OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will more than double the amount of water released into the Missouri River from the river's lower-most dam over the coming weeks.
 
 Releases from Gavins Point Dam, between Nebraska and South Dakota, were reduced to 24,000 cubic feet per second in mid-June due to high flows downstream of the Missouri River reservoir system.
 
The Corps said in a news release Friday that Gavins Point releases will be stepped up over the next several days, reaching approximately 50,000 cubic feet per second by early to mid-July, as downstream flows drop off.  The Corps says releases from all Missouri River reservoir system dams will be maintained at higher-than-average rates over the next several months.
 
 The announcement came as the river at Omaha crested at nearly 29 feet due to recent heavy rains, causing minor flooding of low-lying areas, mostly on the Iowa side.
 
 Levels downriver, including in Kansas and Missouri, will also be affected.

(KMZA)--A single-vehicle Marshall County wreck late Friday night left an Oketo man injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 28-year-old Eric Cook was northbound on 16th Road, north of Jayhawk Road, when his pickup truck went into the west ditch.  Cook lost control of the vehicle, which overturned.

He was transported to Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville.

The Patrol says Cook was not wearing a seatbelt when the wreck happened shortly before 11:00.      

(MSC News)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Robinson located in Brown County. 

The advisory was issued Tuesday because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

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

Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Robinson indicate no evidence of contamination, and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man goes to jail, arrested Wednesday on drug related charges.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News 42-year-old Paul Blakley was arrested during a traffic stop. “It was around 10:30 on Wednesday evening when we had a traffic stop in an alleyway in the 400 block of Commercial that evolved into a drug investigation that led to the arrest of Blakley.”

Blakley was taken into custody on charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

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

(KNZA)--Girard National Bank, which has several local branches, has announced that it will change its name and all branch location names to GNBank, effective July 2nd.

Previously, branch locations, including Hiawatha, Holton and Horton National Banks as well as GNB Mortgage, all operated under individual trade names.

According to a news release, there are no ownership or bank structure changes occurring other than the change in the bank’s name.  

The release says use of a single brand will allow GNBank to serve its customers better through a common name at all of its banking facilities  The name change will simplify a customer’s ability to conduct transactions at any GNBank location, without any disruption to customers’ banking services.

“In today’s world of online, mobile, telephone and debit card banking channels and services, we felt it was important to have a high-quality, recognizable and consistent brand for our customers,” said Mark Schifferdecker, President & CEO. “When our customers see the GNBank name or logo, they can expect the same great service and friendly faces wherever they are.”

GNBank’s name change coincides with its celebration of 100 years of business. The family-owned and operated bank was established in 1918 in Girard, Kansas, and began expanding in 1986 with branch facilities in other communities vested in agriculture and small businesses.

(KMZA)--An additional stretch of a Nemaha County, Kansas road will be improved this summer.

The Nemaha County Commission Monday accepted a bid from Bergkamp Construction, of Wichita, to re-do an additional 4 miles of the Sabetha-Wetmore Road or W Road, north U.S. 36, at a cost of $422,400.

The company will grind the current pavement, pour a concrete base and put down a chip and seal surface.

In other business, a group of Nemaha County residents and representatives with the Forbes Law Group came before the board to speak to commissioners about adopting a resolution that would reiterate current Kansas state law concerning the ownership of agricultural land by corporate land owners.  County Attorney Brad Lippert was also present for the discussion.

No decision was made by the Commission.

Sheriff Rich Vernon informed Commissioners one of the new patrol cars recently hit a deer and will have to be repaired.  Vernon said the other new patrol car is now in and is being prepared to be used on the road.

And the Commission approved a quote submitted by Epoxy Coating Specialists for $11,179 to replace the flooring in the new driver’s license office at the Pioneer Building.

(KNZA)--A Leavenworth motorcyclist who lead authorities on a three-county pursuit in late February has been placed on probation.

36-year-old Stephen Cox was sentenced Wednesday in Doniphan County District Court on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer and driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked.

Cox was given a 15-month suspended prison sentence and placed on one year supervised probation.

He pleaded no contest to the charges in May.  In exchange for the plea, seven other charges were dismissed.

Cox was arrested February 28th after leading authorities on a pursuit that began in Leavenworth County, traveled through Atchison County, and ended in Doniphan County.

Cox reportedly dumped his motorcycle and surrendered to authorities after coming to a dead end on a Doniphan County road.   

(KNZA)--The annual Pony Express re-ride is underway and the riders will pass through the local area Saturday before reaching their final designation in St. Joseph, Missouri.

By horse and rider relays commemorative letters and personal mail are being carried 1,966 miles through eight states to celebrate the Pony Express mail service that operated from April 1860 to November 1861.  

The first rider left Old Sacramento, California on June 20th, and the last rider is to arrive at the Patee House Museum in St. Joseph Saturday evening.

The riders are to make stops in Marysville, Seneca and Horton for about 15 minutes, giving people a chance to meet and visit with them.   The re-ride is scheduled to arrive in Marysville around 2:15 Saturday morning; Seneca,  around 9:15 in the morning and Horton, around 2:15 in the afternoon.

In Seneca, a fund-raiser breakfast will be served at the Pony Express Museum, beginning at 7:30 Saturday morning, and the museum will be open for visitors from 7:30 to 2:00.

600 riders are taking part in the re-ride conducted by the National Pony Express Association.  Riding relays of 1 to 5 miles, they take turns transporting a mail filled mochila.

(KNZA)--Hiawatha residents can set off  fireworks at the City Lake, beginning Saturday.

They can set off Saturday until midnight.  Sunday and Monday until 10:00 p.m.  Tuesday until midnight and Wednesday, July 4th until 10:00 p.m.     

Its against city ordinance for residents to set off fireworks in the city limits.

The city will hold its fireworks display Tuesday evening at dusk along Windmill Lane at the Ag Museum.

The event is sponsored by the Hiawatha and Robinson Volunteer Fire Departments.

Prior to the fireworks display, around 7:30, the Community Jazz Band will play near Noble Park.

(KLZA)--A vacancy has been filled on the City Council in Pawnee City.

During the Monday evening meeting, the Council confirmed Mayor Charlie Hatfield's appointment of Donnie Fisher to fill the remaining term of office for Mark Sunneberg Jr. who resigned earlier this month.

Fisher will serve until December. If he decided to seek the seat during the November General Election he would have to run as a write-in candidate.

The Council also learned Pawnee City is one of seven Nebraska communities from 193 applicants for a USDA-Rural Community Development Initiative Grant.

The amount of the grant has not yet been determined, but will help cover training costs for members of the community interested in receiving training to participate in various community programs.

(KMZA)--A Marshall County couple has claimed the top prize of $1,000 a day for life in the Kansas Lottery's Lucky for Life game.

According to the Kansas Lottery, the couple arrived at Lottery headquarters in Topeka Wednesday to claim the prize.

The winners, who chose to remain anonymous, matched all five numbers and the Lucky Ball on a Quick Pick ticket in Monday's drawing.

The couple didn't check their tickets until Wednesday, even though they knew that someone had won the big prize.

For ten years now, the couple said they have bought tickets twice a week for the draw games.

The couple opted to take the cash option instead of the annuity prize, which is $5.75 million dollars before taxes. The prize is large enough for both of them to consider retiring early and quitting their jobs.

The couple say they plan to use their newfound free time and money to get back into old hobbies and to take a few trips they’ve been putting off.

The winning ticket was sold at CJ Express in Marysville.  

(KLZA)--The Richardson County Sheriff's Office is investigating a number of recent theft reports.  

Wednesday a two-wheel trailer used to haul a lawn mower was stolen from an area farmstead.

A riding lawn mower was also reported stolen this week.

Sgt. Jonathan Kirkendall reported the Sheriff's Department recovered a stolen pickup in Rulo on Monday. The pickup was reported stolen from St. Joseph.

Anyone with information, or  if you might have noticed something suspicious is asked to contact the Richardson County Sheriff's Office at 402-245-2479.  

(KNZA)--Stockholders of Hiawatha-based Ag Partners Cooperative and Seneca-based Nemaha County Cooperative Association voted Thursday on a proposed merger, and according to representatives close to the coops, the merger is approved.

The voting happened at separate meetings at the Fisher Center in Hiawatha and Corning Community Center in Corning.

A two-thirds majority vote of the voting members present at each meeting was required to pass the unification.

Now that it's approved, the merger becomes effective September 1st.

The new consolidated company will be known as Ag Partners Cooperative, Inc. and the corporate office will be located in Seneca.

The new unified cooperative will be overseen by a 14 member board consisting of seven current members from each cooperative.

The board of directors of both cooperatives agreed unanimously in May to pursue the merger, citing economic dynamics, pressures and competition.

The boards say the merger will strengthen both companies and provide a more efficient utilization of assets.

(KLZA)--Extreme heat is forecast for the next several days.  The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services wants residents to know there are services available for those who need help beating the heat.

Part of that help is an offer to pay the air conditioning bills of the most vulnerable Nebraskans.

Another way the department is trying to help is through an outreach program that gives cooling fans to Nebraskans in need.

Fans are distributed through local organizations. Richardson County residents that need fans to help stay cool may contact the Southeast Nebraska Community Action office.  In Falls City the number is 402-245-5284.

To find out if a local organization near you is participating contact your nearest DHHS office.

 For more information, go to the access Nebraska website, or call 1-800-383-4278.

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph man accused of deliberately driving his pickup truck into the Missouri River near Elwood in April is now facing multiple charges.

43-year-old Patrick Bennett has been charged in Doniphan County District Court with criminal littering on public property, interference with law enforcement officers, failure to stop, leaving the scene of an accident, driving while license suspended, canceled or revoked  and driving while being a habitual violator.

Authorities say he allegedly drove his 2005 Chevy Silverado into the river late April 29th.

The following the day, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism used sonar equipment to locate the vehicle.

It was recovered from about 14 feet of water, south of the boat ramp area, on May 4th.

Multiple state and local agencies participated in the recovery efforts.    
 

(KAIR)--A Jefferson County rollover wreck early Thursday left an Iowa resident with disabling injuries.

That's according to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, which states 36-year-old Stephen Blomberg was eastbound on U.S. Highway 24, just west of Elm Street, in Perry, when the wreck happened.

According to the Patrol, Blomberg failed to negotiate a curve on the highway, which sent his car off the right side, where it rolled over twice.

Blomberg, who the Patrol says was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Healthcare for treatment.

The crash happened just after midnight Thursday.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central Board of Education has selected the building projects it wants to put out for bids.

During a special meeting Tuesday evening, the Board voted to seek bids for three projects. 

The base bid will be for a four-classroom addition that would tie together the district's two school buildings.  In addition, the Board will seek alternate bids for the renovation of the high school restrooms and replacement of the hallway flooring along with a greenhouse for the new FFA/Vo-Ag program.

The projects are among six the Board had been considering.

The cost of the classroom addition has been estimated at $1.6 to $1.85 million.  The restroom remodeling and flooring replacement has been estimated at $150,000 to $185,000, and the greenhouse at $270,000.

Superintendent Darrel Kohlman told the Board $100,000 in grants and donations have been received so far for the greenhouse project.

The Board is looking at paying for the projects with existing funding through the district's capital outlay, contingency reserve and general funds.

During their June 11th meeting, the Board selected Bern-based AHRS Construction to manage construction services for the building projects.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Sheriff Don Pounds discussed replacing a patrol vehicle when he met with Commissioners Tuesday.

Pounds presented a purchase order for either a 2017 or 2016 Dodge Charger from Kansas Highway Patrol Fleet Sales.

Commissioners took no action, but a notice will be published to give the public notice of intent to make a determination for a special purchase that is of significant savings and only available for a limited time.

A 2016 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicle with a fully equipped patrol package including lights and a siren with 49,500 miles, is available for $19-thousand. A 2017 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicle already set up and 49,500 miles on it is available for $20-thousand.

The purchase will be considered by the Board during their July 10th meeting.

(KMZA)--Two inmates who escaped from the Marshall County Jail last October have pleaded not guilty to charges.

The Marysville Advocate reports Jeffrey Guenther and Matson Hatfield were arraigned Tuesday in Marshall County District Court.

The men are charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder along with multiple other charges.

A jury trial was set, beginning October 29th.  However, attorney’s for both men plan to ask for separate trials.   That’s to be taken up during a pre-trial hearing August 17th.     

Authorities allege the two men lit a cell on fire and obtained two shotguns while escaping from the jail October 14th.

Hatfield fled to a nearby home and surrendered a short time later.  Guenther  allegedly stole a pickup and lead authorities on a chase.  He was arrested after rolling the truck in rural Gage County, Nebraska.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says shots were fired at a Marysville Fire Department truck and a man in front of a home.  No one was hurt.

The Kansas Attorney General’s office is prosecuting the case with the help of Marshall County Attorney Laura Johnson-McNish.       

(KLZA)--Following several years of planning, building upgrades, a trip across the ocean and across the country, the new Falls City electrical generating engine is nearly ready to go into service.  

City Administrator Gary Jorn updated the City Council on the project during their June 18th meeting. The City accepted the new engine earlier this month.  Following emissions testing the generator should be on-line.

The engine is made by the Wartsila company out of Finland and will provide more than 9.3 megawatts of electricity when called upon to do so.

The entire project to purchase the engine, installation and necessary changes comes at a price tag of more than $11-million.

(KNZA)--A Topeka man is in custody in Jackson County following the recovery of a stolen vehicle.

According to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, a deputy observed a dark blue Chevy Impala near Mayetta on 150th Road around 12:45 Tuesday afternoon.

Morse says the deputy determined the vehicle to be stolen out of the city of Overbrook.

The driver, 25-year-old Gino Vincent Vicchiullo, was arrested for possession of stolen property.

Vicchiullo was booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KLZA)--Pawnee County Sheriff Jayme Reed and County Clerk Candi Nicholas met with the County Board of Commissioners regarding Courthouse safety during the June 19th Board meeting.

A new safety committee has been set up and one person from each office will be on the committee.

Reed will call the U.S. Marshall's office to come to Pawnee County and tour the courthouse and make recommendations for safety.

Reed will be working with the various courthouse offices to scheduled the first meeting of the new safety committee.

(KLZA)-- Flooding is expected to continue through the middle of next week along the Missouri River impacting Southeast Nebraska, Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas. 

The National  Weather Service has revised the crest of the river at various gauges with the predictions now trending lower than originally expected. 

At Brownville the Thursday mid-morning river reading was 37.6 feet. That is 4.6 feet above flood stage. The crest now predicted at 39.5 feet Friday evening. 

At Rulo the crest is now predicted for early Saturday morning at 22.6 feet,  more than 5.5 feet above the 17-foot flood stage. The river reading at  Rulo  Thursday morning was 19.85 feet.

At Nebraksa City the river reading at mid-morning was 22.6 feet with a crest predicted at 23 feet early Friday morning.  Flood stage is 18 feet. 

The crest at St. Joseph is predicted at 21.8 feet.  Nearly 5 feet above the 17-foot flood stage. The river level at mid-morning Thursday was 18.65 feet. 

The forecast for the river crest at Atchison is now down to 1.2 feet above flood stage at 23.2 feet Saturday morning.  The river level Thursday morning was 20.94 feet.  Flood stage at Atchison is 22-feet.  

(KAIR)--The City of Atchison has selected a former Atchison resident to serve as the Director of Administrative Services.

A news release from Atchison City Manager Becky Berger announces that Joe Warren has been chosen for the role, which the news release calls “a newly created position within the executive team.”

The release says the position's responsibilities include finance, community development, and communications for the City of Atchison.

Warren, who currently serves as the editor and publisher of The Daily Star-Journal, in Warrensburg, Missouri, previously held that same title with The Atchison Globe, where he worked for eight years.

Berger, in the release, says Warren, who moved from Atchison in 2015, was chosen following his completion of a 24-hour interview process. During that time, he interviewed with three different panels, including one comprised of community members, one of experts in finance and community development,and one comprised of the department heads for the City.

Berger cites Warren's 15-years of managerial experience, 18-years of mass communications experience, and 10-years of budgeting and forecasting experience as reasons for his selection.

Warren, in the release, calls Atchison “a special community,” and says he looks forward to playing his role in helping Atchison be as dynamic as possible.

Warren officially begins his duties as Director of Administrative Services on July 23.

Berger tells MSC News the City screened ten applicants for the position, with eight of the candidates interviewed by telephone.

From that pool, four were chosen to undergo the on-site interview process, which led to the selection of Warren.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the Brown County Community of Robinson.

The advisory was issued Tuesday due to a line break resulting in a loss pressure in the system.  KDHE says failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

The agency says customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

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

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

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

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

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

The advisory will remain in effect until future notice.

(KNZA)--If you play the Kansas Lottery's Lucky for Life game, you should check your tickets as soon as you can.

Lottery officials say a ticket sold in northeast Kansas has won $1,000 a day for the rest of their life.

That lone ticket matched all the numbers in Monday night's drawing. The winning numbers are:  3-31-42-45-48 Lucky Ball: 17

The Kansas Lottery says this is the first time someone in the Sunflower State has won the grand prize since the state joined the game in November 2016. Since that time, two Kansans have won the second prize - $25,000 year for life.

The holder of the winning ticket can collect the $1,000 a day for life or they can cash out with a one-time payment of $5.75 million.

(KLZA)--Unemployment figures dipped in most Southeast Nebraska counties during May. The lone exception was in Nemaha County.

According to the Nebraska Department of Labor, Pawnee County had the largest decline in unemployment, down four-tenths to 2.3 percent.

In Nemaha County, Nebraska the unemployment rate increased two-tenths to 3.6 percent which is the highest jobless rate in the area.

The unemployment rates were down in Richardson and Otoe counties to 2.8 percent.  In Johnson County, the unemployment rate is 3.5 percent and in Gage County the figure is three percent.

Statewide, the unemployment rate for May was steady at 2.8 percent, well below the national unemployment rate of 3.8 percent.

(KNZA)--Stockholders of Hiawatha-based Ag Partners Cooperative and Seneca-based Nemaha County Cooperative Association will vote Thursday, June 28 on a proposed merger.

The voting will take place at separate meetings at the Fisher Center in Hiawatha and Corning Community Center in Corning from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A two-thirds majority vote of the voting members present at each meeting is required to pass the unification.

If approved, the merger would take place September 1st.

The new consolidated company would be known as Ag Partners Cooperative, Inc. and the corporate office would be located in Seneca.  

The unified cooperative would be overseen by a 14 member board consisting of seven current members from each cooperative.

After several months of discussion, the boards of directors of both cooperatives agreed unanimously to pursue the proposed merger citing economic dynamics, pressures and competition.

The boards say the proposed merger would strengthen both companies and provide a more efficient utilization of assets.
   
 

(KAIR)--The future of Atchison's Sacred Heart Catholic Church is being explored.

That's the reason for a meeting planned for Tuesday evening.

According to a Facebook event post, the open parish meeting will begin at 7:00 in the basement of Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, located at 8th and Spring Garden, in Atchison.

According to Facebook event information, the meeting will discuss the reasons why prudence may dictate recommending to the Archbishop to begin the process of closing Sacred Heart Church, what that process would look like, and to hear those affected by the anticipated closure.”

The meeting, hosted by Atchison's St. Benedict Parish, is open to all parishioners.

(KNZA)--The Horton City Commission will move forward with finding a new Interim City Administrator and filling a vacant Commission seat, but will not need to find a new City Clerk.

That's the outcome of a standing room only special meeting of the Commission held Monday evening.

The administrator position became vacant following a 3-2 vote of the Commission June 18 which removed Kim Knudson from that role, while retaining her as City Clerk.

Knudson as of last week did not know if she'd remain in that position, but decided to do so Monday once the Commission answered her concerns and voted to offer her a salary of $22.46 an hour.

She had been receiving $25.88 when serving as both City Clerk and administrator.

On Friday, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jeremy Forkenbrock submitted his letter of resignation; and while he will not comment on the specifics of what led to his decision, the letter eludes to Knudson's position.

Forkenbrock, who voted to remove her from that role, states in the letter that, following the vote, he presented a proposal to Mayor Bryan Stirton to retain the City Clerk position while adding to it the responsibilities of Economic Development, meaning the City Clerk's salary would be restored to the current wages of serving as both City Clerk and Interim City Administrator.

Forkenbrock, in the letter, states that the proposal would have not cost the city more, as it would be funded by economic development dollars proposed by an unspecified local organization.

The Commission Monday made no mention of that proposal, voting to accept his resignation and voting to seek letters of interest from those wanting to serve as Interim City Administrator and from those wanting to fill Forkenbrock's term, which expires in January 2020.  The position is up for election in November 2019.

Interviews for the administrator position will be conducted at the Commission's July 2 meeting. At that same session, the Commission will consider appointing the replacement Park's and Recreation Commissioner. Letters of interest for that role will be accepted until noon Monday.

For now, the seat remains vacant.

Horton Police Chief John Calhoon will temporarily serve as Interim City Administrator, with the Commission Monday evening voting to appoint him to that role until a permanent replacement is hired.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle Monday evening Jackson County wreck claimed the life of an elderly Topeka woman.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says killed in the wreck at the intersection of U.S. 75 Highway and 190th Road about five miles south of Holton was 80-year-old Helen Nolan.

The Patrol reports Nolan was eastbound on 190th when she attempted to cross U.S. 75 and failed to yield to a southbound semi-tractor trailer.  Her PT Cruiser was struck by the semi.

Nolan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The semi driver, 55-year-old St. Marys resident Steven Akin, was not hurt.

The Patrol says both drivers were buckled up when the wreck happened around 7:00.   

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that the state's spending on public schools remains inadequate despite an increase approved earlier this year, but gave the state another year to come up with more funding.

The high court on Monday rejected arguments from the state that a new law phasing in a $548 million increase in funding over five years is enough to provide a "suitable" education for every child as specified in the state constitution. But the court delayed its mandate until June 30, 2019, or until further order of the court.

It was the third time in two years the court declared education funding inadequate. This year's increase came after the GOP-controlled Legislature boosted funding and raised income taxes last year.

The court ruled in a lawsuit filed in 2010 by four school districts. The districts argued that this year's increase still left the state up to $1.5 billion a year short of adequate spending.

(KAIR)--A Sunday evening motorcycle crash sent an Atchison man to the hospital.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Willson told MSC News 29-year-old John Humbard was westbound on Atchison's Harper Drive when he lost control of his motorcycle.

The motorcycle struck a curb, and slid into an embankment in the 600 block of Harper Drive.

According to Wilson, Humbard was transported by private vehicle for hospitalized treatment of unspecified injuries.

The wreck happened around 6:30 Sunday evening.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Council has approved the health insurance renewal for city employees for the next year.

During the June 18th meeting, Dan Duren with Benefit Management updated Council members on the plan.  

Duren said Blue Cross /  Blue Shield originally submitted a   renewal rate with about a five-percent price increase. After going through a prescription underwriting, prices were secured from United Healthcare and Aetna, allowing Benefit Management to go back and  negotiate with Blue Cross / Blue Shield.  

After negotiations, the renewal rate came back with a zero-percent increase after the City Health Insurance Committee approved  increasing the deductible on the traditional policy from $750 to $1,000.

(KAIR)--A Horton City Commissioner has resigned.

That word comes in the agenda for a special Monday evening, June 25 meeting of the Commission.

According to the agenda, the Commission will consider possible action following the resignation of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jeremy Forkenbrock.

The issue is listed on an amended agenda for the meeting, which was to focus on the future of the Interim City Administrator Position following the Commission's decision to remove Kim Knudson from that role.

Forkenbrock was among the three Commissioners who voted 3-2 to make that move during the Commission's June 18 meeting.

Forkenbrock, in his letter of resignation, doesn't outright say why he resigned; however, he does outline a proposal he says he put before Mayor Bryan Stirton, following the vote, to not only retain the City Clerk position, but to add to it the responsibilities of Economic Development, meaning the City Clerk's salary would be restored to the current wages of serving as both City Clerk and Interim City Administrator. Forkenbrock, in the letter, states that proposal would not cost the city more, as it would be funded by economic development dollars proposed by an unspecified local organization.

No reason has been stated as to why Knudson was removed from the administrator's role. She retains her position as Horton City Clerk, but in a June 19 email to MSC News, Knudson said she had not yet made a decision if she will continue in that position.

Also on the agenda for Monday evening's meeting is discussion focused on the repair of the Horton Sewer Plant.

The meeting begins at 6:30 at Horton City Hall.

(KAIR)--The Atchison City Commission's decision to not permanently keep in place stop signs near the Atchison Middle School draws controversy, which leads to a push for public voices to speak out against the decision.

On June 18, the Commission voted to remove the four-way stops at the intersections of 5th and Santa Fe and 6th and Santa Fe.

The stop signs had been put in place at the start of the year on a trial basis.

An event, labeled “Keep Our Kids Safe” is added to Facebook, with the event description saying, “it's time to pack the house” to ask the City Commission to keep the stop signs in place.

Organizing the event is Live Well Live Atchison, which works to promote healthy living within Atchison County.

The event was created by Live Well Executive Director Andrea Clements. “We hope to get any citizens who have concerns about the safety of the children, or pedestrians in general, in the community to express those concerns to the City Commissioners,” Clements told MSC News. “I think the City Commissioners are open, and want to hear that from the community. It's time for the community to stand up and make themselves heard.”

According to the event description, one of the primary goals of the organization “is to create safe walking and biking environments for our children and all pedestrians and bicyclists,” and says that those who also believe it's important to keep kids safe should consider attending the July 2 City Commission meeting to address the issue.

Clements says that she's open to alternatives to the four-way stops, so long as they provide the necessary safety. “We want to come up with something that's more safe for [the students] who are some of the most vulnerable population within our community. We want that intersection around the middle school specifically to be more safe. We are open to working on anything that can be developed that would increase safety for those kids in that area. We also want to be mindful of any costs that any of these measures might take, so it's a balancing act between making sure we're frugal with taxpayer money and keeping our children safe in the community.”

The decision to remove the two four-way stops came when the Commission considered a resolution to keep them in place.

Despite a motion to approve the resolution made by Commissioner Shawn Rizza, no second could be found and the motion failed.

The four-way stops are expected to be removed within 30 to 40 days.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau will hold an open house and ribbon cutting at its new downtown location Tuesday, June 26.

The organization moved last month to its new location at 801 Oregon Street—across the street from Citizen’s State Garden Bank.

The Chamber was previously located in offices in the Brown County Historical Society Memorial Auditorium Museum at 611 Utah.

Chamber and Visitors Bureau Director Elizabeth Lane says the new office provides them with a more visible location. In addition, she says the newly renovated building offers a great deal more general office area as well as a meeting room and storage space.

The Chamber has leased the building, owned by Art Wenger and Associates, for five years.

The public is invited to drop by between 3 and 6 Tuesday afternoon to check out their new office.  A ribbon cutting is set for 5:00.

Light refreshments will be served.

(KNZA)--Voters in Riverside USD 114 will decide during the August primary election whether to authorize a capital outlay levy.

The USD 114 Board of Education voted last month to place the tax levy on the August 7th ballot after a valid protest petition was filed following approval of a capital outlay resolution in February.

If approved by voters, the district would have the authority to levy up to 4.775 mills annually for five years for the capital outlay fund.

According to information provided on the district’s website, the tax levy would generate about $183,000 locally and state matching funds of $75,000 would bring the total annual capital outlay revenue to nearly $258,000.

Currently, the Riverside school district is among only 12 districts in the state without  a capital outlay levy.    

The current source of revenue for the capital outlay fund is an annual transfer from the general fund budget.  During the 2017-18 school year, $300,000 was transferred from the general fund.

The district says funds generated from the new capital outlay levy would be used to replace buses, vehicles, technology, roofs, floors and replace rooftop air conditioning and heating units.

(KAIR)--An 11-year-old girl was behind the wheel of an SUV that crashed into a mailbox, two utility poles, and a house.

It happened Saturday afternoon inside the Atchison city limits, at 324 Woodlawn Avenue.

Atchison County Undersheriff Toby Smith, in a news release, said deputies had attempted to stop the vehicle prior to the crash after the Sheriff's Office was alerted to a reckless driver in the area of U.S. Highway 73 and 310th Road.

When a Deputy located the SUV, it was traveling on the shoulder of the highway, and also into oncoming traffic near 286th Road, where a head-on collision was narrowly avoided.

The Deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver instead sped up, headed eastbound into Atchison where the wreck occurred.

Traveling with the 11-year-old girl was a 7-year-old child.

Both were transported to the Atchison Hospital by Atchison County EMS for precautionary reasons, but they suffered no injuries.

The house struck by the SUV incurred what Smith called significant damage.

Smith said the investigation revealed that the girl had taken the vehicle from Huron without her guardian's knowledge.

Both children were released to guardians.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a new phone scam circulating in the area.

Sheriff John Merchant says a Horton resident recently received a phone call, which on their caller ID showed Horton Police and also showed the actual Horton Police phone number.

The resident was informed they had a warrant issued by the IRS and if they didn't pay $1,000 with Google play cards, they would be arrested.  

The resident was to pay the money due using a phone transaction.

Merchant urges residents not to give out personal information over the phone or computer.  Also he says to never trust your caller ID to identify a caller or phone number as they can be modified to show any person or telephone number.

Merchant says if you have questions or become a victim of a scam, notify your local law enforcement at once.

(KNZA)--A Jackson County traffic stop leads to the arrest of two Topeka men on drug charges.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says a deputy stopped a car near 158th Road and U.S. 75 Highway near Mayetta around 11:30 Saturday night for a traffic infraction.

The driver, 48-year-old Jason Castle, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container.

The passenger, 49-year-old John Santos, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and  possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both men were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man was arrested early Saturday morning in western Jackson County after wrecking his vehicle, and then allegedly stealing another and crashing it with his 4-year-old child as a passenger.

According to a news release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, deputies responded to 18251 B Road shortly before 5:00 after receiving a report of a possible injury wreck near a rural residence.  The report said there was a vehicle in the ditch with its wheels spinning and another vehicle on fire.

When deputies arrived on scene, 32-year-old Adrian Ramirez was arrested.

Morse says it's believed Ramirez' vehicle caught fire after he wrecked it near the residence. He then allegedly entered a shed and stole a 1997 Chevy pickup truck from the residence which he crashed just past the end of the victim's driveway.

Jackson County fire departments and EMS were dispatched to the scene. The fire departments were able to extinguish the vehicle and a grass fire.

Morse says deputies found Ramirez hiding in the pickup bed with his child.  The child was not hurt.

Ramirez was medically evaluated and transported to the Jackson County Jail where he was booked on charges of burglary, felony theft, felony DUI, aggravated child endangerment, driving without an interlock device and failure to report an accident.

(KNZA)--Three Topeka residents accused of stealing electronic products from the Holton Wal-Mart store earlier this month are in custody.

Following the report of the June 15 theft, Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse released photos of the suspects taken at the store, as well as a black Ford car believed to have been used in the theft.

Deputies were able to obtain the tag number on the vehicle and located the car in Topeka on Friday. Deputies identified both of the individuals in the released photos, and a third person was identified as the alleged driver during the theft.

According to a news release from Morse, a deputy observed the car early Saturday morning near Mayetta and initiated a traffic stop.  

The driver and owner of the car, 34-year-old Kristen Dreher was arrested for felony obstruction, illegal registration, no proof of insurance and accessory to theft.  Dreher had been identified as the alleged driver of the same car during the Wal-Mart theft.

A passenger in her car, 40-year-old Sehara Hays, was arrested for felony obstruction and the theft at Wal-Mart.  Hays also had an outstanding warrant for illegal drugs from Reno County, Kansas.

The third suspect, 29-year-old Davis Verrette, was already being held in the Shawnee County Jail on an unrelated theft charge.

Morse says the case is being forwarded to the Jackson County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

(KLZA)--Well over 100 people from all over Richardson County attended a meeting at the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center Wednesday evening hoping for answers concerning the amount of crime in the County.  

Bob Witt of rural Falls City has become the lead person for the “Taking Back Our Community” group recently formed. Witt says the goal is to rid our communities of crime, thinking about our kids and grandchildren.   

Invitations for the meeting were sent out to law enforcement personnel, city and county leaders and both local and state elected officials.  

The Richardson County  Sheriff's Department, Falls City Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, County Attorney Doug Merz and  Deputy Samantha Scheitel all attended as well as other City and County officials.

There were a number of topics that seemed most upsetting to audience members, including the sentences for drug-related crimes that do not result in prison time,  plea agreements that drop felony charges to misdemeanors and the frustration of the number of thefts occurring.  

Law enforcement personnel expressed their displeasure with light sentences.   County Attorney Doug Merz said the prison overcrowding issue has affected the ability of prosecutors to attain prison sentences for some.  Merz said “1st time offenders for non-violent crimes, almost never go to prison for that offense.”

Merz also noted that with limited access to days the judges are in rural counties, it is impossible to push to convict every crime and sometimes, plea agreements are saving tax dollars.  

Sheriff Don Pounds, a long-time critic of the so called “light sentences” says most of the crime is driven by drugs. He urged the public to help law enforcement however they can. He suggested watching your neighborhood because you know when strange vehicles are around. The  sheriff said getting plate numbers is important. He said people could also get in groups of three or four and drive around watching for suspicious activities.

The TBOC group is gathering phone numbers and hopes to set up social media programs to let those interested know when cases are going to court so people can go to  the proceedings as a way to let judges know they are fed up with the “light” sentences.  

 Pounds said even if you are afraid of getting involved, you can make anonymous calls to law enforcement, but said the calls need to be made in a timely manner, deputies are out 24-hours a day.  He said “when criminals know they are being watched,  they move to another area and hopefully out of state.”

Pounds said in his years with the Nebraska State Patrol and now as Sheriff, the best example he has witnessed in how the public can work together with law enforcement is Mothers Against Drunk Driving. He said their organization would be a good blueprint to utilize to help work on the crime problems.  

Lonnie Conley, Commander of the Nebraska State Patrol Investigative Services Division, said that while there is no drug task force in place currently due to a lack of funding, agencies do work together.  He said “it's not like television, law enforcement can't just go break down a door and make arrests. We have to follow the rules.”

Witt encouraged everyone to think about the problems and try to come up with solutions that can be shared.  The next meeting of the Take Back Our  Community group will likely be after the 4th of July.

(KMZA)--Preparations are being made for the construction of a new fire station in the Nemaha County community of Bern.

The old quonset that’s been used as a fire station will be demolished and a new building constructed in its place.

That means the tornado siren located on the building will have to come down too.

Fire Chief Eldon Kaster says while they are temporarily without a warning siren, in case of severe weather, the fire department will drive around town sounding their sirens.

A nearly $240,000 KAN-STEP grant has been awarded through the Kansas Department of Commerce for the construction of a new 3-bay fire station.  The building will also include a meeting/training room, storage room, bathroom and kitchen.

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

(KNZA)--U.S. Senator Jerry Moran will hold a town hall meeting in Holton Saturday morning, June 23.

The Kansas Republican will be at the Hotspot Specialty Coffee Shop located at 124 West 5th Street from 8 to 9.

Area residents are encouraged to attend and share feedback with Moran on the critical issues facing Kansas and the nation.

According to his office, the issues the Senator focuses on and the work he does in Washington D.C., are largely based on the conversations he has with Kansans during town hall meetings.

(KAIR)--The four-way stops at Atchison's 5th and Santa Fe and 6th and Santa Fe are coming down, while those at 3rd and Commercial, 4th and Kansas, and 8th and Commercial will become permanent.

That's the decision made Monday by the Atchison City Commission following a lengthy discussion over the direction to take regarding the stop signs.

Assistant City Manager Justin Pregont brought the issue before the Commission, explaining that city staff maintained that keeping all of the four-way stops in place was the best method for safety. “The reason that this carries a staff recommendation that both [resolutions] be adopted is that we know a couple of things,” Pregont told the Commission. “We know with certainty that both severity and frequency of crashes reduce as speed reduces. That's true for vehicle on vehicle accidents, and that's true for vehicle on pedestrian accidents. We also know that a vehicle travels slowest, and this is going to be a shocker, when it's compelled to stop.”

Ultimately, the Commission decided on a 3-2 vote that the four-way stops located at 3rd and Commercial, 4th and Kansas, and 8th and Commercial should be retained.

Finding approval for the four-way stops at 5th and Santa Fe and 6th and Santa Fe was another matter. Although Commissioner Shawn Rizza made a motion to keep the stop signs in place, no second could be found when Mayor Allen Reavis sought one. "The motion fails for a lack of a second, so we will be removing those stop signs," Reavis stated. 

The four-way stops that will remain in place are located in downtown Atchison, while those to be removed were installed as a method of safety related to the nearby Atchison Middle School.

Reavis directed Pregont to work with Atchison's USD 409 in finding an alternative method of safety. “I do encourage talking with 409, maybe about, what else we can do to do something there to make it safer,” Reavis stated.

Pregont, saying that a process must be followed, said it will take 30 to 40 days to remove the stop signs, which had been put in place on a trial basis.

That trial began early this year, and was extended in March to allow additional time for public input.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has approved for publication a proposed 2019 city budget of $8.8 million that contains a one mill property tax levy decrease.

The Commission took the action when they met Monday evening.

The proposed budget contains an estimated tax rate of 53 mills, which is to generate more than $1.2 million in revenue.

Mayor Steffen Shamburg said he thinks its a “ pretty good budget.”

Shamburg said the Commission was able to lower the property tax levy due to an increase in the city’s assessed valuation.  

The Commission will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing at their July 2nd meeting.

(KMZA)--A new “ Welcome to Seneca” sign is to be installed on the west side of town as part of an Eagle Scout project.

Local Boy Scout Garrett Bennett came before the Seneca City Council Wednesday evening to seek approval for the project and funding for materials.

The sign is to be installed on private property at the southeast corner of the intersection of U.S. 36 and Highway 178.

Bennett said the sign would be similar to the sign located at the Seneca City Park.

He said he’s considering the possibility of the sign be lighted at night.

The Council voted to approve the project and payment of $3,600 for materials.

Volunteers will assist Bennett with the project and donations will cover the remainder of the cost.

(KNZA)--The Holton Police Department is asking for the public's assistance identifying a person of interest in a counterfeit money investigation.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says the suspect passed counterfeit bills at the Holton Wal-Mart and Seven Eleven.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Holton Police at 785-364-2174.

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

According to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, the thefts occurred at the Holton Wal-Mart.

Morse says a reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects responsible in the case.  

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

(KLZA)-- A Falls City community leader, businessman and war hero is being remembered. 

George William “Bill” Schock died Thursday at the age of 99.

Schock served as the publisher of the Falls City Journal  for many years.  He served more than 30 years on the Richardson  County Veterans Service  Committee; served a term as a Falls City Council member and two terms on the Falls City  Board of  Education.  In addition he served on the Community Hospital Board of Directors for over two decades and was a member of the  Board of Directors of the Falls City Savings and Loan Association and on the Committee for Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve.

Schock was a B-17 bomber pilot during World War II, flying out of England. On April 9, 1944 flying his 25th mission, and supposedly his  last, his plane was shot down, and he became a German prisoner of war  for 13 months. 

Following his May, 1945 release, Schock returned to Falls City and a year later returned to his job at the Falls City Journal, where he worked and co-owned well into his 90's.

A funeral service for Schock will be Tuesday morning, June 26 at 10:30 at the First United Methodist Church, in Falls City. 

Schock is survived by a daughter, Lauri Obbink. 

(KAIR)--An Atchison woman goes to jail, accused of using a weapon and a vehicle to threaten a 55-year-old man.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News it allegedly happened Monday, in the 1200 block of North 4th Street, with the resulting investigation leading to Tuesday's arrest of 32-year-old Katie Thomas. “Occurred about 5 p.m. Monday afternoon. A verbal altercation turned threatening...the victim was threatened with an axe. At one point, the suspect was in a vehicle, and according to the victim, attempted to strike the victim with the vehicle. Officers were called and we were given different stories by the victim and the suspect, [but the investigation led] us to other evidence.”

Wilson said Thomas and the victim both live at the residence.

Thomas was taken into custody on charges of aggravated assault and criminal damage to property.

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

Her bond is set at $1,500.

(KAIR)--A chance to meet the Democratic candidates seeking election to both local and statewide offices.

That's the reason behind Friday's Meet the Candidates Night, presented by the Atchison County Democrats.

According to a release from Atchison County Democratic Party Chair Karen Bell, the event is planned for 6:30 Friday evening at the Atchison Elks Lodge, located at 609 Kansas Avenue.

Confirmed to attend are gubernatorial candidates Laura Kelly and Josh Svaty, along with Chris Morrow, who is running as Lt. Governor as part of Carl Brewer's gubernatorial campaign.

Secretary of State candidate Brian McClendon will also be in attendance, as well as Marci Francisco, seeking the State Treasurer's Office, and Charlie Perdue, who is making a bid for the 1st District Atchison County Commission position.

According to Bell, each candidate will speak during Friday evening's event, and then meet the voters.

All members of the public are invited to attend.

(KNZA)--Brown County will seek funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation for the replacement of a bridge located on the Brown-Nemaha County line nearly 4 miles northeast of Wetmore.

The Brown County Commission Monday gave Moni El-Assar with the engineering firm BG Consultants of Manhattan approval to apply for funding through KDOT’s Off-System Bridge Program for fiscal year 2020 for the replacement of a steel truss bridge on Acorn Road over Muddy Creek.

If approved, funding through the program would pay for 80 percent of the construction cost.  Brown and Nemaha Counties would split the remaining 20 percent along with engineering costs.

The counties should learn in September if the project is selected for funding.  

(KNZA)--Hiawatha voters will decide in November if a one-quarter percent city-wide sales tax earmarked for economic development purposes should continue.

The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening adopted a resolution placing the issue on the November 6th general election ballot.

The sales tax is currently set to expire March 31st, 2020.

If approved by voters, the sales tax would continue an additional 15 years until March 31st, 2035.

Mayor Steffen Shamburg says proceeds from the sales tax are currently being used to pay off bonds that were issued for the Crosswind Industries and Hemisphere GPS projects.  Those bonds run through 2026.

 Without the sales tax revenue, Shamburg says as much as a 5 to 10 mill property tax levy increase would be needed for debt service on the bonds.

If approved by voters, he says revenue from the sales tax would continued to be used to pay off the bonds and for other economic development purposes.

Shamburg said town hall meetings will be needed to inform residents about the sales tax issue.   

(KLZA)--The path has been cleared for the Richardson County Historical Society to construct a new building in downtown Falls City.

The Falls City Council Monday evening approved a request from the Historical Society to allow a steel building to be constructed on the open lots between 14th and 15th Streets along Chase Street.

City Administrator Gary Jorn pointed out the request had to come before the Council due to zoning in the area. Regulations call for all buildings constructed in a downtown–commercial district to have a brick, concrete or plaster facade on the front face of the building and the design is to respect the historic character of the area.

Richardson County Historical Society President Richard Meinzer said the group has outgrown their current facilities, which includes a building constructed in 2007. 

Plans call for construction of a 100' by 60' building with a 20-foot canopy over the  front.

The building will be situated in the northeast corner of the half-block area with the front to the south.  The south half of the block will be left for parking.  

The new building will include a small kitchen and restrooms that could be used for groups looking for space to conduct meetings.  

Meinzer asked if the City would waive the fee for the building permit and help with the cost of getting utilities to the new building for the non-profit organization. Since those requests were not part of the agenda, they will have to come before the Council at another meeting.  

(KAIR)--A verbal altercation between two roommates turns violent, leading to the stabbing of a puppy.

That's the scenario outlined by Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson who told MSC News 25-year-old Joseph Widner, of Atchison, is now in custody in connection with Saturday's alleged attack. “It was about 4:30 on Saturday morning when officers responded to a disturbance in the 1000 block of Ash where a 24-year-old male reported being struck in the face multiple times by a 25-year-old suspect. That same suspect took his anger from the disturbance out on a 16-week-old puppy that was owned by the victim who was at the scene, and the suspect stabbed the puppy during the disturbance.”

Wilson said that while the young Husky is expected to survive, it was a difficult scene for the officers who responded. “He was stabbed with a large kitchen knife. He was taken to a veterinarian and treated and will recover. The officers that were involved, who are used to dealing with disturbances, were all affected by the situation of an innocent puppy [having] this aggression and this anger taken out on [him]. They said [the puppy] was very young, very passive.”

The man who police say was struck in the face did not require hospital treatment for his injuries.

Widner was taken into custody on charges of battery and cruelty to an animal.

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

Widner has since been released on a $10,000 bond.

(KAIR)--A teenage boy shoots himself in the foot, and is arrested for being in possession of a firearm illegally due to his criminal past.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the accidental shooting happened Tuesday night, shortly before midnight, at an Atchison residence located in the 900 block of Division Street. “When we first interviewed the victim, we were given a fictitious story as to what had occurred,” Wilson said. “We continued to investigate it throughout the night, ended up talking to a number of other people who were even present when this happened. The 15-year-old male is a convicted felon, once being convicted of a burglary, which precluded him of possessing a firearm, and he knew that, and so we didn't get the straight story at first but we subsequently did. It was an accident. He was visiting with other people in a residence when he was handling this gun and it went off and shot him in the foot.”

Wilson said the teen was transported to the Atchsion Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

He was arrested on charges of criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and obstructing legal process.

The teen has since been released to the custody of a parent.

(KLZA)--The Click it or Ticket mobilization May 21–June 3rd led to a number of citations being issued and several arrests in Richardson County.

The Falls City Police Department made 83 traffic stops resulting in 69 citations and 47 written warnings.

The total included 44 speeding tickets, 10 seatbelt violation tickets and 14 miscellaneous traffic tickets.  In addition officers made three warrant arrests, two drug arrests and responded to 190 calls for service  including five motor vehicle accidents.  

Falls City Police Officers worked a total of 86 hours of overtime during the mobilization.  

The Richardson County Sheriff's Department conducted 169 traffic stops during the mobilization.  124 citations were issued along with 63 warning citations.  

One arrest was made for driving under the influence, five for driving under suspension, two felony arrests were made and 19 were ticketed for seat belt violations.

The Sheriff's Office also answered 67 calls for service and responded to a pair of injury accidents.

Money to pay for the extra hours worked provided by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office.  

During this same time, the Nebraska State Patrol issued 101 citations for seat belt violations, issued over 1,600 speeding tickets, 27 tickets for child restraint violations. In addition they apprehended 17 fugitives, made 68 drug possession arrests, issued 70 tickets for driving under suspension,   37 for DUI,  37 for open container violations and recovered 9 stolen vehicles. 

(KMZA)--Nemaha Central school board members have moved a step closer to seeking bids on one or some of the building projects that have been discussed in the past several months.

One company, Bern-based AHRS Construction, submitted a bid to serve as construction manager at risk for the projects under consideration.

Company employees, Eric Stallbaumer and Jay Hermann, were present at last week's USD 115 Board meeting to explain the construction manager At risk process, the fee structure and responsibilities of the company.

Superintendent Darrel Kohlman said after a construction manager at risk is hired, the next step will be to decide which projects the board desires to pursue and whether the projects be bid individually or as a package.

After reviewing the fee schedule, the board unanimously approved retaining AHRS as the construction manager at risk.

The Board is to hold a special meeting Tuesday evening, June 26, at 6:00 to decide which of the building projects they plan to pursue

(KNZA)--Following several weeks of discussion, the Doniphan County Commission has voted to eliminate the county road supervisor position.

The Commission took the action Monday on a 2-1 vote, with Commissioner Tim Collins casting the lone no vote.

As of August 1st, the county will return back to having a foreman oversee operation of each of the county’s three road districts.   The foremen will report to the road office manager.

The road supervisor position was created in 2013 after the Commission voted to restructure management of the road department.

Commission Chairman Tad Geiger said earlier this month that he has not  seen any advantage to having a road supervisor.

Bob Edie, who has held the position, will revert back to his previous position as First District road foreman.

(KLZA)--A second person has been arrested in connection with the theft of a pickup truck in Falls City on June 13th.

33-year-old Jeremy Vice of Falls City was arrested Friday night by the Falls City Police Department for the theft of a pickup owned by Richard Lemerond. Vice is being held at the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center.

Earlier, 34-year-old John A. Johnston of Topeka was also arrested for the theft of the 1983 Ford pickup.

The pickup was found in Falls City less than an hour after it was discovered missing.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran says he opposes the forced separation of families during a crackdown on illegal entries into the U.S. and is working to stop it.

Moran said in a statement Tuesday that the separation of children from parents attempting to enter the U.S. illegally demonstrates that the immigration system is broken.

Moran said he is working with fellow senators and President Donald Trump's administration to "bring the current circumstances to an end."

 He said the U.S. can secure its borders "in a moral way" that "honors our values."

 Moran added: "Our country must make the well-being of these children a priority."

 His statement came a day after Kansas Rep. Kevin Yoder sent U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions a statement asking Sessions to halt family separations.

(KNZA)--Officials from multiple agencies arrested a Morrill man Tuesday morning on parole violations.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says 61-year-old Steven Ray Schler was arrested without incident at his residence located at 809 Virginia in Morrill by the U.S. Marshal's Service, special agents with the Kansas Department of Corrections, Brown County Sheriff's Office and Sac and Fox Tribal Police.

In addition, Schler was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia along with a Hiawatha city warrant for contempt of court.

Schler was booked into the Brown County Jail.   

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council advanced a proposed amendment to the municipal code Monday night that would prohibit most fires within the city limits.  

If passed, the amendment would ban the burning of all trash, leaves and wood within the city limits. 

Burning of fire wood in a metal fire pit or outdoor fireplace would be allowed, but would need to be tended to at all times. 

Trash burning proposals have been proposed several times previously.  In November, 2012, Falls City voters, voted down a proposal to ban any open burning except when the Fire Chief issued a permit. 

Fourth  Ward City Councilman Derek Leyden introduced the proposal this time.  Leyden said more than just trash and paper are being burned in barrels now, which keeps people from opening their windows in the spring and fall due to the stench.  He said “with two trash services in town, that aren't expensive, and with a free tree dump that burns brush and leaves, it's time to change the way we do things.”

Leyden said he does not feel the current ordinance which states trash is to be burned at least 25-feet from a building is being followed. He said the amendment would put some teeth in the ordinance, helping the Police Department be able to enforce the law. 

Second  Ward Councilman Charlie Bentley cast the only vote against the proposal. Bentley said he believes people ought to be able to do what they want to do on their own property.

City Attorney Mike Dunn said since the public voted down a referendum to ban open burning,  it would take at least 75 percent of the Council voting in favor of the amendment to move forward. 

The Council  approved the amendment 7-1.  The proposal must be passed by the Council two more times before going into effect.  

(KLZA)-- A flood warning continues along the Missouri River from Nebraska City downstream through Rulo, although the predicted crest levels of the river have been reduced by the National Weather Service. 

At Nebraska City it appears the Missouri River will crest about a half-foot below the 17-foot flood stage barring more rain.

At Brownville the forecast calls for the river to crest Friday evening at 34.6 feet which is 1.6 feet above flood stage.  Thursday morning the river reading was 34.17 feet.

At Rulo, flood stage is 17 feet with a Thursday morning river reading of 17.22 feet.  The crest is predicted to occur Friday night at 17.5 feet with the river back below flood stage by Saturday morning. 

At St. Joseph the forecast is calling for minor flooding with a crest just above the 17-foot flood stage. 

At Atchison, the Missouri River is no longer expected to reach flood stage because rainfall amounts upstream were less than anticipated earlier in the week.  

(KAIR)--The interim City Administrator for the City of Horton is out following a vote of the City Commission.

The 3 to 2 vote removed Kim Knudson from that role, but retains her in her other position as City Clerk.

According to Horton Mayor Bryan Stirton, the motion to remove the title was made by Commissioner Wade Edwards, and seconded by Commissioner Jeremy Forkenbrock, towards the end of Monday evening's Commission meeting.

Stirton and Commissioner Ken Krug cast the votes opposing removal of Knudson's interim City Administrator title.

Stirton told MSC News that because it's a personnel matter, he can't offer any further comment as to why the decision was made.

Knudson, in an emailed response to questions posed by MSC News, said the decision to terminate her from the administrator role “came out of the blue at the end of a five-hour Commission meeting.”

According to Knudson, a special meeting will be held Monday evening at 6:30 for the Commission to consider the appointment of a replacement for the administrator's position.

She said she has until that time to decide whether or not to remain as City Clerk, but has not yet made a decision.

Knudson began her duties with the City of Horton in 2013.

Hiawatha Mayor Dr. Steffen Shamburg was joined by his three children ( L-R), Ryan, Sammie and Aly, following his last city commission meeting Monday evening.

(KNZA)--Hiawatha Mayor Dr. Steffen Shamburg presided over his final city commission meeting Monday evening.

At the end of the meeting, Shamburg tendered his resignation which the Commission is to act on at the beginning of their next meeting July 2nd.

Shamburg steps down after 13 years on the Commission--including as mayor since May 2015.

The longtime Hiawatha doctor is relocating to Wabaunsee County and plans to start a new family practice in the Manhattan area.

Shamburg say he hopes the Commission stays progressive.  He said its been a pleasure to have served on the Commission.

Longtime Commissioner Bill Collins is expected to be appointed to serve the remainder of Shamburg’s term, which expires in January.   That was to have happened at Monday's meeting but was delayed until the July 2nd meeting due to the absence of two commissioners.

Shamburg says David Middendorf has agreed to fill the remainder of Collins term as finance commissioner, which also expires in January.

Both positions are up for election in November.  Collins is running unopposed for mayor.  Matthew Haws and John Merchant Jr. are vying for finance commissioner. 

(KNZA)--Two Missouri residents convicted on charges in connection with the theft of numerous electronics from the Holton Wal-Mart store have been handed prison sentences.

The Holton Recorder reports 31-year-old Joshua Thigpen, of Ferrelview,  was sentenced Friday to 26 months on charges of felony theft and illegal possession of a theft detection remover.

24-year-old Karly Barnes, of Kansas City, received 22-months on charges of felony theft and obstruction of official duty.

Sentencing for a third defendant in the case, 36-year-old Ferrelview, Missouri resident Raven Neece, was postponed to June 29th at the request of her attorney.   

Authorities say the trio made three trips to the Holton Wal-Mart 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 thousand 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.

Its believed the trio sold the electronics on Ebay.
 

(KNZA)--A Holton man convicted on a pair of child sex-related charges involving a girl under the age of 14 has been placed on probation.

Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller tells MSC News that 19-year-old Chaz Zibell was sentenced Friday to a total of 12 months in prison on two counts of felony lewd and lascivious behavior.  Miller says the sentence was suspended and he was placed on 24-months probation.

Zibell will be required to register as a sex offender for 15 years.

He pleaded no contest to the amended charges in April.  

Zibell had originally been charged with six counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child.

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

(KLZA)--Following an initial meeting in May,  a group calling itself “Take Back Our Community” has formed  in an effort to help slow down the amount of crime in Richardson County.

The Richardson County Sheriff's Department scheduled the May meeting, reaching out to the public concerning the problems communities are experiencing with criminal activity.

There has been a rash of crimes, especially thefts, which law enforcement believes is a direct result of drug use, drug sales and drug manufacturing.  

On Wednesday evening, June 20th, the public is invited to a 7  o'clock meeting of this new group at the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center on the west edge of Falls City.

The public is urged to attend  this meeting and ask questions and hopefully bring answers to help make Richardson County a safer place for everyone including your children and grandchildren. 

(KNZA)--Two men have been arrested in connection with an altercation at the Sabetha Lake.

Sabetha Police Chief Robert Wahwasuck tells MSC News that 35-year-old Derrick Wichman, of Hiawatha, and 37-year-old Rodney Wichman, of Vliets, were arrested Saturday on charges of aggravated battery following an investigation by his department.

Both men were booked into the Nemaha County Jail.

Wahwasuck says the investigation was launched after officer's were called to a residence to take a report about the alleged incident.  

He says the victim in the case received fairly severe injuries, which resulted in hospitalization.

As of Monday afternoon, both men remained in custody.
     

(KLZA)--A pair of maintenance projects is to begin this week in Southeast Nebraska.

On Tuesday a fog seal project will begin on Nebraska Highway 8 from the junction with Highway 50 going east to the U.S. 75 junction.

Nebraska Department of Transportation maintenance crews will do the work which consists of spraying oil onto the surface of a newer road to seal the fine cracks. The work is anticipated to take two days, weather permitting.

There will be one-lane traffic and a pilot car and flaggers will be in place in the work zone.

On Wednesday a fog-seal project will begin on Nebraska Highway 105 from the Nebraska / Kansas state line going north to Humboldt.

The project is anticipated to take one day. There will be one-lane traffic with the use of flaggers and a pilot car to direct traffic through the work zones.

Motorists are asked to drive cautiously through work zones and to expect delays around the projects.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - Two Kansas deputies killed in the line of duty will be laid to rest Thursday following a joint funeral service.

Wyandotte County deputies Theresa King and Patrick Rohrer were fatally shot Friday. Authorities say they were killed by an inmate as they were preparing to leave the courthouse to return to jail after a hearing. King was 44 and had three children. Rohrer was 35 and was the father of two.

The funeral service is at 9 a.m. Thursday at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Authorities have not identified the suspect, who was shot several times and is hospitalized in stable condition.

Authorities say the inmate apparently overpowered the deputies in a gated area behind the courthouse and shot them - possibly with one of their own guns.

(KLZA)--A Falls City woman escaped serious injury in a two-vehicle wreck Sunday evening on I-229 about five miles north of St. Joseph, Missouri.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 21-year old Hannah Weaver was northbound when a SUV she was following slowed abruptly and swerved toward the middle of the road.

Weaver did not have time to respond causing her pickup to strike the back of the SUV driven by 47-year-old Daniel Gann of St. Joseph.

Gann was not injured. Weaver suffered what were described as minor injuries but refused medical treatment at the scene of the wreck.

The Patrol says both drivers were buckled up when the wreck occurred.

(KLZA)--The HTRS School Board discussed with Superintendent Sherri Edmundson during the June 11th Board meeting some concerns about students opting to attend school in other districts.

The HTRS School district encompasses a large area that through the years has grown to stretch from the Missouri River west into Pawnee County.  

Last year 22 students living in the HTRS District opted to attend classes in neighboring districts. Edmundson said 7 or 8 were students of parents who moved into the HTRS District but continued to attend school in their previous schools including Auburn and Falls City. So while they counted as “Opt Out” students,  they really never attended the HTRS School.  

The Superintendent also said some left due to discipline. During the conversation ways the situation could have been handled differently and if the situations could have been handled differently were discussed.  It was pointed out that sometimes a student leaving  your district due to a discipline issue is not a bad thing.

In other business the Board approved increasing pay for substitute teachers by $5 to $125 per day  The long-term substitute pay was increased from $125 per day to $175 per day.  The long-term pay begins if the sub works for the same teacher longer than two consecutive weeks.  

Student fees were increased by $5 for the next school year with the maximum expense for a family increasing from $40 to $50.

Admission prices for events at the HTRS School were not changed.  

(KAIR)--Special honors for the leadership of Atchison-based MGP Ingredients.

That comes as global investment firm EY unveils it's annual Entrepreneur of the Year Heartland Program award recipients.

According to BusinessWire, the award has been presented for more than three-decades, and recognizes business leaders in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries throughout the world.

Among those named as recipients were Gus Griffin, Cloud “Bud” Cray, Jr., and Karen Seaberg.

Griffin serves as President and CEO of MGP Ingredients, while Cray is the Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors. Seaberg, Cray's daughter, is Chairman of the Board.

In a weekend Facebook post, Seaberg said all three are “humbled to have been chosen for this honor,” and commends what she calls “the wonderful team that Gus Griffin has put together to make MGP successful again.”

The Entrepreneur of the Year award is called “the world's most prestigious business awards program for entrepreneurs, chosen from an independent panel of judges, including entrepreneurs and prominent leaders from business, finance, and the local community.”

The award recipients were announced Thursday in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Regional award winners are now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards.

Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 10.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A second sheriff’s deputy died early Saturday from injuries suffered when an inmate who was being transported in Kansas City overpowered two officers and shot them.

Kansas City, Kansas, police confirmed on their Facebook page that 44-year-old Deputy Theresa King died just after midnight following the shooting on Friday. 35-year-old Deputy Patrick Rohrer died earlier.

The inmate was also shot during the confrontation in a gated area near the Wyandotte County Courthouse and was taken to a hospital. His condition was not known. Investigators said the inmate may have grabbed a weapon from one of the deputies during a struggle after he got out of a van late Friday morning.

“It is very possible that with their own firearm, they were both shot,” Wyandotte County sheriff’s Maj. Kelli Bailiff said during a news conference Friday at the University of Kansas Hospital.

Rohrer had been with the department for seven years and King for 13 years.

Bailiff said the inmate was being taken across the street from the jail, to the services building, for a court hearing. The inmate was taken in a van to a gated area behind the building, and when he got out of the van, he somehow overpowered and shot the deputies, Bailiff said.

Bailiff said investigators do not believe the public is in any danger. Video from the scene showed the courthouse surrounded by yellow police tape, several police vehicles parked in the street and numerous uniformed law enforcement officers walking the grounds.

Kansas City, Kansas has dealt with other officer shootings in the recent years.

Two Kansas City officers were shot and killed within less than three months in 2016. Capt. Robert Melton was slain in July while searching for a suspect in a drive-by shooting. Melton was part of the police honor guard for Det. Brad Lancaster, who was fatally shot earlier in 2016 near the Kansas Speedway.

In 2015, Wyandotte County Deputy Scott Wood was shot seven times but survived.

(KLZA)--Two Kansas men are accused in separate automobile thefts in Falls City.

Assistant Police Chief Jamie Baker cited 26-year-old Avery E. Steward of Hiawatha on Monday for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Steward, who was in jail in St. Joseph, Missouri on unrelated charges when cited, is accused of stealing a 2002 Nissan owned by Dillon Lottter from 20th and McLean Street in Falls City on Sunday. The vehicle was recovered in St. Joseph.

On Wednesday, a 1983 Ford pickup owned by Richard Lemerond was reported stolen from the 1000 block of Chase Street.

The pickup was recovered in the 2100 block of Harlan Street about 45 minutes after the pickup was reported stolen.

34-year-old John A. Johnston of Topeka, Kansas was arrested for theft of the vehicle.

Baker noted the cooperation of the public for their help in this case.

(KLZA)--The Humboldt -Table Rock–Steinauer School Board has amended the plan for the parking lot across the street west of the school to include a drainage pond.

The parking lot slopes and water runs out onto the street to the west.  Plans are to put in a small pond to catch the water. However, with the addition of the FFA greenhouse also in the parking lot, the schedule need to be tweaked.

The pond will actually wrap-around the greenhouse so it was determined the pond should be put in now, prior to the FFA students doing landscaping work around the greenhouse.

The greenhouse is substantially finished. The School District received a grant for the building.

During the Superintendent report,Sherry Edmundson updated the Board members on a comparison she did on the costs of various extra curricular activities.  There was some question about the cost of the musical put on by students during the recently completed school year.  

Edumundson compared the cost per student for the musical to wrestling, basketball and speech. While the cost was a bit higher for the musical, Edumndson told the Board members you don't expect activities to be money makers. There was no board action or direction.

In other business the Board approved allowing school district patrons to recover materials such as doors, windows, trim, fixtures from a house at 929 Long Branch Street. The school purchased the property, adjacent to Power Field for $1,800.  

The next agenda item was approval of a resolution to have the Humboldt Volunteer Fire Department burn down the structure at 929 Long Branch once materials from the house have been removed.      

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle early Friday morning Atchison County wreck sent an Atchison man to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 65-year-old Daryl Meyer was northbound on K-7 Highway, about two miles north of Atchison, when he drove off the right side of the roadway and his pickup truck struck an embankment.

Meyer was transported to the Atchison Hospital.

The Patrol says he was buckled up when the wreck happened shortly before 7:00.     

(KLZA)-- Employees at the  Ariens Company in Auburn learned late Thursday the Wisconsin based company will close the facility between August 17th and October 15th. 

In a news release Larry Weyers, President of Ariens Power Equipment said “This was a difficult decision, but it doesn't make economic sense to keep this plant running in light of the significant productivity improvements that have been made elsewhere in the company.”

Ariens main plants in Wisconsin have increased their production by more than 60 percent in the last year.

Shutdown of the Auburn facility will affect 193 employees.    

Ariens manufactures outdoor power equipment including mowers, riding mowers, tillers and snowblowers.  

Company officials met with employees in Auburn Thursday.  All regular, full-time employees will be provided with a severance  package based on the number of years they have worked at the facility.  Employees are also welcome to apply for positions at the Brillion, Wisconsin facility with the assistance of a relocation bonus.

Ariens Company purchased the facility in November of 2007 from Auburn Consolidated Industries. 

Auburn officials are hoping to find a buyer for the facility. 

(KAIR)--Three local area schools are among those that will benefit as part of a grant award totaling more than $3.2 million.

According to a news release, the funds are made available by the Literacy Network of Kansas, a project of the United States Department of Education's Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy program.

The local recipients are the Atchison Public Schools of USD 409, the South Brown County Schools of USD 430, and the Hiawatha Schools of USD 415.

They were among the eight recipients selected from a competitive application process, with the State of Kansas receiving a federal grant of $27 million in October 2017, which the release calls “ one of the largest competitive grants ever received” by the Kansas State Department of Education.

Applications were sought from those districts meeting specific criteria, including serving at least 5,000 students.

Those with less could apply as part of a consortium.

USD 409 Superintendent Dr. Susan Myers, in a news release, says Atchison partnered with the Leavenworth Public Schools of USD 453, and “their closeness and similarity of student needs” allowed the development of a grant that Myers says will be beneficial to students, specifically in the areas of English and Language arts.

In a news release issued by USD 430 Superintendent Jason Cline, it's noted that the South Brown County Schools were selected as part of a nine district consortium, including Hiawatha's USD 415.

The selected recipients will receive more than $3.2 million for literacy support during a three year period.

Four individual districts, and four consortia, representing 32 Kansas school districts and 88,000 children, were named as awardees.

Throughout the three-year grant cycle, a network of resources for educators and families will be developed for future use. The release says “these resources will impact literacy at the state, regional and community levels, as well as providing professional learning opportunities for teachers and families.”

(KLZA)--Owners of a Pawnee City business have volunteered to make a monthly payment to allow the City to add another recycling bin.

Josh Hermer and Trisha White who run the Blazin Bull restaurant and bar will pay $60 per month. That will allow the number of bins to be increased to five.

Currently, the City has just four bins which has led to some overflow problems.  The City has no place to store the overflow so if it is set on the street by the bins,  if it does not blow away, it is thrown away.   

In addition, the City asks that people place boxes in the bins, break them down flat to save room.  If  a box is put in upside down with nothing inside it, that is taking up quite a bit of space.

Mayor Charlie Hatfield asked the Pawnee County Commissioners if they could help with the costs for additional bins, but the Board felt they could not financially aid the effort.  

City Clerk Tammy Curtis says when people living outside Pawnee City bring in items to put in the recycling bins, it helps the City out. Usually non-residents will also be going out to eat, going to a store to make a purchase or buying gas instead of just making a special trip to the recycling bins.  

The recycling bins are located across the street from City Hall.

(KNZA)--The Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education has approved student fees for next school year.

Superintendent Todd Evans says the action came during the Board meeting Monday evening and includes an increase in meal prices.

Evans says breakfast prices will increase by 15 cents and lunch prices will increase 10 cents, which is consistent with the increased food prices the district is seeing.

In other business, Evans says the Board approved a performance trip to St. Louis next April for Sabetha High School band and vocal students. The students will be participating in the Music in the Parks Festival.  Students will miss one day of school during the three day trip and will raise all necessary funds.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - Kansas consumer advocates are recommending state utility regulators reject Westar Energy's request for a $17.2 million rate increase and instead order the company to cut rates.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports employees of the Kansas Corporation Commission and the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board recommended this week that the commission cut Westar rates for customers by at least $69 million. The board, or CURB, is a state agency representing consumers in utility rate cases.

Westar provides service to about 700,000 customers in Kansas. The company has filed a rate request that translates to an increase of $2.80 a month for the average residential customer.

But KCC staff and CURB are urging regulators to reject the idea that Westar needs any overall rate increase.

Westar is expected to submit a rebuttal by July 2.

    

(KAIR)--No immediate decision is made regarding USD 377 plans following patron protest pertaining to the school district's authority to increase its capital outlay fund.

The issue was discussed during Tuesday evening's meeting of the Board of Education for the Atchison County Schools.

That comes after district patrons filed a protest petition against the school district's decision to approve its ability to increase the capital outlay fund by four mills.

Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips told MSC News the petition, requiring 314 valid signatures to stop the resolution adopted by the Board of Education in April, was verified by her office after it was received May 31.

The filing of the petition means the issue must be brought before district voters.

USD 377 Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Andrew Gaddis, told MSC News no action was taken by the board following lengthy discussion Tuesday evening.

Options facing the district leaders include a special election, likely to cost $7,000, or a mail-in election, estimated around $8,400.

The issue could also be placed on the November general election ballot at no cost.

Gaddis said the matter will again be addressed during the next board meeting in July, and a decision is expected to be made on how to proceed.

Gaddis said the school board decided that immediate action was unnecessary, as no matter which method is selected to allow a vote, funds would not be made available for next year through the capital outlay fund increase.

(KNZA)--A new head Horton High School football coach has been hired.

Following an executive session, the USD 430 Board of Education Monday evening voted to hire Mark Friess, of Netawaka, for the position.

Friess has served as head football coach at several Kansas schools—including Jackson Heights, Greensburg and Mankato.

He will replace longtime coach Nick Dowell, who will return next school year as an assistant on the team.

The Board also filled several other positions for next school year.  Todd Dulac, of Atchison,  was hired as head volleyball coach, Zachary Nelson as elementary physical education teacher and Kari Case as a kindergarten teacher.

In addition, Grady Miller was hired as a summer student worker and David Pottroff to mow district properties.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners awarded a bid in an amount of nearly $267-thousand dollars for the county general liability, errors and omissions, workers comp, motor vehicle and property insurance when they met Tuesday.

The bid, which is more than $10-thousand less than last years amount, was awarded to Miller-Monroe Insurance Company in Falls City, serving as an agent for Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies.

In other action, Board members reviewed emergency and security procedures for the Courthouse from Sheriff Don Pounds.  

Pounds request to establish on-call time pay at $7.50 per day for deputies was approved and will go into effect June 17.   

A driveway/access policy, rules and permit form that has been under review was also approved. 

(KAIR)--Two separate search warrants executed at separate Atchison residences leads to the seizure of drugs, thousands of dollars in cash, weapons, and a stolen trailer.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News the first search happened around 4:30 Wednesday afternoon, at 313 North 4th Street, where 32-year-old Trenton Kistler was arrested. “We've been looking into Mr. Kistler since about May 20. His name had come up in our methamphetamine investigations and we were able to track him down, to that location. We were able to obtain a search warrant for that property. Fortunately, when we got there, he was actually standing at the door, encountered him before we had to make entry into the residence.”

Laurie said both methamphetamine and $300 in cash was seized from Kistler, who was taken into custody without incident.

He faces charges of possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, no drug tax stamp, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kistler also faces similar charges in relation to an Atchison Police Department investigation, and Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News Kistler was also arrested on a warrant related to those crimes. “It was at 7 p.m. June 5 we had an officer conduct a traffic stop in the 900 block of Commercial when a passenger in the vehicle ran from the vehicle. Our subsequent investigation in that case led to the recovery of a considerable amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, and Kistler was identified as being the person who fled on foot.”

Following his arrest, Kistler was booked into the Atchison County Jail, with bond set at $20,000.

The second search warrant was issued around 1:00 Thursday morning, with the Sheriff's Office setting its sights on 1022 North 8th Street, where 37-year-old Jason Valles was arrested.

Laurie told MSC News the Atchison Police Department provided assistance at the scene. “We utilized the Police Department's Special Response Team again, and they were able to make entry for us and secure the residence. Did a fantastic job like they always do. We had some information that there were some weapons in that house, and that's why we utilized their team for that, for our safety and theirs. We seized three firearms, three handguns out of that residence, along with approximately six ounces of methamphetamine and over $6,000 in cash.”

Also located at the residence was a utility trailer that had been stolen from Jefferson County, which Laurie said was spotted just prior to leaving the location. “We saw that trailer sitting there, and one of the Deputies ran the VIN number on it, and it came back stolen out of Jefferson County.”

Valles was taken into custody without incident, and now faces charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, no drug tax stamp, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute a prescription drug, criminal use of weapons, and possession with the intent to distribute drug paraphernalia.  

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

(KNZA)--Teachers and students in the Hiawatha school district will receive active shooter response training.

Captain Dennis Entriken and officer Brandon Lowe with the Hiawatha Police Department met with the USD 415 Board of Education Monday evening to inform them about the ALICE training program.  Both are certified instructors for the program.

ALICE stands for Alert-Lockdown-Inform-Counter-Evacuate.

Entriken says ALICE is an option-based program, providing options for different scenarios.

He says the Department of Homeland Security has determined the traditional  lock down approach is no longer enough.      

Lowe says the program lets the student make the decision themselves how best to respond.

Teachers in the district will receive the ALICE training first, which is expected to take place before the start of the new school year.

Students will then receive the training in September.   An information night for parents will be held prior to the training.   

There will be no cost to the district for the training.  

(KNZA)--Ten-year tax abatements have been approved for two Sabetha business expansion projects.

Following a hearing drawing no public comment, the Sabetha City Commission Monday evening approved the abatements for Northwind Technical Services and Extru-Tech.

Rural Development Association of Northeast Kansas Director Nancy Gafford said Northwind plans to add up to 23 new employees over the ten-year period and Extru-Tech plans to add up to 9 new employees.

Brown County Commissioners Monday voiced support for the abatements after Gafford reviewed a cost-benefit analysis.

For the Northwind project, she said the analysis shows for every dollar abated the county would see a $7.26 return.

The Kansas Board of Tax Appeals must give final approval to the abatements.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Courthouse Square in downtown Hiawatha will again be the site for the Relay for Life of Brown County, set for Friday evening.

The theme this year is “ Paint the Square Purple.”

The event is a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society.

The Survivor Meal will start the evening’s celebration of hope, starting at 5:00 at the Eternal Hope Family Life Center, located at 424 Oregon Street.  

The Relay For Life kicks off about 7:00 with the National Anthem, followed by the Survivor’s Lap around the courthouse square. This year’s event promises fun activities that include vendors, a pin-up contest and a car show, along with the teams walking to raise money to fight cancer.

The luminaria ceremony will be at 9:30 on the north side of the courthouse. Each luminaria represents a loved one lost to cancer, brings support to those affected by it and honors survivors.

Also as part of this year’s event, will be the 2nd annual “Miss Survivor” pin-up contest. The public is invited to take part in the fun at a cost of  $1 to vote for your favorite.

Also in conjunction with the Relay For Life will be the 2nd Annual Survivor Awarded Car Show, on the east side of the courthouse square. There will be recognition of the top car, truck and motorcycle and an overall grand prize plaque awarded.

(MSC News)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bureau of Waste Management has announced the awarding of fifty-one waste tire recycling grants for 2018 totaling nearly $468,000, including several locally.

St. Gregory Catholic School, in Marysville, has been awarded a nearly  $19,000 grant for the purchase of rubber mulch for a playground at the school.

The city of Seneca will receive a more than $13,000 grant for the purchase of rubber mulch for a playground at North Park.

Xavier Catholic School, in Leavenworth, has been awarded a nearly $9,600 grant for the purchase of rubber mulch for three playgrounds at the school.

And the City of Centralia has been awarded a nearly $1,300 grant for the purchase of two picnic tables and five park benches for Hidden Park.

The grants are funded through a 25-cent tax paid on the purchase of new tires.

(KLZA)--There is an open position on the City Council in Pawnee City.  

The Council voted Monday  night to regretfully accept the resignation of Mark Sunneberg Jr.

In his letter of resignation, Sunneberg said due to his job and summer schedule he does not feel he can give adequate time to the Council position he was elected to. His resignation was effective May 31st.    City Clerk Tammy Curtis told MSC News that  Sunneberg's job requires a great deal of travel.   

Anyone interested in filling the position  should come by City Hall. Pawnee City does not have wards so if you live inside the city limits you will be eligible to serve.    

Applications will be accepted from interested parties until June 22nd.  

Mayor Charlie Hatfield will recommend a candidate for the position during the June 25th Council meeting and it will be up to the Council to approve the recommendation.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Board of Education received the annual report from Transportation Director Rob Baker Monday evening.

District 56 has eight rural bus routes and the buses traveled nearly 93-thousand miles during the 2017-18 school year, representing an additional 6,800 miles from the previous year.

The daily average was286 students riding buses to and from school.  In addition, students were transported to 364 school activities, covering more than 45-thousand miles.

Superintendent Tim Heckenlively reported the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation Board of Trustees recently notified District 56 of an additional $33,458 in funding to help absorb additional costs for personnel and facility operating costs. The additional funding will bring the Sixpence grant amount to $273,458 for the upcoming budget year and will support the hiring of a half-time early childhood home visitor.

Board members also learned the Tiger Booster Club is donating $7,500 toward a new sound system in the McIntyre – Henderson Field House at Falls City High School.  The system will include new speakers, amplifiers, wireless mics and new cabling. The  system will be installed in mid-July. 

(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) A 2-year-old child who was shot Tuesday morning at a St. Joseph apartment complex has died, and one person charged in connection with her death.

KQ2-TV reports that St. Joseph police identified the girl as London Simmons.

Police received a call around 10:00 a.m. Tuesday for a report of a shooting at an apartment, located in the 1900 block of S. 12th Street, involving a child.

There were other children at the scene when the shooting happened, but no additional injuries are reported.

The TV station, citing court records, reports that 21-year-old Alexander Green has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Police say Green, of St. Joseph, was a relative of the victim.

According to a probable cause statement, witnesses told officers Green was asleep and left a loaded gun unattended. Three other children between the ages of 2 and 6 were also inside the apartment at the time.

The court document also stated that police found 475 grams of marijuana in four large bags and more than $3,700 in cash inside the apartment.

Green is scheduled for a court appearance on Friday.

(KAIR)--Atchison's public schools could soon obtain a student resource officer.

That comes as the Board of Education for USD 409 approves unanimously an agreement with the City of Atchison to make that possible.

The memorandum of understanding is required as part of a possible grant funding source through the Department of Justice which the school district plans to apply for.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Susan Myers tells MSC News Monday's decision of the School Board now sends the issue back to the City.

The City Commission will now need to approve the memorandum of understanding, on behalf of the Atchison Police Department, as the next step in seeing the student resource officer implemented.

Also on Monday, Myers tells MSC News the Board of Education again discussed the future of the district's controversial Redmen mascot.

That follows the work of a committee that has compiled options pertaining to the mascot, as the committee examined both sides of the issue.

The School Board Monday asked for a cost analysis pertaining to a possible change of mascots, with those figures to be discussed during the board's meeting in July.

At that time, the board will also look to scheduling a special meeting to hold a community forum focused on the mascot's fate.

(KLZA)--Pawnee City School Board members voted Monday to accept, with regret, the resignation of AJ Tomky from the Board of Education.

Tomky and his family are relocating to Columbus to be more centrally located for his work travel and be closer to extended family. The resignation is effective June 30.

In other business, Board members voted to give final approval to Superintendent Brian Rottinghaus to take all necessary action to arrange for adding or replacing underground piping and conduit, stairs, sidewalks, and add runoff drainage to the south high school parking lot. The work is to be done in conjunction with the Pawnee City project to resurface “D” Street and 9th Street around the school campus.

The costs to the school district are to be limited to $20-thousand.

The Board also approved using Kyle's Service Center and Speers Truck Repair of Pawnee City, Friedly Oil & Repair of DuBois and Inland Truck Parts & Service of Omaha to conduct service checks and repairs of school buses and student transportation vehicles for the upcoming school year.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle early Tuesday evening Brown County wreck claimed the life of a Hiawatha woman and left three other Hiawatha residents injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened at the intersection of 220th and Plum Tree Roads, northwest of Robinson, around 5:40.

The Patrol says 29-year-old Justin Coelho was driving a Kia Optima westbound on 220th Road when he failed to yield the right-of-way to a southbound pickup truck on Plum Tree Road driven by 22-year-old Quentin Overdick and struck the pickup in the driver’s side.

A passenger in the car, 28-year-old Kami Coelho, was pronounced dead at the scene.  The Patrol says she was not wearing a seatbelt.

Justin Coelho and another passenger in his car, 9-year-old Marc Coelho, along with Overdick were transported to the Hiawatha Community Hospital for the treatment of injuries.

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle Jefferson County crash late Tuesday morning sent a Valley Falls man to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 70-year-old Lonny Busey was eastbound on K-16, just west of Kiowa Road, when his pickup truck drifted off the roadway and struck a culvert.

Busey was transported to Topeka's Stormont Vail Hospital with unspecified injuries.

The Patrol says Busey was buckeled up when the wreck happened shortly before 11:30.   

(KLZA)--A man wanted for burglary and criminal mischief has turned himself in to Richardson County authorities.

21-year-old Scott J. Bachman Jr. turned himself in to Richardson County deputies Monday evening in Humboldt.

Bachman was wanted in connection with a burglary that occurred on or about May 6th, in which numerous firearms and other items were stolen from a property near Rulo, valued at about $16,000.

On the Richardson County Sheriff's Department Facebook page, they thanked the public for tips and cooperation in this case.  

(KAIR)--Advancements in DNA testing are cited as the reason behind an arrest made in an Atchison burglary investigation that began more than two-years ago. “Technology at its best,” is how Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson describes it. He said the crime was committed in 2016, and the investigation has continued since that time. “We investigated a residential burglary in the 1100 block of North 5th that occurred on April 12, 2016. It has been an active investigation since that time. A 29-year-old had reported force entry into the residence. A safe containing a large amount of cash was taken, as well as electronic equipment.”

Wilson said evidence directly corresponding to the forced entry was collected, leading to testing, and ultimately to a suspect. “You always want to collect the evidence at the scene, not knowing exactly where that evidence may take you. In this case, forced entry was done by breaking a glass window, and on that glass window was blood because the suspect had injured themselves. We collected that blood, it was entered into a data base to be examined for DNA at a later point. In fact, we did examine it at that time, but made no comparison. Since that time, the suspect's DNA has been submitted based on other convictions, and we made a hit on the data base because of what we submitted two years ago.”

That hit led police to 24-year-old Atchison resident DeAndre J. Turner-Fults, who was arrested Monday. “It's a good illustration that a good crime scene at the time may pay off later, and evidence never goes away,” Wilson told MSC News.

Wilson said Turner-Fults was taken into custody on charges of burglary, theft, and criminal damage to property.

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

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

(KAIR)--An Atchison woman goes to jail, accused of attacking both someone offering assistance and police officers.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News it's alleged that 36-year-old Rebekah Green attacked a resident who attempted to assist Green when it appeared she was in need of help. “It was around 6:30 p.m. Saturday when officers responded to the 900 block of South 5th where a 22-year-old female reported being punched by a suspect who had been passing by in the area. [The victim] had tried to help as the suspect had appeared to have fallen down, and, at that point, was struck by the suspect.”

Wilson says Green is alleged to have fought with officers as they responded to assist. “As officers arrived at the scene and confronted the suspect, who was in the area, she kicked and spit on the officers as she was taken under arrest.”

Green was arrested for battery and battery on a law enforcement officer.

Following her arrest, she was booked into the Atchison County Jail, with bond set at $2,500.

Green, in April, was sentenced to one year of probation in connection with crimes committed in July of last year.

She was accused of abducting a child from an Atchison neighborhood.

Ultimately, she was sentenced to the probation term and required to be evaluated, and treated, for substance and mental health issues.

(KAIR)--Atchison's Amelia Earhart Airport Monday evening was the location for a special donation connected to the famed aviator who once called Atchison her home.

The gift was given by Chris Williamson, an Atchison resident who hosts the “Chasing Earhart” podcast.

Donated was rare, filmed footage of Amelia Earhart as she met with a young boy, in Burbank California, that came into Williamson's possession. “It's an 8mm film that was shot in 1937, and this is a film that has to do with a little boy by the name of Dennis Gray, who was 4-years-old at the time this was shot. He contacted Douglas Westfall, of the Paragon Agency, and he told him “I met Amelia Earhart, and I can prove it. My father shot the whole thing.” This was taking place at the Burbank [California] airport...this is really significant.”

The presentation was made at the airport hangar which currently houses Muriel, the last remaining 1935 Lockheed Electra 10E like the one flown by Earhart.

A museum is being planned for permanent housing of the airplane, and it was to the museum that Williamson gifted the unique film. “We want to donate this to the museum here. Jacque and Karen have been instrumental in “Chasing Earhart,” and instrumental in the Amelia Earhart Festival, and this summer's upcoming “Chasing Earhart” panel. Without them, we could have never have done what we're about to do next month, and we wanted to repay them in any way we could, so this is a small token of our appreciation to them.”

Accepting the donation was Karen Seaberg, the President and Chairman of the Board for the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation. “We're very excited to accept this, and I know it will be on exhibit like this [in the original packaging], but we'll also have it [showing in the museum] so we're very excited to have this.”

Joining Seaberg in accepting the film was Jacque Pregont, who also serves on the Foundation board. “It's really important, I think to have something of this quality, and this caliber, added to the museum,” Pregont said.

Seaberg, following the presentation, provided a surprise update about the future progress of the Muriel Museum. “We have enough money to build the shell of the museum, and we're hoping to break ground in July,” Seaberg stated.

Seaberg also serves as chair of Atchison's annual Amelia Earhart Festival, while Pregont serves as coordinator.

Williamson has been working with the Festival Committee in arranging an extended line-up of Earhart experts to speak next month at Benedictine College.

The Saturday afternoon, July 21 discussion panel will happen at 2:00 during the Amelia Earhart Festival, which is held each July to commemorate Earhart, who was born in Atchison.

(KNZA)--Severe storms moved through southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas Monday evening.

The storms contained winds up to 60 miles an hour, hail and heavy rain.

A tornado was reported by a trained spotter near Table Rock in Pawnee County just after 8:00.

A tornado warning was issued for Brown and Nemaha Counties after a squall line was reported capable of producing both tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage.

A brief tornado touchdown was reported northwest of Morrill just before 9:00, but was not confirmed by the National Weather Service.

Initial storm reports indicate tree damage throughout the area.

Nemaha County Emergency Management Director Todd Swart says the only damage report he received was some tin being blown off a shed in Baileyville.

(KLZA)--Pawnee City Mayor Charlie Hatfield updated Pawnee City Council members during the May 29th meeting about Health Board recommendations concerning nuisance properties in the community.

The Board recommended sending abatement letters to the owners of properties at 1042 G Street, owned by Shae Christensen; 630 I Street, owned by Marjorie Cleary and 1332 F Street, owned by Rodney Robinson heirs, due to unsafe conditions of those properties.

The Council approved sending the abatement letters.

Council members also discussed mowing of nuisance properties. It is required to post notice in someone's yard for five days if you are unable to make contact with the property owner.

Discussion centered on a lot owned by Edna Willey and also on properties that people use for hay, versus properties that have buildings on them but have grass over 12-inches tall.

Mayor Hatfield suggested the Council target residential properties that have structures on them.

The Council also sought an updated on properties at 522 and 526 G Street. Ed Raper recently messaged Mayor Hatfield that work to clean up the properties was “in progress.”

The Branch Manager of United Bank and Trust reported seeing pack rats behind the bank building and she feels they were coming from those next door properties.

(KLZA)-- A  well known Falls City business owner,  community supporter, and horseman has died following a battle with cancer.  

Steve Milam, who along with his brother Max, co-owns Milam’s Greenhouse in Falls City, died Friday at the age of 61.  

While the Milam's are fourth generation greenhouse owners, and it is and always has been their livelihood, Steve Milam was an avid family man, lover of sports and a lifelong competitor.

Steve served on the Summer Recreation board for many years, was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, a member of the Richardson County Sheriff’s Posse, and a cardholder of the United States Team Roping Championships.  

Milam was an active member of the community and supported athletics.  He coached and refereed youth activities for many years. He trained horses and was a horse trader. 

Memorial services for Steve Milam will be 10:30 A.M., Friday, June 15th, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 20th & Towle Street in Falls City. 

The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Thursday, at Dorr & Clark Funeral Home.

Steve is survived by his wife Joni.  His mom, Shirley Milam, his daughter, Staci Deger; his sons, Judd and Jace and brother Max.

(KLZA)--Suspected scammers are using the name of a Peru State College supporter in an attempted, fraudulent, fundraising campaign.

Jerry Joy, of Stella, is sending the alert that the questionable effort does not have his support.

In a release Joy, a former, longtime employee of the college, says along with his name, the name of the Peru State Foundation is being falsely used.

He says images, and information, from the college's website, and social media accounts, are also being used as part of what the release says is an unapproved campaign.

Joy, nor the college, are currently raising money for a grant, or other projects, and the Foundation has reached its goal for the Jerry Joy Home Locker Room, meaning no additional funds are being requested.

Anyone who is contacted on behalf of the unauthorized fundraiser should contact local law enforcement.

Questions may be directed to the Peru State College Foundation at 402-872-2304.

Pictured: Jerry Joy

(KAIR)--An investigation into a case of alleged sexual battery, dating back to late May, ends with an Atchison man in jail.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the arrest of Toby Walker came Saturday, following allegations made by two women. “Two females, ages 74 and 54, reported he had inappropriately touched them while at a residence in the 1500 block of South 7th. Although that investigation did go underway on Saturday, it actually focused on incidents that would have occurred several weeks ago, in late May.”

Wilson said Walker, and the two women, had been living together at the time of the alleged crime. “They were acquainted. At that time [of the alleged crime] they all lived in the same residence, located in the 1500 block of South 7th, although since that time, that has changed.”

Walker now faces a charge of sexual battery.

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

(KAIR)--One person is confirmed dead following what Atchison County authorities identify as a rollover wreck, near Cummings.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie tells MSC News the victim is identified as 65-year Thomas Holland, of Atchison.

It's believed the wreck occurred shortly before 6:00 Monday morning and was discovered shortly after 8:00.

Holland was found to be unresponsive inside his pickup truck, and was declared dead when Atchison County EMS arrived on the scene.

Laurie says the investigation shows that Holland's truck exited the south side of U.S. Highway 59, west of McPherson Road, crossed through a field, and rolled over, in a ditch, just past 231st Road, near 13800 Front Street, in Cummings.

The investigation is continuing.

(KNZA)--With the hot weather upon us, Horton residents are being encouraged to voluntarily conserve water due to potential drought conditions.

According to a notice from the city, while its not mandatory at this time, residents are being asked to be mindful of their water use while watering their lawn, filling swimming pools or washing their car.

As of Saturday, the city also says non-potable water at the Little Lake will be unavailable until the next significant rainfall.

Those with questions are asked to contact the Horton City Hall at 486-2681.    

(KLZA)--Following a lengthy public hearing during the May 29th meeting of the Pawnee City Council, an ordinance to issue street improvement bonds was approved.

Evan Wickersham with JEO Consulting and  Brad Slaughter with Ameritas Financial were present to answer questions.  

The USDA has approved Pawnee City borrowing up to $2,245,000 for the project with a 30-year repayment.  Ameritas will handle the interim financing until USDA steps in to handle the long-term financing.  

The Council approved an ordinance to issue bonds in one or more series, not to exceed the maximum loan amount approved by USDA, to pay the costs for paving improvements within the City.  

The project has been divided into two sections.  Section “A” has a price tag of $1,345,000. Engineering fees and miscellaneous will leave a total of approximately $1.6-million to cover actual construction costs.

The vote to approved was 3-1 with Council member Mark Sunneberg Jr. casting the nay vote.

The project should be completed before July, 2019 and could be done by the end of 2018 if the work begins in July of this year.

The  Council did vote to waive the three readings of the ordinance to give final approval.   

(KAIR)--A single vehicle, Saturday afternoon Atchison County crash required helicopter transport for a Wathena man.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News 72-year-old Jerry Bauman's pickup truck left K9 Highway while negotiating the curve at 274th and Jewell Roads, in rural Atchison County.

The truck slid off the pavement and rolled when the tires hit the gravel on Jewell Road.

Laurie said Bauman required extrication from the truck, and was flown by LifeNet to the University of Kansas Hospital, in Kansas City, Kansas for the treatment of injuries.

The crash occurred around 3:20 Saturday afternoon.

(KAIR)--A Rushville woman required hospital care following a Saturday afternoon UTV accident on Atchison County's Rawlins Road.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News a UTV, operated by 22-year-old William Owens III, hit the front of a road grader, being operated by 58-year-old Ronald Watowa, of Atchison, about a mile north of Potter.

A passenger in the UTV, 24-year-old Rebecca Jones, was thrown from the vehicle, and suffered what are identified as minor injuries.

She was transported to the Atchison Hosptial for treatment, and later released.

The wreck happened around 2:45 Saturday afternoon.

(KAIR)--A late Friday morning, two vehicle crash in Shawnee County leaves two Ozawkie children injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol report states that 12-year-old Alexis Massalle and two-year-old Kameron Tschantre were passengers in a car driven by 42-year-old Gretchyn Messalle, of Ozawkie.

Her Ford Expedition collided with a northbound Buick Lasabre on K-4 Highway, at Northeast 31st Street, in Topeka, when the driver of the Lasabre failed to yield the right of way.

Both children were transported to Stormont Vail, in Topeka, for hospitalized treatment.

Neither driver was injured.

The Patrol says everyone involved was buckled up when the wreck happened around 11:45 Friday morning.

(MSC News)--United States Senator Jerry Moran will host a town hall meeting Monday, in Mclouth. According to a news release from his office, it's being held as part of his Kansas Listening Tour.

Area residents are encouraged to attend and share feedback with Sen. Moran on the critical issues facing Kansas and the nation. The issues Sen. Moran focuses on and the work he does in Washington, D.C., are largely based on the conversations he has with Kansans during these townhall meetings.

The hour long town hall will run from 7:30 until 8:30 Monday morning at the FreeState Electric Cooperative, located at 507 N. Union Street, in McLouth.

Residents lined Oregon Street in Hiawatha Friday morning to show their support for the American Legion Riders 4th Annual Legacy Run which passed through the community

(KNZA )--The roar of motorcycles filled the air Friday as the American Legion Riders’ 4th Annual Kansas Legacy Run made stops in Holton, Hiawatha and Atchison.

During the stops, wreath laying ceremonies were held at veterans memorials.

In Hiawatha, residents showed their support for the Run by waving flags, saluting and applauding as the Riders passed through the community.

The purpose of the Run is to raise awareness and support for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund.  The Fund supports children whose parents lost their lives or became 50 percent disabiled while on military duty since the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

The goal is to raise $20 million, with over $7 million raised to date toward the goal.

More than 50 riders departed on the about 800-mile run Thursday from Hutchinson and will finish Sunday in Derby.

(KLZA)--Kirkman's Cove Lake, northwest of Humboldt, has been placed on “Health Alert Status” due to toxic algae levels in the water.

Water tests conducted June 4, confirmed the toxic algae levels exceeded limits set for safe contact with the water. All body contact activities including swimming, wading and water skiing are restricted until further notice.

Nemaha Natural Resources District officials report the recreation area remains open, and all other usual activities such as boating, picnicking, camping, and hiking are permitted. Fishing is still allowed, though anglers are encouraged to practice “catch and release” as the toxins could be present in the liver, intestines and pancreas of fish.

Park visitors are cautioned not to ingest or make contact with the water and to particularly make sure children and pets do not come in contact with the water. Most of the risk associated with this form of algae is limited to skin irritations; however, gastrointestinal illness and liver disease could result from ingestion of the water.

Signs have been posted at the lake informing visitors of the water restrictions. Because of the high readings, the alert will remain until results drop below safety limits for two consecutive weeks.

The water is tested weekly. For more information you can go the Nemaha NRD website, www.nemahanrd.org.

(KMZA)--A new Nemaha County jail administrator has been hired.

Sheriff Rich Vernon informed the County Commission this week that Lisa Copeland, of Seneca, has been hired for the position.

Copeland began work Monday at a salary of $16.34 an hour.

Vernon said Copeland has 20 years of experience working in corrections.

In other business, County Attorney Brad Lippert went over the lease agreement with the state of Kansas for the new driver’s license office to be located in the Pioneer Building.

Commissioners directed Lippert to ask for a couple of modifications to the agreement before its approved.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Dennis Ronnebaum informed Commissioners that he spoke with Bergkamp Construction about the possibility of doing another four mile stretch of the Sabetha-Wetmore Road yet this summer.  Ronnebaum later shared a bid from the company to do the work.  No decision was made.

( KLZA)--No one spoke against or in favor during a public hearing Monday evening on a request from Hinky Dinky, doing business as Sunmart, for a liquor license.

Following the brief hearing, the Falls City Council voted 6-1 with Council member Judy Murphy casting the nay vote to give favorable comment to the application.  Councilman Mitch Merz was absent.

If approved by the Nebraska Liquor Commission, the Class 1-B license will allow the grocery store to sell beer, wine and distilled spirits.  

In other action, the Council approved a bid of just over $14-thousand to have About Quality Fence install additional fencing at the solid waste facility just north of the city limits.

(KNZA)--Area residents can meet with Republican candidates for several state and federal offices during a Meet-and-Greet Saturday afternoon, June 9th, at the Netawaka Fitness Center.

The event, which is hosted by the Jackson, Brown and Nemaha Republican Central Committees, will begin with a free-will donation lunch from noon to 1:00 at the Fitness Center located at 233 White Way Street.

Between 1:00 and 2:30, each candidate or a representative from the campaign will give a brief speech.

Members of the public will be able to meet with the candidates between 2:30 and 4:00 at the center.

Republican candidates for governor, secretary of state and the 2nd District Congressional seat have been invited to attend.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners have approved a new group health insurance plan for county employees.

During their Tuesday meeting, Commissioners approved staying with Aetna for the next year with changes that will see the premiums increase 12.9 percent versus a 24.9 percent increase with no changes. The premium for each employee on the plan will increase by $91 per month. For the new year the premiums will cost an additional $79,716.

Commissioners also opened bids for county liability, E & O, and property insurance. Two bids were submitted by Miller-Monroe, one from Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies and one from Travelers Insurance. The bids will be reviewed with a decision to be made during the June 12th Board meeting.

Board members also set a public hearing for July 10th at 10:15 A.M. The hearing will concern whether or not to declare the Cupalo Cemetery near Verdon abandoned and neglected. A petition was filed by 35 county residents seeking the designation.

(KNZA)--A decision on whether the Doniphan County road supervisor position is eliminated and the county returns to having a road foreman in each of the county’s three districts will have to wait.

County Commission Chairman Tad Geiger decided this week to table a decision until their June 18th meeting after Commissioner Jerry McKernan indicated he wanted further discussion.

Geiger first brought up discussion on the possible restructuring of the road department management at last week’s meeting.

 The road supervisor position, which is currently held by Bob Edie ( E-dee), was created 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.

Following an executive session at this week’s meeting, the Commission voted 2-1 to hire Daniel Whetstine, full-time with benefits, for the Second District road crew subject to pre-employment screening.  Commissioner McKernan cast the lone no vote.

(KAIR)--A Topeka woman is facing Atchison County charges, arrested this week in connection with alleged financial crimes.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News 25-year-old Tina Funk was arrested In Topeka Wednesday.

She was taken into custody on an Atchison County District Court warrant for forgery and theft.

Wilson says an investigation was conducted by Atchison Police focusing on financial crimes committed at four Atchison businesses.

He says it's alleged that Funk used forged, stolen checks to make purchases at the four locations.

Following her arrest, Funk posted bond and was released from custody.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth man is found guilty in connection with what authorities say was an attack on a police officer.

A press release issued by Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson says 47-year-old Orville Sieg was found guilty on all counts by a jury Monday.

The charges Sieg was found guilty for include battery on a law enforcement officer, felony interference with a law enforcement officer, driving while suspended, criminal damage to property, and reckless driving.

Sentencing is set for July 6 in Leavenworth County District Court.

Thompson, in the release, said the attack happened when a Leavenworth Police Officer recognized Sieg at a gas station last July, and attempted to arrest him on a felony warrant for possession of methamphetamine. Sieg resisted arrest, placing his vehicle in drive as the officer was partially inside, dragging the officer out of the gas station parking lot as Sieg struck him in an attempt to force him from the vehicle.

The officer was thrown onto Leavenworth's Miami Street, and suffered injuries to both knees, his right forearm, and hand.

(MSC News)--Landlines phones Thursday afternoon were not working in the Mayetta area. 

That word is delivered in a brief statement released by Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse. 

In the statement, he says the outage will last for "an undertermined period of time." 

It's not immediately known what led to the outage. 

(KLZA)--Weather permitting, work on Nebraska Highway 8 from Salem to Highway 73 in Falls City is to begin next week.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation has approved a contract with Knife River Corporation doing business as Knife River Midwest of Sioux City, Iowa in an amount of $3,427,807.

Russ Eltiste will serve as the Project Manager for the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

The work will include repair  of existing pavement and new asphalt surfacing.  Inside the Falls City, city limits the intersections with city streets will be remodeled by overlaying them.  Some A.D.A. ramp remodels will also be done in that area.

Traffic on the7.2 mile project will be controlled by one-lane work zones.  The project is anticipated to be completed in the fall.

Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously through construction zones.

(KNZA)--A change in Hiawatha leadership is set later this month.

Mayor Dr. Steffen Shamburg will resign at the end of the June 18th city commission meeting and an interim mayor will be appointed to fill the remainder of his term.

The longtime Hiawatha doctor announced last October that he will be moving to Wabaunsee County this summer and starting a new practice in the Manhattan area.

Shamburg has served as mayor since May 2015 and prior to that served as police commissioner.

Bill Collins, who currently serves as finance commissioner and is running unopposed for election as mayor, agreed at Monday’s Commission meeting to serve as interim mayor.

That means someone will have to be appointed to serve the remainder of Collins term as finance commissioner, which expires in January. 

Both positions are up for election in November.

Two candidates, John Merchant Jr. and Matthew Haws, are vying for the position of finance commissioner but Shamburg said he did not believe either should be appointed to the interim position because it would give that candidate an unfair advantage.

Anyone interested in serving as interim finance commissioner should contact city hall.  

(KLZA)--Funds have been approved for the rehabilition of a downtown Falls City building damaged during a fire in January.

The City Council Monday evening approved a grant agreement between the Community Redevelopment Authority of Falls City  and Paulo Bruxellas, Vanji Bruxellas and Travis Herrick.

The owners of the building at 1522 Stone Street, which formerly housed the Chaney Furniture Annex, are in the process of rehabilitating the building. The south wall of the building must be rebuilt and reinforced.  

The funds come from money being put into a tax increment financing account allowed to be used for rehabilitation purposes in the downtown business district as well as some other objectives in the redevelopment plan.

The City Redevelopment Plan approved in 2010 authorizes the CRA to utilize TIF funds to provide grants and loans for rehabilitation purposes throughout the redevelopment area.  

The grant application indicates the owners plan to utilize the building as a space to host events such as receptions and possibly use it for a tasting room for a winery being developed at Miles Ranch which the Brexellas' family owns.

(KMZA)--A former area school superintendent has been called out of retirement again.

Dennis Stones will serve as interim superintendent in the Marysville school district this summer while current superintendent Bill Mullins recovers from surgery.

Stones served as superintendent of the Holton school district from 2014 to 2017 and prior to that served for many years as superintendent of schools at Sabetha.

The Marysville Advocate reports the USD 364 Board of Education during a special meeting May 23rd voted to approve a temporary contract with Stones.  

He will work in the Marysville district for a maximum of 12 days, which will be spread out during June, July and August.  Stones will be paid $375 a day with no benefits.

Mullins, who has gastric cancer, has been scheduled for surgery in Houston, Texas and will spend the summer in recovery.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth man has been indicted on federal charges related to drug trafficking.

According to a news release issued by the office of U.S. Attorney Tom Beall, 37-year-old Bryan Quinley was indicted Wednesday.

He is charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction.

The crimes are alleged to have occurred in March and April of this year in Leavenworth and Johnson counties.

(KAIR)--A convicted Holton rapist is appealing part of his conviction.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the appeal filed on behalf of Jacob Ewing cites prosecutor misconduct and errors made by the Jackson County District Court.

Attorneys for the state have until July 5 to file a response to the appeal.

The 23-year-old Ewing was convicted last year, and sentenced to more than three decades in prison for rape and sodomy.

Ewing's conviction stemmed from crimes involving several victims.

He was acquitted on charges related to the rape and sodomy of a 13-year-old girl.

(KLZA)--An investigation is launched following the theft of a pickup truck in Pawnee City.

The Pawnee County Sheriff's Office confirmed a pickup owned by Jeff Spier was stolen Monday afternoon when Spier stopped at Casey's in Pawnee City and went inside.

The pickup was recovered Wednesday morning in Topeka.

The theft remains under investigation.

(KAIR)--A weekend report of an alleged crime sparks an investigation, and that leads to a vehicle stop, and to the arrest of an Atchison woman on drug charges. “Apparently there had been a threat made to a person who then reported to us, and relayed that threat that had been made,” Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News. “As part of that investigation, we developed information on a vehicle connected to that case. It was that vehicle that we located, and stopped, in the 1200 block of North 4th.”

Wilson said the driver of the vehicle, identified as 31-year-old Kylee Walker, was arrested Saturday afternoon. “During that arrest, methamphetamine and opiates were discovered in her possession.”

Walker now faces charges of driving while suspended, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of an opiate.

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

(KMZA)--The Pottawatomie County Sheriff Office is seeking information from the public on the recent theft of an attachment for a skid steer loader.

Sheriff Greg Riat, in a news release, said the Mighty Dog attachment was taken from the 16-thousand block of  Little Noxie Road, in rural Havensville, sometime during the month of May.

The attachment, which is black in color, looks like a large scoop with a top.

The loss was placed at more than $2,000.

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

(KLZA)--An Oregon, Missouri teenager suffered minor injuries when two pickups sideswiped one another.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports it happened about a quarter of a mile north of Oregon, shortly before 6:00 Tuesday evening.

It was there, the report states, that 18-year-old Westyn Williams, of Oregon, was eastbound on Holt-285, when his pickup and a westbound pickup, driven by 23-year-old Chase Howell, of Oregon, sideswiped each other at the crest of a hill.

Williams was transported by private vehicle to Mosaic Life Care hospital, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Howell was not injured.

Both drivers were wearing safety devices at the time of the wreck.

(KLZA)--The Richardson County Sheriff's Office is asking the public to be on the lookout for a person wanted on a number of charges.

34-year-old Michael L. Seager is wanted for being an accessory to a felony, as well as thefts by unlawful taking and child abuse. 

Seager is described as a white male standing 6'1”, weighting 320 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of Seager is asked to contact the Richardson County Sheriff's Office at 402-245-2479.

Seager is considered dangerous and you should not attempt to apprehend him on your own.

(KNZA)--A July 25th preliminary hearing is set for a former Horton man charged in a Brown County child abuse case.

28-year-old Justin Ziegler, currently of Cuba, Missouri, has been charged in Brown County District Court with aggravated battery and felony abuse of a child.

According to the criminal complaint, Ziegler is accused of beating a child born in 2017.  The child required hospitalized treatment, first being taken to the Hiawatha Community Hospital and then to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

Ziegler was charged in April following an investigation by the Horton Police Department and Brown County Sheriff’s Department.

He remains free on a $75,000 bond.   

(KMZA)--Community Memorial Healthcare, in Marysville, is gathering signatures on a petition supporting a public vote during the November general election on a countywide half-cent sales tax for the hospital.

According to a news release from CMH, the hospital hopes to gather at least 350 signatures on a petition to present to the Marshall County Commission before the end of June to give time for a public campaign before the November 6th election.

To sign the petition, residents can visit the CMH web site at cmhcare.org or can sign a petition at the main hospital campus or any of its clinic locations.

 If approved by voters, the sales tax would begin January 1st, 2019 and be in effect for 10 years.  The sales tax is expected to raise about $650,000 a year.

The release says the hospital saw operating losses in 2017 of about $1.5 million, which included $1.3 million in uncompensated care.  

Other reasons for decreased revenue include the Kansas Legislature’s decision not to expand Medicaid to cover more uninsured adults and an annual $400,000 reduction in Medicare reimbursements passed by Congress a few years ago.

Community Healthcare representatives approached the commissioners in 2016 and 2017 to ask for a countywide vote on the sales tax but were turned down both times.  A motion to place the question on the ballot was made both times but died due to the lack of a second.

WAVERLY, Neb. (AP) - Tyson Foods is buying the Nebraska company that makes the Smart Chicken brand of air-cooled chicken.

Tyson says it plans to keep Tecumseh Poultry's roughly 600 workers and allow the company to operate as a separate subsidiary. Terms of the deal were not disclosed this week.

Smart Chicken's air-chilled method of processing differs from the common industry practice of water chilling. The company started in 1998 and has two plants in Waverly and Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Tyson's Chief Marketing Officer for poultry Eric Schwartz says acquiring this brand will help the company offer more choices for consumers.

Springdale, Arkansas-based Tyson already owns the NatureRaised Farms and Aidells brands of organic products.

(KNZA)--The roar of motorcycles will fill the air Friday as the American Legion Riders’ 4th Annual Kansas Legacy Run will make several local stops.

The more than 50 riders are to make stops in Holton, Hiawatha, Atchison and Leavenworth.

The more than 800-mile Run departs Thursday from Hutchinson and will end Sunday in Derby.

Robert Sines, public relations officer with Homer White American Legion Post 66 in Hiawatha, says the purpose of the run is to raise awareness and support for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund.  The Fund supports children whose parents lost their lives or became 50 percent disable while on military duty since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001.

The goal is to raise $20 million, with over $7 million raised to date toward the goal.

The riders are to depart from Topeka Friday morning at 8:00 and will stop in  in Holton around 8:45 for a wreath laying at the Purple Heart Memorial in Linscott Park.  Residents are invited to the park to show their support for the riders and veterans.

The riders will then travel to Hiawatha, arriving around 10:00, where they will lay wreaths at the community’s two cemeteries before going to the Fisher Center for a meet-and-greet.

Hiawatha Mayor Dr. Steffen Shamburg signed a proclamation at Monday’s City Commission meeting proclaiming Friday as American Legion Legacy Scholarship Run Support Day.  The proclamation urges residents to support the Run by saluting, applauding and/or waving the flag as the riders pass through Hiawatha.

After stopping in Hiawatha,  the riders will travel to Atchison’s Veterans Memorial at Riverfront Park for a wreath laying around 11:30.  After eating lunch, the riders will then head to Fort Leavenworth for a wreath laying around 1:30.

(KAIR)--A Tuesday morning crash on the Kansas Turnpike leaves two injured, including a Leavenworth man.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 30-year-old Andrew Hoppes was transported for hospitalized treatment following the wreck, which happened at 222nd Road north of K32.

According to the Patrol, Hoppes' southbound subcompact car was stopped at a stop sign when it was rear-ended by another car, driven by 25-year-old Shawna Rae Bitts, of Eudora.

She also required hospital treatment for her injuries, and and was not buckled up at the time of the crash.

The Patrol says Hoppes was wearing a seatbelt.

The wreck happened shortly after 9:30.

(KLZA)--On the recommendation of the Downtown Revitalization Committee, the Falls City Council Monday night approved hiring Snyder & Associates as the engineering firm for Phase II of the Downtown Improvement Project.  

The Committee interviewed three engineering firms for the project.  

The next phase will include new sidewalks on both sides of Stone Street between 16th and 17th Streets and if funding is available would include the intersection at 16th and Stone Street.  

Second Ward Councilman Charlie Bentley asked if the next step would include bump outs at the corner. He said that is the biggest complaint he has heard about the first phase of the Downtown Improvement Project.

 City Administrator Gary Jorn noted the plan is likely to include bump outs for uniformity purposes, but said they could possibly be smaller than the current layout at the corners of 17th and 18th and Stone Street.  

The project will not likely begin until 2019. 

(KAIR)--A head-on collision between a car and a semi tractor trailer late Tuesday afternoon in Atchison County leaves two dead.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie tells MSC News the fatal wreck happened on U.S. Highway 59, southwest of the Atchison city limits. 

The Kansas Highway Patrol says killed in the crash were 55-year-old Atchison resident Elaine Drennon and her 54-year-old passenger, Karen Keil, of Kansas City, Missouri.

The Patrol says Drennon was northbound when her Mercury Cougar crossed the center line and struck a southbound semi-tractor trailer hauling cattle head-on around 5:00.

The driver of the semi, 48-year-old Annville, Kentucky resident William Wilson, was transported to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, Missouri, with what the Patrol described as disabling injuries.  

The Patrol says all the occupants were buckled up except for Keil.

(KNZA)--Injuries were reported following a two-vehicle wreck north of Hiawatha Sunday afternoon.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says the wreck was reported around 3:00 at the intersection of U.S. 73 Highway and 260th Road.

He says it appears an eastbound Pontiac passenger car on 260th failed to yield to a southbound Ford Focus on U.S. 73.

Merchant says the driver of the eastbound car was not hurt, but the occupants in the southbound car were transported by ambulance to the Hiawatha Community Hospital.

The names of those involved were not immediately available as the wreck remains under investigation.

Merchant says U.S. 73 was shut down for about an hour following the wreck.

(KLZA)--Unemployment figures were nearly steady in Southeast Nebraska during the month of April.  

According to the Nebraska Department of Labor, unemployment figures increased a tenth of a percent to 3.1 percent in Richardson County and 2.7 percent in Pawnee  County.

Unemployment figures were steady for the month in Johnson County at 3.6 %, Nemaha County at 3.4% and  Otoe  County at 3 percent.  The only county with a lower unemployment rate was Gage County where the figure dipped two-tenths of a percent.

Statewide the April jobless rate was 2.8 percent, well below the national average of 3.9 percent.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners met May 29th.

The Board reviewed a draft of an interlocal agreement between Richardson, Nemaha and Otoe counties for baliff services for the District Court. A formal agreement will be presented for consideration at a later date.

Waddel & Reed representative Paul Downey met with the Board to review a deferred compensation plan for Richardson County. He informed the Board that the plan has become dormant because of the lack of activity and a new plan document would need to be completed. The Board approved entering into a new agreement.

The sale of real estate owned by Richardson County in the A.R. & Luther Nims Addition to the City of Humboldt was approved. The lone bid of $5,900 by Kris Steinblock was accepted.

(KLZA)-- The Richardson County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's assistance in finding a man wanted for burglary and criminal mischief. 

If you have any information concerning the whereabouts of 21-year old Scott J. Bachman Jr. you are asked to contact the Richardson County Sheriff's Office at 402-245-2479.  If outside of Nebraska, contact local law enforcement. 

Bachman is wanted in connection with incidents occurring on or about May 6th, in which numerous firearms and other items were stolen from a property near Rulo, Nebraska, with an approximate value of $16,000.

The Sheriff's Office warns that you should not attempt to apprehend Bachman as he may be armed and dangerous.  If  you spot this person, dial 911.
 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The largest electric utility in Kansas has shut down its biggest generating plant following an accident that left two workers with fatal burns.

Westar Energy confirmed Monday that the employees died Sunday night at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. They were flown there by helicopter after the accident late Sunday morning at the Jeffrey Energy Center, northwest of St. Mary's in Pottawatomie County.

The company identified the workers as Operations Supervisors Craig Burchett of Overbrook and Jesse Henson of Manhattan but did not provide additional details about them. Westar said equipment with high-pressure steam behind it apparently failed.

Westar said the plant's three coal-fired generating units are shut down while the "full circumstances" are reviewed.

Jeffrey accounts for nearly 26 percent of Westar's total generating capacity.

(KAIR)--Two men are in custody in connection with the report of shots fired in the City of Atchison.

Police responded to the report late Monday morning, arriving in the area of Harper Drive and Grandeur Road shortly after 11:30.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News arrested were 25-year-old Casey Crawford and 26-year-old James Duhon, both of Atchison. 
Crawford faces charges for aggravated assault, criminal possession of a firearm, and criminal discharge of a firearm. 
He was also taken into custody on a Kansas Department of Corrections detain order for parole violation.
Duhon faces charges for aggravated assault and criminal discharge of a firearm. 
Following their arrests, both were booked into the Atchison County Jail.  

Wilson said that a vehicle has been impounded, and weapons have been recovered, in connection with the investigation. “We do believe now that we know where this [shooting] occurred. It would have occurred on Harper Drive, between Holiday Drive and Grandeur Road. We know the suspects now in custody were in the same vehicle, as it traveled on Harper Drive, adjacent to the Westridge area. The vehicle stopped on Harper Drive, between Grandeur and Holiday Drive, where the two suspects got out of the vehicle, both armed with firearms. Approximately six to eight shots were fired as both subjects shot at each other. Neither one was hit, and then one left the scene on foot, and the other drove away in the vehicle." 

No injuries are reported, and the investigation is continuing, with Wilson saying the search for additional suspects is ongoing. 

(KAIR)--A reward is being offered in connection with a Mayetta area drive-by shooting that left a child injured last month.

According to a news release issued Monday by Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, the reward is “being offered for information leading to the capture and conviction of [the] person [or persons] responsible.”

The shooting occurred during the early morning of May 20 at a residence located in the 13000 block of 166th Road, around 1:45 that Sunday morning.

Investigators who responded to the scene found multiple rounds that had been fired into the residence, leading to injuries for the victim, identified only as a minor child.

The child, who had been struck by a bullet, was transported by Jackson County EMS for hospitalized treatment of the non-life threatening injury.

Anyone with information related to the shooting is urged to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 785-364-2251.

The amount of the reward is not immediately made public.

(KNZA)--A new police chief is on the job in the Doniphan County community of Wathena.

The Kansas Chief reports Jared Ratzlaff comes to the city after 14 years with the Liberal Police Department in southwest Kansas where he rose from patrol officer to the level of captain.

During their May 7th meeting, the Wathena City Council voted to offer the position to Ratzlaff at an annual salary of $42,500, with the possibility of a $2,500 increase after six months.

He was among forty-four people interviewed for the position, including three from Doniphan County.

Ratzlaff and his wife, Amanda, have six children between them ranging in age from 7 to 19.  Three of them will live with the couple in Wathena.

(KAIR)--A Fort Riley man, helping to move furniture in Atchison Friday, suffered injuries after he fell from a truck.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News Lawrence Zupon tried to hold on when the load shifted, but the tailgate came open, sending him falling to the ground below. “A pickup truck pulling a trailer was traveling in the 1400 block of Harper Drive,” Wilson said. “A 26-year-old man was holding onto furniture being transported in the back of the truck when the furniture began to move...as he fell he was grabbing hold of the tailgate, the tailgate then opened and then he fell out. He sustained injuries on various parts of his body, and was transported to a Saint Joseph hospital.”

Wilson said Zupon's injuries included those to his head, shoulder, and leg.

The accident happened around 10:30 Friday morning.

(KAIR)--Heroic actions are being commended as the reason why a fiery Friday crash resulted in no loss of life.

That word comes from the Platte County Sheriff's Office in regards to the wreck, that happened on Missouri Highway 45, just north of the Iatan Power Plant entrance.

According to the preliminary information provided by the office, a southbound vehicle left the roadway and struck a pole, with the vehicle then catching on fire.

The release says, “due to the heroic actions of good Samaritans, both parties were removed from the vehicle.”

The identities of those involved, along with the extent of injuries, are not yet made public as the investigation is ongoing.

(KAIR)--Following two decades on the bench, a local judge is stepping down.

According to a news release from the Kansas Judicial Center, District Judge Gunnar Sundby will retire June 16, bringing to an end 20-years of service in the 1st Judicial District.

The 1st Judicial District is comprised of Atchison and Leavenworth Counties.

Sundby, upon his retirement becoming effective, plans to begin serving as a senior judge for the judicial branch.

The Kansas Supreme Court appointed Sundby to that position effective June 17.

Sundby, in the release, said his new role as senior judge will allow him to remain close to his colleagues, travel the state as needed, and still serve as a judge.

As a senior judge, he can be assigned to cases being heard in any district court, as well as the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

Sundby said the part-time work as a senior judge will allow him and his wife, Debbie, to travel and spend more time with family, which includes four grandchildren.

A graduate of Washburn University, Sundby, of Atchison, served as Atchison County Attorney from 1980 until 1992, and was appointed in 1998 as a district judge for Leavenworth County.

For the first nine years in that role, Sundby was focused on domestic and probate cases, but in recent years, has been assigned to the criminal and prisoner dockets, dealing with thousands of criminal cases, seeing prisoners from across the state of Kansas, and presiding over about 200 jury trials.

(KMZA)--There will be a contested race in the Republican primary for 1st District Nemaha County commissioner.  

Lester Niehues, of Sabetha, filed May 22nd to challenge Gary Scoby in his bid for re-election to another 4-year term.   

Scoby has served on the Commission since 2006.   

Friday was the filing deadline.  No Democratic candidates filed for the position.  The primary election will be August 7th and the general election is November 6th.

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) - A three-judge panel has sentenced to death a Nebraska prisoner who killed his cellmate.

District Judge Vicky Johnson of Wilber, the presiding judge, announced the panel's decision Friday in the murder case against 40-year-old Patrick Schroeder.

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.

At the time of Berry's killing, Schroeder was already serving a life sentence for killing a 75-year-old Pawnee City farmer in 2006.

(KNZA)--Ceremonies are scheduled in Sabetha Tuesday, as America's Run for the Fallen makes it's way through Kansas.

According to a news release from the Kansas Adjutant General's Office, the run is a nationwide relay held 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.

Also being remembered is Master Sgt. Bernard Deghand, of Mayetta, and a member of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 35th Division Artillery Embedded Training Team. He was killed in action in Afghanistan on September 15, 2006.

Sgt. Courtney Finch, a resident of Leavenworth, and a member of the 714th Security Force, is also remembered as part of the run. He 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 5th in Arlington National Cemetery.

According to the run's itinerary, the runners made their way into Kansas Thursday.

On Tuesday afternoon, they are expected to arrive at the Sabetha Cemetery between 3 and 3:30 and are to place a marker for fallen soldier.

A closing ceremony is scheduled for 6:00 Tuesday evening at the Mary Cotton Library, while a spaghetti supper, to raise funds for the run, will be held at the Sabetha VFW Post 7285 from 5 until 8:00.

(KNZA)--A traffic stop north of Holton leads to the arrest of two men on drug and stolen property charges.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, said a Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a 2001 Audi passenger car around 2:30 Friday afternoon near US Hwy 75 and Columbine Drive for a traffic infraction.  

36-year-old Zackery Slover, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for being in possession of a stolen firearm, violation of driving restrictions and no insurance.

63-year-old William Fay Carr, of Seneca, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on charges of possession of a stolen firearm, possession of heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and the introduction of contraband into a correctional facility.

Morse says Slover was later released on a $7,500 bond, while Carr remains in the Jackson County Jail.

(KAIR)--The future of a private, Atchison high school is unknown, following what documents indicate is an inability to pay staff.

That is revealed in a Kansas Department of Labor document obtained by MSC Radio News, dated May 24, 2018, and addressed to Carol Kwan and K.T. Leung.

Kwan's business card lists her as the President and Co-Founder of the Riverbend International School, located in Atchison.

Online business records name Leung as the Principal of the Riverbend International School, located in West Covina, California.

According to the Kansas Department of Labor document, Kwan, in a discussion with the department, maintains the position that the school does not have the funds to pay the affected employees.

The document states that Kwan, as of May 24, had not submitted an answer regarding the wage claims despite Kwan agreeing that the wages are owed.

According to a source close to the Riverbend School, speaking to MSC News on condition of anonymity, wages have not been paid since at least March.

The document further states that phone calls placed to Leung have not been successful.

Citing spreadsheets sent to the department by Riverbend Headmaster Paul Ogle, showing what employees are owed, the document, in conclusion, offers methods of remediation for the situation if Kwan, or Leung, make contact within 10 days of the date of the document.

The Department of Labor tells MSC News comment can not be given on the communication between the department and the school officials because it's an ongoing investigation.

Online tax information indicates that property taxes have not been paid for the 1900 North 2nd Street location of the Atchison school since the first-half of 2014.

Information obtained from the Atchison County Treasurer's Office confirms that no property tax payments have been made since December 19, 2014 by Kansas Education Holdings, the legal name of the Riverbend operations.

The special warranty deed for the property was signed in March, 2014.

An email sent to Kwan's Riverbend email, listed on her business card, was returned as non-working. An email sent to her contact page on the California-based West Basin Muncipal Water District, where she is listed as a board member, has not been returned.

A message left by MSC News on the voicemail of her cell phone, as listed on her business card, has also gone unreturned.

A phone call placed to Leung's number, provided through an online business directory, is met only with a busy signal.

Ogle has accepted the position of principal for the Southeast of Saline School District.

He failed to answer Facebook messages from MSC News seeking comment on his decision to accept that role.

According to MSC News archives, the STEAM school is fully accredited with the State of Kansas and began operating in September, 2014.

Photo credit: Robyn Tollefson

(KNZA)--A three-vehicle wreck in a construction zone on U.S. 36 Highway east of Hiawatha early Friday evening sent three people to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says a semi-tractor trailer driven by 64-year-old Wymore, Nebraska resident Larry Sommerville was eastbound when he struck the rear of a Honda Civic that was stopped at the traffic control flagger site, and then struck an unoccupied car parked on the shoulder of the highway.

The driver of the Honda Civic, 32-year-old Seneca resident Daniel Cain and his  passenger, 26-year-old Carlisle Cain, also of Seneca, along with Sommerville were transported to the Hiawatha Community Hospital.

The wreck was reported shortly after 5:00 just west of Timber Road.    

(KAIR)--An Atchison City Commissioner decides to seek election to the Atchison County Commission.

Charlie Perdue filed for election to the 1st District County Commission seat in advance of Friday's noon filing deadline.

Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips tells MSC News Perdue filed by petition, which has been verified by her office.

Perdue was elected to the Atchison City Commission in April 2015.

The term expires January 14, 2020.

Perdue, a Democrat, is challenged in the County Commission race by one-time fellow City Commissioner, Jack Bower.

Bower, a Republican, was chosen to fill the 1st District County Commission seat during a Republican Party District Convention in April 2017.

He was selected to serve out the unexpired term of Jeff Schuele who resigned from the role.

The term runs through January 2019.

Bower filed by petition to seek election to the position in April.

Voters will go to the polls August 7 for the primary election, followed by the general election November 6.

Along with the commission position, all Atchison County township clerk positions are up for election.

(KNZA)--An early Friday morning Jefferson County motorcycle crash claimed the life of a Dallas, Texas man.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says killed in the crash on K-4 Highway was 41-year-old Robert Nelson.

The Patrol says Nelson was northbound when a deer entered the roadway and was struck by his Honda motorcycle.

Nelson, who was not wearing a helmet or protective gear,  was ejected.

He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which was reported shortly after midnight.

(KNZA)--There will be a contested race this fall for a position on the Hiawatha City Commission.

The Brown County Clerk’s Office reports Matthew Haws filed before Friday’s deadline for the position of Commissioner of Finance.

Haws joins John Merchant Jr. is seeking the position currently held by longtime commissioner Bill Collins.

Collins is running unopposed for mayor.  Current Mayor Dr. Steffen Shamburg is not seeking re-election.

The general election will be held November 6th.  

(KNZA)--A Leavenworth motorcyclist accused of leading authorities on a three-county pursuit in late February has entered into a plea agreement.

36-year-old Stephen Cox pleaded no contest last week in Doniphan County District Court to charges of  fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer and driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked.

In exchange for the plea, seven other charges were dismissed.

Sentencing was set for June 27th.

Cox was arrested February 28th after leading authorities on a pursuit that began in Leavenworth County, traveled through Atchison County, and ended in Doniphan County.

Cox reportedly dumped his motorcycle and surrendered to authorities after coming to a dead end on a Doniphan County road.

He remains free on bond.

(KNZA)--The preliminary hearing for a Hiawatha woman facing a pair of child sex charges has been pushed back.

The hearing for 19-year-old Teaini Simmons was continued Wednesday to July 25th at the request of her attorney.

Following the preliminary hearing, a judge will determine if there is sufficient evidence for Simmons to be bound over for trial on charges of rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

She was arrested May 15th following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department.

The investigation was launched after the department received a report from a concerned citizen that Simmons was romantically involved with a child under the age of 14.

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

(KMZA)--Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has announced a settlement with the Marshall County Commission to resolve a violation of the Kansas Open Meetings Act.

Schmidt announced the settlement in a news release Wednesday.

Schmidt says the attorney general’s office received a complaint in February alleging that the Commission violated the open meetings act by improperly discussing a matter in executive session.

After an investigation, the release says it was determined the board violated the law by recessing into closed session to discuss non-elected personnel, but did not discuss any matters regarding or related to non-elected personnel during the session.

In addition, the release says the investigation revealed the board violated the state open meetings law when its motion to recess into executive session failed to include a specific statement describing the subjects to be discussed during the executive session and the location that the open meeting would resume.

The release says Commissioners have signed a consent order admitting the violations. They also agreed to get training and provide written confirmation that each commission member has obtained the required training and agrees to not engage in any future violations of the open meetings law.

(KAIR)--Atchison's Warnock Lake will be closed to the public this weekend.

That's due to what the City of Atchison calls a private event scheduled at that location.

According to a post on the City's Facebook page, Warnock Lake will serve as the location of the Land of Oz Rally, an event hosted by the KC BMW Motorcycle Club.

The post states that the rally is expected to bring nearly 300 club members to the Atchison community.

Warnock Lake will close to the public at noon Friday and reopen at noon Sunday.

Members of the public, on the post, voiced opposition to the move, saying, in part, that the closure comes during the free fishing weekend, sponsored by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

The City, in response, noted that anglers will be able to use the west side of the lake, as was done last year.

The City, on the post, further stated that while they are sorry for the inconvenience to locals, the city “welcomes tourism dollars that benefit everyone in Atchison.”

(KAIR)--A McLouth semi-truck driver was injured Thursday afternoon in a single-vehicle wreck on I-70 in Leavenworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 57-year-old Russell Brown was westbound when his driver's side front tire failed.  Brown lost control of his semi-truck, which struck a concrete median barrier wall.

He was transported to the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City with unspecified injuries.

The Patrol says Brown was buckled up when the wreck happened shortly before 1:30 Thursday afternoon.