(KMZA)--A Seneca man, accused of rape and other child-related sex crimes, has entered into a plea agreement.

The Nemaha County Attorney’s Office reports 22-year-old Brandon Ogden pleaded no contest Thursday in Nemaha County District Court to one count of rape.

In exchange for the plea, two additional charges—aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated sodomy—were dismissed.

Sentencing was set for September 26.

Ogden was charged in connection with alleged sex offenses occurring on August 26 of last year involving a child under the age of 14.

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

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

(KAIR)--The search for suspects is launched following the theft of a high-dollar lawn mower from an Atchison County business.

The John Deere Z994R zero turn mower was stolen from Heritage Tractor, located at 17528 286th Road.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News it’s believed the theft occurred between Friday night, August 23, and Monday morning, August 26. “We’re working with Heritage Tractor to try to narrow it down to the exact day and time of when it was missing,” Laurie said. “Also checking to see if there’s any type of [surveillance] video available in the area, as well as at the location.”

The report of the theft was made to the Sheriff’s Office on Thursday. The loss is estimated at $20,000.

According to Laurie, the mower had been parked outside of the business at the time it was taken. “It was actually located right outside the front doors,” Laurie said. “They do have some security system in place for that equipment that is left outside on a regular basis, so we’re trying to figure out what the issue was there, as well as why it wasn’t alarmed at that time.”

The investigation is ongoing, and no suspects are immediately identified by investigators.

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

(KAIR)--One person is in custody, while another remains on the run, following a two-state pursuit that began in Atchison County, Kansas.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News the pursuit happened August 21 after a deputy attempted to stop a car in the 500 block of Park Street, in the city of Atchison. Instead of stopping, the driver allegedly sped away, with the pursuit eventually ending on a flooded roadway in Platte County, Missouri. “It traveled down a road that had been washed out at a certain point by the floods, about a 50-foot wash out, and the water in there was about waist deep. The vehicle didn’t quite make it across there,” Laurie said.

According to Laurie, the driver fled after the car became submerged in floodwaters on Southwest 130th Road, but a passenger, 25-year-old David Pickens, of Atchison, remained, and was arrested on an Atchison County District Court warrant.

During the arrest, Laurie said a distribution amount of methamphetamine was located, as well as heroin.

Pickens was initially booked into the Platte County jail, with warrants filed for his arrest, as well as the driver.

Later waiving extradition, Pickens was transported to the Atchison County Jail, and faces charges for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to distribute, no drug tax stamp, possession of heroin, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He’s also held on unrelated warrants.

Bond for Pickens is set at $150,000.

The driver is known to authorities, but his name is not yet made public as the search for his whereabouts continues.

(KAIR)--Hospital transport was required after an MGP Ingredients employee fell several feet while at work at one of the company’s facilities.

Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf told MSC News his crews responded to the scene Wednesday afternoon, following the report of the fall, which occurred in the 1200 block of Main Street. “We responded to that area and found out that the employee had fallen from a height of about two to three feet. He was complaining of some back and neck pain. We did use a stokes basket to help to get him out of there...for ease of extrication.”

Graf said the man was performing clean-up work, but was never trapped in grain. “It was a routine clean-out that they do seasonally. They’re preparing for the upcoming harvest. He was basically up on a step to gain access to the inside of the bin, and somehow lost his footing.”

The name of the employee was not immediately available.

The accident occurred around 1:40 Wednesday afternoon.

(KNZA)--Three local northeast Kansas lakes remain under public health advisories due to the presence of blue-green algae.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, in a news release Thursday, said the Hiawatha City Lake remains under “ warning” status, while Horton’s Mission Lake and Elkhorn Lake at Holton’s Rafters Park remain under  "watch” status.

Sixteen lakes in the state are currently under “ warning “ status due to blue-green algae.  KDHE says direct contact with the water should be avoided.   Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed.  However, only the fillet portion should be consumed and all other parts discarded.

Eight lakes in the state are currently under “ watch” status. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water. Fish should be cleaned well with potable water and only the fillet portion eaten.  

KDHE will continue to monitor the lakes.

(KLZA)-- Depending on the weather, the Missouri Department of Transportation is hopeful, Highway 159 between the Missouri River and Highway 111will be opened to traffic sometime next week.

Originally hopeful the road could be opened earlier this month and then a goal was set for this weekend, but a spokesperson told MSC News Friday morning the highway will not be opened this weekend.

Once the road does open, you will still not be able to travel east of Big Lake on 159 due to bridge damage to the east of Highway 111.

(KMZA)--Nemaha County Commissioners will hear a presentation on zoning at their September 9 meeting.

An attorney specializing in zoning is to meet with the Commission at 10:00 that morning in the courtroom at the Nemaha County Courthouse to discuss the pros and cons of zoning.

The county’s windfarm attorney, James Neeld, requested Monday that the item be added to the agenda.

Neeld said while no decision will be made regarding zoning, the informational session will be open to the public.

He also requested that the Commission add two other items to their agenda—an extension of the six-month moratorium on commercial wind energy projects in the county and the approval of a contract with a third party engineer.

Neeld said an extension of the moratorium approved by the Commission May 13 will allow time for commissioners to decide whether or not they want to enact zoning and to pause potential projects.

Neeld said the third party engineering firm would help with the road use agreement that’s part of the term sheet approved by commissioners at their July 31 meeting for the Soldier Creek Wind Farm Project.

Neeld said he is currently working on five different agreements for the county pertaining to the Soldier Creek Windfarm.  Besides the road use agreement, they include the development agreement, contribution agreement, decommissioning agreement and a complaint procedure agreement.

Neeld said he received the first draft of each of the agreements last week.

(KLZA)-- Following several months of  discussions, Richardson County Commissioners Tuesday approved wage increases for the jailers, dispatchers, clerical support and building maintenance technician at the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center. 

The pay raises will be retroactive to July 1, 2019.  Dispatcher/Jailers will receive a 90 cent per hour increase to $15.77 per hour.  Office administration will receive a 90-cent per hour increase to $16.25 per hour and office clerical staff will receive a wage of $15.77 per hour. Two percent pay increases were approved for the building maintenance technician, kitchen staff and jail assistant administrator-corporal.  Wages will be $19.24 per hour for the building maintenance tech;  $13.53 for the kitchen staff and $16.51 per hour for the assistant jail administrator – corporal.

The pay increases were determined based on a salary study with comparable counties across the state of Nebraska. 

Commissioners also reviewed the proposed budgets for the Sheriff's Office and Jail with Sheriff Rick Hardesty and Deputy Roland Merwin.  A report was also received on maintenance needs for patrol  vehicles. 

Humboldt Mayor Robert Mendenhall and Council members Larry Stauffer and Dustin White met with Commissioners regarding the proposed renewal of the Law Enforcement Contract with Humboldt which expires August 31.   

The proposal calls for a $5-thousand increase per year for the next 3-year period of the contract.  The next year of the contract will cost the city approximately $72,665 or just over $6-thousand per month.

The Humboldt Council was expected to take action on the contract during a special City Council meeting Thursday evening. 

(KLZA)-- Pawnee County Commissioners conducted a budget hearing and a tax request hearing during their Tuesday meeting. 

No one from the public attended the hearings to provide input on the budget proposals. 

The 2019-20 budget was presented by County  Clerk Candi Nicholas.  The total proposed operating budget is just over $8.9-million  plus $450-thousand for necessary cash reserve making the total $9,359,456. 

The property tax requirement to support the budget proposal is $1,936,239, an increase of $69,562 form last year, amounting to an approximate 3.7 percent increase.  

The county valuation is $748,550,260 which is a 2 percent increase from the 2018-19 Fiscal Year.

The property tax levy is proposed at 25.8665-cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

The final budget and tax request will be voted on at a later meeting. 

(KMZA)--Flooding forces a mandatory evacuation in Seneca.

The Nemaha County Sheriff's office sent out a text alert around 3:00 Friday morning reporting a mandatory evacuation had been ordered of a trailer park on the southeast edge of the community on Snake Road.

County Emergency Management Director Russel Lierz told MSC News that about ten residents were forced to evacuate their homes due to rising flood waters.

He said the Nemaha County Community Building in Seneca was opened for anyone displaced by the storms who didn't have a place to go.  The American Red Cross responded to provide assistance.

Lierz said shortly before 9:00 Friday morning that the flood waters were beginning to recede and some displaced homeowners were returning to their homes.

He thanked the Seneca Police Department, Seneca Fire Department and Nemaha County Sheriff's Department for their assistance during the evacuation.

The National Weather Service had issued a flash flood warning around 11:30 Thursday night for Nemaha County after thunderstorms moving through the counties dropped several inches rain.  The warning was in effect until 3:30 Friday morning.

More showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast through Saturday.

(KNZA)--A Doniphan County man charged in a suspected dogfighting operation has entered into a plea agreement.

29-year-old Colton Albright, of Bendena, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Doniphan County District Court to six felony counts of dogfighting and an amended misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana.

In exchange for the plea, 13 additional charges were dismissed.

Sentencing was scheduled for October 23.

Albright was arrested in August of last year after Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents, assisted by the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Office, served a search warrant at his residence.

Seized were 45 dogs believed to have been used for dogfighting, along with suspected dogfighting paraphernalia.

Albright remains in the Doniphan County Jail, held without bond.

(KNZA)--The former maintenance supervisor for the city of Troy, convicted of the theft of city property, has been placed on probation and ordered to pay more than $37,000 restitution.

Dustin Ferris was sentenced Wednesday in Doniphan County District Court on a charge of felony theft.

He was given a suspended 7 month prison term and placed on 12 months supervised probation.

Ferris pleaded no contest to the charge in June.  In exchange for the plea, two additional charges were dismissed.

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

He had been a city employee in Troy since October 2014.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City Council members received the final draft of the city budget document from CPA Julie Bauman during their Monday evening meeting.

The proposed budget of expenditures for the next fiscal year, including payments on the Street Project and the Assisted Living facility is more than $3.46-million.  The proposed property tax levy is 44.9395 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

Council members did approved assessing the 1% additional budget growth rate allowed by the State.

The Council will vote on the budget proposal in September.  

Prior to the regular Council meeting, a special session was held for a public hearing to receive input on whether or not the City should apply for a Community Development Block Grant through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development in an amount of $435-thousand.  The grant funds would be used for acquisition of property,  site demolition and construction of a new fire station for the Pawnee City and Pawnee City Rural Fire Departments. 

During the hearing fire department personnel said they feel with pledges for monetary donations and in-kind services and money from both the Pawnee City and Pawnee  City Rural Fire Departments, they believe they can come up with the required $100-thousand match required for the grant. 

The council voted to go forward with applying for the grant. 

(KNZA)--U.S. Senator Jerry Moran will visit Hiawatha Tuesday, September 3 as part of his Kansas Listening Tour.

The Kansas Republican will be at Homer White American Legion Post #66 at 813 Oregon Street from 3:30 to 4:30 in the afternoon.

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

According to a release from Moran’s office, the issues the senator focuses on and the work he does in Washington, D.C., are largely based on the conversations he has with Kansans during these Listening Tour stops.

(KNZA)--A Holton man is among six members appointed by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to the 911 Coordinating Council.

The appointment of Terry Clark was announced in a news release Wednesday from the Governor’s office.

The council monitors the delivery of 911 services in Kansas, develops strategies for future enhancements to the 911 system and distributes available grant funds to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP).

 “Each and every Kansan deserves exceptional 911 services when they need emergency help. It is imperative to their health and safety,” Kelly said. “We need to continue working every day on ways we can improve our 911 system, and I know these dedicated individuals are ready to take on that responsibility.”

The council consists of 28 total members. The governor appoints 13 voting and nine nonvoting members. The remaining seats are appointed by various authorities.

(KNZA)--There is a new millionaire in Kansas after one Kansas Lottery ticket matched all six numbers in Wednesday’s Super Kansas Cash drawing, winning a jackpot prize worth more than one million dollars ( $1,088,070).

The Kansas Lottery, in a news release Thursday, said the winning ticket was sold in northeast Kansas, which consists of  twenty-one counties.  Locally, that includes Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha and Pottawatomie.   

The winning numbers in the August 28 Super Kansas Cash drawing were 2-3-15-23-26 with a Super Cash Ball of 12.

Its the first jackpot win since April 17 of this year, when the largest jackpot in the game’s history was hit. The jackpot, worth $6.7 million, was claimed anonymously by a Johnson County resident.

The winner of the Super Kansas Cash jackpot has 365 days from the date of the draw to claim their prize.

(KMZA)--Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville will hold four town meetings to discuss its proposed sales tax initiative that will appear on the November 5 general election ballot.

Marshall County voters will decide whether to approve a countywide five year, half-cent retailer's sales tax to benefit the hospital.   

If approved,  collection of the sales tax, estimated to raise $550,000 annually  would begin April 1, 2020.

The town hall meetings include:

September 4 in Blue Rapids at the Valley Heights Junior-Senior High School commons area

September 18 in Marysville at Community Memorial Healthcare’s South Plaza conference room.  

October 7 in Frankfort at the Alstadt Community Center ( formerly Grandpa Red’s)

October 9 in Beattie at the Community Center

All of the meetings will be at 6:30 in the evening except for the meeting in Marysville, which will be at 5:30.

(KNZA)--A former longtime area state lawmaker has died.

According to an obituary from the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home, Don Sallee, of Troy, died at his home Tuesday evening at the age of 86.

Sallee served as a state representative from 1983-1988, and then was elected to the state senate, where he served from 1988 to 1997.  Salle was then appointed as a magistrate judge in Doniphan County, retiring in 1999.

Following his retirement from public service, he started Laskco Computer.

The funeral service for Sallee will be Saturday morning at 10:00 at the New Life Church in Blair.

He is survived by his wife, Jean, and two children.     

(KAIR)--A world-renowned ocean explorer, who is working to find Amelia Earhart’s missing airplane, will address Atchison students next month.

That’s according to a news release issued by the office of United States Senator Jerry Moran.

The release says the Kansas Republican will host Dr. Robert Ballard on Tuesday, September 3, with Ballard to speak with students about the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Ballard is a Kansas native. According to the release, he is known for discovering the Titanic and other long-lost vessels in oceans around the world. During his address to students, he plans to discuss his current work of finding Earhart’s plane. At the same time, he will video conference scientists on board an exploration ship which is actively exploring U.S. territory in the Central Pacific.

The hour-long forum, to include a question and answer segment, will be held at the Atchison High School gymnasium beginning at 1:00.

Community members are invited to attend.

(KNZA)--A new grand opening date has been set for the Kickapoo Tribal History Museum.

The grand opening had originally been set for August 24 but was postponed  due to a funeral.

The Kickapoo Tribe will now celebrate the grand opening of the museum Friday afternoon, August 30 from 12 noon to 2 on the lower level of the Kickapoo Administration Building at 824 111th Drive.  

According to a news release from the Tribe, the museum is the result of several years of efforts by the Tribal Council, community leaders, and cultural experts to research, collect, and celebrate Kickapoo tribal history.

The release says the Museum will feature exhibits on Kickapoo traditions such as beadwork and clothing design, reservation history including community development efforts through the years and historical documents related to tribal sovereignty.  It will also include an exhibit honoring Kickapoo veterans and maps based on ancestral movements since the early 1600’s when the Kickapoo lived in the Great Lakes Region.

The public is invited to attend the grand opening celebration Friday.

(KMZA)--An assistant football coach at Nemaha Central High School has been suspended without pay for seven days.

Following a 50-minute executive session during a special meeting Monday evening,  the USD 115 Board of Education approved a resolution to suspend Jason Hajek from his football supplemental contract.

Hajek was suspended without pay from August 20 to August 26.

The resolution cities his arrest by Seneca Police on August 11 for allegedly driving under the influence.

It doesn't affect his employment as a physical education teacher at the school.

Hajek has served as a teacher with USD 115 since 2012.

(KAIR)--Arrangements are finalized for the Executive Director of the Atchison County Historical Society and Museum.

According to the obituary for Chris Taylor from Atchison’s Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, Taylor died unexpectedly at his home Saturday. He was 58.

A historian, photographer, photo journalist, and writer, the Clifton Forge, Virginia native is survived by his wife, Darlene, of Atchison, and a brother, of Virginia.

A memorial service for Taylor will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 at the funeral home.

(KAIR)--The Kansas Highway Patrol is using the outcome of a local area crash to push the point that seatbelts save lives.

On Sunday evening, the KHP posted pictures to social media showing a car and truck involved in a Jefferson County Crash.

According to the post, the driver of the car walked away from the wreck scene, while the occupants of the truck also went uninjured.

The social media post opens with the sentence, “seatbelts save lives.”

The wreck occurred on U.S. Highway 24 and Wilson Road as both vehicles were traveling westbound.

According to a comment from the KHP on the post, the cause of the crash remains under investigation, but as it happened at sunset, sunglare is cited as a possible contributing factor.

(KAIR)--Several thousands of dollars worth of items are missing after someone forced their way into Atchison County-based storage units.

The units are located at 405 South 4th Street, in Lancaster. “One of the doors was pried on, then there were probably four handles that were actually cut, probably with some type of bolt cutter. Then the padlocks on a couple were cut. I think when they cut the handle, they were able to remove the padlock by cutting the handle,” Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News. He said the report about the crime was made to his office Saturday morning by the owner of the units, Muscotah resident Jimmie Weaver. “The owner of the facilities was there mowing, and that’s when he realized the handles and padlocks were cut on numerous units, about six of them. One of the doors was pried on, then there were probably four handles that were actually cut, probably with some type of bolt cutter. Then the padlocks on a couple were cut. I think when they cut the handle, they were able to remove the padlock by cutting the handle,”

One of the storage unit patrons reported that he was missing a number of items, including scaffolding, a table saw, and a miter saw. The loss is estimated at $3,000.

No other items have been reported missing, but the investigation continues. “We don’t have any suspects at this point,” Laurie said.

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

(KLZA)-- The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has awarded another emergency flood repair contact for Holt County.

The latest contact is for debris removal and roadbed and shoulder repair will be an area from Spur 111 in Craig, to Route 118. The bid, in an amount of $2,401,988 was awarded to Phillips Hardy, Inc.

Work could begin as soon as Tuesday. The roads involved will remain closed until repairs are completed.

(KLZA)-- The Mound City Board of Education approved and verified the property tax rate for the next fiscal year when they met August 21. 

The tax rate will be $4.06 per $100 of assessed valuation.  Just over $3.44 will go into fund 1 and 62.24 – cents will go in the capital improvement fund.   

In Missouri,  ag land is taxed on 12 percent of its valuation,   residential  property at 19 percent;  commercial and personal property is taxed at 32 percent of its valuation.  

Board members approved a policy dealing with the medical marijuana law.  The policy prohibits any employee other than a caregiver for administering medical marijuana to students and it would need to be administered at home when least likely to affect school behavior.  

Policy 4870, the Drug Free Workplace policy adds the prohibition of medical marijuana.

High School Principal Korey Miles reported there are 89 students enrolled at Mound City High School for the start of the school year. 
 

 TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) - Authorities say an 88-year-old man serving a life sentence for murder and manslaughter has died in a southeast Nebraska prison.
 
The Nebraska Correctional Services Department said in a news release that Douglas Peverill died shortly before 11:30 Monday morning at the Tecumseh prison. Peverill had been in prison since Nov. 14, 1986, for his crime in Sarpy County.
 
The cause of his death has not yet been determined. He was being treated for a medical condition.
 
A grand jury will investigate Peverill's death, because Nebraska law requires such whenever someone dies in custody or while being arrested.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has voted to contribute $5,000 to help  promote the third annual Big Kansas Road Trip, which will showcase Brown, Doniphan and Nemaha Counties.

Linda Duessing and Connie Werner, co-chairs of the Brown County BKRT Committee, met with the Commission Monday to request the county provide the remainder of the funding needed to market the event, set for May 7-10 of next year.

The women had meet with the Commission earlier this month to request $8,350.  At that time, Commission Chairman Keith Olsen suggested they ask the cities in the county for funding as well.

Duessing said the cities of Hiawatha and Horton have agreed to provide $1,500 each and the Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development, $500.

The Hiawatha Chamber of Commerce will administer the funds.

The Inman-based Kansas Sampler Foundation created the Big Kansas Road Trip after ending the 28-year Kansas Sampler Festival. Organizers say the purpose of the event is to help the public to get to know Kansas communities of every size.

Duessing said Marci Penner, executive director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, will hold a community meeting on the evening of October 17 at 5:30 at the Historical Society’s Carwell Building on East Iowa Street in Hiawatha.  The purpose of the meeting is to explain how the event will work and what needs to be done.

Each city in the county and the county’s Native American tribes will be asked to send a representative to the meeting

(KNZA)--A Topeka man convicted in Brown County of the electronic solicitation of a person he believed to be a child between 14 and 16 has been sentenced to more than 4 1/2 years in prison.

Following the presentation of evidence from several witnesses, including an expert witness in psychology, Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill said 51-year-old Dennis Prochazka’s motion for probation was denied Monday and the state’s request for imprisonment was granted.

Hill said District Judge Jim Patton sentenced Prochazka to 55 months in prison.

Prochazka pleaded no contest in March to the felony charge.

He was arrested in March of 2018 following an investigation by undercover officers with the Hiawatha Police Department.

Following his sentencing, Prochazka's bond was revoked and he was remanded to the Brown County Jail for delivery to the Kansas Secretary of Corrections to begin serving his prison sentence.

After serving his sentence, he will be required  to register as a sex offender for a period of 25 years.

(KAIR)--Twelve of the nation’s largest telecommunications companies have agreed to adopt a set of principles that will help state attorneys general protect Americans from illegal robocalls. That’s according to a news release issued Friday by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

The agreement, signed by Schmidt, attorneys general from the 49 other states and the District of Columbia, as well as representatives from the 12 telecom companies, outline a set of eight principles to fight illegal robocalls through both prevention and enforcement efforts.

The companies involved in the coalition are AT&T, Bandwidth, CenturyLink, Charter, Comcast, Consolidated, Frontier, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, Verizon and Windstream.

The news release says the principles “are the result of a working group of state attorneys general working with industry representatives since August 2018.”

Schmidt’s office has participated in the working group’s discussions.

 The attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division works to enforce do-not-call laws and protect Kansas consumers from being harassed and scammed by robocalls.

The nearly 48 billion robocalls made in 2018 made them the number one source of consumer complaints to the FTC and the FCC and resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in consumer losses.

(KAIR)--One student is in police custody following what’s reported as a possible threat at an area school.

That’s according to a Sunday night social media post on the official Facebook page of the Doniphan West School District.

According to the post, the district, during the weekend, “was made aware of information concerning a possible threat to student safety at Doniphan West Jr./Sr. High School.” The threat apparently indicated that it would be carried out on Monday.

The Highland Police Department was alerted and investigated.

Details pertaining to how the threat was made have not yet been made public.

No information regarding the student has been released.

An additional social media post to the district’s Facebook page Monday afternoon said that the school lockdown was lifted, and the regular daily routine was resumed.

(KNZA)--The Board of Education for the South Brown County Schools of USD 430 as approved a negotiated agreement with teachers for the 2019-20 school year.

The action came during a special meeting Friday morning following multiple executive sessions.

The agreement includes a $2,900 increase to the base salary, bring the base salary for a beginning teacher to $38,100.

The Board also approved a 5.5 percent pay raise for classified staff.

(KAIR)--More than $6.4 million dollars is allocated for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Programs and Children’s Advocacy Centers in communities across Kansas.

That word is delivered in a news release issued by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly Wednesday.

Nearly $89,000 is earmarked for the Leavenworth-based Alliance Against Family Violence, which provides service to Atchison. The agreement to utilize the service was approved earlier this month by the Atchison City Commission following the disbandment of the former DoVES organization.

According to the release, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault funds support the enhancement and expansion of sexual and domestic violence programs, with the monies used for support services, outreach and training for community-based programs. The funds also are used to leverage federal funds to help expand services and improve responses across the state.

More than $5 million was allocated for domestic violence organizations based in 19 Kansas Counties.

A local Children’s Advocacy Center also earns funds, with nearly $43,000 being provided to the First Judicial District CASA Association, based in Leavenworth County. Atchison County is also served by the association.

The release says the Children’s Advocacy Centers are child-focused, community-oriented programs coordinating investigation and intervention services for abused children by bringing together professionals and agencies in a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary model.

 The CAC grant program provides funding to hire and train staff to provide sexual and physical abuse victims with child-sensitive forensic interviews; advocacy services for victims and non-offending caregivers; and coordinate multi-disciplinary case review teams and efforts across systems to enhance services.

More than $940,000 is allocated for CAC use in 16 Kansas counties through the funding awards.

The total funds are provided through the 2020 State General Fund Grant Programs.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a settlement agreement regarding two District Court lawsuits over a bridge closed north of Rulo.

Settlement agreements have been reached with Twin Oaks Bachman Farms, Inc and with Lazy J Farms concerning the bridge that led to the groups farmland.

While no specifics of the agreements were announced, a show cause hearing was on the Richardson County District Court docket for September 3 in the suits. 

In related matters Commissioners reviewed a resolution regarding vacating 709 Road where the bridge was located.  No action was taken. 

The Board did vote to advertise for sale the bridge involved in the legal matters which is east of 661 Avenue, on 709 Road.  Sealed bids for the bridge will be accepted until 10:00 A.M. September 10. 

(KAIR)--Jackson County authorities are calling a Sunday evening house fire suspicious.

According to a news release issued by Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, multiple 911 calls were received ten minutes before 7:00 regarding the fire at 301 Highland Street, in Denison.

The Holton Fire Department and the Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene, with the house found to be fully engulfed in flames.

Firefighters battled the blaze, and were able to extinguish it, saving the structure.

The home was not occupied at the time of the fire, and no injuries are reported.

Investigators and firefighters remained on the scene through the early morning hours of Monday.

The investigation is continuing, overseen by the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone with information regarding the fire is asked to call 785-364-2251.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha woman facing a pair of child sex charges has entered into a plea agreement, cancelling a jury trial that had been set for September 11.

Teaini Simmons pleaded no contest Friday in Brown County District Court two felony counts of aggravated battery contained in an amended complaint.

Simmons had originally been charged with rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill said the plea was entered with the agreement of law enforcement who worked the case after consultation with the victim’s family due to potential evidentiary issues that could have arisen at trial on the original charges and to avoid the trauma associated with testifying in such cases.

Hill said Simmons faces between 11 and 34 months in prison on each charge when she is sentenced September 27

She was arrested in May of last year following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department.

The investigation was launched after the department received a report from a concerned citizen that Simmons was romantically involved with a child under the age of 14.  
 

(KNZA)--A Saturday afternoon fire forced the evacuation of a Holton sausage plant.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, said the Sheriff's Office 911 center received a report of a fire at the Banner Creek/Johnsonville Sausage Plant located at 619 East 4th Street shortly before 2:00.

The Holton Fire Department, Jackson County EMS, Holton Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene.

Morse said the building was evacuated and the fire extinguished.

No injuries were reported.

Morse said traffic on 4th Street near the plant was diverted for a short period.

The Holton Fire Department said the fire started as workers were dismantling an unused storage tank located outside of the building.  Residual oils inside the tank caught fire as the tank was cut into.

A damage estimate was not immediately available.

HUMBOLDT, Neb. (AP) - State officials have issued a new health alert for a lake in the southeastern corner of Nebraska tainted by toxic algae.
 
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says a new alert has been issued for Kirkman's Cove near Humboldt. Health alerts also continue for Rockford Lake in Gage County, Wagon Train Lake in Lancaster County, and Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County.

Samples taken earlier this week at the lakes showed elevated levels of microcystin, a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.
 
The alerts mean swimming beaches at the lakes are closed. Boating and fishing are permitted, but officials advise people and pets to avoid exposure to the water. People can still use the public areas for camping, picnics and other outdoor activities.
 

(KNZA)--A public health watch has been issued for a Holton lake due to the presence of blue-green algae.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, issued the advisory Friday for Elk Horn Lake in Rafters Park.

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

You should clean fish well with potable water and eat the fillet portion only.

KDHE will continue to monitor the lake.

(KAIR)--The Atchison USD 409 Board of Education, during a special meeting Wednesday evening, adopted the 2019-20 budget as published. 

Adoption of the budget followed a hearing drawing no public comment.  The budget calls for net expenditures of $29.2 million and a 0.25 mill levy decrease.  It contains an estimated tax rate of 54.385 mills, with the amount of tax to be levied at nearly $5 million. 

The meeting lasted less than 5 minutes.   

(KAIR)--The death of a Leavenworth County Jail inmate is under investigation.

The Leavenworth Times reports the woman was found unresponsive in her unit at the jail early Wednesday morning.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is conducting the probe into the death.

An autopsy is planned.

According to the newspaper, the woman was pronounced dead after Leavenworth County EMS responded.

KBI Communications Director Melissa Underwood confirmed the investigation, telling the newspaper the KBI is required under law to investigate all deaths that occur in Kansas jails or prisons. The requirement is waived if the cause of death is determined to be natural.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council has adopted a revised city budget for 2020 that keeps the mill levy at about the same level its been for several years.

The Council took the action Wednesday evening following a hearing drawing no public comment.

The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 32.588 mills.  

 It includes a quarter mill increase as requested by the Seneca Library Board.

The budget calls for the city collect nearly $779,000 in local taxes.  

The Council had approved for publication a proposed budget that called for a nearly 3.3 mill levy increase.  It contained the maximum tax rate allowed to  remain under the state tax lid.

However, the Council opted to adopt a second version that keeps the same, lower tax levy the city has assessed for the last several years ( 32.340 mills ), plus the quarter mill increase for the library.

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

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, in a news release, said Thursday that the Hiawatha City Lake has been upgraded from “ watch” to
“ warning” status due to the presence of toxic blue-green algae.

It is among 16 lakes in the state under “ warning” status.

KDHE says direct contact with the water should be avoided.  The agency says if the lake water contacts your skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.

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

The Hiawatha Lake has been on the health advisory list since July 11.  

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled that a former Jefferson County prosecutor cannot claim absolute immunity from lawsuits filed by a man who spent nearly 16 years in prison for a murder he did not commit.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports a three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling in a lawsuit filed by Floyd Bledsoe against former Jefferson County prosecutor Jim Vanderbilt. Bledsoe claims Vanderbilt and others fabricated evidence to convict him in the 1999 murder of 14-year-old Camille Arfmann near Oskaloosa.

Bledsoe was released from prison in 2015 after his brother, Tom, confessed in a suicide note that he killed the girl.

In May, Bledsoe received a $1 million settlement from the state of Kansas for his wrongful conviction.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled that a former Jefferson County prosecutor cannot claim absolute immunity from lawsuits filed by a man who spent nearly 16 years in prison for a murder he did not commit.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports a three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling in a lawsuit filed by Floyd Bledsoe against former Jefferson County prosecutor Jim Vanderbilt. Bledsoe claims Vanderbilt and others fabricated evidence to convict him in the 1999 murder of 14-year-old Camille Arfmann near Oskaloosa.

Bledsoe was released from prison in 2015 after his brother, Tom, confessed in a suicide note that he killed the girl.

In May, Bledsoe received a $1 million settlement from the state of Kansas for his wrongful conviction.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled that a former Jefferson County prosecutor cannot claim absolute immunity from lawsuits filed by a man who spent nearly 16 years in prison for a murder he did not commit.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports a three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling in a lawsuit filed by Floyd Bledsoe against former Jefferson County prosecutor Jim Vanderbilt. Bledsoe claims Vanderbilt and others fabricated evidence to convict him in the 1999 murder of 14-year-old Camille Arfmann near Oskaloosa.

Bledsoe was released from prison in 2015 after his brother, Tom, confessed in a suicide note that he killed the girl.

In May, Bledsoe received a $1 million settlement from the state of Kansas for his wrongful conviction.

(KLZA)-- Two people were hospitalized following a wreck Wednesday afternoon about  three miles north of Craig, Missouri, on Interstate 29.

The Missouri Highway Patrol indicates a car operated by 59-year-old Ivy Williams of Florence, South Carolina was in the northbound lane, traveled off the west side of the road, crossed the median and struck the drivers side of a southbound pickup driven by 54-year-old Jackie Reasbeck of Lees Summit, Missouri.

The Williams car overturned, traveled off the west shoulder of the southbound lane before coming to a stop.

Williams and a passenger in his car were transported to Fairfax Community Hospital in Fairfax, Missouri by the Atchison-Holt Ambulance Service.

Williams suffered what were described as moderate injuries. The passenger, 52-year-old Catherine Miller, also of Florence, South Carolina suffered what were described as serious injuries. All three people involved were wearing safety devices at the time of the wreck.

The Holt County Sheriff's Department, Mound City Police Department and Craig Fire Department also responded to the scene of the wreck.

(KLZA)-- Wild Wild West is the theme for the 2019 Cobblestone Festival in Falls City.

Events begin with the annual Falls City Volunteer Fire Department fishing contest for kids Thursday from 5 – 7:00 P.M. at Stanton Lake Park.  Registration begins at 4. 

The Fire Department will serve hot dogs and soda during the event with prizes and ice cream handed out afterwards.

Friday events include the opening of Sam's Amusements Carnival on Stone Street from 6 – 10:00 P.M. and the American Legion Riders Bike Night from 6 -10:00. A beer garden and dance will be held at the Elks Lodge beginning at 8.

Saturday is a full day of events beginning with the Community Medical Center Fun  Run at Stanton Lake Park at 7:00 A.M. 

The Cobblestone “Wild Wild West” Car Show will be open from 8:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. at 18th and Stone Streets. 

Craft and food vendors will be open on Stone Street throughout the day Saturday opening at 9:00 A.M. 
Other events Saturday include:
9 A.M.  - Frog Jumping Contest at 17th and Stone.
9:45 A.M. - crowning of Little Mr. and Miss Cobblestone. 
10:15 A.M. Buchanan Highlanders Bagpipe Concert at 1st Presbyterian Church. 
11 A.M. - The annual Cobblestone parade on Harlan Street.
1 P.M. - Falls City Tiger Classic Golf Tournament
             Hot Wheels Races
             Sams Amusements Carnival opens for the day.
             Legacy Dance Academy performance.
1:30 P.M. - Stone Street Revival featuring Ryan Castle, Lisa Castle and Stefanie Wenz will perform on Stone Street Stage. 
2 P.M. - FFA Alumni Bohemian Tractor Pull - 16th and Chase. 
             BPO Does – Supermarket Sweep.
3 P.M. - Buffalo Chip throwing contest - 16th and Chase.
4 – 7:00 P.M. - Bingo at 17th and Stone Street. 
7:00 P.M. - Falls City Area Jaycee's Demolition Derby at Jaycee's Arena. 

Sunday:  
The craft and food vendors will be open on Stone Street from noon – 4:00 P.M.
1-4:00 P.M. - Bingo at 17th and Stone Streets.
1 – 5:00 P.M. - Carnival is open
7:00 P.M. - Vespers Service featuring music by the Barkers.  To be held at the Nazarene Church. 

(KLZA)-- Falls City Council members voted unanimously Monday night to approved a resolution to refinance Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality bonds used for upgrades at the water plant at Rulo. 

Brad Slaughter with Piper-Jaffrey told the Council the potential savings has improved since his last visit, noting the dip in bond rates would push the city savings to more than $200-thousand by refinancing.

If issued immediately the bond rate would reduce from three-percent to 2.25-percent, cut the annual bond payment by approximately $5-thousand and bring the City a total savings of more than $226-thousand.

Since the paperwork did not get to the City in time to be part of Monday nights agenda, the final approval cannot be done until the September 3rd Council meeting.  Slaughter said it will be important to keep an eye on the rates in the next two weeks, suggesting that if the rates increase by a quarter-percent or more, it might be wise not to move forward with the refinancing since it could not be done again for five years. 

Slaughter started out by updating the Council members on a company change.  He noted that The investment banking division at Ameritas, which the City has been working with,  was sold to Piper-Jaffrey.  He said it is only a name change and nothing will change for the City. 
 

(KLZA)-- Several neighbors of a house located at 1916 McClean Street in Falls City voiced concerns about trash piling up, tall weeks, rodents and dogs during Monday nights City Council meeting. 

Becky Holt who lives across the alley called the house a disaster, noting it has been a longtime problem location. Holt alleged the house creates rodent problems and that several dogs are on the property, and that at one point it had raw sewage in the basement.

Falls City Police Chief Duane Armbruster agreed it is a frustrating problem. He said the Police Department does what it can in responding to numerous nuisance complaints to the property.  Armbruster said the Police Department wrote four nuisance tickets in 2018, three more so farm this year with two of the citations being active.  He also said the residents have been cited three times for the dogs. 

Mayor Shawna Bindle said there is a process the City must follow even though it can be frustrating. 

Ward I Council member Don  Ferguson suggested those concerned should show a united effort by going to court when the violators appear and speak to the Judge who hands down discipline.  

Neighbor Heather Gill, suggested the property owners should be held accountable when their tenants don't comply with city codes and ordinances, and suggested the house should be condemned. Gill said she would not let her dogs live in that house, let alone her children. 

The Council took no action on the agenda item. 

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Jefferson County community of Winchester.

That word came in a news release issued Wednesday morning by the agency.

The advisory was issued Saturday because of a loss of pressure in the city’s water system due to an equipment failure.  Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

According to the news release, laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Winchester indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

(KNZA)--A summer collegiate baseball team is being proposed for the city of Hiawatha in 2020.

Joey May, speaking on behalf of a group working on the effort, appeared before the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening to present the proposal. 

May said the team would be part of the Mid Plains League, which has eight other teams including the Sabetha Bravos, coached by Edgar Santos.

May said it would provide a free baseball experience for the community, with up to about 15 home games that would bring dozens of visitors to town 2-3 times a week with other teams.  She added the city has a great field to offer and the event would bring a new summer recreational aspect to town.

May said the team would consist of about 25 to 30 players, mostly from Central America.   The boys would not only play baseball for 6 to 8 weeks but take part in community service and community activities with their host families.    

Games would be played on Paul Rockey Field at Noble Park, scheduled around Legion games, beginning in late May through mid-July.

May said they are not asking for any financial support at this time but for the city’s blessing to move ahead with forming a committee to begin the planning stages.  She said once they have solid approval from the Mid Plains League to add a team, they will start work on finding financial sponsorships to cover expenses, host families for the players and work with City Recreation Director Stacy Jasper on the logistics of forming a team.

Commissioners voiced support for the proposal.  

The Commission voted to allow use of Paul Rockey Field at Noble Park as long as it doesn’t interfere with the Legion games.

(KMZA)--Two projects began this week to improve sections of U.S. 36 and K-77 Highways in Marshall County.

The Kansas Department of Transportation, in a news release, said a mill and overlay project is taking place on U.S. 36 from the four-lane divided section just west of Marysville east 17 miles to the K-87 junction. It excludes the section from 4th Street to 20th Street in Marysville.

One-lane traffic will be controlled by a pilot car and flaggers during daylight hours. KDOT says Motorists should expect delays of up to 15 minutes and add extra time to their travel schedules.

Hall Brothers, of Marysville, is the contractor on the $2.4 million project. It is tentatively scheduled to be completed by the end of October.

KDOT says a concrete pavement replacement project is taking place on K-77 from the U.S. 36 junction to just south of Spring Street. Construction will be in several phases to allow for two-way traffic through the work zone most of the time, but the lanes will be restricted to a maximum width of 10 feet.

 Bryant & Bryant Construction Inc., of Halstead, is the contractor on the $1.4 million project that should be done in early 2020, weather allowing.

 KDOT advises to use extra caution in the work zone areas.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has adopted the 2020 county budget as published.

That came Monday following a hearing drawing no public comment.

The nearly $12.2 million budget calls for about a half mill tax levy decrease.

It contains an estimated tax rate of 39.7 mills, which is to generate more than $5.7 million.

Even though the mill levy will decrease, the county will collect an additional nearly $70,000 in revenue due to a nearly $3.7 million increase in the county’s assessed valuation.

The Commission also adopted the 2020 Doniphan County Ambulance District #1 budget as published with a mill levy rate of 1.475 mills.

(KNZA)--The city of Hiawatha is reminding residents who received storm damage to their roofs last week to make sure your contractor is licensed with the city and registered with the state before having the company inspect your home.

City Hall has a list of licensed roofers available upon request.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt continues to remind consumers to make sure roofing contractors are properly registered before signing any contract, making any upfront payments or having any work done.

Consumers should request a copy of their roofer’s registration certificate and then should check the attorney general’s consumer protection website at www.InYourCornerKansas.org to confirm that the roofer is in good standing.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man has been charged after police say he used his crutch to attack another man outside of an Atchison apartment complex. “Apparently the physical altercation was precipitated by a verbal argument outside an apartment complex,” Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News. “Apparently, the victim and the suspect did not know each other.”

Wilson said 28-year-old Andre Harris was arrested Monday following the alleged altercation. “Shortly after 5:30 Monday afternoon, officers responded to a disturbance in the 1200 block of North 5th. There, we had a 22-year-old male who was reporting being struck in the face with an aluminum crutch. That investigation at the scene did lead to Harris’ arrest.”

Harris was taken into custody on charges of battery, possession of synthetic marijuana, and interference with law enforcement. “During the arrest, Harris did refuse to cooperate with the officers and he resisted the arrest,” Wilson said.

On Tuesday, Harris was formally charged, and the battery charge was upgraded to aggravated battery at that time, according to jail records.

The 22-year-old victim was treated at the scene of the altercation by Atchison County EMS.

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

His bond is set at $15,000.

(KAIR)--A Monday morning, two vehicle Atchison crash sent two to the hospital.

According to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, 25-year-old Kenneth Duncan, of Wathena, was eastbound on Riley Street, just east of K7 Highway, when he turned left in front of a westbound vehicle. When he made the turn, the KHP report states Duncan’s Honda Accord struck the front end of the Ford Explorer, driven by 37-year-old Karl Adam Bush, of Atchison.

Duncan, who the report says was not wearing a seatbelt, suffered what the KHP identified as a suspected serious injury, and was transported to the Atchison Hospital for treatment.

Bush, who was buckled up, suffered what the report called a suspected minor injury and was also transported to the Atchison Hospital.

The wreck happened shortly before 8:00 Monday morning.

The Ford Explorer driven by Bush, an Atchison Police Officer who was on duty at the time of the wreck, was an Atchison Police vehicle. Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the vehicle was totaled after Duncan made the turn in front of Bush near the Highland Community College Technical Center.

According to Wilson, Bush was treated and released, and was back on patrol Tuesday.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Community Hospital is circulating a petition to place a sales tax initiative on the ballot again to provide funding for the hospital.

The Brown County Commission Monday approved the petition, which allows the hospital to begin collecting signatures.  Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill approved it last week.

According to a new release from the hospital, the hospital’s Board of Trustees “have determined that pursuing a countywide ½-cent retailers sales tax on the November 5 general election ballot is the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars and shows long-term county commitment.”

The decision follows what the release calls “countless conservation’s with community and county leaders.”  

The release says the tax proposal would provide about 50 to 70 percent of necessary funding to replace the hospital’s aging equipment.  Continued operational billing, collection improvements, and Foundation support will aid in raising the remaining funds.

Proceeds from the 10-year tax proposal are earmarked solely for the Hiawatha Community Hospital, which the release says will give the hospital the ability to refinance their current hospital bond.  In addition, the release states that a ten-year tax “reassures potential new physician recruits that [the hospital] is focused on the future of healthcare thriving in Brown County.”

The petition can be signed by Brown County residents through August 31 in the Hiawatha Community Hospital lobby.

The hospital will need to gather at least 343 valid signatures to place the sales tax initiative on the ballot.  The hospital has set a target of 400 signatures.

 The petition reads as follows:

Shall Brown County, Kansas be authorized to impose an additional five tenths percent (0.5%) general retailers' sales tax, thereby increasing the general sales tax rate to one and five tenths percent (1.5%), pursuant to the authority of K.S.A. 12- 187 et seq., to be used for the purpose of financing the provision of health care services in Brown County by Hiawatha Community Hospital , or its successors, (“Hospital”) including the payment of Hospital expenses and any payments with respect to bonds issued for Hospital purposes, with collection of such tax beginning on April 1, 2020, or as soon as provided by law, and ending ten (10) years after such tax is first collected?

More information is available at the Hospital’s webpage, www.hch-ks.org/Focus-on-the-Future, on Hiawatha Community Hospital and Family Practice Clinic’s Facebook page.

(KAIR)--Vehicle related crimes, including theft and vandalism, are under investigation in Atchison County.

The first case involves the theft of vehicle parts, valued at around $700.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News Eldon Roles Saturday afternoon reported that the parts were stolen while the vehicle was parked at 119 Riverfront Road, in rural Atchison County. “Apparently, he had a vehicle parked there, he was going to do some work on it for the customer. A catalytic converter, and another fitting for the exhaust, was stolen from that vehicle,” Laurie said.

The investigation into the theft is continuing.

The two cases of vandalism were both reported Sunday after they occurred in Effingham, but Laurie said it’s not immediately known if they are connected. “To say they’re related is difficult to determine at this point.”

The first case happened at 8909 Clay Road, sometime between 5:00 Sunday evening and midnight.

According to Laurie, a Chevrolet Suburban was vandalized with spray paint while parked in that location, with an unknown object used to break the windows and lights. “Real extensive damage,” Laurie said. “Every window, every light. Anything they could damage, they damaged, then spray painted on the vehicle.”

The second Effingham vandalism case is believed to have occurred sometime between 10:30 Sunday morning and 9:30 Sunday night while parked in the driveway of a residence, located at 11196 242nd Road.

The owner reported that the windshield of his 1992 GMC pickup truck was broken.

The investigation into those two cases is continuing.

(KNZA)--42 horses, seized in a 2018 Jackson County animal cruelty case, have been placed into new homes.

That word is delivered in a news release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.

The horses were placed into homes across Kansas during a placement event held in Holton on Saturday.

Morse, in the release, expressed gratitude for the assistance offered to his office by agencies such as K-HEART, its member equine rescues, including Rainbow Meadows, Shooting Star, and Hope in the Valley, their volunteers, and the Holton Livestock Exchange.

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

(KNZA)--The  Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Jefferson County community of  Nortonville.

That word came Tuesday morning in a news release from KDHE.

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

The release says laboratory testing samples collected from the city of Nortonville indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

(KNZA)--A lengthy investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department has lead to the arrest of a second Hiawatha man on drug charges.

Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore, in a news release, said 50-year-old Sean Davidson was arrested Friday afternoon after officers served a search warrant at a residence at 400 South 4th Street.

Davidson was booked into the Brown County Jail on charges related to the possession of illegal drugs.

The case has been turned over to Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill for prosecution.

64-year-old Gregory Carr was arrested Thursday afternoon after officers served a search warrant at 814 Hiawatha Street. Carr has been charged with a felony count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug parapheranalia.

Defore said the investigation is ongoing.

He said the police department has received several tips this summer related to the use of illegal drugs in the city and are diligently following up on every lead.

Defore said “ it is no secret that the Hiawatha Police Department is spreading the word that we will not tolerate illegal drugs in our community.”

(KLZA)-- Janet Palmtag, a Nebraska City native who now lives in Syracuse has announced her candidacy for the 1st District legislative seat which represents residents of Richardson, Johnson, Pawnee, Nemaha and Otoe counties in southeast Nebraska. 

During a visit to Falls City Tuesday, Palmtag said the major issue for residents of the 1st Legislative  District and the rest of Nebraska is property taxes which she says are killing our farmers and must be fixed along with quite a few other issues. 

Palmtag founded J.J. Palmtag Realty and has offices in Auburn as well as Rock Port, Missouri. 

The first time entrant into the political arena is hoping her business experience can help her unseat current 1st District State Senator Julie Slama who was appointed to the position by Governor Pete Ricketts. She is hoping voters want someone with small business experience who has paid property taxes and understands the struggles. 

Palmtag said the flood crisis that faces a large portion of Nebraska including some in the 1st District will be an issue for quite a few years.

In addition to Palmtag,  Slama and Pawnee County resident Dennis Schaardt are seeking election to the position.  

(KLZA)-- Multiple complaints have been received by the City of Falls City about low hanging branches above the city streets and sidewalks.

City code requires the clearance of tree branches over the streets, alleys and sidewalk to be the responsibility of the abutting property owner.

A clearance of 8-feet must be maintained over sidewalks and a clearance of 12-feet must be maintained over streets and alleys.

(KNZA)--The Kickapoo Tribe has announced the opening of a new tribal history museum on its reservation in Brown County.

According to a news release from the Tribe, the museum is the result of several years of efforts by the Tribal Council, community leaders, and cultural experts to research, collect, and celebrate Kickapoo tribal history.

The release says the Museum will feature exhibits on Kickapoo traditions such as beadwork and clothing design, reservation history including community development efforts through the years and historical documents related to tribal sovereignty.  It will also include an exhibit honoring Kickapoo veterans and maps based on ancestral movements since the early 1600’s when the Kickapoo lived in the Great Lakes Region.

Tribal Chairman Lester Randall said the Kickapoo Tribal Museum is one important piece of the broader work the Tribe is doing to learn from the past and celebrate who they are as a people.  Randall said “ most importantly, the Museum will be the only place in the region where our story is told by our people, for our people.”

Johanna Thomas, Young Child Wellness Coordinator with the Kickapoo Project LAUNCH early childhood program, agreed the Museum will provide cultural education for the Tribe’s youngest members as well.

The Kickapoo Tribe will celebrate the grand opening of its Tribal Museum on Saturday, August 24 at 12 noon on the lower level of the Kickapoo Government Center located at 824 111th Drive on the reservation west of Horton.

The grand opening is open to the public, and is part of a full weekend schedule of events in support of the annual Kickapoo Pow Wow.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the Jefferson County community of Winchester.

The advisory was issued Saturday evening because of a loss of pressure due to an equipment malfunction.  KDHE says failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Customers are advised to boil the water they use for drinking and food preparation for one minute prior to use or use bottled water.

The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

Also a boil advisory remains in place for the Jefferson County community of Nortonville.

It was issued Friday due to a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system.

(KNZA)--Two people were killed, and two others injured, in a single-vehicle late Saturday night Jefferson County roll-over wreck.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says killed in the wreck on K-237, north of 50th Street, were 21-year-old Oskaloosa resident Luke Puccinelli and 46-year-old Christopher Webb of Topeka.

The Patrol reports the two were passengers in a northbound pickup truck driven by 43-year-old John Lewis, of Ozawkie, which failed to negotiate a curve.  The vehicle left the roadway and overturned several times, coming to rest on the driver's side.

Puccinelli and Webb were pronounced dead at the scene.

Lewis and another passenger, 20-year-old Nortonville resident Gavin Lewis, were transported by ambulance to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital with suspected serious injuries.

The Patrol says Lewis was the only occupant wearing a seatbelt when the wreck happened shortly after 10:15 Saturday night.

(KNZA)--A lengthy investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department has lead to the arrest of a Hiawatha man on drug charges.

Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore, in a news release, said 64-year-old Gregory Carr was arrested Thursday afternoon after officers served a search warrant at 814 Hiawatha Street.

Carr has been charged in Brown County District Court with a felony count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell and a misdemeanor count of possession of  drug paraphernalia.

The criminal complaint alleges Carr was in possession of 28 grams of meth.

 He made his first appearance in a Brown County courtroom Friday morning.

A preliminary hearing has been set for August 28.

Carr remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a $10,000 bond.

Defore said the investigation is ongoing.

(KNZA)--The Board of Education for the Atchison County Schools of USD 377 has adopted the 2020 budget as published.

That came following a hearing Tuesday evening drawing no public comment.

The budget calls for net expenditures of nearly $8.4 million and a slight mill levy decrease.

The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 44.866 mills, which is to raise more than $3.2 million in revenue.

In other business, the Board accepted a proposal from Urban Lawncare, of Atchison, for repairs to the high school football field irrigation system with a one horse power motor at a total cost of  $3,363.

The Board also accepted a proposal from Urban Lawncare for the aeration, re-seeding and fertilizing of the football field for a total cost of $1,977.  The work will be done at the conclusion of the football season.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man is facing multiple charges in three separate cases.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, in a news release, said 30-year-old Tobey Barnhart, Jr. was arrested August 8 by the Sheriff’s Office and Hiawatha Police Department on a warrant for a felony weapons charge.

Merchant said an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office has been ongoing, and additional charges have been filed by the Brown County Attorney’s Office who assisted law enforcement with the preparation of numerous search warrants that were executed over the last week.

In a criminal complaint filed Thursday, Barnhart was charged with a felony count of criminal possession of a firearm, two counts of possession of a firearm, two counts of burglary, two counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, and two counts of felony theft.

According to the criminal complaint, Barnhart is charged in connection with the burglary of a residence at 2242 Nighthawk Road and burglary of shop located at 2572 Linden Road.

Stolen were multiple firearms, a chainsaw, television, power washer, wildlife cameras, ammunition, crossbow and other items.

Barnhart also faces charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug parahernalia  and misdemeanor theft in a case filed August 12.

In addition, he faces a charge of criminal possession of a firearm in a case filed August 6.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively set for Wednesday, August 21 in all three cases.

Barnhart remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a total bond of $185,000 in the three cases.

(KNZA)--A Topeka man facing child-related sex charges in Jackson County has entered into a plea agreement, canceling a jury trial that has been set next month in the case.

29-year-old Jamie Woltje pleaded no contest August 9 in Jackson County District Court to a reduce charge of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child.

Woltje had faced two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy and one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Sentencing was set for September 27.

Woltje was arrested in July of last year following an investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department into alleged sex crimes involving a child under 14 occurring in March 2015 in the city of Holton.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the Jefferson County community of Nortonville.

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

Customers are advised to boil the water they use for drinking or food preparation for one minute prior to use or use bottled water.

The boil advisory will remain in place until further notice.

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

I would like to remind everyone about extra precautions and safety now that
the school year is starting.

Whether you are walking or driving to school, PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN. Students need to be observant at all times.

If you are walking to school, LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING THE STREET.

Always wear your seatbelt when riding in vehicles--ARRIVE ALIVE.

Drivers--slow down and always be more observant of school children walking,
children on bicycles and school buses.

Teen drivers---Do not use your cell phone when driving, avoid any unnecessary distractions in your vehicle, drive safely and always wear your seatbelts. Allow plenty of time to get to school and activities.

Report any suspicious activity immediately to your parents, teachers or law
enforcement AT ONCE. Do not wait or hesitate, especially if someone or
something makes you feel uncomfortable. If you think you need to report
something, make sure you do.

BE KIND!  We all have the ability to changes someones day for the better. If
you see a fellow student struggling, kindness and support always wins out
over frustration and bullying.

We all want to wish all students, staff and parents a safe and happy school
year!
 

(KNZA)--The Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education has approved a new snow day policy.

Superintendent Todd Evans said the Board took the action when they meet Monday evening.

He said the existing policy was adjusted to allow for four days missed prior to making days up.  In the past, its been three days.

Evans recommended a change to the policy, which has been in place for a number of years.

In other business, the Board adopted the 2019-20 budget as published following a hearing drawing no public comment.

Due to two separate bond issues before consolidation, USD 113 has two different mill rates depending on the location of property.

Residents in the former USD 441 will see a mill rate reduction from last year of 1.298 mills, while those in the former USD 448 will see a decrease of 5.834 mills.

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

Evans said the Board also approved a proposal from Blue Valley Tele-Communications to provide free WiFi for the Axtell gym and Axtell football field in exchange for signage that recognizes their donation.

School personnel will turn on the public WiFi during athletic events.

(KNZA)--The Board of Education for the South Brown County Schools of USD 430 has adopted the 2019-20 budget as published.

That came following a hearing at their meeting Monday evening drawing no public comment.

The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 42.061 mills, which is down 1.3 mills over the 2018-19 school year.

The total taxes levied will be more than $1.6 million.

The district was able to lower the tax levy due to a more than $2 million increase in assessed valuation.  One mill will raise a little over $39,000.

In other business, the Board approved a pilot science curriculum for 6th-8th graders.  The curriculum will be used for one year at a cost of $2,800.

The Board also approved a new digital citizenship class for middle school students.  Everest Middle School Principal Travis Torkelson said the class will teach students how to use technology safely and responsibly.       

(KLZA)-- The final inspection of a new Richardson County Rural Water District #2 line to Indian Cave State Park  was conducted Thursday.

About 10  years ago the idea for the project was brought up with about 35 private customers agreeing to tap into the line for water, however, that project fell through.  

Rural Water District #2 Board Chairman Paul Benitz said the idea resurfaced about two years ago when Nebraska Game and Parks determined the need to either update their antiquated water treatment plant and continue to pay for a water operator or to find a new source of water. 

Kevin Holliday with Nebraska Game and Parks said operating an aging water treatment plant at Indian Cave State Park is becoming very costly due to maintenance and manpower requirements.

The Game and Parks Commission committed to paying for a four inch line from the pumping station approximately four miles north of  Falls City to the park. The cost was in the neighborhood of $900-thousand.  Rural Water District #2 agreed to pay an additional $250-thousand to upgrade the size of the line to 6-inches.  

Louis Funk, with Bartlett &  West Engineering from Topeka, the lead Engineer for the project said demand for water from private customers in the area led to the decision to upgrade.  With 72 customers paying for a feasibility study and committing to purchase water, it was determined that a 6-inch water line  was a better option than the minimum 4-inch line needed to serve the park.  

Currently there are 14 customers and the park being served by the line.  The line has the capability of delivering from 10 to 50 gallons of water per minute to the water tower at Indian Cave State Park. 

Phase II of the project will be to install feeder lines to an additional 55-60 private water customers. The second phase is expected to cost $1.3- $1.5-million. 

Due to a drought weather pattern the past couple of years,  additional funding was available from the USDA including a $1-million Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant.  USDA is also providing a $300-thousand loan for the project. 

Funk easements are not being acquired for Phase II of the project.  He is hopeful construction can being in about a year.  Funk noted that an additional 12 people recently attended a Rural Water District Board meeting to inquire about becoming customers. 

Funk praised the efforts of RWD Board members Paul Benitz and Gayle Swisegood in canvassing the area to find those wanting to be connected to the water line as part of Phase II. 

It was also noted that the pumping station has the capability of adding chlorine to the water if needed.  

Radio controls indicate to the pump house when there is a need to pump more water to the water tower at the park. 

(KLZA)-- First District State Senator Julie Slama was in Falls City Tuesday along with Governor Pete Ricketts.

Slama who is wrapping up her first year in the legislature after being appointed by Governor Pete Ricketts, is now seeking election to the legislative seat.  Slama told the audience gathered at the Elk's Lodge that she wants to help build a bright future for Nebraska, noting her desire to raiser her children here and that her grandchildren be raised here.

Slama, an Auburn High School Graduate who grew up just outside of Peru says her main focus to make the future better is to help pass legislation with meaningful, long term property tax relief and to make sure that our rural schools have the necessary resources to provide every kid in the state a solid education.  She said educational opportunities for kids raised in the rural area should be the same as those for kids growing up in Lincoln and Omaha. 

Slama is being challenged in the Republican primary by Dennis Schaardt from Table Rock and Janet Palmtag from Syracuse.  
 

(MSC News)--Severe storms containing high wind, hail and heavy rain moved through the local area Thursday afternoon.

In Nemaha County, Emergency Management Director Russel Lierz said 70-mile per hour wind and hail were reported with a storm that moved through around 4:00, causing damage in the northeast portion of the county.

He said eight homes had siding damage and broken windows.  The winds also brought down several trees.

Lierz also reported severe damage to corn and soybean fields.

In the Brown County community of Hiawatha, high wind caused tree damage throughout the community.  Damage was also reported to signs in the downtown area.

(KNZA)--A motorcyclist was injured Thursday evening in a Jefferson County crash.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on U.S. 24 Highway near Phillips Road shortly before 6:30.

The Patrol reports 25-year-old Christopher Jaramillo, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was westbound at a high rate of speed and unable to maneuver a curve. His motorcycle left the roadway and crashed.

Jaramillo was transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital with suspected minor injury.

The Patrol says he was wearing a helmet.  

(KLZA)-- A Forest City, Missouri man was hospitalized following a one vehicle wreck Wednesday evening in Holt County, Missouri.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 59-year-old Jackie Kridler suffered what were described as minor injuries when he was ejected from the moped he was driving.

Kridler was eastbound on County Road 300 approximately a mile-and-a-half south of Oregon, MO. When he swerved to miss a dog in the road. The moped overturned, ejecting Kridler.

Kridler was transported by the Atchison-Holt Ambulance to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.

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

(KLZA)--No injuries were reported following an explosion Wednesday afternoon at a Falls City grain facility.

The Falls City Rural Fire Department was called to Consolidated Grain and Barge on the south edge of Falls City shortly after 3 o'clock following an explosion in one of the legs of the elevator.

Rural Fire Department member Mike Ramsey said the blow-out doors in the leg worked as designed, calling it the best case scenario to what could have been a bad situation. There was no fire.

Firefighters were on the scene for about six hours. The State Fire Marshall is investigating the cause of the explosion.

(KLZA)-- Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts was in Falls City Tuesday to meet with area citizens.

Now in the midst of his second term as Governor, Ricketts says his administration has a plan to “Grow Nebraska.” 

Step one is to create more and better paying jobs which will entice people to move here and make Nebraska their home. Second is to run the state government like a business, becoming more effective and more efficient.  Third is to control spending and be good stewards of tax-payer dollars and finally, promote ourselves to let the world know Nebraska is a great place to live. 

There were questions from the audience ranging from medical marijuana,  school financing,  issues with transmitting power to certain parts of the state including Falls City, the Medicaid program and the effect tariffs are having on goods exported from the state. 

Two topics that always come up across the state are high property taxes and a the topic that goes hand-in-hand with them,  state aid to schools.  

Ricketts says even though most school districts no longer receive state aid due to  property valuations,  the state is providing a large amount of funding to local entities.

The Governor noted that more than two-billion dollars of the approximately $4.5-billion state budget does go back to local entities in one form or another.  The funding goes to homestead exemptions, school aid, property tax credit relief and aid to local government.

The Governor also made stops Tuesday in Auburn and in Nebraska City. 
 

(KNZA)--Local area law enforcement agencies are taking part in a special enforcement campaign focused on removing impaired drivers from Kansas roadways.

The “You Drink. You Drive. You Lose” campaign, kicked off Thursday, August 15.

Among the local law enforcement agencies taking part in the effort are police departments in Atchison, Horton, and Hiawatha, as well as the Atchison and Brown County Sheriff’s offices.

According to a news release from the Kansas Department of Transportation, a no refusal weekend on Friday and Saturday, August 16-17, is also part of the initiative, meaning suspected impaired drivers who refuse breath testing may be subject to blood testing.

The overall effort runs through Labor Day weekend, a time that the news release says brings increased traffic and a higher-than-normal number of deaths related to impaired drivers on the road.

According to KDOT, alcohol and other drugs are implicated in 40 percent of the crash deaths on Kansas roads.

Law enforcement officials say if you're going to drink alcohol away from home, do it responsibly by lining up a designated driver before you leave.

(KNZA)--A new phone system will be installed in Hiawatha school district buildings.

The USD 415 Board of Education Monday evening accepted a bid from Rainbow Communications for the installation of an internet-based phone system at a cost of $14,126, which the district will lease. In addition, there will be monthly recurring charges of $4,240, which includes the phone lease as well as all phone, internet, and fax services along with federal and state taxes. 

Rainbow made a presentation to the board at last month’s meeting.

On Monday evening, the Board heard a presentation from another company, WANSecurity of Overland Park, for a phone upgrade.

Following discussion, the Board voted to go with Rainbow.

The phone upgrade is to be completed in three phases.

In other business, the Board accepted the lone bid received by Midwest Coating, of Topeka, for the replacement of the bus barn roof at a cost of $31,697. District Maintenance Supervisor Matt Cluck said the current metal roof is leaking.

Following an executive session, the Board approved a four percent pay raise for all classified staff, effective August 5.

The Board also approved a four percent pay raise for all administrative staff, effective with the 2019-20 school year.  

(KAIR)--The Missouri State Highway Patrol has named three officers involved in last week's south St. Joseph, Missouri shooting that left a suspect hospitalized.

KQ2-TV reports that authorities said investigators Billy Paul Miller and Erica Tate, of the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department, along with St. Joseph Police Department Detective Aaron King, were involved in the shooting.

Miller and Tate are a part of the Drug Strike Force.

The shooting took place shortly after 2:00 on the afternoon of August 6.

According to the Patrol, the suspect, who has not been named, remains in the hospital in critical, but stable condition.

The shooting occurred while the police and sheriff departments were attempting to apprehend a wanted felon that was known to be armed. According to the TV station, the shots were fired after the suspect produced a weapon.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City School Board conducted a public hearing Monday night concerning amending the 2018-19 school district budget.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, actual expenditures for the current fiscal year would have exceeded budgeted expenditures for the Activities Fund by $22,305, unless the budget of expenditures was revised. There was no public comment and the Board members voted to approve the amended budget as published.

In other Board action, the agreement to have Dana F. Cole & Company continue as the District's auditing firm for school years ending August 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 was approved. The Board voted to recognize the Pawnee City Education Foundation Association as the bargaining unit for the 2021-22 teacher negotiations process and approved renewal of membership in the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association at a cost of $850.

An additional $5-thousand for Learn to Dream scholarships for 2019-20 were approved bringing the total to $15-thousand. Use of grant money from Farm Credit for the purchase of a hydroponic table was approved along with the expenditure of up to $2,575 to have Audio Visions of Omaha repair stage lights and up to $2,500 for on-site Amplify Science curriculum teacher training. The $3,500 lease of the former Table Rock School gymnasium for high school sports was approved and end-of-year transfers totaling $160-thousand to various accounts was approved.

(KLZA)-- The grand marshals for the 2019 Cobblestone parade in Falls City have been selected.

Parade director Lori Gottula has announced that Gerald and Kathy Hopp who have been part of the Falls City community since the late 70's will follow the honor guards through the parade route down Harlan Street on August 24th.

Gerald Hopp was the Richardson County Extension Educator from 1976 – 2004. Following his retirement from the Extension program, Gerald worked for KTNC Radio and then served as a paraprofessional for the Falls City Public Schools. He was also a member of the Jaycees, the tree board and took care of the Krumme Arboretum for nearly 20 years.

Kathy has played accompaniment for both the Falls City and Sacred Heart Schools. Served as a 4-H leader and has been active in the First United Methodist Church.

(KLZA)-- A large group of citizens from the Southeast Nebraska area attended a question and answer session featuring Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and First District State Senator Julie Slama Tuesday morning at the Elk's Lodge in Falls City. 

Topics that go hand in hand are the high rate of property taxes of which a great deal goes to fund public schools.  Governor Ricketts said a majority of Nebraska School Districts no longer receive State Aid. 

Senator Slama noted that of those 88 districts that do receive State Aid, the Omaha, Lincoln and Millard Public School Districts receive the majority of the funds.  

Falls City School Superintendent urged the Governor to continue to push for a formula called “Foundation Aid Per Student.” Heckenlively called it the best possible and cleanest funding model he has looked at. Had the model been in place last year, he said Falls City Public Schools could have dropped the local property tax request by 40 percent. 
 

(KLZA)-- A large group of citizens from the Southeast Nebraska area attended a question and answer session featuring Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and First District State Senator Julie Slama Tuesday morning at the Elk's Lodge in Falls City. 

Topics that go hand in hand are the high rate of property taxes of which a great deal goes to fund public schools.  Governor Ricketts said a majority of Nebraska School Districts no longer receive State Aid. 

Senator Slama noted that of those 88 districts that do receive State Aid, the Omaha, Lincoln and Millard Public School Districts receive the majority of the funds.  

Falls City School Superintendent urged the Governor to continue to push for a formula called “Foundation Aid Per Student.” Heckenlively called it the best possible and cleanest funding model he has looked at. Had the model been in place last year, he said Falls City Public Schools could have dropped the local property tax request by 40 percent. 
 

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central Board of Education Monday evening toured the newly completed addition connecting the district’s two schools.

The addition contains four new classrooms, two smaller rooms and restrooms.

Three sections of 5th grade and a high school health class will utilize the four new classrooms.  The two smaller rooms will be used by the social worker and for smaller classroom projects.

The Board also inspected the newly completed greenhouse on the west side of the high school.  The greenhouse will be used by the high school FFA and Ag classes.

The Board approved the two projects in September of last year.

Superintendent Darrel Kohlman told the board the two projects should come in at the budgeted amount of $1.9 million when all the bills are received.

In other business, the Board adopted the 2019-20 budget as published following a hearing drawing no public comment.

It contains a nearly one mill tax levy decrease and calls for the district to collect nearly $3.6 million in property tax revenue.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has adopted the 2020 county budget as published.

That came following a hearing Monday drawing no public comment.

The $11.3 million budget calls for a nearly half mill tax levy decrease.

The 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 revenue due to a more than $8 million increase in the county’s assessed valuation.

(KNZA)--The Holton Community Hospital has reached a major fund-raising goal in its campaign to raise funds for a $14.6 million expansion and renovation project.

In a post on the hospital’s Facebook page, hospital officials announced that the  “Embrace the Future” capital campaign surpassed its $1.6 million goal last week.  That’s the amount needed to receive a $400,000 “ challenge grant” from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, of Tulsa Oklahoma.

That puts the fund-raising total in pledges and contributions at $2 million—a goal established by the hospital to meet a USDA Rural Development requirement for a $14.6 million loan to cover a majority of the expansion project’s costs.

Hospital officials also announced that the hospital has reached the $1 million threshold of cash in the bank needed to help secure the interim financing required for the USDA loan.

Funds raising efforts will continue.  Hospital officials says pledges and contributions received will now help with equipment, building needs and the Holton Community Hospital Foundation’s general fund.

Hospital CEO Carrie Saia says construction plans are still being finalized.  She said the hospital is still hoping to break ground before fall.

The expansion and renovation project will include additions to the emergency department, a nearly 6,600-square-foot clinic building, an updated operating area, a renovated specialty clinic, new office space, meeting and training space, updates to current space and room for future growth.   

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Kansas City, Kansas police say officers have shot and killed a man who was armed with an assault rifle near a popular shopping and dining area.

Officer Jonathan Westbrook said during a news conference that officers were called Tuesday to the Country Inn and Suites near the Legends Outlet shopping district after a manager reported a heavily-armed man entered the business and said he had killed his wife.

The man then left.

Westbrook said the man was armed with an assault rifle when officers found him. He says the man fired at police, and they shot and killed him.

Westbrook says police are investigating the reports that the man said he killed his wife.

No police officers were injured. Police say the suspect didn't make it into the Legends businesses.

(KAIR)--An Atchison woman is facing charges after she allegedly intentionally hit a man with her vehicle.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, in a release, said 23-year-old Felieca Paxton was arrested Monday.

According to Wilson, Paxton’s arrest follows a report made to police by a 31-year-old man, who said he was walking in the area of 12th and Laramie Sunday night when Paxton struck him with her vehicle. The attack allegedly occurred shortly before 11:00.

According to Wilson, Paxton and the man knew each other prior to the alleged vehicular attack.

The man did not require hospital treatment.

Wilson said police began an investigation after receiving the report, but were not immediately able to locate Paxton Sunday night. Instead, she was found Monday evening and taken into custody.

Paxton now faces a charge of aggravated battery.

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

According to jail records, she was held on no bond as of Tuesday morning.

(KAIR)--As the new school year begins across the local area, safety is urged as yellow school buses transport students to and from their school day.

The Kansas State Department of Education has launched a new campaign focused on driver awareness pertaining to the Kansas school bus stop arm law.

According to a press release issued about the “Stop on Red, Kids Ahead” campaign, the law requires  all motorists to stop when approaching a stopped school bus from either direction when it’s displaying its flashing red lights and stop arm. Motorists have to remain stopped until the bus is no longer displaying its flashing red lights and stop arm.

Violation of the law is punishable by a fine and court costs in excess of $420.

In April, Kansas bus drivers reported 1,040 stop arm violations. The data was collected during the Kansas One-Day Stop Arm Violation Count. There were 220 districts and 3,300 buses that participated in this year’s Kansas survey. In April 2018, 214 districts and 3,347 buses participated and reported 1,030 violations. There were 691 violations reported by 188 districts using 2,527 buses in April 2017.

(KNZA)--A rural Sabetha resident meet with the Brown County Commission Monday to voice his safety concerns about old 75 Highway.

Steve Lukert said he was like to see the three-mile stretch of road, which  runs from U.S. 36 north to the city of Sabetha, striped down the middle.

Lukert, who lives along the road, said its hard to see at night what side of the road you are driving on and believes there could be a head-on collision if something is not done.

Currently, Brown and Nemaha Counties share responsibility for maintenance of the road.

Commissioner Dwight Kruse voiced concerns about the precedent it would set, if the county were to stripe the road.   

Commission Chairman Keith Olsen said he would like to talk to the county’s insurance carrier first to see what liability the county would assume.

Lukert said he also plans to visit with the Kansas Department of Transportation and Nemaha County Commission about the issue.

In other business, bids were opened for the replacement of a tube on 260th Road, south of Prairie Road.

The Commission voted to accept a bid from Welborn Sales, of Salina, for a 84 by 50-foot aluminized tube in the amount of $6,342.

Bids were received from three companies.           

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a rural Seneca burglary.

The Sheriff’s Office says sometime between 5:00 the evening of August 7 and 9:00 the morning of August 8 an unknown person entered a shop  located at 1473 120th Road.

Taken were multiple wrenches and sockets along with a Milwaukee circular saw and jig saw.

The loss was estimated at $1,100.

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

(KAIR)--An early morning, weekend rollover crash caused injuries, but the driver was not transported for hospital treatment.

That word is delivered in a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, who said the wreck happened on 286th Road, near Greely Road, in rural Atchison County around 2:45 Sunday morning.

The driver, 57-year-old Dennis Ray Lowe, of Atchison, was treated at the scene by Atchison County EMS but refused further medical treatment, according to the report.

He was issued a notice to appear in court for texting while driving.

(KLZA)-- Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and State Senator Julie Slama of Peru announced that they would be holding a town hall meeting in Falls City.

The meeting will take place Tuesday, August 13th from 10 to 11 A.M. at the Falls City Elk's Lodge at 1417 Stone St.

The Governor and Senator will make remarks before taking questions. This event is open to the public.

In addition, Governor Ricketts will make remarks in Auburn at the Auburn Rotary meeting at noon Tuesday which takes place at the Arbor Manor Motel.

At 2:00 P.M. Governor Ricketts will tour Cargill Value Added Meats at 2601 Industrial Road in Nebraska City.

(KLZA)-- It's Fair Week in Johnson County.  

The Fair will be held in Tecumseh beginning Thursday and continuing through Sunday. The Johnson County Ag and Mechanical Society sponsors the fair.

The 140th Annual Free Fair begins Thursday with  various entries accepted starting at 8 in the morning and continuing through the evening. 

Friday morning events begin with the swine show and horse show begin at 8.  The poultry and rabbit show will begin at 11:30. The sheep show is at 3:30 and the Clover Kid Pet Show will begin at 5:30. 

Saturday events begin with the goat show at 8;  the bucket calf show is at 11 followed by the dairy cattle show at 11:30 and the beef cattle show at 12:30.

The Sunday schedule includes the 10:00 A.M. Horse show with both the trail and speed classes.  The poultry show and rabbit show, showmanship will begin at noon.  The Veterans and Grand Parade will begin at 6:00 P.M. The fair wraps up with the livestock premium show Sunday evening following the parade.  

Sams Amusements will open Thursday through Saturday from 6 - 10 P.M. and Sunday from 1 – 5 P.M. 

(KNZA)--A Sunday afternoon single-vehicle Jackson County wreck sent an elderly Soldier man to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 78-year-old Jimmy Mitchell was westbound on K-16 Highway, west of Holton, when his pickup truck left the roadway, went down an embankment, and struck two barbed wire fences.  The vehicle continued through a field where it went through a third fence before striking a barn.

Mitchell was transported to the Holton Community Hospital with what the Patrol described as suspected minor injury.

The Patrol says its not known if Mitchell was wearing a seatbelt when the wreck happened around 2:00 Sunday afternoon.  

(KNZA)--An early Saturday morning two-vehicle Brown County wreck sent two people to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says the wreck happened at the intersection of U.S 73 Highway and 290th Road around 5:30.

The Patrol reports a motorcycle driven by 56-year-old David Fritz, of Falls City, was southbound on U.S. 73 when a car driven by 52-year-old Dennis Leeper, of White Cloud, crossed the intersection and struck his motorcycle.

Fritz, who was wearing a helmet and safety goggles, was transported to the Hiawatha Community Hospital with what the Patrol described as suspected serious injuries.

Leeper, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported to the hospital with suspected minor injuries.

(KAIR)--A slight mill levy increase is proposed in the Atchison County 2020 budget now approved for publication.

The Atchison County Commission Wednesday held a budget workshop to finalize the document, which is now set for publication on Saturday.

The budget contains a mill levy of 53.903, an increase from the 2019 mill levy of 53.137.

The budget will allow the county to increase the amount of taxes levied, climbing to $9,295,844 from $8,805,562 in 2019.

The budget indicates that assessed valuation has increased to $172,454,331 from $165,731,839 in 2019.

Once published, the 2020 budget awaits final approval. That’s scheduled to happen on August 20, following a public hearing scheduled for 1:05 that afternoon, at the Atchison County Courthouse.

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

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, in a news release Thursday, said the Hiawatha City Lake remains under “ watch”  status due to the presence of blue-green algae.

The lake is among eight 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.

14 lakes in the state are currently under " warning" status due to blue-green algae.  None of those are in the local area.  

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (AP) - An Omaha man has taken a plea deal on the charges filed after a southeast Nebraska collision that killed a woman and her 15-year-old stepdaughter.
 
Otoe County District Court records say 54-year-old Ricky Anthony pleaded no contest Wednesday to two counts of felony vehicular homicide. Prosecutors dropped three related charges in exchange for Anthony's pleas. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 21, a year after the fatal crash.
 
Thirty-two-year-old Rachel Curry and 15-year-old Chloe Curry died after their pickup truck collided with a sport utility vehicle on U.S. Highway 75 near Nebraska City. Authorities say it occurred after Anthony's SUV swerved into oncoming traffic.
 
Rachel Curry's husband, Michael Curry, was driving the pickup. He was treated at St. Mary's Hospital in Nebraska City.
 
Authorities say Anthony received a ride from the crash scene and was later found in Falls City, where he'd been staying temporarily.

(KMZA)--The Seneca Planning Commission will consider whether the city’s extraterritorial zoning area should be extended one mile.

Seneca City Administrator Matt Rehder said the City Council’s Planning and Zoning Committee recommended to the full council Wednesday evening that the matter be referred to the Planning Commission.  

Following a public hearing, the Planning Commission would then make a recommendation to the City Council.

Rural resident Jim Reitz, concerned that wind turbines could someday be located near his home, asked the council at their July 17 meeting to extend its zoning area from the present two miles surrounding the city limits to three miles—the maximum allowed by state statute.  He cited health, safety and declining property value issues.

Reitz said the area surrounding Seneca is seeing growth, including new housing, and a wind turbine complex would stop that.

(KNZA)--An August 28 preliminary hearing is set for a Willis man facing multiple charges in three separate Brown County cases, dating back to 2018.

In the first case, 20-year-old Anthony Lay was charged in late December with a felony count of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, three misdemeanor counts and two traffic infractions stemming from a December 28 high speed chase on U.S. 73 Highway in Brown County.  

In the second case, Lay was charged in January of this year with a felony count of rape.

The charge was filed following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department.

A third case filed in April charges Lay with one count of felony theft, three counts of misdemeanor theft, and a felony count of criminal possession of a firearm.

The charges stem from the theft of tires and rims from Armstrong Tire, in rural Muscotah.

He was arrested in January following a joint investigation by the Atchison and Brown County Sheriff’s Departments.

Lay pleaded guilty in April in Atchison County District Court to two counts of  burglary and one count of felony theft in connection with a scheme to rip-off the Atchison County tire dealership.  In exchange for the plea, additional counts were dismissed.   He was sentenced to prison in May.

According to online court records, Lay was transferred from the Hutchinson Correctional Facility to the Brown County Jail, in July, to face the charges in the Brown County cases.

(KLZA)--Nebraska  First District State Senator Julie Slama has been named the 2019 Young Republican National Legislator of the Year. 

The award was presented during the Young Republican National Convention in Omaha July 27th. 

The award is presented annually to the Young Republican lawmaker who most effectively represents their constituents and embodies the organizations values. 

Slama is the youngest woman ever to serve in the Nebraska Legislature and is the youngest Republican woman serving as a state lawmaker nationwide. 

(KLZA)--Falls City  Council members approved the re-appointment of Marilyn Capps to the Falls City Housing Authority when they met Monday night.

Capps, currently serving as Chairman of the Housing Authority has agreed to another 5-year term.

Following a lengthy discussion the Council approved a request to change the size of parking stallls north of the alley on Stone Street between 18th and 19th Streets.

The angle parking stalls on the west side of Stone Street will be reduced from 12 to 10 stalls and will be at a 30-degree angle and will be two-feet, four inches wider than the current stalls.  

The parallel parking on the east side of the street will be changed from six stalls of unequal size to six stalls being 24 feet in length. 

The changes were recommended by Second Ward Council member Lucas Froeschl.  

A request to  use city streets and parks for a Glow Run fundraiser for a competition dance team was approved.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners reviewed proposed budgets for Fiscal Year 2019-20 during their Tuesday meeting.

In other business the Board met with Highway  Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. and County Attorney Doug Merz to discuss the county's Road Improvement Policy that was adopted in 2006.
The Board is attempting to determine whether or not a change could be made to the policy by adding that in an agreement could be reached with the Board to allow improvements made on a  minimum maintenance road by a landowner to provide better road surface conditions to their property located on a minimum maintenance road. 
 
Commissioners asked  Darveau to research this matter with the State  Department of Transportation.

Darveau also informed Commissioners  that three new employees have been offered employment with a start date anticipated later this month. 

(KNZA)--A Kentucky man is facing charges following what Brown County authorities call a “tense situation” involving a handgun Thursday morning.

According to a release from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, the situation began with a call to 911 regarding a vehicle theft in progress, south of Hiawatha, on Linden Road.

Deputies were joined by Hiawatha and Kickapoo Police in responding to the scene where a man was found to be armed with a handgun.

The area was contained by law enforcement and the suspect, now identified as 31-year-old Gregory Rumph, called 911, where he talked with a dispatcher.
Merchant said the dispatcher was able to convince Rumph to surrender, and he was taken into custody without further incident.

Rumph, of Glasgow, Kentucky, was arrested on charges of felony theft, violation of a protection order, and aggravated assault. Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.

Following his arrest, Rumph was booked into the Brown County Jail.

(KNZA)--A Thursday morning single-vehicle Leavenworth County crash sent an Easton teenager to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 15-year-old Jack Heim was westbound on K-192, about 2 ½ miles east of Easton, when he lost control of his SUV for an unknown reason.  The vehicle went into a ditch, struck a tree, and rolled.

Heim was transported by private vehicle to the Atchison Hospital with what the Patrol described as a suspected serious injury.

The Patrol says Heim was wearing a seatbelt when the wreck happened  around 7:15 Thursday morning.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth-based organization has been selected to provide domestic violence services for the City of Atchison.

That happened Monday during the regular meeting of the Atchison City Commission.

The need arose following the disbandment of DoVES Inc. in September, 2018, based on financial factors.

City Manager Becky Berger addressed the Commission Monday, outlining the need to retain Leavenworth’s Alliance Against Family Violence to provide services. “The DoVES board decided to dissolve last fall,” Berger explained. “There was an undertaking for another organization but it hasn’t really gone anywhere, and we don’t have a certified domestic violence and sexual assault shelter in our community right now, which is not uncommon for a community our size. Usually, the larger communities are the ones that are able to provide those services.”

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson outlined the ways the legal system has changed through the years in handling matters of domestic violence, telling the Commission that having an organization in place is a key to seeing the needs of victims met. “One of the components we have found to be [important for the victims] is providing advocacy groups, counselors, a shelter, somebody to talk to, and as some of you may recall, one of those early resources in our community was DoVES [which provided] a very vital component that we needed.”

Alliance Executive Director Jennifer Marsh addressed the Commission, and explained the history of her organization. “We closed in 2017. It was a decision of the board at that time, due to issues with grant repayment, mostly from the state. I was hired in December of 2018 and we fully reopened all of our services this April.”

Marsh explained that since reopening, nearly 20-percent of her organization’s clients are from Atchison. “We realized very early on that a lot of our clients were coming from Atchison. We have provided confidential shelter, we have provided court advocacy, we have provided hospital accompaniment for forensic exams, as well as case work, support groups, all of this to residents of Atchison.”

Discussion followed the presentation, and once all questions were answered, and concerns eased, the Commission voted unanimously to designate the Alliance Against Family Violence as the City’s official domestic violence shelter.

(KAIR)--The Weston, Missouri-based Snow Creek ski area could soon have new ownership.

That comes as Colorado-base Vail Resorts, Inc. enters into a merger agreement to acquire the holdings of the current ownership, Peak Resorts, Inc.

Snow Creek is among a total of 17 ski areas that would be acquired through what a Vail Resorts press release says is a deal estimated at $264 million.

The merger agreement was put in place last month.

The deal now awaits what the release calls “certain conditions,” including regulatory review and Peak Resorts’ shareholder approval.

After the transaction closes, Vail Resorts plans to invest approximately $15 million over the next two years in what the release calls “one-time capital spending to elevate the guest experience” at the resorts.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas plans to impose what some tax experts say would be the nation's most aggressive policy for collecting state and local taxes on online sales.

The state Department of Revenue has issued a notice saying any "remote seller" doing business with Kansas residents must register with the department, collect state and local sales taxes and forward the revenues to the state, starting Oct. 1.

It cites a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year allowing states to collect sales taxes on Internet sales.

Most states now have policies to collect such taxes, but groups tracking state tax laws say almost all set minimum annual sales or transaction thresholds to exempt small businesses. They say Kansas is the first to attempt to collect the taxes without exempting any businesses.

(KNZA)--The city of Hiawatha is plans to start the chip sealing of several streets in the northern portion of the community next week.

The city has announced that work will start around Monday, August 12 and continue until around August 21, weather allowing.

Hatfield, Green Court, Wentley, Navajo, Cheyenne and Cherokee Streets will be completed this year.  

Residents are asked to remove their vehicles from the streets through the duration of the project.

The city says if vehicles are not removed, they will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Crews are to start work at 7:00 in the morning.

Those with questions should call City Hall 742-7417.

(KNZA)--Bids were opened at Monday’s Brown County Commission meeting for the replacement of a flood-damaged bridge in the southern portion of the county.

Three bids were received for the replacement of a 35-foot bridge on Kingfisher Road, south of K-20.

All three were under the engineer’s estimate of nearly $217,000.

Reese Construction, of Salina, was the apparent low bidder at just over $139,000, with a start date of April 1 of next year.  

Commission Chairman Keith Olsen said the project needs to be done before fall harvest and suggested that a tube be installed instead.  

A motion by Olsen to reject the bids died due to the lack of a second.

An engineer with BG Consultants will return with a cost estimate for replacing the bridge with a tube and the commission will revisit the bids at that time.

(KAIR)--The Atchison City Commission has granted final approval for the 2020 budget.

That followed a public hearing that drew no public comments during Monday’s meeting of the Commission.

Atchison City Manager Becky Berger provided a brief review of the budget prior to final passage. “At the last Commission meeting, I presented the recommended budget, asked for any amendments from Commissioners. Did not receive any amendments, so what was published, and what we’re presenting today, matches what we talked about on that day,” Berger said. “I think we’ve got a really good budget, I think we did a good job stretching tax dollars and holding the line on property taxes.”

The budget includes a mill levy of 58.059, reflecting a minor decrease from the 58.319 mill levy of 2019.

The total budget is $24,468,374.

The budget represents input provided by the Commission, and city staff, during a series of budget workshops held earlier this summer.

(KNZA)--2nd District U.S. Congressman Steve Watkins has been busy since taking office in January.

The Kansas Republican hosted a town hall meeting in Hiawatha Monday morning.  

Since taking office, Watkins said he has co-sponsored 177 pieces of legislation—more than any other Republican freshman in Congress.  In addition, he says he has introduced 6 pieces of legislation, with one bill signed into law.

Watkins said he is the only freshman Republican on the whip team promoting the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, commonly referred to as NAFTA 2.0.   He touted the agreement as a solution to Kansas farmers’ trade woes. “This would pass if it went up to a vote right now. Nancy Pelosi has not brought it to a vote, but the good news we’ve learned recently is that [Pelosi] will likely bring it to a vote soon, so sometime in October. We’re very pleased with that. I think it’s going to be very good for our economy, very good for our growers and our manufacturers.”

Watkins said he wasn’t impressed with former Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe. “There just doesn’t seem to be enough there. Kansans and Americans, by any respectable poll, are ready to move on.”

However, Watkins said he’s very concerned about the integrity of elections. “No one should meddle in our elections, and Russia has tried, and Russia, by the way, is not the only country who has tried. That’s why I co-sponsored the HR3412. This is the Elections Security Assistance Act.”

Watkins said he pushed for passage of House bills incentivizing banks to make low-interest loans to rural Americans and deferring college loans of physicians serving in rural communities.

Watkins serves on three committees—Education and Labor, Veterans Affairs and Foreign Affairs.

Watkins also held town hall meetings Monday in Holton, Seneca and Blue Rapids.     
 

(KLZA)-- Enel Green Power North America has started construction on a 236.5 megawat wind project in Nodaway County, Missouri.

The “White Cloud” wind project will supply power to Associated Electric Cooperative based in Springfield, Missouri once it is completed.

White Cloud is Enel Green Power's second project in Missouri. Commercial operation of the project is anticipated to begin in 2020. During the life of the project it is expected to create more than $43-million in property tax revenue and more than $56-million in lease payments for local landowners.

Currently Enel operates the 300 MW Rock Creek wind farm in Atchison County which began commercial operation in 2017.

Enel Green Power has renovated the former ShopKo building in downtown Tarkio for use as an operations center for both wind farm projects and has provided funds to stabilize wetland habitats at the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge and has joined with other community partners to help re-establish Tarkio College.

(KLZA)-- Kids, games, free food, fire trucks and helicopters all were a big part of another successful National Night Out event at Stanton Lake Park in Falls City Tuesday evening.

The Falls City Police Department sponsors the event with the aid of many area first responder groups, city employees and volunteers.

Falls City Police officer Zach Ractliffe who coordinates the event said this year there were more games to get kids and adults to meet the people that may be the first person they see in an emergency situation.

One of the highlights of the evening was the landing of the LifeNet helicopter from St. Joseph.

Also during the evening, Falls City Legion Post #102 presented several awards. Jim Gerweck was presented the Legion's Emergency Medical Technician Accommodation. Zach Ractliffe was presented the Legion's Roger Schulenberg Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement and Jon McQueen who was presented the Legion's Kenny Simpson Award for Excellence in Firefighting during the annual Fire Department Dinner in February was also recognized.

(KNZA)--Brown County is among seven Kansas counties that have been added to a Presidential Disaster Declaration due to severe storms and flooding earlier this year.

According to a release from the Kansas Adjacent General’s Office, the Kansas Division of Emergency Management was notified Tuesday that Governor Laura Kelly's request to add the seven counties for public assistance was approved.   Besides Brown, added were the counties of Ness, Osborne, Smith, Stafford, Wallace and Wyandotte.  

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

"With each damage assessment, we are getting a clearer picture of just how much the severe storms and flooding we experienced earlier this year affected Kansans all across the state," Kelly said. "This federal disaster declaration will do much to help these counties restore the roads, bridges and other infrastructure we all depend on."

The approval is an amendment to the major disaster declaration for the State of Kansas, approved by President Donald Trump on June 20.

(KNZA)--The city of Hiawatha is considering mandatory curbside trash pickup.

The issue was brought up at Monday evening’s City Commission meeting.

Mayor Bill Collins said a resident said he would like to see the city remove trash trucks from alley’s if its not going to fix them. Collins said the city has enough trouble taking care of its streets without taking care of alley’s too.

City Attorney Andy Delaney was directed to draft an ordinance for the Commission’s consideration that would not only remove trash truck’s from alley’s but other heavy duty trucks as well.

The Commission has previously considered mandatory curbside trash pickup but taken no action.

Commissioner Toni Hull said a majority of residents already place their trash at the curb.

In other business, the Commission approved seeking bids for the replacement of an old clay tile sewer line in the 200 to 300 block of the north side of Cheyenne Street.

Wastewater Superintendent Dave Grimm said the line has had numerous backups, flooding basements.

The Commission also gave Police Chief John Defore approval to advertise for a full-time officer to fill a vacancy.

(KNZA)--Horton voters went to the polls Tuesday to narrow the field of candidates for a position on the city commission.

Advancing to the November 5 general election ballot for Parks and Recreation Commissioner were James Stuart and Richard Lovelady.  Stuart received 41 votes and Lovelady, 38 votes.

Eliminated from the race were Glen Obbards, who received 15 votes, and incumbent Bobby Bacon, who received 14 votes.

The Brown County Clerk's Office reported only a 12 percent voter turnout.  

The results are unofficial until the ballots are canvassed this upcoming Monday by the Brown County Commission.

(KNZA)--A Jackson County pursuit leads to a crash of the suspect vehicle, which sent the driver to the hospital.

According to a news release issued by Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, the pursuit began shortly before 2:00 Tuesday afternoon when a Deputy attempted to stop a car for a traffic violation, as well as suspicious activity, near 126th and U.S. Highway 75.

According to Morse, the driver refused to stop, leading to the pursuit, which continued into Shawnee County, onto I-70, and then onto the Kansas Turnpike.

Stop sticks were deployed, which disabled the suspect vehicle, which then crashed near the turnpike toll plaza.

The driver, who has been identified as 39-year-old Kansas City, Missouri resident Jesus Emanuel Chatmon,  suffered minor injuries and was transported to a Topeka hospital for evaluation.

(KLZA)-- A new Richardson County Sheriff has been appointed.

 Following interviews with three finalists, Richardson County Commissioners Tuesday afternoon appointed Richard Hardesty Jr. to fill the vacant position until the term expires in January, 2023.

Hardesty was sworn into office Wednesday morning and has begun his duties as Sheriff.

Hardesty began working for the Richardson County Sheriff's Department on May 15, 2019. He previously served as a Deputy Sheriff in Johnson County, Nebraska.

Hardesty replaces Don Pounds who resigned as Richardson County Sheriff in July.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council Monday night approved moving forward with recalling 2019 bonds for the water plant improvements.

Brad Slaughter with Ameritas Investment Corporation met with the Council and projected a savings of more than $190-thousand in savings if the current bonds are recalled and then resold.

The bonds will be paid off in 2036.

The Council also approved the expenditure of nearly $153-thousand to purchase a Lime Slaker for the Rulo Water Treatment Plant.

The slaker turns hard lime pebbles into a slurry which is introduced into the water system.

(KLZA)-- Volunteers are sought to help with clean-up events this week in Craig, Missouri.

The Holt County community has been devastated by flooding this year. Clean-up work is planned for Wednesday through Saturday this week. Organizers of the clean-up event are asking volunteers to meet each morning at 8:30 at the Craig, City Hall.

Equipment and operators have been located to help and a grant will allow dumpsters to be brought in.

Lunch will be provided for those helping with the clean-up and a dinner will be held Saturday afternoon in the park beginning at 5 where the Craig reunions were held to bring present and former residents of Craig togther.

(KAIR)--The future of an Atchison ballpark was a key focus during a lengthy meeting of the Atchison City Commission Monday.

At the beginning of the session, community voices were heard by the Commission regarding the proposed sale of Walt Wilburn Memorial Ball Park.

They included Steve Busch, a resident of the Branchton area where Walt Wilburn Memorial Ball Park is located. “I just don’t know why on earth we want to sell the park. I can’t comprehend that, so you’re going to have to help me,” Busch told the Commission.

Following Bush’s comments, David Kesinger, who both lives by the park and utilizes it as a softball player, told the Commission he continues to see strong use of the park, by both players and non-players alike, adding that community members are opposed to the City selling the park, and are willing to volunteer for upkeep and maintenance to keep it operating. “I wish there was a way that we could have a chance to let me come up with the volunteers again, see if I can do it. If I can, great, actually get these contractors to say, ‘Yea, David, when can we do it?’ And if I can do that, what I’m asking is, let me do it, because I know the usage of the fields will go way up, because a lot of people won’t play in our league just because the fields are in the shape that they’re in.”

The issue was again addressed toward the end of Monday’s meeting, when a sometimes heated discussion unfolded between Commissioner Charlie Perdue, members of City Staff, and Perdue’s fellow Commissioners, including Mayor Shawn Rizza. “I think we’ve had a positive discussion. It wasn’t until you needed to do your show, and turn it all negative,” Rizza said to Perdue. “Well, he’s campaigning,” Vice-Mayor Allen Reavis added.

Ultimately, no decision was made, but Rizza thanked Kesinger and Busch, who remained through the full 2-hour-plus meeting, and said the conversation regarding the park’s future will continue. “I think we just need to talk about it and figure out what that solution is,” Rizza said.

The ball park was placed earlier in the City’s land bank, with the City late last month announcing that proposals for purchase would be considered. The decision for the sale comes as part of the City’s goal to downsize the number of parks.

(KNZA)--A Robinson man is facing charges for firing a firearm inside the city limits, of Robinson.

According to a release from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, 30-year-old Nicholas Juarez was arrested July 31.

According to Merchant, that followed a phone call reporting shots fired.

Juarez was taken into custody on charges of criminal discharge of a firearm and disorderly conduct.

Following his arrest, he was booked into the Brown County Jail.  Juarez has since been released after posting bond.

(KNZA)--Funding is being sought to help promote the third annual Big Kansas Road Trip, which will showcase Brown, Doniphan and Nemaha Counties.

Linda Duessing and Connie Werner, co-chairs of a Brown County committee working on the event, met with the Brown County Commission Monday to request $8,350 in funding to help market the event, set for May 7-10 of next year.

The Inman-based Kansas Sampler Foundation created the event after ending the 28-year Kansas Sampler Festival.  Organizers say the purpose of the Big Kansas Road Trip is to help the public get to know Kansas communities of every size.

Duessing said she believes the event will provide an economic benefit to Brown County.

The Commission took no action on the funding request, saying they want to discuss it first.  Commission Chairman Keith Olsen suggested Duessing and Werner ask the cities in the county for funding as well.

The Hiawatha City Commission voted Monday evening to contribute  $1,500 for the effort.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners have approved the purchase of two new patrol units for the Richardson County Sheriff's Department.

Quotes were reviewed from Falls City automobile dealers Armbruster Motor Company and Hullman's Ford, Lincoln, Mercury. 

Commissioners approved the purchase through the state bid price for a 2020, half-ton crew cab 4x4 Ford pickup in an amount of $31,224, plus $300 for transportation of the pickup to Hullman's Ford in Falls City. 

The second purchase will be a 2020, Police Interceptor Utility Vehicle for $33,946 plus $300 for transportation to Hullman's Ford.

In other business, Commissioners discussed salary increases for jailers, dispatchers and clerical positions at the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center.  

More information is to be gathered from counties comparable to Richardson County on wages they pay for those positions.  

(KAIR)--A Doniphan County bridge repair project means a change of travel for motorists.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, the eastbound ramp, from Roseport Road to U.S. Highway 36, in Elwood, will close to traffic Tuesday.

Motorists in Elwood wanting to drive east on U.S. 36 should use the K-238/U.S. 36 junction.

There will also be a lane closure in the eastbound and westbound lanes of U.S. 36, along with a speed limit reduction to 35 mph, during the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed in November.

The closure is necessary as part of a bridge repair project on the two bridges over Roseport Road.

(KAIR)--Planned construction will mean the need for an alternate route in Doniphan County on Tuesday.

According to a news release from the Kansas Department of Transportation, K-120 Highway, about a half-mile south of the K-120/U.S. Highway 36 junction, will be closed to traffic for most of the day on Tuesday.

The closure is planned to go into effect at 9:00 Tuesday morning, leaving K-120 closed from south of U.S. 36 to north of the city of Severance.

According to the news release, motorists will need to U.S. 36, K-7, K-20, and K-120, as an alternate route during the closure.

The closure is due to a pipe replacement project.

Work is dependent on weather.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County community of Elwood has begun the search for a new chief of police.

Longtime Police Chief Larry Hunsaker will retire Friday, August 23.

Hunsaker notified the Elwood City Council at their July 16 meeting.

He has served as the city’s police chief for the past 15 years, and been in law enforcement since 1977.   His law enforcement career in Kansas has included stints in Eudora, Leavenworth and Tonganoxie.  Hunsaker had served as Doniphan County Sheriff from 2002 to 2004, and worked as an officer on Elwood’s police department from 1999 to 2001.

The city of Elwood announced in a post on its Facebook page Friday that the city is currently accepting applications for chief of police and those interested should contact city hall.

The police department has a staff of two full-time and three part-time personnel, with the sheriff’s department on call as needed.

(KNZA)--The Horton City Commission is proposing a 2020 city budget that maintains the same property tax levy.

The proposed budget, approved for publication, calls for net expenditures of nearly $4.3 million.

It contains an estimated tax rate of 67.762 mills, which is to generate nearly $441,000 in revenue.

Even though the mill levy will remain unchanged, the city will collect an additional nearly $18,000 in local taxes due to an about $258,000 increase in the city’s assessed valuation.

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

(KAIR)--The 113th annual Atchison County Fair kicks off Tuesday at the fairgrounds in Effingham and runs through Saturday.

Besides the typical 4-H activities other events are planned as well.

Family Feud competition takes place Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evening, beginning at 6 each evening at the amphitheater. The teams who win their opening round matches will advance to the semifinals on Saturday evening. After the two semi-final matches are completed, the winning teams will face off in the championship match. The winning team will get $100.

The 4-H Fashion Revue will be held Tuesday evening at 7:00 at the amphitheater.

Entertainment will be provided Wednesday through Saturday evenings at the amphitheater.  A dance troop will perform Wednesday evening, local country music artist Lisa Scholz Thursday evening, Sierra Band from Topeka Friday evening and Blake Camp Band Saturday evening.

The kiddee pedal power tractor pull contest is set Thursday evening, east of the show arena, with registration beginning at 7:00.  

The fair parade will be held Friday evening at 7:00 down Effingham’s  Main Street .  The theme of this year parade is “ A Century of Making the Best, Better.”

Saturday brings a car show, BBQ cook-off contest and the 4-H livestock sale.

"Fun Time Shows" is providing a carnival Tuesday through Saturday evenings on the fairgrounds.

(KNZA)--On Tuesday evening, Aug. 6, neighborhoods throughout Hiawatha are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the “36th Annual National Night Out” crime and drug prevention event.

For the 25th year, the Hiawatha Police Department will sponsor the event. Agencies will set up displays in the Schuneman Addition at the Fisher Center on East Iowa Street from 6–8 p.m. Those include the Brown County Sheriff’s Department, Squad 48, Town and Country EMS and Hiawatha Fire Department.

Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore said they will be serving corn dogs, chips, bottled water and soda pop. In addition, he said Sonic is donating toys to give away with the meals.

Defore says residents can swim free at the Hiawatha Aquatic Park from 6:30 to 8:30 that evening.

Also at the Fisher Center in conjunction with National Night Out, Hiawatha Community Hospital will sponsor a Bike Rodeo. The event is intended to help prevent bike related injuries in the targeted age group 4 to 14. While supplies last, free bike helmets and bike lights are being offered to children ages 4 to 14 who participate in the event. Riders are asked to bring their own bicycles. The event is being made possible by a grant from the Kansas Trauma Program.

(KNZA)--A primary election will be held Tuesday in Horton to narrow the field of candidates for a position on the city commission.

Four candidates are vying for Parks and Recreation Commissioner. They include incumbent Bobby Bacon, Richard Lovelady, Glen Obbards and James Stuart.  Bacon was appointed to the position last July to fill the unexpired term of Jeremy Forkenbrock.

The top two vote-getters Tuesday will advance to the November 5 general election ballot.

Horton voters will cast their ballots at the Blue Building located at 716 1st Avenue West. The polling location will be open from 7 o’clock in the morning until 7 in the evening.

(KNZA)--A week long celebration honoring Hiawatha World War 1 hero Homer White concluded Saturday.

A patriotic procession was held from downtown Hiawatha to the Hiawatha Cemetery where a wreath was placed at his gravesite during a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of his burial. Residents lined the procession route to show their support.

Around 150 people attended a banquet Friday evening at the Fisher Community Center honoring White. Activities were also held Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Homer White American Legion Post 66 in Hiawatha put on the celebration to commemorate the 100th anniversary the death of White during World War 1, 100th anniversary of the end of the war, and 100th anniversary of the establishment of the American Legion by Congress.

White, who served as military courier during World War I, 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 laid to rest at the Hiawatha Cemetery on August 3rd, 1919 in what was described as one of the largest military funerals in Kansas.

Post 66 Public Relations Officer Bob Sines said White, who the Post was named after, was one of seven Hiawathans to serve in WW1.

(KNZA)--Two Topeka residents believed to have been responsible for a burglary south of Mayetta were taken into custody Saturday afternoon.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, said the Sheriff's Office received a report Friday evening of two individuals believed to be taking property from a residence in the 13-thousand block of S. Road, which is between Mayetta and Hoyt.

Morse said neighbors approached the suspects who fled in a silver SUV which later became stuck on private property.

The vehicle was impounded by law enforcement Friday night. A manhunt ensued for the suspects by a variety of law enforcement, which extended into the late night hours.

Morse said a resident reported seeing the duo Saturday afternoon and deputies captured the female suspect, identified as 25-year-old Chelsea Ray, east of US 75 Highway and 134th Road.

Morse said the male suspect, identified as 30-year-old Eric Fernandez, was taken into custody by deputies not far from where Ray was apprehended.

Fernandez was booked into the Jackson County Jail on charges of burglary, trespassing, felony obstruction and theft. Ray was booked on charges of burglary, trespassing, and felony obstruction.

A KHP aircraft unit assisted in the search as well as additional K-9's from the KHP, Topeka Police and Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office. The Holton and Hoyt Police Departments also assisted with the incident.

(KAIR)--A 56-year-old Everest man was taken custody following an early Saturday morning shooting at an Atchison bar.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, in a news release, said officers responded around 12:30 to a report of shots fired outside of Mueller's Lockeroom in the 100 block of South 2nd Street.

Following a disturbance inside of Mueller's, Wilson said Tracy Britt was escorted outside of the bar by Mueller’s staff.  

Once outside, Wilson said Britt allegedly pulled a handgun out and fired four shots.  No one was struck and no one was injured.  

Wilson said several people were able to subdue Britt and held him down until police officers arrived.

Britt was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and possession of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol.  

He was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) - A judge has granted the request of a man accused of killing a Peru State College student to move his trial from Nemaha County.

Radio station KWBE reports that a judge on Tuesday granted a change of venue request from Joshua Keadle, who is set to stand trial Sept. 16 for first-degree murder in the disappearance and presumed death of a 19-year-old Peru State College student, Tyler "Ty" Thomas.
 

Keadle's trial will now be held in Gage County, where the judge said the courthouse in Beatrice has better facilities.

Thomas disappeared Dec. 3, 2010, after leaving a party near the campus. The state issued a death certificate for Thomas in 2013, even though her body has never been found.

Keadle is serving a 15-to-20-year prison sentence for the 2008 rape of a 15-year-old girl.
 

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners reviewed budget requests for fiscal year 2019-20 when they met Tuesday.

The preliminary budget of expenditures seeks a 17.7 percent increase to $16,484,159. That would be an addition of nearly $2.5-million.

The tax requirement on that amount, including $300-thousand for cash reserves and nearly $246-thousand for the jail bond would be $5,685,078. The personal property tax levy would need to increase 25-percent to just over 39.13 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, an increase of 7.9-cents from the current budget.

The valuation for Richardson County this year is $1,389,804,021. That represents a decrease of $41.7-million or 2.9 percent.

Commissioners are expected to take several weeks to review the budget before it is finalized.

(KLZA)-- Missouri Department of Transportation workers continue the process to restore highways in Northwest, Missouri damaged by flooding as the waters recede.

The work includes clearing debris and repairing shoulders and minor road surface issues as they are able. The more extensive work included removal of hazardous storage tanks, significant roadway and shoulder repairs and bridge reconstruction. The extensive work is contracted out to companies through a bidding process.

Of major concern to many area residents are U.S. Route 136 in Atchison County including the Missouri River Crossing at Brownville and U.S. Route 159 in Holt County including the Missouri River crossing at Rulo.

The latest update from MoDOT says the contractor has started preliminary work ahead of schedule to the Highway 136 roadway between the bridge near Phelps City and the Missouri River where the water has receded. There are multiple areas where the roadway has washed away. Rock will be placed in these areas and asphalt will be poured where water is no longer over the road. A completion date and road opening date is not known.

The status of the bridge and any damage near Phelps City is unknown. Currently water is too high and the current too strong for divers to inspect the underwater structures. The railroad has placed a temporary bridge over the highway bridge, but the temporary bridge does not sit on , nor rely on the highway bridge structure underneath. It is not open to the public.

The Missouri River bridge at Brownville has no apparent damage although inspections are scheduled to be performed.

In Holt County a contractor is making repairs to the roadway between Route 111 and the Missouri River. They are finishing up asphalt work at the present time and plan a mid-August reopening of the roadway between the Missouri River and Route 111.

Due to the damage of the Little Tarkio Creek Bridge near Fortescue, once U.S. Route 159 is reopened a signed detour route will be in place to allow traffic between Nebraska and Interstate 29. The detour will be east on U.S. 159 across the Rulo bridge to Route 111, north no Route 111 to Route 118 then east on Route 118 to I-29.

The bridge over the Little Tarkio Creek near Fortescue on U.S. 159 is a complete loss and will need to be replaced. Emery Sapp & Sons Inc. has been awarded a contract in excess of $2.5-million to do the project. Work is scheduled to begin August 19 and should be completed by December 1.

The Penny Slough Bridge east of Fortescue is part of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program and work is scheduled to begin immediately after Labor Day. The bid was in excess of $2.2-million.

Traffic will use the same detour previously mentioned. The project also includes a bridge deck replacement of the I-29 overpass on U.S. 159, which will begin after October 1.

In addition, in Holt County, a large slide occurred on Route T. The slide is more involved than originally thought and the roadway had to be closed. The severity of the slide must be determined, and a solution implemented before the road can be reopened for the safety of motorists. MoDOT is working with consultants to complete the analysis and develop plans for a repair project that is scheduled for March, 2020.

(KAIR)--Two local area students took top honors in a statewide art competition.

According to a news release, Hannah Whittaker, of Sabetha High School, took first place in the Kansas Department of Education's Annual Conference Art Design Contest. An 11th grade student during the 2018-2019 school year, Whittaker was awarded $150 for her drawing.

Second place honors went to a student at the Atchison County Community Schools, in Effingham.

According to the release, Avery "Rose" DePoy earned that distinction, and will receive a $100 prize.

DePoy was a 6th grade student during the 2018-2019 school year.

The winning designs were selected from more than 450 entries submitted by Kansas students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The winners were announced in July.

(KAIR)--Minor injuries are reported following a Wednesday afternoon, two vehicle wreck in Atchison.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, it happened when a car, driven by Benson Uzoma, of Atchison, was westbound on Raven Hill Road, and stopped at the stop sign at the intersection with U.S. Highway 73. As the car was stopped, it was rearended by a westbound pickup truck, driven by Aaron Evans, of Frankfort, Kansas.

A 20-year-old woman in Uzoma’s vehicle struck her head on the dash of the car, and was transported for hospital examination.

Wilson said the wreck happened around 4:30 Wednesday afternoon.

(KNZA)--Kansas Second District Congressman Steve Watkins will hold town hall meetings Monday, August 5 in several local counties.

The first term Republican Congressman will begin his day with a meeting in Holton from 8:30 to 9:30 at the Holton City Hall.

Watkins will then travel to Hiawatha for a meeting from 10:30 to 11:30 at the Fisher Community Center.

He will then travel to Seneca for a meeting at the Seneca Public Library from 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon.

Watkins final stop Monday will be in Blue Rapids for a town hall meeting at the Community Center located at 4 Public Square from 4:00 to 5:00.

The public is invited to attend.

Watkins said communication with Kansans is a vital component to effective representation and he looks forward to these constructive conversations with his constituents.   

(KAIR)--Citing limited usage and costs of continued maintenance, the decision is made to sell a once popular Atchison ballpark.

According to a news release issued by the City of Atchison, Walt Wilburn Memorial Ballpark, located in the city’s Branchton area, will be put up for sale through the Atchison Land Bank.

According to the release, the decision comes as part of the City’s plan to “right-size” Atchison’s park lands and facilities.

In the release, City Manager Becky Berger said Atchison has too many parks for the size of the city, and the City needs to focus its “limited resources where they can be most effective.”

The ballpark was once maintained by the Atchison Recreation Commission, which has an independent tax levy and budget. However, when the Atchison County Sports Complex opened in 2010, near the Atchison Elementary School, maintenance of Walt Wilburn Ballpark fell to the City despite not having any extra funding to do so.

According to the release, the right-size strategy is to allow others to take over what the City calls “underutilized lands and facilities” in order to allow better use of those locations, which will allow the City “to focus its constrained resources on parks and facilities that serve a larger percentage of the City’s population.”

(KNZA)--Sabetha will host a stop on Lieutenant Governor Lynn  Roger’s Rural Prosperity Listening tour.

It’s set to happen Monday evening, August 5, at 6:00 at the Main Event located at 16 Main in Sabetha.   

The forum serves as part of the first phase of the new Office of Rural Prosperity, which was approved for a $2 million allocation in the fiscal year 2020 state budget.

The forum is intended to foster new ways to help rural communities by hearing from local residents and community leaders.

The forum will focus on the areas of rural housing, main street corridors, rural infrastructure, rural healthcare, state government in rural Kansas, tourism, and agribusiness.

Its scheduled to last about 90 minutes, and area residents are invited to attend.

Sabetha is one of 12 Kansas communities selected for the listening tour, which began June 17 and ends August 7.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission is proposing a 2020 county budget of nearly $12.2 million that calls for about a half mill tax levy decrease.

The Commission approved the budget for publication this week.

It contains an estimated tax rate of 39.7 mills, which is to generate more than $5.7 million.

Even though the mill levy will decrease, the county will collect an additional nearly $70,000 in revenue due to a nearly $3.7 million increase in the county’s assessed valuation.

The Commission will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing at their August 19 meeting.  
 

(KAIR)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Jefferson County Rural Water District No. 7 located in Jefferson County. The advisory was issued because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system.  Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

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

Laboratory testing samples collected from the Jefferson County Rural Water District No. 7 indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. 

(KAIR)--An application to merge two banks will be submitted to the Federal Reserve Board for regulatory approval.

According to a news release issued by St. Joseph, Missouri-based Pony Express Community Bank, that bank plans to merge with First Option Bank, which is headquartered in Osawatomie, Kansas.

Pony Express Community Bank has offices in St. Joseph, as well as in Kansas, including Elwood, Horton, and Troy.

The merger application is the first step in the required regulatory process.

According to the release, the First Option Bank CAO Steven Handke will coordinate the merger. Handke has 35-years of community banking experience serving customers in Brown, Atchison, and Doniphan Counties. If the merger is approved, Handke will be based at the Horton branch, and the Pony Express name will change to First Option Bank.

First Option Bank currently serves over 20,000 customers, with offices in Miami and Linn County, Kansas. Pony Express Community Bank’s primary trade territory covers Buchanan and southern Andrew counties in Missouri, and Brown, Doniphan, northern Jackson, and northwestern Atchison counties in Kansas.

According to the release, final regulatory approval and the merger are expected in the fourth quarter of 2019.

If the merger is approved, First Option Bank will have more than $400 million in total assets.

Pony Express Community Bank President Robert Means, in the release, said the merger will mean “enhanced product and service offerings” that will benefit customers.

First Option Bank President and CEO, Blake Heid, said the bank plans to “maintain a strong commitment to our communities and to meeting the customer’s needs in all of the locations we serve.”

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

That word came Thursday afternoon in a news release from the agency.

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

The release says laboratory testing samples collected from the water district  indicate no evidence of bacterial contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

(KAIR)--Funeral services are now set for the Cummings woman killed this week in an Atchison County ATV accident.

A funeral Mass for 19-year-old Jentri Fowler will be Monday morning at 10:00 at Saint Benedict’s Abbey Church, in Atchison, where visitation will be held Sunday evening.

According her obituary from Atchison’s Becker-Dyer Stanton Funeral Home, Fowler graduated in 2018 as Valedictorian of Jefferson County North High School. A candlelight vigil in her honor was planned for Wednesday evening at the school, in Winchester.

At the time of her death, Fowler was a student studying business management and marketing at Kansas State University.

Among her survivors are her parents, Brian and Julie Fowler; and Carrie Miller and Jennifer Cook; three brothers, Lane, Trent, and Evan Fowler; a step-sister, Sara Domann; her paternal grandparents, Charles and Laverne Fowler; and her maternal grandmother, Mary Lynn Geisendorf.

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.