(KNZA)--A Jackson County traffic stop last week lead to the arrest of three men on multiple charges and the recovery of two stolen trailers.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse said Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a northbound Ford F-150 truck bearing a Texas license plate pulling a trailer in the City of Holton near 9th and Arizona Ave on January 26  shortly before 1 p.m for allegedly committing a traffic infraction.

Morse said deputies discovered that the South Dakota license plate on the trailer had been reported stolen. Deputies also located a piece of tape on the trailer tongue that had been spray painted to match the trailer. The piece of tape was covering the VIN number. The trailer had been reported stolen out of Cherry County, Nebraska in October of 2020.

Morse said Jackson County deputies made contact with the Cherry County Nebraska Sheriff’s Office and was advised that an additional trailer had been stolen near the same time in Nebraska. Further investigation led deputies to contact the Orange County, Texas Sheriff’s Office who then were able to recover the second stolen trailer.

The driver, 35-year-old Michael Hall, of Mauriceville, Texas, was arrested for possession of a hallucinogenic drug, driving while suspended, transporting an open container and for an outstanding felony warrant.

29-year-old Brian Michael Miller, of Sulphur, Louisiana, was arrested for  possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a person addicted to a controlled substanc and criminal possession of a weapon by felon.

46-year-old Shane Sanger, of Vidor, Texas, was arrested for transporting an open container and felony possession of stolen property.

All three men were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KNZA)--A Denison man was arrested over the weekend on methamphetamine charges following a traffic stop in Jackson County.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, a sheriff's deputy stopped a Pontiac G6 for a traffic infraction near 198th and R.4 Roads south of Holton around 9:30 Saturday morning.

A Jackson County Sheriff’s drug detecting K-9 was deployed around the vehicle. Morse said the K-9 indicated positive for narcotics and a substance believed to be methamphetamine was seized from the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle, 31-year-old Brent Haverkamp, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

(KAIR)--A Jackson County weekend traffic stop sent a Mayetta man to jail on a criminal firearms charge.

According to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, a Sheriff’s Deputy, Saturday morning around 8:00, stopped a Ford Explorer near 150th and P. Road for a traffic infraction.

Following the stop, the driver, identified as 39-year-old Josias Aitkens was taken into custody for criminal possession of a firearm by a felon.

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

(KAIR)--A costly saw, belonging to a local construction company is missing, with the crime reported to Atchison Police.  

According to a release Friday by Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the Norton Clipper walk-behind concrete saw was stolen from a worksite, located in the 600 block of Main Street, in the north parking lot, sometime Wednesday night.  

The saw, valued at $2,600 dollars, belongs to Bottorff Construction, of Atchison.  

Anyone with information related to the theft should contact Atchison Police at 913-367-4323.

(KAIR)--Leavenworth students took top honors in a state poster contest celebrating the State of Kansas.

Eighth grade student Joseph Garsow and 11th grade student Allison Muzzy each took first place, in their grade division, for the Happy Birthday, Kansas! Student Photo Contest.

The statewide contest, now in its seventh year, invited students first through 12th grades to shoot photographs based on the theme, Learning in Kansas in 2020.

The contest received 400 entries from 22 Kansas counties. First place in each grade receives an iPad and second place a Kindle.

The annual contest is sponsored by the legislative spouses in conjunction with the Kansas Historical Society. Winners were announced January 29, which is Kansas Day.

(KAIR)--Two Platte County, Missouri sheriff's deputies were fired at from a passing vehicle while conducting a traffic stop Saturday afternoon.

According to a release from the Platte County Sheriff's Office, it happened on southbound I-29 ,just north of Waukmois Drive, shortly before 1:00.

The deputies and the individual they stopped were not injured.

Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office are reviewing camera footage around the time of the shooting. The release said at the time of the shooting there were multiple vehicles on I-29 and it is not clear which vehicle the shots were fired from.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Platte County Sheriff’s Office at 816-858-3521 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
 

(KLZA)-- A Thursday afternoon wreck on Highway 75 in Richardson County claimed the life of a New Mexico man. 

The scene of the wreck was near the Highway 75 and 62 intersection west of Stella. 

The Richardson County Sheriff's Department reports that at about 3:30 a southbound pickup driven by 44-year-old Chad Murrish of Lovington, New Mexico crossed the center line striking a northobund semi-truck driven by 34-year-old Milan Batula of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 

Murrish was transported to the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn where he died due to injuries suffered in the crash.

Batula was also transported to the hospital in Auburn and later to a Lincoln hospital with undetermined injuries. 

The Richardson County Sheriff's Office thanked the Nebraska State Patrol, Nemaha County, Nebraska Sheriff's Office,  Humboldt Fire and Rescue,  Stella Fire Department, Richardson Conty  Road Department, Richardson County Emergency Managment, Nebraska Department of Roads, Nebraska Game and Parks, the Titan Diner and the many citizens who assisted at the scene of the wreck. 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican legislators in Kansas have put a proposed anti-abortion amendment to the state constitution on the ballot for the state’s August 2022 primary election.

The Senate approved the measure Thursday on a 28-11 vote that gave abortion opponents one more vote than the two-thirds majority they needed. The House approved the measure last week.

Approval by a simple majority of voters would change the Kansas Constitution. The measure would overturn a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court decision that found that access to abortion is a “fundamental” right.

The measure would not be an abortion ban but would allow lawmakers to enact one if the U.S. Supreme Court allowed it.

(KNZA)--The Jackson County Health Department held its first drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Thursday.

The Health Department, in a post on its Facebook page, said the event was a success—with a little over 400 people age 70 and older with underlying health conditions being vaccinated.

The Health Department recently moved to Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccination plan.

The Department said they plan to continue vaccinating as they receive more vaccine.

Assisting the Department on Thursday were Jackson County Emergency Management, Holton Community Hospital, Holton Family Health Clinic, Jackson Sheriff’s Department, Jackson County EMS, Jackson County Road and Bridge, Jackson County Fair Association, David Hallauer and Ange Allen.

(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is warning of a new scam circulating locally.

People are being contacted by phone by an individual representing themselves as being with an agency soliciting money for T-shirts on behalf of a local school. They are requesting $1,300 from businesses that will give them exclusive advertising on the T-shirts with messages on texting and driving safety. 

Local school officials state they have no knowledge of such a program going on in their behalf.

The individual's name contacting businesses is Nathan Arnold.

If you receive such a call, you can call the Hiawatha School Board Office at 785-742-2224 to verify the validity of the call, and if you feel you have been a victim of a scam contact your local law enforcement agency at once.

 

(KLZA)-- The annual banquet and awards program for the Falls City Chamber and Main Street were held with a small in-person group and virtually Wednesday evening. 

During the evening the Small Business of the Year Award was presented to The Would Eye Bar and Grill, owned by Eric and Rachel Froeschl.

The 2020 Frontline Employee of the Year award was presented toCheryl McCann who was recognized for her efforts with “Helping Falls City Medical Supplies”  who made masks and gowns for the hospital, nursting homes, teachers and the public.  She also made cards and homemade gifts for senior citizens.  

Also during the meting the three board members going off the board were honored.  They were Sarah Ahern,  Tracey Heckenlively and Sara Rue.

(KLZA)-- Dirt work is underway on a new cattle feed lot along U.S. Highway 73 south of Falls City.  The property is located a mile north of the Nebraska – Kansas border on the west side of the highway.

T & M Cattle Company is constructcing the lot.  Travis Witt told MSC News the lot will be 20-30 acres in size on the 220 acre farm that he owns.

A state permit has been issued for the feed lot which will have a capacity to feed 999 head of cattle.

Jerry McKim who  lives on a property adjoining the Witt property discussed his concerns including the odor,  dust, noise, rodents, runoff and what will happen to his property valuation with Richardson County Commissioners on Tuesday. 

In addition he said he was concerned about the truck traffic in the area because of his two young grandchildren that live across the road from the property.

 Commission Chairman David Sickel said that while the Board is sympathetic to McKims concerns,  that with no zoning in place in rural Richardson County there is nothing they can do. 

McKim said he understood it was unlikely the Board could help his situation,  but hopes something can be done to keep another situation like this from happening in the future.  

In 2002 Richardson County Commissioners reviewed a proposed zoning plan for Richardson County,  but no action was ever taken to adopt the plan.

Former Commissioner Gayle Swisegood attending the meeting Tuesday and noted that at the time, the Board felt the proposed zoning regulations were extremely restrictive and noted the proposal was very unpopular with the public.

(KLZA)-- Nebraska's unemployment rate held steady last month at 3% and the state is tied with South Dakota for the nation's lowest rate. 

The state Department of Labor says Nebraska's rate hasn't changed since October and is the same as the rate from September to December 2019. 

Locally,  the unemployment rates were slightly higher in December for most area counties.

The unemployment rate in Richardson County was 2.5 percent, up 4-tenths. Johnson County had the highest unemployment figure in Southeast Nebaska at 3.1 percent, up 2-tenths.

In Pawnee County the jobless rate was up 3-tenths of a percent to two percent.

The unemployment figure dipped a tenth in Nemaha County, Nebraska to 2.1 percent while Otoe county was steady at 2.4 percent. 

The Gage County unemployent figure was up half a percentage point for the month to 2.9 percent. 

Labor Commissioner John Albin says Nebraska employment has recovered significantly since April, which was the peak for employment losses due to the pandemic. Albin says the state has added more than 71,000 nonfarm jobs since April, for a total of roughly 1 million in December. 

The low unemployment rate is likely due to a combination of factors, including major industries in Nebraska that weren't hit as hard by the pandemic and unemployed people who aren't counted because they've stopped looking for jobs.
 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Thousands of fraudulent unemployment claims are prompting Kansas to shut down its processing system this weekend, meaning some jobless workers will have payments delayed as the state installs new anti-fraud protections.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly made the announcement Wednesday shortly after Republican lawmakers said they will push to protect employers from being on the hook for fraudulent claims. GOP lawmakers said a surge in claims is a signal that the state is potentially seeing thousands more fraudulent claims.

Kelly said they might be right and that the unemployment system will go down from 2 p.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Tuesday.

No benefits will be paid during that time but Kelly said the state will try to catch up afterward. 

(KAIR)--A growing rift between the Atchison Police Department and the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office that became apparent to the public during last year’s County Sheriff’s election, appears to have widened, with differences between the two law enforcement agencies now a matter for the court two months after Jack Laurie’s successful bid for re-election as Atchison County Sheriff.

Atchison City Attorney Robert Campbell, on behalf of the City, filed a petition for a Writ of Mandamus in Atchison County District Court on December 19, seeking to have the court compel Laurie to accept “all prisoners committed to him by the lawful police authorities of the City of Atchison, Kansas.”

The legal filing alleges that Laurie, in his official capacity as County Sheriff, is violating Kansas statute by having what the filing calls “a policy not to accept prisoners brought to the jail by Atchison police officers if they meet or don’t meet certain criteria.”

The petition specifically cites a December 18 incident when, according to the filing, jail Captain Travis Wright refused to jail a man arrested for felony domestic battery due to the would-be inmate being naked and acting bizarrely at the time of his arrest.

Following what’s called a “heated exchange,” the suspect was transported by police to the Doniphan County Jail, where he remains in custody.

The petition asks the Court to compel Laurie to “accept all prisoners committed to the sheriff’s or jailer’s custody by the authority of any city located in Atchison County, Kansas,” but also seeks a peremptory order ordering the Sheriff to accept the current Doniphan County inmate as a prisoner, as well as damages, including court costs, attorney fees, and the costs to incarcerate the inmate with Doniphan County “or other county and any other damages that may come to light pending litigation.”

On January 25, Laurie filed an answer and counter claim to the petition with the Court, disputing the claims while saying the City of Atchison, under the supervision of Chief of Police Mike Wilson, “has a history and a pattern of neglecting to assess” if suspects “in its custody have serious medical needs,” which denies those in custody to promptly obtain medical care.

Laurie’s filing claims the City of Atchison’s officers operate under a “detour and dump” policy, meaning they ignore such medical needs and instead take suspects to the Atchison County Jail “to dump them there and thereby unlawfully impose those costs upon the County.”

Laurie’s filing also denies both that the City is entitled to relief under the state statute cited in its petition and “that mandamus is an appropriate remedy in these circumstances.”

Saying the City’s case “is built upon disputed, distorted facts,” Laurie’s filing states that the City did not authorize the suit, with the “claim pursued by its Chief of Police who prioritizes false notions of fiscal austerity over legal compliance relating to pre-trial detainees.” The filing says the claim “is subject to dismissal” on that basis.

(KAIR)--Atchison County is again in need of a Public Works Director, following Wednesday’s termination of the latest individual to fill that position.

Justin Noll began his 8 months in the role in May of last year, hired to fill the vacancy created by the termination of his predecessor, James Harbour, who was on the job for five months prior to the decision of the Atchison County Commission to end his employment.

Noll’s termination followed a special meeting of the Commission Wednesday afternoon, lasting less than 20-minutes, and held mostly in executive session for the purpose of discussion of non-elected personnel.

At the conclusion of the closed-door session, 3rd District Commissioner Casey Quinn made the motion to terminate Noll, with her fellow two Commissioners agreeing, making the decision unanimous.

A reason for Noll’s termination is not made public.

(KLZA)-- Many people have questions concerning COVID-19 vaccinations, including when they will be able to receive the vaccine. 

During a weekly update from Community Medical Center in Falls City,  Marketing and Events Coordinator Linda Santo said the hospital is working with the Southeast District Health Department and the State and that people on the list to receive the vaccine will be contacted as the vaccine is received. 

Currently, individuals 65 years of age and older and those with pre-existing, high risk medical conditions  can register to receive vaccinations by going to the Southeast District Health Department website www.sedhd.org.  On the homepage you will find a box that says “click here to register for COVID-19 vaccinaions.”  Fill out the form and submit it to sign up. 

If you need help with the online registration you may contact the SEDHD at 402-274-3993  or the Family Medicine Clinic at 402-245-6599.

Patients that have previously signed up for the vaccine remain on the list and do not need to sign up again.  The lists are on file at Community Medical Center and you will be called as the vaccine comes in.   

During the update,  Community Medical Center CEO Ryan Larsen said he was disappointed the hospital only received 20 first doses of the vaccine last week.  He says they expect to receive 100 doses this week. 
 

(KLZA)-- The number of COVID-19 cases within the Southeast District Health Department during the latest reporting period increased slightly from the previoius report.

During the period of January 17 – 23  there were 129 new confirmed cases in the five-county area   compared to 107 new cased the previous week. 

Richardson and Nemaha counties had a slight decrease in new cases with 18 in Richardson County and 26 in Nemaha County. 

Pawnee County reported seven cases,  Johnson County 16 new cases and Otoe County had 59 new cases. 

The total confirmed cases since the pandemic began is now 3,319 in the District.  Thre have been 48 deaths reported within the District, 18 of those deaths being in Richardson County. 

(KNZA)--Two new telecommunication towers are being proposed in Doniphan County.

The Doniphan County Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on February 10 to consider two zoning change requests from Verizon Wireless. 

One zoning change would allow for the placement of a 245-foot cell tower on property located at 518 North Centre Street in Troy. The other would allow for the placement of a 199-foot cell tower on property located at 1141 Tioga Road in rural Wathena.

The Doniphan County Commission received correspondence Monday regarding the hearing.

In a related matter, a one-time agreement proposal was presented to the Commission from T-Squared Site Services, a construction company hired to manage the construction of a proposed telecommunications tower on Castleton Road, north of 130th Road.

The agreement is for the rebuild of a specified section of Castleton Road. The proposal calls for the purchase of 600 ton of gravel at a total cost of $7,500, with the county to shape the road, haul and spread the rock. T-Squared will reimburse the county for the cost of the cost, and requests no future road maintenance.

Commissioners unanimously approved the agreement.

(KAIR)--An Emergency Public Health Order, pertaining to mitigating the spread of COVID-19, remains in place in Atchison County.
However, revisions have been made, with the Health Order implemented November 24 of last year, rescinded and replaced with a revised, updated order.

That happened Tuesday as part of the weekly regular meeting of the Atchison County Commission.

The revised order, presented by Atchison County Health Officer Lori Forge, prohibits mass gatherings of more than 20 people. That applies to any single-location gathering where individuals are unable to maintain a 6-foot distance between each other.

Certain restrictions on Atchison County-based businesses remain in place, including the requirement that masks, covering the nose and mouth, are worn. The order states that “all businesses in operation should follow industry-specific guidelines” as required by the state.

Salons, barber shops, and other such personal service businesses operating within Atchison County, must continue to follow such requirements as keeping records of all customers and spacing out appointments to allow proper cleaning of facilities.

Similar mandates are also in place for gyms and fitness centers operating in the county. Retail businesses, including restaurants, must continue limiting the number of customers to 20 for each 1,000 square feet of space.

The order carries legal weight, stating that any law enforcement officer working within Atchison County is “ordered to assist in the execution and enforcement” of the order.

(KAIR)--A Tuesday night Atchison house fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters, and no one was hurt.

That’s according to a release from Interim Atchison Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar, who said crews were called to 324 Woodlawn Avenue, around 10:30 Tuesday night, for a report that flames were showing through the roof of the residence.
Firefighters, upon arrival, found flames coming from the roof vents and visible flames showing through a small window in the rear of the home.

Making entry into the home, firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, which was found in a bathroom on the main floor.

Moderate damage to that area of the home, extending to the attic, is reported.
No one was at home at the time of the fire.

Weishaar said the fire was reported by a passerby.

The cause remains under investigation.

(KAIR)--13 new positive cases of COVID-19 are confirmed in Jefferson County.

That’s according to a release issued Monday by County Emergency Manager Keith Jeffers.

The figures cited in the release, updated from those made public January 22, show no current virus-related hospitalizations and no additional deaths. The county has incurred 24 deaths since the time the pandemic began.

The release notes that the COVID-19 testing clinic, located at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Annex, will resume Wednesday.

Jefferson County Health Department Administrator Crystal VanHoutan on Monday updated the County Commission during their weekly session, that, as of Friday, 1,482 positive cases had been confirmed in the county since the beginning of the pandemic.

The Commission later unanimously approved a document for delegation of authority for the health department, in the absence of the director. That move comes as Phase 2 vaccinations began this week, along with second vaccinations for those vaccinated in late December.

(MSC News)--New details pertaining to the Kansas COVID-19 vaccination process is now online.

That comes as the state continues to advance through Phase 2 of the process.

According to a news release Tuesday from the office of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, county vaccine allocation data is now available on the online Kansas COVID-19 vaccine dashboard.

The website, which the release calls “a collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment” will be updated three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, by 12:30 each of those afternoons.

Kelly, in the release, said her “administration is prioritizing transparency and communication with public health officials and Kansans to deliver vaccines quickly and efficiently,” and is encouraging Kansas residents to view the dashboard, at KansasVaccine.gov, as the state progresses through Phase 2.
Kelly added that local public health departments can also be contacted for information about signing up to receive the vaccine.

According to the release, 132,145 persons have been vaccinated in the state, as of January 26.

According to the state’s COVID-19 online dashboard’s January 25 data, the number of doses distributed in the counties of Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Marshall, and Nemaha is 100, while the number in Jefferson and Pottawatomie counties is 200. Leavenworth County has received 900.

According to the state’s virus-focused website, the total number of doses distributed by county represents the total number of vaccine doses “that have been delivered to vaccine administration sites throughout Kansas.” The figures include all first and second doses, with the release explaining that “second doses are delivered prior to completion of the appropriate interval.”

(KMZA)--Nemaha Central Elementary and Middle School 8th grader Kaitlyn Hammes will represented Nemaha County at the state spelling bee in March.

Hammes captured first place at the the Nemaha County Spelling Bee held Saturday in Seneca.

Twenty-two students took part.

The second place winner was Tyler Nolte, a sixth grade student also from Nemaha Central Elementary and middle School

Capturing third place was Kenton Farwell, a seventh grade student from Sabetha Middle School.

Hammes will now compete in the State Bee to be held Saturday, March 27, in Wichita.

The Nemaha County Spelling Bee was sponsored by the Alpha Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Society International, a society of key women educators.

(KNZA)--Some Brown County residents are concerned about a chicken farm  proposed in Padonia Township, northeast of Hiawatha, near Nighthawk and 270th Roads.

A group of residents spoke out against the farm, which they recently learned about, at the Brown County Commission on Monday.   

County resident Randy Fee, speaking on behalf of the group, said the proposed facility would be located close to several residential properties and in the same section where Rural Water District #2's well site is located.

Fee also voiced concerns about the increased traffic the facility would bring and impact it would have on roads. 

DeWayne Koehn, of rural Hiawatha, is seeking a permit from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for a facility to house 224,000 head of broiler chickens.

According to his permit application, the facility would consist of 8 new broiler houses and utilize a dry litter system. Plans include a separate 50 by 100 foot litter shed.

County Commission Chairman Rich Lehmkuhl said since the county is not zoned, the Commission is limited on what they can do.

County resident Jack Geiger said he would like the Commission to faciliate a local public hearing with KDHE to give residents an opportunity to voice their concerns. Lehmkuhl said he would discuss the matter with County Attorney Kevin Hill.

KDHE is taking written public comment on the permit application until February 20th.

(KAIR)--The reported theft of a handgun leads to an investigation by the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, the 9mm handgun was stolen from inside an Atchison residence.

There’s no immediate word on how the thieves gained access into the home.

The theft of the gun is believed to have occurred sometime between December 20 and January 20.

Laurie said the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information related to the crime should contact the Sheriff’s Office at 913-804-6080.

(KAIR)--A public hearing has been set for next month for Atchison residents to voice their opinions regarding the future of an Atchison school.

At issue is the fate of the Central School, located at 215 North 8th Street, which is proposed to be closed by the USD 409 Board of Education.

At the hearing, to be held in the school’s gymnasium beginning at 5:30 on the evening of Thursday, February 18, a representative of the School Board will present the Board’s proposal to close Central and assign all affected students to the Roosevelt Facilities of USD 409.

According to the public notice for the hearing, the move is proposed due to operating costs, noted as being “excessive,” at the school building, as well as repairs made at the facility being, what the notice calls “at best temporary.”

The board calls the cost of upgrading the school, if feasible, “not a good use of public tax revenues,” and says that students at Central, when compared to students at other USD 409 facilities, “are being denied or restricted in educational opportunities because of the physical condition” of the school building.

The School Board, in making the proposed change, states that the facilities at the alternate site, the Roosevelt Building, “would be better used, educationally, for the reassigned pupils from Central School.”

Ongoing discussion regarding the proposed closure and relocation was again addressed by the School Board during it’s January 11 meeting, leading to the issuance of the public notice.

(KAIR)--The City of Atchison has set its priorities for the state and federal legislatures, with the Atchison City Commission Tuesday approving the 2021 Legislative Policy Agenda.

The unanimous approval came during the Commission’s regular meeting held Tuesday, following Monday’s day off for government as part of the Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Holiday.

According to a news release from the City of Atchison, the Legislative Policy Agenda

“is given to state and federal elected officials as a guide on issues that impact Atchison residents directly.”

The release calls what are known as Home Rule principals “of chief concern when it comes to municipalities in regards to state politics,” with Home Rule allowing local elected officials to decide on policy that most impacts a local community, such as Atchison.

Key policies of concern for the City are outlined in the release, with seeing flood aversion measures put in place on U.S. Highway 59, east of Atchison in Buchanan County, Missouri, included among matters of concern. When flooding of the Missouri River occurs, the highway, which connects Missouri to Atchison, Kansas, is regularly shut down to traffic, keeping drivers rerouted from Atchison, which local leaders say creates a negative impact on sales tax, and other visitor-related funds.

Also included among issues of concern are protecting the current countywide sales tax distribution, calling for countywide transportation funding equity, asking for state support of highways in city limits to be fully funded, equitable alcohol laws and regulations when compared to neighboring states, and a statewide look at housing issues.

With the unanimous approval of the agenda, it will now be given to state and federal elected officials.

(KAIR)--A new safety service is being introduced for Atchison residents, with the City’s fire department at the helm.

According to a news release from the City, the Atchison Fire Department will begin offering in-home safety inspections at the request of Atchison residents.

The service is being offered at no-charge to all city residents, “and any property in which they reside, whether they own or rent.”

According to the release, the inspections “will cover a variety of in-home safety for typical household hazards,” including carbon monoxide, gas leaks, and electrical hazards.

Other hazards, including tripping obstacles, or other obstructions, will also be a focus of the inspection, in order to prevent injury for residents, or difficulty exiting the home in a time of fire.

Smoke detectors will also be inspected, with a new one provided to homeowners, if necessary. However, the release, citing those who rent, states that “landlords are required by law to provide smoke detectors.”

The firefighters providing the inspection will also check homes for clearly marked address numbers, and clear paths of hazards that emergency crews might encounter if responding to the home, with features “that would hinder a quick response by Police, Fire, or EMS” to also be inspected.

Other hazards, where children or the elderly reside, will also be given attention, including expired, and secured, medications, proper hazardous chemical storage, furniture stability, kitchen safety, proper lighting, and the creation of “an emergency plan in the event of a fire or weather-related event.”

The release says the safety inspection personnel will arrive with the proper personal protective equipment, and will follow CDC guidelines “to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Atchison residents wanting to request the service should call the Atchison Fire Department at 913-367-4329.

(KLZA)-- Friday, January 29, will be the final day on the job as  General Manager for the Nemaha Natural Resources District for Bob Hilske.

Hilske has held the position for 18 years and is going to retire. 

During his time in charge Hilske was instrumentsl in seeing the Duck Creek Recreation Area completed and opened in 2018.  He also oversaw the new office building project during his first few months on the job.  

In Novermber,  the Nemaha NRD Board of Directors hired Kyle Hauschild as the new General Manager.  His first day at the Nemaha NRD was January 11.  

Hauschild previously was the General Manager of the Little Blue NRD out of Davenport. He has also worked as a Stormwater / Floodplain Specialist at the Lower Platte South NRD in Lincoln and for the Lincoln Public Schools as well as the Nebraska Department of Roads. 

An open house honoring Hilske for his time at the Nemaha NRD will be held at a later date in February.  
 

(KLZA)-- One person was injured in a wreck early Sunday morning in Atchison County, Missouri.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 34-year-old Reven Herron of Rock Port, Missouri, sustained minor injuries when his southbound half-ton pickup traveled off the east side of Highway 111 and started to skid.  

The pickup left the roadway and struck a tree and began to overturn.

Heron was transported to the Fairfax Community Hospital by private vehicle.

The wreck occurred a quarter-of-a-mile north of I-29 Exit 107 at approximately 2:00 A.M.

The pickup was totaled.

The Atchison County Sheriff's Department, Rock Port Fire Department and the Atchison-Holt Ambulance Squad all responded to the scene of the wreck.

(KNZA)--Brown County is moving into the 2nd phase of COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Brown County Health Department, in a release posted on their Facebook page, said that the county has received a very limited amount of vaccine at this time.

The Health Department in conjunction with the Hiawatha Community Hospital and Brown County Emergency Management are collecting names for Phase 2. They will then prioritize the list by age and contact each individual to schedule an appointment.

Those eligible to receive the vaccine in Phase 2 include those age 65 and older and high contact critical workers such as first responders and teachers.

To help identify those wanting a vaccine, your ask to complete an online survey.

You can find the survey at:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G59GSKX?fbclid=IwAR16EDbyTtCYBha1jkam7qL1Lb7OBZqfIuLZbUFjm6PHaHfZyLcUXpj8AHs 

For those unable to fill out the form online, you can call or email the following:

Email vaccine@hch-ks.org your name,date of birth,telephone number,city of residence,occupation,and ability to text.

Call 785-742-6462 and provide information requested.

(KAIR)--Atchison County has now moved to Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

That’s according to a release issued Friday by the Atchison County Health Department, which says the department, on a weekly basis, is receiving a limited supply of the vaccine.

The release states that those who are aged 65 and over will be the first priority for vaccinations during the first part of Phase 2.

The local vaccine supply will open to additional Phase 2 individuals, as outlined by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, once the majority of what the release calls the county’s “most vulnerable residents” have been vaccinated.

The release explains that the vaccine is being received once a week and is used for appointment-only vaccination events offered through the NEK Shot of Hope.

Once the weekly, available vaccine/appointments are full, an appointment can not be scheduled until more vaccine is delivered. Once that happens, and appointments are available, Atchison County will issue a notice via CodeRed phone calls, or through email, for those who have completed the online interest survey at nekshotofhope.org.

A hotline has also been established to notify residents when appointments are available. That information will be available by calling 913-308-2415.

Vaccinations will be conducted at the Sophia Center, located at 751 South 8th Street, in Atchison, until further notice.

The release states that the process of arranging vaccinations “will repeat weekly until everyone has been vaccinated or until vaccine becomes more readily available.”

(KNZA)--A suspect remains at large following a pursuit in a stolen vehicle early Sunday morning in Jackson County.

According to a news release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a van with Missouri plates on 150th Road near Q.4 Road shortly after 1:00.

The vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued westbound on 150th Road.  The van drove through a metal gate and into a pasture containing a herd of buffaloes near N. Road off of 150th Road.  The van continued into a wooded area with rough terrain and the deputy lost contact. 

A drone equipped with a FLIR camera located the van which had ended up in a ravine and on its side.  The van had been reported stolen out of Missouri.

 A search for the occupants began when a female believed to be the passenger was located on M. Road near 158th Road.  A male suspect remains at large. 

Morse said the suspect was still at large by 6:30 Sunday morning and may make his way towards 75 Hwy or the Casino. 

He said the male suspect may be in his late 30s and 5’8″ with short brown hair.  Suspect may be wearing dark jeans. 

Residents are advised to keep their homes, outbuildings and vehicles locked. 

Residents are advised to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 785-364-2251 if anyone suspicious is seen in the area. Updates will be provided when more information becomes available.

(KAIR)--Local area counties are preparing for the second phase of COVID-19 vaccinations following the Kansas Legislature on Thursday granting approval to a bill that would extend the state’s coronavirus pandemic declaration.

Joining others from the local area in making vaccination plans is Doniphan County, which is encouraging qualifying residents to register for the County’s vaccine list.

According to a news release issued Friday by the Doniphan County Health Department/Home Health, the State of Kansas, so far, is dispensing small amounts of the vaccine weekly to the health department.

The second phase of vaccinations will include all who are 65-years of age, or older, those in congregate settings, high contact critical workers, and those scheduled for vaccination under Phase 1, but have not yet received the vaccine.

According to the release, qualifying Doniphan County residents who want to get vaccinated should email the health department at health@dpcountyks.com or call 785-985-3591. Those who do so will have their name added to the health department’s vaccine list, with those persons to be contacted when the vaccine becomes available.

Residents wanting to vaccinate should visit the County’s website, at dpcountyks.com, to read the Moderna vaccine emergency use authorization. A related consent form should be completed, and brought to future vaccination appointments.

(KAIR)--Atchison city leaders are considering the establishment of a vacant property registry.

The matter was discussed during Tuesday’s meeting of the Atchison City Commission.

According to a release from the City, the passage of an ordinance establishing the registry would mean fees charged “to property owners who have vacant property that is not up to code or owe back taxes.”

Discussion of the proposal during Tuesday’s meeting ended with what the release calls “the promise of more discussion at the [City Commission’s] February 1 meeting, with the goal of considering the measure for adoption at the [Commission’s] February 16 meeting.”

(KLZA)-- Members of the Falls City Rural Fire Department responded to a call a the Vince Metzner residence southeast of Falls City Thursday. 

Fire Chief Mike Ramsey said that embers from a trash fire caught the roof of  garage on fire.  The fire got into the rafters of the garage but the garage sustained no other damage.

Ramsey reminds area residents that due to the dry conditions if you are burning you need to be very careful and monitor the fire.
 

(KLZA)--Richardson County Sheriff Rick Hardesty informed the County Board Tuesday of a $50-thousand grant the Sheriff's Department has been awarded to purchase two new vehicles.

The Community Facilities Disaster Grant will be used toward the purchase of two new 2021 Ford Interceptor SUV's with equipment to include lights, sirens, control boxes and consoles in addition to the purchase of an in-car camera and  two body worn cameras.  

The County will be required to pay $44,624 in matching funds to cover the project costs of the vehicles and equipment,  making the total cost $94,624.
 

(KNZA)--Jackson County is moving to Phase 2 COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Jackson County Health Department made the announcement this week in a release on their Facebook page.

At this time, the Health Department said they have received a very limited amount of vaccine for the county.  

The release says  persons 65 and older with underlying health conditions that live in Jackson County have been prioritized to receive the vaccine first in Phase 2.  

The health department hopes to continue vaccinating people each week with future shipments of vaccine.  

To help identify those interested in receiving the vaccine, your asked to complete an online survey. Your name with be added to a list. You will then be contacted with the time and place for your vaccination.  

You can find the survey here. 

Those unable to fill out the form online, may contact their local  doctor's office or the health department for assistance .

The number to call for each clinic is listed below:

Family Practice Associate/HCH 785 364-2126

Holton Family Health Clinic 785 889-5288 or 785 889-5279

Holton Direct Care 785 362-8677 or email sharon@holtondirectcare.com

Dr. Keehn 785 933-2000

Jackson County Health Department 785 364-2670

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved a two-percent pay increase for the Road Department Foreman,Bridge Foreman and Administrative Assistant, effective July 1, 2020 when they met Tuesday. 

Commissioners also conducted the quarterly jail inspection at the Law Enforcement Center finding the facility to be in good order.  

A purchase order for just over $1,800 was approved for dining trays and lids for the inmates.

County  Building Maintenance Technician Tyler Cooper reviewed the purchase of a blade for the utility vehicle to remove snow from the courthouse grounds and the Law Enforcement Center.  A purchase in an amount of $1,600 from M&M Auto Sports was approved.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty reported he is communicating with different suppliers to obtain a K-9 to be used as a Richardson County  Drug Dog. 
 

(KMZA)--Nemaha County, Kansas is moving to Phase 2 COVID-19 vaccinations.

Nemaha County Community Health Services made the announcement Thursday in a release on its website.

With the move, all those aged 65 and older, those eligible congregate settings and all high-contact critical workers--such as first responders, grocery store workers and teachers--will now be prioritized for vaccination.

Those who qualify, and are interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, are asked to complete an online survey.

The survey may be found here: https://form.jotform.com/210196443875057 

You may also notify the health department of your interest by emailing  nemahakscovid@rainbowtel.net or by calling 785-284-2152.

Individuals will be placed on a list and will be notified by the health department when the vaccine becomes available to them.

Mass vaccination clinics are being organized at this time for individuals who qualify in Phase 2, with clinic dates based on vaccine allocation to the county health department.

To find out if you qualify in phase 2: https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Vaccine-Distribution-Order-1.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0aMfU-oZTIAvI3AQ6EAiwQd27xJ37HVcHaM6JMEkqkbggSJjeR5C8rfRY

(KAIR)--Three Leavenworth-area teens are facing charges in Atchison County, arrested Thursday in connection with Atchison vehicle break-ins.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 18-year-old Cole Acevedo, of Lansing, was taken into custody for vehicle burglary, theft, and contributing to a child’s misconduct.

18-year-old Bladen Bellar, of Leavenworth, was arrested on the same charges as Acevedo, but is additionally accused of marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession.

A 17-year-old boy was also arrested for vehicle burglary and theft.

Acevedo and Bellar were booked into the Atchison County Jail following their arrests, while the unnamed younger teen was released to a parent.

According to Wilson, the arrests came after Atchison Police, around 1:00 Thursday morning, were called to the area of 2nd and Unity to investigate a report that persons were attempting to enter parked vehicles.

A suspect vehicle was spotted by police near 3rd and Mound Streets, with a driver sitting inside the truck when two others ran to the vehicle, which was stopped by police as it attempted to leave the area.

The investigation that followed determined that the truck’s three occupants were responsible for the burglary of two vehicles, one in the 100 block of East Mound, and another in the 100 block of Su Terra.

Items stolen from the vehicles have been recovered, including a purse, keys, and new auto parts.
Investigators say attempts to enter other vehicles were also made, including one that triggered an alarm that called police to the area of the crimes.

(KAIR)--A Valley Falls man is accused of leading Jackson County authorities on a pursuit while being in possession of drugs and a firearm.

Arrested was 40-year-old Michael Costello, Jr., who faces charges for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal carrying a weapon, and eluding a law enforcement office. He was booked into the Jackson County Jail after he was taken into custody.

Jail records indicate the pursuit, and arrest, happened Wednesday.

According to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, a deputy, in the Holton Walmart parking lot, spotted a man “that appeared to be behaving in a suspicious manner,” and followed the man, who left the parking lot headed south of Holton, on U.S. Highway 75.
It’s alleged that Costello was driving at a high rate of speed, with the deputy alleging that traffic infractions were committed as the car was eastbound on 162nd Road.

A short pursuit followed, but ended in the city of Mayetta, with Costello taken into custody.
The Mayetta Police Department provided assistance to the Sheriff’s Office during the incident.

(KLZA)-- The Southeast District Health Department has launched an online system for individuals 65 years of age and older and those with preexisting medical conditions who would like notification on when and where COVID-19 vaccinations will be available.

Currently the allocations of vaccine are not sufficient enough to address the need and supply is not meeting demand.  

To register online visit: https://nalhd.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_07kgmsav9QabSU5

Or you can go to the Southeast District Health Department website at:  sedhd.org  and click on the “register for COVID-19 vaccine” and you will be redirected to the sign-up page. 

(KLZA)- The Northeast Nemaha County ( Nebraska) Long-term Recovery Group continues working to build relationships and coordinate efforts and pursue funding to rebuild the City of Peru and the surrounding region which suffered an estimated $7.9-million in economic loss, including $4.2-million in agricultureal revenue losses due to levee damage during the 2019 flooding..

As the new year is underway, the group provided updates on several infrastructure projects in the region.

A contract has been signed between the City of Peru and the Auburn Board of Public Works that will allow Peru to join the Auburn BPW's water supply.

The City of Peru also accepted an offer from FEMA to fund 75 percent of the construction costs, limited to $5.2-million, related to building the water connection to Auburn.  The City will be responsible for 12.5 percent of the cost with the other 12.5 percent coming from The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. 

The City is hoping to be able to cover their portion of the funding through grants. 

In December, President Donald Trump signed the Water  Resources Development Act which will make the Peru levee eligible for Federal Funding and allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair the breached levee that has protected Peru since it was built in 1952.  

In addition, the City of Peru has been approved to receive FEMA funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to purchase properties in the 100-year flood plain and turn the are into green space.   

(KAIR)--Four Atchison County area health organizations are working together in an effort to provide what’s being called “mass COVID vaccination events for northeast Kansas residents.”

According to a news release issued Tuesday, the joint initiative, called NEK Shot of Hope, “provides COVID vaccine planning and administration for northeast Kansas communities through a collaborative effort by Amberwell Health, Atchison County Emergency Management, Atchison Community Health Clinic, and the Atchison County Health Department.”

The release says mass vaccination events are being organized to begin when Phase 2 of the Kansas vaccination plan is activated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, with the second phase to include vaccinations for all who are 65-years of age, or older, those in congregate settings, high contact critical workers, and those scheduled for vaccination under Phase 1, but have not yet received the vaccine.

Atchison County area vaccination event dates are not yet set, and will depend on when the vaccine is distributed to local health organizations. Once that happens, the vaccination events will be open to all who qualify for a vaccine during Phase 2, regardless of county of residence.

The release notes that area residents are encouraged to complete an online Vaccine Interest Survey, which is now available, which will “help NEK Shot of Hope plan the upcoming mass vaccination events.”

The survey, which the release calls “a planning tool to help organize vaccine administration,” includes screening questions to determine when those who complete the survey may receive a vaccination. When they complete the survey, those names will be “added to an email list to receive notifications when vaccines are available.” However, the release clarifies that the survey “is a planning tool to help organize vaccine administration and does not guarantee that survey respondents will receive vaccine.”

The survey is available here. 

The Benedictine Sisters of Mount Saint Scholastica have volunteered the use of the main buildings of the Sophia Center in Atchison for the forthcoming vaccination events, with the release explaining that vaccines will be administered at that site, located at 751 South 8th Street, by licensed nurses from Amberwell Health, the Atchison Community Health Clinic, and the Atchison County Health Department.

Both appointment-based and open walk-in events will be available on specific dates, not yet determined.

According to the release, “multiple vaccination opportunities will be offered in various locations in the area as phases are activated and vaccines are made available from KDHE.”

(KAIR)--The City of Atchison has set its priorities for the state and federal legislatures, with the Atchison City Commission Tuesday approving the 2021 Legislative Policy Agenda.

The unanimous approval came during the Commission’s regular meeting held Tuesday, following Monday’s day off for government as part of the Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Holiday.

According to a news release from the City of Atchison, the Legislative Policy Agenda

“is given to state and federal elected officials as a guide on issues that impact Atchison residents directly.”

The release calls what are known as Home Rule principals “of chief concern when it comes to municipalities in regards to state politics,” with Home Rule allowing local elected officials to decide on policy that most impacts a local community, such as Atchison.

Key policies of concern for the City are outlined in the release, with seeing flood aversion measures put in place on U.S. Highway 59, east of Atchison in Buchanan County, Missouri, included among matters of concern. When flooding of the Missouri River occurs, the highway, which connects Missouri to Atchison, Kansas, is regularly shut down to traffic, keeping drivers rerouted from Atchison, which local leaders say creates a negative impact on sales tax, and other visitor-related funds.

Also included among issues of concern are protecting the current countywide sales tax distribution, calling for countywide transportation funding equity, asking for state support of highways in city limits to be fully funded, equitable alcohol laws and regulations when compared to neighboring states, and a statewide look at housing issues.

With the unanimous approval of the agenda, it will now be given to state and federal elected officials.

(KAIR)--The City of Atchison has set its priorities for the state and federal legislatures, with the Atchison City Commission Tuesday approving the 2021 Legislative Policy Agenda.

The unanimous approval came during the Commission’s regular meeting held Tuesday, following Monday’s day off for government as part of the Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Holiday.

According to a news release from the City of Atchison, the Legislative Policy Agenda

“is given to state and federal elected officials as a guide on issues that impact Atchison residents directly.”

The release calls what are known as Home Rule principals “of chief concern when it comes to municipalities in regards to state politics,” with Home Rule allowing local elected officials to decide on policy that most impacts a local community, such as Atchison.

Key policies of concern for the City are outlined in the release, with seeing flood aversion measures put in place on U.S. Highway 59, east of Atchison in Buchanan County, Missouri, included among matters of concern. When flooding of the Missouri River occurs, the highway, which connects Missouri to Atchison, Kansas, is regularly shut down to traffic, keeping drivers rerouted from Atchison, which local leaders say creates a negative impact on sales tax, and other visitor-related funds.

Also included among issues of concern are protecting the current countywide sales tax distribution, calling for countywide transportation funding equity, asking for state support of highways in city limits to be fully funded, equitable alcohol laws and regulations when compared to neighboring states, and a statewide look at housing issues.

With the unanimous approval of the agenda, it will now be given to state and federal elected officials.

(KAIR)--Four Atchison County area health organizations are working together in an effort to provide what’s being called “mass COVID vaccination events for northeast Kansas residents.”
According to a news release issued Tuesday, the joint initiative, called NEK Shot of Hope, “provides COVID vaccine planning and administration for northeast Kansas communities through a collaborative effort by Amberwell Health, Atchison County Emergency Management, Atchison Community Health Clinic, and the Atchison County Health Department.”

The release says mass vaccination events are being organized to begin when Phase 2 of the Kansas vaccination plan is activated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, with the second phase to include vaccinations for all who are 65-years of age, or older, those in congregate settings, high contact critical workers, and those scheduled for vaccination under Phase 1, but have not yet received the vaccine.

Atchison County area vaccination event dates are not yet set, and will depend on when the vaccine is distributed to local health organizations. Once that happens, the vaccination events will be open to all who qualify for a vaccine during Phase 2, regardless of county of residence.

The release notes that area residents are encouraged to complete an online Vaccine Interest Survey, which is now available, which will “help NEK Shot of Hope plan the upcoming mass vaccination events.”

The survey, which the release calls “a planning tool to help organize vaccine administration,” includes screening questions to determine when those who complete the survey may receive a vaccination. When they complete the survey, those names will be “added to an email list to receive notifications when vaccines are available.” However, the release clarifies that the survey “is a planning tool to help organize vaccine administration and does not guarantee that survey respondents will receive vaccine.”

A link to the survey is posted with this story at mscnews.net. https://nekshotofhope.org/covid-vaccine-interest-survey/

The Benedictine Sisters of Mount Saint Scholastica have volunteered the use of the main buildings of the Sophia Center in Atchison for the forthcoming vaccination events, with the release explaining that vaccines will be administered at that site, located at 751 South 8th Street, by licensed nurses from Amberwell Health, the Atchison Community Health Clinic, and the Atchison County Health Department.

Both appointment-based and open walk-in events will be available on specific dates, not yet determined.

According to the release, “multiple vaccination opportunities will be offered in various locations in the area as phases are activated and vaccines are made available from KDHE.”

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved issuing up to $3-million in Combined Utilities Revenue Bonds for wastewater and water infrastructure improvements when they met Monday evening.

City Administrator Gary Jorn said the money will help cover the costs of improvements at the Wastewater Plant,  with a lift station project and with the contraflow replacement project at the Water Plant at Rulo. 

The money will come from the Nebraska Environmental  Quality Revolving Loan Fund which will include debt forgiveness as well as a low interest rate.

The Council also joined a number of other government entities in the area in approving a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Plan prepared by JEO Consulting Group for the Nemaha Natural Resourced District. 

The plan development requires a large amount of paperwork and it has been more than a year to complete. 

While the plan is specifically for the Nemaha Natural Resources District, it has a section specifically for Falls City.  Local entities must participate in the plan to be eligible to apply for federal mitigation funds in the future.

This will be the second time Falls City has renewed the plan.  

The plan is good for a 10-year period.  

(KLZA)-- The number of new COVID-19 cases within the Southeast District Health Department decreased in the latest reported period from January 10 – 16. 

Richardson County had 20 new cases reported.  There were 14 new cases in Johnson County,  five in Pawnee  County,  27 in Nemaha County and 41 in Otoe County for a district-wide total of  107 new cases.   

The previous week there were 174 new cases reported.  

Richardson County has now had 627 cases with 16 confirmed deaths.  Pawnee County has 182 total cases with three deaths.  In Nemaha County the total number of COVID-19 cases is 656 with 10 deaths.  Johnson County has 596 positive cases with seven deaths and in Otoe County the case count since the pandemic began stands at 1,133 with four deaths reported.

Within the Southeast District Health Department five-county region there have been 3,194 confirmed cases with 40 confirmed deaths.

(KNZA)--Hand sanitizer stations are still available for Brown County businesses.

Brown County Emergency Management Director Don Pounds informed the Brown County Commission Tuesday that only 16 businesses had applied by Monday's deadline for the 100 hand sanitizer stations purchased with leftover SPARK funding, with an additional application received Tuesday morning.

The dispensers are available for free to any business in the county.

Pounds said he expected the stands for the units to arrive by next Monday and planned to get them distributed next week.

He said he will accept applications until they are all gone.

Pounds also informed commissioners that he has been working with the Brown County Health Department to set up sites for Phase 2 COVID-19 vaccinations, starting next month. 

Unfortunately, Kristina Romine with Northeast Kansas Multi-County Health, said Friday because the allocation from the state is going to come in smaller batches at first it will not be possible to set up the drive through clinics.

Romine said the Health Department is working with HCH to offer clinics at the Fisher Center by appointment based on the number of doses that they receive. Those residents in Phase 2 can call the hospitals dedicated line 785-742-6462 to be placed on the list for the vaccine..

(KAIR)--A Weston, Missouri man is charged with arson and murder in connection with an early Sunday morning Weston house fire that left a man dead.
According to a news release issued by the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, 24-year-old Anthony Fleming was charged Monday for allegedly setting the fire in the 600 block of Prospect Street that claimed the life of 60-year-old Timothy Darby.

Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd, in the release, said Fleming’s charges were filed early Monday following an investigation by the Platte County Sheriff’s Office.

Court documents, cited in the release, say Fleming allegedly intentionally set the residential fire sometime between 1 and 2:00 Sunday morning. He was located about a mile from the scene of the deadly fire, in a wooded area, wearing only socks.

Firefighters found Darby dead in the kitchen.

Fleming is charged with first degree arson and second degree murder. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison on each charge. He is currently being held without bond in the Platte County Detention Facility.

Zahnd, in the release, commends the work of the Sheriff’s Office and Weston Police Department, as well as other agencies, including the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office, for their efforts related to the fire and arrest.

(KMZA)--As part of the strategic planning process, a facility needs survey will be conducted in Nemaha Central USD 115.

The Nemaha Central Board of Education, during their January 11 meeting, voted to acccept a bid from Patron Insight to develop and administer the survey at a cost of $13,475.

Superintendent Darrel Kohlman reviewed the first draft of the Strategic Plan for 2021-2026. Kohlman said the next step was to conduct a facility needs survey, with input from a diverse group of stakeholders.

In other action, Kohlman reported that USD 115 will be receiving around $190,000 in the second round of federal emergency relief funding to offset expenses the district incurs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds need to be spent by September 2023.

The USD 115 Board approved a resolution stating the board's decision to hold the election of school board officers in January instead of July.

Jason Hammes was re-elected as board president and Owen Zinke as vice-president for 2021.

(KNZA)--The mask mandate in the city of Hiawatha will remain in place.

The matter was re-visited at Tuesday evening's Hiawatha City Commission meeting at the request of new commissioner Brian Shefferd.

Shefferd said he had heard from several people concerned about the mask mandate, which has been in effect since November 20.  He said he didn't  think its enforceable and believes it should be in the hands of business owners, not the city.

Brown County Health Officer Robin Downard and Hiawatha Community Hospital CEO John Broberg, speaking by Zoom, urged the Commission to maintain the mask mandate, which they said has helped reduce the number of COVID-19 cases in the county since it was put in place. As of Tuesday, Downard said there were 29 active cases in Brown County.

Following discussion, a motion by Shefferd to rescind the mask mandate died due to the lack of a second.

Shefferd also brought up for discussion the reopening of the Fisher Center.

The facility has been closed to the public since November 18 to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

Commissioner Becky Shamburg said while she was open to discussing the matter, she was not ready to vote to open the facility back up at this time.

Mayor Bill Collins said he wasn't ready either without a plan in place.

A motion by Shefferd to re-open the Fisher Center died due to the lack of a second.

Tuesday's meeting marked the first for Shefferd and new commissioner Evans Woehlecke, who were elected last November.

(KAIR)--A Northeast Kansas Powerball player is $50,000 richer, having correctly matched four numbers and the Powerball to win the prize on Saturday.
According to a release from the Kansas Lottery, the win is the second of that amount won in Kansas in January alone, and is the eighth time the prize has been won in the state since mid-November.

According to the release, the as-yet unknown player, in the December 16 game, picked the numbers 14-20-39-65-67 Powerball 2 and PowerPlay 3X for the win.

Because it’s known the player is from Northeast Kansas, that could mean they reside in such local counties as Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha, and Pottawatomie.

(AP)--A federal judge has awarded more than $1 million in damages to yet another veteran who was abused by a former physician assistant at the Leavenworth VA.

The Kansas News Service reports it’s the third time since November that U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree has ruled against the government in cases brought by veterans charging the government with medical malpractice.

The veterans allege they were subjected to unnecessary genital exams and other physical abuse by Mark Wisner, who was a physician assistant at the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center from 2008 to 2014.

Wisner was convicted of aggravated sexual battery and aggravated criminal assault in 2017 and sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison. He surrendered his license to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts in February 2015.

Wisner is thought to have abused as many as 100 military veterans. More than 80 of them settled their lawsuits against the government in 2019 for $7 million.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved the early redemption of $1,120,000 in General Obligation Highway bonds, Series 2016 when they met January 12.

The Council will pay the principal down in amount of $400-thousand  and issue Series 2021 Highway allocation Bonds to save an estimated $71-thousand and cut the interest rate from 2.57 percent to 1.36 percent.

Commissioners also approved extending the period for using annual vacation leave of six months ending June 30, 2021, for Law Enforcement Center employees who have been unable to take accumulated vacation leave due to staff shortages with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The  Board also authorized Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. to advertise for the One & Six Year Road Public Hearing for February 9 at 9:30 a.m. Darveau was also authorized to advertise for sealed bids for an excavator to be received by 9:30 a.m. on  Tuesday, February 16 .

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioner John Caverzagie and Sheriff Rick Hardesty met with the Falls City Council Monday evening to discuss the future of 911 dispatching. 

Caverzagie said Richardson County has been discussing new 911 equipment and needs to know if the City would be on board with the Sheriff's Department taking becoming the Public Service Answering Point for 911 calls and doing all of the dispatching.

Caverzagie said for the Sheriff's Office to take on the responsibility it would require an investment of more than $1.2-million in new equipment,  but the cost could be less if the City continued with 911 dispatching.

In order for the City to continue the emergency dispatching,  upgrade costs to the City are estimated to be in the neighborhood of $100-thousand. 

Council member Mitch Merz said the number one thing is safety for all the citizens but also mentioned Richardson County stopped paying the City for 911 dispatching a few years ago, and wanted to know if the City would have that same agreement if the Sheriff's Office did the dispatching.

Caverzagie said while Commissioners have taken no formal action on a proposal,  preliminary discussions were that the County would as the City to pay the costs for the wages and benefits for one dispatcher.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty said that if the Sheriff's Office takes over, they would have two dispatchers on at one time due to the calls for service for the City, County and Fire Departments in the County.  The Sheriff  said whether it be under the City or County, the dispatching  it would be beneficial to have one dispatch center due to the amount of time to pass information from one entity to the other during an emergency. 

Falls City Police Chief Duane Armbruster said he likes the idea of discussing the possibility but noted there are lots of little things that need to be discussed.  He noted that 911 Dispatchers are paid more than regular dispatchers.  Armbruster said he feels a combined dispatch would be a money saver in the long run. 

Sheriff Hardesty said he would like to see a new plan implemented by July 1 if the Sheriff' Office takes over the 911 dispatching since that is the start of a new budget cycle.

Councilman Don Ferguson said this seems like a good idea collectively for for all those involved, saying its good for all the citizens of the county. 

The City asked the Commissioners to prepare a written  proposal that a group representing the City and the County could review and decide how to move forward.  

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved the reappointment of David Sickel as Chairman for 2021 and John Caverzagie as Vice-Chairman when they met January 12.

The Board reaffirmed the appointment of Steve  Darveau Jr. as Richardson  County Highway Superintendent with a two-percent salary increase to $54,621.  

Mona Godeman was reappointed Veterans Service Officer with a salary five-percent increase in salary to $19.50 per hour to reflect her position title and job duties. 

Brian Kirkendall was reappointed Richardson County Emergency Manager and Noxious Weed Control Superintendent.  His salary will include a two-percent raise to $50-thousand as Emergency Manager and will include an additional salary of $3,500 annually as Noxious Weed Control Superintendent.

A two-percent salary increase was also approved for clerical and support staff for the County officers, Courthouse Maintenance and Extension Office.  The Assistant Veterans Service Officer was given a five-percent increase.

(KAIR)--An arrest has been made in connection with a December break-in at an Atchison pharmacy that resulted in the theft of what Atchison Police call “a quantity of controlled substances.”

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, in a release issued Monday evening, said 39-year-old Michael McGuire, of Atchison, was taken into custody Monday afternoon at a residence in the 1200 block of South 7th Street. McGuire was arrested on an Atchison County District Court warrant charging him with burglary, theft, and criminal damage to property. The charges stem from an early morning December 4 burglary at Atchison’s Kex RX Pharmacy, located at 807 Main Street. According to Police, who responded to the reported burglary around 1:30 that December morning, found that forced entry had been made through a glass door, with the suspect having fled the scene before police arrived.

The investigation that followed the break-in led to McGuire, and the resulting charges.
Following his arrest, McGuire was booked into the Atchison County Jail. Bond is set at $20,000.

According to Wilson, McGuire was also arrested on a District Court warrant charging him with a theft that occurred at Hundley Liquor, located at 119 South 9th Street, on December 2.
McGuire faces a charge of misdemeanor theft for that crime.
His bond for the liquor store burglary is set at $2,500.

(KLZA)-- A Salem man facing a pair of felony drug charges has been charged as a habitual criminal. 

According to a release from the  Richardson County Sheriff's Office, following a December 14, 2020 incident in Salem, and a subsequent investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for 46-year-old Michael Tinsley.  During the investigation just over a quarter of a pound, or 131 grams of methamphetamine was located.  

Tinsley was arrested January 4 in Lincoln with the assistance of the U.S. Marshal's Service and the Fugitive Task Force.

He was arrested for possession of 28 to 139 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a controlled substance with no drug tax stamp.

The Richardson County Attorney's Office filed habitual criminal enhancements on each felony count.  The habitual criminal enhancement carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

According to the Nebraska Department of Corrections website, Tinsley has been sentenced to prison in Nebraska five times previously, including on a Richardson County charge  in 2014.

The investigation is ongoing.  The Sheriff's Office thanked the U.S. Marshals Service,the Fugitive Task Force, the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office and the Otoe County Sheriff's Office for their assistance.  

(KLZA)-- The Richardson County Sheriff's Office is warning the public about phone scammers posing as representatives from the Publishers Clearinghouse. 

The callers ask for personal information and for the people they contact to send them money.

The Sheriff's Office reminds you to never give out personal information over the phone, to never agree to anything from this type of call and to NOT send any money.  

(KNZA)--The Brown County Health Department in conjunction with Hiawatha Community Hospital and Family Practice Clinics are beginning the process of collecting names for COVID-19 vaccines.

You can express your interest in obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine in one of three ways: 1. Online Survey 2. Email 3. Phone

Ways to express interest in obtaining the vaccine:

1. Survey Monkey – please click the link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G59GSKX to complete the online survey

2. Email vaccine@hch-ks.org your name, date of birth, telephone number, city of residence, occupation and ability to text

3. Call 785-742-6462 and provide information requested

The Health Department & HCH will compile all names submitted to create a Phase 2 Vaccination List. Criteria based on the KDHE Phase 2 vaccine distribution plan will be used in prioritizing individuals that are interested in receiving the vaccine.

Individuals will be contacted for scheduling when the vaccines come in and when its their turn to be vaccinated based on the criteria.

Information will be collected now through Sunday, January 31.

Vaccines are free, but there may be a nominal fee for administration.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The federal government faces a second lawsuit over flooding along the Missouri River after it was ordered last month to pay some landowners for damages.

R. Dan Boulware, of the Polsinelli law firm, filed the new class-action lawsuit on behalf of 60 plaintiffs who experienced damages during flooding in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2014.

The St. Joseph News-Press reports that Boulware successfully argued in the earlier case that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers knowingly flooded some farmland when it made changes to protect endangered species.

Boulware currently is waiting for the class-action lawsuit to be certified. If that occurs there could be additional plaintiffs added to the case. He estimates that the current claim of damages exceeds $50 million. 

(KNZA)--Jackson Heights USD 335 will be searching for a new superintendent.

The Jackson Heights Board of Education at their January 11 meeting accepted the resignation of Adrianne Walsh, effective at the end of the current school year.

The Holton Recorder reports the action came on a 4-3 vote following a series of executive sessions, with board members Konrade Coe, Neel Keeler and Kelly Kennedy voting in opposition.

Walsh has been with USD 335 for 14 years—including 10 years as superintendent and also as elementary school principal.

Walsh declined to comment on her resignation or future plans.

(KNZA)--Two Topeka men were arrested in Jackson County on drug charges following separate traffic stops. 

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, said a sheriff's deputy stopped a Pontiac Bonneville driven by Levi Eisenbarth Friday afternoon in the entrance of the Prairie Band Casino for allegedly committing traffic infractions.

Morse said deputies located substances in the vehicle believed to be methamphetamine and ecstasy. It's alleged Eisenbarth was in route to make an illegal drug transaction.

He was booked into the Jackson County Jail on charges of distribute of methamphetamine, distribute of ecstasy, no drug tax stamp and using a telecommunications facility in the commission of a felony drug violation.

Meanwhile, Morse said a sheriff's deputy stopped a Mercury Grand Marquis Sunday morning for a traffic infraction near 150th and Q.4 Roads near Mayetta.

An occupant of the vehicle, 41-year-old William Bari, was arrested by deputies for allegedly being in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Morse said Bari also had outstanding felony warrant out of Shawnee and Douglas Counties. He was booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KAIR)--The death of a Weston, Missouri man, resulting from an early Sunday morning residential house fire, is under investigation, with a person of interest speaking to authorities as of Sunday night.

That’s according to a news release from the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, which said they, along with the Weston Police Department, were notified of the fire in the 600 block of Prospect Street, in Weston, shortly before 2:00 Sunday morning.
Found dead inside the home was 60-year-old Timothy Darby.

The release said both the Sheriff’s Office and Police Department “do not believe that there is any danger to the public.”

Details of the person of interest were not made public as of Sunday night.

(KAIR)--The Kansas Department of Transportation, on Monday, will begin a field survey pertaining to proposed bridge replacements near K-116 Highway, in Atchison County.

According to a release from KDOT, the locations of the proposed replacements are three miles northeast of K-116, over Stranger Creek, and about 6 miles northeast of the highway, over 262nd Road.

The release says “the survey is to gather information that is necessary for the detailed design of the proposed improvement.” It’s estimated to be completed by March 12.

Jed Baughman, P.S., Field Survey Project Manager, RIC, will be in charge of the survey, on behalf of KDOT.

The release closes by explaining that “a member of the survey crew first will contact property owners and/or tenants for permission to enter private property” as part of the survey process.

(KNZA)--The Royal Valley Board of Education this week made changes to the school district’s quarantine and mask protocols as related to helping prevent the spread of COVID-19.

That’s according to a message to district parents, as posted to the USD 337 website, by Superintendent Aaric Davis.

The message was posted Wednesday, one day following the Board of Education meeting that led to the approval of the low-risk exposure policy in grades PreK through 8th grades, “as allowed by the Jackson County Health Department.”

Among the changes included in the policy are those related to the wearing of face masks by both students and staff, with masks needing to meet criteria defined by the health department. Mask protocol means only N95, KN95, hospital masks with elastic, a surgical mask with ties, or “other masks with two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric,” may be worn. However, because many gaiters and bandanas are single ply, the school district will no longer allow them to be used as acceptable masks. In order to allow time for the change to be made, the district will not implement the change until January 19.

Among other changes made through approval of the low-risk exposure policy are those related to quarantine protocols. Effective now, PreK through 8th grade students identified as a low-risk exposure while at school will no longer be required to quarantine at home.

In the message, Davis said “the Board of Education made it very clear that this low-risk exposure policy could be removed at any time in the future if deemed necessary.”

Davis explained that the number of students he observed failing during the past semester was “3 to 4 times greater than usual” in the district, adding that “a consistent learning environment is an essential component of student success, explaining that since the beginning of the year, the district has “quarantined a large number of students and have very little evidence that those quarantined students have gone on to contract” COVID-19.

Davis, toward the end of the message, said the Board of Education “would like to extend this [policy] later for the high school students to help keep them in school,” adding that “the [high school] students are going to have to show an improvement in their ability to properly wear their mask during the school day and on the school bus” before such a change can be made for the high school grade levels.

(KNZA)--Several area roadways closed for periods on Friday due to the winter weather that moved into the local area.

According to an emergency alert issued shortly before 1:00 Friday afternoon by the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office, K-63 Highway was temporarily closed, leaving it off-limits to traffic, due to a jack knifed semi tractor-trailer.

A second alert, issued around 2:30 Friday afternoon, stated that the highway had re-opened, but motorists should use caution while traveling.

The alert called roadways “questionable,” adding that increased wind had decreased visibility.

The Kansas Department of Transportation announced another closure later Friday afternoon, with South U.S. Highway 75 closed between K-20 and U.S. Highway 36.

According to the release, the closure, which took effect around 1:30, was to remain in place for approximately two hours. It was requested by law enforcement to allow them to clear up some crashes, with the local winter weather playing a role.

(KAIR)--A new role of leadership for Atchison’s City Manager.

According to a release from the City of Atchison, Becky Berger has been named to serve as President of the Board of Directors for the Kansas Association of City/County Management for 2021.

Berger was named to the one-year term during the association’s annual meeting held last month.
Last year, Berger served as the association’s vice-president.

Berger’s term as President will come to an end in December of this year during the annual meeting, planned to be held in Atchison.

According to the association’s website, “the Kansas Association of City/County Management is an organization of local government management officials working together since 1951 to support and promote professional management and high ethical standards for effective democracy in local city and county governments in Kansas.”

(KAIR)--A new role of leadership for Atchison’s City Manager.

According to a release from the City of Atchison, Becky Berger has been named to serve as President of the Board of Directors for the Kansas Association of City/County Management for 2021.

Berger was named to the one-year term during the association’s annual meeting held last month.
Last year, Berger served as the association’s vice-president.

Berger’s term as President will come to an end in December of this year during the annual meeting, planned to be held in Atchison.

According to the association’s website, “the Kansas Association of City/County Management is an organization of local government management officials working together since 1951 to support and promote professional management and high ethical standards for effective democracy in local city and county governments in Kansas.”

(KAIR)--A new role of leadership for Atchison’s City Manager.

According to a release from the City of Atchison, Becky Berger has been named to serve as President of the Board of Directors for the Kansas Association of City/County Management for 2021.

Berger was named to the one-year term during the association’s annual meeting held last month.
Last year, Berger served as the association’s vice-president.

Berger’s term as President will come to an end in December of this year during the annual meeting, planned to be held in Atchison.

According to the association’s website, “the Kansas Association of City/County Management is an organization of local government management officials working together since 1951 to support and promote professional management and high ethical standards for effective democracy in local city and county governments in Kansas.”

(KAIR)--A new role of leadership for Atchison’s City Manager.

According to a release from the City of Atchison, Becky Berger has been named to serve as President of the Board of Directors for the Kansas Association of City/County Management for 2021.

Berger was named to the one-year term during the association’s annual meeting held last month.
Last year, Berger served as the association’s vice-president.

Berger’s term as President will come to an end in December of this year during the annual meeting, planned to be held in Atchison.

According to the association’s website, “the Kansas Association of City/County Management is an organization of local government management officials working together since 1951 to support and promote professional management and high ethical standards for effective democracy in local city and county governments in Kansas.”

(KAIR)--The Board of Education for the Atchison County Schools of USD 377 have organized for the new year, while approving an attendance change to allow more guests at winter sports activities.

That happened Wednesday evening, when the board members met for their regular meeting in Effingham.

Board officers were selected for 2021, as part of the session, with Lori Lanter, who serves position 6, re-elected to serve as board president. Barb Chapman, of position 1, was selected as vice-president, with both installed to the roles of leadership through votes of the board.

The board Wednesday also approved an attendance change for winter sports which allows for an increase in spectators at sports activities. Attendance had been limited to one parent or guardian per participant family in an attempt to help alleviate the spread of COVID-19.
However, following consultation with the Atchison County Health Department, the Board of Education voted to increase the number, with two parents or guardians per participant family now allowed at all winter activities.

(KLZA)-- The Auburn Board of Education re-elected the slate of officers for the next  year when they met Monday evening. 

Following the searing in of new Board Member James Paschal and recognition of outgoing Board Member Michael Zaruba, Elizabeth Kernes Krause was re-elected President of the Board for 2021. Also re-elected was Vice President Laura Osborne,  Secretary Bill Chapin and Treasurer Kellie Fogarty.     
 

(KLZA)-- The Auburn Board of Education re-elected the slate of officers for the next  year when they met Monday evening. 

Following the searing in of new Board Member James Paschal and recognition of outgoing Board Member Michael Zaruba, Elizabeth Kernes Krause was re-elected President of the Board for 2021. Also re-elected was Vice President Laura Osborne,  Secretary Bill Chapin and Treasurer Kellie Fogarty.     
 

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Board of Education reorganized for the next year when they met Monday evening.  

Terry Borcher will serve another year as President of the Board,  Mary Moser as Vice-President.  Lisa Hunzeker will be the Secretary and Jason Vetrovsky will serve as Treasurer. 

Student teacher Kacie Hahn and supervising teacher Mark Bloss made a presentation on a potential greenhouse project.  

Following the presentation the Board voted to have them pursue a potential greenhouse project on school property. 
 

(KLZA)--Friday is the highly anticipated opening of the Dollar Fresh grocery store in Falls City. 

Falls City native Clint Sailors will be the store manager,  he's excited to get the store open. He says the store offers a large fresh produce section and will prices to compare well with anywhere in the area. 

Dollar Fresh is owned and operated by Hy-Vee.  Sailors said the Falls City store is part of a new concept of stores. The store has a lower-labor concept and the goal is to have low prices requiring low labor and low shrink.

Following a major remodel of the interior of the former Shop-Ko store,  Sailors says patrons should be on the lookout for great deals throughout the store.  

Sailors has been working for Hy-Vee for about four years and is excited for a chance to return to his hometown. He said it will be a great opportunity for he and his family to move to Falls City.

The store is located at 1300 Stone Street and will be open 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.  seven days a week.

The new store will employ in the neighborhood of 45 people.  

(KMZA)--An area district judge vacancy has been filled.

According to a news release, Governor Laura Kelly Thursday appointed Christopher Etzel, of Havensville, to the 2nd Judicial District vacancy created by the retirement of Chief Judge Gary Nafziger.

The 2nd Judicial District includes Jackson, Jefferson, Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee Counties.

Etzel has been in private practice since 2004, handling a wide variety of civil and criminal cases. He also serves as the City Attorney for Onaga, Havensville, and Wheaton.

He graduated from Kansas State University in 2000 and earned his law degree from Washburn University School of Law in 2004.

Etzel was among three nominees selected by the 2nd Judicial District Nominating Commission, whose names were submitted to Governor Kelly. The other two nominees were Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller and Jefferson County Attorney Joshua Ney.

(KAIR)--The Atchison County Commission has extended the local disaster emergency related to the coronavirus pandemic.
That happened Monday, when the Commission met both for business and to organize for the new year.

Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter told the Commission, during the meeting held online due to COVID-19 safety procedures, that the local disaster emergency would be extended 90-days through Commission approval of the related resolution. “If Covid would magically be over before that 90-day period, we could terminate the extension,” Lanter told Commissioners, explaining that, “it makes it to where we can get the amount of assistance, when needed, and all the supplies that I am able to order through the state for all of our emergency responders, hospitals, community health clinic, the health department.”

Following Lanter’s explanation of the disaster declaration, first put in place following the Governor’s statewide disaster declaration in March last year, the Commission voted unanimously in favor of the extension.

According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Wednesday, Atchison County has recorded 1,334 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 since the time the virus was first confirmed in Kansas.
Atchison County has had 10 virus-related deaths.

(KNZA)--Repairs will be made to the Hiawatha High School track where bubbles have formed in the surface.

Two representatives of Renner Sports Surfaces met with the Hiawatha School Board Monday evening to explain the planned repairs to the track, which was installed in 2018. 

Despite previously stating they would not complete any repairs until drainage issues were addressed, Steve Hersom with Renner told the Board they are willing to do the repairs as soon as the weather allows at no cost to the district. 

The company will remove the surface from the sections of track which are bubbling, apply a moisture mitigating coating to the concrete and then re-lay the track surface. 

It's Renner's belief the bubbles are caused by vapor pressure coming up through the concrete.

Hersom suggested the district have the subsurface material evaluated to determine the type of soil under and around the track. He also suggested additional drainage to mitigate water from collecting around and under the track.

The repairs will take about a week to complete.  Renner will work with the district on timing, with the goal to have the repairs completed before the first track meet, weather allowing. 

Editor's note: the following was submitted by Brown Co Sheriff John Merchant 

At the start of every year I like to make our statistics for the Sheriff's office available to the public for the past year. Who would have ever guessed so much has changed in a years time. I am very proud of the way our county has weathered the storm and I appreciate all of the support you have given all of our emergency responders over the years. Here's hoping things will be much better this coming year!

Deputies and the Jail Transport Officer delivered food, water, medicine, supplies and groceries to those in need at the start of the pandemic which resulted in many calls for service that were not officially counted in the statistics. I have to give credit to my staff, not once did they balk at the idea of interacting with the public in order to provide medication or provisions, dispatchers never complained about the increase in calls for information or assistance and jail staff always handled incoming prisoners without complaint even with the extra precautions they had to take due to COVID.

The following are some of our statistics from 2020:

911 calls 17,955

warrants served 145

DUI, K-9, and Narcotics 118

accidents 202

domestic disturbances 37

animal calls 146

traffic stops 1357

criminal damage to property 15

assist other agencies 107

assist motorists 380

community policing/civil issues 82

illegal dumpling complaints 7

alarm calls 50

burglary/theft 52

trespass 5

offender registration 282

process service 958, over 3,000 attempts

pedestrian checks/suspicious person 99

vehicle unlock 214

VIN 277

reckless driving complaints 143

welfare checks 119

misc calls 381

fire test 360

inmate transports 97

road blocked reports 146

The Brown County jail housed more than 450 inmates for the 2020 year with an average daily population of approximately 17. Inmates are the result of arrests from Brown County law enforcement entities. On rare occasions will we house out of county inmates. Jail staff have many responsibilities such as inmate observation, booking inmates, jail checks on all inmates, documenting incidents and filling out reports, preparing and serving meals, clean and organize, escorting inmates to court, general upkeep of the jail, laundry, handling inmate complaints/concerns, general jail maintenance, plan meals, etc.

Our dispatch center is responsible for all incoming calls for emergencies, service, information or general questions. Their duties are many. For 2020. the Brown County dispatch center received approximately 61,000 phone calls for service or approximately 167 phone calls per day. This does not include radio traffic. More than 40,000 radio transmissions were documented in 2020, which equals approximately 109 per day. As you can see, dispatchers have quite a bit going on. Not only do they have the radio and telephone to monitor, they also have to enter and confirm warrants, run information for jail staff, check on officers, identify and notify officers and emergency workers of potential risks or hazards to the calls they are being dispatched to, validations, enter protection orders, VIN's, clock staff in and out, MVR driving history, run III's for officers, Weather alerts and notifications, NIXLE alerts, set off tornado sirens, collect unused, unwanted or expired prescription medications, etc.

My deputies patrol an average of 150-200 miles per shift. Small town patrol is essential in keeping crime down throughout the county. Deputies are responsible for traffic stops, serving papers, providing aid to citizens and motorists, investigating cases, answering complaints, serving warrants, making arrests, attend training, testifying in court, vehicle maintenance and care, attend Sheriff briefings, proactively protecting the citizens of the county, etc. Vehicle stops and visible patrol are important factors in deterring crime and helps prevent criminal elements from relocating in Brown County. Deputies are on patrol 24/7 in Brown County.

Many things have been modified this year due to COVID-19. The NO HUNGER SUMMER program was adapted so lunches could still be served to children and families in the county. Sack lunches were prepared by volunteers and were picked up in the alley behind the Sheriffs Department. I believe they averaged 80+ lunches per day. In a year like this, it is especially important that children and families have food available. Other communities in our county also made sure children and families were fed with similar programs. GOD bless you all!

While things have changed this year, we still accepted outdated, unused or expired medication at the Sheriff's Office. Since we started participation in this program about 9 years ago, we have collected over 2200 pounds of medication that has been turned over to the DEA for disposal. That service is still ongoing so if you have any meds to dispose of, bring them to dispatch at the Sheriff's office. Our car seat program is still in operation under the supervision of Sgt. Robbie Parker who has recently been certified as an instructor as of October 2020. Many families have benefited from this program and the Brown County Sheriff's office has been widely recognized for their efforts in child safety and protection. This program is funded mainly through grants and donations.

We still hold FIRST AID, CPR and AED certification classes through some modification. We have certified over 1400 students and staff on these much needed life saving skills. We were able to do this through the generosity of others through grants and donations. These life saving skills are now mandatory for high school seniors in order to graduate. Kansas became the 38th state to require this approximately 2 years ago. If you think about it, teen drivers are in the highest age bracket for motor vehicle accidents. With that being said, they can use these skills if they are ever in such a situation. By teaching these skills to students, we are providing them the skills needed to render aid to each other in the event a school violence issue would arise. I have had several students who have told me that they have had to put these skill to use and have saved lives, this makes the program worthwhile.

Our K-9 program has been very busy this year with over 60 deployments netting some pretty impressive results. They have networked with several other law enforcement agencies which have resulted in arrests. quantities of drugs and recovered stolen property in several jurisdictions. By working together and sharing information we can make a big difference.

With the troubling times, scammers have used this to their advantage. Many different scams have circulated that revolved around the COVID pandemic. I try to make sure that the public is well informed to keep from becoming a victim. Remember, NEVER GIVE OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE OR COMPUTER. If you ever have questions or concerns about phone calls, text messages or computer issues, contact your local law enforcement.

Finally, I would like to express my thanks to all of the county residents for their support and cooperation of the Sheriff's office. During this last year, many county residents have made and donated masks, supplies, food, etc. I can't count the number of cards, letters and prayers that were given to us. It has made a huge difference!! Hopefully we can put last year behind us and focus on a positive year ahead. We have a great partnership with our county residents and the information that you share with us helps in many ways. It will always be my goal to make Brown county a safer place to live and raise a family. If you have any questions about this information, please call or come see me at the Sheriff's office.

Sheriff John D Merchant

Brown County Sheriff's Office

709 Utah Street

Hiawatha KS 66434

(785) 742-7125

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee County Commissioners welcomed new board member Lavon Heidemann to the Board when they met Tuesday.  

Heidemann, a former Lt. Governor and State Senator replaces Dennis Schaardt on the Board.  

Ron Seitz was elected Chairman of the Board for 2021 with Jan Lang elected Vice-Chair. 

County Clerk Candi Nicholas reported Pawnee County did not receive a grant from the State for a Scrap Tire Collection event so there will be no Scrap Tire Even this year.  She noted the State did indicate since Pawnee County did not receive a grant this year,  the County should receive one for 2022.

In other action the Board approved a resolution adopting the Nemaha Natural Resources Hazard Mitigation Plan in its entirety.  
 

(KLZA)--The Falls City Board of Education approved the continuation of Superintendent Tim Heckenlively's  employment contract through June, 30, 2023 when they met Monday evening. 

Heckenlively is currently in his 11th year as Superintendent at Falls City. 

In other business the Board approved resignations from Third Grade Teacher Stacey Duerfeldt who has taught in Falls City for 35 years and Julie Strathman who has served as School Psychologist for six  years.

The COVID_19 Leave for employees was extended through the 2020-21 school year. 

(KLZA)-- A used ladder truck purchased for the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department arrived from it's former home in Burlington, Vermont Tuesday.

In October, the Falls City Council voted to authorize Council members Lucas Froeschl and Mitch Merz to co-chair to negotiate for the purchase of the truck. 

The 2003 Custom E-One Cyclone II, 95-foot mid-mount platform was purchased new by the Burlington Fire Department at a price of $800-thousand.  

 Tower I as the truck will be known will replace the current 1981 Smeal 65-foot ladder truck the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department has had in service for 40 years.  

The E-One 6-man cab has a 2000 gallon per minute pump and a 300 gallon tank.  It has hand controls in the bucket and a complete set of ladders.  The truck has 77,910 miles on it and the unit has been certified for 2020 for both the pump and aerial ladder.  

E-One staff members will come to Falls City and train local firefighters for two days on how the machine operates.

The hope is to have the truck in service by March 1.

The truck was hauled to Falls City by Becker Trucking Inc. from  Seneca, Kansas.  The truck is 48-feet, six-inches long.  

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has voted to extend the countywide mask mandate until February 22.

The Commission took the action Monday on a 2-1 vote, with new 2nd District Commissioner Wayne Grable casting the lone disenting vote.

The mask mandate has been in place since November 24 to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

Monday marked the first meeting for Grable and new 3rd District Commissioner Bobby Hall.

Hall defeated Jerry McKernan in the August primary election. Grable replaces Tad Gieger, who didn't seek re-election.

The two new commissioners, along with the other newly elected county officials, were sworn in by District Judge Jim Patton.

Grable was appointed as commission chairman for 2021.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission's approval of an annexation proposal last year will not be rescinded.

Following an executive session Monday, County Attorney Brad Lippert announced the Board's decision on November 4th to approve a proposal from the city of Seneca to annex several small tracts of city-owned rural property would have had to been rescinded within 30 days. Therefore, Lippert said Commissioners do not intend to discuss the matter of invalidating their November 4 decision any further at this time.

A group of rural Seneca landowners had requested that the annexation proposal be declared as invalid and void. The group contended the city violated procedures and state statute with the annexation and establishment of a three-mile extraterritorial jurisdictional area.

In other business, the Commission voted to grant County Emergency Preparedness Director Russel Lierz a leave of absence for an indefinite amount of time. The Commission voted to appoint Sheriff Rich Vernon as interim Emergency Preparedness Director.

Monday's meeting marked the first meeting for new 2nd District Commissioner Jason Koch and new 3rd District Commissioner Dylan Keim, who were elected last November.

Gary Scoby was appointed as Board chairman for 2021 and Keim as co-chairman.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has organized for 2021.

That came Monday after two new commissioners took their seats on the Commission.

New 2nd District Commissioner Wayne Grable and new 3rd District Commissioner Bobby Hall were among county officials sworn in by District Judge Jim Patton.

Hall defeated Jerry McKernan in the August primary election and Grable replaces Tad Gieger, who didn't seek re-election.

Grable was appointed as commission chairman for 2021.

In other business, the Commission voted 2-1 to extend the countywide mask mandate until February 22. Grable cast the lone dissenting vote.

It has been in place since November 24 to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

(KMZA)--A Bern man has been sentenced to more than 21 ½ years in prison on a pair of child sex charges.

Timothy Blocker was sentenced last week in Nemaha County District Court to 260 months in prison on charges of sexual exploitation of a child and aggravated incest.

He will required to register as a sex offender for 25 years following his release from prison.

Blocker pleaded no contest to the felony charges in December. In exchange for the plea, two additional counts—including rape—were dismissed.

He was arrested last November following an investigation by the Nemaha County Sheriff's Department.

(KNZA)--The Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education, when they met this week, approved the calendar for next school year.

Superintendent Todd Evans said students will begin classes on August 19 and May 19, 2022 will be the last day of school for students.

There will be two full weeks off at semester break during the Christmas holiday.

Evans said the calendar was selected by 65 percent of the voting staff members.

In other action, with the anticipation of 36 student-athletes out for baseball at Sabetha High School, and probablity of a varsity, junior varsity and C team schedule, Evans said the Board approved a request to add a fourth baseball coach.

Evans said Civium Architects provided an update regarding progress on identifying the scope of the facility improvement projects for the district. Some initial proposals for updating the heating and air conditioning systems were presented as well as a report from Doug Wheeler about the condition of the existing plumbing system

And following an executive session, the USD 113 Board voted to extend Evans contract one year through fiscal year 2024.

(KAIR)--A Florida man, accused of robbing Atchison's Cricket Wireless store, is going to prison.

Mark Stephens was sentenced Monday to more than two years behind bars in connection with the case.

In November, Stephens pled guilty to robbery and theft, with the charges resulting from an Atchison Police investigation.

According to a release from Atchison County Attorney Sherri Becker, Stephens, on August 8 last year, went to the downtown Atchison store, and unsuccessfully attempted to purchase a cell phone.

Following several failed attempts, Stephens left but returned ten minutes later, telling the store clerk he was robbing the business, with the clerk seeing what appeared to be a gun in Stephens' waistband,

Stephens stole three iPhones, two bluetooth speakers, and other cell phone accessories, then fled the store, escaping behind the wheel of a car with Missouri license plates.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol located the car, and arrested Stephens.

The stolen items were recovered.

The crime was committed while Stephens was on felony bond for two Johnson County, Kansas cases.

During Monday's sentencing, the judge denied the defense’s attempts for probation, sentencing Stephens to the 2-year-8-month prison sentence.

( KNZA)--A Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy receives recognition for placing his life in jeopardy to save a woman from gunfire during a Holton domestic dispute.

According to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, Sergeant Travis Spiker was called to assist Holton police on December 3, 2017, during the domestic dispute at 802 Ohio Street.

An armed woman, involved in the altercation, was taken into custody for questioning and placed in Spiker’s vehicle. Gunfire continued to come from the home, with officers and Spiker under fire.

The release says “Spiker’s vehicle was riddled with gunfire,” and he was pinned behind it.

Knowing the woman inside the vehicle was in danger, Spiker was “was able to enter his vehicle from the passenger door and crawled over a variety of law enforcement equipment...to get to his driver’ seat.” As he did so, Spiker placed himself in direct view of the armed assailant, who continued to fire a weapon from inside the home. His methods were successful, with Spiker able to remove the woman to safety,

Calling the award “a long time coming,” Morse, in the release, called Spiker “a true hero” and “a person of courage and bravery.”

(KLZA)-- The Nemaha Natural Resources District Board of Directors voted during their December meeting to remove an area west of the Muddy Creek in Richardson County from a 300 point minimum score requirement for well permits.

Data helped determine the area west of Muddy Creek should be removed from the 200-point minimum score.

This area will now be in accordance with the District rules that any well permit application must score 201 points or more to be approved.

In other action the Board approved the lower of two bids received for one new concrete restroom at Iron Horse Trail Lake in Pawnee County and one at Kirkman's Cove near Humboldt. 

CXT company was awarded the bid in an amount of $35,850. It was the lower of two bids received.  
 

(KLZA)--The Falls City Board of Education welcomed new member Dan Jones during their Monday night meeting.  

Board members also honored outgoing board member Ed Harris for for his 30 years of dedicated service to the Falls City Public Schools.  

John Martin was elected President of the Board during the annual reorganization of the Board for 2021, June Bowers was elected Vice-President.

During Superintendent Tim Heckenlively's report,  he noted that Congress had approved a second COVID relief bill, also know as “CARES 2.”  The U.S. Department of Education calculated $218,766,177 will be distributed among Nebraska public school districts.  It is projected that Falls City Public Schools will received $609,287 from the “CARES 2” program.

(KLZA)-- The Southeast Nebraska Health Department has announced COVID-19 vaccine eligibility for individuals age 75 and over living in the Southeast District.

Appointments are required and no walk-ins will be accepted.  You should contact the distribution location in your county to schedule an appointment. 

In Richardson County contact Community Medical Center at 402-245-6599 or email covid19@cmcfc.org.

In Pawnee County contact the Pawnee County Memorial Hospital at 402-852-2231,  ext.  118.

In Nemaha County contact the Nemaha County Hospital at 402-274-6147 or email  covid19@nchnet.org.

In Johnson County the SEDHD is hosting the vaccination program, contact them at 402-274-3993, ext.  105.

In Otoe County contact CHI Health St. Mary's at 402-873-4242 or Syracuse Area Health at 402-269-2411.

Supplies of the vaccine are limited and the is only available to Nebraska residents at this time.  

(KMZA)--The city of Seneca has begun its search for a new city administrator.

The Seneca City Council voted at their January 6 meeting to hire the Kansas League of Municipalities to assist the city in its search.

Matt Rehder, who has served as Seneca City Administrator the last seven years, has accepted a new job as the city administrator of Iola in southeast Kansas. He begins his new job March 1st.

His last day with the city of Seneca will be February 5.

In other business, a hearing was held on a nuisance property located at 903 Main Street owned by Julia Fuller.

Police Chief Jordan Weaver informed the Council that some work has been done to clean up the overgrown vegetation on the property.

The Council voted to table any action until their April 7 meeting. 

(KAIR)--New leadership is on the job at the Boys and Girls Club of Atchison.

That follows the resignation of Executive Director Sean Crittendon, who cites his other roles of community involvement, as well as growth of his personal business, as reasons for his decision. In email correspondence with MSC News, Crittendon said due to those commitments, he is “unable to manage the day-to-day operations as necessary.”
Crittendon, whose resignation was effective January 4, had been at the helm of the program for nearly five years, and will serve on the Boys and Girls Club Board.
Taking the reins as executive director is Jasmine Smith. Crittendon, in email correspondence with MSC News, called Smith his assistant, and said he trained her to take over the position.

A social media post from the Boys and Girls Club of Atchison said Crittendon’s years of leadership and passion for youth success “has set a strong foundation for what the club is today.”

(KAIR)--The final call for Phase 1 of COVID-19 vaccinations is sounded by the Atchison County Health Department.
That’s the reason behind a release issued Tuesday by Atchison County Health Officer Lori Forge.
According to the release, the first phase of the vaccination process is for healthcare workers, and those meeting the criteria within Atchison County who have not yet been vaccinated, and want to be, should call the Atchison County Health Department to arrange to do so at (913) 367-5152.

A list of those interested in receiving the vaccine will be compiled, and vaccinations will be scheduled in groups of 10.

Forge, in the release, said there has not yet been any information released pertaining to the start of phase 2, adding that as soon as the health department receives the vaccine, and permission to move to the next phase, information will be released to the public.

Meanwhile, onsite COVID-19 testing continues in Atchison.

According to Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has provided funding to keep the testing site, located in the parking lot of the Atchison Event Center, at 710 South 9th Street, in operation at least through January 31.

According to Lanter, more than 100 people were initially being tested at the site, which opened last month, but now the location is seeing between 10 to 40 people daily.

Testing is available Monday through Saturday, from 9 in the morning until 5:00 in the evening.

(KAIR)--Atchison fire crews Tuesday night battled a fire on Atchison’s south side that sent two residents to the hospital and claimed the life of at least several animals.

A release from Atchison interim Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar, issued Tuesday night at 11:30, four hours after the fire began, said his crews were called to the residence, at 1200 South 5th Street, around 7:30, and found the small home engulfed in flames upon arrival.

Two residents of the home were able to escape, but both were transported by Atchison County EMS to Atchison’s Amberwell Hospital, where one was treated for minor burns.
According to Weishaar, the couple had several pets inside the home at the time of the fire, with some lost in the blaze. At least five dogs were inside the home at the time of the fire, with the Atchison Humane Society called to the scene. It remains unclear if more than two of the animals were rescued, based on social media posts made by an employee of the Humane Society.
The Red Cross has been called in to assist the residents of the home.

Weishaar, in the release, said the fire-fighting crews “were able to quickly extinguish the fire but at this time the structure appears to be a total loss.”

The cause remains under investigation by AFD investigators. 

The fire is believed to have begun in a bedroom.

( KNZA)--A Havensville man was arrested Monday afternoon following a vehicle pursuit in Jackson County.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse said a sheriff's deputy attempted to stop a 2007 Nissan Infiniti for a traffic infraction near 222nd and K. Roads in western Jackson County shortly after 3:00.

The driver allegedly fled west then south. The deputy then lost sight of the vehicle.

A deputy in an unmarked vehicle located the vehicle once again near 190th and H. Roads. The deputy continued to follow the vehicle.

Morse said deputies were able to get the vehicle stopped at 198th and E. Roads shortly before 3:30.

The driver, 26-year-old Joseph Keehn, was arrested for fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, distribution of marijuana, no drug tax stamp and felony interference.

Keehn is being held in the Jackson County Jail.

(KMZA)--A countywide mask mandate in Nemaha County has been rescinded.

The Nemaha County Commission took the action Monday on a 2-1 vote.

Following discussion, new 3rd District Commissioner Dylan Keim moved to rescind the mandate, which had been in place since November 12, and issue a less restrictive order that would strongly recommend the wearings of masks but not require them.

New 2nd District Commissioner Jason Koch joined Keim in approving the motion.  Commissioner Gary Scoby cast the lone dissenting vote.

Keim said he felt the issue should be left up to each individual and each business owner as to whether or not masks are worn.

Monday marked the first meeting for Keim and Koch, who were elected during the November general election.

Nemaha County Health Officer Jane Sunderland, speaking with Commissioners via Zoom, had recommended the mask mandate be continued for an additional 30-45 days.  Sunderland said since passage of the mandate in November, the number of active cases of COVID-19 in the county has decreased steadily each week. As of Monday, there were 35 active cases.

(KLZA)-- The Southeast District Health Department reports 174 new cases of COVID-19 within the five-county service area between January 3 and January 9.

The total number of confirmed cases is not at 3,072 with 38 deaths reported. 

In the past week Richardson County reported 31 new cases bringing the total to 607 confirmed cases and 15 deaths.

There were 13 new cases in Pawnee County putting the total cases at 176 with three deaths.

Nemaha County, Nebraska reported 45 new cases with the total number of cases climbing to 627 with nine deaths. 

In Otoe County there were 50 new cases, bringing the total to 1,080  with four deaths.   

Johnson  County reported 31 new cases putting the total at 582 cases with seven deaths. 

(KLZA)-- The Holt County, Missouri  Health Department has confirmed five additional cases of COVID-19 in the county.

 This brings Holt County’s total to 468 positive cases since the pandemic began. Of the total confirmed cases,  20 are currently active.   

The individuals are in isolation in accordance with CDC guidelines.

The Atchison County, Missouri Health Department has reported 30 new cases of COVID-19 between January 4 and January 11.  There were three different age groups reporting five cases in the past week,  the age groups were 10-19,  60-69 and 70-79. 
In addition there were two cases in the 0-9 age group, one boy and one girl. 

As of Monday there had been 397 positive cases in Atchison County with 18 of them being active,  three people were hospitalized locally and there have been 10 deaths reported in Atchison, County, Missouri from COVID-19. 
 

(KAIR)--Atchison County organizes for the new year, with commissioners sworn in and commission leadership selected.

First District Court Judge Martin Asher, of Atchison County, delivered the oath of office during Monday’s organizational meeting, held online, with 2nd District County Commissioner Eric Noll and 3rd District County Commissioner Casey Quinn, both sworn in to their roles of leadership.
Noll begins another term in the role he first began serving when he was appointed to the seat in 2015 to fill a vacancy.
The Effingham Republican ran unopposed for re-election to the seat in November’s general election.

Quinn, an Atchison Republican, was chosen by Atchison County voters in November’s general election to fill the position previously held by Republican Bill Pohl, who was defeated by Quinn in last year’s primary election.

The County also organized for the new year, with 1st District County Commissioner Jack Bower selected to again serve as the Commission’s Chairman, while Noll was selected to serve as Vice-Chair.
However, Noll questioned the process after Quinn made the motion to retain Bower in the leadership seat, with Noll asking why the Commission was departing from tradition, including what he said was the usual step of choosing leadership roles for two year increments.
Both Bower and Quinn said they weren’t aware of any such tradition, and voted in favor of Bower retaining the leadership role. Noll cast the lone no vote.
Noll’s nomination to serve in the Vice-Chair seat followed, with the Commissioners voting unanimously in favor of his leadership selection.

(KMZA)--Two new commissioners took their seats on the Nemaha Co Commission Monday after being sworn in.

Magistrate Judge Scott Anson administered the oath of office to new 2nd District Commissioner Jason Koch and new 3rd District Commissioner Dylan Keim, along with other county officials.

Koch defeated incumbent Tim Burdiek in the August primary election and Keim defeated incumbent Dennis Henry in the November general election.

Gary Scoby was appointed as Board Chairman for 2021 and Keim as co-chairman.

Following an executive session, County Attorney Brad Lippert announced the Commission can't repeal it's November 4, 2019 approval of a proposal from the ciity of Seneca to annex several small tracts of city-owned property. Lippert said it can only be rescinded within 30 days of the decision and that time has passed.

A group of Seneca area residents had requested that the annexation proposal be declared as invalid and void. The group contended the city violated procedures and state statute with the annexation and establishment of a three-mile extraterritorial jurisdictional area.

Following an executive session, the Commission voted to grant Emergency Preparedness Director Russel Lierz a leave of absence for an indefinite amount of time. The Commission voted to appoint Sheriff Rich Vernon as the interim Emergency Preparedness Director until further notice.

(KMZA)--A Jackson County sheriff’s deputy who helped rescue a man trapped beneath a vehicle last year has been honored for his act of heroism.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, said Deputy Chad Ballenger was awarded the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Life Saving Award for his efforts. The commendation and medal of valor was awarded Monday during the Jackson County Commission meeting.

Morse said was on patrol in southern Jackson County when the evening of July 20 when he responded to a medical call in the 13-thousand block of 134th Road.

Upon his arrival, Ballenger found Marvin Cummings trapped beneath his son’s vehicle, which had fallen off its jack as he was changing its oil.

Morse said Ballenger was able to use his jack to raise the vehicle off of Cummings before emergency responders arrived on the scene.

Cummings survived the incident and credited Ballenger for saving his life.

“Deputy Ballenger is a true hero,” Morse said, “and we are blessed to have him serving this great county.”

(KNZA)--Two new commissioners took their seats on the Brown County Commission Monday after being sworn in.

District Judge Jim Patton administered the oath of office to new 2nd District Commissioner Lamar Shoemaker and new 3rd District Commissioner Bill Pollock, along with other county officials elected during the November general election.

Shoemaker replaces Keith Olsen and Pollock replaces Dwight Kruse. 

Olsen, who served the past 12 years on the Commission, did not seek re-election. Pollock defeated Kruse by a narrow margin in the August primary. Kruse had served one term.   

Kruse and Olsen both thanked everyone for their support and wished their successors good luck.

1st District Commissioner Rich Lehmkuhl was appointed as commission chairman for 2021.

Commissioners also accepted the lone bid received from The Horton Headlight to serve as the official county newspaper for 2021. They submitted a bid of $2 per column inch to publish the county's legal notices.

(KNZA)--A Lawrence man was arrested Sunday afternoon in Jackson County on a charge of attempted second-degree murder following a domestic violence incident.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, said the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call shortly after 2:40 reporting a domestic violence incident in the 14-thousand block of S. Road, south of Mayetta.

Morse said the caller reported that the female victim was lying on the floor of the residence, while the man was pacing nearby.

Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene and took 26-year-old Anthony Deshaun Edwards into custody.

The female was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment.

Edwards was booked into the Jackson County Jail, where his bond was set at $250,000.

(KNZA)--A late Friday night single-vehicle Jefferson County wreck claimed the life of a Topeka man and left another person injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on K-237, south of SW 46th Street, around 10:30.

The Patrol says 21-year-old Morgan Kabler, of Lawrence, was southbound when the passenger side tires of her pickup truck dropped of the roadway. Kabler overcorrected back onto the roadway, causing her vehicle to roll into the west ditch.

A passenger, 66-year-old Robert Ellis, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Kabler was transported to a Topeka hospital for the treatment of suspected minor injuries.

The Patrol said neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt. 

(KAIR)--An Atchison man, accused of stealing a woman’s phone while armed with a knife last month, is in custody.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 20-year-old Taggart Lee was arrested Friday morning in the 1100 block of Santa Fe Street on an Atchison County District Court warrant charging him with aggravated robbery, theft, and criminal damage to property.

Following his arrest, Lee was booked into the Atchison County Jail. His bond is set at $50,000.

According to Wilson’s report, Lee’s arrest follows an Atchison Police investigation focused on an early evening disturbance December 31 at an apartment in the 200 block of North 3rd Street.
It’s alleged that during the disturbance, Lee took a phone belonging to a 44-year-old woman, with investigators saying Lee was armed with a knife at the time the phone was forcibly taken.

According to the report, Lee fled the scene of the alleged crime, “and was not located until police developed information Friday morning that he was at a residence in the 1100 block Santa Fe."

Lee was taken into custody without incident.

(KAIR)--Construction of Atchison’s new skatepark is set to begin this spring.

That word comes in a social media post from the City of Atchison, with Friday’s release saying completion of the skatepark, to be constructed in Atchison’s Reisner Park, is expected by the end of summer 2021.
The $200,000 project will be built in the area where tennis courts were once located at the park.

The Reisner Park Skatepark Project is a cooperative effort between the Skate High With Hope the Joshua Kinsman Foundation and the City of Atchison.
The foundation was named for late Atchison resident, and skateboarding enthusiast, Joshua Kinsman, who died in January, 2018 at the age of 17.

Kinsman’s mother, Pamela Cline presented her vision of seeing the park built in Kinsman’s honor to the City Commission in April, 2018.

According to the City’s release, the project has benefited from a $120,000 donation from the Foundation, $75,000 from the City of Atchison, and $5,000 from the Skatepark Project, formerly known as the Tony Hawk Foundation.

The City Commission authorized a design-build contract in August, 2020, with Artisan Skateparks to construct the project.

The skatepark is being constructed to allow future improvements and add-ons.

(KLZA)--A major upgrade in equipment for the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department will be arriving in a few weeks. 

City Council member Lucas Froeschl updated the Council members Monday night on the purchase of a 2003 ladder truck for the Fire Department.  

The Burlington, Vermont Fire Department had a price tag of $66-thousand on the truck.  After negotiations they accepted an offer from Falls City of $59-thousand.   There is a need for several thousand dollars in repairs and the truck needs new tires.

A local trucker is going to pick up the fire truck and bring it back to Falls City.  It is anticipated the truck will arrive in about a month. 

The current ladder truck is a 1973 model purchased by Falls City in 1981.  

In 2018 a demonstrator truck was brought to Falls City,  it had a price tag of more than $900-thousand and would likely be more than a million dollars now.

The Council also approved the expenditure of $3-thousand for grant writing services for air packs and and air compressor for the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department. The anticipated cost to purchase the equipment is $125-thousand and would include 10 air packs.  The local match if a grant is awarded is anticipated to be in the neighborhood of $16,550.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas expects to finish giving COVID-19 vaccines to long-term care residents and health care workers by the end of this month and has moved people aged 65 and older into the next group to receive the shots.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday announced new details about the order in which her state’s residents will be eligible for inoculations, and making people aged 65 to 74 years an earlier priority was the biggest shift.

The state’s previous plan had that age group getting their vaccines after people in “congregate” living, such as state hospitals, shelters for the homeless, and prisons.

(KMZA)--The Marshall County Commission has approved the site plan for the Irish Creek wind farm in the southeastern portion of the county.

The Commission gave their approval Monday on a 2-0 vote. Commissioner Tom Holle was absent.

Commissioners didn't act on requests from a group of landowners for turbines to be set back farther from their residences before the plan was approved.

The Frankfort area residents had voiced their concerns at the Commission's December 28 meeting.

The site plan from Florida-based NextEra Energy was made public last month. It includes 108 turbine sites and 15 alternative sites.

(KNZA)--The arraignment for one of three Atchison men charged in a fatal 2019 Doniphan County fight has been pushed back again.

The arraignment for Scott Vandeloo, which had been scheduled for Wednesday in Doniphan County District Court, was postponed to March 3.

Vandeloo, along with Matthew “Cole” Scherer and Brian Spilman, Jr. are charged with second-degree murder in the beating death of 42-year-old Jason Pantle, of Cummings.

Authorities allege the trio engaged in altercations with Pantle during a September 29, 2019 party in southern Doniphan County. Pantle died seven days later at a Kansas City hospital after suffering what investigators called serious head injuries.

Scherer is scheduled for arraignment January 27, while a pre-trial conference for Spilman is now set for March 3.

Vandeloo remains held in the Doniphan County Jail without bond, while Scherer and Spilman are currently free on bond.

(KAIR)--A semi tractor-trailer driver lost control on a Jefferson County highway late Thursday morning, leading to a rollover crash that sent him to the hospital. 

According to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, 51-year-old Terry Bynum, of Warner Robins, Georgia, was behind the wheel of a 2016 Freightliner, westbound on U.S. Highway 24, at the Phillips Road Curve, when the wreck happened.
According to the KHP, Bynum “took the curve too fast and left the roadway to the left and rolled.”

Bynum was transported from the scene and taken to Stormont Vail Health, in Topeka, for the treatment of what the KHP report calls a “suspected serious injury.”

Bynum was buckled up when the wreck happened shortly before 11:00 Thursday morning.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth man will spend more than 13-years behind bars, sentenced last week in connection with a 2016 altercation involving a vehicle.

According to a news release from Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, 38-year-old Stephen Cox was sentenced December 28th to over 13-and-a-half years in prison for a May, 2016 altercation in the area of Leavenworth’s Broadway and Spruce Streets.

According to Thompson, Cox was driving that day when, after seeing his ex-girlfriend riding in a vehicle with another man, he followed that vehicle to 20th and Spruce. Cox threw a metal object at that vehicle, with the other man eventually getting out and standing in the middle of 20th Street. It was then, the release said, that Cox used his pickup truck to strike the man, which required hospital treatment after he suffered several broken ribs and a broken leg.

Prior to his sentencing in Leavenworth County District Court, Cox’s request for a lesser sentence, or probation, was denied.

(KLZA)-- A Watson, Missouri man suffered minor injuries in a one-vehicle wreck Wednesday afternoon approximately 10 miles north of Rock Port on U.S. Highway 275.

The Missouri Highway Patrol report indicates 36-year-old Justin Bodfield of Watson was northbound when his pickup crossed the roadway, struck a tree and slid before coming to rest. 

Bodfield was transported by private vehicle to the CHI Health – St. Mary's Hospital in Nebraska City.

The pickup was totaled.  Bodfield was wearing a safety device at the time of the wreck.  

(KLZA)-- A Falls City man has been jailed in Richardson County after U.S. Marshalls with the assistance of the Richardson County Sheriff's Office executed an arrest warrant in Falls City Wednesday. 

29-year-old Jordan A. Lunsford Sr. was arrested on four warrants out of Richardson County including failure to appear,  one warrant for failure to pay fines and costs;  a warrant for a protection order violation and one warrant that included 10 counts of delivery of a controlled substance.

(KNZA)--Newly-elected Kansas 2nd District Congressman Jake LaTurner has tested positive for COVID-19.

LaTurner’s office made the announcement on Twitter early Thursday morning and said he wasn’t experiencing any symptoms.

The tweet said LaTurner took the test because of Washington D.C.’s guidelines that calls for visitors to be checked.

The results came just hours after he voted Wednesday evening to object to the counting of Arizona's Electoral College votes for Biden.  He did not vote on a similar challenge to Pennsylvania's vote totals after being informed of the positive test.

His offfice said he’s following guidelines from the CDC and won’t come back to the House floor until he’s given the all-clear.

LaTurner took office Sunday.

(KAIR)--Members of the public can again go the Jefferson County Courthouse, following action of the Jefferson County Commission Monday.

Although the courthouse reopens to foot traffic, mask and social distancing requirements remain in place.

According to a release from the County, the change affects only the courthouse, and the public continues to be “encouraged to contact specific departments to discuss options besides in-person service in order to accommodate needs and limit the foot traffic as much as possible.”
The Courthouse reopened Tuesday, with the Commission’s vote Monday to reopen the Courthouse “for the purpose of conducting business that is not easily conducted by other means.”

All other county buildings remain in their current virus-prevention status.

(KAIR)--The City of Atchison Wednesday took to social media to explain the reason behind Tuesday’s removal of two large rocks along Atchison’s River Road.

According to the statement, City Public Works staff removed the rocks, which had settled after falling from the bluff in previous years, “for many reasons,” including what the City calls “perhaps the most important:” an attempt to discourage the feeding of feral cats in Atchison’s riverfront area.

According to the release, feeding feral cats “increases the malnourished, potentially disease carrying wild animal population” by creating a natural congregation space for the animals, due to feeding. The release states that as the feral cats are drawn to the food source, “reproduction rates increase faster than they otherwise would, unnaturally impacting the surrounding ecosystem and exacerbating the issue.”

Saying that feeding feral cats at a set place “does more harm than good,” the City closes the statement by saying area residents who want to help the feral cat population, “working to create a non-profit catch and release spay/neuter program” would have more impact and be more humane.

(KLZA)--The Southeast District Health Department is reported 174 new cases of COVID-19 between December 22 and January 2.

Richardson County had 46 new cases during the period pushing the total case count since the pandemic began to 580 with 14 deaths.

Johnson County had 48 additional cases. The total case count is 545 with seven deaths.  Nemaha County reported 28 new cases bringing the total to 582 with eight deaths.

Otoe County reported 42 new cases with a total case count of 1,034 with three deaths.  Pawnee County had 10 new cases. Total cases now add up to 164 with two deaths in the county. 

Since the start of the pandemic there have been 2,905 confirmed cases within the five-county area with 34 deaths.  
 

(KLZA)--Following a public hearing drawing no public comment Monday evening the Falls City Council approved the 1 and 6 Year Street Improvement Plan as submitted by Craig Reinsch with the Olsson Company.

Reinsch explained having the annual plan allows the City to collect state funds for road projects from the state,  usually in an amount of $517-thousand. 

The One Year Plan calls for the expenditure of $326-thousand to build 33rd Street from Old Highway 73 east to an intersection with Highway 73. Private funding will be used for the project.

$337-thousand is planned to extend Abbott Street from 28th Street north to 31st Street.

$93-thousand is planned for creation of Sahmrock Circle from Abbott Street and the same amount for creation of Tiger Trail from Abbott Street.

Another $225-thousand is earmarked for milling and an overlay of a private road from Highway 73 east approximately 1,100 feet to Fulton Street.  

Council member Mitch Merz asked Reinsch about having a traffic study conducted in Falls City, which he feels would help the Council when people request STOP signs and speed limit changes. 

Merz also noted the study might help with getting a change made to the speed limit on Highway 73 on the  north edge of Falls City. Merz said the 65 mile per hour speed limit for about half-a-mile inside the city limits has been a deterrent to some businesses potentially locating on the north edge of town. 

The long range plan calls for a nearly $1.3-million project to concrete 21st Street from Fair Avenue eastward and then north on Business Parkway to the airport.  

(KLZA)-- A Stella, Nebraska man suffered injuries described by the Missouri Highway Patrol as minor in a wreck in Maryville early Wednesday morning. 

29-year-old Ethen Bentley was westbound on Franklin Place, made  an abrupt left turn onto Main Street, skidding into a car driven by 33-year-old Tyler Saslbury.

Bentley was transported by the Nodaway County EMS to Mosaic Care in Maryville for treatment.  

Salsbury was not injured.  Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

(KMZA)--Seneca City Administrator Matt Rehder has accepted a new position.

Rehder told MSC News he will begin work March 1st as the new city administrator of Iola, a community of around 5,700 in southeast Kansas.

"I'm looking to move up professionally. I think we've done a lot of good work here in Seneca," Rehder said. "I'm ready for a new challenge, and the job opened up in Iola and I took a swing at it and got it."

The Iola Register reports the Iola City Council voted 5-3 at their December 14 meeting to offer a three-year contract to Rehder. Terms of the contract were not announced.

Iola had been searching for a new city administrator since March.

Rehder has served as Seneca City Administrator since April 2013.

His last day with the city will be February 5.

The Seneca City Council was scheduled to discuss the search process for a new city administrator at their meeting Wednesday evening.

(KAIR)--A December sentencing in Atchison County District Court means 3-years in prison for a convicted Atchison arsonist

 According to a release from Atchison County Attorney Sherri Becker, Marvin Reese was sentenced December 18, having entered a guilty plea to arson last September 25.

Becker said an investigation on January 21, 2020 found that Reese had intentionally set fire to his own home “with the intent to defraud his home insurance carrier.”

The release says the District Court Judge, when making his sentencing decision, “had a public safety concern” which weighed into his decision to sentence Reese to prison.

(KNZA)--A Monday evening Jackson County traffic stop lead to the arrest of two men on methamphetamine charges.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, said a sheriff's deputy stopped a 2003 Nissan Maxima around 6:30 near the intersection U.S. 75 and K-9 Highways for allegedly driving without headlights after sunset.

The driver, identified as 64-year-old Holton resident Gary Wilson, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, transporting an open container and no insurance.

The passenger, identified as 58-year-old Ozawkie resident John Hughbanks, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Both men were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran says he will vote to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the Electoral College.

Moran's announcement Tuesday means he is breaking with President Donald Trump and others in the GOP trying to overturn the result.

Moran's stance ahead of a joint session of Congress on Wednesday that is expected to confirm the Democratic president-elect’s victory in November also puts Moran at odds with all of the other Republicans in Kansas’ congressional delegation.

Trump's unfounded claims of voter fraud have been rejected soundly by courts and election officials. Moran said “in every instance the the judgments were clear” that the evidence wasn’t sufficient to change the results.

(KNZA)--A Topeka man has been arrested in connection with a Jackson County burglary last month in the Hoyt area.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, said 40-year-old John Tyler was arrested Monday on charges of burglary and theft.

Morse said Tyler is suspected of burglarizing a residence located near 110th and T. Road on December 7

Stolen from the residence was a number of firearms and a gun safe..

Morse said the stolen firearms have been recovered by detectives.

Tyler was booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KMZA)--Nemaha Co, Kansas is reporting an additional COVID-19 related death.

Nemaha County Community Health Services reported the death Tuesday, bringing the total to 50 since the pandemic began.

The health agency said the individual was 65 years and older.

As of Tuesday, there were 22 active COVID-19 cases, with no hospitalizations.

Nemaha County has seen a total of more than 1,300 positive cases.

As the new year begins, the health agency said in a post on its Facebook page that they are cautiously optimistic and hopeful.

They noted the number of COVID-19 cases in Nemaha County continues to decrease over the past month.

As the vaccine rollout begins, the health agency says residents have to continue to be vigilant to slow the spread of the coronavirus.   
     

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved a bid of $1,448,450 for improvements at the Water Treatment Plant at Rulo when they met Monday evening. 

Utility Superintendent Ray Luhring said the Board of Public Works was pleased with the bids for equipment that had been previously approved for purchase by the Council.  

The mechanical equipment to replace the 50-year-old  contraflow came in approximately $60-thousand less than anticipated. The life expectancy of the equipment being replaced was 25 years of service.

The Council voted unanimously to approve the bid from BRB Contractors Inc. of Topeka to do the work.  

The work will include construction of a new building for the equipment and moving a CO-2 tank along with a couple other items. 

Luhring said the bids for this portion of the project came in seven hundred thousand dollars under the estimate.  
With the prices bid, the entire project will be in the neighborhood of $2-million versus the $3-million price tag that had been anticipate. 

The project is expected to begin and be completed later this year.  

(KAIR)--A Monday morning rollover wreck in the city of Atchison sent a Bendena woman to the hospital.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 23-year-old Chelsea Cluck was southbound on K-7 when her 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee left the roadway and struck a guardrail just south of Country Club Road.

The vehicle went through the guardrail and rolled over, landing on its wheels.

Wilson said Cluck was transported by ambulance to the Atchison hospital for examination.

The wreck was reported around 8:20 Monday morning.

(KNZA)--Monday evening's Hiawatha City Commission meeting marked the last meeting for two commissioners.

Commissioners Toni Hull and Dustin Williams were defeated in their bid for re-election during the November general election.

Hull said its been a pleasure to serve on the Commission the last seven years. She said it was really difficult to leave her chair on the Commission, but every good thing comes to an end.

Williams thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve on the Commission the last four years.

Mayor Bill Collins and fellow Commissioners thanked the two Commissioners for their service on the Commission.

Brian Shefferd and Evans Woehlecke will take their seats on the Commission after being sworn in at the January 19th meeting. Shefferd will replace Hull as Commissioner of Utilities and Woehleck will replace Williams as Commissioner of Police.

In other business, the Commission approved the appointment of five individuals to the Hiawatha Land Bank Board of Trustees.

They include Luke Moore, Troy Boswell, Leon Wissman, Gene Hillyer and Commissioner David Middendorf. They will serve staggering terms.

The Commission approved an ordinance at its December 21 meeting creating the land bank. The purpose of the land bank is to manage and dispose of derelict properties in the community. The goal is to have those lots be repurposed for something better.

(KNZA)--About 60 percent of the staff at the Hiawatha Community Hospital received the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine last month, and the second round of doses of the vaccine is to be delivered this week.

Hospital CEO John Broberg provided an update to the Brown County Commission Monday.

The hospital received the vaccine December 16 and the first doses were administered December 17-18.

In addition, Broberg said the hospital received a shipment of the Moderna vaccine last week and the first doses were administered to employees wishing to receive the vaccine beginning last Thursday. Moderna's policy is to take the second shot 28 days after receiving the first.

When done, Broberg said he's hopeful 80 percent of the staff will have been vaccinated.

In other business, Commission Chairman Dwight Kruse informed his fellow commissioners that County Emergency Management Director Don Pounds reported 218 COVID tests were conducted last week at the free drive-through clinic held in Horton.

The Commission also approved a resolution extending the county public health emergency declaration due to the COVID-19 pandemic for 60 days.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission voted Monday to extend the countywide mask mandate for one week.

The action came on a 2-0 vote, with Commissioner Jerry McKernan absent.

The mandate will be reviewed at the Commission's January 11 meeting.

It has been in place since November 24 to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

As of December 30, the Doniphan County Health Department reported 39 active cases of COVID-19 in the county.

In other business, the Commission voted to entered into an agreement with the engineering firm, Schwab-Eaton, to perform the biennial bridge inspection on 92 of Doniphan County's 98 bridges at a rate of $153 per structure for a total cost of $14,076.

The new Board of County Commissioners, along with newly elected county officials from the November 3 general election, will be sworn in and take office next Monday morning at 9:00.

(KNZA)--The  Kansas Department of Transportation will be replacing a tube at the junction of 170th Street and U.S. 73 Highway, in Brown County, Tuesday, Jan. 5, weather permitting. 

KDOT says 170th Street will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tube is located on 170th Street, west side of U.S. 73.

There is not a signed detour. Drivers should expect delays and find an alternate route.

KDOT says traffic will be controlled using road closure signage and traffic cones.

KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone.  To stay aware of all road construction projects across Kansas go to www.kandrive.org or call 5-1-1.

(KAIR)--An Atchison vehicle repair shop was the target of thieves last week, with thousands of dollars worth of items stolen.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, forced entry was made into an Express Lube storage shed, located at 2605 U.S. Highway 73, sometime on the night of December 28.

Stolen were 14 tires, including Goodyear, Advanta, and Hankook, valued at more than $3,000.
Catalytic converters were also taken, stolen from two vehicles parked in the businesses parking lot. Wilson said they carry a total value of $1,500.

No suspects were immediately identified, and the investigation is continuing.

(KLZA)-- The Second Harvest Community Food Bank with the help of volunteers will conduct a mobile food drop in Mound City on Monday, January 11 from 10 a.m. until noon or until the food runs out.  

The food drop site will be 1530 Nebraska Street at Community Services. 

The program is open to the general public and there are no income guidelines. The service is free.  

The Humboldt-Table Rock – Steinauer School Board has hired the school districts next Superintendent. 

During a special meeting December 17 the Board and the three people elected to the school board to be seated in January wrapped up interviews with three candidates and following an executive session the job was offered to Dr. George Griffith who is currently the Superintendent at Arapahoe, Nebraska. 

HTRS Board President Neal Kanel said there were originally nine candidates for the job which was narrowed down to four finalists.

Dr. Griffith will begin his duties at HTRS following the conclusion of the current school year at a salary of $132-thousand.

(KNZA)--The preliminary hearing for a Circleville man charged in connection with a utility vehicle accident last July in Jackson County that claimed the life of a Fargo, North Dakota teen has been pushed back.

During a status hearing December 28, the preliminary hearing for 21-year-old Wyatt Olberding was rescheduled for February 25.

The Holton Recorder reports Olberding 's attorney requested a continuance to allow County Attorney Shawna Miller to check whether law enforcement officers took video statements from those involved in the accident.

Olberding has been charged with involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence, along with three misdemeanor counts, in the case.

Killed in the July 5 accident northeast of Netawaka was 13-year-old Iziah Martinez. Five others, including Olberding, were injured.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Department said Olberding was driving a side-by-side UTV besides another UTV when he lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn. Martinez was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene.

Olberding remains free on bond.

(KNZA)--A New Year's day Jackson County traffic stop leads to the arrest of a Hiawatha man on methamphetamine charges.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, said a sheriff's deputy stopped a 2007 gold Cadillac around 12:30 Friday afternoon in Holton on Arizona Avenue near Banner Road for an alleged traffic infraction.

Morse said the driver, 38-year-old Charles Wilson, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

He said Wilson also had an outstanding Brown County warrant and outstanding city of Topeka warrant.

He was booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KNZA)--Brown County is reporting seven additional COVID-19 related deaths.

The Brown County Health Department reported the deaths Friday, bringing the total to 29.  

It comes affter four additional COVID-related deaths were reported Wednesday.

The Health Department also reported 26 additional positive cases since Wednesday, bring the total to 968 since the pandemic began.

As of Friday, there were 60 active cases, with one hospitalized.

(KNZA)--Holton Community Hospital's new rural health clinic is set to open Monday, January 4.

The two-story nearly 6,600-square-foot building was constructed adjacent to the current hospital, north of Holton, and is part of the hospital's $14.6-million expansion and renovation project.

A ground breaking ceremony was held in September for the project.

While the new clinic is opening, work continues on renovation of the existing hospital, which is set to wrap up in February.

Hospital CEO Carrie Saia, in a news release, said they have simply outgrown the space in the current 20-year-old hospital, and the expansion project will make it possible to recruit more new doctors and expand services.

The expansion project has been facilitated by a $14.6 million USDA Rural Development loan.

(KNZA)--Residents and staff at Hiawatha's Maple Heights Nursing & Rehabilitation Center received the first of two COVID vaccines on Monday, December 28th. 

Maple Heights Administrator Denise Wolney said a CVS pharmacy team was on-site to administer the first vaccine.  The second vaccine is scheduled for January 18th. 

The government contracted with CVS and Walgreens to administer the vaccines to long term care facilities. 

Wolney said they are pleased to be one of the first long term care facilities in the state to receive the vaccine. “ This generation of elders that we serve have been through epidemics in the past, and most were eager to take the vaccine.  We hope we are one step closer in reducing visitation restrictions.”

Wolney and Director of Nursing Lori Rieger were the first employees to take the vaccine.

(KMZA)--A group of Seneca area residents is seeking to have a Nemaha County Commission vote last year on an annexation proposal declared as invalid and void.

Laurie Schmelzle and several others came before the Commission Monday about the county's November 4, 2019 approval of a proposal from the City of Seneca to annex several small tracts of city-owned rural property. It included the airport, Maxwell Springs buffer area and city's newest water wells.

Commissioners determined that the annexation would not hinder or prevent the proper growth and development of the area.    

Schmelzle contends the city's action's were done in secret for the purpose of harming the industries that want to locate in that area.    

County Attorney Brad Lippert will review the group's request and get back with the Commission next week on the issue.    

In other business, Commissioners voted to 2-1 to rescind the Commission's December 4 approval of a proposal from Corey Gorman to provide custodial services at the Nemaha County Courthouse. Commissioner Gary Scoby cast the lone dissenting vote.    

The Commission also moved to immediately terminate the contact with Gorman for the washing of windows at the courthouse, with Scoby voting no.

(KNZA)--Doniphan County is reporting two additional COVID-19 related deaths.

The Doniphan County Health Department reported the deaths Wednesday, bringing the total to 7.

As of Wednesday, there were 39 active cases.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Doniphan County has seen 723 total positive COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, neighboring Atchison County continues to see a decrease in active cases and has had no additional virus-related deaths since December 9.

The Atchison County Health Department on Thursday reported 43 active cases, with three hospitalized.

Since the pandemic began, Atchison County has had 1,096 total positive cases and 10-virus related deaths.