(KAIR)--On Friday, Atchison County confirmed a two-case increase of COVID-19, bringing the County’s total to 61.

According to a release from Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter, One of the patients is in their 70’s, while the other is in their thirties. Both are isolating at home.

There are currently two cases hospitalized in Atchison County.

52 have recovered.

Meanwhile, in Jackson County, two employees of the county clerk’s office have tested positive for COVID-19, forcing its other two employees to quarantine just days before the primary election.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Jackson County Clerk Kathy Mick has COVID-19. Mick says members of the Jackson County Elections Board are filling in to ensure the county's election goes forward Tuesday.

The Kansas Secretary of State’s office said Friday it is unaware of any other election office in Kansas whose staff has been quarantined. The secretary of state’s office has told local officials that individuals cannot be turned away from voting for not wearing a mask. 

The Associated Press contributed to this story. 

(KLZA)--The 2020 seniors at Johnson-Brock and Pawnee  City Schools will be honored Saturday.  

The Johnson-Brock graduation will be Saturday in the school gymnasium beginning at 2:30 p.m.

To help with social distancing a card collection bag for each graduate will be located in the commons. 

There will be limited seating and those attending are encouraged to wear a mask. Seniors will be allowed six assigned seats on the gymnasium floor

The Pawnee City graduation will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the High School gymnasium.  

Seating space will be limited.  Spectators will enter through the north or south gymnasium doors. Bleachers may only be filled up to 50 percent of capacity with rows spaced at six-feet between groups of guests.  Attendants will help direct the guests.  

At the conclusion of the ceremony  graduates will escort their family members from the gym floor and proceed to their vehicles to avoid any gatherings or crowds on school grounds.
 
Those seated  in the bleachers will be dismissed by rows after the graduates and families have left they gym.

Face coverings for all those attending is highly recommended.  

(KLZA)--The Holt County, Missouri Health Department has confirmed a sixth case of COVID-19 within the County. 

The patient is a female between 30 and 40 years of age who is isolated in a private residence.

Those with close contacts to the person have been contacted.  

The Holt County Health Department continues to recommend maintaining social distancing  in public settings, staying home when you are sick, proper hand washing and cleaning frequently touched surfaces. If you are unable to maintain a six-foot distance from others, wearing a face covering is also recommended.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth man is dead following a late Thursday evening Platte County, Missouri crash involving a semi-truck.

The name of the victim is not immediately made public, with the Platte County Sheriff’s Office identifying him only as a 55-year-old man who was driving a 1995 Chevrolet pickup truck.

According to a release from the Sheriff’s Office, the victim was westbound on 92 Highway, shortly before 5:15. Crossing into the eastbound lane, the pickup collided with a semi-truck, near Hackberry Road.

The driver of the pickup truck died at the scene, while the semi-truck driver was not hurt.

According to the release, the initial investigation shows the victim was not buckled up at the time of the fatal crash.

The investigation is continuing.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth man is dead following a late Thursday evening Platte County, Missouri crash involving a semi-truck.

The name of the victim is not immediately made public, with the Platte County Sheriff’s Office identifying him only as a 55-year-old man who was driving a 1995 Chevrolet pickup truck.

According to a release from the Sheriff’s Office, the victim was westbound on 92 Highway, shortly before 5:15. Crossing into the eastbound lane, the pickup collided with a semi-truck, near Hackberry Road.

The driver of the pickup truck died at the scene, while the semi-truck driver was not hurt.

According to the release, the initial investigation shows the victim was not buckled up at the time of the fatal crash.

The investigation is continuing.

(KNZA)--No serious injuries were reported in a Thursday afternoon 4-vehicle Brown County wreck, southeast of Sabetha.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on U.S. 75, just north of 260th Road,  shortly after 1:30.

The Patrol says a car driven by 33-year-old Melissa Oshin, of Bellvue, Nebraska, was southbound on U.S. 75 when she slowed to turn east onto 260th Road.

Her vehicle was struck in the rear by a southbound SUV driven by 17-year-old Jack Rosa, of Hiawatha.

Oshin's car was then sideswiped by a northbound semi tractor-trailer.

Debris from the crash damaged a southbound car driven by 17-year-old Christian Shaffer, of Hiawatha.

Rosa was transported to the Hiawatha Community Hospital with what the Patrol described as possible injuries.

Oshin received possible injuries, but was not transported.  Two children, ages 3 and 5, were passengers in her vehicle. They were not hurt.

Also Shaffer and the semi-driver, from Kansas City, were not injured.

The Patrol says all occupants were buckled up at the time of the wreck, with the two children secured in booster seats.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board has  approved for publication a proposed 2020-21 budget that calls for net expenditures nearly $17.3 million and a just over one mill tax levy decrease.  

The action came during a special meeting Tuesday evening. 

The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 48.353 mills, with the amount of tax to be levied at more than $6.3 million. 

Superintendent Lonnie Moser noted the mill levy has decreased the last several years.  The district has been able to lower the levy due to an increase in the district's assessed valuation. 

The board will consider final approval of the budget following a public hearing at their August 10 meeting.

(KNZA)--The Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education has approved a return to school plan.

Superintendent Todd Evans said the plan, which was developed in consultation with local health professionals, was approved during a special meeting Monday evening.

Evans said the guidelines of the plan follow the recommendations from the Kansas State Department of Education's " Navigating Change" document.

He said the goal is to educate students in the district's school buildings, although they will follow local health officials recommendations for adjusting to remote learning or a hybrid model, alternating some students in the building and others doing remote learning as needed.

This will be dependent on a classification system of low, moderate or high community transmission of the coronavirus.

Evans said they will be following the Department of Education's recommendations for protocols that include the wearing of masks for  adults as well as middle and high school students. Masks for elementary school students are encouraged, but not required at this time.    

The first day of school for students in USD 113 will be Tuesday, August 25. 

(KLZA)-- A July 23 search of a storage unit in Rulo  has resulted in the arrest of two men on felony drug charges. 

Richardson County Sheriff's Deputies, with the assistance of the Brown County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit executed the search.

A release from the Richardson County Sheriff's Department said during the search deputies located suspected methamphetamine and various items of drug paraphernalia.  

As a result of the search warrant, arrest warrants were issued for 45-year-old Griffin M. Tracy of  White Cloud and 47-year-old Daniel L. Clary of Falls City.

Wednesday, Clary was apprehended by Richardson County deputies and Thursday, Tracy was apprehended by the Brown County Sheriff's Office and Iowa Tribal Police. 

Both men were wanted on a felony charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

In the release, the Richardson County Sheriff's Office thanked both the Brown County  Sheriff's Office and Iowa Tribal Police for their assistance.  

(KNZA)--The start of school for Jackson County's three school districts has been delayed.

The Holton USD 336 School Board, during a meeting Monday, voted to postpone the start of school to August 24 so that staff can prepare for the re-opening of school for both in-person and remote learning.

School had originally been scheduled to begin August 12.

In addition, as part of the updated 2020-21 calendar adopted by the board, there will be no school on Friday, August 28 so that staff can make adjustments to any issue the school may have early on.

The Jackson Heights USD 335 Board of Education, during a meeting Monday, approved postponing the start of school two days.

School will now begin August 20 instead of August 18.

There will be two types of learning options for 7th-12th grade students for the fall semester—on-site and virtual.

The Royal Valley USD 337 school board, during a special meeting Monday, approved the district's re-opening plans for the 2020-21 school year.

The Board also voted to move the first day of school from August 19 to August 24 to allow for three additional days of training for staff.

In addition, there will be no school on Friday, August 28 to allow for additional training and planning for staff to adjust instruction after the first four days of school.

(KNZA)--A lucky Kansas Lottery player in Northeast Kansas has won $100,000 from the Wednesday night Powerball drawing.

The Kansas Lottery says the ticket matched four numbers and the Powerball to win $50,000, but the player added on the Power Play multiplier, which multiplied their win up to $100,000.

The winning numbers were 7 – 29 – 35 – 40 – 45 Powerball 26 and PowerPlay 2X.

The Northeast Kansas region includes twenty-one counties, including locally, Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth,, Marshall, Nemaha and Pottawatomie.

The next Powerball drawing is Saturday, with an estimated jackpot of $137 million.

(KMZA)--The Marshall County Commission has scheduled a public form about the proposed 110-turbine Irish Creek Wind Project in the Frankfort area.

The forum will take place Wednesday evening, August 5, at 6:00 at St. Gregory's Catholic Church parish hall, in Marysville.

The proposed wind farm has been a controversial issue in recent months.

The project developer, NextEra Energy Resource, will have representatives at the forum to answer questions from the public.

Commissioners ask that questions from the public be submitted to County Clerk Sandy Wilson by Saturday. Her email is swilson@mscoks.org.

Masks will be required at the forum and social distancing will be maintained.

(KLZA)-- The number of coronavirus cases within the five-county Southeast District Health Department jurisdiction continues to climb with seven additional cases confirmed Wednedsay.

Five of the cases are from Nemaha County including males in their fifties, forties and a minor and two females,  one in her forties and one in her fifties.

A Richardson County man in his seventies brings the total county cases to 18 and a Pawnee County male in his fifties brings the county total to six.

Nemaha County now has had 18 confirmed cases with 38 cases in Otoe County and 11 in Johnson County.   

(KLZA)-- A Rock Port teenager suffered serous injuries in a single vehicle wreck early Thursday morning on US-59 Highway about a quarter-of-a-mile north of Fairfax.

The Missouri Highway Patrol report says 17-year-old Austin  Wallace was southbound in a pickup about 2:50 a.m. when his pickup traveled off the roadway, over a ditch, became airborne and impacted the ditch and began to overturn. 
The pickup came to rest on its wheels.  

Wallace, who was not wearing a safety device was transported by the Atchison – Holt Ambulance District to the Fairfax Hospital and then on to the Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha. 

The pickup was totaled.  

The Atchison County Sheriff's Department assisted at the scene.  

(KNZA)--With back to school time just around the corner, the Brown County Sheriff's office has launch a drive to collect donated school supplies.

The Sheriff’s Office says they want your help as they “Pack the Patrol Pickup.”

You can bring your school supply donations to the lobby of the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, located at 709 Utah Street in Hiawatha, anytime now through August 22nd. Monetary donations will also be accepted.

On Monday ( August 3rd) the Sheriff's Office plans a special event to kick off the donation drive. They will be grilling hot dogs from 11 to 1. The first 250 people to drive through behind the Sheriff’s Office – where the Summer Lunch Program has been – to drop off a donation will get a free hot dog.

All items collected will be distributed to Horton and Hiawatha Schools in the pickup.

For more information, you can contact Cynthia Linck at the Sheriff's Office at 785-742-3188.

(KNZA)--The start of school for students in the South Brown Schools of USD 430 has been pushed back.

The USD 430 Board of Education, during a special meeting Wednesday, approved an updated calendar for the 2020-21 school year.

Under the revised calendar, PreK-5, 7th and  9th graders, along with any  new students will begin school on August 24.  All students will begin on August 25.

The first day of school was originally planned for August 18.

Superintendent Jason Cline said moving back the start date for students will allow staff members to prepare for the new school year and the additional needs due to COVID-19.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), released the following statement after the House passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (H.R. 7575). Included in this legislation is language Smith developed with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to help communities which abide by certain criteria restore their eligibility for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assistance to repair damage from 2019 flooding. 

Also included in this bill is language similar to the Lower Missouri Flood Prevention Program Act, which Smith helped introduce. The legislation would expand the scope of the Lower Missouri Basin study to improve flood prevention on the Missouri River from Sioux City, Iowa, and South Sioux City, Nebraska, to its confluence with the Mississippi River. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would be required to study, design, and construct water resources development projects and modify existing ones to provide flood protection for communities and develop a system plan to for reducing flood risk and improving flood resiliency.

“The 2019 floods ravaged farmland, destroyed essential infrastructure like highways, water treatment plants, and levees that had withstood the test of time for decades. While touring the damage in Peru with Senator Slama and community leaders, it was clear something needed to be done. Though there is still work ahead of us, this legislation is a big step toward addressing these issues,” said Smith. Prevention is also critical to avoiding damage and destruction in communities like South Sioux City. This legislation supports ongoing local rebuilding efforts and has the potential to save towns in rural America who have previously fallen through the cracks.”

State Senator Julie Slama, whose district includes Peru, Nebraska, said the following:

“This provision would allow the Corps of Engineers to address Southeast Nebraska’s biggest infrastructure need and a top priority for my District. Congressman Smith toured Peru's flood damage last summer, and our region is overjoyed this critical provision was added to WRDA with his help. Today's vote represents an outstanding team effort between local stakeholders, my office, and Congressman Smith, and is a big win for Southeast Nebraska.” 

Dr. Dan Hanson, President of Peru State College:

“Congressman Smith’s work to improve the WRDA bill, making the repair of the Peru Levees eligible for Federal funding, is critical to the long-term success of Peru State College, the City of Peru, local farmers, and the entire region. The region suffered significant damage in the flood of March 2019 when the levees were breached. This damage included complete flooding of the City’s water treatment plant and wastewater treatment system as well as flooding thousands of acres of farmland, causing millions of dollars of damage and economic loss. As chair of the Long-term Recovery Group for our region, I am very thankful for Congressman Smith’s successful leadership, putting Peru and the region on the path to recovery.”

(KNZA)--The Horton Police Department is investigating a burglary at the city's power plant.

Police Chief John Calhoon said the power plant was broken into early Wednesday morning and two city vehicles stolen.

An officer discovered a gate open at the power plant around 5:00 and upon further investigation, discovered the theft of the vehicles.

Both were located a short time later within the city limits of Horton at two different locations by the officer.

A 2002 Ford F-350 with a utility bed was located just south of the power plant along a creek bed.

A short time later, a 2017 Ford F-550 bucket truck was located just north of 12th Street and 6th Avenue West.

Various items were stolen off the bucket truck, exceeding $11,000 in value.

Calhoon said two individuals have been interviewed. However, no arrests have been made at this time.

Anyone who may have seen suspicious individuals on foot prior to 5 a.m or either of the stolen vehicles prior to 5 am are asked to contact the Horton Police Department at 785-486-2694.

(KAIR)--The upcoming USD 409 school year will include changes to the calendar and to the methods in which students will be learning.

In a pair of unanimous decisions Wednesday evening, the USD 409 board approved a revised calendar pushing the start date for students to September 9th, and agreed to a teaching model that will allow students to learn on-site, remotely, or in a hybrid style combining those two.

The decisions followed recommendations given by Superintendent Renee Scott, which she outlined in a formal plan titled “USD 409: Navigating Change 2020”.

The plan was based on the findings of a return-to-school committee, formed to address the need of teaching students in the safest possible manner and training teachers to teach across multiple platforms. The committee, formed at the beginning of June, included site council members, head principals, parents, teachers, and other community stakeholders. According to Scott, the plan was largely based on state recommendations for re-opening schools.

The plan was submitted to parents last week along with a survey allowing them to decide which model they would choose for their child or children. Survey results show that about 53.5 percent of students would fall into the on-site model, with the remaining students evenly divided between remote and hybrid learning.

According to Scott, the district is comprised of approximately 1,740 students and about 300 classified and non-classified staff.

(KNZA)--A Topeka man was arrested Wednesday in Jackson County following the recovery of a stolen vehicle.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse said deputies and detectives with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office took 44-year-old Danny Joseph Belisle Jr. into custody at a residence located in the 17-thousand block of W. Road, south of Denision, for felony possession of stolen property.

Morse said officers located a 2017 Nissan Infinity that had been reported stolen from a Topeka car lot on Monday.

The vehicle appeared to have been involved in an accident after it was stolen.

Belisle remains in the Jackson County Jail.

(KLZA)-- The Mound City Board of Education met Tuesday morning.  

Elementary and Middle School Principal Dee Flint reported on meeting she has had with Superintendent Korey Miles and High school Principal Jacob Shipman concerning plans for re-entry for the new school year.

She continues to attend webinars and Zoom meetings on the topics.  She praised the maintenance staff for their work on projects.

Back to School night is scheduled for August 20 with school scheduled to start for students on August 24.  

Superintendent Miles said the Re-entry Plan will be posted on the school website for parents to look at and prepare for the beginning of the school year.  

Board members also approved hiring Katie Cole as Kindergarten – 12 grade Physical Education teacher and McKinsie Radley as an Assistant High School Volleyball Coach.   
 

(KLZA)-- Plans have been approved for a new bridge over Davis Creek on the south edge of Mound City.

During their July 20, meeting,  Mound City Aldermen approved the plan for a bridge that will be 75 feet long and will be 32 feet wide, including a fenced sidewalk, making it approximately seven-and-a-half feet wider than the current bridge. 

Once the required environmental studies are completed, its anticipated the project will take three to four months to complete depending on weather. 

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission voted Monday to allow the closure of the county's senior citizens centers for a two-week period to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and protect the most vulnerable population.

The Commission took the action, which was effective as of Monday, on the recommendation of county Aging Administrator Peggy Wood.

Commissioners directed Wood to meet with the site directors to come up with protocol for safely re-opening the senior citizen centers following the two-week shut down.

Such a plan is to include social distancing, proper and routine hand washing, disinfecting of all surfaces and wearing of masks where warranted to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

County Health Department/Home Health Administrator Sheryl Pierce informed commissioners Monday that Doniphan County currently has six active COVID-19 cases out of 41 positive cases to date. Only two of Doniphan County's cases are from community spread, the others were from out of county exposure.

After reviewing the  2018 and 2019 annual budget reports for Doniphan County Ambulance District No. 1,  Commissioners agreed to make no changes to the previously approved 2021 budgeted tax appropriation of $144,000 for the ambulance district.  The tax appropriation represents a $50,000 increase in funding.  The ambulance district had sought a $75,000 increase.

(KNZA)-- The Hiawatha School Board, during a special meeting Tuesday evening, voted to delay the start of school until September 2nd.

 The action came on a 5-2 vote following a lengthy discussion, and after a motion to delay the start of school until September 9th failed.

 Board members Ian Schuetz and Tom Simmer favored delaying the start until September 9th, which had been recommended by Superintendent Lonnie Moser.

 Moser said that would allow ample time to prepare for the safe return of students and ensure that the district's remote learning mode is in place for educating those that choose it.

 Board member John Wright questioned the need for a delay, saying they need to get kids back in the classroom.

Board member Amy Kopp said she had talked to teachers and they felt a two week delay was enough.

School had originally been scheduled to begin August 20.

 Kindergartners, 5th and 9th graders will now begin school September 2nd and all other students  on September 3.

Tuesday's meeting marked the first for new board member Andrea Groth, who was selected last month to fill the vacancy created by the resignation Dr. Pete Rosa.

(KNZA)--A Denton man, accused of vandalizing a Doniphan County cemetery, will stand trial.

38-year-old Nicholas Cluck waived his preliminary hearing last Friday and was bound over to Doniphan County District Court for arraignment on August 5.

Cluck is charged with felony counts of criminal damage to property and criminal desecration for allegedly causing extensive damage to the Walnut Grove Cemetery, northeast of Highland.

He is accused of driving his pickup truck through the cemetery in March, damaging multiple grave markers and a chain link fence.

In addition, Cluck is charged with driving under the influence along with a felony count of aggravated battery in connection with an alleged domestic disturbance.

He was arrested March 7 following an investigation by the Doniphan County Sheriff's Department and Highland Police Department after his disabled vehicle was found in the cemetery.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert is serving as special prosecutor in the case.

Cluck remains free on bond.

ELWOOD, Kan. (AP) — A Missouri woman is suing a northeastern Kansas city and one of its former police officers who pleaded guilty to sexual battery for groping her during an arrest two years ago. 

The Kansas City Star reports that woman is suing the city of Elwood and former Officer Aaron Newberry for an undisclosed amount. 

The lawsuit accuses them of negligent infliction of emotional distress. 

The woman details in the lawsuit that Newberry arrested her at a party in Elwood in July 2018 for having a small amount of marijuana. She says once they were in his patrol car, he groped her breasts under her shirt while she was handcuffed. 

Newberry was fired the day he was charged.

(KLZA)-- The Southeast District Health Department confirmed 10 additional cases of COVID-19 within the five-county district on  Monday. 

Five of the cases were confirmed in Nemaha County, including females in their twenties, forties and fifties and two men in their twenties.

Three cases were confirmed in Pawnee County. All three were males in their fifties.

There was one additional case confirmed in Richardson County,  a female in her thirties with the final case being a female in her twenties in Otoe County. 

The new cases bring the total number of cases in the district to 84.  38 of the cases are in Otoe County,  17 in Richardson County,  13 in Nemaha County,  11 in Johnson County and five cases in Pawnee County. 

All of the identified cases are in self-quarantine.  

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff's Office has been recognized by AAA Kansas for their efforts in addressing local traffic safety issues.

Bob Hamilton, law enforcement liaison for the Kansas Department of Transportation, presented the 2019 Community Traffic Safety Platinum award to Sheriff John Merchant during Monday's Brown County Commission meeting.

Its the 6th AAA Traffic Safety award for the Sheriff’s Office and third consecutive year the department has received the Platinum Award, the highest award given.

Two other Brown County  law enforcement agencies, the Hiawatha and Horton Police Departments, received Gold Awards.

The three local law enforcement agencies are among fifty-one agencies across the state honored for their 2019 work to keep roadways in their cities and counties safe through a variety of initiatives and programs.

The awards have been presented annually since 2011.

(KNZA)--The 2020 Doniphan County 4-H Fair Prince and Princess were crowned during a ceremony Monday evening at the fairgrounds in Troy.

Crowned prince was 12-year-old Reed Foley, who is in his 6th year as a member of the Sunflower 4-H Club. Foley attends Riverside Middle School and will be a 7th grader in the fall. He was selected from among two boys competing for prince.

This year’s princess is 14-year-old Lena Leatherman, who is in her eighth year as a member of the Bendena 4-H Club. Leatherman was selected from among seven girls vying for princess. She will be attending Doniphan West High School in the fall.

In their roles as fair prince and princess, Foley and Leatherman will hand out ribbons and awards during the fair. The fair runs through Friday at the Doniphan County Fairgrounds in Troy.

(KAIR)--Three new positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Atchison County, bringing the county's total to date to fifty-nine.

Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter, in a release Monday afternoon, said the new cases are ages 74, 69 and 59.

All are on home isolation.

The Atchison County Health Department is completing their investigations.

Atchison County currently has 3 positive patients hospitalized.

Forty-nine of the county's fifty-nine cases have recovered.

Statewide, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has climbed past 26,000.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Monday reported an additional 1,063 new positive cases of the virus and nine new deaths since Friday, bringing the total to 335. 

(KAIR)-- A Missouri man was arrested following an early Monday morning altercation with Atchison police.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson said officers responded to a disturbance in the 18-hundred block of North 2nd in Atchison shortly after 3:00.

He said officers determined a disturbance was occurring between a 35-year-old woman and 43-year-old Mitchell Standfield, of Kearney, Missouri.

Wilson said Standfield became aggressive with officers, allegedly threatening to strike them.

After a brief struggle, he was taken into custody on a charge of assault of a law enforcement officer.

Standfield was booked into the Atchison County Jail. Bond was set at $2,500.

Wilson said no one was hurt during the incident.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners learned during their July 21st meeting of a problem with water leaking through the walls into the Richardson County Emergency Management Agency basement office.

Emergency Management Director Brian Kirkendall requested corrective action be taken to avoid any damage to Emergency Management equipment.

Commissioners also conducted the quarter Jail inspection at the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center and found the facility to be in good order. 

(KLZA)-- A chip seal project is scheduled to begin Tuesday,  August 4 on Nebraska Highway 4,  in Pawnee County.
According to the Nebraska Department of Transportation an application of an asphalt binder will be put on the roadway surface followed by an aggregate.
State maintenance forces will be performing a chip seal from Reference Post 183 to Reference Post 191. 
The work is anticipated to take 5 days.  One-lane traffic will be maintained with a pilot car and flaggers.
 

(KLZA)-- The Brownville Concert Series Board of Directors has decided to reschedule the remaining 2020 performances to similar dates in 2021 due to the COVID-19 threat.

The  Board feels the intimate, up close and personal  appeal of the concert hall does not make it safe to continue the series this season.

Tickets purchased for the events will be good for the rescheduled dates.  2020 season passes will also be extended to include the rescheduled shows in 2021.

(KNZA)--Governor Laura Kelly has announced a second round of Community Development Block Grants to 56 Kansas communities to support coronavirus response .

Kelly, in a news release last Thursday, said a total of more than $7.2 million is being disbursed to assist communities affected by the pandemic and its economic effects.

Locally, Marysville was awarded a $171,400 grant.

$132,000 grants each were awarded to Blue Rapids, Highland and Pottawatomie County.

Winchester was the recipient of a $128,400 grant.

The grants, through the Kansas Department of Commerce, are available in two categories: Economic Development and Meal Programs.

(KAIR)--An Atchison attorney is among six being considered to fill a judicial opening in Leavenworth County. 

According to a release from the Kansas Courts, the Leavenworth County district judge position became vacant due to the July 17 retirement of Judge Michael Gibbens. 

John Kurth, a private practice attorney and municipal Elwood judge, is seeking the position, along with four Leavenworth-area private practice attorney’s as well as a deputy Leavenworth county attorney. 

The 1st Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene at 9:00 on Tuesday morning, July 28, to interview all six nominees. 

The commission will select from three to five nominees whose names will be submitted to the governor to fill the position according to statutory qualification and residency requirements. If there are not three nominees who reside in the judicial district who are deemed qualified by the commission, the commission may consider nominees who reside outside the district. 

The governor has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint.

After serving one year in office, the new judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.

(KLZA)--The National Weather Service in Omaha/Valley has issued a Flash Flood Watch for a portion of southeast Nebraska from this evening through Monday morning. Counties that could be impacted include Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson and Saline.

Heavy rain is expected to develop this afternoon with an increase in intensity expected after 7 PM. Heavy rain will continue through the overnight hours before tapering off Monday morning.

Most areas could see anywhere from 2 to 4 inches of rainfall with some heavier pockets of up toward 5 inches are possible. Heavy rainfall could lead to some areas of flash flooding.

The National Weather Service says you should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

( KNZA)--Two candidates are vying for the position of Brown County Sheriff.

Incumbent Sheriff John Merchant is being challenged in his bid for re-election by Hiawatha Police Captain Dennis Entriken.

Brown County voters will decide during the August 4 Republican primary election which candidate should advance to the November general election ballot.

MSC News interviewed the two candidates. Click the icon button to listen to the complete interview with Entriken. 

( KNZA)--Two candidates are vying for the position of Brown County Sheriff.

Incumbent Sheriff John Merchant is being challenged in his bid for re-election by Hiawatha Police Captain Dennis Entriken.

Brown County voters will decide during the August 4 Republican primary election which candidate should advance to the November general election ballot.

MSC News interviewed the two candidates. Click the icon button to listen to the complete interview with Merchant. 

(KAIR)--The start of school for students of Atchison County Community Schools has been pushed back. 

The USD 377 Board of Education, during a special meeting Thursday, voted to move the first day of school from August 13 to August 20.

Superintendent Andrew Gaddis, in a letter to patrons posted on the district's website, said the time will be used by teachers and staff to fully learn all of the new procedures for cleaning and keeping everyone safe. He said the time will also allow for additional training to ensure that their remote learning mode is effective for educating those that choose to use it. 

The state Board of Education last week rejected Governor Kelly's executive order delaying the start of school to September 9th,  leaving the decision to local school boards.

(KAIR)--The Atchison City Commission has approved for publication a proposed 2021 city budget that calls for the property tax levy to remain steady.  

The Commission approved the budget for publication when they met Monday.  According to a release from the city, the proposed budget contains an estimated tax rate of 51.050 mills, which is expected to generate $2.9 million in revenue.  

The total revenue generated by the city in 2021 through taxes, assessments, charges for services and fees is expected to be $7.9 million.  

The release says utilizing that revenue and current fund balances leads to a $8.7 million general fund budget for 2021.  

The Commission will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing at noon on Monday, August 10.

(KLZA)--The Southeast District Health Department has confirmed five additional cases of coronavirus within the district.

The additional cases include a female in her forties who lives in Pawnee County. Three cases in Richardson county, a male in his thirties, a male in his twenties and a female in her fifties and one case in Johnson county a female in her fifties.

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 July 24th the total cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the district is 74. Case counts by county are Johnson 10, Nemaha 8, Otoe 35, Pawnee 2 and Richardson county with19 cases.

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 Brown County Commission has approved for publication a proposed 2021 budget of $11.2 million that calls for a slight decrease in the property tax levy.

The Commission took the action when they met Monday.

The proposed budget contains an estimated tax rate of 31.038 mills, a .433 mill decrease over this year.

The mill levy is expected to generate $6.4 million in revenue.

Even though the mill levy will decrease slightly, the county will collect nearly $168,000 in additional tax revenue due to a $8.1 million increase in the county's assessed valuation.

The Commission will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing at their August 10 meeting.

(KNZA)--Six new positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Atchison County, bringing the county's total to date to 56.

Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter in a release on Friday said two cases are in their 40's, two in their 30's, one in their 20's and one is in their 70's.

All are on home isolation.

Lanter said the cases have been deemed as community spread.

The Atchison County Health Department is completing their investigations.

The Health Department reports forty-three of Atchison County's fifty-six cases have recovered. Two are currently hospitalized.

Meanwhile, Kansas has reported its worst week-long spike in COVID-19-related deaths since June 1 as the number of reported cases rose past 25,000. The state Department of Health and Environment said Friday that Kansas has had 326 deaths since the pandemic reached the state in early March. That's up 18 or 5.8% since Wednesday.

(KNZA)--A boil water advisory has been rescinded for the Lakeside Village Improvement District, located in Jefferson County.

That word came Friday in a release from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

The advisory had been issued June 29 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.

KDHE says laboratory testing samples collected from the Lakeside Village Improvement District indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed to be resolved.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man convicted of violently attacking a woman in May of last year inside the residence they once shared has been sentenced to more than 45 years in prison.

Atchison County Attorney Sherri Baker, in a news release, said 44-year-old Richard Butler was sentenced Thursday in Atchison County District Court on 15 counts.

An Atchison County jury found him guilty of the charges in March following a 4-day trial.

Some of the most serious offenses included three counts of rape, two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated kidnapping.

Butler was originally scheduled to be sentenced in April, but it was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The case was investigated by the Atchison Police Department, Stormont-Vail sexual assault division and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

(KNZA)--The Jackson County Clerk's Office will remain open until 9:00 p.m. tonight (July 24th) for advance voting. 

Your asked to use the south or west doors of the Courthouse.

Voting will be held in Memorial Hall on 1st floor.

 For more information, you can contact the Jackson County Clerk's Office at 785-364-5200

(KAIR )--A two-vehicle accident in Atchison Thursday afternoon sent one person to the hospital.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, Deanna Paul of Lancaster was headed north on 9th Street, and was going to turn west onto Kearney, when she stopped in the intersection as a motorized bicycle approached from the south.

At that point the bicycle, ridden by 51-year-old Lee Lunsford of Atchison, struck the Trailblazer that Paul was driving.

Following the wreck, Lunsford was transported by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, with what Wilson describes as non-life threatening injuries to his head and leg. Wilson says that Lunsford was conscious and speaking with the first responders on the scene.

The wreck took place around 2:15 Thursday afternoon.

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

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

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

Two local lakes remain under " watch" status. They include Horton's Mission Lake and Jackson County"s Elkhorn Lake.

For lakes under warning status, KDHE says direct contact with the water should be avoided.  Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water. However, only the fillet portion should be consumed and all other parts discarded.

For lakes under watch status, People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has approved a contract with a McPherson accounting firm to administer the nearly $1.6 million the county has been awarded for cornavirus relief.

The Commission voted Monday to enter into a contract with Swindoll Janzen Hawk and Loyd to assist the county with administration, reporting and auditing requirements.

The firm will provide the services for a cost not to exceed $35,000, which will be reimbursed through the COVID-19 relief funds the county has received.

The county received proposals from two firms.

Governor Kelly's SPARK Task Force last month distributed $400 million in federal funding to local governments to help address the health and economic challenges inflicted by COVID-19.

The county must turn in a plan by August 15 for how it's share of the funding will be spent.

Counties are encouraged to share the funds with cities, school districts and businesses.

(KNZA)--The Atchison County Clerk's Office will be open extended hours for advance voting for the August 4 primary election.

Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips says her office will be open Saturday, July 25, from 10 to 2 for early in-person voting.

Phillips says the north doors to the courthouse will be unlocked through that time.

Your asked to remember to bring a photo ID.

Anyone with questions can call the Atchison County Clerk's Office at 913-804-6030.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said Thursday that he believes both counties and local school districts can exempt themselves from Gov. Laura Kelly’s coronavirus-inspired order requiring schools to have staff and students wear masks.

The Republican attorney general said during an Associated Press interview that he told the Democratic governor’s office of his opinion before Kelly issued the order Monday.

Kelly has said neither counties nor local school districts can opt out. But Schmidt says a law enacted last month allows counties to do so, and the state constitution gives local school districts the same authority. 

(KNZA)--A Thursday afternoon two-vehicle Jackson County wreck sent three people to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened at the intersection of U.S. 75 Highway and 190th Road, south of Holton, shortly after 1:30.

The Patrol says 39-year-old Andrea Doty, of Lancaster, was westbound on 190th Road when she pulled out in front of a northbound car on U.S. 75 driven by 56-year-old Sandra Silver, of Holton, after stopping at the intersection.

The vehicles collided in the intersection, with the impact of the collision causing the Doty vehicle to overturn.

A passenger, 46-year-old Charles Doty, was ejected.  He was transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital with suspected serious injuries.

Andrea Doty was transported to Topeka's St. Francis Hospital and Silver to the Holton Community Hospital, both with suspected minor injuries.

(KLZA)-- In the early evening hours of Saturday, July 18, one person was killed in a single vehicle rollover wreck west of Sterling. 

A news release from the Johnson County Attorney's Office identified the victim as 55-year-old Guillermo Castillo Sr.  of Lincoln.

According to the release, the wreck occurred near a housing development.

Castillo was was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Sterling Rescue Squad and Sterling Fire Department responded to the wreck. 

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

(KNZA )--A Brown County jail sergeant has been charged in connection with an alleged excessive use of force incident.

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced in a news release Wednesday that his office has charged Brett Hollister with misdemeanor counts of mistreatment of a confined person and battery.

Kagay said Hollister was guarding a Brown County Jail  inmate who was receiving treatment at Topeka's Stormont Vail Hospital on June 7.

He is accused of using his taser on the inmate while his hands and feet were secured to a hospital bed with handcuffs.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation was called in to investigate the matter and the investigation was then turned over to Kagay.

A summons has been issued for Hollister to appear in Shawnee County District Court on December 2.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has given final approval to the 2021 city budget.

The nearly $8.9 million budget was approved as published following a hearing drawing no public comment. It calls for a 6 mill property tax levy decrease.

The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 47 mills, which is to generate more than $1.1 million.

On the recommendation of City Administrator Mike Nichols, the Commission approved waiving the 2017-2019 property taxes and existing special assessments on four properties within the city limits that were not purchased during the 2019 county tax sale.

Nichols said a potential buyer made the request, as it would make it feasible for their purchase of the properties and subsequent plans to build new housing units on each of the properties.

And the Commission confirmed the application of Matt Hicks as a member of the Hiawatha Fire Department, but failed to confirm a second applicant. The confirmation of John Merchant, Junior died on the floor due to the lack of a motion.

Members of the Fire Department voted at their July 6 meeting to accept the applications, but they had to be confirmed by the Commission.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriffs office has had more reports of scams circulating the county. 

Sheriff John Merchant says several reports are  of credit card companies who are contacting card holders and offering them lower interest rates or incentives.   The people are then asked to provide their credit card number for verification to the caller.  When questions are  asked of the callers, they have been hanging up. 

Merchant reminds county residents not to give out personal information over the phone.

He said another area of concern are calls from an out of state contractor who is telling callers that he  will be traveling through our area. They are contacting  people by telephone and informing residents they have a surplus of materials such as roofing material, siding etc. and for a sum of approximately $500 they will hold the material and use it at the customers home at below cost. They have requested bank account information or credit card numbers from residents. 

Merchant urges anyone who is interested in doing business to ask for phone numbers and references from satisfied customers of contractors who are not known.  Reputable contractors  should be able to provide such information to potential customers. 

Merchant remains residents again not to give out personal information over the phone.

(KLZA)-- Seven more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed within the Southeast District Health Department five-county service area, including five in Richardson County. 

On Wednesday the health department reported the Richardson County cases included a male in his seventies, a female in her fifties, a male in his twenties, a male in his thirties and a female in her sixties. 

There have been 16 confirmed cases in  Richardson County.

An additional case for a male in his twenties confirmed in Otoe County brings the county total to 35. A female in her teens living in Nemaha County pushes the county total to eight.

There have been nine cases confirmed in Johnson  County and one case in Pawnee County.

(KLZA)-- Weather permitting, work will begin Monday, August 3, on Nebraska Highway 67, in Nemaha and going south, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.
 
Constructors Inc., of Lincoln, Nebraska, has the $2,112,342 contract. Work includes the repair of bridge approaches and construction of new pavement, from Reference Post 12.13 to Reference Post 13.67.
Traffic will be maintained with lane restrictions and temporary traffic signals. Anticipated completion is fall 2020.
 
Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and put phones down.
 

(KLZA)-- The filing deadline for candidates to file, who want to have their names on the General Election Ballot for Village Boards and Educational  Service Units is Monday, August 3.

Currently the only village with a contested race is in Verdon where four persons have filed for the three village Board seats up for election.
Incumbent Wade Lowe is seeking reelection while Gary Lynn  Cohran, Vicky Cohran and Lois Miller are also seeking election. 

Three incumbents are seeking reelction to the Salem Village Board.  Lindie Catlin,  Warren Vogele and Mary Jane Wessel are all seeking another term.

No one has filed for Village Board seats in Barada or Preston.  Dawson, Rulo, Shubert, and Stella at this point do not have enough candidates filed to fill the number of seats open. 

For more information you may contact the Richardson County Clerk's Office at 402-245-2911.

(KAIR)--One man is dead following an early Wednesday morning rollover crash in Jackson County.

Dead is 30-year-old Clifford Walsh, of Saint George, who’s identified as the driver of a Nissan Maxima that rolled over into a rocky ravine on the east side of K-62 Highway, south of 254th Road.

According to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, Walsh was trapped in the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
His 17-year-old passenger, Emma Johnson, of Manhattan, was able to free herself, and her infant child, from the wreckage, and went to a nearby home to call for help.
She, and the child, were transported by Jackson County EMS to Topeka’s Stormont-Vail for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

According to Morse, the fatal crash happened when Walsh lost control of the southbound car while negotiating a curve, shortly after 2:15 Wednesday morning.

Assisting at the scene were the Soldier, Holton, and Prairie Band Pottawatomi Nation Fire Departments.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Council Monday night approved a recommendation from the Health Insurance Committee to renew the employee health insurance contract for another year with a premium increase of 1 percent. 

The Council discussed the cities dangerous dog breed ban within the city limits with Thomas Bassett.  Bassett has a Pit-Bull puppy. The breed is included in the dangerous dog ban.  Until it has all of its shots,  he cannot put it through a required training program  to have the dog in the city limits.

Bassett asked the Council to amend the ordinance to allow him time to get the dog into the program. 

The Council referred Bassett to the City Animal Control Board to see if they would make a recommendation to the Council an amending the ordinance.  

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Local school boards in Kansas are allowed to reopen elementary, middle and high schools in mid-August as they normally would, despite a surge in coronavirus cases in the state.

The Republican-controlled State Board of Education on Wednesday voted 5-5 and rejected Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s plan to postpone the start of fall classes for three weeks, until Sept. 9.

The board’s action leaves decisions about when to reopen to the state’s 286 local school boards.

Kelly argued that a resurgence in coronavirus cases has made it necessary to give public and private schools more time to prepare, but a Kansas law required her to get the state board’s approval.

The following statement is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding the State Board of Education’s vote to reject her executive order delaying the start of school:

“The cases of COVID-19 in Kansas are at an all-time high and continue to rise. Our decisions must be informed by public health experts not politics. This vote puts our students, faculty, their families and our economy at risk.

“I will continue to work with our school districts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our children and ask every school district to delay the start of school.”

(KAIR)--Atchison County has confirmed it’s 50th positive case of COVID-19.

According to a release issued Wednesday morning by Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter, the latest case is a man in his twenties who is isolating at home.
According to Lanter, the case has been deemed to be community spread.

44 of Atchison County’s cases have recovered, while one person remains hospitalized due to the virus.

The Brown County Health Department on Tuesday reported 27 positive cases to date. Two are currently hospitalized, while 22 have recovered.

The Doniphan County Health Department is reporting 36 cases to date. 26 have recovered

The Jackson County Health Department reported four new cases over the weekend, bringing the total to date to 130. Three are currently hospitalized, while 119 have recovered.

Nemaha County Community Health Services on Tuesday reported 39 positive cases to date. One is currently hospitalized, while 31 have recovered.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Lee Norman provided an update on the statewide numbers Wednesday morning while addressing the State Board of Education.

Norman reported 771 additional cases since Monday, bringing the state’s total to 24,105.

He said there have been two additional deaths since Monday, bringing the state’s total to 309.

(KAIR)--An out-of-state construction company is reporting a loss of thousands of dollars following a tool theft early this week.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a work truck, belonging to Irby Construction, of Richland, Mississippi, had been parked in the 500 block of South 9th Street.
Investigators believe the theft of tools occurred sometime between midnight and 8:00 Monday morning.

Stolen were toolbags containing handtools, torque wrenches, safety harnesses, climbing gear, and power tools.
The loss of the tools is estimated at $12,800.

Anyone with information about the crime should call Atchison Police at (913) 367-4323.

(KAIR)--An Atchison County inmate, who walked away from work detail in an unsecured area of the Atchison County Jail Monday, has not yet been located.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 35-year-old Joseph Dyer was working in the jail’s kitchen when he walked away, going west, on foot, toward 7th Street, through the alley. It was a few blocks away, Laurie said, that Dyer was picked up by a vehicle.
A description of the suspect vehicle was obtained, and it was followed by Atchison Police until it drove into Missouri, and no stop was attempted.

According to Laurie, an affidavit has been filed to obtain an arrest warrant for Dyer, who has been serving a sentence for a 2016 misdemeanor case.

The investigation is ongoing.

(KNZA)--A man is dead following an early Wednesday morning rollover wreck in Jackson County.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse said the sheriff's office received a 911 call shortly after 2:15 of possible injury accident in the 25-thousand block of K-62 Highway, south of Soldier.

Morse said the vehicle, a Nissan Maxima, had been traveling south when it left the roadway and rolled.

A woman and baby were able to escape the vehicle.

Morse said the male occupant was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is not being released at this time.

The wreck remains under investigation.

(KNZA)--Holton City Commmissioner Dan Brenner has filed as an independent candidate for a Jackson County Commission seat.

Brenner announced in a news release that he filed by petition Monday.  Needing 117 register voter's names, he presented a petition to the Jackson County Clerk's Office containing more than 300 signatures.

 In filing as an independent, Brenner cited his belief that county, city  and school board positions should not be politicized.

Brenner is seeking the position of 2nd District Jackson County Commissioner. The position is currently held by Janet Zwonitzer, who is seeking re-election.

Brenner, who identifies himself as a " fiscal conservative", is currently serving a third, three-year term on the Holton City Commission. He was first elected to the commission in 2013.

Brenner said he believes he can be part of a successful Jackson County Commission team. 

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission on Monday further discussed a request from Doniphan County Ambulance District #1 for $75,000 in additional funding for 2021.

Commission Chairman Tad Gieger re-opened the discussion.

The Commission last week approved a $40,000 increase in funding for the Troy-based ambulance district.

The ambulance district currently receives a tax appropriation of $94,000.

Gieger made a motion to alter the tax appropriation given to the city of Troy for operations of the ambulance district from the previously approved amount of $134,000 to $144,000 for a total increase of $50,000. The motion was unanimously approved.

Later in the meeting, Troy city and ambulance district officials met with the Commission to discuss the request for additional funding.

Troy City Attorney Alan Boeh said the ambulance district use to be staffed largely be volunteers but only six volunteers currently remain, and two of the six are no longer able to serve. Boeh said without hiring additional full-time staff, the county risks losing the ambulance service, which could also be detrimental to economic development and future growth.

Commissioner Tim Collins said with dwindling volunteers since 2015, the ambulance district should have been planning for the hiring of additional staff for several years instead of asking for a large increase all in one year.

While understanding the need for the ambulance service, Geiger said the Commission also has to be economically responsible and mindful of the taxpayer.

Geiger asked for complete budgets for the ambulance district and city of Troy for their review and consideration before the Commission takes further action.

(KNZA)--A Fairview man has pleaded no contest to an amended charge in a child sex-related case.

Jeffrey Petersen entered the plea Monday in Brown County District Court to a felony charge of attempted sexual exploitation of a child along with a misdemeanor charge of harassment by telephone.

Petersen had originally been charged with electronic solicitation of a child.

Sentencing was set for August 24.

He was arrested in January following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department.

Petersen remains free on bond.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating after a woman was found injured in ditch on U.S. 75 Highway near the Nebraska state line.

The Patrol says the woman fell from a vehicle and was found around 11:00 Monday morning.

The Patrol is asking anyone who noticed or observed an RV towing a white Toyota passenger car, driving or stopped, between around 10:30 and noon on US-75 in Nemaha or Brown Counties to contact them.

Anyone with information on the vehicle is asked to call the Kansas Highway Patrol Troop B Headquarters at 785-296-3102.

(KNZA)--A Kansas Lottery player in northeast Kansas has hit the Super Kansas Cash jackpot worth $290,000.

The Kansas Lottery says the player matched all five numbers and the Cash Ball to win Monday's drawing.

The winning numbers to claim the $290,000 prize are 2 – 3 – 7 – 8 – 15 and Cash Ball 21.

The northeast Kansas s region includes twenty-one counties, including locally, Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha and Pottawtaomie.

Super Kansas Cash is a Kansas-only game, with drawings held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

(KLZA)--While a majority of the Falls City Council members present during Monday night's meeting  voted to  adopt an ordinance on second reading authorizing the Southeast District Health Department to exercise control over the health matters covered by the ordinance and to enforce the ordinance within the jurisdiction of Falls City,  the issue failed.

Council members voted 3-2 to approve the ordinance on second reading,  but to move forward, it required approval of the majority of the eight-member council which required five yes votes.  

Council members Lucas Froeschl and Don Ferguson cast nay votes.  Council members Derrick Leyden,  Mitch Merz and Hayley Ractliffe were absent from the meeting. 

The ordinance would have granted the Southeast District Health Department the power to enforce quarantines within the city limits of Falls City and called for the City to provide enforcement of the regulations.

(KLZA)--Southeast Nebraska Community Action Head Start which serves low income-children under the age of 5 in Richardson, Pawnee, Nemaha and Otoe counties will received $132,700 through the Coronavirus Aid,Relief, and Economic Security Act known as CARES. 

SENCA Head Start will use the CARES Act funds to resume services.  All facilities and vehicles are being cleaned, disinfected, sanitized and personal protective equipment is being  purchased along with cleaning supplies.

Money will also be used to for technology upgrades and child learning supplies according to the SENCA news release.  

(KLZA)--The number of COVID-19 cases within the boundaries of the Southeast District Health Department continued to climb Monday with the confirmation of an additional five cases.

A male in his seventies living in Richardson County.  A female  in her teens living in Johnson  County and three Otoe County residents, a male in his thirties, another in his fifties and a female in her twenties were confirmed Monday.

The new confirmed cases on Monday brings the total in the five-county area to 62.  34 in Otoe County, 11 in Richardson County,  9 in Johnson County, 7 in Nemaha County and 1 in Pawnee County. 

Editor's note: the following release was submitted Monday by Highland Community College

Since the onset of the pandemic, Highland Community College has had students, on-campus and attending our regional locations, report possible symptoms of COVID-19. In every report, we have acted with an abundance of caution by quarantining/isolating those that may have been closely exposed to the individuals experiencing symptoms. Classrooms, facilities and work areas have been actively disinfected. Courses have moved to Zoom or remote learning on HCC’s main campus. Prior to the start of classes, the campus library and all classrooms on-campus and at our regional locations were reconfigured to allow six feet between students.

We have asked faculty, students and staff to report if they come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. We have also been monitoring the travel of our faculty, staff and students and requiring those to quarantine for 14 days if they have visited any areas that appear on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) travel-related quarantine areas. 

We have had ten students and one staff member confirm a positive test. The staff member has since fully recovered. We will continue to be diligent in addressing the impact of the virus on our faculty, staff, and students. HCC is working closely with the Doniphan County Health Department and KDHE in monitoring the students in quarantine/isolation.

The College will close its campus to the public beginning Tuesday, July 21, 2020.  At that time, facilities will only be open to faculty, staff, and students until further notice.

We cannot stress enough the importance of our faculty, students and staff to follow the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which include, but are not limited to:

Hygiene: We ask that you wash your hands frequently.
Masks: We have been providing disposable masks to those who need them. We encourage individuals to wear masks at all times in public areas.
Disinfect: We will continue to regularly sanitize public areas using fogging machines and misters. Cleaning/disinfectant supplies are available to students and employees.
Social distance: Keep a distance of six feet or two meters away from others.
Stay home: If you’re sick, do not come to work or class. Please do not visit our campus if you are not feeling well. Notify your supervisor or instructor to let them know that you are not feeling well.

(KAIR)--A long-running push to see the renaming of a controversial Atchison Street was realized Monday following a vote of the Atchison City Commission.

That followed an effort by local group Atchison United to rename the City’s north-side Division Street to Unity Street.

The name has, for sometime, been viewed in a racial context as dividing Atchison’s white and black neighborhoods, although the history of the name has never fully been determined.

The Commission voted unanimously for the name change, but only after sometimes impassioned discussion, and a defeated motion to table the issue. 

To hear the full story, join us Tuesday morning, starting at 6:00, on KAIR 93.7 FM. 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has issued an order requiring masks and daily temperature checks in the state’s K-12 schools.

Kelly on Monday set some coronavirus-inspired rules that are stricter than guidelines adopted by the Republican-controlled State Board of Education.

Kelly also released the text of a proposed order to delay the reopening of public and private elementary, middle and high schools for three weeks from mid-August until Sept. 9.

Kansas law requires the state school board’s approval for a delay and it is scheduled to meet Wednesday morning.

The Democratic governor’s actions are inspiring criticism from Republican legislators and conservatives outside state government.

(KNZA)--An Omaha, Nebraska woman was arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly leading authorities on a chase that began in Brown County and ended in neighboring Jackson County.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, in a release, said a Brown County deputy initiated a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle on U.S. 75 Highway near K-20 at about 1:50 Sunday morning.

Since the driver could not provide proof of insurance and was suspended, the deputy told the driver he was going to issue a citation and offered a ride to a nearby truck stop.  When the deputy mentioned the tow truck was only a few minutes out, Merchant said the driver sped away, heading south in to Jackson County.

A chase ensued with Jackson County deputies responding.  Spike strips were deployed by the Jackson County deputies, resulting in three of the four tires being deflated.

The driver, identified as 36-year-old Wendy Scott, was arrested on Brown County charges of felony obstruction, driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked, reckless driving, no proof of insurance, speeding and no seat belt.

Scott also faces a charge of aggravated battery in Jackson County for allegedly ramming a Jackson County Sheriff's vehicle head-on.

Scott was booked into the Brown County Jail.   

(KLZA)-- The southbound lanes of Interstate 29 between mile markers 79 and 75 are closed due to a pavement blow up. 

Emergency repairs are underway.  

Traffic has been rerouted east at exit 79 onto U.S Route 159 to U.S. Route 59 south, back to I-29 at Exit 75.

The closure and detour began shortly after 10:00 a.m. Monday morning and is  expected to last four to eight hours.  

(KAIR)--Updated at 11:30 a.m. 
The Missouri Dept. of Transportation late Monday morning said the stretch of U.S. Highway 59, east of Atchison, KS, in Buchanan County, MO, has reopened following a closure Monday morning due to Missouri River flooding. 

• Now Open: from Rushville to Atchison, KS, including the Amelia Earhart Bridge
• Extended: from the south city limits of St. Joseph to Route KK at Halls Route 116 at Rushville

Editor's note: the above information was provided by  the MO Dept. of Transportation Monday morning, July 20, 2020. 

(KLZA)-- Sentencing will be in November for two men charged in connection with a plot to blow up an Auburn, Nebraska pharmacy. 

32-year-old William Burgamy of Hanover, Maryland and 41-year-old Hyrum Wilson of Auburn, entered guilty pleas to federal charges in Virginia.  

Hyrum Wilson owned the Hyrum Family Value Pharmacy in Auburn and admitted to conspiring to blow up a competing pharmacy in Auburn in order to  gain more business and enable him to illegally funnel a larger amount of drugs to the darknet operation he and Burgamy were involved in.  

Wilson was arrested in April for developing the scheme to break into and steal a supply of opiates and firebomb the other pharmacy. 

Both men plead guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy, money laundering and conspiracy to use explosives.  Burgamy also entered a guilty plea to a firearms charge. 

Burgamy has agreed to forfeit at least $300,000 in proceeds. It is believed that he had gross sales of more than $1 million.  

Each count is punishable by a maximum term of 20  years in prison.  

(KLZA)-- Unemployment was up in June across the state of Nebraska.  

In May, Nebraska had the lowest unemployment rate in the country at 5.3 percent.  In June the unemployment rate jumped 1.4 percent to 6.7 percent.

Even with the increase Nebraska has one of the best unemployment rates in the country.   

Southeast Nebraska counties saw an increase in unemployment as well.  Gage County has the highest area unemployment rate at  6 percent.  Right behind is Nemaha County at 5.9 percent and Otoe County at 5.6 percent. 

Johnson County has a jobless rate of 4.9 percent,  Richardson County 4.7 percent and Pawnee  County is at 4.5 percent.  

The unemployment rate increase for area counties ranged from 1.1 to 2 percent for the month. 

(KNZA)--The actions of a Jackson County Deputy are being hailed as life saving after a man became trapped beneath a vehicle.

According to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, his office received an emergency call around 8:30 Saturday night, with the caller saying a car had fallen on his dad.

Family members attempted to free the man, who was having difficulty breathing from being trapped beneath the vehicle, but were unsuccessful.

Deputy Chad Ballenger arrived on the scene, at 13027 134th Road, and used a jack to lift the vehicle off the man, who was transported by Jackson County EMS to a Topeka hospital.

He has since been released from hospital care.

Morse, in a release, said the outcome of the incident “could have turned very tragic,” adding that he is appreciative of Ballenger’s “quick thinking and calmness he brought to a very tense situation.”

Also assisting at the scene were the Hoyt and Mayetta Fire Departments, and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council has approved for publication a proposed 2021 budget that calls for a 1.8 mill property tax levy increase.

City Administrator Matt Rehder said the Council took the action when they met last week.

The proposed budget contains an estimated tax rate of 34.414 mills, which is the maximum allowed under the state's tax lid. It would bring in nearly $845,000.

Rehder said the intent is to lower the levy to where it was at last year, 32.588 mills, before giving final approval. He said that would bring in just under $800,000 and should meet the city's financial needs.

The city's assessed valuation increased by a little over $645,000.

Following publication of the budget, the mill levy can be lowered, but not increased.

The Council will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing at their August 5 meeting.

(KLZA)--The Southeast District Health Department (SEDHD) has confirmed five additional cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) within the district.

The additional cases include three cases in Otoe county, a male in his sixties, a female in her forties and a male in his twenties and two cases in Nemaha County, a male in his forties and a female in her teens.

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 July 17th the total cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the district is 57. Case counts by county are Johnson eight, Nemaha seven, Otoe 31, Pawnee one and Richardson county with10 cases.

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.

(KAIR)--A U.S. Mail delivery driver required hospital treatment following a late Thursday morning wreck on an Atchison street.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, Anna Koenen, of Atchison, had stopped in the 1300 block of Division Street, around 10:00 in the morning, when her Honda CRV was struck by a Kia Forte, driven by Atchison resident Ashley Henderson.

Koenen was transported for hospital treatment by Atchison County EMS.
Henderson and a passenger were not hurt.

Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.

(KNZA)--Four St. Joseph, Missouri residents were killed Thursday afternoon in a single-vehicle roll-over wreck about 9 miles northeast of St. Joseph in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 61-year-old Twila Obanion was southbound on U.S. 169 when her SUV traveled off the roadway and struck a driveway culvert. The vehicle went airborne and overturned several times.

Obanion and three passengers were ejected from the vehicle. 

Twila Obanion and two of the passengers, 45-year-old Kimberly Walker and 46-year-old Sharry Dawn, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The third passenger, 81-year-old Darlene Obanion, was transported to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, were she was pronounced dead.

A fourth passenger, a two-year-old boy, was also transported by ambulance to the hospital, although the Patrol report doesn't list him as being injured.

He was the only occupant that was buckled up when the wreck occurred at about 4:00.

(KLZA)-- The Auburn City Council took action on several properties in the community when they met Monday evening. 

Council members approved assessing the cost for demolition of a house on property at 1118, 8th Street, which is owned by Keith Williams.  A request not to proceed with removal of a nuisance property at 1622 “L” Street owned by Connie Bridgewater was discussed but no action taken.  The request will be on the agenda again in August. 

Following a public hearing the  Council approved, by suspension of rules, a request to change zoning for real estate at 2613 “N” Street.  Property owner Don Law requested the property be rezoned from R-2 Medium Density Residential to C-R, Commercial / Residential.  

Two bids were received for the purchase and maintenance of City owned nuisance abatement surplus real estate at 2500 “P” Street.  A bid in the amount of $1,101 was accepted from Scott Reed.  The other bid was for $1,001.  

Two requests for $10-thousand grants for construction of new housing were approved.  One for Brandon and Leah Wehenkel and another for Gregory Hepner and Tricia Reid.   

The Council also approved the expenditure of $5,500 to have playground equipment moved from Calvert Elementary School to Irvin Park near the Auburn High School.   
 

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City Council members learned Monday evening that the environmental study on the property selected for a new fire station was approved.

With the completion of the study,  the $435-thousand in Community Development Block Grant Funds for Public Works have been released to the City.  Under this program, the City must provide $100-thousand, of which up to fifty percent can be in-kind services.

No time frame for the project has been announced. 

In other business the Council reviewed the possible purchase of lots owned by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad adjacent to the City Shop.  Another party is attempting to purchase the rest of the railroad property in that area.  

Council members also approved on final reading the salary ordinance calling for a quarter an hour raise for the employees not working at the library.  Library employee wages are set by the Library Board. 

A $1 per month rate increase was approved for Seneca Sanitation as part of the solid waste disposal agreement. The fee will be $17.50 per month for a family and $15.50 per month for senior citizens. 

(KLZA)-- Falls City firefighters responded to a call for a vehicle fire around 11:15 Thursday evening. 

The call was to 922 Harlan Street.  The vehicle is owned by Keith Ferris and was next to the home.  

The Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Office was called to investigate the cause of the fire which the news release from the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department called suspicious. 

As the fire progressed, a second vehicle, not registered was also involved.  There was no damage to the home.

Fire fighters remained on the scence until 4:00 Friday morning.

(KNZA)--A Horton woman faces charges following her arrest for allegedly attempting to steal a vehicle in Jackson County.

According to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, his office received a report shortly before 10:00 Thursday night that someone was attempting to steal a vehicle in the 17000 block of R. Road, near Mayetta.

According to the caller, someone got into their vehicle, parked outside the residence, and started it, revving the engine.

According to Morse, “deputies quickly arrived on the scene” and found a woman inside the 2005 Dodge pickup truck.

Arrested was 38-year-old Stella Mahkuk, who was taken into custody on charges of attempted theft of a motor vehicle.

She was booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KLZA)-- Falls City firefighters responded to a call for a vehicle fire around 11:15 Thursday evening. 

The call was to 922 Harlan Street.  The vehicle is owned by Keith Ferris and was next to the home.  

The Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Office was called to investigate the cause of the fire which the news release from the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department called suspicious. 

As the fire progressed, a second vehicle, not registered was also involved.  There was no damage to the home.

Fire fighters remained on the scent until 4:00 a.m.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has approved a $40,000 increase in funding for Doniphan County Ambulance District #1.

The Commission on Monday voted unanimously to increase the Troy-based ambulance services appropriation to $134,000 for budget year 2021.

Currently, County Clerk Peggy Franken said the Ambulance District receives a tax appropriation of $94,000.  The Ambulance District is made up of the boundaries of Fire Districts 1 and 5. Franken said taxpayers within the district pay the $94,000 appropriation. In addition, they also receive $2,400 from the County General fund.

The ambulance district had sought a $75,000 increase in funding.

The Commission was told last month that the funding increase was needed to hire an additional full-time EMT/paramedic.

In addition, the Commission was told it would help offset the increased cost of medical supplies, general liability insurance, employee benefits and insurance write-off amounts for user fees.

The ambulance district has not had an increase in funding since 2015.

(KNZA)--The Prairie Hills USD 113 board of Education has selected an architect for proposed capital improvement projects at the Sabetha Elementary, Axtell and Wetmore schools.

Following discussion at their meeting Monday evening Superintendent Todd Evans said the Board approved the hiring of Civium Architecture and Planning, of Topeka.

The Board heard presentations from three architectural firms during a special meeting last month.

In other business, the Board elected officers for the 2020-21 school year.

Ed Reznicek was re-elected as board president and Kathy Lippert as vice-president.

(KNZA)--Perry Lake in Jefferson County is no longer under a public health advisory due to blue-green algae.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, in a news release Thursday, said the advisory has been lifted.

Two lakes in Brown County remain on the “ watch” list. They include Horton's Mission Lake and the Brown State Fishing Lake, located northeast of Robinson.

For lakes on the “ watch” list, 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 you should avoid direct contact with the water.

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

(KNZA)--Advance voting is now underway for the August 4 primary election in Nemaha County.

Nemaha County registered voters may vote an advance election ballot either by mail or in person at the Nemaha County Clerk’s Office.

The last day ballots may be mailed out is Tuesday, July 28th.

Voters may vote in person up until 12:00 noon on Monday, August 3rd.

For more information contact the County Clerk’s Office at 336-2170.

(KAIR)--An elderly man is pistol-whipped in an attempted carjacking after giving a pair a ride.
That allegation is made in a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, who said the investigation was launched shortly before 11:00 Thursday morning when his officers were called to the area of 4th and Kansas Avenue for a report of an altercation involving a man running from the area waving a gun.

When they arrived, officers quickly found 24-year-old Dakota Penland, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, hiding in the bed of a truck that was parked in the 400 block of Santa Fe. According to Wilson, a handgun was recovered nearby.

It’s alleged that Penland and a 24-year-old woman had been walking on Pawnee Road, in rural Atchison County, when a 75-year-old man stopped to give them a ride into Atchison. Stopping the truck at 4th and Kansas Avenue, when they arrived, it’s alleged that Penland struck the driver in the face with a handgun to steal his truck keys. However, Penland and the woman fled on foot because someone approached.

Penland was arrested on charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, and criminal possession of a firearm.
Following his arrest, Penland was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

The woman, who was located hiding in the hallway of a nearby apartment complex, was not charged.

The elderly driver was examined at the scene by Atchison County EMS but did not require transport to the hospital.

(KNZA)--A Fairview man has been arrested for alleged lewd and lascivious behavior.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said the Sheriff's dispatch received a call at about 11:20 Tuesday morning that a man was exposing himself to a group of individuals in Fairview.

Sheriff's deputies arrived, and after investigation, arrested 64-year-old Matthew Meyer.

Meyer was arrested on two felony counts of lewd and lascivious behavior and one misdemeanor county.

He remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a $75,000 bond.

( KLZA)-- The Southeast District Health Department confirmed four more COVID-19 cases within its five-county service area on Wednesday.

The new cases consist of a man in his twenties in Richardson County,  a female in her sixties living in Johnson County and a male and a female in their twenties that live in Otoe  County.

There have now been 52 confirmed coronavirus cases in the Five-county area.  28 in Otoe County, 10 in Richardson County, Eight in Johnson County, five in Nemaha County and one in Pawnee County. 

(KLZA)-- A large contingent of Auburn residents attended Monday nights City Council meeting concerning a request for the  Council to rescind action taken in March adopting a Sanctuary City of “Life” statement. 

Nikki Hayes made the request suggesting the statement has had a negative economic impact on business owners and community members,  and does not serve a city purpose or function, and creates an unnecessary divide among community members. 

Hayes and Dr. Gary Ensz spoke to the Council supporting the change.  Dr. Ensz called the statement exclusionary and said he feels it reduces Auburn's ability to attract new residents and creates unnecessary division and would possibly disqualify the city from some federal grants. 

Council member Katy Billings made a motion to replace the statement with a new statement that says, “ The City of Auburn shall be known as a city that respects and values the inherent dignity of everyone, period. That simple. That basic.”

The proposal to rescind the previous statement and replace it with the statement offered by Billings passed on a 5-1 vote with Council member Shawn Clark casting the nay vote.  

(KLZA)-- The Atchison County, Missouri, Health Department reports  a seventh Atchison County resident has tested positive for COVID-19.

The patient is a woman in her fifties and has been linked to probable cases in a county outside the region.

The woman is isolating.  All close contacts to the case  have been identified and notified. 

The Atchison County Health Department urges everyone to continue to respect physical distancing guidelines,  to limit in-person interactions and to practice good handwashing and hygiene.  Wearing a mask when physical distancing cannot be achieved is also recommended.

(KLZA)-- More than nine years after the disappearance of Peru  State College student Tyler Thomas, Joshua Keadle has been sentenced for her murder.

The 38-year-old Keadle was sentenced to a period of 71 years to life in prison for the  murder of the 19-year-old Omaha girl.  Both were students at Peru State at the time of Thomas' disappearance.

Keadle was found guilty of second degree murder this past February by a Gage County District Court Jury.

Thomas disappeared after leaving a party near the Peru State campus December 3, 2010.  Keadle admitted to having been with Thomas near a boat dock and leaving her there.  Thomas' body has never been recovered.  A death certificate for Thomas was issued by the state in 2013.

Keadle will be eligible for parole in 35 years. He is currently serving a 15 – 20 year sentenced for the rape of a 15-year-old Dodge County girl.  

(KNZA)--The carnival and parade planned for next week's Jackson County Fair have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jackson County Fair Association Secretary, Deb Dillner, made the announcement Tuesday in a Facebook post.

Dillner said the Fair Board is following the recommendations of the Jackson County Commission and County Health Officer Angie Reith.

She said all other Jackson County Fair activities are continuing as planned, at this time.

Dillner said the concern was with people congregating over a period of time and potential touch points. She said social distancing can be maintained at their other events.

The Jackson County Health Department reported six new positive cases of COVID-19 over the weekend and one new case Tuesday, bringing the county's total to date to 124 cases.

Three individuals are currently hospitalized, while 114 have recovered.

The Health Department is strongly recommending everyone wear a mask in settings where they can't maintain a 6-foot distance from others and that all persons that are ill, stay home.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Fair wrapped up last week and the livestock auction is being held on-line this week due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The premium only auction began Tuesday. 

Add on's are available and open through 7:00 Friday evening.  You can help support the 4-H youth of your choice even if you don't get the top bid by adding on additional funds.

The on-line auction is being conducted by Final Drive Youth Auctions. 

https://www.bwfinaldrive.com/auctions/2107-Brown-County-Kansas-4-H-Fair

(KAIR)--Atchison County is continuing to see community spread of the coronavirus.

That word was delivered in a news release Wednesday by Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter, issued to announce a three-case increase in the County, bringing the total to 48.

According to Lanter, two of the cases are men, one in his fifties and the other in his sixties, while the other case is a woman in her forties.
Lanter said all three are isolating at their homes.

Atchison County has one current virus-related hospitalization, which Lanter said Tuesday was a patient who had been thought to have recovered.

40 Atchison County cases have recovered.

(KAIR)--Citing the state’s increasing number of coronavirus cases, specifically after what she said was the scaling-back of the state’s reopening plan, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is issuing two related executive orders Monday, with one delaying the opening of Kansas schools until after Labor Day.

Kelly announced her plan Wednesday during a Statehouse conference. Both executive orders follow the Kansas State Board of Education’s approval of guidelines intended for the safe reopening next month of K-12 schools despite the coronavirus pandemic. “Because the Board of Education’s health guidelines are not enforced, I will also issue an executive order to make those common sense mitigation strategies, that are in the board’s plan, mandatory, because we have already seen what happens when guidelines are voluntary,” Kelly said, explaining that enforcement will include the wearing of masks, social distancing, proper hygiene, and daily temperature checks, “regardless of the county the school is in.”

Kelly said extending the reopening of schools by three weeks will allow better safety preparation due to the virus.

The State Board of Education voted unanimously for the reopening guidelines Wednesday.

Approval of the guidelines comes after a weekslong spike that has pushed the state's reported coronavirus cases past 20,000.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. 

(KNZA)--A Mayetta man was arrested Tuesday after the Jackson County Sheriff's Department served a search warrant on his residence following an ongoing investigation into the distribution of marijuana.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a release, said deputies and detectives served a search warrant at 15464 150th Road shortly before noon.

Seized were cash and marijuana.

57-year-old Terry Lynn Fox was arrested and booked in to the Jackson County Jail on charges of distribution of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, using a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation and no drug tax stamp.     

(KNZA)--The Nemaha County Commission on Monday unanimously approved a contract with a Nebraska firm to prepare a comprehensive plan for the county.

Commission Chairman Tim Burdiek signed the contract with Marvin Planning Consultants, of David City.

County Attorney Brad Lippert said the contract can be canceled at anytime with a 7-day written notice. The county would be billed only for the work that has done to date.

The firm will prepare the plan for a total cost of $34,600.

Commissioners also approved an additional $2,200 expenditure to print and mail surveys that will go to every county resident. Survey questions will be developed with commissioner input and the results will be used in preparing the plan.

Company owner, Keith Marvin, spoke with commissioners by phone. He said the Commission will need to designate a county liaison to serve as project manager and appoint a steering committee that will conduct the required meetings.

Marvin will join commissioners by phone at next week's meeting to discuss the next steps.

(KLZA)-- The Johnson-Brock Board of Education approved a resolution to return to school when they met Monday evening. 

Superintendent Jeff Koehler called the 2020-21 school year  plan a work in progress.  

Principal Lucus Dalinghaus reported that registration day will be August 4 from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and that Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten, 4-year-olds will conduct roundups that day.  The Back to School open  house has been canceled due to the COVID-19  pandemic.  
The first day of classes for students will be Tuesday, August 18 with classes dismissing that day at 1:45 p.m. 

Dalinghaus also noted that Fall sports practices will begin on August 10 with no restrictions at this time. 

It was noted during the meeting that Educational Service Unit #4 received a grant and will provide the school district with five masks for each staff member and student.  The also received free hand sanitizer from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln which will be provided to the school.  

Three pump  sprayers have been purchased to sanitize the playground equipment and football equipment.  Supplies have also been purchased to disinfect the school buses. 

(KLZA)-- NioCorp Developments, the company attempting to open a Superalloy Materials mine near Elk Creek, Nebraska has secured an option-to-purchase a 164-acre parcel of land in Johnson and Pawnee Counties, completing the process of securing options on all the land needed for construction, operations and planned future expansions.

The options secured by NioCorp now cover the known Elk Creek Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve, as well as the strike of the orebody to the northwest and southwest.  There are no plans to extend any other option-to-purchase agreements or enter into new land option agreements at this time. 

The company now has option-to-purchase agreements or extensions on a total of 2,536  acres of land in Johnson and Pawnee Counties.

Elk Creek Resources Corporation President and NioCorp Chief Operating Officer Scott Honan says he looks forward to being able to move to a construction start once project financing is secured.  

(KLZA)-- Falls City School  Superintendent Tim Heckenlively reported during Monday nights Board meeting that planning is underway to re-open Falls City Public Schools for the 2020-21 School year as scheduled.

The plan is for teachers to report on August 10 and students to come back to class on Thursday, August 13, for traditional face-to-face instruction. 

If the COVID-19 spread is minimal or there is no spread, all buildings will be open with enhanced safety and cleaning procedures. Due to the changing factors with the pandemic, the comprehensive reopening plan will be released on or before July 24.  

The reopening plan will include considerations for minimal spread,  a moderate spread and a substantial spread of COVID-19.

In other business, the Board set the budget and property tax request hearings for September 14 at 6:00 P.M.

Teacher employment contracts were approved with Michelle Furrow to serve as a part-time  music teacher and Nicole Fiegener as a Non Public Title 1 teacher.  

An agreement to transition to  annual sick leave program to a PTO program for the 2020-21 school year was also approved.
 

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has authorized the sale of properties that did not sell at last year's tax sale.

The Commission took the action Monday following a discussion with County Attorney Kevin Hill.

The Commission voted to accept sealed bids on the properties, with a minimum bid of $10 plus fees. The sealed bids are to be opened at the Commission's July 20 meeting.

All other properties are to be sold on a first come, first serve basis moving forward.

A list of the properties can be found on the county attorney's web page under properties for sale.

Following an executive session, the Commission voted to offer Julie Liberty a full-time position as Road and Bridge Secretary at starting salary of $18.50 an hour. The position had been part-time.

Commissioners discussed the proposed 2021 budget.

The commission cut some budget requests, increased some and left some the same.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A freshman Kansas congressman who had listed a UPS Inc. store as his residence on a voter registration form has been charged with three felony crimes, including unlawful voting.

2nd District Republican Representative Steve Watkins is accused of voting illegally in advance in the 2019 local city and school board election, voting when not qualified and interfering with law enforcement by providing false information.

Those felony charges were filed Tuesday in state district court in Shawnee County, which includes Watkins’ hometown of Topeka.

District Attorney Mike Kagay also charged Watkins with a misdemeanor charge of failing to notify the state of an address change.

Watkins called the charges “hyper-partisan.”

(KAIR)--Atchison County confirms another case of COVID-19, while one person who had recovered again required hospital treatment.

According to a release issued by Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter Tuesday afternoon, the latest case is a woman in her thirties who is isolating at home.

The confirmation brings Atchison County’s case-count to 45.
According to statistics provided by Lanter, 40 of the cases have recovered. However, he notes in the release that one of those earlier listed as recovered “has been placed back into the hospital.” No additional details about the patient are made public.
That is the only current virus-related hospitalization in the county, which has experienced no related deaths.

(KLZA)-- The Auburn Board of Education approved the 2020-21 school calendar when they met Monday evening. 

The first day of school for students will be Friday, August 7 with the final day of classes scheduled for May 20, 2021. 

A letter has been sent to Auburn School District parents and guardians concerning the opening of school for the 2020-21 school year. 

The letter from new Superintendent David Patton expresses the District believes being in school is the best place for students to receive an education and that social interactions are crucial in the social and emotional development of students.

A Return to school Protocol in response to the COVID 19 pandemic has been established by a team composed of administrators, staff, parents, local health officials and members of the Board of Education.

The protocol includes three levels of risk: low, moderate and high. 

Low risk means all students will be in school with procedures in place to maintain a healthy learning environment.

Moderate risk indicates that an A/B hybrid schedule will be in effect with half of the student population in attendance at a time. 

The high risk level requires all students and staff to engage in virtual-only classes.

As of Tuesday, the Return to School Risk level for Auburn  School District students is anticipated to be low risk, with all students in attendance.  If there is a change in the risk level prior to August 7, parents and guardians will be notified. 

During the Monday school board meeting,  the purchase of 69 air purifiers from Amazon for student classrooms, not to exceed $16-thousand was unanimously approved. 
 

(KLZA)-- The Southeast District Health Department has now confirmed the first COVID-19 case in Pawnee County and a ninth case in Richardson County. 

The Pawnee County case is a man in his seventies,  the new Richardson County case is a man in his twenties.

There have now been 48 cases confirmed within the Southeast District Health Department's five-county jurisdiction. Four of the cases in Richardson County have been confirmed in the past week. 

Only one death within the district has been attributed to COVID-19,  the death occurred in Richardson County. 

(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is alerting residents about a new scam centering around FedEx contact.

Merchant said he has had reports from county residents about emails and text messages they have been receiving that appear to be from FedEx.

The message states this a last reminder to reschedule your item, stating it will
be disposed of,  if immediate delivery is not scheduled.  Merchant said there is also a link which connects you to an authentic looking FedEx sight.

He said you should delete these e-mails/texts immediately.  

Merchant said he was told by FedEx that they don't send unsolicited emails to customers.

Legitimate emails would be generated by TrackingUpdates@fedex.com or
notifications@fedex.com. They would include valid tracking numbers that can
be tracked on FedEx® Tracking

Merchant remainds residents not to reply to unsolicited e-mails or text messages as this is how scammers obtain your personal information.  

Anyone who feels they have been a victim of a scam is encouraged to contact  local law enforcement .

(KNZA)--A vacancy has been filled on the Hiawatha School Board.  

The Board on a 4-2 vote Monday evening approved the appointment of Andrea Groth to fill the unexpired of Dr. Pete Rosa.

Groth was among two candidates interviewed by the board to fill the position. The other candidate was Jacquie Kerl.  

Rosa resigned at the end of the May board meeting after 15 years on the board.

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

In other business, the Board accepted a bid from Twotree Technologies for the purchase of 125 student chromebooks in the amount of $30,015.  

The new chromebooks will go to next school year's incoming freshman and replace the old ones at the middle school.  

The Board also voted seek bids for 80 additional chromebooks.

(KNZA)--A Robinson man convicted on a pair of child sex charges has been sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison.

43-year-old Kirt Linck was sentenced last week in Brown County District Court to 59 months in prison on two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

He pleaded no contest to the charges in June. In exchange for the plea, a third count was dismissed.

The charges involve two children born in 2015.

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

(KLZA)-- Atchison County, Missouri residents can be tested for COVID-19 antibodies this week. 

County  Commissioners dedicated CARES Act funding to provide the testing to all Atchison County citizens according to a social media post by the Atchison County Health Department.

Test sites and times include:
Monday, July 13, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Velma Houts building in  Rock Port.

Tuesday, July 14,  7:00 – 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the City Hall in Fairfax.

Wednesday, July 15,  and Thursday, July 16 7:00 – 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Tarkio Community Building. 

Friday, July 16,  7:00 – 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Velma Houts building in Rock Port.

If you would like to be tested and are willing to participate in an informational survey,  the test is free of charge.  You may go to any of the testing sites. 

This will be a blood draw test,  no appointment is necessary,  you must wear a mask  and must complete the COVID-19 antibody testing packet found online at atchisioncounty.org/covid19 and bring it to the test site with you.  If you do not have a computer, forms will be available at the site.  

Test results will be sent to you in 7 – 10 days.

Those that work in Atchison County but live somewhere else can receive the testing. You are asked to bring a statement from your employer certifying you work an average of 20 hours per week in Atchison County. 

The antibody testing is being made possible by the Atchison County Commission,  Community Hospital in Fairfax and the Aatchison County Public Health  Department. 

(KLZA)--The Richardson County 4-H / FFA Junior Fair is scheduled to begin Sunday, July 19 and continue through Sunday the 26. However, it will not be open to the public.

Due to the coronavirus, many modifications have been made to the 2020 fair to help meet the health and safety guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control, state, local health departments and the University.

All livestock shows as well as static exhibits will be livestreamed through the Nebraska Extension – Richardson County Facebook page.

The livestock and static support auctions will also be done as silent online auctions through Speckmann Realty & Auction Service in Tecumseh.   You can link to the site at www.speckmannrealtyandacution.com/.

A catalog of exhibits will be available Monday, June 20.  Bidding for the auction will open Sunday afternoon, July 26 at 5 and will close on Monday, July 27 at noon.

For more information you may contact the Richardson County Extension Office at 402-245-4324.  

The schedule for the events includes:

Monday, July 20
9:00 a.m. Horse Show 
6:00 p.m.  Sheep Show

Tuesday, July 21
No shows for viewing

Wednesday, July 22
10:00 a.m. Poultry Show
6:00 p.m. Meat Goat Show 

Thursday, July 23 
10:00 a.m. Rabbit Show 

Friday, July 24 
1:00 p.m.  Beef Show 

Saturday, July 25
10:00 a.m.  Dairy Cattle Show 
4:00 p.m.    Dairy Goat Show

Sunday, July 26 
1:00 p.m.  Swine Show
5:00 p.m.   Online Support Auction bidding opens

Monday, July 27 
12:00 p.m.  Online Support Auction bidding closes.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas State Fair Board has decided to cancel this year’s fair amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Hutchinson News reports that Monday's reversal came a week after the board initially voted to continue with the fair.

That initial decision sparking concern from vendors and the community.

About half of the vendors had canceled amid worries about delays with travel quarantines, difficulties in putting crews together and cancellations of other fairs. Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska cancelled their fairs shortly after the board’s decision last week.

The board is still interested in finding a way to safely hold livestock and 4H event.

(KNZA)--Two local non-profit organizations are among twenty-five in Kansas awarded Community Service Tax Credits to support education, healthcare, and housing projects.

Governor Laura Kelly make the announcement Thursday in a news release.

The release says the program is a tool that dramatically enhances fundraising efforts, providing a 70 percent tax credit to qualified donors in rural communities of less than 15,000 population and 50 percent in larger communities. The donor receives the tax credit when they file their state taxes.

Locally, the Highland Community College Foundation was awarded tax credits for the building of a new state-of-the-art diesel technology facility at their Atchison Technical Center, which will expand the program.

The Atchison Child Care Association was awarded tax credits for exterior and interior repairs and updates.

The Kansas Department of Commerce received applications for awards from 53 non-profits.

The twenty-five awarded non-profits were chosen through a competitive, score-based selection process.

( KNZA)--Two individuals were arrested following a pursuit Saturday afternoon that began in Jackson County, and ended in neighboring Jefferson County.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a release, said a sheriff's deputy attempted to stop a Chevy Malibu about 4:30 for a traffic infraction south of U.S. 75 Highway and Banner Avenue near Holton.

The deputy signaled the vehicle to stop, and the vehicle stopped near the intersection. When the deputy approached the driver, the vehicle sped off heading eastbound on Banner Avenue and  then south on Q. Road.

A vehicle pursuit ensued heading towards southeastern Jackson County.

The vehicle headed east on 134th Road into Jefferson County where a Jefferson County deputy deployed spikes puncturing the front right tire of the suspect’s vehicle.

The vehicle continued east as the front tire disintegrated. The vehicle left the roadway where it went through a fence and into a corral. The vehicle struck a cow before crashing into a corral fence post.   

The two occupants of the vehicle fled on foot.

The female passenger, identified as 21-year-old Mayetta resident Santana Noriega, was quickly apprehended.  

The alleged driver, identified as 18-year-old Horton resident Skye Joe Coversup, was arrested around 6:30 Saturday evening after an air and ground search.

Coversup was booked into the Jackson County Jail for felony fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, transporting an open container, driving while suspended, no insurance, felony interference with law enforcement, reckless driving, and felony criminal damage to property.

Noriega was booked into the Jackson County Jail for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony interference with law enforcement, and furnishing alcohol to a minor.

(KLZA)--The Southeast District Health Department (SEDHD) has confirmed five additional cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) within the district.

The additional cases include one case in Nemaha county of a man in his thirties. Two cases in Otoe County, a male in his seventies and male in his fifties and two cases in Richardson county. A female in her fifties and a female in her twenties.

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 July 10th the total cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the district is 46. Case counts by county are Johnson seven, Nemaha five, Otoe 20, Pawnee zero and Richardson county with 8 cases.

As of Friday the state case total was 20,777, marking an increase of 1,117 from last Friday.

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.

(KMZA--The Nemaha Co Commission on Monday approved a resolution to accept $2 million in federal funding to help address the health and economic challenges inflicted by COVID-19.

County Emergency Management Director Russel Lierz said he is working on forming a committee to determine how the county's appropriation should be spent.

Once established, Lierz said all requests for reimbursements will need to be directed to the committee in writing with documentation explaining each request.

Once the committee is established and educated on how the program works, he said they will begin accepting applications. Until then, Lierz said they strongly encourage businesses to collect documentation on expenses and estimates for future expenses incurred as a direct result of COVID-19. 

The state of Kansas received more than one billion dollars under the CARES Act, and is distributing the funds in three rounds.

A state task force is charged with distributing the funds. The first round, 400 million dollars, is being distributed July 15 to 103 counties in the state based on population, number of COVID-19 cases in the county and the county's unemployment rate.

Nemaha County must submit a plan to the state by August 15 that outlines how it share of the funding will be used.

Counties are encouraged to share the funds with cities, school districts and businesses.

The funds must be used by December 30.

Once established, all requests for reimbursements will need to be directed to that committee in writing with documentation explaining each request. Once this committee is established and educated on how this program works, they will begin accepting your applications. Until then we strongly encourage businesses to collect documentation on expenses and estimates for future expenses incurred as a direct result of COVID-19. 

For more information regarding this program and what could be considered an allowable expense, please visit:  https://covid.ks.gov/spark-county-resources/

(KNZA)--The Big Kansas Road Trip, which was to take place in Brown, Doniphan and Nemaha Counties in September, has been postponed to May of next year.

The Inman-based Kansas Sampler Foundation made the announcement in a news release Thursday after a meeting with local leaders.

Foundation Director Marci Penner said they were all sad about pushing the event back, but unanimously felt like it was the right thing to do for the communities, the public, and the success of the event.

The event had originally been scheduled for May of this year but was postponed to September due to COVID-19.

It has now been rescheduled for May 6-9, 2021.

Penner said they fully  intend to hold the event next May, in some fashion, no matter what.  

Brown, Doniphan and Nemaha counties would be the third trio of counties to be showcased in the Big Kansas Road Trip series.

The Kansas Sampler Foundation whose mission is to preserve and sustain rural culture created the BKRT after ending their 28-year Kansas Sampler Festival in 2017.

(KNZA)--A public health advisory has been issued for the Brown State Fishing Lake, northeast of Robinson. 

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Thursday  the lake is among 19 in the state on a “ watch” list due to the presence of blue-green algae.

Also on the list is Horton's Mission Lake and Lake Perry in Jefferson County.

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

The agency says boating and fishing are safe, however direct contact with the water should be avoided.

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

(KNZA)--A 6-person jury trial has been set for a Hiawatha man charged in connection with a fatal Brown County wreck last November that claimed the life of a Hiawatha teenager.

Kyle White pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Brown County District Court to a charge of unlawfully hosting minors and eights counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor. Both charges are misdemeanors.

A jury trial was set for November 12.

White was arrested in December following an investigation by the Brown County Sheriff's Department.

The investigation began immediately after the fatal wreck late November 17 at the intersection of Horned Owl Road and U.S. 36 Highway, west of Hiawatha.

Killed in the wreck was 16-year-old Ian Miller. Four other Hiawatha teens were injured in the crash.

A juvenile complaint was filed in May charging the driver, Andrew Kreek, with five counts. Kreek, who was 17-years-old at the time of the wreck, was charged with involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence, three counts of aggravated battery and speeding.

Kreek is scheduled to appear in court July 21 for a status hearing.

(KNZA)--Three local KAY clubs are among fourteen across the state sharing nearly $84,000 in “Be the Spark” grants to create or improve places in their communities where teens can be more physically active.

The grants, through a partnership between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and the Kansas Association for Youth Alumni Network, were announced earlier this month.

The Holton Middle School KAY club was awarded a $15,400 grant for further work on the walking path at Holton's Countryside Park. The club plans to add ten exercise stations to the path and two sand volleyball courts.

The Royal Valley High School KAY club was awarded a $8,000 grant. It will be used to build a walking/nature trail near the school.

The Atchison Middle School KAY club was awarded a $600 grant. The grant funds will be used to add a flat screen television in the commons area. The TV will be used as a means to share public service announcements, offer yoga, dance and other activities, as well as spotlight activities happening at the school.

A special meeting of the Atchison County Commission Friday morning will shore up legalities in a decision made earlier this week regarding the acceptance of federal corona virus related funds.

According to Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips, while the Commission approved the resolution through consensus, a formal vote was never taken.
A review of the video footage of the July 7 meeting showed that while approval of the resolution was placed up for a vote, further discussion did not allow for a formal vote.

Friday morning’s meeting will be held at 9:00.

At issue is the acceptance of nearly $3.3 million to be used for county-based COVID-19 relief.
The funds, once formally approved, are expected to be received July 15, with a committee deciding distribution of the funds, which will include receipt by cities in the county, as well as school districts.

(KNZA)--A former longtime Hiawatha banker has died.

John Means, of St. Joseph, Missouri, formerly of Hiawatha, died Monday.  He was 89. 

Means began his banking career as an agricultural representative for Citizen’s State Bank and Trust, in Hiawatha.  He then served as Executive Vice President of Citizen’s State Bank and Trust in Manhattan, before returning to Hiawatha's Citizen’s State Bank, where he served as President and then Chairman of the Board until his retirement after more than 50 years in the banking industry.

Means also served as a Brown County Commissioner.

He was a co-founder of the First State Bank of Elwood/Pony Express Community Bank in Elwood and St. Joseph.

A private family graveside service will be held at a later date.

Among survivors are his wife, Barbara, and three children.

(KAIR)--Atchison County adds another confirmed positive case of COVID-19, bringing the County’s total to 42.

According to a release from Atchison County Emergency Management Diretor Wes Lanter Thursday, the latest case is a woman in her thirties, who is isolating at home.
The case has been deemed to have been contracted through community spread.

Two of Atchison County’s cases remain hospitalized.

28 have recovered.

(KLZA)-- Mound City Aldermen spent a portion of their Tuesday morning meeting time discussing a building at 601 State Street that has been deemed a “Dangerous Building.”

An engineers report was reviewed which noted the south wall of the building is not in good shape.  City Attorney Brian Tubbs outlined the process of getting the building repaired or razing the building.  

Aldermen approved a request to place a light pole at 205 Nebraska Street and heard an update from the Water Department concerning a drainage issue.

Aldermen also approved a 20 year franchise agreement with Evergy and a utility franchise to Liberty Utilities.  

(KLZA)-- With the loosening of directed health measures from the State of Nebraska, many of the restrictions at the Falls City Aquatic Park are no longer in place.

Council members responded to requests from the public to make a pass available for sale for the remainder of the swim season. The price will be $75 which is half of what a season pass normally costs.

In addition, punch cards for 10 pool entries are available to purchase for $20. 

It was noted that due to the COVID-19 pandemic,  the aquatic park will shut down for the season when school begins and not be open on weekends through Labor Day this year.

Council members also voted to continue to keep park restrooms and the shower house at Stanton Lake Park closed due to the sanitizing requirements.  A motion to open the restrooms failed with only Council members Don Ferguson and Derek Leyden voting in favor. 

(KLZA)-- Falls City Council members Monday evening approved an ordinance on first reading related to the control of the prevention of the spread of communicable disease, illness or poisoning and adoption of rules and regulations.

The vote was 6-1 with Council member Lucas Froeschl casting a nay vote. 

In June the Council discussed adopting a Southeast District Health Department proposal to help the City be able to enforce orders, including forcing someone to quarantine themselves if they were to have a health issue such as COVID-19.

The Council opted to have City Attorney Mike Dunn draft an ordinance addressing the concerns.

The ordinance must pass three readings to be adopted. 

(KLZA)--The Southeast District Health Department has confirmed a sixth case of coronavirus in Richardson County.

A female in her sixties who lives in Richardson County is the latest case.  

The five-county area that makes up the Southeast District Health Department service area now has 41 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

In addition to the six cases in Richardson County there have been four cases in Nemaha County,  seven in Johnson County,  24 in Otoe County.  No confirmed cases have been reported in Pawnee County.  
 

(KNZA)--Brown County has been awarded more than $1.9 million in federal funding from the CARES Act to help combat the health and economic challenges due to COVID-19.

On the recommendation of Brown County Emergency Management Director Don Pounds, the Brown County Commission on Monday approved the appointment of nine individuals to a committee that will determine how the county's appropriation should be spent.

The committee consists of county, city, school, health care and tribal officials.

Pounds said the county must submit a plan to the state by August 15 that outlines how the funds will be used.

He said he has sent a letter to the city clerk's in the county asking for their input.

Pounds requested that the committee members be paid $25 an hour because of the time their work will will take, with the compensation coming from the CARES Act funding allocated to the county.

Commission Chairman Dwight Kruse questioned if a volunteer committee could be paid.

Commissioners tabled a decision on the compensation until they receive input.

The State Finance Council in May approved the distribution of $400 million in funding from the CARES ACT to 103 counties in the state based on population, number of COVID-19 cases in the county and the county's unemployment rate.

The funding is to be distributed July 15, and must be used by December 30.

(KNZA)--Twelve cars of a Union Pacific train derailed near the Brown County community of Reserve Wednesday afternoon.

Union Pacific Spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza told MSC News that the train was northbound when the cars derailed shortly after 3:00.

Among those responding were the Brown County Sheriff's Office and Hiawatha Fire Department.

No injuries were reported.

Espinoza said the train was carrying mixed freight--including grain and petroleum.

She said none of the product spilled. However, there was an apparent small leak from one of the cars.

Union Pacific dispatched heavy equipment to the scene Wednesday afternoon to begin the cleanup process, and crews were to work through the night.  They remained on the scene Thursday morning.  It was not known how long it might take to reopen the tracks.

The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.  Espinoza said they will look at several factors, including whether the heat might have caused any movement of the rails.

( Photo credit: Brown Co Sheriff's Office)

Sheriff: Explosives, guns, found during search

Posted Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 1:47pm

(KAIR)--The execution of a search warrant at an Atchison address leads to one arrest.

According to a news release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, the raid was conducted July 2 in the 600 block of Q Street, where 54-year-old Robert Gilliland was taken into custody.

According to the release, it’s alleged that several firearms, methamphetamine, explosives, and drug paraphernalia were located during the search.

Gilliand faces charges for six counts of felon in possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine, criminal use of explosives, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Following his arrest, Gilliland was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

He has since been released on a $25,000 surety bond.

(KLZA)-- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host a levee meeting at the Holt County Courthouse in Oregon, Missouri Wednesday evening beginning at 6. 

Corps of Engineers representatives from the Kansas City District will provide updates and answer questions during the meeting.  

All landowners, farmers and levee sponsors are encouraged to attend the meeting which is to focus on building a levee through Holt County to federal standards, hoping to join the federal system at a later time.

Part of the plan  includes a tie in with the proposed Hold County levee with an Atchison County, Missouri levee in the federal levee system.  

A joint meeting of Holt and Atchison County representatives is planned for Monday, July 13, during which a conference call with Corps of Engineers officials will take place. 

The Atchison County levee is under the direction of the Corps Omaha District.   

(KAIR)--A stolen rental vehicle has been recovered in Atchison County.

According to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, it was recovered by Deputies Monday morning at 18873 258th Road.

It had been reported stolen from AVIS Car Rental at the Kansas City International Airport.

No arrests have yet been made with the investigation ongoing.

(KAIR)--A second attempt by an Atchison County Commissioner to override Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s executive order requiring masks to be worn statewide received no support.

2nd District Commissioner Eric Noll, during Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Commission, made a motion to excuse the County from the mandate. “Upon consultation with our local Health Officer this morning in work session, I find that the burden of proof has not been met that the mask order imposed on us by the State of Kansas by Executive Order 20-52 is warranted, so I’ll make a motion [that this] Executive Order does not meet local health requirements.”

Noll found no support for the motion, and it died due to a lack of a second.

Tuesday’s motion by Noll was his second attempt to remove the County from the requirement, having moved during the Commission’s June 30 meeting to do the same.
That motion also died due to a second, meaning the County remains under the mask mandate.
However, as of July 7, observations by MSC News at several businesses in the City of Atchison show that the mandate is being followed sporadically, with enforcement expected to remain lax.

Prior to Noll’s motion, the Commission approved a resolution to accept funds to be used “to begin the process of safely, strategically, and proactively providing communities within Atchison County the resources they need to both mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and invest in long-term economic recovery.”

Unanimous approval was granted for receipt of the first round of funding, which will provide nearly $3.3 million dollars for distribution to city’s and school district’s in the County.

The County is expected to receive the funds July 15, and they must be expended by December 30.

The Commission also addressed extension of the County’s virus pandemic-related emergency order that County Counselor Patrick Henderson explained was necessary for eligibility to receive separate federal funds. “This relates to FEMA, and it is a different source of funding than the CARES Act funding,” Henderson explained. “We must have the resolution in order to be eligible to apply, but there isn’t the guaranteed pool of money from which we’re drawing.”

The 60 day extension of the emergency order was approved unanimously.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County  Commissioners received renewal rates for the county insurance premium for next year from representatives of Miller-Monroe Insurance on June 30.

Commissioners approved renewing the insurance package for the next year with a 2.75-percent premium increase to $258,573. 

The Board also approved a contract with Multi-County Information Programming Services to provide software for the Assessors Office.  

The conversion from the previous software provider to MIPS will be at no charge as well as the first six months of service at no charge with a total cost savings to the County of approximately $3,651.  

Commissioners approved membership dues for services by Southeast Nebraska Development District for the next fiscal year totaling $7,787 and housing services totaling $662. 

Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. reported surplus items sold June 24 went for $100,356 on the Big Iron Auction site netting Richardson County $91,652. 

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday that the 2020 Cobblestone Festival has been cancelled due to the current directive health measures.

Under current guidelines,  parades and carnivals are not allowed.  

The Cobblestone Festival had been planned for August 20 – 23.  

(KLZA)-- Charges have been filed in the Monday morning shooting death of a Fairfax man. 

KQTV of St. Joseph reports 55-year-old James Bradbury of Fairfax is being charged with 2nd degree murder in the shooting death of 72-year-old William Hull at a Fairfax apartment complex.

Bradbury barricaded himself in one of the apartment units when authorities arrived on the scene.  He gave himself up after a standoff of about one hour that included the exchange of gunfire.

No reason has been divulged as to what led to the shooting.   

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A lawsuit against a Veterans Affairs hospital in Kansas where a former physician assistant molested countless patients involves “the largest sexual abuse scandal in the history of the VA,” a lawyer for one of the victims told a federal judge Tuesday.

“Countless veterans have never gotten their day in court, have never gotten justice,” attorney Daniel A. Thomas said in opening statements. “And more importantly, not a single person from the VA has ever been held accountable.”

KCUR-FM reported the lawsuit being tried via Zoom video conference before U.S. District Judge Daniel D. Crabtree will determine whether the federal government is liable for the actions of Mark Wisner, who is serving a 15-year prison sentence for sexual battery and sodomy.

Wisner was convicted in 2017, and the government does not dispute that he sexually molested veterans by conducting unnecessary genital and rectal exams and prescribing pain medications to make them dependent on him.

“Indeed, all who have heard about these matters cannot help but be outraged,” Justice Department lawyer Larry Eiser said in his opening statement. “A sexual predator in the guise of a health care provider preying upon wounded warriors — outrageous.”

But the government argues it should not be held liable because Wisner’s conduct was outside the scope of his employment and because the damages sought for a lifetime of medical treatment are excessive.

This is the first lawsuit to go to trial against the government over Wisner’s actions. More than 80 of the 100 victims who filed lawsuits against the government settled last year for a total of $7 million.

The trial, brought by a man identified in court documents only as John Doe, is expected to last through the week.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening approved for publication a proposed 2021 budget of nearly $8.9 million that calls for a 6-mill property tax levy decrease.

The proposed budget contains an estimated tax rate of 47 mills, which is to generate nearly $1.2 million in property tax revenue.

Prior to approving the budget for publication, Commissioner Becky Shamburg reiterated her support for a five-mill decrease instead of six. Shamburg said it would provide more room in the budget and mean less cuts from the budget requests of department heads. She noted the difference for a property owner with a home appraised at $100,000 would be $13.

Commissioner Toni Hull voiced her support for the six-mill decrease. Hull said the commission promised voters a 6-mill decrease if a quarter-cent sales tax for recreation was approved. Voters approved the sales tax last November, which took effect April 1 of this year.

The Commission will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing at their July 20 meeting.

In other business, the Commission approved raising the hourly rate the city charges for record requests from $18 to $20.

(KLZA)-- The Johnson County Attorney's Office believes the body found near Tecumseh Monday morning is that of 56-year-Old Mark Swarthout of Beatrice. 

Swarthout was reported missing June 24.  Foul play is not suspected in the death.

Further testing will be done to confirm his identity.  

Monday morning the Johnson County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a body being found. 

The body of the man was found in a vehicle in the driveway to a pasture just off of Highway 136 in a location that is not visible from the highway.

(KLZA)-- Falls City Council members discussed a proposal to combine Falls City and Richardson County dispatching centers and relocating the Public Service Answering Point for 911calls to the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center when they met Monday evening. 

City Administrator Gary Jorn noted the topic is nothing new as several sheriff administrations have brought the idea to the City in recent years. 

Jorn said that currently, based on demographics it makes sense to look into the possibility, especially if it would save county and city residents tax dollars. 

The idea was discussed by Richardson County Commissioners last week, and city representatives have discussed the idea with County Commissioner John Caverzagie and Sheriff Rick Hardesty.  The County would like the City Council to decide if they want to move forward with a change, since the final decision rests with the City.
 
First Ward Councilman Don Ferguson said he feels its a good discussion to have.  He asked that Sheriff Hardesty and one of the Commissioners could come to a Council meeting to further discuss the topic. 

Second Ward Council member Kaylee Ractliffe raised several concerns about the proposal including instability at the Sheriff's Office since Sheriff Hardesty was appointed and not elected to the position and quite a bit of turnover in staff.  Ractliffe said the City dispatchers are well trained and good at their jobs.

Jorn told the Council if the change were made none of the City dispatchers would lose their jobs, he said the Sheriff has committed to keeping all the dispatchers on staff.  Jorn said if the change were made, the City would have to work with the Sheriff's Office at first on state reports and the financial aspects.

Following the discussion the Council agreed to continue looking further into a combined dispatch center.  

(KLZA)-- NioCorp Developoments recently announced the promotion of Scott Honan to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer.

Honan joined the company in 2014 and has been instrumental in the characterization of the Elk Creek Project's significant reserve and resource assets, as well as the design of the projects proposed underground mine and surface processing facility. 

NioCorp CEO and Executive Chairman Mark Smith noted in a news release announcing the promotion that Honoan will remain President of Elk Creek Resources Corporation.  

(KLZA)-- Representatives of the Richardson County Road Department Union met with Commissioners June 30th to begin negotiations on a new three-year contract. 

During the meeting Commissioners and their representative Jerry Pigsley of Woods Aitken LLP proposed a two-percent wage increase for the department employees each year of the contract to run through June 30, 2023.

The union representatives proposed wage increases for the various positions ranging from 7.4 to 7.8 percent each year. 

Following several executive sessions by Commissioners and several counter proposals by each side,  with no agreement reached,  the sides tentatively agreed to meet again on July 28th.  

(KLZA)-- An effort to recall Humboldt Mayor Robert Mendenhall is underway. 

An affidavit has been filed by Mary White of Humboldt to recall the Mayor who is serving his first term in office. 

White alleges an abuse of authority,  conflict of interest since he works at the city owned nursing home, behavior unbecoming of an elected official,  and refusal to work with council members as her reasons for circulating the recall petition. 

White must gather signatures of 113 voters registered within the city limits of Humboldt. 

White picked up the recall petitions on July 1 and must obtain the necessary signatures and return them to the County Clerk's office within 30 days to force the recall. 

(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is alerting residents about another scam circulating in the area.

Merchant said he has received multiple reports about county residents being contacted by phone and being told their about Amazon account has been suspended pending verification.

The caller in one instance was requesting Amazon account information and financial information.

When the resident informed the caller that they should already have that information, the caller became upset and demanded the information, threatening the resident that their Amazon privileges would be revoked if they did not cooperate.

The resident then informed the caller that she did not have an Amazon account and hung up.

In another instance, the call showed that it originated from Neosho, Missouri.

So far, Merchant said none of the county residents contacted have provided any information to the callers.

As always, he urges residents to not give out any personal information over the phone or computer.

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

(KLZA)-- Johnson County, Nebraska, Sheriffs Office personnel responded to a report Monday morning of a body being found. 

A press release from County Attorney Rick Smith says a man was found in a vehicle parked in a pasture driveway just off of  Highway 136, approximately four-and-a-half miles west of Tecumseh, in a location not visible from the highway.

The Sheriffs Office contacted the Nebraska State Patrol to investigate the death and identify the remains. 

The cause of death is under investigation.  The press release said the mans identity has been confirmed and his family notified.  

No other information about his identity will be released.   

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man was arrested over the holiday weekend on drug charges following the execution of a search warrant.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said 28-year-old Avery Steward was arrested Saturday after the Brown County Sheriff's narcotics unit and K-9 conducted a search warrant in Hiawatha.

Steward was arrested on charges of possession of heroine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony obstruction and possession of stolen property.

He was booked into the Brown County Jail, where he remained held Monday without bond pending a first appearance in court.

(KLZA)-- One person is dead and a suspect is in custody following a shooting in Fairfax, Missouri, Monday morning. 

During a news conference Monday, the Missouri Highway Patrol confirmed a person was shot at an apartment building at 611 Pine Street in Fairfax shortly before 9:30 Monday morning. 

The Atchison County Sheriff's Office arrived on the scene and a suspect went inside the apartment.  The victim was removed from the scene.

Approximately an hour later the suspect surrendered without further incident and was placed under arrest.

The State Patrol reported an Atchison County Deputy did  discharge a weapon into the apartment building.

The name of the victim nor the name of the suspect in custody have been released at this time.

No one else was injured. Several agencies responded to the scene including the Missouri Highway Patrol,  Missouri Department of Conservation and deputies from Andrew County, Missouri.

The investigation is ongoing under the direction of the Missouri Highway Patrol. 

(KAIR)--Two additional cases of COVID-19 were confirmed Monday in Atchison County, bringing that locations total to 41.

According to a release from Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter, the 40th case is a woman in her twenties, while the 41st is a man in his twenties.
Both cases have been deemed to have been contracted through community spread.

28 of the county's cases have recovered, while two remain hospitalized.

The State of Kansas Monday reported 982 more confirmed coronavirus cases and three more deaths as the state seeks to combat the surging outbreak with a mask mandate. The state Department of Health and Environment reported Monday that Kansas has had 16,901 cases, up 6% from Friday. Kansas also has reported 280 COVID-19-related deaths. Gov. Laura Kelly issued an executive order Thursday requiring people to wear masks in public and in their workplaces because of a surge in cases, and it took effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Counties, including many in the local area, have opted out of Kelly’s mask order. Atchison County chose to uphold it, making masks a requirement at public locations.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. 

(KAIR)--An early Monday morning report of shots fired led Atchison Police to an Atchison residence, but no arrests are yet made.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the report was made around 1:00 Monday morning that shots had been fired in the 1600 block of Atchison Street.
When Police arrived, they found a 24-year-old man suffering from injuries incurred in a fight during an apparent party, but had not been shot.
Refusing to provide officers with details about the altercation, he was examined at the scene by Atchison County EMS, but was not transported for hospital treatment, choosing to seek medical treatment on his own.
According to Wilson, the investigation revealed that someone at the party had fired a gun into the air, causing party goers to flee, but apparently caused no injuries.
A handgun was located, and seized by police, at the residence.

The investigation is continuing.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission Monday opted out of the governor's mask order, instead unanimously approving a resolution strongly recommending residents wear face masks in public.

In approving the resolution, the Commission noted COVID-19 cases remain low in the the county and enforcement of the governor's executive order would be difficult to accomplish and place a strain on county law enforcement.

The Commission took the action on the recommendation of County Health Officer Chastity Schumann and after receiving input from Hiawatha Community Hospital CEO John Broberg.

Schumann said out of 665 tests conducted to date, there have been 15 positive cases of COVID-19 in Brown County. 14 of those individuals have recovered. The latest positive case was reported over the weekend.

Schumann said the neighboring counties of Doniphan, Jackson and Nemaha are also strongly encouraging residents to wear masks in public, but not requiring them.

She said local businesses may mandate the wearing of facial coverings if they see fit. Such businesses are asked to post a sign on their window or front door.

Besides wearing a mask, Schumann also encourages residents to social distance and practice good hand hygiene.

Governor Kelly issued her executive order last Thursday mandating the wearing of masks in any public space where social distancing of six feet cannot be maintained due to an increase of coronavirus cases in the state. However, counties can approve less restrictive orders.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriffs office has announced Kade Tollefson is a $1,000 scholarship recipient from the Kansas Sheriff's Association.

Each year, the Sheriff's Association awards up to $18,000 in scholarships to eligible members or family members of the Association.

Sixteen $1000 scholarships were awarded as well as one $2,000 Sheriff Matt Samuels scholarship. The Greenwood County Sheriff was killed in the line of duty in January 2005.

Tollefson will be attending Kansas State University.

His application was sponsored by his grandfather,  Ron Segrest, who currently is a dispatcher/IT for the Brown County Sheriff's Office. 

(KLZA)-- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency is reminding producers to complete crop acreage reports by the July 15, deadline. 

The deadline applies to common spring-planted crops as well as hay and Conservation Reserve Program acres.  To make sure you are eligible for many USDA programs, you need to file an accurate crop acreage report by the deadline. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, producers should call ahead and schedule an appointments. Offices are using a variety of tools to receive completed maps and other documents, including drop boxes, mail, email or through commercially available free and secure online tools.

For more information, contact your local FSA office.  

(KLZA)--Two Belleville, Illinois residents were injured in a single vehicle wreck Friday morning at 8:45, one mile south of Mound City, Missouri on Interstate 29.

The Missouri Highwayp Patrol reports 46-year-old Shanna Baumgart was northbound in a Nissan Rogue which traveled off the west side of the road, struck the emergency crossover, became airborne, then struck the median, overturned coming to rest on its passenger side.  

Shanna Baumgart, who was not wearing a safety device at the time of the wreck was seriously injured and transported by Life-Net Helicopter to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.

An unidentified 11-year-old girl who was a passenger in the vehicle was wearing a safety device and suffered what were described as minor injuries.  She was transported by the Atchison-Holt Ambulance to the hospital in St. Joseph.  

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

(KNZA)--The former head of the company that oversaw the Horton Community Hospital at the time of its closing in March, 2019 has been indicted.

The indictment, unsealed June 29, alleges a $1.4 billion scheme to fraudulently conduct lab-billing.
60-year-old Jorge Perez, the former head of EmpowerHMS, and nine other defendants, are included in the indictment focused on four hospitals in Florida, Georgia, and Missouri. The Horton Community Hospital is not listed in the indictment.

A news release issued by the United States Department of Justice called it “a massive, multi-state scheme to use small, rural hospitals as a hub for millions of dollars in fraudulent billings of private insurers.”

The indictment, filed in U.S. District Court in Jacksonville, Florida, alleges that the conspirators would take over small, rural hospitals, often in financial trouble, using management companies they owned and operated.  The conspirators would then bill private insurance companies through the rural hospitals for millions of dollars of expensive urinalysis drug tests and blood tests, conducted mostly at outside laboratories they often controlled or were affiliated with, using billing companies that they also controlled.  While outside laboratories did most of the tests, the conspirators allegedly billed private insurance companies as if the tests were done at the rural hospitals.

According to the indictment, the rural hospitals had negotiated contractual rates with private insurers that provided for higher reimbursement than if the tests were billed through an outside laboratory.  The alleged scheme used the hospitals as a shell to fraudulently bill for such tests.  Further, the indictment alleges that the lab tests were often not even medically necessary.  The conspirators allegedly would obtain urine specimens and other samples for testing through kickbacks paid to recruiters and health care providers, often sober homes and substance abuse treatment centers.  The indictment also alleges that the conspirators engaged in sophisticated money laundering to promote the scheme and to distribute the fraudulent proceeds. 

According to the indictment, Perez, and the other defendants, received $400 million since 2015.

Perez is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, five counts of substantive health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and substantive money laundering.

(KLZA)-- The Southeast District Health Department  confirmed two additional cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) within the district  over the weekend.

 The additional cases include were both in Otoe County.  A female in her 40's and a female in her 20's.  

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.

As of  Friday, the total cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the district is 40.  24 of the cases are in Otoe County, seven in Johnson County,  five in Richardson County,  four in Nemaha County with no cases reported in Pawnee County. 

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. 
 

(KAIR)--The name of a teenager killed early Sunday morning in a UTV accident in northern Jackson County has been released.  

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse on Monday identified the victim as 13-year-old Iziah Martinez of Fargo, North Dakota.

Five others, all traveling with the victim, were taken to area hospitals with what Morse called both life-threatening and non life-threatening injuries.

According to a news release from Morse, it happened shortly after 2:00 Sunday morning, a half-mile west of S. Road, on 318th Road, near Netawaka.

According to the initial investigation, the vehicle was westbound on 318th, identified as a low maintenance road, traveling beside another UTV. The driver lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn. Martinez was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Morse, “the Sheriff’s Office is investigating whether alcohol was a contributing factor” in the accident.

Assisting at the scene of the fatal accident were the Netawaka, Whiting, and Holton Fire Departments, along with EMS from Jackson County, the Prairie Band Pottawatomie Nation, and Horton.

The investigation continues.

(KLZA)--The Richardson County Sheriff's office is warning the public of a phone scam.

The sheriff's office says they have received reports that the callers are telling people that their Social Security number has been stolen and if they don't send money, then someone will arrest them. That is not true.

The sheriff's office wants to remind you not to give out any personal information over the phone. Do not buy gift cards and give the numbers to the scammers. Actual Law Enforcement would never call to tell you to pay over the phone to get out of being arrested.

If you have any concerns about any phone call you get you can call the sheriff's office at 402-245-2479

(KNZA)--$400 million in federal funding will be distributed to local Kansas governments to help combat the health and economic challenges due to COVID-19. 

The State Finance Council last month approved the distribution of the CARES Act funding. 

The initial funding proposal came from Governor Kelly's SPARK Taskforce, which is charged with distributing more than a billion dollars in federal funds.  

The funds will be distributed to Kansas counties in three rounds, with the first round to be distributed beginning July 15. The funds are being distributed based on population, number of COVID-19 cases in the county and the county's unemployment rate. 

Among local area counties, Leavenworth County will receive the largest amount of funding at more than $19 million.    

Atchison County will receive nearly $3.3 million; Brown, more than $1.9 million; Doniphan, nearly $1.6 million; Jackson, more than $2.9 million; Jefferson, nearly $3.9 million; Marshall, more than $1.9 million; Nemaha, more than $2 million; and Pottawatomie County, nearly $5 million. 

Each county must submit a plan to the state by August 15 that outlines how its share of the funding will be used. 

Any funds not spent by December 30 must be returned to the federal government.

(KLZA)--Falls City firefighters responded to a fire call Thursday afternoon.

The call was about a fire in the basement of a home at 2507 Lane St.. The cause of the fire was an electrical issue causing a light bulb to catch fire.

Only smoke damage to the house was reported and firefighters stayed on the scene for an hour.

(KMZA)--Face masks are " strongly recommended", but will not be required in Nemaha County.

During a special meeting Thursday afternoon, the Nemaha County Commission unanimously approved a local public health order modifying the governor's executive order on face masks.

The action came on the advice of Nemaha County Health Officer Jane Sunderland, who said she had consulted with several physicians in the county.

Sunderland said it was agreed that face masks should be strongly recommended when social distancing is not possible, but not mandated at this time. 

Though Nemaha County is not following Governor Kelly's executive order, Sunderland said  components of the order serve as good guidelines on when to wear a mask and when not to. 

Of the 27 positive COVID-19 cases reported so far in the county, only three remain active.

The local order could be re-evaluated if there is a significant surge in local cases.

(KAIR)--Despite opposition from one Commissioner, the Jefferson County Commission has voted to exempt the county from the Kansas Governor’s Order requiring the wearing of masks, due to COVID-19.

According to the unofficial minutes of Tuesday’s special session of the Commission, the vote followed discussion held by the Commission that came after a presentation by County Health Officer Crystal VanHoutan.
She told the Commission it’s in the best interest of community health to wear masks in public settings where social distancing is not possible.

Commission discussion included that the public should be aware that if the virus continues to spike, and more cases or deaths occur in Jefferson County, another shutdown might be necessary.
Commissioner Lynn Luck expressed support for leaving the Governor’s order in place, while Commissioners Richard Malm and Wayne Ledbetter voiced the opposite, saying the public should be allowed to self-comply with mask-wearing.
Malm and Ledbetter voted in support of the resolution exempting the county from the requirement, while Luck cast the lone no vote.

(KAIR)--Atchison County on Thursday confirmed a three case increase of positive COVID-19 cases, bringing the total case-count to 39.

That follows a two case increase confirmed Wednesday.

According to a release from Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter, the 37th case is a woman in her twenties, the 38th is a teenage girl, and the 39th case is a woman in her fifties.

All three cases are deemed to be due to community spread.

28 of the county’s cases have recovered, while two remain hospitalized.

As the county’s numbers continue to rise, a failed motion during Tuesday’s meeting of the Atchison County Commission means county residents will need to wear masks in accordance with the order from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, effective Friday.

(KNZA)--Face masks are “ strongly recommended”, but will not be mandated in Jackson County.

The Jackson County Commission, during a special meeting Thursday morning, approved a resolution modifying Governor Kelly's executive order regarding face masks.

County's can approve less stringent order's than the governor's order, which takes effect Friday.

The Commission took the action after consultation with County Health Officer Angie Reith.

It was noted Jackson County currently has only seven active COVID-19 cases.

According to the resolution, its strongly recommended that residents wear a face mask in any setting where six feet distancing cannot be maintained.

In addition, its strongly recommended that residents maintain social distancing, practice appropriate hand washing techniques and stay home if feeling ill.

(KLZA)--The annual 4th of  July celebration in Humboldt will be taking place as usual.

Events will include a car show around the square from  9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
The barbecue supper from 5:00 – 7:00 in the Ag Building and the fireworks display will take place at the ball field on the south edge of town beginning at dusk.  

(KLZA)--The annual Mound City 4th of July celebration will be a three-day event beginning Friday afternoon, July 3 on the stage at Griffith Park with the baby show.  

Highlights of the celebration include the opening ceremony beginning at 6:00 P.M. Friday evening on the stage in Griffith Park which will include the crowning of the Mound  City King and Queen.  

The Junior Miss 4th of July will be crowned that evening as well. 

Saturday events will include the 10 a.m. 4th of July parade with the theme “ In God We Trust.” 

Following the parade there will be a lunch served at Griffith Park. Other events include and ice cream social,  pedal tractor pull,  there will be an afternoon concert in the park featuring Crutis Wayne Stroud and the annual ping pong all drop will be held at the football field at 4:00 P.M.  

The final weekend activities will be a Praise and worship service in the park Sunday at 5:00 P.M.  then at dusk the fireworks will be held with the golf course being the launching point.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — The owners of Saint Luke's Cushing Hospital in Leavenworth say the hospital will close this fall because of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Saint Luke's inpatient unit will close July 17 and the rest of the hospital will close Oct. 1.

About 70 employees at the hospital will be able to apply for other positions in the Saint Luke's Health System.

Hospital CEO Adele Ducharme said in a news release Tuesday hospital transitioned to emergency services last year to make it financially viable but was only a few months into the effort when the costs of the virus pandemic hit.  

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission has received a proposal from a Nebraska firm to prepare a comprehensive plan for the county.

Keith Marvin with Marvin Planning Consultants, of David City, Nebraska, presented the proposal to commissioners on Monday.

Under the proposal, the total cost to prepare the plan would be $49,800. It would be developed over a 72-week period.

Marvin said there are several ways to get the public's input without holding town hall meetings due to COVID-19 concerns.

A three-member committee last week recommended selection of the firm to prepare the plan.

Commissioners asked Marvin to put together a contract and submit it to County Attorney Brad Lippert for review.

In other business, a public hearing was held on renewal of the county's Neighborhood Revitalization Plan for another five years.

Nemaha Central USD 115 Superintendent Darrel Kohlman said he thought it was a valuable program for the county and the taxing entities under the county.

The renewal is retroactive to April 1.

The Commission also approved a resolution extending the local disaster emergency declaration due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The declaration was extended to July 31.

(KNZA)--Despite voicing strong encouragement to wear one, the Doniphan County Commission has voted unanimously to forgo Kansas Governor Kelly’s mandate requiring that face-masks be worn due to rising cases of COVID-19.

The decision was made Wednesday during a special meeting of the Commission.

Public Health Department Administrator Sheryl Pierce, prior to the approval of the resolution, told the Commission that while face masks are helpful for prevention, enforcement of a mandatory order is an issue.
Pierce, along with all three Commissioners, strongly recommended wearing a mask, while also practicing social distancing and hand washing, but opposed the requirement.

The state-wide mask-wearing mandate takes effect Friday in Kansas for locations where County Governments have not said otherwise.

(KAIR)--Atchison County residents will be required to wear masks when Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s mandate takes effect Friday.

That’s follows action, or a lack thereof, taken during Tuesday’s meeting of the Atchison County Commission.
Following discussion on the state requirement, Commissioner Eric Noll made a motion to to not follow the state. However, the motion died due to a lack of a second, keeping the state’s mandate in place.

A two-case increase in COVID-19 cases is reported in Atchison County, bringing the total to 36.

According to a release from Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter Wednesday, the 35th and 36th cases are both women in their twenties.

Both cases have been determined as community spread.

The County currently has two positive cases hospitalized.

28 have recovered.

According to figures released Wednesday by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the State of Kansas has had 14,990 confirmed positive cases in 97 of the state’s 105 counties.

272 have died statewide.

(KAIR)--Atchison Police are seeking whoever is responsible for the latest, reported vehicle theft n the city.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a 2002 Ford pickup truck was stolen from the 500 block of Riley Street sometime between midnight and 6:30 Tuesday morning.

The truck was later located, found near Country Club Road and Pratt Road.

Anyone with information about the case should contact Atchison Police at (913) 367-4323.

(KAIR)--An arrest has been made in connection with a vehicle and lawnmower theft dating back to April.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 34-year-old Phillip Kasper, Jr. was taken into custody Tuesday on an Atchison County District Court warrant for theft and burglary of a motor vehicle.

The Independence, Missouri resident is accused of the April 19 theft of a lawn mower from Benedictine College that investigators say he rode to the 200 block of East Riley Street. At that location, authorities say he approached the owner of a Jeep Liberty, who had just arrived home, and asked for help jump starting the mower. When she got out of the vehicle, it’s alleged that Kasper stole it.

The Jeep was recovered several days later in rural Atchison County.

The mower has also been located.

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

His bond is set at $25,000.

(KMZA)---The Nemaha County Commission has set a special meeting Thursday afternoon to discuss Governor's Kelly's order requiring most Kansans to wear a mask in a public space.

According to County Attorney Brad Lippert, Commissioners will consider issuing a less restrictive order, and will consult with Local Health Officer Jane Sunderland about the issue.

Governor Kelly's order is to take effect Friday, but counties can exempt themselves.

Lippert said the meeting will be held at 2:00 in the Commissioner’s meeting room at the Nemaha County Courthouse, and will be broadcast live on the Nemaha County Kansas Facebook page.  Given time restraints, he said public comment will not be permitted.

(KLZA)--Newly elected officials were sworn in during the June 16th meeting of the Mound City Board of Aldermen. 

The Mound City News reports Joe Laukamper was sworn in as Mayor with re-elected Council members Bob Heck in the North Ward and Jim Krueger in the South Ward. 

Krueger was appointed President of the Board.  Department supervisors and other appointments remained the same.  
 
Following a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year budget and capital expenditures the budget was approved.  The budget ordinance calls for revenues of $1,336,225 and capital expenditures of $1,203,990. 

Two percent pay increases were approved for Mound City employees.  It was agreed that employee evaluations will be completed in the next month with the possibility of individuals employees receiving total pay increases up to five percent based on the evaluations.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (June 30, 2020) — The Nebraska State Fair Board voted to hold a 2020 State Fair showcasing 4-H and FFA competitions and exhibitions. While the Fair will look different than it has in the past, providing an opportunity for young people to showcase the work they have been doing throughout the year as it is important to the State Fair and to the future of our state. The 2020 State Fair will include 4-H and FFA livestock competitions, contests, presentations, and static exhibits.  

“All events and activities will follow the most up-to-date directive health measures,” said Beth Smith, board chair for Nebraska State Fair. “We hold the youth and families involved in 4-H and FFA near and dear to us. 4-H and FFA youth have been hard at work for months preparing their exhibits and livestock, and this gives them the opportunity to showcase those efforts.”
“Nebraskans have always been supportive of the education of our young people,” said the Nebraska 4-H and the FFA Board of Directors. “The focus of the 2020 Nebraska State Fair on 4-H and FFA is another example of our state looking toward the future by celebrating the success of our youth. We are thrilled to have the to opportunity showcase the work of Nebraska’s next generation of leaders.” 

In addition to the youth events, visitors can partake in Raising Nebraska, an interactive space dedicated to the food and the families that grow it as well as a variety of Nebraska Game and Parks activities. Depending on Grand Island’s phase progress, there is the potential to include more concessions, amusement rides, motor sport activities, and taverns. Stay tuned to statefair.org for additional announcements. 
“We are excited to announce that gate admission will be free,” said Smith. “This year has been difficult, so we see this as an opportunity for our community to come together and enjoy a part of Nebraska history and culture.”
The health and safety of the community is and always will be the highest priority in producing the annual Fair. In the interest of public health, the State Fair will provide additional $30,000 to manage cleaning and sanitizing throughout the event. At the present moment, restrooms will be cleaned at minimum once every two hours with full-time restroom attendants present. The frequency and number of attendants will adjust to the crowd size. 
Nebraska State Fair continues to work closely on public health issues with a variety of local and national public health agencies, including the Nebraska Governor, Department of Health and Human Services, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Central District Health Department and City of Grand Island. Fair organizers will continue to collaborate with these expert partners, watching for any new developments around COVID-19 that would impact the Fair operation, and make modifications accordingly. 

Concerts 
Nebraska State Fair has canceled large concerts including, Jon Pardi on Sept. 3, Dustin Lynch on Sept. 4, the dual show of Clay Walker and Clint Black on Sept. 6. In addition, the tour canceled the Big Rock Summer Tour featuring Ratt, Skid Row and Quiet Riot. Many performers and musicians share the safety concerns of Nebraskans’. While they want to be with their fans, they know it isn’t an option at this time. We look forward to welcoming talented musicians to the 2021 Nebraska State Fair. Advanced sales of concert and/or gate admission tickets will be refunded through Etix. Questions regarding refunds should be directed to Etix at www.etix.com.  
Nebraska State Fair will be releasing additional information as it becomes available ahead of the event. Dates will be available as well as answers to questions at statefair.org. For more information on the Aksarben Stock Show, visit aksarbenstockshow.com. 

ABOUT NEBRASKA STATE FAIR
Traditionally, Nebraska State Fair is an annual 11-day event held in late August ending on Labor Day in Grand Island, Nebraska. Celebrating 151 years of entertaining families, the State Fair is home to the finest facilities in the country. 

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission will consult with local health officials before deciding whether the county should opt out of Governor Kelly's mask mandate.

The Commission on Tuesday discussed the governor's order with County Attorney Kevin Hill, Kristina Romine with the Northeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department and State Representative Randy Garber.

The order requiring Kansas residents to wear masks in public spaces where social distancing can't be maintained takes effect Friday, but counties can exempt themselves.

Several county residents who were present at the meeting voiced their opposition to the governor's order, along with Garber.

The Commission tabled a decision until Monday to give the commission time to consult with local health officials. 

As of Monday, Brown County had no active COVID-19 cases, with the 14 positive cases to date all recovered.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man, whose property was annexed into the city in 2008, is seeking a zoning change so he can continue to have livestock.

Matt Curless, who lives on South 7th Street, appeared before the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening.

City Attorney Andy Delaney said it was the Commission's intent, when his property was annexed, it be zoned agricultural but somehow it was brought into the city as residential.

Curless said he believes there are others on South 7th Street, whose properties were also annexed, that would like to see their property zoned agricultural.

Delaney said a zoning change would have to be sought through the city Planning Commission, which would then make a recommendation to the city commission.

In other business, the Commission approved a nuisance abatement resolution for property located at 310 Hiawatha Avenue.

Delaney said the city has sought to get the property cleaned up through the Municipal Court system without much success.

The property owner will have 10 days to bring the property into compliance. If not, city crews will clean up the property, with the cost assessed to the property.

The Commission also approved an ordinance requiring that political elections signs placed in city right-of-way not exceed 36 inches in height.

Delaney said the ordinance will bring the city into compliance with state law.