(KAIR)--A Sunday evening Atchison garage fire sent firefighters rushing to the scene. 

Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf confirmed the fire occurred in the area of 8th and Spruce Street. 

Firefighters were called to that location shortly before 6:30. 

When they arrived, they worked to contain, and extinguish, the fire. 

Graf said one firefighter was treated for possible dehydration at the scene, but did not require hospital transport. 

No other injuries are reported. 

(KNZA)--A Kearney, Missouri man was injured Saturday after crashing his motorcycle in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said 65-year-old Terry Bultmann was attempting to turn westbound on Route H near Agency when he swung too wide and ran off the roadway.  His motorcycle hit an embankment and landed on its side.

Bultmann was transported to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph with what were described as moderate injuries.

The Patrol says he was wearing a helmet when the crash occurred around noon.

(KNZA)--An early Saturday evening three-vehicle Jackson County crash sent four people to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened shortly after 5:00 at the intersection of U.S.75 Highway and 162nd Road, about a half-mile west of Mayetta.

The Patrol says an eastbound van on 162nd Road driven by 52-year-old John Stone, of Topeka, crossed the northbound lanes of U.S. 75, striking the driver's side of a northbound pickup truck driven by 31-year-old Daniel Lohrbach, of Meriden.  That caused the Lohrbach vehicle to strike a westbound pickup truck on 162nd Road driven by 50-year-old Reeds Spring, Missouri resident Alvin Henderson, which was stopped at a stop sign waiting to turn north onto the highway.

Two passengers in the Lohrbach vehicle, 35-year-old Audra Lohrbach and 3-year-old Ryan Lohrbach, both of Topeka, were transported to Topeka's Stormont Vail Hospital with suspected minor injuries.

Alvin Henderson and a passenger in his vehicle, 48-year-old Christy Henderson, were both transported to the Holton Community Hospital with suspected minor injuries.

Stone and three passengers in his van, ranging in age from 9 months to 13-years-old, were not hurt.  

In addition, Daniel Lohrbach escaped injury.

The Patrol reports all occupants were properly restrained.  

(KNZA)--One person was killed early Friday evening when a small plane crashed north of Hiawatha.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says killed in the crash was the pilot and lone occupant, 67-year-old Bruce Lutz, of Andover, Kansas.

The Patrol says Lutz was flying south in a 1975 Beechcraft airplane when it crashed for an unknown reason.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said the plane went down in a cornfield, north of 260th Road, between U.S. 73 Highway and Mallard Road.

The crash, which was reported around 5:15, occurred about one mile north of the Hiawatha Airport.

The plane was engulfed in flames when emergency responders arrived but was quickly extinguished.

The cause of the crash will be investigated by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board.

According to his obituary from the Cozine Memorial Group, Lutz is survived by three children, including locally, Stacy Simmer of Hiawatha.

Funeral mass for Lutz will be Wednesday afternoon in Andover, with burial Friday morning in Tipton, Missouri.  

Lutz has a background in the aviation industry, having worked as an engineer for Beechcraft and Cessna in Wichita and also as a private private consultant.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Council conducted a public hearing Monday night to receive input on a request the vacate portions of two streets.

Tim and Dawn Fresel have requested the city vacate a portion of “K” Street from “11th” to “13th” Street and “12th” Street from “J” to “K” and alley's in blocks 13 and 14 in the Hollinsheads Addition. The couple are wanting to build a house in that area.

There were no objections voiced to the proposal and it was approved on final reading.

Discussion was also held on a proposal to make “E” Street from “12th” Street to “7th” Street a One-Way street. Mayor Deb Klein said she would talk to the neighbors in the area and further discussion on the proposal was scheduled for the July 8th Council meeting.

The Council also gave favorable comment to an application for a special designated liquor license for the Pawnee County Ag Society during the Pawnee County Fair which is scheduled for Monday, July 31 – Thursday, August 3.

(KLZA)-- Farmers and ranchers with expiring Conservation Reserve Program contacts may now re-enroll in certain CRP continuous sign-up practices, or if eligible select a one-year contract extension.

The USDA's Farm Service Agency is also accepting offers from those who want to enroll for the first time in one of the country's largest conservation programs. FSA's 52nd sign-up for CRP continues until August 23.

The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized the CRP continuous sign-up program this past December. This years program includes practices such as grass waterways, filter strips, buffers, wetland restoration and others. Continuous sign-up enrollment contracts last for 10 or 15 years.

Producers interested in applying for the CRP programs should contact their USDA service center by August 23.

(KLZA)-- The City of Tecumseh has a new City Clerk / Treasurer.

The Tecumseh Chieftan reports Janelle Moran was appointed to the position during a special Council meeting on June 21.

Mayor Jesse Grof told those in attendance the appointment and replacement of Lisa Beethe had nothing to do with a personnel issue, noting he wants to take the city in a new direction.

City Council members voted to accept the appointment and set Moran's salary at $48-thousand annually.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has approved repairs to two county-owned buildings.

Sheriff Chad Clary on Monday presented the Commission with cost estimates for repair of the Jerry K. Dubach County Law Enforcement Center building from Lee Grover Construction, of St. Joseph.

The work will include painting, EFIS cleaning and repair, and joint sealant along the EFIS for a total cost of $11,100.

The Commission approved the maintenance and repair work, with the painting expense coming from the sheriff’s department budget and building repair expense from the sales tax fund.

Noxious Weed Director Jim Norris gave Commissioners a list of repairs needed to the Noxious Weed shop building.

The work includes updates to the plumbing, electrical, flooring, heating and cooling unit, insulation, windows and doors at an approximate cost of  $7,117.  Norris will do most of the work himself.

The Commission gave their approval to the repair work, with the funding to come from the sales tax fund.

In other business, Commission Chairman Tad Geiger signed a 7-day extension of the emergency disaster declaration for the county that has been in place since mid-March due to heavy rains and flooding.

County Emergency Management Coordinator Julie Meng urged the Commission to take the action as long as the Missouri River level remains high.        

(KNZA)--The 13th annual July Jubilee will be held Saturday, June 29, at Banner Creek Reservoir, west of Holton.

In addition to fireworks, the event will feature food, vendors, children’s activities and music.

This year’s event, which is organized by the Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, will kick off at 5:00 in the evening on the north side of the reservoir.

A free-will donation dinner of brats, chips and a drink will be served by Chamber members at shelter house #1 as a fund-raiser to purchase near Christmas Lights.      

Other food vendors will also be set up at the reservoir.

GN Bank will sponsor three bounce house features that will be set up on the hill on the north side of the reservoir for children.

Giant Communications will sponsor a “ kid zone” with arts and crafts activities, while Wilson Tire will bring in a “ Sky’s the Limit” mobile gaming unit.

From 6 to 8, Madi and Destin Harrison, of Smithville, Missouri, will perform a free concert at the shelter house.  The Harrison’s, who perform as XI:XI, draw influences from pop, grunge and alternative rock to create a unique sound.

At 8:00, the Jackson County Community Band will perform at the chapel, with fireworks at dusk.

Free will donations for the fireworks display will be collected at both the north and south entrances of the reservoir during the event.

(KNZA)--The former maintenance supervisor for the city of Troy, accused of the theft of city property, has entered into a plea agreement.

Dustin Ferris pleaded no contest Wednesday in Doniphan County District Court to one count of felony theft.

In exchange for the plea, charges of felony theft by deception and misdemeanor criminal deprivation of property were dismissed.

Sentencing was set for August 28.

Ferris was arrested in October of last year following an investigation by Elwood Police Chief Larry Hunsaker.

He had been a Troy city employee since October 2014.

Ferris remains free on a $50,000 own recognizance bond.   

(KAIR)--The victim of a June 9 Atchison shooting remains hospitalized.

That’s according to information pertaining to a fund raiser put in place for Clinton Dunbar.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the shooting left the 42-year-old injured with two gunshot wounds.

According to Jenny Durkin, a friend of Dunbar’s family, it’s not immediately known when he will be released from hospitalized treatment.

Due to the mounting expenses, the Clinton Dunbar Family Benefit Account has been established at the Exchange Bank.

Durkin said funds raised will be used to defray the expenses the family has incurred since Dunbar’s hospital stay began.

Donations can be made at any Exchange Bank location.

According to Wilson, the shooting happened when a group of around 20 was gathered in the 1100 block of Atchison’s North 8th Street. Dunbar was not part of an argument that broke out between two others which allegedly led to the shooting.

Wanted in connection with the shooting is 31-year-old Kevin Maxey, Jr.

An arrest warrant charging him with attempted second degree murder was issued following the shooting, but he has not yet been apprehended.

(KAIR)--An increase in demand has led the Salvation Army of Atchison County to issue a plea for additional donations.

MSC News talked to Coordinator Kim Bottorff about the needed assistance.

The Salvation Army office is located at 926 Commercial Street, in Atchison.

(KAIR)--Hospital treatment was required following a head-on, two vehicle Atchison County crash Thursday.

According to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, it happened on U.S. Highway 73, near Sheridan Road, when a northbound vehicle, driven by 38-year-old John Moman III, of Kansas City, Missouri, crossed the center line.

That caused the crash with a southbound vehicle driven by 61-year-old Atchison resident Michael McFerrin.

Both drivers were transported to the Atchison Hospital by Atchison County EMS for the treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Laurie said the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The wreck happened shortly before 12 noon.

(KAIR)--An arrest is made in connection with Wednesday’s late morning Atchison shooting that left a man hospitalized.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News 23-year-old Jacob Reynolds was taken into custody around 5:30 Thursday evening. “Thursday afternoon, we were monitoring his place of employment, and he did show up there, so he was taken into custody.”

Reynolds now faces charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

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

As of Thursday, the 22-year-old victim remained hospitalized for the wounds suffered in the shooting that happened shortly after 10:00 Wednesday morning in the 1000 block of Parallel Street.

Wilson, Thursday morning, said the man was recuperating from surgery and continuing to recover from the single shot from a handgun.

(KAIR)--The victim of a late Wednesday morning Atchison shooting remains hospitalized.

That word was released Thursday morning by Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

He told MSC News the 22-year-old victim remains hospitalized for the wounds suffered in the shooting that happened shortly after 10:00 in the 1000 block of Parallel Street.

As of Thursday morning, the man was recuperating was surgery and continuing to recover from the single shot from a handgun.

Wilson said there has not yet been any arrest, but the search continues for a 23-year-old man.

He said that while the man was originally named as a person of interest, he has now been upgraded to a suspect as the investigation has progressed.

The suspect’s name will not be made public until charges are filed. 

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth County traffic stop led to the arrest of three Atchison residents and to the alleged discovery of methamphetamine.

According to a news release issued by the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office, the stop was made around 8:15 Monday night on U.S. Highway 73, north of Happy Hollow Road, due to the driver having a suspended license.

The Atchison County Sheriff’s Office was called to assist, and through the use of that agency’s K-9 Unit, it’s alleged that 60 grams of methamphetamine were found inside the vehicle.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News arrested at the scene were 30-year-old Jessica Mottin, who was driving, along with 41-year-old Cory Wabski, and 18-year-old Ciara Swenson.

All three were booked into the Leavenworth County Jail on charges related to the case.

(KLZA)-- Richardson, Pawnee, Johnson, Nemaha and Cass counties make up Southeast Region A, which as been selected to receive Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds to supplement programs in the area.

The National Board is chaired by FEMA and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army; American Red Cross; United Jewish Communities; Catholic Charities; USA National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; and United Way of America which provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent.

This Board is charged with distributing funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter program in high-need areas around the country.

Locally a Board made up of representatives of the Salvation Army; Ministerial Associations; Government Agency; Southeast Nebraska Community Action Inc; United Way; Food Pantries; and American Red Cross; and, Homeless Service Providers will determine how the funds awarded the Southeast Region A are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations in the area.

Southeast Region A distributed Emergency Food and Shelter Funds in the previous phase with the Southeast Nebraska Community Action Council and the Salvation Army participating. These agencies provided more than 9,100 meals, and rent, and utility assistance to 75 households under the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

Public or private voluntary organizations interested in applying for the EFSP funds must contact Pam Armknecht, Local Board Chair at 402-862-2411, Extension 108 for an application.

The deadline to apply is July 12, 2019.

(KLZA)-- A wage increase for Pawnee City employees was approved Monday night during the City Council meeting.

Mayor Deb Klein cast the deciding vote again on the proposal to increase the wages one dollar per hour. Council members Ric Helms and John Dahlgren cast nay votes. Council members Charlie Hatfiled and Sandi Corbitt-Sears voted yes, leaving the Mayor to break the tie vote.

This was the third and final reading on the wage proposal.

(KMZA)--Negotiations continue between Nemaha County and NextEra Energy Resources over the proposed Soldier Creek Wind Farm.

The Nemaha County Commission met in executive session Monday with special attorney James Neeld, and then voted to extend the session.

No action was taken following the closed door session.

A large crowd was hand at the meeting, perhaps the largest yet, awaiting the release of a site plan and a new term sheet for the proposed wind farm.

Neeld told those gathered there would be no public discussion on the issue following the session.

Last week’s meeting got heated at times as those opposed to the wind farm voiced their concerns. 

Commission Chairman Gary Scoby said the Commission continues to work on setbacks distances from wind turbines, which is the main concern they heard about during the two public meetings held in April. Those speaking at the public meetings asked for 1,350-foot setbacks from non-participating property lines and 3,000-foot setbacks from non-participating residences.

Other concerns include a road use agreement and who will be responsible to decommission the  turbines when they are no longer used.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — An organization that sponsors an all-male Kansas student mock government apologized after this year's teenage governor proposed eliminating the constitutional amendment that gave women the right to vote.

The teenager from Leavenworth made the proposal in the final moments of his term during the annual Boys State gathering at Kansas State University on June 2-7, The Kansas City Star reported . The American Legion sponsors Boys State programs in most states, and the American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a separate Girls State program. The programs are aimed at teaching teenagers about government.

This year's Kansas' student governor ignored Boys State staff who advised him not to suggest the executive order to repeal the 19th Amendment, said spokesman Brad Biles. When brought to the mock state Senate and House, both chambers voted it down.

The American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy said in a statement that the student governor's "actions were highly advised against by our staff and do not reflect the Boys State of Kansas values of respect and inclusion of all people."

"The American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy apologizes for any insensitivity expressed by this unenforceable order," the statement said. "It is a teachable moment for everyone."

___

Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com

(KAIR)--No timeline is immediately established for the reopening of a major, local area travel route that remains closed due to flooding.

U.S. Highway 59, east of Atchison, in Buchanan County, Missouri, has been closed since May 21.

Marcia Johnson, Senior Communications Specialist for the Northwest District of the Missouri Department of Transportation, told MSC News Tuesday the current high levels of the Missouri River are keeping the roadway closed.

She said that while flood waters remain over the highway in three locations, MoDot had hoped to reopen one lane of the highway this week. However, due to the current river level, and the projected forecast from the National Weather Service, that was not possible. She said when the river reaches 22 to 22 ½ feet, considerations of a reopening can be made, but that does not appear to be likely in the immediate future. However, she did say that rumors swirling locally that a reopening may not happen until fall are unfounded currently.

Johnson said it also remains unknown just how much damage the highway may have incurred from the flood waters, but crews will examine the roadway, and make necessary repairs, once the water recedes.

(KAIR)--A late Wednesday morning Atchison shooting sent a 22-year-old man to the hospital.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News it happened shortly after 10:00 in the 1000 block of Parallel Street, where police were called to a report of shots fired. “We did find [a man] in the yard in front of a residence in the 1000 block of Parallel,” Wilson said. “He has been transported to a hospital with non-life threatening wounds.”

Wilson said as part of the investigation, police are seeking a person of interest. “We’re continuing to collect evidence from witnesses and neighbors in the area, but we do have a person of interest that we’re attempting to locate as this investigation is underway.”

No additional details were immediately released pertaining to the shooting.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to properly reflect the age of the victim. 

(KAIR)--A step forward in the Kickapoo Tribe’s long running goal to achieve water rights.

That comes as two Kansas Republicans, United States Senator Jerry Moran and Congressman Steve Watkins, Tuesday introduced the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas Water Rights Settlement Agreement.

Moran is a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

According to a news release from Moran’s office, the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, since 1972, has worked to achieve water security for its livelihood and that of its members. After a decade of negotiations between the tribe, state, and federal entities, the state and tribe reached a settlement in September 2016, determining the various elements of the Tribal Water Right.

The legislation approves the tribe’s water right, establishes the administration of the right by the state as the senior water right in the Delaware River basin, and provides no funding for future water storage projects. Federal law requires such settlements involving tribes to be affirmed by Congress.

In the release, Moran called the legislation “a local solution to a local natural resource matter that Congress ought to approve” in order to provide the Kickapoo Tribe with “vital water security for its reservation and residents.”

Watkins, in the release, said the Tribe deserves water security and that he is committed to work on the issue in both Chambers of Congress.

Kickapoo Tribal Chairman Lester Randall, in a statement to MSC News, said the Tribe appreciates the leadership of Moran and Watkins for the legislation, and looks forward to working with the pair toward passage of what he calls “extremely important legislation.”

The Tribal reservation is located in Brown County.

(KNZA)--A step forward in the Kickapoo Tribe’s long running goal to achieve water rights.

That comes as two Kansas Republicans, United States Senator Jerry Moran and Congressman Steve Watkins, Tuesday introduced the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas Water Rights Settlement Agreement.

Moran is a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

According to a news release from Moran’s office, the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, since 1972, has worked to achieve water security for its livelihood and that of its members. After a decade of negotiations between the tribe, state, and federal entities, the state and tribe reached a settlement in September 2016, determining the various elements of the Tribal Water Right.

The legislation approves the tribe’s water right, establishes the administration of the right by the state as the senior water right in the Delaware River basin, and provides no funding for future water storage projects. Federal law requires such settlements involving tribes to be affirmed by Congress.

In the release, Moran called the legislation “a local solution to a local natural resource matter that Congress ought to approve” in order to provide the Kickapoo Tribe with “vital water security for its reservation and residents.”

Watkins, in the release, said the Tribe deserves water security and that he is committed to work on the issue in both Chambers of Congress.

Kickapoo Tribal Chairman Lester Randall, in a statement to MSC News, said the Tribe appreciates the leadership of Moran and Watkins for the legislation, and looks forward to working with the pair toward passage of what he calls “extremely important legislation.”

The Tribal reservation is located in Brown County.

(KMZA)--A new Marshall County Attorney has been selected.

The Marysville Advocate reports the Marshall County Republican Party Central Committee Tuesday evening nominated Meghan Voracek, of Seneca, to fill the term of Laura Johnson-McNish.

Johnson-McNish is stepping down to accept an appointment as a district magistrate judge in Doniphan County.

Voracek, who practices law with the O’Keefe Law Office in Seneca, was among two candidates for the position.  The second candidate was Coleman Younger, of Frankfort.

Voracek’s name will now be forwarded to Governor Laura Kelly for appointment to a term expiring in January 2021.   The position is up for election next year.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board during a special meeting Tuesday morning approved an amended general fund budget for 2018-19.

That came following a hearing drawing no public comment.

At the recommendation of the Kansas Department of Education, the district republished the general fund budget due to an increase in completed virtual credits.

It will allow an additional $3,282 in budget authority from the general fund for a total of more than $7.2 million.

It will not affect the property tax levy.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man with a violent criminal past is back in jail, accused of other violent crimes.

32-year-old Matthew Hermreck was arrested Monday by Atchison Police on Atchison County District Court warrants charging him with aggravated domestic battery, domestic battery, and criminal damage to property.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News, Hermreck’s arrest stems from crimes allegedly committed last month. “Hermreck is now charged following investigations related to incidents, actually on two occasions, one being on May 19, the second on May 25. It does involve a 36-year-old victim,” Wilson said. “On May 19, the victim reported that she was struck and choked by the suspect, and on May 25, she reported that the suspect damaged a door, struck her, and choked her.”

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

His bond is set at $20,000 in connection with the alleged Atchison County crimes. However, he’s also held on a Kansas Department of Corrections warrant for parole violation, with a no-bond hold.

Hermreck was sentenced in December, 2012 to 7 ½ years in prison on a charge of attempted second-degree murder.

The sentence, handed down in Brown County District Court, was in connection with what prosecutors said was the brutal beating of a Horton woman at her home.

The victim in that case spent several weeks at KU Medical Center in Kansas City following the attack. The victim’s three-year-old daughter also suffered injuries that required hospital treatment.

(KAIR)--A two-year-old child was found to have illicit drugs in his system, and his mother is facing charges related to that allegation.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the investigation, leading to the arrest of Raechelle Jones, began last week. “We did begin an investigation on June 18 after it was determined that a 2-year-old child had methamphetamine in his system. This had been discovered after he had been taken to a Kansas City hospital. The child’s mother has now been charged.”

Wilson did not provide details regarding how the child came into contact with the meth, saying that the investigation is ongoing.

The 34-year-old Jones was arrested Monday on an Atchison County District Court warrant charging her with aggravated endangering a child.

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

Her bond is set at $15,000.

(KNZA)--Two individuals have been charged in connection with the burglary of a city-owned building at Horton’s Mission Lake.

23-year-old Joshua Larkin, of Tribune, and 19-year-old Breanna Alstatt, of Marquette, made their first appearance in Brown County District Court Monday on charges of burglary and misdemeanor theft.

A July 3rd preliminary hearing was set for each.

The pair were arrested early Saturday morning by the Horton Police Department.

According to the criminal complaint, Larkin and Alstaff are accused of breaking into the Mission Lake Caretaker’s Shop.   Taken was $487 in cash and/or checks.

As of Tuesday morning, Alstaff remained in the Brown County Jail on a $5,000 bond.  Larkin is currently free after posting a $5,000 bond Monday.     

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission will re-advertise for a new emergency management director.

Following several executive sessions last week, the Commission voted to terminate James Stuart, effective immediately.

Stuart had held the position since April 22.  

Two individuals were selected last week for interviews from the remaining seven applicants from the initial job posting, but Commission Chairman Keith Olsen said Monday the two were no longer interested. As a result, the Commission voted to re-advertise the opening.  

Commissioners plan to review the applicants at their July 8 meeting and narrow the field down for interviews, with the interviews to be conducted the following week.

Commissioners are expected to appoint an interim emergency management director when they meet Friday.  

Undersheriff Randy Linck turned down the interim position Monday.

(KMZA)--The Marshall County Community of Frankfort has been awarded a nearly $266,000 loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to build a truck route for commercial traffic.

According to a press release from USDA, the new truck route will redirect traffic around Frankfort.  Work will also include improving curbs, gutters, sidewalks and the stormwater drainage system along two city blocks.

Acting Assistant to the Secretary for USDA Rural Development, Joel Baxley, announced Monday the names of 40 rural communities that are receiving a total of $50 million for projects that will benefit more than 630,000 rural residents in 17 states.

The funding is through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program.

More than 100 types of projects are eligible for funding under the program. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.

USDA will make additional funding announcements in coming weeks. Congress appropriated $2.8 billion for Community Facilities direct loans and grants in fiscal year 2019.

(KLZA)-- Community Medical  Center in Falls City announced last week that as of November 1, babies will no longer be delivered at the facility. 

Hospital CEO Ryan Larsen said the rooms are still licensed as hospital beds and can be used for regular patients after November 1.  Larsen said needs will be assessed for future uses. 

The news release about the change says no longer delivering babies at the hospital is viewed as a permanent change, although community needs are continually assessed and if something changes, the situation can be reviewed. 

Last year there were 43 babies born at Community Medical Center. 

(KAIR)--A major travel route is set to close in Atchison, meaning motorists will need to use an alternate route during the repair work.

According to a release issued by the City of Atchison, the 14th Street viaduct will close Tuesday, and remain closed for one week.

The release says repairs will be made, and the closure is necessary to allow the concrete to cure.

However, access for MGPI truck traffic, and railroad activity, will remain open.

(KMZA)--The Seneca Police Department will be getting a new tool to deter speeders.

Police Chief Jordan Weaver discussed plans to purchase two mobile radar speed signs at the June 19 Seneca City Council meeting for a total cost of $5,800.  He said donations will cover most of the cost.   

Weaver said plans are to use the signs on 11th street at both ends of the school zone during the school year and along Highway 36 the rest of the year.

He said the signs, which are solar powered, will digitally register the speed of on coming vehicles.

Council members voiced support for the purchase of the radar signs.

In other business,  the Council approved an ordinance amending the city’s zoning regulations to allow billboard signs along Highway 36 outside of the city limits but within the city’s two mile zoning jurisdiction.  Off-premise signs are not currently allowed in the area.

Signs will be allowed with a maximum size of 640-square-feet and maximum height of 30 feet.  

The Seneca Planning Commission recommended approval of the zoning amendment.

The Council also approved a resolution setting a public hearing for their August 7 meeting for the condemnation of a structure at 101 North 2nd Street that the city has deemed as unsafe.

The owner or their representative will have an opportunity to show cause at the hearing why the structure should not be order removed.  
 

(KMZA)--The Marshall County Republican Party central committee will hold a special convention Tuesday evening to nominate a new county attorney.

The convention will take place at 7:00 in the Marysville City Building and is open to the public.

Two attorneys, Coleman Younger, of Frankfort, and Meghan Voracek, of Seneca, have applied for the Marshall County position.

The nominee, if approved by Governor Laura Kelly, will fill the term of  County Attorney Laura Johnson-McNish, which expires in January 2021.  The office is up for election next year.

Johnson-McNish is stepping down to accept an appointment as district magistrate judge in Doniphan County.

(KNZA)--Unemployment was up in most area northeast Kansas counties in May from the month before.

According to a report issued Friday by the Kansas Department of Labor, Doniphan and Marshall Counties were the only two area counties to see a decrease in their jobless rate, with Jefferson County’ unemployment rate holding steady.

Atchison County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.2 percent, while Nemaha County had the lowest at 2.7.

Brown County’s unemployment rate in May was 3.4 percent; Doniphan, 3.1 percent; Jackson, 2.8 percent; Jefferson, 2.9 percent; Leavenworth, 3.3 percent; Marshall, 2.9 percent, and Pottawatomie, 2.9 percent.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in May was 3.5 percent. That’s unchanged from April but up from 3.3 percent in May 2018.

(KAIR)--A woman was struck by her own vehicle while trying to retrieve her dog early Sunday afternoon in Atchison.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News 49-year-old Kara Smith, of Goodland, Kansas, was driving in an alley, located in the 900 block of Atchison Street in search of her dog, which she spotted.

She jumped out of her vehicle, but did not put in in park, causing it to roll down the alley. When she tried to get back in, her leg was run over, with the vehicle continuing to roll until it hit a utility pole.

Smith was transported to the Atchison Hospital by Atchison County EMS for treatment, but suffered no broken bones.

Following her treatment for what Wilson said were abrasions and swelling, Smith was released.

The dog was later located, and returned to Smith, by members of her family.

The accident occurred shortly before 12:30.

(KAIR)--A Friday evening two-vehicle Atchison County crash claimed the life of an elderly Lancaster man.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says the wreck happened at the intersection of U.S. 73 Highway and 286th Road in Lancaster.

The Patrol says a semi truck driven by 52-year-old Dana Jenkins, of Omaha, was northbound on U.S. 73 when it struck a westbound pickup truck on 286th Road driven by 81-year-old Gerald Parker.

Parker, who was wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jenkins, who was also wearing a seatbelt, was not hurt.

The wreck was reported shortly after 7:15 Friday evening.

Editor's note: the following press release was submitted by the city of Atchison

Starting on Monday, June 24th the City of Atchison will switch the way it disinfects the water for about two weeks. This is part of a normal maintenance program for the water distribution system. Water will be safe to drink during the entire period of this process. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is fully aware that we are undertaking this normal and necessary process.

For most of the year, Atchison uses chloramines for the disinfection of the drinking water. Chloramines are created by combining chlorine and ammonia. During this maintenance procedure, sometimes referred to as a free chlorine burn, the disinfection process will be changed from chloramines to free chlorine.

Free chlorine is a stronger and faster-acting disinfectant. Atchison will be using this type of disinfection through early July. Customers may also notice open fire hydrants throughout the city during this period and possibly overflowing water storage towers. The fire hydrants will be opened to allow flushing of the system to help remove sediment from the pipes and distribute the change in disinfectant. Overflowing water storage towers further aid in the flushing process.

Possible Noticeable Effects: It is important to understand that during this temporary change there may be some discoloration or cloudiness in the water and possibly a slight chlorine odor or taste. If this is experienced, you may want to run the water through the tap until it clears. Minor pressure fluctuations and small air pockets may also occur. Fire hydrant flushing should remove a majority of the color and odor, but some may reach customer lines during the process.

(KNZA)--With the hot days of summer approaching and weather delays, the Hiawatha City Commission has voted to adjust the working hours for the contractor on the street sales tax project.

Due to language in their contact, AHRS Construction, of Bern, has been sticking to business hours up until now in the project.

The Commission voted at their June 17 meeting to adjust the crew’s available start time to 5 a.m. to no later than 10 p.m.

The vote also included a provision to allow AHRS to work during regular business hours on Saturdays and holidays, in an attempt to move the project along.

Mayor Bill Collins said he was aware that the early start time would be inconvenient for some, but that sacrifice is sometimes necessary for progress.

City Administrator Mike Nichols said the streets in front of the high school and elementary school should both be completed before school is back in session.  

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump has approved a disaster declaration covering more than half of the Kansas' 105 counties.

The federal assistance approved Thursday will provide service and funds to help recovery from severe weather that began on April 28 and included tornadoes and flooding.

53 counties are included in the disaster declaration. Locally they include Atchison, Doniphan, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha and Pottawatomie.

The declaration provides funding for emergency work, repair and replacement of damaged facilities and mitigation of hazards.

Kansas received 10.26 inches of rain in May, more than double the 30-year average of 4.12 inches.

And an EF-4 tornado that hit May 28 caused substantial damage in parts of Douglas and Leavenworth counties.

(KMZA)--Kansas Governor Laura Kelly will visit Nemaha County Monday, June 24.

According to a news release from Nemaha County Democratic Chairperson Jolene Bloom, the Democratic governor will speak at the Nemaha County Community Building in Seneca Monday evening at 6:00.

Bloom said families are invited to attend and meet Governor Kelly as she shares her thoughts on the 2019 Kansas Legislative session, followed with “ questions and answers” by the public.  

The doors will open at 5:00,  Bloom says area residents are invited to drop by an enjoy some light refreshments before Governor Kelly appearance.  

No RSVP is required, and there is no admission charge.

Registration of new voters will be offered by the Nemaha County Clerk’s  Office during her visit.

(KNZA)--Local ham radio operators from the combined Hiawatha and Falls City amateur radio clubs will hone their skills this weekend during the 2019 Field Day exercise sponsored by the National Association for Amateur Radio.

The annual event, which began in 1933, will engage more than 400,000 ham operators throughout North America and the Pacific for 24-hours as they contact as many other amateur stations as they can to demonstrate the ability to provide continuous emergency radio communications independently of the electrical grid or telephone system.  

Such skills come in handy when normal communications break down, as occurred in Puerto Rico due to Hurricane Maria.

This year the combined clubs will set up on the west side of the Hiawatha Wal-Mart Saturday and Sunday, June 22 & 23.

Operators will be using voice and Morse Code modes on the high frequency bands.  

The public is invited to visit the Hiawatha A.R.C. emergency communications trailer, ask questions and perhaps even participate in some of the communication exchanges.  

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council heard updated on a couple of Park Department topics when they met Monday evening.

There have been a couple of issues at the Falls City Aquatic Park this summer.  No heat and a broken slide.  City Administrator Gary Jorn says both issues are receiving attention, the boiler is repaired but the controls require some fine tuning and the slide has been sent to Omaha to be repaired. 

On Flag  Day, new flags were raised at the new Veterans Memorial at Legion Park on East 21st Street. The Color Guard from the Falls City Legion Post raised the flags. 

Council member Don Ferguson who was instrumental in getting the project completed praised all those that helped, especially Parks Department employees Mike Huppert and Randy Miller.   Ferguson said when the final touches are put on the project a dedication ceremony will be held. 

The  Council also approved a request to  use Stanton Lake Park and Candlelight Cabin for the Nebraska National Guard 43rd Army Band performance on Tuesday, June 25 beginning at 7:00 p.m. 
 

(KLZA)-- On the recommendation of the Board of Public Works, the Falls City Council Monday evening approved a contract with Probst Electric Inc. of Heber City, Utah to make electrical system upgrades  in Falls City. 

Falls City Utility Superintendent Ray Luhring told the  Council he was pleased the bid came in under the engineers cost estimate of more than $11-million for the base bid and over $236-thousand for an alternate. 

With the alternate project included, the total cost of the work will be $808,927.  In all, five bids were submitted for the work. 

The project will include upgrades to the south Ring Bus from the power plant running to the 28th Street sub-station on Barada Street, and will complete an industrial circuit to get the entire industrial tract on one dedicated circuity.  The final part of the project is to rebuild the electric line to the water treatment plant. The current design has caused some problems with equipment at the plant. 

City officials are hoping to begin the project yet this year with completion in the spring of 2020. 

(KAIR)--A three-vehicle Thursday afternoon Johnson County, Kansas wreck sent an Atchison man to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on I-35, north of 87th Street.

The Patrol reports 57-year-old Michael Lutz was traveling from 87th Street onto northbound I-35 when his car cut off a van, causing it to collided with a SUV.

Lutz was transported to hospital in Merriam with what the Patrol described as possible injury.

The other two drivers, from Shawnee, Kansas, suffered no apparent injury.

The Patrol says all three drivers were buckled up when the wreck occurred shortly before 3:00 Thursday afternoon.  

(KNZA)--An August 21 preliminary hearing is now been set for a Robinson man facing multiple child sex charges.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says the hearing for 42-year-old Kirt Allen Linck was continued Wednesday at the request of his attorney.

A criminal complaint was filed May 29 charging Linck with three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Hill said the case was filed following an investigation by the Horton Police Department.

He said the alleged victims are two children, both born in 2015.

Linck also faces a charge of criminal threat in a separate case investigated by Horton Police. 

He remains free on a $50,000 bond.

(MSC News)--The Executive Director of the Kansas Board of Healing Arts has been placed on probation for six-months.

That follows an investigative series conducted by Kansas City TV station KMBC 9 that revealed doctors being allowed to continue practicing despite repeated criminal convictions, as well as inaccurate information on the board's website.

The TV station reports, citing a confidential source, that the decision to place Kathleen Selzler Lippert on probation followed a vote of the board, which reportedly was linked to the investigative report.

A high employee turnover rate was also cited as a reason behind the decision.

Selzler Lippert, a resident of Sabetha, Kansas, has served in the role for nearly 10-years.

An attempt by the TV station to reach Selzler Lippert for comment was unsuccessful.

MSC News Thursday afternoon sent emails to both Selzler Lippert and to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts seeking comment but have not immediately received a reply.

(KAIR)--Due to growth in one of its divisions, the Atchison Hospital is planning an expansion.

To do so, the hospital will use the City of Atchison’s bonding authority to issue hospital revenue bonds, but the responsibility of payment will fall to the hospital.

Atchison Hospital CEO John Jacobson was in attendance during Monday’s meeting of the Atchison City Commission. He explained that expansion of the Advanced Health Services division has led to the need for more room. “They are packed in there like sardines,” Jacobson told the Commission. “When we moved in 10-years ago we had a staff of four. We now have a staff of ten in the same square footage.”

Jacobson told the Commission the actual physical structure of the hospital will be expanded as part of the $2.5 million dollar project. “We’re going to expand it on the north side [at physician office building number 2] [which will] expand it out to the parking lot.”

The Commission, following Jacobson’s explanation, approved unanimously a resolution of intent to allow the Atchison Hospital to issue the bonds in the amount of $2.5 million.

Final approval will come at a later date.

Mayor Shawn Rizza recused himself from the vote because of his marriage to Advanced Health Services Physician Dr. Pam Rizza.

(KLZA)--Community Medical Center in Falls City has announced that effective November 1, babies will no longer be delivered at the facility.

The hospital made the announcement in a news release Thursday afternoon.

Hospital CEO Ryan Larsen said the hospital will continue to provide prenatal and postnatal care after November 1 but plan to partner with OB physicians and facilities in Hiawatha, Lincoln, St. Joseph and Omaha to handle deliveries. " Our goal for healthy mothers and babies remains the same, even if they no longer deliver here.”

Larsen said local physician practices will be coordinating with expecting mothers in the next several weeks. Those with delivery dates prior to November 1 will not be impacted. For those with due dates after November 1, physician practices will discuss options. In most cases, patients can see their local physicians through at least 32 weeks of pregnancy, with the office coordinating care with the patient’s preferred delivery location.

Larsen noted that the hospital’s decision was not easy, taking many months of deliberation. “We have a hundred-year history of delivering babies, and our doctors and nurses have spent hundreds and thousands of hours in training to develop and maintain their obstetric skills. It was not an easy decision to reach, and I do not expect it to be an easy decision for community members to hear. That said, we are very pleased by the phenomenal support shown by area hospitals and obstetric physicians and their willingness to coordinate care and to keep patients’ relationships with local practitioners intact.”

Asked what led to this decision, Larsen stated, “Deciding factors included declining volumes as our county population shrinks and ages, the challenges of keeping enough hands-on experience among nurses, and concerns about maintaining ongoing surgical Caesarean coverage with a small medical staff.” Larsen noted that CMC delivered 43 babies last year and was on pace to deliver around 44 in 2019.

Larsen said hospital personnel, as well as staffs at both local physician clinics, will be available to help families affected by this change.

(MSC News)--The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism confirms the end of the Country Stampede-era in Manhattan, Kansas.

Ron Kaufman, Director of Information Services for the agency, said in a news release issued Thursday, that the KDWPT and Country Stampede LLC, “have mutually and amicably agreed to terminate the special event permit” under which Country Stampede was to be held at Tuttle Creek State Park this year.

The music festival, held in that location for 23-years, was moved to Topeka’s Heartland Motorsports Park due to flooding.

The Associated Press reports that the Topeka Mayor Thursday morning announced that the festival will be held in Topeka moving forward, and a name change will be made.

The KDWPT news release says the decision was based both on the flooding as well as “the current economic outlook for music industry events combined with the high water event at Tuttle Creek [which] impaired the financial viability of the Country Stampede operator.”

The more than $81,000 operator’s payment will be refunded.

Saying that it’s been a “great relationship” for 23-years between the two sides, the release closes by saying the event “has helped focus national and international attention on Kansas, the City of Manhattan and Tuttle Creek State Park which will have benefits for many years to come.”

The Associated Press reports that experts estimated the three-day event brought $8 million to the Manhattan economy by annually drawing more than 100,000 fans to hear some of the biggest country stars.

The 2019 Country Stampede began Thursday in Topeka.

(KNZA)--A rural Hiawatha teen facing a charge of aggravated indecent liberties with a child waived his preliminary hearing Wednesday.

18-year-old Jason Porter was bound over to Brown Count District Court on the felony charge.

Arraignment was scheduled for September 9.

Porter was arrested in May following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department.

According to the criminal complaint, the alleged victim was 13.

Porter remains free on a $40,000 bond.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The popular Country Stampede music festival will be moving from Manhattan to Topeka - and changing its name.
 
 Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla made the announcement Thursday hours before the event kicked off in Topeka.
 
 Country Stampede has been held at Tuttle Creek State Park in Manhattan for 23 years. It was moved to Heartland Motorsports Park for this year's event because of flooding at Tuttle Creek.
 
 Experts estimated the three-day event brought $8 million to the Manhattan economy. It annually draws more than 100,000 fans to hear some of the biggest country stars.
 
 This year's event features 50 country acts, including Clint Black, Jake Owen and Jason Aldean. It is scheduled to run Thursday through Saturday.
 

(KLZA)-- There were no injuries reported in an early morning house fire in Falls City Thursday.

According to Falls City Volunteer Fire Department Information Officer Jon McQueen, fire fighters were called to 2417 Abbott Street at 5:10 A.M. The house was fully involved when fire fighters arrived on the scene. The only reported occupant of the home was able to get out safely.

Members of the Falls City Rural Fire Department, The Falls City Volunteer Ambulance Squad and Falls City Police Department also responded to the call. The State Fire Marshall's office is investigating the cause of the fire.

The rental house, owned by Steve and Angela Simon suffered major damage.

(KMZA)--Brown County becomes the latest local county to be added to the list of counties included in the state disaster proclamation signed May 9 by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.

Other included local counties are Atchison Doniphan, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha, and Pottawatomie.

There are a total of 66 counties listed with the proclamation.

Meanwhile, 33 Kansas counties are included with the emergency federal disaster declaration from President Donald Trump.

Locally, those include Doniphan, Jefferson, Leavenworth, and Marshall.

According to a news release from the Kansas Adjutant General’s Office, an emergency declaration supplements state and local government efforts for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe through direct federal assistance for emergency protective measures.

According to the release, the Kansas National Guard continues to conduct water hauling operations in support of Lakeside Village in Jefferson County.  The Guard is currently delivering an average of 24,000 gallons of water daily to the community water tower.  

Also, due to the damaging affects of spring weather, Small Business Administration representatives are on hand in Leavenworth County to answer questions about SBA's disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help individuals complete their application.

The center, located in the Linwood Community Center Commons Area, is located at 105 East Third Street, in Linwood. It’s open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It will remain in operation through June 27. No appointment is needed.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in the local counties of Jefferson and Leavenworth.

(KMZA)--Marshall County Clerk Sonya Stohs, who has been the focus of a KBI investigation in recent months, has resigned.

The Marysville Advocate reports Stohs resignation was announced Tuesday evening by Marshall County Democratic Party Chairman Jim Swim at a party meeting in Marysville.

Swim said he had been notified of Stohs resignation by County Attorney Laura Johnson-McNish earlier in the day.  

Stohs is a Democrat so the party must now select someone to fill her unexpired term.

She has served as county clerk since 2002.

On April 4, Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents served search warrants at multiple location in Marysville—including the Marshall County Clerk’s Office.

At the time, KBI spokeswoman Melissa Underwood said the search warrants were related to an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged conduct by an employee of the Marshall County Clerk’s Office.

Underwood said if the investigation leads to an arrest or charges being filed, additional information will be released at that time.
 

(KAIR)--Preparations for Atchison’s Amelia Earhart Festival are underway, including construction at the Atchison airport where an Amelia-themed museum is in the works.

The future museum’s centerpiece will be Muriel, the 1935 Lockheed Electra L-10E, which is a match to the airplane flown by Earhart.

Related work was a matter for the Atchison City Commission Monday. “I have a proposal for the continuation of a partnership that’s been going on between the City and the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation, mostly taking shape through the Air Hangar Museum and terminal structure that’s nearing completion out at the airport,” Atchison Public Works Director Clinton McNemee told the Commission. He explained that the latest step in the ongoing partnership is the needed construction of a concrete parking lot, and road enhancements, for the museum. “This would construct a parking lot and make road connections to our existing road network. Basically, the foundation approached the City with a proposal to manage the project, to hire the contractor.”

The Commission approved the 50/50 cost-share project unanimously.
It carries a price tag of $115,000 for the City, as well as an additional change order authority of $12,500.

The contractor for the project is Atchison’s Bottorff Construction.

The goal is to have the work completed in time for the annual Amelia Earhart Festival which will be held July 19 and 20.

(KNZA)--A special display to raise awareness about the ongoing tragedy of veteran suicides is coming to Hiawatha.

Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau Board Vice-President Joey May told the City Commission Monday evening that the Chamber was approached by St. Joseph resident David Brown with the Flags for Forgotten Soldiers organization about setting up the display in the city—the first location in Kansas for the honor.

May said the display would consist of 660 flags, along with banners.  The flags represent the number of veterans who die each month due to suicides.

May said the Chamber would like to set up the display in the area to the south of the skate park in the valley leading up to the Kiddie Corral. She said the Chamber wanted to coincide the display with the city’s 4th of July event.  

The flags would be set up the morning of Saturday, June 29 and be up about a month.

The Commission gave their approval.

May also presented a $2,500 check to the city for the 2019 fireworks display, which is to be held July 3.

The Commission approved allowing the Chamber to set up a tent that evening near the Skate Park/Aquatic Center.  May said they plan to pass out free water, glow in the dark bracelets and basic information about the city.  A face painter will also be on hand and the community jazz band will be playing near the tent.    

(KAIR)--Atchison County remains under an emergency disaster declaration due to

this spring’s heavy rains and flooding.

On Tuesday, the Atchison County Commission moved to renew the disaster declaration for Atchison County.

The declaration, citing the flooding that occurred in May and June, states that "the flooding conditions and obstructions continue to exist, and continue to endanger health, safety, and welfare of persons and property within the borders of Atchison County."

The disaster declaration gives the County the ability to take certain actions to handle the affects of flooding, per the Kansas Emergency Preparedness Act of 1975.

Unanimous approval was granted for renewal, with Commissioners Jack Bower and Eric Noll voting in the affirmative. Commissioner Henry Pohl was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.

Meanwhile, due to the flooding, a major local area travel route remains closed.
U.S. Highway 59, east of the City of Atchison, located in Buchanan County, Missouri, is still shutdown.

It remains unknown just how long the closure, which took effect May 21, will remain in place.

(KMZA)--A Centralia man is facing charges of aggravated burglary and theft.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert says a complaint was filed in Nemaha County District Court charging 27-year-old Trevor Lee Guffey following an investigation by the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department.

Lippert said the complaint alleges that on May 19, without authority, Guffey entered a residence in rural Nemaha County in which another person was present and took a motor vehicle title.

He was arrested June 11 on a Nemaha County warrant by the Seneca Police Department.

Guffey remains in the Nemaha County Jail, held on a $10,000 bond.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County sheriff's deputies have made it clear they want their wages increased.  

For several months Sheriff Don Pounds and  members of the Sheriff's Department have expressed their belief that low wages and benefits are keeping good candidates from applying for open deputy sheriff positions and is also a reason some others have left the department for other opportunities. 

Tuesday Sheriff Pounds, Deputy Lyle McMann and Deputy Clinton Stonebarger expressed their belief that another officer  would be resigning if commissioners did not agree the wages will be increased with the start of the new fiscal year on September 1. 

It has been documented the Sheriff's Department is short on deputies and McMann told Commissioners Terry Frank and John  Caverzagie that  with limited personnel working at night it is a dangerous situation. 

McMann suggested that a deputy, new to the Sheriff's Department is paid less than want statute requires.  He also suggested it's not fair that deputies for elected officials in the courthouse, are better paid than the deputy sheriffs.  He said the deputies are out nights, weekends and holiday's risking their lives while the courthouse personnel work only weekdays. 

Audience member and former Richardson County Commissioner Gayle Swisegood suggested the Board ask County Attorney Doug Merz about the statutes concerning the wages.  

Swisegood also pointed out that elected officials deputies in the courthouse are chief deputies and by statute, have the responsibility of the office in the absence of the office holder.  He pointed out that by statute, there should be one  chief deputy Sheriff and despite the other officers being called deputies,  they are not responsible for a specific office in the absence of the sheriff.  He said the comparison is akin to comparing apples and oranges. 

Earlier this spring, a wage proposal was presented to the Board by Deputies Jon Kirkendall and Jeff  Frederick.  Tuesday the Commissioners offered a counter proposal that would increase the pay for the deputy sheriff's by their customary annual two-percent increase plus an additional $3 per hour beginning in September.  

There was also a suggestion from the law enforcement contingent that a step-plan for the officers be added to the proposal as well.

Commissioners took no action during the Tuesday meeting concerning wage increases for the deputies. 

(KMZA)--Nemaha Central USD 115 has begun the search for a new clerk of the board.

That comes after the USD 115 Board of Education last week accepted the retirement resignation of longtime board clerk Colette Hermesch, effective December 1.

Hermesch has held the position for 31 years, beginning work in June 1988.

The Board also approved the hiring of two coaches for new middle school wrestling program.

Mark Mayberry was hired as head coach and Schuyler Mayberry as assistant coach.

The Board voted last month to add a wrestling program at the middle school beginning next school year.

In other business,  the Board approved the purchase of a new intercom system from All Systems which will connect the district’s two schools.  It will upgrade the high school system, which is the original system in the building.

In addition, the Board approved a change in the 2019-2020 school calendar.  Tuesday, August 20 will now be a staff in-service day, with no school for students.

The Board will hold their fiscal year end meeting Tuesday evening, June 25 at 6:00.
 

(KNZA)--Doniphan County remains under an emergency disaster declaration due to this spring’s  heavy rains and flooding.  

County Commission Chairman Tad Gieger on Monday renewed the disaster declaration for another 7 days.  It’s been in place since mid-March.

Meanwhile, the county continues to address damage caused to county roads and bridges due to the heavy rains and flooding.

2nd District road foreman James Mott informed the Commission Monday of the closure of Ottumwa Road, between 130th and 140th Roads, due to a tube collapse.  A temporary repair will be made to get the roadway re-opened to through traffic, with a permanent tube replacement and sloping of banks to take place at a later date.

Commissioner Tim Collins said the first district road crew is working to complete a tube replacement on Ash Point Road, north of 240th Road.

Discussion was held on needed repairs to Monument Road, south of Wathena, where the roadway is sloughing off creating hazardous road conditions in proximity to the Missouri River.  Commissioners were in agreement to contact Schwab-Eaton Engineers for a proposal to assess the road and formulate a plan for permanent repairs.

Commissioner Gieger also discussed necessary repair work needed on 250th and Peck Roads where the creek channel is cutting out the roadway.

Following an executive session,  the Commission approved the hiring of two individuals to fill vacancies in the county road and bridge department.

Jeff Alfrey was hired as a full-time laborer/operator in the 1st road district and Michael Carpenter as a full-time laborer/operator in the 2nd road district.  Both were hired at a salary of $13.50 an hour, subject to pre-employment screening.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved an ordinance on first reading Monday night to increase utility rates.

The last utility rate study was completed in 2016. The Board of Public Works commissioned J.K. Consulting, of Lincoln, to do a new rate study which was presented to Council members during a special meeting Monday afternoon.

Based on the study, a typical residential customer will see an increase in their Fiscal Year 2020, monthly utility bill of $7.16 and an increase on their Fiscal Year 2021 monthly utility bill of $7.68.

The increases approved are for a 2 percent increase each year through 2022 for electricity a total of 8 percent.

For water the increase would be 5 percent each year, with a total increase over the four years of 22 percent. The wastewater rate would increase 7 percent in 2020, 2021 and 2022 with the total increase coming in at 22.5 percent.

For natural gas the proposed increase is 1.3 percent annually.

The ordinance to reset the utility rates must be approved on three separate readings by the Council.

(KLZA)-- A first-term Humboldt Council person is the target of a recall effort with mail-in ballots going out to voters this week.

Dolores Martinez has served as a Ward I Council member since 2017. A recall petition was filed April 3 by Jamie Lynne Dorney with 78 valid signatures, forcing the recall election

Dorney, alleges Martinez has not acted in the best interest of the City of Humboldt and has acted unethically toward city employees and other officials and residents during her time in office. During an interview with MSC News, Martinez called the effort unjustified.

Martinez has lived in Humboldt for five years after serving 25 years as a government employee working with the Unites States Air Force.

Earlier this year, it was discovered the finances for the City of Humboldt were is bad shape. Martinez said using her experience in budgeting, she determined there were several serious weaknesses in the way finances were being handled and said she feels the finances have been mishandled. She claims CD and money market certificates were cashed without city council approval or recorded in the council minutes.

Matinez says she would like Ward I voters to vote against the recall effort so she can continue putting processes and procedures in place to help Humboldt become a more positive community.

Pursuant to Nebraska State Statutes, the recall election will be conducted by mail. Humboldt Ward I residents that are registered to vote will receive a ballot and will check yes or no to recall Council member Dolores Martinez.

Ballots must be returned to the Richardson County Clerk's office at the Courthouse in Falls City by July 9.

(KLZA)--After an extended closure due to flooding in Iowa and occasional flooding in northwest Missouri, Interstate 29 is open north of St. Joseph.

That word came late Tuesday afternoon in a news release from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

The roadway briefly reopened May 29, but had to be closed again that same day.

MODOT says traffic may be narrowed to one lane in some locations between St. Joseph and I-80 in Iowa.

The release says both MDOT and the Iowa Department of Transportation are working diligently to keep I-29 open and continue to reopen other routes that were also damaged due to extensive flooding along the Missouri River that began in mid-March.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is facing charges related to arson.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News 47-year-old Dwight Downing, Jr. was arrested Monday.

Wilson said an officer was monitoring traffic on Atchison’s River Road around 8:30 Monday night when he made a vehicle stop.

Wilson said Downing was behind the wheel, and the officer discovered he was wanted in Shawnee County, Kansas.

Downing was taken into custody on warrants from that jurisdiction for aggravated arson and failure to appear in court.

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

The details regarding his alleged Shawnee County crimes aren’t immediately available.

(KLZA)-- Despite concerns about weather on Saturday, the return of the hot air balloon show to Falls City this past weekend was successful beyond all expectations. 

Falls City Chamber and Main Street Director Amber Holle said it was a huge success and the crowd estimated at 4 – 5,000 in attendance was beyond anybody's wildest dreams. 

While only two balloons were able to lift off because of the wind Saturday evening, the crowd at Brenner Field was understanding. 

Holle says the large crowd did catch them off guard, but said plans are being made for next years event.  Food and beverage vendors ran out of products to sell,  parking was at a premium for the event and traffic was backed up all the way back into Falls City. 

All the balloons lifted off Sunday morning and it was estimated the fly-in breakfast drew a crowd of around 200. 

The photo was taken by balloon passenger Lori Gottula.

(KAIR)--A tribute to four retiring Atchison leaders.

That came in the form of a proclamation made by City of Atchison Mayor Shawn Rizza at the start of Monday’s meeting of the Atchison City Commission.

John Jacobson is the outgoing CEO of the Atchison Hospital, Peggy House is the outgoing Administrator of the Atchison Senior Village, Dr. Susan Myers is the outgoing Superintendent of Atchison’s USD 409, and Diane Liebsch is the outgoing Principal of Saint Benedict Catholic School.

All four were in attendance for the recognition.

(KAIR)--Although the purchases were small, a 34-year-old Atchison man is facing numerous charges in connection with the alleged use of a financial card belonging to someone else.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News Russell Sullivan, Jr. was arrested Friday.

That follows a brief investigation that came after an 18-year-old lost her card, and reported that it had been fraudulently used Friday at three Atchison businesses.

Wilson said the card had been used a total of five times with the amount of money spent less than $200.

Sullivan was arrested Friday when he returned to one of the stores where he had allegedly used the card.

He now faces charges of theft, criminal use of a financial card, and computer crime.
He is also accused of a Walmart theft.

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

Bond is set at $1,500.

(KNZA)--Brown County will be searching for a new emergency management director.

Following several executive sessions Monday, the Brown County Commission voted unanimously to terminate James Stuart, effective immediately.

No reason was publicly stated for the decision.

Commission Chairman Keith Olsen said the Commission could not comment because it's a personnel matter.

Following an executive session last week, the Commission voted to suspend Stuart for one week without pay.

Stuart had held the full-time position since April 22.

Olsen said Commissioners plan to review the remaining seven applications from when they initially advertised the position and select two for interviews at their July 1 meeting.

(KMZA)--A three vehicle Sunday evening wreck in Nemaha County, Kansas, left three injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports it happened on U.S. Highway 36 when a westbound vehicle, driven by 50-year-old Byron Brengman, of Anderson, Missouri, slowed down to make a turn.

As he did, his van was rear-ended by an SUV, driven by 50-year-old Jeffrey Reece, of Topeka. The crash caused Brengman's van to go into the eastbound lane, where it was hit by an eastbound semi, driven by 76-year-old Robert Ames, of Omaha, Nebraska.

Brengman suffered what the KHP called a suspected serious injury and was transported to Topeka's Stormont Vail for treatment

Ames suffered a suspected minor injury and was transported to Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, in Seneca.

Reece also suffered a suspected minor injury but was not transported.

Brengman was the only driver not buckled up when the wreck happened shortly before 8:00 Sunday night.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City Council members approved a plan submitted by four members of the Pawnee City High School FFA Chapter when they met last week. 

The students are needing to complete some community service projects to qualify for their state and American FFA degrees.

The students plan  to apply for grant funds and use the money to place playground equipment at the Ponderosa City pond area. 
 
In other business the Council set a public hearing for their June 29 meeting on a request from Tim and Dawn Friesel to vacate a portion of K Street from 11th to 13th Street;  and 12th Street from J to K Street in the Hollinshead's Addition. 

(KLZA)-- Work is progressing on the renovation of the 1600 block of Stone Street in Falls City. 

Grant monies are being used to cut down the curbs, improve the sidewalks and add benches and green areas in the block.  Bump outs are being added at the intersection of 16th and Stone Streets, but they will be smaller than bump outs installed in the 1700 block of Stone Street. 

The weather has improved which is allowing quicker progress by AHRS Construction from Bern, Kansas on the project.  Hopes are to have the project completed prior to the annual Cobblestone Festival coming up in August. 

The total cost of the project will be in the neighborhood of $375-thousand. 

(KNZA)--The Jackson Heights school district has set its eighth Honor Flight for area veterans.

USD 335 Superintendent Adrianne Walsh said it will take place Wednesday, October 20.

Walsh said openings are available on the flight for 20 veterans from World War II, Korean and Vietnam wars.

About 200 veterans of those wars have participated in the Jackson Heights Honor Flight since its first flight to the nation’s capital in the spring of 2009. Veterans are accompanied by Jackson Heights High School students who serve as “ guardians” to the veterans, along with medical personnel and other support staff.

The veterans are flown to the Washington D.C. to visit such sites as the World War II, Korean, Vietnam and Lincoln Memorials.  A visit to the Arlington Cemetery to witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been added in recent trips.

All veterans participating in the Honor Flight do so free of charge, with the program funded completely by volunteer donations.

Veterans interested in participating in the Honor Flight, as well as anyone interested in making a donation to the program, may contact Walsh at the Jackson Heights district office at ( 785) 364-2194.
      

(KMZA)--A Frankfort man charged in connection with an all-terrain vehicle wreck last year that claimed the life of a Frankfort woman has entered into a plea agreement.

Weston Adams recently pleaded no contest in Marshall County District court to amended charges of felony aggravated battery and misdemeanor vehicular homicide, canceling a jury trial that had been set this week in the case.

Adams had originally been charged with involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence and two other counts.

Sentencing was set for July 9.

Authorities say Adams was driving an ATV north of Vliets early May 6 of last year when he crossed into a ditch along K-97 and the ATV rolled onto its side.  A passenger, 22-year-old Arianna Lynn Martin, was ejected and the ATV came to rest on top of her.

Martin was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle Saturday morning Atchison Co wreck sent one person to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened at the intersection of 286th and McPherson Roads about 5 miles west of Atchison.

The Patrol reports 20-year-old Jessica Stirton, of Everest, was westbound on  286th Road when she slowed for traffic and her car was struck in the rear by a westbound pickup truck driven by 16-year-old Krier Kieffer, of Atchison.

Stirton was transported to the Atchison Hospital for the treatment of what the Patrol described as a suspected minor injury.

Kieffer and a passenger his vehicle, 19-year-old Atchison resident Jonathan McCrerey, were not hurt.

A passenger in Stirton’s vehicle, 24-year-old Atchison resident Lane Chapman-Huntington, also escaped injury.

The Patrol reports all of the occupants were buckled up when the wreck happened around 10:15 Saturday morning.

(KAIR)--A Friday afternoon crash sent a Leavenworth woman to the hospital.

Injured was 31-year-old Crystal Bayliff who, according to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, suffered a suspected serious injury after her car rolled over during the Shawnee County wreck.

It happened on K-4 Highway, at the U-40 Junction, when Bayliff was eastbound on the highway.

According to the KHP, her car left the roadway to the right, and she overcorrected, with the car coming back onto the highway. It slid sideways and rolled, stopping in the westbound ditch.

Bayliff was transported to Topeka’s Stormont-Vail for treatment.

Her 32-year-old passenger, not wearing a seatbelt, was not hurt.

Bayliff was buckled up at the time of the wreck, which happened shortly before 3:00.

(KAIR)--Focused on making certain that rural Kansans are not overlooked, Kansas Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers is touring the state to give a voice to residents in those locations.

Atchison is among the twelve planned stops on the Office of Rural Prosperity Listening Tour.

That will happen Thursday, June 20, from 5:30 until 7:00, at the Atchison Event Center, located at 710 South 9th Street.

According to a news release from the City of Atchison, the tour is part of a new initiative approved in the last session of the Kansas State Legislature to address issues in rural Kansas.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, in a release, said “rural Kansas has been overlooked and unheard for far too long,” with the state’s small towns “neglected,” adding that the tour is “an important step toward changing [the] serious problem.”

The Office of Rural Prosperity is dedicated to improving life in rural Kansas, and is guided by the blueprint created by Governor Kelly, Lieutenant Governor Rogers and Secretary of Commerce David Toland, which includes developing rural housing, revitalizing Main Street corridors, investing in rural infrastructure, supporting rural hospitals and medical professional recruitment, making state government work for rural Kansas, incentivizing active tourism, and supporting agribusiness.

The listening tour is also planning an August 5 stop in Sabetha, but details have not yet been finalized.

(KNZA)--An Omaha, Nebraska woman will spend three years in jail for a 2017 wreck that killed three members of a Sabetha family.

Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller says 49-year-old Maria Perez-Marquez was sentenced Friday in Jackson County District Court on three misdemeanor counts of vehicular homicide and a felony count of aggravated battery.

Miller said Perez-Marquez was sentenced to one year in jail for each count of vehicular homicide, with the terms ordered to be served consecutively.

She also received 13 months for the aggravated battery charge, which was suspended to two years probation.

Miller said Perez-Marquez was also ordered to register as a violent offender for 15 years.

She pleaded no contest to the charges in April.

Authorities say Perez-Marquez was attempting to pass another vehicle on U.S. 75, north of Holton, in November 2017 when she swerved onto the shoulder and crashed into an oncoming minivan.

Killed were Carmen, Marlee and Stephen Ukele.  Lee Ukele was critically injured and died last month from his injuries.

They were returning home from watching the Sabetha High School football team win the state 3A championship.  Carmen and Lee's two sons were members of the team.

(KAIR)--A teenage Horton girl is missing, and help from the public is sought to locate her. 

According to a Facebook post by Kansas Missing and Unsolved, 17-year-old Brenda Middleton disappeared early Thursday morning between 1:30 and 2:00. 
It's believed she may be with an adult man. 

According to the post, Middleton is 5-feet tall and weighs around 120 pounds with blonde hair and hazel eyes. 
She has a tattoo on the right side of her chest that says "Stay Strong," and a tattoo on her left shoulder blade. 

Anyone with information about Middleton's whereabouts is urged to call the Horton Police Department at 785-486-2694. 

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

(KNZA)--We have been receiving more complaints about scammers calling elderly residents in Brown County and representing themselves as  grandchildren who have been involved in an incident, and are facing arrest unless $500 was to be sent immediately. Some have had very thick foreign accents.  One scammer verbally threatened the elderly citizen  if they did not send the money. The scammers seem to know the name of the grandchildren in each case.

Another scam that has been reported multiple times is where citizens are receiving calls from someone stating they are from the Social Security Administration alerting people that their social security number has been used fraudulently and is on hold.  Scammers have told several residents that their checks will be denied unless the resident pay $1100 to get their social security number reinstated.  There are several variations of this scam that are circulating, some even include potential lawsuits as a way to extort money from our citizens.

A newer scam reported is where citizens are receiving calls wanting assistance for medical bills, medicine, or transportation to and from Drs. offices.  Citizens will receive a call, usually in the evening hours wanting to know if they will financially help the caller.  As they visit, the caller will try to make the citizen think they are somehow acquainted and live in our area.  When the citizen starts asking questions such as "Do I know you"  or "what is your name" etc.  the caller becomes very threatening and argumentative.  We think this is a scam to play on your sympathy to give money or to provide your address or bank info.   This is relatively new so be aware of this circulating.

With every  scam, we are advising everyone to just hang up.  YOU CANNOT RELY ON YOUR CALLER ID TO PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION.  Every day these scammers are trying to come up with new ways to separate you from your hard earned money.  These scammers spend a lot of time researching family and personal information to appear legitimate.  IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHO IS CALLING YOU OR YOU ARE UNSURE OR SUSPICIOUS---PLEASE HANG UP.  Many people across the United States are cheated out of millions of their hard earned dollars by these scammers.

 As always we caution you to NEVER give out any personal information.


 

(MSC News)--Approval has been granted for the establishment rock quarry in Jackson County, about six miles south of Denison.

The Holton Recorder reports the Jackson County Commission this week approved a zoning change and special use permit for Mid-States Materials, of Topeka, to operate a rock quarry on property located at 142nd and W Roads.

The Commission also approved an agreement between the county and Mid-States that designates a haul route for trucks traveling to and from the new quarry.

As part of the agreement, the newspaper reports Mid-States will donate 4,000 tons of rock to the county in order to maintain the haul route.  In addition, Mid-States will apply 150 feet of dust control in front of any residence, intersection or business on the designated haul route.

The new quarry will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

The last quarry in Jackson County was operated by Hamm Companies on K Road in Circleville, but the company began phasing it out of production in February 2013.  
 

(AP)--The Kansas Supreme Court has approved an increase in spending on public schools that the Democratic governor pushed through the Republican-controlled Legislature.
 
But the high court declined in its ruling Friday to close the protracted education funding lawsuit that prompted the decision.
 
The school finance law boosted funding roughly $90 million a year.
 
The court declared the new money is sufficient under the Kansas Constitution but said it was keeping the underlying lawsuit open to ensure that the state keeps its funding promises.
 
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly had hoped the Supreme Court would end the lawsuit. Four local school districts sued in 2010.
 
The districts' attorneys argued the new law would not provide enough new money after the 2019-20 school year. Education funding tops $4 billion a year.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City School District Transportation Department covered nearly 137-thousand miles during the 2018-19 school year.

Transportation Director Rob Baker reported the eight rural bus routes accounted for 92,770 miles hauling an average of 305 students per day.

In addition, students were transported 44,111 miles to 349 school activities.

Baker said the harsh winter caused the cancellation of many school activities and multiple days when only the “emergency bus routes” were utilized. The weather was a major factor in reducing the overall miles traveled by the District 56 bus fleet this past school year.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City Mayor Deb Klein was forced to break a tie vote on the employee salary ordinance proposal during Monday nights City Council meeting. 

The proposal for a dollar an hour increase for all Pawnee City employees was approved on a 3-2 vote on second reading and will come before the Council one more time for final approval. 

Council members Ric Helms and John Dahlgren cast nay votes.  Council members Charlie Hatfiled and Sandi Corbitt-Sears voted yes leaving the Mayor to break the tie.  

Also during the meeting John Deacy with Carlson West Povonda Architects reviewed progress on the Cornerstone Community Building. No action was taken. The next step is to  move the project forward to the design development stage.  

(KLZA)-- For the first time in more than two decades the Falls City  Chamber of  Commerce is hosting a hot air balloon show.

The events on Saturday will take place at Brenner Field on the northeast edge of Falls City.  The balloon launch is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. with a balloon glow scheduled to take place at dark.

In addition, there will be five food trucks, a beer and wine garden and a Kid Zone with inflatables,  face painting and balloon artists. 

There is a $10 admission for adults,  for kids 12 – 18 the cost is $5 and for those 12 and under there is no charge. The kids activities at the airport are free.  
 
One of the highlights of the event is the balloon glow at dark.  

If you are attending the event on Saturday you can park at the airport or you can park at Falls City High School at 1400 Fulton Street and take a shuttle to Brenner Field. The shuttle will run  from 5 – 6:00 P.M. and then drop you back at the high school between 9:30 and 10:00 P.M. 

Sunday morning the balloons are scheduled to lift off at 7:00 A.M.  There will be a fly-in breakfast. The Falls City Area Jaycees will serve pancakes and sausage for a free will offering.  

(KNZA)--As we move into the summer season, heat relief will be needed more than ever.

The Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging has joined forces with two partners to help area residents improve their quality of life and beat the heat.

According to a press release, neighbors who are elderly, disabled people without access to air conditioning or those who cannot afford to purchase a fan for themselves will have the opportunity to receive one fan per family thanks to donations from Westar Energy and The Salvation Army.

The fan distribution will take place Tuesday afternoon ( June 18) from 1 to 3 at the Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging at 1803 Oregon Street in Hiawatha.

By providing an ID, proof of address and electric bill, fans will be available until they are all distributed.

Westar’s annual local gift of fans is part of a $60,000 fan contribution distributed throughout the communities it serves.

(KMZA)--The Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education has approved bids for  improvement projects at two Sabetha schools.

On the recommendation of mechanical engineer Scott McKinley, Superintendent Todd Evans said the Board Monday evening accepted the low bid submitted by McElroy’s, of Topeka, for the replacement of the Sabetha Middle School boiler in the amount of $87,950.  Evans said it can hopefully be installed before students come back in mid-August.

Evans said the Board also accepted a bid from Midwest Coating, of Topeka, for the replacement of the east wing roof at the Sabetha Elementary School with a tapered roof system at a cost of $91,069. The project should be completed by mid-October.

In other business, Evans said the Board approved a resolution to pay off the bonds for the former USD 488.  He said the Board levied the final tax for the bond issue with the 2018-19 budget.  The final payment will be made a year early on September 1, 2019.

Evans said discussed was also held on the snow day, make-up policy. He said the discussed centered on whether to increase the allowable days missed from 3 to 4 before making days up.

The proposed change will be discussed again at next month’s Board meeting.  

(MSC News) June 14 is National Flag Day, held each year as a reminder to fly both the flag of the nation and of the state.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, Flag Day originated in 1885 to observe June 14th as the anniversary of official adoption of the stars and stripes as the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.

Enthusiastically called “Flag Birthday,” Flag Day was celebrated by school children who would assemble to be given a small flag. 

President Woodrow Wilson, in 1916, issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day, while National Flag Day was established by an act of Congress in 1949.

OSKALOOSA, Kan. (AP) — A Baldwin City woman has pleaded guilty in the death of her mother's boyfriend at a northeast Kansas lake.

Jefferson County Attorney Josh Ney announced Thursday that Ashlyn Hemmerling pleaded guilty to premeditated first-degree murder after prosecutors presented evidence in her trial in Jefferson County District Court.

She was charged in the March 2018 shooting death of 22-year-old Taylor Dean Sawyer in a remote area of Perry Lake.

Her boyfriend, 23-year-old Jonathan Blevins, was convicted in March of first-degree murder in Sawyer's death. He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 50 years.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports authorities said Sawyer was the boyfriend of Hemmerling's mother, Sarah Hemmerling, who was charged with obstruction before that charge was dropped.

Hemmerling's sentencing is scheduled for July 25

(KNZA)--A new Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau administrator has been hired.

HCVB Board President Kate Miller announced, in a posting on the organization's Facebook page, that Sarah Kleopfer has been hired for the position.

Kleopfer recently retired after thirty-two years as the middle school and high school vocal music teacher for Hiawatha USD 415.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Northwest Missouri State University and a master’s degree in education from Baker University.

Miller said Kleopfer has been very active in the Hiawatha community through HAATS productions and benefit concerts.  She is also a member of the Hiawatha Music Club.

Kleopfer and her husband, Doug, have two daughters.

Miller said Linda Duesing, who has been serving as interim administrator since October, will remain with the organization.  She said Duesing will be filling in when needed and will be taking on the role of HCVB ambassador to help with specific events. 

Also Miller said Randee Wisdom has been hired as a summer intern. She said she started earlier this month and is already hard at work. 

(KMZA)--A policy has been developed for Seneca residents who want to provide some of their own electricity through solar or other sources.

The Seneca City Council at their June 5 meeting approved an ordinance establishing a policy for how private alternative energy generation will be allowed to connect to the city’s power distribution system.

The Council also approved a resolution establishing a new residential rate for private generators.

The policy was developed in response to a resident’s installation of solar electric panels.

In other business, the Council unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting tobacco and electronic cigarette use on all city-owned recreational areas, parks and playgrounds.  It does not include the Spring Creek Golf Course.

An ordinance was also approved to remove the 5 mill tax levy cap for the Seneca Library.    

(KNZA)--A Sabetha-based company has received national recognition for its contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

According to a press release, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross during a ceremony last month in Washington D.C. presented Wenger Manufacturing with the President’s “ E” Award for Exports—the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

Wenger was the only Kansas-based company recognized with the award among the 48 national winners, and one of only 26 manufacturers that made the list.   

In his congratulatory letter to the company announcing its selection as an award recipient, Secretary Ross said Wenger Manufacturing has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion.  Ross said the  “E” Awards Committee was very impressed with Wenger’s high percentage of export sales to total sales.  He said the company’s export sales into 62 markets were also particularly notable.

Wenger Co-CEO and President of Sales and Corporate Development, Lafe Bailey, said the company is thrilled to be honored with the award.  Bailey said they are blessed with a long tradition of team members who understand the global marketplace and enjoy working alongside their international clients each day.

Wenger is the world’s leading supplier of extrusion cooking systems for food processing with a 84-year history.  With nearly 500 employees worldwide, Wenger operates multiple plants, a research and development center, and sales and service offices around the globe.

(KAIR)--A two day job fair is planned in Atchison.

The City of Atchison is hosting the event, which will be held both Friday and Saturday at the Atchison Event Center.

The job fair will run from 4 until 7:00 Friday and Saturday from 9:00 in the morning until 12 noon.

Joe Warren, City of Atchison Director of Administrative Services Finance, Community Development, Communications, told MSC News that while the City isn’t in the job fair business, they are in the community building business, with the job fair seen as one way to help with that effort. “With a couple of key employers in our community closing and many employers in our area looking for people, we just thought we would try to connect those who need jobs, or better jobs, with those who have some available.”

 Twelve employers are signed-on to participate, and include Benedictine College, MGP Ingredients, Blish-Mize, Bottorff Construction, the City of Atchison, Aramark, Stresscrete, Atchison Tubular Services, and Holiday Inn Express.

Prospective employees are reminded to bring resumes and to dress appropriately.

The job fair is free.

(KNZA)--The 8th annual Doniphan County Rodeo will take held this weekend  at the 4-H arena in Troy.

The rodeo will take place Friday and Saturday evenings, June 14-15, beginning at 7:00.

Emerson Weber, of Troy, is this year’s rodeo princess.

The always-popular youth mutton bustin’ event, for kids ages 4 to 12,  will open the rodeo each night.  The event is limited to 20 participants each night.  A youth must not weigh over 60 pounds to take part.  Sponsored by Meng Farms, contestants must pre-register by calling 785-985-3933.

Other rodeo events will include bareback riding, break-away roping, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, over 40 calf roping, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding.  The stock contractor is the Grand River, Iowa Rodeo Company.

Returning for this year’s rodeo will be the American Freedom Riders, an all-women drill team.

A street dance will be held on Troy’s Main Street Friday night.  Doniphan County 4-H clubs will have concessions.    

(KLZA)--The Johnson County, Nebraska Sheriff's Department has set up a GoFundMe account to raise funds to buy a ballistic vest for the departments K-9, Norra.

Norra is a Dutch Shepherd, born in March, 2015. She was first trained overseas before being trained in Longford, Kansas.

The goal is to raise $1,600 to purchase the vest to protect the Departments investment in the K-9.

Norra is nationally and state certified in six types of narcotics and is currently training as a tracking K-9.

According to a Facebook post Norra's nose has already resulted in arrests and court summons' in Johnson County.

For more information or to donate you can log on to

www.gofundme.com/protective-vest-for-k9-norra.

(KLZA)-- The Auburn Board of Education met in Julian Monday evening. Each year the Board meets once in the communities outside of Auburn that make up the district.

The Board approved nearly $30-thousand of cement work at the Calvert Elementary School.

On the northwest side of the building steps and guard rails will be removed and replaced with a handicap accessible ramp to the gymnasium. The cost of the work is $19-thousand. Sidewalk and cement pad work will be included in the project as well.

School Board member Laura Osborne was elected to serve as Board Secretary. The Board decided to change the Secretary position from a designated position to an elected position.

A teaching contract for Kourtney Martin to serve as the elementary music teacher was approved. Current elementary music teacher Mary Stuckenholtz will be the Middle School / High School music teacher starting this fall.

The Board also voted to increase the price for school lunches next year by a dime. It is the only meal price increase.

(KLZA)-- The east intersection of 16th and Stone Street in Falls City will be closed beginning Thursday for a week for road construction.

The work is part of the renovation work in the 1600 Block of Stone Street.

Weather permitting, this section of the street will be closed until June 20.

(KAIR)--A suspected gunman remains free, as Atchison Police continue to seek public help in order to make an arrest.

31-year-old Kevin Maxey, Jr. is wanted on an arrest warrant charging him with attempted second degree murder.

That follows an early Sunday morning shooting that happened in the 1100 block of Atchison’s North 8th Street where a group of around 20 was gathered in a vacant lot.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News investigators believe Maxey and another person were in an argument, and that led to the shooting. However, the 42-year-old man who was shot twice was not involved. “The victim was actually not part of that argument but was standing nearby. As the argument escalated, the suspect produced a handgun and fired several shots off that struck the victim.”

Following the shooting, the victim was transported to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, for treatment.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Maxey is urged to call police at 913-367-4323.

(KNZA)--A new Horton High School principal has been hired for 2019-20 school year.

Following an executive session Monday evening, the South Brown County USD 430 Board of Education voted to hire Larry Mills for the position.

Mills currently serves as high school activities director, and will continue in that role.

He joined the district in November of last year.

Mills replaces Fred Winter, who has served as high school principal since the 2017-18 school year.   The Board accepted the resignation of Winter during a special meeting May 21.  He has accepted an assistant principal position at Hays High School where he previously was a special education teacher.

The Board also Monday approved the hiring of Nick Dowel as assistant high school activities director the 2019-20 school year.

In other personnel news, a new district transportation director/mechanic has been hired.  During a special meeting May 20, the Board approved the hiring of Damon Bowen for the position.

Bowen will replace Doug Schmitt who is retiring effective June 30.    

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Transportation has approved a bid for a local highway improvement project.

According to a news release from KDOT, Vance Brothers Inc., of Kansas City, Missouri, was awarded the contract for the sealing of a more than 10-mile stretch of K-20 Highway in Brown County in the amount $297,915.

The project will take place from the U.S. 75/K-20 junction east to the west city limits of Horton.

A project start date has not yet been announced.

The bid letting took place May 22 in Topeka.   

(KLZA)-- Several area projects are included in the Missouri Statewide Transportation Improvement Program from 2020 – 2024.

The program focuses on taking care of the states existing transportation system and was presented last week to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. A 30-day public review and comment period on the plans started June 6.

1,869 highway and bridge projects were included in the plan. 85 percent will maintain the system in the condition it is in today.

45 bridges will be funded with $50-million in state general revenue approved by the Missouri General Assembly during the 2019 session.

Area projects include: In Holt County:

An I-29 Bridge rehabilitation over Kimsey Creek and Route E near Mound City with a bid letting scheduled for August 2019.

The Route H bridge rehabilitation over Spring Creek near Oregon with a bid letting in September of this year.

The Route T bridge rehabilitation over Nichols Creek near Oregon, also to be let in September.

In Atchison County, the Route U bridge rehabilitation over a drainage ditch near Phelps City is to be let in September.

The public can view the entire program on the MoDOT website.

The Commission will review the comments on the final transportation program before considering it for approval during its July 10 meeting.

(KLZA)-- Enel Green Power North America, the company operating the Rock Creek wind farm in Atchison County, Missouri recently presented $120-thousand in financial support toward community needs in Tarkio. 

Donations were made to the Tarkio School District, Tarkio Police Department, Tarkio EMS services and the Tarkio Volunteer Fire Department and to the rodeo grounds. 

Corey Martin, site Supervisor for Rock Creek  said the donations were for appreciation to the value Tarkio adds to the company.  

$30-thousand was presented to the Tarkio School District to fund a science-tech curriculum, teacher training, and related materials, along with the development of a vocational / technical program to support early technical career paths and associated skills. It will be the first such program in the country. EGP hopes this will help develop a skilled workforce for the benefit of local residents and the company. 

EGP also presented the school district with $30-thousand to upgrade lighting and sound systems for the school theater, to improve both energy efficiency and performance. 

The Tarkio Volunteer Fire Department received $40-thousand to be used toward emergency response equipment. The department recently purchased a rescue vehicle capable of deployment on rough terrain and in treacherous weather conditions.  Fire Chief Shane Bredensteiner said the funds made the difference between having a new truck or not being able to have one.  

EGP also presented the  City of Tarkio $10-thousand designated for new automated external defibrillaors and associated equipment for use in each Tarkio Police vehicle, at the Tarkio Community Center and at City Hall.  

Another $10-thousand was presented to the Tarkio Rodeo Association to support renovation of the main arena seating and the installation of low-energy LED lighting. 

EGP operates the 300 mega watt Rock Creek wind farm in Atchison County as is preparing to construct a new 236.5- mega watt wind farm in Nodaway County, Missouri.  

(KAIR)--When the 2019 Biking Across Kansas event wraps up Saturday, a morning of activities are planned in Atchison, the final stop of the eight-day, 501 mile journey.

According to a release from the City of Atchison, the 45th annual tour is comprised of more than 800 cyclists, including some from the local area, who are expected to arrive in Atchison Saturday morning.

The final stop will include not only a celebratory dipping of front wheels in the Missouri River, at Atchison’s Independence Park, but also a ride through downtown Atchison’s parade route, complete with a welcome from the local community.

The release says a Bike Rodeo for Kids is also being coordinated by Live Well Live Atchison in conjunction with the arrival of the cyclists.

Planned from 9 until noon at Independence Park, the event will include a street-style agility course. Those wishing to attend should bring bikes or scooters, along with helmets.

The Biking Across Kansas cyclists will make their way to Atchison from another local host city, as Holton welcomes them with ceremonies on Friday.

The annual event began June 8 at the Kansas-Colorado state line, west of Goodland.

(KNZA)--The death of a southern Kansas child has local authorities sending the reminder to never leave children unattended inside vehicles.

According to a news release issued by Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, the latest victim was a 3-month old Rose Hill, Kansas girl who died June 8.

Although recent days have seen cooler temperatures locally, Merchant said the heat of summer is on the way, making it all the more urgent to check and double check your vehicle so that a child is not left behind.

He sends the reminder that children are more susceptible to heat than adults, and it takes only 10 minutes for the inside of a vehicle to climb to deadly temperatures.

Merchant said heatstroke can occur in temperatures less than 57 degrees, especially for infants.

In most cases of such child deaths, the child was forgotten by the parent or caregiver.

In approximately 30% of child deaths, children were playing in vehicles unattended.

Almost 20% of the children were intentionally left in the vehicle by an adult.

According to Merchant, there have been 11 child deaths due to being left unattended so far this year.

 ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - A 17-year-old has pleaded guilty to threatening to commit mass shootings at several schools in northwest Missouri.

 Andrew Lemon on Tuesday pleaded guilty to making a terrorist threat.

The St. Joseph News-Press reports Lemon admitted that on April 28 he sent messages to five friends via SnapChat saying he would commit mass shootings at several schools including Lafayette, Benton, Central and Savannah high schools and Truman Middle School in St. Joseph and Savannah.

Several schools were locked down on April 29. Lemon was arrested that day at Lafayette High School, where he was a student.

He was sentenced to four years of probation and 120 days of shock treatment. If Lemon breaks his probation, he could face up to seven years in prison.
 
    

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has approved a zoning change to allow for the construction of a communications tower on property in the city of White Cloud.

Following a hearing Monday drawing no public comment, the Commission approved the zoning change for property located 410 Q Street owned by Ron and Gary Edie.

County Zoning Administrator Julie Meng and Project Manager Jack Sheidt, with Network Real Estate, LLC, were present.

Scheidt said the 300 foot self-supporting communications tower would be used by AT&T cellular phone customers, along with law enforcement and emergency responders through the First Net Program

The Doniphan County Planning Commission recommended approval of the change in zoning from A-1 Agriculture to A-1 Agriculture with conditional use.       

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has signed a request for assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program to restore damages caused by heavy rain on May 28.  

The Commission took the action Monday.

District Conservationist Matt Sprick discussed four locations that may be eligible for assistance to repair excessive streambank erosion associated with road/bridge infrastructure.  

If approved, the NRCS would pay for 75 percent of the construction cost.  The county would be responsible for the remaining 25 percent, which can be in the form of in-kind services.    

Sprick said engineers from the state NRCS office will assess the sites and prepare cost estimates.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha school board has approved the hiring a consultant to assist the district in planning for its long range facility needs.

Following a presentation, the Board Monday evening voted to enter into a contact with Jerry McCall of Educational Consulting Services, of Lincoln, at a fee not to exceed $20,000.

Board President Ian Schuetz said McCall will develop a strategic plan to guide the district where it needs to be with its facilities going forward.

The plan will tell the district what’s needed and where its needed.

McCall is to complete the plan by April 30 of next year.

In other business, the Board voted to reinstate the powerlifting club at the high school.

High School Assistant Principal/Activities Director Kim Lillie said there was a powerlifting club at the high school several years ago.  She said the main expense would be that of a coach, which Chris Diller has offered to do.

The Board approved several hirings.  Among those are Jean Brintnall as curriculum and assessment coordinator, Brian Lillie as 8th grade science teacher and Michael Meinert as high school PE/weights teacher and assistant football coach.

The Board accepted the retirement resignations of two long time teachers, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year.  They include 7th grade social studies teacher Dixie Pethoud and middle school Title 1 teacher Michelle Vitt.

Also accepted the retirement resignation of kindergarten para Bernadette Stinson, effective immediately.  
       
In other action, the Board accepted a bid from IAO Electric, of rural Hiawatha, for installation of the new high school stage lighting at a cost not to exceed $12,000, and a bid from Keebler Electric, of rural Highland, for the replacement of the bus electrical plugs at a cost of $13,313.   The Board also gave District Maintenance Supervisor Matt Cluck approval to seek bids the replacement of the bus barn roof.

(KLZA)-- A Hiawatha woman has been arrested for driving under the influence  after the SUV she was driving ran into a building and a light pole in Falls City.

42-year-old Tiffany Eis  was arrested by the Falls City Police Department following the wreck about 3:15 Friday afternoon.

The accident report says Eis told the officer she was pulling into The Spirit Shoppe parking area on the southwest corner of 12th and Harlan Streets. She said she was driving too fast and struck the light pole and the building.

Eis was booked into the Richardson County Jail on the DUI charge.

The 2010 Ford Escape Eis was driving suffered an estimated $1,500 damage. Damage to the building was estimated at $2,500.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has approved a resolution proclaiming a state of local disaster emergency for the county due to recent heavy rains.

The Commission approved the resolution Monday at the request of County Emergency Management Director James Stuart.

The resolution is effective for 7 days and can be renewed.

Stuart said its the first step in seeking federal assistance due to heavy rains occurring May 28 and following.  

He  said the county must have $37,000 in damage to qualify for assistance.

Stuart said the Sac and Fox Tribe has reported $20,000 to $25,000 worth of damage.  In addition, he said two county bridges were washed out.  They are located on Kingfisher Road and Coyote Road.

Later in the meeting, the Commission voted unanimously to suspend Stuart for one week without pay.  No reason was publicly stated for the decision.  The action followed two separate executive sessions with Stuart.

(KAIR)--The 45th annual Biking Across Kansas event is underway, with cyclists to ride 497 miles over eight-days

Beginning Saturday, June 8 at the Kansas-Colorado state line, west of Goodland, the 2019 ride will end Saturday, June 15, in Atchison.

More than 800 bicyclists will stop in Holton on Friday. Expected to arrive in the afternoon, they will spend the night at the Holton High School football field.

Activities, including live music, a beer garden and food vendors, are planned for the participants and supporters in the 400 block of New York Avenue on the west side of Holton’s Town Square. Shuttle buses will run throughout the afternoon and evening taking the riders from Holton High School to the Town Square. 

On Saturday morning, the cyclists will depart Holton and head east toward Atchison, where the annual ride will end with a celebration at the city’s riverfront.

Bicyclists range in age from 8 to 85 and come from 29 different states.

The primary objectives of the event are to promote wellness through bicycling, celebrate Kansas history and the beauty of its landscape and enjoy the warm hospitality of its towns and people.

The ride started in 1975 with fewer than 100 riders and has grown to an annual tour that is capped annually at 850 participants. 

(KMZA)--A change of ownership for a Seneca implement dealership.

Heritage Tractor, a local John Deere dealership, has announced that it will be joining the Seneca community by acquiring Todd Tractor Company later this summer.

According to a press release, the Heritage Tractor owners have had a longstanding connection to the northeast Kansas area.  The Dummermuth family started the John Deere dealerships in the Waterville and Marysville communities in the 1950’s.

Since its inception in 1952, the release says Todd Tractor has focused on providing customers with an ideal experience and empowering employees with meaningful work.  The release adds Heritage Tractor plans to continue the Todd family’s successful heritage.  Many of the same faces will continue their longstanding support of the Seneca community.

Heritage Tractor owner and CEO Ken Wagner said the collaboration of multiple locations will benefit everyone of their customers—especially in the Seneca area.  Wagner said additional locations increase the parts and service capacity and present a larger inventory of new and used equipment to serve customers.  Heritage Tractor’s larger dealer group will allow for more employee training and support for customers.

Heritage Tractor has served customers since 1998 with locations in Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas.

(KAIR)--Governor Laura Kelly on Monday sent a request to President Donald Trump seeking a major presidential declaration for the public assistance program for 63 Kansas counties.

The request is based on what a release from the Governor’s office calls the result of widespread, record rainfall and severe weather causing flooding, flash flooding and tornadoes beginning April 28.

Local counties included in the request are Atchison, Doniphan, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha, and Pottawatomie.

The Public Assistance program helps pay for restoration of public infrastructure and associated costs caused by flooding and tornado damage.

(KLZA)-- Just over four-and-a-half years after receiving City Council approval to install a new electrical generating engine at the Falls City Power Plant, the public got a look at the finished product during an open house June 4. 

The engine, manufactured in Finland was sent by ship to the United States and then transported by train to Falls City. The final cost for the new generator was in the neighborhood of $12-million.  

The City now has three generators that can be used to supply power to the City if the line from the Omaha Public Power District goes down. In all, there are now nine generators at the plant, dating as far back as 1930, however, a majority of them cannot be used due to environmental and  air quality regulations.  

The Board of Public Works decided a new generator was the best option for Falls City versus options such as transmission line upgrades. Storms knocking down those lines would have left Falls City without th ability to provide electricity to all city customers. 

Utility Superintendent Ray Luhring said with proper care and maintenance the new general could last anywhere from 30 – 60 years.  

Major improvements have been made in recent years to the water plant at Rulo,  the wastewater treatment plant and now the new generator.  

The next major improvement  is expected to be  have bids before the City Council later this month.  The project is a major improvement to the electrical distribution system in Falls City.  

(KAIR)--An arrest warrant is issued for an Atchison man suspected of pulling the trigger during an early Sunday morning Atchison shooting that left a man injured.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson Monday told MSC News the warrant was issued Sunday. “On Sunday afternoon, our detectives obtained an arrest warrant for 31-year-old Kevin V. Maxey, Jr., of Atchison. The [Police Department’s] Special Response Team did execute a search warrant at the suspect's residence on Sunday evening, but he was not located, so the search for Kevin Maxey continues.”

Maxey is wanted for attempted second degree murder.

Anyone who knows his whereabouts is urged to call police at 913-367-4323.

The shooting occurred shortly before 3:00 Sunday morning in a vacant lot in the 1100 block of North 8th Street where a group of around 20 people had gathered. “What we do know is that there were several people in this group that began an argument,” Wilson told MSC News. “The victim was actually not part of that argument but was standing nearby. As the argument escalated, the suspect produced a handgun and fired several shots off that struck the victim.”

The 42-year-old victim was shot twice and transported to a St. Joseph, Missouri hospital by Atchison County EMS for treatment.

As of early Monday afternoon, the man remained hospitalized.

Wilson said officers and detectives have worked around the clock since the time of the shooting, interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence, and conducting other investigative tasks.

(KAIR)--A closure on a Wathena highway means motorists will need to use an alternate route.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, the closure of the westbound left turn lane at the U.S. Highway 36/St. Joseph Street intersection, at Wathena, will be closed from 9:00 Tuesday morning until 3:00 in the afternoon.

The closure is necessary to repaint the turn arrows just east of St. Joseph Street.

( KMZA)--Several city and school board positions in Nemaha County will be filled by write-in voters during the November 5 general election after no candidate filed by Monday’s deadline to place their name on the ballot.

They include a seat on the Seneca City Council and a position on the Nemaha Central USD 115 Board of Education.

No one filed for the Seneca 2nd Ward Council seat, which is currently held by Steve Bennett.

Mayor Joe Mitchell, City Treasurer Kathy O’Brien, 1st Ward Council member Ray Shinn and 3rd Ward Council member Michael Stallbaumer will face no opposition in their bid for re-election.

No one filed for position one on the USD 115 Board.  The position is currently held by Gary Neihues.

Board members Amy Huerter, Jason Hammes and Owen Zinke will face no opposition.

There will be a contested race for position one on the Prairie Hills USD 113 Board.  Ken Cannon is challenging Jim Scoby in his bid for re-election.

Board members Kathy Lippert, Leslie Scoby and Kent Saylor will face no opposition.    

There will be no contested races for three seats up for election on the Sabetha City Commission.   No one filed to challenge Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Nick Aberle, Commissioner of Utilities Norm Schmitt and Commissioner of Streets Julie Lancaster-Burenheide.

With no candidates filing, write-in votes will determine who fills the position of mayor and two council seats in Corning along with the position of mayor and five council seats in Oneida.  

(KNZA)--A public health advisory continues for a local lake.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, in a news release issued Thursday, said the Atchison County State Fishing Lake is among three lakes in the state under watch status for blue-green algae.

A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algae bloom is present or likely to develop.  

People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.

KDHE says boating and fishing are safe.  However, direct contact with the water should be avoided.

Any fish caught should be cleaned thoroughly with only the fillet portion eaten.

(KMZA)--Kansas Governor Laura Kelly will visit Nemaha County later this month.

According to a news release from Nemaha County Democratic Chairperson Jolene Bloom, the Democratic governor will speak at the Nemaha County Community Building in Seneca Monday, June 24 at 6:00 in the evening.

Bloom said families are invited to attend and meet Governor Kelly as she shares her thoughts on the 2019 Kansas Legislative session, followed with
“ questions and answers” by the public.  

Registration of new voters will be offered by the Nemaha County Clerk’s  Office during her visit.

Bloom said the doors will open at 5:00 that evening.  Area residents are invited to drop by an enjoy some light refreshments before Governor Kelly appearance.  

The evening is free and no RSVP is required.

(KNZA)--There will be several contested races for Jackson County school board  positions and a position on the Holton City Commission this November.

That comes following the June 1 filing deadline.

There are two contested races for positions on the Holton USD 336 Board.  Incumbent Rex Frazier is being challenged by Jennifer Taylor for position 1.  Incumbent Shelby Patch and Jennifer Willcott are vying for position 3.  Incumbent board members Orin Marshall and Dena Swisher are running unopposed.

There is one contested race for a position on the Royal Valley USD 337 Board.  Jacob “ Tug” Wamego and Michael Boswell are vying for position one.  The position is currently held by Jim O’Toole, who did not seek re-election.  Board members Boone Smith, Pat Tuck and Cindy Broxterman are facing no opposition in their bids for re-election.

There are no contested races for four positions up for election on the Jackson Heights USD 335 Board.  Incumbents David Allen, Melinda Wareham, Neal Keeler and Konrad Coe filed for re-election.

There is one contested race for a position on the Holton City Commission.  Incumbent Mike Meerpohl is being challenged by R. Norman Johnson for position 2.  Incumbent Dan Brenner is running unopposed for re-election to position 4.

The general election will be held November 5.
   

(KNZA)--A former Royal Valley teacher and coach has been hired as the new principal at Royal Valley Elementary School.

During a special meeting May 28, the USD 337 Board of Education approved a contract with Justin Moore for the position.

Moore served as an English teacher at Royal Valley Middle School during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years.  He also coached.

For the past three years, he has taught fifth grade at Meadows Elementary School, in Topeka.

Moore will replace Noah Slay, who will serve as the district’s director of curriculum and instruction.  Slay has served as principal since the 2013-14 school year.

(KAIR)--One person is hospitalized following an early Sunday morning shooting in the city of Atchison.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News early Sunday afternoon police are continuing to investigate as they search for the man suspected of pulling the trigger.

Wilson said it happened shortly before 3:00 Sunday morning, in the 1100 block of North 8th Street where a group of around 20 had been gathered in a vacant lot.

Wilson said the victim suffered two gun shot wounds and was transported to a Saint Joseph, Missouri hospital for treatment. He is identified only as a 42-year-old man.

The name of the suspect is not immediately made public.

(KAIR)--A suspicious package, found at an Atchison home late Sunday morning, was found to pose no threat.

That confirmation is provided by Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, who told MSC News the package was discovered around 10:00 outside of a residence in the 600 block of South 6th Street. “We were joined at the scene by Officers with the Leavenworth Police Department’s Bomb and Explosive Squad, who came to the scene and have been there with us for the past several hours.”

As of 12:15 Sunday afternoon, the area where the package was discovered was blocked off to passersby.

“It had the appearance of being suspicious, whether or not it was an explosive device or some type of bomb,” Wilson said, adding that investigators now know it was not an explosive device.

Wilson said the investigation is ongoing. “It is a suspicious package that’s still being investigated.”

No suspects are immediately named.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The state is asking anyone who bought a rhododendron plant at Walmart stores in Kansas since April to destroy them.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture reported Friday that confirmed cases of the Sudden Oak Death disease have been found in rhododendrons sold at 60 Walmarts in Kansas and one Home Depot in Pittsburg.

The plant disease has infected trees and native plants in California and Oregon and has also been identified in 10 Midwestern states. It is the first time the disease is in Kansas.

The diseased plants sold in Kansas originated from the Park Hill Plants nursery in Oklahoma.

The plants must be destroyed because there is no cure for the disease.

The plants should be burned or double-bagged and thrown away. The root ball should also be thrown out.

The disease poses no risk to humans or animals.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — May was the wettest month in Kansas history.

The Kansas State University Weather Data Library says average rainfall in May was 10.26 inches, the wettest month on records going back 125 years.

The Kansas News Service reports the deluge broke the previous record set in June 1951.

In addition, 19 weather stations recorded monthly totals of more than 20 inches.

The rainfall was uneven but followed typical patterns of being drier in the west and wetter in the east. Southeast Kansas stations averaged 17 inches in May, while west central Kansas stations averaged only 5.31 inches, which is still 175% of normal rainfall for the region in May.

The amount of water moving through the state was the highest the U.S. Geological Survey's Kansas Water Science Center has ever seen.

(KLZA)-- A Sabetha man is facing multiple charges in Richardson County.

The Richardson County Sheriff's Office reports 29-year-old Brendan Leonard was arrested Wednesday afternoon on a warrant for use of a firearm to commit a felony, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, two counts of terroristic threats, two counts of assault and two counts of disturbing the peace.

Leonard was booked into the Richardson County Jail.

No other information is available at this time.

( KNZA News)--The Holton Community Hospital is moving closer to reaching its two million dollar fund raising campaign goal for a proposed hospital expansion and renovation project.

According to a press release from the hospital, a group of about forty people gathered on the patio at Boomers’ Steakhouse and Grill Wednesday evening to hear an update on the "Embrace the Future Capital Campaign."

The community members cheered as the 8 foot tall campaign thermometer was revealed showing a total pledged of $1,459,145.   That leaves just over $140,000 needed to reach the matching point for a challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation.

Hospital CEO Carrie Saia explained once the hospital reaches $1.6 million in pledges and breaks ground, the Mabee Foundation will award the hospital $400,000 in cash.  Saia said that will hit their $2 million goal.  

She thanked those in the community that have supported the proposed project and reminded the group that the hospital still needs the community’s help to reach the goal.

A new website has been dedicated to the project at  www.hchfoundation.net .  Campaign Manager Ari Hunniford said you can see plans, learn about upcoming events and even pledge or donate on the page.

Hunniford also announced another round hospital tours.  The tours will be held June 18 at 2 p.m., June 19 at 7 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. and June 20 at noon.  Private tours are also available.

(KLZA)-- A rural Falls City man is facing several charges after he fled the scene following a Wednesday night crash after the Falls City Police Department attempted to make a traffic stop.

The Falls City Police Department reports officer Zach Ractliffe attempted to stop a southbound pickup on Fulton Street at approximately 11 o'clock. The pickup driver continued south in an attempt to elude law enforcement and allegedly was traveling at speeds over 40 miles per hour on the city street.

The driver continued south, crossed the railroad tracks south of 4th and Fulton. A short distance later the driver lost control of the pickup. The pickup traveled into the northbound lane and left the roadway on the east side of the road, went into a ditch, hit a culvert at a high rate of speed, causing the pickup to overturn going end over end.

The pickup came to rest on its top and the driver crawled out and fled the scene.

On Thursday, 22-year-old Bailey Witt, turned himself into the Falls City Police Department.

Witt was cited for driving while suspended, fleeing to avoid arrest, speeding, stop sign violation and failure to signal.

(KNZA)--The Pony Express will ride again across the American West.

A re-run of the famed mail service will take place beginning Monday ( June 10) through June 20 by the National Pony Express Association.

Commemorative letters and personal mail will be carried by horse and rider relays from the Missouri River to the Sacramento River.  The first rider will depart from the Patee House in St. Joseph, Missouri Monday afternoon at 3:00, with the last rider riding into the Pony Express Plaza in Old Sacramento, California the afternoon of June 20.

The route will be over the Pony Express National Historic Trail.  From Missouri, the mail will travel 1,966 miles through Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada, to California.

600 riders are to take part, riding relays of 1-5 miles each.  

The re-ride honors the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company founded by Russell, Majors and Waddell, a Missouri freighting firm.  It carried letters and telegrams from April 1860 to November 1861, to prove the Central Route through Salt Lake and Placerville, passable year-round and win a proposed federal mail contract.   

(KLZA)-- A longtime Southeast Nebraska pharmacist is being remembered.

Densel Fankhauser, of Tecumseh and formerly of DuBois, died Wednesday, June 5 at the age of 93.

Following his  release from the Navy in 1946, Fankhausker graduated from the College of Pharmacy at the University of Nebraska.  

Following graduation he returned to DuBois and started a small drug store.  In 1954 Fankauser started to work at the Colwell  Drug Store in Pawnee City.

In 1957 he moved to Tecumseh to work for the Nachtigall Drug Store.  In 1969 he and his wife Irene purchased Chief Drug in Tecumseh and worked there until they sold the store in 1991.

Densel continued to work at the store part-time until July of 2015. In all, he spent 65 years in the pharmacy profession. 

Fankhauser was also a co-founder of the former Maple Grove Nursing home in Tecumseh.

Funeral services for Densel Fankhauser will be Monday morning at 11 at the St. Paul's United Church of Christ ( Maple Grove) of rural Tecumseh with an interment service Monday afternoon at 2 at the Friedens United Church of Christ Cemetery of rural Bern, Kansas. 

(KNZA)--Following Monday’s filing deadline, there will be a number of contested races this November for city and school board positions in Doniphan County.

In addition, there will be a contested race for three open positions on the Highland Community College Board of Trustees.  Seeking those positions are incumbents Ken Huss, Russell Karn and Carl Tharman along with Bill Noll and Mark Rounds.

Three candidates are vying for the at-large position on the Doniphan West USD 111 Board.  They include Amanda Clary, Dustin Libel and Brandon Whetstine.  The position is currently held by Stephanie Peterson who did not seek re-election.

Six candidates are seeking three open seats in District 1 on the Riverside USD 114 Board.  They include incumbents Sue Bartley and Tina Kimberlin along with Jake Benitz, Jeff Harman, Samuel Meers and Erin Shackelford.

Two candidates are vying for the at-large position on the USD 114 Board.  They include Jessica Herbster and Brett Nelson.  The position is currently held by Peggy Libel who did not file for re-election.

Five candidates are seeking four at-large positions on the Troy USD 429 Board.  They include incumbents Nathan Geiger and Jason Winder along with Stephen Bowe, Michael Grable and Timothy Grable.

In Elwood, six candidates are vying for three open seats on the city council.  They include incumbents, Travis Holcomb, Sam Meers and Dustin Robinson along with Paula Hunsaker, Darrell Lamme and Megan Shackelford.

Timmy Kieser, Sr. is running unopposed for Elwood mayor.

Highland Mayor Charles Batchelder is being challenged by Scott Huss in his bid for re-election.

Three candidates are seeking two open seats on the Highland City Council.  They include Marty Allen, Danny Collins and Dennis Lentz.

In Wathena, four candidates are vying for two open seats on the city council.  They include incumbents Bob Halter and Ron Meers along with Aaron Cluck and Tom Miller.

John Cluck is running unopposed in his bid for re-election as Wathena Mayor.        

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved use of Stanton Lake Park for the National Night Out event scheduled for August 6 during their Monday evening meeting.

The Falls City Police Department sponsors the program with the assistance of most other City departments as well as other entities around the area and around the state.

Officer Zach Ractliffe provided information to the Council, noting that Stanton Lake Park offers enough space for all the displays as well as some shade for those visiting.

City Administrator Gary Jorn said the program grows every year and if you want to help out, you are welcome. If you are interested in helping you can contact City Hall at 402-245-2707.

The program has won awards from the National Night Out program each of the past several years.

(KLZA)-- The 8th Annual Tractor Relay Across Nebraska is rolling across Southeast Nebraska this week.

40 -50 antique tractors are expected to pass through the area Thursday through Saturday.

Friday morning the tractors leave Syracuse at 8:30 and should arrive in Talmage around 10 for a break. From Talmage the tractors head for Coryell Park in Nemaha County for a noon meal. They will then proceed to Brownville.

Saturday is the last day of the the annual event with the tractors headed out of Brownville at 8:30 A.M. headed for Indian Cave State Park for a drive through the park and a fish fry.

During the stop at Indian Cave, the tractors will be on display from 12:30 – 3:30 and a presentation of donations for Operation Comfort Warriors will be made.

At 3:00 P.M., the tractors head out on the final leg of this years journey. The Richardson County Historical Museum in Falls City will host an ice cream social for the drivers at 4:30 and again the tractors will be on display before they are loaded up and hauled home.

(KNZA)--Renovation of the old Hiawatha Lodge motel, which has been vacant for a  number of years, continues.

Owner Mary Ananzeh provided an update to the Hiawatha City Commission this week.

Renovation of the old motel began last October, with removal of the dilapidated catwalk to the second-floor rooms on the south wing building, which the city had deemed as unsafe.

Ananzeh says they are currently working on the interior of the main building.  She says they have been painting, put up some new ceiling tiles and doing some repair work in the rooms. In addition, Ananzeh said they got some furniture for the rooms and put in air conditioners.

Ananzeh said they had hoped to be able to re-open the motel by Memorial Day weekend but the inclement weather delayed their plans, and now hope to be able to do so in a couple of months. “It’s a hard project, but...it's going to be really awesome once it opens. It’s amazing what we have done inside. Yes, its going to take some time yet. There’s some more work to be done. We have the carpeting to do and then will do the parking lot as well.”

Ananzeh sought approval of a license for MC Custom Welding, of Atchison,  who has been hired to construct the new catwalk.

The Commission approved the license as part of the consent agenda.

In other business, the Commission approved the hiring of David Wilson as the city’s new code enforcement official/building inspector at a salary of $17 an hour.

Wilson replaces Curt Clark who stepped down after holding the part-time position for a short time.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is facing charges in connection with the sale of methamphetamine.

According to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 40-year-old Darren Powell was arrested Wednesday night on an Atchison County District Court Warrant.

Laurie told MSC News the warrant was issued following a February investigation that was launched after his office received numerous complaints from the public about suspected drug activity in the 800 block of Kansas Avenue, in Atchison. “From time to time we get these complaints in certain areas of the city, and in the county, and we try to take care of them,” Laurie said. “We were definitely getting a lot of complaints about this area, and hopefully this [arrest] will help alleviate that problem.”

The warrant charges Powell with distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of paraphernalia with intent to distribute, unlawful use of a communication facility in the distribution of a controlled substance, and no drug tax stamp.

The alleged crimes occurred near Atchison’s Central School.

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

His bond is set at $50,000.

(KAIR)--A high speed pursuit, including shots fired, leads to one arrest after it came to an end in Doniphan County.

According to a news release from Wathena Police Chief Jared Ratzlaff, it happened on the afternoon of June 1, with the pursuit beginning in Cameron, Missouri.

Wathena Police were notified of the chase by Missouri authorities and became involved as the suspect vehicle traveled just east of the Wathena City limits.

Continuing on U.S. Highway 36, the vehicle, on the west edge of Wathena, left the road and went into a ditch in what the release said was an attempt to pass another vehicle. The driver, identified as Michael Moses, drove out of the ditch and hit the pursuing Wathena Officer’s patrol vehicle on the front passenger side bumper.

After the collision, Moses allegedly drove back into the ditch, and the officer maneuvered his vehicle to keep Moses from reentering the highway.

Moses, of Kansas City, Missouri, was arrested shortly before 2:00.

According to the release, the pursuit began after a Missouri officer attempted to stop Moses in connection with a case of shoplifting at the Cameron Wal-Mart.

Moses was booked into the Doniphan County Jail. His bond is set at $100,000.

Moses made his first appearance in Doniphan County District Court Wednesday.

According to the court clerk’s office, he is charged in two separate cases.

In the first case, Moses is charged with a felony count of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and a misdemeanor count of reckless driving.

In the second case, he is charged with a felony count of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, fleeing or attempting to elude, and reckless driving.

According to the release from Wathena Police, Moses also faces a DeKalb County, Missouri charge of 1st degree armed assault.

A preliminary hearing is set for June 19.

(KAIR)--An annual celebration of unity returns to Atchison this weekend, as the Juneteenth event happens at Atchison’s LFM Park both Saturday and Sunday.

Brian Hagen talked to Board Member Donald Bratton about the ceremonies, that get underway Saturday morning at 11:30 with a parade.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska homeowners with major flood damage to their property may be able to get a tax break using forms released by the state Department of Revenue.
 
The department announced Wednesday that the form is now available for residents who qualify.
 
Lawmakers passed a measure this year that allows damaged properties to get reassessed for property tax purposes. The reassessed value of a destroyed property will become the value of the property for the whole tax year.
 
 It's intended for owners of real property who experienced significant damage as a result of a calamity that happened between Jan. 1 and July 1 of the current assessment year. The property owner may file the form with the county assessor and county clerk on or before July 15.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners continue to hold for review a pair of claims filed by two Richardson County Deputy Sheriff's.

Tuesday the Board held a claim from Deputy Clinton Stonebarger for $2,341 and one from Deputy Lyle McMann for $2,764. Richardson County Clerk Mary Eickhoff included a note in the unofficial meeting minutes sent to MSC News that Commissioners are getting clarification from the County's attorney who practices labor law and who worked to develop the current Richardson County Employee Handbook on the matter.

The deputies filed claims for back pay for working 10 hours shifts on holidays and being paid for eight hours and believe they should be compensated for all 10 hours at a rate of time-and-a-half.

In a letter supporting his claim, Deputy Stonebarger says he found several benefits that apply to the Road Department that do not apply to other county departments and employees, and he feels all county employees should be treated equally.

Deputy McMann stated in a letter with his claim, that his concerns are of being treated equally with the Department of Roads. McMann said in the letter, that Commissioners have said in the past, the Sheriff's Office couldn't get better insurance benefits because it wouldn't be fair to the other County employees.

McMann says that his grievance against the County, is that when comparing his shift and pay to the County Road Department contract, it's his belief, the benefits are not fair.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission has received the site plan for the  proposed Solider Creek Wind Farm in the southern portion of the county.

The site plan, which was reviewed by the Commission Monday, shows the proposed location of about 120 wind turbines.

Commissioners anticipate reviewing the plan for at least two weeks before voting on its approval and releasing it to the public.

The Commission held a 90-minute executive session with special attorney James Neeld.

Neeld announced following the closed door session that the county is in the process of selecting members to serve on an advisory committee to determine the viability of enacting a zoning ordinance, either limited or broad, for the county.

Last month, the Commission approved a resolution placing a six-month moratorium on any new utility project.

The resolution bans any requests to use the roads, infrastructure or other public areas of the county during the period.

It does not apply to the Soldier Creek Wind farm development proposed by Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources.  

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri utility regulators have approved the acquisition of a large wind energy project by a Chicago firm.

The decision Wednesday by the state Public Service Commission was a necessary step for Invenergy to buy the rights to construct the proposed Grain Belt Express power line.

The project initiated by Houston-based Clean Line Energy Partners would carry Kansas wind energy on a 780-mile path across Missouri and Illinois before hooking into an electric grid in Indiana that serves eastern states.

Missouri regulators earlier this year reversed their previous denials and gave the green light to the project. Missouri legislators then tried but failed to prohibit eminent domain for the project.

But the project still needs regulatory approval in Illinois, where an appeals court last year overturned the state's previous approval. Invenergy's acquisition also needs approval in Kansas.

(KNZA)--A motorcycle crash has claimed the life of a former Wathena man.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports it happened last Friday evening ( May 31) in Franklin County.

According to the Patrol report, 52-year-old Robert Cluck was westbound on John Brown Highway, west of Osawatomie,  when his Harley Davidson motorcycle went off the highway while going around a curve.

Cluck and his 57-year-old wife, Pamela Cluck, who was a passenger, both fell from motorcycle as it went down an embankment.

Robert Cluck, who was not wearing a helmet, was transported to an area hospital where he later died.

Pamela Cluck, who was wearing a helmet, was transported to the Overland Park Regional Medical Center with what the Patrol described as suspected serious injury.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff’s Department is voicing support for a petition being circulated which calls for lowering the speed limit on a portion of U.S. Highway 36, west of Hiawatha.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, in a news release, said he has received many complaints from local residents regarding near-miss head-on collisions at the location known locally as the Wal-Mart curves.

The petition, which calls for the speed limit to be lowered from 65 mph to 45 mph, is circulated by Hiawatha resident Glenda Foley.

Currently, there is no mandatory requirement to reduce speed at the curves, although highway signs do warn motorists that the lower speed should be used at those locations.

Foley, who lives nearby, told MSC News the problem has become more noticeable due to increased traffic due to road closures caused by flooding. “This is dangerous right now, with all this extra truck traffic,” Foley said.

Seeing a social media post from Merchant regarding the issue, Foley decided to take action.

The petition is available to sign at the Sheriff’s Office, as well as some local area businesses.

For more details, Foley can be contacted at 785-742-3757.

(KNZA)--With an improvement in its financial position, the Hiawatha Community Hospital Board of Trustees has voted to reinstate the 2 percent wage reduction for employees implemented in January.

Hospital CEO John Broberg told the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening the Board of Trustees took the action when they met last week, which is effective July 1. “ Part of our plan that was in our budget this year was to give back that 2%. Our board approved that, based upon our financial performance.”

Broberg said a reinstatement of employee fringe benefits, also cut in January, will continue to be reassessed.

He said the hospital’s financial picture continues to improve. “The hospital has continued to be very busy. [For the] third month in a row we’ve exceeded $4 million in our gross billings, which is high for the hospital, so we’re seeing improved revenue. Our expenses, with all the initiatives that have been taken...are down about 18% compared to last year. The patient volumes have been up, and operating margin has improved. I think through March we were break even. For us, that would be very good, and we’re continuing to see improvements in our revenue cycle with our billing process and our collections.”

Brown County voters, during a May 21 special election, defeated by a 29-vote margin a proposed 10-year half-cent countywide retailers sales tax for health care services in the county. 80 percent of the proceeds would have gone to the Hiawatha Community Hospital and 20 percent to the city of Horton for health care services in the southern Brown County community.

After such a close vote, Broberg said the hospital is completing an assessment and will be forth coming with Plan B.

Broberg said the need for tax support to aide in meeting the hospital’s capital improvement needs and paying off its debt continues.

He also met Monday with the Brown County Commission and Horton City Commission to provide a financial update.

(KNZA)--A three-vehicle Wednesday afternoon Doniphan County wreck, just west of the Missouri state line on the Pony Express bridge, sent one person to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports traffic was stopped on the bridge when an eastbound semi tractor-trailer struck the rear of SUV, which then struck the rear of a car.

The driver of the SUV, 57-year-old St. Joseph resident Sarah Moppin, was transported to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, with what the Patrol described as a suspected minor injury.

The driver of the semi, from Utah, and the driver of the car, 47-year-old St. Joseph resident Anthony Kromko, were not hurt.

The Patrol says all three occupants were buckled up when the wreck occurred shortly after 3:45 Wednesday afternoon.
 

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council Monday night approved seeking a grant application to make further improvements to Prichard Auditorium.

Following a public hearing drawing no public comment the  Council approved seeking a grant of more than $36-thousand from the USDA Rural Development program for assistance with the sound system in the Auditorium.

A grant was awarded to make improvements to the sound  system a few years back. Although the grant was awarded, City Administrator Gary Jorn said the program ran out of funds and the grant money was never received.   

In other business the Council approved having the City Attorney prepare an amendment to a City Zoning Ordinance that would allow private garages in the Downtown Commercial District as recommended by the Planning Commission. 
 

(KAIR)---Atchison is now added to the list of counties included in the state disaster proclamation signed May 9 by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.

Other included local counties are Doniphan, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha, and Pottawatomie.

There are a total of 63 counties listed with the proclamation.

Meanwhile, 33 Kansas counties are included with the emergency federal disaster declaration from President Donald Trump.

Locally, those include Doniphan, Jefferson, Leavenworth, and Marshall.

According to a news release from the Kansas Adjutant General’s Office, an emergency declaration supplements state and local government efforts for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe through direct federal assistance for emergency protective measures.

According to the release, river and lake levels continue a downward trend in Kansas.

Locally, Perry Reservoir is releasing water at 10,000 cubic feet per second with a target of reducing the flood pool to 80 percent of its capacity, a little more than one foot below the current level.

(KNZA)--A Topeka man, accused of making threats on social media that led to a lockdown at the Royal Valley High School last August, has been  placed on probation.

A jury trial, which had been scheduled last week in Jackson County District Court for 20-year-old Braden Crowder, was cancelled after he pleaded no contest May 24 to a misdemeanor charge of harassment by telecommunication device.  In exchange for the plea, a felony charge of criminal threat was dismissed.

Crowder was given a suspended  jail sentence and placed on six-months probation.

As a condition of his probation, The Holton Recorder reports Crowder was ordered to prepare and submit letters of apology to the victims and school.

The high school in Hoyt was placed on a “ modified lockdown” for several hours on August 29 after a series of alleged criminal threats over social media toward a group of students at the school.

Classes continued during the lockdown but all exterior doors remained locked.

The lockdown was lifted after Crowder was taken into custody later in the day in Topeka.    

(KNZA)--A magistrate judge vacancy in Doniphan County has been filled.

Governor Laura Kelly announced Tuesday the appointment of Laura Johnson-McNish, of Marysville, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of longtime 22nd Judicial District Magistrate Judge Roy Roper, of Troy.

Roper retired effective March 31 after serving the past 18 years on the bench.

Johnson-McNish has spent the last eight years as the Marshall County Attorney.  Before working in Marshall County, she was a deputy director of the Kansas Department of Revenue's Division of Property Valuation.

In making the appointment, Governor Kelly said Johnson-McNish, who grew up in Doniphan County, brings an extensive understanding of the law and law enforcement, and knows the 22nd Judicial District inside and out.

Johnson-McNish said she's honored Governor Kelly chose her for the position and is excited to be back full time in Doniphan County.

The magistrate judge position will be on the ballot in 2020.     

(KNZA)--A primary election will be needed to narrow the field of candidates for a position on the Horton City Commission.

The Brown County Clerk’s Office reports Richard Lovelady filed before Monday’s deadline for Parks and Recreation Commissioner, forcing a primary election.

Lovelady joins James Stuart, Glen Obbards and incumbent Bobby Bacon in vying for the position.  Bacon was appointed to the position last July to fill the unexpired term of Jeremy Forkenbrock.

The top two vote-getters during the August 6 primary election will advance to the November 5 general election ballot.

Also the Brown County Clerk’s Office reports that Ian Schuetz filed before Monday’s deadline for re-election to position 3 on the Hiawatha USD 415 Board of Education.  Schuetz is running unopposed.

(KLZA)-- Nebraska Public Power District officials are investigating the cause of a false activation of several warning sirens in the vicinity of the Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville Tuesday morning.

According to an NPPD release a problem with the Alert and Notification System occurred at approximately 8:16 A.M.

The false system alarm activated several sirens near the plant. There were no problems at the plant that would have required activation of the sirens, and at no time was there a threat to the residents of the area around the Cooper Nuclear Plant.

(KNZA)--A late Monday afternoon single-vehicle wreck on a Doniphan County road claimed the life of an Atchison man.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says killed in the wreck at 548 Friendship Road in rural Bendena was 54-year-old Jay Jewell.

The Patrol reports Jewell was southbound on Friendship Road when his pickup truck left the roadway to the west.  He overcorrected and his vehicle left the roadway to east, where it struck a culvert and rolled.

Jewell, who was the lone occupant in his vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Patrol says he was not buckled up when the wreck happened shortly after 5:30.   
 

(KNZA)--An arrest has been made in connection with a burglary last month at a Hiawatha business, which was caught on surveillance video.

19-year-old Michael Fetty, of Hiawatha, was arrested Saturday following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department into an early May 23 break-in at Henry's Retail Liquor located in the 12-hundred block of Oregon Street.

The arrest followed Fetty voluntarily turning himself in to authorities. 

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill told MSC News that Fetty was formally charged Monday in Brown County District Court with one felony count each of burglary and criminal damage to property, along with a misdemeanor count of theft.

Fetty made his first appearance in court Monday, and a preliminary hearing was set for June 13.

Hill said bond was set at $25,000 cash or surety.

Fetty remains in the Brown County Jail.

Investigator Mickey Gruber with the Hiawatha Police Department said additional arrests are possible.

(KMZA)--Repair work is beginning at the Sabetha dam that was at the center of a flash flood warning issued last week.

According to a release from Brown County Emergency Management Coordinator James Stuart, the water level of the Sabetha Lake has fallen to a level that allows for work to be conducted in order to make the dam safe.

The lowered lake level follows a break from recent heavy rainfall.

Stuart said more extensive repairs are planned at a later date, weather permitting.

The current status of the dam will also allow for the future reopening of the 220th and Bittersweet Road area that has been closed for precautionary reasons based on possible dam failure.

As of last week, a sink hole that developed below the watershed dam was receding. On Friday, Nemaha County Emergency Preparedness Director Russel Lierz said the sinkhole was two feet lower, and the inflow into the dam area had returned to normal.

The dam is located a mile south of Sabetha, in Nemaha County, Kansas, above the Sabetha wastewater plant.

Due to flooding concerns, the National Weather Service, on the afternoon of May 30, issued a Flash Flood Warning that called the failure of the dam “imminent.”

The Emergency Alert System was also activated at that time.

However, that claim was disputed by both local and state officials, with Lierz saying no breach was imminent.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture issued a statement saying that maps developed by the agency showed that areas the weather service claimed would be impacted by flooding were not accurate.

MSC News has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the National Weather Service seeking details regarding the issuance of the warning.

(KMZA)--Repair work is beginning at the Sabetha dam that was at the center of a flash flood warning issued last week.

According to a release from Brown County Emergency Management Coordinator James Stuart, the water level of the Sabetha Lake has fallen to a level that allows for work to be conducted in order to make the dam safe.

The lowered lake level follows a break from recent heavy rainfall.

Stuart said more extensive repairs are planned at a later date, weather permitting.

The current status of the dam will also allow for the future reopening of the 220th and Bittersweet Road area that has been closed for precautionary reasons based on possible dam failure.

As of last week, a sink hole that developed below the watershed dam was receding. On Friday, Nemaha County Emergency Preparedness Director Russel Lierz said the sinkhole was two feet lower, and the inflow into the dam area had returned to normal.

The dam is located a mile south of Sabetha, in Nemaha County, Kansas, above the Sabetha wastewater plant.

Due to flooding concerns, the National Weather Service, on the afternoon of May 30, issued a Flash Flood Warning that called the failure of the dam “imminent.”

The Emergency Alert System was also activated at that time.

However, that claim was disputed by both local and state officials, with Lierz saying no breach was imminent.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture issued a statement saying that maps developed by the agency showed that areas the weather service claimed would be impacted by flooding were not accurate.

MSC News has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the National Weather Service seeking details regarding the issuance of the warning.

(KMZA)--Repair work is beginning at the Sabetha dam that was at the center of a flash flood warning issued last week.

According to a release from Brown County Emergency Management Coordinator James Stuart, the water level of the Sabetha Lake has fallen to a level that allows for work to be conducted in order to make the dam safe.

The lowered lake level follows a break from recent heavy rainfall.

Stuart said more extensive repairs are planned at a later date, weather permitting.

The current status of the dam will also allow for the future reopening of the 220th and Bittersweet Road area that has been closed for precautionary reasons based on possible dam failure.

As of last week, a sink hole that developed below the watershed dam was receding. On Friday, Nemaha County Emergency Preparedness Director Russel Lierz said the sinkhole was two feet lower, and the inflow into the dam area had returned to normal.

The dam is located a mile south of Sabetha, in Nemaha County, Kansas, above the Sabetha wastewater plant.

Due to flooding concerns, the National Weather Service, on the afternoon of May 30, issued a Flash Flood Warning that called the failure of the dam “imminent.”

The Emergency Alert System was also activated at that time.

However, that claim was disputed by both local and state officials, with Lierz saying no breach was imminent.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture issued a statement saying that maps developed by the agency showed that areas the weather service claimed would be impacted by flooding were not accurate.

MSC News has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the National Weather Service seeking details regarding the issuance of the warning.

Editor's note: Brown County Sheriff John Merchant issued the following release Monday morning.

(KNZA)--I spoke with MoDOT last week and again this morning and they confirmed  that portions of  I-29 in Iowa are shut down.  I-29 north of St Joe is closed at Rockport and they are only allowing local traffic.

They advised that this could last for several weeks or more depending on  the rains that are forecasted for  most of this week.  They will keep me undated on the road conditions as they become available.

Most of the people that are driving reckless,  passing up hills, speeding etc are drivers new to our area, not our local folks. I appreciate our county residents for their patience during this time of high traffic.  Believe me,  this high traffic is putting a strain on all of us.

I want to remind everyone to make sure and allow yourselves extra time, try to stay calm and not give in to road rage, if you are following a long line of vehicles at a slower pace--relax and follow at a safe distance--I want you to arrive alive at your location.  Always wear your seatbelt and  especially make sure your passengers and children are too.

Farmers are trying to make up lost time in the fields due to the wet weather, please allow them proper distance if you encounter them during your travels.

Deputies and other agencies will be patrolling and issuing citations again as per our last period of high traffic to help keep issues to a minimum.

As always, please contact our office if there are issues of concern.

(KAIR)--Two of the most recent inductees into the Kansas Teacher’s Hall of Fame are both involved in Atchison education.

According to social media posts from Atchison’s USD 409, outgoing Superintendent Dr. Susan Myers and longtime district teacher Tricia Regan were both inducted during ceremonies held Saturday.

According to the post announcing Myers’ inclusion, inducting two from the same district has never happened in the history of the hall of fame, which is located in Dodge City.

Myers and Regan were among eight from across the state inducted into the class of 2019 Saturday.

Myers has served 42-years in education, including the last 12 spent as Superintendent of the Atchison schools.

Myers’ retirement becomes effective at the end of the month, prior to the start of the new school year.

Regan has spent 27-years teaching in Atchison. She currently teaches Kindergarten, a role she has held for 25-years.

(KNZA)--President Donald Trump has approved a federal emergency declaration for 15 additional Kansas counties hit by storms recently--including tornadoes.

According to a news release Saturday from the Kansas Adjutant General's office, the declaration includes the local counties of Doniphan, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall and Pottawatomie.  The release says additional counties may be added later.

“President Trump’s approval of additional counties will help us provide critical support and resources to communities to keep Kansans safe and rebuild,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We will continue to work closely with our local, state and federal partners during this challenging time.” 

The designation makes the counties eligible for federal support and resources to rebuild from the storm damage.

18 counties were originally named in the federal emergency declaration from President Trump.

(KNZA)--A third candidate has filed for a position on the South Brown County USD 430 Board of Education.

The Brown County Clerk’s Office reports Gary Miller, Jr. filed Friday for position 3.

Miller joins incumbent Laurence Berger and Carrie Miller in seeking the position.

Four positions are up for election on the board.

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

If more than three candidates file for a position, a primary election will be held August 6.  The general election is November 5.

(KMZA)--A Valley Heights teacher and coach is being remembered.

48-year-old Lamar " Lew" Whitson, III, of Blue Rapids, was killed Friday afternoon in a two-vehicle wreck at the intersection of U.S. 24 and U.S. 77 Highways in Riley County about 4 miles east of Riley.

His wife, Jill, also a teacher at Valley Heights, was seriously injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports Lew Whitson was southbound on U.S. 77 when a northbound car on U.S. 24 driven by 29-year-old Daniel Gray, of Lawrence, attempted to navigate a left turn and collided with his SUV.

Jill Watson was transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital.  The Patrol report does not indicate if the other two passengers in the SUV, 18-year-old Haylee Whitson and 12-year-old Emma Whitson, were injured.

Gray and a passenger in his vehicle were not hurt.

A candle vigil for the Whitson family was held Saturday night at the Valley Heights High School football stadium.

Funeral arrangements are pending.