(KAIR)--Federal funds are awarded to the City of Atchison to assist with the ongoing effort to make improvements to downtown Atchison.

According to a news release issued by the City, the $500,000 is made available through the federal Transportation Alternatives Program. It will be used to fund phase 1 of the City’s Main Street Corridor Project, which runs from 2nd Street to 6th Street, and includes a walking path through the recently upgraded Farmers’ Market location.

The first phase is expected to cost around $625,000, making the City’s matching funds for the grant around $125,000.

The overall project is to replace and/or upgrade the curb/gutter, sidewalks, street lighting, and corridor landscaping of Main Street, from 2nd Street to 10th Street.

The Kansas Transportation Alternatives Program is administered by the Kansas Department of Transportation, who announced the awards Friday.

The City of Atchison was one of 18 awarded grant funds out of 32 applications.

A total of $22 million was requested, but only $8.6 million was awarded.

Despite approval of the grant, the project must still be approved by the Atchison City Commission. If that happens, construction could begin in 2021 or 2022.

In order for Phase II of the project to be built, which would carry on the same improvement concept from 6th Street to 10th Street, the City of Atchison will need to apply for funding again in a future grant cycle, which is likely to occur later this year.

(KLZA)--Jared Koelzer, senior student at Peru State, is working at the Nebraska State Capitol this spring as an intern for Senator Julie Slama of District 1.

Koelzer’s internship is paid under the new Senator Floyd and Doris Wagner Vrtiska Nebraska Unicameral Internship.

Koelzer comes from Corning, Kansas and is a graduate of Central High School. He is a senior majoring in history with a minor in political science. He plans to graduate in May of 2021.
Peru State College has offered a paid internship at the State Capitol each legislative session since 2003, with funds provided through a campus work-study program. However, the increases in minimum wage and the demands on the work study program threatened the unicameral internship funding. Former State Senator Floyd Vrtiska stepped forward with a contribution to endow the internship and provide a permanent source of funding for students from Peru State who are seeking experience at the state government level.

Floyd Vrtiska served in the Nebraska Unicameral as the representative of District 1 from 1992-2004. As a state senator, he was a strong advocate for Peru State College. He secured funding for an expansion of Hoyt Science Building and he served on the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees and the Peru State College Foundation Board of Directors. Vrtiska was also very active on numerous other local, county and state boards.

The Senator Floyd and Doris Wagner Vrtiska Nebraska Unicameral Internship is administered by the Peru State College Foundation. 

(KLZA)--One person was injured in a two-vehicle wreck early Friday morning on Interstate 29 about three miles north of Craig.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports a car driven by 42-year-old Jonathan McDonald of Wahpeton, North Dakota was southbound when the rear driver side duals on a unity he was pulling detached, crossed the median and struck the front drivers side of a northbound car.

The northbound vehicle was driven by 38-year-old Sherri Johnson of Oregon, Missouri. Johnson's car travled into the median and came to rest.   Her car was totaled.

Johnson was transported by the Atchison Holt Ambulance Service to Mosaic Life Care Hospital in St. Joseph with what were described as moderate injures.

McDonald was not injured and his vehicle sustained only minor damage.  

(KLZA)--The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced this week that nearly $2- million in federal funding will be awarded to the Fortescue Special Road District in Holt County,  Missouri.

The money will be used for road repairs that occurred during the 2019 flooding.  The total cost of the repairs is estimated at $2,652,910. 

The total grant amount will be $1,989,682.
 

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has approved funding to help with repairs to a levee along the Missouri River, south of U.S. 36 Highway.

Attorney Joel Euler, representing the Elwood Gladden Drainage District, met with Commissioners Monday to provide an update on the first phase of repairs to the structure and to request financial assistance from the county.

The total cost of the project is $77 million, with the Elwood Gladden Drainage District responsible for $3 million of the cost. Euler requested $150,0000 from the county's Sales Tax Fund to assist with the improvements.  

Commissioner Timothy Collins expressed approval for the expense, stating permanent improvements to the levee structure will protect the County’s investment and infrastructure.  

Commissioner Jerry McKernan concurred, stating improvements made to the levee structure not only protect infrastructure but also protect residential properties and the county’s industrial area.  

Commissioner Thad Geiger, in agreement, pointed out use of sales tax monies would be an equitable distribution of tax dollars in an area underserved by Doniphan County due to lack of County roads and other County services.  

The Commission unanimously approved allocating $150,000 from the sales tax fund to the Elwood Gladden Drainage District to assist with the levee repair project.

(KNZA)--The arraignment for one of three Atchison men accused of playing a role in a fatal 2019 Doniphan County fight was postponed Wednesday to April.

30-year-old Matthew Cole Scherer had been scheduled to enter a plea in Doniphan County District Court to a charge of second-degree murder, but his arraignment was continued to the morning of April 29.

Also charged with second-degree murder in the death of 42-year-old Cummings resident Jason Pantle are 23-year-old Brian Spilman, Jr. and 44-year-old Scott Vandeloo.

Spilman pleaded not guilty to the charge February 5 and is scheduled for a three-day jury trial, beginning May 27.

Vandeloo is scheduled to be arraigned April 8.

Authorities allege the trio engaged in altercations with Pantle during a September 22, 2019 party at 159 Monument Road in rural Doniphan County.

Pantle died September 29 at a Kansas City hospital after suffering what investigators called serious head injuries.

Scherer, Spilman and Vandeloo remain free on $150,000 bonds.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) - A 36-year-old man has admitted to attacking a Leavenworth police officer.

Anthony Dunkle pleaded guilty Wednesday in Leavenworth County District Court  to felony battery of a law enforcement officer, making a criminal threat and interference with a law enforcement officer.

Prosecutors said Dunkle approached an officer who was sitting in a police car with the window down last April and began punching him. Dunkle apparently was angry with the officer over an earlier incident that led to his arrest.

The officer had a cut on his face and scrapes on his hand after the confrontation.

Dunkle is to be sentenced April 3rd.

(KMZA)--The annual Baileyville Benefit Basketball and Volleyball Tournament will take place this Saturday and Sunday at the Nemaha Central High School in Seneca.

The annual benefit raises money for local recipients, or recipients with local ties, who have a medical need.

This year's recipients will be James Beckwith, Justin Eisenbarth, Mary Herrmann and Lynn Ronnebaum.

The tournament will include 24 volleyball teams and 18 basketball teams. Volleyball will be in the main gym, and basketball will be in the secondary gym and in the elementary school. Games will be played Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 8:00 each morning. The championship volleyball game will take place Sunday afternoon at 2:00 and championship basketball game at 3:00.

In addition to the tournament, there will be a spinning wheel, a silent auction, a concession stand with fresh baked items and delicious meal choices. A chance book drawing will begin shortly after the championship basketball game, and a live auction of donated items and services will begin at about 5:00 to cap off the 2-day event.

In recent years, the tournament has raised around $200,000 annually.

(KMZA)--A rural Seneca man has filed for the position of 3rd District Nemaha County Commissioner.

The Nemaha County Clerk's Office reports Bob Sextro filed February 21 as a Republican candidate.

Sexto is the first candidate to file for the position, which is currently held by Dennis Henry.

Tim Burdiek previously filed for re-election as 2nd District County Commissioner.

Also up for election is the position of Sheriff, currently held by Rich Vernon; County Clerk, currently held by Mary Kay Schultejans; County Attorney, currently held by Brad Lippert; County Treasurer, currently held by Janell Niehus; and Register of Deeds, currently held by Roxann Holthaus.

Candidates have until noon, June 1 to file at the Nemaha County Clerk's Office.

The primary election will be August 4 and the general election is November 3.

(KLZA)-- For the fourth consecutive year, Community Medical  Center in Falls City has been recognized by the Chartis Center for Rural Health as a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital.

Other area hospitals honored as Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals were: 
Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn;
Sabetha Community Hospital in Sabetha;
Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca;
and Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville.  

The annual award honors rural hospitals performance based on the results of iVantage Health Analytics' Hospital Strength INDEX.

Fifty independent indicators are utilized in assessing a hospital's performance across eight pillars of performance that span market,  value and finance-based categories.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Council conducted interviews with finalists for two city positions Monday night. 

Following the interviews the Council voted to hire Matt Kuhlmann of Table Rock to serve as the Zoning Administrator / Floodplains Manager  at a salary of $400 per month. 

The Council offered the City Foreman position to Spencer Cumley of Pawnee City who has served as Interim City Foreman for several months
The Council and Cumley did not come to an agreement on a wage for the position and will meet in special session Thursday evening at 7 to discuss the wage for the position.

In other business the Council approved on first reading an amendment to a City Ordinance that would allow ATV's to be driven on City Streets.

Mitch and Kenzie Turnbull, owners of the  Blazin Bull met with the Council asking for something to be done to deter business owners and employees from parking on “G” Street which cuts down on customer parking.  A couple of Council members said they would visit with businesses in the area to see if the employees would voluntarily park somewhere else. 

A contract to have the Southeast Nebraska Development District serve as administrator for the grant for the new fire hall was approved.  
 

(KAIR)--An Atchison woman has filed to seek the 3rd District Atchison County Commission seat.

According to Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips, Casey Quinn filed by petition Monday as a Republican candidate for the position. Phillips told MSC News the petition has been verified, and enough signatures collected, to place Quinn on the 2020 ballot.

The 3rd District Commission seat is currently held by Republican William “Bill” Pohl who was first elected to the position in 2012. 

Pohl has not yet filed for re-election, and no other candidates have yet filed.

Candidates have until noon, June 1st to file at the County Clerk's Office.

The primary election will be held August 4 and the general election is November 3.

(KNZA)--A legislative forum is set in Holton Saturday morning.

The forum will take place from 9 to 10 at the Hutchins Building located at 407 New York Avenue on the west side of the Town Square.

On hand will be State Senator Dennis Pyle, State Representative Randy Garber and State Representative Francis Awkerkamp.

The three Republican lawmakers will be provide an update on what's happening in Topeka and answer questions.

The public is invited to attend.

(KAIR)--A federal judge has set a late May hearing date for the two companies who pleaded guilty to violating the federal Clean Air Act, in Atchison.

According to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister, the sentencing hearing for Atchison-based MGP Ingredients and Kansas City, Kansas-based Harcros Chemicals, is scheduled for May 27. It’s set to begin at 1:30 that afternoon in room 403 of the Frank Carlson Federal Building, located at 444 Southeast Quincy Street, in Topeka.

McAllister, in the release, says he wants to make certain the public is aware that the sentencing will be open to the public, as approximately 140 people sought medical care after a cloud of chlorine gas formed over Atchison on the morning of October 21, 2016.

Authorities say the cloud was due to the improper mixing of chemicals delivered to MGP by Harcros. 4,000 gallons of sulfuric acid were mistakenly combined with 5,800 gallons of sodium hypochlorite, which caused a greenish-yellow chlorine gas cloud to form.

Both companies have pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act and each has agreed to pay a $1 million fine.

MGP pleaded in November of last year, while Harcros pleaded in January of this year.

McAllister, in the release, said he wants to ensure anyone impacted by the incident is afforded the right to be reasonably heard and not to be excluded from court. Due to time constraints, it may be impractical for each victim to speak at the sentencing hearing. However, anyone who would like to submit a written victim impact statement for the court’s consideration can do so by email.

(KNZA)--Two candidates have filed for positions up for election this fall in Doniphan County.

County Clerk Peggy Franken, a Republican, has filed for re-election to another 4-year term.

She was first elected as county clerk in 1996, having worked in the office as payroll clerk since 1995.

Nicole Diveley, of Highland, has filed as a Republican candidate for the position of County Treasurer.

She has served as Deputy County Treasurer since 2017 and worked in the treasurer's office since 2013. Diveley is currently serving as interim County Treasurer in the absence of Lindsay Etherton.

Candidates have until noon, June 1st to file at the Doniphan County Clerk's Office.

The primary election will be held August 4 and the general election is November 3.

The deadline to register to vote for the primary election is July 14.

(KMZA)--Agreements have been approved for the construction of the Soldier Creek Wind Farm in southern Nemaha County.

The Nemaha County Commission during a special meeting Wednesday approved five agreements with Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources for the 300 megawatt wind farm, which will contain 120 turbines.

The action follows several months of negotiations with the company.

They include agreements for development of the project, road use, compensation for the county, complaint resolution and dismantling the project.

The agreements were spelled out in the term sheet approved by commissioners last year following several rounds of public meetings.

Under the road use agreement, NextEra will be responsible for repairing any damage done to county roads during the project and making improvements to handle the heavy equipment and materials crews will be transporting.

The documents have been posted on the county's website.

(KAIR)--Atchison County’s Public Works Director of the Road and Bridge Department is out.

The termination of James Harbour comes five months after his hiring.

According to Jamie Madison, Director of Human Resources for Atchison County, the County Commission made the decision to terminate Harbour during the Commission’s Tuesday afternoon meeting.

Harbour was hired in September of last year and began working in the position in October. He was hired to replace Seth Howard, who had held the position from June 2015 until his termination by the Commission in April of last year.

A reason for Harbour’s termination has not been made public.

According to Madison, the position was posted Wednesday and will be open for two weeks as the Commission looks to fill the vacancy.

(KNZA)--Brown County is preparing for this summer's chip and seal road projects.

The Brown County Commission Monday accepted the low bid submitted by Vance Brothers, of Kansas City, Missouri, for the purchase of an estimated 500,000 gallons of RS-IHP road oil for $2.18 a gallon. 

It was among three bids received and was less than what the county paid last year.

In other action, the Commission approved pay increases for four Road and Bridge Department employees. 

The Commission voted to increase Caleb Clement's salary to $17.50 an hour, along with the salaries of Terri Siebenmorgen, Josh Linck and Rodney Allen to the deputy foreman pay of $18 an hour.  

The Commission also approved an upgrade to the computer system at the county transfer station.

The more than $9,200 cost for the upgrade will come from the solid waste budget.  

(KNZA)--Sabetha's 97-year-old Midtown Building will be torn down.

The Sabetha City Commission took the action Monday evening on a 3-2 vote after several months of discussion on the issue.

Commissioners Nick Aberle and Julie Burenheide cast the dissenting votes.

On the same 3-2 -vote, the Commission accepted the low bid submitted by Herrmann Earth Moving, of Sabetha, in the amount of $144,900 to demolish the building. It was among three bids received.

The Commission then voted unanimously to leave the Midtown gym open until demolition begins.

The Commission had originally voted last October to demolish the building. However, they started reconsidering it after hearing from residents and held a hearing in January to receive public input.

(KLZA)-- The Missouri Department of Transportation has contracted with Phillips Hardy, Inc. to replace the bridge decks on four bridges in Northwest Missouri. 

They will begin with the bridge on Holt County Route T over Spring Branch near Oregon. Contractors plan to close the bridge to all traffic Monday, March 2. They plan to reopen the bridge by mid-May 2020. 

At that time, they’ll move to the Route T bridge over Easter Creek, also near Oregon. Following the completion of the Easter Creek Bridge they will close the bridge on Route H in Holt County over Nichols Creek. 

The final bridge to close and receive a new bridge deck as part of this project is on Atchison County Route U, just over 1 mile south of U.S. Route 136 near Phelps City.

These bridges are included in Gov. Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program passed by the Missouri General Assembly during its 2019 session. The program appropriated $50 million in state general revenue to fund 45 high priority bridge projects throughout the state.
 

(KLZA)-- An Alaska man is dead and two Tarkio, Missouri residents were hospitalized with serious injuries following a wreck Monday evening about three miles north of Fairfax, Missouri. 

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports two vehicles collided head-on on US Highway 59 just south of the Route TT at approximately 8:00 P.M. 

28-year-old Jeremy Legg of Anchorage, Alaska was southbound on 59 in a Buick Le Sabre that traveled into to path of a northbound Chrysler Pacifica driven by 65-year-old Glenn Rolf of Tarkio.  

Jeremy Legg was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck by the Atchison County Coroner. 

Glenn Rolf  and a passenger 64-year-old Barbara Rolf were transported by the Atchison-Holt EMS to Fairfax Community Hospital with serious injuries.   Both Glenn and Barbara Rolf were wearing safety devices at the time of the wreck,  Jeremy Legg was not.  

Both vehicles were totaled. 

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

(KNZA)--Brown County Commissioner Dwight Kruse is seeking re-election to a second 4-year term.

The Brown County Clerk's Office reports the Fairview Republican filed Monday.

Kruse represents the 3rd commissioner district. He is currently serving as commission chairman.

Candidates have until noon, June 1st to file at the Brown County Clerk's Office.

The primary election will be held August 4 and the general election is November 3rd.

(KNZA)--The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded a total of nearly $1.9 million in funding to four local Native American Tribes to help support more affordable housing.

According to a new release from HUD, the Kickapoo Tribe has been awarded nearly $871,000 in Indian Housing Block Grant funding.

The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska will receive just over $512,000; Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, nearly $282,000; and Sac and Fox Nation, more than $219,000.

Indian Housing Block Grants primarily benefit low-income Native American and Alaska Native families.

The amount of each grant is based on a formula that considers local needs and housing units under management by the Tribe or Tribally Designated Housing Entity.

(KAIR)--An Atchison teenager is accused of rape.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the 15-year-old boy was arrested Monday following an investigation that began February 10.

Wilson said the probe focused on an incident that is alleged to have occurred at an Atchison residence on February 8.

The victim is identified as a 14-year-old who Wilson said had been acquainted with the accused teen for a short period of time.

The 15-year-old is facing charges for rape and electronic solicitation.

Following his arrest, he was transported to a juvenile detention facility.

Due to the ages of those involved, Wilson said no further details will be released.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man was sentenced Monday in Brown County District Court on multiple charges in three separate cases.

30-year-old Tobey Barnhart, Jr. was sentenced to a total of 87 months in prison on seven counts. The sentence was then suspended and he was placed on supervised probation for 24 months.

He had pleaded no contest to two counts of  burglary, one count of conspiracy to commit burglary, two counts of felony theft, one count of criminal possession of a firearm and one count of possession of methamphetamine.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill said he requested the court sentence Barnhart to prison and deny him probation by invoking a special Kansas sentencing rule allowing for crimes committed while on felony bond to be sentenced to prison even though the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines call for probation. However, in granting  probation, the court noted he had been in jail for 179 days and had successfully completed drug treatment.

As part of the terms of his probation, Barnhart was ordered to pay restitution to the victims in two burglaries last July.

The three cases were filed last August following an investigation by the Brown County Sheriff's Department.

Meanwhile, Barnhart is set for arraignment March 23 on charges of burglary, stalking and misdemeanor theft.  Those charges were filed in December 2018 following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department.

Last month, he was given a suspended prison sentence and placed on probation on charges in two other cases dating back to 2018.

(KLZA)-- A Gardner,  Kansas man suffered minor injuries in a Holt County, Missouri wreck early Sunday morning. 

The Missouri Highway Patrol report says 18-year-old Nicholas Phillips was northbound on Interstate 29 about five miles east of  Oregon, Missouri when his vehicle traveled off the west side fo the road and stuck the emergency Median crossover.  

The Kia Optima went airborne, through the median and entered the southbound lanes of the interstate, traveled off the west side of the southbound lanes and came to rest up an embankment.  

Phillips was checked out at the scene of the wreck by the Atchison-Holt Ambulance Squad but was not hospitalized.  

The vehicle was totaled.  
 

(KNZA)--A Jackson Heights 7th grader captured the Jackson County Spelling Bee Saturday.

Dawson Cochren took first place by correctly spelling the words “ appetite” and “ jumbo.” She is the daughter of Lucas and Gera Cochren, of Whiting.

Taking second place was Ethan Cundell, a 7th grader at Holton Middle School.

Cochren will now advance to the state spelling bee to held March 21 at Newman University in Wichita.

The top spellers in 5th-8th grades from each of the county's three school districts competed in Saturday's spelling bee at the Jackson Heights High School gymnasium.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas legislators aren't ready to declare that marijuana possession never should be a felony.

A House committee rejected proposals Monday to lower penalties for third-time offenders and to release others from prison.

The Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee voted 7-4 against a bill to make possessing marijuana a misdemeanor, no matter how many times someone was convicted.

Current Kansas law says a third conviction is a felony punishable by up to 14 months in prison, though offenders often receive probation.

The bill also initially said offenders now in prison for marijuana possession would be released, but the committee removed that provision.

(KAIR)--An investigation is underway into an Atchison County theft valued at thousands of dollars.

According to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, the crime, which happened at 102 Myrtle Street, in Huron, was reported Friday morning.

Missing are a 2001 red Pontiac Grand AM, a Barlow Skid Loader, a grapple bucket, and 10 bars of iron stock.

The approximate value of the loss is estimated at $5,000.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information related to the crime should contact the Sheriff’s Office at 913-804-6080.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Volunteer Fire Department needs to update their Self Contained Breathing Apparatus equipment. 

Some of the current air packs date back to the early 90's making it not only expensive to maintain, but also hard to find repair parts for them. 

Department Information Officer Jon McQueen addressed the issue with the City Council last week.  He noted that while the Department budget allows $20-thousand for equipment,  the cost for the new SCBA's would be $60-thousand.  Standard codes are updated every couple of years to make sure equipment meets safety standards.

McQueen said new packs are also designed to be lighter, causing less fatigue on fire fighters.  The new packs are about 10 pounds lighter and are designed to more evenly distribute the weight on the fire fighter. 

The veteran Falls City firefighter said grants for equipment are very competitive with the opportunities to apply opening and closing in short order.

To purchase six air packs with an six extra air bottles the cost would be $52-thousand, to include 12 extra bottles the cost would come to $60-thousand. 

McQueen discussed borrowing funds from a local bank to purchase the new air packs and paying the loan back over several years from the annual equipment purchase fund. 

The Council voted to table action on the request allowing a couple of weeks to research funding options and review grant options.  

(KAIR)--Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie has filed for re-election to another 4-year-term.

Laurie is the first candidate seeking a key seat to file in Atchison County.

Laurie filed by petition with the Atchison County Clerks’s Office February 19.

According to Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips, the correct number of signatures were gained, and have been verified on the petition.

So far, no candidates have filed to challenge Laurie, who is seeking re-election as a Republican. He was first elected to the office in 2012, and is currently serving his second term.

Candidates have until noon, June 1 to file at the Atchison County Clerk's Office.

The 2020 primary election will be August 4 and the general election is November 3.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff's Office is investigating several vehicle break-ins in Fairview.

Sheriff John Merchant said the burglaries were reported Friday.

Cash and miscellaneous items were reported stolen.

The break-ins remain under investigation.

Merchant said anyone with information is urged to contact the Brown County Sheriff's Office at 785-742-7125.

(KNZA)--A rural Hiawatha teenager is facing charges in connection with the theft of a vehicle.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said a pickup truck was reported stolen from a field north of Hiawatha late Saturday afternoon.

After speaking with several individuals and other law enforcement agencies, the 17-year-old suspect was located in Buchanan County, Missouri. 

The juvenile was arrested on charges of burglary and felony theft.

The pickup was recovered in Atchison Saturday evening.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson said the 2019 Ford was found by police shortly before 7:30 in the 900 block of Laramie Street.

(KNZA)--A Texas man is jailed in Jackson County following an incident late Saturday night in the city of Whiting.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, said the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call shortly before 10:30 from a residence located at 437 Pratt Street regarding a domestic altercation.

The caller reported a male suspect, who was intoxicated and locked outside of the residence, had broke the window out of the back door.

Morse said the suspect allegedly broke out many of the windows in the residence south of 437 Pratt Street while shouting at the occupants. The occupants of the second residence were unfamiliar with the suspect.

Deputies arrived on scene and took the suspect, identified as 25-year-old Logan Brown of Henderson, Texas, into custody.

Brown was booked into the Jackson County Jail on charges of criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct and three counts of battery on a law enforcement officer.

ROCK PORT, Mo. (AP) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Omaha District says work crews have closed the final breach of a Missouri River levee in the far northwest corner of Missouri that broke open during massive flooding last year.

The break just southwest of Rock Port was one of several along the levee section that saw thousands of rural acres submerged and a section of Interstate 29 and other roads in the region damaged and closed to traffic.

The Corps says crews will continue restoring the levee section to its pre-flood height.

Crews have been scrambling to make repairs ahead of spring and the likelihood of renewed flooding along the river in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas.

(KNZA)--A Sunday morning three-vehicle Jackson County wreck sent a Holton woman to the hospital with disabling injuries.

According to a news release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, the wreck happened shortly before 8:00 at the intersection of 198th Road and U.S. 75 Highway.

Morse said Jerry Bowser, of Netawaka, was driving a pickup truck westbound on 198th Road when he failed to yield to a southbound car on U.S. 75 driven by Mary Pollock.

Pollock's car stuck Bowser's pickup, sending it into another pickup truck, which had been stopped at the stop sign at 198th and U.S. 75 Highway.  That pickup was driven by Patrick Mulroy, of Mayetta.

Neither Bowser or Mulroy reported any injuries.  

Pollock was transported by Jackson County EMS to Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.

Updated at 10:36 p.m. Sunday, February 23: 

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says 17-year-old Levi Heideman has been located safe in Buchanan County, Missouri. 

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

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says 17-year-old Levi Heideman was last seen in Atchison at about 3:00 Sunday morning.

He is described as while male, standing 5 foot ten and weighing 160 pounds.

Heideman was wearing blue jeans, a tan Carhart jacket, black ballcap and black rim glasses.     

If located, your asked to contact your local law enforcement agency at once.

(KNZA)--Authorities have released the name of the woman whose body was found in a duffel bag alongside a road in southern Buchanan County, Missouri.

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett on Friday identified the victim as 21-year-old Arial Anne-Rae Starcher, of Independence, Missouri.

Deputies are investigating Starcher’s death as a homicide.

A Missouri Department of Transportation worker spotted the duffel bag on Tuesday, just west of Faucett near Missouri Highway 371, and contacted authorities.

An autopsy was ordered. The investigation continues.

Anyone with information about Starcher’s death is asked to call investigation's division at the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office at 816-236-8845 or 816-238-TIPS (8477).

(KMZA)--Two men have been charged in the burglary of a Vermillion home, two days before it burned down in a fatal fire.

Jefferson Goad, of Waverly, and Jeremy Penix II, of Centralia have been charged in Marshall County District Court with aggravated burglary, theft and criminal use of a financial card.  The charges were filed February 6.

The burglary allegedly occurred January 22.

Marshall County Attorney Meghan Vorecek told MSC News that no charges have been filed yet in the fatal fire, which remains under investigation.

83-year-old Donald McLaughlin was found dead in his home following an explosion and fire on January 24.

An autopsy was performed and an investigation into the fire and McLaughlin's death was launched.

The Marshall County Sheriff's Department requested the assistance of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation on February 7 when circumstances surrounding McLaughlin's death appeared suspicious.

Also helping investigate the fire is the State Fire Marshal's Office.

(KAIR)--Formal charges are filed against the man accused of fatally running down a former Atchison man in Topeka.

WIBW-TV reports the Shawnee County District Attorney’s office has charged 51-year-old Chad Thomas Cuevas with premeditated first-degree murder in connection with the death of Emerson Downing.

The 41-year-old Downing, a Topeka resident who formerly lived in Atchison, was killed early Monday afternoon at Soldier Trail, located in the 1500 block of Northwest Tyler, in Topeka.

The TV station, citing police, reports that witnesses heard, and reported, an argument in that area around 1:00.

Witnesses then saw Downing struck by a vehicle, which then fled the scene.

Downing was transported to an area hospital, but was pronounced dead.

Cuevas was located a short time later, and taken into custody.

He’s set for a court appearance June 3.

He remains in custody on a $1 million bond.

(KNZA)--A Robinson man facing multiple child sex charges has waived his preliminary hearing.

Kirt Linck was bound over to Brown County District Court Wednesday on three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Arraignment was scheduled for April 13.

A criminal complaint was filed against Linck in May of last year following an investigation by the Horton Police Department.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill said the alleged victims are two children, born in 2015.

Linck was recently found competent to stand trial.

(KNZA)--Brown County Clerk Melissa Gormley is seeking re-election to another 4-year term.

Gormley filed Thursday as a Republican candidate.

She has served as county clerk since 2015 and worked in the County Clerk's Office since 2013.

Candidates have until noon, June 1 to file at the Brown County Clerk's Office.

The primary election will be held August 4 and the general election is November 3rd.  

(KAIR)--Two drug-related arrests are made following the execution of a search warrant at an Atchison residence.

According to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, the search warrant was served Wednesday afternoon at 814 South 4th Street, in Atchison. “Turned out to be a pretty good bust for that complaint,” Laurie told MSC News.

Arrested at the residence were 26-year-old Nicholas Zawodny-Walkup and 26-year-old Brianna Poppe, both of Atchison.

The arrests came after the Sheriff’s Office allegedly seized cocaine and paraphernalia from the home. “Detectives had been looking into possible cocaine distribution out of that house for the last few weeks, and were able to obtain a search warrant and execute it,” Laurie said.

According to Laurie, it’s alleged that the amount of cocaine seized was intended for distribution. “We don’t know exactly the exact amount, but we believe it’s over an ounce of cocaine. It’s definitely distribution levels, so it was good to get it off the street.”

Zawodny-Walkup faces charges for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, and no drug tax stamp.
Poppe faces charges for aid and abet possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and no drug tax stamp.

Following their arrests, Zawodny-Walkup and Poppe were both booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission Tuesday evening approved an ordinance establising a new franchise agreement with Rainbow Communications for providing telecommunication services in the city.

The 40-year agreement calls for the company to pay the city 5 percent of gross receipts.

It wll replace the current cable franchise agreement.

With Rainbow's plan to discontinue cable TV service as of June 30, the company proposed the new agreement as a way to offset the local revenue from the cable agreement.

In other business, the Commission approved renewal of the employee health and dental plans with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which call for a 14 percent increase in premiums. The plans are up for renewal April 1.

The Commission approved continuing to pay 100 percent of employee premiums and 74.5 percent of spouse and dependent premiums.

The total cost to the city is estimated at around $340,000, which is under the $352,000 that had been budgeted.

The Commission approved soliciting bids for employee vision insurance.

And Becky Townsend appeared before the Commission to request an extension to clean up her property located at 1010 Pottawatomie Street and bring it into compliance with city code.

The Commission voted to give Townsend a 90-day extension.

(KLZA)--A Verdon man has been arrested on multiple weapon and drug charges.

The Richardson County Sheriff's Office, in a news release, said 49-year-old Richard Wheeler was arrested Wednesday by Pawnee County deputies on a Richardson County warrant for two counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, two counts of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, possession of a controlled substance and posssession of drug paraphernalia.

Wheeler was booked into the Richardson County Jail.

The release says the charges stem from a search warrant that was executed on February 7 by the Richardson County Sheriff's Department  in Verdon.

Seized were two shotguns, numerous knives with a blade over 3 ½ inches, numerous swords, 3 small zip lock baggies with a white crystal substance and numerous boxes of ammunition.

Shubert to hold Village Board election

Posted Thursday, February 20th, 2020 11:21am

(KLZA)-- The Village of Shubert will hold a special election to fill a vacancy on the Board. 

In January Board member Paul  Buchner resigned.  Buchner's term expires in December, 2020.  

Candidates must file for the vacant seat on the Village of Shubert Board of Trustees by 5:00 p.m., Monday, March 2, at the office of the Richardson County Clerk at the courthouse in Falls City.
 

(KLZA)-- A Falls City Middle School student is accused of making threats regarding a school shooting to other students Wednesday.

Falls City Public Schools Superintendent Tim Heckinlively said law enforcement was notified and began an investigation.

He said no firearms were found at the school.

In a letter to staff and parents, Heckenlively said there was never any immediate danger to any student or staff member.  

The letter is posted below.  

A message from FALLS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

February 19, 2020

Dear FCPS Parents,

In an effort to keep you as informed as possible, we feel it is necessary to inform you of an incident that occurred today ( Wednesday) at Falls City Middle School.

A FCMS student made threats regarding a school shooting to other students. The threat was reported to school administration. The school administrator then immediately notified law enforcement and began an investigation. School disciplinary action along with possible law enforcement action will be taken as appropriate. At no time today, was there any immediate danger to any student or staff member. The procedures that we have in place allowed us to handle this situation with little disruption to the other students in the building, most of whom were unaware that a threat had been made.

The safety of students and staff is the top priority for school officials and law enforcement who work together to resolve issues like this as soon as possible.

The FCPS asks parents and students to contact school officials or law enforcement if you have any information regarding a threat.

Thank you,

Tim Heckenlively

Superintendent

(KLZA)-- A Lincoln man has been identified as the person killed in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 75 in Richardson County Wednesday morning.

According to the release from the Richardson County Sheriff's Office, 69-year-old Robert Hansen was southbound in a 2019 Chevrolet pickup truck. The release says the unidentified driver of a northbound 2007 Dodge Ram pickup pulling a flatbed trailer crossed the center line striking Hansen's pickup.

Hansen was pronounced dead at the scene, which was just south of the Richardson- Nemaha County, Nebraska line.

The driver of the northbound pickup was transported to the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn with minor injuries and later released.

Highway 75 was shut down until 8:00 Wednesday evening.

The Richardson County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office, Humboldt Fire and Rescue, Auburn Fire and Rescue, Stella Fire Department, Nebraska State Department of Transportation and  Nebraska State Patrol.

(KLZA)-- Falls City Council members were informed over the weekend that a Nebraska Supreme Court ruling on February 14 affirmed the Lancaster County District Court dismissal of a lawsuit against the City. 

DH-1 sought attorney fees of nearly $1.5-million, claiming the money was owed to Houghton, Bradford, Whitted, PC and Weaver & Merz, a partnership, alleging Falls City had breached a fee agreement it had entered into with the two law firms on a contingency basis.

The Lancaster County District Court ruling was  handed down in December, 2018. 

In November, 2006 the City entered into an agreement with the firms to represent the City interest in any claims Falls City may pursue on behalf of the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, the National Public Gas Agency and the Nebraska Municipal Power Pool. 

(KNZA)--One person was lifeflighted following an early Wednesday afternoon two-vehicle Buchanan County, Missouri crash.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the wreck happened on U.S. 59 Highway about three miles south of St. Joseph.

The Patrol reports 56-year-old Billy Jenkins, of St. Joseph, was southbound when his pickup truck crossed the center line, striking a northbound semi-tractor trailer head-on.

Jenkins, who was wearing a seatbelt, was flown by helicopter to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, with what the Patrol described as serious injuries.

The semi driver, 66-year-old Kirby Renshaw, of Skidmore, was not hurt.

The wreck was reported shortly after 12 noon Wednesday.

(KAIR)--Funeral services are set for the local teenager who died Sunday when his car collided with a semi-tanker in Jefferson County.  

Kyler Postma was 16-years-old.

According to an obituary from Horton’s Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary, Postma, of Ozawkie, attended Jefferson West Schools for the past four-years.  He was currently a sophmore at Jeff West High School and a member of the school's basketball and baseball teams.

A onetime Effingham resident, Postma attended the Atchison County Community Schools prior to attending Jefferson West.

A celebration of life service for Postma is planned for Saturday morning at 11:00 at Jefferson West High School Gymnasium.

Among his survivors are his mother, Kelli Parkey, of Effingham, his father, Michael Postma, of Ozawkie, a brother, and five sisters.

According to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, the fatal wreck happened on K-4 Highway, in Meriden, around 9:30 Sunday morning.

(KLZA)-- A wreck occurred Wednesday morning near the Richardson and Nemaha County line on Highway 75.

The highway was shut down for several hours while the wreckage was cleared.

The Richardson County Sheriff's Office is investigating the wreck.

No information has been released by the Sheriff's Office at this time.

(KLZA)-- The U.S. Army Cors of Engineers, Omaha District recently awarded a $37.4-million contract to Weston Solutions of Chester, Pennsylvania to close the final breach on the  L-550 levee system breach in Atchison County, Missouri. 

The awarding of this contract keeps the team on track for closing the final breach on the L-550 system along the Missouri River before March 1.

Closing the breach will reduce the life safety risk to the communities and landowners behind the levee system as the 2020 run-off season nears.  However, they add an elevated risk remains with any levee system while damages remain.  

More than 500 miles of levees on the Missouri, Platte and Elkhorn rivers and tributaries were damaged in last years flooding.  

The Corps says due to the amount of damage,   repairs of the entire system will take an extended period of time to complete. 

(KLZA)-- A meeting to discuss Holt County, Missouri landowners agreeing to a plan to tie into a federal levee system extending from Atchison County, Missouri all the way through Holt County is planned for Friday afternoon beginning at 1.

The meeting will be held at the Holt County Courthouse and will be attended by Holt and Atchsion County Commissioners, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and State Emergency Management Agency representatives. 

The Corps of Engineeers is developing a plan to set back the existing federal levees.

The Mound City News reports that during a recent meeting of Holt County landowners it was noted that land between the proposed federal levee and the Missouri River could not be farmed or have structures built on it. 

Holt County Commissioners are encouraging landowners, especially those who own land in the floodplain to attend the meeting. 

(KLZA)-- Falls City Council members voted to approve an ordinance on second reading authorizing the issuance of $375-thousand in utility revenue bonds Tuesday evening. 

The money will be used for a sanitary lift stations on 21st Street.

Earnings from the Sewer, Water, Gas and electric systems owned by the City of Falls City will be used to pay off the bonds.

The Council also approved a resolution establishing criteria to be used in the review of special designated licenses in accordance with the provisions of the Nebraska Liquor Control act.

The Council action designates the City Administrator to act on behalf of the Council in reviewing special designated liquor license applications  for those entities holding catering licenses and for local religious non-profit corporation affiliated events held for fund raising efforts.

By doing this, the City Council will no longer need to act on the special requests to serve liquor at events such as weddings and banquets. 
 

(KLZA)-- Two more incumbents have filed for reelection in Richardson County.  

June Bowers has filed for reelection to the Falls City Board of Edcuation.

Amber Holle has filed for reelection to the First Ward Council seat in Falls City.  Holle is seeking election for the first time after being appointed to the seat previously. 

Both the City Council and School Board seats are four-year, non-partisan positions. 

Tuesday is the final day for incumbents to file for reelection in Nebraska.  Non-incumbents have until March 2 to file.

FAUCETT, Mo. (AP) -- Buchanan County authorities are investigating after the body of a woman was found in a duffel bag along a county road.

Sheriff Bill Puett says a state transportation worker saw a bag in a ditch Tuesday and called authorities after approaching it.

The body was found just west of Faucett near Missouri 371.

The woman is believed to be between 40 and 55. An autopsy is planned to determine her cause of death.

(KNZA)--A new phone scam is being reported locally.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says he has received reports that county residents were getting calls over the weekend from someone representing themselves as being with Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative.

The caller informed the resident that their services were about to be cut off and to avoid this, they had to make a payment over the phone.

Brown-Atchison Electric Manager Jim Currie says customers would never be contacted on the weekend. He suggested that if customers have questions or concerns they call the cooperative at 785-486-2117.

Meanwhile, Merchant said the Social Security scam is still very active. He said residents are still receiving calls from people representing themselves as being from the Social Security Administration stating that their social security number has been suspended. Merchant said this is a scam and recommends you hang up immediately.

If you feel you have been a victim of a scam, notify your local law enforcement at once.

(KAIR)--Action of the Atchison City Commission removes the south-side Morrow Park as the City’s responsibility.

That happened Tuesday, following long-term discussion about vacating the location as part of the City’s efforts to “right-size” city parks.

Atchison Mayor Shawn Rizza spoke prior to the vote, saying a review of the City’s parks shows the Morrow Park location as underutilized. “Morrow Park is consistently the least used,” Rizza said. “We do have a community garden out there that we need to look at relocating...we are in discussions with several different groups on where that could be. I think this is a good way to move forward, dedicate our resources to fewer parks, and actually have an improved product.”

With no further discussion following his comments, Rizza called the vote, which passed unanimously.

Atchison City Manager Becky Berger told MSC News the property now reverts back to the original property owners. If the land is not maintained, and taxes not paid, it will eventually be placed up for auction at a tax sale.

Assistant City Manager Justin Pregont told MSC News there are portions of the park property that are no longer under the original deed restrictions, and those sections will likely be placed into the City of Atchison’s Land Bank.

Morrow Park was formed following the donation of several parcels of land to the City in 1963.
Primarily used as a single youth baseball field during its lifetime, the park also once housed a skateboard park later converted to a basketball court.

In 2012, with the opening of the Atchison County Sports Complex, the ball field became obsolete.

Despite no public opposition prior to the vote, more than a dozen members of the public addressed the Commission at the start of the meeting, voicing their concerns regarding the future of Oak Hill Cemetery.

The controversy follows the City in January approving a resolution that headstones deemed to be a safety threat would be removed and replaced with a metal plaque. The removed monuments would be placed in storage and destroyed after three years if they are not claimed.

The members of the public, including three former City Commissioners, questioned the policy, as well as funds received by the city designated for use at the cemetery, as well as other factors.

The Commission took no action on the issue.

On February 7, the City announced that the cemetery policy was under review.

(KAIR)--A boil water advisory, in place since last year for a Jefferson County community, has been rescinded.

According to a release from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the City of Ozawkie had been under the advisory since May 11, 2019.

It was issued due to a flooded well which came as part of massive Missouri River flooding that began last spring.

The advisory was originally issued because flooding of a well may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination. However, the release states that “laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Ozawkie 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)--A former Atchison man is dead, identified by the Topeka Police Department as the victim of Topeka’s first homicide of 2020.

41-year-old Emerson Downing, identified as a resident of Topeka at the time of his death, was killed Monday in what’s described as a hit-and-run.

WIBW-TV reports witnesses heard an argument around 1:00 Monday afternoon, and notified authorities. A short time later, those witnesses told police they saw a vehicle run over Downing and then flee the scene, located near the Soldier Trail, in the 1500 block of Northwest Tyler.

Downing was transported by ambulance to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

An arrest has been made, with the TV station reporting 51-year-old Chad Thomas Cuevas is in custody at the Shawnee County Jail, accused of running down Downing. He is facing charges related to First Degree Murder.

The investigation is ongoing.

According to Downing’s social media profile, he attended Atchison High School from 1993 to 1997.

(KLZA)-- The Southeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership invites interested  Richardson County residents to attend a town hall meeting Tuesday, March 24 at the Falls City Library and Arts Center. 

The meeting will take place between noon and 1:00 p.m. and will focus on the 2020 updated to the SENCA Community Needs Assessment. 

A discussion will be held to identify community strengths and weaknesses, and prioritizing needs.  

A light lunch will be served and you are asked to RSVP by Friday, March 20 by calling the SENCA Outreach Office in Falls City at 402-245-5284.  

A copy of the current community Assessment can be found at www.senca.org  and clicking on Public Info.  
 

(KNZA)--Services have been set for a Valley Falls teenager who died late last week from injuries received in a two-vehicle wreck in northeast Shawnee County.

A celebration of life memorial service for 18-year-old Hannah Blick will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 at the Valley Falls Christian Church.

According to an obituary from the Barnett Family Funeral Home, in Oskaloosa, Blick graduated from Valley Falls High School last year and was currently attending Washburn University.

The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office said Blick was traveling in the 16-hundred block of Northeast 46th Street early Friday morning when her car crossed the center line and struck an oncoming SUV.

Blick was transported to a Topeka hospital where she died. The driver of the SUV received minor injuries.

(KNZA)--The Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education is exploring possible facility improvements.

Superintendent Todd Evans said architect Robert Hanson was present at Monday's board meeting to answer questions about the process for potential facility improvements at the Sabetha Elementary School.

Hanson presented a cost estimate of more than $4 million ( $4,067,639) for renovation of the school and a two-classroom addition.

A facility improvement committee was selected consisting of board members Leslie Scoby, Kent Saylor and Jim Scoby.

Evans noted the process is still in the preliminary planning stages.

He said the board decided re-location of the 5th grade to the middle school is a closed item. He said the board is focusing their energy and resources on improving the school to continue to serve pre-school through 5th grades.

As the board is considering facility improvement projects, Evans said the need to have the authority to increase the capital outlay levy was discussed. The current resolution is effective for the next 5 years and allows for a levy up to 6 mills. Evans said a resolution will be presented at the March board meeting increasing the authority to not exceed 7 mills for a period of six years.

In other business, Evans said the Board approved a class for transitional kindergarten next school year at the Sabetha Elementary School. It's intend to be the 1st year of a two-year kindergarten program. The purpose is to build a bridge between the pre-school years and traditional kindergarten.

Following an executive session, the USD 113 Board approved one-year contract extensions for the district's principals and Director of Student Learning Jennifer Gatz through fiscal year 2022.

(KNZA)--The South Brown County USD 430 Board of Education accepted the resignation of a teacher and approved several supplemental contracts when they met last week.

The Board accepted the resignation of Kelsey Aadalen as 5th-12th grade vocal music teacher and fall musical co-director, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year.

Aadalen has been with the district for 3 years.

The Board approved a partial supplemental contract for Beth Thurn to fill in for Aadalen as music teacher while she is on maternity leave March through May. Thurn will be paid $762.

Supplemental contracts were also approved for Zach Nelson as Everest Middle School head girls basketball coach and Shayla Whitebird as assistant coach for the 2020-21 school year.

In other business, the Board approved a summer driver's education program for 2020 at a cost of $150 for in-district students and $200 for out-of district students. Rod Clay will serve as the instructor at a salary of $25 an hour.

The USD 430 Board also accepted a gift of $5,000 from an anonymous donor for Horton High School activities.

(KNZA)--The Board of Education for Atchison County Community Schools has approved the calendar for the 2020-21 school year.

The action came when the USD 377 Board met February 12.

The first day of school will be August 13. The last day of school for seniors will be May 12 and May 18 for grades K-11.

Christmas break will be held December 21 through January 3. Spring break will take place March 8-12.

In other business, the Board elected officers for 2020. Lori Lanter was elected board president. She replaces Nancy Keith. Barb Chapman was re-elected board vice-president.

Following an executive session, the Board voted to extend the contracts of the district's administrators through the 2021-22 school year. The USD 377 Board also approved the transfer of Cody Kramer to full-time social studies teacher for the 2020-21 school year.

(KLZA)-- Two people  have recently filed for reelection in Richardson County. 

Incumbent Scott Hollens has filed for a four-year term on the Falls City Board of Education.

 In Humboldt, Stacey Edumundson has filed for reelection to the Ward II City Council position. 

Incumbents must file for the May primary election by Tuesday, February 18 to run for office.  Non-incumbents have until March 2 to file to run. 

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners discussed a request from the Village of Dawson for law enforcement services during their February 11th meeting. 

Sheriff Rick Hardesty and Chief Deputy Roland Merwin met with the Board.  Sheriff Hardesty informed Commissioners that his department does not have the man power to cover the agreements with the villages to enforce their village ordinances.

The Board did approve the purchase of two radar units at a price of $4,430.  $1,800 will come from the Nebraska Department of Transportation -HSO radar mini-grant to help cover the cost of the units.

Jerry Berggren of Berggren Architects met with the Board to review a water leak issue in the lower level of the courthouse. 

Commissioners approved paying Berggren an hourly rate to assist with finding a solution to remedy the water leak issue. 

Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau informed Commissioners the One &  Six Year Road Plan will be presented for review on February 25. 

During the quarterly Safety Committee meeting Darveau reported the parking meter poles on the sidewalk around the courthouse need to be removed and that the retaining wall on the west, south and east sides of the Courthouse need repair. 
 

(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is seeking re-election to another 4-year term.

The Brown County Clerk's Office reports Merchant filed Friday as a Republican candidate.

He has served as sheriff since 2008.

Merchant is being challenged by Hiawatha Police Captain Dennis Entrikin.

Candidates have until noon, June 1 to file at the Brown County Clerk's Office.

The primary election will be August 4 and the general election is November 3.

(KAIR)--The fate of Atchison’s Morrow Park is set to be decided when the Atchison City Commission meets Tuesday.

That comes following discussion of the issue during the February 3 meeting of the Commission where no action was taken.

According to a release from the City of Atchison, Morrow Park has been owned and maintained by the City since 1963, when the parcels of land were donated.

Mostly used as a youth baseball field since the time of its founding, the field became obsolete in 2012 with the opening of the Atchison Sports Complex. Most recently, the park has served as the site of a community garden.

The possibility of retiring the park comes as part of the City’s goal of “right sizing” city parks, a discussion that has continued for a number of years, due to the City maintaining green space that the release calls “about five time as much as the average community the same size as Atchison.”

A 2018 Community Survey showed 66% of respondents supported the retirement of underutilized parks and facilities so the City can better maintain parks and facilities that are most frequently used.

Tuesday’s meeting will begin at 4:30 at Atchison City Hall.

The Commission regularly meets on Mondays, but the meeting day was moved due to the President’s Day holiday.

(KNZA)--A state board has approved the nomination of the Horton Civic Center to the National Register of Historic Places.

It was among ten properties considered for nomination by the Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review at their February 1 meeting.

Brown County Commissioner Keith Olsen prepared the nomination application and appeared before the board to make the pitch for the property’s nomination. 

The state board’s recommendation and the nomination itself now go to the National Park Service in Washington D.C. for final review. A determination is usually made public within 45 days.

The building, located at the Brown County Fairgrounds in Horton, was constructed by the WPA between 1937-1939.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation’s historic places worthy of preservation.

Meanwhile, the city of Horton’s application for a Heritage Trust Fund Grant through the Kansas State Historical Society to help fund the replacement of Civic Center’s roof was denied.

On February 1st, 13 grants were announced totaling nearly $900,000.  However, the Horton project was not among them.  

The grant would have funded 80 percent of the project cost and required a 20 percent local match, which would have been split between the city and Brown County.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board has approved the calendar for next school year.

The Board took the action when they met last week.

The first day of school will be August 19 and the last day of school will be May 20.

Christmas break will be held December 23 through January 5. Spring break will take place from March 15-19.

The calendar also includes three staff development/early release days. School will dismiss at 12:30 on October 21, November 18 and February 24.

Following an executive session, the Board approved hiring of Hannah Hoffman for high school math for next school year and Ryan VanPeursem as assistant high school baseball coach for this year.

The Board also voted to extended the contracts of the building administrators and superintendent through the 2021-22 school year.

(KNZA)--An Effingham native has been selected to be the new superintendent of the Lansing School District.

According to a release on the USD 469 website, current Interim Superindent Dan Wessel has been hired to be the district's permanent superintendent, starting July 1 of this year.

During a special meeting on February 6, the Board voted to offer Wessel a two-year contract at a annual salary of $141,818.

Wessel was among four candidates interviewed.

He will replace Darrel Stufflebeam, who retired from the position in July 2019.

Wessel has been with the Lansing School District for the past 23 years. Prior to being the interim superintendent, Wessel served as the assistant superintendent and director of technology.

During his time at Lansing, he has also served as a math teacher, computer teacher, assistant principal at Lansing High School, and has served as the assistant superintendent since 2011.

Wessel says he looks forward to continuing his service to the Lansing School District and community.

Wessel and his wife, Kristie, are both graduates of Atchison County Community High School.

(KNZA)--A Sunday morning two-vehicle Jefferson County wreck claimed the life of an Ozawkie teenager.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says killed in the wreck on K-4 Highway in Meriden was 16-year-old Kyler Postma.

The Patrol reports Postma was southbound when for an unknown reason his car went into oncoming traffic, striking a northbound semi-tanker.

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

The driver of the semi, 39-year-old Grantville resident Michael Stanwix, suffered possible injury but the Patrol report does not indicate he was transported to a hospital.

The wreck was reported around 9:30 Sunday morning.

Postma was a student at Jeff West High School.
 

(KLZA)--The Pawnee City Council learned Monday night that additional funding will be made available for persons wanting to demolish houses in the community. 

The Pawnee City Development Corporation has agreed to double the amount of money available for demolition projects.

City Clerk Tammy Stephens said those seeking grants to receive up to $2-thousand from the City,  will be able to receive an additional $2-thousand from the PCDC if they meet the City guidelines, making the total $4-thousand. 

For more information on the program you may contact City Hall in Pawnee City.  

(KAIR)--Authorities have released the names of the two people  killed Friday afternoon in a Leavenworth County head-on collision.

Leavenworth County Undersheriff Jim Sherley identified the victims as 89-year-old William Giles and 88-year-old Charlotte Giles, both of Cummings.

The wreck was reported shortly after 3:30 on U.S. 73 Highway, south of Roe Road in northern Leavenworth County.

Sherley said a preliminary investigation shows a 78-year-old Atchison woman, whose name has not been released, was southbound when for an unknown reason her Subaru Forester crossed the center line and collided head-on with a Dodge Journey driven by William Giles.

The driver of Subaru was transported to the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City for the treatment of multiple injuries.

The wreck remains under investigation.

(KLZA)--Pawnee County Commissioners discussed the audit  bid when they met Tuesday. 

The Board will request a quote from Schulz and Associates for fiscal year end 2020-2022 for audits. 

District 1 Chief Probation Officer Ashley Griess met with the Board to introduce herself and provide annual updates.  

Pawnee County Memorial Hospital Administrator Ruth Stephens and Finance Director Dawn Friesel  met with the Commissioners to provide updates on the  hospital.  Commissioners approved the reappointment of Gary Farwell to the Pawnee County Memorial Medical Foundation.  

Commissioners also reviewed the preliminary One-and-Six Year Road Plan for Pawnee County with Highway Superintendent Chris Rauner. 

(KLZA)--The Auburn City Council approved a request from Ruth Heywood during their Monday evening meeting to release the nuisance declaration against properties she owns at 1010 ½ and 1005 Central Avenue.

Heywood has the buildings occupied and is working to clean them up and do maintenance on the buildings. 

In other business the Council voted to declare a property at 1202 “O” Street a nuisance and have the City Attorney begin the process to have the nuisance abated.

Also approved during the meeting was the placement of STOP signs on 18th Street at the intersection with “N” Street.  A resolution was also passed to post “No Parking” signs on the west side of “O” Street between the intersections with 21st and 22nd Streets.

Five owner occupied housing grants were approved on the recommendation of the Housing Committee. 

(KAIR)--Two Atchison County residents were killed Friday afternoon in a head-on collision in Leavenworth County.

Leavenworth County Undersheriff Major Jim Sherley said the crash was reported  around 3:40 at U.S. 73 Highway and Rowe Road.

Sherley said the two occupants in one of the vehicle's, both from Cummings, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Their names are being withheld pending the notification of next-of-kin.

Sherley said the driver of the second vehicle, also from Atchison County, was taken to an area hospital with critical injuries.

The wreck remains under investigation.

.

(KAIR)--A Lancaster teenager escaped serious injury Friday afternoon in a single-vehicle Atchison County wreck.

According to a report from Atchison County Undersheriff Toby Smith, 16-year-old Hayden Hinton was westbound on 286th Road, near Meade Road, when he lost control of his Jeep Wrangler.  The vehicle flipped once and landed on its top along the north side of the road.

Smith said drifting snow along the roadway is believed to have contributed to the wreck.

Hinton was transported by EMS to the Atchison Hospital as a precaution.

The wreck was reported shortly after 3:45 Friday afternoon.

(KNZA)--A group of Hiawatha alumni appeared before the USD 415 Board of Education this week to seek approval to raise funds to either renovate or replace the state champion signs around Red Hawk Drive at the high school.

Pam Smith, speaking on behalf of the group, said the signs for 1980 football and 1978 & 79 girls basketball have faded over the years and fallen into a state of disrepair. In addition, Smith said the signs are not easily seen because trees have grown up around them.

She said they would like to relocate the signs to a more visible location, with their first choice being on 1st Street near the electric marquee sign. If not, they would like to see the signs moved to near the state cross country championship sign on the northwest end of Red Hawk Drive.

Smith estimated the cost to replace the signs at around $4,000. Board Clerk Sarah Windmeyer said a $1,000 donation has already been received for the project.

Smith said they hope to have the football sign done by this fall, which would mark the 40th anniversary of Hiawatha's state championship.  The group is working with a local graphic design artist.

The Board voted to allow the group to move forward with the project and to allow donations to be sent to the district so they can be tax deductible.

(KLZA)  - The Falls City School Board Monday night learned from Superintendent Tim Heckenlively that the Sixpence Program earned top marks during the annual qualify improvement monitoring visit in January.

The Falls City Public School program is meeting the goals and expectations of Sixpence while providing a quality early childhood program for the community of Falls City according to the assessment report.

The Board also approved a teaching contract for the 2020-21 school year for Jimmy Robidoux to be the Falls City High school Spanish instructor.  He will replace Maria De Merlo who is resigning. 

The Board also accepted the resignation of administrative assistant and paraeducator Lynne Davis.

The school calendar for the 2020-21 school year was approved. The first day back for students will be August 13 with the final day of school for the year on May 20th, 2021. 

(KLZA)-- The Auburn Board of Public Works has announced another planned power outage.

Sunday, February 16th the Auburn BPW customers from 13th Street north to 14th Street and between K Street and N Street will be without power from 7:00 – 10:00 A.M.

The outage is required to upgrade customers over to the 7-thousand volt distribution system.

Auburn BPW customers are advised to shut off and if possible, unplug sensitive electrical equipment.

If you have questions contact the Auburn Board of Public Works at 402-274-4981. 
 

(KLZA)-- Demolition of the U.S. Route 159 over Interstate 29 near Mound City scheduled to begin next week has been delayed.

Contractors form Boone Construction Company is now scheduled to begin the project on Tuesday, February 25.  

A new deck will be put on the existing bridge over the Interstate.  U.S. Route 159 will be closed to all traffic.  Motorists will be able to access I-29 on and off ramps from U.S. Route 159.  

Interstate 29 traffic will also be impacted February 26 and 27 with the closure of all lanes of the interstate for safety during the removal of the old bridge deck.   No traffic will be allowed under the bridge  I-29 traffic will be directed up and over the ramps at U.S. Route 159.  During the 24-hour period, U.S. 159 traffic will not be able to access I-29 ramps.  

The closure is expected to last through the end of May.  

(KNZA)--An early Friday morning two-vehicle Shawnee County wreck claimed the life of a Valley Falls teenager.

The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office, in a news release, identified the victim as 18-year-old Hanna Blick.

The release said the initial investigation shows Blick was eastbound in the 16-hundred block of Northeast 46th Street, northeast of Topeka, when her car crossed the center line and struck a westbound SUV.

Blick was transported to a Topeka hospital where she died.

The driver of the SUV, identified as 21-year-old Topeka resident Bradyn Rottler, was taken by a private vehicle to a Topeka hospital for the treatment of minor injuries.

The wreck, which was reported shortly after 1:30, remains under investigation.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha school district will partner with a non-profit organization to implement a program aimed at helping students facing multiple barriers prepare for successful futures.

The USD 415 Board of Education Monday evening approved the $11,000 cost for the Jobs for America's Graduates program. 

Bev Mortimer, senior vice-president of programming for JAG-Kansas, said Governor Laura Kelly included funding in her budget to add a program in the 22nd Judicial District, which includes Brown County.

The program helps students overcome barriers, graduate from high school and prepare for college or career pathways that will help them reach their full potential.

JAG will hire an instructor to teach the elective course. The program would serve up to 50 students.

During the last two years, Mortimer said students who have gone through the JAG program have achieved a 98 percent graduation rate.

Currently, there are 79 programs in 41 districts in Kansas serving more than 3,900 students.

(KMZA)--Two local cities are among thirty-nine Kansas communities that have been awarded Community Development Block Grants from the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced grant awards Thursday totaling more than 17 million dollars.

The city of Centralia will receive a $535,423 grant to complete an electrical distribution system improvement project through the city. The city will contribute a similar amount in local matching funds.

The city of Marysville will receive a $600,000 grant to build a new fire station. The city will contribute more than $938,000 in local matching funds.

The new fire station is to be built on city owned property on North 20th Street adjacent to Feldhausen Field.

(KMZA)--A Nemaha County Commissioner is seeking re-election.

The Nemaha County Clerk's Office reports 2nd District Commissioner Tim Burdiek, a Republican, has filed for re-election to another 4-year term.

Burdiek is the first candidate to file for a county position up for election this fall.

Also up for election is the position of 3rd District Commissioner, currently held by Dennis Henry; Sheriff, currently held by Rich Vernon; County Clerk, currently held by Mary Kay Schultejans; County Attorney, currently held by Brad Lippert; Treasurer, currently held by Janell Niehues; and Register of Deeds, currently held by Roxann Holthaus.

Candidates have until noon, June 1 to file at the Nemaha County Clerk's Office.

The primary election will be August 4 and the general election is November 3.

(KNZA)---The Kansas Department of Health and Evironment has issued a boil water order for the Lakeside Village Improvement District located in Jefferson County.

The order was issued Thursday and replaces a boil water advisory issued in May of last year.

KDHE officials issued the order because of well flooding resulting in high turbidity and a loss of pressure in the system.  Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

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

The boil order will remain in effect until further notice.

(Beatrice) -- The Nebraska Attorney Generals Office announced Thursday that a Gage County jury found 38-year-old Joshua Keadle guilty of murder in the second degree for the December 3, 2010 disappearance and murder of 19-year-old Peru State College freshman Tyler Thomas. 

In response to the verdict, Attorney General Doug Peterson expressed his appreciation to the jury for their diligent deliberations in the case as well as to the countless members of the Peru State College community and the volunteers from the public who diligently searched for Thomas following her disappearance. 

“I greatly appreciate law enforcement’s extraordinary effort in not giving up on this case and the excellent work done by the prosecution team,” stated Attorney General Peterson.

Additionally, Peterson said, “While we have never been able to bring Thomas’ body home, we are hopeful that today’s verdict will bring her family some semblance of closure from their long years of uncertainty and suffering.” 

Keadle, who was convicted in 2012 for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl while he was attending Midland Lutheran College on a football scholarship, faces a 20 years to life sentence as a result of his conviction for Thomas’ death. Formal sentencing will be held on April 29, 2020, in the Gage County Court.

The case against Keadle was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol, the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office. Prosecution of the case was conducted by Assistant Attorneys General Doug Warner and Sandy Allen.

(KAIR)--A costly theft of items from a truck parked in Atchison is now under investigation.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the truck, belonging to St. Joseph Plumbing and Heating, had been parked in the 400 block of South 7th Street last weekend.

At some point during the weekend, thieves were able to make off with two toolboxes, a Milwaukee M18 force logic press tool, a Milwaukee black iron air press jaw kit, as well as miscellaneous hand tools that had been in the bed of the truck.

Then, on Monday evening, Wilson said a second theft occurred, with a pipe wrench and tool box stolen from the truck.

The estimated total value of the stolen items is more than $6,000.

Anyone with information related to the crime is asked to call Atchison Police at (913) 367-4323.

(KAIR)--The Kansas driver’s license office in Atchison has a new home.

According to a news release from the Kansas Department of Revenue, the Division of Vehicle’s has opened its new office at the Atchison Event Center, located at 710 South 9th Street.

The former office, located at the Atchison County Courthouse, has closed with Wednesday’s opening of the new location.

According to the release, the former office was only 200 square feet, compared to the new location, which checks in at approximately 1,500 square feet. The additional space “will allow an adequate area for waiting customers and the possibility of additional workspace to process more customers in an even more timely manner.”

The Division of Vehicles is the second state office to occupy space at the Event Center.

In May of last year, the Atchison City Commission approved the use of the facility to house the Atchison office of the Department of Children and Families.

(KNZA)--A Highland man has been sentenced to more than 6 years in prison on a child sex charge.

20-year-old Kyle Hoffman was sentenced last week in Doniphan County District Court to 74-months in prison on a charge of indecent liberties with a child.

He was given credit for 204 served in jail.

Hoffman pleaded no contest to the felony charge in January.

He was charged with the lewd fondling of a child under the age of 16 in July of last year following an investigation by the Highland Police Department.

(KLZA)-- A Falls City council member has filed for reelection.

Third Ward Council member Carla Rhodd has filed to run for the four-year term. 

Rhodd is completing a term to which she was appointed. 

City Council positions are non-partisan.

Incumbents have until February 18th to file for office while non-incumbents have until March 2 to file.

The primary election in Nebraska is scheduled for May 12.  

(KLZA)-- The Environmental Protection Agency has dropped the health alert level for Blue Green Algae from 20 to 8 parts-per-billion of microcystin toxin. 

The change will be used statewide in Nebraska when evaluating whether body contact activities such as swimming and wading should be allowed in lakes.

In the Nemaha Natural Resources District Annual Report,  it says this change will likely impact the beach areas of Nemaha NRD parks with more frequent health alerts, particularly at Kirkman's Cove northwest of  Humboldt and at Iron Horse Trail Lake near DuBois.  Both lakes have a history of  high toxin levels. 

Nemaha NRD lakes are sampled every Monday during the recreation season.  It is suggested that a visual inspection should always be used by swimmers and if algae is present, it is best to be cautious and stay out of the water.  

Pets are very susceptible to health issues since they often drink water from the lakes.  

The latest Nemaha NRD status for  lakes is posted on the District website and on their Facebook page. 

(KLZA)-- The Auburn City Council approved sending out requests for qualifications for engineers to assist with a new fire station.

The engineer will help with the estimates and appraisals to assist with an application for a federal Economic Development Administration grant for the project.  The grant is available in part due to 2019 flooding. 

The proposal is for a new building to house the Auburn and Auburn  Rural Fire Departments and the Auburn Rescue Squad.

(KLZA)-- During Monday's Pawnee City Council meeting,  Pawnee  County  Sheriff Braden Lang met with the Council to review the proposed addition of All-Terrain Vehicles to the list of vehicles allowed to be on city streets 

Following discussion with residents speaking both for and against the proposal, the Council approved amending the ordinance.  The change will mean ATV's will be allowed to be driven on City Streets in Pawnee City and that the age to operate ATV's and UTV's will be brought into line with state statutes of 16 years of age.  The Pawnee  City ordinance currently requires UTV operators to be 18. 

The ordinance will now be amended and brought back to the Council for approval.

In other action Monday night the Council received the Fiscal Year 2018-29 Audit form Julie Bauman, CPA.  Pawnee City received an unqualified opinion on the audit which is the best that can be given. 

(KLZA)-- Auburn Board of Public Works customers will be experiencing a planned power outage on Thursday, February 13th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

An attempt has been made to notify those affected by telephone or by placing a flyer at their residence.

Customers affected are from 16th Street south to 18th Street and between J Street west to M Street. 

This outage is needed to upgrade customers over to the 7,000-volt distribution system. To prevent damage to your sensitive electrical equipment, shut off such equipment, and if possible, unplug from the electrical outlet. 

The Auburn BPW apologizes for any inconvenience and will strive to get the work completed as expediently as possible. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the BPW Office at 402 274 4981. 

(KAIR)--2019 goes down as the second busiest year on record for the Atchison Fire Department.

That’s shown through the release of the department’s annual report.

A less than 1-percent decrease in total incidents overall is reflected in the report, but a 4-percent increase in first-responder medical incidents is also noted.

According to the report, structure fires for 2019 remained near 10-percent of the total volume of incidents worked by the department, with no residential structures lost to fire in 2019. The report also shows no injuries were incurred by firefighters or civilians due to fires during the past year; and while motor vehicle accidents remained relatively the same as the previous year in the city of Atchison, a 15-percent decrease in service type calls including false alarms is also noted.

Captain Pat Weishaar, in a release, says that a major factor in the successful year was an improvement in response time.

Other reasons noted for the success of 2019 are improvements to the department’s training curriculum to meet ISO requirements, and special programs in the community, such as the work of the City’s code enforcement officers, the Junior Fire Marshal Program, adult fire and life safety education, and fire extinguisher training offered to local business staff and industrial employees.

Fire Chief Ted Graf, in the release, says he is “very proud of the hard work and professionalism” of the city’s firefighters and officers, adding that “they are passionate about what they do and passionate about the citizens and community they serve.”

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Board of Education approved a proposal from Diode Technologies to replace the phone and P.A. System for the entire campus at a cost of nearly $52,700 when they met Monday evening.

The money to pay for the new system will come from the Depreciation Fund.  

Board members also approved renewal of the Pawnee City School District's membership in the Nebraska Association of School Boards for 2020-21. The dues are $3,458. 

The district's “Transportation” policy was amended to allow for “Emergency Route” pickup and drop off locations. 

The annual Pawnee City Public Schools Education Foundation financial report was approved.  

Board members also approved a number of  expenses for the Foundation including supplies,  support for the Food Bank backpack program,  scholarships and dual credit course reimbursements. 

(KNZA)--A federal grant will be sought to add a school resource officer at Hiawatha schools.

The USD 415 Board of Education Monday evening gave Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore approval to seek a $125,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Justice.

If awarded, the grant will pay 75% of the officer’s salary for the first 3 years. In the fourth year, the city and the district will be responsible for the full salary. Keeping an officer for a fourth year is a requirement of the grant.

The officer will be an employee of the police department and the district will reimburse the city 70% of the officer’s salary while the city is responsible for the other 30%.

The total estimated cost over the 4-year period to the school district would be around $71,000 and the city's cost would be around $30,000.

Defore said the grant application is due March 11 and grant awards will be announced in October.

Superintendent Lonnie Moser says he previously worked in a school district with a school resource officer and feels they are beneficial.

The district last had a school resource officer in the 1990's.

(KLZA)-- On a 3-1 vote Monday night the Pawnee City Council approved the appointment of Emily Sisco as City Attorney. 

Back in December, Mayor Charlie Hatfield  had recommended Betsy Ferebee be appointed to the position with Joe Stehlik serving as Deputy City Attorney. No vote on the appointment was cast.

The Council was to vote on the appointment in  January but that was delayed.  Both Ferebee and Emily Sisco who works with the Donahue and Faesser Law Firm submitted applications for the position. 

Monday night, Ferebee was unable to attend the Council meeting and Sisco was appointed. 

Council member Susan Eisenhauer cast the lone nay vote on Sisco's appointment.  

The Pawnee Republican newspaper reported previously that Sisco would bill the city at an hourly rate of $145.  

(KLZA)-- On a 3-1 vote Monday night the Pawnee City Council approved the appointment of Emily Sisco as City Attorney. 

Back in December, Mayor Charlie Hatfield  had recommended Betsy Ferebee be appointed to the position with Joe Stehlik serving as Deputy City Attorney. No vote on the appointment was cast.

The Council was to vote on the appointment in  January but that was delayed.  Both Ferebee and Emily Sisco who works with the Donahue and Faesser Law Firm submitted applications for the position. 

Monday night, Ferebee was unable to attend the Council meeting and Sisco was appointed. 

Council member Susan Eisenhauer cast the lone nay vote on Sisco's appointment.  

The Pawnee Republican newspaper reported previously that Sisco would bill the city at an hourly rate of $145.  

(KNZA)--Two additional candidates have filed for positions up for election this fall in Jackson County.

Keith Kelly, of Hoyt, has filed as a Republican candidate for the District 3 position on the Jackson County Commission. The position is currently held by Bill Elmer and represents the southern part of the county.

Register of Deeds Tammy Moulden, a Democrat, has filed for re-election to another 4-year term. She has served in the position since 2000.

Candidates have until noon, June 1 to file at the Jackson County Clerk's Office.

The primary election is August 4 and the general election is November 3rd.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Sheriff's Department has purchased a new K-9.

Sheriff Rich Vernon says the dutch shepherd was purchased for $9,500.

The dog will be trained for both patrol and drug detection work. The new K-9 will undergo 14 weeks of training beginning March 9. His handler will be Sgt. Darren Wessel.

Vernon said the department's current K-9 is 12-years-old and has some health issues. He will be retired when the new dog completes his training.

Vernon says funding for the purchase of the new K-9 came from the county's drug seizure fund and not tax dollars.

He says the sheriff's department has had a police dog since the mid-90's and have had good experience with the dogs. Vernon said the dogs pay for themselves by assisting in seizures.

(KMZA)--A deadly Marshall County house fire has led to an investigation involving the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

That word comes in a release from the KBI which says the agency is working with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The sheriff’s office on February 7 requested the assistance of the KBI when circumstances appeared suspicious.

The fire happened on the morning of January 24, in Vermillion. Emergency crews responded to the scene, at 301 5th Street, around 7:15, following reports of an explosion and fire.

Once the fire was extinguished, crews searched the inside of the home and located the homeowner, 83-year-old Donald McLaughlin, who was pronounced dead.

An autopsy was performed and an investigation into the fire and McLaughlin’s death began.

The release states that authorities do not believe there is any threat to the public as the investigation is ongoing.

(KAIR)--A Trinity Lutheran 8th grade student is the champion of the 2020 Atchison County Spelling Bee.

According to a release, Emily Fuhrman took top place at the spelling bee, held February 6 at the Atchison County Community Junior/Senior High School, in Effingham.

Fuhrman, the daughter of Ross and Jenni Fuhrman, of Cummings, was coached by Lori Leonardi.

She will now advance to the Regional Spelling Bee to be held on the weekend of March 21 in Wichita.

The alternate is Layne Tate, a 5th grade student at the Atchison Elementary School, who is coached by Eliot Smith. She is the daughter of Steven and Jaime Tate, of Atchison.

Taking 3rd place honors at the Atchison County Spelling Bee was Atchison Middle School 7th grade student Brooklyn Kelly, coached by Rusty Willis.

Forty-six students in fifth through eighth grades took part in the spelling bee, representing the Atchison County Elementary School, the Atchison County Junior High School, the Atchison Elementary School, the Atchison Middle School, Saint Benedict Catholic School, and Trinity Lutheran.

(KLZA)-- Falls City Volunteer Fire Fighters along with members of the  Falls City Rural Fire Department responded to a house fire around 9:45 Sunday evening. 

When fire fighters arrived on the scene at 615 Wilson Street, they found the rear porch of the home on fire.

Considerable damage was done to the porch ceiling and roof.
Fire fighters remained on the scene for  approximately two hours. 

There is no estimate on the amount of damage and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. 

(KLZA)-- Victims’ rights advocate and creator of the viral hashtag, #WhyIStayed, Beverly Gooden will visit Peru State College as part of the campus’s Distinguished Speaker Series.

Gooden will speak on Monday, March 2 at 7:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

Beverly Gooden breaks down the myths and misunderstandings around domestic violence to illuminate the complex reasons why victims stay in abusive relationships and what you can do to help.

Known for creating the viral Twitter hashtag #WhyIStayed in the wake of several high-profile domestic violence incidents, Gooden sparked a national conversation about how society views victims, while calling for a community response to this important social issue.

Drawing on her own gripping tale of overcoming an abusive relationship, Gooden provides you with a personal account of how it feels to live in fear and why it’s so difficult for individuals to leave those who exert physical and emotional control over them.

Peru State established the Distinguished Speaker Series in 2010 as part of a commitment to student engagement and success. The intent of the Series is to bring diverse, nationally and internationally recognized speakers to southeast Nebraska to enrich the educational experience of students while also providing regional communities more opportunities to engage in interesting and relevant topics.

(KLZA)-- Craig, Missouri is making preparations to host a pair of events to raise money to build a levee around the community.

Located in Holt County, the community with an estimated population of 222 in 2017, was ravaged by floodwaters in 2019.  

A committee has been formed to help find a way to build a levee around the community to help protect it from flooding.
The group has met three times now and plans are coming together on a couple of fundraising events to help raise money to build the levee.

City Clerk Missy Foster told MSC News the first event will be Saturday, February 15 at the Historic City Hall in Forest City. The event will consist of a music concert which goes from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.  This event will be for those 18 and over and alcohol will be served with part of the proceeds going toward the levee fund.  All the money raised from a $10 admission will go to the levee fund. 

Several bands will be playing including three from Omaha in addition to some local musicians.

The second fundraising event will be Saturday, February 22 at the school in Craig.  Vendors will set up in the gymnasium in the morning and there will be kids games.  In the afternoon there will be a musical show featuring Curtis Wayne Stroud, Grady Rivers and an opening act of Craig High School and Middle School musicians.

The committee is meeting every two weeks, developing ideas on where to get dirt for a levee,  and determining the best place to build the levee and how to get people  and businesses to move back to the Holt County community. 

(KMZA)--There's a vacancy on the Nemaha Central Board of Education.

The USD 115 Board voted last week to publish a notice of the vacancy for position 1 on the board.

The board will have 15 days to fill the vacancy after the notice is published in the Seneca Courier-Tribune.

The vacancy exist after Steve Bennett, who won the position in the November general election by write-in votes, declined the position. No one filed for the position, which had been held by Gary Niehues.

Applicants must reside in board member district #1, which includes the western half of Seneca.

Those interested in filling the vacancy should contact the USD 115 Board of Education Office.

In other business, the Board approved contract extensions through the 2021-2022 school year for Superintendent Darrel Kohlman, Elementary/ Middle School Principal Dr. Amy Beck, High School Prinicipal Ben Scism and Marshall-Nemaha County Special Education Director Shana Steinlage.

(KAIR)--Someone is $528,000 richer following the purchase of a Super Kansas Cash ticket.

According to a release from the Kansas Lottery, the winning ticket was sold in northeast Kansas, which locally includes the counties of Atchison, Doniphan, Brown, Jefferson, Jackson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha, and Pottawatomie.

According to the release, the winning Saturday night numbers were 5-7-10-21-22 Super Cash Ball 22.

The ticket, valued at $528,413, matched all five numbers and the Super Cash Ball.

Players have 365 days from the date of the draw to claim their prize.

Super Kansas Cash is a Kansas-only game that is played every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday night.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Transportation has approved bids for several area highway resufacing projects.

St. Joseph, Missouri-based Herzog Contracting Corporation was the sucessful bidder for the projects in Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jefferson and Jackson Counties.

More than 11 miles of U.S. 159 will be resurfaced from the north city limits of Nortonville at the Atchison/Jefferson County line to the west city limits of Effingham. Herzog bid nearly $1,040,000 for project.

A milling and overlay project will take place on a nearly 21 mile stretch of K-20 Highway from the east junction with U.S. 73 in Brown County to the junction with K-7 Highway in Doniphan County for a total cost of more than $1.9 million.

A total of 14 miles of U.S. 59 and K-92 Highways in Jefferson County will be resurfaced for a total cost of nearly $3.2 million. That includes U.S. 59 from the south city limits of Oskaloosa to north of 198th Street and K-92 from Union Street in Oskaloosa east to the junction with U.S 59.

Herzog was also the winning bidder on a milling and overlay project on a 22 mile stretch of K-116 between its junction with K-16 three miles east of Holton and its eastern teminus at U.S Highway 59 near Cummings in Atchison County. Herzog bid more than $2.3 million on the project.

Construction start dates for the projects haven't yet been announced.

Bids were opened January 15 in Topeka.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Educational Foundation has announced that the they are offering Thirty-two scholarships worth $48,800 for Falls City High School Graduates who will be attending colleges and trade schools during the 2020-2021 academic year. 

Thirty-one of the Scholarship are for 2020 Graduating Seniors. These scholarships total $47,800.

The remaining scholarship is the Governor A. J. Weaver Family Scholarship and is for a past graduate of Falls City High who is currently attending a four-year college or university and who will be a sophomore, juniors or senior in 2020 having declared a Major of Music, Photography, Animal Husbandry, Journalism, Library Science, Political Science, Civil Engineering, or Prelaw.

Scholarship Notices and Applications for all scholarships offered by the Falls City Educational Foundation are available on line at the Falls City Public Schools, High School Guidance web site: ttps://www.fctigers.org/vnews/display.v/ART/50bce5c490f4f
Applications for all Scholarships are due by March 19, 2020. See the scholarship notices and applications at the web site for more details.

(KMZA)--An early Sunday morning single-vehicle Nemaha County wreck claimed the life of a Centralia man.

The Nemaha County Sheriff's Office says killed the wreck on Highway 63, about three-tenths of a mile south of 80th Road, was 22-year-old Kurtis Niehues.

The Sheriff's Office says Niehues was northbound when his Ford Focus left the east side of the roadway. The vehicle struck two KDOT signs and then an embankment at a private driveway, causing the vehicle to become airborne and roll.

Niehues, who was the lone occupant in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Nemaha County Coroner.

The wreck was reported around 3:00 Sunday morning, north of Corning.

(KAIR)--Efforts are continuing to realize the goal of bringing a skate board park to the city of Atchison.

That’s conducted through the work of the “Skate High With Hope The Joshua Kinsman Foundation,” named for late Atchison resident, and skateboarding enthusiast, Joshua Kinsman, who died in January, 2018 at the age of 17.

Kinsman’s mother, Pamela Cline, appeared before the Atchison City Commission during the Commission’s February 3 meeting. She provided an update on the fundraising efforts of the foundation, which has held a number of events to generate the funds needed. “Right now, the Skate High With Hope Foundation has raised $116,345, and then if you add in the City’s donation to that of $75,000, we are at $191,345,” Cline told the Commission. “We applied for the Tony Hawk Grant with [Atchison Publie Works Director Clinton McNemee’s] help on the 27th, and that’s for $25,000. So pending on that grant, if we get it or not, we will be anywhere between $58,000 and $33,000 from our phase one project.”

McNemee says the price tag for the skate park is $250,000.

The plan is to see the future construction take place on green-space located at Atchison’s Reisner Park. A community forum held in the park in September, 2018, drew no opposition.

Cline, during her presentation, told the Commission the foundation is working on in-kind donations which will bring the goal of skate park construction all the closer.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central Board of Education has delayed a decision on whether to add a high school wresting program.

USD 115 Superintendent Darrel Kohlman said the Board during their February 3rd meeting continued a discussion they began last month about adding the sport but tabled action until their March board meeting in order to gather more information.

While the board is supportive, Kohlman said they wanted more information on start-up costs and a location that will be used for practices before making a final decision.

This school year marked the 1st year for a wrestling program at Nemaha Central Middle School.

A survey of students in grades 8-11, which was shared with the Board last month, showed considerable interest in establishing a high school wrestling program among both male and female athletes.

(KNZA)--A local judge is seeking re-election to another 4-year term.

According to the Kansas Secretary of State's Office, 22nd Judicial District Judge John Weingart, a Hiawatha Republican, recently filed for re-election.

Weingart has been a district judge since 2001.

The 22nd Judicial District is composed of Brown, Doniphan, Marshall and Nemaha Counties.

Before being elected a judge, Weingart had a private law practice in Hiawatha for 24 years.

The primary election will be held August 4 and the general election is November 3.

(KNZA)--Federal charges have been filed against a Hiawatha man who was arrested in Richardson County in December following an undercover drug investigation and pursuit.

31-year-old Cody Rhyne has been charged in U.S. District Court in Omaha with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Rhyne is also charged with possession of a handgun in violation of the interstate commerce code.

Richardson County sheriff’s deputies arrested Rhyne on December 4 after chasing his vehicle from a vacant Falls City parking lot to a rural location south of Humboldt following a controlled buy of methamphetamine and firearms. The sheriff's office says Rhyne crashed his car and fled on foot before he was apprehended.

A federal judge ordered the continued detention of Rhyne pending trial saying he has a prior criminal history, lacks stable employment and poses a danger if released.

Rhyne is scheduled to appear in federal court on February 18. 

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau held their annual meeting and dinner Thursday evening at the Klinefelter Barn.  

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the organization's annual awards, which are voted on by Chamber members.  

Honored as “ Business of the Year” was GN Bank.  

The Brown County Historical Society was recognized as the “ Organization of the Year.”   

The “Volunteer of the Year” award went to Ryan Meininger.

Chamber President Katie Miller reviewed last year's Chamber activities and what's planned this year.

Linda Duesing, Brown County co-chair of the Big Kansas Road Trip Committee, was guest speaker.

The event, which will showcase Brown, Doniphan and Nemaha Counties, is planned for May 7-10 this year.  Organizers say the event could bring a half million dollars of revenue to the area.   

The purpose of the event, which was started by the Inman-based Kansas Sampler Foundation, is to educate Kansans about Kansas and get people hooked on exploring in a way that helps sustain communities.

Members of the current Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors include:

President - Katie Miller

VP - Joey May

Secretary - Ashley Olson

Treasurer - Debbie Phillips

Administrator - Sarah Kleopfer

Board members-- Lynn Allen, Lacey Conlin, Bonnie Marable and Andy Runer

(KAIR)--The dangerous headstone policy at Atchison’s Oak Hill Cemetery is under review.

That word is delivered in a news release issued Friday by the City of Atchison.

The release notes the review follows public feedback.

The policy being questioned is an ordinance approved at the January 21 meeting of the Atchison City Commission due to concerns over aging monuments at the cemetery.

At that time, it was decided that monuments deemed dangerous would be removed and replaced with a metal plaque. The removed monuments would be placed in storage and destroyed after three years if they are not claimed.
However, voices of opposition have been heard, including those who spoke during the February 3 meeting of the Commission. “Do we want to be known as the town that destroys headstones?” Atchison resident Myrna Mcconnaughey asked the Commission at that time.

The release announcing the policy review states that the headstones in question average more than 100-years-of-age, and “it is not the intention of city leaders to spend public taxpayer dollars on the repair of privately-owned headstones.” However, despite that concern, the release says Commissioners and city staff “will seek to work with concerned parties in an attempt to find an amicable solution,” adding that “staff is currently researching alternative solutions and would welcome any public suggestions as to how to handle dangerous headstones moving forward.”

The City of Atchison inherited Oak Hill Cemetery by state statute in 1982 after a privately held cemetery board disbanded.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man required hospital treatment following an early Friday afternoon wreck involving an SUV and a semi tractor-trailer.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, it happened shortly before 12:30 in the 10,000 block of U.S. Highway 59. That’s where 73-year-old Robert Stuebs had stopped his Ford Expedition, on the south side of the highway facing west, at his mailbox. Stuebs attempted to make a u-turn, crossing both lanes of travel. As he did, his vehicle was struck in the rear passenger door by a westbound Peterbilt, driven by 56-year-old Gerald Masters, of Troy, who could not avoid striking Stuebs’ SUV.

Stuebs suffered injuries, and was transported by Atchison County EMS to Mosaic Life Care, in Saint Joseph, Missouri, for treatment.

Masters was not hurt.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kansas have failed to get a proposed anti-abortion amendment to the state constitution on the ballot.

The vote Friday in the Kansas House stalls efforts to ensure that the state's Bill of Rights does not secure a right to an abortion.

The vote was 80-43, leaving supporters four votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the measure. But neither side expected it to be the last word on whether the proposed amendment ultimately is put to a vote in a statewide election.

Abortion opponents will likely try again.

Lawmakers are in session until early May.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Second District Commissioner David Sickel has filed to seek a fourth term in office. 

Sickel was first elected to the seat in 2008.

Sickel is seeking the Republican nomination for the seat.  

The deadline to file to run in the May Primary Election is March 2 for non-incuments.  Incumbents must file for reelection by February 18.  

OSKALOOSA, Kan. (AP) - A Topeka man has been sentenced to one year in jail for a fatal December 2017 Jefferson County crash.

The Jefferson County Attorney's Office announced Thursday that Henry Clay Carey Jr. also will serve one year of probation after he is released from jail.

Jurors found Carey guilty previously of vehicular homicide, driving while suspended and having no proof of insurance in the crash that killed Thomas Prescott, also of Topeka.

(KNZA)--A rural Hiawatha teenager, convicted on a child sex-related charge involving a 13-year-old, has been placed on probation.

19-year-old Jason Porter was sentenced Monday in Brown County District Court to 8-months in prison on a felony count of unlawful voluntary sexual relations. The sentence was then suspended and he was placed on 18-months supervised probation.

Porter pleaded no contest to the amended charge in December. He had original been charged with aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

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

A Holton man is accused of sex crimes involving a child.

According to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, 69-year-old David Lee Jones was arrested Tuesday on a Jackson County District Court warrant charging him with aggravated indecent liberties with a child under the age of 14, and for promoting obscenity to a minor.

According to the release, Morse said the warrant was issued following an investigation by his office that included the execution of a search warrant January 21 at Jones’ residence, located at 307 Vermont Street, in Holton.

Following his arrest, Jones was booked into the Jackson County Jail.

His bond is set at $100,000.

(KNZA)--Two arrests are made following what authorities are calling “a joint human trafficking operation” in Jackson County.

According to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, 50-year-old David Andrew Graham II, of Carbondale, Kansas, and 64-year-old Bruce Rinkes, of Holton, were arrested Thursday evening, in Holton, and face charges for buying sexual relations and unlawful use of a communication facility.

Morse, in the release, said the investigation was conducted by deputies and detectives of the Jackson County and Shawnee County Sheriff’s Offices.

Rinkes and Graham are currently free on bond.

(KMZA)--Two new Seneca Police officers have been hired.

Following an executive session Wednesday evening, the Seneca City Council approved the hiring of Baxter Defore, of Hiawatha, and Aladdin Hegic, of St. Louis, Missouri.

The two will begin their duties with the Seneca Police Department after completing  the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, which could possibly occur in April.

Police Chief Jordan Weaver said the department is currently short of officers, with only three full-time officers on the force--including himself.

(KLZA)-- Water releases at the Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River at Yankton, South Dakota have been increased again.

The release rate from the Gavins Point Dam have been increased from 30-thousand cubic feet per second to 35-thousand cubic feet per second in an effort to create more storage space in the upstream reservoirs prior to spring runoff.

The release rate this time of year is typically 12 – 17,000 cubic feet per second.

The National Weather Service says the mountains that drain water from melting snow into the river are about 50 percent of the peak snow water equivalent, with the peak around the middle of April.

The National Weather Service is predicting a cold snap around the middle of February which could create ice jams that could worsen flooding

Fears are that downstream tributaries could reach major flood stage creating more downstream flooding. The long-range forecsat is calling for a high likelihood of tributary flooding this spring in eastern South Dakota and eastern Nebraska.

Most of the Missouri River basin has above-normal soil moisture conditions which means the basin can expect much higher runoff.

John Remus, Chief of the Corps' Missouri River Basin Water Management Division says the potential for above-normal runoff, coupled with above-normal stages on many uncontrolled tributaries that join the Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam, increases the potential for flooding, particularly south of Omaha.

All of the 2019 water has been emptied from the system. The 2020 calendar year runoff forecast is 141% of average.

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Investment Finance authority recently awarded grants for housing study projects in Round Two of the Housing Study Grant Program. 

Falls City Economic  Development and Growth Enterprise was awarded $12-thousand in matching funds to produce an enhanced local housing plan for the community. 

The study will be the first step toward neighborhood revitalization and will focus on an improved housing inventory and potentially, new housing developments. 

EDGE Executive Director Beckie Cromer calls available, quality housing a key factor in attracting new businesses and attracting and retaining workers at all income levels.

The study will help determine the next steps on how to implement strategies to improve the housing inventory and redevelopment efforts in Falls City. 

(KLZA)-- A new feature will be built near the Falls City Aquatic Park.

A waterfall feature, depicting the falls on the Nemaha River that Falls City was named for will be placed on city property near the aquatic park.

Second Ward City Councilman Lucas Froeschl started the ball rolling on the project and told his fellow Council members Monday evening that all the money to pay for the $68,039 project has been raised privately. The money was raised through the Richardson Foundation.

A $7,500 grant for the project was approved by the Nemaha Natural Resources District. In addition, Froeschl has secured permission to place a bronze donor plaque and Nebraska Historical markers at the site.

Froeschl has worked with Grimm's Gardens and Scholl Landscaping to design the project. A bronze donor plaque and Nebraska Historical markers will be placed at the site of the display.

The Council approved having the Utility Department run the necessary water lines and power to the site, and provide just over $3,400 in a contingency budget for potential unknown costs.

The project should be completed by June 15th.

(KNZA)--Riverside school district Superintendent Bob Blair has been hired as the new superintendent of North Lyon County USD 251.

The district's Board of Education made the selection Wednesday evening.

The Emporia Gazette reports Blair has signed a two-year contract, which is set to begin July 1 of this year.

He was among four finalists interviewed for the position.

USD 251 Board President Matt Horton, in a news release, said Blair went above and beyond the qualifications for the job. Horton said they were looking for someone who was upbeat, involved in their schools and involved in their community.

Blair, a native of St. Joseph, Missouri has spent the last twenty-five years as a school administrator, teacher and coach. He has served as superintendent at Riverside USD 114 since the 2017-18 school year and prior to that was principal at Wathena.

(KAIR)--A jury trial is set for one of three Atchison men accused of playing a role in a fatal 2019 Doniphan County fight.

23-year-old Brian Spilman, Jr. on Wednesday pleaded not guilty in Doniphan County District Court to a charge of second-degree murder.

Following the plea, a jury trial was scheduled for May 27 through May 29.

Although he had been held in the Doniphan County Jail on a $150,000 bond, jail records no longer list him as an inmate, and the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Office confirms he has been released on bond.

Also charged with second-degree murder stemming from the death of 42-year-old Cummings resident Jason Pantle are 44-year-old Scott Vandeloo and 30-year-old Matthew Cole Scherer.

Arraignment for Vandeloo had been set for Wednesday, but was continued until the morning of April 8.

Arraignment for Scherer is scheduled for February 26.

Both Vandeloo and Scherer remain free on $150,000 bonds.

Authorities allege that the three engaged in altercations with Pantle during a September 22, 2019 party at 159 Monument Road in rural Doniphan County.

Pantle died September 29 at a Kansas City hospital after suffering what investigators called serious head injuries.

(KAIR)--A longtime Atchison community leader has died.

According to a social media post made Wednesday evening by the daughter of David Butler, a celebration for family and friends is being planned, and details are forthcoming.

Butler last month was recognized through a proclamation made by the Atchison City Commission, a board on which he sat for numerous years.

The proclamation, made January 21 by Mayor Shawn Rizza, called on citizens of Atchison to commend Butler “on a lifetime of love, service, and leadership to Atchison residents.”

According to the proclamation, Butler was first elected to the Atchison City Commission in 1989, and served for a total of nearly 20-years during his various terms on the Commission. During his years of service, Butler held the role of Mayor during a number of his terms.

The proclamation said Butler, affectionately known as “Dave,” “never met a stranger, [was] welcoming to newcomers, [and was] friendly to all.”

Butler’s most recent Atchison City Commission term came to an end last year, having chosen not to seek re-election.

(KLZA)-- Falls City Ward IV Council member Jim Wisdom has filed for reelection. 

Wisdom seeks reelection to the non-partisan seat.  This would be his second elected term, he was originally appointed to fill  a vacancy in Ward IV. 

There is  one City Council seat up for election in all four Falls City Council Wards.   Incumbents must file for reelection by February 18th while non-incumbents have until March 2 to file. 

(KLZA)-- Auburn, Nebraska has great tasting water according to the nations largest drinking water taste contest. 

The National Rural Water Association's Annual Rural Water Rally and Great American Water Taste Test was Wednesday in Washington, DC.  

During a luncheon on Capitol Hill,  the water sample from the Auburn Board of Public Works placed 5th in the competition.

Five finalists from the competition among the state contest winners competed during the luncheon. 

The judges were water experts and officials from Capitol Hill and the key federal drinking water safety agencies.  

The judging is based on clarity, bouquet and taste.  

Representing Kansas in the competition was the City of Arkansas City.  Missouri was represented by Consolidated Public Water Supply District 1 in Boone County.  Iowa was represented by the Rathbun Regional Water Association, Inc. 

(KLZA)-- Monday, March 2 is the filing deadline for those wanting to register to be a delegate to either the Republican or Democratic County Convention.

Registrations are accepted until March 2 at 5:00 p.m. at the Richardson County  Clerk's Office.  Only delegates can vote at a County Convention. 

The Richardson County Republican Convention is scheduled for Friday, March 27 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Richardson County District Courtroom at the Courthouse in Falls City.

A date for the Richardson County Democratic Convention has not yet been selected.  

(KAIR)--A December fire at the Atchison County Law Enforcement Center has been ruled as intentional, and two inmates are facing arson-related charges in connection with the crime.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 21-year-old Nicholas Jackson, of Des Moines, Iowa faces charges for aggravated arson, while 36-year-old Atchison resident, Joshua Hosier, faces charges for aiding and abetting aggravated arson.

Both were arrested Tuesday.

Their bonds in the case are set at $50,000 each.

The fire, which occurred during the midnight hour of December 14, caused damages, including labor costs, of $50,000. Laurie said an additional $13,000 was spent to house inmates out of county following the fire. Inmates, during the clean-up effort, were housed in the Brown, Jefferson, Doniphan, and Leavenworth County jails. According to Laurie, housing in the Leavenworth County facility came at no cost.

According to the release, the fire alarm began to sound at the same time that inmates were assisting with the cleanup of water from a flooded cell, pushing water to the floor drains located inside chases between the cells.

It’s alleged that entry was made into the chase, where the electrical panel cabinet was opened, allowing another inmate to throw water on the electrical components inside the cabinet, which caused the fire and damaged electrical system components.

Laurie said the fire has led to individual training with each officer, focused on safety and security, while locks have been placed on all electrical panels.

Procedures have also been changed limiting the number of inmates allowed out of their cells for flooding cleanup.

Anti-flooding technologies that monitor the water flow to each cell are also being considered.

According to Laurie, the Sheriff’s Office has been in communication with its insurance company, and is in the process of submitting a claim.

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Department of Revenue, Property Assessment Division reminds property owners that then Nebraska Homestead Exemption Application Form #458, must be filed with their county assessor before June 30, 2020. 

The homestead exemption provides relief from property taxes by exempting all or a portion of the taxable value of the residence. The State of Nebraska reimburses counties and other governmental subdivisions for the property taxes lost due to homestead exemptions. 

In Nebraska, a homestead exemption is available to: persons over the age of 65;   Qualified disabled individuals; or Qualified disabled veterans and their widow or widowers.  

Some categories are subject to household income limitations and residence valuation requirements.

More information on the homestead exemption program is available from your county assessors office or the Nebraska Department of Revenue, Property Assessment Division. 

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners conducted a public hearing during their January 29th meeting to receive comments regarding the continuation of electing the position of County Surveyor.

Counties now have options for the surveyor position. No one from the public appeared to speak at the hearing.  

Following the hearing, Commissioners voted to adopt a resolution to keep the county Surveyor position in Richardson County an elected position. 

Commissioners also conducted to quarterly jail inspection and found the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center to be in good order.

During a meeting with Sheriff Rick Hardesty,  grants that are currently available,  salary increases for years of service for the deputies, dispatchers and jailers that are currently vacant due to recent resignations were discussed but no action was taken. 
 

(KMZA)--The annual Baileyville Benefit Tournament has been recognized for the good it does by Ag Partners Cooperative and Cenex, the energy brand of CHS.

As part of the recognition, the Baileyville Benefit Board received a $5,000 grant that will go toward the benefit's fundraiser for families in need of medical assistance.

For the past 30 years, the Baileyville Benefit Tournament has grown from a small-scale fundraiser to a treasured annual tradition that has generated more than one million dollars in total donations for Nemaha County residents.

This year, the Baileyville Benefit will be held Saturday, February 29 and Sunday, March 1 at Nemaha Central High School.

The donation was made possible through a grant initiative that encourages Cenex dealers, retailers and distributors to share stories about what makes their local communities unique.  In total, more than $100,000 will be given back to Cenex communities this year.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has voted to support the formation of a proposed fire district.

Interim Fire Chief Gene Atland appeared before the Commission Monday evening to seek their support for the formation of a fire district that would include the city along with Hiawatha and Padonia Townships.   

Currently, the two townships contract with the city for fire protection.

City Attorney Andy Delaney said the Brown County Commission can create a fire district by resolution or by a petition being submitted containing the signatures of at least 60 percent of the landowners in the proposed district.    

Commissioners directed Delaney and City Administrator Mike Nichols to prepare a resolution of intent to join the district.  The city would have to petition the county to be included.

Delaney said the fire district would provide a larger tax base to support the fire department and tax benefit to city residents.

Nichols plans to meet with county commissioners to see if they are supportive. 

In other business, the Commission approved the designation of 16 additional handicapped parking spaces in the downtown area. An emphasis was placed on trying to place the spaces at the ends and center of each block where possible.   The city had received several requests for the additional handicapped parking spaces.

The Commission also approved an agreement with the Brown County Historical Society donating three city-owned antique fire trucks to the Historical Society. The city will still be able to use the trucks, which date back to 1928, for public events, such parades. 

(KNZA)--Several Jackson County officials have filed for re-election.

Sheriff Tim Morse, County Treasurer Linda Gerhardt, County Clerk Kathy Mick and 2nd District County Commissioner Janet Zwonitzer filed for re-election on Kansas Day, January 29.

All four candidates filed as Republicans. Morse previously ran as a Democrat but switched party affiliation a year ago.

Also up for election this fall are the positions of 3rd District Jackson County Commissioner, currently held by Bill Elmer; County Attorney, currently held by Shawna Miller; and Register of Deeds, currently held by Tammy Moulden.

Candidates have until noon, June 1 to file at the Jackson County Clerk's Office.

The primary election is August 4, and the general election is November 3rd.

(KNZA)--Kickapoo Tribal Council Secretary Tonya Negonsott-Rodvelt resigned from the Tribal Council January 1 amid allegations of misuse of federal grant money while serving on the Tribe's Housing Board.

According to a release issued Tuesday by the Kickapoo Tribe, federal authorities continue to investigate whether fraudulent documents were submitted to the Housing Board requesting housing assistance and based on that information, whether funds were wrongfully expended.

The release says Negonsott-Rodvelt was suspended by the Kickapoo Housing Board after questionable documentation was discovered and subsequently suspended from her position on the Tribal Council. She has since been removed by the Housing Board and the Tribal Council has formally accepted her resignation from the Tribal Council.

The release says the Tribal Council has approved a special election to be conducted to replace Negonsott-Rodvelt on the Tribal Council for a term expiring in September, 2022.

(KAIR)--A small, Atchison residential fire was deemed to be intentional, and an Atchison man is facing charges for the crime.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 45-year-old Marvin Reese was arrested Tuesday on an Atchison County District Court warrant charging him with arson and interference with law enforcement.

The warrant stems from a January 21 fire around the window of a residence located at 610 V Street.

The fire was extinguished shortly after the Atchison Fire and Police Departments arrived on the scene.

The investigation that followed determined that the fire had been intentionally set, and that led authorities to Reese, identified as the owner, and resident, of the home.

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

His bond is set at $30,000.

(KAIR)--A vehicle, stolen while parked at an Atchison residence, has been recovered.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the 2012 Dodge Durango was located around 9:30 Tuesday morning in an alley in the 600 block of Park Street.

It had been stolen sometime between 11:00 Saturday night and 8:45 Sunday morning when parked in the 500 block of Riley Street.

According to Wilson, the vehicle was found to be undamaged.

No suspects are immediately named and the investigation is continuing.

(KAIR)--Crime was down last year in Atchison, according to the annual report issued by the Atchison Police Department.

According to a release from the City that accompanied the release of report, overall crime was down 8-percent in 2019, which is a continuation of the trend from the previous year when overall crime was down 19-percent.

The report indicates a successful clearance rate for crime, with 1,079 of the 1,271 criminal cases cleared in 2019, meaning an 85-percent clearance rate. The rate in 2018 was 78-percent.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson presented the report to the Atchison City Commission when they met Monday. “If you had other [police chiefs] from other communities, urban or rural, they would tell that’s just, not necessarily unheard of, but very, very unusual to have that high of a clearance rate,” Wilson told the Commission. “It’s because of our commitment to address every crime that comes across, and try to resolve it.”

Atchison incurred no homicides in 2019, but two shooting investigations led to arrests.

Vehicle thefts were down 33-percent from 2018, criminal damage to property was down 11-percent, and injury wrecks were down 28-percent.

According to the release, burglaries held steady, near the all-time record low rate of 2018.

(KLZA)-- County Clerk's Offices in Nebraska are preparing for the May 12 Statewide Primary Election. 

Persons wanting to vote in the election are urged to check their voter registration status to make certain they are registered at the correct address and affiliated with the political party for which they are going to cast their nomination ballot. 

In Richardson County, voter registration is taken at the Office of the Richardson County Clerk during regular business hours until Friday, May 1 at 6:00 P.M. Voters can also register at ne.gov/go/NEreg2vote. The deadline for any voter registration form other than in person isn Friday, April 27. 

Voters can check their registration on line at www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov,  or you may contact your County Clerk's office. 
 

(KLZA)-- Two bridges along U.S. Route 159 in Holt County, Missouri are scheduled for improvements as part of the Missouri Department of Transportation's Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.

The Boone Construction Company has been awarded a contract to place a new bridge deck on the bridge over Interstate 29 near Mound City on U.S. Route 159 and to replace the U.S. Route 159 bridge over Penny  Slough west of Route 111 near Fortescue. 

While flooding in 2019 did not damage the bridges,  high water has affected the ability of contractors to begin work. 

The redecking project on the I-29 overpass will begin first, with plans to start work on February 17. At that time, U.S. Route 159 will be closed to all traffic. The closure is expected to continue through the end of May. 

Interstate 29 traffic will also be impacted February 17 – 21 with the closure of all lanes of the interstate for safety during the removal of the bridge deck. No traffick will be allowed under the bridge .

There will be intermittent lane closures on I-29 in both directions throughout the project.

The bridge replacement project on Highway 159 over Penny  Slough is planned to begin in June. 

For more information you may contact the Missouri Department of Transportation.  

(KLZA)-- Following a public hearing drawing no comments Monday evening, the Falls City  Council approved the One and Six Year Street Plan. 

Anthony Fitzgerald with Olson Engineers provided the Council with cost information on the One-Year portion of the plan.  On the One-Year portion of the plan the price tag is estimated at $931-thousand with the city share being $523-thousand.  

Two projects top the list.  Building 33rd Street from Old Highway 73 east approximately one-thousand feet to Highway 73 including the intersection.  Private funds will be used to build the street portion of the project. 

The second project is an extension of 33rd Street east from Highway 73 for approximately 250-feet with private funding covering the estimated $82-thousand price tag.  

Also in the One-Year plan is the extension of Abbott Street from 28th Street north to the new 31st Street and the extension of Abbott Street to the Tiger Trail and Shamrock Circle Cul-De-Sacs that are planned.   The three projects would cost an estimated $523-thousand.

Included in the Six Year plan once again is hard surfacing of 21st Street from Fair Avenue to the city limits and north on 3301 Business Parkway north to the airport.  The City share of the project is estimated at $518-thousand with the Richardson County share estimated at $777-thousand, making the total cost nearly $1.3-million.  
 

(KMZA)--A bill to rename a five-mile portion of U.S. 77 Highway in Marshall County in honor of two Waterville men killed during the Vietnam War has been introduced in the Kansas Legislature.

The bill was introduced recently by Republican Senators Elaine Bowers, of Concordia, and Bill Pannbacker, of Washington.

The legislation seeks to rename the section of highway between Blue Rapids and Waterville the “ Corporal Allen Oatney and Specialist 4 Gene Myers Memorial Highway.”

Oatney and Myers were killed by hostile fire during the Vietnam War. Myers was killed in June 1969 and Oatney in June 1970.

According to a press release from Bowers, she and Pannbacker are optimistic that their fellow legislators share their passion and support for honoring veterans “ who have sacrificed it all for their state and their country.” The two lawmakers anticipate the bill will become law during this year's legislative session.

(KNZA)--A traffic stop leads to the arrest of a Horton man on drug charges.

The Horton Police Department stopped a vehicle on Friday driven by 23-year-old Thomas Pahmahmie.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said the Sheriff's Department K-9, Ari, assisted the police department on the traffic stop.

He said Ari alerted on the vehicle. A quantity of marijuana and paraphernalia were located in the vehicle

Pahmahmie was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was booked into the Brown County Jail, where he remains held on a $10,000 bond.

(KMZA)--A two-vehicle Nemaha County wreck on Sunday left two 17-year-old teens injured.

The Nemaha County Sheriff's Office reports Gage Palic, of Baileyville, was northbound on F Road and Nicholas Engelken, of Seneca, was eastbound on 192nd Road.

The Sheriff's Office said Palic failed to stop and their vehicles collided in the intersection.

Both drivers were transported to a hospital for the treatment of injuries.

Palic was driving a 2003 Chevy pickup truck and Engelken was driving a 2000 Pontiac 4-door passenger car.

(KLZA)-- An Endangered Missing Advisory alert for a missing Auburn woman was canceled Sunday when the subject was located deceased.

The Nebraska State Patrol issued the alert Sunday morning.

The alert was activated to determine the whereabouts of 68-year-old Jennifer Kay Baker of Auburn. The Nemaha County Sheriff's Office was attempting to locate Baker who suffered from a heart condition and dementia.

Baker had last been seen Saturday morning at her residence in Auburn and was on her way to a relatives home approximately five miles west of Auburn but did not arrive there.

Baker was found Sunday morning around 11 west of Auburn near a relatives home.

(KLZA)-- An Endangered Missing Advisory alert for a missing Auburn woman was canceled Sunday when the subject was located deceased.

The Nebraska State Patrol issued the alert Sunday morning.

The alert was activated to determine the whereabouts of 68-year-old Jennifer Kay Baker of Auburn. The Nemaha County Sheriff's Office was attempting to locate Baker who suffered from a heart condition and dementia.

Baker had last been seen Saturday morning at her residence in Auburn and was on her way to a relatives home approximately five miles west of Auburn but did not arrive there.

Baker was found Sunday morning around 11 west of Auburn near a relatives home.

(KLZA)-- The Nemaha Natural Resources District will hold a public hearing at 6:00 tonight at the office headquarters at Tecumseh regarding proposed changes to our groundwater quantity rules and regulations.

An informal question and answer session will precede the hearing beginning at 5:00 p.m. for those wanting to learn more about the changes.

At 6:00 testimony will be received from anyone wishing to enter their comments into the official record. Following the hearing, the NRD board of directors will meet next week on Thursday, February 13, to review testimony and consider approval of the changes.

The changes and additions to the rules will address well spacing, well permit application requirements, agricultural irrigation water transfers, and the identification of five principle aquifer regions.

Detailed information on the changes is available on our website www.nemahanrd.org or by contacting the Nemaha NRD office in Tecumseh.

(KMZA)--A new superintendent has been hired for Valley Heights USD 498.

The USD 498 Board of Education, in a release posted on its website, announced the selection of Melissa Kennedy for the position.

Kennedy will take over July 1st following the retirement of John Bergkamp.

She was among three finalists interviewed last week for the position.

Kennedy has broad educational experience as a teacher, curriculum director and as a principal. She spent twenty-four of her twenty-seven years in education in Vermillion USD 380 as an elementary teacher at Frankfort before becoming curriculum director for the district. Since 2017, Kennedy has served as grade school principal in Buhler.

She has a Bachelor's degree from Kansas State University and a Master's degree from Fort Hays State University. Kennedy graduated from Nemaha Valley High School in Seneca.

Kennedy said she's excited to join the Valley Heights school district.

She said her goal is to sustain the rich traditions of student achievement and community pride that USD 498 is known for, while consistently challenging the district's students as they strive for their enduring future successes.

The board said in the release they feel they made the right selection to serve the district's students and community.

JEFFERSON CITY – Preliminary reporting for 2019 indicates Missouri traffic fatalities have dropped for the third year in a row. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 876 lives were lost in Missouri traffic crashes in 2019 down from 921 in 2018, a five percent reduction.  Although there was an overall reduction in traffic fatalities, there were increases in motorcycle fatalities and pedestrian fatalities. In 2019, there were 118 motorcyclists killed, a 10 percent increase from the previous year. Likewise, there were 108 pedestrians killed in 2019 –the largest number of pedestrian fatalities in Missouri the past 10 years. While weather and road conditions can come into play, traffic crashes are largely the result of someone simply making a poor decision, even if only for a moment. The top contributing factors of Missouri traffic fatalities continue to be lack of seat belt use, driving too fast, impairment, and distraction. MoDOT recommends the following actions to help prevent fatal crashes: Always wear a seat belt and use appropriate child safety seats. If riding a motorcycle or bicycle, always wear a helmet and other protective gear. Never drive distracted. Put your cell phone down. Obey the speed limit and other traffic laws. Never drive impaired. Always arrange for a sober ride.

(KLZA)-- According to the National Weather Service, there is the potential for Missouri to experience serious flooding again in only a few weeks. 
Last year’s damage repairs are ongoing, while emergency managers, meteorologists, engineers, farmers, and residents monitor weather forecasts, anticipating another spring flood season.
FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a way to protect your home, business, or personal property. Statewide, NFIP paid more than $70 million in flood insurance claims to Missouri policyholders for damage in 2019.
After 2019’s historic flooding, one action residents and business owners should take immediately is to review their current flood insurance coverage or consider purchasing a flood insurance policy if they don’t have one.
Other key facts you should know:
*Flood insurance can pay up to $250,000 for damage to your house and up to $100,000 for contents.
*Business owners can purchase coverage up to $500,000 for structures and up to $500,000 for contents.
*Flood insurance pays for covered flood damage regardless of whether there is a federal disaster declaration. The average annual cost of an NFIP policy for homeowners is about $700.
* Anyone can buy flood insurance if your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), no matter where your home or business is located. Check with your local officials to find out if your community participates.
*Almost 25 percent of flood insurance claims come from areas not considered at high risk for flooding.
 
Remember, once you purchase a policy, it takes 30 days for the coverage to go into effect. Individuals and business owners are encouraged to look over their own emergency plans and update as necessary to ensure they are sufficiently prepared.

Current soil saturation is above average for this time of year. Snowmelt runoff from the Rocky Mountains and ice jams on northern rivers all contribute to the amount and force of water flowing through the Missouri and Mississippi river systems. After two consecutive years of heavy moisture, flooding is a significant part of the 2020 spring outlook. Consider the flood risk and act now to protect yourself, your family, your business or your property.
Call your insurance agent to review your current policy or ask about a new policy for flooding. 

(KAIR)--A Colorado man has pleaded as charged in connection to a fatal 2017 Leavenworth County crash that claimed five lives.

According to a release from Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, 59-year-old Kenny Ford, on Friday, entered a plea of no contest in Leavenworth County District Court to all five counts of vehicular homicide.

The fatal wreck happened July 11, 2017, in the westbound lanes of the interstate near 174th Street. He was driving a Freightliner truck when the crash occurred.

According to the release, signage indicated there was road construction in the area and that speed should be reduced. Evidence showed that Ford failed to slow down when he hit the vehicles in the fiery, chain reaction crash.  The release says he was traveling at 65-70 miles per hour at the time of the fatal wreck.  Ford was found to not be impaired, nor could authorities show he was using any cellular phone device.

The Associated Press reports two of those killed were from Illinois and three were from Kansas.

Ford will be sentenced March 20.  

(KMZA)--A new superintendent has been hired for Marysville Public Schools.

The USD 364 Board of Education has announced that Michael Couch has accepted the board's offer to join the district on July 1.

Couch was among four finalists interviewed last week.

He has served as superintendent of Republic County Schools in Belleville the past 7 years. Couch has more than 30 years of educational experience as a teacher, principal and superintendent.

Marysville School Board President Pam Dankenbring said Couch's skillset directly matches the characteristics desired by the community of positional experience, budgetary experience and committed leadership.

He will replace Denise Guy who is serving as interim superintendent this school year.

(KNZA)--During a special meeting Friday morning, the Hiawatha School Board approved the expenditure of up to $15,000 for improvements to the main parking lot at the Hiawatha Elementary School.

Board President Ian Schuetz said complaints have been received from staff and parents about the condition of the parking lot.

The recent melting ice has led to muddy, sloppy conditions. Ruts have developed causing difficulty in navigating the parking lot both on foot and by vehicle.

Kyle Knudson with Knudson Construction and District Maintenance Supervisor Matt Cluck discussed options with the board.

They will work together on a solution and continue to monitor the lot throughout the rest of the school year.

It was the consensus of the board that the ruts and soft areas should be addressed first.   

The improvements are a temporary fix as the parking lot is to be chip and sealed this summer.