(KAIR)--The Atchison County Road and Bridge Superintendent has been terminated.

That follows a unanimous vote of the Atchison County Commission that came just prior to the adjournment of Tuesday’s regular meeting.

Third District Commissioner Bill Pohl made the motion to end Seth Howard’s employment with the County. “I make a motion, effective today, that we go in a different direction in our road and bridge, and Seth Howard is terminated as of today,” Pohl said, just prior to the vote.

The decision of the Commission followed an executive session held to discuss matters of non-elected personnel.

Howard was present at the closed door meeting.

No reason for the decision was stated publicly. 

According to Atchison County Human Resource Director Jamie Madison, Howard had served in the position since June, 2015. 

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission took no action Monday on the term sheet for the proposed Soldier Creek Wind Farm.

That followed two public meetings last week where residents voiced their opinion about the proposed project, with most speaking in opposition.

Following a 60-minute executive session Monday with windfarm attorney Jim Neeld by phone, Commission Chairman Gary Scoby announced that Commissioners are still reviewing the public comments from last week and still in negotiations with Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources.

The term sheet was released April 1 following months of negotiations between the county and NextEra Energy.

The 16-page document lays out the rules and regulations for the construction, operation and ultimately dismantling of the 300-megawatt wind farm.

In other business, Commissioners received three bids to repair the roof of the Pioneer Building.  The bids ranged from around $33,000 to more than $99,000.  No action was taken.

And the Commission approved the purchase of a new roll-off container for the landfill from Downing Sales and Service in the amount of $18,445.   Funding will come from the capital outlay fund.
     

(KAIR)--The groundwork is laid to keep Horton’s lone nursing home open.

That’s the outcome of a special session of the Horton City Commission held Monday evening.

Horton Mayor Bryan Stirton told MSC News the community showed strong support during the meeting, held at the Horton Blue Building. “We had a good showing of community members at the meeting,” Stirton said. “It was a very positive outcome. The groundwork was laid out in front of us to get ourselves in position to keep the facility open.”

While options were placed on the table for how to implement the plan, nothing is yet finalized, although the goal of keeping the nursing home open continues to progress.

During a special April 10 meeting of the Commission, unanimous approval was granted for the City to proceed with taking the action necessary to negotiate the transfer of the ownership of the business and operations of the Mission Village Living Center to the City of Horton.

That followed the decision of the living center’s board of directors to close the facility.

The Commission was notified of the decision at the start of April.

During the April 10 special session, board member Tom Kidwell told MSC News a number of factors, including a declining population and difficulty in retaining an administrator, played into the decision to close.

According to Stirton, plans outlined during Monday’s special meeting will be discussed further during the Commission’s May 6 regular meeting.

(KNZA)--An area judge will sit with the Kansas Supreme Court.

According to a press release from the Kansas Courts, District Judge Jeff Elder of the 2nd Judicial District has been appointed to sit with the Supreme Court Wednesday, May 1 to hear a case on the court’s summary calendar.

Elder will join Supreme Court justices in their deliberations and decision drafting in the Johnson County case.

Elder became a judge in 2008 in the 2nd Judicial District, which is composed of Jackson, Jefferson, Pottawatomie, and Wabaunsee counties. Elder hears cases primarily in Pottawatomie County.

Elder said it’s privilege and honor to be asked to be of assistance to the Kansas Supreme Court.  He added he’s deeply humbled at receiving the assignment.

Elder received a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas and a law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law.

He was county attorney for Pottawatomie County and in private practice before becoming a judge.

(KLZA)--A sufficient  number of signatures have been gathered to force a recall election for Humboldt Ward I Council member, Dolores Martinez.

In letters dated April 29th, to Martinez, Humboldt Mayor Robert Mendenhall and City Council members, Richardson County Clerk Mary Eickhoff stated that after examination of the 81 signatures included on the recall petition,  78 were valid signatures of registered voters within Ward I in  Humboldt. 56 valid signatures were required to force the recall election.

The Humboldt City Council is now charged with setting a date for a recall election not less than 30 days, nor more than 75 days after the notification of the official whose removal is sought.

Jamie Lynne Dorney filed the recall petition April 3.  Dorney alleges Martinez has not acted in the best interest of the City of Humboldt and has acted unprofessionally and unethically toward city employees, other elected officials and residents during her time in office. In addition, Dorney said in the statement of reasons for starting the recall effort that Martinez has lost the trust of the community.

In her statement of defense, Martinez calls the accusations ambiguous and unverified.  

If Martinez were to resign before the recall election is held, the Humboldt City Council may cancel the recall election. If the Council refuses to order a recall election withing the required time, the election may be ordered by the District Court.

Eickhoff also noted in the letter to the Mayor and Council the special election will be conducted by mail, pursuant to Nebraska State Statutes.

The cost of the recall effort will be paid by the City of Humboldt.
 

(KAIR)--The local area school teacher, killed last week in a two vehicle crash north of Valley Falls, will be laid to rest Tuesday morning.

According to the obituary for Hannah Lager, a wake service for the 24-year-old Minnesota native was held Saturday at Saint Benedict’s Abbey Church, in Atchison.

A second wake service was held Monday in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota.

The obituary from Atchison’s Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home says a funeral mass is planned Tuesday morning, followed by interment, in Minnesota.

A 2017 graduate of Atchison’s Benedictine College, Lager taught high school Spanish at Valley Falls and Jefferson County North.

She and her husband, Austin, married in June of last year, and made their home in Atchison.

They were expecting their first child.

A Kansas Highway Patrol report states Lager died April 24 when her car collided with a semi on K-4 Highway in Jefferson County.

(KLZA)--A nearly $439-thousand downtown improvement project is scheduled to begin this week in the 1600 block of Stone Street in Falls City.

The City Council approved moving forward with the revitalization project in March.

The work will include replacement of the sidewalks on both sides of 16th and Stone Street. Curbs will be lowered, planter boxes and railings will also be added and new street light poles will be put in. A renovation of the intersection of 16th and Stone Street is also included.

The project will include bump outs at 16th and Stone, but they will be smaller than bump outs located at 17th and Stone Street.

AHRS Construction of Bern, Kansas was awarded the bid for the project. Falls City received a Community Development Block Grant for the project and plan to use approximately $190-thousand in capital improvement sinking funds from city sales tax monies to cover the rest of the cost.

(KNZA)--The Holton school district is considering establishing bus fees for next school year due to overcrowding on school buses.

USD 336 will hold an informational meeting on the issue Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 in the Holton High School auditorium.   All school patrons are invited.

School officials say the district has been transporting children in tow and this school year, the buses have reached capacity and cannot continue to transport in town children without some changes.

Schools must take care of the transportation needs of children who live more than 2.5 miles from their attendance center, and USD 336 is willing to go about one mile from a child’s attendance center, but will not add any additional stops at this time, as well as get children across U.S 75 Highway.

School officials says 6th-12th  grade students whose homes are less than a mile from the attendance center or any K-12 grade student transported that does not go to their home or the current in-town closest drop off would be expected to pay $45 per household, per semester, to ride.   

(KMZA)--A Seneca man, accused of rape and other child-related sex crimes, has been found competent to stand trial.

The Nemaha County Attorney’s Office said a judge made the determination during a hearing Thursday in the case against 21-year-old Brandon Ogden, based on an evaluation conducted by KANZA Mental Health.  

A judge in February granted a motion filed by Ogden’s attorney for the evaluation.

A new preliminary hearing date will now be set in the case.

Ogden faces charges of rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated sodomy.

The criminal complaint alleges Ogden on August 26 of last year engaged in sexual intercourse, lewd fondling or touching and sodomy with a child under 14.

He was arrested the same day following a joint investigation by the Seneca Police Department and Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office.

Ogden remains in the Nemaha County Jail, held on a one million dollar bond.  

(KAIR)--A Jefferson County man is sentenced to house arrest and probation, and will pay thousands of dollars in restitution for failing to pay payroll taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.

According to the office of U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister, 62-year-old David Monhollon’s crimes stemmed from taxes related to a medical staffing company he owned.

Monhollon,of Ozawkie, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of failing to pay payroll taxes owed by First Call Medical Group, LLC, a company that provided medical staffing to health care providers.

In his plea, Monhollon admitted that he failed to pay more than $68,000 for seven quarters of the company’s payroll taxes, admitting that he knew the taxes were due,but chose to spend the funds elsewhere.

Monhollon will serve 3-years on probation, will spend eight months in home detention, pay more than $68,000 in restitution, and pay a fine of $3,000.

(KNZA)--Another candidate as filed for one of three positions up for election this November on the Horton City Commission.

The Brown County Clerk’s Office reports Bobby Bacon filed Friday for election as Commissioner of Parks and Recreation.  Bacon, who currently holds the position, was appointed last July to fill the unexpired term of Jeremy Forkenbrock.

Glen Obbards is also seeking the position.

Also up for election is the position of mayor, currently held by Bryan Stirton, and Commissioner of Police, currently held by Rex West.

Matthew Howell filed earlier this month for the position of Commissioner of Police.

Candidates have until noon, June 3 to file at the Brown County Clerk’s Office.

A primary election will be held August 6, if necessary.  The general election is November 5.

(KMZA)--A Goff man convicted in an armed home invasion last September in Seneca has been sentenced to 7 ½ years in prison.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert tells MSC News that Albert Jennings Scott III was sentenced Thursday on an amended charge of attempted aggravated robbery.

After Scott serves his sentence, Lippert says he will be subject to 24 months post release supervision.

Scott pleaded guilty to the charge in March.  In exchange for the plea, six additional counts were dismissed.

Scott was charged with entering a Seneca residence on September 29 of last year, armed with a .380 handgun, and taking tattoo equipment while someone else was inside the home.

(KMZA)--Storm sirens across Nemaha County will be re-tested Monday, April 29.

County Emergency Management Director Russell Lierz said several sirens didn’t work as expected during the statewide tornado safety drill last month.

Those sirens have been repaired and this test is to make sure they are performing properly.

The re-test will take place Monday morning at 10:00.  In case of bad weather, the test will be held Tuesday morning at 10:00.  

(KLZA)-- Low visibility due to a controlled burn contributed to a pair of wrecks, with injuries, Thursday morning in Atchison, County, Missouri.

Just past 10, 88-year-old Betty Haer of Tarkio was southbound on US-59 Highway approximately two-and-a-half miles north of Fairfax. Due to low visibility due to a controlled burn on the east side of the road, Haer's Ford EDGE crossed the center line and struck the front of a Honda CRV driven by 63-year-old Eddie Ridley of Fairfax.

Both vehicles came to rest on US-59. Just moments later, a northbound pickup driven by 33-year-old Jeremy Sturtz of Tarkio was unable to YIELD to the Ridley vehicle, hitting it in the rear.

Betty Haer was transported by Atchison-Holt Ambulance to Fairfax Community Hospital and then by helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha with serious injuries.

Eddie Ridley sustained what were described as moderate injuries and was transported by Atchison-Holt Ambulance to the Fairfax Hospital.

Jeremy Sturtz was not injured. All of the vehicles were towed away.

The Atchison County Sheriff's Department, Fairfax Fire Department assisted at the scene of the wrecks.

(AP)--The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled for the first time that the state constitution protects abortion rights and has blocked a first-in-the-nation ban on a common second trimester procedure.

The court's ruling Friday was a major victory for abortion rights supporters in a state with an anti-abortion Legislature. 

It prevents the state from enforcing a 2015 law that could have reduced second-trimester abortions and allows challenges to other restrictions under the state constitution.

The court said language in the Kansas Constitution guaranteeing individual rights protects a woman's right to obtain an abortion independent of the U.S. Constitution. Kansas courts could strike down restrictions that have been upheld by the federal courts.

The decision also stymies the attempt by abortion opponents to outlaw what the law described as "dismemberment abortion."

Shortly after the Supreme Court's ruling, United States Senator Jerry Moran, a Republican from KS, issued the following statement: 

(KAIR)--A grand opening for Atchison’s inclusive playground is planned for this upcoming weekend.

That’s according to a news release issued by the City of Atchison.

The inclusive playground is located at Atchison’s Jackson Park.

The Sunday afternoon ceremony, set for 4:00, is being hosted by the Atchison Park and Forestry Board in cooperation with Live Well, Live Atchison.

Construction on the inclusive playground began late last year, following approval by the Atchison City Commission in August, 2018. It opened for use in February.

Several years in the making prior to the Commission approval, the playground was made possible by grants and donations from Live Well, Live Atchison, Westar Energy and the Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust, John H. Mize Jr. and Bank of America, N.A., Trustees.

The playground was designed to remove many of the physical and cognitive barriers that prevent children of different abilities from playing together at the same facilty.

According to past information provided by the City, the playground features a wheelchair accessible composite structure, a multiple occupant saucer swing, a merry-go-round, musical instruments, and a tunnel mound.

The public is invited to attend the ribbon cutting, where snacks and drinks will be available.

(KAIR)--A two vehicle, early Wednesday evening Atchison County wreck, sent one to the hospital.

A report issued by Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie says it happened shortly after 5:30, in Muscotah, at the intersection of 1st and Kickapoo Street.

According to Laurie, 22-year-old Nicholas Isaacs, of Horton, was turning right onto Kickapoo Street to go north. At that same time, 38-year-old Effingham resident Leanne Pantle was westbound on 1st Street, when she struck the rear of a trailer being pulled by Isaacs. Her vehicle then drove onto the trailer, and struck a vehicle that was aboard it.

Pantle was transported by Atchison County EMS for treatment of an injury that Laurie said was caused when she struck her head on the windshield.

(MSC News)--Prescription drugs must be disposed of safely and properly.

That's the reason behind National Drug Take Back Day, planned for Saturday, as local area law enforcement agencies partner with the Drug Enforcement Agency, to allow safe disposal of such medications.

All on-site drop-off locations will be held from 10 until 2:00.

Taking part in the program has become a tradition for the Atchison County Sheriff's Department, with deputies to be on-site at the Atchison WalMart, with all varieties of prescription drugs to be accepted for disposal.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News that keeps the drugs from falling into either the wrong hands, or being disposed of in environmentally unfriendly ways. “It's been successful every time, the amount of prescription drugs that we get each time,” Laurie said, adding that those who can’t make it to WalMart can dispose of unwanted drugs anytime at his office, as well as at other Atchison locations. “We have a drop box here at the Sheriff's Office, in the lobby, that anybody can come in and drop that medication off at any time, even after hours. Live Well, Live Atchison also has placed boxes throughout the community and they have a few different locations that they accept medication as well.”

The Brown County Sheriff's Department will again join in the effort, conducting collections at the Sheriff's Office located at 709 Utah Street in Hiawatha.  

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant told MSC News his department has taken part since the program was established in 2010, and has also expanded to collect drugs anytime throughout the year. “We encourage the public at any time to bring their medications to us at 709 Utah Street in Hiawatha. Dispatchers are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to accept the medications. We cannot accept needles/syringes or injectable medications.”

Numerous other agencies from across the local area will join law enforcement nationwide in taking part in the event.

That includes the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office in Seneca and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in Holton.

Two locations are planned in Leavenworth,one at Price Chopper and the other at CVS Pharmacy.

To see a complete list of locations, go here. 

(KNZA)--A date has not been set yet for the re-opening of a portion of Interstate-29, north of St. Joseph, which has been closed since last month’s devastating flooding.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said that’s what the Missouri Department of Transportation told him Thursday morning.

Inspections have to be made, damaged assessed and repairs will have to take place before the highway is re-opened.  Merchant said June or July is a possibility but there is nothing positive at this time.

The closure of I-29 has lead to an increase in traffic on Brown County highways, especially U.S. 36 and 75.

Merchant said deputies will continue to heavily patrol the highways when they are not answering other calls in the county.  He added deputies are working overtime to keep an officer presence on the highways as a deterrent for impatient and dangerous drivers.

Merchant said deputies have issued many citations for speeding, improper passing, no insurance, no drivers license, illegal registration and other violations, as well as made some arrests.

Until traffic returns to normal, Merchant urges motorists to not take changes, watch out for the other driver, allow plenty of time, buckle your seatbelt and be the best defensive driver you can be

(KNZA)--A Horton man, accused of threatening his father with a knife during an altercation in February, has been placed on probation.

21-year-old Cyrus Conklin was given a suspended sentence Monday in Brown County District Court and placed on one year supervised probation.

He pleaded no contest earlier this month to a felony charge of interference with law enforcement and misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property.

In exchange for the plea, charges of aggravated assault and domestic battery, were dismissed.

Conklin also faces a felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer in a separate case.  A preliminary hearing in that case is set for May 8.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners Tuesday approved the purchase of a records management system to be utilized by the County Law Enforcement Center while allowing access to the County Attorney's Office and the Nebraska State Probation Office.

Sheriff Don Pounds presented a purchase order for the system that did not include Administrative, Property and Civil programs that would have been $5,500 less.

Second District Commissioner John Caverzagie had reviewed the program details with a representative from Justice Data Solutions and recommended the County purchase and utilize the entire program.

The system will cost $18,750, plus maintenance fees of $2-thousand for the Sheriff's Office. As part of the motion, the system is to operate off the server at the Falls City Police Department.

The motion to purchase the complete system passed unanimously.

(KAIR)--A graduate of Benedictine College, a school teacher, a wife, and a mother-to-be.

That’s how 24-year-old Hannah Lager is being remembered following Wednesday mornings fatal crash that claimed her life.

The wreck occurred shortly after 7:30 on K-4 Highway, north of Valley Falls.

Lager taught Spanish as a high school teacher, working at both Valley Falls and Jefferson County North, according to the websites for the two school districts. 

Dr. Volora Hanzlicek, Superintendent of Valley Falls USD 338, in a statement, said, "Hannah was a great teacher and she will be missed by all."

A social media message posted Wednesday by Benedictine College said Lager was a 2017 graduate of the Atchison-based Catholic college. According to the statement, she and her husband, Austin, a graduate and current employee of the college, were expecting their first child in a few months.

The couple, residents of Atchison, had been married since June of last year.

A special prayer service was held Wednesday evening at the Abbey Church.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol report, Lager was southbound on the highway, traveling in the inside lane, attempting to pass a semi tractor-trailer, that was southbound in the far right lane, attempting to merge into the inside lane.

Lager attempted to pass in the opposing northbound lane, but over-corrected, and lost control of her Chevrolet Impala. The car began to skid counter-clockwise into the northbound lane of traffic, causing the semi to collide with the passenger side of Lager’s car.

Lager was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the semi, 75-year-old Warren Hollis, of Valley Falls, was transported to Topeka’s Stormont Vail for the treatment of what the KHP report called a possible injury.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts.

(KLZA)--Falls City Utility Superintendent Ray Luhring presented information to the City Council during their April 15th meeting about suggested upgrades to the ring buss and water treatment plant electrical services.

The proposed improvements include a dedicated electrical service to allow Falls City industries, located in the Industrial Tract to be served by one circuit. Luhring told the Council the current system which has the industrial tact served off of the ring bus circuit has caused some issues in the past.

The proposal is to take the south ring bus and run it to a substation on 21st Street, and then build another circuit that would be dedicated to industry, ending in the industrial park.

Currently there is an issue with the “Delta Line” that runs to the water treatment plant south of Rulo. The line has caused some damage to equipment at the plant. Luhring said the City needs to install a Y-Line to the water plant.

The Board of Public Works recommends going out for bids on these projects to help with the decision on the best way to address the issues. Luhring said once they have bids, the City can decide if its best to bid the entire project out; have city crews do a portion of the work and whether or not the projects would be split into two fiscal years.

The Council approved advertising for bids for the projects.

(KLZA)--Saturday morning, April 27, is the time for Falls City residents to take part in the Bi-Annual Community Clean Up.

Hamilton Recycling and Disposal at 6th and Stone Streets will accept large and bulky trash, metals, and recyclables between 8 and noon.

Items including appliances, TV's and monitors, old furniture, couches, metals, grills, wood, siding and junk will be accepted. Your personal household trash will not be accepted.

A fee will be charged for tires depending on the size. Used oil will be accepted and free paper shredding will be provided. Donations of a canned good for each box to be shredded is requested and the limit is five boxes per customer.

Household hazardous wastes and toxic chemicals will not be accepted at this time.

The city of Falls City, the Falls City Green Team and Hamilton Recycling & Disposal sponsor the bi-annual cleanup event.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday to vacate and abandon a portion of a county road known as 648 Avenue, south of 706 Road.

The road is located south of Highway 8, about three miles west of Falls City.

No action was taken on a proposed resolution to close a portion of 709 Road east of 661 Avenue which is located north of Rulo.

(KMZA)--A large audience was on hand for the first of two public meetings on the term sheet for the proposed Soldier Creek Wind Farm in Nemaha County.

More than fifty residents voiced their opinion Monday about the proposed project to Nemaha County Commission, with the majority speaking in opposition to the project.

Those speaking in opposition voiced concerns about the impact the turbines could have on property values, noise generated and possible adverse health effects.

One resident said young families will not want to move to or back to Nemaha County if the countryside is “ littered” with wind turbines.

Many speakers said they would prefer that the Commission go back to the original setback requirements that were put into place in 2012, and then rescinded in 2016, which were 3,000 feet setbacks from residences and 1,500 feet from property lines.

It was noted that more than 1,300 signatures had been received, as of Monday, on a petition in opposition to the project.

Those speaking in support of the wind farm said they felt it was a good opportunity for the county to bring in tax dollars and would provide a guaranteed income for landowners.

The term sheet was released April 1 following months of negotiations between the county and Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources.

The 16-page document lays out the rules and regulations for the construction, operation and ultimately dismantling of the 300-megawatt wind farm.

 A second public meeting will be held Thursday evening, April 25 from 6 to 10 at the Nemaha County Community Building, in Seneca.

(KNZA)--An Ozawkie, Kansas couple escaped serious injury in a late Tuesday  morning two-vehicle crash in northwest Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it happened shortly before noon in Andrew County, about three miles north of St. Joseph.

The Patrol reports 76-year-old Arthur Beem was westbound on County Road 352 when he failed to yield after stopping at a stop sign and traveled into the path of northbound pickup truck on Business 71.   The pickup struck the driver’s side of Beem’s SUV.

Beem and a passenger in his vehicle, 76-year-old Evelyn Beem, were transported by private vehicle to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph for the treatment of what the Patrol described as minor injuries.

The driver of the pickup, 60-year-old Savanah, Missouri resident David Deshon, was not hurt.

The Patrol says all three occupants were bucked up at the time of the wreck.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance in locating a runaway juvenile.

Sheriff John Merchant says 16-year-old Neveah Mitchell ran away in the vicinity of the 300 block of Shawnee Street in Hiawatha around 4:30 Wednesday afternoon.

She is described as 5 foot, five inches tall, weighing 120 pounds, with green eyes and long blondish hair.

If located, your asked to notify the Brown County Sheriff's Office at once at 785-742-7125.  

Ed

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance in locating a runaway juvenile.

Sheriff John Merchant says 16-year-old Neveah Mitchell ran away in the vicinity of the 300 block of Shawnee Street in Hiawatha around 4:30 Wednesday afternoon.

She is described as 5 foot, five inches tall, weighing 120 pounds, with green eyes and long blondish hair.

If located, your asked to notify the Brown County Sheriff's Office at once at 785-742-7125.  

(KAIR)--Erratic driving is blamed for a Wednesday morning Wyandotte County crash that sent two Leavenworth County residents to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports it happened shortly after 9:30 on K7 Highway at the northern end of the Bonner Springs city limits.

According to a KHP report, 44-year-old Anthony Johnson was northbound, driving erratically, when he intentionally changed lanes, then stopped, in front of another northbound vehicle, driven by 78-year-old Basehor resident Robert Vickers.

Vickers’ pickup collided into the rear of Johnson’s car, while another northbound vehicle, driven by Mark Faucette, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, rear-ended Vickers.

Johnson was taken to the Dwight D. Eishenhower VA Medical Center, in Leavenworth, with a possible injury.

Vickers was taken to Overland Park Regional for treatment of a suspect minor injury.

Faucette suffered a possible injury but was not transported.

The KHP report says all three were buckled up at the time of the wreck.

(KNZA)--A jury trial has been set for a rural Horton man accused of shooting at law enforcement officers during a 10-hour standoff on the Kickapoo Reservation in November.

54-year-old Anthony Walker pleaded not guilty Monday in Brown County District Court to all 12 counts against him.

A 3-day trail was set, beginning August 7.

The standoff began the evening of November 27 after Kickapoo Tribal Police were called to a residence in the 12-hundred block of Fern Road for a domestic disturbance.

Multiple agencies responded after Walker, allegedly armed with an AK-47, began shooting at officers.

Walker surrendered peacefully the following morning after a tactical team from the Kansas Highway Patrol entered the home.

A woman in the home, who allegedly was being held against her will, was able to escape without injury before the standoff ended and no officers were hurt.

Walker remains free on a $10,000 bond, which was reduced from $500,000 last month after a judge granted a motion for a bond modification over the objections of County Attorney Kevin Hill.

(KAIR)--The 24-year-old victim of Wednesday morning’s fatal crash, north of Valley Falls, is identified as a Valley Falls school teacher.

That word came in a message sent to parents of students at Atchison’s Saint Benedict Catholic School Wednesday.

The message, from Principal Diane Liebsch, was sent due to the Atchison student’s participating in Wednesday’s Kansas League Band Day at Valley Falls.

She said Hannah Lager, confirmed as the victim by the Kansas Highway Patrol, is the wife of Benedictine College employee, Austin Lager.

Liebsch was informed of the identity by Valley Falls Principal Susan Gray.

Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Don Hughes told MSC News the fatal wreck happened on K-4 Highway, at 170th Road.

According to the report from the KHP, Lager, of Atchison, was southbound on the highway, traveling in the inside lane, attempting to pass a semi tractor-trailer, that was southbound in the far right lane, attempting to merge into the inside lane.

Lager attempted to pass in the opposing northbound lane, but over-corrected, and lost control of her Chevrolet Impala. The car began to skid counter-clockwise into the northbound lane of traffic, causing the semi to collide with the passenger side of Lager’s car.

Lager was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the semi, 75-year-old Warren Hollis, of Valley Falls, was transported to Topeka’s Stormont Vail for the treatment of what the KHP report called a possible injury.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts.

The fatal wreck occurred shortly after 7:30 Wednesday morning.

According to the message sent by Liebsch, the Lager’s were expecting their first child.

For those of you who may not receive the BC’s announcements: “We are sad to inform you that Hannah (Vogt) Lager ’17, the wife of Austin Lager ’17 from the IT Department, was killed this morning in a traffic accident. Making the situation even sadder, the young couple had just married last June and they were expecting their first child in a few months. Please keep Austin and the families in your prayers during this very difficult time.  Please pray for the repose of the souls of Hannah and their unborn child.

In response to today’s tragic news, there will be a Rosary for the Lager family at 8:00 p.m. tonight in the Abbey Church.  If you would like to help the family get through this difficult time, Benedictine College has set up a fund that will pass money directly to Austin Lager.  You can donate to that fund here or bring a check or cash to the Business Office (3rd floor, St. Benedict Hall) to have it deposited into the account.”

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth man Monday pleaded guilty to the armed robbery of a bank.

That word comes in a release from the office of U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

According to the release, 26-year-old Damon Hammeke pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a robbery.

In his plea, Hammeke admitted robbing the Country Club Bank, located at 2310 South 4th Street, in Leavenworth, on November 21, 2017.

He entered the bank wearing a white jacket and black mask while carrying a handgun.

Hammeke left the bank with money.

He was caught two days later following a high speed chase that began with an attempted traffic stop in Tonganoxie. The chase went through Basehor, Lansing, Leavenworth, Platte County, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas before authorities were able to apprehend Hammeke.

Sentencing is set for July 22.

He faces a penalty of up to 25 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the robbery charge as well as not less than seven years and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearm charge.

(KAIR)--Arbor Day will be commemorated in Atchison.

That will happen with a tree planting planned for later this week.

On April 15, Atchison Mayor Shawn Rizza, during the regular meeting of the Atchison City Commission, proclaimed April 26 as Arbor Day in the City of Atchison.

On Friday, April 26, an Autumn Flame Maple will be planted at Atchison’s Jackson Park, located at 6th and College Street.

Friday afternoon’s planting, scheduled to take place at 12:30, is being sponsored by the City of Atchison Park and Forestry Board.

The tree will be planted near the site of the new inclusive playground and picnic shelters.

According to the Arbor Day Foundation’s website, Atchison is a Tree City USA, an honor the city has held for 36-years.

The first Arbor Day, spearheaded by J. Sterling Morton, was held in Nebraska City, Nebraska, on April 10, 1872.

(KLZA)--Missouri Governor Mike Parson has requested that President Donald Trump approve a major disaster declaration for Missouri to provide federal assistance to a total of 13 counties in response to devastating flooding that began March 11.

Preliminary damage assessments conducted by the State Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and local officials estimated $25 million in damage to infrastructure and emergency response costs eligible for federal assistance.

Among the 13 counties included in the request were Atchison, Holt, Andrew, Buchanan and Carroll.

If approved, local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies may seek federal assistance reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement costs for damaged roads, bridges and other public infrastructure.

In addition, Parson is requesting Individual Assistance for five Missouri counties, so eligible residents can seek federal assistance with temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles and other qualifying expenses as a result of the flooding. Those counties are Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Holt and Platte.

The Governor has also requested the Small Business Administration assist businesses, homeowners and renters in these counties with low-interest loans.

Those affected by the flooding are encouraged to continue documenting losses by photographing damage and retaining all receipts.

(KLZA)--Falls City has been designated as accredited Main Street community for 2019.

Main Street communities must meet rigorous performance standards set by the National Main Street Center and its Coordinating Program partners. The accreditation is in recognition of the communities exemplary commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach.

Each community is evaluated annually.

In Nebraska, the Nebraska Main Street Network, works in partnership with the National Main Street Center to identify the local programs that meet ten national performance standards.

Communities must build comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as fostering strong public-private partnerships and actively preserve historic buildings.

Beatrice, Grand Island Fremont and Wayne are the other Nebraska communities designated as accredited for 2019.

(KLZA)--With the 90-day Nebraska legislative session getting closer to the end, First District State Senator Julie Slama told constituents in Falls City Monday that she will be arguing against those wanting to repeal the death penalty in the state.

The Senator said she believes voters in Nebraska were loud and clear in voting to reinstate the death penalty after the Legislature abolished it previously.

The freshman Senator from Peru is expecting quite a bit of debate on other major topics as the session starts to wind down. In addition to property taxes, topics including redistricting, legalizing gambling and medical marijuana will possibly make it to the floor for debate and action.

Senator Slama spoke to a group of constituents at the Falter Museum Monday morning.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has approved the purchase of a new backhoe for the county transfer station.

The Commission Monday approved the purchase of a 2019 Case backhoe from Victor L. Phillips, of Topeka, for a total cost of $69,043 with trade-in and a three-year extended warranty.

The current machine is three years old.

The new machine is to be financed through a lease purchase arrangement.

Plans are to check with local banks to see what interest rate they would offer to finance the purchase.  

In other business, County Appraiser Steve Markham informed Commissioners that he has hired Lanette Bowen as the new data collector.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle late Tuesday night Jackson County wreck sent two people to the hospital for the treatment of possible injuries.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened at the intersection of U.S. 75 Highway and 190th Road, south of Holton.

The Patrol reports 32-year-old Cody Wiemers, of Pawnee City, Nebraska, was eastbound on 190th when he ran a stop sign and his SUV was struck in the driver’s side by a southbound car on U.S. 75 driven by 53-year-old Julie Vermehren, of Mayetta.

Wiemers was transported to the Holton Community Hospital and Vermehren was transported to Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Hospital.

The Patrol says both drivers were buckled up when the wreck happened shortly after 10:00 Tuesday night.  

Hiawatha native Gary Thornton is among 25 area veterans chosen to participate in an Honor Flight April 24-25. Pictured with Thornton is his wife, Jean, and student guardian.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha native is among twenty-five veterans taking part in a Honor Flight to Washington D.C. Wednesday and Thursday, April 24-25, hosted by Wamego High School.

He is Gary Thornton, of Wamego, who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War.  

Also among those chosen to take part in the Honor Flight are three sets of brothers.   

The Honor Flight Network is a national non-profit organization based out of Springfield, Ohio, with the mission to transport our heroes to the nation’s capital to visit and reflect at their memorials.

It’s the seventh year Wamego High School has hosted the special trip, pairing the veterans from all branches of the service with student guardians from the local chapter of the National Honor Society.

The group is scheduled to arrive back in Wamego Thursday evening around 9:30.  The community is invited to welcome them back home at the Wamego High School gym, with the doors opening at 8:30.  Your encouraged to wear your patriotic finest.  

After this week’s flight, the high school will have had the honor of recognizing the service and sacrifice of 159 area veterans.

(KNZA)--An Omaha, Nebraska woman, accused of killing three members of a Sabetha family and injuring two others in a 2017 Jackson County head-on collision, has entered into a plea agreement.

49-year-old Maria Perez-Marquez pleaded no contest during a hearing late last week in Jackson County District to three misdemeanor counts of vehicular homicide and one felony count of aggravated battery, canceling a May 1 jury trial that had been set in the case.

Sentencing was set for June 14.

Perez-Marquez had originally been charged with three felony counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of aggravated battery and one count of reckless driving.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says Perez-Marquez was driving a sport utility vehicle the evening of November 25, 2017 on U.S. 75 Highway, north of Netawaka, when she attempted to pass another vehicle, leading to the fatal crash.

Killed were Carmen Ukele, her daughter, Marlee, and brother-in-law, Stephen.  Carmen’s husband, Lee, was seriously injured.   Perez-Marquez was also injured, along with a passenger in her vehicle.

She remains free on bond.

(KAIR)--As the 2019 Atchison County Tax Sale approaches, the City of Atchison is sending a reminder regarding the responsibility of those who buy property that has current code violations.

According to a news release issued by the City, while a tax sale effectively wipes the slate clean on back taxes owed, it does not resolve buyers of responsibility to bring the property up to minimum codes or recent mowing assessments.

11 properties listed for the sale have such violations.

The release explains that code issues on the properties range from cosmetic issues to a demolition order.

Joe Warren, Director of Administrative Services for the City of Atchison, in the release, said the one property under a demolition order “has been inspected and is probably unsalvageable.”

He also explained that property maintenance becomes the responsibility of the bidder when a property is bought at tax sale.

If a prospective buyer would like to know more about any code issues with current tax sale properties, they should contact City of Atchison Community Development at (913) 367-5560.

The tax sale will be held Wednesday morning at 10:00 at the Atchison County Courthouse.

Photo credit: Atchison Co Sheriff's Office

(KAIR)--A sinkhole develops on a local highway, with efforts to make repairs underway.

According to Laurie Arellano, Director of Communications for the Kansas Department of Transportation, the hole, located south of Atchison, on U.S. Highway 73, at Sherman Road, developed Monday evening when a pipe collapsed under the roadway.

She told MSC News the highway remains open, with traffic restricted to one lane in each direction.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News motorists are being alerted at the location of the sinkhole through the use of cones and flashing signs.

According to Arellano, crews were on the scene Tuesday making repairs.

It’s expected that the work will be complete by Friday.

Photo credit: Atchison Co Sheriff's Office

(KAIR)--A sinkhole develops on a local highway, with efforts to make repairs underway.

According to Laurie Arellano, Director of Communications for the Kansas Department of Transportation, the hole, located south of Atchison, on U.S. Highway 73, at Sherman Road, developed Monday evening when a pipe collapsed under the roadway.

She told MSC News the highway remains open, with traffic restricted to one lane in each direction.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News motorists are being alerted at the location of the sinkhole through the use of cones and flashing signs.

According to Arellano, crews were on the scene Tuesday making repairs.

It’s expected that the work will be complete by Friday.

Photo credit: Atchison Co Sheriff's Office

(KAIR)--A sinkhole develops on a local highway, with efforts to make repairs underway.

According to Laurie Arellano, Director of Communications for the Kansas Department of Transportation, the hole, located south of Atchison, on U.S. Highway 73, at Sherman Road, developed Monday evening when a pipe collapsed under the roadway.

She told MSC News the highway remains open, with traffic restricted to one lane in each direction.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News motorists are being alerted at the location of the sinkhole through the use of cones and flashing signs.

According to Arellano, crews were on the scene Tuesday making repairs.

It’s expected that the work will be complete by Friday.

Photo credit: Atchison Co Sheriff's Office

(KAIR)--A sinkhole develops on a local highway, with efforts to make repairs underway.

According to Laurie Arellano, Director of Communications for the Kansas Department of Transportation, the hole, located south of Atchison, on U.S. Highway 73, at Sherman Road, developed Monday evening when a pipe collapsed under the roadway.

She told MSC News the highway remains open, with traffic restricted to one lane in each direction.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News motorists are being alerted at the location of the sinkhole through the use of cones and flashing signs.

According to Arellano, crews were on the scene Tuesday making repairs.

It’s expected that the work will be complete by Friday.

Photo credit: KDOT

(MSC News)--The STEP Foundation Board of Directors has announced recipients for the first-round of 2019 grants.

The grants are awarded for charitable purposes to enhance and improve the quality of life for the residents of Nemaha County. With over $65,000 being requested this round, just over $23,000 is being granted. The breakdown for funding is $4,000 coming from the general undesignated fund, $9,000 from the Glen J. Meyer Advisory Fund, and approximately $10,000 from the Nate and Bernardine Rettele Fund, which closes out the Rettele Fund.

Three organizations will be receiving a total of $4,000 from the Nemaha County STEP Foundation General Endowment Fund. The Bern Community Support Foundation will receive $2,500 to assist in the new roof system for the Bern Café. The Nemaha County 4-H Program will use their $1,000 grant award to provide programs and activities for youth. The $500 awarded to the Seneca Free Library will be used for the concrete pad to complete installation of the music garden.

An award of $6,000 from the Glen J. Meyer Advisory Fund will be used to purchase equipment, uniforms and supplies for the youth summer ball from the B&B Ball Association. Jennie Rusche, ball association director, said in the application that “the new equipment would benefit approximately 125-150 kids per season for the next 7-10 years.”

Also receiving funding from the Glen J. Meyer Advisory Fund is the Centralia Community Church. They will purchase a big screen smart television with the $1,000 award and utilize it in the fellowship hall to offer more opportunities to the community.

The Centralia PRIDE Association will receive $2,000 from the Glen J. Meyer Advisory Fund for park improvements such as a chain link fence, basketball area improvements and a flag pole. The Centralia PRIDE Association has been working on their park since 2015. By installing new play equipment and sidewalks, the park is now a popular place for birthday parties, family gatherings and community events.

The Spring Creek Golf Course will be receiving approximately $10,000 from the Nate and Bernardine Rettele Fund, which closes out the fund. The golf course plans to chip and seal the parking lot which will create a clean, professional parking lot, enabling them to create and paint parking stalls.

All of these projects will make Nemaha County a great place to live and work! Grants are awarded twice a year through the STEP Foundation, with the next deadline being July 15, 2019. For current applications and more information, visit www.nemahastep.org or contact Tory Jost at 785-410-0543. For the latest updates, like and follow STEP on Facebook.

(KLZA)--First District State Senator Julie Slama was in Falls City Monday for a meet and greet session and an opportunity to get to know her constituents.

Slama, a 2014 graduate of  Auburn High School and Yale University was appointed by Governor Pete Ricketts to represent the First Congressional District after Senator Dan Watermeier ran successfully for the Public Service Commission last November.

Slama, is a Republican and says with the current 90-day legislative session going into the home stretch, and once again, Nebraska property taxes are the number one issue of the session.  Slama encouraged constituents to attend a Wednesday Revenue Committee hearing on their tax relief proposal, or contact her and make your feelings known.

The Senator from Peru says the property tax issue needs a long-term fix, not an unchecked money dump into schools that is painted as property tax relief for  a couple of years, then goes right back to where we are now.

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts is not in favor of a proposal to lower property taxes by raising the state sales tax and cigarette taxes.  Slama is in agreement with the Governor, and says we are not addressing the root of the problem which is putting the onus of funding local schools in rural districts on local property tax payers.

She says shifting the  burden and raiding the property tax relief fund does not provide real property tax relief and does not fix the funding problems for local schools.

Monday's visit to Falls City was sponsored by Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise and the Richardson County Farm Bureau.  

(KLZA)--The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Recovery Center in Falls City will remain open two additional days.

FEMA has set the Disaster Recovery Center up at Prichard Auditorium in Falls City, located at 312 West 17th Street.

The plan had been to close the facility Wednesday evening, April 24.

So far FEMA has provided $19.2-million for Individual Assistance in Nebraska.  The U.S. Small Business Administration has provided $15.1-million in loans and National Flood Insurance has provided victims with $14.1-million.  

Nebraska homeowners, renters and businesses in Richardson and Nemaha counties in Southeast Nebraska, may apply for federal disaster assistance for uninsured and underinsured damage and losses resulting from severe winter storms, straight-line winds and flooding.  

(KNZA)--An unattended infant death that occurred in Sabetha late last year remains under investigation.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert, in an emailed response to an inquiry made by MSC News, said no charges had been filed as of Monday.

The death occurred December 1, 2018.

The case is being investigated by the Sabetha Police Department.

(KAIR)--Atchison High School was placed on lockdown Monday, following the discovery of a BB gun.

According to an alert issued by USD 409 shortly before 3:00 Monday afternoon, the BB gun was located in the bookbag of a student.

It was secured by school staff and the Student Resource Officer.

The alert said due to the discovery, the school “building was on lockdown for a short period.”

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the 15-year-old student had never removed the BB gun from inside the bag, but it was discovered due to the student’s behavior. “He had been in a classroom, he had been acting disorderly, drew the attention of the teacher. Somehow the teacher had suspicion, or had reason to believe, that there may be some type of weapon in a bookbag that the student had, although it was never taken...out of the bag. There was no threat made with the weapon.”

Based on the teacher’s suspicion, Wilson said the Student Resource Officer was called to the location of the student, and that’s when the bookbag was seized and the BB gun found.

Atchison Police Officers also responded to the high school, along with a Trooper from the Kansas Highway Patrol, around 2:30 Monday afternoon. 

Wilson said the student was taken into custody.

(KAIR)--A teenage runaway from Jefferson County had been in the company of a registered sex offender.

WIBW-TV reports the teen and 21-year-old Jacob Cowles were both located following a search launched Sunday.

Despite concerns that the teen had been abducted, Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig told the TV station the teen left with Cowles willingly.

The teen apparently had returned home following the search, which led his parents to notify authorities who in turn located Cowles and placed him under arrest.

Cowles faces numerous charges, including aggravated criminal sodomy, indecent liberties with a child between the ages of 14 and 16, and solicit to engage.

Following his arrest, Cowles was booked into the Jefferson County Jail.

(KLZA)--A tractor and planter were destroyed by fire Sunday near Barada.

Falls City Rural Fire Department spokesman Mike Ramsey said Dylan Handley was planting a field approximately a half-mile west of Barada when the fire started.

Fire fighters responded shortly before noon but by the time they could reach the location of the tractor and planter in the field, both pieces of equipment were destroyed.

The cause of the fire has not been determined.

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) - Southeastern Nebraska officials say a woman has been arrested on suspicion of arson in a fire at Tecumseh Poultry earlier this month.

The State Fire Marshal's office says in a news release late Friday that it and the Johnson County Sheriff's Office investigated the cause of the April 5 fire, leading to the arrest of 52-year-old Kimberly Bohling, of Tecumseh. She faces charges of second-degree arson, criminal mischief and burglary.

Officials say the fire remains under investigation.

Editor's note: Authorities have determined that the cause of death was suicide.

(MSC News)--Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a teenager found Saturday night in rural Jefferson County.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig said the male teen was found by a farmer just before 8:30 near an old quarry at Decatur Road and Highway 24.

The teen was pronounced dead when officials arrived.

KSNT-TV reports the teen was found by a car with a gunshot wound.

The teen had been reported missing by a family member around 3:00 Saturday afternoon. He had last been seen around 10:30 Saturday morning.

(KNZA)--Services have been set for longtime KNZA/KMZA radio announcer L.J. Trant.

Trant, of Everest, died unexpectedly Thursday evening at the Hiawatha Community Hospital at the age of 62.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 2 at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center, in Hiawatha.

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

Trant served as the morning show host and program director for KNZA/KMZA radio for 32 years. He was also a familiar voice on other stations within the MSC Radio group, including KAIR 93.7, in Atchison, and Sunny 101.3, in Falls City.

Over the years, he earned numerous awards through the Kansas Association of Broadcaster’s, including four first place awards in categories from news reporting to commercial advertising.

Trant began his career in broadcasting after graduating from Hutchison Community College.

His voice was an on air presence for several years with multiple farm station owner and agriculture broadcaster Larry Steckline in southern and western Kansas, and enjoyed doing the morning show at station WNAD/WWLS 640 AM, in the Oklahoma City market.  Trant also worked in Salina and Pratt, Kansas before starting his long career at Kanzaland Radio in July 1987.

(KNZA)--Two Corning residents were injured late Saturday night, including one critically, in a Jackson County wreck involving a mini-van and tractor pulling a farm implement.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says the wreck was reported shortly before 10:30 on K-16 Highway, east of B. Road, a little more than a mile from the Pottawatomie County Line.

Morse says the Town and Country Chrysler mini-van was westbound when it struck the rear of the westbound farm tractor.

Two of the three individuals in the mini-van were injured.

Morse says the driver was transported by Life Star Air Ambulance to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital with life threatening injuries, while the front seat passenger was transported to the hospital by Jackson County EMS.

The names of those involved were not immediately released

The Soldier and Holton Fire Departments, along with Jackson County EMS responded to the scene.

The wreck remains under investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

(KNZA)--A Lancaster teenager was injured late Saturday evening in an all-terrain vehicle crash on an Atchison County road.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 13-year-old Dylan Mullins was westbound on 262nd Road, about 4 miles south of Lancaster, when he hit some loose gravel in the roadway and his Polaris ATV overturned around 10:15.

Mullins was transported to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City with suspected serious injuries.

The Patrol says Mullins was not wearing a helmet.

(KAIR)--A pinning ceremony was held April 15 at Atchison City Hall, as three Atchison Police Officers received a promotion.  

Named to the rank of Lieutenant during the ceremony were Travis Eichelberger, Al Kelly, and Kory Webb.  

According to a news release from the City of Atchison, all three earned gold bars and will provide leadership over separate divisions as the department undergoes a slight modification in structure. The change follows the March retirement of Captain Cary Stone.  

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, in the release, called the work of all three “tremendous,” adding that they’ve earned the positions.  Eichelberger, a 12-year member of the department, was promoted from the rank of detective, and will lead investigations.  Kelly and Webb are both 20-year members, and formerly served under the rank of sergeant.  Kelly will lead the patrol unit while Webb will oversee special services.  

Atchison City Manager Becky Berger, in the release, called public safety “one of the most important services” the city provides, adding that the promotions will help the City “maintain the stability and structure necessary to provide a top-notch police force.”  The promotions were effective immediately.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) - A truck driver from Greeley, Colorado, is charged with five counts of vehicular homicide for a fiery 2017 crash that killed five people on the Kansas Turnpike near Bonner Springs.
 
The Kansas City Star reports that 58-year-old Kenny B. Ford appeared without an attorney Friday in a Leavenworth County courtroom. The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail on each count.
 
Traffic was backed up due to road construction on July 11, 2017, when Ford's semi struck an SUV driven by 61-year-old Teresa J. Butler of Urbana, Illinois. Butler and her passenger, 63-year-old Karen Lynn Kennedy of New Palestine, Illinois, were killed.
 
The truck then struck two other cars, killing an elderly Topeka couple, Sheldon and Virginia Cohen, and 38-year-old Ricardo Mireles of Topeka.
 

(KAIR)--An Atchison Police investigation into the criminal use of a financial card has led to the arrest of an Atchison woman.

According to Police Chief Mike Wilson, 33-year-old Samantha Tull was taken into custody Thursday on charges of theft, computer crime, and criminal use of a financial card.

“It’s a financial investigation that’s been underway for recent days, and it centers around a 87-year-old victim who reported the theft of a debit card, and we now know that that debit card was used at a number of locations, from mid-March through mid-April, mainly at convenience stores and ATM machines, totaling about $2,000 that was fraudulently used.”

Wilson adds that the victim was acquainted with Tull.

He also says the investigation led them to several businesses both in Atchison, and outside the Atchison area, where he says the card was fraudulently used.

As of Friday afternoon, Tull remained in custody at the Atchison County Jail, with a bond set at 25-hundred dollars.

Wilson says the case, which involves felony counts, has been forwarded to the Atchison County Attorney’s Office.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man was injured Thursday morning in a single-vehicle wreck in western Kansas.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on K-161 in Cheyenne County about 4 miles north of Bird City.

The Patrol reports 60-year-old Kelly Johansen was northbound when his semi tractor-trailer left the roadway to the right.  Johansen ovecorrected, causing his semi to tip over onto its side.

Johansen was transported to a hospital in St. Francis with suspected serious injuries, and then later flown to a Denver hospital.

The Patrol says he was not buckled up with the wreck happened around 8:00 Thursday morning.

(KNZA)--A Leavenworth man, and former foster parent, is going to prison, sentenced Tuesday on child sex-related charges.

According to a release from Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, 38-year-old Floyd Hardin Jr. will spend 4-years in prison.

Hardin previously entered a guilty plea to aggravated indecent liberties with a child between the ages of 14 and 16.

The charges stem from crimes committed against a child in Hardin’s care when he served as a foster father.

Based on his lack of criminal history, the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines recommended a sentence of 5-years.

According to Thompson, the Leavenworth County District Court “found substantial and compelling reasons to depart” from the sentencing guidelines, and ordered the sentence of 4-years.

Hardin’s attorney had requested either probation or a reduced prison sentence.

(KMZA)--Public comment will be heard at two meetings next week on the term sheet for the proposed Soldier Creek Wind Farm in Nemaha County.

The first meeting will be held Monday afternoon, April 22 from 1 to 5 and the second meeting Thursday evening, April 25 from 6 to 10.  Both meetings will be held at the Nemaha County Community Building, in Seneca.

Under procedural rules put in place for the meetings, each speaker will be allowed 5 minutes of public discussion.  However, speakers may sign up multiple times on the speaker list.

County Commissioners do not intend to respond to questions during the public discussion period.

The term sheet was released April 1 following months of negotiations between the county and Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources.  

The 16-page document lays out the rules and regulations for the construction, operation and ultimately dismantling of the 300 megawatt wind farm.

Copies are available on the county’s website or at the county clerk’s office.

County Attorney Brad Lippert noted when the term sheet was released that it is not set in stone.  He said Commissioners can approve, deny or seek further modifications

(KNZA)--Law enforcement agencies in Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri, along with three other states, are planning a major enforcement campaign this weekend, targeted at cracking down on impaired drivers.

Locally, the Hiawatha and Horton Police Departments are among law enforcement agencies participating in the annual campaign.

According to a news release from the department, deaths and injuries continue to increase from both alcohol and drug-related impaired drivers, with the weekend selected due to Saturday being April 20, or 4/20, a term used in cannabis culture for consumption of cannabis.

The release says all available officers will be out in force to “remove this danger.” Despite the cannabis focus, officers will issue citations to any individual who refuses to obey the traffic laws, whether it is for driving while impaired, for speeding, texting, or failing to buckle up. If a suspected violator refuses to submit to a blood test, a search warrant may be obtained for that individual’s blood.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, there were 287 crashes attributed to illegal drug use in Kansas in 2017. Eighty-three persons lost their lives in these crashes.

(MSC News)--Longtime KNZA/KMZA radio announcer L.J. Trant is being remembered.

KNZA Inc. President Greg Buser announced Friday morning that Trant died Thursday.

Buser said “ we are all shocked and saddened."

Trant was in his 32nd year at Kanzaland radio, joining the station in July of 1987 as program director and morning show host. He also hosted the weekly program "Outdoors in Kanzaland."

Trant, of Everest, began his career in broadcasting in Hutchinson. 

He worked for several years with multiple farm station owner and agriculture  broadcaster Larry Steckline in southern and western Kansas, and did the morning show at station WNAD/WWLS 640 AM, in the Oklahoma City market before moving back to the sunflower state in 1980's.

Funeral services are pending.

(KAIR)--A Rushville, Missouri man is accused of attempting to steal scrap metal from property located in rural Atchison County, and when caught, authorities say he tried to camouflage himself.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News his office was alerted to the alleged theft in progress shortly before 10:00 Wednesday morning at property located in the 15000 block of 318th Road. “We received a phone call from the landowner who had seen a vehicle parked out there and also saw the subject run when he was getting closer.”

Laurie said the suspect, identified as 37-year-old Andrew Vandruff, fled from the scene on foot, making his way to a farm pond in his alleged attempt to hide from deputies. “They did have a little bit of trouble finding him at first, but they were able to locate him. He tried to hide himself in some mud, near the pond.”

Once located, Vandruff was arrested on charges of burglary and attempted theft.

He was booked into the Atchison County Jail, with his bond set at $2,500.

(KAIR)--Atchison County authorities are trying to find out who’s responsible for shooting out a strobe light atop a high speed internet tower, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News the investigation is continuing, and he’s concerned about the danger posed by someone firing a weapon in the area of the tower, located at 19568 258th Road, in rural Atchison County. “We do obviously have concerns with bullets being shot up in the air towards a light on top of a tower. When a bullet goes up, it obviously has to come down somewhere.  In that area, houses are far and few between, but you never know where those bullets could end up,” Laurie said, adding that the search for suspects is continuing. “We are looking at the direction from where the bullets appear to have come from, and hopefully we can maybe narrow it down. If not, we’re going to hope it doesn’t happen again.”

Laurie said the strobe light had an entry and exit from a firearm round.

Owned by Haug Communications, the company estimates the cost to replace the light at around $4,845.

The crime was reported Tuesday afternoon.

Anyone with information pertaining to the investigation should contact the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office at 913-367-4323.

(KNZA)--A man convicted of killing his girlfriend’s mother’s boyfriend at Perry Lake last year has been handed a life sentence.

23-year-old Jonathan Blevins, of Topeka, was sentenced Thursday on a charge of first-degree murder in the shooting death of 22-year-old Taylor Sawyer, of Lawrence.  His body was found March 14 of last year along a trail in a remote area that had been closed for several years.

A jury found Blevins guilty of the charge last month.

The Jefferson County Attorney’s Office says he will not be eligible for parole for 50 years.

His girlfriend, Ashlyn Hemmerling, also faces a charge of first-degree murder.  A trial in her case is set for June 10.

Hemmerling is accused of orchestrating the killing at Perry Lake.

(KNZA)--A new Holton City Commissioner has been selected.

The Holton Recorder reports Marilyn Watkins was picked this week by the Commission to fill the unexpired term of Twila White.

White, who is moving out of the city,  submitted her resignation last month,  effective April 30.  She has held position 5 on the Commission since 2014.

Watkins worked with the Holton Housing Authority for 15 years, serving as manager of the Southern Heights apartment complex.  She also worked ten years with NEK-CAP

She was among seven candidates who applied to fill White’s term.    The other candidates included former city commissioners Rodney Miller, Willy Wilson and Rex Larrison, along with Holton residents Norman Johnson, Clara Lovvorn and Marje Cochren.

The position is up for election in the fall of 2020.

(KAIR)--A bill, signed last week, places the responsibility of maintenance and repair of White Clay Watershed District Number 26 on the City of Atchison.

It makes the City responsible for the maintenance and repair of all watershed lakes, dams, and other projects in the district on and after January 1, 2020.

As of that date, the district will be dissolved.

According to testimony provided to the Kansas Legislature, the City supported the measure.
In the testimony, the City said the watershed district “exists more in theory than in practice,” as City staff is already responsible for creation of the district’s budget, which triggers the levying of mills each year. The Watershed District Board’s only responsibility is giving final approval to the annual budget. Additionally, through an agreement with the District, dating back to 1966, the City of Atchison “owns, insures, and maintains the 25 dams within the district.”

The City’s testimony outlined other difficulties faced through the current arrangement, including the City being responsible to organize meetings of the board, which includes coordinating board member schedules, writing agendas, making presentations, taking minutes, and publishing annual board elections and budget hearings. The City said “over time, it has become increasingly difficult to find board members and garner consistent enough attendance at meetings to ensure a quorum.”

The City, in the testimony, also cited the district’s lack of financial capacity, saying the City’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan allows the flexibility to pursue larger projects by utilizing revenues from multiple years at a time, which would allow for planning for watershed infrastructure improvements without increasing the mill levy substantially.

House Bill 2188 was signed April 9 by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly during an official bill signing ceremony in Topeka.

It will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The Kansas Lottery says someone in northeast Kansas won a record Super Kansas Cash jackpot.

The winner matched all five numbers and the Super Cash Ball in the April 17 drawing. The record $6,691,944 jackpot is the first time someone won the Super Kansas Cash since Jan. 10, 2018.

Lottery officials did not name the location where the winning ticket was purchased.
The winner has a year to claim the prize. Under Kansas law, the identity of the winner does not have to be made public.

All Super Kansas Cash jackpots are paid in one-lump sum.

(KAIR)--Impatient motorists, traveling in Doniphan County, are failing to heed “road closed” signs on a stretch of K-7 Highway closed due to flooding.

That’s according to Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Don Hughes. “As you go north, it’s milepost 230 to 244. That section of the road is closed because of the damage it received from the flooding. It seems like people are moving barricades and proceeding to drive thorough there,” Hughes told MSC News Thursday morning.

Hughes said Troopers are patrolling the area and are ready to make arrests. “We are there writing tickets, and we can take people to jail. That is a misdemeanor fine if someone moves barricades and tries to drive on a road that’s been closed.”

Hughes said two motorists just Thursday morning moved the barricades.

The stretch of highway, south of White Cloud, was closed last month as part of a series of closures due to the flooding of the Missouri River.

According to Hughes, if the weather allows, the roadway could be reopened in two weeks.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Emergency Management and the Falls City Chamber of Commerce/Main Street will have a flood relief distribution trailer outside of Prichard Auditorium in Falls City to hand out supplies to anyone affected by the floods.

Flood relief and cleanup supplies will be available for pickup Thursday and Friday April 18 and 19 and again Monday through Wednesday, April 22- 24 between 3 and 6 p.m.

Prichard Auditorium is located at 312, West 17th Street. Anyone with questions may call 402-245-2446.

(KNZA)--The re-opening of the Elwood Leisure Hour Senior Citizens Center has been pushed back.

The center had been scheduled to re-open April 8 but Doniphan County Clerk Peggy Franken reported at Monday’s county commission meeting that the center its now set to open on April 24 following training and inspection by the Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging.

The center has been closed since November.

Penny Russell will serve as the center’s part-time director.

(KNZA)--Lights will be installed along the Hiawatha walking trail.

The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening accepted the low bid submitted by Lightpoles Plus for the purchase of thirty-six lights at a total cost of $13,356.

It was among three bids received.

In other business, the Commission accepted the lone bid received from Torrey Brothers Construction, of Wamego, to recoat the municipal pool at a cost of $28,440.

The project, which is expected to take two weeks, will be done this fall after the pool closes for the season.   

On the recommendation of Water Superintendent Brad Scott, the Commission voted to upgrade the city’s meter reading system at a cost of  $9,884.  It will include a new receiver with all accessories, a software upgrade and thirty-two meters with a new antennae that is able to read at a longer range.

Scott said they’ve been having various problems with the current reading system.  In addition, he said he was told that as of January 1, 2020 they will  no longer be able to read any new meter ordered from the city’s supplier because the current system is becoming obsolete.  However, Scott said the new meter reading receiver will be able to read all the city’s old meters.

The Commission also accepted the low bid submitted by Aller’s LLC for the demolition of a unsafe house located at 815 Shawnee Street in the amount of $4,440.  It was among two bids received.

The Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development will reimburse the city for the cost of the demolition.

The house was severely damaged in a December fire.   

(KNZA)--Another candidate has filed for one of three positions up for election this November on the Horton City Commission.

The Brown County Clerk’s Office reports Matthew Howell filed Wednesday for the position of Commissioner of Police, which is currently held by Rex West.

Howell is the first candidate to file for the position.

Also up for election are the position of mayor, currently held by Bryan Stirton, and Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, currently held by Bobby Bacon.

Candidates have until noon, June 3 to file in the Brown County Clerk’s Office.

A primary election will be held August 6, if necessary.  The general election is November 5.

( KLZA)--Falls City Council members spent a good portion of their meeting time Monday night discussing bids for repairing the roof of Prichard Auditorium.

Three bids were submitted for the project and each contractor proposed a different way to correct issues with the roof.

Bids ranged from around $30-thousand up to nearly $120-thousand. Proposals included patching leaks to covering the entire roof.

City Administrator Gary Jorn said the bids came in higher than he anticipated and noted state statutes allow the city to hire an engineer estimate the project to what the bids are, if those bids are more than $30-thousand.

Following a lengthy discussion about the various proposals, Council members voted to have an engineer look at the roof and present a report on findings and make a suggestion on what to do.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners conducted a pair of public hearings on proposed road closings during their Tuesday, April 16, meeting.

Ben and Paula Sue Steffen were present for the first hearing. They were not in opposition to the proposal to close a portion of 648 Avenue, south of 706 Road.

This is a portion of a dirt road, south of Highway 8, leading to to the Nemaha River but there is not a bridge crossing the river.

The second hearing concerned possible closure of 709 Road east of 661 Avenue which is north of Rulo.

Mark Jones who lives and farms in the area said the bridge should be fixed and the road remain open. Merle Bachman who owns property in the area said if the road is closed, the bridge pilings would have to remain in tact as required by the Corps of Engineers.

A lawsuit concerning the bridge on the road has not been settled at this point.

Commissioners are expected to discuss resolutions on closing both roads during their April 23 meeting.

Editors note: the following was submitted by Brown County Sheriff John Merchant

I would like to remind everyone that with warmer weather, farmers are able to start getting in to the fields.  

With the already busy highways in our county, farm equipment will be more prevalent on all of our roadways.

Use extra caution when driving and allow plenty of space between you and farm equipment.  When vehicles are in the blind spots, they may be unable to see you.  When approaching hills on country roads, slow down as you approach the top and be ready to pull to the side if you meet farm equipment, do not over drive your line of sight and stopping distance.  

We have already encountered heavy traffic coming through our area and we will get through this, just allow some extra time and be patient.  Be the very best defensive driver you can be, and the rest will follow.

(KAIR)--116-years of business is coming to an end, as the Lockwood Company, of Atchison, announces the plan to close.

That word is delivered to customers of the print shop in a letter dated April 11.

President and CEO Justin Snowden, in the letter, thanks the "continued loyalty" of the customers, but says that due to "changing times," the business, located at 8191 Pratt Road, has been left "with no option but to close [the] doors as a commercial printer." The letter says the “decision [to close] has been made predominantly due to increased costs of materials and a diminishing demand,” with the company “no longer able to remain competitive on price and remain a viable business at the same time."

Snowden told MSC News that based on those factors, the stockholders voted to dissolve the company.

Snowden is the 5th generation of the family business, which he says was started in 1903 by his great-great-grandfather, C.A. Lockwood, as the Trade Printing Company. According to the company’s website, it’s one of the oldest print shops in Kansas.

Snowden said it’s with heavy heart that he has to announce the closure, but he is grateful for the skills and knowledge gained through his involvement.

Jacque Pregont, President of the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce, told MSC News, “It's very sad to lose any business, but especially one that has such a history in our community. We hate to see them go. We have used them for so many different things... day to day supplies as well as brochures and marketing materials.”

According to the letter, a closing date of April 30 has been set, but the print shop “will continue to take jobs on a limited basis based on the availability of inventory and supplies” until that date.

The customer service center will remain fully operational until 3:30 on the afternoon of May 31.

The business employs five full-time and two part-time employees. 

Elwood City Attorney Joel Euler (left) talks to U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) (right) on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at a hearing in Glenwood, Iowa focused on flood control.(Submitted photo)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) on Wednesday, April 17 participated in a Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Field Hearing in Glenwood, Iowa. The hearing focused on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ river management following devastating flooding throughout the region and in northeast Kansas.

“In the wake of devastating flooding, it is clear that a comprehensive flood risk management plan is needed for the Missouri River,” said Sen. Moran. “Today’s hearing allowed us the opportunity to hear directly from those impacted by the flooding, as well as from leaders within the Army Corps of Engineers. Instead of continuing a piecemeal, isolated repair approach, we need a long-term plan for the basin that guides risk mitigation and disaster recovery activities. I also strongly support a congressionally authorized study to lay out a long-term plan to make certain that change happens.”

 “I was also pleased to have a fellow Kansas participate in this hearing, Joel Euler from Doniphan County,” continued Sen. Moran. “Mr. Euler has extensive experience with flood repair activities and as the representative for multiple drainage districts along the Missouri River, Mr. Euler has worked closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. His insight and knowledge were valued in the hearing.”

 Sen. Moran joined U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) for the hearing. In addition, Joel Euler, an attorney in Doniphan County, Kansas, was a witness and provided testimony as part of the hearing. Other witnesses included U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Deputy Commanding General Scott Spellmon, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chief of the Missouri River Basin Water Management Division John Remus, Hamburg, IA Mayor Cathy Crain and Farmer and Community Advocate Leo Ettleman.

(KLZA)--A proposal to create an ordinance to restrict off-street parking on certain sides of streets in Falls City dies for lack of a motion during Monday nights Falls City Council meeting.

The idea was proposed during the April 1, Council meeting after a Falls City Volunteer Fire Department truck had difficulty reaching its destination due to cars being parked directly across the street from one another.

Second Ward Council member Kaylie Ractliffe provided information she gathered concerning the width of streets, most vehicles and emergency vehicles. Most emergency vehicles, including fire trucks and ambulances require about a 10-foot-wide opening. With a majority of the city streets at 24.5 feet wide, and cars averaging about 6.5 feet of width, that should leave enough room for the emergency vehicles to pass.

City Administrator Gary Jorn said most city streets are 24-and-a-half feet wide, while there are a few that are narrower. He suggested you would have to go through the city and determine which streets are narrower and then pass parking legislation.

Mayor Bindle noted traditionally, there have not been problems with emergency vehicles being blocked by parked vehicles. She felt the Council needed to consider it was the first time such a situation has occurred.

Fourth Ward Council member Derek Leyden felt a city-wide blanket policy was not a good idea following an isolated incident, noting that there are quite a few homes in his Ward that do not have driveways and he did not want to put a burden on people of having to carry groceries or young children, perhaps in inclement weather a half-block or more because someone was parked in front of their homes.

Following discussion there were no motions was made to move the proposal forward.

(KNZA)--The re-trial of a Jackson County man on animal cruelty charges ends with a guilty verdict.

The Holton Recorder reports a Jackson County District Judge found Frank Johnson, of rural Hoyt, guilty of two counts of animal cruelty following a two-day bench trial last week.

Sentencing was set for May 22 on the charges contained in an amended complaint.

The re-trail was granted after Johnson appealed a conviction on the same charges following a February trial.

He was found guilty at that time on 45 counts of cruelty to animals and placed on two years probation.  As part of his probation, Johnson was ordered not to possess any livestock, horses in particular, during the probation period.

After receiving complaints from neighbors, Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies seized 12 horses from Johnson’s property in the summer of 2018 and another 33 horses later that fall.  

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) - An inmate has been given five to 10 more years behind bars for assaulting a staffer at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution.

Johnson County District Court records say 27-year-old Stephen Knott was sentenced Monday. He'd pleaded guilty. The new sentence will be served after he completes his sentence for false imprisonment, strangulation and other crimes in Platte County.

Prosecutors say the attack occurred July 23, 2017, at the Tecumseh prison.

(KAIR)--A Tuesday afternoon single-vehicle Leavenworth County crash claimed the lives of two Lansing residents.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 36-year-old SaraKay Snell was southbound on K-5 Highway near Marxen Road when her pickup truck left the roadway.  Snell overcorrected and lost control of her vehicle, which struck a tree.

Snell and her passenger, 19-year-old Calob Crow, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Patrol says both were buckled up when the wreck happened around 1:15.

(KAIR)--A three hour standoff at an Atchison hotel ended peacefully Tuesday evening. “We have him in custody, and no one’s injured, including him,” Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News shortly after the standoff was resolved.

It began around 4:30 Tuesday afternoon at the Super 8 Hotel, located at 509 South 9th Street. “We began talking to him, and for the next 3-hours we had a continuous conversation trying to end this peacefully,” Wilson said.

According to Wilson, the 37-year-old man, who is not an Atchison resident, barricaded himself in a room of the hotel where he had been staying, and claimed to be armed. “We had evacuated the hotel. No one was in danger other than the officers and the 37-year-old man himself. We continued to negotiate, talk to him, had a conversation with him.”

Wilson said the patience of the negotiators paid off. “Shortly after 7:30 then, he surrendered himself out of the room to us.”

The man was found to be unarmed. "During the three hours, we dealt with the situation as a possible armed barricaded person. After we took him into custody, we did not find a weapon in the room."

Wilson said the case is being handled as a mental health issue. “We will now have an investigation to determine more specific information as to how long he had been here, and exactly what led to this incident.”

The man’s name is not made public.

(KLZA)--In less than a month Shopko stores in Falls City, Auburn and Seneca will be closing their doors due to bankruptcy.

During Monday night's Falls City Council meeting, Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise, Executive Director Beckie Cromer presented the organizations quarterly report.

Cromer said EDGE has met with management of Shopko, and with the building owners to develop a marketing campaign.

Cromer says finding a replacement business for the building is not easy. She noted traffic patterns and population are factors that make it an uphill battle to recruit a new business for the building.

The 33-thousand square foot building is owned by Downtown Modernization.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man required hospital treatment following a Monday evening lawn mowing accident near Atchison’s River Road.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News it happened in the 300 block of North Terrace when a tractor slipped off the edge of the yard and over the embankment toward River Road.

The man, identified as Rick Berger, landed in the wooded area west of River Road, but was conscious and talking when first responders arrived around 7:15.

Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf told MSC News Berger was transported from the scene to the Atchison Hospital, and was expected to be flown to a Kansas City hospital for treatment.

As of late Tuesday morning, Berger remained hospitalized in Kansas City, listed in fair condition at the University of Kansas Hospital. 

(KNZA)--The city of Hiawatha is no longer under a consent order from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment due to nitrate
issues.

City Administrator Mike Nichols delivered the long awaiting news to the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening.

Mayor Bill Collins said the city finally received a clean bill of health.

As of April 5, Nichols said KDHE has terminated the consent order.

It was issued several years ago due to the ongoing problem of high nitrates in the city’s water supply.

A new water treatment plant went on line in October delivering water that is low in nitrates.

(KNZA)--An improvement project is planned at the Brown County Courthouse.

The Brown County Commission Monday accepted a proposal from Brad Rosenberger with J & B Contractors, of Hiawatha, to fix the stairs and add a 75-foot ramp on the north side of the courthouse at a total cost of $11,735.   

As part of the project, he will also remove and replace 330 square-feet of sidewalk.

Rosenberger hopes to begin the project in two weeks.

In other business, the Commission accepted a bid from Terracon to perform  geo-technical services for a bridge replacement project on the Brown-Nemaha County line, northeast of Wetmore, at a cost of $9,800.  It was among three bids received.

The Commission also approved an utility agreement for the project.

In addition, the Commission discussed a request received last week from the Brown County Humane Society for a donation.  No action was taken.

(KMZA)--An Oneida man is facing a charge of aggravated battery.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert says a complaint has been filed in Nemaha County District Court charging 37-year-old John Waddell, Jr. with the felony offense.

Lippert says the complaint alleges that on April 6, Waddell knowingly caused great bodily harm or disfigurement to another person.

The case was investigated by the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office.

A preliminary hearing has been set for April 19.

Waddell remains in the Nemaha County Jail, held on a $50,000 bond.

(MSC News)--A two-vehicle Monday afternoon crash on U.S. Highway 36 sent two to the hospital.

KQ2-TV reports it happened in Elwood.

Citing the Doniphan County Sheriff's Department, the TV station reports two people were taken to the hospital, but names weren’t immediately released.

An SUV was reportedly stopped in traffic on the highway when a Jeep slammed into the back of the vehicle.

The driver of the SUV suffered minor injuries, while the driver of the Jeep sustained moderate to serious injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

(KAIR)--The harsh winter “brutalized” the streets of Atchison.

That word late last month from City of Atchison Public Works Director Clinton McNemee.

He said the high frequency of freeze and thaw cycles during the winter months caused damage to the streets not seen in several seasons.

Since January, McNemee told MSC News city street maintenance crews placed approximately 120 tons of asphalt patch material throughout the city. He said that’s equivalent to 1,700 potholes 18-inches in diameter.

Assistant Atchison City Manager Justin Pregont told MSC News pothole reports from the public assist in seeing that the proper repairs are made. “The easiest thing to do is to just report it. I know that sounds simple but with the amount of freeze/thaw, that whole process depending on temperatures, some years there’s been an enormous number of potholes, and some years there’s not that many. This seems to have been a tough year, so there are a couple of different ways you can report those. You can call the City Shop, it’s 367-5561. The other thing you can do is go on the front page of CityOfAtchison.com and there’s a report an issue button on that front page and you can just report it that way.”

McNemee said crews continue to address problematic potholes and conduct regular “pothole patrols.”

(KAIR)--A boil water advisory is now in place for the Lakeside Village Improvement District located in Jefferson County. 

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued the advisory Monday due to what a release from the KDHE says was a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

The advisory will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved.

Affected customers in that location are told to boil all water to be consumed for one minute prior to usage.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

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

• 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 you have questions, please contact the water system or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5795. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm

  Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785-564-6767.

(KAIR)--Despite reports to the contrary, no timetable is yet established for the possible return of healthcare services in the City of Horton.

That word was delivered Wednesday during a special meeting of the Horton City Commission focused on the fate of the city’s lone nursing home.

Horton City Administrator John Calhoon said talks continue in the effort to restore healthcare services. “I called the trustee this afternoon. My main question was I have had limited contact the last week or two, can you please just tell me have we drastically had a change one direction or the other? The answer was no, but the honest answer is things are just moving a little slower than we would hope.”

The Horton Community Hospital closed in March. The Commission, shortly after the closing, held a special meeting where it was announced that the trustee of the facility was interested in working with the City to establish a plan to restore healthcare services.

Despite the slow timeline for that process, Calhoon said he has not given up hope. “I know I haven’t given up on bringing as much hospital services back, and I hope nobody out there has. I know it’s hard for some of the employees to sit and think there is hope, but we haven’t given up yet, and until we hear something from the trustee or bankruptcy court that says certain things are not going to happen, that’s the way that I’m going to remain.”

In recent days, it’s been rumored and reported that in lieu of the reopening of the hospital, a healthcare clinic would open in Horton in a matter of days or weeks.

However, that is not yet finalized with no actual plan in place to open a clinic.

(KAIR)--A burn ban is now in place for Doniphan County.

That’s according to an emergency alert issued Monday morning.

According to the alert, the burn ban will remain in place until further notice.

It was issued as dry conditions continue around the area and the National Weather Service calls for strong, south winds Monday, gusting up to 25 mph.

The strong winds are expected to continue into Monday night.

(KAIR)--U.S. Highway 59, east of Atchison, Kansas, in Buchanan County, Missouri, has fully reopened.

That word is delivered in a news release issued Monday morning by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

According to the release, the highway is open from Rushville, Missouri, to Atchison, Kansas.

On Thursday, the highway was reopened to one lane of traffic, with traffic signals directing motorists through the area due to flood waters continuing to cover one lane of the highway at that time.

The roadway was fully closed March 21 due to flooding. That closure also included the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge, connecting Atchison to Buchanan County.

The bridge has also since reopened.

The closing left motorists rerouted, and caused concern for Atchison leaders due to the local economic impact.

Editor's note: submitted by the Hiawatha Community Hospital.

(MSC News)- HCH Family Practice and HCH Highland Clinic have been awarded $12,000 in funds from Compass PTN: Supporting Quality in Action Initiative for being recognized as a Pinnacle Practice.

The American healthcare system is transforming from a volume-based reimbursement model to a model focused on the value of care provided. For all clinicians, the ability to provide high quality care resulting in improved patient outcomes is crucial to future reimbursement. In an effort to encourage clinicians to move towards value-based care, legislation has recently been implemented that rewards those who can demonstrate they provide quality care. This determination is based upon patient outcomes. Clinicians who are identified as providing high-value care are then rewarded through reimbursement for services provided.

The Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative (TCPi) is a federal program that provides clinicians with resource to equip them to thrive in this value-based reimbursement system. The Compass Practice Transformation Network (PTN) is executing TCPi locally. Through participation in TCPi, Compass PTN participants have advanced through five transformation stages that include the introduction of clinic-level performance improvement initiatives and the utilization of data to drive change. These efforts have ultimately improved the care delivery system. Practices have also engaged patients and communities as partners to improve both quality and patient safety.

The Compass Practice Transformation Network (Compass PTN) supports more than 7,000 clinicians across six states – Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and South Dakota – who are committed to expanding quality improvement capacity in their primary and specialty care practices, share clinical best practices and achieve common goals of improved care, better health and reduced cost.

HCH Family Practice and HCH Highland Clinic were one of five practices recognized by Compass PTN as a Pinnacle Practice. Congratulations to our providers and staff for their continued dedication to provide quality care.

(KNZA)---A former nurse aide at a Highland healthcare facility has been bound over for trial.

27-year-old Janelle Lynn Sakakihara, of Atchison, was bound over to Doniphan County District Court on three felony counts of mistreatment of a dependent adult following her preliminary hearing April 3rd.

Sakakihara also faces one count of Medicaid fraud and three counts of battery, all misdemeanors.

Arraignment was scheduled for May 8.

The criminal complaint alleges the offenses took place between September 27-29 of last year while Sakakihara was employed at the Highland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

She was among ten individuals in seven counties charged last September as part of a statewide enforcement sweep by the Kansas Attorney General's Office.

Sakakihara remains free on bond.

(KMZA)--U.S. Senator Jerry Moran will visit  Marysville Tuesday afternoon, April 16 as part of a listening tour.

The Kansas Republican will be at Marysville City Building, located at 209 North Eighth Street, from 3 to 4.

The public is welcome to attend and speak with the senator about issues the nation is facing.

According to Moran’s 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 these listening tour stops.

(KMZA)--Members of the Nemaha Central School Board toured the addition connecting the district’s two schools and the new greenhouse prior to the regular meeting last week.  

Three sections of fifth grade and the high school health class are planned to be in the new classrooms. Both projects will be ready for occupancy before classes begin in August.

Following the tour, the meeting resumed at the district office where members received preliminary information from representatives of Willdan Performance Engineering. They have been on site at both buildings to analyze the performance and life expectancy of the HVAC systems.

The study has been free of charge to this point. The next step will entail designing a long-term facilities plan, projected costs and final pricing for their services.

Superintendent Darrel Kohlman shared results of the wrestling survey presented to middle school students. No action was taken by the board members who are concerned about the sustainability of the program based on current interest.

Kohlman also reported that the USD 115 app is close to being complete. The app will replace the current Textcaster which has been sponsored by Community National Bank.

The bank has agreed to partially sponsor the new app and will receive credit as they did on Textcaster.

(KLZA)--The Nebraska Department of Transportation says curb ramp construction will begin April 15, in Syracuse, Tecumseh, Pawnee City, Burchard, Brock, Falls City, and Humboldt.

Van Kirk Sand & Gravel, Inc., of Sutton, Nebraska, has the $321,000 contract.  Work will include curb ramp construction, paving, grading and seeding.

Sidewalks will be closed and pedestrian traffic will be detoured.  Traffic will be maintained with lane closures, and flaggers may be used during the pavement construction.  Anticipated completion is October 2019.

Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously through work zones, along detours and to expect delays.

(KAIR)--The Atchison County burn ban will be lifted Saturday morning. 

That word is delivered in a release issued by Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter. 

Lanter said the burn ban will be lifted at 8:00. 

It was issued Wednesday due to a High Fire Warning. 

Lanter reminds Atchison County residents to call the Atchison County Dispatch Center with your permit number when burning at 913-367-4323.

(KAIR)--Tax filing deadline day is Monday, and as the date approaches, officials continue to warn of IRS-themed scams.

In a social media post, Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie reminds residents not to fall for such phone calls.

In the post, he said the IRS will never place a phone call claiming they have a warrant for a resident’s arrest.

He said the calls commonly demand immediate payment through wire transfer or prepaid gift cards.

Laurie reminds residents to never provide personal information to such callers, including credit or debit card information or bank account routing numbers.

He said anyone with concerns about such calls should contact his office at 913-367-4323.

Victims of such scam attempts commonly report that the phone number showing on caller ID falsely indicates that the call has been made by the IRS.

The IRS told local authorities their agency will never place calls regarding official business, and anyone believing they have fallen for the scam should contact the IRS at 800-366-4484.

( KLZA)-- The Missouri River levels are going back up.

Snowfall to the north of us and recently  increased releases at dams on the Missouri River are pushing the river level higher.

At Rulo Friday afternoon the Missouri River was 2.45 feet above the 17 foot flood stage with the river predicted to crest Wednesday evening at 20.8 feet.

At Brownville the Friday readings were just over two-feet above flood stage with a crest predicted at 36.6 feet with is just over two-and-a-half feet above the 34 foot flood stage.

With heavy snowfall in the Missouri River basin this past week, the river is likely to remain above flood stage.

(KLZA)-- The Missouri River levels are going back up.

Snowfall to the north of us and recent increased releases at dams on the Missouri River  are pushing the river level higher.

At Rulo Friday afternoon the Missouri River was 2.45 feet above the 17 foot flood stage with the river predicted to crest Wednesday evening at 20.8 feet.

At Brownville the Friday readings were just over two-feet above flood stage with a crest predicted at 36.6 feet with is just over two-and-a-half feet above the 34 foot flood stage.

With heavy snowfall in the Missouri River basin this past week, the river is likely to remain above flood stage.

(KLZA)-- The Humboldt Volunteer Fire Department responded to a house fire at 704 Nemaha Street shortly before 11, Thursday morning, April 11.

Fire fighters quickly controlled the blaze but the house sustained heavy smoke damage and some fire damage.

Josh Bachman owns the home, he and others at the house were able to escape without injuries. A dog that ran up the stairs perished from heat and smoke.

Fire Chief Rex Kapel said fire damage was mainly confined to the kitchen area. The initial report indicates that a kerosene heater in the kitchen may have been the cause of the fire.

The State Fire Marshall's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

(THE CONVERSATION) Tax Day is finally here once more. If you’re getting a refund, lucky you. But if you owe the government money, you may be worried that you have to pay the amount due by the filing deadline on April 15 – even if you asked for an extension.

Owing the IRS – especially when you don’t have the funds to pay – can cause major stress. But before you let the anxiety get the best of you, know this: The Internal Revenue Service, believe it or not, understands. In addition, you may qualify for a collection alternative to pay off your debt gradually or at a substantially reduced amount.

Most taxpayers, particularly those who may have more difficulty paying an unexpected tax debt, usually aren’t aware that these options exist. As a result, they can end up sending the government more money than they can afford to pay, as I’ve learned in my work at Georgia State’s Philip C. Cook Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic.

This looming issue creates a stressful situation that could be alleviated or minimized by a simple phone call.

Unable to pay

Each year, millions of taxpayers receive notices from the IRS reflecting balances they are unable to pay. This represents billions of dollars owed to the federal government.

The IRS takes collections seriously, so it’s important for taxpayers to make arrangements with the IRS for their tax debts. Failure to address them can result in wage and account levies, property liens and even the denial of a passport.

The IRS has created three collection processes to assist taxpayers so no adverse collection action (such as a levy) occurs: an “installment agreement,” “currently not collectible” status and an “offer in compromise.”

Installment agreement

Installment agreements are commonly referred to as payment plans, which allow a taxpayer to pay the debt in smaller, more manageable payments. These payments are generally the same amount each month for a designated period of time, which will satisfy the debt in full.

The advantage is it allows you to make small payments toward the overall debt, and the IRS generally cannot take any additional collection activity against you (aside from applying future refunds to the outstanding debt).

The disadvantage is penalties and interest continue to accrue on the unpaid balance. Therefore, the debt is paid off more slowly than the taxpayer may anticipate.

A typical scenario would involve the IRS asking the taxpayer how much he or she can afford to pay. If that amount will satisfy the liability in under 72 months and before the 10-year collections statute of limitations expires, the IRS will generally approve the suggested amount.

This collection alternative can be requested by completing Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request, or by calling the IRS’ Automated Collections Service. Form 9465 can accompany a completed return (filed on April 15) that reflects taxes due or it can be submitted separately. It also may cover multiple tax years or periods. A one-time setup fee will be charged when the installment agreement is approved. This fee is reduced for low-income taxpayers and for those taxpayers who wish to set up a direct debit agreement.

While you are in an installment agreement, it is important to remember to pay at least the agreed payment amount by the due date each month. It is also important to file your tax return each year by the filing deadline, even if you can’t pay the full balance due on the return, and pay the full balance when possible.

Currently not collectible

Sometimes a taxpayer’s monthly necessary living expenses such as food, housing/utilities, transportation and health care exceed the taxpayer’s monthly income. When this occurs, paying the IRS would cause the taxpayer a financial hardship.

In situations like this, the taxpayer may request that the IRS place collection of a tax debt on hold. This protective coding is known as “currently not collectible” status. This is advantageous because the taxpayer is not required to make any payments. Another advantage is the IRS will not levy the taxpayer’s income or accounts.

As with the installment agreement, a disadvantage of this option is that interest and penalties continue to accrue. Because this is temporary, the IRS can lift the status in the event the taxpayer’s financial situation changes and the IRS deems he or she can pay.

The IRS will routinely monitor the taxpayer’s information. If the taxpayer’s income increases to the extent that the IRS believes making payments is an option, he or she will be placed back into active collection status.

The IRS has four main categories of allowable expenses which are capped based on national and regional trends. These, and other expenses, are deducted from any income earned by the taxpayer to determine financial hardship:

-

food, clothing and other items

-

housing and utilities

-

transportation

-

out-of-pocket health care expenses.

The currently not collectible status can be requested by mailing in a completed Form 433-F, Collection Information Statement, or by calling the IRS once the return has been processed and you receive a bill. Typically the IRS will want you to file all prior year returns before they will place you in the CNC status.

Offer in compromise

The offer in compromise program assists taxpayers with renegotiating their tax debt by looking at the taxpayer’s cash and noncash assets, monthly disposable income and future income to determine how much it can ever expect to collect.

Once a number is agreed upon, the taxpayer can elect to pay the amount in 24 months or less. The advantage of this alternative is that the remainder of the tax debt is forgiven, and once the negotiated terms are satisfied, any liens that may have been filed on your property are released within 30 days.

The disadvantages include adhering to certain compliance requirements for five years after acceptance, such as filing all required returns and paying all taxes due by the filing deadline each year, and forfeiture of any refunds for a period of time. For some taxpayers, these disadvantages will far outweigh the fresh start created by the elimination of the excess tax debt.

The offer in compromise (when there’s doubt as to collectability) can be requested by completing Form 656-B. The offer must be accompanied with documentation – on income received, expenses paid and liabilities owed on noncash assets such as real estate and vehicles – showing the taxpayer has an inability to pay the full balance owed. An application fee and initial payment must also be included with the completed offer, unless your income is below 250 percent of the poverty line.

Take action

So whether you’ve been ignoring IRS notices about taxes owed on previous returns or you’re expecting to have to write a check when you file last year’s return, it’s time to take action.

The IRS may have a reputation for being difficult to deal with, but as I noted above, it can be quite understanding when individuals are open and up front about their financial situation and willingness to pay what they can.

The worst thing you can do is be nonresponsive. Contact the agency or your local Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic – there’s at least one in most states. Take advantage of one of these alternatives and work toward resolving the issue.

You will come out better in the long run.

This is an updated version of an article originally published April 15, 2016.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: http://theconversation.com/what-to-do-if-you-owe-the-irs-money-94790.

(KLZA)--Travel in northwest Missouri and southwest Iowa continues to be affected by flooding, debris and damage left behind.

For over three weeks, I-29 has been shutdown north of St. Joseph because of Missouri River flooding. Now that water has receded, crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Iowa Department of Transportation are working on evaluating and repairing pavement damage.

Crews from both states are working to remove flood debris from the road as well.

MoDOT in a statement says that the extended closure of the interstate is taking a toll on travelers and local residents. More than 12,000 travelers use that route daily.

In addition, travelers do not have access to several roads west of I-29 in Holt and Atchison counties due to flooding and damage. These include U.S. Routes 159 and 136, commonly referred to as the Rulo and Brownville Missouri River Crossings which are heavily damaged and remain closed.

There is no word on when the interstate may reopen.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The government's latest Census of Agriculture for Kansas shows the number of farms in the state has dropped 5% from the count taken five years earlier.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Thursday that there were 58,569 farms in Kansas during 2017. They covered some 45.8 million acres, down 1% from the 2012 census. Farms comprise 87.5 percent of total land in Kansas.

Kansas farms averaged 781 acres, about 34 acres larger than when the agency counted five years ago.

Kansas producers sold $18.8 billion of agricultural products in 2017, up 2% from 2012. About 66% of those products came from livestock and 34% from crops.

Average net farm income was $49,291 in 2017, down 3% from 2012.

The government's agricultural census is conducted every five years.

(KNZA)--A Horton man, accused of threatening his father with a knife during an altercation in February, has entered into a plea agreement.

21-year-old Cyrus Conklin pleaded no contest Wednesday in Brown County District Court to a felony charge of interference with law enforcement along with a misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property.

In exchange for the plea, charges of aggravated assault and domestic battery were dismissed.

Sentencing was set for the morning of April 22.

Conklin entered the plea after waiving his preliminary hearing.

He was arrested February 3rd following the alleged incident.  His father was not hurt.

Conklin remains in the Brown County Jail,  held on a $5,000 bond.

(KNZA)--The South Brown County USD 430 Board of Education has approved a contract extension for the district’s superintendent

Following an executive session at this week’s regular meeting, the Board voted to extend the contract of Superintendent Jason Cline through the 2020-21 school year.

Cline has been with the district since July 2017.

The Board also filled several positions for the next school year.  They include Cheryl Soderlund as a 1st grade teacher; Denise Thorpe as a 3rd grade teacher; Jeffrey Henning as transportation director/mechanic, and Amber Clement as Everest Middle School secretary.

In addition, Shelly Smith was hired as Horton High School head volleyball coach and Tori Mace as assistant volleyball coach for the 2019-20 school year.

The Board also accepted the resignation of 6th grade science/social studies teacher Carolyn Polston.

In other business, Horton High School Student Council sponsor Marla Hayden presented three logos to the Board for consideration.

Out of the three, the Board liked the logo that the Horton High School Booster Club is currently using but would like to see a few minor changes.

Hayden will bring back the updated logo in May and possibly have final approval at the June Board meeting.

Two of the three logos that were presented were created by a former student, Nathan Isaacs.    

The Board also approved the purchase of a new reading curriculum for the next school year.

(KLZA)--The Auburn Board of Education has approved a negotiated agreement with the Auburn Teachers Association for the 2019-20 school year.

During the April 8th meeting Board members approved a new contract with teachers increasing the base pay by $250 to $35,300 annually.

Board members also approved salaries for administrators for the next year. Middle School / High School Principal Marty Hughes will received $98,940. Assistant Principal / A.D. Jason Palmer will be paid $80-thousand. Curriculum Director Suzanne Whisler will be paid $94,350. Special Education Director Amy Kross was moved from a teaching contract to an administrator contract. She will be paid $86,500.

The Board also approved the resignation of 7th and 8th Grad Science teacher Klark Knipe and approved a teaching contract for Stevie Eickhoff to teacher Art. Eickhoff currently is teaching at Rock Port, Missouri.

(KAIR)--The report of stolen lawnmowers leads to a search for suspects involved in the burglary and theft.

According to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, his office received the report last week.

A county resident said two zero turn lawnmowers were stolen from a locked shed located on property at 6248 Phillips Road, in rural Atchison County.

Laurie describes the mowers as a red and black Craftsman 6000 and a red and black TroyBuilt.

The estimated loss is $2,000, with the mowers valued at $1,000 each.

Anyone with information related to the crime should contact the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office at 913-804-6080.

(KAIR)--A Lawrence, Kansas towing company owner is dead, killed early Sunday morning while changing a tire on a Benedictine College bus.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports the Atchison-based college was in Baldwin City for a baseball game against Baker University.

53-year-old Kevin Raasch was called to the campus to fix a flat tire on what Baldwin City Police Chief Mike Pattrick told the newspaper was a motorcoach carrying the Benedictine College team.

Raasch was trying to release the jack when he became pinned under the rear of the vehicle.

Although team members and coaches were able to lift the bus and pull Raasch from beneath it, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Raasch owned and operated TransMasters Towing and Roadside Recovery for over 30 years.

(KAIR)--The search for a new Atchison High School Principal begins.

That comes as current Principal Bryon Hanson accepts a new role as Superintendent for a Nebraska school district.

The Board of Education for Atchison’s USD 409 accepted Hanson’s resignation during Monday evening’s meeting of the school board.

Superintendent Dr. Susan Myers told MSC News Hanson has served as Atchison High School Principal for seven years.

He leaves the school district to serve as Superintendent of the Callaway, Nebraska public schools.

Hanson’s resignation is effective June 30, the end of the current school year.

The school board has formed an interview team to seek Hanson’s replacement.

Applications are due April 19.

Myers said the goal is to have a recommendation for the new High School Principal at the school board’s May meeting.

Hanson had sought to fill the Superintendent’s position in Atchison, following the retirement of Myers.

Hanson was one of three finalists for the position, with Renee Scott ultimately hired for the role.

Myers’ retirement is effective at the end of the current school year.

(KAIR)--U.S. Highway 59, east of Atchison, in Buchanan County, Missouri, has reopened.

That's according to a news release issued Thursday afternoon by the Missouri Department of Transportation which said the highway is open from Rushville to Atchison, including the Amelia Earhart Bridge. 

The release stated that due to water remaining over one lane of the highway, traffic will be narrowed to one lane and directed through the area with temporary traffic signals.

The roadway was closed March 21 due to flooding.

The closing left motorists rerouted, and caused concern for Atchison leaders due to the local economic impact.

(KLZA)-- Both the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency will open Disaster Recovery Centers for a limited time in Richardson and Nemaha counties in Nebraska.

The center locations will be at Prichard Auditorium in Falls City at 312 West 17th Street and at the Campus Services Building at Peru State College in Peru, located at 600 Hoyt Street.

The Falls City Disaster Recovery Center will be open Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20 and then Monday through Wednesday, April 22, 23 and 24.

In Peru, the Disaster Recover Center will be open Friday, April 12 through Tuesday, April 16th.

The centers will be open from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. on the days they are open.

Those needing assistance can visit any open center.

Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications.

Nebraska homeowners, renters and business owners in Nemaha and Richardson counties may apply for assistance for uninsured and underinsured damage and losses resulting from severe winter storms, straight-line winds and flooding.

You can register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call FEMA's toll-free registration line at 800-621-3362.

Applicants should have their social security number, address of the damaged primary residence, a description of the damage; information about insurance coverage; a current contact telephone number; an address where they can receive mail and account information for direct deposit of funds.

Editor's note: the following was submitted by Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

(MSC News) I recently returned from the Lifesavers Conference, held in Louisville,Kentucky.  This national conference is the largest gathering of highway
safety professionals across the country.  Many important and informative
workshops and training are provided – pedestrians, driving, teen safety,
communications, criminal justice, and impairment, to name a few.  I would
like to thank KDOT for funding my attendance at this highly acclaimed
training event.

While there were many noteworthy events and workshops that stand out in my
mind, the one which really struck home was an older white school bus parked
in the exhibit hall.  As I walked around the outside of the bus, I noticed
the date "MAY 14, 1988" written in bold letters on its sides.  A fellow by
the name of Quinton Higgins, Jr. approached me and explained that this was
his bus and he wanted me to know why it was so important to him.

On May 14, 1988, Quinton was 15 years-old and part of a church youth group
riding on the bus.  Not far from Cincinnati, a drunk driver, Larry Mahoney,
was driving the wrong way in his pickup and collided with the bus. His
blood alcohol concentration was .24% (over 3 times the current legal limit
and 2.5 times the legal limit in 1988) and he had been arrested for DUI
once before.  The impact punctured the gas tank which resulted in a fire.
Since the gas tank was located near the front of the bus, all exiting had
to be done through the rear door.  In the end, 27 youth and sponsors were
unable to get out and died, making this the deadliest drunk driving crash
in American history.

Quinton invited me to enter the bus, and as I did so I immediately noticed
large pictures taped to the seats.  These were of those who were unable to
escape on that fateful day.  It was humbling to stand there and imagine the
carnage that had occurred around me.  Quinton told me he felt compelled to
help spread the word about the dangers of drunk driving in the hope of
savings lives.  Even after all the years that have passed, he is still
emotional as he remembers those who were lost.  He has made it his life’s
mission to make as many people as he can aware of what can happen when
drivers decide to drive drunk.

I was honored to meet and speak with Quinton.  Larry Mahoney, the driver of
the pickup, was found guilty of 27 counts of 2nd-degree manslaughter, 16
counts of 2nd-degree assault and 27 counts of wanton endangerment, for
which he received a sentence of 16 years.  Owing to good behavior, he
served just under 11 of those years.  Since the crash, the state of
Kentucky has instituted school bus safety regulations which have greatly
decreased the chances of such a tragedy happening again.  And the incident
also played a role in the passage of stricter drunk driving laws in 1991.


                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            


 

(KNZA)--The Horton City Commission, during a special Wednesday evening meeting, took action as part of the process necessary to attempt to save the city's lone nursing home.

It was a full house at the Horton Blue Building, and those in attendance, by a show of hands, indicated overwhelming support for the City to do whatever is necessary to keep the facility open.

The City of Horton was notified at the start of the month regarding the decision of the Mission Village Living Facility Board of Directors to close the facility.

Board Member Tom Kidwell was in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting. He told MSC News a number of factors, including a declining population at the living center, played into the board’s decision. “[There were] many things that had been changing the last 5-years with us,” Kidwell said. “Our residents had dropped. We had a PA that worked at the [now closed] Horton Hospital, he was on our board. He sent us customers. It was hard to get administrators. The one we had hired, she left a couple years ago, so we kind of just ran it with Action Pact, [the firm that] had been helping us. They hung their license on the board, and they’re the ones that are wanting to put a new facility into Hiawatha. They’ve actually been helping us for free. We paid them some, but they still are owed a lot of money for what they’ve done for us.”

Following an executive session, Commissioner Ken Krug made a motion, which was unanimously approved by the Commission, for the city to proceed with taking the action necessary to negotiate the transfer of the ownership of the business and operations of the Mission Village Living Center to the City of Horton.

Following the motion, Rick Clement, a member of the living center’s Board of Directors, indicated the Board is willing to transfer ownership to the city. Four of the nine board members were present.

Clement, who has been a board member for 3 years, said the decision to close didn’t come easily, with the board holding on as long as they could. He said they are currently around 130,000 in debt to vendors. He added the nursing home has been struggling for some time to just make payroll.

The action of the Commission followed lengthy discussion, with those in attendance asking questions and offering comments about the fate of the facility.

Mayor Bryan Stirton told MSC News it’s the City’s intention to keep the facility as a nursing home without relocating the residents. “The City has decided to take the next step to do some more exploring for different options,” he said. “We have two or three viable interests in the facility, so this allows us to continue to move forward. I worked really hard last week, reached out to some different companies that were interested. We still have some sorting out to do with them. It’s going to be a process, but hopefully it’s a timely process. We’ll need funds raised, how to finance, how we’re going to finance this transition, but it can be done with the community support that we just had tonight.”

The Mission Village Living Center is currently owned by the NEK Center for Health and Wellness and managed by Manhattan-based Action Pact. The city owns the property where the building is located.

There are currently 23 residents. 

A letter from the Board of Directors, addressed to employees of the living center, formerly known as Tri-County Manor, stated earlier this month that a June 8 closing date had been set.

(KAIR)--The trial for an Atchison man accused of shooting at a police officer last year has been continued.

Bryan Boldridge was originally scheduled to face a jury of his peers in Atchison County District Court beginning Tuesday.

Atchison County Attorney Sherri Becker told MSC News the decision for the continuance came Friday during a hearing.

At its conclusion, the Court granted the request for the continuance made by Boldridge, with his trial now set for July 23-25.

44-year-old Boldridge is charged with 2nd degree attempted murder.

He remains in the Atchison County Jail, held on a bond of $150,000.

According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, an officer was called October 31, 2018 to an Atchison residence at North 4th and L Streets to assist a utility company with a theft of service issue.

The investigation alleges that during the late morning response, Boldridge suffered injuries when the officer returned fire after Boldridge began shooting.

The officer was not hurt.

(KAIR)--A burn ban has been issued for Atchison County. 

The ban took effect Wedneday morning. 

Atchison County Emergency Management Director West Lanter, in a release, said the ban comes in conjunction with the High Fire Warning issued by the National Weather Service.

Lanter said no burning will be allowed in Atchison County until further notice. 

(KLZA)--Falls City School Superintendent Tim Heckenlively briefed the Board of Education Monday night concerning a lawsuit filed against School District 56 by Steven Riggs and Heather Roberts.

The school district has hired the Knudson Law Firm to represent them in the civil case.

Riggs was an eighth grader on the Middle School track team in 2017 when he was hit by a car while walking from the Middle School to Falls City High School for track practice.

The tort claim seeks payment for medical expenses and seeks compensation for permanent injury.

(KLZA)--The U.S. Small Business Administration is working with residents of Richardson and Nemaha counties in Southeast Nebraska to provide low-interest, long-term disaster loans to businesses, homeowners and renters effected by flooding.

SBA Public Information Officer Javier Caltenco visited our MSC News studio to discuss options for flood victims.

Many people don't think of the SBA for help with their homes but Caltenco says that is part of the service. Businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters needing to repair or replace uninsured, under insured disaster damaged property are eligible.

Homeowners and renters need to begin by signing up at a FEMA Disasater Sign-Up Center. A FEMA Disaster Sign-Up Center was scheduled to be open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Prichard Auditorium in Falls City, but the dates have been postponed. The FEMA disaster sign-up at Prichard Auditorium will begin Thursday, April 18th and continue through Wednesday, April 24, between the hours of 7 a-m and 7 p.m.

Prichard Auditorium is located at 312 West 17th Street in Falls City.

While many do not want to take out a loan, Caltenco said it may be your best option. If you apply with FEMA, you may be referred to the SBA due to the limited amount of resources FEMA has. The SBA loan can help with long-term recovery.

Businesses seeking SBA loans have a slightly different process and need to go through the SBA Business Recovery Centers that are set up. Businesses do not have to go through FEMA.

Businesses can apply for both physical damages and economic injury.

The deadline to sign up is May 20.

For more information on Small Business Administration disasterloans, go to the SBA website: disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Or you can call toll-free 800-659-2955.

(KLZA)--A groundbreaking ceremony was held on a long-planned renovation project in Brownville, April 5th.

The Brownville Concert Series accepted the gift of the Brownville Concert Hall from James Keene III and Ruth Haley Keene in 2016 to ensure the long-term continuation of the Brownville Concert Series.

With the change in ownership, it became necessary for the building to be brought up to current codes in regards to fire standards and ADA requirements.

Work on the project is to begin this spring at a cost of $775-thousand which includes the $35-thousand cost of a seven-foot Steinway Piano.

The organization received a $350-thousand Community Development Block Grant and a capital campaign including applying for grants from major foundations, area businesses and individuals has led to commitments totaling more than $531-thousand.

This accounts for 70-percent of the needed funds with another quarter-of-a-million dollars still to be raised.

Hopes are for those interested to join “The Grand Club” to raise the rest of the funds.

AHRS Construction of Bern Kansas is the contractor on the project.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Community Hospital Monday evening held the first of twenty-nine town hall meetings to discuss the proposed ten-year half-cent countywide retailers sales tax to provide funding for health care services in Brown County.

Voters will decide the fate of the sales tax during a May 21 special election.

Among those attending Monday’s meeting at the Fisher Center in Hiawatha were hospital staff members, providers, and board members.

Hiawatha Hospital CEO John Broberg said the 25-bed critical access hospital, which opened in 1951, is not alone in facing financial struggles, saying 69 percent of the rural hospitals in Kansas are operating in the red.   In the last three years,  Broberg said five hospitals have closed in Kansas, including the Horton Community Hospital in March.

Former longtime Hiawatha hospital CEO John Moore said the hospital, in the past, received a number of financial gifts, but that has changed. “We’ve been very fortunate over the past 68-years not to have to rely on tax support,” Moore said during the meeting. “For whatever reason, and it could be many, the size of the gifts to the hospital have declined. We now come to a time when the hospital needs our assistance to ensure healthcare is here for future generations.”

Hospital Chief of Staff Dr. Julie Rosa said she believes the hospital stands at a juncture. “Now is the time to recognize that with some financial sacrifice, we again can create three things. Number one, a stable hospital, and thus a stable medical staff. Number two, the recruitment of the next generation of [medical doctors]. And three, really continuity of what we see as the regional center of critical access resources in all of northeast Kansas.”

Broberg said a two-pronged approach is sought to ensure the future success of the hospital: passage of the sales tax and Medicaid expansion in Kansas, with expansion of state Medicaid cited as a major benefit to the hospital. “We’re a little unique because of the patients that we care for. Our hospital would benefit $1 million a year if we had that money.”

Broberg said the hospital in 2017 performed more than $2 million in uncompensated care, and that increased to $2.2 million in 2018. 

He noted 83 percent of the current critical access hospitals in the state receive tax support.

Regarding the proposed sales tax, Broberg said a 10-year versus 5-year was chosen because it will allow the refinancing of the current industrial revenue bonds the hospital is paying on, offering a savings of nearly $640,000.  He also said it will provide funding for much-needed capital improvements.

If approved by voters, the Hiawatha Hospital would receive 80 percent of the sales tax proceeds, with 20 percent going to the city of Horton for health care services in that south Brown County community.  

Broberg said the Hiawatha hospital would no longer be obligated to open a rural health clinic in Horton.

The sales tax is estimated to generate around $700,000 annually.

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Town Hall Meetings, by location, are as follows:

Hiawatha: 6 p.m. Monday, April 8, at Fisher Center; 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, at Fisher Center; 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, at Fisher Center; 2 p.m. Monday, April 15, at Fisher Center; 2 p.m. Monday, April 22, at Maple Grove; 10 a.m. Thursday, April 25, at Maple Grove; 6 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at First Baptist Church Family Life Center; 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at Fisher Center; and 6 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Fisher Center.

Horton: 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, at Blue Building; 10 a.m. Thursday, April 11, at St. Leo’s Parish Hall; 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at St. Leo’s Parish Hall; 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at Blue Building; 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, at Blue Building; and 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, at Blue Building.

Everest: 10 a.m. Monday, April 22, at Northfield; and 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at Northfield.

Fairview: 6 p.m. Thursday, April 11, at Fairview Community Center; and 10 a.m. Monday, April 15, at Fairview Community Center.

Morrill: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, at Morrill Community Building; and 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at Morrill Community Building.

Powhattan: 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, at Legion Hall; and 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at Legion Hall.

Robinson: 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 16, at Bird Cage Theatre; and 6 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at Bird Cage Theatre.

Reserve: 2 p.m. Thursday, April 11, at City Hall; and 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, at City Hall.

Sabetha: 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at Community National Bank; and 2 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at Community National Bank.

(KAIR)--The planned extension of Atchison’s Riverfront Trail is on hold due to flooding.

That word comes in a social media post by the City of Atchison.

Work had been planned to begin Monday.

In the post, the City said that “given the site conditions following elevated Missouri River Levels in recent weeks and the potential for more elevated waters later this summer,” the decision was made to put the project on hold.

Atchison Assistant City Manager Justin Pregont, in February, told MSC News the project has been in the works for some time. “It’s been two or three years ago that we won an award from the Federal Recreational Trails Program, a $250,000 grant, to essentially double the length of the existing riverfront trail. Right now that trail, existing trail, ends about where the intersection of Atchison Street is. This will essentially extend it [north] past the City’s raw water intake station. There’s a $250,000 [grant] and then there’s an $80,000 contribution from the Atchison Riverfront Foundation...we should be able to, from this point forward, spend very little, if any, City money on that project.”

The contractor for the Riverfront Trail Extension is Leavenworth-based Julius Kaaz Construction. The Post from the City said the decision to postpone the start of the work until August was made through a mutual agreement with the firm.

The Atchison City Commission in February gave final approval to the project.

It remains on track for completion by the end of the year.

(KAIR)--The effect of flooding was a prime focus during Monday’s meeting of the Doniphan County Commission, with updates provided regarding the impact.

According to the minutes of the meeting, Emergency Management Coordinator Julie Meng addressed the issue, telling the Commission that rainfall is expected in the coming week in northern states, meaning an increase in the stage of the Missouri River. At the time she spoke, the river stage was 19.2 feet, just over 2 feet above flood stage.

Meng also informed the Commission that the cities of Elwood and Wathena are in what she described as a fish bowl effect, meaning that ground and rain water is continuing to swell from within the levee. That’s due to the flood gates not being allowed to open until the river falls below flood stage.

Currently, both cities are pumping water to relieve pressure on city lagoons.

The City of Elwood evacuated last month when the river reached a level of 30 feet. Residents returned home several days later.

A side effect of the flooding is the rerouting of heavy traffic onto U.S. Highway 36. Meng told the Commission the increased traffic could last for several months, if not into the fall, due to the amount of flood damage to I-29 in Iowa, which has sent traffic onto U.S. 36 through Doniphan County.

Meng, citing figures from the Kansas Department of Transportation, said it’s estimated that traffic has increased from 10,000 vehicles a day to upwards of 40,000.

She said motorists need to use caution when traveling, adding that farm machinery will increase on the highway with the beginning of planting season.

(KAIR)--Wednesday’s special meeting of the Horton City Commission, focused on the future of the city’s lone nursing home, will begin with an executive session.

According to Horton Mayor Bryan Stirton, the unrelated closed-door portion of the meeting is expected to last around 30 minutes, meaning the nursing home discussion will begin around 5:30 Wednesday evening.

In a social media post, Stirton said holding the executive session first will allow extra time for community members to arrive at the meeting.

The City is strongly encouraging attendance, and participation, by those interested in the future of the nursing home.

The scheduling of the special meeting, at the Blue Building in Horton, follows the announcement of the planned closing of the nursing home.

A letter from the Mission Village Living Facility Board of Directors, dated April 4 and directed to employees of the facility, states that “the board has strived to keep the facility open as long as possible but due to low cash reserves and declining census, the facility is not able to create a sustainable future.”

The letter announces a planned closing date of June 8, and states that employees should “be assured” that “there will be no interruptions in payroll.”

The letter is signed by Board President Dave Thompson and Board Member Tom Kidwell.

According to a news release from Horton City Administrator John Calhoon, the City is “actively working on keeping Mission Village Living Facility open,” which is the reason behind Wednesday’s special meeting.

The nursing home, formerly known as the Tri-County Manor, is a 35-bed long term care facility that has been in operation since 1975.

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska prison officials say a staff member was attacked by an inmate temporarily freed when a cell door was mistakenly opened.

The attack occurred around 1:40 p.m. Monday at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution. A Nebraska Correctional Services Department news release says the inmate punched the staffer in the head and torso before being subdued by the use of pepper spray and the efforts of other staff members.

Prisons director Scott Frakes says "it appears this situation was the result of human error."

The staffer was taken to a local hospital for treatment and then returned to the prison.

The names of those involved haven't been released.

The incident will be investigated and the findings provided to the Johnson County Attorney for determination of criminal prosecution.

(KNZA)--Representatives of the Brown County Humane Society meet with Brown County Commission Monday to ask for a donation from the county.

Meeting with the Commission were Ruth Shaver and Phyllis Shaefer.

Shaefer said the organization is funded entirely through donations and fund raisers.

She said she believes they provided a valuable service to the county.

Shaefer said they took in 368 dogs and cats last year at their shelter, with 65 percent of those coming from Brown County.

She said their operating costs last year ran nearly $90,000.  Shaefer noted the majority of their labor is provided by volunteers but they do have three part-time employees.

Commissioners tabled a decision on the request, saying they would like to talk it over first.

In other business, Commission Chairman Keith Olsen presented a plaque to Jim Schuetz of Horton in recognition of his 20 years of service to the county.

Schuetz recently retired as a senior citizens taxi driver in southern Brown County.     

(KMZA)--Several candidates have filed for city and school positions up for election in November in Nemaha County.

Two candidates have filed so far for three open seats on the Sabetha City Commission.  Norman Schmitt has filed for re-election as commissioner of utilities and Julie Burenheide as filed for re-election as commissioner of streets.  Also up for election is the position of commissioner of parks and recreation, currently held by Nick Aberle .

Kathy O’Brien has filed for another term as Seneca City Treasurer.  Also up for election in Seneca is the position of mayor and three city council seats.

In addition, Jim Scoby has filed for another re-election to position one on the Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education.  Four positions are up for election on the board.

Candidates have until noon, June 3rd to file at the Nemaha County Clerk’s Office.

The primary election, if necessary, will be held August 6.  The general election is November 5.

(KAIR)--A Meriden teen was transported for hospital care following a single vehicle late Monday afternoon Jefferson County wreck.

According to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, it happened shortly before 5:00 when 17-year-old Montana Grahem was westbound on Northwest 62nd Drive.

Her PT Cruiser hit a large hole in the dirt road, and the Patrol said she overcorrected, causing the car to rotate 180 degrees into the south ditch. It then struck a tree and rotated 180 degrees to the west, and stopped in a wooded area.

Grahem was transported to Topeka's Stormont Vail for treatment of what the Patrol called a possible injury.

Grahem was buckled up at the time of the wreck.

(KAIR)--Local area victims of flooding are being offered assistance this week.

That will happen at what’s known as Multi-Agency Resource Centers, with two being held.

According to a news release from the American Red Cross, a Multi-Agency Resource Center, or MARC, is a central location for local and state agencies and human service organizations to answer questions, provide information, and disaster-related information.

The first will be held Tuesday, April 9, in St. Joseph, Missouri, running from 12 noon until 7:00. The MARC will be located at the Keys Christian Church gymnasium at 6001 South 9th Street.

The second MARC will be held Wednesday, April 10, from 12 noon until 7:00 in Mound City, Missouri, at the Mound City R2 Multi-Purpose Room, located at 708 Nebraska Street.

Services being offered to flood victims include insurance information, legal services, food stamp replacement services, and emergency financial assistance.

Those attending are told to bring proof of address.

Child care will be available.

(KLZA)-- Two Craig, Missouri residents were hospitalized following a one-vehicle wreck early Friday afternoon in Holt County, Missouri.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reported 29-year-old Tiffany Gladden was southbound on U.S. Highway 59 approximately three miles north of Mound City when she swerved to miss an animal in the roadway.

Gladden's Saturn Ion traveled off the west side of the road striking a fence and a tree.

Gladden and a passenger in the vehicle, 42-year-old Matthew Womeldorff were transported to the Fairfax Community Hospital by private vehicle, with what were described as moderate injuries.

Both were wearing safety devices at the time of the wreck. The Holt County Sheriff and Atchison/Holt EMS also responded to the scene of the wreck.

(KAIR)--A local bridge is included among Kansas structures being lit orange to raise work zone safety awareness.

According to a news release from the Kansas Department of Transportation, the lights on Atchison’s Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge are changed to orange through Friday as part of KDOT’s “Go Orange” campaign.

According to the release, the campaign is timed with National Work Zone Awareness Week, which is held to highlight the dangers faced by highway workers and motorists in work zones while promoting safer behaviors.

As part of the week, everyone is encouraged to wear orange on Thursday, the official “Go Orange Day” in Kansas.

Along with Atchison’s bridge, other structures lit orange for the week include KDOT’s district offices, including the one in Topeka, the Governor’s mansion, the Visitor’s Center in the State Capitol, the Eisenhower State Office Building, Topeka’s City Hall, and the travel information center on I-70, near Goodland.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man has been arrested on felony charges of sexual exploitation of a child and breach of privacy.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill said 54-year-old David Cattrell was arrested Friday evening following an extensive investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department.

Hill said the investigation included the execution of a search warrant for the seizure and examination of digital devices, forensic examination of cellular phones and other digital devices.

The examination was conducted by the Hiawatha Police Department’s digital forensics unit, the U.S. Secret Service’s digital forensics unit and digital forensics analysts with Homeland Security.

Cattrell was booked into the Brown County Jail and later released on a $50,000 bond.

He's scheduled to make his first appearance in court April 22nd.

(KAIR)--The City of Atchison’s emergency services excel, while street conditions and code enforcement lag.

That’s the view of the public, as revealed through the answers of a 54-question citizen satisfaction survey posed by the City of Atchison in 2018.

According to a news release from the City, more than 600 responses were submitted, which exceeded the minimum necessary for the results to be statistically accurate.

The survey revealed that three out of every five people are satisfied with the quality of life in Atchison, with fire department, police department and solid waste/recycling services being the top rated.

The survey also identified condition of streets and code enforcement as some of the city’s biggest weaknesses, with each getting less than 40% marks for satisfaction.

City Manager Becky Berger, in the release, said the survey not only provided insight into the level of satisfaction from Atchison residents regarding the City’s services, but also allowed the City to “gain critical feedback in preparation for [the] upcoming strategic planning process,” with the results to play a role for the City “in developing a strategic plan that outlines where [the City wants] to be as an organization with defined, measurable goals.”

Atchison Mayor Shawn Rizza, in the release, said the survey is something the City needs to be doing every other year, adding that “it’s evident from the results that [the City has] a lot of work to do, but it’s also fairly apparent that when [the City prioritizes] something and focus our resources to that end, such as public safety services or downtown sidewalks, it moves the needle on public opinion.”

The survey and report were put together by ETC Institute, an Olathe-based organization with what the news release called “an outstanding record of performance in gauging community feedback nationwide.”

The full report is available online, with paper copies of the executive summary to be made available at Atchison City Hall.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The major disaster declaration for the State of Nebraska has been amended to authorize Public Assistance (PA) grants for 50 counties to help pay for repair and replacement of public facilities damaged as a result of the March winter storm and flooding. 
 
Previously 65 counties and five tribal nations were approved for Public Assistance grants to reimburse the cost of emergency services and debris removal, including direct federal assistance (Categories A-B). Damage assessments are continuing and more counties and tribal nations may be designated for additional reimbursement for public facilities (Categories C-G). These facilities include roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, parks and recreational areas,  
 
The following are now eligible for Categories C-G at a federal cost share of not less than 75 percent: 
 Adams, Antelope, Blaine, Boone, Box Butte, Boyd, Buffalo, Burt, Butler, Cass, Cedar, Colfax, Cuming, Custer, Dakota, Dixon, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Frontier, Furnas, Gage, Garfield, Gosper, Greeley, Hall, Holt, Howard, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Lancaster, Logan, Loup, Madison, Morrill, Nance, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Pierce, Platte, Richardson, Saline, Sarpy, Sherman, Valley, Wayne, Washington and Wheeler Counties. 
 

(MSC News)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Bureau of Waste Management has announced that several local cities have been awarded waste tire recycling grants.

According to a news release, forty-six grants totaling nearly $379,000 have been awarded for 2019.

The city of Axtell was awarded two grants totaling more than $9,200.  The grants are for the purchase of just over 2,800-square-feet of loose fill rubber mulch, four tables and three benches for Rochel-Grove Park.

The city of Frankfort is the recipient of a just over $3,200 grant for the purchase of eight picnic tables for the city park.

The city of Horton will receive a $3,700 grant for the purchase of eleven benches and four picnic tables for the Aquatic Park.

The city of Oskaloosa was awarded a more than $14,000 grant for the purchase of a total of 8,000-square-feet of loose fill rubber mulch for the city park.

And the city of Wetmore will receive two grants totaling more than $11,000 for the purchase of a total of 4,000-square-feet of loose fill rubber mulch and six benches for the playground at the city park.

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

(KNZA)--A Jackson County Sheriff's deputy escaped serious injury Saturday night after he was struck by a vehicle while investigating a non-injury accident.

Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, said the deputy was working a car-deer accident in northern Jackson County, north  of 278th Road, when a southbound  pickup truck failed to properly yield to emergency personnel.

Morse said vehicle's mirror struck the left arm of the deputy around 8:30, causing minor injury to the deputy.

A citation was issued to the driver for failing to yield to emergency personnel.  The fine for failing to yield to emergency vehicles is $303--including court costs.

Morse reminds drivers to watch out for the safety of highway workers and public safety personnel. Kansas law requires motorists on a two-lane highway to slow down, drive with due caution at a safe speed for the road, weather and traffic conditions. On a highway with four or more lanes, motorists are to “proceed with due caution and, if possible and with due regard to the road, weather and traffic conditions, shall change lanes into a lane that is not adjacent to that of the stationary authorized emergency vehicle.”

“Fortunately, this incident did not result in tragedy, and the deputy was able to complete the investigation of the first accident prior to being evaluated by medical staff,” he said.

(KLZA)--A petition has been filed to recall Humboldt Ward I Council member Dolores Martinez.

The petition was filed Wednesday, April 3, by Jamie Lynne Dorney.  

In the statement of reasons for starting the recall effort, Dorney alleges Martinez has repeatedly demonstrated that she is not acting in the best interest of the City of Humboldt, claiming she has acted unprofessionally and unethically towards city employees, other elected officials and residents during her time in office.  Dorney states Martinez has lost the trust of the community and should not remain in office.

In her statement of defense,  Martinez says the accusations are ambiguous and unverified.  Martinez claims Dorney has not been present at  council meetings the past two years, and asks “who, what, where and when she acted unethically or unprofessionally?”

35 percent of the 160 voters in the last General Election would need to sign the petition to force a recall.  That would require 56 signatures.

The circulator has 30 days to obtain the required signatures.  If enough signatures are obtained the individual recalled may resign or an election is to be held not less than 30 days nor more than 45 days after notification.  

The cost of the recall effort will be paid by the City of Humboldt.

(KNZA)--A Troy woman escaped serious injury in a single-vehicle late Saturday night Johnson County, Missouri crash.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 75-year-old Alice Clary was a passenger in a pickup truck that traveled off Highway 13 where it struck a ditch and overturned.

Clary and the driver, 54-year-old Republic, Missouri resident Annette White, were both transported by ambulance to the Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg with what the Patrol described as minor injuries.

The Patrol reports both were buckled up when the wreck happened around 10:45 Saturday night.

(KAIR)--Citing "the need for reliable and high-speed internet" in the area of the Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport, a plan is in place for the installation of a fiber internet extension.

Enhancing the quality of the available internet is specifically being done in connection with the soon to be completed Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum.

Reed Berger is the Vice-President of the Amelia Earhart Foundation, which is working to make the museum a reality. He told MSC News the organization, in March, entered into an agreement with Everest-based Rainbow Communications to make the expansion happen. “Since we are doing the museum out at the airport, and it’s going to be educational, STEM-based, we determined we really needed quality, high-speed internet out there, so we’ve been working with Rainbow Communications and just entered into a memorandum of understanding to extend the fiber from the industrial park to the airport.”

According to a news release issued by the Amelia Earhart Foundation, the organization is contributing $171,602 toward the construction of the Fiber Service Extension, with the buried fiber optic line to run along 286th Road, from the Shannon Industrial Park, approximately 4 miles east, to the airport.

It will make internet speeds up to 1G possible. “That really was the best option for us to go, to extend it from the industrial park to the airport,” Berger said. “That will help facilitate the first class experience that we’re going to have at the museum when it’s up and going.”

Foundation President Karen Seaberg, in the release, said "the buried fiber will not only benefit the museum, but also the airport and residents along 286th Road, bringing fiber that much closer to the city of Atchison."

Rainbow Communications CEO Jason Smith, in the release, noted that "the benefits of a fiber optic network are enormous," adding that it goes hand in hand with economic development and community development.

Construction is set to begin July 1, with a completion date on, or before, October 1.

Once the hangar museum at the airport is complete, the central exhibit will be Muriel, the 1935 Lockheed Electra L-10E, which is a match to the airplane flown by famed Atchison native Amelia Earhart.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Lottery is urging its players to check their Lucky for Life tickets after one ticket winning a player $25,000 a Year for Life was sold in northeast Kansas!

The lucky player matched the first five numbers, but not the Lucky Ball. The winning numbers in Thursday’s drawing were 3-4-8-16-27 with a Lucky Ball of 3.

The northeast region of Kansas includes twenty-one counties including locally, Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Marshall, Nemaha and Pottawatomie.

The ticket holder has 365 days from the date of the drawing to claim their prize. Once the ticket is claimed, the winner then has 60 days from the claim date to decide if they want to take the $25,000 a Year for Life annuity payment option or the cash option of $390,000.

This is the fourth time a $25,000 a Year for Life prize was won in the Sunflower State since the Kansas Lottery joined the Lucky for Life game in November 2016.

(KNZA)--A Mayetta man, accused of video recording minors in a restroom, has been arrested.

According to a news release issued Friday by Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, 52-year-old Kerry Wathen, Jr. was arrested Friday on a Jackson County District Court warrant.

He is being charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and four counts of breach of privacy.

According to Morse, the warrant stems from an investigation leading to allegations that Wathen “unlawfully video recorded victims in a restroom on multiple occasions.”

On November 1 last year, deputies and investigators raided Wathen’s home, east of Mayetta, and seized computers and other electronic items.

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

Bond is set at $10,000.

(KNZA)--An early Friday afternoon two-vehicle Brown County wreck sent three people to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says its happened shortly after 12:30 at the intersection of U.S. 36 Highway and West Oregon Street at Hiawatha.

The Patrol reports 58-year-old Loretta Taylor, of Omaha, Nebraska, was entering U.S. 36 from West Oregon Street when she failed to yield to a westbound car driven by 32-year-old Erin Biggerstaff, of Arnold, Missouri.   Taylor’s SUV was struck by Biggerstaff’s car.

Taylor and Biggerstaff were both transported to the Hiawatha Community Hospital with suspected serious injuries.

A passenger in Taylor’s vehicle, 17-year-old Omaha resident Mary Taylor, was transported to the hospital with suspected minor injuries.

The Patrol says all three occupants were buckled up at the time of the wreck.

(KLZA)--While the Missouri River has receded from record high levels set at six gauges in March,  the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts flooding is going to be a problem along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers into July.

NOAA scientist Kevin Low says the problem of saturated soil and above – average rain expected over the next several months will contribute to the flooding.  While wide-spread, long term flooding is not expected, episodes of flooding is expected in southeast Nebraska, across the state of Missouri, eastern Kansas and southern Iowa.

The Army Corps of Engineers gradually increased release rates at Gavins Point Dam at Yankton, South Dakota from 39,000 Cubic Feet per Second to 55,000 CFS.

The increased releases will allow the corps to respond to rainfall events while snow continues to melt upstream.  The higher released are expected to last until April 14.  

Among the gauges setting new records for high water readings during March were Rulo, Bownville, Nebraska City and St. Joseph.  

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Community Hospital has scheduled twenty-nine town hall meetings to discuss the need for a proposed 10-year half-cent countywide retailers sales tax for health care services in the county.

A special election on the sales tax initiative is set for May 21.

The meetings will kick off Monday, April 8 and run through May 9.

Nine meetings are scheduled in Hiawatha and six in Horton.  In addition, there will be two each in Everest, Fairview, Morrill, Powhattan, Reserve, Robinson and Sabetha.

(KAIR)--As notification is given regarding the planned closure of Horton’s lone nursing home, the City of Horton explores options to keep it open.

According to a news release from Horton City Administrator John Calhoon, the City is “actively working on keeping Mission Village Living Facility open, contrary to the current Mission Village Board giving their notice to close the facility.”

Calhoon said the City “values community input and assistance and will be holding a Special Commission Meeting...to further discuss [the] issue.”

The meeting is scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, April 10 at 5:00 at the Horton Blue Building.

Calhoon, in the release, said the City is strongly encouraging “all interested individuals to attend and participate,” adding that the City “values the longstanding care and importance of retaining the nursing home,” and is “optimistic that [the issue] can and will be accomplished prior to any closure of the facility.”

The steps to keep the facility open come as the Board of Directors for the living facility announced the planned closure this week.

A letter from the Mission Village Living Facility Board of Directors, dated April 4 and directed to associates of the facility, has been obtained by MSC News. It states that “the board has strived to keep the facility open as long as possible but due to low cash reserves and declining census, the facility is not able to create a sustainable future.”

The letter announces a planned closing date of June 8, and tells the employees it’s addressed to that they should “be assured” that “there will be no interruptions in payroll.”

The letter is signed by Board President Dave Thompson and Board Member Tom Kidwell.

The nursing home, formerly known as the Tri-County Manor, is a 35-bed long term care facility that has been in operation since 1975.

It’s located at 1890 Euclid Avenue, adjacent to the Horton Community Hospital which closed last month.

(KNZA)--A brick street restoration project is set to begin Monday, April 8 in Hiawatha.

The project will involve the rehabilitation of the 600 block of Utah Street.

Amino Brothers Company, of Kansas City, Kansas, will serve as contractor on the nearly $800,000 project.

The city was awarded a grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation that will pay for 80 percent of the project cost.

City Administrator Mike Nichols says the contractor will start at the west end of the block and work east.  

The Post Office has temporarily relocated its drop box to the alley behind the office for access during the project.    

The project is expected to be completed around July 1.

(KAIR)--A Willis man, arrested in connection with a scheme to rip-off an Atchison County tire dealership, has pleaded to related charges.

Anthony Lay entered the plea April 1 to two counts of burglary of a non-dwelling and one count of felony theft during an appearance in Atchison County District Court.

Atchison County Attorney Sherri Becker told MSC News in exchange for the plea, additional counts were dismissed.

Sentencing for Lay is set for the afternoon of May 13.

Lay was arrested in January in connection with the crimes committed at rural Muscotah’s Armstrong Tires.

Authorities say the 19-year-old broke into the business at least 6 times, beginning late last year. Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News in January, Lay used a fake name to place orders for custom wheels and tires which he never picked up. Instead, he would go to the business after it closed, break-in, and steal those items.

A joint investigation with Brown County authorities led to Lay’s arrest.

Charges in Brown County include the unrelated rape of an adult. Lay was arrested in connection with that crime, following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department, while in custody for the burglary and theft case.

Lay remains in custody at the Atchison County Jail, with bond set at $15,000.

(KAIR)--The City of Horton is actively involved in seeking a replacement management group to continue operations of the city’s lone nursing home.

That’s confirmed by Horton Mayor Bryan Stirton who told MSC News the City of Horton has been informed by the management group of the Mission Village Living Center they intend to cease management of the facility.

Stirton said city leadership has been in contact with the State of Kansas in regards to finding a replacement.

A special meeting focused on the issue is in the planning stages.

The facility, formerly known as the Tri-County Manor, is a 35-bed long term care facility that has been in operation since 1975.

It’s located at 1890 Euclid Avenue, adjacent to the Horton Community Hospital which closed last month.

(KNZA)--The City of Horton is actively involved in seeking a replacement management group to continue operations of the city’s lone nursing home.

That’s confirmed by Horton Mayor Bryan Stirton who told MSC News the city  has been informed by the management group of the Mission Village Living Center they intend to cease management of the facility.

Stirton said city leadership has been in contact with the State of Kansas in regards to finding a replacement.

A special meeting focused on the issue is in the planning stages.

The facility, formerly known as the Tri-County Manor, is a 35-bed long term care facility that has been in operation since 1975.

It’s located at 1890 Euclid Avenue, adjacent to the Horton Community Hospital which closed last month.

(KNZA)--A new Hiawatha code enforcement official has been hired.

City Administrator Mike Nichols told MSC News that Curt Clark has been hired for the part-time position.

Following an executive session Monday evening, the City Commission approved his hiring at a salary of $17 an hour.

Clark, who held the position a number of years ago, recently retired from the Brown County Appraiser’s Office where he served a senior data collector.

The position came open earlier this year following the resignation of police detective Beau Hasenohr, who also served as the city’s code enforcement officer.

Clark is to begin work April 22.

Jefferson City, Mo.(AP)--Just weeks after winning a key regulatory approval, one the nation's largest wind energy projects is facing a new obstacle from Missouri legislation that could prevent the proposed high-voltage power line from being strung across the property of uncooperative landowners.

A Missouri House panel advanced legislation Wednesday that would prohibit the use of eminent domain to acquire easements for the Grain Belt Express project. The proposed 750-mile transmission line would carry wind power from Kansas across Missouri and Illinois into Indiana, where it would connect to a power grid that serves eastern states.

The $2.3 billion project has been repeatedly delayed by regulatory hurdles and court battles but won a significant victory in March, when Missouri's utility regulatory commission reversed its previous denials and approved the project. Missouri's "certificate of convenience and necessity" deems it a public utility, which allows it to pursue condemnation cases in local courts against landowners who refuse to sell easements.

The legislation is intended to block that — either forcing the power line to zig zag around unwilling sellers or zapping it altogether.

(KNZA)--A former Doniphan County Sheriff’s deputy has been placed on one year supervised probation after pleading no contest to the battery of an inmate.

Raymond Hall entered the plea last week in Doniphan Court District Court to the misdemeanor charge, canceling a bench trial which had been set for April 18.

In exchange of the plea, a misdemeanor charge of mistreatment of a confined person was dismissed.

As part of the terms of his probation, Hall is prohibited from being employed as a law enforcement officer while on probation.

Charges were filed against Hall last November, with the complaint naming James Groh as the victim in the case.

Hall had been a sheriff’s deputy since September 2013.  Prior to that, he served as a Wathena police officer and chief of police.  

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert served as special prosecutor in the case.  

( KLZA)--A Craig, Missouri woman was injured in a single-vehicle wreck south of Mound City Wednesday morning.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 38-year-old Ryonne McCann was driving north on route F in a 2016 Jeep when the vehicle traveled off the east side of the road, struck a dirt culvert and became airborne.  The vehicle then struck another embankment, becoming airborne again before landing on its wheels.

McCann was transported by the Atchison-Holt Ambulance Squad to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph with what the Patrol described as moderate injuries.

The report indicates McCann was not wearing a safety device at the time of the wreck.

The Holt County Sheriff's Department and Mound City Fire Department also responded to the scene.

A suspicious vehicle, later learned to have been stolen from Lincoln, Nebraska, led to a Tuesday night pursuit in Atchison County and to the arrest of a Lincoln resident.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News a deputy attempted to stop the vehicle in rural Atchison County, but the driver didn’t stop, leading to the pursuit that traveled into the city of Atchison. “A deputy pulled up behind the vehicle on 73 Highway, and the taillights had an issue, the license plate didn’t match the vehicle...there were some other suspicious circumstances with the vehicle,” Laurie said. “[The deputy] activated his emergency lights and sirens, and the vehicle then fled toward the city of Atchison.”

A deputy deployed stop sticks on U.S. 73, at the Omaha Junction, but despite one of the tires being flattened, it’s alleged the driver continued to flee, leading deputies through the city.

With the Atchison Police Department assisting in the pursuit, the vehicle was stopped in the 400 block of V street and the driver was arrested.

He is identified as 28-year-old Joshua Poppe.

According to Laurie, Poppe was found to be in possession of a syringe believed to contain an illegal substance. It’s alleged that additional drug paraphernalia was found inside the stolen vehicle.

Poppe was taken into custody on charges including felony fleeing and attempting to elude, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of opiate, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, and numerous traffic infractions.

According to Atchison County Jail records, Poppe is additionally facing a charge of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer. Laurie alleges that during the pursuit, Poppe struck a patrol vehicle. He said he also nearly struck a deputy with the stolen vehicle when the deputy was out of his patrol vehicle attempting to take Poppe into custody.

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

His bond is set at $10,000.

(KAIR)--40,000 pounds of fresh pork.

That's what an area pork processing facility donated to a local food bank to assist flood victims.

According to a news release, St. Joseph, Missouri's Triumph foods made the donation to St. Joseph-based Second Harvest Community Food Bank to aid in the agency's flood relief effort.

Donated was loin filets and ground pork product which will be distributed throughout flood-affected communities within Second Harvest's 19 county service area.

Among the communities impacted by flooding, and served by Second Harvest, are Buchanan County, Missouri and Doniphan County, Kansas,

(KLZA)--The flooding that has closed Interstate 29 between the Iowa state line and St. Joseph has moved the bulk of that  north and south traffic to Highway 75 in Nebraska and Kansas.  

There was one fatality wreck in Nemaha County, Nebraska in March but so far that is the only fatality.

Nemaha County Sheriff Brent Lottman says his department and others are not staffed to deal with the the added traffic from the interstate and the variety of driving patterns you observe.

Sheriff Lottman says the amount of traffic can be frustrating for patrol officers.  When an officer does observe a violation, with the amount of traffic and depending on the location, the officer may not be able to get turned around to make a stop.

Lottman says the Nebraska State Patrol has been helpful with patrolling Highway 75.

The Sheriff urges everyone to be patient and for local drivers to  use alternate routes if possible.

When Interstate 29 will reopen is unknown.  Lottman estimated that in 2011 floodwaters and road repairs kept I-29 closed for approximately five months.

(KLZA)--A nearly 70-year-old bridge near Fairfax, Missouri will be replaced this summer.

The Tarkio River Bridge, just west of Fairfax on Route J, was built in 1952. A $1.445-million project to replace the bridge is scheduled to begin April 15.

The Phillips Hardy Inc. contractors, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation crews will work through the summer with plans to reopen the bridge at the end of August.

The current bridge is structurally deficient.  It is 22-feet wide and 281-feet long.  The new bridge will meet current standards and will be 24-feet wide with 16-inch safety barrier curbs on each side.

Route J will be closed at the bridge during construction.  

(KLZA)--Have you been  jolted recently by driving through a pothole?

Due to the extreme winter weather,  potholes have become a real nuisance and they are showing up no matter what area town or city you are driving in.

Falls City, City Administrator Gary Jorn told City Council members Monday evening that the Street Department is trying to get the holes filled in. Jorn said the Street Department has been unable to obtain bulk cold mix for patching so it has been purchased by the bag.

Street Foreman Gary Richey said it took nine tons of material to patch Chase Street, which prompted Jorn to suggest the city may want to do an overlay project on the street next year.

Jorn also noted the wheels are in motion to get the revitalization project underway from 16th and Stone Streets north to 17th Street. A pre-construction meeting was held Monday, April 1.  Once the contractor, AHRS of Bern gives the City a start date, it is to take 110 days to complete the work.

(KNZA)--A Wednesday afternoon two-vehicle Brown County wreck claimed the life of a Hiawatha woman.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened at the intersection of U.S. 73 Highway and 230th Street, just south of Hiawatha, around 1:15.

The Patrol reports 78-year-old Marlene Watts was northbound on U.S. 73 when she attempted to make a left turn and head west on 230th Street.

The Patrol says Watts failed to yield the right-of-way to a southbound semi-tractor trailer and her car was struck in the passenger side doors.

Both vehicles traveled off the roadway to the southwest of the intersection and down into the grass ditch where they came to rest.

Watts, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the semi, 39-year-old Morrill resident Brent Wikle, was not hurt. The Patrol says he was buckled up at the time of the wreck.

(KNZA)--One person was killed in a two-vehicle Brown County wreck Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of U.S. 73 Highway and 230th Street at the south edge of Hiawatha.

According to a preliminary report released by the Kansas Highway Patrol, a vehicle was traveling northbound on U.S. 73 when it attempted to make a left turn and head west on 230th Street.

The Patrol says the vehicle failed to yield the right-of-way to a southbound vehicle and was struck in the passenger side.

Both vehicles traveled off the roadway to the southwest of the intersection and down into the grass ditch where they came to rest.

The names of those involved have not been released yet.

The wreck, which reportedly involved a semi and car, was reported around 1:15 Wednesday afternoon

(KLZA)-- Tuesday was General Municipal Election day in Missouri. 

There were several contested races and ballot issues in Holt and Atchison counties. 

In Holt County Jeremy Lewis and Robert Gibson were elected to 3-year terms on the Mound City School Board.  Lewis received 87 votes and Gibson 85.  Dylan Rosier 56, Jason Hall 55, Steven Edwards 48 and Tony Rader 9. 

Duane Nauman was re-elected South Ward Alderman in Mound City with 29 votes.  Phil Blazer received 2 votes. 

Trever Drewes received 19 votes and James McCallan 12 votes and were elected as Aldermen in Craig.  Richard Thomas received 9 votes. 

Margaret ( Peggy) Ann Edwards was elected to the east Ward Alderman seat in Forest City receiving all 21 votes cast in a runoff with Jim Book. 

Angela Stuart-Brook won election to the Atchison-Holt Ambulance Squad Board with 144 votes.  Judy Hood received 57 votes. 

Donnie Kirk has been elected Mayor Maitland with 31 votes.  Mark Russell received 21 votes.  

In Atchison County elections two were elected to the Fairfax School Board.  Joshua Oswald received 130 votes,  108 ballots were cast for Michael Lewis and Patrick Miller received 39 votes. 

Scott Poppa was elected to the Tarkio Special Road District Board with 123votes to 37 cast for Craig Vance. 

The Tarkio Road Proposition to renew the 35-cent per $1,000 of valuation passed 131 – 36. The tax will be in effect for four years. 

The quarter-percent sales tax in Atchison County for five years passed 452 – 115.

Renewal of a special road levy of35-cents per $1,000 of valuation was approved 326 – 64. 

Jerry Kirkpatrick was elected Mayor of Westboro with 29 votes.  Carrie Cason received 14 votes. 

In the Westboro at large Board seats,  two were elected.  35 ballots were cast for Nathan Vardaman,  25 for Ashley Meier and 14 for Joe Cason. 

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Community Hospital has named a new CEO.

Selected for the position is John Broberg, MA, FACHE ,who has served as Interim CEO since early February.

The announcement of the decision, made by Greg Rodvelt, President of the Hospital Board of Trustees, came in a new release issued Wednesday.

According to the release, Broberg has worked in the healthcare field for 44-years, with 27 of them as a senior leader, serving as CEO of three different hospitals.

Rodvelt, in the release, said Broberg “originally committed to work with an extended engagement due to the financial situation of the hospital especially since Hiawatha Community Hospital is pursuing a county-wide ½ cent sales tax.”

The Board decided on April 2 to offer Broberg the permanent position.

Broberg, in the release, said he has “a special fondness” for the Hiawatha Community Hospital, adding that he is “truly blessed to work with compassionate and committed leaders, employees, and providers.”

He said he is “excited to serve in [the] permanent role and work with the Board, providers, and staff, to create an organization where people want to work, providers want to practice, and patients...want to receive care.”

Broberg has planned 29 Brown County Town Hall meetings to discuss the need for the county-wide ½ cent sales tax to be decided by voters May 21.

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(LINCOLN, Nebraska) April 2, 2019 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Nancy Johner today announced that producers who suffered livestock losses due to a combination of extended cold and above-normal precipitation during the months of January, February and March may be eligible for assistance under the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). The deadline to submit a LIP Notice of Loss due to these weather circumstances is April 29, 2019.

“The Livestock Indemnity Program provides producers with a vital safety net to help them overcome the financial impact of extreme or abnormal weather,” said Johner. “Extended cold combined with above-normal precipitation during the months of January, February and early March created an adverse weather event that has had a significant impact on some livestock producers. We encourage them to reach out to our office by the April 29 notice of loss deadline.”

LIP compensates livestock owners and contract growers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to an adverse weather event. The payment rate is based on 75 percent of the average fair market value of the livestock.

A livestock producer must file a notice of loss within 30 calendar days of when the loss of livestock is first apparent. Due to the abnormal conditions in January, February and March 2019, producers with livestock losses attributable to the combination of extended cold and above-normal precipitation have until April 29, 2019, to submit a notice of loss to FSA county offices. Livestock producers must provide evidence that the death of livestock was due to an eligible adverse weather event or loss condition.

Once a Notice of Loss is completed and approved by FSA, an application for payment can be completed by submitting supporting documents regarding beginning inventory and losses. This may include documentation showing the number and kind of livestock that died, photographs or video records to document the loss, purchase records, veterinarian records, production records and other similar documents. 

Producers may apply for LIP benefits at their county FSA office. For more information on LIP, or to locate a county FSA office, visit www.farmers.gov
 

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening approved an ordinance creating a public building commission to issue bonds if a sales tax initiative is approved by voters during a special election next month.

On the recommendation of Mayor Bill Collins, the Commission approved the appointment of three individuals to the PBC.  They include Dave Middendorf, Don Cashman and Marianne Schmitt.

The PBC is to hold their first meeting next week.

City Administrator Mike Nichols said issuing bonds through a PBC will keep the bonds from affecting the city’s statutory debt limit.

Brown County voters will decide May 21 whether to approve a 10-year half-cent countywide retailers sales tax for health care services in the county.

If the sales tax inititive is approved, plans are for the PBC to issue $2 million in bonds and for the refinancing of the Hiawatha Community Hospital's existing industrial revenue bonds.  Proceeds from the sales tax would go to pay off the bonds.

Hospital Interim CEO John Broberg told the Commission the hospital plans to hold twenty-nine town hall meetings across the county to educate residents on the need for the sales tax.

The town hall meetings are to begin next week.

He said seven meetings are planned in Hiawatha and six in Horton along with the other communities throughout the county.

In other business, the Commission approved a resolution finding a house located at 815 Shawnee Street an immediate hazard and ordering its immediate removal.  

The house was listed as a total loss following a fire in December.  City Attorney Andy Delaney said the fire compromised the structural integrity of the house and left the house without a portion of  its exterior walls, allowing children to enter.

Nichols was directed to solicit bids for the structure’s removal.     

(KAIR)--A “potential threat” led the Atchison County Schools to take precautionary measures Wednesday.

According to a message posted to USD 377’s social media accounts, the Junior-Senior High School was placed in a “controlled environment” Wednesday morning while law enforcement investigated.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News the continuing investigation was launched after a threatening note was found inside a classroom. “We’re looking into the note that was found, and working with the school in trying to figure out a way to narrow it down as far as time frame, and what class to look at, being that there are multiple classes that attend that same room,” Laurie said early Wednesday afternoon.

According to the district’s social media post, the threat was not found to be credible. Laurie clarified that while the way the note was written led investigators to discount any immediate danger, his office takes all such matters seriously. “Every threat we consider to be credible, except as far as being an immediate threat we don’t believe that to be the case,” Laurie said. “When things like that are put on paper, whether it’s not an immediate threat, or a general threat, we have to look into it either way.”

According to Laurie, a teacher was the one who discovered the note Wednesday morning. It’s believed the note had been left in the classroom sometime Tuesday.

(KNZA)--Voters in the Riverside school district during a special election Tuesday said  "yes” to a capital outlay levy.

Unofficial results show the levy being approved by a 94 vote margin, with 332 votes cast in favor of the levy to 238 against.

The district was granted the authority to levy up to 3.6 mills for a period of four years.

USD 114 patrons last August defeated a levy proposal by a narrow margin.

The Riverside school district is currently among only seven 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 district’s general fund budget.

School officials says the capital outlay levy will allow the district to replace aging roofs, vehicles, school busses, HVAC units, technology and flooring.

(MSC News)--A Topeka man was arrested Tuesday afternoon following a pursuit that originated in Jackson County.

According to a news release issued by Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, a Jackson County deputy attempted to stop a red 2007 Yamaha motorcycle that was allegedly driving erratic and speeding near 102nd and US Hwy 75 in southern Jackson County before 2:30 pm.

The motorcyclist continued south into Shawnee County and led law enforcement on a pursuit through northern Shawnee County and into north Topeka.

Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers also assisted with the pursuit.

Law enforcement was able to stop the pursuit while a KHP air unit pursued the motorcyclist by air.

The motorcycle was followed to the 1700 block of NW Taylor where the rider allegedly hid the motorcycle and left on foot.

KHP Troopers, Shawnee County Deputies and the Topeka Police Department assisted with the apprehension of the rider.

The rider, 35-year-old Austin L. Terry,  was arrested by Jackson County deputies. Terry was transported to the Jackson County Jail in Holton where he is facing charges of: Flee and eluding law enforcement, reckless driving, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, no proof of insurance and no registration.

Bond on Terry is pending.

(MSC News)--A Topeka man was arrested Tuesday afternoon following a pursuit that originated in Jackson County.

According to a news release issued by Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, a Jackson County deputy attempted to stop a red 2007 Yamaha motorcycle that was allegedly driving erratic and speeding near 102nd and US Hwy 75 in southern Jackson County before 2:30 pm.

The motorcyclist continued south into Shawnee County and led law enforcement on a pursuit through northern Shawnee County and into north Topeka.

Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers also assisted with the pursuit.

Law enforcement was able to stop the pursuit while a KHP air unit pursued the motorcyclist by air.

The motorcycle was followed to the 1700 block of NW Taylor where the rider allegedly hid the motorcycle and left on foot.

KHP Troopers, Shawnee County Deputies and the Topeka Police Department assisted with the apprehension of the rider.

The rider, Austin L. Terry, 35, of Topeka, was arrested by Jackson County deputies. Terry was transported to the Jackson County Jail in Holton where he is facing charges of: Flee and eluding law enforcement, reckless driving, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, no proof of insurance and no registration.

Bond on Terry is pending.

(KAIR)--It remains unknown how long U.S. Highway 59, east of Atchison, in Buchanan County, Missouri will remain closed.

That word comes in a release issued by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

The stretch of highway, east of Atchison to the Missouri Route 273 intersection, was closed last month due to the flooding of the Missouri River.

MoDot, in the release, said flood waters remain over the route in at least three places.

In the areas where the water has receded, there has been no roadway damage, just debris and shoulder erosion.

MoDot said crews will not know if the entire roadway is undamaged until the waters fully recede.

A social media post by Atchison County Emergency Management Tuesday afternoon said “hopefully [the highway] will be open in the next week.”

Although local traffic is able to cross the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge from Atchison into Buchanan County, travel is limited due to the closure.

That means motorists seeking to travel further into Missouri, or those wanting to come to Atchison, must continue to seek alternate routes.

Atchison officials say the closure discourages tourism to Atchison which negatively impacts the Atchison economy.

(KAIR)--A weekend altercation at a downtown Atchison bar sent two to the hospital, including an Effingham man who later went to jail.

Arrested Monday on an Atchison County District Court Warrant was 23-year-old Zakkery Hollands.

He was taken into custody on the warrant charging him with aggravated battery and attempted battery.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the alleged crimes occurred late Saturday night/early Sunday morning at Mueller’s Lockeroom. “It was shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Saturday night when our officers responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of South 2nd. When officers arrived, they found several people injured, which included a 42-year-old female who was an employee of Mueller’s Lockeroom. A 23-year-old male had been escorted out of Mueller’s by several employees, which included the 42-year-old injured female, who suffered a broken arm after the suspect assaulted her.”

Wilson said Hollands’ injuries were incurred as bystanders intervened to protect the woman whose arm he allegedly broke. “After causing a disturbance inside the establishment, and being asked to leave, a large group then ended up outside, and when witnesses saw him assault the female employee, [they were] trying to protect her, and in turn, he was then injured.”

Along with police, Wilson said Atchison County EMS responded to the altercation, with Hollands and the injured woman both transported for hospital treatment. “We had several EMS units on the scene. The suspect was transported to the hospital, as was our victim...[who was] subsequently transported to a Topeka hospital and had to have surgery as her arm was broken.”

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

His bond is set at $50,000.

(KAIR)--The massive flooding along the Missouri River has renewed criticism of the agency that manages the river's dams.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineeers says much of the water that created last month's flooding came from rain and melting snow that flowed into the river downstream of all the dams. At the same time, massive amounts of water filled the reservoirs and some had to be released.

But many people who live near the Missouri River believe the Corps isn't doing enough to prevent floods or is placing too much emphasis on other priorities, such as protecting endangered species and preserving barge traffic. “I readily admit there are acts beyond our control, there are things that can happen in a flood that we can’t be totally prepared for, but can we do better? The answer to that seems to me to be yes,”Republican United States Senator Jerry Moran, of Kansas, said during a visit to Atchison last week. He said the management issue is a concern he’s heard this spring, as well as during past floods, from his constituents. “The conversations that I have along the river, and I’ve had for a long time in previous floods, is that the Corps of Engineers can do a better job of managing river flow. The general complaint has been is that they ought to be releasing water up river earlier in the year, and get it down river before these kind of circumstances occur.”

Moran said he will hold the Corps accountable. “The Army Corps of Engineers has a lot of pressure on it, but we need to have better answers from the Corps about why they can’t do what makes sense, what’s common sense, to those of use who live here in this part of the country. It’s a conversation that has happened with the Corps before. Management of the Missouri River basin has received lots of criticism, but this is further evidence when the flooding is occurring in March, and we expect greater water coming down the river in the future this year, we need to make certain we don’t lose the opportunity, don’t step back, and not do the things necessary to see about getting the management of the river basin changed so that we don’t have this repetition time and time again.”

Moran’s fellow Republican U.S. Senator from Missouri, Josh Hawley, told the Associated Press Congress should consider serious reforms to ensure flood control is the Corps’ top priority.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. 

( KLZA)--Lots of discussion but no action Monday night on a proposal to draft an ordinance creating curb side trash pick-up in Falls City.

First Ward Council member Don  Ferguson put the proposal on the agenda. He told the Council he receives complaints about the conditions of alley's and that most of the damage is attributed to trash trucks.  

Ferguson said he thought maybe the city crews time would be better spent maintaining streets than alley's and it could lead to a savings on gravel and upkeep.  Ferguson told the Council and the audience he was interested in hearing what others thought of the proposal.

Fourth Ward Council member Derek Leyden said he talked with Mark and Bill Harkendorff who operate Falls City Sanitation. They were against the proposal, saying such a change would create quite an ordeal to change the routes they run.  

Leyden said he does not have a flat spot to set trash cans at his home and said there would be quite a few homes with similar issues because they don't have driveways.

Among the audience members was Eleanor Last who spoke against the proposal, suggesting the current system works well and felt it would be difficult for senior citizens to get the trash to the curb.

Lawrence Kirkendall raised concerns about the proposal as well, asking who is going to pickup the trash that blows down the street when the wind blows over the light plastic trash cans that would be used?

Following the discussion,  the proposal died for lack of a motion.

(KLZA)--The Drug Enforcement Administration will host the 17th annual National Take Back Day, Saturday, April 27 at designated sites across the country.

Individuals will be able to dispose of unwanted, unused and expired medications in a safe and secure way.

The Omaha Division for the Take Back events covers the states of Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota.

People are encouraged to look through their homes and those of their elderly friends and family who may have unused, unwanted or expired medications and drop them off at a Take Back site.  

Local Take Back sites on Saturday, April 27 will include:
Community Medical center at 3307 Barada Street in Falls City.
Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn at 2022 13th Street.
Johnson County Hospital at 202 High Street in Tecumseh.
U-Save Pharmacy at 1821 11th Street in Nebraska City.
The Indian Health Center Clinic at 3340 B Thrasher Road at White Cloud, KS.

By safely disposing of these medications, the DEA hopes to reduce the potential misuse and abuse of powerful, addictive opioids.

(KNZA)--A new Brown County emergency management director has been hired.

The Brown County Commission Monday approved the hiring of James Stuart, of Horton, for the position at an annual salary of $40,000.

The position had previously been part-time but Commissioners decided to make it full-time.

Stuart, who currently serves as an officer with the Horton Police Department, is expected to begin work April 15.

He was among three candidates interviewed last week from among nine applicants.  

Stuart replaces Randy Linck, who resigned from the position in February, but continues to serve as undersheriff.

Following an executive session, the Commission approved the promotion of Manuel “ Manny” Martinez to head courthouse custodian for a six month trial period.  It will be re-evaluated at that time.  

Alvin “ Buzz”  Siebenmorgen, who currently serves as head custodian, is retiring effective April 6.

Commission Chairman Keith Olsen presented a plaque to Siebenmorgen in recognition of his 21 years with the county.

Following interviews with four  individuals for the open custodian position, the Commission voted to offer the job to Ben Walker.

(KLZA)--  The Rock Port, Missouri Police Department responded to a possible shooting Saturday afternoon about 3 o'clock.

According to a news release from Rock Port Police Chief Shannon Sherwood, a gunshot victim was transported by Life Flight with unknown injuries and a suspect was taken in for questioning.

The investigation is ongoing and the names of the victim nor the suspect have been released.

The Atchison County Sheriff's Office and Tarkio Police Department assisted at the scene.

(KLZA)-- Residents and business owners in Richardson County and five other Nebraska counties may now apply for disaster assistance for losses resulting from the severe winter storm, straight-line winds and flooding in March.

Additional counties may be added as damage assessments continue. Impacted homeowners and businesses are encouraged to report their damages to local emergency management. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) staff continue to work tirelessly to assess and validate additional damages.

Other counties approved include: Boone, Buffalo, Custer, Knox, and Thurston Counties and the Santee Sioux Nation 

You can apply online at:  www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

On a smart phone, download the FEMA app and click on “disaster resources,” then “apply for assistance online.” 

By phone, call FEMA’s toll-free registration line at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585; or use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS). Telephone registration is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Daylight Time seven days a week.

Visit a Disaster Recovery Center and speak to a FEMA specialist one-on-one. To find the nearest DRC, go online to FEMA.gov/DRC.

(KMZA)--The long awaited term sheet for the proposed Soldier Creek Wind Farm in Nemaha County was released Monday.

The release of the document follows the finalization of negotiations that began late last year between the county and NextEra Energy Resources.

The term sheet lays out the rules and regulations for the construction, operation and ultimately dismantling of the 300 megawatt wind farm.

Also released was a map with exclusion zones where no turbines will be allowed, and showing a footprint where the project will be located.

The document calls for NextEra to make an initial pyament of $1.25 million to the county before construction begins, and annual payments for 30 years totaling nearly $34 million--including the initial payment.

The term sheet and project map have been posted on the Nemaha County web site and are available at the Nemaha County Clerk’s Office.

Two public meetings have scheduled at the Nemaha County Community Building in Seneca to discuss the term sheet.  The first meeting will be held April 22 from 1 to 5 in the afternoon and the second meeting on April 25 from 6 to 10 in the evening.

Anyone who wants to speak will need to sign up in advance and their time will be limited.

Nemaha County Commissioners have gone into a “ blackout” period and won’t respond to comments or questions on the project from the public until after the public meetings are held.

It is anticipated commissioners will vote on approval of the terms the week after the public meetings, but it’s not required and they can decide to delay the vote.  

(KLZA)-- Road surface and shoulder damage, bridges washed out and a need for underwater inspections will  keep roads in Atchison and Holt counties in Missouri closed for an indefinite period of time. 

In addition to the continued closure of Interstate 29 and many other routes throughout Northwest Missouri, receding floodwaters are exposing damage to roadways and bridges.  

In Holt County, Route P will remain closed until further notice due to surface damage between Route 118 and U.S. Route 159.

U.S. Route 159 will remain closed until further notice from Route P near Fortescue to the Missouri River due to road surface and shoulder damage extending from Route P west to the Missouri River.  The Little Tarkio Creek Bridge is irreparable and will require complete replacement. 

The Big Lake Overflow Bridge continues to have floodwater flowing through with a strong current, preventing inspectors from completing a thorough underwater examination for damage. 

In Atchison County, Missouri, U.S. Route 136 will remain closed from Interstate 29 to the Missouri River until further notice.  

Damages to the road include surface and shoulder damage throughout the section.  

One end of the roadway is washed away at the Phelps City Bridge.

Contractors may be brought in to complete an underwater inspection to look for damage to the supporting structures.

MoDOT reminds everyone that barricades are placed at flooded roadway and bridges to prevent drivers of all vehicles and pedestrians from using the roadway. The barricades are there for your protection.  

For more information about the closures check the Traveler Information Map on MoDOT's website,  modot.org.  

Flood effects are lessened in Atchison, as River Road fully reopens.

That’s according to a Sunday night social medial post on the Atchison County Road and Bridge Department Facebook account.

According to the post, River Road is now open from the City of Atchison to the Doniphan County line.

The road was fully closed due to Missouri River flooding on March 18.

Another traffic route also reopened over the weekend, albeit in a limited capacity.

According to a social media post made by Atchison County Emergency Management, the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge is again open, but to local traffic only.

The route that’s reopened, on U.S. Highway 59, from Atchison into Buchanan County, Missouri, is just to the east of Atchison. The remainder of the highway, a half-mile east of the bridge, remains under flood water.

Local leaders cite the economic impact of the closing, with Atchison Mayor Shawn Rizza last week telling MSC News, We’re losing a lot of business from the Missouri side where people, instead of coming over the bridge to us, are now going to St. Joe, going to Kansas City. It’s going to take work at the federal level for that to really be fixed.”

During a visit to Atchison last week to observe flood effects, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran said the issue will be addressed. "This is an opportunity for us to see if we can encourage Missouri, as they rebuild 59, to do it in a way that it doesn’t flood in the future.”

It’s expected that it will take months before the major travel route will be able to reopen due to damage from the flood waters.

(KNZA)--Voters in Riverside USD 114 will go to the polls Tuesday, April 2 to vote on a capital outlay levy.

The district is seeking the authority to levy up to 3.6 mills for a period of four years.

The Board of Education during a special meeting in January approved a resolution to hold the special election.

USD 114 patrons last August defeated by a narrow margin a levy of up to 4.775 mills for five years.

Currently, the Riverside school district is among only seven 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 district’s general fund budget.

The polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

(KMZA)--The Marysville USD 364 Board of Education has approved the hiring of an interim superintendent for the 2019-20 school year.

According to a post on the district's website, Denise Guy, who retired last year as superintendent of USD 435 in Abilene has been hired to fill the position.  

The action came during a special board meeting last week.

Current Superintendent Bill Mullins, who is battling cancer, announced in early March that he plans to finish out the current school year and then step down.

Mullins said Guy has 32 years of experience in education and will be working through a transitional period with him before officially taking over July 1.

She was among three candidates to apply for the interim position.

(AP) - Officials have identified a man whose body was found under an overturned boat in a flooded area of northwest Missouri.

The Kansas City Star reports that officials say it was the body of 61-year-old Ronnie Baker, of Rushville.

Baker's body was found Friday near Bean Lake, located northwest of Weston, after his family had reported him missing Thursday night.

The Missouri Highway Patrol says Baker was last seen on Tuesday.

A medical examiner is investigating the cause of death. Authorities do not suspect foul play.