(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners reviewed vive applications for the position of Richardson County Sheriff on Tuesday.

Three applicants will be interviewed for the position next Tuesday.

Selected for interviews were current Richardson County deputies Rick Hardesty Jr. and Lyle McMann. Current Falls City Police officer and former Richardson County deputy Mike Dougherty will also be interviewed.

The person selected to be the next Sheriff will fill the unexpired term of former Sheriff Don Pounds who resigned in July. The term will run until January, 2023.

(KLZA)-- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced this week the releases from Gavins Point Dam at Yankton, South Dakota will remain at 70-thousand cubic feet per second for the foreseeable future.

This is about double the normal release rate. John Remus, chief of the Missouri River Basin Water Management Division for the Corps of Engineers says even when release rates decrease, it will be a slow drop to about 55-thousand CFS and could remain higher.

Wintertime releases from Gavins Point on the Nebraska, South Dakota border might not drop below 20-thousand CFS and could remain higher.

The snow and rain runoff is on pace to be the second highest total in 121 years of record-keeping, according to the corps. All the snow has now melted, but not all of the melt has reached the reservoirs as of late last week. This means the reservoirs system continues to climb and has not yet reached its peak storage amount.

Remus says the corps is under pressure to release more water from the reservoirs, but notes the corps has to consider the potential negative effects downstream.

The corps expects it to be several years before the downstream levee system which has been severely compromised by this years flooding, will be repaired to pre-flood conditions.

(KAIR)--The Cummings woman killed this week in an Atchison County ATV accident is being remembered.

19-year-old Jentri Fowler was a 2018 graduate of Jefferson County North High School, which will serve as the location of a candlelight vigil planned for this evening.

According to information received from the school, and posted to social media, the vigil will begin at 9:00. It will be held between the high school and the tech center, located in Winchester.

Between 500 to 1,000 guests are expected to attend.

Fowler died Monday evening when she lost control of the ATV she was driving westbound in the 13000 block of 214th Road, in rural Atchison County.

According to the investigation conducted by the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Polaris Ranger ran into the south ditch of the road and rolled over several times, ejecting Fowler and her three passengers.

Transported to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, Missouri, Fowler was later pronounced dead.

A passenger, 18-year-old Jaycee Ernzen, of Cummings, was also transported to the hospital with what Atchison County Undersheriff Toby Smith called serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Another passenger was transported to the Atchison Hospital with a suspected minor injury. The other passenger was not hurt.

Funeral services for Fowler will be Monday morning in Atchison. 

(KAIR)--Construction of the Riverfront Trail Extension Project is set to proceed.

That’s according to a news release issued Tuesday by Atchison Assistant City Manager Justin Pregont.

The work, which will double the length of the existing trail at the Atchison Riverfront, had been planned to begin in March but was placed on hold due to Missouri River flooding.

Pregont earlier this year told MSC News the $330,000 project is being funded primarily through grants and contributions. $250,000 is funded through a federal Recreational Trails Grant, while an $80,000 contribution comes from the Atchison Riverfront Development Foundation. “The Atchison Riverfront Development Foundation is extremely pleased to see the vision of the trail extension continuing north along River Road and to be a part of its continued development,” Bob Adrian, Chair of the Foundation, said in the release. “It has always been the objective of the Foundation to continue improving and extending the trail for the enjoyment and recreation of the Atchison Community.”

The contractor for the Riverfront Trail Extension is Leavenworth-based Julius Kaaz Construction.

According to the City, the decision to postpone the start of the work due to floodingwas made through a mutual agreement with the firm.

The project remains on track for completion by the end of the year.

(KMZA)--A revised term sheet that sets out how and where the Soldier Creek Wind Farm will be built in southern Nemaha County has been approved.

The Nemaha County Commission unanimously approved the document Wednesday morning during a meeting at the Community Building in Seneca.

Following the action, special attorney James Neeld answered questions from the large crowd in attendance.

The new term sheet was released July 9 following months of negotiations between the county and the project developer, NextEra Energy Resources.

The document includes a map showing the location of  120 primary turbine sites and 12 alternate sites.  

The 132 sites indicated on the map are the only locations where turbines can be built, and the wind farm is capped at 300 megawatts for the life of the project.

With approval of the term sheet, work will now begin on separate contracts for road use and decommissioning the project after its useful life has ended. 

Construction can’t start until those two agreements are approved by the county.   

(KNZA)--A Valley Falls man has been convicted of the mistreatment of an elderly person.

According to a news release from the office of Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, 42-year-old Benjamin Thompson pleaded no contest last week in Jefferson County District Court to one felony count of mistreatment of an elder person.

The case stemmed from an investigation by the Department for Children and Families and the Valley Falls Police Department.

The release said the investigation revealed Thompson, through a power of attorney agreement, gained access to the financial resources of elderly person and used those resources for himself.

Thompson agreed to pay nearly $100,000 in restitution to the victim as well as a $2,500 fine as part of his sentencing.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 5.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is facing charges after he’s accused of threatening a woman with a gun.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News 29-year-old Jonathan Huff was arrested around 2:45 Saturday morning, following the report of a disturbance in the 1100 block of North 7th Street. “When they first got there, they did come in contact with a 29-year-old female who reported that [Huff] had been involved in a disturbance with her. [Huff] had actually struck her and had a handgun and pointed the gun at her and made some threats. When the officers arrived very quickly, [Huff] was leaving the area, and officers did spot him. They confronted him, he still had the gun in his hand. There was a little bit of a standoff between [an officer and Huff]. Eventually, the officer was able to get the gun away from him.”

Huff was arrested on charges including domestic battery, aggravated assault, and criminal possession of a firearm. “[The firearm charge] is based on certain prior criminal history [that] will prevent you from possessing a handgun. That includes a domestic violence conviction which he has in the past,” Wilson said.

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

According to Atchison County Undersheriff Toby Smith, Huff was found to be in possession of a controlled substance while he was being booked into the facility, leading to his arrest for trafficking contraband into the jail.

Huff has since been released on bond.

(KAIR)--A Kansas City, Kansas man is facing Atchison County charges following his alleged attempt to flee from authorities.

According to a release from Atchison County Undersheriff Toby Smith, deputies attempted to stop a car shortly after 1:15 Monday morning for a traffic infraction near U.S. Highway 73 and Raven Hill Road.

As the attempt was made, deputies learned that the same Ford Mustang had fled a short time earlier from Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Deputies, and it’s alleged the driver did the same during the Atchison County traffic stop attempt.

A pursuit began as the Mustang headed southbound on Sherman Road before quickly running off the road and getting stuck.

The driver, 27-year-old Isaiah Nathaniel Seahorn-Betts, was arrested for flee and elude and reckless driving. He was issued a notice to appear for speeding, driving left of center, and failure to dim headlights.

He was also wanted on an Allen County, Kansas arrest warrant.

Following his arrest, Seahorn-Betts was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

His bond is set at $10,000.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for Jefferson County Rural Water District #7 in Jefferson County.

KDHE issued the advisory Wednesday due to the loss of pressure in the system.  Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

KDHE says customers should boil the water they use for drinking or food preparation for one minute prior to use or use bottled water.

The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has approved for publication a proposed 2020 budget of $11.3 million that calls for a nearly half mill tax levy decrease.

The Commission took the action Monday.

The proposed budget contains an estimated tax rate of 31.471 mills, which is to generate more than $6.2 million in revenue.

Even though the mill levy will decrease the county will collect $174,000 in additional tax revenue due to more than $8 million increase in the county’s assessed valuation.

The Commission will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing at their August 12 meeting.

In other business, the Commission approved a resolution appointing Don Pounds as the county’s new emergency management coordinator, effective July 29.

The Commission voted last week to offer the full-time position to Pounds, who formerly served as Richardson County Sheriff.  He was among three candidates interviewed.

Pounds replaces James Stuart who was terminated last month.

(KNZA)--Doniphan County voters will decide during the November 5 general election whether the countywide one percent retailers sales tax should be renewed for additional 5 year period.

The County Commission Monday approved a resolution placing the sales tax initiative on the ballot.

Revenue from the sales tax would be used to finance capital improvement projects, road improvements, to update and modify the countywide 911 system and for property tax relief.

If approved by voters, the sales tax renewal would take effect October 1, 2020.

(KNZA)--The Board of Education for the South Brown County Schools of USD 430 has approved for publication a proposed 2019-20 budget that contains a  property tax levy decrease.

The Board approved the budget for publication during a special meeting Monday morning.

Superintendent Jason Cline went over the proposed budget with the Board.  It contains an estimated tax rate of 42.061 mills, which is down 1.3 mills over the 2018-19 budget.

Cline said they were able to lower the tax levy due to a little over $2 million increase in the district’s assessed valuation.

One mill will raise about $39,000.

The Board will consider adoption of the 2019-20 budget following a public hearing at their August 12 meeting.  

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central Board of Education is proposing a 2019-20 budget that calls for net expenditures of $10.5 million and a nearly one mill tax levy decrease.

Superintendent Darrel Kohlman said the Board approved the budget for publication during a special meeting July 24.

It contains a total estimated tax rate of 41.053 mills, which is generate nearly $3.6 million in revenue.

Since the 2015-16 school year, Kohlman said the district has maintain a levy around 41 mills.

The Board will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing at their August 12 meeting.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha sales tax street project is progressing.

Hiawatha City Administrator Mike Nichols provided an update to the City Commission Monday evening.

Nichols said the contractor, AHRS Construction, is pouring concrete in the 500 block of Miami Street and plan to be done in front of the elementary school a week before school begins.

Nichols said they’ve also started tearing out the existing road on 4th Street from Miami to Cheyenne, and plan on continuing to Green Court.  August 5, or soon after, they will pour concrete.

After 4th Street is complete, AHRS plans to move back to Miami Street and continue west to the railroad tracks.

Meanwhile, Nichols said the contractor on the brick street restoration project in the 600 block of Utah plans to have the project completed by Friday, if not sooner.

At the request of Streets Superintendent Nic Siebenmorgen, the Commission approved a crack sealing project on Oregon Street from 1st Street to the railroad tracks at a cost of $8,000.  Plans are to do the project before fall.

On the recommendation of Police Chief John Defore, the Commission approved a 50 cent an hour pay raise for Officer Justin Keller and promotion and 50 cent hour pay increase for Officer Trevor Fee, effective August 10.    

The Commission also approved an ordinance rezoning property located at 727 Iowa Street from a residential to industrial district to allow for the construction of storage units on the property.

The city Planning Commission had recommended approval of the zoning change.  

(KLZA)-- Falls City Volunteer fire fighters responded to a call at approximately 6 o'clock Tuesday morning.

A clothes dryer in the home at 2124 McLean Street was on fire. The only damage was to the dryer and to pillows inside the dryer.

Fire fighters were on the scene for about an hour.

There were no injuries reported.

(KLZA)-- A Falls City man is facing multiple charges following his arrest Sunday afternoon.

Falls City Police Department officers responded to a reported break-in that was in progress.

When officers entered the home they found 41-year-old Travis Sherman and the person who lives at the home.

During the course of the investigation it was discovered that a sexual assault had allegedly taken place. The investigation also determined that a sexual assault had allegedly occurred earlier this month at the same location.

Sherman was booked into the Richardson County Jail on two counts of sexual assault, burglary and two counts of false imprisonment.

(KAIR)--A Cummings woman is dead, killed Monday in an early evening Atchison County ATV accident.

According to Atchison County Undersheriff Toby Smith, 19-year-old Jentri Fowler was transported by Atchison County EMS to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, Missouri, where she later died from her injuries.

The accident occurred shortly after 6:00 in the 13000 block of 214th Road, in rural Atchison County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports Fowler was driving the Polaris Ranger westbound on 214th Road, with three other passengers aboard, when she lost control, sending the ATV into the south ditch. The vehicle rolled over several times, ejecting everyone, before stopping on the driver’s side.

18-year-old passenger Jaycee Ernzen, of Cummings, was transported to Mosaic Life Care for the treatment of what Smith called serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The KHP report states that another passenger, 20-year-old Ashley Pieper, of Lancaster, was transported to the Atchison Hospital for the treatment of a suspected minor injury, while 19-year-old Caden McAfee, of Valley Falls, was not hurt.

According to Fowler’s social media profile, she was a 2018 graduate of Jefferson County North High School, and a student at Kansas State University.

Editor's note: this story has been updated to reflect new information released in the investigation. 

(KLZA)-- Governor Mike Parson announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has agreed to the state’s request to provide federal assistance to local governments and nonprofits in 68 counties recovering from flooding and severe storms between April 29 and July 5. The approval of Missouri’s July 16 request means FEMA will assist with the cost of repairs to damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure, along with emergency response costs associated with the storms and flooding.

The counties approved for Public Assistance by FEMA are the following: Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Barry, Barton, Bates, Bollinger, Buchanan, Caldwell, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Clark, Cole, Dade, Dallas, Daviess, Douglas, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Holt, Howell, Jackson, Jasper, Knox, Laclede, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Maries, Marion, McDonald, Mercer, Miller, Mississippi, Monroe, Montgomery, New Madrid, Newton, Nodaway, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Pike, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Ray, Ste. Genevieve, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shannon, Shelby, Stoddard, Sullivan, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Wayne, Webster, and Wright.

“This is important news for local governments in these 68 Missouri counties because it means they’ll be receiving very substantial assistance in recovering from high disaster repair and response costs,” Governor Parson said. “I’m proud of the way Missourians are pulling together to recover from flooding and severe storms. This federal assistance will greatly assist in those efforts and speed the pace of recovery.”

FEMA’s decision also makes available assistance through its Hazard Mitigation Program to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property due to natural hazards.

Governor Parson said the state expects to request the Public Assistance disaster declaration to be expanded to include additional counties as joint teams can fully assess damage in other counties.

FEMA continues to review the state’s July 16 request to expand assistance to individual residents in the 25 counties of Adair, Barton, Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Christian, Clark, Cooper, Dallas, Douglas, Gasconade, Grundy, Harrison, Hickory, Howard, Jefferson, Laclede, Lewis, Macon, Marion, McDonald, Newton, Polk, Saline, St. Louis, and Ste. Genevieve.

President Trump’s July 9 disaster declaration was for flooding and severe storms and made the federal Individual Assistance program available to eligible residents in Andrew, Atchison, Boone, Buchanan, Carroll, Chariton, Cole, Greene, Holt, Jackson, Jasper, Lafayette, Lincoln, Livingston, Miller, Osage, Pike, Platte, Pulaski, and St. Charles counties. 

Through July 29, FEMA has approved more than 910 households for Individual Assistance grants and provided more than $4.2 million directly to Missouri flooding and storm survivors to assist with their recovery. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $1.7 million in low-interest loans for Missourians.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has paid more than $22 million to Missouri policyholders for flood claims filed since March. More than 1,524 claims have been filed.

To register for FEMA assistance, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or register by phone by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). Telephone registration is available 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. (local time), seven days a week.
 

(KAIR)--A September sentencing is set for the Atchison man convicted in connection with a shooting involving an Atchison Police Officer.

According to Atchison County District Court documents, a jury Thursday found 45-year-old Bryan Boldridge guilty of voluntary manslaughter following a three day trial.

He had faced a charge of attempted second degree murder, but the jury instead found him guilty of the lesser charge.

Sentencing for Boldridge is scheduled for the morning of September 13 in Atchison County District Court.

The judge has also ruled to reduce bond at the request of Boldridge’s attorney. Originally held on $150,000, the amount was reduced to $100,000 cash or surety.

As of Monday, Boldridge remained in the Atchison County Jail.

Boldridge was charged following what authorities said was a shooting that occurred October 31, 2018. It happened at an Atchison residence, located at North 4th and L Streets, where police were called to assist a utility company with a theft of service issue. The charges filed against Boldridge followed a KBI investigation that alleged that during the late morning response, he suffered injuries when the officer returned fire after Boldridge began shooting.

The officer was not hurt.

(KAIR)--An early Sunday morning Pottawatomie County UTV accident claimed the life of an Onaga man.

Two others, including a Jackson County resident, suffered injuries.

According to a news release from Pottawatomie County Sheriff Greg Riat 55-year-old Brad Marten was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which occurred north of Onaga, in the area of Onaga Road and Crevecoeur Road.

It was there that emergency crews, including Sheriff’s Deputies, Pottawatomie County EMS, and other first responders, found the Polaris UTV overturned in a ditch on Onaga Road.

Marten was driving the UTV which was also occupied by two passengers, including 49-year-old Tony Kuehl, of Hoyt, who was transported by EMS for treatment of his injuries.

37-year-old Onaga resident Preston Simmons was treated by EMS and released.

According to the investigation, the UTV was northbound on Onaga Road when it left the roadway and entered the west ditch where it overturned.

The fatal accident occurred shortly before 4:45 Sunday morning.

 LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A Nebraska prison that saw two deadly inmate uprisings in the last five years is getting a new warden.
 
The Department of Correctional Services announced Monday that Todd Wasmer has been chosen to oversee the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution in southeast Nebraska.
 
Wasmer assumes his duties in August. He will replace current warden Brad Hansen, who is retiring after 42 years with the department. Hansen has served as the prison's warden since 2016.
 
Wasmer most recently served as an assistant warden of the Eloy Detention Center in Arizona, a facility housing detainees for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. He was previously chief of security for the Citrus County Detention Facility in Florida.
 

The Tecumseh prison was the site of two deadly inmate uprisings in 2015 and 2017.
 

(KMZA)--A woman required hospital treatment following an early Sunday morning fire at a Seneca residence.

According to a release from the Seneca Police Department, the fire occurred around 1:45 at 7 East Amador, where the Seneca Fire and Police Departments responded.

When they arrived, the single-family home was found to be engulfed in flames, but the owner was not home.
However, a woman who was at the residence taking care of a dog suffered burn wounds. The release says Nemaha County EMS was called to a residence in Bern where she had gone after receiving the injuries, and she was transported to the University of Kansas Hospital, in Kansas City, Kansas, for treatment.

Her name is not made public.

Seneca Police and the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire.

(KAIR)--Three Atchison accidents during the weekend caused injuries that sent two to the hospital.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the first happened Friday evening but required no hospital treatment, despite minor injuries suffered by a teenage bicyclist. “We had a 13-year-old boy that was on a bicycle that ran a stop sign at 10th and Mound and collided with a car. Even though EMS responded to the scene, it was determined he only had minor injuries and he was not transported.”

The second accident happened Saturday afternoon on U.S. Highway 59, where two vehicles collided.

Wilson said that occurred when Atchison resident Rachel Genail, behind the wheel of an eastbound Ford Explorer, turned left onto 14th Street. Her vehicle collided with a westbound Chevrolet Suburban, driven by Oskaloosa resident Hunter Knopp.

Genail’s 17-year-old passenger was transported to the hospital by Atchison County EMS for the treatment of injuries.

Genail was cited for failure to yield.

The third accident occurred Sunday evening when a GMC Envoy, westbound on U.S. Highway 59, was stopped at the 6th Street stoplight.

A westbound Ford Edge, driven by 34-year-old Bethany, Missouri resident Kimberly Rowe, failed to stop, causing her vehicle to collide with the rear of the Envoy.

Rowe was transported by Atchison County EMS to the Atchison Hospital for examination.

The driver of the Envoy, Sherry Gray, of Atchison, was not hurt.

(KLZA)-- A scrap tire collection event will be held in Pawnee City Wednesday, July 31, from 8 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon.

Sponsored by the Pawnee County Commissioners, the event is funded by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. There is no charge for those bringing in scrap tires to dispose of.

The collection point will be across the street from the Pawnee County Shop at 342, 5th Street.

Tire on rims, will not be accepted. No commercial operators or tire dealers are allowed to bring tires to the event.

For more information you may contact the Pawnee County Clerk's Office at 402-852-2962.

(KLZA)-- During the July 23 Richardson County Commissioners meeting, representatives of Miller-Monroe Insurance presented the Richardson County Insurance policy package for July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.

There has been a reduction in the total premium for the next year of approximately 10-percent, which amounts to $25,500.

The total premium for the policy this year will by $244,015.

Members of the Quad County Historical & Research Society presented a report the Richardson County Commissioners last week concerning their activities and how funding received from the County last year was used.

Following the report, Commissioners approved the organizations request for $5-thousand funding for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.

(KLZA)-- During the July 23 Richardson County Commissioners meeting, representatives of Miller-Monroe Insurance presented the Richardson County Insurance policy package for July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.

There has been a reduction in the total premium for the next year of approximately 10-percent, which amounts to $25,500.

The total premium for the policy this year will by $244,015.

Members of the Quad County Historical & Research Society presented a report the Richardson County Commissioners last week concerning their activities and how funding received from the County last year was used.

Following the report, Commissioners approved the organizations request for $5-thousand funding for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.

(KNZA)--July 30-August 3rd has been proclaimed as Homer White Week in Hiawatha.

Homer White American Legion Post 66 in Hiawatha will honor its namesake with several activities Tuesday through Saturday, and the community is encouraged to take part.

Post 66 Public Information Officer Bob Sines said the Legion has been working with local civic organizations to put on the event, which will commemorate the 100th anniversary the death of White during World War 1, 100th anniversary of the end of WW1 and 100th anniversary of the establishment of the American Legion by Congress.

White, who grew up in the area, served as a motorcycle courier during World War 1.  He died in February 1919 from injuries received in a motorcycle accident and was buried in Germany.  

His family raised money to have his body returned to Hiawatha and he was buried at the Hiawatha Cemetery on August 3, 1919. .  Sines said it was one of the largest military funerals in Kansas attended by hundreds of dignitaries, residents and military veterans.

Sines said the Legion plans to re-enact the event on Saturday, August 3rd complete with a procession down Oregon Street to the Hiawatha Cemtery just like in 1919.  The patriotic procession will begin at 12 noon from the Courthouse Square.

Several other events are also planned this week as part of the celebration.

On Tuesday, there will be retailer’s specials and a window decoration contest in memory Homer White, with a cash prize for the best window.

On Wednesday evening on the courthouse square beginning at 6:00, there will be car show, games and the Hiawatha Community Jazz Band will be performing. In addition, the Lions Club will be serving burgers and hot dogs.

On Thursday evening, the Brown County Historical Society will hold a picnic at their Ag Museum site on East Iowa Street at 6:30.

On Friday evening, a free-will donation banquet will take place at the Fisher Center at 6:30, which will include a short program

(KNZA)--A former nurse aide at a Highland healthcare facility facing multiple charges has entered into a plea agreement, canceling a jury trial that had been set next month.

Janelle Lynn Sakakihara, of Atchison, recently pleaded no contest in Doniphan County District Court to two felony counts of mistreatment of a dependent adult and a misdemeanor count of Medicaid fraud.

In exchange for the plea, two additional counts were dismissed.

Sentencing was set for November 6.

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

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

Sakakihara remains free on bond.

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle Sunday night crash on I-29 in St. Joseph left a Wathena man injured.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 38-year-old Kenneth Wells was southbound  when is pickup truck traveled off the east side of the highway. Wells overcorrected and his vehicle skidded off the west side of the roadway where it struck a guardrail.

Wells, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected through the driver's side window.  The vehicle overturned onto its driver's side and then came up onto its wheels.

Wells was transported to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph with what the Patrol described as serious injuries.

The wreck was reported around 10:00 Sunday night.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man with a criminal past is facing charges in Leavenworth County.

According to a news release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, Christopher Kemp was arrested Friday morning. He was taken into custody on a Leavenworth County District Court Warrant charging him with aggravated battery.

Following his arrest, Kemp was booked into the Atchison County Jail. He was later transferred to the custody of Leavenworth County authorities.

According to online court records, Kemp has previously served prison time for past convictions in Atchison County. That includes a 2001 conviction for arson and another in 2005 for attempted burglary and criminal damage to property.

Details regarding Kemp’s current alleged crimes are not immediately available.

(KNZA)--The Jackson County Sheriff's Department is investigating the theft of a UTV from a residence in the southern portion of the county over the weekend.

Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, said the green camo 2004 Rhino 660 side-by-side was taken from a home in the 13-thousand block of S.Road between Mayetta and Hoyt.

Morse said it's believed the UTV was stolen sometime Friday night or early Saturday morning.

A reward is being offered for information that leads to the conviction of the individual or individuals responsible.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff's Office at 785-364-2251.
 

(MSC News)--A Kansas priest with ties to the local area has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography.

According to a news release issued by U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister, 46-year-old Christopher Rossman entered the plea in federal court Friday, admitting that investigators found child pornography on his Samsung Galaxy tablet.

According to the release, the crimes occurred in September 2016 when monitoring software installed on Rossman’s computer devices reported he had visited adult pornography and child pornography websites.

The Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, said in a news release issued last week that it reported Rossman to authorities in September 2016 after learning he had accessed the content, and he was suspended from the ministry at that time.

Rossman formerly served at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Baldwin City. The release from McAllister states that when investigators attempted to locate Rossman in Baldwin City, they learned that his sister had taken possession of the tablet and tried to run over it a number of times. A forensics examination of the device located files depicting prepubescent females engaged in sexual activity.

Sentencing for Rossman will be scheduled at a later date. The crime carries a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

According to the Associated Press, Rossman, in the past, had worked at local area churches in Holton, Mayetta and Potawatomi Reservation.

(KLZA)-- A Mound City, Missouri woman suffered what were described as minor injuries when her car hit a deer on Interstate 29 Thursday evening shortly past 9:30.

The Missouri Highway Patrol report said 24-year-old Haylee Summers was transported by private vehicle to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph following the wreck.

Summers was northbound on I-29 approximately four miles south of Fillmore when the deer came from the east and crossed in front of her vehicle.

The car sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene.

(KLZA)-- NioCorp Developments has submitted a State Construction Air Permit application for its Elk Creek Superallowy Materials Project with the Nebraska Department of Environmental and Energy.

The advanced emissions control technologies included as part of the planned Project are expected to result in prospective air emissions that are below levels that trigger the need for a permit.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy allows for applicants to request a variance under state law to allow construction to start before a final state air quality construction permit is issued.

Once project financing is obtained and on-the-ground activity begins at the Project site, the company can proceed without the air quality construction permit or a permit variance to conduct months of earthwork related to site preparation.

(KAIR)--A sinking boat left several people trapped on an area lake; but the efforts of local authorities lead to a successful water rescue.

According to a social media post by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, game wardens were dispatched to Perry Lake shortly after 3:00 Thursday morning.

The call for help came after the boat began to experience mechanical problems and take on water, with the owner swimming to shore, with the assistance of a personal flotation device, and notifying authorities.

The game warden, accompanied by two deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, arrived on the scene and located a man, woman, and child in the boat, which was tethered to a submerged tree.

The warden and deputies successfully rescued the group and returned the boat to shore.

No injuries were reported.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss plans to retire in December, giving Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly a second appointment on the court.

Nuss announced Friday that he plans to step down Dec. 17 after serving on the court since 2002 and as chief justice since 2010. He was an appointee of moderate Republican Gov. Bill Graves.

During the 66-year-old Nuss' tenure as chief justice, the seven-member court came under increasing criticism from conservative Republicans for rulings that overturned death sentences in capital murder cases and directed legislators to increase spending on public schools. And the court ruled in April that the state constitution protects abortion rights.

Nuss' announcement the same month Justice Lee Johnson announced plans to retire Sept. 8. Johnson was appointed by Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved a two-percent salary increase for the foremen and the administrative assistant with the Richardson County Road Department when they met Tuesday.

Board members met with Acting Sheriff Roland Merwin who presented quotes and state bid contracts for the replacement of patrol units. No action was taken. The Sheriff's Department is looking to replace two units if possible.

Brief discussion was also held concerning the annual salary increase for the Law Enforcement Center dispatchers, jailers, maintenance and office personnel. Merwin told Board members the Department has requested information from other counties regarding salaries for these positions and a letter has been drafted to the County Board for consideration of an increase. Merwin requested the Board delay any action on salary increases for the positions until a later meeting.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City Council members discussed but took no action regarding revision of an ordinance concerning abandoned and junked vehicles during their Monday evening meeting. 

Ordinance #965 was amended earlier this year and once it went into effect,  the Pawnee County  Sheriff's Office issued a large number of tickets.  When a large number of those ticketed complained during a Council meeting earlier this month,  the Council voted to waive the tickets and look at revising the ordinance.

Council members were asked to come up with proposals to amend the ordinance. The ordinance will be discussed again during the August 12th meeting of the City Council in Pawnee City. 

Council members also discussed hiring a current part-time city crew member as a full-time employee.  It was decided to review the idea during budget discussions.  

(KNZA)--A public health advisory for a local lake has been downgraded.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment had placed the Hiawatha City Lake under " warning" status July 11 due to the presence of toxic blue-green algae but in a news release Thursday said that has now been downgraded to " watch" status.

The lake is among nine in the state under " watch" status.

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

KDHE says fish should be cleaned well with potable water and only the fillet portion consumed.

Seven lakes in the state are currently under " warning" status.  None of those are in the local area.  

(KMZA)--The Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education has approved for publication a proposed 2019-20 budget that calls for net expenditures of more than $15 million and a mill levy decrease.

The Board took the action during a special meeting Wednesday evening.

The proposed budget calls for the district to collect nearly $5.6 million in local taxes.

Superintendent Todd Evans said because of two separate bond issues before consolidation, USD 113 has two different mill rates depending on the location of property.

He said constitutents in the former USD 441 will see a estimated tax rate of  46.262 mills, which is down nearly 1.3 mills from last year.

Last year, Evans said the district levied the final taxes to pay off the former 488 bond issue.  As a result, those constituents will see an estimated tax rate of 40.361 mills, which is down 5.8 mills from last year.

The Board will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing prior to their regular meeting August 12.

(KAIR)--A historic first is noted, as the Atchison Police Department has three female officers on the job.

The three are Master Patrol Officer Whitney Wagner, a native of Jefferson County; Officer Nicole Maendele, an Atchison native; and Officer Katie Brown, of St. Joseph, Missouri.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News all three bring excellence into their roles. “It is historic in the fact that we have three female officers, but it’s also traditional in the sense that we continue to maintain excellence. That’s really what we’re trying to achieve, to have a diversified, talented, trained police department, and these three females are just a tremendous asset to us in adding to that, but I am very proud of all the men and women of our department.”

Wagner was the first of the three to join several years ago. She has a criminal justice degree from Missouri Western State University, where she worked in communications with campus security.

Upon graduation, Wagner worked as a dispatcher for the St. Joseph Police Department for nearly seven years before securing her position on the Atchison Police force.

Maendele is an 8-year Army veteran, while Brown began her career with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department after graduating from the Missouri Western Regional Police Academy, and brings 13-years of experience to her role in Atchison. “The three female officers do each bring unique backgrounds with them,” Wilson said. “As we continue to build, and be proud of a diversified police department, we just really feel blessed.”

In a news release, Atchison City Manager Becky Berger said Atchison has a “rich tradition of strong women,” citing Amelia Earhart and the Benedictine Sisters as examples, and added that “it’s important that our society understands the value of having diverse leadership across genders and races,” saying that she’s proud the City “can carry that tradition forward.”

(KNZA)--The minimum age to purchase tobacco products in the city of Sabetha has been raised to 21.

The Sabetha City Commission unanimously this week approved an ordinance making the change.

The ordinance makes it unlawful to sell, give or furnish cigarettes and other tobacco related products to any person under the age of 21. The current minimum age is 18, for buying products such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes, tobacco products and liquid nicotine

The Sabetha Herald reports the Commission took the action after learning the city of Topeka was successful in passing a similar ordinance last month.

The Kansas Supreme Court ruled last month that cities have the power to  raise the age for buying tobacco products even though state law sets it at 18.

More than 20 cities and counties in Kansas have set the age at 21.

(KNZA)--A Missouri asphalt and paving company has been ordered to pay nearly $25,000 in restitution for door-to-door sales violations in Doniphan County.

In a consent judgment entered last week in Doniphan County District Court,  Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said Judge John Weingart ordered I.G. Construction to repay a total of $24,500 to three individuals.

In addition, the company was ordered to pay $6,000 in civil penalties for violations of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act.

Schmidt said the court found the company was engaging in door-to-door sales but failing to provide consumers with notice of their three-day right to cancel and depositing payments from the three consumers without allowing requisite time for cancellation to pass in accordance with Kansas law.

As a part of the judgment, the company also agreed to comply with all Kansas consumer protection laws in the future.

Schmidt warns consumers to be especially cautious of door-to-door home repair sales that claim to offer a good deal.

“Consumers should be on the lookout for fly-by-night operations looking to make a quick buck,” Schmidt said. “Kansans who are in need of driveway repairs should seek local, reputable contractors and get multiple written estimates before having any work done.”

(KNZA)--A second Hiawatha teenager has been charged in connection with the burglary of a Hiawatha liquor store in May.

A criminal complaint filed in Brown County District Court charges 18-year-old Dalton Enke with one count each of burglary, felony criminal damage to property and  misdemeanor theft.

A preliminary hearing for Enke is set for August 7.

Co-defendant, 19-year-old Michael Fetty, also faces the same charges .  A preliminary hearing for Fetty is now set for September 18.

Fetty and Enke are accused of breaking into Henry’s Retail Liquor, located in the 12-hundred block of Oregon Street, early May 23rd and stealing liquor. 

The pair were charged following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department.

Both remain free on bond.

(KLZA)-- A Rock Port man was seriously injured Wednesday afternoon when he was ejected from the semi-truck he was driving.

The Missouri Highway Patrol report says 31-year-old Dalton Hudson was northbound on Route N, north of 260th Road, approximately six miles east of Fairfax when the 2003 Freightliner he was driving went off the east side of the road. The report indicates Hudson overcorrected and the truck returned to the roadway, then overturned onto its passenger side, ejecting Hudson.

Hudson was transported by the Atchison-Holt Ambulance to the Fairfax hospital and later Lifeflighted to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha.

The truck suffered extensive damage and was towed away.

The Atchison County Sheriff's Department and MODOT assisted at the scene of the wreck.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha school board has approved for publication a proposed 2019-20 budget that calls for a 2.7 mill levy decrease.

The action came during a special meeting Wednesday evening.

The proposed budget contains an estimated tax rate of 49.704 mills, which is to generate more than $6.2 million.

Superintendent Lonnie Moser attributed the mill levy reduction to a more than $5.5 million increase in the district’s assessed valuation, growth in enrollment and increase in the base state aid per pupil.  

It’s the second year in a row the district has been able to lower the mill levy.

Moser said the mill levy for the supplemental general fund budget will decrease about three-quarters of a mill and bond and interest levy will drop two mills.  He said they plan to keep the capital outlay levy at 6 mills even though the district has the authority to levy up to 8 mills.

Board President Ian Schuetz said the bond and interest levy of 6.8 mills fulfills a promise to taxpayers to return the levy to 7.3 mills or below when the middle school bond issue was retired.  It was paid off in September of last year.

The board will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing at their August 12 meeting.

(KMZA)--Details have been released on a Sunday morning single-vehicle Marshall County wreck that  claimed the life of a Blue Rapids woman.

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office said 30-year-old Whitney Andersen was southbound on Aztec Lane, south of Blue Rapids, when her pickup truck left the roadway and overturned.

Andersen, who was the lone occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A passerby discovered the wreck shortly before 9:00 Sunday morning and notified authorities.

The funeral service for Andersen will be held Friday morning at 10:30 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, in Waterville.       

(KNZA)--The Nemaha County Fair begins Friday at the fairgrounds in Seneca and runs through Monday.

In addition to the traditional 4-H activities other events are planned during the fair.

Friday will see the start of entertainment in the form of micro-realty stock Car racing and inflatables at the fairgrounds.

A pork BBQ sponsored by the Nemaha County Pork Producers will be held at the Livestock Arena Friday evening.

The hog show will also take place Friday evening.

Saturday will start with the sheep show, immediately followed by the goat, bucket calf and dairy shows.

The 4-H Council will serve a BBQ Saturday evening at the show arena, and the Nemaha County 4-H Ambassadors will be selling root beer floats.

The beef show will also take place Saturday evening, with team penning at the horse arena.

The Seneca Area Chamber and Downtown Impact will host the 19th annual Cruise Night Saturday evening.  Classic and new cars alike are welcome to come “ Cruise the Route” through Seneca.  Registration will begin at 6:00 at Nemaha Valley Motors on U.S. Highway 36.

KMZA, 92.1 FM, will be switching station programming from country to classic rock music that evening to help seal the mood.

Sunday brings the 33rd Annual Seneca Car Show at the Seneca City Park, pedal power tractor pull at the high school parking lot at 1:00, public 4-H Style Revue at the community building at 1:30 and Barnyard Olympic Games at the fairgrounds.

The annual parade down Main Street will take place Sunday evening, beginning at 6:30.  This year’s parade theme is “ Boots, Buckles and Barrels of 4-H Fun.”

The Topeka High Drum line will perform at the fairgrounds following the parade.

The fair will wrap up Monday evening with a family BBQ by the Prairie Hills Alumni at the Show Arena and premium auction.  

(MSC News)--A 29-year-old St. Joseph woman has been convicted of drowning her 6-month-old son in a bathtub.

KQ2-TV reports a Buchanan County jury Wednesday found Sydney Jones guilty of child abuse in the 2017 death of her son, Keith Lars III, at their home.

Jones' attorney, Corryn Hall, argued during closing arguments that the boy's drowning was an accident because she was exhausted. The defense didn't call any witnesses.

Prosecutors pointed to the testimony of Anthony Holmes, who said he found Jones holding the baby down in the water, with water up to her forearms.

A forensic pathologist testified during the trial that the baby died of drowning but showed no signs of trauma or abuse.

Jones faces 10 to 30 years when she is sentenced October 2nd.

(KAIR)--The man whose body was recovered from the Missouri River at Atchison on Sunday has been publicly identified. 

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson Wednesday afternoon said 53-year-old Donald Spradling had been a resident of St. Joseph, Missouri for the past two years.
Originally from south-central Missouri, Wilson said Spradling had recently been living in a campsite along the Missouri River, in St. Joseph, where he was frequently seen fishing. He had also frequented a St. Joseph emergency shelter.
He was last seen in the area of his campsite last week. 

Wilson said the preliminary investigation lists the cause of Spradling's death as drowning, as determined by the pathologist. Foul play is not suspected. 

Wilson said the continuing investigation is now jointly being worked by Atchison and St. Joseph police.

(KMZA)--A postal employee in Marshall County has been charged with stealing mail.

U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister, in a news release, said 28-year-old Timothy Pacha, of Herkimer, is among two Kansas postal employees who were indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday in separate cases.

Pacha was charged with one count of stealing mail and one count of destroying or detaining mail.

McAllister said the crimes are alleged to have occurred from January to April of this year in Marysville.

If convicted, Pacha faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

The U.S. Postal Service--Office of Inspector General investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney is prosecuting.

(KLZA)-- A Nebraska City man has been sentenced in Nemaha County, District Court, to a period of 6 – 10 years in prison on a charge of manslaughter.

53-year-old Monty Eaton was sentenced Monday.  In February of 2018, Eaton was northbound on Highway 75, north of  Auburn when he turned his SUV into a car that was attempting to pass him,  causing the death of  26-year-old Travis Ries. The prosecution  said Eaton as under the influence of alcohol when the collision occurred. 

Ries was a passenger in a car driven by Heather Spurlin of Pawnee City.

District Judge Julie Smith also sentenced Eaton to consecutive 45 day periods of no driving following his release. Eaton must also apply for an ignition interlock permit once his drivers license is reinstated.

Eaton will also pay court costs of nearly $3-thousand. 

(KNZA)--Kansas might not have sold the winning Mega Millions jackpot ticket in the Tuesday evening’s drawing, but one ticket worth $10,000 was sold in the northeast region!

In a news release, the Kansas Lottery said the $10,000 ticket was the largest prize won in the Mega Millions Tuesday drawing in the Sunflower State.

The northeast region includes 21 counties, including locally, Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha and Pottawatomie.

The winning numbers in Tuesday’s drawing were 1, 4, 23, 40, 45, with a Mega Ball of 11.

The winning jackpot ticket worth an estimated $168.4 million, with an estimated cash option of $108.5 million, was sold in New Hampshire.

Since the Mega Millions jackpot was hit, the jackpot now resets to a guaranteed $40 million jackpot with a cash option of $25.8 million for Friday evening’s drawing.

(KAIR)--Atchison County is among twenty entities across the state that have been awarded solid waste reduction grants through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Bureau of Waste Management.

KDHE announced in a news release Monday the recipients of the grants.

The release said the grants totaling nearly $390,000 are to establish recycling and composting programs that will divert recyclable material from landfills.

Atchison County will receive $13,747 for the purchase of three roll-off containers.

The grants are funded through a one dollar per ton waste disposal fee.     

(KAIR)--The body of a man recovered from the Missouri River at Atchison Sunday has been identified.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson made the announcement late Tuesday morning in a news release.

Wilson said the department is continuing its investigation which includes notifying family members, conducting interviews of persons who have had contact with the victim recently and consulting with the pathologist.  Wilson said when those steps are completed, they will release the name of the victim.

Wilson issued a news release Monday afternoon requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the victim, which included pictures of tattoos found on the body.

As a result, he said his department received 15 tips related to names of possible victms.  He said they followed each of those leads which led them to the identification of the victm.

Wilson said the investigation has a long way to go.  He said the cause death will be important in determining the direction and steps that are to follow.

Wilson said additional information will be released Wednesday afternoon.

(KNZA)--A new Brown County emergency management director has been hired.

The Brown County Commission voted Monday to offer the position to former Richardson County Sheriff Don Pounds, of Falls City, for salary of $40,000.

Pounds resigned earlier this month as sheriff.

The Brown County Clerk’s Office reports Pounds has accepted the offer and is to begin work July 29.

He was among three candidates interviewed Monday.

Pounds will replace James Stuart who was terminated June 17.  Stuart had held the position since April 22.

The Commission decided earlier this year to change the position from part-time to full-time.  

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says agents have opened 74 investigations in 33 counties into alleged sexual abuse by members of the Catholic clergy.
 
 The KBI said it initiated the investigations after it received 119 reports from people who said they were victims of abuse. The agency announced in February that it had appointed a task force of six agents to begin reviewing allegations of abuse by Catholic clergy.
 
 The KBI's brief update Tuesday did not provide details about the investigations, and KBI spokeswoman Melissa Underwood said no arrests have been made yet.
 
The Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, and the Diocese of Salina reported earlier this year that they had substantiated credible allegations of abuse against 50 clergy dating back as far as 1907.

(KNZA)--A Leavenworth man has been sentenced to nearly 13 years in federal prison for the armed robbery of a Leavenworth bank in 2017.

The office of U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said 26-year-old Damon Hammeke was sentenced Tuesday to 154 months in prison on one count each of armed bank robbery and brandishing a fireman during a robbery.

He pleaded guilty to the charges in April.

In his plea, Hammeke admitted that on Nov. 21, 2017, he robbed the Country Club Bank in Leavenworth. He entered the bank wearing a white jacket and black mask while carrying a handgun. He left the bank with money.
 
Hammeke was caught two days later following a high speed chase that began after a Tonganoxie police officer attempted to stop him for a traffic offense.  The chase went through Tonganoxie, Basehor, Lansing, Leavenworth, Platte County, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas before he was finally stopped.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County 4-H Fair prince and princess were crowned during a ceremony Monday evening.

Selected as prince from among five candidates was 12-year-old Henry Geiger, a six year member of the Circle B 4-H club.    

14-year-old Jaidyn Johnson, a seven year member of the Troy Triangle 4-H club was selected as fair princess from among seven candidates.  

Johnson will be a freshman at Troy High School this fall, while Geiger will be a 6th grader at Troy Grade School.

In their roles as fair prince and princess, Geiger and Johnson will hand out the ribbons and awards during the fair. The fair runs through Friday at the fairgrounds in Troy.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in solving a pair of burglaries in which multiple guns were stolen.

Sheriff John Merchant, in a news release Monday, said the burglaries happened on different dates at two separate locations.

Merchant said investigators believe whoever is behind the crimes has local ties and some of the weapons have been sold to other residents.  In light of that, the Sheriff's Office wants anyone who bought a gun off an individual--or has been asked to " hang on" to one--to bring the firearm to the Sheriff’s office so they determine if it has been stolen.

Merchant provided this partial list of stolen guns,  in hopes someone will have information on them.  

WINCHESTER MODEL 42 .410 PUMP
WINCHESTER MODEL 190 .22
BROWNING SWEET 16 VENT RIB SHOTGUN
RUGER M77 25-06
HENRY LEVER ACTION .17 CALIBER
RUGER .223 WALNUT STOCK W/SCOPE
WINCHESTER 30-06 FEATHERWEIGHT
WINCHESTER 12 GAUGE AUTOMATIC
LC SMITH 12 GAUGE DOUBLE BARREL
RUGER SINGLE SIX .22 MAG PISTOL
WEATHERBY .20 GAUGE OVER AND UNDER
REMINGTON 700 SPS .308
REMINGTON 1100 .20 GAUGE

Merchant noted area law enforcement have reported in an increase in burglaries and thefts,  especially in rural areas when property owners are not home. He said the agencies have been sharing information on the crimes.    

Merchant asks anyone who has bought items from an individual or individuals, such as  tools, chain saws, reloading equipment etc., to let them know, in case those items may be stolen.

Merchant is also asking county residents do everything possible to protect themselves against these unscrupulous thieves.   

Report any suspicious vehicles or people no matter what the time.  Use game cameras or RING doorbell devices to keep your place monitored.  If WIFI is a problem, there are game cameras available that you can access from your computer.

Trusted neighbors, family or friends are very valuable as they can keep
watch on each others property and notify law enforcement if suspicious activity is noted.

(KAIR)--A traffic stop in city of Atchison leads to the arrest of an Auburn, Kansas man on drug charges.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, an officer stopped a vehicle shortly before 10:00 Sunday evening at Woodlawn and Service Road for a traffic violation.

Wilson said the department’s K-9 alerted to the presence of drugs, which led to the discovery of methamphetamine and marijuana in the vehicle.

The driver, 23-year-old Austin Welborn, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving left of center.

Welborn was booked into the Atchison County Jail.   

(KAIR)--A Springfield, Missouri man was taken into custody late Friday night after leading Atchison Police on a pursuit.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, an officer attempted to stop a Pontiac G6 passenger car shortly before 11:00 after the vehicle was observed driving at a high rate of speed in the downtown area and running through a stop sign at 8th and Kansas Avenue.

The vehicle fled from the officer and ran through stop signs at 7th, 6th , 5th and 4th on Kansas Avenue.

The vehicle then fled north on 4th and was stopped in the 300 block of Division Street.

Wilson said 23-year-old Simon Slagle was taken into custody on charges of fleeing and attempting to elude, reckless driving and speeding.

Slagle was booked into the Atchison County Jail.           

(KLZA)-- Few details have been released concerning the death of one person in at ATV wreck southwest of Tecumseh late Saturday afternoon.

A release from the Johnson County Attorney's office said the Tecumseh Rescue Squad was called to a field, where the victim, 23-year-old Cody Kreifels was found. Kreifels was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office investigated the wreck, an autopsy has been performed and the results are pending.

(KLZA)-- The Richardson county 4-H / FFA Junior Fair begins Monday and will continue with activities in Humboldt through  Sunday. 

The daily events include: 
Monday  7/22  - 9 a-m Fashion Show 
11 a.m. - Favorite Foods Revue contest 

Tuesday  7/23 – 9 a-m  Static Exhibit judging.

Wednesday  7/24 – 9 a.m. - horse show;  
4 p.m. - Meat Goat show; followed by market goat show.

Thursday 7/25 - – 9 a.m. - Poultry show
10:30 a.m. - Rabbit show;  Silent Support auction continues all day.

Friday 7/26 – 9 a.m. Swine Show and interview judging contest.  
1:30 – Dairy goat show – followed by Dairy cattle show;
3:30 – pedal tractor pull followed by riding mower  contest and tractor operator contest and ATV contest.

Saturday 7/27 – 7 – 8 a.m. - Ag Society Breakfast;  9 a.m. - Beef show;  2 p.m. - Round robin showmanship;  5:30 – 7 – 4H Council BBQ;  7:30 – livestock support auction.

Sunday – 7/28 – 3 p.m. public fashion show followed by awards ceremony. 

4-H Council electons will be going on Wednesday the 24th through Saturday, July 27th.  The Silent static support auction will also be going on through Saturday.
 

(KLZA)-- Unemployment figures were up in area Southeast Nebraska counties for the month of June. 

Statewide the unemployment rate was steady at 3 percent.  

Locally Gage County had the best unemployment rate at 3.5 percent, up 4-tenths. 

The Pawnee County unemployment figure jumped a full percentage point to 3.7 percent.  Richardson County has a jobless rate of 3.8 percent, up 6-tenths.

In Nemaha County, Nebraska,  unemployment jumped 1.4 percent from May to June to 5.2 percent.  In Johnson County the unemployment figure for June was 3.6 percent and in Otoe County the number is 4 percent.

Statewide the number of people employed in June set a new record.  

The National unemployment rate for June was 3.7 percent, up slightly from the 3.6 percent in May.  

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council has approved for publication a proposed 2020 city budget of nearly $12.8 million that calls for a more than 3 mill property tax levy increase.

The Council took the action when they meet last Wednesday evening.

City Administrator Matt Rehder says the budget contains an estimated tax rate of 35.624, which is the maximum allowed under the state’s tax lid.   

Rehder recommended the maximum amount be published. However, he said  its the Council’s intent to lower the levy before giving final approval.  The levy has been at about 32.338 for a number of years.

The proposed budget calls for the city to collect more than $851,000 in tax revenue, a more than $90,000 increase over this year.

The Council will consider adoption of the 2020 budget following a public hearing at the August 7 meeting.  

(KAIR)--The Atchison Police Department continues its effort to identify the man whose body was recovered from the Missouri River midday on Sunday.

Police Chief Mike Wilson said the individual is a white male, whose age is estimated to be in his 40's, but that is not certain.

Wilson said the man has two tattoos. A tattoo of a grim reaper with the name Donald is on his right shoulder/bicep area. A tattoo of a dagger is on his left inner forearm.  

Anyone who can help police identify the man is asked call Atchison Police detectives at 913-367-5525 during daytime hours or 913-367-4323 during evening and nighttime hours. 

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(KAIR)--A body was recovered Sunday from the Missouri River at Atchison. 

That was confirmed early Sunday afternoon by Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. 

Wilson told MSC News a person jogging near the river notified authorities late Sunday morning that a body was floating in the water. 

Police responded, notifying the Atchison Fire Department, with that agency using their rescue boat to retrieve the body from the river at the south end of the city 

Wilson said an investigation is underway, and it's not immediately believed that the body is that of someone from the immediate, local area. Instead, it's suspected that the body floated to Atchison from a northern location.

Wilson said the body is that of an adult white male, and has been transported to a pathologist for examination. 

(KAIR)--A two-vehicle wreck Saturday evening in the Atchison city limits sent one person to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened at the intersection of U.S. 59 Highway and Rawlins Road around 8:00.

The Patrol says 70-year-old Delbert Boatright, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was northbound on Rawlins Road when he failed to yield when entering U.S. 59 and his car was struck by a van driven by 55-year-old Gary Dome, of Oskaloosa.

Boatright, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported to the Atchison Hospital with suspected minor injuries.   A passenger in his car was not hurt.

Dome and four passengers in his van, including an 11-month-old and 6-year-old, also escaped injury.

(KNZA)--A groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday afternoon for the second phase of a two-year expansion project at the Prairie Band Casino and Resort near Mayetta.

Prairie Band Tribal Council and Casino Board members were on hand for the ceremony.

Phase two will feature 74 new guest rooms—including two and three-bay suites. Other amenities will include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, dry sauna and steam room, fitness center, patio, game room with virtual Top Golf suite, multi-use rooms for parties and business meetings and an outdoor video screen for sporting events or movies.

According to a news release, renovations are due to be completed in the fall of 2020.

PBP Entertainment Corporation President Frank Tecumseh said expansion of the property is part of the company’s strategy to add more entertainment options and be a destination for families of all ages.

With the expansion, Tecumseh said they will be adding positions, which will give their current staff career growth as well as offer new opportunities for employment in the area.

The first phase of the expansion began in 2018.  It included a new lobby bar, the Kapi Coffee Bar, the Embers Bar and Grille, and extensive cosmetic improvements to the casino floor. 

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph, Missouri man was injured Friday evening when his all-terrian vehicle crashed in southern Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 26--year-old Nicholaus Pilcher was westbound on County Route 207, about three miles south of St. Joseph, when he applied the brakes on his ATV after seeing a closed gate blocking the road. His ATV began to skid and the front of the vehicle, and then his head, struck the gate.

Pilcher, who was not wearing protective head gear, was transported to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph with what the Patrol described as serious injuries.

The crash was reported around 9:30 Friday evening.

( KNZA)—It’s fair time in Doniphan and Jackson Counties.

The Doniphan County Fair kicks off Monday at the fairgrounds in Troy and runs through Friday.

A highlight of the fair will be the coronation of the 4-H Fair Prince and Princess Monday evening.  7 girls are vying for fair princess and 5 boys for fair prince.    

Thursday evening will bring the livestock sale.

The fair will wrap up Friday evening with the public style revue and 4-H Council dance from 9 to midnight.

The 94th annual Jackson County Fair also kicks off Monday at the Northeast Kansas Heritage Complex south of Holton and runs through Saturday.

Monday evening will bring the Fireman Olympics and Farm Bureau kiddie tractor pull  
 
Highlights Tuesday include the swine and beef shows.

The fair parade will take place Wednesday evening, beginning at 6:00, around the Holton Town Square.  

Also Wednesday evening is karaoke with Darren and Randy along with the 4-H style revue.

Thursday evening brings the livestock sale

This year’s fair will feature a different carnival, with rides, games and concessions provided by Great Plains Amusement of Rush Springs, Oklahoma. The carnival will run Tuesday though Saturday evenings.     

(KMZA)--A Wamego man, convicted in the murder of a teenager whose body was discovered along the Kansas River on Christmas Eve, has been sentenced to nearly 13 years in prison.

Cody Lamia-Beck was sentenced Friday in Pottawatomie County District Court to 154 months in prison in the stabbing death of 19-year-old Jacob Bouck.

Lamia-Beck pleaded no contest last month to a charge of second-degree murder.

Bouck had been missing for several days before his body was discovered December 24 in the Kansas River about one mile west of Wamego.

Lamia-Beck was arrested in March in connection with the homicide.

(KNZA)--A public health warning remains in place for a local lake due to the presence of high levels of toxic blue-green algae.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Thursday, in a news release, that the Hiawatha City Lake is among seven lakes in the state  under " warning" status.

The Hiawatha lake was first placed on the list July 11.

KDHE says activities such as boating and fishing may be safe. However, direct contact with the water should be avoided.

Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water. However, you should consume only the fillet portion and discard all other parts.

KDHE will continue to monitor the lake.         

An arrest is made in connection with a May pursuit in Atchison County.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 29-year-old Marcel Smith was arrested Tuesday on an Atchison County District Court Warrant charging him with flee and attempt to elude, reckless driving, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, driving while suspended, and transporting an open container.

The charges stem from an early morning May 16 pursuit that Laurie said began around 3:30 when deputies attempted to stop a car that was northbound on U.S. Highway 73 near 262nd Road in rural Atchison County.

The driver, identified through an investigation as Smith, allegedly refused to stop, leading to a pursuit that traveled into the City of Atchison, where Atchison Police joined the pursuit.

It ended in the 800 block of Laramie Street when Smith and another suspect fled on foot.

It’s alleged that methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, marijuana, and an open container were found inside the car.

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

His bond is set at $15,000.

(KNZA)--The proposed 2020 budget for the city of Holton contains no mill levy change.

The proposed budget, which was approved for publication by the Holton City Commission this week, calls for total expenditures of nearly $11.3 million.

It contains an estimated tax rate of 60.745 mills, which is to generate $1.35 million in property tax revenue.

Even though the mill levy will remain the same, the city will collect around  $54,000 in additional tax revenue over this year due to a more than 4 percent increase in the city’s assessed valuation.

The Commission will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing at 7:00 on the evening of August 5 at the Holton City Hall prior to their next regular meeting.

(KNZA)--An Elwood woman has been charged with the mistreatment of an elderly person.

52-year-old Tamara Rucker appeared in Doniphan County District Court Tuesday on the felony charge.

According to the criminal complaint, Rucker is accused of unlawfully taking control of at least $100,000 from Catherine Jane Krantz through false pretense.

The alleged offense occurred between June 1 and November 2, 2018.

The criminal complaint was filed June 26 by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, which is prosecuting the case.

A status hearing in the case has been set for August 20.

Rucker remains free on a $50,000 bond.

(KLZA)-- A FEMA disaster recovery center will open Friday in the Mound City School Multi-Purpose Room located at 708, Nebraska Street.

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

The Center will not be open Sunday, July 21, due to a previously scheduled event.

Residents from any Missouri county may visit any recovery center.

You are asked to register online at DisasterAssistance.gov before visiting a recovery center.

 KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas priest has been charged with one count of possessing child pornography.
 
 The Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, said in a news release Thursday that it reported Christopher Rossman to authorities in September 2016 after learning he had accessed inappropriate content on his computer. Rossman was suspended from the ministry at that time.
 
The archdiocese said it received information that an FBI investigation resulted in the charge being filed.
 
At the time, Rossman was pastor at Roman Catholic churches in Baldwin City and Lapeer. He previously worked at churches in Olathe, Topeka, Holton, Mayetta and Potawatomi Reservation.
 
The Kansas City Star reports Rossman's attorney, Scott Toth, said it was too early to comment on the case.
 

A threat made with a handgun leads to the arrest of a 26-year-old Atchison man.

That word from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson who told MSC News Christopher Edwards allegedly made the threat late Wednesday morning in an Atchison parking lot. “Shortly before 11:00 Wednesday morning, we had a 32-year-old male report to us that he was in a parking lot, in the area of the 900 block of Division, when he was approached by a 26-year-old male who he was acquainted with. That male suspect produced a gun, threatened the 32-year-old victim with that gun, made verbal threats.”

Edwards, after making the alleged threat, left the area, and police were notified, leading to his arrest. “And then that suspect just walked away from the victim. We were given a vehicle description. It was just a very short time later when we spotted that vehicle. We stopped it, we took the 26-year-old suspect into custody, we recovered the handgun that was used in the threat, and also we located in the vehicle a controlled substance.”

The controlled substance is identified as synthetic marijuana.

Edwards was taken into custody on charges including aggravated assault, criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a controlled substance.

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

(KAIR)--A 29-year-old Atchison man, accused of causing injuries that sent a woman to the hospital, is facing charges related to what police say was a Wednesday morning domestic altercation. “Shortly after 9:00, our officers responded to a disturbance in the 500 block of North 9th. We actually had been there on previous occasions, we were familiar with the victim and the suspect,” Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News. 

Wilson said the arrest of 29-year-old John Workman was made at the residence. “The 44-year-old victim reported to us that a domestic disturbance had occurred at the residence. She did receive facial injuries. In fact, we did have her transported to the hospital for examination of a possible head injury suffered during the disturbance. The suspect was taken into custody at the scene.”

Workman faces charges of domestic battery and criminal restraint. “That charge is based on the fact that he prevented the victim from leaving the residence during the disturbance. There’s also several other possible charges that may come forth based on a continuing investigation of that disturbance.”

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

(KMZA)--The former Marshall County Clerk has been charged with felony misuse of public funds.

According to a news release from the office of Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt,  44-year-old Sonya Stohs, of Marysville, was charged late Tuesday in Marshall County District Court.

The complaint alleges from May 2013 to April 2019, Stohs used funds belonging to Marshall County to pay for various personal items, in excess of $100,000.

The release says Stohs surrendered to law enforcement Wednesday  morning at the Marshall County Jail and made her first appearance in Marshall Court District Court Wednesday afternoon.

The investigation was conducted by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service.

On April 4, KBI agents served search warrants at multiple locations in Marysville—including the Marshall County Clerk’s Office.

Schmidt’s office is prosecuting the case at the request of the Marshall County Attorney.

Stohs resigned as county clerk June 18.  She had held the position since 2002.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County  Commissioners approved a 6-month extension for the Richardson County Sheriff's Office with  current software provider, ITI when they met Tuesday. 

County I.T. Person Joe Buckminster said ITI  would not allow a 3-month service agreement.  Buckminster recommended the 6-month agreement be approved to allow the Sheriff's Department sufficient time to move all date accurately and securely from the current system to the new CRIMES software program the county will be switching to. 

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Mack spoke in favor of vacating a portion of 713 Road, running west a half-mile from 643 Avenue.  No one else was in attendance to speak during the public hearing.  

County Building Maintenance Technician Tyler Cooper recommended the disposal of surplus vehicles.  Commissioners approved advertising for sale during the Frederick Consignment Auction September 7 a Dodge Durango, A Ford Taurus;  a Ford Windstar van; a Crown Vic and a Dodge Ram pickup.  

Beckie Cromer presented the quarterly report from EDGE and presented the economic development organizations request for continued funding support in an amount of $25-thousand.  

(KLZA)-- Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise Executive Director Beckie Cromer presented the organizations quarterly report to the Falls City Council Monday evening. 

Cromer reported Falls City was unable to respond to a pair of opportunities, one for a manufacturing plant and one for a data center due to them needing a minimum 10 Mega Watts of available power and building requirements.

Cromer noted that EDGE has worked to provide resources to the city for consideration in solving the electrical transmission limitations but at this time, have no other ideas to share.  EDGE has met with OPPD to discuss transmission line design and cost.  

During her report,  Cromer also updated the Council on possibilities for the former SHOPKO building at 13th and Stone Street. She said a distributor had come to Falls City to meet with the property owners.  Cromer said at this time, chain stores are not looking at off-highway properties. She is also looking at alternate uses for the building.

The report also indicates there are at least five local industries indicating they have openings for new employees.
 

(KNZA)--Hiawatha Community Hospital’s finances continue to improve.

That word was delivered to the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening by  Hospital CEO John Broberg.

Broberg said revenue was up during the first five months of this year compared to last year. “Our gross revenue’s been up about 14 percent over last year. Our expenses are also under budget from where we were previously, and primarily related to benefits expense. The operating margin for the first five months is better than it was last year and we have a positive operating margin, which is also very important to us. Now, with our increased revenue, and with our decreased expenses, we also anticipate that we’ll pay Medicare back, so we’ve started accruing that money, as well.”

Broberg said the hospital was able to make a $150,000 payment last month on its line of credit with local banks and hope to make another payment this month.  Broberg said the hospital plans to meet with the three banks to continue the line of credit because they feel that’s an important funding source.

Broberg said the hospital’s capital equipment needs continue to be a challenge. “We’re putting together our capital equipment list for 2019, 2020 and 2021. The funds, or the request for equipment, well exceeds over $1 million a year, sometimes $2 million, and that’s really where we need to continue to look at those options for plan B, which includes some version of tax support.”

Voters during a special election in May defeated by a narrow margin a half-cent sales tax for health care services in the county.    

Broberg also told the Commission the hospital is currently doing a community needs assessment. “That survey’s available on our website, under community benefit, and this is a requirement every three years. We’ve had 125 people so far take that survey, and the survey ends on July 29. We’ll be doing a public forum on August 15 at the Fisher Center, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We’re asking for people to send us their reservations as we’ll have a light meal. We’ll be taking about the feedback from the community survey and talk about what our plans will be for addressing the community needs going forward.”

Broberg said the Hiawatha hospital continues work closely with Community Medical Center, in Falls City, which plans to close its OB program November 1.

In addition, he said the hospital is working to recruit new providers as some of their current providers will be retiring in 2 to 5 years.

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph, Missouri teenager was injured Wednesday evening when his all-terrain vehicle was struck by a vehicle in southern Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 17-year-old Dylan Couldry was northbound on the I-29 Frontage Road at Faucett when he failed to yield to a westbound SUV on Highway DD after stopping at a stop sign.  The SUV struck the front of the ATV, ejecting Couldry.  

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

The Patrol says he was spared major injury by wearing protective head gear.

The driver of the SUV, 23-year-old St. Joseph resident Kaitlyn Doolan, was not hurt.

The wreck was reported around 6:30 Wednesday evening.   

(KNZA)--Hiawatha voters will decide during the November general election whether to approve a one-quarter percent city-wide sales tax for recreation.

The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening approved a resolution placing the sales tax initiative on the November 5 ballot.

If approved by voters, it would commence April 1 of 2020 and replace the existing one-quarter percent sales tax imposed for the town's historic post lantern street lights, which is set to expire March 31 of next year.

If approved by voters, Mayor Bill Collins said it would allow the city to lower its property tax levy 3 to 7 mills.

City Administrator Mike Nichols put together a table to demonstrate how it would affect property taxes.

It shows for a owner of a home with an appraised value of $150,000, with a 4 mill property tax levy decrease as a result of the recreation sales tax, that individual would have to spend $27,600 in that same year to negate the savings of the levy decrease. That's equal to spending $530 on taxable items in the city per week.

In other business, the Commission adopted the 2020 city budget as published.

That followed a hearing drawing no public comment.

It calls for total expenditures of $8.1 million and a .051 mill levy increase.

Under the budget, the city will collect more than $1.2 million in property taxes.

Commissioner Toni Hull said she thinks its an excellent budget.

(KAIR)--The City of Atchison is readying the publication of its budget for 2020.

The figures, including a slight mill levy decrease, were outlined for the Atchison City Commission by City Manager Becky Berger during Monday’s meeting of the Commission. “I think we put together a pretty good budget...we’re on solid ground financially, and it’s a good situation to be in. We were able to address some things that we haven’t in the past.”

The mill levy in the proposed budget stands at 58.059, reflecting a minor decrease from the 58.319 mill levy of 2019.

The total proposed budget for 2020 is $24, 468, 374.

The budget is set for publication on July 24, with a public hearing scheduled for August 5, prior to formal adoption by the Commission.

City Commissioner David Butler voiced his appreciation for the document as presented by Berger. “I think being fairly conservative again this year is the right way to go, and I’m real pleased. I think you did a nice job. Staff’s worked real hard on it I know.”

The budget represents input provided by the Commission, and city staff, during a series of now concluded budget workshops.

Commissioners have until July 19 at noon to submit budget amendments to Berger.

(KNZA)--The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is offering forty-two horses seized from a farm near Hoyt last year for adoption.

The Sheriff’s Office posted a notice on its web site July 7 and sent a release to the media about offering the horses for placement into forever homes.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse reported Friday that his office had received more than 70 inquiries so far into adopting the horses.

The horses were seized on two occasions last year after it was reported that the horses owner, Franklin Johnson, had not giving them adequate care.

Johnson was found guilty in February of 45 counts of cruelty to animals in two separate cases following a bench trial and placed on two years probation.

He appealed the sentence and following a second bench trial in April was found guilty on two counts of animal cruelty contained in an amended complaint.

 K-HEART, the Kansas Horse Education, Advocacy and Resource Team, is assisting the sheriff’s office with the adoption process.

K-HEART will be interviewing and “ pre-vetting” the applicants for adoption of the horses over the next few weeks.

The deadline for applications is August 10.

For more information on the horses up for adoption, along with the adoption process,  you can go to the Jackson County Sheriff Office’s web site.

(KLZA)-- Three people were injured late Tuesday afternoon in a three-vehicle wreck at the intersection of Highways 50 and 128 in Otoe County.

The Otoe County Sheriff's Office incident report indicates a pickup, southbound on Highway 50 driven by 40-year-old Jake Topp of Tecumseh hit the back of a Chevy Traverse driven by 47-year-old Kelly Workman of Humboldt.

Workmans car, owned by the HTRS School District where she works, was stopped as she was preparing to make a turn onto Highway 128. The Topp pickup hit the vehicle Workman was driving from behind, pushing it into the north lane of traffic where she collided head-on with a Toyota 4-Runner driven by 32-year-old Jessica Meyer of Syracuse.

The Meyer vehicle left the roadway and slid down an embankment.

All three drivers were alone in the vehicles and all three were transported to the Syracuse Hospital with what were described as non-life threatening injuries.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central Board of Education has ratified a negotiated agreement with teachers for the 2019-20 school year.

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

Under the agreement, the base salary for a beginning teacher will increase $1,050 and supplemental duty pay will increase 8.8 percent.  The base starting salary is $35,850.

The Board also approved a 40 cent an hour pay increase for classified staff.  In addition, the Board approved  3.04 percent raise for administrators, district office staff, the speech and language pathologist, school pathologist and transportation employees.

In other business,  the board extend the terms of current board president Jason Hammes and vice-president Owen Zinke until January when they will re-elect officers.

Previously, officers were elected at the July meeting but a change was made in state law this year.

The Board will hold a special meeting next Wednesday evening, July 24, at 7:00 to consider approval of a proposed 2019-20 budget for publication.  

(KNZA)--An Atchison-based organization has donated $1,000 to the Brown County Sheriff’s Office.

The donation was provided by the Atchison Elks Lodge #647.

According to a news release issued by the Sheriff’s Office, the presentation was made July 13, at the Elks Lodge, by Exalted Ruler Larry Beeson.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, in the release, said the monies will be used to continue such programs as the Teen Lifesaver Initiative and drug enforcement efforts.

Calling the Elks “an excellent organization,” Merchant said such donations make programs possible that otherwise might not exist in the community.

The Brown County Sheriff’s Office was among other area law enforcement agencies receiving donations from the Elks Lodge.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has approved the purchase of a new pickup truck for the District 2 road and bridge crew.

The Commission Monday voted to accept a bid from Hiawatha Ford for the purchase of a 2019 F250 extended cab pickup in the amount of $28,375.  It does not include a trade-in.

Bids were received from three dealerships for both a regular cab and extended cab pickup.

In other business, the Commission voted to advertise for sealed bids for the replacement of a culvert on Kingfisher Road in District 2 that was washed out by flood waters this spring.

The bids are to be opened August 5.

County Treasurer Cheryl Lippold informed commissioners her office had sent out 1,000 delinquent tax letters July 1.  The delinquent tax list will be published in the newspaper August 1.

The Commission also reviewed applications received for the emergency management director position.

Three applicants were selected for interviews next Monday.

The position came open last month after the Commission voted to terminate James Stuart.  He had held the position since April 22.

(KLZA)-- Nebraska First District Senator Julie Slama has announced her candidacy for election to the seat representing Southeast Nebraska.

Slama, a Peru resident was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Senator Dan Watermeier, who resigned when he won election to the Nebraska Public Service Commission. Slama seeks election to the seat for the first time.

Slama is currently enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law.

In the Legislature she serves on the Business and Labor, Agriculture, and Judiciary Committees.

(KMZA)--A revised term sheet for a proposed 300 megawatt wind farm in southern Nemaha County has been released.

The document was released Tuesday following months of negotiations between the Nemaha County Commission and NextEra Energy Resources along with two public meetings in April.

Following an executive session Monday with special attorney James Neeld, Commission Chairman Gary Scoby announced that an agreement had been reached.

The term sheet sets out the rules and regulations for the Soldier Creek Wind Farm. A map showing the location of 120 primary turbine sites and 12 alternate sites is included with the term sheet.

A more detailed site map will be displayed at the Courthouse in the coming days.  A digital copy of the detailed site map will be made available upon request of either the Nemaha County Attorney or Nemaha County Clerk.

The term sheet and site map can be viewed on the county web site.  

The Commission will consider approval of the term sheet during a meeting on Wednesday, July 31.  The meeting will be held at 9:00 that morning at the Nemaha County Community Building in Seneca.

LOUISBURG, Kan. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas says President Donald Trump's suggestion that four Democratic congresswomen of color "go back" to where they came was inappropriate because the women are Americans.

At a town hall meeting Monday in Louisburg, Moran says he disagreed with the congresswomen targeted in Trump's tweets on many policies. But he said there is "nothing to be gained" by personal attacks on elected officials or Americans.

The president on Sunday said on Twitter that the four congresswomen hate America and should go back to their countries, and he continued his attacks Monday and Tuesday. All the women are American citizens.

The Wichita Eagle reports that Moran said "It is inappropriate to suggest they go home to any place - they are home."

(KNZA)--Brown County will seek federal funding assistance for two streambank stabilization projects due to heavy rains and flooding this spring.

The County Commission voted Monday to seek funding through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program.  

Funding through the program would pay for 75 percent of the construction costs.  The county would be required to provide a 25 percent match, which can be cash or in-kind services.   

One project is located on 290th Road along the Laus Creek Tributary.  The estimated cost for the project is nearly $107,000, with the county’s share estimated at nearly $34,000.

The second project is located on Prairie Road along Pony Creek.  The estimated cost of the project is $27,500, with the county share estimated at $8,500.

NRCS Supervisory District Conservationist Matt Sprick said engineers with the NRCS reviewed four flood damaged sites in June and determined three of the sites to be eligible for funding through the program.

The two projects selected by the Commission for funding assistance must be completed within 220 days after the NRCS funding is received.    

(KNZA)--Two individuals were arrested over the weekend in connection with several vehicle burglaries in Sabetha.

Sabetha Police Chief Robert Wahwasuck told MSC News that 22-year-old Andrew Makie, of Hiawatha, and 19-year-old Peter Edelman, of Sabetha, allegedly entered into and removed property from several vehicles throughout Sabetha Saturday evening.

Wahwasuck said a witness was able to identify both men.

Makie and Edelman were taken into custody and booked into the Nemaha County Jail on charges of burglary and attempted burglary.

Wahwasuck said the investigation into the case remains on going as more possible victims come forward.

(KLZA)-- A Fairfax, Missouri woman was pronounced dead at the scene of a one-vehicle wreck in Atchison, County, Missouri Monday morning.

The Missouri Highway Patrol report indicates 54-year-old Nancy Cherry of Fairfax was southbound on U.S. 59 Highway, approximately two miles south of Fairfax when the van she was driving began to skid, crossed the center line, and went off the east side of the road. The drivers side of the van struck an embankment, overturned one time, ejecting the driver.

The wreck occurred about 6:45 A.M. The van was totaled.

The Missouri Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene of the wreck by the Tarkio and Fairfax Fire Departments, Atchison – Holt Ambulance District, Tarkio Police Department and the Atchison County Sheriff's Department.

The report indicates Cherry was not wearing a safety device at the time of the wreck.

(MSC News)--Asphalt repair work will take place from Tuesday, July 16, to Thursday, July 18, on U.S. 36 from the west edge of Seneca west 11 miles to the K-87 junction, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane and controlled by a pilot car through the project from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work will take place on two-mile stretches of highway at a time. Motorists should expect delays of up to 10 minutes and are encouraged to add extra time to their travel schedule.

The project in Nemaha and Marshall counties is necessary to mill hot spots and smooth the roadway surface. Please use extra caution in the work zone area.

Submitted by the KS Dept. of Transportation

(KNZA)--A Brown County traffic stop leads to the arrest of a man who had previously been deported by the Department of Homeland Security.

That’s according to a release issued by Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

According to the release, Aureliano Galvan, of North Carolina, was stopped for speeding on U.S. Highway 73, around 1:00 Sunday morning.

The 43-year-old was arrested for driving while license canceled, suspended, or revoked and no proof of insurance.

Once Galvan was transported to the Brown County Jail, a records check showed that he had been previously deported.

A warrant and detainer has been issued by DHS, and Galvan is being released to their custody.

(KMZA)--A Wetmore man is facing multiple charges in connection with a domestic incident earlier this month involving a weapon.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert said a complaint has been filed in Nemaha County District Court charging 59-year-old Steven Whitaker with aggravated battery, aggravated assault and domestic battery.

Lippert said the complaint alleges that on July 2, Whitaker caused great bodily harm or disfigurement to Bobby Jordan, Jr.  He said the complaint also alleges that Whitaker used a gun to place Jordan in reasonable apprehension of bodily harm, and that he also caused physical contact with Jordan in a rude, insulting or angry manner.

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

A preliminary hearing in the case is set for Tuesday.

Whitaker remains in the Nemaha County Jail on a $20,000 bond.    

(KNZA)--The Board of Education for the South Brown County Schools of USD 430 have organized for the new school year.

That came during their regular meeting July 8.

Jacob Bruning was elected as board president for the 2019-20 school year.

Jason Selland was elected vice-president.

It was the consensus of the Board last month to keep the election of officers in July.

With the passage of Senate bill 130 during this year’s Kansas legislative session, the Board could have waited until January to elect a president and vice president when the newly elected board members begin.

In other business,  Superintendent Jason Cline informed the Board that the air unit for the Horton High School music room has stopped working.

The district was given a quote from Custom Sheet Metal, of Topeka, to repair the unit for $9,454 or replace it for $10,279.

It was the consensus of the Board to have it replaced.

(KMZA)--A Sunday afternoon two-vehicle Marshall County wreck sent five people to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened at the intersection of U.S. 36 and K-99, south of Beattie.

The Patrol says 27-year-old Patrice Nunez Periss-Mone, of Junction City, was southbound on K-99 when she failed to yield to a eastbound semi-tractor trailer on U.S. 36 and her van was struck by the semi.

Nunez Periss-Mone and four passengers in her van, all from Winnebago, Nebraska, were transported to Community Memorial Healthcare, in Marysville, with what the Patrol described as possible injury.  They included two children, ages 1 and 3.

A fifth passenger in the van, from Omaha, was not hurt.

Also the semi driver, 49-year-old Idaho Falls, Idaho resident Brion Hand, escaped injury.

The wreck was reported shortly before 2:30 Sunday afternoon.   

(KNZA)--A Sunday afternoon three-vehicle Jefferson County wreck left one person died and four others injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on U.S. 24 Highway at Oak Road, about one mile west of U.S. 59, around 4:30

The Patrol says an eastbound car driven by 19-year-old Mason Robb, of Perry, stopped to turn left onto Oak Road when his vehicle was struck in the rear by a eastbound SUV driven by 50-year-old Rynette Reiling-Minor, of Oskaloosa. Her vehicle then crossed the center line and struck a westbound SUV driven by 74-year-old Walter Zimmerling, of Frankfort, head-on.

Killed in the wreck was a passenger in the Zimmerling vehicle, 68-year-old Marysville resident Theresa Elsinger.

Zimmerling was transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital with suspected minor injuries.

Another passenger in his vehicle, 69-year-old Frankfort resident Charlotte Zimmerling, was transported to the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City with suspected serious injuries.  

Reiling-Minor and Robb were both transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital with suspected serious injuries.            

The Patrol says its not known if Elsinger was wearing a seatbelt but all the other occupants were buckled up.

(KNZA)--July 1 marked day-one for new Highland Community College President Deborah Fox.

The HCC Board of Trustees named Fox as the 44th president of the institution after a nationwide search was completed this spring. President David Reist retired at the end of June after 38 year with the college, including 17 years as president.

Fox, a native of Kansas, most recently served as Director of Business Operations & Management for USD 446 in Independence, Kansas. Previously, she served at Highland Community College as the vice president of finance & operations for 14 years and as an assistant dean of regional instruction for 3 years.

Fox, in a news release from the college, said she glad to be back at HCC. She said she has been meeting new people and connecting with familiar faces.  

Fox said her first goal is to listen to the needs of the college's campuses and see how they can address those in combination with strategic goals for growth.

Goals for growth include expanding the successful online and technical programs as well as continued growth on the Highland campus and regional centers.

HCC Board Chairman Tom Smith said Fox is hitting the ground running and comes with plenty of experience.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle late Saturday morning Jefferson County wreck sent two people to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on U.S. 24 Highway, just east of U.S. 59.

The Patrol said an eastbound motorcycle driven by 49-year-old Horst Bauer, of Junction City, was traveling behind a SUV.  Bauer attempted to pass the vehicle when it slowed to make a turn, and struck the SUV.

Bauer was transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital for the treatment of possible injuries.

A passenger on his motorcycle, 55-year-old Birget Bauer, was taken to the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City with suspected serious injuries.

The Patrol says neither was wearing a helmet.

The driver of the SUV, 65-year-old St. Joseph resident Debra Sowers, and her passenger, 76-year-old Atchison resident Bradley Sowers, were not hurt.

The wreck was reported shortly after 11:00 Saturday morning.

(KMZA)--A Hiawatha man has been charged in a pair of Sabetha burglaries.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert said two complaints have been filed in Nemaha County District Court charging 55-year-old Bobby Gifford with burglary and theft.

Lippert said one complaint alleges that on April 29 Gifford entered a dwelling in Sabetha and took a computer and record albums.  He said the other complaint alleges that on the same date, Gifford entered a detached garage at the same address and took a game camera.

He was arrested July 1 by the Nemaha County Sheriff's Department on warrants for the alleged offenses.

The cases were investigated by the Sabetha Police Department.

Preliminary hearings in both cases have been set for Tuesday.

Gifford remains free on bond.     

(KAIR)--No change in leadership for the Board of Education for Atchison County’s USD 377.

That was decided during the school board’s July 10 meeting, the first of the new school year, when organization for the new year traditionally takes place.

Instead, Nancy Keith will continue to serve as President, while Barbara Chapman serves as Vice-President.

Superintendent Dr. Andrew Gaddis told MSC News the board July 10 approved a resolution extending the term of the current officers until January. That move will allow the board officer elections to align with new Kansas statute guidelines passed during the last Legislative session.

The law moves the organization of officers from the school board meeting in July to the first meeting of the board on or after the second Monday in January of each year. A school board, during that January meeting, also has the option of scheduling the organization session at a time that falls after that meeting, meaning organization could still be done in July, once voted upon in January.

The legislative change was made to allow time for new board members to be installed in January, following an election, prior to the selection of officers.

(KMZA)--A Kelly father and son have been charged in connection with a domestic incident earlier this month involving a weapon.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert said a complaint has been filed in Nemaha County District Court charging 57-year-old Robert Thorne with aggravated assault.

Lippert said the complaint alleges that on July 1, Thorne used a gun to place his 23-year-old son, Steven, in reasonable apprehension of bodily harm.

He said a complaint has also been filed against Steven Thorne charging him with domestic battery in connection with the same incident.

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

A preliminary hearing for Robert Thorne has been set for Tuesday.  Steven Thorne is scheduled for arraignment on August 6.

Both men remain free on bond.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha school board has organized for the new school year.

That happened during their regular meeting Monday evening.

Ian Schuetz was re-elected board president for the 2019-20 school year.

Tom Simmer was elected as vice-president.

Following an executive session, the Board approved hiring Sharon Goering for the family and consumer science position at the high school for the 2019-20 school year.

Superintendent Lonnie Moser reported the sixth grade teaching position is still open.

The Board accepted the resignation of high school science teacher Chris Vitt and retirement resignation of high school math teacher Karl Kliewer, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year.

The Board also approved the purchase of  a new 65-passenger bus from Midwest Transit for $89,225.

(KLZA)--On Tuesday evening around 6:30 the Falls City Police Department with assistance from the Richardson County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at 615 Fulton Street in Falls City.

During the search, FCPD officers found several pieces of drug paraphernalia and suspected methamphetamine, marijuana and other pills that are believed to be a controlled substance. The officers also located several weapons.

Taken into custody were Donita A. Frederick and Joshua M. Darden.

Frederick was charged with possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, 3 counts of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, marijuana and Pregabalin also known as Lyrica. She was also charged with child abuse.

Darden was charged with possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, two counts of posession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine and marijuana. And he was also charged with child abuse.

(KAIR)--A Sabetha man is dead, killed Thursday night in a head-on Doniphan County crash.

The Kansas Highway Patrol identifies the victim as 22-year-old Isaiah Creek, who died when his pickup truck collided with a semi-truck, less than a half mile west of Half Mound Road, in western Doniphan County.

According to the KHP report, Creek was eastbound in the westbound lane of U.S. Highway 36 when he collided with the westbound semi, driven by 52-year-old Michael Roskelley, of Neosho, Missouri.

Roskelley received what the KHP called suspected minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

The fatal wreck happened shortly before 10:00 Thursday night, and left a portion of the highway closed well into Friday morning as crews cleaned up the wreckage.

(KAIR)--Creating one department to oversee both parks and recreation in the City of Horton is proposed by the Horton City Commission.

That’s according to a public notice published this week in the Horton Headlight.

According to the notice, the Commission has determined that “it is advisable to combine the operation and administration of [the Horton] park system and its recreation system” into one department.

The notice, published for the first time on July 11, will be published once more next week; and, if within 30 days of the final publication, a petition is signed by at least 5 percent of qualified Horton voters calling for a vote on the proposed merger, such an election will have to be held.

However, if no such petition surfaces, the Commission will be able to create the unified department through the passage of an ordinance.

(KMZA)--A St. Marys man has been arrested on multiple child sex charges.

According to a news release from Pottawatomie County Sheriff Greg Riat, 52-year-old Peter Palmeri was arrested Tuesday on two counts of rape, six counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, three counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, one count of aggravated kidnapping and one count of furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Riat said a warrant was obtained for Palmeri's arrest following an investigation into allegations of criminal activity.

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

(KNZA)--A public health warning has been issued for the Hiawatha City Lake due to the presence of high levels of toxic blue-green algae.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced Thursday the lake is among six in the state placed under " warning" status.

KDHE says activities such as boating and fishing may be safe but direct contact with the water should be avoided. 

Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water. However, you should consume only the fillet portion and discard all other parts.

KDHE will continue to monitor the lake.       

(KAIR)--A Thursday morning Atchison domestic disturbance led to injuries and to one arrest.

According to Atchison Police Mike Wilson, officers were called to the 300 block of South 5th Street shortly after 7:30, where a 34-year-old woman, named as a victim, was located at the residence.

Officers learned a 43-year-old man had left the area, but he was immediately located just east of 4th and U.S. Highway 59, on the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge.

Suffering from minor injuries, the man, identified as Jason Markley, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, was transported to the Atchison Hospital by Atchison County EMS for treatment. Once released, he was arrested on an Atchison County District Court Warrant for failure to appear in court.

Once he was booked into the Atchison County Jail, Wilson said the investigation into the morning’s domestic disturbance continued, leading to Markley’s arrest on charges of aggravated assault, domestic battery, criminal restraint, and criminal threat.

Wilson said the woman had received scratches and bruises during the disturbance, but was not transported for hospital care.

(KNZA)--A proposed branding initiative for the Hiawatha community has been placed on hold.

The steering committee for the branding initiative announced Tuesday the committee would be taking a pause in the process for an indefinite amount of time.

The proposed slogan for the initiative , “ Hiawatha, the most boring town you’ll ever love” has drawn strong criticism on social media and around town since it was presented at last week’s City Commission meeting.  

It was developed based on an on-line survey conducted this past winter, with the word “ boring” being used the most by the 318 respondents to describe the community.

Rick Nobles, with Excellence K12, has been working with the city, USD 415, Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development and Hiawatha Chamber and Visitor’s Bureau on the branding initiative since last year.

Nobles appeared at the USD 415 board meeting Monday evening to give a presentation on the initiative, which was not well received by some board members who called the idea offensive and depressing.  Nobles clarified the message was intended to be “tongue and cheek humor” and not an attack on the town.

Two patrons also voiced their concerns about the proposed branding initiative during the public comment portion of the meeting.

The board took no action after Nobles presentation.

Nobles had also been scheduled to give presentations this week to the Chamber and HFED, but they were cancelled.

(KLZA)--The Nemaha County, Nebraska Fair begins Thursday in Auburn.

This years theme for the fair and parade is “Footloose at the Fair.”

Thursday events include the Horse Show, 4-H Shooting Sports the Sheep Show and Meat Goat Show, Rabbit Show and the ATV and Tractor driving contest.

Friday events include the Swine Show and BB Gun contest in the morning. The Poultry Show in the afternoon and the Fair Parade at 6:00 P.M.

Due to the traffic on Highway 75 due to flooding along the Missouri River, the parade route this year begins at the Courthouse, goes along Courthouse Avenue and crosses Highway 136 on K Street and will end at 10th Street.

Saturday will be the Bucket Calf Show and Beef Show, Clover Kid Pet Show and Rocket Launch in the morning. The Horse, Dairy and Livestock shows are in the afternoon.

There will also be a little tuggers tractor pull at 6:15.

Sunday will be the Livestock Buyers meal at 12:30, the presentation of awards at 1:30 and the Livestock Premium Sale at 2 o'clock.

There will be a carnival set up in the park, a free grandstand show at 8:00 p.m. featuring Joseph Hall as Elvis; Saturday is the Come Together Band featuring music of the Beatles at 9:00 p.m. and new this year will be the Bohemian tractor pull Thursday evening at 7:30.

(KAIR)--A Wednesday evening pursuit ended when the suspect rammed his vehicle into a police car.

That’s according to KQ2-TV, with the television station reporting the pursuit began when Elwood Police attempted to pull over the suspect vehicle, which refused to stop.

The chase went eastbound on U.S. Highway 36, where the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Department used spike strips in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

With one tire deflated, the vehicle continued across state lines, into Saint Joseph, Missouri, with the pursuit ending on East Lake Boulevard when the suspect allegedly rammed into a police car, and attempted to flee on foot.

At the time of the pursuit, it’s reported that police weren’t aware of children inside the vehicle.

Unhurt, they were released to their mother.

The suspect was taken into custody in Saint Joseph and faces assault charges.

His name is not immediately made public.

(KMZA)--Voters in the Pottawatomie County community of Havensville have approved the construction of a new city hall.

During a special election Tuesday, Havensville voters approved allowing the city to enter into a five year lease purchase agreement to finance the construction of the new city hall and adjacent parking by a vote of 33 to 15.

The lease payments will total about $220,000.

The new 30 by 50 foot building, which is to include a basement, will be  constructed in the Havensville city park where the old tennis courts are currently located.

Mayor Travis Peters said they have outgrown their current building and its bathrooms are not handicap accessible.

The new building will include a small kitchenette, which Peters says creates an opportunity for groups to hold events indoors at the park as well.  It will also include outdoor accessible restrooms.  

Construction is projected to be completed around October.

(KMZA)--A semi driver was injured early Wednesday morning when his rig overturned in eastern Pottawatomie County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 70-year-old Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania resident Dwight Hartung was westbound on U.S. 24 Highway, just east of Belvue, when his semi entered a ditch and overturned.

Hartung was trapped inside his semi and had to be extricated by emergency personnel.  He was transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital with minor injuries.

The Patrol says Hartung was buckled up when the wreck happened shortly after midnight Wednesday.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas Supreme Court justice whose votes in death penalty cases made him a political target plans to retire from the bench Sept. 8.

The decision announced Wednesday by Justice Lee Johnson will give Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly her first appointment to the seven-member high court. It will not require Kansas Senate confirmation.

Johnson was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2007 by Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius after serving six years on the state Court of Appeals.

He and other justices drew criticism for overturning death sentences in several capital murder cases.

In 2014, a group formed by victims' friends and family sought to oust Johnson in a statewide yes-or-no vote on whether he would stay on the court. The vote to retain him was less than 53 percent.

(KAIR)--A regularly occurring scam is again reported locally, with the Atchison Police Department sending a reminder regarding fake IRS phone calls.

Police, in a social media post, are reminding residents to never give out personal, or banking information, over the telephone.

The scam is an attempt to gain such personal information, with the callers falsely representing themselves as IRS agents.

The phone number sometimes showing on caller ID falsely indicates that the call has been made by the IRS.

Past reports of the scam indicate that the caller demands immediate payment of uncollected taxes, and may threaten to have the would-be victim arrested if they don't pay.

The IRS has, in past releases, clarified that it will never place such phone calls.

Photo credit: Justin Fluke

(KNZA)--The proclamation, officially declaring Homer White Week in Hiawatha, has been made.

That happened Wednesday morning at the Brown County Courthouse, where county and city employees, including members of local law enforcement, gathered for the ceremony.

Several members of the Hiawatha Chamber of Commerce, and the business community, were also present, along with members of Hiawatha’s Homer White Legion Post 66.

The post will honor its namesake, along with other veterans, during the week now officially proclaimed in White’s honor, which will run from July 31 through August 3.

Event chairman Bob Sines, of the Legion post, recently told local leaders the legion is working with local civic organizations to put on the event, which will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of White during World War I, the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI, and the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the American Legion by Congress.

White, who grew up in the area, served as a motorcycle courier during World War I. He died in February 1919 from injuries received in a motorcycle accident and was buried in Germany.

His body was brought back to Hiawatha, and Sines said the Legion plans to re-enact the August 3, 1919 graveside service held for White in the Hiawatha Cemetery on Saturday, August 3rd. Sines called the original ceremony one of the largest military funerals in Kansas.

The August 3 event will be complete with a procession down Hiawatha's Oregon Street, modeled after the actual procession held in 1919.

Sines said also planned is a World War I remembrance banquet on Friday, August 2, at the Fisher Center, in Hiawatha. The free-will donation banquet will include a short program.

The Legion also plans to hold an outdoor band concert and car show on July 31.

300 to 500 people are expected to attend the week long event.

To read the proclamation, go here. 

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A former Kansas sheriff's deputy alleges in a lawsuit that she was forced out of her job after reporting that a fellow deputy had sexually assaulted her.

The Kansas City Star reports that the lawsuit was filed Monday in federal court. The suit says the Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office fostered a culture of sexual harassment throughout the plaintiff's employment. It also says that after a two-month suspension, her abuser returned to work with no further disciplinary measures.

The sheriff's office declined to comment on the suit because the office has not been officially served with the documents.

The Star generally does not name victims of sexual assault without their permission. The Star has not named the deputy accused of sexual assault because the paper had not reached him individually for comment as of Tuesday.

(KAIR)--A woman, convicted of murdering her estranged husband in Leavenworth, could get a new trial.

That comes as a judge schedules a hearing to consider a motion in the case of 53-year-old Barbara Frantz, of Kansas City, Kansas, who was convicted of first-degree murder last year.

The Leavenworth Times reports Frantz was accused of shooting the man in January, 2017, in a downtown Leavenworth parking lot.

She has not yet been sentenced, and remains held in the Leavenworth County Jail.

Her attorneys filed the motion for a new trial last week.

Assistant Leavenworth County Attorney Shawn Boyd told the newspaper Monday he plans to file a response to the motion, but that will take time.

The hearing on the motion is scheduled for November.

(MSC News)--Despite severe weather, including tornado warnings issued Wednesday morning, no major damage is reported in the local area.

That word comes after preliminary assessments are made following the severe storm outbreak.

Tornado warnings were issued around 7:30 Wednesday morning for northwestern Jackson County and southern Nemaha County by the National Weather Service.

The tornado was radar indicated, according to Nemaha County officials, but no reports were made regarding an actual tornado sighting.

County Emergency Preparedness Director Russ Lierz told MSC News there’s no immediate word on any damage.

No damage has yet been reported from the storms that rolled across Jackson County.

Other areas of the immediate area were also impacted by Wednesday morning storms that led to the issuance of several severe thunderstorm warnings until 9:00.

(KLZA)--During the Monday evening Pawnee City School Board meeting, a motion was approved to send a letter to the Humboldt – Table Rock – Steinauer School District, proposing a discussion about co-oping sports programs.

The proposal is to appoint board committees to meet and discuss the possibility of cooperative sports programs.

Pawnee City School Board members Terry Borcher, Hope Koester and Lisa Hunzeker were appointed to the committee with Jason Vetrovsky to serve as the alternate.

Earlier this spring the two school districts proposed co-oping varsity football to the Nebraska School Activities Association. The proposal was turned down because currently the schedules made by the NSAA are in the middle of their two-year cycle.

Following a public hearing on a number of policies the Board approved them. Handbooks for the 2019-20 school year were approved and the Board voted to increase the daily pay for a substitute teacher from $120 to $125.

The school bus driver payment rate for routes was increased y $2.50 to $47.50 per route.

(MSC News)--President Donald Trump Tuesday approved Missouri’s request for a major disaster declaration to assist residents and businesses in 20 counties in the state affected by flooding, tornadoes, and severe storms that began April 29 and continue to impact the state.

The President’s declaration makes the federal Individual Assistance program available to eligible residents in the included counties, including Andrew, Atchison,Boone, Buchanan, Carroll, Chariton, Cole, Greene, Holt,  Jackson, Jasper, Lafayette, Lincoln, Livingston, Miller, Osage, Pike, Platte, Pulaski, and St. Charles counties.

Residents in those counties can now register for Federal Emergency Management Agency  assistance with temporary housing, housing repairs, and the replacement of household items.

In a news release, Missouri Governor Mike Parson calls the President’s approval “important news for Missouri families and communities that have been hit so hard by the continuing flooding, tornadoes, and severe storms this year.”

The state’s June 24 request for a federal disaster declaration stated that Preliminary Damage Assessments examined 1,650 primary homes, of which 953 had been destroyed or sustained major damage. The assessments also showed that 125 of 251 businesses that were examined had been destroyed or sustained major damage.

(KLZA)-- Humboldt Ward I voters  have recalled Ward I Council Woman Dolores Martinez.

Results of the mail-in recall election were tallied Tuesday afternoon with 93 votes in favor of the recall and 55 against the recall.

Martinez was serving her first term in office, taking the oath of office in 2017.

The recall petition was filed April 3 by Jamie Lynne Dorney and enough signatures were gathered to force the recall election.

Dorney alleged in the petition that Martinez had not acted in the best interest of the City of Humboldt and acted unethically toward city employees, other officials and residents of Humboldt during her time in office.

55.2 percent of the registered voters in Humboldt Ward I cast ballots in the election.

(KLZA)-- During the Tuesday meeting of the Richardson County Commissioners, Board members voted to accept the resignation of Sheriff Don Pounds.

Pounds submitted a letter of resignation Saturday, July 6.

In the letter, Pounds tells the Board they have forced his resignation.

Commissioners have appointed longtime Deputy and Sheriff's Department Investigator Roland Merwin to serve as Acting Sheriff until a permanent replacement is appointed. The newly appointed Sheriff will serve the remainder of Pounds term which goes until January, 2022.

Richardson County is now accepting applications for the position of Sheriff. Applications are due by July 29. The County Board must appoint someone to the position within 45 days from July 9, the day Pounds resignation was accepted.

In a three-page letter Pounds said quote: “I refuse to become a puppet for the City of Falls City and hereby stand up for the Citizens of Richardson County to do what I believe is right, which is resulting in this resignation.”

Pounds said he believes he is doing what is the best for the citizens of Richardson County, not just what is best for the City of Falls City.

In the final paragraph Pounds alleges that in January of this year, the City Attorney of Falls City initiated a criminal investigation against him on state and or federal charges. Pounds said he requested an attorney to assist him with the defense against the charges, that if founded, would have also made the County liable. He says after repeated requests he was denied an attorney and had to face a criminal investigation that included several Sheriff's Office employees being involved, and noted that thanks to the professionalism of the entire Department, the case was unfounded.

Pounds claims the Commissioners denied his basic rights by not allowing an attorney and accused the City of Falls City as the initiator of the accusation.

There are several paragraphs of the letter concerning the situation involving records management systems which started with a dispute over whether the system would be installed on a server with the City of Falls City, or one at the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center.

In related news Tuesday it was revealed that current Jail Administrator Jonathan Kirkendall has resigned from his position. He will stay with the Sheriff's Department as a part-time deputy.

Merwin told MSC News that he is appointing former Richardson County Sheriff Randy Houser as temporary Jail Administrator.

(KAIR)--Motorists traveling between Atchison, Kansas and St. Joseph, Missouri, should anticipate a narrow stretch of road as work is conducted on U.S. Highway 59.

According to a news release issued by the Missouri Department of Transportation, one lane of the highway is closed near Halls, Missouri, in preparation for a planned overlay project.

The lane will remain closed until it’s expected reopening on Friday morning at 6:00.

Temporary traffic signals are in place to direct traffic around the work.

The signals will be in place near Rushville on Monday and Tuesday of next week for concrete replacement work.

All work is dependent on weather conditions.

(MSC News)--U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) visited Wamego to meet with Kansans during a Pottawatomie County Kansas Listening Tour stop on Friday, July 5.

“During my Kansas Listening Tour stop in Wamego we discussed a number of issues related to veterans’ healthcare, the VA MISSION Act and the need to prioritize veteran and community mental health resources,” said Sen. Moran. “We also discussed rural broadband and my work to make certain communities across Kansas have access to this technology to compete in the global economy. Additionally, I stressed the importance of passing the USMCA trade agreement to increase market access for farmers, and the Senate’s recent action to provide humanitarian support for our southern border.”

Sen. Moran’s Kansas Listening Tour provides an outlet for area residents to share feedback on the critical issues facing Kansas and the nation. Throughout his time in Congress, Sen. Moran has made it a priority to stay connected to the people he represents despite a distance of more than 1,000 miles between Capitol Hill and Kansas. Since his election to the U.S. Senate, Sen. Moran has continued to hold Listening Tour stops in each of Kansas’ 105 counties.

Editor's note: The above was submitted to MSC News by the office of U.S. Senator Jerry Moran R-KS

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A one-time speechwriter for former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius says she will begin a campaign on Tuesday for an eastern Kansas congressional seat.

The Kansas City Star reports that Democrat Abbie Hodgson will seek the party's nomination to challenge freshman GOP Rep. Steve Watkins in Kansas' 2nd Congressional District, which includes Lawrence, Topeka and Leavenworth.

The 37-year-old Hodgson is a former Kansas House Democratic staff member who has spent the past two years working in Washington, D.C., for Pew Charitable Trusts. She has moved back to Kansas and says she will step down from her position with Pew's State Strategy Group.

Hodgson said her campaign will focus on health care, agriculture, trade policy and the financial well-being of Kansans.

The 42-year-old Watkins defeated former state legislative leader Paul Davis last year.

(KAIR)--Despite rumors to the contrary, spring flooding is not likely to have any impact on Atchison’s forthcoming Amelia Earhart Festival.

Festival Coordinator Jacque Pregont, during an appearance on the 93.7 FM morning show, said she’s heard the rumors claiming that the July 20 Concert in the Sky fireworks display will have to be moved due to flooding, and those claims are simply untrue. “I know there’s still [Missouri river flood water, east of Atchison], but there is not water where we set off fireworks. Unless the skies open, and we get those multiple, multiple rain days, we’re good.”

Pregont said all of the necessary steps have been taken to hold the annual fireworks display at the traditional Atchison riverfront location. “We have the okay from everybody, all our permits are in order. The fireworks are going to be right where they always are, they’re going to be on the riverfront, so please share that, spread the word, tell people to stop the rumors.”

The Concert in the Sky annually serves as the grand finale to the Amelia Earhart Festival, held each July in honor of the famed aviator and Atchison native.

A full day of events on Saturday, July 20 will lead up to the nighttime fireworks.

The festival annually kicks off with the LakeFest Country music concert at Warnock Lake.

The July 19 concert will feature headliner Kip Moore along with Devin Dawson and Kylie Morgan.

Tickets are $25 in advance.

(KAIR)--With new Superintendent Renee Scott officially at the helm, the Board of Education for USD 409 has organized for the new school year.

That happened during the board’s regular meeting held Monday evening.

Following brief discussion, board member Rick Zumbrunn made a motion to leave the current board leadership in place, meaning Herb Gwaltney retains the role of President while Carrie Sowers continues on as Vice-President.

The rest of the board agreed, voting unanimously to keep Gwaltney and Sowers in those positions.

The new school year began at the beginning of the month, and that’s when Scott began formally serving as Superintendent of schools. Monday’s meeting was her first in that official role.

She replaces former Superintendent Dr. Susan Myers, whose retirement became effective just prior to the start of the new school year.

(KAIR)--A suspicious substance found in an envelope addressed to St. Joseph, Missouri Mayor Bill McMurray, has been identified as human ashes.

KQ2-TV, citing Buchanan County Emergency Manager Bill Brinton, reports the ashes are those of a former city employee who wanted their remains spread near City Hall.

The discovery of the envelope late Monday morning led to the closing of a portion of City Hall, and a response from emergency crews.

The envelope was discovered around 11:00 by an employee in the City’s finance department who was sorting through the morning mail.

(KNZA)--The rural Denison woman who suffered injuries in a Sunday night UTV accident in Jackson County has been identified.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse Monday afternoon identified her as 50-year-old Carol Ann McManigal.

Morse said the accident happened three-quarters of a mile south of 222nd on U. Road when McManigal was southbound in a 2010 Polaris Ranger on U. Road.

When she reached a low water crossing where children were fishing, Morse said it’s reported that her dog got out of the UTV, and she followed suit to retrieve the animal. However, the UTV began to roll, and when she attempted to stop it, the UTV went off the concrete crossing and into the water, trapping her beneath it.

The children tried to free her, and with the help of neighbors, she was removed from the water.

McManigal was flown from the scene to Topeka’s Stormont Vail for the treatment of what Morse called life-threatening injuries.

The accident occurred around 8:00.

Along with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Holton Fire Department, Jackson County EMS, and the Kansas Highway Patrol all responded to the scene.

(KLZA)-- A body was discovered early Monday morning in connection with a homicide case in Jefferson County, Nebraska.

The Jefferson County Sheriffs office released information Monday that two subjects were arrested as persons of interest in the possible homicide of an adult male near Crystal Springs Park near Fairbury.

Those subject were 25-year-old Jerry Gilbert and 21-year-old Caitlin Grable, both of Odessa, Texas.

About 4:00 A.M. Monday, Gilbert led investigators to the deceased body of an adult male. The body was transported to the Douglas County Coroner's Office for an autopsy. Upon a positive identification of the victim and notification of next of kin, his name will be released.

Gilbert is being held on charges of 2nd Degree Murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony, felon in possession of a firearm, tampering with evidence and improper disposal of human remains.

Grable is being held as an accessory to 2nd Degree Murder, possession of a controlled substance, assault, tampering with evidence.

The investigation is ongoing.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Sheriff Don Pounds has submitted a letter of resignation.

The letter was received Saturday. Richardson County Commissioners are expected to consider the resignation Tuesday during their regular weekly meeting.

It is also expected the Board will appoint an interim Sheriff until a permanent successor is appointed.

In May, during a public meeting in Humboldt, organized by Sheriff Pounds, a point of contention was the new CRIMES software program and installation which Commissioners voted to install on a server at the City office in Falls City. During the meeting Pounds said if the system were installed on the city server, he would resign due to the amount of liability he had, and felt he would not have control over the information in the system.

Commissioners have since agreed to have the records system installed at the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center.

Pounds also stated during the meeting in Humboldt it was his opinion the Falls City Police Department was attempting to take over the Sheriff's Department, suggesting if he were to resign a Falls City Police Officer would be appointed Sheriff.

Pounds served one full-term as Sheriff and was re-elected with no opposition with his second four-year term in office starting this past January.

When appointed, the new sheriff will fulfill the remainder of the term, until January, 2022.

To read the full letter, go here. 

(AP)--Former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach is launching a campaign to run for the U.S. Senate next year.

Kobach filed paperwork Monday with the Federal Election Commission forming a campaign committee. He scheduled a speech Monday afternoon in Leavenworth.

He is seeking the Republican nomination for four-term GOP Sen. Pat Roberts' seat. Roberts is not seeking re-election in 2020.

Some Republicans do not want Kobach to run for the Senate because he lost the governor's race last year to Democrat Laura Kelly.

Kobach is an advocate for tough immigration policies. He was an early and vocal supporter of President Donald Trump in 2016 but has frequently alienated GOP moderates.

Kobach is joining a potentially crowded race. At least 16 prospective candidates have expressed an interest in running.

(KAIR)--One lane of U.S. Highway 59 has reopened.

That word came Sunday afternoon in posts from both the Buchanan County, Missouri Sheriff’s Department and Atchison County Emergency Management.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, one lane of the highway, located east of Atchison, Kansas, in Buchanan County, is open, with traffic being directed by a stop light system.

The highway closed in May due to flooding.

(KAIR)--Shoulder work on an area highway will mean delays for motorists.  

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, the placement of rock on the shoulders of K-4 Highway, from U.S. Highway 24 to K-92 Highway, will begin Monday.  

The work will affect both Jefferson and Shawnee counties.  

Traffic will be reduced to one lane, and controlled by a pilot car, through the seven-mile work zone.  

Traffic will be affected from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, with 15 minute delays expected.

Motorists are encouraged to allow extra time for travel.  

The project is expected to be complete by Friday, July 12, if weather allows.

(KAIR)--Helicopter transport was required following a Sunday morning, single vehicle, Atchison County crash.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, it happened on K-7 Highway, north of 318th Road.

According to Laurie, 45-year-old Kellie Foster, of Atchison, was southbound on the highway when she crossed over the highway and struck a tree.

Foster required extrication from her vehicle and was flown from the scene to the University of Kansas Medical Center, in Kansas City, Kansas, by LifeNet helicopter.

Laurie said the cause of the crash isn’t immediately known.

The wreck happened shortly before 10:00 Sunday morning.

(KAIR)--A drug investigation, dating back to earlier this year, has led to one arrest.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 24-year-old Rosezitta Moore was taken into custody on Tuesday.

Laurie said Moore was arrested on an Atchison County District Court warrant charging her with possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

She was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on March 23.

That was discovered as Sheriff’s Deputies were investigating drug activity, and talked to Moore as part of the probe.

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

Her bond is set at $10,000.

(KNZA)--A Topeka man is facing charges in connection with a Jackson County burglary investigation.

According to a news release issued by Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, 59-year-old John Michael King was arrested Wednesday.

He was taken into custody on charges including aggravated burglary, stalking, and criminal trespass, with the crimes allegedly having occurred Wednesday morning, stemming from a domestic situation.

An additional burglary and criminal damage at the same residence Tuesday is also being investigated.

Additional charges are possible.

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

His bond is set at $35,000.

(KLZA)--Falls City Council members have approved a resolution forgiving repayment of $125-thousand in Falls City Community Development Block  Grant ReUse funds.

To be eligible the company, Falls City Foods,  had to meet certain job creation, job retention and job maintenance thresholds. On June 7 of this year, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development notified the City that the company had met the thresholds listed which included the creation of 20 new jobs.

In other business the Council approved the appointment of Trent Scheitel to the Community Redevelopment Authority. 

(KAIR)--The Jefferson County Commission has extended the disaster declaration put in place due to spring’s severe weather.

Jefferson County was among those impacted by flooding, and other severe weather affects.

On Monday, Emergency Services Director James Tweed brought the issue to the Commission, requesting that the disaster declaration be extended.

The Commission voted unanimously to do so, extending it from June 13 to July 11.

The disaster declaration gives the County the ability to take certain actions to handle the affects of flooding.

Among the impacts Jefferson County has felt has been flooded wells, which led to the issuance of boil water advisories for several areas of the county.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Utility Department has announced Stone Street, between 16th and 17th Streets will be closed to traffic from Thursday, July 11, through Thursday, July 18.

During this time, pavement associated with the ongoing Stone Street Phase II Revitalization Project will be installed.

Pedestrian access to businesses and properties will be maintained at all times. Tenants and customers are encouraged to utilize City parking lots located west of the improvements and accessible from 16th Street, 17th Street and Chase Street.

(KLZA)-- A longtime Pawnee County businessman announced Thursday he will seek the Republican nomination for Nebraska's 1st District State Legislative seat.

Dennis Schaardt, owner of Den's Country Meats in Table Rock, is currently serving his second term as a Pawnee County Commissioner made the announcement at the Pawnee County Courthouse before a group of supporters, family and friends.

Schaardt has served in many civic roles including the Pawnee County Ag Society, Pawnee County 4-H council, more than a decade as chairman for the Village of Table Rock and more than 25 years as the Fire Chief for the Table Rock Volunteer Fire Department. Schaardt is currently serving a fifth year as Chairman of the Pawnee County Board of Commissioners.

(KAIR)--The suspected gunman in a June 9 Atchison shooting is now in custody.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the arrest was made Wednesday afternoon. “Kevin Maxey, Jr., was taken into custody at 2:30 [Wednesday afternoon] in St. Joseph Missouri on an Atchison County District Court warrant charging him with attempted 2nd degree murder, criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and criminal discharge of a firearm.”

31-year-old Maxey, of Atchison, who is accused of pulling the trigger in the early morning shooting that left a 42-year-old man hospitalized, has been on the run since the time of the shooting. “[Atchison Police] detectives have been working with agents with the U.S. Marshal’s office and information had been developed that he was in St. Joseph. An investigation in St. Joseph [Wednesday] which included a surveillance of an apartment complex in a residential area by agents and detectives...led to Maxey’s arrest.”

Maxey was being booked into the Buchanan County Jail Wednesday afternoon, and is expected to face extradition to Kansas to face the Atchison-based charges. “He was taken into custody by the United States Marshal Fugitive Apprehension Team, the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force, the St. Joseph Missouri Street Crimes Unit, and detectives with the Atchison Police Department,” Wilson said.

The shooting occurred around 3:00 on the June 9 morning in a vacant lot located in the 1100 block of Atchison’s North 8th Street.

With around 20 people gathered in that location, Wilson said the victim was shot during an alleged altercation between Maxey and someone else.

The victim has been identified through fundraiser information as Atchison resident Clinton Dunbar, who was shot twice.

Due to mounting medical expenses, the Clinton Dunbar Family Benefit Account has been established at the Exchange Bank. Dunbar family friend Jenny Durkin told MSC News last month, the 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.

(KLZA)-- Following several question from the audience about why,  and concerns raised about senior citizens on fixed incomes, Falls City Council members  unanimously approved on second reading Monday night, proposed increases on city utilities.  

City Administrator Gary Jorn explained the amount of the increase for gas, electric, water and sewer are arrived at by a utility study conducted every three years. Costs for the commodities purchased, bonding, capital improvements are all analyzed when determining the new rates.

The rate study first goes to the Board of Public Works and the Board then recommends what changes they feel are necessary to the City Council.  Jorn says rate increases are required to support ongoing  capital improvements.  He said if you don't make improvements, you will have a failed system.  The capital improvements usually come with big price tags

The increase in the average residential customer in Fiscal Year 2020 will increase $7.16 with the Fiscal Year 2021 monthly utility bill increase is projected to be $ 7.68.

Council members and Jorn explained how the City owning electrical generators helps citizens receive a better rate on electricity purchased from OPPD as well as allowing the City a backup if OPPD lines were to go down. Falls City has not other way to have electricity delivered. 

Mayor Shawna Bindle noted she is learning how important keeping the utilities in working order is. Bindle said it is the Council's job to ensure the the utilities are in good shape for future generations.  The first-term Mayor said she did not  realize the impact of that before being sworn in. 

The Council will vote on enacting the new rates on third an final reading during the July 18th Council meeting.  

(MSC News)--Numerous local communities will commemorate the nation’s independence during the upcoming days

Hiawatha and Sabetha will hold their Independence Day celebrations  Wednesday evening.

At Hiawatha, the Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau will have a tent set up near the Skate Park from 7 to 9 to hand out free water, along with glow-in the dark bracelets to the first 500 kids.  Face painting will be available and the Hiawatha Community Jazz Band will perform in that area , beginning at 7:00.  The Brown County Historical Society will hold an ice cream social from 5 to 7 at the Carwell Building at the Ag Museum. The fireworks will start at dusk on Windmill Lane, set off by the Hiawatha Fire Department and sponsored by the city of Hiawatha and Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau.

In Sabetha, the Sabetha Fire Department will hold the city’s fireworks display at 10 p.m. at the 6th Street sports complex.

Bern, Centralia, Highland, Horton, Humboldt, Robinson and Troy are all planning a full day of activities Thursday to celebrate the 4th of July, with fireworks at dusk.

Horton’s activities will begin with the Annual Fishing Derby at the Little Lake for kids up to the age of 15.  Registration will be at 7:00 in the morning with the derby taking place from 8 to 9.   That will be followed by a sand volleyball tournament at Mission Lake.  There will be food and games at Hickory Point on the lake.  New this year with be a boat parade.  All motorized watercrafts are welcome.  Boats will line up at the north end of Mission Lake at 5:30 with the parade starting at 6:00.  Fireworks will light up the sky at dusk.

Atchison will also celebrate the 4th of July Thursday with a fireworks display at Warnock Lake.

Everest will hold their Independence Day celebration Friday, with fireworks at dusk.

(KNZA)--Homer White American Legion Post 66 in Hiawatha will honor its namesake  and other area veterans who have given their lives in service of our country during a week long event planned later this month.

Event chairman Bob Sines, with the local Legion post, discussed their plans Monday with the Brown County Commission and Hiawatha City Commission for Homer White Week, which will be held July 29 through August 3.

Sines said the Legion is working with local civic organizations to put on the event, which will commemorate the 100 anniversary the death of White during World War 1, 100th anniversary of the end of WW1 and 100th anniversary of the establishment of the American Legion by Congress.

White, who grew up in the area, served as a motorcycle courier during World War 1.  He died in February 1919 from injuries received in a motorcycle accident and was buried in Germany.  

His body was brought back to Hiawatha and a graveside service was held at the Hiawatha Cemetery on August 3, 1919.  Sines said it was one of the largest military funerals in Kansas attended by hundreds of dignitaries, residents and military veterans.

Sines said the Legion plans to re-enact the event on Saturday, August 3rd complete with a procession down Oregon Street just like in 1919.  He said everyone is invited to join the procession of the Hiawatha Cemetery where a short service will be held.

Sines said also planned is a World War I remembrance  banquet on Friday, August 2 at the Fisher Center.  The free-will donation banquet will include a short program.

In addition, he said the Legion plans to hold an outdoor band concert and car show on July 31.

Sines said they expect 300 to 500 people to attend the week long event.

(KNZA)--A new magistrate judge for the 22nd Judicial District will be sworn in Monday afternoon, July 8.

Laura Johnson-McNish will be sworn in during a ceremony at 3:00 in the large courtroom on the second floor of the Doniphan County Courthouse in Troy.  The public is invited to attend.

The 22nd Judicial District includes both Doniphan and Brown Counties, along with Nemaha and Marshall.

Johnson-McNish was recently appointed by Governor Laura Kelly to fill the term of longtime Magistrate Judge Roy Roper, who retired effective March 31.

The term will expire in January 2021.  The position is up for election in November of next year.

Johnson-McNish had served as Marshall County Attorney for more than 8 years prior to her appointment as magistrate judge.

She grew up in Doniphan County and is a 1978 graduate of Troy High School.     
 

(KNZA)--" Hiawatha: The most boring town you'll ever love."

That’s the branding slogan chosen for a campaign to promote the community.

Rick Nobles, with Excellence K12, has been working with the city, USD 415, the Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development and the Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau on a branding campaign to attract visitors and new residents to the community.

Nobles presented the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening with three print ads developed for the first phase of the campaign that include the branding slogan.

It was developed based on an on-line survey that was conducted this past winter.  318 people participated in the survey, with 61 percent of those living in Hiawatha.  “ Boring” and “ Mayberrish” were the two words respondents used to describe the community.  

Nobles said the key to branding is to embrace what you are. “I can tell you categorically no other town is claiming boring as their watchword, so it’s different. It does actually resonate, but only for a special kind of people, and that just happens to be the people who are already here, and who love being here, and love visiting here, and I’m going to include myself in that because I fell in love with the town the first time I saw it.”

Nobles said the 1st target of the campaign, which will be conducted through an email blast system, will be Hiawatha residents. “Want to gather email addresses of everyone we can in the town, and we send them a monthly newsletter. The newsletter will have the ads in it, but that’s not the focal point. The focal point of the newsletter is stories about the town, and about its history. It’ll be a little bit of what events are going on that you can attend, features on different attractions.”

The campaign, which will run through the end of the year, will cost $7,500, with the cost to be split between the four participating entities.

The Commission voted to move forward with the campaign, with the city’s share of the cost being $1,875.   

(KAIR)--13-years in prison.

That’s the sentence handed down for an Atchison man charged with distribution of drugs, including methamphetamine.

According to Atchison County Attorney Sherri Becker, 43-year-old Dedrick Haley learned his fate Monday in Atchison County District Court.

Sentencing followed a trial where a jury found Haley guilty on all charges, including distribution of methamphetamine and distribution of marijuana.

During his sentencing, motions filed by Haley’s attorney for a new trial, as well as probation instead of prison, were denied.

Haley was arrested during a March 2018 traffic stop conducted by the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office when drugs were found inside the vehicle.

Sheriff Jack Laurie, at that time, told MSC News, the stop followed a 4-month investigation that utilized an undercover informant.

Becker called the investigation “a large scale case.”

(KMZA)--The Marshall County Democratic Party’s central committee has nominated deputy county clerk Sandy Wilson as the next county clerk.

The Marysville Advocate reports the committee met Tuesday evening in Marysville to nominate someone to fill the unexpired term of former County Clerk Sonya Stohs, who resigned effective June 18.

Wilson was the only candidate nominated by members of the Democratic Central Committee.

Her name will now be forwarded to Governor Laura Kelly for approval.

Wilson will fill a term expiring in January 2021.  The position is up for election in November 2020.

(KNZA)--Several county residents meet with the Brown County Commission Monday to voice their concerns about trains blocking crossings in the county for long periods of time.

Meeting with the Commission were Jim Aller, Terry Aller and Jerry Gifford.

Also taking part in the discussion were Sheriff John Merchant and County Attorney Kevin Hill.

The Commission was told the trains, which have grown longer in length, have blocked crossings anywhere from 40 minutes to over an hour.

Jim Aller said it not only affects his work, forcing him to take the long way around to get to job sites, but may also delay the response of emergency vehicles.

Merchant said the majority of complaints he’s received about blocked crossings have come from south of Hiawatha.   He said he has talked to Union Pacific about the issue.

Hill suggested having deputies issue citations for trains that block a crossing for an extended period of time.  He also suggested the county send a letter to the railroad outlining the concerns about the prolonged blocking of crossings.    

Meanwhile, County Clerk Melissa Gormley will do some research on previous agreements between the county and railroad.  

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The amount of water flowing into the lower Missouri River will remain high throughout the summer and fall, and that water will likely continue to exacerbate flooding downstream.
 
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it plans to keep releases from Gavins Point Dam on the Nebraska-South Dakota border near current levels - which are more than double the average amount.
 
The high releases will likely continue worsening flooding downstream - in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas - where many levees were damaged during severe March flooding.
 
Officials say the releases of 70,000 cubic feet per second of water are needed because the upstream reservoirs remain quite full. The amount of water entering the dams in June was 159 percent of normal, and it has been a wet year.
 

(MSC News)--A 71-year-old United States Air Force Veteran is walking across the country in an effort to raise awareness for his fellow Veterans.

William Shuttleworth, in May, began his journey on foot, departing from his home state of Massachusetts, in his “Vets Don’t Forget Vets” campaign.

On Monday, he made his way through portions of the local area, including Highland, in Doniphan County, as well as time in Brown and Nemaha Counties.

Details about Shuttleworth’s effort can be found here.

Brian Hagen, of MSC Radio News, had a chance to talk to Shuttleworth Monday as he made his way through the local leg of his journey.

( KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has approved for publication a proposed 2020 budget of $8.1 million that calls for a slight increase in the property tax levy.

The Commission took the action Monday evening.

The proposed budget contains a .051 mill increase over the current year's budget, which is equal to $1,184.

It calls for the city to collect more than $1.2 million in property taxes.

The Commission will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing at their July 15 meeting.

In other business, City Administrator Mike Nichols told Commissioners a resolution has been drafted for their review that would place a proposed one-quarter percent city-wide sales tax on the November general election ballot for general recreational purposes.

The Commission is to consider approval of the resolution at their July 15 meeting.

It would replace an existing one-quarter percent sales tax imposed for the historical post lantern street light project and other street lighting purposes, which is set to expire March 31, 2020.

The new sales tax, if approved by voters, would take effect April 1, 2020.

Mayor Bill Collins said it would allow the city to reduce its property tax levy 3 to 7 mills.

(KNZA)--A Monday morning two-vehicle northwest Missouri wreck sent an Atchison man to the hospital.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 20-year-old Shay Frazier was eastbound on Missouri Route 116, about 3 miles west of Lathrop in Clinton County, when his SUV crossed the center line.  A westbound pickup truck driven by 60-year-old Lawrence Parsons, of Plattsburg, swerved to avoid a collision and Frazier’s vehicle side-swiped the driver’s side of his pickup.  Frazier’s vehicle then traveled off the roadway and overturned.  Parsons vehicle returned to the roadway and overturned.

Frazier, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was transported by private vehicle to the Cameron Regional Medical Center with what the Patrol described as minor injuries.

Parsons, who was wearing a seatbelt, was not hurt.

The wreck was reported shortly before 8:30 Monday morning.

(KLZA)-- Following several weeks of discussion and urging from members of the Richardson County Sheriff's Department, County Commissioners have approved a salary increase beginning June 30th for the various Deputy Sheriff positions within the department.

 During the June 26th Commissioners meeting, Deputy Clinton Stonebarger presented a revised “step pay scale” to Commissioners John Caverzagie and Terry Frank. Board Chairman David Sickel was gone due to an illness.

Following discussion, commissioners tabled the step pay scale for further consideration.

The wage increases will be between $3.40 and $3.44 per hour for the various positions.

The new hourly wages are:

Deputy Sergeant - $25.35.

Investigator - $25.35.

Jail Administrator – Sergeant - $24.81.

Deputies with less than three years time - $23.16.

Deputies with more than three years experience - $23.66.

Road Sergeant - $25.35.

The annual salary for the Sheriff is set for four-year periods and will not be changed.

Commissioners also approved partial payment of claims filed by deputies, but did not agree to paying time-and-a-half on holidays worked. Stonebarger and Lyle McMann will be paid for an additional two-hours worked on holidays. The deputies were being paid for 8 hours of work, while working 10 hour shifts on holidays. Stonebarger will be paid $992.25. His claim was in an amount of $2,341. McMann will be paid $1,032.75, his claim was for $2,765.

(KLZA)-- For the third time in 10 years, the Nebraska Diplomats and the Department of Economic Development have recognized Falls City as an Economic Development Certified Community.

DED Business Development Consultant Deb Eggleston honored members of Falls City’s Economic Development and Growth Enterprise board during the organization’s monthly meeting on Thursday, June 20.

Falls City is one of 40 communities to earn EDCC certification in the program, sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats and administered by DED. State officials established the program in 2005 to recognize communities for preparedness to attract new industries and grow existing businesses. The community received its original EDCC certification in 2009 and earned recertification in 2014 and 2019.

The EDGE team’s focus on workforce development has grown significantly since 2014. EDGE’s partnership with Southeast Community College resulted in the recruitment and location of a new SCC Learning Center in 2016. A current, industry-specific construction project will provide additional tools for skills training in healthcare and manufacturing. EDGE and SCC partners anticipate completion of the new 10,000 square foot facility in late 2019 or early 2020.

As workforce opportunities at the collegiate level continue to grow, EDGE officials have also prioritized partnerships between industry leaders and Richardson County schools. Falls City EDGE actively works to establish relationships with manufacturing businesses through participation in National and Nebraska Manufacturing Day. The program encourages the promotion of Falls City’s manufacturing industry by providing educators with industry knowledge to share with high school students.

Recent business expansions also support opportunities for growth in the community’s workforce. The completion of Kearney Welding’s 6,000 square foot manufacturing facility included the addition of five new employees. The company’s $300,000 investment included new equipment for regional outsourcing services in welding and fabrication. In addition, Falls City Foods’ site selection process led them to invest $3 million in the community, resulting in a new facility that now employs 19 people.

Armbruster Motor Company’s recent expansion included updates to the business’ auto body retail, maintenance and repair shop. The project is Falls City’s fourth Tax Increment Financing project, which included assistance for site preparation, paving and utility upgrades.

EDGE’s recent option to purchase a 1,000-acre, Union Pacific Railroad served speculative megasite was approved by the U.P. in January was also noted during the presentation.

(Falls City, Nebraska), June 27, 2019 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director CED Brenda Fields in Richardson County is reminding farmers, ranchers and landowners that nominations are now open for the 2019 FSA County Committee election. 

The FSA County Committee candidate nomination period began on June 14, 2019. Nomination forms must be postmarked or received in the Richardson County FSA office by close of business on Aug. 1, 2019.

For election purposes, counties are divided into local administrative areas (LAAs). Each LAA nominates and elects one producer to serve a three-year term on the FSA County Committee. Each year an election is held in an LAA where a committee member’s three-year term is expiring. For 2019, an election will be held in LAA 3, which includes East Muddy, Barada, Arago, Jefferson, and Rulo Townships.

“Farmers and ranchers in LAA 3 are urged to participate in this year’s county committee elections by nominating candidates by the Aug. 1, 2019, deadline,” said CED Fields. “County committees are unique to FSA and allow producers to have a voice on federal farm program implementation at the local level.”

To be eligible to serve on an FSA County Committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the LAA in which the person is a candidate.

Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others. Organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign an FSA-669A nomination form. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections is available at fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms must be postmarked or received in the local USDA service center by close of business on Aug. 1, 2019.

Nationwide, there are approximately 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. These individuals make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other agricultural issues. Committees consist of three to 11 members who are elected by eligible producers.

For more information on the FSA County Committee election, contact the Richardson County FSA office at (402) 245-2401.

(KMZA)--The Marshall County Democratic Party’s central committee will meet Tuesday evening, July 2, to nominate a new county clerk.

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

The nominee, if approved by Governor Laura Kelly, will fill the unexpired term of former County Clerk Sonya Stohs, who recently resigned.

At the meeting, county Democratic precinct men and women will vote on the nominee to replace Sohs.

County Democratic party chairman Jim Swim, Jr., said any registered county Democrat who wants to be considered for the county clerk position must attend the meeting.

At the start of the meeting, Swim said the central committee will vote on the        nomination process for the candidates.  After the process is set, there will be time for registered county Democrats to nominate candidates.

(KMZA)--The Marshall County community of Blue Rapids has been awarded a more than $760,000 grant for the construction of a new swimming pool.

According to a press release from the Kansas Department of Commerce, Blue Rapids is among 11 communities across the state awarded a special series of Community Development Block Grants.

Blue Rapids was awarded $763,411 in CDBG funds, which will provide 60 percent of the project cost.

The release says the city will use nearly $509,000 in bonds for their matching funds.

The funds will be used to demolish and re-build a zero-entry swimming pool.

Fund raising efforts for the project have been underway for a number of years, with more than $60,000 in donations raised to date.

A construction timeline has not yet been established