, Kansas.”

Mize stood beside Reavis as the proclamation was read, shaking the Mayor's hand at its conclusion and thanking him for the honor.

Mize was joined in the Commission Chambers at Atchison City Hall by members of his family, including his granddaughter, Snowden Connor, who spoke once the proclamation was read. “For our school, we do a project, you get to pick a project every year, and you study either a place or a thing, and I picked Atchison this year, and I learned many cool, interesting facts, from my Grandpa, and my Grandma, and I just learned it's a really cool city.”

John Mize's granddaughter, Snowden Connor, tells the Atchison City Commission about a school project, focused on Atchison, which Mize assisted her with/Photo Credit: Facebook

According to a news release issued by the Blish-Mize company, Mize began his full-time employment in 1962, and held sales territories in Colorado in Nebraska. He was later promoted to field sales manager and traveled the company's entire servicing area.

Mize held the position of chairman, president and CEO for about 35 years, during which time the news release says the company saw incredible growth and acquisitions under his leadership.

Mize, calling Blish-Mize “a family-owned, employee-focused company,” said in the release that he looks back on the history and feels “gratitude to so many who have shown their faith” to the company.

Following his retirement, Mize will continue to serve as chairman of the board.

New Horton Aquatic Park/Photo credit: City of Horton

(KNZA)--The grand opening of the new Horton Acquatic Park is set Saturday.

City officials say beginning at 11:30 in the morning there will be an introduction of the new pool located at 540 East 12th Street, with a ribbon cutting.

Reinvent Horton will be on hand with root beer floats and the Horton Chamber of Commerce will be there with pool bags.

B. Dean Construction, of Lee's Summit, Missouri, was the contractor on the nearly $1.5 million project.

Horton voters in August 2016 approved a one-percent citywide retailers sales tax to fund construction of the new pool. Collection of the tax began January 1st of 2017 and will be in effect for 20 years.

The new pool was constructed at the site of the former pool, which had been closed the past several seasons and was no longer insurable due to safety issues.

The new pool will be open Monday through Sunday from 12 noon to 7 in the evening.

Admission will be $3 per person, with children three and under admitted free.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas water park where a boy died on a waterslide in 2016 says it will open for its season Friday operating six attractions while keeping another 11 rides closed following a state audit.

The Schlitterbahn park in Kansas City, Kansas, said in a posting Thursday night on its Facebook page that it is opening rides Friday that were not specifically mentioned in the Kansas Department of Labor audit released earlier this week.

The park said it is confident its rides are safe and it has addressed the bulk of the issues raised in the audit, which mostly involved record keeping and safety signs.

But it said it is keeping the 11 rides mentioned in the audit closed until state and local officials and others can finish "their process."

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a criminal damage to property incident in Centralia.

The Sheriff’s Office says sometime between May 1st and May 21st an unknown person damaged a 1999 Ford box van parked at 610 Locust Street by shooting at it with some type of pellet or BB gun.

Damage was estimated at about $1,000 damage.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office in Seneca at 785-336-2311

(KNZA)--A new Holton Elementary School principal has been hired, effective next school year.

USD 336 Superintendent Bob Davies tells MSC News that Karen Williams has been hired for the position, and has verbally accepted.

The USD 336 Board of Education during a special meeting Monday evening voted to offer Williams a two-year contract, with an annual salary of $75,000.

Williams comes to the Holton School District from Topeka's USD 501. She served as principal at Randolph Elementary School from 2014 until January of this year.  Prior to that, she served as assistant principal at Ross Elementary.

Williams grew up in Horton and is married with two children.

Davies says Williams was among six candidates interviewed for the Holton principal position from about 15 applicants.

She will replace Beth Smith, who was going to stay on at the school as an administrator in a different position.  However, the Topeka Capital Journal reports that Smith has been hired as the new assistant principal at Topeka’s McEachron Elementary School.  Smith is to begin her new job July 18th.   

 MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) - Investigators have determined a fire that damaged Kansas State University's main library was accidental.
 
Manhattan Fire Department spokesman Ryan Almes said Wednesday the blaze began while work was being done on the Hale Library roof.
 
Damage from the fire on Tuesday was limited to part of the roof but there was extensive water and smoke damage throughout the building. Damage estimates have not been determined.
 
The library will remain closed until further notice. University officials said all other buildings are open but the fire caused disruptions in some internet and technology operations on the campus.
 
Almes said the fire occurred in an area containing several large air-handling units, making it difficult for firefighters to fight the blaze.
 
No injuries were reported.
 

(KNZA)--The city of Hiawatha has secured interim financing for the sales tax street improvement project, paving the way for the project to go out for bid.

City Administrator Mike Nichols informed the City Commission this week that after working with local banks, Morrill and Janes Bank and Trust was the lone bank interested in moving forward with the temporary financing for the project.

The Commission voted to move forward with the bank, with a 2.75 percent interest rate for a two year note and 2.9 percent rate for a three year note.

The Commission was told in March that the city would be required to use private interim financing until the project is completed.  At that time, USDA Rural Development will loan money to the city to pay off the temporary financing.

Eventually, bonds will be issued for the project. The bonds will be paid off with proceeds from a half-cent sales tax approved by Hiawatha voters in 2016.

(KLZA)-- The Mound City Board of Aldermen approved liquor license renewal for current license holders during their May 10th meeting. 

The Board also approved increasing the price for dog tags for spayed females and males to $7.50 and $10 non-spayed females.  A $3 fee per dog per month the tags are delinquent and a requirement of a picture of dogs being licensed was also approved on a 2-1 vote with Alderman Robert Heck casting a nay vote and Alderman Duane Nauman absent. 

City Clerk Anissa Brandon  will be checking into the price of a new sewer camera and will also submit a grant application to MIRMA to help cover the cost.  

Water Superintendent Randy  Crowley reported there are fewer than 10 meters left to replace and that all meters can be read within 20 minutes with the new drive-by metering system. 

The Mound City Pool will be opening  Sunday, May 27th.  A six-foot stationary Lifeguard Stand purchase at a cost of just over $3-thousand was approved.

Aldermen also approved a $500 donation to the July 4th Celebration in Mound City. 

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council Monday evening approved an agreement with Rural Water District Number 2 of Richardson County for the City to sell water to the Water District for a new water line .  

The new Rural Water District line will begin on the north edge of Falls City and go north along Highway 73 for approximately six miles, then a short way east and then back north to Indian Cave State Park. 

The agreement will limit the amount of water to be sold per day to 100-thousand gallons.  

Mayor Jerry Oliver told Council members the State of Nebraska is paying for the new water line and they are gauging interest from residents along the new line to hook on.

While the original plans called for a 4-inch line for the new service,  Rural Water District Board member Gayle Swisegood told MSCNEWS it appears with approximately 50 additional customers interested in signing up for the water service, it is likely the project will be bid with a 6-inch line.  

The agreement is for 40 years.  

(KAIR)--Atchison City Commissioners approve what Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson calls another component in handling vicious dogs in the city.

During Monday's meeting of the Commission, Wilson presented a proposal to limit the amount of time a dog can be tethered within the city limits. “What you see before you tonight on a proposed ordinance to limit, or restrict, tethering, is actually to approach several things. Obviously, our main focus was to alleviate any aspect that we can of vicious dogs. But, it also has another aspect, and that is to reduce the inhumane tethering of dogs.”

Commissioner Shawn Rizza voiced his support for the plan. “Any dog can bite if it's put in the wrong situation, and not all tethered dogs are vicious, but tethering is one of the leading indicators if a dog will bite. What Chief Wilson has just presented is a reasonable compromise, instead of banning all instances of all tethering. By prohibiting tethering during a time frame instead of a duration, we allow the responding personnel to instantly determine if there's a bite.”

Commission discussion focused on aspects of the proposed ordinance, including the ability to enforce it.

Wilson explained that while the ordinance could not completely put a stop to vicious dogs, it allows for another step in handling that danger. “It's just another component where you're trying to reduce the likelihood of a dog being vicious.”

Commissioners also questioned the presented time frame of 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., ultimately deciding to amend the ordinance to disallow tethering of dogs from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Commissioner Rizza made the motion, which was approved unanimously.

The ordinance also includes additional requirements for tethering, such as the size and length of the chain to be used.

The matter has been addressed by the Commission for several months, following a presentation made in March by Atchison resident Aaron Habegger.

At that time, he requested of the Commission that certain dog breeds be banned, citing an attack suffered by his daughter by a tethered dog.

(KAIR)--A stolen financial card leads to more than $4,000 in unauthorized charges.

That word comes in a news release issued Monday by Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie.

The investigation into the theft shows that the card, stolen from a Cummings resident, was used between May 3 and May 16, resulting in charges of $4,400.

Laurie says the card information has been used to make purchases in a number of places, specifically the Kansas City area.

Laurie says the investigation is continuing, and there's not yet any suspect in the crime.

He says it's believed that the card itself was not stolen. Instead, investigators believe whoever is responsible gained the information through the use of a skimmer.

A skimmer is defined by PC Magazine as a malicious card reader attached to a legitimate payment terminals to harvest data from every person that swipes a credit or debit card.

Security experts warn that such devices are often used by identity thieves at ATM machines and gas pumps.

(KMZA)--A two-vehicle Pottawatomie County crash Tuesday afternoon involving a Kansas Highway Patrol cruiser sent a St. George woman to the hospital.

According to the Patrol, 43-year-old Jennifer Rogers was westbound on U.S. 24 when she attempted to turn south onto Rockenham Road in front of an eastbound vehicle driven by 30-year-old Trooper Scott Moses, of Topeka. Rogers car was struck by the Patrol vehicle.

She was transported to a Topeka hospital.

The trooper was not hurt.

The Patrol says both were buckled up when the wreck occurred around 2:40 Tuesday afternoon.

(KLZA)--The Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer School Board approved a bid from Bern, Ks-based AHRS Construction during their May Board meeting for Phase I of the parking lot project.

The vote was 5-1 with Board member Mike Bredemeier casting a nay vote.  The first phase will cost the District $113,475 and is for cementing the driveway areas and around the edges of the parking lot.

Current plans call for the project to be completed in four phases.

In other action, the Board unanimously approved a bid of $18,185 from Krueger Farms to build a fence around the parking lots and football facilities.  

A 5-year copier lease with Capital Business Systems which will include 9 printers was approved.  The agreement includes a buyout of the current lease with Konica-Minolta of just over $35-thousand. 

(KLZA)-- One person was transported for medical attention following a motorcycle wreck Monday evening in Holt County, Missouri.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 49-year-old Phillip Brown of Savannah, Missouri was traveling west n Route U Southwest of Oregon about 6:30 when the wreck occurred. 

The motorcycle traveled off the south side of the road and struck an embankment, ejecting Brown. 

Brown was transported  by private vehicle to the Mosaic Life Care Hospital in St. Joseph with what were described as moderate injuries.  

The Holt County Sheriff's Department assisted at the scene of the wreck. 

(KLZA)-- A bridge project is scheduled to begin Monday, June 4 on Nebraska Highway 65, south of Pawnee City.

The Nebraska Department of  Transportation awarded the bid to Midwest Underground of Lincoln in an amount of $989,300.

Work will include bridge replacement, culverts, grading, seeding and guardrails. A designated detour will be in place.

The project is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year.  

Mike Habegger will serve as the Department of Transportation Project Manager.  
 

(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is alerting residents about of a pair of scams circulating in the area.

The first is a familiar scam regarding DISH TV. Residents are being contacted by phone and told that there are problems with their system. Residents are asked to log in to their DISH accounts and provide information to the callers. They are also informed that a DISH representative would be at their home in a short amount of time.  

In all complaints received, Merchant says the residents did not give out any information to the caller, hung up and no one arrived at their homes.  One resident reported that the phone number listed on their caller ID was from a foreign country.  

Merchant says DISH was contacted and says this is not the way that they do business and it is clearly a scam.

Merchant says another scam involves Amazon.

He says the sheriff's office has received  two reports from county residents that have been contacted by phone by a caller representing themselves as a salesperson from Amazon.  The caller states that a recent transaction did not go through and they need verification of their bank card to complete the process.  One person had recently ordered from Amazon and the other had not.  

Merchant says neither party gave out information to the bogus caller but
did report that the individual did have a very heavy, thick foreign accent. When questioned, they hung up.  

Merchant reminds residents to never give out any information over the phone to a caller you don't know.   

As usual, residents with any questions or concerns, are urged to notify their local law enforcement at once.

(KNZA)--Four people have been arrested in connection with a rash of vehicle burglaries and thefts in Holton.

Holton Police Chief Gayle Gakle says arrested Sunday were 25-year-old Angelica Courter, 28-year-old Jesse Hayes and 30-year-old Ryan Lemon, all of Holton, along with 27-year-old Brian Worrell, of Topeka.

Gakle says the arrests came after a report of a suspicious person. "With the help of some citizens, who reported a suspicious person at a residence, and when officers responded, they had a vehicle description, and they stopped the vehicle, and that's when they found several items of interest in there plus these four people."

Gakle says the vehicle burglaries date back to last month, with the majority of them occurring in the last week to week and a half.   "We had 20 or 30 vehicles that had been burglarized, and we've recovered a ton of stolen merchandise and stuff that we're still trying to reunite with the proper owners once everything is completed."

Among the items taken were tools, CD players, laptop computers, GPS units and stereo equipment.

Gakle says all the vehicles involved had one thing in common—they had been left unlocked.  "We try and urge people, don't leave valuables in your car, and lock your vehicle. One thing about it, if they're breaking out a window at 3:00 in the morning, somebody's probably going to hear it and they'll call."

The four arrested remain in the Jackson County Jail on charges including burglary, theft and possession of stolen property.    

A reported theft from the Atchison Walmart leads to law enforcement response, and to the arrest of a Leavenworth woman who now faces numerous charges, including the possession of heroin and methamphetamine.

27-year-old Cari Lynn Chicago is accused of the crimes, discovered when her vehicle was stopped by an Atchison County Sheriff's Deputy.

Sheriff Jack Laurie tells MSC News it was during the stop that the suspected drugs were found. “The suspect went south on [U.S. Highway 73] where the Deputy was able to find them about 210th Road, on 73 Highway. Following the traffic stop, they located methamphetamine and what's believed to be heroin. When they located the other substances, they asked if there was anything else on her, and she said no, and had actually given a false name at the time, as well.”

Once Chicago was in custody, she was transported to the Atchison County Jail, where Laurie says she attempted to bring contraband into the facility. “Once they got to jail, they gave her another opportunity to get rid of anything that she had at that time, as far as contraband goes, but once she entered the jail, they found another pipe on her person.”

Chicago faces charges of possession of stimulant, possession of opiate, possession of paraphernalia, interference with a law enforcement officer, and traffic contraband in a correctional facility.

She was also arrested by Atchison Police for theft.

Booked into the Atchison County Jail, Chicago is held on a $25,000 bond.

(KNZA)--A new interim Brown County appraiser has been appointed.

The Brown County Commission Monday appointed Teresa Clement, who currently serves as deputy appraiser, to the position.

The Commission last week appointed Curt Clark as interim appraiser, but he declined the appointment.

County Appraiser Tami Antoine resigned May 14th,  effective immediately, in order to devote full-time to her new restaurant in Marysville.

Antoine had held the position since July of last year.

The county is currently seeking applications for a new appraiser.  

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Board of Education has approved a one-year cooperative agreement with Doniphan West for middle school wrestling.

The approval came during the Board’s regular meeting last week.

Middle School Athletic Director Ben Kettler said the agreement will give Hiawatha 7th and 8th grade students access to a wrestling program.   

He said Doniphan West numbers are down.

For the trial season, there will be no coaching or transportation costs to Hiawatha, through athletes would have to find transportation to Highland for practices.

All wrestlers will wear Doniphan West uniforms and compete for Doniphan West, with the season running from October 10th to November 18th.

In other business, the Board accepted a bid from Hi-Tech Interiors for the replacement of the high school auditorium ceiling along with an addition of the drywall ceiling above the stage for a total cost of $153,600.

The auditorium ceiling will be replaced with two-foot square acoustic tiles.

The Board also accepted a bid from IAO Electric, of rural Hiawatha, for the replacement of the auditorium lighting for a cost of just over $4,300.

Board member Ian Schuetz cast the lone no vote, voicing concern about accepting the lone bid for ceiling replacement project.  Board member Keith Erdley was not present at the meeting.

(KLZA)-- Following the Monday morning canvassing of votes in the Nemaha County, Nebraska election, the local primary election results from May 15th are now official.

In the Nemaha County District 3 Commission race the canvassing of votes determined Larry Holtzman will be the Republican nominee. The initial election results showed both Holtzman and incumbent Marvin Bohling with 104 votes. Monday's canvassing showed final total votes for Holtzman to be 112 and Bohling 105.

Holtzman will run against Democratic candidate Michael Weiss in November.

Following the canvassing of votes in Richardson County on Friday, the Falls City Ward 2 Council race will not have a recount. Lucas Froeschl advances to the November General Election along with Kaylie Ractliffe.

Ractliffe received 39 votes to 38 for Chris Simon. That would have meant a mandatory recount but Simon waived his right to a recount.

The final votes totals in the race for Mayor of Falls City changed slightly but the results did not. Carla Rhodd received 223 votes and will advance to the General Election against Shawna Bindle who received 220 votes. Judy Murphy received 211 votes and Johnathan Kirkendall 113.

Rhodd received 28.92 percent of the votes cast, Bindle 28.53 percent and Murphy 27.37 percent.

In the Pawnee County race for Treasurer, there will not be a mandatory recount. Following the canvass of votes Stefanie Cumro-Rauner received 269 votes and Cindy Johnson received 263 votes. There was more than a 1-percent difference in the totals. One-percent or less would require a recount.

The General Election will be in November.

(KNZA)--Longtime Horton High School football coach Nick Dowell is stepping down.

The Board of Education for the South Brown County Schools of USD 430 accepted his resignation at their May 14th meeting.

Dowell, who has headed the Chargers football program the past ten seasons, will return next year as an assistant on the team.

The Board also accepted the resignations of Horton Elementary School physical education teacher Max Mickunas, 1st grade teacher Ashley Dishon, 5th grade teacher Tresa Burger and Title I teacher Janafer Chartier.

The Board approved several new hires for next school year—including the hiring of a new high school athletic director.

Travis George has been hired as Athletic Director to replace Mark Ross who has accepted a position in Marceline, Missouri.  George will also serve as head high school golf coach.  He previously taught PE at Horton Elementary School.  George  grew up in Horton and graduated from Horton High School in 1998.

Also hired for next school year were Leah Richard as 1st grade teacher; Trudy Wischropp as 2nd grade teacher; Jobi Wertenberger as 5th grade science teacher and Jessica Paden as Title I teacher.

The Board voted to proceed with the addition of a wrestling program for next school year.  The Board heard a proposal in March to add the sport for the high school and 7th and 8th grades.  The cost to implement the program was estimated at $7,000.  The district last had a wrestling program five years ago.

Also the USD 430 Board voted to proceed with the addition of a middle school cross country program for the 2018-19 school year.  
 

(KMZA)--An investigation is launched following the theft of trailer from the Nemaha County community of Corning.

The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office took a report May 16th of the theft of the 12-foot trailer from 6427 Pacific Street.

The theft is believed to have occurred sometime between April 12th and May 9th.   

The loss was estimated at 18-hundred dollars.

Anyone with information on the theft is asked to contact the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office in Seneca.

(KNZA)--A Seneca, Kansas  man and his passenger escaped serious injury early Saturday morning in a car-deer wreck on Interstate-229 in St. Joseph.

The Missouri Highway Patrol report indicates 23-year-old Taddeus Kuhlman was northbound when his Nissen Maxima struck the deer.  His car traveled off the right side the highway and struck a guardrail.  The vehicle then went back across both northbound lanes of I-229, crossed the median and came to rest in the southbound passing lane of the intersection.

Kuhlman and his passenger, 20-year-old O’Neill, Nebraska resident Ashley Everitt,  both refused medical treatment at the scene for what the Patrol described as minor injuries.

The wreck was reported about 12:45 Saturday morning.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is jailed in connection with an alleged rape. “The victim and the suspect were staying at the same apartment at the time this incident occurred,” Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News, and identified the suspect as John Negonsott. “It was shortly after midnight, on Monday morning, when our officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of North 9th, where a 42-year-old female reported that she was sexually assaulted by a 51-year-old male. The suspect was taken into custody at the scene, and resisted the arrest.”

According to Wilson, Negonsott was taken into custody on charges of rape and interference with law enforcement.

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

According to online court records, Negonsott has a criminal past involving sex crimes.

In June, 1989 he was convicted in Brown County for one count of aggravated sexual battery.

(KLZA)--Major road work on Highway 8 from Highway 73 in Falls City west to Salem is scheduled to begin June 11th.  The contractor does have an option to start sooner if possible.

Russell Eltiste will serve as the Nebraska Department of Transportation Project Manager. He says there will be some pavement patching in Falls City and the existing road bed will be widened by two-feet on each side to allow traffic to recover.  The road will receive a 4-inch overlay.  

Eltiste said  while the intersections with City Streets in Falls City will be remodeled, they will not be completely rebuilt.  In addition, there will be some ADA ramp remodels at the intersections.  

f you are driving through the road construction areas,  please slow down and be cautious. 

(KMZA)--A vacancy has been filled on the Nemaha Central USD 115 Board of Education.

The Board during their regular meeting last week approved the appointment of Amy Huerter to fill position 3 on the Board.

The position, previously held by Joe Reitz, had been vacant since January.

Reitz resigned from position 3 after moving outside the position’s boundaries.

He was elected in November to position 4 on the Board, which had been held by Ilene Enneking.  The longtime board member did not seek re-election.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - If you don't use your seat belt, this might be a good week to start.
 
Monday, May 21st is the start of the annual statewide law enforcement campaign "Click It or Ticket," which runs through June 3. At least 160 law enforcement agencies will be emphasizing enforcement of the seat belt and child restraint laws.
 
 Kansas law requires everyone 8 or older to be buckled in when riding in most vehicles. Children under age 4 must be in an approved child safety seat and those 4 to 7 must be in a booster seat until they are taller than 4-foot-9 or heavier than 80 pounds.
 
 Fines for violating the laws range from $30 to $168.
 
 The Kansas Department of Transportation reports nearly half of the 359 people killed in traffic accidents last year weren't wearing seat belts.
 

(KLZA)--A bid has been accepted for a group of  street improvements in Pawnee City.

City Clerk Tammy Curtis says the Pawnee City, City Council during their May 14th meeting accepted a bid of one million, three hundred and forty-five thousand dollars from Constructors Inc. of Lincoln to do the streets in group “A”, contingent on the approval of USDA Rural Development.

Curtis says bids came in higher than anticipated.

The street improvements were divided into two groups.  She said they had enough funding to do group “A”, but only about half the amount needed to do the group “ B” streets   

Construction is to start July 1st.

Curtis says Pawnee City has a more $1.6 million loan from USDA for the projects.  In addition, there is more than $80,000 in a contingency fund the city hopes to be able to use.

 A public hearing will be held during the May 29th City Council meeting concerning the creation of street improvement districts.

(MSC News)--The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an early Sunday morning drive-by shooting that left a child injured.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, says it happened near Mayetta.

According to Morse, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from the residence, located in the 13000 block of 166th Road, north of Mayetta, around 1:45 Sunday morning.

When deputies and investigators arrived at the scene a short time later, they found multiple rounds that had been fired into the residence.

A minor child, who Morse says had been struck by a bullet, was transported by Jackson County EMS to an area hospital for treatment.

The child's injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting should contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 785-364-2251.

(MSC News)--Three longtime Highland Community College employees are set to retire.  

Dr. Craig Mosher has 30 years of lasting memories at the College, beginning in 1987 as the Director of Development. In 1989, he became the Director of Institutional Advancement, and later, Vice President of Institutional Advancement. His responsibilities have included serving as executive director of the HCC Foundation, the College’s accreditation liaison with the Higher Learning Commission, marketing and public relations.  

Photography Instructor Glen Gross began at the College as the Artist in Residence in 1988.  In the fall of 1989, he became a faculty member for Photography and has served the College in that capacity for 30 years. Gross has also taken on the role as Yost Art Gallery Coordinator on and off through his years.  He has been instrumental in organizing HCC Art Day, one of the biggest, most successful high school art contests in Kansas.  

Bill Noll was hired on at HCC as an adjunct instructor the fall of 1996 while he completed his Masters Degree. In the spring of 1998, he became the full-time instructor for History, Government, and Geography. Noll brought real world experiences to his classroom due to his extensive career and travels in the military. Noll has also served as the college’s official clock operator during sporting events.

(KMZA)--Two outbuildings are destroyed, and a third damaged, following what's identified as a dry microburst in Nemaha County Friday afternoon.

According to the National Weather Service, it occurred shortly before 2:45, 3 miles southeast of Baileyville.

Nemaha County Emergency Management Director Todd Swart tells MSC News the dry downburst happened as thunderstorms dissipated, adding that the National Weather Service believes the wind at that time could have been upwards to 80 mph.

Swart says along with the outbuildings, tree damage also occurred.

One of the outbuildings was used to house antique vehicles, which incurred what he says is minor damage.

No injuries are reported, and no other damage has been identified.

(MSC News)--Westar Energy says scam phone calls are again being reported, with the energy supplier, in a press release, saying customers have reported receiving phone calls from someone claiming to work for Westar.

The release calls some of the impostors “very convincing,” adding that they may use websites that allow them tomanipulate caller ID, making the call appear to come from Westar.

When the targeted customer calls the phone numbers provided, the person who answers sounds like they work for Westar, and speak with authority.

In some cases, callers may even provide information, like the amount due, adding credibility to the scam attempt.

The fake representative demands payment with a prepaid card, threatening that service will be terminated.

Westar says the calls are clearly a scam, and they should be reported to either 800-383-1183 or local law enforcement.

(KAIR)--An Overland Park man is found guilty for his role in shooting and killing cows in Leavenworth County.

According to a news release issued by Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, 20-year-old Christopher Wright pleaded no contest Wednesday in Leavenworth County District Court to charges of criminal damage to property and animal cruelty.

Sentencing is set for June.

According to Thompson, Wright was one of four charged in connection with the killing of several heads of cattle on August 11, 2016.

The cows were discovered several days after the shootings, which caused $16,000 in losses.

The animals were located on two separate rural Leavenworth County properties, and had been shot, in the words of the accused, with no justification.

Wright is the last of the four to be found guilty.

The others include 20-year-old Manhattan resident Marcel Timmons, and two others who are identified in court documents only by initials, due to their ages.

One is from Leavenworth and the other is from Olathe.

All three were sentenced to probation and are required to pay restitution.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha woman has been arrested on a pair of child sex charges.

According to a news release from the Hiawatha Police Department, 19-year-old Teaini Simmons was arrested Tuesday on charges of rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child following an investigation.

Police Chief John Defore said his department received a report from a concerned citizen that Simmons was romantically involved with a child under the age of 14.

Defore says the police department immediately opened a criminal investigation into the allegation.  He said throughout the investigation, his  office worked closely with the Brown County Attorney’s Office and developed probable cause to make an arrest and forward a case for prosecution.

If convicted, Simmons could face life in prison for each offense.

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

A preliminary hearing is set for May 30th.

(KNZA)--A Leona man is facing charges following a police pursuit earlier this month in Doniphan County that left a Highland Police officer injured.

40-year-old Travis Winters has been charged in Doniphan County District Court with felony counts of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and aggravated battery along with a misdemeanor count of driving while license cancelled, suspended or revoked.

 The Kansas Highway Patrol says Officer Tom Williams was pursing a Pontiac Grand Prix the evening of May 7th on Ash Point Road, south of Leona, when he lost visual contact on the car due to a dust cloud.

Williams Dodge Durango slid off the road and crashed into a pole.

Williams was transported to the Horton Community Hospital where he was treated and released.

Winters was taken into custody the following day by the Kansas Highway Patrol.

He remains in the Doniphan County Jail.

(KNZA)--A Jackson County jury has found a Hoyt man guilty on a pair of child sex charges.

Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller tells MSC News the jury deliberated less than two hours Tuesday before finding 28-year-old Theodore Purdy guilty of rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Miller says the trial, which had been scheduled for 3 days, ended up lasting just one day.

Purdy was charged in connection with offenses involving a three-year-old girl occurring in September and October of 2016.

Miller says Purdy was remanded to the custody of the Jackson County Jail pending sentencing, which was set for June 15th.

(KNZA)--A new Royal Valley Middle School principal has been hired.

The Holton Recorder reports the USD 337 Board of Education during a special meeting April 13th approved a contract with Heather Hundley for the 2018-19 school year.

Hundley is currently the assistant principal and curriculum director at Holton Elementary School.

She will replace John Linn who is resigning at the end of the current school year after serving as principal at the Royal Valley Middle School for the past five years.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Police Department has received a $12,259 grant to implement eCitations.

The grant funds will allow the department to purchase computers, printers, scanners and all other necessary equipment to begin submitting eCitations.

With the funds, the department will be able to fully equip three patrol units with the eCitations equipment. In addition, to being used for the citations, the computers in the patrol units will allow officers to access critical criminal justice information and complete reports while on patrol.

By January of 2020 all agencies in Nebraska will be required to submit electronic citations to the courts. The Fall City Police Department will begin submitting eCitations within one year.

The grant funds were provided by the Nebraska Crime Commission.  

(KNZA)--The third suspect in a 2017 Hiawatha home invasion has waived his preliminary hearing and been bound over for trial.

28-year-old Oscar Martinez, of Bern, opted to waive his preliminary hearing Wednesday following nearly two hours of testimony.     

He was bound over to Brown County District Court on felony charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and aggravated battery along with a misdemeanor charge of criminal restraint.

Arraignment was scheduled for the morning of June 11th.

Martinez was arrested in February on a Brown County warrant and extradited from the state of Nebraska where he had been held on separate charges.   

Co-defendants, Sabetha residents Edgar Martinez and Jazmene Hicks, were sentenced in November on charges in the case.  

Edgar Martinez was sentenced to 5 ½ years in prison, while Hicks was placed on 36-months supervised probation.

Authorities say the trio broke into a home at 121 Apache Street in Hiawatha on May 16th of last year.  The occupant, Ray Atlakson, told police he was battered and robbed, with his hands bound behind his back before the suspects fled the scene.

Taken were a pair of car keys, billfold and RCA tablet.

Atlakson was treated for injuries at the Hiawatha Community Hospital.  

(KAIR)--An Atchison woman required hospital treatment following a late Thursday morning, two vehicle crash, just south of the Atchison city limits.

According to a news release issued by Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, it happened around 11:30, on U.S. Highway 73, at Raven Hill Road, when two southbound vehicles collided.

57-year-old Dorothy Williams was driving behind a pickup, driven by 17-year-old Samantha Ballard, of Atchison, with both vehicles traveling in the outside lane.

Williams changed lanes at the same time Ballard did, causing Ballard's truck to strike Williams' car.

Williams was transported by Atchison County EMS to the Atchison Hospital for the treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Ballard, and her 17-year-old passenger, were not hurt.

All three involved in the wreck were buckled up when it happened.

(KMZA)--The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s help in solving a recent burglary at an Onaga business.

Sheriff Greg Riat says sometime between May 5th and 9th, unknown individuals broke into a building in the 100 block of Leonard Street.

Taken were tools and equipment valued at more than $1,000.

Riat says its believed a pickup truck was used to remove the items from the business.

Anyone with information on the crime is being asked to contact the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office at 785-457-3353.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha school district is looking at adding a school resource officer.

The USD 415 Board of Education Monday evening approved a memorandum of understanding between the school district and city of Hiawatha that would allow a 4-year federal grant to be sought to help fund the position.

If awarded, Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore says the grant would pay 75 percent of the salary and benefits of the officer over a three-year period. The grant requires a 25 percent local match, which would be split between the school district and city.

In the fourth year, the school district and city would have to pay the entire cost, with the school district paying 70 percent and the city 30 percent.

Defore says about 70 percent of the officer’s time would be spent working in the school.

 He says he feels a school resource officer would bridge the gap between the police department and school, facilitating better communication.

Defore says the school resource officer would take all calls within the district and could teach classes, among other potential duties, which would be at the district’s discretion.

USD 415 Superintendent Lonnie Moser says he previously worked in a school district with a school resource officer and feels they are beneficial.

The district last had a school resource officer in the 90’s.

If the grant is awarded, the school district would still have the option whether to accept the grant or not.

(KLZA)--Falls City residents will be able to get their animals' shots and licenses at the same location Friday evening from 6 – 7 at Prichard Auditorium.

Animal Health Center staff will give the shots and Police Department staff will issue the animal licenses.

City ordinance requires all dogs and casts within the city limits, 6-months or age or older to be licensed.  Licenses expire May 1st of each year.  Owners will need to submit a current rabies vaccination certificate.  Spayed or neutered pet licesnes are $11.  Male and female pets at $21. Prices include the Department of Agriculture tax.  

An additional $10 fee sill be charged for delinquent licenses.  

The cost for the rabies vaccination will be $15.  Other vaccinations may also be available.  The costs for the city license and shots must be paid separately.  

(KAIR)--No decision has been made pertaining to the future of the Atchison High School mascot.

That point was pushed by the members of the Board of Education for Atchison's USD 409 during the Board's Monday evening meeting.

That followed an update regarding the work of the committee tasked to explore all aspects of a possible mascot change, due to the controversial nature of the district's use of the Redmen mascot.

The update was presented by school board member Sean Crittendon, who served as a board member representative on the committee.

His presentation focused on two past meetings of the mascot committee, with one held February 5 and another on April 23.

The committee, Crittendon explained, formed two work-session groups, which examined both sides of the issue, including reasons why the mascot should be retired. "It was identified that the term "Redmen" is a racial slur, it's racially insensitive, and offensive to some. Misrepresents Native Americans, teaches all students that stereotyping of minority groups is acceptable. Institutionalizing is a dangerous lesson in an adverse society."

The second group, within the committee, outlined why the Redmen mascot should be kept, Crittendon told the School Board. "Demonstrates pride, tradition, culture, for the schools, alumni, and the Atchison community. It was discussed it is our history, it was discussed that it actually honors Native American culture, there's no intent of disrespect or offense."

Following Crittendon's presentation, Board members emphasized that no decision regarding the mascot is immediately made, despite public speculation to the contrary.

"I kept hearing from people they felt there was a lack of transparency, "Bill Shipley said. "Social media is terrible for this type of stuff because people read stuff and believe it's true, without doing any research for themselves."

Board member Rick Zumbrunn added, "Everything that I have heard is, everything negative. It's a done deal, no use wasting my time to go down to the meeting. I wish I had a dollar for every time that somebody told me that. I kept trying to tell them, there's no decision been made, there's a committee for it. Nope, they've already decided, it's a done deal."

School Board President Herb Gwaltney said, "We heard a report, that's all. We've not made any decision in terms of the mascot."

No action was taken pertaining to the mascot during Monday's meeting, and the mascot committee is now disbanded.

It's unknown when the matter will be revisited.

(KAIR)--A man is in custody in connection with the April abduction of a 14-year-old girl.

KQ2-TV reports the alleged crime happened April 29 in the area of Faucett, Missouri, located in Buchanan County.

Citing a press release issued by the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office, the TV reports the victim had been sexually assaulted.

The case is now in the hands of the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for review.

The suspect's name has not yet been made public.

The investigation is ongoing.

(KLZA)--Preparations are being made for a nearly $2-million improvement project on Highway 73 in Falls City.

Knife River Corporation, of Sioux City, Iowa, will serve as the contractor on the project.  Russ Eltiste of Tecumseh will serve as the Project Manager for the Nebraska  Department of Transportation.  

The project includes pavement repair along the entire stretch of highway followed by a half-inch asphalt overlay from 19th Street north.  

Eltiste said drivers should expect some lane closures during the project which is to be completed by fall.

Eltiste said the islands in the middle of Highway 73 from 19th Street north will remain.  

Eltiste reminds motorists traveling in construction areas to drive carefully.

(KLZA)--The Pawnee City School Board has renewed their contract with Providence Working Canines, Inc. to conduct four unannounced sniffer dog sweeps of the school for the 2018-19 school year.

During their May meeting, the board also accepted the resignations of teachers Allison Colvin and Tyler Colvin effective at the end of the current school year.

The board also approved the hiring of 3 new teachers. Cynthia Burki, Jessica Jacobsen and Angela Shotly will begin teaching in the fall.

(KAIR)--The name of the person arrested in connection with last week's bomb threat at Highland Community College has been made public.

According to Highland Police Chief Brandon Whetstine, the suspect is identified as 21-year-old D'Vonte Guyton.

Guyton was arrested May 10 by the North College Hill, Ohio Police Department.

According to a post on the department's Facebook page, the arrest was made after Ohio authorities were contacted by Highland Police, as investigators were able to determine that the phone number used to make the May 9 bomb threat belonged to a North College Hill resident.

Police were able to ping the phone number, tracing in to an address in the Ohio city.

The suspect, now identified as Guyton later turned himself in to North College Hill Police without incident, and was transported to the Hamilton County, Ohio Justice Center.

According to Whetstine, Guyton has waived extradition, and will be returned to Kansas, where he faces a felony charge of aggravated criminal threat.

Craig Mosher, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Highland Community College, identified the suspect as a current online student of the college in a release issued May 11.

The bomb threat led to the evacuation of the college campus, located in the Doniphan County community of Highland, and to the postponement of finals for the students.

A search of the campus, and its buildings, by law enforcement failed to recover any explosive device.

(MSC News)--A jury trial has been set for a Holton woman accused of stabbing a Holton man last year.

31-year-old Nicole Martinez pleaded not guilty last week in Jackson County District Court to a charge of attempted 2nd-degree murder.

The charge carries an alternative charge of aggravated battery.

The Holton Recorder reports a two-day trial was set, beginning August 13.

Martinez was arrested in February on a district court warrant following a joint investigation between the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Holton Police Department.

It’s alleged that Martinez, on November 26h, 2017, stabbed 28-year-old Cruz Ruiz at a Holton hotel.

Ruiz received hospital treatment for his non-fatal injuries.

Martinez remains free on a $50,000 bond.

(MSC News)--Three Missouri residents arrested in March following the theft of numerous electronics from the Holton Wal-Mart Store have entered pleas to reduced charges.

The Holton Recorder reports 36-year-old Raven Neece and 31-year-old Joshua Thigpen, both of Ferrelview, Missouri, each pleaded no contest Friday in Jackson County District Court to charges of felony theft and illegal possession of theft detection device removers.   

A third defendant, 24-year-old Kansas City, Missouri resident Karly Barnes, also pleaded no contest Friday to charges of felony theft and obstruction of official duty.

Sentencing was set for June 15th.

All three remain in the Jackson County Jail.

Authorities say the trio made three trips to the Holton Walmart to steal electronics in February and March.

They were arrested March 28th following a traffic stop near the store.   

A search warrant was issued, and thousands of dollars of high-end electronics were found in their car.

Investigators believe the items had been stolen from locations in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa.

A search warrant was also served later at a Ferrelview, Missouri residence where other electronic devices, ledgers and documents were seized.

Authorities believe the trio sold the electronics on Ebay.

(MSC News)--Kansas Senator Dennis Pyle is entering the race for Congress.

The rural Hiawatha Republican, who currently serves the 1st District of Kansas, announced Wednesday that he will seek the 2nd District Congressional seat.

In a news release sent to MSC News, Pyle said a conservative voice, who understands the needs of rural Kansans, is needed in that role. "There is a lot of talk about the number of candidates in the primary, but one thing is certain—no matter how crowded the field, there is always room for a genuine, proven conservative who represents rural Kansas values. Having been a candidate in this district before, I have had the opportunity to travel the district and understand the unique needs and principles of the second congressional district.”

Pyle, who is currently in his 4th term as Kansas Senator, said his record speaks for itself. "My record demonstrates that I am a genuine and reliable conservative. Conservatives in the 2nd district are still looking for someone to unite behind. Most voters base their choices on how a candidate's rhetoric matches with his record. With me, they will find no differences. They are waiting for a candidate that does more than just vote correctly. They want someone who will stand for conservative values, even when it means going up against the establishment. My record proves that I am that candidate. I am not afraid for voters to take a look at every single vote. I opposed the Graves, Parkinson, and Brownback tax hikes. Unfortunately others in this race did not."

The 2nd District Congressional seat is currently held by Republican Lynn Jenkins, who is not seeking re-election.

Pyle unsuccessfully challenged Jenkins for the position in the 2010 Republican primary election.

Six Republicans have already filed to seek election to the seat. Among them are two from the local area, Vernon Fields, of Basehor, and Steve Fitzgerald, of Leavenworth.

They are joined in seeking their party's nod during the August 7th primary election by Kevin Jones, Doug Mays, Caryn Tyson, and Steve Watkins.

(MSC News)--The STEP Foundation Board of Directors has announced recipients for the first round of 2018 grants.  These grants are awarded for charitable purposes to enhance and improve the quality of life for the residents of Nemaha County. With over $234,000 being requested this round, as astounding $111,181 is being granted!! The breakdown for funding is $8,700 coming from the general undesignated fund, $39,482 from the Glen J. Meyer Advisory Fund, $37,999 from the Ronnebaum Fund and $25,000 from the Rettele Fund.  

An award of $10,000 ($8,700 from the General Fund and $1,300 from Glen J. Meyer Advisory Fund) will be used to purchase a new wheelchair van at the Apostolic Christian Nursing Home in Sabetha. Rachel Stolzenberger, grant administrator, said in the application that “having a new wheelchair van will accomplish giving our residents and their families more opportunities to regain life as they once knew it. They will be able to have the opportunity to go out for dinner in the community or to their family/friends’ homes for the holidays.” Stolzenberger shared in the application that they will know the wheelchair purchase was a success when they “see the smiles, appreciation, and peace of mind from the residents and families they serve.”

The Centralia Community Library will be awarded $8,182.00 for updating the building’s interior. The library serves residents from young children to adults in and around the Centralia area. After twenty years of wear and tear, the library will be able to place a fresh coat of paint of the walls and lay new carpet. The project will be enjoyed by all the individuals who visit the library for years to come, thanks to the Glen J. Meyer Advisory Fund.

The City of Seneca will receive two grant awards! The first grant was for $25,000 from the Nate and Bernardine Rettele Fund to move “The Fountain.” It is a piece of Seneca history currently located at the Seneca City Park. According to City Administrator, Matt Rehder, “A successful project occurs when the fountain is located in a proper place for viewing.” The second grant will be awarded to the Recreation Department in the amount of $8,000 from the Ronnebaum Fund. This grant will be used to purchase a variety of new equipment for the recreation department. It will also provide staff with the necessary training and confidence to provide life saving techniques if an emergency situation arises at the Seneca Aquatic Center.

Nemaha Central Public School Agriculture Education Program and FFA Organization will be awarded $20,000 for assistance with constructing a 30’ X 60’ greenhouse. The greenhouse will include a classroom, curriculum materials and supplies. This grant would not be possible without the Glen J. Meyer Advisory Fund. Meyer was a lifelong farmer in Nemaha County. With a total project cost of $350,000, the school will continue fundraising to reach the goal.

With exterior renovations and improved accessibility to the Temple of Honor Military Museum, the Nemaha County Historical Society will be awarded $6,979.00, the remaining balance of the Leonard Ronnebaum Fund. “When this historic building is renovated and restored, this project will benefit not only generations of Nemaha County residents for years to come, but the general public, tourists and researchers with a safe and secure military museum” shared DarlAnn Rial, grant administrator.

In order for the Nemaha County Training Center (NCTC) to provide another safe place for someone affected by intellectual/developmental disabilities, a room is being added to the Hillcrest house. With a grant of $8,000 from the Leonard Ronnebaum Fund, “an additional room will provide individuals the ability to move in, start their lives, and increase their level of independence in the community” stated Alice Lackey, NCTC Executive Director in the grant application.

According to Courtney Schmelzle, Community Relations Coordinator and Foundation Director at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, “Our current portable ultrasound machine used at Seneca Family Practice is no longer a functioning piece of equipment.” The Glen J. Meyer Advisory Fund will award $10,000 to assistance in the purchase of a new portable ultrasound machine. “Ultrasounds are used to diagnose, monitor and treat multitudes of medical problems from gallstones to cancer. It will allow our physicians to monitor the OB fetal heart rate and position in the clinic. The machine can also be carried to patients in emergency situations whether it be in the emergency room, surgery or a patient room.”

A $5,020 grant will be awarded to Seneca Community Television (SCTV) from the Leonard Ronnebaum Fund to purchase several pieces of pertinent equipment. The needed equipment includes video editing equipment and software, a computer, a laptop for live broadcasting, camcorders, headsets for live broadcasting and large capacity battery packs.

Electrical wiring upgrades in the entire Legion Building will be awarded to the Sons of American Legion. The Leonard Ronnebaum Fund will be awarding $10,000 to assist in these necessary upgrades. According to Vice-Commander, Mark Wessel “The building is rented to the community so the number of people who will benefit will vary greatly. Without this, the Legion may not be able to rent the space to the public.”

Leonard Ronnebaum donated $100,000 in 2014 and desired the funds to be distributed to meaningful organizations in Nemaha County within five years. After the January 2018 grant cycle, the Leonard Ronnebaum Fund was completely utilized. By making this donation, Ronnebaum was able to be actively involved in the decision making process and seeing the impact it made in Nemaha County before he passed in 2017.

Grants are awarded twice a year through the STEP Foundation, with the next deadline being July 15, 2018. For current applications and more information, visit www.nemahastep.org or contact Tory Jost at 785-410-0543. For the latest updates, like and follow us on Facebook.

(KNZA)--The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying two persons of interest in a fraud investigation in Jackson County.

Sheriff Tim Morse Tuesday released surveillance photos of a man and woman sought in the investigation.

Additional details were not released.

Anyone with with information as to the identity of either of these individuals, is asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 785-364-2251.

Winners in Tuesday's Primary Election in Nebraska will advance to the November General Election.

 Richardson County

1st District County Commissioner: Republican Primary:
John Caverzagie 190
Kayla Richey 65

( Winner will face Democrat John R. Coonce in November)

Falls City Mayor: ( top 2 advance)
Carla Rhodd 223
Shawna Bindle 220
Judy Murphy 211
Jonathan Kirkendall 113

Falls City Ward II Council ( top 2 advance)
Lucas Froeschl 117
Kaylie Ractliffe 39
Chris Simon 38

Falls City Ward 2 would be a mandatory recount between Kaylie Ratcliffe 39 votes; and Chris Simon 38 votes. Chris Simon is waiving the right to the mandatory recount. So, Kaylie Ratcliffe and Lucas Froeschl will advance to the General Election.

Humboldt Mayor ( top 2 advance)
Robert Mendenhall 106
Dale Oehm 74
Ted  Schuler 38
Jamie Dorney 7

Humboldt Ward I Council  ( top 2 advance )
Doris DeJong 51
Jan Wilhelm 37
Michael Arreguin 17

Humboldt Ward II Council ( top 2 advance )
Kendra Douglas 58
Dustin White 47
Heather J. Schuler 16

Unofficial results from Pawnee, Nemaha and Johnson Counties

Pawnee County
Treasurer – Republican Primary

Stephanie Cumro  Rauner 268
Cindy Johnson  ( current deputy treasurer) 263

Nemaha County
1st District Commissioner – Republican Primary
Michael Hall ( incumbent) 139
Eric Shelton 61
Jim Biaggi 56

( winner will run against Democrat Michael Sullword in November)

3rd District Commissioner  Republican Primary
Marvin Bohling ( incumbent ) 104
Larry Holtzman 104
Gregory  Cook 79

( winner will run against Democrat Michael Weiss in November)

County Assessor – Republican Primary
Mallory Lempka ( incument) 422
Wendy Jo Hemmer 303

Johnson County
District 1 County Commissioner ( Republican Primary)
Scotty Gottula  ( incumbent) 143
Michael McPherrin 29
( no Democrats filed )

Sheriff ( Republican Primary )
Scott Walton ( incumbent. Seeking 3rd term ) 583
Richard  Hardesty Jr.  242

( No Democrats filed )

(KAIR)--A review of the Atchison Public Schools is made by the Department of Homeland Security.

According to a news release issued by the district, the review of USD 409 happened April 16 and 17, with administrators, custodians, and maintenance staff joining with a Department of Homeland Security Protective Security Advisor to review safety measures within each of the school district's buildings.

According to the release, the review uses an all-hazards approach, covering topics such as fire, flood, utility failure, intruders, and medical emergencies.

MSC Radio News Director Brian Hagen talked with USD 409 Superintendent Dr. Susan Myers about the outcome of the procedure.

(KAIR)--Methamphetamine mailed to an inmate at the Atchison County Jail leads to one arrest, and to an investigation likely to result in more.

That allegation is outlined in a news release issued Tuesday by Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, who identified the accused inmate as 22-year-old Leavenworth resident Tayler Fischer.

According to the release, the investigation was launched May 9 after the illegal shipment was discovered as it was delivered to the jail.

Fischer was arrested on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school, trafficking contraband into a corrections facility, use of a communication facility in the attempted commission of a drug felony, and conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use.

Laurie, in the release, said the investigation is continuing, and more arrests are expected.

Fischer's criminal background includes a previous conviction stemming from drug crimes.

According to online court records, she was convicted in Lyon County, Kansas, in February, 2014 for distribution/possession with intent to distribute heroin or meth of at least 1 gram but less than 3.5 grams.

(KNZA)--A former Jackson County volunteer firefighter charged with setting a string of grass fires will have to serve 180 days in jail as a condition of probation.

27-year-old Jacob Grant, of Mayetta, was sentenced Friday in Jackson County District Court to a total of six years probation on three counts of arson.

Grant pleaded no contest to the charges last month.  As part of a plea deal, 10 additional arson counts were dismissed.

Grant was arrested March 21st following an investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities say Grant set numerous grass fires between February 28th and March 20th in southwestern Jackson County, and then responded as a member of the Delia Fire Department.  

(KAIR)--It was earlier this month that an Atchison woman achieved a first: becoming the first female president for the Kansas Elks Association.

Debbie Betts was installed into that position during a ceremony held during the weekend of May 5. "I feel blessed, I'm humbled, I'm honored,” Betts told MSC Radio News. “It's just a whole different feeling than being an officer or being a District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler. It's going to be an amazing year. I know it is.”

Betts has long been involved in roles of leadership for the Elks, including her long-running involvement with Atchison Elks Lodge #647.

MSC Radio News Director Brian Hagen sat down with Betts to talk about her new role.

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

County Clerk Melissa Gormley says Tami Antoine resigned Monday morning, effective immediately.

No reason was given for the resignation.

Antoine had served as county appraiser since July of last year.

The County Commission voted to appoint Curt Clark, who serves as senior data collector in the appraiser’s office, as interim appraiser until a replacement is hired.  

(KLZA)--The Nemaha Natural Resources District has been awarded a Nebraska Environmental Trust Grant in an amount of $169-thousand for the “Nemaha Basin Critical Aquifer Assessment Project.”

The project is one of 105 receiving more than $18-million in grant awards from the Trust this year.  

The Nemaha Basin Critical Aquifer Assessment is an effort to better understand three critical aquifers supporting drinking water supplies and agriculture in the Nemaha River Basin.

Several partner communities and resource agencies will join with the Nemaha NRD on the project which will include well component monitoring of at least 20 wells.  

The goal is to encourage greater use of continuous read monitoring equipment versus the historic periodic manual measurement system.

A third Little Nemaha River Alluvial Aquifer Recharge component involves a partnership with the City of  Auburn to install monitoring wells for collecting date and assessing alternatives for groundwater recharge using excess flows in perennial streams and enhancing wetlands. This will focus on the alluvial aquifer along the Little Nemaha River which supplies the communities 11 wells.  

Total cost of the project is $318-thousand with the balance contributed by the Nemaha NRD, City of  Auburn and the Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment group.  

The project will be complete in one year.

(KLZA)--The Richardson County Sheriff's Office will host a Town Hall meeting Wednesday evening, May 16th beginning at 7.  

Richardson County resident are invited to come to the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center to discuss how citizens can partner with law enforcement in stopping crimes such as theft, trespassing and burglary.

The topic of how citizens can follow arrests throughout the judicial process will also be discussed.

(KAIR)--The Saint Joseph, Missouri-based Second Harvest Community Food Bank will hold its Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Saturday. 

Serving numerous communities throughout the region, including the NE KS counties of Atchison, Brown, Doniphan and Leavenworth, Communications Coordinator Blake Haynes told MSC Radio News Director Brian Hagen, the food collected will stay local. 

(KAIR)--A night of fun to keep hope alive for Atchison's youth. 

That's the goal behind a special event planned for Saturday evening at Atchison's Memorial Hall. 

With doors to open at 7:00, the Night of Fun will feature games, music, food, and a special speaker. 

MSC Radio News Director Brian Hagen talked with organizers Mike Cline and Chuck Tilton about their goal for the free event. 

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha rural mail carrier has been honored for his heroic actions.

Substitute mail carrier Jim " Stretch" Lovelady was awarded the U.S. Postal Service’s "Postmaster General Hero Award" on Friday for going above and beyond to help a postal patron in need.

This winter, on one of the icy days, Lovelady came upon a woman that had fallen and broken some bones.

She had laid out in her yard for what was believed to have been close to over an hour. Lovelady called 911, got some blankets and sat with her until the ambulance could arrive, which with the ice was about another 30 minutes.

Lovelady was turned into the National Office to receive the award, and  was surprised Friday when the district supervisors came to the Hiawatha Post Office to present him the award.

(KNZA)--A Jackson County woman has been ordered to repay more than $4,500 to the Kansas Medicaid Program after pleading guilty to Medicaid fraud-related charges.

According to a press release from Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, 56-year-old Lisa Lynn Allen, of Soldier, was also sentenced Friday to 24 months probation with an underlying jail sentence of six months.

Allen pleaded guilty in April in Jackson County District Court to one felony count of making a false claim to the Medicaid program.

Schmidt says an investigation revealed that Allen billed Medicaid for services provided as a personal care attendant for a Medicaid beneficiary while on the job with another employer. There were about 101 hours that Allen claimed she was providing services while she was working at another job. The crimes occurred between November 2014 and September 2015.

(KLZA)-- The Chester Bross Construction Company will begin a resurfacing project on Interstate 29 between Route W and Route 118 in Holt County, Missouri on Monday. 

The contractor will mill and resurface the northbound driving lane first.  The work will begin at Mound City  and proceed to Route W near Corning. Northbound I-29 will be reduced to one land during the work.

Once the northbound lane is complete, they will move to the southbound driving lane.  They will then repeat the pattern with the passing lanes and shoulders.  All the work should be completed by mid-July, weather permitting.  

(KAIR)--Two Doniphan County residents escaped injury in a Wyandotte County double vehicle wreck that left a Shawnee woman injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports it happened Friday morning, on I-435, just south of Donahoo Road, in Kansas City, Kansas.

It was there that a car, southbound on the interstate, struck a patch of water.

The Patrol report says that caused the driver, 27-year-old Katherine Ridihalgh, of Shawnee, to lose control, with the car going into a spin, and crashing into a southbound pickup truck, driven by 25-year-old Jerad Hawkins, of Wathena.

Ridihalgh was transported to Providence Medical Center, in KCK, for the treatment of her injuries.

The Patrol reports that Hawkins, and his 27-year-old passenger, Christopher Cross, of Wathena, were not hurt.

The Patrol says everyone involved in the wreck was buckled up when it happened shortly after 7:00 Friday morning.

(KLZA)-- The Richardson County Sheriff's Office, in a Facebook post, thanked the Community for their support and tips that led the the arrest of 43-year-old Michael Tinsley.

Tinsley, who at one time lived in  Salem was arrested in Omaha Thursday on a Richardson County warrant for possession of methamphetamine. Tinsley is currently being held at the  Richardson County Law Enforcement Center. 

(KAIR)--A call for emergency medical assistance ends with the arrest of an Atchison man who now faces drug-related charges.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News the call was received Tuesday morning, sending emergency crews to an Atchison residence. “Shortly before 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning, officers, along with medical first responders, responded to a residence in the 300 block of North 17th to check on an unresponsive person. What we found was a 30-year-old male that was not medically transported to the hospital, but was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, specifically paraphernalia that include pipes and syringes used to ingest methamphetamine, so he was taken into custody.”

Arrested was Anthony Lunsford, who now faces charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

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

(KAIR)--At no time was there a threat to safety.

That word comes in a statement released from the Superintendent for Atchison's Public Schools Friday.

Dr. Susan Myers issued the statement following the discovery of a small BB gun in a bag belonging to a High School student.

According to Myers, the gun, which looked like a handgun, was discovered by the High School Principal.

Following the discovery, Myers says School Board polices concerning the possession of a BB gun were followed.

Patrons of USD 409 were notified of the discovery in an alert message sent Friday morning.

(KAIR)--One person is in custody in connection with Wednesday's bomb threat at Highland Community College.

According to a post on the Facebook page of the North College Hill, Ohio Police Department, the arrest was made Thursday.

Citing an ongoing investigation, the department is not immediately making the suspect's name public.

According to a release issued Friday morning by Craig Mosher, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at the college, the suspect is a current online student of the community college.

The police department's Facebook post says the Ohio authorities were contacted by Highland Police as investigators were able to determine that the phone number used to make the bomb threat belonged to a North College Hill resident.

Police were able to ping the number, tracing in to an address in the Ohio city.

Authorities went to the suspect's home, but no one was located, despite numerous attempts. However, the suspect later turned himself in to North College Hill Police without incident.

Transported to the Hamilton County, Ohio Justice Center, the suspect now awaits extradition to Kansas where he faces a charge related to making terroristic threats.

After the bomb threat was received Wednesday morning, the college campus, located in the Doniphan County community of Highland, was evacuated, and finals canceled for the day.

A thorough sweep of the campus by law enforcement apparently failed to recover any explosive device.

(KMZA)--Two Democratic candidates for Kansas governor will be visiting Seneca next week.

Former FBI agent and security consultant Michael Tabman, of Overland Park, will be at the Home Plate Cafe for a “ meet and greet” Monday afternoon at 2:00.

Then next Saturday morning, May 19th, State Senator Laura Kelly, of Topeka, will be at the Seneca Public Library at 10:00 for a “ meet and greet.”

Beverages and light refreshments will be served at both events, which are being hosted by the Nemaha County Democrats. The public is invited to attend.

(KLZA)-  Despite a slight decrease in the bottom line, Community Medical Center in Falls City continues to maintain a strong financial base. 

Hospital CEO Ryan Larsen called the financial situation very strong despite the nationwide issue of decreasing  reimbursements. 

During the annual public meeting to preview the hospitals 2017 Annual Report, Larsen reviewed the finances showing a net profit of nearly $1.95-million for 2017.  That represents a decrease of $244,540 from 2016.  

Larsen said that while from time to time there will be improvements and repairs made, the major construction project that was ongoing during the majority of 2017 is completed.  

Larsen said he hopes hospital patients find the improvements made to be worthwhile and said they appreciate everyone putting up with the inconvenience caused by the various projects.  

He also said thanks to all those who helped make the expansion project possible. 

It was noted during the report that CMC paid out more than $8.7-million in salaries and benefits to 209 employees. That does not include another 77 jobs in Falls City existing because of the hospital.  

The total for Community Benefits in 2017 which includes bad debts, subsidized health services, charity care and several other categories was more than $1.8-million.  

The Annual Report will be delivered to homes including Humboldt sometime in the next week or so.  
 

(KMZA)--An Omaha, Nebraska man is facing child sex charges in Nemaha County, Kansas following an investigation by several law enforcement agencies.

According to a press release from Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert,  48-year-old Daniel Russo III has been charged in Nemaha County District Court with two counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

Lippert says the complaint alleges that Russo persuaded, induced or enticed a child under 18 years of age to engage in sexually explicit conduct with the intent to promote the performance.  It also alleges that Russo promoted a performance that included sexually explicit conduct by a child under 18.

The case was investigated by the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department, Hiawatha Police Department and Omaha Police Department.

Russo was arrested Monday and posted a $50,000 bond the same day.

He is scheduled to make his first appearance in a Nemaha County courtroom on  June 4th.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A 58-year-old convicted killer from northwestern Missouri is charged in the death of a Missouri Air National Guard member from St. Joseph who was stabbed in what authorities are calling a road rage incident.

Jackson County authorities charged Nicholas Webb, of Pleasant Hill, with second-degree murder and armed criminal action on Thursday.

Authorities allege he stabbed 23-year-old Cody Harter on Saturday after a confrontation along a highway in the Kansas City suburb of Lee's Summit.

The Kansas City Star reports Webb was convicted of second-degree murder in Jackson County in 1981 and was in and out of prison with parole violations. He was last released from prison in July.

As a member of the Air National Guard, Harter did a tour in Iraq and served in Qatar, and helped with hurricane relief in Houston and Puerto Rico.

Harter's funeral is scheduled for Friday.
 
    

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Public Power District reports customers of the utility in Southeast Nebraska have been targeted by scammers. 

Phone calls are being made to NPPD customers indicating that NPPD is demanding payment for an overdue electric bill and that it must be paid immediately or the residence or business will have their power disconnected. The caller-ID may also indicate the call is coming from the Cooper Nuclear Station which is owned by NPPD. 

NPPD notes in a news release the company does not call customers demanding payment. Notifications are sent by letter.
Cooper Nuclear Station does no collection of electric bills. 
Most electric customers in Southeast Nebraska receive their bills from The Auburn Board of Public Works, Nebraska City Utilities or Omaha Public Power District.  NPPD also does not have customers in Missouri.

Any customeers that receive such a call should not attempt to make a payment and should contact local law enforcement and NPPD's Centralized Customer Care Center at toll free 1-877-ASK-NPPD, that is 1-877- 275-6773 to report the request or to their local utility providing them with a monthly bill.  

(KLZA)--Successful fundraising efforts will allow the first phase of the Legion Park improvement project to get underway soon.

First Ward City Council member Don  Ferguson provided  an update on the project to the  City Council Monday evening. More than $11-thousand has been donated with  significant pledges of more than $22,000 to this point. The estimate for the project is $60-thousand.

Ferguson said the Richardson Foundation has made a very generous donation and if anyone would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the project they may do so through the Richardson Foundation.

The park was dedicated to veterans of all wars past and future in May of 1922.  This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and the Legion Park upgrades will help commemorate the special occasion.  

Money budgeted for the renovation project was removed from the City Budget this year.  Council Member Charlie Bentley asked why the City was not making a donation toward the project when the City is responsible for upkeep of the parks.  Mayor Jerry Oliver noted the City would be making in-kind contributions to include lighting, fencing and such.

The project will include flags for each branch of the American armed forces, the American flag and benches. In addition the basketball court that was removed will be replaced and the ballfield renovated. New restrooms will also be part of the project.

(KNZA)--A Sabetha man already facing child sex charges in Brown County is now facing similar charges in Nemaha County.

According to a press release Thursday from Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert, 27-year-old Roy Tidwell III has been charged in Nemaha County District Court with aggravated indecent liberties with a child and sexual exploitation of a child.

Lippert says the complaint alleges that in 2017, Tidwell engaged in lewd fondling or touching of a child under 14 years of age, and also coerced the same child to engage in sexually explicit conduct with the intent to promote the performance.

If convicted, Lippert says Tidwell could be sentenced under Jessica’s Law for both offenses, which would result in a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 25 years.

The case was investigated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, FBI, Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department, Wichita Police Department and Hiawatha Police Department.

Tidwell was charged last week in Brown County with rape, aggravated internet trading in child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child .

Brown County Atttorney Kevin Hill says the victim was three-years-old when the alleged crimes were committed in Hiawatha between July and December 2017.

A preliminary hearing in the case is set for May 16th.

Tidwell remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a $3 million bond.

(KNZA)--There will be a contested race in the August Republican primary for 1st District Brown County Commissioner.

The Brown County Clerk’s Office says Richard Lehmkuhl filed Thursday to challenge longtime Commissioner Steve Roberts.

Roberts filed April 30th for re-election to another 4-year term.

No Democratic candidate has filed so far.

The County Clerk’s office also says Douglas Bletscher filed Thursday for one of two seats up for election in November on the Fairview City Council.  In addition, also up for election is the position of mayor.  

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

(KAIR)--An attempt to pass a field sprayer on a Jefferson County highway led to a crash, and to injuries for a Nortonville woman.

That comes in a report released by the Kansas Highway Patrol, which says the wreck occurred shortly before 7:00 Thursday morning.

The Patrol reports the wreck happened when 23-year-old Margaret Courter attempted to pass the field sprayer, eastbound on U.S. Highway 24.

As she made the maneuver, the driver of the sprayer attempted to turn left, causing Courter's SUV to collide with it.

Courter was transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail for the treatment of injuries.

Her six-month-old passenger was not hurt.

The Patrol says both were properly restrained at the time of the wreck.

The driver of the John Deere sprayer, identified as 29-year-old Lecompton resident Jacob Hetrick, was not injured.

(KMZA)--Plans for a proposed wind farm in the southern part of Nemaha County, Kansas advance.

Representatives of Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources met with the Nemaha County Commission this week to update them on the status of the proposed Soldier Creek wind farm.

Commissioners were told the company is currently focusing on the internal engineering of the project, the environmental study that needs to be done and the signing of lease agreements with local landowners.

Plans are to hold a community meeting sometime soon to address any questions area residents may have about the project.

Associate Project Manager Spencer Jenkins estimated the project could be a year or less from getting underway.

The proposed wind farm would generate 300 megawatts of power from 110 to 120 turbines.

The wind farm would create 15 to 20 jobs that would last for the life of the project.  250 to 300 people would be employed during the construction phase.

(KLZA)-- Six people have been arrested by the Nemaha County, Nebraska Sheriff's Office following the execution of two search warrants.

On April 18th a search warrant was served by Nemaha County deputies in an apartment in the 1900 Block of Courthouse Avenue in Auburn.

55-year-old William Davis, 41-year-old Daniel Hall and 37-year-old Jarod Mowery all of Auburn were arrested for possession of a controlled substance, suspected to be methamphetamine.

Tuesday, May 8, the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol served a search warrant on a residence in the 1800 block of “L” Street in Auburn.

Three people were arrested as a result of the search. 50-year-old Alecia Humphrey of Falls City and 52-year old Vincent Taylor of Auburn were arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. 58-year-old Gary Vaugh of Auburn was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

Clockwise from top left: Thomas Martin, Tyler Chalfant, Melissa Britton, and Doyle Grimes

(KAIR)--Four arrests are made, and two stolen vehicles located, following the execution of a search warrant at an Atchison County residence.

According to a news release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, his office, assisting the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, raided the residence, located at 4771 K-116 Highway, around 10:00 Tuesday morning.

It was there that two vehicles, reported as stolen were located. One was a 2003 Mitsubishi taken from Jackson County, and the other was a 2000 Chevrolet 2500 pickup taken from Topeka.

Laurie says meth, scales used to measure drugs, and other drug paraphernalia, were all located inside the residence.

Arrested were four who lived at the home, 28-year-old Tyler Chalfant, 44-year-old Melissa Britton, 57-year-old Doyle Grimes, and 49-year-old Thomas Martin.

Chalfant faces charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia; Britton faces charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia; Grimes faces charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia; and Martin faces charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of stolen property.

Following their arrests, all four were booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KLZA)-- Community Medical Center in Falls City will soon release the hospitals 2017 Annual Report to the public.

During the annual public meeting to reveal information in the report on May 3,  hospital CEO Ryan Larsen noted the Critical Care Access Hospital has received several awards including the Hurst Gold Standard of Nursing Award. 

The award takes into account   nurse communication, responsiveness, pain management, medication communication, care transition and discharge information. 

For the second consecutive year, CMC was named a top 100 Critical Care Access Hospital. Larsen informed those gathered, including the Board of Directors of even better news, noting he had just recently been informed, CMC was rated as one of the top 20 Critical Care Access Hospitals in the country.  

Larsen says while awards are nice, nothing is more important that the health of CMC patients.  

(KAIR)--No word regarding the discovery of any actual threat.

That follows Wednesday's evacuation of Highland Community College following a bomb threat in the form of a phone call shortly before 10:00 a.m.

A press release issued Wednesday morning by Craig Mosher, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement at the College, said students were evacuated to a safe location as law enforcement personnel, assisted by bomb-sniffing dogs, worked to clear campus buildings.

Around 1:00, Mosher, in a second release, said the process was completed, with students at that time advised to restrict their movements and stay in their housing units.

In the initial release, Mosher noted that the credibility of the threat was being questioned.

Finals Wednesday were postponed, but will resume Thursday.

Students affected by the postponement will be notified by the college about makeup plans.

Wednesday's evacuation is the second incident to draw attention to the college, located in the Doniphan County community of Highland, this week.

On Monday, the strong presence of law enforcement led to public speculation.

Both Mosher, and College President David Reist, clarified the response was due to Highland Police requesting assistance from outside agencies as they looked for a student.

No one was arrested following what Mosher calls a now concluded investigation into possible illegal activities.

It's not immediately clear if Monday's search is related to a post made on the City of Highland's Facebook page Monday night saying that police were searching for a person of interest in a crime.

Although a photo was posted, additional information, including the person's name, was not provided.

A message sent to the City of Highland by MSC Radio News seeking clarification has gone unreturned.

(KNZA)--Two St. Joseph, Missouri men convicted in separate Brown County cases of the electronic solicitation of a child between 14 and 16 have learned their fate.

39-year-old Daniel Cook was sentenced Monday in Brown County District Court to 94 months in prison and 70-year-old William Buehler was sentenced to 32 months  in prison.

Cook was given credit for 127 days served in jail and Buehler for 321 days.

Both men will have to register as sex offenders.

Buehler pleaded no contest in March to the felony charge and Cook pleaded no contest in April.

Both men were arrested following an investigation by undercover officers with the Hiawatha Police Department.  

Buehler was arrested in July of last year and Cook on New Year’s Day of this year.   

(KAIR)--A Jackson County pursuit Monday night ends with the arrest of a Hiawatha man.

According to a news release issued by Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, the case began with the report of a suspicious vehicle on P Road, near 246th Road, shortly before 9:00.

A Deputy located the vehicle, parked with the flashers on, near 262nd Road and U.S. Highway 75.

When the Deputy stopped behind the vehicle, it's alleged the driver began to drive away. However, the Deputy conducted a traffic stop for an alleged violation, but the driver refused to provide any information, and would not follow any commands. Instead, it's alleged he drove away, flipping a U-turn and then driving southbound towards Holton.

A pursuit of around 60 mph was launched, with the suspect vehicle alleged to have nearly hit a number of vehicles head-on as he fled from authorities.

With a Kansas Highway Patrol aircraft assisting, the suspect vehicle was stopped just inside Holton, with deputies using their vehicles to keep the suspect from fleeing again.

According to the release, the driver, identified as 32-year-old Cory Steltenpohl, backed into a Deputy's patrol vehicle prior to his arrest.

Steltenpohl now faces multiple charges including flee and attempt to elude, possession of a stimulant, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, and numerous traffic infractions.

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

(KNZA)--The city of Hiawatha will hold its annual Spring Citywide Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 12th.

City residents can take their unwanted items to the city public works property at 912 Hiawatha Avenue for disposal free of charge from 8:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon.

Bob Spicer Salvage will be at the location to accept air conditioners, appliances, tires with rims, iron, metal and batteries.

In addition, Hamilton Recycling will be at the location with a paper shredder and to pick up recyclable items.

Each household will be allowed one pickup load, one carload or one single-axle trailer load.  No contractors are allowed and the city reserves the right to refuse any load.   Proof of residency will be required.

Unacceptable items include household trash, leaves, grass clippings, tires, paint, oil, gas, hazardous materials and any material containing Freon except appliances.   

(MSC News)-- Area northeast Kansas residents are reminded that Thursday is the deadline for paying the 2nd half of their property taxes.

Payments should be made to your local county treasurer’s office.

(KLZA)-- Two people were injured in a pair of wrecks early Tuesday morning in Atchison County, Missouri. 

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports the first wreck was approximately 6:20  on 250th Street, six miles east of Fairfax. 

A mini-van driven by 34-year-old Daniel Herrington of Rock Port was headed east and attempted to turn left into a private drive at the crest of a hill.  A westbound car operated by 21-year-old Emily Mann of Maryville struck the mini-van in the rear passenger side and both vehicles skidded off the north side of the 250th Street.  The Mann car overturned onto its top. 

23-year-old Spencer Smith, a passenger in the van  suffered what were described as moderate injuries.  Smith was transported by the Atchison-Holt Ambulance to Community Hospital in Fairfax. He was not wearing a safety device.  

The Fairfax Fire Department assisted at the scene of the wreck. 

A short time later, at approximately 6:40 A.M., a Ford Explorer operated by 55-year-old Tami Hughes of Rock Port was northbound on U.S. Highway 275 and traveled off the east side of the roadway.  The vehicle returned to the road, traveled off the west side of the road and overturned onto its side when it impacted the ditch. 

Hughes was transported by the Atchsion-Holt Ambulance Squad to Community Hospital in Fairfax for treatment of what were described as serious.  Hughes was wearing a safety device at the time of the wreck. 

The Atchison County Sheriff's Office assisted at the scene of the wreck.  

All of the vehicles involved in the wrecks were totaled.  
 

(KAIR)--Three voices of opposition were heard during a public hearing, focused on the annexation of property, early in Monday's meeting of the Atchison City Commission.

At issue was the annexation of six tracts of land on U.S. Highway 59. Myrna Mcconnaughey, of 10894 U.S. Highway 59, was among the three, and spoke first. “I don't want to be inside the city limits,” she told the Commissioners. “You have nothing to offer me except higher taxes and forcing me to hook to the sewer. I get $770 a month, and how am I going to do that?”

According to documentation provided by the City of Atchison, the Resolution of Intent to annex the six tracts was approved by the Commission on March 5, with the affected property owners notified of the plan.

The City's Planning Commission found it compatible with adopted land use, and the Resolution of Intent was published April 25.

Following Commission Discussion, the vote was called to adopt the ordinance to proceed with annexation, and it was approved on a 3 to 2 vote, with Commissioners Charlie Perdue and David Hausmann voting in opposition to annexation.

(KAIR)--Onions and apples are being offered at no cost, thanks to a partnership between the Atchison location of the Salvation Army and a regional food bank.

Salvation Army of Atchison County Coordinator, Kim Bottorff, tells MSC News both can be picked up Wednesday from 9:00 until noon.

There are no eligibility requirements, with both to be given away on a first come, first served basis, at the Salvation Army Office, located at 926 Commercial Street, in Atchison.

The onions and apples were delivered to the office through the efforts of the Second Harvest Community Food Bank, based in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

(KLZA)-- A former Tecumseh State Correctional Institute inmate has been sentenced to additional prison time for assaulting an employee at the prison north of Tecumseh. 

28-year-old Kyle Croghan was sentenced to 4 – 6 years by Johnson County District court Judge Rick Schreiner during Monday court proceedings.  

Croghan was an inmate at the prison on October 26, 2016 when he walked around a desk and struck the employee with multiple closed fist blows which caused bodily injury to the employee.  

Croghan's sentence will run consecutively to sentences he is currently incarcerated for, which include numerous charges out of Saunders County and an arson charge in Johnson County. He is currently being held in the Lincoln Correctional Center. 

Deputy Johnson County Attorney Benjamin Beethe was the prosecuting attorney.  The assault was investigated by the Nebraska Department of Corrections.  

(KNZA)--A Highland police officer escaped serious injury Monday evening after crashing his patrol vehicle during a pursuit.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 59-year-old Officer Tom Williams, of Hiawatha, was pursing a white Pontiac Grand Prix on Ash Point Road, south of Leona, when he lost visual contract on the car due to a dust cloud.

Williams Dodge Durango slid off the road and crashed into a pole.

The suspect vehicle was then pursued by another law enforcement officer.  There was no immediate word if the suspect vehicle was eventually stopped or what led to the pursuit. 

Williams was transported to the Horton Community Hospital for treatment of what the Patrol describes as possible injuries.

The wreck was reported shortly after 7:30 Monday evening.  

(KAIR)--An evacuation Tuesday afternoon in the area of Atchison's riverfront.

Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf says the action was taken after a gas line was struck in the alley south of Atchison Wholesale Grocery. “There's a subcontracted utility company that's doing some boring for utility replacement in the area of the alley just south of the Atchison Wholesale Grocery location. Apparently they struck a natural gas line while doing their boring. This led to the spread of natural gas, potentially underground” Graf told MSC News. “Kansas Gas Service, when they arrived, detected high levels of natural gas under the surface, which immediately caused a concern for the surrounding buildings in that location.”

The mandatory evacuation, which Graf said affected the Atchison Wholesale building, both MGP buildings, the Guidance Center and the Apartment Complex at 201 Main, and Mueller's Locker Room, was lifted shortly before 2:00 Tuesday afternoon.

Graf said around 60 to 70 people were evacuated, with traffic also kept out of the affected area. 

As Kansas Gas Service worked to repair the broken line, Graf said Atchison County EMS, the Atchison Police Department, and Atchison County Emergency Management joined his crews in providing assistance at the scene.

(KAIR)--No fight, no riot, no one injured.

Those are the words of David Reist, President of Highland Community College, following widely circulating rumors regarding a call for law enforcement on the college campus Monday.

According to an emailed response from Reist, following inquiries made by MSC News, Highland Police Monday were looking for a student, and had requested assistance from outside agencies.

However, according to Craig Mosher, Vice President for Student Advancement at the college, no one was arrested following what he calls a now concluded investigation into possible illegal activities.

The exaggerated rumors apparently stem from a separate, unrelated event happening on the campus around the same time that law enforcement arrived.

According to Reist, an ambulance and Life Flight helicopter were present on the campus, but were being used as part of an EMT training class.

(KNZA)--A new full-time position has been filled at the Brown County landfill.

Following an executive session Monday, the County Commission voted to offer the position to Bruce Kleppe.

Kleppe accepted the position and is to begin work May 14th.  

The new position was created due to an increase in trash volume at the county transfer station.

In other business, a representative from the Kansas Department of Commerce along with Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development Director Mikaela Moore met with the Commission to discuss the county’s participation in the Rural Opportunity Zone student loan repayment program.

The program provides up to $15,000 in student loan repayments over a five year period for eligible individuals who re-locate to the county.

HFED currently sponsors two individuals in Brown County, with a $1,500 annual allocation each which is matched by the state.

Moore says the HFED Board has voted to sponsor two additional individuals  each year.

A fifth is currently employer sponsored.

Moore says there are currently nine individuals on the waiting list.

The Commission is expected to sign a resolution at next week’s meeting for continued participation in the program.

The county has participated in the program since 2013.  

(KAIR)--A well known Atchison-area community member is being remembered.

Maurice “Buck” O'Keefe, Jr, died Sunday at the age of 89.

O'Keefe, a lawyer by trade, served as the Atchison City and County Attorney from 1958 through 1964.

Following a 26-year-stint in private practice, O'Keefe was appointed as Judge for the 1st Judicial District in 1981, overseeing Atchison and Leavenworth Counties.

He retired from the bench in 1995.

According to his obituary from Atchison's Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home, O'Keefe served as President of the Atchison Family YMCA, Exalted Ruler of Elks, Grand Knight of the Knight's of Columbus, President of the Kiwanis Club, Judge Advocate for the American Legion, Chairman of the Parish Council, Maur Hill Alumni President, and President/Bell Ringer for the Atchison Salvation Army.

O'Keefe served as the Grand Marshal for the 1991 Atchison Saint Patrick's Day Parade, and was long dubbed “The King of Volleyball, “ for his love of that sport.

Services for O'Keefe will be Thursday morning at 10:00 at Saint Benedict’s Catholic Church, in Atchison.

Among his survivors are his wife, Martha, and five children.

Due to the services, Atchison County District Court will be closed Thursday from 9:30 that morning until 1:00 that afternoon. 

( L-R) Retiring longtime Hiawatha volunteer firefighters Larry Adcock, Bill Roland and Gary Shear were recognized at Monday's City Commission meeting for their service to the community. 

(KNZA)--A new Hiawatha fire chief and city clerk have been appointed.

The City Commission Monday evening approved the appointment of Ryan Shockley as fire chief and Tish Sims as city clerk.

Shockley, who is a 9-year member of the fire department, replaces Gary Shear who is retiring after serving two stints as fire chief.

Sims replaces Vivian Constable, whose retirement resignation was effective Monday. Sims has been training under Constable for the past month.

The Commission also approved the re-appointment of John Defore as police chief; Andy Delaney as city attorney; Ted Collins as municipal judge and Pamela Tesoriero as city treasurer.

The appointments are for two-year terms.

In her last official duty, Constable sworn in the newly appointed officials.

Mayor Dr. Steffen Shamburg presented a plaque to Constable in recognition of her more than 12 years of service as city clerk. Representatives of the City Clerks/Municipal Finance Officers Association and International Association of Municipal Clerks also recognized Constable for her service.

In addition, Mayor Shamburg presented plaques to three retiring longtime volunteer firefighters in recognition of their service to the community. Gary Shear for 40 years of service, Bill Roland for 20 years and Larry Adcock for 14 years.

Commissioner Toni Hull said the city's volunteer firefighters “ give so much.”

( KLZA / KTNC)-- The Nebraska Primary Election  is May 15th.  

Four people have filed for the position of Mayor in  Falls City. Two of the four will advance to the November General Election. 

All four candidates,  Shawna  Bindle, Judy Murphy, Carla Rhodd and Jonathan Kirkendall will appear this week on the Community  Focus Program airing on  SUNNY 101.3 and 7:25 a.m., and on A.M. 1230, KTNC at 7:20 a.m., and 12:40 p.m.

John Nixon visited conducted short interviews with all four candidates.  

(KLZA)-- Tuesday, May 15 is Primary Election Day in Nebraska.
In Falls City this  year, four people have registered to run for Mayor.

All four candidates, Shawna Bindle, Jonathan Kirkendall, Judy Murphy and Carla Rhodd agreed to appear on the Community Focus program airing on SUNNY 101.3 at 7:25 a.m., and on A.M. 1230, KTNC at 7:20 a.m., and again at 12:40 p.m.

Following the interviews, names were drawn and the interviews will air this week beginning Tuesday with Shawna Bindle.  Judy Murphy's interview will be Wednesday, Carla Rhodd will air on Thursday and Jonathan Kirkendall on Friday.  

In addition, the interviews will be posted on our website, MSCNEWS.net.  Go to the website, click on “Media” 
then click “Audio” and you will be able to select the interview you want to hear.

The interviews with all of the candidates will be posted  on Tuesday.  

(KMZA)--An investigation is launched following the theft of a moped from a Seneca residence.

The Nemaha County Sheriff’ Office says it took a report April 29th of the theft of a 2005 CPI moped from 125 East Main.

The theft is believed to have occurred between April 3rd-12th.

The loss was estimated at $700.

Anyone with information on the theft is asked to contact the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office in Seneca.

(KAIR)--A double vehicle weekend crash in Atchison County sent one driver to the hospital.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, in a news release, said it happened late Saturday morning, at U.S. Highway 59 and Phillips Road.

It was at that location that 45-year-old Jeff Schuele, of Atchison, was driving a white Ford F250, pulling a gooseneck trailer, in the westbound lane of the highway, waiting for east bound traffic to pass, in order to turn south onto Phillips Road.

A westbound car, driven by 15-year-old Aubrey Busenbarrick, of Atchison, didn't notice that Schuele's vehicle was stopped as she approached behind him.

According to the news release, Busenbarrick never slowed down when she struck the trailer from behind.

She was transported by Atchison County EMS to the Atchison Hospital for the treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Schuele was not hurt.

The wreck happened shortly after 11:00 Saturday morning.

(KAIR)--A student from Jefferson West High School is among those from across Kansas earning recognition, and scholarship funds, for their success in the 2018 Kansas Financial Scholars Essay Contest.

Fourth place honors were awarded to Meriden's Jordan Hawman. She received a $1,000 tuition scholarship to her choice of a Kansas school of higher education for the 2018-2019 school year.

The top honor was earned by a student from Derby High School, in Derby, Kansas.

According to a news release issued by the Kansas Insurance Department, seniors from across the state submitted a total of 75 two-part essays for the annual contest. To be eligible, students must have participated in at least one of three financial literacy programs sponsored by the state agencies:  EverFi, Stock Market Game, or the Personal Finance Challenge.

Kansas high schools voluntarily participate in the programs. 

 Students wrote a short essay on either their financial and lifestyle expectations twenty years from now, or the experiences and role models that have shaped their financial views and habits up to the present. In a follow-up essay, students provided an analysis of the cost of various schools of higher education, the positive and negative aspects of student loans, and the earning potential of their chosen field. 

The contest is sponsored by the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner, the Kansas Insurance Department, and the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth Police Officer is among the members of law enforcement whose names were added to the Kansas Law Enforcement Monument for 2018.

Patrolman E. Clay Thompson was killed on the night of October 28, 1925, while he and another officer were walking the southwest beat on Leavenworth's Second Avenue.

It was there that a passing motorist struck Thompson, who died from his injuries a short time later after being transported to St. John's Hospital.

According to a news release from the Kansas Highway Patrol, the driver stopped after striking Thompson and cooperated with the investigation.

Thompson's name, along with those of three others, was added to the monument as part of ceremonies held as part of National Police Week and National Peace Officers' Memorial Day.

The 23rd annual Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Candlelight vigil was held Thursday night at the Kansas Statehouse, in Topeka, while the 36th annual Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony was held Friday afternoon.

(KAIR)--The initial meeting of the recently formed Atchison County Sales Tax Committee happened Wednesday, May 2, serving as an organizational session for the new group.

The committee is tasked with examining the usage of the countywide sales tax used to fund solid waste and joint communications in the county.

The sales tax, approved by voters in 1993, has long been a point of contention between city and county government, with the entities questioning the benefits gained from the collections.

The committee is comprised of city and county representation. Appointed to serve county interests are Effingham City Council member Kirk Wohlgemuth, ag-producer Jay Armstrong, of Muscotah, and insurance agent Steve Caplinger, of Monrovia.

City representation includes City of Atchison Utilities Director Mike Stec, former County Commission Jeff Schuele, and small business owner Mike Zuzolo.

Atchison County Commission Chairman Eric Noll and Atchison City Commissioner Shawn Rizza were named to serve as ex-officio, non-voting members, while Solid Waste Manager Staci Joice also serves in a non-voting capacity.

During the organizational meeting it was decided that Noll and Rizza will serve as co-chairs of the Committee, which will meet on the third Tuesday of each month, beginning in June.

Brainstorming discussion followed organization, with a variety of ideas on how to proceed addressed.

That discussion was noted by Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, who told the committee the changes in joint communications since the time the sales tax was approved, such as the addition of internet, must be considered by the committee going forward. “We're kind of getting the cart in front of the horse here. We don't even know the budgets yet, we don't even know the capital improvement projects coming up” Laurie stated. “These are things you guys may not even have to worry about. Don't you think you ought to look into things that you need to worry about? We have a lot of other ways of utilizing this money within communications.”

Ultimately the group agreed that looking forward, instead of looking backwards, must be the goal in order to put to rest the long time disagreements, and to see better usage of the tax proceeds.

Armstrong said the committee's work comes down to figuring out how the funds generated by the sales tax will fund services offered by local government. “What I hear people saying isn't any different for any challenge of any local government in America,” Armstrong stated. “You've got a budget, you've got services, and you've got to find money, and if you can't find the money, then you've got to cut services. And that's all we're really talking about.”

The next meeting of the committee will be the evening of June 19 at 6:00 in the County Commission room at the Atchison County Courthouse.

(KMZA)--A Democratic candidate for Kansas Secretary of State will visit Seneca Tuesday afternoon.

The Nemaha County Democrats will host a “Meet and Greet” for Brian McClendon from 4:15 to 5 at the Home Plate Cafe.

Beverages and light refreshments will be served as McClendon speaks and answers questions from the audience.  The public is invited to attend.

McClendon also plans to visit other businesses and tech companies in the area as time permits.

The former Google and Uber executive returned to his native Lawrence about a year ago in order to run for the state office.

He is among two Democratic candidates vying for Secretary of State. The other candidate, Lawrence resident Marci Francisco, visited Seneca April 28th.

Three Republicans are also seeking the office currently held by Kris Kobach, who is running for the GOP nomination for governor.

(KLZA)--The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office will be hosting Mobile Office hours in Auburn Tuesday at the Senior Center located at 1101 J Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 
Attorney General Doug Peterson will visit the center late morning. He will also be spending the day with area students, local officials, and a local civic group.

During the mobile office hours, representatives from both the Consumer Protection Division and Constituent Services will be on hand to personally meet citizens interested in submitting concerns to the Attorney General’s Office.

Citizens will also have the opportunity to learn how to protect themselves from identity theft, guard against scams, and rid themselves of unwanted calls. Many educational resources will be made available to interested constituents.

(KMZA)--A Marshall County early Sunday morning all-terrain vehicle crash claimed the life of Frankfort woman.

The Kansas Highway Patrol identified the victim as 22-year-old Arianna Lynn Martin.

The Patrol says Martin was a passenger on an ATV driven by 27-year-old Frankfort resident Weston Adams that crashed about five miles south of the junction of K-87 and U.S. 36. 

The Patrol says Adams had been driving the ATV in a field east of K-87.  He left the field and entered the roadway, traveling southbound before he turned around and began heading northbound. His ATV then crossed into the east ditch and rolled onto its side.

Martin was ejected and the ATV came to rest on top of her.

She was transported to Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville where she  died.

Adams received possible injuries, but the Patrol report doesn’t indicate he was transported for hospitalized treatment.

The crash was reported shortly before 4:00 Sunday morning.

(KAIR)--Buchanan County prosecutors have charged a homeless man in a stabbing that sent one person to the hospital.

KQ2-TV reports that Tommy Pahmahmie is charged with first degree assault.

Court documents show Pahmahmie stabbed another man in the chest and shoulder with a pocket knife.

It happened Wednesday on the 700 block of S. 7th Street in St. Joseph.

Investigators say the stabbing stemmed from an argument.

(KNZA)--Following several months of discussion, the Hiawatha Board of Education during a special meeting Friday afternoon accepted a bid for the replacement of the high school track.

The Board voted unanimously to accept a base bid of $906,260 from Beynon Sports Company for the project.

The new track will include a concrete base and polyurethane surface.

It will come with a ten-year warranty.  In addition, it will include one free re-stripe and one free replacement in high traffic areas.

Beynon plans to start the project in late to mid-June.

Funding for the new track will come from the district’s capital outlay fund.

Home track meets were cancelled this spring because of the poor condition of the current track.  

In other business, the Board approved the purchase of twenty-five new laptop computers for teachers at a cost of $22,441.   It will include twenty-three laptops for middle school teachers and two for new elementary school teachers.

Following an execution session, the Board approved the hiring of two new teachers for next school year.

They include Bethany Porting as a 4th grade teacher and Ellen Blackwell as high school Vo-Ag teacher.

Superintendent Lonnie Moser says it will be the first teaching jobs for both.

(KMZA)--A Sabetha man is accused of child-sex related crimes following an investigation that included the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department, the Wichita Police Department, and the Hiawatha Police Department.

According to a news release issued by Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert, 27-year-old Eric Carlson was arrested May 3, and is charged with aggravated indecent liberties with a child and two counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

The complaint alleges that Carlson in 2017 “engaged in lewd fondling or touching of a child under 14 years of age, and also used, persuaded, induced, enticed or coerced this same child to engage in sexually explicit conduct with the intent to promote the performance. The complaint also alleges that Carlson promoted a performance that included sexually explicit conduct by a second child under 14 years of age, knowing the character and content of the performance.”

If convicted, Carlson could be sentenced under Jessica’s Law for all three offenses, which would result in a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 25 years.

Carlson remains in custody at the Nemaha County Jail, held on a bond of $1 million.

(KNZA)--An investigation leads to the arrest of a Sabetha man now accused of child-sex related charges.  

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says he filed formal charges Friday against 27-year-old Roy Tidwell III for rape, aggravated internet trading in child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child.

Hill says the charges follow an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.  The Hiawatha Police Department and Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department assisted.

Hill says the victim was 3-years-old when the sex offenses were allegedly committed   between July and December 2017 in Hiawatha. 

If convicted, Tidwell could face a sentence of life in prison.

He was arrested Friday by the Hiawatha Police Department, and remains in the Brown County Jail on a $3 million dollar bond.

(KAIR)--The body found inside a vehicle submerged in a Jefferson County farm pond is confirmed to be that of Joan Rebar.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig told MSC Radio news positive identification follows an autopsy Friday. “It was done at Frontier Forensics in Kansas City,” Herrig said.

The vehicle, with the body inside, was recovered Wednesday evening after the farm pond, on property south of Meriden, was drained.

The top of the vehicle had been spotted Tuesday afternoon in the pond as the property owner was mowing.

Herrig Wednesday said it was decided that the pond should be drained in order to not affect any potential evidence.

Herrig said the overall investigation is continuing. “We still do not have cause of death,” he stated, adding that foul play has not been ruled out. “We're not ruling out anything and we're looking at all avenues. This is going to be a tough one.”

The discovery this week brings to a close a 2 ½ year search for Rebar, of Jackson County.

The 70-year-old Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Reservation resident had spent the evening of September 25, 2015 in Jefferson County, at the Meriden VFW.

The investigation showed she left the establishment, alone, shortly before 2:00 the next morning.

A friend reported Rebar missing five days later.

(KAIR)--A Kansas City, Kansas man remains jailed in Jefferson County following his arrest in connection with the armed robbery of a convenience store.

According to a news release issued by Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig, 35-year-old Joseph Michael Lopez was arrested last month, following an extensive investigation.

According to the release, he was apprehended after an arrest warrant was issued stemming from the armed robbery of the Perry Casey's General Store in June of last year.

Lopez is facing two counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of criminal restraint.

He remains in jail on a bond of $100,000.

(KAIR)--A Hoyt man is facing drug charges, following an investigation that followed his arrest in connection with unrelated alleged crimes.

According to a news release issued by Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, 54-year-old Dave Dugan was arrested Thursday evening at his residence, taken into custody on a Jackson County District Court warrant for telephone harassment.

According to Morse, Deputies, following Dugan's arrest, began to investigate possible drug activity at the residence.

Seized from the location were suspected drug related items, which then led to the arrest of Dugan on drug related charges.

According to Morse, Dugan faces charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, cultivation, possession of drug paraphernalia, distribution of marijuana, interference with law enforcement, and telephone harassment.

Following his arrest, Dugan was released on a bond of $10,000.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Missouri Legislature will convene later this month to consider impeaching Gov. Eric Greitens following allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of charity resources.
 
 House and Senate leaders announced Thursday that they had enough petition signatures of lawmakers to convene a special session at 6:30 p.m. on May 18 - just 30 minutes after the regular session ends.
 
 It will mark the first time in Missouri history that a Legislature has called itself into a special session.
 
 The move comes as Greitens faces two felony charges - one related to a 2015 extramarital affair and the other to using a charity donor list for his gubernatorial campaign.
 
 If the House votes to impeach Greitens, the Senate would choose a judicial panel to conduct a trial on whether to remove him from office.

(KNZA)--Plans for the Hiawatha street sales tax project move forward.

The City Commission this week voted to solicit bids for the project, which will include improvements to various city streets.

If everything falls into place, the goal is to open bids on June 12th and award the project on June 18th.

The Commission also approved a resolution of intent to issue $6 million in bonds for the project, which will be paid off with the proceeds from a half-cent sales tax approved by Hiawatha voters in 2016.

City Administrator Mike Nichols says the resolution must be published twice in the local newspaper, and then is subject to a 30-day protest period.

The city will be required to utilize private interim financing until the project is complete. 

In addition, the Commission approved an amendment to the contract with the project engineer, BG Consultants.

Nichols says the amendment adds bidding and limited construction services at a cost of $30,000.

(KNZA)--A local Kansas legislator is seeking re-election to the Kansas House of Representatives.

According to the Kansas Secretary of State’s website, St. Marys Republican Francis Awerkamp filed Tuesday for re-election to a second term representing the  61st District.

The 61st District includes most of Jackson and Pottawatomie Counties.

Awkerkamp is the first candidate to file for the position.

He was first elected to the Kansas House in 2016.

Candidates have until noon, June 1st to file.

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

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

The hearing for 19-year-old Nicholas Miller was postponed Wednesday to July 11th at the request of his attorney.   

During the preliminary hearing, a judge will determined if there is sufficient evidence for Miller to be bound over for trial.

A judge in November found Miller competent to stand trial based on an evaluation conducted by KANZA Mental Health.  The judge in August granted a motion by Miller’s attorney for the competency evaluation.

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

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

(KNZA)--The city of Holton will hold its annual city-wide spring cleanup day Saturday, May 5th.

City residents can dispose of their unwanted items for free at the Countryside Park on the south edge of Holton from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Unacceptable items include household trash, tires, paint, oil, gasoline, hazardous materials, chemicals and batteries.  Yard waste also will not be accepted, but may instead be taken to the city’s brush disposal site on East 8th Street at no charge.

Some hazardous materials and chemicals will be collected for disposal by Jackson County’s hazardous waste department, which will set up a trailer at the collection site. Also Tire Cutters will be on hand for tire disposal, charging a discounted rate for each car or truck tire for disposal.

(MSC News)--Elwood Police have confirmed a vehicle is still sitting at the bottom of the Missouri River after a suspect drove into the water late Sunday night.

KQ2-TV is reporting that around 10:00 Sunday night, officers were called to the Missouri River where a vehicle was driven into the water near Elwood, in Doniphan County.

Officers have one person of interest, but no arrests have been made.

The incident is still under investigation with the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Department.

Elwood Police Chief Larry Hunsaker said officers plan to have the vehicle removed from the river at some point Friday.

Information on Facebook is being circulated that the sunken vehicle is connected to an alleged kidnapping that occured the same evening, south of St. Joseph near Dearborn.

Mark Brock, Investigation Captain of the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department told the TV station the department will neither confirm nor deny the alleged kidnapping occurred at all.

Brock said the department will not comment on if the alleged kidnapping is related to the vehicle in the river. The incident is still under investigation with the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department

(KNZA)--A second candidate has filed for one of two positions up for election this fall on the Hiawatha City Commission.  

The Brown County Clerk’s Office says John D. Merchant Jr. filed Thursday for the position of Commissioner of Finance.

Merchant is the first candidate to file for the position, which is currently held by longtime Commissioner Bill Collins.

Collins filed Monday for the position of mayor.

Current Mayor Dr. Steffen Shamburg has announced he will not seek  re-election and plans to step down in June.  The Commission will have to appoint an interim mayor to serve until January.

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

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

(KLZA)--Strong storms caused damage at Big Lake, Missouri Wednesday evening. 

Winds estimated at 50  - 65 miles per hour  damaged trees, damaged some outbuildings and turned at least one boat sitting on a trailer upside down.  

Richardson County Emergency Management reported a tree at the Rulo Cemetery was struck by lighting and power was out in Rulo for a short period due to the storm.

A radar indicated tornado dissipated as soon as it started to form in the Verdon area according to Storm Spotters.  

Another round of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to develop Thursday afternoon and evening mainly south of I-80.
 

(KMZA)--The Kansas Fur Harvesters Association will hold its annual convention this fall in Seneca.

District 5 director Jim Buser informed the Nemaha County Commission Monday that the organization has selected Seneca for its 45th annual convention, which will take place October 5th-7th at the Nemaha County Fairgrounds. 

The group previously held their annual convention in Seneca in 2015.

Buser asked the Commission for permission to use the recycling building on the  fairgrounds and the lean-to near the county shop.  The group will also use the community building.

In addition, Buser spoke with Commissioners about adding some outlets on the outside of some of the buildings so people can plug their campers in and stay on the fairgrounds during the weekend event.

Commissioners agreed to the requests.

Buser said that he expects between 1,000 to 2,000 people to attend.

In other business, the Commission approved the appropriation of $30,000 from the Broxterman Estate funds to  Nemaha County Fire District #6 for the construction of an addition to the current fire station in Centralia.

The city and fire department will also provide funding for the project, which is projected to cost nearly $108,000.

Representatives of the Fire District told Commissioners that the building currently used to house an ambulance in Centralia has been sold and the it will have to be moved to another location.

They suggested adding a 50 by 60 foot addition to the current fire station in order to free up space for the ambulance.   

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Federal officials say a Jackson County emergency medical technician is charged with stealing morphine from ambulances or offices.
 
The U.S. Attorney's office said in a news release that 32-year-old Colby Vanwagoner, of Mayetta, is charged with two counts of tampering with consumer products and one count of making a false statement to federal investigators.
 
A grand jury indictment returned April 26 and unsealed Wednesday alleges the crimes occurred when Vanwagoner was working for the Jackson County Emergency Medical Service in Holton.
 
Prosecutors say Vanwagoner would replace morphine with saline solution and return the vials to narcotic boxes. The concentration of morphine in some vials was 1 percent or less.
 
Online court records do not name an attorney for Vanwagoner.
 

(KLZA)--A Falls City business is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for stealing property this past weekend.

3-State Stockyards is offering a one-thousand dollar reward for information. 

Sometime between Saturday, April 28th and Monday the 30th a late model 1970's Chevy flatbed pickup with a Miller, Bobcat Welder, cutting torch and tools was stolen from the facility on the south edge of Falls City.

 The owners are urging anyone with information to contact the Richardson County Sheriff's Office or 3-State Stockyards.  

(KNZA)--Representatives of the Kansas Department Transportation met with the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening to discuss a recent KDOT study which recommend that the traffic signals at 1st and Oregon be removed and the intersection be controlled by stop signs.

Commissioners have voiced their opposition to such a change, citing safety concerns as the intersection leads to the high school.  

The Commission was told the city could keep the traffic signals, but no upgrades would be allowed by the state.

Mayor Steffen Shamburg says he feels traffic signals are the safety way to go, but indicated he would be open to being convinced otherwise.

The KDOT officials suggested a special independent traffic study be conducted that would look at the entire First Street corridor.

The study would include periods of time using flashing red lights, a four-way stop and a two-way stop at the intersection.

There would be no cost to the city for the study, which would likely begin in the fall.

(KAIR)--The vehicle belonging to a Jackson County woman, missing for more than two-years, has been located, and a body found inside. 

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig told MSC Radio News the vehicle belonging to Joan Rebar was discovered in a farm pond south of Meriden. “The owner [of the property] was mowing [Tuesday afternoon] and seen the top of the car,” Herrig said Wednesday afternoon, as crews worked nearby to drain the pond.

With nearly 50 people on the scene assisting, the pond was drained by Wednesday evening, and Herrig said the body was found inside the vehicle. It's not immediately confirmed if the body is that of Rebar. "The vehicle was towed to the KBI lab for processing...and to also have the pathologist work on the body there, as well," Herrig stated.  

Herrig said it's possible identification could be made by Friday. 

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, since the time of Rebar's disappearance, helped spearhead the effort to locate her in order to bring closure to her family. “She's one of our people here, and somebody who I knew personally,” Morse told MSC News. “She was a mother, and a grandmother, and loved by many, many people. So, we wanted to do everything we possibly could to find her, to bring her home, if possible.”

Morse acknowledged the effort of those who worked throughout the 2 ½ year investigation, and those who worked Wednesday as part of the recovery effort. “Sheriff Herrig and his investigators, along with other agencies, helped at the very beginning with us. We put together a task force which is still working as of today, and will be for some weeks to come. Now we're here and offering our support to Sheriff Herrig now that this has turned out to be his case, and we're going to provide whatever resources we can to help.”

Along with the Jefferson and Jackson County Sheriff's Offices, Morse said the KBI, the Overland Park Water Rescue and Recovery Unit, and the Potawatomi Tribal Police Department assisted at the scene.

Rebar, who resided on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Reservation, spent the evening of September 25, 2015 in Jefferson County, at the Meriden VFW.

The investigation showed she left the establishment, alone, shortly before 2:00 the next morning.

A friend reported Rebar missing five days later.

(MSC News)--A tornado watch remains in effect until 1:00 Thursday morning for the northeast Kansas Counties of Atchison, Doniphan and Leavenworth.

The watch also includes local northwest Missouri counties, including Buchanan and Platte. 

(KLZA)--The Pawnee City Swimming Pool is scheduled to open for the season on Saturday, May 26.

During the April 23rd City Council meeting it was noted the pool hours will be changed this year. The pool will be open Sunday through Wednesday from 1 in the afternoon til 6. Thursday, Friday and Saturday the pool will remain open until 8 in the evening.

The pool upgrades are continuing. The liner cannot be applied until the low temperature each day is 55 degrees or above.

It was also noted during the meeting that during the pool renovation a 3/4-inch copper pipe, not found in the blueprints was cut off and cemented over.

Recently, it was discovered this was a “live” water pipe. You can hear water running in the girls' restroom.

City Foreman Clint Johnson and city crew members have been removing concrete to locate the pipe so it can be capped off.  However, the Premier Pools employees that cut the pipe off are no longer working for the company and the company has no idea where the rest of the pipe is located.

Rural Water is going to use their “listening” device to see if they can locate the pipe to cap it off.

(KAIR)--Funeral services are set for the former Atchison resident who was shot to death in Colorado.

According to the obituary from Atchison's Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home for Marcus Denton, the 20-year-old will be laid to rest Saturday at Atchison's Oak Hill Cemetery. That will follow services Saturday morning at 11:00 at the Shiloh Baptist Church, in Atchison.

Denton was one of two who were killed in a shooting on the night of April 21 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

According to The Denver Post, Denton and 21-year-old Serena Lee Garcia, of Parker, Colorado, were found dead in a car in Colorado Springs. Both had gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Fox21 News, two 19-year-old men are in custody in connection with the case.

Nashid Rivers and Marquis Hazard both face charges of first-degree murder.

According to Denton's girlfriend, Lauren Pierce, of Atchison, Denton was living in Colorado Springs at the time of his death.

His survivors include his parents, Mark and Olivia Denton, along with his grandparents, John and Barb Oliver, and two brothers and a sister.

(KMZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Pottawatomie County community of Westmoreland.

The advisory was issued Tuesday because of a line break, which caused a loss of pressure.

Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

KDHE says laboratory testing samples collected from the city indicate no evidence of contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by the agency to be resolved.

(KLZA)-- Following a lengthy discussion during the April 23rd meeting of the Pawnee City Council, an ordinance was approved to allow “paving districts” to be created so financing can be set up to pay for the planned street improvement project. 

Brad Slaughter with JEO Engineers suggested via phone, the Council approve the ordinance.  

Much of the discussion  focused on the definition of a “paving district,” designated streets in each of the three paving districts and if some streets could be moved to other districts or if it were possible to create additional districts.  

Council member Ric Helms said he felt the ordinance was not correct based on the street improvement meetings he attended.  

The Council learned that once the districts are approved, they cannot be changed. 

Mayor Charlie Hatfield said the ordinance should be passed so the City could move forward with the project and take bids to see if the City can afford the project.    

Following discussion, the Council unanimously approved the ordinance which creates three street improvement districts and authorizes construction of street improvements.  

Once approved, the Council then voted unanimously to suspend the three readings of the ordinance making if official. 

A public hearing is scheduled for May 29th at 7:05 p.m., to hear comments on the creation of the  Street Improvement Districts. 

(KNZA)--The Jackson County Fair will not include a carnival this year.

That word is delivered in a press release issued by the Jackson County Fair Association.

According to the release, the carnival contractor hired for the 2017 Fair was too costly for 2018.

The operator, according to the release, wanted the Fair Board to sign a contract guaranteeing a payment of $40,000; and with operations relying on funds allotted by Jackson County, donations provided by the community, and rental fees, the price tag was not feasible.

Following what the release calls “an extensive search,” no other carnival contractor could be secured for the 2018 Fair.

However, the release notes that despite the “agonizing” but “logical” decision to not have a carnival at the Fair, a Fall Carnival is planned instead.

Contracting with Jones and Company, the Jackson County Fall Carnival will be held August 16 through the 18 at the Northeast Kansas Heritage Complex, two weeks after the Jackson County Fair.

According to the release, the Fair Association plans to secure a carnival company for the 2019 Fair.

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle Shawnee County wreck early Tuesday evening sent a Holton teenager to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 15-year-old Tressa Henry was southbound on U.S. 75 Highway, south of Lower Silver Lake Road,  when her Buick Lacrosse left the roadway for an unknown reason.  Henry overcorrected, and her vehicle rolled into the center median.

Henry was transported to Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Hospital with unspecified injuries.

The Patrol says she was buckled up when the wreck occurred shortly after 5:30 Tuesday evening.

(KMZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the Pottawatomie County community of Westmoreland.

The advisory was issued Tuesday because of a line break which caused a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

KDHE says customers should boil the water they use for drinking or food preparation for one minute prior to use or use bottled water.

The boil advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

(KAIR)--Setting a goal to give the youth of Atchison something to look forward to.

That's what an Atchison couple, seeking the City's assistance in the creation of a skateboard park, hopes to see as their idea advances. “We just want to stay on top of it, so we're not brushed under the table, or not that important, not needed, and then, a year from now, we're at the same spot,” said Pam Cline during a special meeting April 30 of the Atchison Parks and Forestry Board. Cline, along with her significant other, Jeremy Watkins, is working to see the skateboard park built in honor of Cline's 17-year-old son, Joshua Kinsman, who died in January.

The project, long discussed with the Parks and Forestry Board, was brought by Cline and Watkins to the City Commission on April 16.

At that time, they explained their goal was to place the skatepark on private property located in the area of 10th and Commercial Streets, in Atchison.

That concept was addressed again during the special Parks and Forestry Board meeting.

Assistant Public Works Director Justin Pregont, during the session, outlined a list of reasons, including limitations of upkeep, as to why the best plan to gain City Commission approval to make the project a reality is to locate it on existing city owned park property. “You're certainly free to pursue developing the project proposal that you want, on whatever property it is that you want, but I can't tell you with certainty that the Commission is going to be willing, when it comes time to do that, to say yes, we're going to buy that property, or yes, we're going to accept it, because of x, y, and z.”

Discussion led to one possible alternative, Atchison's Reisner Park, located at 10th and Kearney. “My only concern [with] Reisner Park, there's a lot of residents down there,” Cline stated during the meeting, referring to concerns of neighbors of the park becoming disgruntled with a skatepark being located there. Issues of limited parking in the area of the park were also noted.

Ultimately it was decided that Cline and Watkins will meet regularly with city staff as they work to conceptualize the park, and to formulate costs, for the project.

Pregont explained that the goal is to have that process finalized in time to be presented at the City Commission's June 18 capital project budget workshop.

The matter is also expected to be addressed at the Parks and Forestry Board's next meeting on the evening of May 14.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri House has voted to legalize medical marijuana.

The bill is partially a response to ballot initiatives that aim to give voters the opportunity to legalize medical marijuana outside of the Legislature's control.

The House bill, approved Tuesday in a 112-44 vote, would allow anyone over 18 with a terminal disease to use smokeless medical marijuana. People with Alzheimer's disease, cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder and several of other conditions would also be eligible.

Proponents say this could help ease suffering for a variety of patients. Opponents say legalizing medical marijuana could make it easier for kids to get access.

With less than three weeks left in the legislative session, the bill now heads to the Senate.

(KLZA)-- The latest National Weather Service forecast is calling for a chance of severe thunderstorms late this afternoon and evening. 

There is an enhanced risk of severe storms along and south of the Platte River in Nebraska and toward I80 in Iowa. Some of these storms could contain very large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes. 

Locally heavy rainfall will also accompany any storms that develop, with a slight risk of excessive rainfall possible in southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa if storms can repeat over the same areas.

High to Very High Fire Danger can be expected across southwest
Iowa and parts of far southeast Nebraska this afternoon where
southerly winds will increase to 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30
mph.
The frontal boundary remains stalled in the region Wednesday,which could trigger additional severe storms Wednesday afternoon and evening, generally south of Interstate 80.

There is an enhanced risk of severe storms Wednesday as well. There is a slight risk for severe storms across southeast Nebraska and southern Iowa again Thursday as the system finally makes its way out of the region.
 

(KNZA)--Longtime 1st District Brown County Commissioner Steve Roberts is seeking re-election.

The Brown County Clerk's Office says Roberts, a Republican, filed Monday for another 4-year term.

He is the first candidate to file for the position, which is the only county office up for election this fall.

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

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

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau has relocated it’s offices to a new location.

As of Tuesday, the new offices are open at 801 Oregon Street.

Chamber Board President Kate Miller said on their Facebook page that the organization outgrew their old space in the Brown County Historical Society’s downtown Memorial Auditorium where they had been located for the past couple of years.

The Chamber Board decided to move to a more visible location.

Chamber and Visitors Bureau Director Elizabeth Lane told The Hiawatha World the new location will offer easier access and a fresh new look.

Lane says plans are to hold an open house at a future date.
 

(KNZA)--Longtime Hiawatha City Commissioner Bill Collins is seeking election to the position of mayor.

The Brown County Clerk's Office says Collins, who currently serves as commissioner of finance, filed Monday.   He has served on the Commission since 1993.

Collins is the first candidate to file for mayor.

He ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2015, losing by just a two-vote margin to current Mayor Dr. Steffen Shamburg.

Shamburg has announced he will not be seeking re-election and plans to step down in June.   The Commission will have to appoint an interim mayor to serve until January.

The position of mayor along with the position of commissioner of finance are up for election in November.

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

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

(KMZA)--A Bern, Kansas man wants to serve as Magistrate Judge for Nemaha County. 

According to an email sent to MSC News by Scott Anson, he filed by petition in Topeka to seek election to the 22nd district position.

His filing is confirmed by election documentation posted on the Kansas Secretary of State's website, which indicates Anson petition was verified April 23. 

Anson is challenging fellow Republican Elizabeth Deiter, of Sabetha, who currently holds the position. 

According to the Secretary of State's website, she filed for re-election on March 1. 

Anson has unsuccessfully sought election to the position in the past. All candidates seeking election in the August 7 primary must file by 12 noon on Friday, June 1 to be eligible. 

The general election will be held November 6.

(KNZA)--A Holton man accused of child-related sex crimes involving a girl under the age of 14 has entered a plea in the case.

According to Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller, Chaz Zibell pleaded no contest Friday in Jackson County District Court to two counts of felony lewd and lascivious behavior.

Sentencing is scheduled for the morning of June 15.

Part of his sentencing will require that the 19-year-old Zibell register as a sexual offender for 15-years.

He was originally charged with six counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of aggravated indecent soliciation of a child.

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 pornographic pictures. The alleged offenses occurred between July and November of 2015.

Zibell remains free on a $10,000 bond.