(KMZA)--The Marshall County Health Department has confirmed a second positive case of COVID-19 in the county.

That word came Monday in a press release from the health department.

The release says the patient is under quarantine.

The health department is conducting all contact tracing and investigation of individuals who are deemed close contacts of the individual.

The first case was reported last week.

The release says the county's first two cases are unrelated.

Editors note:  Brown County Sheriff John Merchant reported Wednesday morning that a good samaritan returned the aluminum ramp that was reported taken Tuesday. The owner has been notified and will be picking it up at the Sheriff's Office. 

(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says felony charges could await the person who took a ramp that fell from a delivery truck.

According to a release from Merchant, the 10 to 12-foot aluminum ramp fell off the truck on West Oregaon Street, near U.S. Highway 36, around 10:00 Tuesday morning.

According to Merchant, an eyewitness spotted a man, driving a green, Chevrolet long-bed truck, stop and take the ramp, before driving east down Oregon Street.

Saying his office “would like to encourage the person to return the ramp to the Sheriff’s Office as soon as possible,” with no questions asked, Merchant said he has “faith that the person who picked up the ramp will do the right thing.”

However, Merchant said if the ramp is not returned, the person who took it could be charged with felony theft of lost or mislaid property. 

(KAIR)--An Atchison County burglary, resulting in thousands of dollars in losses, is under investigation.
According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, the crime was reported Friday, with investigators determining that entry was made into the residence, located at 3840 Osborne Road, through a locked basement door.
Items stolen include a small safe, a flat screen TV, a laptop, a handgun, coins, and a tablet.
The missing items are valued at more than $4,000.

The investigation is continuing.

In a separate investigation, Atchison County authorities have made an arrest into what Laurie says is believed to be a series of connected burglaries that occurred Monday.

Shortly after 11:00 Monday morning, deputies were called to 4429 Sherman Road following the report of a burglary in progress.
They found that a window had been forced open, along with tools used to make entry, but the suspect was gone.

That evening, around 6:45, deputies were called to 3502 Sheridan Road where the homeowner found a man sleeping in his garage. Telling deputies the suspect had fled west, into trees, deputies used the office’s K-9 Unit to track the suspect into the woods.

Located was 47-year-old Saint Mary’s, Kansas resident Curt Vandevelde, who was taken into custody.

After he was apprehended, the Sheriff’s Office received a report shortly before 9:00 Monday night that a burglary had previously occurred at 20452 244th Road.
According to Laurie, the three burglaries are believed to be connected, with all stolen items recovered.

Following his arrest on charges related to the burglaries, Vandevelde was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KLZA)-- A pair of northwest Missouri wrecks resulted in injuries this past weekend. 

Saturday afternoon shortly before 3, 27-year-old Garrett Rauch of Graham, Missouri was westbound on 150th Street about a half-mile south of Maitland when his pickup traveled off onto Missouri Highway 113 and did a sharp left turn off the east side of the highway coming to rest off the road.  

Rauch told Missouri Highway Patrol officers he would seek his own medical attention for what were described as moderate injuries.  The  pickup was totaled.   

The Maitland Fire Department also responded to the scene of the wreck. 

Sunday afternoon shortly before 4:00 P.M.  a  St. Joseph man was seriously injured when his 2014 Harley Davidson motorcycle was struck from behind by another vehicle.

39-year-old Douglas Collins was southbound on Interstate 29, approximately two miles south of Rock Port when a pickup driven by 25-year-old Tomas McCrery of Easton, Missouri struck his motorcycle. 

Collins motorcycle went off the side of the road, struck a mile marker post and ejected Collins.

Collins was transported by the Atchison Holt Ambulance to the Fairfax hospital then sent by Lifenet helicopter to the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.  

McCrery was not injured.  The motorcycle was totaled, the pickup sustained extensive damage.

The Atchision and Holt County Sheriff's Departments along with the Mound City Police Department and Rock Port Police Department all responded to the wreck. 

(KMZA)--The victim of a fatal UTV crash over the weekend in Pottawatomie County has been identified.

Pottawatomie County Sheriff Shane Jager on Tuesday identified the victim as 28-year-old Travis Belville, of rural Olsburg.

The UTV crash was reported shortly after 8:30 Friday evening in the area of Oak Grove and Bigelow Roads, in rural Olsburg.

Belville, who was the driver of the UTV, was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger also sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Their name has not been released.

Jager said the investigation is ongoing.

( Jefferson City) - Despite dramatic dips in traffic volumes to this point in 2020 due to COVID-19, Missouri has experienced a 12 percent rise in roadway fatalities this year. 

Traffic volumes are down nearly 50 percent leading Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna to call the increase in roadway fatalities a different kind of public health crisis.  

McKenna is asking drivers to commit to buckle their seat belts,  put their phones down and slow down. 

70 percent of the  vehicle occupants killed in Missouri this year were not using seat belts at the time of the crash.  Based on average survival rates,  if everyone involved in these crashes had been buckled,  more than 100 people who were killed would still be alive today.

Buckling up is the easiest, cheapest and quickest way to save lives on roadways. 

(KLZA)-- The Southeast District Health Department has confirmed five additional cases of coronavirus in Otoe County. 

The new cases bring the Otoe County total of COVID-19 cases to 21.  In the five-county Southeast  District Health Department service area,  36 cases of the virus have now been confirmed.

The latest Otoe County cases include a female in her 80's,  two females in their 50's, a male in his 80's and a male in  his teens. 

All identified close contacts are asked to self-quarantine.

(KNZA)--A Valley Falls man was seriously injured Monday morning in a single-vehicle wreck in Cass County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 39-year-old James Costello was eastbound on Route A, just east of South Stevens Point Road, when his 2019 Nissen traveled off the roadway and struck a mailbox. The vehicle then become airborne before striking a ditch and tree.

Costello was transported by air ambulance to Research Medical Center  in Kansas City, Missouri with what the Patrol described as serious injuries. 

The Patrol says he was not wearing a seatbelt when the wreck occurred shortly before 8:00 Monday morning.

(KAIR)--The City of Atchison has gained a new City Commissioner.
That came Monday during the Commission’s regular meeting, with four applicants seeking to fill the unexpired term.

They included Dr. Robert Fast, MD, Luke Jesnowski, Jesse Greenly, and former City Commissioner Bill Murphy.

City Attorney Robert Campbell briefly served as Commission Chair during the selection process, with Commissioners making their vote through a show of hands.
Gaining the role is lifetime Atchison resident Jesse Greenly, who fills the position vacated by former Commissioner Shawn Rizza earlier this month.

According to his application letter, Greenly, who is African-American, said he has a desire to be more actively involved in city government, adding that he feels “there is a great need for minority representation on the City Commission.”

Following his selection, Greenly was sworn-in by Atchison City Clerk Frances Zuzolo.

Rizza was serving as Mayor at the time of his resignation, with that role also filled during Monday’s meeting.
Selected to serve in that role is Dr. Allen Reavis, who was serving as Vice-Mayor.

Chosen to fill that role, following Reavis being installed as Mayor, was Commissioner Abby Bartlett.

The meeting was the first to be held at City Hall since the lifting of closures stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Gov. Laura Kelly has ordered that every person in Kansas must wear a mask in public spaces starting July 3. 

The order includes not only indoor public spaces, but also outdoor public spaces where six feet of social distancing cannot be maintained. 

Kelly said more specific guidance will be released Thursday. 

The news comes after the state added more than 900 cases of COVID-19 since Friday. The order will go into effect just before what’s expected to be a busy Fourth of July holiday weekend. 

Editor's note:  the folllowing is a press release from Governor Kelly

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that she will sign an Executive Order requiring that most Kansans in a public space must wear a mask, beginning 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 3. 

“This is a simple, proactive step we can take to keep Kansans at work, get our kids back to school, and keep ourselves and our neighbors healthy,” Governor Kelly said. “Wearing a mask is not only safe – but it is necessary to avoid another shut down.

“Remember – my mask protects you, and your mask protects me,” Governor Kelly said. “We’re all in this together.”

Under the order, most Kansans must wear masks in stores and shops, restaurants, and in any situation in which social distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained, including outside. The EO will be released on Thursday, and will provide specific guidance regarding under what circumstances masks must be worn.

“I know Kansans will have many questions about this order – and we will answer them when it is released later this week,” Governor Kelly said. “But by announcing the requirement today, people in our state will have the appropriate time to acquire the masks.”

The Kansas Attorney General’s Office will work closely with officials in Governor Kelly’s administration to ensure that the order complies with Kansas law.

For more information on COVID-19 health guidance, please visit www.covid.ks.gov.

(KAIR)--COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Atchison County.

On Monday, 3 additional confirmed positive cases were reported, bringing the county’s total to 34.

According to a release from Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter, the 32nd case is a man in his forties, the 33rd case is a man in his seventies, and the 34th case is a woman in her eighties.

The cases are listed as community spread.
According to Lanter, the county currently has three patients that have been hospitalized.

Figures released Monday by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment show the state has had 14,443 cases in 97 of the state’s 105 counties.
270 have died.

(KNZA)--The 19th annual Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Daycamp will not be held this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sheriff Tim Morse made the announcement Saturday in a news release.

During the spring months where preparations and reservations are made for the Daycamp, Morse said there was too much uncertainty on whether the camp could be held or not. At the same time, he said the Sheriff’s Office had many of its own battles to keep employees and inmates healthy.  As a result, Morse said the decision was made that it would be best to wait until next year to have the camp.

Daycamp has been a vital part of building positive relationships with Jackson County youth, and Morse said they will continue to make it a part of their outreach to kids.

He said they are hoping for a spectacular, bigger and better Daycamp in 2021. 

(KNZA)--A contract employee of the Holton Community Hospital has tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a release from the hospital, the employee developed symptoms associated with COVID-19 after leaving work on Thursday and now reports testing positive for the virus.

The employee is in isolation at their home.

The release says all patients and staff who are at risk for exposure have been contacted, following guidance of local public officials, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, as well as the Centers for Disease Control.

Hospital CEO Carrie Saia says they have kept efforts in place to prevent or lesson exposure---including a daily screening questionnaire, temperature checking upon arrival for all who enter the hospital, decreasing the number of visitors and requiring the use of masks.

(KAIR)--An investigation sent an Atchison man to jail for the alleged abuse of a young teenager.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, his office began the investigation Sunday evening after a family member, who did not reside with the child, requested a welfare check regarding the teen.

Police went to a residence, and located the 13-year-old, who police say had marks, scratches, and bruises, on her body.

Taken into custody shortly after 10:15 Sunday night was 39-year-old Charles Holt, who lived in the same residence as the victim.

Holt was taken into custody for abuse of a child, and booked into the Atchison County Jail.

According to Wilson, the victim told investigators the injuries were the result of being struck with a board.

Wilson said the investigation is continuing.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth woman, and her adult passenger, suffered injuries, while two young passengers went unhurt, following a single vehicle, early Sunday morning Atchison wreck.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the vehicle, driven by 30-year-old Amber Hambright, left the roadway and struck a wall, located in the 2200 block of Main Street.

Hambright, and her 30-year-old passenger, were both transported by Atchison County EMS for hospital treatment.
Two four month-old children in the vehicle were examined by EMS but were not injured.
According to Wilson, unspecified charges are pending against Hambright.
The wreck happened shortly before 1:30 Sunday morning.

(MSC News)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the Lakeside Village Improvement District public water distribution system, located in Jefferson County. This Advisory is NOT Covid-19 related.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

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

• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.

• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.

• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.

• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.

The advisory took effect on June 29, 2020 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE issued the advisory because of a loss of pressure in the system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or KDHE announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

(MSC News)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the Lakeside Village Improvement District public water distribution system, located in Jefferson County. This Advisory is NOT Covid-19 related.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

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

• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.

• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.

• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.

• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.

The advisory took effect on June 29, 2020 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE issued the advisory because of a loss of pressure in the system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or KDHE announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Editors note--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant reported Monday morning that Bobby Gifford was located safe and sound Saturday evening in Brown County. 

(KNZA)--The public's assistance is being sought in locating a missing Hiawatha man.

According to a release from Brown County Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant Robbie Parker, Bobby Gifford was last seen around 5:00 Friday morning.

He had left the residence of family in Brown County and was walking to his residence in Hiawatha.

Gifford was last seen wearing a blue tank top, blue jeans, white tennis shoes and carrying two buckets that say kitty litter.

The release said Gifford is not answering his cell phone and has not been heard from since.

He has medical issues that require medication.  It's unknown if he has the medication with him.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the Brown County Sheriff's Office at 785-742-7125.

(KNZA)--New court dates have been set for three Atchison men charged in a fatal 2019 Doniphan County fight.

Matthew “ Cole” Scherer is now set for arraignment on July 22 in Doniphan County District Court, while Scott Vandeloo is to be arraigned August 5.

A pre-trial conference for the third defendant, Brian Spilman, Jr., is set for July 8.

All three are charged with second-degree murder in the beating death of 42-year-old Jason Pantle, of Cummings.

Authorities allege the trio engaged in altercations with Pantle during a September 22, 2019 party in southern Doniphan County.

Pantle died seven days later at a Kansas City Hospital after suffering what investigators called serious head injuries.

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

(KMZA) --One person was killed and another injured in a UTV accident Friday night in Pottawatomie County.

Pottawatomie County Sheriff Shane Jager said the sheriff's office received a 911 call shortly after 8:30 reporting an injury accident in the area of Oak Grove and Bigelow Roads, in rural Olsburg.

Jager said upon arrival, deputies found a single vehicle accident involving a UTV on Bigelow Road.

He said the driver of the UTV was pronounced dead at the scene.  A passenger suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Their names have not been released.

The incident remains under investigation.

Assisting in the investigation were Pottawatomie County EMS, the Olsburg Fire Department and Kansas Highway Patrol.      

(KLZA)—Falls City firefighters responded to two fire calls over the weekend.

On Friday evening, firefighters were called to a house fire at 820 Stone Street.

Officials say the mishandling of smoking materials caused heavy damage to one room of the home.

The Nebraska Fire Marshall investigator was called.

The house is owned by the Dee Pounds trust.

Then around 4:00 Saturday morning, firefighters were called to 1009 East 11th Street. Upon arrival they found an old garage/shed had been hit by lightning and was on fire.

Firefighters remained on scene for about two hours. 

The structure, owned by Devin Morre LLC., appeared to be a total loss.

(KNZA)--A mural has been added to the front steps of the Hiawatha Law Enforcement Center in remembrance of fallen Brown County Sheriff's deputy Todd Widman

Widman was killed in the line of the duty on March 1, 2000.

Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore received approval from the  City Commission last year for the high school community service project.

On Friday, graduating senior Madelyn Gruber and Hiawatha High School art teacher Matt Leahy painted the mural on the east side of the front steps.

The project was orginally scheduled to be completed last fall.  The project had to be postponed last fall, and was postponed again this spring due to the ongoing COVID-19 issues.

Defore said the project could have just been forgotten about and left undone, but Gruber and Leahy followed through on their own time with what they started.

" Through their artwork, they are being of service to our community and for that, we wish to say thank you to them", said Defore.

Local KS counties report virus case increase

Posted Friday, June 26th, 2020 5:18pm

Local Northeast Kansas counties are reporting an increase in the number of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19.

According to a release Friday from Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter, the 29th case is identified as a woman in her seventies who is currently hospitalized.
The case is not believed to be one involving community spread.

The 30th and 31st cases are both women, with one in her fifties, and the other in her twenties.

Both are isolating at home.
Lanter said it’s not immediately known if the cases stem from community spread or from outside Atchison County.

27 of the county’s cases have recovered.

Doniphan County has experienced 26 cases, meaning a two case increase from Monday’s figures released by the County Health Department.
22 of the cases have recovered.

According to figures released Friday by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Jackson County has had 107 cases, with that figure reflecting a two case jump from Monday. 100 have recovered, and one is currently hospitalized. The county has experienced one related death.

Brown County has had 14 cases, with 13 reported as recovered.

Jefferson County has had 26, Leavenworth County 1,146, Nemaha County 24, Marshall County 1, and Pottawatomie County has had 59.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas jumped by 568, fueled in part by outbreaks in sports practices and tournaments.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Friday that there were now 13,538 cases, up 4.3% from Wednesday and 12% from last Friday.

The state also reported three more deaths, bringing the total to 264 since the pandemic began in early March.

There have been 18 cases in four sports clusters, according to the state, which included the category for the first time Friday. No one has died in the clusters. They include the MAYB Boys Basketball Tournament in Wichita and the MAYB Girls Basketball Tournament in Hays on June 20-21. 

(KNZA)--A public health advisory has been issued for Horton's Mission Lake due to the presence of toxic blue-green algae.

The Kansas Department and Health and Environment, in a release Thursday, said the lake is among seven in the state on a watch list.   Also on the list is Lake Perry in Jefferson County.

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

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

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

Five lakes in the state are under public health warnings due to blue-green algae, but none of those are located in the local area.

(KLZA)-- Mound City School Board members adopted a preliminary budget for the 2020-21 school year when they met Tuesday morning. 

The Board amended the final budget for the 2019-20 school year to create the preliminary budget for next year. 

Board members also approved student handbooks for the upcoming school year and increasing lunch prices for students to $2.55 and adult meal prices were set at $3.30.  This price increase was mandated by the Department of Agriculture.

Discussion was held concerning the date for starting school.  No changes were made,  classes will begin for students on Monday, August 24.  

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

Due to the Federal and State income tax filings being extended to July 15, homestead exemption applicants may file the Nebraska Schedule I – Income Statement, Form 458 by the July 15 deadline.  If possible, homestead exemption applicants  should make reference to the extended Internal Revenue Service income tax filing deadline on their Form 458 applications that are filed on or before June 30.  

The homestead exemption provides relieve 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 the following groups.

Persons over the age of 65.  Qualified disabled individuals or qualified disabled veterans and their widows.  Some  categories are subject to household income limitations and residence valuation requirements.   

The income limitations are  on a sliding scale.  Homestead exemption forms and information are available at revenue.nebraska.gov/PAD/homestead-exemption.  

For more information on the homestead exemption program, please contact your county assessors office or the Department of Revenue at 888-475-5101.  

(KLZA)--As reported earlier,  153 people were tested for coronavirus during a Test Nebraska, drive-thru screening event in Falls City on June 17th and 18th. 

MSC News contacted the Southeast District Health Department about the results.  As of Friday morning,  none of the results from the testing have come back positive. 

Within the Southeast District Health Department  service area there have been 31 confirmed cases of COVID-19.  16 cases in Otoe County,  six in Johnson County,  five in Richardson County,  four in Nemaha County and no cases in Pawnee County. 

Statewide as of Thursday evening Nebraska had 18,346 confirmed cases, an additional 125 cases from Wednesday.  There have been 260 deaths in the state from COVID-19 with one of those deaths reported in Richardson County. 

(KAIR)--Three suspects in a St. Joseph, Missouri shooting are in custody following a brief vehicle chase by the Missouri State Highway Patrol that ended with a rollover crash.

Law enforcement had been looking for the suspects following a shooting Thursday morning in downtown St. Joseph that left one person injured.

The chase lasted about two or three minutes and ended shortly before 11 a.m. after the suspects’ vehicle rolled in a ditch in a rural area of Platte County. All four occupants took off running after the crash, with all but one man located and taken into custody. He remains free.

According to a report from the Patrol, the 2002 Ford Escape carrying the suspects crashed Thursday morning on Platte County's North Winan Road, just north of Highway 92.

The vehicle, driven by 30-year-old Marcel Smith, of Leavenworth, turned south onto Winan Road, but overturned, injuring two passengers.

20-year-old Sidney Darrenkamp, of Atchison, and 33-year-old Melissa Ross, of Leavenworth, suffered minor injuries and were transported to North Kansas City Hospital for treatment.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. 

(KNZA)--A Robinson man is scheduled to be sentenced next month after entering a plea to a pair of child sex charges.

Kirt Linck recently pleaded no contest in Brown County District Court to two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

In exchange for the plea, a third count was dismissed.

Linck was charged in May of last year following an investigation by the Horton Police Department.

The alleged victims are two children, born in 2015.

Linck is scheduled to be sentenced July 6.

He is also scheduled to be arraigned July 6 on a felony charge of criminal threat in a separate case.

(KNZA)--Doniphan County residents will have an opportunity to dispose of old unused tires Saturday morning, June 27.

A countywide tire collection will take place from 7:30 to noon at the Second District road shop building located at 302 West Robertson Street in Troy.

The program is a joint effort between Doniphan County, Northeast Kansas Environmental Services and Tire Cutters.

The first 10 passenger or pickup tires will be accepted for free.

Fees will be charged for tires in excess of that amount, tires on rims and larger tires.

(KAIR)--A pickup truck, reported stolen in Atchison this week, has been recovered.
According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado was stolen Wednesday while parked in an alleyway in the 100 block of South 8th Street, in Atchison. It was taken sometime between 1:30 and 3:30 Wednesday afternoon.
According to Wilson, the keys were inside the truck at the time of the theft.

The truck was located Thursday morning in Kansas City, Missouri.
Wilson said his office is following up with police in that location as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information related to the theft is urged to call Atchison Police at 913-367-4323.

(KMZA)--Former Marysville USD 364 Superintendent Bill Mullins’ has lost his battle with cancer.

The Marysville Advocate reports Mullins died Wednesday, more than three years after his diagnosis.

He had battled gastric cancer while he served as superintendent of USD 364.

The illness forced him to resign in 2019 so he could spend more time with family. He had served as superintendent since July 2014.

After resigning, Mullins and his wife, Jennifer, moved back to Arkansas to be with family.

(KNZA)--Doniphan County Ambulance District #1 is seeking a $75,000 increase in funding from the county for 2021.

EMS Director Matthew McKittrick and Assistant Director Tanner Veach met with the Doniphan County Commission Monday to discuss their funding request.

Commissioners were told the funding increase is needed to hire an additional full-time EMT/paramedic certified staff member due to the loss of volunteer EMT's and paramedics.

It's addition, the Commission was told the funding increase will help offset the increased cost of medical supplies, general liability insurance, employee benefits and insurance write-off amounts for user fees.

McKittrick said the Ambulance District, which is based in Troy, has not had an increase in funding since 2015.

The Ambulance District covers the central and eastern portions of Doniphan County.

The Commission took the funding request under consideration.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has seen its largest jump in coronavirus cases in more than six weeks with an increase of more than 500 cases in two days.

The state health department on Wednesday reported a total of 12,970 cases of the novel coronavirus, up 4.1% from Monday. Gov. Laura Kelly has urged local officials to postpone lifting their last restrictions on businesses and public activities for another two weeks.

The state also reported an additional two deaths since Monday, bringing the total to 261 since the pandemic began in early March.

The state hasn’t seen such a spike in new cases since the first half of May.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth man is facing Atchison County charges, including possession of heroin, following his arrest Tuesday.
Facing charges for possession of the drug and possession of drug paraphernalia, is 31-year-old Andrew Ramirez.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News Ramirez, who was wanted on an Atchison County District Court warrant, was spotted in a convenience store parking lot, inside a vehicle, in the 1600 block of Main Street.
Police took him into custody on the warrant, and the heroin was allegedly found in the vehicle.

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

(KMZA)--The first positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Marshall County.

That word came Wednesday in a release from Marshall County Emergency Management.

The release said the individual is under quarantine.

The Marshall County Health Department will be conducting contact tracing for those who have been in contact with the affected individual.

Marshall County had been the only area northeast Kansas county that had not seen a confirmed case.

Statewide, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday reported 12,970 cases from 94 counties. The agency reports 261 virus-related deaths.

(LINCOLN, NEB.) – The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) will be soliciting public comments now thru July 23, 2020, regarding the State of Nebraska’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Action Plan. 
This Action Plan describes how DED will invest approximately $108.9 million in CDBG-DR grant funding received from the Federal Government to support disaster recovery from 2019’s severe winter weather, straight-line winds and flooding. 
The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires CDBG-DR grantees, including the State, to submit an Action Plan that describes unmet needs, the programs to be implemented in addressing those unmet needs, the budget for those programs, and how the programs and activities will meet HUD requirements. 
Public comments will be accepted thru 5 p.m. CDT on July 23, 2020. DED will address all comments after the comment period ends. The Action Plan will then be revised accordingly and submitted to HUD for approval.
As part of this process, DED will also hold two public webinars in English to review the content of the Action Plan and accept comments. These webinars will be on June 30, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. CST and July 16, 2020, at 10:0 a.m. CST.
An electronic copy of the proposed Action Plan will be available on the DED website at http://opportunity.nebraska.gov/cdbg-dr. Copies can also be requested by contacting Lori Cole, Office Manager, at 800-426-6505 or 402-471-3746, or by emailing lori.a.cole@nebraska.gov.  
All comments must be received by DED before the close of the comment period. Mail written comments to: Nebraska Department of Economic Development, P.O. Box 94666, Lincoln, NE 68509-4666. Or, email comments to ded.publiccomment@nebraska.gov, with the subject line “2020 Proposed DR.” 
 

(KNZA)--Deputy Doniphan County Treasurer Nicole Diveley informed the County Commission on Monday that she has reconciled the county's bank statements with the treasurer's book from December 2017 to the present.

Diveley said several errors were discovered and corrected. 

A CPA firm advised the county earlier this year that since November 2017 the bank accounts had not been reconciled to the treasurer's book balances on record.

Current Treasurer Lindsey Etherton took over the office in October 2017.

Commissioners congratulated and expressed their appreciation to Diveley for performing the task.

(KMZA)--The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a string of road sign shootings.

The Sheriff's Office says deputies were dispatched to the area of Bigelow Road, west of Westmoreland, around 8:45 Saturday night for a report of an ATV driving around shooting.

Deputies found several road signs that had been shot on Antelope Run Road, Bigelow Road, Wilson Creek Road, Shady Lane, McKimmons Road, Pleasant Run Road and Myers Valley Road.

The ATV was described as being black with a cab and bed.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office at 785-457-3353 or leave a tip on their Crimestoppers link at ptsheriff.com

(KLZA)-- A North Carolina man suffered minor injuries in a Tuesday afternoon wreck on Interstate 29 about six miles south of Mound  City. 

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol report,  60-year-old Ronnie Johnson of Charlotte, North Carolina was northbound on the  interstate when the passenger side right front tire blew out on the semi-tractor he was driving.  The truck traveled off the east side of the interstate overturning onto its passenger side and struck a tree. 

Johnson was transported by the Atchison Holt Ambulance Squad to the Fairfax Community Hospital for treatment.  The truck suffered extensive damage. 

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

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City Council members approved a number of business items pertaining to city equipment when they met Monday evening. 

The Council voted to purchase a new Chevrolet pickup from Brinkman Brothers in Tecumseh at a cost of $32,500.  Brinkman's submitted the lowest of five bids received for a new pickup. 

Council members decided to allow the lease to expire on a John Deere tractor.  A new 6-foot Bush Hog mower to fit on the front of the Bobcat Skidsteer was approved  at a cost of $5,500

Discussion was also held about trading in a 25-year-old backhoe the city owns and replacing it with a mini-excavator.  More information will be gathered before a decision is made.  

The council also approved removing and doing a clean out of a couple of very old driveway tubes in the city.

Replacing the City Christmas lights was tabled.  The preliminary estimate to replace the current lights is approximately $24-thousand.

(KLZA)-- Testing for up to 200 residents of Atchison and Holt counties in Missouri are available Wednesday from 4 – 8:00 P.M. 

The Atchison and Holt County Health Departments in collaboration with Community Hospital in Fairfax will provide COVID-19 testing for residents seven years of age and older.

Testing is available even if you do not have symptoms.  The testing will involve using a swab to take a sample from inside the nose and can be uncomfortable.  

The testing is free.  The location and time will be provided to those wanting the test once you have completed a registration form.   You can register online at https://dcphdo02redcap.azurewebsites.net/redcapsurveys/...

(KLZA)-- Two more cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Otoe County.  

The Southeast District Health Department has confirmed the additional cases,  one is a woman in her sixties and one is a woman in her fifties and both live in Otoe County. 

The new cases bring the total number of cases in Otoe County to 16. There have been 31  cases of coronavirus confirmed in the five-county district.  Six cases have been reported in Johnson County,  five in Richardson County,  four in Nemaha County with no cases confirmed in Pawnee County. 

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission on Monday selected a firm to prepare a comprehensive plan for the county.

Selected was Marvin Planning Consultants, of David City, Nebraska.

The firm was recommended by a group consisting of Seneca Planning Commission member Jim Reitz, Seneca City Council member Ray Shinn and Sabetha Planning Commission member Scott Wedel. The three were enlisted to assist the county in its selection.

In making the recommendation, the group said Marvin Planning has worked with other city's in the area and is familiar with Nemaha County.

The group recommended that a committee consisting of one person from each township and one person from each city in the county be formed to assist in developing the comprehensive plan.

The Commission will contact Keith Marvin, with Marvin Planning, to have him submit a proposal. 

(KNZA)--A Troy man was seriously injured late Tuesday night in a UTV accident in south central Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 59-year-old Michael Chapple was riding a UTV off a county road about two miles north of Bunker, Missouri when it overturned, trapping him underneath.

Chapple was taken by air ambulance to a hospital in Springfield.

The Patrol says he was not wearing a safety device when the accident occurred shortly after 10:30.

(KAIR)--Atchison County has confirmed its 28th positive case of COVID-19.
That word came through a news release issued Monday by Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter.

Lanter, in the release, identified the person as a man in his twenties who is isolating at home.
The latest confirmation is identified as the 5th case of community spread in Atchison County.
24 of Atchison County’s cases have recovered.

Jackson County has had 104 confirmed positive cases. According to county health officials, 100 have recovered while two remained hospitalized as of June 18. Jackson County has incurred 1 death.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Monday reported that Doniphan County has had 25 confirmed positive cases. As of June 19, 20 had recovered, according to the county health department.

Brown County has had 11 cases, Pottawatomie County has had 51, Nemaha County has had 23, and Leavenworth County has had 1,130 confirmed positive cases.

KDHE confirms at total of 12,465 cases in 92 of the state’s 105 counties.

Kansas has experienced 259 virus-related deaths.

(KAIR)--COVID-19 restrictions remain in place for Atchison County, with phase 3.5 of the County's reopening plan taking effect Wednesday and remaining in place through July 7.
That follows unanimous approval of the plan by the Atchison County Commission during the board’s regular Tuesday meeting.

Among those outlining the details of the latest reopening phase was Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter. “Phase 3.5 is still a mass gathering of 45 people,” Lanter said. “We did remove some stuff out of there to make it less restrictive, that’s why we didn’t stay with 3.0.”

Atchison County Health Officer Lori Forge told the Commission that implementing the new phase follows Kansas Governor Laura Kelly Monday encouraging counties to keep restrictions in place due to an uptick in virus cases. “Just over the weekend, Saturday and Sunday, the State reported an increase of 400 cases, just in two days, and then 5 deaths. Recently, for our county, we have had community spread, lots of contacts, so right now we’re monitoring 70. That means they are either in quarantine, or their isolated. Isolation is if it’s a positive case and quarantine is a close contact of a positive case.”

Forge urged Atchison County residents to remember the vulnerable when going about their business. “For people who are at higher risk, please be cautious, and for people who aren’t, think of those people, think of the people who are higher risk and what it might mean to them if they were get the virus. Just look out for each other.”

The latest phase will be re-evaluated when the July 7 deadline arrives.

(KNZA)--A Willis man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison on charge of aggravated sexual battery.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill said 20-year-old Anthony Lay will also be required to register as a sex offender for a period of 25 years upon his release from prison.

Lay was sentenced Monday in Brown County District Court on charges in three separate cases dating back to 2018.

The sentences in the three cases, which also included charges of felony criminal possession of a firearm and fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, were ordered to be served at the same time.

Lay was given credit for 335 days served in jail.

He pleaded no contest to the sexual battery charge in January, canceling a jury trial that had been set in the case.

Lay had originally been charged with rape.

He was arrested in January 2019 on the rape charge following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department.

(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) St. Joseph police are investigating an incident involving an off-duty officer captured on video.

The officer has been identified as Officer Brandon Harrison and has been with the St. Joseph Police Department since January 2019.

KQ2-TV reports that cell phone video showed a man, identified as off-duty police officer Harrison, yelling profanities at another man on a sidewalk and threatening to beat him up. The video was posted to TikTok, a social media platform over the weekend, and has now been viewed 1.6 million times.

In the video, Harrison, dressed in plain clothes, is seen approaching a man on a sidewalk. There’s some back-and-forth about a car accident, Harrison alleging the man hit his car and arguing with him about whether he told the truth to the female officer on the scene. Harrison, the off-duty officer, then tells the man to sit down but the man refuses because the off-duty officer is not in uniform.

The on-duty female officer backed up Harrison’s demand and tells the man to sit down.

According to the police department, the officer has been relieved of police duties and placed on administrative leave. Harrison’s disciplinary record was not made immediately available. The incident is still under investigation.

The female officer is not on administrative duty, according to Saint Joseph Police, and her name has not been released by the department.

Warning: Strong language

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Library and Arts Center lobby has reopened to the public. 

Lobby hours will be Monday thru Friday,  10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.  The lobby will only be open for checking out materials.

There will be no use of computers,  no open restrooms,  no public phone access,  no meetings or programs and non access to newspapers.

Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult and anyone coming into the lobby is asked to please wear a mask.  

The drive-up window is open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.  

(KLZA)-- A 29th case of coronavirus has been confirmed within the Southeast District Health Department jurisdiction.

A female in her thirties who lives in Otoe County is the latest person to test positive. 

As of Monday,  there have been 14 confirmed cases in Otoe County,  six in Johnson County,  five in Richardson County,  four in Nemaha County and no cases in Pawnee County.  

(KLZA)-- A Sabetha man facing multiple drug and weapon charges in Richardson County has entered into a plea agreement. 

Originally facing 11 charges, 29-year-old Anthony Newcomb pleaded guilty earlier this month in Richardson County District Court to an amended felony charge of possession of a controlled substance, a felony charge of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, and a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon.

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

Sentencing was set for August 11.

Newcomb was arrested by a Richardson County sheriff's deputy in the early morning  hours of January, 23 in Humboldt, after the deputy learned he was wanted on felony warrants out of Nemaha County, Kansas.  

During the arrest, it's alleged that Newcomb was in possession of two knives,  brass knuckles, methamphetamine and syringes.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission on Monday interviewed two candidates for the new position of road and bridge secretary.

After interviewing the two, the Commission voted to offer the part-time position to Julie Liberty at a salary of $13.50 an hour. The pay will be re-elevated after 90 days.

In other business, the Commission voted to accept and sign a new cereal beverage license application for the Sac and Fox Truck Stop. The application will now be submitted to the Powhattan Township Board for approval.

(KNZA)--Horton’s Aquatic Park will open for the summer season, following a reversal of the original decision to keep it closed for the season.

Horton Mayor Bryan Stirton told MSC News the decision to open the municipal swimming pool was made during a meeting of the Horton City Commission held June 15.

According to Stirton, the reevaluation of the pool’s opening followed the lifting of COVID-19 related restrictions in Brown County.

The aquatic park is now set to open July 1.

Due to the virus, certain restrictions are put in place for the season, including a limit of no more than 75 patrons in the pool at one time.  The cleanliness of the facility will be constantly monitored by staff, with afternoon pool checks at 2:00 and 4:00 to be held for 15-minute periods of cleaning.

The pool will be open daily from 12 noon until 6:00.

The Commission on June 1 had voted to keep the aquatic park closed for the season, with Stirton, at that time, casting the lone no vote against the decision.

(KAIR)--Atchison motorists, this week, will need to use an alternative route, due to work planned on a portion of the city’s Main Street.

According to a release from the City of Atchison, the street, between 9th and 10th Streets, will be closed, beginning Tuesday, June 23, to allow Kansas Gas Service crews to install a new gas main.

It’s planned that the street will reopen by the end of the business day Thursday.

(KAIR)--A Holton man is accused of rape, following a Friday night Atchison County domestic altercation.

According to a report from Atchison County Undersheriff Toby Smith, Deputies were called to the 1200 block of Cheyenne Road around 10:00 Friday night following the report of an assault.

The investigation revealed that an altercation, and assault, had happened following an argument between two persons at that location.

Arrested at the scene was 40-year Travis Grahem, who faces charges for domestic battery and rape.

Following his arrest, Grahem was booked into the Atchison County Jail.
He has since been released on a $10,000 bond.

According to Smith, the investigation is continuing.

(KLZA)-- Unemployment figures dropped significantly during the month of May in Nebraska.

Statewide the unemployment rate dropped 3.5 percent to 5.2 percent in May, which is the lowest unemployment rate in the country.

In Southeast Nebraska the jobless rates were much better than the previous month.

Richardson and Pawnee counties had the lowest unemployment rate in the area at just 2.8 percent.  That represents a drop of 2.6 percent in Richardson County and 1.9 percent in Pawnee County.  

Gage County had the biggest decrease in unemployment, dropping more than 5 percent to 4.1 percent in May.  Elsewhere the unemployment rates were 3.8 percent in Johnson and Otoe counties and 3.9 percent in Nemaha County. 

Governor Pete Ricketts said the improved unemployment rate in the state is good news or small businesses and hardworking families who have already returned to work.

Nationally the jobless rate was 12.3 percent in May, down from 14.7 percent in April. 

(KLZA)-- A group of landowners with property in the Northwest part of Speiser Township,  which is southwest of Humboldt met with Richardson County Commissioners June 16th to discuss the status of a bridge in the area.

The bridge is located approximately a mile-and-a-half north of Highway 8on 630 Avenue and a short distance east on 707 Road. 

Robert Storant served as the groups spokesman and questioned whether or not the bridge could be repaired or replaced, calling it a vital  piece of infrastructure for the area farming operations. Concerns for the ability of emergency vehicles to reach destinations in the area were also  addressed. 

The group requested the bridge be made structurally sound. 

Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. said the bridge has many safety issues and will be closed at some point due to the costs of needed repairs to maintain the bridge. Darveau also explained what has been done to the bridge to keep it open.  

No action  was taken.  

(KLZA)-- Each year, AKSARBEN pays homage to the dedicated and hard-working Nebraska families who have met the incredible milestone of owning at least forty-acres of farmland within one family for one-hundred or one-hundred and fifty years, respectively. 

The Aksarben Foundation, along with Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers, announces this year’s 122 honorees for the Aksarben Pioneer Farm (100 years) and Aksarben Heritage Farm Awards (150 years). 
Aksarben began awarding the Pioneer Award in 1956, and since that time, nearly 10,000 farm families have received the award statewide. 
The Heritage Award was established in 2014, has been awarded to nearly 100 farm families. 

Due to COVID-19 many County Fairs are still questioning whether to have the fair this year. Instead of handing out the awards at County Fairs, Aksarben is working with both Nebraska Farm Bureau and the County Fair managers to get these awards out to our recipients across the state. 
To commemorate this milestone, each of these families will receive an engraved plaque and gatepost marker at the county fair in the county where their farm is located. 

The Aksarben Farm Families for 2020 include:
1. Johnson County
a. Gary and Kathleen Peters – Jacob Peter Family Farm, Established 1862** A Heritage Family Farm.
b. Nemaha Bend, LLC – Valentine Pella Family Farm, Established 1919

2. Nemaha County
a. Dennis Blount – Blount Family Farm, Established 1920

3. Pawnee County
a. Jeff and Tammy McClintock – McClintock Family Farm, Established 1856**  A Heritage Family Farm.
b. Dorothy Bstandig – Bstandig Family Farm, Established 1905

4. Richardson County
a. Keith and Brenda McKim – Keith and Brenda McKim Family Farm, Established 1870** A Heritage Family Farm.
b. Corbeck, Inc. – Cornelius Family Farm, Established 1861** A Heritage Family Farm.
c. Bradley and Cheryl Rausch – Rausch Family Farm, Established 1915
d. Susan Rieschick Brown and Jane Rieschick Peterson – Rieschick Family Farm, Established 1920

(KNZA)--Brown County election officials are making preparations for this year's elections aimed concerns about COVID-19.

In a Facebook post to Brown County registered voters, the Brown County Elections Office said all polling places will be open just like before. However, the post says they will be doing something different this year—mailing applications for an advance ballot by mail for both the August 4 primary and November 3 general election.

If you choose to complete the application, your asked to mail it back to the Brown County Elections Office. They will then send you a ballot, which you can cast and return from the safety of your home.

If you choose to vote at a polling location, the post says they will do their best to meet any COVID-19 guidelines that are in place.

(KNZA)--Unemployment rates in local northeast Kansas counties improved in May after rising significantly in April due to COVID-19.

According to a report released Friday by the Kansas Department of Labor, Jackson County had the highest jobless rate among area counties at 11.2 percent, while Marshall and Nemaha tied for the lowest rate at 4.6 percent.

Elsewhere, Atchison County's unemployment rate was 10 percent; Brown, 7.4 percent; Doniphan, 7.1 percent; Jefferson, 7.9 percent; Leavenworth, 10.5 percent; and Pottawatomie, 6.5 percent.

All the figures were down from April, but up significantly from May 2019.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in May was 10 percent. That's down nearly two percentage points from April, but up from 3.1 percent in May 2019.

Senior Labor Economist, Tyler Tenbrink, said the preliminary May estimates show Kansas gained back 17 percent of the jobs lost in March and April due to efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.

(KNZA)--Plans are proceeding for the city of Hiawatha's annual fireworks display.

The event will take place on Friday, July 3 at dusk along Windmill Lane at the Brown County Ag Museum on East Iowa Street.

Meanwhile, city residents can discharge fireworks at the Hiawatha City Lake on July 2 until 10 o'clock in the evening; July 3rd and 4th until midnight; and July 5 until 10:00.

(KNZA)--Few details are being released as the investigation continues into an alleged " electronically facilitated crime" in Hiawatha.

According to a release from Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill,  the Hiawatha Police Department received information pertaining to the alleged crime in late May.

Hiawatha Police, with the assistance of the Brown County Attorney, applied for and obtained a search warrant for digital evidence.

On June 13th, Hiawatha Police, with the assistance of Brown County Sheriff deputies, served a search warrant at a Hiawatha residence.

The release says no arrests have been made at this time and the investigation is still on-going.  

The Kansas Highway Patrol has also assisted in the investigation.

(KLZA)-- 153 people were tested for coronavirus during a two-day Test Nebraska, drive-thru screening event at Community Medical Center in Falls City, Wednesday and Thursday.

National Guard members conducted the testing doing four hours of testing each day. The screening event had the capacity of testing up to 200 people each day. 86 tests were given Wednesday and 67 more were administered Thursday.

It is expected it will take around three days for the test results to completed.

(KAIR)--Allegations of race-based profiling are being made by a Holton couple, who say they were loading groceries into their vehicle when authorities arrived, accusing them of stealing from the Holton Walmart. However, Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says there was no racial motivation behind the response.

The Kansas City Star reports 26-year-old Bracey Myles and his 20-year-old fiance, Alfreda Lange, were questioned for 20 minutes, while their infant son was left inside the hot vehicle. Allegedly, authorities told them they could not turn on the car, to run the air conditioning, and that’s when Myles began recording the incident, posting the video, which has gone viral, to Twitter. The couple claims the child suffered heat rash.

Morse, in a statement, said he wants to clarify a few of the comments “that were completely untrue.” Saying that he reviewed the full video, the encounter lasted 7 minutes and 19 seconds, not 20-minutes, and occurred after the deputies were called by Walmart for a reported theft.

Morse said Lange told one of the deputies no when he asked if she wanted to start the vehicle, despite the claim to the contrary. He said Lange was cooperative, helping to resolve the situation, while Myles stood with his hands in the air until he began filming.

Saying the deputies “simply responded to a call for service,” Morse, in the statement, said “in no way” were the individuals racially profiled, as “that type of behavior is not tolerated” in his office.

The couple, who have lived in Holton for about a month, says they were the only black people inside the store, and believe they were racially profiled.

A GoFundMe account has been established to help them move.
 

Editor's note: below is the full statement issued Friday, June 19, by Jackson Co Sheriff Tim Morse:

WARNING: Strong language:

Somebody help me out I was racially profiled and publicly humiliated pic.twitter.com/fYtwtGOcH9

— TheLakeWolf (@TheLakeWolf) June 17, 2020

(KAIR)--Allegations of race-based profiling are being made by a Holton couple, who say they were loading groceries into their vehicle when authorities arrived, accusing them of stealing from the Holton Walmart.

The Kansas City Star reports 26-year-old Bracey Myles and his 20-year-old fiance, Alfreda Lange, were questioned for 20 minutes, while their infant son was left inside the hot vehicle.
Allegedly, authorities told them they could not turn on the car, to run the air conditioning, and that’s when Myles began recording the incident, posting the video, which has gone viral, to Twitter.

The couple claims the child suffered heat rash.
Having lived in Holton for only about a month, the couple says they were the only black people inside the store, and believe they were racially profiled.

A GoFundMe account has been established to help them move.
The video shows two Deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and an Officer from the Holton Police Department.
Holton Police Chief Gale Gakle told the newspaper his officer was called to assist at the scene, but had few details about the incident, adding that he had no knowledge that any charges have been filed.
The newspaper’s attempts for a comment from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office had not been successful at the time of publication.
An email sent to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse Friday morning by MSC News was not immediately answered.

WARNING: Strong language:

Somebody help me out I was racially profiled and publicly humiliated pic.twitter.com/fYtwtGOcH9

— TheLakeWolf (@TheLakeWolf) June 17, 2020

(KAIR)--A car, reported stolen from Atchison this week, has been recovered.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the 1992 Lincoln Continental was recovered in Saint Joseph, Missouri Thursday night.
The vehicle is believed to have been taken sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, while parked in the 700 block of Atchison’s M Street.

According to Wilson, a suspect has been identified, with charges pending against a 25-year-old man, who is currently in custody in Buchanan County, Missouri.
Atchison Police Detectives are continuing the investigation, and reports are being submitted to the Atchison County Attorney’s Office.

(KLZA)-- A Falls City teenager was transported for medical treatment following a wreck Friday, June 12 on the west edge of Falls City.

According to a Falls City Police Department report, 15-year-old Brookelyn Simon was going south on Clifton Avenue, stopped at the STOP sign at 21st Street then attempted to turn east onto 21st Street when a westbound Chevy Tahoe driven by 33-year-old Erin Rieschick of Falls City struck the drivers side of the the Simon car.

Simon told the investigating officer that she stopped but could not see around the hill which was obstructing her vision when she looked east.

Simon was transported to Community Medical Center in Falls City by the Falls City Volunteer Ambulance Squad with what was described as a disabling head injury.

Simon was issued a citation. Both vehicles were totaled in the wreck.

(KLZA)-- During the June 8 Pawnee City Council meeting, it was decided to spend a surprise windfall of $500 toward a repair project.

City Clerk Tami Curtis received a $500 check in the mail from a  woman in Council Bluffs. 

Along with the check was a letter from Ann Carlson explaining that some 45 years ago she had failed to pay a $500 bill at an auto body shop in Pawnee City that no longer exists.

Carlson directed the money to be used for something in the community. 

Currently the stained glass window in the Cornerstone Building is being repaired.  Curtis said the Council decided to put the funds toward the repair of the stained glass that will be placed inside the building once it is repaired.

(KLZA)-- Humboldt-Table Rock – Steinauer students will begin the 2020-21school year on August 5. 

During a special Board meeting June 12,  Board members approved the amended calendar which will have teachers starting back to school August 3. 

Sheriff Rick Hardesty met with the HTRS Board during their regular meeting on June 8.  He informed the Board that due to manpower requirements he cannot fully commit to having a resource officer at the school 20 hours per week as previously planned, but hopes to be able to serve in some manner. 

The Board did approve applying for a  bus grant that will be available.  The purchase, if the grant is approved would be made during the next school year.  

The Board also approved the purchase of two stainless steel boilers for the original school building at a cost of $23-thousand.  One of the boilers quit late last winter and parts are difficult to find to repair the boilers.

(KAIR)--Atchison Police are searching for a missing car.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the owner of the 1992 Lincoln Continental reported it stolen on Wednesday.

It was taken while parked in the 700 block of M Street, believed to have been stolen sometime between 11:00 Tuesday night and 6:20 Wednesday morning.

According to Wilson, the car is green with a white vinyl top.

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

(KNZA)--The “ phase out” of Jackson County's re-opening plan will take effect Sunday, with no more limits on mass gatherings.

However, Jackson County Health Officer Angela Reith is still strongly encouraging area residents to social distance, wear a face mask in public, practice good hand hygiene and to stay home if sick.

As of Thursday, Jackson County had experienced 104 positive cases of COVID-19. 100 the individuals have recovered, while two remain hospitalized. The county saw one virus related death last month.

Meanwhile, after closing last month following a report of a “ cluster” of coronavirus cases, the Johnsonville plant in Holton is back up and running.

A company spokesman said the plant, which is the city's largest employer, reopened May 27 after additional measures were taken to prevent the spread of the virus.

The plant closed May 13 after five employees tested positive for COVID-19.

The plant has about 240 employees.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council Wednesday evening approved the sale of a city-owned tract of land to a local church.

Following an executive session, the Council approved the sale of 7 acres located at Main Street and Community Drive to the North Ridge Church for $210,000.

The church plans to build new facility at the location.

In other business, Fire Chief Brett Ohlsen met with the Council to seek permission to replace the department's secondary tanker truck.

The Council requested Ohlsen get cost estimates and come back before the Council.

In addition, the Council approved allowing swimming lessons at the Aquatic Center this season, and the opening of the concession stand.

The Aquatic Center opened on June 16 after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in the county.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha resident is urging the city to step up its code enforcement efforts.

Richard Tesoriero addressed the City Commission Monday evening.

Tesoriero, who moved back to the community several years ago, said the perception is the city doesn't seem to have a lot of rules.

He said the city needs to get on top of the code violations in town, which he believes take too long to address. Tesoriero said residents he has talked to agree.

He suggested the Commission look at hiring some temporary help for Code Enforcement Officer Dave Wilson.

Wilson, who is part-time, currently works 20 hours a week. City Administrator Mike Nichols said he has included funding in the proposed 2021 budget that would allow Wilson to work 30 hours a week.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners on Tuesday approved an interlocal agreement that includes Pawnee, Nemaha, Johnson and Otoe counties to participate in the Southeast Nebraska Adult Drug Court program. 

The cost to the County will be $2,605 for the courts operating budget for the next fiscal year.

Board members also approved entering into an agreement with Region V Services for Emergency Protective Care patients  for a period of one year commending July 1 at a cost of $214 per day.  

Also discussed were agreements with the LMO Consulting  under the leadership of Laura Osborne to implement a 4 County Juvenile Services Plan and with Maxine Schatz to implement a 4 County Juvenile Services Diversion Education program. Commissioners will revisit the proposal and discuss funding during their June 30 meeting. 

An agreement with Nemaha and Otoe counties to be part of the Southeast Nebraska Emergency Notification System with Everbridge as the Integrated Public Alert Warning System platform was also approved.  

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee County Commissioners met with Erin Plager and Holly Siske with the Pawnee County Ag Society to discuss the 2020 Pawnee County Fair plans  on Tuesday. There will be a special meeting June 24 during which all fair options will be discussed.  One Commissioner will attend the special Ag Society meeting. 

Earlier the Pawnee County Fair for 2020 was cacnelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(KAIR)--Atchison Police are searching for a missing car.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the owner of the 1992 Lincoln Continental reported it stolen on Wednesday.
It was taken while parked in the 700 block of M Street, believed to have been stolen sometime between 11:00 Tuesday night and 6:20 Wednesday morning.

According to Wilson, the car is green with a white vinyl top.
Anyone with information related to the theft is urged to call Atchison Police at (913) 367-4323.

(KLZA)-- Test Nebraska is wrapping up two days of drive-thru COVID-19 testing at the Community Medical Center campus in Falls City with testing hours from 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Thursday. 

During a Richardson County Health Board meeting Wednesday,  Southeast District Health Department Director Grant Brueggemann was asked if there was any particular reason why the free testing site was conducted in Falls City. 

Brueggemann said the state selects the sites and wants to help residents avoid long travel distances to major testing sites.  With Falls  City being located in the southeast corner of the state, it was a location they state selected. 

Brueggmen did say that with the loosening of more restrictions across the state of Nebraska beginning June 22,  he suggests the people continue to observe social distancing and wearing masks when out in public. 

If you wish to be tested during the TEST Nebraska event in Falls City, you can sign up in advance at testnebraska.com/en. 

The event is for persons that either reside in or work in Nebraska.
 

(KLZA)-- The Auburn City Council approved three grants and use of funds for Downtown Revitalization Projects when they met June 8.

The Council approved a request for a new housing grant of $10-thousand from Bryan and Amber Kinnaman for construction of a new house at 1604, 9th Street.  

Rehabilitation grant requests were approved for up to $10-thousand for Ruth Riley -Lutes and Randall Lutes for properties at 1117 and 1119, 13th Street, along with a property at 1108, 22nd Street  for Felicia and Tony Shefferd.  

The DTR grant funds were approved for Ruth Heywood for a downtown project utilizing money paid back on previous downtown revitalization projects.   

The Council also approved a bid for removing a nuisance at 1622 “L” Street and a bid from Scott Reid for purchase and maintenance of a City owned nuisance property at 2500 “P” Street.

Council members did vote to approve requesting the return of real estate at 1300 7th Street from Nick Bantz for failure to comply with the real estate transfer agreement which included abatement of the nuisance within a year. 
 

(KLZA)-- The Holt County U.S. Route 159 bridge over Interstate 29 (Exit 79) near Mound City is now open. 

Contractors from Boone Construction Co., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, began a project to replace the bridge deck in late February and reopened the bridge to traffic Wednesday night.

The next phase of this two-part project, is underway as the contractor works to replace the U.S. Route 159 bridge over Penny Slu, just west of Route 111 near Fortescue. Crews expect to reopen the Penny Slu bridge in mid-August.

All work is weather-permitting, and schedules are subject to change. 

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners have approved financing for a new radio system for the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center.

In May the Board learned the cost of the system would carry a price tag of $182,050 with the price based on a Nebraska Administrative Services Contract so no formal bidding was required.

Commissioners had quotes from the Nebraska Association of County Officials through a lease-purchase program and from American National Bank.

The Board approved the quote from American National Bank for a three-year lease purchase plan with an interest rate of 1.23 percent. 

The Sheriff's Department has been concerned for several year about dead spots in the county that do not allow officers to communicate with one another.  

(KAIR)--Controversy at Atchison’s Benedictine College following a social media post made by a student.

According to a statement released Wednesday afternoon by College President Steven Minnis, the post, or meme, was “an historically inaccurate and offensive graphic” asserting that the first slave owner in America was black.

Minnis identifies the one who made the post as a member of the student chapter of Turning Point USA, a conservative non-profit organization whose connections with far-right and white nationalist organizations are documented by the American Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Saying that the college was “deeply disturbed” by the meme, Minnis, in the release, said the message implied in the meme, “that enslavement was not an institution imposed on black people by white people,” “is wrong in every sense of the word.”

Adding that even if that “was not the I intent of the student,” “it was nevertheless an act that could only cause needless pain, especially to [the college’s] black Raven family members.”

The release says “the Dean of Students is currently evaluating the appropriate response” to Turning Point USA “in light of the rules governing student organizations,” and is working with the college’s Graduate Assistant for Diversity Initiatives “to develop programs for the fall that will emphasize how [the college] can better address” what Minnis calls “the sad legacy of slavery and racism in today’s society and on campus.”

Although the founder of the Illinois-based Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, has denounced white supremacy as “not what Turning Point believes,” members, and spokespersons, have been embroiled in a number of race-based controversies.

According to screenshots posted to the Benedictine College Facebook page, in a discussion regarding the statement from Minnis, the meme, since deleted, had been posted to the Instagram account tpusa.bc. A second screenshot shows another post from the account, apparently from the same user, saying they would not apologize, but had deleted the meme because “the intention was misunderstood.”

The college, in the Facebook discussion, said the account did not have college approval.

Stephen D. Minnis, President of Benedictine College, issued the following statement on Wednesday, June 17, 2020.

(KAIR)--Although most Kansas counties are seeing a downward trend in COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths, 13 of the state’s 105 counties are experiencing increasing rates.

That word came in a social media post Wednesday morning from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.

The local counties of Atchison and Brown are among the baker’s dozen seeing a rise.

Atchison County has had 27 cases, with 24 having recovered, leaving three active cases as of Wednesday.
Brown County has had 13 cases to date, with 12 recovered.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Wednesday said the state has seen 11,681 confirmed positive cases in 91 counties.
247 Kansas deaths are reported.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports that health officials are reporting 41 cases of the coronavirus and one death linked to funeral services and visitations in Topeka’s Shawnee County.

The county's health department says the positive cases include residents from five different counties. Health officials urged families to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and work with funeral directors and religious leaders to keep services safe.

Possible steps include wearing masks, limiting attendance, practicing social distancing and using technology to connect virtually. 

(KMZA)--Seneca Downtown Impact has been awarded a COVID-19 rerecovery grant.

According to a release, the organization is among eight Kansas Main Street communities to receive the grant by the National Main Street Center and the Kansas Main Street Program.

The release says the grant provides funds to downtown's impacted by COVID-19 to implement ideas for marketing or promotion to help reopen the commercial district safely.

The program is made possible by Union Pacific.

Seneca Downtown Impact will receive $3,000.

Kylee Luckeroth, executive director of the Seneca Area Chamber and Downtown Impact, says they are excited to be chosen as a grant recipient. She said the grant will be used to promote visitors and residents alike to “ Re Discover Seneca”, a new event inviting people back to Seneca and Main Street.

Grant project ideas were judged based on how they would contribute to commercial commercial district recovery efforts, as well as their community impact after the initial project implementation.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Volunteer Fire Department responded to a kitchen fire at 1607 Towle Street Monday evening at about 7:45. 

A fire extinguisher was used to put out a small fire on the stove in the home.

Firefighters removed the stove from the home.  Minor damage was done to the stove and the walls sustained smoke damage.

The Fire Department remained on the scene for approximately one hour.  The rental home is owned by Rhett and Rebecca Blakley.  
 

(KAIR)--Graduation ceremonies are now scheduled for students of the Atchison County Community Schools.

 According to a social media post from USD 377, the structure for the late July ceremonies has been set through guidance provided to the school district’s administration from both the Atchison County Health Department and the USD 377 Board of Education.

Graduation ceremonies had been placed on hold due to restrictions put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.  

The rescheduled ceremonies for the ACCHS Class of 2020 will be held Sunday evening,  July 26, at Tiger Stadium, in Effingham.  The ACCJH 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony will also be held at that location the next evening, Monday, July 27, at 7:00.

 According to the release, “it is suggested that each graduate limit the number of guests to 10 or fewer.”

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council Monday night approved a motion to begin renting Candlelight Cabin and Prichard Auditorium beginning June 22.

However, a waiver form is being created concerning the facilities being rented while there are still restricted health measures in place.

Under Phase III of lifting the statewide restrictive health measures,  the buildings can only be occupied up to 50 percent of capacity.

Following a public hearing drawing no public comment, a request for a conditional use permit for automotive repair and storage and 1224 Stone Street from Dennis Hullman was approved.  

Hullman plans to build either a 50 x 100 or 60 x 100 building on the site.  

(KLZA)-- The Nemaha County, Nebraska Sheriff's Department reports at least seven vehicles in Auburn were gone through with thefts reported from most of them this past weekend.

One individual reported their vehicle had been taken,  it was recovered in Auburn at Rotary Lake.

A press release from the  Sheriff's Office said it appears the vehicles that were entered did not have their doors locked.  The Sheriff's Office is advising vehicle owners to lock their vehicle doors and recommend that valuable items not be  stored in vehicles, or if they are, don't leave them in open sight.

If anyone has information or had items taken from a vehicle Saturday night in Sunday,  please call the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office at 402-274-3139. 

(KNZA)--A Mayetta teen was arrested following an early Tuesday morning Jackson County pursuit.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a release, said a sheriff's deputy observed red 2012 Honda Civic traveling southbound on W. Road from 174th Road shortly before 1:30. 

Morse said the deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, which allegedly eluded the deputy. A pursuit ensued, and the vehicle struck a stop sign.  The deputy observed the bumper from the car lying in the roadway.

Morse said the vehicle stopped near 158th and T. Roads, where the rear seat passenger allegedly fled on foot.

The driver, identified as 18-year-old Skylar Joe Robert Mechtley, was arrested.

Mechtley was transported to the Jackson County Jail where he was booked on charges of fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A man who was shot and killed Monday afternoon by Kansas law enforcement was wanted in a Nebraska killing.

Omaha, Nebraska, police said the man who was killed is 31-year-old Nicholas Hirsh, a white man who faced a first-degree murder arrest warrant for the shooting death Thursday of 41-year-old John Miles, of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The U.S. Marshals Service said it appeared that the suspect had been in Kansas since Friday, when a car was stolen from Clay Center.

The Kansas Highway Patrol spotted the car near Perry Lake in Jefferson County and pursued it to Lawrence. The patrol says he was shot after pointing a gun at officers.

(KAIR)--A California man was arrested Monday, accused of making threats at a Jefferson County bank.

WIBW-TV reports the man, identified as 44-year-old Jeffrey Olsen, went to the First State Bank and Trust, in Perry, and drew suspicions of staff, who notified authorities.

Leaving the bank, Olsen then returned about 30-minutes later, and allegedly told bank staff terrorists were going to kill them.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded, and Sheriff Jeff Herrig told the TV station Olsen was uncooperative with Deputies, who tased him in order to take him into custody.

Olsen faces charges for criminal threat and interference with law enforcement.
Following his arrest, he was booked into the Jefferson County Jail.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening further discussed the reopening of city facilities.

Following discussion, the Commission voted to begin opening City Hall to the public as of noon Tuesday. City Hall had previously been open by appointment only.

Customers are asked to enter through the 7th Street doors, and exit through the Oregon Street doors. When entering, customers will be required to sign a form for tracking purposes. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available. The public restrooms at City Hall will remain closed.

On the recommendation of Parks and Recreation Director Stacy Jasper, the Commission approved allowing scheduled events only at the Fisher Center with no gathering limits.

The doors to the facility will be remain locked to the public in order to control foot traffic.

The Commission voted to re-open the public restrooms at Bruning and Noble Parks, with Commissioner Toni Hull casting the lone dissenting vote.

On the recommendation of Police Chief John Defore, the Commission approved keeping the Law Enforcement Center closed to the public. Customers can schedule an appointment. It will be revisited in two weeks.

(KNZA)--Congress has approved $356 million in funding to construct a new federal correctional institute and satellite federal prison camp in Leavenworth.

Senator Jerry Moran, in a release Monday, announced the funding for the project.

The Kansas Republican said the new facilities will bring the Leavenworth prison system into the 21st century, while also providing hundreds of jobs during the multi-year construction of the facilities.

Moran said its one of the largest federal projects undertaken in Kansas in the last few years. He said he will continue to work with the city of Leavenworth and the Federal Bureau of Prisons to get the project to completion.

This project will replace older buildings at the penitentiary and help modernize the Leavenworth prison system.

The new facilities will be built on land owned by the Bureau of Prisons. The Bureau of Prisons is currently conducting an environmental impact study before construction can begin.

Congress appropriated $175 million for the project in fiscal year 2019 and the additional $181 million in fiscal year 2020.

(KLZA)-- Falls City Council members spent more than 30 minutes discussing whether or not to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southeast District Health Department that would give the health department control over the protection of the citizens against the spread of communicable disease, illness, and poisoning.

Tabled earlier this month because Council members expressed concern about giving up control,  SEDHD Director Grant Brueggemann explained it was not the intent of the organization to seize control from the City, but rather to aid the City in enforcing those regulations with any action being done in concert with elected City officials. 

Brueggemann noted he had not prepared the MOU,  noting it had been written a number of years ago by a group of Health District Directors .

City Attorney Mike Dunn was asked to prepare an ordinance to be considered in place of the MOU.   Dunn said he feels the ordinance is give the city more flexibility and more control.  If approved, the ordinance would adopt the SEDHD regulations and allow them to be enforced within the city limits with the Falls City Police Department being mainly responsible for enforcement. 

Dunn also said he feels the City Board of Health could likely take needed action quicker than if the authority was turned over the the Southeast District Health District. 
 
During the lengthy discussion, Falls City physician Dr. Justin Westengaard was asked for his opinion on the matter. He said Falls City has really good doctors in Falls City  and support staff at Community Medical Center that are capable of making these types of decisions.  

Westengaard said he did not see an advantage to the MOU and called some of the wording included in the document kind of scary.

The proposal to adopt the Memorandum of Understanding died due to the lack of a motion. Dunn will draft an ordinance that will be discussed during the next Council meeting. 

(KLZA)-- Test Nebraska will be in Falls City Wednesday and Thursday offering free COVID-19 drive-thru testing to those living or working in Nebraska.

The testing will be conducted on the  Community Medical Center campus.  There will be no cost for the test and a physicians order for the test is not required.

If you wish to be tested, you must sign u first with testnebraska.com/en.  Signing up in advance will help speed up the testing process.

The testing will be available Wednesday from 8:00 A.M. to noon  and Thursday,  from 4:00 P.M.  to 8:00 P.M.  

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening approved the appointment of Gene Atland as fire chief.

The Commission took the action on the recommendation of the Hiawatha Fire Department.

Atland has served as interim chief since last November. He was appointed to the interim role after the Commission voted to remove Ryan Shockley as fire chief.

The Commission last month approved the appointments of all other city positions, except fire chief. A recommendation from the fire department to appoint Shockley to the position failed to garner a motion.

City Administrator Mike Nichols informed the Commission at their June 1 meeting that he had recently became aware that Kansas Statue requires those appointed to city positions be a resident of the city or live within a two-mile radius. Shockley lives outside the two-mile radius.

Atland's appointment is for a two-year term.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A man who was shot and killed Monday afternoon by Kansas law enforcement was wanted in a Nebraska killing.

Omaha, Nebraska, police said the man who was killed is 31-year-old Nicholas Hirsh, a white man who faced a first-degree murder arrest warrant for the shooting death Thursday of 41-year-old John Miles, of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The U.S. Marshals Service said it appeared that the suspect had been in Kansas since Friday, when a car was stolen from Clay Center.

The Kansas Highway Patrol spotted the car near Perry Lake in Jefferson County and pursued it to Lawrence. The patrol says he was shot after pointing a gun at officers.

(KAIR)--Atchison County has confirmed its latest case of COVID-19, bringing the county’s total to 27.

According to a release issued Monday afternoon by Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter, the person is a woman in her thirties who is isolating at home.
21 of Atchison County’s cases have recovered.

According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Monday, 91 of the state’s 105 counties have now been impacted by the virus. As of last week, cases had been confirmed in 90 counties.
The state reports 11,419 cases statewide and 245 deaths.

The Brown County Sheriff's  Department's K-9, Ari, assisted area law enforcement in several recent drug seizures.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said the Sheriff's Department  last Thursday assisted Kickapoo Tribal Police in a vehicle chase that started on K-20.

The suspect vehicle was followed in to the Sac and Fox casino parking lot.  Brown County K-9 Ari was deployed around the vehicle and alerted. About 3.2 grams of meth was located.  

24-year-old David Bridger, of Weston, Missouri, was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, and flee and attempt to elude.   Also arrested was 31-year-old Alexandra Furry, of Weston, on a charge of interference with law enforcement.

On Friday, Merchant said 54-year-old Darren Blandin, of Horton, was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia by the Brown County K-9 Unit.

On Saturday, Merchant said the Brown County K-9 Unit assisted Richardson County Sheriff's office on a search warrant at a Falls City residence.  Ari alerted on areas inside the 2 story house and also on a vehicle outside of the residence.  Four
individuals were arrested on drug related charges.

Also on Saturday, the Brown County Sheriffs office assisted the Hiawatha Police Department on a search warrant in the city of Hiawatha.

(KNZA)--All COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted in Doniphan County.

According to a release, the Doniphan County Board of Health and Local Health Officer Dr. Bradley Gaul issued an executive order lifting the restrictions as of Monday morning.

County health officials urge residents to use good judgment and to not lower their guard in practicing COVID-19 infection control measures. Such measures include social distancing of at least 6 feet, wearing a cloth mask in public, frequent hand washing and staying home if sick.

The release notes the Doniphan County Board of Health and local health officer retain the authority to issue new orders if the need arises.

Doniphan County has experienced 20 cases of COVID-19. As of June 10, all but two had recovered.

(KLZA)-- Charges have been filed in connection with a fatal two-vehicle wreck in Richardson County in February.

19-year-old Ty Goodell, of Delaware, Oklahoma, has been charged in Richardson County District Court with a felony count of  involuntary manslaughter along with mulitple misdemeanor charges.

Killed in the February 19 wreck on U.S. 75 Highway near the Richardson-Nemaha County line was 69-year-old Robert Hansen, of Lincoln.

The Richardson County Sheriff's Department says Goodell was northbound when his pickup truck pulling a flatbed trailer crossed the center and struck a southbound pickup driven by Hansen.

Goodell is scheduled to appear in Richardson County Court on July 6th on the charges.  

(KLZA)-- A section of Route E in Holt County, Missouri is scheduled to be shut down twice this week as part of the Interstate 29 bridge deck replacement projects of Kimsey Creek and Route E, located south of Mound City.

Clarkson Construction will close Route E Tuesday and Friday,  to pour the new I-29 bridge deck. The roadway will remain closed from 4:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.  each day. During each closure, motorists must use an alternate route. 

The work is weather permitting and the schedule  is subject to change.

The bridge work is included in Missouri Governor Mike Parson's $351 million focus on Bridges program, which will repair or replace 250 bridges across the state. 

(KLZA)-- If  you are planning to attend the Falls City High School graduation ceremony Saturday afternoon at 2 at Jug Brown Stadium,  there are a number of guidelines you must follow in order to safeguard against the spread of COVID-19 during the program.

There will be no fellowship or social gatherings, or other functions before or after the ceremony on school grounds. 

Students are encouraged to drive to the ceremony and park in the northeast lot.  Parents are encouraged to park in the south and west lots.  Social distancing intervals of 6-feet will be placed at the entrance to the stadium.

Students will enter the stadium through the south gate and be spaced at 6–foot intervals on the football field.  Parents will enter through the north gate prior to seniors entering and be assisted to assigned stadium benches.  

Each student is allowed a maximum of 8 guests, including immediate family and will sit in the stadium distanced from other families.

Following the ceremony, students will exit through the north gate at 6-foot intervals and leave the parking lot immediately.  

After the students have exited, parents will be dismissed usher style at intervals and a pace to maintain social distancing. Parents will exit  through the north gate and leave the parking lot immediately after dismissal from the ceremony.

(KLZA)-- A felony charge of involuntary manslaughter along with numerous misdemeanor charges have been filed against an Oklahoma man in connection with a fatal wreck on U.S. Highway 75 near the Richardson – Nemaha county line that occurred in February.

19-year-old Ty  Goodell of Delaware, Oklahoma was northbound in a 2007 Dodge Ram pickup pulling a flatbed trailer February 19, his truck crossed the center line, striking a southbound pickup driven by 69-year-old Robert Hansen of Lincoln.
 
Goodell is facing misdemeanor charges including reckless driving, operating a commercial vehicle without a commercial license,  driving a commercial vehicle without qualification due to being under 21, tire and brake violations and failure to maintain a record system or log book.

Goodell is scheduled to appear in Richardson County Court on July 6th on the charges.  

(KLZA)-- The Auburn swimming pool will open Wednesday, June 17. 

The City Council has approved guidelines that will allow the pool to be open. In two weeks, a meeting will be held to see if any directed health measures have been changed to allow the rules to be loosened.

The pool will open daily for a lap swim session from 11:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.  Theere will be a 10-person limit.

There will be three regular swim sessions per day. The times will be 1 – 2:30 P.M.  3 – 4:30 P.M. and 5 – 6:30 P.M.  In between swimming sessions the staff will be cleaning and sanitizing the facility.  

To swim, you must make a reservation online.  A registrant can apply for up to three slots per week, and no more than one slot per day. There will be a 50-person per session limit.  

You can find the reservation link on the Auburn Municipal Pool Facebook page.  

Reservations will not be rescheduled if the pool closes for rain or other uncontrollable circumstances.  

The rest of the rules can be found on the Auburn Municipal Pool Facebook page.  

(KNZA)--The South Brown County Schools of USD 430 has received two grants to open an additional pre-school this fall at the Horton Elementary School.

 The pre-school will be available to 3 and 4-year-olds.  

The USD 430 Board at their June 8th meeting voted to approve the purchase and construction of a new wall in the preschool room at the elementary school for the new pre-school.

 In other business, graduation plans were discussed.  An outdoor graduation ceremony for the class of 2020 has been set for Tuesday evening, June 16 at 6:00 at Charger Stadium.  Those attending will need to maintain social distancing guidelines.  

Following an executive session, the Board accepted the resignation of 5th grade language arts teacher Crystal Willich, effective at the end of the current school year. She has accepted a similar position with the Hiawatha school district.  

The Board approved the hiring of Sarah Gerving as the new 5th grade language arts teacher for the 2020-21 school year.  

In addition, the Board voted to hire Kyli Brenner as the 5th grade social studies/science teacher for next school year.

(KLZA)--An investigation by the Richardson County Sheriff's Office leads to the arrest of four Falls City residents on drug charges.

The Sheriff's Office said in a release that 45-year-old Donald Baxter, 27-year-old Jeremiah Eppens, 33-year-old Robert Sanders and 44-year-old Kelly Simpson were arrested Saturday after a search warrant was served on a Falls City residence.

Baxter and Simpson were arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of narcotic equipment and possession with the intent to Deliver.

Eppens and Sanders were arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of narcotic equipment.

Assisting the Richardson County Sheriff's Office were the Nebraska State Patrol, Sac and Fox Tribal Police and the Brown County Sheriff's Office and their K-9 unit.

(KLZA)--Maintenance has been completed on some of the outdoor warning sirens in Richardson County.

Richardson County Emergency Management is thanking the citizens for their patience and understanding the last three weeks while the work was completed.

The siren  in Barada that was not working due to a completely different issue has also been repaired. It is believed the siren was struck by lightning and had an electrical board that was destroyed.  The siren is now fully functional.

(KLZA)--Pawnee City Council members approved a salary ordinance for city employees when they met Monday evening. 

Most employees will be receiving a quarter-per-hour raise.  Library employees will receive a two-percent pay increase.  

The Council approved a reimbursement request in an amount of $2-thousand for Derek Niss for a property he cleaned up.  Niss now has an opportunity to apply for a matching amount through another City program.    

The council discussed the Truck Parking Lot.  Truck drivers are encouraged to park their rigs in the lot,  but there is an issue with how many can fit on the property.  Options are being reviewed.  

Action was tabled on a request from the owners of Shirley's Place to amend the ordinance banning the serving of alcohol until noon on Sundays.

(KAIR)--A Wednesday night Atchison wreck sent a man to the hospital, with charges pending as the investigation moves forward.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 34-year-old Charles Walker, of Atchison, collided with a traffic light pole at 14th and U.S. Highway 59 around 10:15 Wednesday night.
He had been westbound on the highway, turning south onto George Street, when the wreck happened.
According to the report, Walker was transported by Atchison County EMS for hospital treatment.
Wilson told MSC News the wreck occurred as officers were investigating a disturbance in the 1000 block of Kansas Avenue, reported around the same time.
A damaged, parked truck was seen at that location by police, with a 33-year-old victim telling them it had been struck by a vehicle driven by a person they knew, who fled the scene.
It’s believed the vehicle that crashed into the truck was the same 2009 GMC pickup, driven by Walker, at the time of the traffic light pole crash.

The case remains under review.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A federal judge in the nation's capital has denied a request from a northeast Kansas Native American tribe to halt further distribution of coronavirus relief funding for tribal nations.

The Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation recently sued the U.S. Treasury Department, alleging it was shortchanged in an initial distribution of $4.8 billion. The tribe argued during a hearing Thursday that the Treasury Department should have relied on tribal enrollment data, not federal data.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta says he lacks jurisdiction because Congress gave the Treasury Department discretion in how to dole out the funding. A hearing in a related case is scheduled today( Friday).

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City Council members approved a new health insurance plan with Blue Cross / Blue Shield through the Nebraska Association of County Officials when they met Monday evening.

The plan includes a 5.5 percent premium increase and deductibles for the insured increased. 

The council approved hiring Laura Poskochil as a part-time Utility Billing Clerk.  

Council members also voted to reopen the parks, playgrounds and shelters in Pawnee  City, reminding those using the facilities to maintain social distancing.  The restrooms will not reopen.

The Pawnee City swimming pool will not open this summer.  The Ecofinish on the pool is flaking and needs to be repaired.  The company that did the pool renovation is to be contacted.  The work has a 10-year warranty and the pool was only open for one season.  The City will also be looking into  a mudjacking project to fill voids  under the pool. 

(KLZA)-- Beginning Monday, June 15,  the City of Peru will be under a boil water advisory. 

Maintenance is being done on the well and temporary water treatment plant.  While this work is done, water will be trucked in from  Auburn.

It is expected the boil order will be in effect for three weeks.  During this time Peru water system customers will need to boil water for 1 minute before using water for drinking or cooking.  

The  City of Peru is asking all water customers to conserve water during this time.  Once the boil order is listed,  notices will be posted in multiple locations around Peru.

If you have any questions you may contact the Peru City Hall at 402-872-6685.  

(KNZA)--A public health advisory has been issued for Lake Perry in Jefferson County due to toxic blue-green algae.

According to a release from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Zone D at Lake Perry is among six Kansas lakes on the watch list.

A watch means that a blue-green algae bloom has been detected or is likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City School  Board  received the annual Transportation Directors report during their Monday evening meeting.

With school buildings being closed in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic,  the eight rural bus routes covered more than 20-thousand miles less this year than in 2018-19 at 72,189 miles.

On average 305 students are transported to and from school on a daily basis.

Students were transported to 277 school activities this  past school year compared to 349 the previous year. Again the decrease is attributed to COVID-19.  Activity  buses traveled 32,050 miles.  62 activity trips were cancelled this spring.

This was the final annual report to be presented by Transportation Director Rob Baker who is retiring after 32 years.  He was presented an appreciation plaque from  Superintendent Tim Heckenlively.  

(KMZA)--Seneca's new Recreation Director has been fired following his arrest on drug charges.

35-year-old Drew Conwell was arrested Monday by the Seneca Police Department on charges of unlawfully obtaining a prescription drug, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Seneca City Administrator Matt Rehder told MSC News that Conwell was terminated from the city's employment Monday afternoon.

He had begun work with the city on May 8. Before coming to Seneca, Conwell had served for almost a year as Recreation Director in Osawatomie and prior to that as Assistant Recreation Director in Bel Aire, Kansas.

Conwell was released from the Nemaha County Jail Wednesday after posting a $10,000 surety bond. He is scheduled to appear in court June 30.

(KNZA)--The Nemaha County Sheriff's Department is investigating a criminal damage incident at a job site in the southern portion of the county.

The Sheriff's Office says damage was done to four dual compressor pumps and 4 diesel generators at a job site just south of the intersection of K-9 Highway and N Road. The incident was reported Sunday.

The damage was estimated at $22,500.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office in Seneca.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board, during a special meeting Thursday morning, finalized plans for the 2020 graduation ceremony.

The Board previously approved moving the ceremony to Sunday, June 28 at 2:00 in the afternoon.

 It was decided to hold the ceremony inside the High School gymnasium.

The board voted to limit the number of tickets to 10 per graduate in order to stay within guidelines of health officials for the current pandemic.

 The ticket limit will allow for social distancing within the gymnasium.  Tickets may be shared between graduates.

 Communication will go out to parents and graduates with more detail.

(KNZA)--A large crowd was on hand for a special meeting of the Horton City Commission Thursday afternoon, scheduled to discuss proposals for the purchase of the Mission Village Living Center.

No action was taken following the 90 minute meeting, which included an executive session for attorney-client privilege lasting a total of 45 minutes at the beginning of the meeting.

The City previously received a proposal from the Jefferson County Memorial Hospital Foundation to purchase the facility for nearly $131,000, and now has received a proposal from the Atchison Hospital Association.

City Attorney Kevin Hill explained following the executive session that any proposal for the sale of the facility to a third party would have to be approved by both the Mission Village Board and City Commission.

Atchison Hospital CEO Jeff Perry discussed his proposal at the meeting, saying the hospital is interested in providing a full spectrum of health care services in the community, and a nursing home has been part of that plan from the beginning.

The hospital finalized purchase of the Horton Health Care facilities in March, and re-opened the Horton Clinic June 1.

Perry said the hospital is only interested in purchasing the nursing home if there is united support from the Mission Village Board and City Commission, adding the hospital is not seeking to divide the community.

Perry said Atchison Hospital is proposing a purchase price of $200,000.

Lamont Cook, who serves as Mission Village Administrator and has been authorized to negotiate its purchase on behalf of the Jefferson County Memorial Hospital, told the Commission he wasn't prepared to present a proposal Thursday. He said he hadn't been told by the City about the special meeting or that he needed to formally present a proposal at the session.

Cook noted since taking over the facility more than a year ago, the census is up 37 percent, improvements have been made, and $187,000 in owed debt paid.

Mission Village Board President Janice Krug, who was present at the meeting, told the Commission the Board would be willing to hear both proposals.

DUBOIS, Neb. (AP) — Authorities in southeastern Nebraska say a Kansas man has died in a crash on a Nebraska highway involving the man's farm tractor and a semitrailer.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the crash happened Monday on Nebraska Highway 50 south of DuBois, near the Kansas state line.

Investigators say 86-year-old Arden Bredemeier, of Sabetha, Kansas, was driving a farm tractor north on the highway when he tried to turn into a private drive and and was hit by a southbound semitrailer. The crash closed a stretch of the highway for about two hours.

Pawnee County Attorney Jennifer Ladman says no charges are expected in the crash.

(KNZA)--Tim Ackerman has been sworn in as the new Marshall County Sheriff.

Ackerman, who had been undersheriff for several years, succeeds Dan Hargrave. Hargrave retired June 1 after almost 21 years in law enforcement—including 12 years as sheriff.

County Clerk Sandy Wilson administered the oath of office to Ackerman during Monday's Marshall County Commission meeting.

He was nominated as sheriff at a June 1 county Republican Party meeting held through Zoom. The nomination was then sent to Governor Kelly, who made the appointment.

The position of sheriff is up for election in November, and Ackerman is the only candidate to file.

His first action as sheriff was to promote sheriff's deputy Mike Vermetten to undersheriff, which was approved by commissioners.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board has elected new officers for the 2020-21 school year.

Elected as board president Monday evening was Tom Simmer.

Ian Schuetz, who had served as board president, was elected as vice-president.

In other business, District Level Director Mary Clary went over the three food service bids received.

The board voted to approve the low bid from Taher, Inc. to oversee the district's food service program for the 2020-21 school year at a cost of $372,030.

The district's current food service provider, Thrive Nutrition, informed the district earlier this year they would no longer be providing the service after this school year.

Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore was present to explain the next steps following the awarding of a $125,000 federal grant last week to add a school resource officer in Hiawatha schools.

The grant will pay 75 percent of the salary and benefits of an officer over a three-year period, but requires a 4-year commitment.

The school district's share of the cost over the 4-year period will be around $71,000, and the city of Hiawatha's share will be around $30,000.

The Board voted to accept the grant, with the stipulation that should schools be closed again due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city will take on all financial responsibility. Should a closure occur, the officer will work full-time for the city.

(KLZA)-- A graduation ceremony for the Falls City High School Class of 2020 is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Saturday, June 20 at Jug Brown Stadium. 

The graduation plan has been approved by Southeast District Health Department Director Grant Brueggemann who feels the plan provides the best opportunity to keep students, staff, parents and the community safe. 

The plan provides general guidance for the ceremony.  There will be no more than 400 people in attendance which would be 25 percent of the rated capacity of  Jug Brown Stadium.  

Statements of personal responsibility of those attending, and expectations will be shared with parents and posted on the school website and social media accounts.

Facemasks are encouraged but not required. No social gatherings will be permitted on the school grounds before or after the ceremony.  It is also essential that those in attendance adhere to social distancing when they arrive,  during the ceremony and as they depart.

In addition, large graduation parties are discouraged.

It is suggested that the elderly, those with underlying medical conditions,  people who have access to those at risk in nursing facilities,  people with upper respiratory or flu-like symptoms and those who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 do not attend the ceremony.  

(KLZA)-- The  Auburn Board of Education approved conducting a graduation ceremony for 2019-20 seniors on Saturday, August 1 at 10:00 A.M. when they met Monday evening. 

The Board discussed, but took no action an a recommendation from the schools administrators  to have teachers come back August 3,  and students back in school on August 10 for the start of the 2020-21 school year.  

Breakfast prices for K-12 students will be $2 with lunches being $2.95 for grades K – 5  and $3.25 for grades 6 – 12.

(KLZA)-- There will be no changes to meal prices at the Johnson-Brock School District for the next school year. 

Superintendent Jeff Koehler informed Board members during the meeting a committee will be formed to determine if any changes need to be made to the school calendar for the 2020-21 school year. Currently plans are to start the school year with students in class beginning August 18.

The Superintendent also reported installation of a Building Automation System that manages fresh air and proper ventilation.  Plans for the 2002 roof,  a different school car, van and possibly a bus using the rebate program will be considered.

The Board also approved the Faculty and Student Handbook changes for the upcoming school year.  

(KMZA)--Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thermal imaging systems will be installed at the entrances to Nemaha Central schools to detect the temperature of people entering the buildings.

The USD 115 Board of education approved the purchase of the infrared cameras Monday evening at a cost of $40,000.

Superintendent Darrel Kohlman said the cameras are very accurate and faster than taking everyone's temperature one at a time.

The Board also approved the addition of UV lighting systems to the HVAC systems at the district's two schools at a cost of nearly $36,000. Kohlman said the system will kill bacteria and viruses in the air.

In other business, the Board approved an insurance coverage proposal from SBS Insurance for the 2020-21 school year with the addition of cyber insurance for a total premium of $133,283. The premium is about $2,300 lower than the current premium due to higher deductibles.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff's Office has begun a new program to educate teens about safe driving.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said Sgt. Brian Guilliams wanted to increase awareness in teen drivers about the concerns of reckless driving and felt using a new Ford Raptor pickup truck would make a good connecting point.  The truck was added to the Sheriff's Department patrol fleet over a year ago.

Merchant said both Hiawatha and Horton High Schools supported the program. Sgt. Guilliams was able to present a class at the Hiawatha High School before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Merchant said In order to make the program a reality, donations were raised to offset the cost of what they would normally pay for a patrol vehicle. With the donations and support that was raised, the Sheriff's Office portion was around $15,000--less than half the cost of what patrol vehicles usually run.

The United States Deputy Sheriff's Association (USDSA), Hero Fund USA, Carl's Body Shop, Hiawatha Ford, HD Repair, Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office and the Rodney and Sandy Paden family donated over $35,000 in cash or services to bring the program to a reality.

The sponsors are listed on the bottom portion of the sides of the truck.

Sheriff's office begins program for teen drivers

Posted Thursday, June 11th, 2020 7:25am

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff's Office has begun a new program to educate teens about safe driving.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said Sgt. Brian Guilliams wanted to increase awareness in teen drivers about the concerns of reckless driving and felt using a new Ford Raptor pickup truck would make a good connecting point.  The truck was added to the Sheriff's Department patrol fleet over a year ago.

Merchant said both Hiawatha and Horton High Schools supported the program. Sgt. Guilliams was able to present a class at the Hiawatha High School before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Merchant said In order to make the program a reality, donations were raised to offset the cost of what they would normally pay for a patrol vehicle. With the donations and support that was raised, the Sheriff's Office portion was around $15,000--less than half the cost of what patrol vehicles usually run.

The United States Deputy Sheriff's Association (USDSA), Hero Fund USA, Carl's Body Shop, Hiawatha Ford, HD Repair, Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office and the Rodney and Sandy Paden family donated over $35,000 in cash or services to bring the program to a reality.

The sponsors are listed on the bottom portion of the sides of the truck.

 

 

 

(KLZA)-- The boil advisory for Mound  City Water Department customers has been lifted. 

The boil order was issued because of a shut down of a water main to repair a break.

Originally the boil order was in effect until Thursday afternoon at 3.  The boil order was lifted Wednesday afternoon shortly after 1:00 P.M. 

(KNZA)--A late Tuesday night two-vehicle Jackson County wreck sent a Topeka woman to the hospital with suspected serious injuries.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports it happened shortly before midnight on U.S. Highway 75, just south of Holton.

The Patrol reports a semi tractor-trailer was southbound on the highway when the driver made a U-turn through a crossover, and failed to yield to a northbound car.driven by 76-year-old Beverly Jo Greene.  The car struck the semi's trailer.

Greene, who was the lone occupant in her vehicle, was transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital.

The semi driver, from Humble, Texas, was not hurt.

(KNZA)--A late Tuesday night two-vehicle Jackson County wreck sent a Topeka woman to the hospital with suspected serious injuries.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports it happened shortly before midnight on U.S. Highway, just south of Holton.

The Patrol reports a semi tractor-trailer was southbound on Highway 75 when the driver made a U-turn through a crossover, and failed to yield to a northbound car.

The car, which was driven by 76-year-old Beverly Jo Greene, struck the semi's trailer.

Greene, who was the lone occupant in her vehicle, was transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital.

The semi driver, from Humble, Texas, was not hurt.

(KNZA)--Plans for reopening Jackson County continue, with the limit on mass gatherings raised.

Under a new public health order issued Monday by Jackson County Health Officer Angie Reith, the limit on “ mass gatherings” has been raised from 30 to 50.

The limitation will be raised to 200 people between June 15 and June 21. There will be no mass gathering limits after June 21.

Reith encourages residents to continue practicing social distancing, wash your hands frequently, and wear cloth masks in public when social distancing can not occur.

As of Tuesday,  a total of 102 positive cases of COVID-19 had been reported in Jackson County. 95 of those individuals have recovered, while one remains hospitalized. One death was reported last month.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City School Board members tabled action on amending the master calendar for the 2020-21 school year when they met Monday evening. 

A proposal was offered to move the start date for the school year to August 4 and to conclude the fall semester November 25, in anticipation of a COVID-19 spike coinciding with the flu season.

The Board voted to table discussion on amending the calendar until the July Board meeting. 

Conversation was held regarding the roles of the School Board and Superintendent in making decisions about changing various aspects of normal school operations, at times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Board dis approved the purchase of 275 new Chromebooks, with a three-year damage repair warranty, Chrome Management Console and GoGuardian for grades 2 – 12 at a cost of $122,521.

An interlocal agreement with the Nemaha Natural Resources District for the purpose of providing cost-share assistance through  the Urban Special Project Cost-share Program was approved with the school district spending up to $3,300 in matching funds toward the program. The funds will be used to plant trees and natural grasses. 

(KLZA)-- Falls City Public Schools Superintendent Tim Heckenlively reported to the District 56 Board Monday evening that he is participating on a committee for rural school superintendents to create a guidance document for schools re-opening in the fall of 2020.

The committee is  working in coordination with the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association.

Schools are planning to reopen the doors for students and staff August 13.  It is  understood this is a guideline only and not a steadfast requirement as all rural schools will need to make decisions locally as permitted, based on community health situations at the time and addressing Centers for Disease Control school opening guidance.  

The Nebraska Department of Education is also sharing health guidance on summer programming and beyond through a program titled “Launch Nebraska.”  The priority remains the safety and well-being of all students, educators, staff and community members. 

District 56 students are currently scheduled to return to classes for the 2020-21 school year on August 14.   

(KLZA)-- More than 1,600 Pawnee County residents lost power during storms that moved through the area Tuesday evening.

Nebraska Public Power District spokesman Mark Becker reported six sub-transmission poles being broken during the wind storm.  The location is approximately one-and-a-half miles south of Table Rock and repairs are being made.

As of 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, there were just two customers in the area that did not have power. NPPD is asking the public to please stay away from the area so crews can work safely and to be able to practice social distancing.

The outage began Tuesday night at 7:23 P.M.  when high winds came through and a total of 1,610 customers in several communities were affected.  722 NPPD customers were restored by  8:22 P.M. and another 886 by 8:59 P.M.

The pictures of the damage were provided by Dennis Schaardt. 

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board Monday evening interviewed two candidates to fill a vacant position on the board, but made no decision.

Interviewed to fill the position of longtime board member Dr. Pete Rosa were Jacquie Kerl and Andrea Groth.

A straw poll was taken after both were asked seven questions to gain a consensus and ended in a 3-3 tie.

Following discussion, it became apparent no board member was going to change their mind. The Board decided to table a decision until their July board meeting when both candidates will be invited back.

Board members agreed they have two great candidates and can't go wrong with either one.

The person appointed will fill a term expiring in January 2022. The position is up for election in November of next year.

Rosa resigned at the end of last month's board meeting after 15 years on the board.

(KLZA)-- The Southeast District Health Department is reporting the first COVID-19 related death in the five-county district.

According to a release Tuesday, the individual is a female in her sixties who lived in Richardson County.

Meanwhile, the fifth positive case of the virus was confirmed Tuesday in Richardson County.  The Health Department said the individual is a female in her 20's.

Community Medical Center, in Falls City, confirmed in a release that the individual is a staff member at the hospital who was previously placed under quarantine due to a known exposure.

The release says no other staff members have tested positive, and the hospital continues to monitor the situation closely. 

Because of safety precautions in place and the quickness of the quarantine action, the release said it is not believed that the staff member posed a risk to patients.

Community Medical Center is working with physicians and the health department to make sure the situation remains under control.

Because individuals may be contagious for COVID-19 without feeling ill or showing symptoms, even with previously negative tests, CMC requires masks for all staff, patients and visitors in the hospital and recommends masks, hand washing and social distancing for anyone in public contact. 

(KNZA)--Funeral services have been set for a local Kansas Highway Patrol trooper.

Brandon Leupold, a native of Hiawatha, died Friday at the age of 25.  He attended Hiawatha schools, graduating with the class of 2013.

According to the KHP, he had served as a trooper for 3 years and was stationed in Leavenworth County.

Services for Leupold will be held Friday morning at 10:00 at the Leupold's pond located at 1341 Sugar Tree Lane, in rural Hiawatha.

Your asked to park at Hiawatha's Bruning Park, where bus transportation will be provided starting at 8:30.

A register book will be available to sign Thursday at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, in Hiawatha. 

Among survivors of Brandon Leupold are his parents, John and Megan; two siblings and his fiance, Adrianne Darnell.

( photo credit: Kansas Highway Patrol)

(KAIR)--Atchison County has confirmed it’s 25th positive case of COVID-19.

That word came Tuesday afternoon in a release issued by Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter.
Lanter, in the release, identified the person as a woman in her fifties who is isolating at home.

20 of Atchison County’s cases have recovered, and the county currently reports no virus-related hospitalizations.

Announcement of the latest case came hours after the Atchison County Commission approved the latest phase of the local reopening plan.

All businesses, except for high head-count events, are allowed to resume normal operations in Atchison County as of midnight Wednesday, June 10.

Atchison County Health Officer Lori Forge told the Commission, prior to passage, restaurants, and related businesses, are still being told to maintain social distancing.

Lanter explained that for the time being, seasonally themed outdoor events, such as fairs and carnivals, remain off-limits.

The 3rd reopening phase will remain in effect through early next week.

The City of Atchison released the following statement Wednesday morning:

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Police Department and Animal Health Center will host a clinic on Friday, June 26 to administer shots and issue animal licenses.

This years clinic will be at 1820 Towle Street from 5:30 – 7:00 P.M.  This will be a drive through clinic,  you will get out of your vehicle with your pet when it is your turn.  All cars will enter from the north entrance.  

The Animal Health Center staff will administer shots and the Falls City Police Department will issue licenses.  You must present a current rabies vaccination certificate to license your pet.

All dog and cats within the city limits six months of age or older are to be licensed. Licenses for spayed and neutered animals are $11.  Male and female pets are $21. There will be an additional $10 fee on delinquent licenses.  The cost of the vaccinations will be $25 for DHLPPV, $20 for BORD,  $20 for Rabies,  $35 for Leukemia and $20 or FVRCP.  

Pet licenses and vaccines must be paid for separately.  

If you have questions you may contact the Falls City Police Department. 

(KLZA)-- A fatal wreck involving a semi truck and trailer and a tractor resulted in Highway 50 south of DuBois being closed for a period of time Monday while volunteers cleared debris.  

A press release from Pawnee County Attorney Jennifer Stehlik Ladman says the wreck occurred near the Nebraska – Kansas state line at approximately 11:15 A.M. 

The Pawnee County Sheriff's Office investigation determined 86-year-old Arden Bredemeier of rural DuBois was driving a tractor northbound on Highway 50 when he attempted to turn into a private drive and was struck by an oncoming southbound semi truck and trailer.

Bredemeier was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi driver was not injured.  No criminal charges are anticipated. 

The DuBois Fire Department assisted with traffic control and road cleanup.  

The Sheriff's Department and County Attorney's Office thanked all the volunteers that assisted following the wreck.

PRESS RELEASE
On June 8, 2020, a two vehicle fatality accident occurred on Highway 50, south of DuBois near the Kansas state line. The investigation conducted by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office determined that at approximately 11:15 a.m. Arden Bredemeier, 86, was driving a tractor northbound on  Highway 50 when he attempted to turn into a private drive and was struck by an oncoming
southbound semi truck and trailer. Mr. Bredemeier was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi driver was not injured. No criminal charges are anticipated.

The accident resulted in the closure of Highway 50 while volunteers cleaned up debris. The Pawnee County Attorney and Pawnee County Sheriff would like to personally thank the DuBois Fire Department for their assistance with traffic control and road clean up as well as Ronnie Roland, Gary Farwell, Robert Haverkamp, Ronnie Frank, David Forbes, Hunter Catlett, Terry Catlett, Gerald
Windsor and the other volunteers for their assistance with cleanup. Thanks also to Chet Koester for delivering water to the volunteers, and to Jason Vetrovsky and both the Pawnee City and Bern CJ Foods locations for delivering quick-dry material to clean the roadway.

(KNZA)--A Cummings man escaped injury Monday afternoon after his plane crashed about a half-mile north of the Hiawatha Municipal Airport.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 24-year-old Colton Callaway was taking off northbound from the airport when his plane failed to take off successfully.

The 1997 aircraft crashed upright in a field just north of the runway shortly before 3:30.

Callaway was the lone occupant on board.

(KNZA)--All COVID-19 related restrictions have been lifted in Brown County.

The Brown County Commission took the action Monday on a 2-1 vote after hearing from County Health Officer Chastity Schumann.

She told Commissioners surrounding counties are starting to open and proposed there be no restrictions in the county. 

Commissioner Rich Lehmkuhl cast the lone dissenting vote.  He said he wanted to see restrictions keep in place for another week, noting the number of positive cases in the county increased Friday from 9 to 13.

County resident Kendra Heinen, who was present at the meeting, encouraged Commissioners to open the county.

Restrictions had been in place since late March to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

Schumann encourages residents to continue to follow simple guidelines such as washing your hands and staying home when sick.

(KAIR)--Atchison County has confirmed it’s 24th positive case of COVID-19.

That word came Monday evening, in a release issued by Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter.
Lanter, in the release, identified the person as a man in his seventies who is isolating at home.

20 of Atchison County’s cases have recovered, and the county currently reports no virus-related hospitalizations.
Jackson County figures released Monday confirm that 86 of the county’s 102 confirmed positive cases have recovered, with one current hospitalization. One death is reported in the county.

Doniphan County has experienced 20 confirmed cases. Three remain active, with 17 having recovered, and no one currently hospitalized.
According to figures released Monday by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Brown County has had 9 cases, Jefferson County 23, Pottawatomie County 31, Nemaha County 19, and Leavenworth County 1,103.

Kansas, statewide, has had 10,650 cases in 89 of the state’s 105 counties, and 236 deaths.

(KLZA)-- A boil advisory is in effect for Mound City Water Department customers through Thursday, June 11 at 3:00 P-M.

The Water Department had to shut down a water main to repair a break.  The affected areas are 6th Street to Nebraska Street and south,   all of Route E and State Street. 

Customers in the affected area could experience either low or no water service.  This should last for no more than a few hours, but if you experience either, you should follow precautions required under the boil advisory. 

Boil  water vigorously for three minutes prior to  use.  Use only boiled water for drinking, brushing teeth, diluting fruit juices and all other food preparations or consumption.

Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.  

Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.

Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled.  Supervision of children is necessary while bathing or using backyard pools so water is not ingested.  Persons with cuts or sever  rashes may wish to consult their physician.

You will be notified by notice posted on your door if the boil advisory is extended beyond June 11 at 3:00 P.M.

For more information, contact Randy Crowley at 442-5811 or City Hall at 442-3447.  

(KAIR)--A collision with a vehicle parked on an Atchison street sent an Atchison priest to the hospital.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, in a report, said it happened shortly before 10:30, on the morning of June 3, when Father Aaron Peters was southbound on 2nd Street.
According to Wilson, it was in the 600 block of North 2nd where Peters’ car crashed into a parked Jeep Liberty.
Peters, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, Missouri, for the treatment of injuries.

Both vehicles sustained extensive damage in the wreck.

(KLZA)-- The Southeast District Health Department reports there has been a fourth confirmed case of COVID-19 in Richardson County. 

That word came Sunday.  According to a release, the individual is a man in is 60's who is in self-quarantine.

In addition, an Otoe County male in his 20's was also confirmed to have the virus Sunday.

That brings the total number of cases to 25 within the five-county district.   11 of the cases are in Otoe County,  6 in Johnson County and 4 each in Nemaha and Richardson counties.

No positive cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Pawnee County.

On Friday, a female in her sixties was confirmed to have COVID-19 in Richardson County along with three people in Otoe County. 

Through Sunday, Nebraska has 15,696 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 196 deaths reported. 

(KLZA)-- NioCorp Developments has announced a final Construction Air Permit has been issued by the State of Nebraska for the proposed mining project near Elk Creek.

The Construction Air Permit, in conjunction with the Special Use Permit issued in December, 2019 by Johnson County means NioCop is now positioned to launch construction activities at the project site as soon as possible once financing has been obtained. 

The permit requires assessing the potential emissions from each point in the mining and production process and then designing systems to capture and control those emissions.  Typically 99 percent of emissions must be captured by control devices.

NioCorp is developing a superalloy materials project near Elk  Creek that will produce Niobium, Scandium and Titanium.  Niobium is used to produce superalloys as well as High strength, Low Alloy steel, which is a lighter, stronger steel used in automotive, structural and pipeline applications.

Scandium is combined with aluminum to make alloys with increased strength and improved corrosion resistance and is also a critical component of advanced solid oxide fuel cells.

Titanium is used in various superalloys and is a key component of pigments used in paper, plant and plastics while also being used for aerospace applications, armor and medical implants.  

(KLZA)-- The USDA's Farm Service Agency will now have broader uses of the Disaster Set-Aside loan provision, normally used in the wake of natural disasters, to allow farmers with USDA farm loans who are affected by COVID-19, determined eligible to have their next payment set aside.  

In some cases a second payment for farmers who have already had one payment set aside because of a prior disasters may be set aside by the FSA.

FSA direct loan borrowers will receive a letter with the details of the expanded Disaster Set-Aside program.  

To discuss or request a loan payment Set-Aside, borrowers should call or email the farm loan staff at their local FSA county office. 

(KLZA)-- The U.S. D.A. Farm Service Agency has approved more than $545-million in payments to producers who have applied for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. 

Applications opened May 26, and the agency has received more than 86-thousand applications for the relief program. 

Applications will be accepted through August 28.  Through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, USDA is making $16-billion in financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities suffering a five-percent – or – greater price decline due to COVIE-19 and face additional significant marketing costs as a result of lower demand, surplus production and disruptions to shipping patterns.

For more information go online at farmers.gov/CFAP  or call toll free 877-508-8364.

(KNZA)--Several local northeast Kansas cities and counties will receive grant funds for COVID-19 relief.

Governor Laura Kelly announced, in a release, that nearly $9 million in Community Development Block Grant funds have been awarded to 66 Kansas communities.

Locally, the city of Atchison, Jackson County and Marshall County will each receive $132,000. The city of Horton will receive $167,000.

The grants were available in two categories—economic development and meal programs. The release says the economic development grant will provide communities with funding to help local businesses retain jobs for low-to-moderate income people by covering working capital expenses. Meal program grants can be directed toward organizations providing meals for children affected by the loss of school meal programs.

Kelly said the grants will help communities rebuild their economies and support Kansas families

(KMZA)--There will be contested races this fall for two Marshall County positions.

Three Republican candidates are seeking the position of 2nd District county commissioner. They include Frederich “ Fritz” Blaske, incumbent Tom Holle and Don King.

Two candidates are vying for Marshall County Clerk. Republican Chrystal Busey is challenging incumbent Democrat Sandy Wilson.

All other county offices will be uncontested.

June 1 was the filing deadline.

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

(KNZA)--A Jackson County traffic stop leads to the arrest of a Topeka woman on methamphetamine charges.

According to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, a deputy stopped a Pontiac Aztec around 9:30 Saturday evening on U.S. 75 Highway, just south of Holton, for a traffic infraction.

During the investigation of the traffic stop, Morse said the driver, identified as 36-year-old Alisa Marie Sharpe, was arrested for allegedly being in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia along with no driver's license and no insurance.

Morse said Sharpe also had an outstanding Jackson County District Court warrant for possession of meth and drug paraphernalia.

She was transported to and booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KLZA)-- Over a two-hour period Sunday afternoon, around 75 persons representing all ages attended a Black Lives Matter protest at the Richardson County Courthouse in Falls City. 

The event was organized quickly by Louise Hamilton and Libby Dunn, who both grew up in Falls City. Dunn was pleased by the number of people attending. Word of the event was not released until Friday afternoon. 

Louise Hamilton explained she wanted to share knowledge she has gained while living away from Falls City with residents of her hometown, hopefully bringing people together for a good cause. 

Hamilton says there are a number of ways people can get information about the issue that has come to life across America recently. She suggested listening to people of color,  look online,  read books and watch movies on the topic.

Dunn said they were just trying to  get the word out about Black Lives Matter in the area to help educate everyone about the issues. 

The organizers were pleased the protest in Falls City was peaceful, as advertised. 

There was a large contingent of law enforcement viewing the  protest area Sunday with members of the Falls City Police Department, Richardson County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska State Patrol in the area.  Sheriff Rick Hardesty said they wanted to make sure the protesters were safe as well as the people of the community and to make sure traffic keeps moving along.  

Most of the protesters sat on the  stone wall along Highway 73 on the east side of the Richardson County Courthouse during the event. The heat index had reached the mid-90's by the time the protest ended.  

(KNZA)--The city of Hiawatha has retained Lawrence-based Governmental Assistance Services to conduct a low-to-moderate income survey this summer for the purpose of qualifying the city for a Community Development Block Grant. 

According to a release, the $700,000 grant is intended to offset the costs of a proposed sanitary sewer improvements project.  The release says qualifying for the grant will help to keep future utility bills down. 

Representatives from GAS will be conducting the survey door-to-door and by telephone beginning Monday, June 8 through September 15. 

The release says the survey will be conducted using strict social distancing measures.  Surveyors will ask 4 questions from an appropriate distance, and each survey will take less than 1 minute. 

You will recognize members of the GAS Survey Team by their clipboards and white shirts.

(KLZA)--The Southeast District Health Department has confirmed four additional cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) within the district.

These additional cases include a male in his twenties who lives in Otoe county, a female in her teens who lives in Otoe county, a female in her twenties who lives in Otoe county and a female in her sixties who lives in Richardson county.

All identified close contacts will be asked to self-quarantine. Individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should self-isolate to avoid transmitting the virus to others. COVID-19 symptoms include cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell. In many cases, a person will have more than one of these symptoms.

As of June 5, the total cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the district is 23. Case counts by county are Johnson with 6. Nemaha 4, Otoe 10, Pawnee 0 and Richardson with 3.

SEDHD reviews all reported test results as soon as they become available and will continue to report county totals to most accurately reflect current cumulative case numbers in the district.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Police Department will be getting new radar units. 

At the request of Police Chief John Defore, the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening on a 4-1 vote accepted a bid from Lenexa-based Kustom Signals for four  in-car mounted radar units and four handheld portable units at a total cost of $12,232.  Mayor Bill Collins cast the lone dissenting vote.

Bids were received from two companies. 

Defore said parts are no longer available for the current units, which will be donated to the Doniphan County Sheriff's Department who have the same units. 

The Commission also gave Defore approval to advertise for a new full-time police officer.  He said current officer Brandon Fee is leaving for another job. 

On the recommendation of Defore, the Commission also approved the cancellation of this year's local "National Night Out" event.  It is normally takes place in August, but was postponed to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Defore said there are conflicts with the October date.

(KNZA)--Local health care services have return to Horton more than a year after the community's hospital and clinic were closed.

According to a news release, the newly remodeled Horton Clinic began taking new patient appointments on June 1.

The sale of the Horton health care facilities was finalized in March, transferring ownership from the facility trustees to the Atchison Hospital.

A major renovation of the clinic facility, which was built in 1982, took place.  The facility received a new roof, new siding, interior paint, plumbing and wiring rework, and new furnishings.

An existing pharmacy operated by Kex RX remains in the same location on the east side of the clinic building.

The release says a grand opening is planned for later this summer, at which time community members will be invited to tour the facility and meet the providers.

(KLZA)--Community Medical Center (CMC) in Falls City has confirmed that a hospital patient has tested positive for COVID-19

Out of an abundance of caution CMC will not allow visitors or support persons into inpatient areas of the hospital for the weekend of June 5 through the 7th. All other hospital services are unaffected,

CMC is working with the Southeast District Health Department to trace contacts, test individuals, and monitor health. All family members and individuals that may have been exposed or should be concerned have been contacted. If you were not contacted you do not need to worry about having significant risk.

CMC follows rigorous infection prevention, safety and sterilization procedures, and they are not aware of any staff members, other patients or visitors that have contracted COVID-19 as a result of caring for this or any other patient.

Photo credit: Greg Bebermeyer/MSC News 

(KNZA)--Hiawatha Thursday evening joined the nation in remembering George Floyd, who died during a Minnesota arrest, holding an event called “Hiawatha Believes Black Lives Matter.”

More than 100 people  attended the prayer vigil and peaceful protest, held around the fountain adjacent to the Hiawatha Police Department.   

The event was organized by Shayna Leahy, of Hiawatha.

The event included comments from Brooke Grier of Hiawatha and Jason Thomas of the Kickapoo Tribe.

Offering prayers were Pastor Andrew Finch of Hiawatha's First United Methodist Church, Shug Thomas of the Kickapoo Tribe and Pastor Jim Ferris of Hiawatha’s Calvary Assembly of God Church.

Among those in attendance, but who did not speak, were Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore and Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

(KLZA)-- The Mound City R-2 school district will conduct graduation ceremonies for 19 graduates Sunday afternoon. 

The ceremony will begin at 2 at the football field utilizing social distancing guidelines.

Each senior has been allowed to invite up to 10 family members to the event. 

The ceremony will be streamed on Facebooklive.
 

(KNZA)--A grant program has been approved for Doniphan County businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19.

The Doniphan County Commission on Monday approved the program on the recommendation of County Economic Development Director Leah Johnson.

Under the program, small businesses in the county with less than 15 employees can apply for up to $1,000 in grant funds through the Doniphan County Economic Development Initiative Fund.

$10,000 will be available for the program.

Johnson said a selection committee would be established for grant awards, with the Commission giving final approval.

The grant will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

In other business, the Commission voted to ratify a reopening order from County Health Officer Dr. Bradley Gaul, which took effect Monday.

The order follows phase 3 of Governor Kelly's Ad Astra reopening plan, with a mass gathering limit of 45.

Providing the county's local virus transmission rate continues to remain steady or declines, the reopening order would be phased out beginning June 15 and all restrictions lifted.

You can view the reopening order on the Doniphan County website.

(KLZA)-- Last week Governor Pete Ricketts announced four new economic development grant programs developed to help stimulate the Nebraska economy as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The programs are being funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid  Relief and Economic Security Act.  The programs are designed to aid Nebraska small businesses by providing working capital; provide retraining for the unemployed and under employed;  provide new training for business leaders; and increase rural broadband access. 

The Nebraska Small Business Stabilization Grant allocates $330 million in working capital to help cover the operating expenses for Nebraska small businesses and livestock producers.

Small businesses with 5 – 49 employees negatively affected by COVID-19 may be eligible for a grant of up to $12-thousand.  Nebraska livestock producers with 1 – 10 employees who have closed or sustained a loss of revenue or employment since March 13, 2020 are eligible to apply for Small Business Stabilization Grants.

For more information,  go online to https://getnebraskagrowing.nebraska.gov.

(KLZA)-- Richards County Commissioners approved the lone bid for the sale of 20 surplus guns during their Tuesday meeting. 

Brusters of Preston submitted a bid of $4,025 for the surplus law enforcement guns consisting of sidearms and several long guns.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty reported the new utility vehicle has been put into service. The discussion regarding the request to provide a portion of the cost of the premium for family health insurance coverage was was continued.  No action was taken. The proposal will be further discussed during the June 16 meeting. 

Quotes from the Nebraska Association of County Officials lease purchase program and American National Bank for financing the purchase of radios and equipment for the Law Enforcement Center were discussed.  The quotes will be reviewed and more discussion will be held during the next Board meeting.  

(KLZA)-- Nemaha Natural Resources District parks once again have open restrooms, picnic shelters and playground equipment. 

The amenities were opened to the public Monday. 

Visitors to Iron Horse Trail Lake,  Kirkman's Cove, Duck Creek Recreation Area, Wirth Brothers Lake and Prairie Owl are urged to bring your own hand sanitizer, soap and other sanitizing products. 

Restrooms are cleaned and sanitized on Monday and Friday each week.  Whenever possible, avoid high-touch areas such as handrails and door handles.  

Visitors are urged to continue to practice social distancing,  recreate within your own family unit and avoid large gatherings at beaches, boat docks and playgrounds  

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee County Courthouse has officially reopened to the public. 

Visitors to the courthouse are asked to continue to keep social distancing in mind. 

Offices within the courthouse are limiting openings to one person in an office at a time.  If you would like to call ahead, please feel free to do so.

The Pawnee County Sheriff's Office is accepting all vehicle identification number inspections between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.   If you are bringing a vehicle in for inspection  please  park on the north side of the building for ease of inspection and admission to the courthouse.  

(KAIR)--An Atchison woman is dead, killed Thursday night when her motorcycle crashed at a high rate of speed.

The Kansas Highway Patrol identified the victim as 26-year-old Celia Fodor.

According to the KHP's report, she was southbound on U.S. Highway 59, at Henry Street, in Atchison, when her Kawasaki crossed the center line of the highway and left the roadway to the left, continuing through a yard, and then went airborne. The motorcycle crashed through the window of an abandoned building at 1600 U.S. Highway 59, while Fodor was thrown from the motorcycle, and struck the same building.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the report, Fodor was wearing a helmet when the fatal wreck occurred around 10:30 Thursday night.

Although the report lists the crash as part of a police pursuit, Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News an actual chase did not happen. Instead, Wilson said an officer at 5th and U.S. Highway 59 had spotted the westbound motorcycle speeding, and said, at 10th and U.S. 59, he was trying to stop the motorcycle, “but immediately announced he was terminating the attempt”, and instead pulled into a 12th and U.S. 59 parking lot as the motorcycle continued west, prior to the crash.

The KHP report has since been updated removing the reference to a pursuit. 

(KMZA)--The Seneca Aquatic Center will open for the 2020 season.

The Seneca City Council Wednesday evening unanimously approved opening the pool the week of June 15.

City Administrator Matt Rehder told the Council the recreation department now has enough staff to open the facility. He said plans are to clean the pool and certify lifeguards next week in preparation for the opening.

The Aquatic Center normally opens Memorial Day weekend, but an emergency health order was in place at the time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those restrictions were lifted Monday by the Nemaha County Health Board and Local Health Officer Jane Sunderland, allowing for the Aquatic Center to open.

Local health officials are still urging residents to practice good hand hygiene, wear a face covering in public and social distance.

(KMZA)--There will be contested races this fall for two positions on the Nemaha County Commission.

Three additional candidates filed before Monday's deadline for the positions.

Greg Allen filed as a Democratic candidate for 2nd District Commissioner. In addition, Jason Koch filed by petition as a Republican candidate for the position. The petition has since been verified.

Koch will face Republican incumbent Tim Burdiek in the August primary. The winner will then face Allen in November.

Dylan Keim filed before Monday's deadline as a Republican candidate for 3rd District Commissioner.

He will face Bob Sextro in the August primary. The winner will then face incumbent Democrat Dennis Henry in November. Henry filed last week for re-election.

None of the other county offices up for election will be contested.

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

(KAIR)--Atchison’s Benedictine College will open early for the fall semester as part of what a news release from the college calls “a strategy to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.”
As part of the strategy, the first day of classes will be held August 19, following “a staggered series of move-in days beginning August 8.”

The strategy also includes skipping Fall Break, and sending students home at Thanksgiving to take finals online.
The plan “follows weeks of work by the College Cabinet and several faculty and staff committees.”

All classes and events will continue while meeting all local, state and federal guidelines.

The traditional Fall Break in October will be skipped, dropping fall mission trips and keeping students on campus through the entire semester. The on-campus semester will end November 24.

College President Steve Minnis, in the release, said the college will unveil a full Raven Safety plan in coming weeks, “with specifics of how classes, athletics, events, meals, and other things will be handled for the year.”

(KNZA)--A transmission line installation project on U.S. 75 in Jackson County is set to begin Saturday, June 6, and is expected to be complete Monday, June 8.

That word comes in a release from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

KDOT says a high voltage overhead transmission line will be installed over U.S. 75, north of Holton. Work will occur during daylight hours, weather allowing.

Traffic will be controlled using a pilot car operation, lane closure, signage and traffic cones. Drivers should expect delays and are advised to find alternate routes.

(KNZA)--A $40,000 theft is being investigated in Brown County.

According to a release from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, a new Holland Disc Mower was stolen from Skyview Implement, located at 1306 Highway 36, sometime between 8:00 Saturday night and 9:00 Monday morning.

Investigators believe the vehicle used in the theft is a dual rear wheeled truck, with a bale spear or winch, capable of lifting the disc mower for transport.

Merchant is asking for the public’s help in locating the costly implement, and anyone with information should contact 785-742-7125.

(KAIR)--Residents of local communities Wednesday joined the nation in remembering George Floyd, whose death during an arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota sparked protests calling for changes in systemic problems within policing that negatively affect African-Americans, including deaths.
In Atchison, a crowd of more than 100 gathered on the south side lawn of Atchison’s City Hall. Black Lives Matter banners and t-shirts were seen among the crowd.

More of a rally than a protest, and intended for local youth, attendees were joined by members of the Atchison Police Department, first taking a knee to kneel for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the time that Floyd was pinned to the ground, leading to his death.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson answered questions and listened to grievances from those gathered.
Wilson, at the conclusion, told MSC News he felt the dialogue was positive.

(Photos: Brian Hagen/MSC News)

Earlier Wednesday afternoon, protesters took to the streets of Holton.

Photo credits: Left: Jake Spalding/MSC News; Right: Justin Fluke/MSC News

In Hiawatha, a prayer vigil and peaceful protesting event “Hiawatha Believes Black Lives Matter” is set for this evening, Thursday, June 4, around the fountain adjacent to the Hiawatha Police Department in downtown Hiawatha, starting at 5:00. Community members are invited to join.

According to a Facebook post about the event, speakers will include a prayer by Pastor Andrew Finch, comments by Brooke Grier, prayer by Shug Cadue and comments by Jason Thomas, both of the Kickapoo Tribe.

As COVID-19 is still a threat, organizers recommend masks and maintaining social distancing. 

(KLZA)-- Falls City Council members want more information before taking action on a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Southeast District Health Department, which would delegate disease prevention and control authority within the city limits to the Health District.

The Southeast District Health Department has agreed to accept control over protecting the Municipality's citizens against the spread of communicable disease, illness and poisoning. If approved the SEDHD wold have authority to order directed health measures necessary to prevent the spread of such things.

The County Boards in Richardson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Johnson and Otoe counties, that make up the Southeast District Health Department have approved the agreement.  Mayor Shawna Bindle explained why the City needs to approved the agreement for it to be in effect in Falls City. 

During the lengthy discussion, City Administrator Gary Jorn explained that without the MOU, the City does not have the authority to  quarantine someone. 

Council member Derek Leyden suggested the Council table the agreement until the Council has an opportunity to hear from SEDHD Director Grant Bureggemann and City Attorney Mike Dunn.  He is concerned about the amount of control the City turns over to the Health Department.  

Mayor Bindle said an attempt will be made to set up a conference call for the June 15 Council meeting.  
 

(KLZA)-- Falls City Council members voted to continue keeping Candlelight Cabin and Prichard Auditorium closed to the public through the month of June when they met Monday evening. 

While other parks in the City are open,  these facilities will remain closed for now.  

A request from the Falls City Chamber of Commerce to use Stanton Lake Park on Friday, June 19 for a concert by local band Trainwreck was denied when Mayor Shawna Bindle cast the deciding vote.

Council member Mitch Merz says he supports such events normally, but doesn't think now is the time to have such events when there is no way to predict how many people may show up. 

Council members Merz, Lucas Froeschl and Carla Rhodd cast the nay votes.

Council member Amber Holle is the Chamber Director and abstained and Council member Jim Wisdom was absent creating a 3-3 tie.  

Mayor Bindle voted no, saying she does not think it sends a good message.  

Council members did approve a resolution regarding the use of municipal property for sports and other recreational activities.   The action requires individuals and sponsoring groups, wishing to use the playing or practice fields, courts or grounds or other City facilities to enter into the COVID-19 License and Management Agreement for the use of the property.

All participants and spectators will need to comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations,  all directed health measures and guidelines, and all security policies established by the City relating to COVID-19 or other safety or hygiene precautions. 

(KLZA)-- The Richardson County Sheriffs Office is open again for vehicle identification inspections,  gun permits and fingerprinting.

Beginning Monday, June 8, the Sheriff's Office will be open to the public with no appointments necessary.  On-site inmate visitation will also begin that day.  

Currently these services will be by appointment only.  VIN inspections will be done at the Law Enforcement Center and will not be done offsite at this time.  

You are requested to wear a mask, if you don't have a mask you will be provided with one.  

Through June 7, will be no on-site inmate visitation. Visits are done online only for the time being.  To make an appointment for any of these services for on-line visitation call the  Richardson County Sheriff's Office at 402-245-2479.

(KLZA)-- A Dawson man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges in Richardson County following his arrest Monday evening by the Falls City Police Department. 

Shortly before 11:00 P.M. the Falls City Police department received notice that a pickup truck was chasing after a car headed toward Falls City on Highway 8, and had allegedly run the car off the road at one point.

Officers headed west out of Falls City and observed a car turn  into the driveway of the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center on the west edge of Falls City while a pickup matching the description received by officers continued east into Falls City. 

An officer attempted to execute a stop of the pickup for a broken tail light. The pickup continued into the city limits, turned off the highway and was found parked. The driver was observed getting out of the pickup and began walking away when the officer detained him.

During a search of the pickup,  officers allege finding a digital scale, several syringes, a glass pipe and three small bags containing a powdery white substance believed to have been  methamphetamine. 

45-year-old Brian Mackey was arrested on two counts of terroristic threats,  willful reckless driving,  driving while license revoked,  domestic assault, criminal mischief,  child abuse, third degree assault and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

Mackey was placed in the Richardson  County Jail.  During his first appearance in County Court cash bond was set at $2,500 with arraignment scheduled for June 22.

(KLZA)-- A Hiawatha man waived extradition to Kansas during an appearance in Richardson County Court Wednesday. 

25-year-old Lane Ferris of  Hiawatha was arrested in Humboldt on May 28 by a Richardson County Deputy for possession of methamphetamine, obstructing government operations and possession of narcotic equipment.

Ferris was pulled over about 1:45 A.M. because of a broken tail light.  He allegedly provided a false identity.  An inventory of his car discovered a substance believed to be methamphetamine and narcotic equipment.

It was discovered that Ferris was wanted on a warrant out of Nemaha County, Kansas for violating the 22nd Judicial Districts Community Corrections Program Ferris was involved in by failing to abstain from drug usage and failing to report to Community Corrections as directed.

Ferris was in the program following his conviction for felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

(KNZA)--A federal grant has been awarded to add a school resource officer at Hiawatha Schools.  

U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister on Tuesday announced grants for 15 law enforcement agencies in Kansas to hire officers—including a $125,000 grant to the Hiawatha Police Department.  

The USD 415 Board of Education earlier this year gave Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore approval to seek the matching funds grant through the U.S. Department of Justice.  

The grant will help pay for the salary of an officer over a three-year period, but requires a four-year commitment.    

Defore said if the USD 415 Board and Hiawatha City Commission approve accepting the grant, the intention is to have an officer in the schools by the beginning of next school year.  

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

(KNZA)--A northwest Missouri sheriff was killed late Wednesday morning in a two-vehicle wreck while responding to assist a deputy.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says killed in the wreck about one mile north of Osborn was 43-year-old Dekalb County Sheriff Andrew Clark.

The Patrol reports Clark was southbound on Missouri 33, crossing U.S. 36 Highway, when his pickup truck was struck in the passenger side by a eastbound SUV on U.S 36 driven by 71-year-old Robert Carpenter, of Diller, Nebraska.

Carpenter and three passengers in his vehicle suffered non-life threatening injuries.

(KNZA)--Two St. Joseph, Missouri teens were seriously injured late Tuesday night after they were struck by a vehicle about 4 1/2 miles southeast of Faucett.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports a SUV was westbound on Route MM when the vehicle struck the 16 and 17-year-old boys as they were walking across the highway around 10:00.

17-year-old Dylan Moore was lifeflighted to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

The 16-year-old boy, who was not identified, was transported by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph and then lifeflighted to Children's Mercy.

The driver of the SUV, 36-year-old Dearborn, Missouri resident Kristi Billings, was not hurt.

(KLZA)-- The Richardson County Sheriffs Office is open again for vehicle identification inspections,  gun permits and fingerprinting.

Beginning Monday, June 8, the Sheriff's Office will be open to the public with no appointments necessary.  On-site inmate visitation will also begin that day.  

Currently these services will be by appointment only.  VIN inspections will be done at the Law Enforcement Center and will not be done offsite at this time.  

You are requested to wear a mask, if you don't have a mask you will be provided with one.  

Through June 7, will be no on-site inmate visitation. Visits are done online only for the time being.  To make an appointment for any of these services for on-line visitation call the  Richardson County Sheriff's Office at 402-245-2479.

(KNZA)--The Horton Aquatic Park will remain closed this summer.

 According to a post on the city's Facebook page, the Horton City Commission made "the difficult decision" Monday evening after a lengthy discussion.

The post said the Commission felt it was in the best interest of the staff and patrons that the facility remain closed this season.

Horton Mayor Bryan Stirton cast the lone no vote, telling MSC News, “I feel like it's a mistake not to try the open softly with what restrictions we were going to have. But I think we are on the verge of no restrictions and the pool could have at least been open for a month and a 1/2. I felt like we waited long enough to make a decision and that there was enough hope on the horizon to have opened it.”

 Horton joins several other local communities--including Atchison, Hiawatha and Horton--in deciding not to open their Aquatic Parks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(KLZA)-- The Southeast District Health Department reports a fourth confirmed case of coronavirus in Nemaha County, Nebraska.

A female in her twenties who lives in Nemaha County is the latest confirmed case.  All identified close contacts will be asked to self-quarantine. Individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should self-isolate to avoid transmitting the virus to others. 

There have now been 19 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the district which consists of Richardson, Pawnee, Nemaha, Johnson and Otoe counties.  

Seven of the cases have been in Otoe County, six in Johnson County, four in Nemaha County,  two in Richardson County with no confirmed cases in Pawnee County. 

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Fisher Center has re-opened, and cases are being heard again in Municipal Court.

Hiawatha Parks and Recreation Director Stacy Jasper informed the City Commission Monday evening that the Fisher Center re-opened Monday for scheduled events only.

Currently, Jasper said they are abiding by gatherings of 50 or less and limiting traffic in the building as the doors remain locked to the public.

She said they are allowing walkers to use the gym by appointment only.

It will be re-evaluated at the Commission's June 15 meeting.

At the request of City Attorney Andy Delaney, the Commission approved the re-opening of Municipal Court.

Delaney said they had a full docket set for Tuesday.

Both the Fisher Center and Municipal Court have been closed since late March to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

(KLZA)-- Municipal elections were held across Missouri Tuesday.  Originally scheduled for April 7, voting was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Holt County incumbent Neal Prussman was reelected to the South Holt School Board. Also elected to serve was Tim McCourt and Randy Mendenhall with 245 and 244 votes respectively.

Incumbent Tiger Parsons received 196 votes and John Mackey 188.

Gregory Book was re-elected Mayor of Forest City defeating Kelly Jean Hamilton 69-14.

Mound City will have a new Mayor. Joe Laukemper was the only candidate to seek the position currently held by Chris Krueger.

Rock Port School District voters elected incumbent Jeremy Davis to another term with 191 votes.  Also elected to serve were Regan Griffin with 198 votes and Joanna Burke with 183 votes.  Incumbent Ken Miller received 71 votes in his failed re-election bid. 

The three incumbent Board members seeking re-election to the Nodaway-Holt School Board were successful.  Jane Hanson received 150 votes,  Jim Fuhrman 128 and Nick Madden 126.  Dustin Jenkins with 85 votes and Eddie Steins with 71 failed in their election bids. 

Fairfax voters approved Ballot Measure 1 which will impose a one percent sales tax for the purpose of street repair, including operation, maintenance and equipment with 108 yes votes to just 12 no votes.

(KNZA)--The Horton Aquatic Park will remain closed this summer.

 According to a post on the city's Facebook page, the Horton City Commission made the difficult decision Monday evening after a lengthy discussion.

 The post said the Commission felt it was in the best interest of the staff and patrons that the facility remain closed this season.

 Horton now joins several other local communities--including Atchison, Hiawatha and Horton--in deciding not to open their Aquatic Parks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(KNZA)--Kansas Senator Dennis Pyle will be challenged in his bid for re-election to another 4-year term.  

According to the Kansas Secretary of State's Office, Kirk Miller, of Havensville, filed Friday as a Democratic candidate for the 1st District Kansas Senate seat.

Pyle, a rural Hiawatha Republican, has held the seat since 2005.  Prior to that, he was a Kansas Representative for the 49th District from 2001-2002.  

The 1st District includes Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson and Nemaha Counties along with portions of Marshall and Pottawatomie Counties.

Pyle filed for re-election last month.  Monday was the filing deadline.  

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

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening was informed about a state statute that will have a bearing on who they appoint as the city's new fire chief.

City Administrator Mike Nichols said he recently became aware of the statute requiring that fire chief's appointed in second-class cities be a resident of the city or live within a two-mile radius.

Nichols said he was not aware of the statute in 2016 when the city's residency requirement for fire chief was changed from residing within a two-mile radius to a five-mile radius.  The change was made to allow Ryan Shockley, who was assistant chief at the time, the opportunity to serve as fire chief should the fire department vote to have him fill that role.

On the recommendation of the fire department, the Commission appointed Shockley as fire chief in May 2018. However, the Commission voted last November to remove him from that role. No reason was publicly stated for the decision, and Gene Atland was appointed as interim chief.

Since that time, fire department members have urged the Commission to re-instate Shockley.

As result of the state statute, Nichols said Shockley, or anyone else living outside the two-mile radius, is not eligible for appointment as fire chief. “I sincerely regret the oversight, and take responsibility for such. I apologize to you, the City Commission, Mr. Shockley, the members of the fire department, and the public, for this oversight,” Nichols said. “Had I been aware of this statute four-years ago, I think a lot could have been avoided.”

The Commission failed to appoint a fire chief at their May 18 meeting, and City Attorney Andy Delaney told the Commission they will need to appoint someone at their June 15 meeting

The fire department will be informed about the state statute.

(KAIR)--The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is reporting the first confirmed positive case of COVID-19 on the Tribe’s reservation, located near Mayetta, in Jackson County.

According to a release from the Tribe, testing, leading to the positive result, was conducted at the Prairie Band Health Center.

No information regarding the person is being made public in order to, as the release states, “protect the privacy of the individual.”

The health center is working with the Jackson County Health Department to identify potential contacts of the person who may have been exposed.

Saying “it was only a matter of time,” Joseph Rupnick, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Chairman, in the release, put out the call for residents to continue practicing social distancing and to wear masks.

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation government is in the third phase of re-opening, with all tribal government employees reporting to work, and most buildings opened to the public, as of Monday.

The release notes that “all employees, vendors and guests are required to have their temperature taken prior to entering a building and are expected to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.”

The Jackson County Health Department on Tuesday reported 102 positive cases of COVID-19, with 66 of those individuals now recovered and are no longer in isolation.

(KMZA)--Two employees at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, in Seneca, have tested positive for COVID-19.
That word came Tuesday in a news release.

In the release, CEO Kiley Floyd said an investigation is underway to determine previous contacts with the employees, adding that “at this point [it’s not believed] the employees’ exposure to COVID-19 was at the hospital” but a full investigation, per standard operating procedures, is underway.

Although the hospital is “not concerned about potential exposure to patients,” they “want to make sure [to] consider all potential contacts.” Any patient, visitor or employee who is deemed at risk for potential exposure “will be notified by Nemaha County Community Health Services with further instructions.”

The release notes that all staff are screened daily before reporting to work, with those who do not pass the screening questions being asked not to report to work.

Floyd said it’s “out of an abundanc of caution the hospital enforces quarantine requirements for staff members considered to be under investigation due to possible exposure or even close contact with those employees.”

The release says that with county-wide restrictions lifted, now is the time for “a good reminder that proper social distancing, hand hygiene, and recognition of the symptoms of COVID-19 remain the best defense against the spread of the virus.”

(KAIR)--Atchison County government offices are reopening.
According to a release Tuesday from Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter, the public can again access County departments and offices effective immediately, but the County will “continue to take preventative measures designed to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus illness,” with arrangements being made “to adjust services to be in the best interest of the employees and citizens of Atchison County

and following the interim guidance as provided by KDHE and the CDC.”

There have been 23 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Atchison County.

To view the detailed internal reopening plan, go here. 

(AP) - Nebraska prisons officials say more prison employees have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing to 14 the total number of employees who've tested positive for the virus in the state's 10 prison facilities.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said in a news release late Sunday that two staff members employed at the state prison at Tecumseh recently tested positive for the new coronavirus. The release says both staffers are self-isolating at home.

The department says it will notify those who work and live in the facility about the new cases. 

(KAIR)--As of last month, Atchison County’s USD 377 was serving 975 students each week with a food program extended past the regular school year.

The program, last month, was approved to continue through June to serve students in need, but it’s not immediately known how long the extension will be necessary.

Brian Hagen talked to Dr. Andrew Gaddis, Superintendent for the district, following last month’s extension approval.

(KAIR)--The Atchison County Attorney has filed to retain the seat she was first appointed to in 2018.
Sherri Becker filed as a Republican Monday, the deadline to do so. She has no opposition.
Becker was appointed to the position in November, 2018, selected by the Atchison County Republican Central Committee to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former County Attorney Jerry Kuckelman, who was selected to serve as a 1st District Court Judge.

Candidates for other key, Atchison County races filed prior to Monday, including two Republicans seeking the seat of County Sheriff, incumbent Jack Laurie and former Deputy Adam Potts. Former Atchison County Sheriff John Calhoon is seeking the position as a Democrat.

Bill Pohl looks to hold onto his position as 3rd District Atchison County Commissioner, challenged by Republican Casey Quinn and Democrat Duane Boldridge.

2nd District County Commissioner, Republican Eric Noll, is running unopposed, as are Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips and Register of Deeds Shelley Campbell, both Republicans.
The Atchison County Primary Election, to narrow the field of candidates in contested party races, will be August 4, followed by the General Election November 3.

(KLZA)-- For the past three weeks, Richardson County Emergency Management has been doing maintenance on the outdoor warning sirens in the county. 

The Emergency Management office is thanking citizens for their patience and understanding while work on a software issue was corrected.

The siren in Barada is still not working due to a  different issue.  Officials believe the siren was struck by lightning, which destroyed an electrical board. 

Parts have been ordered and area residents will be notified when the siren is fixed. 

(KNZA)--Hiawatha ACES will kick off its 7th year of providing free lunches to local kids on Tuesday, June 2.

The non-profit organization's “ No Hunger Summer” program will run through July 31.

Due to COVID-19, this year “ Grab and go” sack lunches will be provided instead of a sit down meal.

They will available for free to anyone 18 and under from 11:30 to 1:00 in the alley behind the Brown County Sheriff's Department in Hiawatha.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said they asking vehicles to enter the alley from 8th Street and exit on 7th Street.

Children walking or riding bikes, are asked to use the same location to receive their meal.

The program is co-sponsored by the Second Harvest Community Food Bank, based in St. Joseph, Missouri.

If you have any questions you can message Hiawatha ACES on their FACEBOOK page or call (785)-741-5141.

(KNZA)--An additional candidate filed before Monday's deadline for the position of 3rd District Brown County Commissioner.

The Brown County Clerk's Office reports Bill Pollock filed as a Republican candidate.

Pollock is challenging Republican incumbent Dwight Kruse in his bid for re-election.

Two positions are up for election this fall on the Commission.

Former Brown County Sheriff Lamar Shoemaker is running unopposed for 2nd District County Commissioner.

The position is currently held by Keith Olsen, who did not seek re-election.

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

(KLZA)-- During last week's meeting of the Richardson County Health Board,  Southeast District Health Department Director Grant Brueggemann was asked about his agencies reporting on confirmed cases of COVID-19.  

Like other communicable diseases or patient information,  no identifying characteristics are discussed.

Brueggemann said there are reasons for not reporting which community in a county the confirmed case is in.  Communities under a certain population would make it too easy to identify who the person is if reported by city. 

Brueggemann says his agency waits until they receive confirmation of a COVID case before they begin tracking, or alerting close contacts to the patient so the investigation can be tied together. 

What occurs during contact tracing was also explained to the Health Board members. A history of where the patient has been,  and who they have been in contact with for about three days prior to symptom onset is gathered.  Once the contacts are identified,  they receive a phone call from the Southeast District Health Department alerting them they may have been   exposed and should quarentine. 

Brueggemann also noted that if an area resident was tested for coronavirus in a different area of the state, or even a different state,  the local health district would be notified of the positive test.   

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Council is seeking bids for the city audit.

Current Auditor Julie Bauman met with Council May 26th discussing possibly amending the Water Fund  budget.  She also discussed a 3-year audit proposal prior to the decision to seek bids.

In other action during the meeting the  Council approved placement of a handrail by the new City Office as suggested by a citizen. 

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Aquatic Park will open June 15. 

Falls City Council members voted Monday evening to open the pool with certain restrictions to meet state guidelines. 

The pool will be open for three, 90 minute sessions per day, with a 30-minute break between sessions for cleaning. Sessions will begin at 1:00,  3:00 and 5:00 p.m.  with a 45 minute session at 7:00 p.m. for lap swimming and water aerobics. 

The entry fee will be $2 per session and you will need to make reservations to go to the pool so to avoid long lines and swimmers being turned away.  In addition, those entering the facility will have their temperatures taken prior to gaining entry. 

Longtime Aquatic Park Manager, Roger Lampe says he believes he and his staff will be able to handle the challenge, allowing the community to have fun while taking every precaution they can. 

The vote to open the pool was 6-1 with one absent.  Council member Lucas Froeschl cast the nay vote. 

(KAIR)--The City of Atchison sees another local property placed upon the National Register of Historic Places.

The latest addition to the registry is the Atchison YMCA, located at 325 Commercial Street.

According to a letter addressed to Atchison Assistant City Manager Justin Pregont, the structure earned the distinction April 13.

The letter, sent by the Kansas Historical Society, explains that the National Register is the country's official list of historically significant properties.

Listing of the YMCA "provides recognition of its historical importance and assures that the significance of the property will be considred in federal planning."

According to nomination documentation, the period of significance for the property is 1913 to 1969.
Opening in 1913, the YMCA “remained a strong presence in the community throughout its history.”
The original structure was closed in 2017, replaced by an expanded version nearby, known as the Atchison YMCA/Cray Community Center.

(KNZA)--The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Jackson County continues to climb.

The Jackson County Health Department on Sunday reported 4 additional cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the county to 100.

37 of Jackson County's cases have recovered, while one is hospitalized.

Last week, Jackson County reported its first death due to COVID-19.

Statewide, the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 has increased to more than 10,000.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Monday reported 10,011 cases from 88 counties, with 217 virus-related deaths.

Leavenworth County continues to have the highest number of positive cases among local Kansas Counties, with 1,093.

Pottawatomie County reports 27 cases; Atchison County, 23; Jefferson County, 22; Doniphan County, 17; Nemaha County, 16; and Brown County, 6.

Marshall County is the only local county that has not seen a positive case of COVID-19.   

(KNZA)--An agreement has been approved for a Doniphan County bridge project.

The Doniphan County Commission last week signed an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for the replacement of a short-span bridge on 180th Road, northeast of Severance.

Under the agreement, KDOT will reimburse Doniphan County for 90 percent of the total cost up to $200,000, with the county responsible for the remaining 10 percent and additional costs above $200,000.

The funding will come through KDOT's Local Bridge Improvement Program.

A construction start date hasn't been announced.

The Commission also signed an agreement with KDOT that would provide funds for the repair of roads and bridges on the Federal-Aid Highway System that suffered serious damage from natural disasters.

Under the agreement, federal funds will pay 100 percent of emergency repairs made within 180 days of the actual occurrence a natural disaster or catastrophic failure.

For work performed after 180 days, the federal share paid to Doniphan County for reimbursement will be 80 percent.

Two projects qualify for federal-aid reimbursement. The first is the replacement of culverts, road material and guardrail on Ash Point Road, north of 240th Road. The second project is the reinforcement of a wing wall on a bridge located at 245th and Ottumwa Roads.