A Brown County traffic stop leads to the arrest of a Horton woman on drug charges.

According to a report from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, a Sheriff's deputy arrested 29-year-old Courtney Buettgenbach around  1:15 Thursday morning after the traffic stop.

Buettgenbach was booked into the Brown County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia

She was released Friday on bond.

(KNZA)--A public health advisory remains in place for two lakes in Brown County due to blue-green algae.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, announced Thursday in a news release that the Brown State Fishing Lake, northeast of Robinson, and Horton's Mission Lake remain under “ watch” status.

For lakes under “ watch” status, people are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keeps pets away from the water.

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

(KNZA)--Additional fringe benefits have been approved for Horton City employees.

The Horton City Commission at their July 19 meeting approved a list of additional fringe benefits presented by City Administrator John Calhoon for full and part-time non-seasonal city employees, mayor and commissioners.

The benefits include swimming pool passes, discounted rates to rent the Armory and Blue Building and shooting range passes. In addition, they include seasonal boating/jet ski passes and free camping in 14-day spots at the city's Mission Lake.

Calhoon said if an employee receives benefits valued over $100 annually, it would be added as taxable income to the employees W-2.

In other action, the Commission approved Blue Cross/Blue Shield as the new health insurance provider for full-time employees, effective September 1st.

(KLZA)-- The Nemaha County Fairgrounds in Auburn will be the host site for a land management workshop on Monday, August 2.

The Nebraska Extension Service and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln's Center for Agricultural Profitability will host the event from 10:30 a.m. til  1:30 p.m.

The meeting if free to attend, but you must register with the Nebraska Extension Office in Nemaha County. Call 402-274-4755 to register. A meal will be provided during the program.

During the program information for both landlords and tenants on leasing will be available. The latest financial trends in Nebraska agriculture will be discussed along with updated land values and cash rental rates for the state. The latest information on carbon credit contracts for ag producers and landlords will also be available. 

(KLZA)-- The Nemaha County Fairgrounds in Auburn will be the host site for a land management workshop on Monday, August 2.

The Nebraska Extension Service and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln's Center for Agricultural Profitability will host the event from 10:30 a.m. til  1:30 p.m.

The meeting if free to attend, but you must register with the Nebraska Extension Office in Nemaha County. Call 402-274-4755 to register. A meal will be provided during the program.

During the program information for both landlords and tenants on leasing will be available. The latest financial trends in Nebraska agriculture will be discussed along with updated land values and cash rental rates for the state. The latest information on carbon credit contracts for ag producers and landlords will also be available. 

(KLZA)-- Following a 32-year career at Peru state College that has seen Ted Harshbarger wear many hats,  he has announced his resignation.

However, Harshbarger isn't going anywhere except about 200 feet to a new office as he has agreed to serve as Interim Director of the Peru State College Foundation. He will begin his new duties on August 3.

The Foundation is a private, non-profit corporation that generates and administers charitable contributions and manages alumni activities to support the College. The appointment will run through June 30, 2022.  

Harshbarger is a 1977  graduate of Peru State who lives on the family farm in Richardson County. Since 2010 he has served as Associate Athletics Director and Sports Information Director at Peru State.

In addition, he has served the College as Director of Transition Services, and Assessment Coordinator, Director of the Academic Resource Center and Athletics,  Dean of Student life,  Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management, Director of Cooperative Education and Career Service and Interim Athletics Director.  He also taught business classes for many years.  

Harshbarger will join recently hired Kim Regan, Accounting and Finance Manager, as full-time staff members with the Foundation.  Kent Propost who has served as part-time acting Director since last September will remain with the Foundation in a reduced capacity during the transition.  

A volunteer board leads the Foundation. It's investments and other assets recently surpassed $20 million for the first time in its history. 

(KNZA)--The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas is now requiring anyone entering a tribal facility wear a cloth face covering.

Tribal officials said in a new release that the facing covering requirement is for the safety of the Kickapoo community and employees.

It includes the Kickapoo Tribal Administration Building, Kickapoo Health Clinic, Kickapoo Nation School, Kickapoo Head Start and other tribally-operated department of building.

It also includes the Golden Eagle Casino.

(KNZA)--Funeral arrangements have been set for a 6-year-old Sabetha girl who died Tuesday from injuries received in a two-vehicle Brown County wreck.

According to an obituary from the Popkess Mortuary in Sabetha, a private family Mass of Christian Burial for Taya Mooney will be held Tuesday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Sabetha. 

Following the private service, the funeral procession will leave the church at about 11:30 a.m. and proceed down Main Street to the Sabetha Cemetery.  The family would like to invite the public to gather along Main Street for a balloon release in honor of Taya as the funeral procession proceeds to the cemetery. 

Taya will lie in state and viewing will be open to the public Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm at the Popkess Mortuary Chapel, in Sabetha, with a visitation being held from 2 to 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Taya Lynn Mooney Scholarship and sent in care of the mortuary.

Taya was a passenger in a car that was rear-ended by a semi-truck on U.S. 75 Highway at 260th Road Sunday evening.

She died from injuries received in the wreck Tuesday at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

.  

(KNZA)--Following citizen concerns, the city of Hiawatha will hire an outside firm to examine the depth of the new concrete streets in the sales tax streets project.

The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening gave City Administrator Mike Nichols approval to move ahead with hiring a firm to take core samples at a cost not to exceed his spending authority of $5,000.

Nichols said the plan is to start with Miami Street, with three core samples to be taken per block between 1st and 10th Streets.

He said he contacted four companies and obtained quotes from two firms. The lowest quote was for $3,961 for 27 core samples, with an additional $100 charge per core sample.

Core samples could also be taken from some of the other new concrete streets.

During the Commission's July 12 meeting, Hiawatha resident Richard Tesoriero told commissioners he had observed areas where only 6 1/4-inches of concrete was poured instead of the 8-inches required by the contract documents.

Commissioner Becky Shamburg said she likes the idea of bringing in an impartial company.

Mayor Bill Collins said the city needs to have some answers before appropriating any more funds. 

(KMZA)--Details have been released on single-vehicle roll-over wreck early Monday morning in Nemaha County, Kansas.

According to the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office, 36-year-old Randy Davis, of Oneida, was northbound on N Road, north of 224th Road, when his SUV left the roadway, rolled and ended on its top.

Davis and his passenger, 33-year-old Dubois, Nebraska resident Carrie Colson, were transported to the hospital by private vehicle for the treatment of unspecified injuries.

The wreck was reported shortly before 2:00 Monday morning.

(KLZA)-- Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp has announced that a federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned a two-count indictment against 37-year-old Tia Hall of Falls City.

Hall is charged with two counts of receipt and possession of an unregistered firearm on or about July 8, 2020 and continuing to on or about July 9, 2020.

Indictments are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

If convicted,  the maximum possible penalty for Hall is 10  years imprisonment, a $250-thousand fine, a three year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

(KAIR)--Students and staff of Atchison's USD 409 will begin the upcoming new school year wearing masks. That's according to a Youtube message posted for district patrons by school district Superintendent Dr. Renee Scott.

Editors note: the following was submitted by Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore

The city of Hiawatha has a leash law, I share this because this summer we are dealing with

an abundance of loose dogs around town. These animals are being impounded when caught.

However, if your dog has a current city tag, we will make every attempt possible to return your

animal to you.

The following, are the applicable City Ordinances;

2-117. RUNNING AT LARGE. It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully allow any animal or fowl under his or her control to be or to run at large within the city. Any animal or fowl found at large shall be impounded.

2-202. DOG AND CAT TAGS. It shall be the duty of the city clerk or designated agent, upon a showing of current rabies immunization and receipt of the registration fee hereinbefore required, to keep in a book suitable for the registration of dogs and cats, the time of the registration, the name of the owner or keeper, the number of the registration and the amount paid therefor, and shall deliver to the owner or keeper of the dog or cat a certificate in writing, stating that the person has registered the dog and the number by which the dog or cat is registered, and shall also deliver to the owner or keeper of the dog or cat a tag with the registration number and the registration year thereon, which shall be, by the owner or keeper, attached to the collar to be used on the dog or cat so registered. When any tag has become lost during a registration period, the owner of the dog or cat may request a duplicate tag for the remainder of the registration period. When so requested, the city clerk shall, upon presentation of the registration certificate, issue a duplicate of such tag upon the payment of $2.00 fee. It shall be unlawful for any person to take off or remove the city registration tag from any dog or cat belonging to another, or remove the strap or collar on which the same is fastened.

In closing, our city pets must also have their current city tags. Please keep your pets under your control at all times. Even in your yard, you can be cited for animal at large. The city ordinance is for their safety as much as for the safety of those around them. For further questions regarding pet laws or other concerns please call the Hiawatha Police Department 785-742-2156.

(KNZA)--COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Brown County.

That word came Wednesday from the Brown County office of Northeast Kansas Multi-County Health, which reported 25 active cases. That's up from 10 active cases on Monday.

On Friday, the health department reported the number of active cases had climbed to 31. 

A total of six variant cases have been reported in the county—four of those being the more  contagious delta variant.

The health department said 35 percent of eligible Brown County residents 12 years of age and older have been completely vaccinated.

The CDC has an updated breakdown of Brown County's vaccination rate. The CDC reports that Brown County has a vaccination rate of 54.7% for the population of 12 years and older. That significant rise in percentage is due to federal programs that received the vaccines directly from the federal government and not directly from the state of Kansas.

The Brown County Health Department continues to offer vaccine for those 12 years and up. You can call 785-742-2505 to make an appointment.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha resident urged the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening to “strongly consider” “allowing NEK-CAP to use the old RV park site on South 1st Street for the construction of a new administration building and Head Start Center.

NEK-CAP wants to re-locate to Hiawatha and has identified the 1st Street property as a preferred location.

Bob Freese, who previously served on the commission and on the Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development Board, touted the economic benefits it would bring—including 35 to 40 new jobs.  He said those employees would spend money in Hiawatha.

Freese said NEK-CAP has offered to pay for the re-location of the skate park currently located on the property.

Commissioners in May said they didn't think the city should give up the land, voicing concerns about limiting the land available to the city for future Parks and Recreation projects.

Freese said one of the jobs the commission has is economic development, and believes the city is sending the wrong message if they don't do something with NEK-CAP.

Commissioner Becky Shamburg said it wasn't a hard "no", but that other options should be looked at.

City Administrator Mike Nichols said he showed NEK-CAP representatives two other properties, both which would require dirt work.

It was agreed to put the matter on the commission's August 9 agenda for further discussion.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central USD 115 Board of Education, during a special meeting Tuesday evening, approved a resolution to place a special question on the November 2 general election ballot seeking voter approval for the issuance of up to $36.7 million in general obligation bonds to finance facility improvements.

The Board took the action on a 6-1 vote, with board member John Deters casting the dissenting vote.

If approved by voters, the bonds would be paid off over a 30-year period.

Except for a classroom addition at the elementary school for the Pre-K program, the bonds would primarily go to fund improvements at the Nemaha Central High School--including construction of a new gymnasium, conversion of the secondary gym to a theater and four new classrooms.

Prior to the bond election, the district will apply to the Kansas State Board of Education for authority to issue the bonds in excess of the statutory limitation.

In other action at the special meeting, the board voted to hire Clint Heideman as the IT director for Nemaha Central schools, Heideman is to begin work August 2.

(KMZA)--COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Nemaha County, Kansas.

That word came Tuesday from Nemaha County Community Health Services, which reported  23 active cases, with two hospitalized.  That's up from 8 active cases reported a week ago on July 20.

The health department said 18 coronavirus variants have been identified in Nemaha County--including the highly contagious delta variant.

The county has seen 38 new virus cases so far this month.

The health department said 50.3 percent of Nemaha County residents 12 years of age and older have been completely vaccinated.     

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly says she’s imposing a mask mandate for Kansas state government workers and visitors to state buildings.

She said Wednesday that she's acting in the wake of what she called a “self-inflicted” surge in new COVID-19 cases fueled by the faster-spreading delta variant.

Kelly’s announcement came after a central Kansas school district mandated masks in its building and public health officials in two of the state’s most populous counties recommended that even vaccinated residents wear masks in at least some indoor public spaces.

Kelly's order takes effect Monday and is set to apply in 84 of the state's 105 counties and to almost 39,000 state government workers.

(KLZA)-- Two Tarkio residents were injured in a two-vehicle wreck in Atchison County, Missouri Tuesday evening.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reported a semi-truck operated by 39-year-old Bryce Stuchlik of Wahoo, Nebraska was involved in a wreck with a Chevrolet Equinox driven by 72-year-old Darwin Houghton.

The semi was turning westbound onto US-136 from the I-29 ramp and the eastbound car struck the trailer of the semi, coming to rest under the trailer.

Darwin Houghton suffered what were described as serious injuries and was transported by Atchison-Holt Ambulance to Community Hospital in Fairfax, then transported by air ambulance to the University of Nebraska Hospital in Omaha.   A passenger in the car, 70-year-old Georgia Houghton was transported to the Community Hospital in Fairfax with minor injuries. 

Stuchlik who was driving the semi was not injured.

The Atchison County, Missouri Sheriff's Department and the Rock Port Police Department assisted at the scene of the wreck.  

(KLZA)-- The Southwest Power Pool has declared a period of Conservative Operations for our entire 14-state balancing authority footprint effective 12:00 central time on Thursday, July 29 through 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 30. 
The need for a declaration of Conservative Operations is due to hot-weather conditions causing high electricity use that are expected to persist through our afternoon peak on July 30. 
The declaration is intended to inform SPP’s market participants they should make available all necessary generating resources to meet the high demand SPP anticipates across its region. 
Looking ahead, SPP does not currently anticipate the need to request public conservation of energy or to direct controlled service interruptions. 

A declaration of Conservative Operations precedes and is less severe than Energy Emergency Alerts like those SPP issued during the February 2021 winter weather event. During periods of Conservative Operations, no action is required of the pubic unless specifically directed by an individuals’ local utility.

(KLZA)-- The Mound City Board of Education heard updates on a number of topics including information from Governor Mike Parson regarding the opening of school this fall when they met on July 20.

Superintendent Kory Miles informed that Board that during a conference call, the Governor said students and teachers that are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and not showing symptoms will not have to quarantine if designated as a close contact.

Miles said he does have concerns about COVID as the school year approaches and numbers of COVID cases are on the rise in Missouri. 

Student handbooks for the new school year were approved along with changes to the Computer Usage Agreement including estimated costs for Chromebook parts and replacement, rights and responsibilities,  general use and care,  negligence, and consequences for violation of the agreement. 
 

(AP)- The running mate for Nebraska governor hopeful Charles Herbster has announced that she's bowing out of the race, citing the time commitment required to campaign. 

Theresa Thibodeau, a former state lawmaker and Douglas County Republican Party leader, says she will withdraw from the ticket. 

Thibodeau says she didn't think she'd be able to devote the time necessary to continue with the campaign. 

Herbster, from Falls City had selected Thibodeau even though the state Republican Party hasn’t yet held its primary election to name its gubernatorial nominee. 

(KAIR)--A woman was injured after a motorcycle crashed at an Atchison intersection Tuesday.
According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 33-year-old Addam Stephenson, of Atchison, was southbound on 17th Street, around 4:20 that afternoon.

Stopping at a stop sign at 17th Street, then proceeding east onto Main Street, Wilson said Stephenson lost control of the motorcycle, and laid it on its side.

A passenger, 30-year-old Atchison resident Autumn Stephenson, was transported to Amberwell Atchison by Atchison County EMS for the treatment of injuries.

The driver was not hurt.

(KAIR)--Atchison County currently has 69 active confirmed coronavirus cases.

That's according to a release this week from the Atchison County office of Northeast Kansas Multi-County Health.

The release shows that of Atchison County cases, 12 have been confirmed to be that of the delta variant, the strain of coronavirus that health officials say is faster spreading, has more health impacts, and is the reason for recent spikes in active cases.

According to the health department Monday, the 69 active cases were confirmed within the last ten days of that July 26 date.

The release also outlines Atchison County's vaccination rate, noting that 49-percent of those eligible for vaccination have received at least one dose. 44.7-percent has completed the series of vaccine shots.

Breaking it down by percent per county population, the release shows that 42.6-percent has received one dose, while 38.2-percent has completed the process.

Inlight of the increased numbers, the health department made a social media post in conjunction with the release, telling Atchison County residents to "get back to the basics," by practicing social distancing, avoid large crowds, wear a mask when social distancing isn’t possible, avoid touching your face, and wash hands often.

The post cites a phone call Monday the agency had with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, stating that during the call, “it was mentioned that 99-percent of all positive [coronavirus] cases (since Jan. 2021) in Kansas” were those “who were not vaccinated.”

Editors note--the following was submitted by Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore

While outside our pets must have shelter, food and water.

Please take extra precautions during the summer and with these high heat indexes. Our pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it’s hot or humid outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful not to over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.

When is too Hot to Leave Your Pet in the Car unattended?

As the weather gets warmer, humans and pets alike tend to get more active. For humans - that means we do a lot of "running around", driving from store to store to get our errands done. Though it can be tempting to take our pets with us for the ride - all of those stops into stores will leave your pet sitting in the car waiting for you. And that wait can be more harmful than you think.

70 Degrees & Above - Leave Your Dog at Home

When temperatures outside reach 70 degrees, the temp in your car rises to about 100 degrees. Even with the windows "cracked", your car turns into an oven.

As the temps rise throughout the summer, the danger grows:

• 75 degrees outside = 118 degrees in your car

• 77 degrees outside = 123 degrees in your car

• 81 degrees outside = 138 degrees in your car

• 90 degrees outside = 143 degrees in your car

• 94 degrees outside = 145 degrees in your car

So, if it's above 70 degrees, leave your dog at home.

(KNZA)--A six-year-old Sabetha girl has died from injuries received in a two-vehicle Brown County wreck.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports Taya Mooney died late Tuesday at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, where she had been transported following the Sunday evening wreck on U.S. 75 Highway at 260th Road.

The Patrol says Mooney was a passenger in a 1973 Volkswagen that was struck in the rear by a semi-tractor trailer while the vehicle was stopped waiting to make a left turn.

The driver of the car, 27-year-old Sabetha resident Heidi Nichols, was transported to the Sabetha Community Hospital with suspected serious injuries.

Another passenger in the vehicle, 7-year-old Sabetha resident Emery Mooney, received suspected minor injuries but was not transported.

The semi driver, from Texas, was not hurt.     

Three local area Sheriffs join seven others from Kansas in throwing their support behind Kris Kobach, citing the conservative values expressed by the Kansas Attorney General candidate.

In a release issued by Kobach’s campaign Monday, Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, Leavenworth County Sheriff Andy Dedeke, and Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse are all named as being among the ten Kansas Sheriffs supporting Kobach.

In the release, Morse is quoted as calling Kobach “a trusted conservative who will back the blue and protect the Constitution,” adding that Kobach “isn’t afraid to take on extreme leftists”, with Kobach’s “experience fighting” the long-standing American Civil Liberties Union in court cited as his example. Morse, in the release, calls Kobach “the law and order candidate in this race” adding that he gives Kobach “his full endorsement.”

Kobach, a lawyer who served as the 31st Secretary of State of Kansas, lost the Governor’s race in 2018 and the 2020 GOP primary for U.S. Senate.

Kobach is seeking the Republican nod for Attorney General in the 2022 Kansas Primary Election, challenged by fellow Republicans including State Senator Kellie Warren, of Leawood, and retired U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi.

Current Republican Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is running for Kansas Governor in 2022.

(KAIR)--A new-era begins in Atchison, with the opening of the 500 and 600 block of Commercial Street to vehicular traffic as of Tuesday evening.

According to a Tuesday afternoon release from the City, the opening is planned by 5:00 Tuesday evening, July 27 

That comes as part of an underway overhaul of the City’s downtown district, with a major portion of the work involving the now-complete removal of the former pedestrian mall.

According to a release from the City, motorists, in the days to come, “should expect limited impacts to parking availability as contractors work to button up the project.”

The release also notes that the 500 block of Commercial Street will be closed most of the day on Friday “in preparation for a grand opening event hosted locally by Atchison Main Street and the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce” that evening.

Traffic has not been allowed in the two blocks of Commercial Street in nearly sixty-years, with the former pedestrian mall replacing the streets following two flash-floods that devastated the City’s downtown in 1958.

Removal of the mall began in February.

The Atchison City Commission voted last year to move forward with demolition of the mall, with 75-percent of the demolition project’s cost being funded through a Kansas Department of Transportation grant, leaving the City responsible for the remaining 25-percent.

(KAIR)--The efforts of a young Atchison child, who raised funds to benefit other Atchison students, are being commemorated.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 5-year-old Isla, whose last name was not provided, held a lemonade stand in Atchison on Saturday, raising $1,500 for the Heroes Helping Program.

Wilson told MSC News the program, in its second year, provides school supplies to children who otherwise would go without. It was developed by Atchison Police Officers, headed up by Officer Alex Moore.

Wilson calls young Isla a young friend of the department, saying that her lemonade stand success makes her, in his words, “a hero helping, that’s for sure,” adding that he, and the department, are appreciative for the community stepping up to the support the program.

(KAIR)--A pickup truck, stolen from Atchison earlier this month was found in Johnson County, Missouri, but only after it had been set on fire.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 was reported stolen from the 500 block of Washington Street on July 14, and recovered Friday, July 16 by Johnson County authorities.

However, Wilson explains that “because the truck was burned, it wasn’t until Monday that Atchison Police were notified because it took several days for law enforcement in Johnson County to process the vehicle and locate identifying numbers.”

According to Wilson, “additional stolen property from crimes committed in Missouri were recovered at the scene of the truck recovery.”

Atchison Police Detectives are working with Missouri law enforcement in pursuing leads in what Wilson says “is now a joint investigation.”

When the pickup truck was stolen during the early morning hours of July 14, it had been attached to a boat and trailer. However, after it was stolen, the trailer and boat were detached and left in the intersection of 3rd and Laramie Street where they were discovered by police around 5:30 that morning.

(KAIR)--The theft of a UTV from a Jackson County residence is under investigation, with a reward being offered for information leading to the capture of whoever is responsible for the crime.

According to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, the John Deere Gator was stolen from a Mayetta residence early Tuesday morning.

According to the release, a landowner notified the Sheriff’s Office that he was alerted to trespassers by game cameras in the 12000 block of 166th Road, with he and deputies discovering a newer model Gator in a wooded area on the property. It was learned by investigators that the Gator had been taken around 10:45 Monday night from the 100 block of East Central Street, in Mayetta.

A photo of the vehicle, along with a man wearing a tank top and glasses, were caught on camera.

Anyone with information related to the crime is asked to call the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 785-364-2251.

(KLZA)-- During the July 20 meeting of the Richardson County  Commissioners, the Board unanimously approved salary increases for staff at the Law Enforcement Center with an effective date of July 1, 2021.

The two percent pay increases covers all staff members with a potential additional increase in salary if justified through job performance evaluations by the Sheriff and/or supervisory  staff for the positions of Jail Supervisor up to a maximum hourly rate of $18.50.  The Night Jail Supervisor could received a maximum hourly rate of $18 and the Jailer salary cap would be $17.50 per hour. 

The Board also adopted a resolution to approve a change to the approved number of sheriff's deputies to allow a deputy to be classified as a lieutenant.

The quarterly jail inspection was conducted with Sheriff Rick Hardesty and Chief Deputy Roland Merwin and Commissioners found the facility to be in good order. 

(KLZA)-- The Missouri River bridge at Nebraska City has been closed to trucks and heavy commercial loads by the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Planned rehabilitation work on the Nebraska side of the bridge is being conducted .

A NDOT news release says the closure to heavy loads is out of “an abundance of caution.”

All other traffic may continue to use the bridge. 

Detour signs will help guide truck traffic to Interstate 29 in Iowa.

(KNZA)--Two Sabetha residents were injured in a two-vehicle Brown County wreck Sunday evening.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said the wreck happened shortly after 7:00 on U.S. 75 Highway at 260th Road.

According to the KHP report, a 1973 Volkswagen driven by 27-year-old Heidi Nichols was stopped waiting to turn left on to 260th Road when her vehicle was struck from behind by a semi-tractor trailer.

Nichols was transported to the Sabetha Community Hospital with suspected serious injuries.  

A passenger, 6-year-old Taya Mooney, was transported to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, with suspected serious injuries. 

The semi driver, 36-year-old Haltom City, Texas resident Catrina Weathersett, was not hurt.

(KLZA)-- There has been a sharp increase in scam activity over the past weekend and into the start of the week, as scammers posing as Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) attempt to steal money from unsuspecting victims. 
Scammers will either text or call a customer and tell them that they must pay their bill immediately or their power will be shut-off. If the customer pays a scammer using a green dot card, or other method such as wire transfer or gift cards, it makes it very difficult to track or recover the money. 
“NPPD will not call a customer and threaten to shut off their power,” according to  NPPD General Manager of Retail Services Pat Hanrahan.
He says Scammers will try to confuse or cause panic in order to get what they want, and it’s important for customers to know this is not how NPPD conducts business.
 Scammers will sometimes spoof their real phone number to make it appear as an NPPD number when they are making calls. They will then ask the customer to call them back using a different number to make the payments. NPPD will not call or text a customer and demand payment or threaten to shut off a customer’s power. If you believe you are a target of a potential scam or are unsure if you are talking to someone from NPPD, hang up the phone and call 1-877-ASK-NPPD. 

(KMZA)--A Sabetha teenager has been charged with rape and contributing to a child's misconduct or deprivation.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert said in a news release Tuesday that a complaint has been filed in Nemaha County District Court charging 18-year-old Blake Bowser with the two offenses.

He said the complaint alleges that on July 24, Bowser engaged in sexual intercourse with a child under 14-years-old, and that he sheltered or concealed a runaway.

Bowser was arrested Saturday following an investigation by the Sabetha Police Department and Nemaha County Sheriff's Department.

He remains in the Nemaha County Jail, held on a $250,000 bond.

(KAIR)--The Prince and Princess of the Doniphan County Fair have been selected.

That happened Monday, the first day of the annual 4-H Fair, which featured the coronation of the prince and princess.

Selected as Fair Prince for 2021 is Preston Williams while McKenna Gatz was selected as Fair Princess.

Three other boys, and five other girls, competed for the honor.

Williams has been a member of the Wathena Sunflower 4-H Club for 8 years, while Gatz is a seven-year member of the Midway Meadowlarks 4-H Club.

The Fair Prince and Princess will hand out the ribbons and awards during the fair, which runs through Friday on the fairgrounds, in Troy.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council has approved an updated pay plan for city employees.

Seneca City Administrator Tami Haverkamp told MSC News that the Council took the action when they meet last week.

Haverkamp said it's a step plan based on years of service and includes a merit range for each position once the employee has moved through those steps.

She said the primary goal of the updated plan is to retain recent hires and be competitive moving forward. Haverkamp said turnover within the police department, in addition to the fact that the city has several employees edging toward retirement, prompted the need for a plan that reflects more accurately starting wages in today's market.

The new pay plan takes effect next month.

(KAIR)--The Prince and Princess of the Doniphan County Fair have been selected.

That happened Monday, the first day of the annual 4-H Fair, which featured the coronation of the prince and princess.

Selected as Fair Prince for 2021 is Preston Williams while McKenna Gatz was selected as Fair Princess.

Three other boys, and five other girls, competed for the honor.

The Fair Prince and Princess will hand out the ribbons and awards during the fair, which runs through Friday on the fairgrounds, in Troy.

(KAIR)--Coronavirus vaccinations will be provided as part of the Doniphan County Fair this week.

According to a release from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Vaccine and Testing Event will take place Thursday, on the Doniphan County Fairgrounds, in Troy, located at 100 North Border Street. The testing, and vaccinations, will be provided from 3 until 7:30.

According to KDHE, such events are being held statewide due to the emergence of the Delta variant, which, the release says “poses a dangerous risk to communities across Kansas.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the Delta variant is twice as infectious as the B. 117 variant which was previously the dominant strain. The new variant appears to be spreading most quickly in communities that have the lowest vaccination rates.

According to the release, “over the last few weeks, nearly all patients who died of COVID-19 were unvaccinated.” The release calls the vaccination events, such as the one planned Thursday at the Doniphan County Fairgrounds, “part of a sustained effort to mobilize Kansans to get vaccinated and/or tested to stop the spread of COVID-19 in order to protect themselves and loved ones.”

(KAIR)--A more than $200,000 grant has been awarded to a downtown Atchison location along Atchison’s renovated Commercial Street shopping district.

According to a release, announcement of the $250,000 Community Development Block Grant for 526 Commercial Street is made by the City of Atchison, in partnership with Blackstone Properties.

According to the release, issued by the City, the grant comes through the Commercial Rehabilitation Category, with the 526 Commercial Street property including three currently vacant storefronts, facing Commercial Street, “as well as a 5,400 square-foot second floor that has been vacant for decades.”

Ethan Hausmann, a representative of Blackstone Properties, in the release, said the group is “excited to bring premium commercial retail space to the heart of downtown Atchison and this grant helps make that vision possible."

According to the release, the grant “will fund a new roof, restoration/replacement of windows, masonry and foundation work, lead paint/asbestos abatement, and the installation of an elevator to benefit future businesses at 526 Commercial Street in downtown Atchison.”

The release explains that “the purpose of the Commercial Rehabilitation grant is two-fold: to help building owners renovate downtown commercial buildings for the benefit of an existing or new business; and to address slum and blight conditions.

Kansas typically awards just four Commercial Rehabilitation projects statewide each year.

According to the release, “as part of a continued focus on supporting downtown redevelopment, the City of Atchison published notice nearly two years ago seeking property owners eligible to receive CDBG-CR funding.

Blackstone Properties was the only eligible respondent to that public notice.”

(KNZA)--An Oskaloosa man has convicted of securities fraud.

The Kansas Insurance Department announced in a news release Monday that David Moeller was found guilty of one felony count of securities fraud following a bench trial last week.

Moeller was charged with allegedly defrauding a Perry, Kansas woman who invested funds with Moeller for the development of an invention known as the “blade caddy.”

State prosecutors alleged that, instead of using the investment dollars to develop the blade caddy product, Moeller used the funds to reimburse a Kansas City, Kan. company to which he had written a bad check.

On July 19, a trial was held before Jefferson County District Judge Christopher Etzel. On July 21, Judge Etzel issued a written verdict, finding Moeller guilty as charged.

Moeller is to be sentenced on August 26.

The investigation was conducted by the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner, a division of the Kansas Insurance Department. The criminal prosecution was conducted by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee County Fair will take place Wednesday, July 28th through Saturday, July 31st. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings thee will be carnival games and entertainment, a petting zoo, face painting and ice cream social from 6 to 10 each evening.

Wednesday, July 28 will be the Garden Tractor Pull at 6 p.m. registration is at 5 p.m.

Thursday, July 29 events include a Parade at 6 p.m.. The theme for the parade is "Pulling for the Fair" Also at 6 p.m. is a Chicken BBQ with the Greg Blecha Trio as the entertainment. At 7 p.m. is team roping. at 7:30 p.m. there is a Karaoke contest and the Pioneer Farm Family Awards and at 9:30 p.m. there will be music by Savannah Nider.

Friday, July 30 the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pull will take place at 7 p.m./

Saturday, July 31st events include Mud Volleyball at 9 a.m.. A Flea Market will begin at 10 a.m.. At 11 a.m. a Cornhole Tournament will take place also at 11 a.m. the Car Show will begin. At 7 p.m. there will me a Mutton Bustin', a Rodeo and the 50th Annual Tractor Pull and at 8 p.m. the Childrens Powerwheel Races will take place.

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska State Patrol has renewed its request for information related to the disappearance of a Jefferson County woman last month.

Investigators have been actively investigating the disappearance of 55-year-old  Linda Dillard,  who was last seen on June 16 in the rural Table Rock area. The investigation remains ongoing.
Dillard is believed to be missing under suspicious circumstances. She is described as a white female, 5’0”, 130 lbs., with blue eyes and brown hair (possibly dyed blonde or wearing a wig). She was last seen wearing a white tank top, jean shorts, a white and purple wig, and brown, lace-up sandal boots. She has several tattoos. 

Dillard sometimes walks with a cane and has a medical condition that makes it difficult for her to walk long distances.

Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts or information about her disappearance is urged to submit a tip through Nebraska Crime Stoppers. Tips are completely anonymous and can be submitted via the Nebraska Crime Stoppers website, the “P3 Tips” mobile app, or by calling 1-800-422-1494. Nebraska Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information in this investigation. Tips to Nebraska Crime Stoppers can be made anonymously.

(KNZA)--The City of Hiawatha is planning to chip and seal streets the week of August 2nd, weather permitting. 

This year the project includes: 3rd & 4th (South of Iowa St); North & South 2nd; Minnehaha 1st – 2nd; Osage 1st – 3rd; Sioux Ave 1st – 3rd; Mohawk 1st – 3rd; Sequoya Lane and Lodge Road will be completed. 

Please have any and all motorized vehicles removed from the streets through the above duration.  If vehicles are not removed at the time of the project, vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. 

Crews will be starting at 7:00 am.  Please have your vehicle removed prior to that time. 

If you have any questions, please call City Hall 742-7417.

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph teenager was injured in an early Monday morning single-vehicle wreck on I-29 about one mile north of Faucett, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 18-year-old Wesley Darnell, of St. Joseph, was northbound when he fell alseep, causing his Chevy truck to travel off the west side of the roadway. The vehicle returned to the roadway and Darnell overcorrected, causing his truck to travel off the east side of the roadway and overturn.

A passenger, 18-year-old St. Joseph resident Megan Schussler, was transported to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph by private vehicle with moderate injuries.

Darnell was not hurt.

The Patrol says both occupants were wearing seatbelts when the wreck happened shortly after midnight.

The annual Doniphan County 4-H Fair kicks off Monday, July 26.

A highlight of the Fair will be the coronation of the Fair prince and princess Monday evening.

Six girls are vying for princess. They include McKenna Gatz, Alyson Grable, Gracie Grable, Macy Grable, Sara Houghton and Carlee Phillippe.

Four boys are vying for prince. They include Grant Boos, Riley Grable, Will Symns and Preston Williams.

The prince and princess will hand out the ribbons and awards during the fair.

The Fair runs through Friday at the fairgrounds in Troy.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County STEP Foundation has announced its first STEP Up Nemaha County Match Day will take place next month.

STEP Foundation Executive Director Tory Jost said in a news release that the Foundation is thrilled to provide a day of community giving where each fund will be eligible for a dollar to dollar match up to $3,000 per fund.

The release said the STEP Foundation will be holding an in-person day of giving on Friday, August 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Seneca Free Library.

There will be a form to designate where the donor would like the money to be given. Cash, checks and credit cards are welcome. To give an online donation, visit stepupnemaha.com from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 27, and select the fund or funds to which you would like to donate. People can watch the tallies of the funds throughout the day via the website.

The release said Jim and Patricia Koch have contributed a donation of $50,000 toward the first annual Match Day event. Formerly, they established the Catastrophic Medical Fund to assist those struggling with medical issues, with $15,000 of the $50,000 designated to the Fund.

(KMZA)--A stabbing in Pottawatomie County left one person injured and another jailed.

According to a release from Pottawatomie County Sheriff Shane Jager, the Sheriff's Office received a 911 call shortly before 1:00 Thursday afternoon from a person reporting they had been stabbed and were driving to Westmoreland.

First responders located the injured individual in a truck at Westmoreland and Rock Creek Roads.  The individual was transported to the hospital by EMS with non-life threatening injuries.

Deputies located an individual walking nearby, who was identified as 24-year-old Westmoreland resident Nigel Breaux.

Jager said further investigation determined Breaux and the victim had gotten into an alteration, during which the stabbing occurred.

Breaux was arrested on charges of aggravated battery and domestic battery.  He was booked into the Pottawatomie County Jail.
        

(KNZA)--The victim of a fatal Saturday evening Brown County crash has been identified.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says killed in the crash on Prairie Road about 4 miles east of Hiawatha was 24-year-old Oliverio Cucul Pop, of Houston, Texas.

The Patrol says Cucul Pop was driving a Chevy Tahoe southbound when the vehicle ran off the road near 240th Road for an unknown reason and went into a ditch.  The vehicle jumped a creek, struck an embankment and a wooden post, before rolling on it's top and coming to rest in a field.

Cucul Pop was pronounced dead at the scene.

A passenger, 53-year-old Davis Junction, Illinois resident Esteban Xol, was transported to Hiawatha's Amberwell Hospital with suspected serious injuries.

The Patrol says neither occupant was buckled up when the wreck occurred shortly before 7:00 Saturday evening.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(KNZA)--A fatal Saturday evening single-vehicle Brown County wreck remains under investigation.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says the wreck occurred shortly before 7:00 on Prairie Road about 4 miles east of Hiawatha.

According to the KHP report, the vehicle was southbound on Prairie Road near 240th Road when, for an unknown reason, it ran off the road into the west ditch.  The vehicle continued southbound, jumping a creek and striking an embankment, continuing southbound into the ditch. The vehicle then struck a wooden post, rolling on it's top and coming to rest in a field.  

No additional details--including the name of the victim or whether anyone else was in the vehicle---has been released as of Monday morning

(KLZA)--The Nemaha County Nebraska Sheriff's Office has received numerous calls regarding motion picture use money being passed. This is also happening in neighboring jurisdictions.

The Sheriff's Office was made aware of the $5, $10, $20 and $100 bills. When accepting cash, whether in personal or business capacity look carefully at the currency to make sure it says "United States Of America" and not, "Motion Picture Use Only" 

Aside from the currency looking real, there are not watermarks or some of the other safety features present in real currency. 

(KAIR)--Since the time of Tuesday’s Atchison County Commission meeting, where 2nd District Commissioner Eric Noll urged residents to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, citing rising county numbers, another increase in confirmed virus cases is reported.

During the meeting, Noll cited Atchison County’s 56 active cases within the ten days ending Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the Atchison County office of Northeast Kansas Multi-County Health updated those figures, saying that as of that date, July 21, 12 new cases were reported in Atchison County, bringing the confirmed number of active cases to 68.

According to statistics released this week by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, of the 18 total coronavirus variants confirmed in Atchison County cases, nine have been that of the faster-spreading delta variant, the blame, health officials say, for the rise in cases noted nationwide.

Atchison County has had, since the beginning of the pandemic, 1,596 confirmed coronavirus cases. 14 have died.

As officials, such as Noll, continue the push for vaccination, such calls continue to be met with obstinance, as well as questions, including why some who have been vaccinated still contract the virus.

According to a report from the Associated Press, a small number of COVID-19 “breakthrough” cases, as it’s called when a vaccinated person gets infected with the coronavirus, are expected after vaccination, and health officials say they’re not a cause for alarm.

Studies show the vaccines are very good at virus protection, but it’s still possible to get infected with mild or no symptoms, or even to get sick.

If you do end up getting sick despite vaccination, experts say the shots should help reduce the severity of the illness.

Nearly all U.S. hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 are now in people who weren’t vaccinated.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. 

(KLZA)--No serious injuries were reported following a two-vehicle crash in Holt County, Missouri Wednesday afternoon, about a half mile west of Maitland.      

According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 2013 Dodge Avenger driven by a  16-year-old juvenile female from Maitland was turning southbound onto Missouri Highway 113 from Route A when a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 20 year old Eric Ottman, of Oregon, crested the hill north of the intersection. 

The Dodge Avenger struck the Ottman vehicle on the driver side, causing it to skid off the roadway into the ditch and overturn.

The female juvenile was taken by private vehicle to Mosaic Life Care in Maryville to be checked over.

Ottman  was checked at the scene and released by the Atchison Holt EMS. 

The Holt County Sheriff's Office and Maitland Fire assisted at the scene. 

(KNZA)--An elderly St. Joseph couple were injured in a late Thursday night crash on I-29 in Buchanan County, Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 83-year-old Paul Jackson was northbound when his car traveled off the roadway, went down an embankment, and struck a ditch.

Jackson and his 79-year-old passenger, Joyce Jackson, were transported to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.

According to the Patrol report, Joyce Jackson suffered serious injuries, while Paul Jackson received moderate injuries.

The Patrol says the couple were buckled up when the wreck occurred shortly before 10:30.

(KNZA)--Repair work on two bridges in Brown County is scheduled to begin Monday, July 26, weather permitting. The bridges are located on U.S. 73 just south of Reserve.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, traffic will be reduced to one lane through the work zone and controlled by a temporary traffic signal. Drivers should plan for delays of up to 10 minutes.

Work will take place Monday through Friday during daylight hours, and is expected to be completed by November.

PCI Roads, LLC, of Topeka is the contractor on the $840,000 project.

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

(KNZA)--I would like to notify the public that  hotter temperatures are coming our way, PLEASE make sure to check and double check your vehicle every time! 

A child is more susceptible to heat than an adult, just because we do not feel the effects of the heat, it doesn't mean our children aren't suffering. Less than 10 minutes is all the time it takes for the inside of a  car to  reach deadly temperatures.

Heatstroke can occur in temperatures less than 57 degrees, the inside of a car can absorb enough heat within minutes to make temperatures deadly, especially for infants. In most cases of child deaths in cars, the child was forgotten by the parent or caregiver. In approximately 30% of child deaths, children were playing in vehicles unattended.  An even sadder statistic is that almost 20% of the children were intentionally left in the vehicle by an adult.

Be aware of the signs of heatstroke:

CONFUSION

GROUCHY OR IRRITABLE

NAUSEOUS

RED, HOT AND MOIST, OR DRY SKIN

NO SWEATING

THROBBING HEADACHE

DIZZINESS

I am asking that the public remain aware and vigilant to help prevent  these tragedies from happening.  Please be aware when you are in parking lots,  garages or anywhere else vehicles may be parked for any small children or pets that may have been left unattended.  NOTIFY LAW ENFORCEMENT AT ONCE IF  YOU DO SEE A CHILD OR PET IN DISTRESS.

Also, remember our elderly friends and neighbors and those with  medical issues, especially with higher temperatures. Please make sure they are comfortable and hydrated.

If you have outside pets, adequate shade, shelter, food and especially water is a must.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you all for partnering with us for the safety of our community.

Sheriff John D Merchant

Brown County Sheriff's Office

709 Utah Street

Hiawatha KS 66434

(785) 742-7125

(KAIR)--Details are released regarding an Atchison Police pursuit turned-wreck that left a 15-year-old Atchison boy hospitalized in Kansas City, Kansas Friday.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, an officer attempted to stop a GMC pickup truck for traffic violations, at 10th Street and U.S. Highway 59, around 11:45 Thursday night.

Instead of stopping, it’s alleged the driver, identified by authorities as Christopher Horton, fled northbound on 10th Street, with Wilson saying that “because of the reckless driving of the fleeing vehicle, the pursuit was terminated.”

According to the report, the truck was spotted a short time later, eastbound on Harper Drive at 8th Street, with police deploying stop sticks at 3rd and Harper Drive.

Wilson said the truck continued driving despite running over the stop sticks, south on 2nd Street to Main, and then westbound on Main.
It was there, according to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, that the truck left the roadway to the north and struck a building, with the impact of the crash forcing Horton to be ejected from the vehicle.

According to Wilson, Horton was first transported for treatment at Amberwell Atchison, and then transferred to the University of Kansas Hospital.

According to KHP, Horton was being treated for a “suspected serious injury.”

He was not buckled up when the wreck occurred about ten minutes after midnight Friday.

Wilson said “reports on the case are being submitted to the [Atchison] County Attorney’s Office.”

(KNZA)--Jackson County continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases.

The Jackson County Health Department on Wednesday reported 21 active cases, with no hospitalizations. That's up from 13 active cases reported a week before on July 14.

The Health Department said 15 coronavirus variants of concern have been detected in the county, with12 of them being the more contagious delta variant.

Since the pandemic began, there have been 1,446 positive COVID-19 cases in Jackson County, with 15 COVID-related deaths.

The Health Department reports about 49 percent of eligible Jackson County residents have been vaccinated.

(KMZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for a portion of Nemaha County Rural Water District #4, located in Nemaha and Jackson Counties.

KDHE issued the advisory on Monday for customers south of 16th Road in Nemaha County and all customers in Jackson County because of a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

KDHE said in a news release on Thursday that laboratory testing samples collected from the water district indicates no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.  

(KLZA)--Falls City City Administrator Gary Jorn informed the Falls City Council Monday evening that the City was able to be reimbursed through the CARES Act Presumptive Wages for public safety employees in the amount of roughly $148,000. Jorn then sought input from the council on using part of the The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA funds) for premium pay to the public safety employees.

Jorn informed the council that the City received $360,000 from the ARPA funds in their first round of payment. The council asked Jorn to come up with a proposal for the premium pay for public safety employees and present it at their August 2nd meeting.

(KNZA)--U.S. Senator Roger Marshall will host a town hall event in Holton Friday afternoon.

The Republican Senator will be at the Jackson County Courthouse from 4:30 to 5:15.

The public is invited to attend the town hall to learn about federal legislative issues and ask questions of the Senator.

A former Congressman who representated Kansas' First District, Marshall is currently serving his first U.S. Senate term after his election last November.

(KAIR)--Atchison Police are seeking a missing pickup truck, and whoever stole it while parked in Atchison.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the 1997 Ford F-250 was stolen from the 1000 block of Hickory Street, sometime between 10:00 Monday night and 6:20 Tuesday morning.

Wilson describes the truck as two-tone white and champagne, with a black toolbox in the bed.

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

(KAIR)--An Atchison man, accused of pistol whipping a woman, is facing charges related to the alleged attack.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 18-year-old Blayne Williams was arrested Tuesday after officers were called to investigate “a disturbance that had occurred in the 500 block of North 9th” Street involving a group of teenagers.

An 18-year-old woman told responding officers “that during the disturbance, [Williams] struck her in the head with his fists and a handgun.”

The woman was examined at the scene by Atchison County EMS, but was not transported for further treatment of her injuries.

Police located and arrested Williams on charges of aggravated battery and battery.  He was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KNZA)--Representatives of Hamm's Inc. met with the Brown County Commission Monday to discuss fires that have destroyed three of their trailers at the county transfer station in a less than two-year period, with the most recent fire in June.

Charlie Sedlock and Dan Watkins with Hamm's proposed an addendum to their contract that includes a $4 a ton surcharge for 36-months to recover the cost of two of the trailers.

Sedlock said the trailers cost $70,000 to $80,000 a piece.

While the exact cause of the fires is unknown, he said the industry has been wrestling with more fires caused by lithium-ion batteries.

Hamm's is working with the county to mitigate the risk of future fires.

On the recommenation of County Attorney Kevin Hill, the Commission tabled for two weeks a decision on the contract addendum to allow the county an opportunity to discuss the proposed surcharge with local trash haulers.

Hamm's transports trash collected at the Brown County Transfer Station to its landfill at Perry for disposal.

In other business, Commissioner Lamar Shoemaker discussed with commissioners a request from the city of the Horton that the county contribute half of the cost of repairs to the Brown County Fair building roof. Shoemaker said the city has obtained a bid from Lanter Roofing Systems in the amount of $17,100. The commission voted to contribute up to $8,500 toward the roof repairs.

(KAIR)--Impassioned voices from Atchison’s African-American community were heard Monday as the Atchison City Commission considers the future of a historically significant, but structurally unsound structure, that stands on the city’s north side.

At issue is the future of 1118 North 7th Street, commonly referred to as the old Rock Inn, which has been vacant for a number of years.

Owned by the City, and placed within the City’s landbank, a public hearing during Monday’s Commission meeting heard voices asking for the structure to be preserved. 

(KNZA)--An Oklahoma man was arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop in Richardson County Tuesday evening.

According to the Richardson County Sheriff's Office, deputies conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle on Nebraska Highway 75 near Highway 73.

A search of the vehicle was conducted. Suspected cocaine, baggies, marijuana and drug parphernalia were located.

Luis Lopez, of Oklahoma City, was arrested on charges of possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lopez was booked into the Richardson County Jail.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Fair kicks off Thursday at the fairgrounds in Seneca and runs through Monday.

The Fair will begin this evening with the horse show at the Horse Arena.

Friday morning will see the entry of all open class and 4-H exhibits before 10:00. Friday evening will bring a pork BBQ by the Nemaha County Pork Producers at 5:30, hog show, Mutton Bustin' at 7:30 followed by the Kraft Rodeo at the Horse Arena. Kristine Kabbes & The Scallywags will be in concert at Skoch Park from 8:00 to midnight.

Saturday will be see the goat show, dairy show and beef show. There will be carnival games at Skoch Park that afternoon. New this year is a cornhole tournament beginning at 1:00. The 4-H Council will hold a BBQ at the Livestock Arena beginning at 5:30. Saturday evening will also see Mutin Bustin at the Horse Arena, beginning at 7:30, followed by the Kraft Rodeo. Sam Shilts will peform at Skoch Park from 8:00 to midnight.

Sunday will see carnival games in the afternoon at Skoch Park, 4-H Public Style Revenue at 1:30 at the Community Building and Barnyard Olympics at 3:00 at the fairgrounds. The annual parade will take place Sunday evening beginning at 6:30. The theme this year is “ The Fair Must Go On.” Parade attendees will have the opportunity to hear the Topeka High Drum Line, who will also perform in concert at 7:45 at Skoch Park.

The Fair will wrap up Monday evening with a family barbeque by the Sabetha FFA Alumni at the Livestock Arena, auction of Commissioner's cookie jars, presentation of the livestock judging and round robin awards and 4-H & FFA Premium Auction.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Council heard from Falls City Assistant Police Chief Pat Stamper on a request to apply for a USDA grant for equipment when they met Monday evening. The funds would be used for two new patrol units and other equipment. The council approved the grant.

Also during the meeting the council approved a contract between the City and USDI for design services for the gas main and service line replacement for $31,400 as recommended by the Board of Public Works.

The Council also approved the appointment of Tracy Burns as Deputy City Attorney and the hiring of Luke Keller as a police officer.

(KAIR)--Four local cities are among thirty-six Kansas cities that will receive what a release from Governor Laura Kelly calls “a combined total of $23 million to improve highways and intersections as part of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s City Connecting Link Improvement Program,” commonly referred to as CCLIP.

Funded projects fall into one of three categories: Surface Preservation, Pavement Restoration, and Geometric Improvement.

Both Fairview and Centralia are awarded funding for geometric improvement projects, with Fairview receiving $2 million for a project on U.S. Highway 36 and Centralia receiving $1 million for a project on K-9.

The City of Horton is awarded $300,000 for a surface preservation project on U.S. Highway 73, while Atchison is awarded $300,000 for a surface preservation project on K-7 Highway.

According to a release from the City of Atchison, the city’s 17th Street, or Main Street to Country Club Road, “which is also on the route of K-7 Highway through the City,” will benefit from the funds, with “a mill and overlay project to be built in 2022 or 2023,” with the project “likely to be built in tandem with a mill and overlay of Main Street, from 10th Street to 17th Street, which was previously awarded a $300,000 grant through the same Kansas Department of Transportation program.”

Assistant Atchison City Manager Justin Pregont, in the City’s release, says the awarded work “fits together nicely with other recently built projects as well as other planned improvements that are coming over the next couple years.”

According to Kelly’s release, “Highway Infrastructure Program funds coming to Kansas enabled this round of CCLIP funds to increase from $18 million to $23 million for use in fiscal years 2022-2024.” KDOT received 61 applications requesting $37 million in funding towards $47 million in total construction.

According to the release, a city, under the program, “is required to contribute up to 25 percent of the project cost based on its population, though some cities contribute significantly more. Cities under 2,500 in population are not required to provide a match.”

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission has voted to terminate the contract with the David City, Nebraska firm hired to develop a comprehensive plan for the county.

The Commission voted unanimously Monday to terminate the contract with Marvin Planning Consultants, effective July 27.

The action follows recent concerns from the Nemaha County Planning Commission.

The County Commission voted last July to hire the firm.

(KLZA)--The Richardson County 4-h / FFA Junior Fair will begin Monday, July 26 in Humboldt and continue with events through Sunday, August 1.

Local 4-H youth and FFA members will be exhibiting projects throughout the week.

The 4-H building will open at 8:00 a.m. Monday so displays can be set up.
Events on Monday include Fashion Show Judging at 9 a.m.  The Favorite Foods Revue Contest at 11.  The Companion Animal Contest at 2:00 p.m.
Static Exhibit Entry will be from 4 – 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 27 will be the Static Exhibit Judging at 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday, July 28 events include the Horse Show at 9:00 a.m.;  The Meat Goat Show at 4:00 p.m. followed by the Market Goat Show and the Sheep Show.

Thursday, July 29, the Poultry Show is at 9:00 a.m.;  the Rabbit Show will begin at 10:30.  

Friday, July 30 the Swine Show starts at 9:0 a.m., at the same time the Interview Judging Contest will be going on.  The Diar Goat Show will be at 1:00 p.m.  followed by the Dairy Cattle Show.  The Pedal Tractor Pull is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. along with the Riding Mower Contest,  the Tractor Operator Contest and the ATV Contest.  The Clover Kid Showcase begins at 4:30 p.m. followed by the Livestock Judging Contest at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 31 the Ag  Society breakfast will be held from 7 – 8:00 a.m. The Beef Show will be at 9:00 a.m. and the Round Robin Showmanship competition will be at 2:00 p.m.  The 4-H Council Bar-b-cue will be Saturday from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. followed by the Livestock Support Auciton at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, August 1 the Public Fashion Show will be at 3:00 p.m. followed by the Awards ceremony. 
 

(KNZA)--While some neighboring counties and Kansas have seen an increase in COVID-19 cases recently, the number of active cases in Brown County remains low.

Brown County Health Officer Robin Downard provided an update to the Brown County Commission on Monday.

Downard said there are currently 4 active cases in the county, with one hospitalization.

She said Brown County has had one case of the Delta variant, and that individual has already recovered.

Downard said there has been three breakthrough cases in the county of individuals who have been vaccinated but contracted the virus, and all those cases were fairly mild.

Downard reported about 40 percent of Brown County residents have been vaccinated.

(KAIR)--Along with her numerous aviation-related accomplishments, one member of the Blue Origin Space Crew has ties to Atchison.

According to a social media post from Diane Liebsch, a committee member for Atchison’s International Forest of Friendship, Wally Funk “has visited Atchison yearly for decades,” and is considered a great friend of the forest, and participates annually with the children during the Parade of Flags held at the forest.

Funk is a member of the 99’s organization of women pilots, a group formed in 1929, with Atchison native Amelia Earhart named to serve as the group’s first president.

Among her visits to Atchison, the 99’s website highlights a visit by Funk to the International Forest of Friendship in 1996, the year she gave a repeat seminar in both the Cayman Islands and at the forest.

According to the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum, Funk was one of the Mercury 13, a group of women who underwent screening tests at the same time as the Mercury Seven astronauts.
Although Funk’s 1960 space mission was scrapped, on July 20, 2021, as the world watched, she became, at the age of 82, according to the museum, the oldest person to fly in space after she successfully flew with the Jeff Bezos-funded Blue Origin aboard the vertical-takeoff, vertical-landing launch vehicle, New Shepard.

Among her many years of accomplishments and record setting, Funk was also the first female Federal Aviation Agency Inspector, and the first female Air Safety Investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board.

(KAIR)--An alleged threat with a baseball bat sent an Atchison man to jail on a charge for aggravated assault.

That’s according to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, which states that 44-year-old Jason Seager was arrested Monday in connection with an aggravated assault that occurred earlier that morning in the 300 block of Santa Fe Street.

Officers, according to the release, responded to that location, a parking lot outside an apartment complex, around 1:15 Monday morning, where they met a 39-year-old man who “reported that he had been threatened by a [man] with a baseball bat.” According to the report, the man had been working on a vehicle in the parking lot at the time of the alleged threat.

Both men live in the apartment complex, with the victim telling police he was familiar with Seager, “but there had not been any previous confrontation.”

The report states that Seager left the scene of the alleged ballbat threat, but the police investigation led to his Monday afternoon arrest.

Along with the charge of aggravated assault, Seager is held on two District Court warrants for failure to appear in court.

No one was physically hurt in Monday’s incident.

(KAIR)--One area county is reporting a decline in the number of active coronavirus cases.

The Doniphan County Health Department/Home Health Monday reported 14 active cases.

That’s down from the 27 active cases reported July 1.

Doniphan County began to see an uptick in confirmed, positive cases of COVID-19 in June, joining other area counties, the state, and the nation, in seeing a rise in numbers due to what health officials blamed on the faster spreading coronavirus delta variant.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Tuesday continued to show a higher number of cases in Doniphan County than reported at the local level, with 28 of the 30 cases shown by KDHE confirmed as involving the delta variant.

Health officials, both locally and worldwide, continue to put out the call for vaccinations despite some public obstinance.

KDHE Monday reported that the variant’s spread continues to rise across Kansas, with the confirmed delta variant cases in the state increasing 20-percent since Friday, up 158 to 950.

State data cited by the Associated Press showed that Kansas averaged 440 new COVID-19 cases for the seven days ending Monday.

(KAIR)--26 Kansas nonprofit organizations will receive more than $4 million in Community Service Tax Credits, with one recipient based in Atchison County.

According to a a news release issued last week by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, the tax credits are “to improve and enhance fundraising efforts for education, healthcare, childcare, and housing projects.”

Among the 26 beneficiaries of the Community Service Tax Credit program, which Kelly, in the release, calls “an excellent tool [Kansas] can use to to support [the State’s] nonprofits and strengthen the essential services they provide to their communities,” is the Atchison County Community Schools Education Foundation.

According to the release from Kelly’s office, CSP funding is being awarded to the foundation for construction of an 8,400 square-foot, multi-purpose facility “to serve numerous needs present in [the Atchison County] community."

The CSP program provides a 70% tax credit to qualified donors in rural communities with a population less than 15,000 and a 50% tax credit in larger communities

. A highly competitive program, the release notes that awarded nonprofits “were chosen through a competitive, score-based selection process,” with the 26 funded projects selected from 55 requests.

(KLZA)--Fire caused significant damage to a Falls City home over the weekend, but no injuries.

The Falls City Volunteer Fire Department responded to a residence at 803 East 16th Street shortly before 6:00 Saturday evening.

In a release, the Fire Department said a fire had started in a trash basket in the laundry room, and spread to the kitchen, bathroom and living rooms.

Firefighters extinguished the fire quickly, but report significant smoke and fire damage.

Firefighters remained on the scene until 10:00. They were called back around 9:00 Sunday morning after the fire rekindled in the kitchen and spent another hour on the scene.

The home is owned by Charles Bennett and Colleen Langan. Langan was home when the fire broke out and got out safely.

The Fire Department said the fire appears to have started due to the improper disposal of smoking material.

(KNZA)--Three individuals were arrested on drug charges after a search warrant was served on a Fairview residence.

Based on an investigation, Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said the Sheriff's Department's narcotics unit served a search warrant Sunday on a residence at 114 West Front Street.

57-year-old Roger Teske and 65-year-old Jane Teske, both of Fairview, were arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of opiates, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

In addition, 45-year-old Tammy Snethen, of White Cloud, was arrested on charges of possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Merchant said the case remains under investigation and other arrests and charges are possible.

The Sac and Fox Tribal Police Department assisted.

(KLZA)-- Unemployment rates were up slightly in most counties around Southeast Nebraska for the month of June.

Gage County was the exception where the jobless rate dipped a tenth of a percent to 2.1 percent.

Elsewhere the unemployment figures were up four-tenths in Pawnee County to 2.1 percent; Johnson County to 3 percent and Nemaha County, Nebraska to 2.7 percent.

In Richardson County unemployment was up two-tenths to 2.6 percent. Otoe County had the biggest increase in unemployment, up a half a percentage point to 2.6 percent.

Statewide the jobless rate dropped a tenth of a point to 2.5 percent in June. In June 2020 the unemployment rate was 6.6 percent in Nebraska.

(KAIR)--No injuries are reported, but a family is left without a home, as the cause of a late Monday morning house fire remains under investigation.

According to a release from Atchison Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar, Atchison Fire Department crews, shortly after 10:15 Monday morning, were called “to 713 R Street for a report of a TV on fire.”

When they arrived, Weishaar said, “crews found the front, TV room of the residence engulfed in fire,” which the crews were “able to quickly extinguish.”

According to Weishaar, “there was extensive smoke damage to the one story, single family dwelling and the fire had extended into a small portion of the attic above the involved room,” with firefighters having “to open some of the ceiling to gain access to the extended area.”

The release states that “due to the heavy smoke damage the family will be unable to occupy the structure until cleaning and repairs can be made,” with the Atchison Salvation army assisting the family, which was “able to exit safely prior to calling 911 to report the fire.”

According to Weishaar, the investigation of the possible cause was underway just prior to the start of Monday afternoon.

(KAIR)--The theft of a truck, damage to two unrelated vehicles, and damage to Atchison County school district property are all under investigation by the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, “a representative of USD 377 reported Criminal Damage to Property located at 1018 Tiger Road, which is a house owned  by the U.S.D. 377 School District” early Saturday evening.

According to Laurie, “an exterior door had been damaged along with a window,” with the cost estimated at $750.

Late Saturday morning, the Sheriff’s Office received a report that “a flatbed truck was stolen from 305 Seabury Street” in Effingham. The 1975 GMC was later located on T Road, near 134th Road, in Jackson County. Laurie says the investigation is continuing.

On Sunday, an Effingham resident reported that two of his vehicles had been damaged, with scratches found that had not, according to the owner, been there the night before.

Laurie says that investigation is also ongoing, with the damage estimated at $500.

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

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for a portion of Nemaha County Rural Water District #4, located in Nemaha and Jackson Counties.

The advisory affects customers South of 16th Road in Nemaha County and all customers in Jackson County.

KDHE issued the advisory Monday due to a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

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

The advisory will remain in place until further notice.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has agreed to provide funding for participation in a crisis stabilization center.

KANZA Mental Health CEO David Jasper and Keith Rickard, executive director of The Guidance Center, meet with the Commission at their July 12 meeting to to request an annual contribution of $14,139 to provide Doniphan County with access to services at the center.

The center is to be located at the former Cushing Hospital Building in Leavenworth and operated by The Guidance Center, of Leavenworth.

Services would include sobering beds, observation beds and crisis stablization beds.

The care and treatment facility would be a partnership between private industry, state and county government and Medicare. Leavenworth County has contributed $150,000 in seed money towards the project.

Following discussion, the Commission voted unanimously to enter into a one-year agreement with KANZA Mental Health for access to beds at the facility for the $14,139 annual contribution.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central Board of Education received updated cost estimates for proposed improvements to district schools when they meet last week.

HTK Architects, of Topeka, presented the update to the Board.

Superintendent Darrel Kohlman said the total overall estimated cost increased $8 million to $35.5 million due to the increased cost of building supplies.

Among the proposals is a new “ competition” gym and a theater/auditorium. Most of the proposals are for improvements at the high school, but also include four additional classrooms at the elementary school for the Pre-K program.

Kohlman said the board is considering whether to do the full project or if they want to start prioritizing—lowering the cost by eliminating some of the smaller projects.

The board is looking at a bond issue to finance the proposed improvements, and heard a presentation on financing options for a $35.5 bond issue.

A 25-year bond would require a 15.84 mill levy. For the owner of a $100,000 home, it would mean an additional $182 a year in taxes.

A 30-year bond would require a 13.53 mill levy. For the owner of a $100,000 home, it would mean an additional $156 in taxes.

The board discussed whether to place a bond issue on the November general election ballot or hold a special election.

No decisions were made at the meeting, with additional input to be sought.

(KAIR)--Atchison County ended last week with 38 active, confirmed positive cases of COVID-19.

That’s according to a release from the Atchison County office of NEK Multi-County Health issued July 15.

Two days prior to that release, Atchison County had 23 active, confirmed positive cases, with the health department continuing to urge those county residents who are unvaccinated against the coronavirus to do so.

The increase of cases is also noted statewide, with Kansas seeing increasingly larger numbers of new COVID-19 cases and a surge in cases of the faster-spreading delta variant. According to statistics from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, 7 Atchison County cases are confirmed as involving the delta variant.

Doniphan and Jackson Counties have also recently reported an increase in coronarvirus cases, with KDHE showing that 26 cases in Doniphan County involve the delta variant, while 5 cases of the variant are confirmed in Jackson County.

(KMZA)--Prairie Hills USD 113 has a new board of education president.

During their July 12 meeting, the Board elected officers for the 2021-22 school year.

Superintendent Todd Evans said Leslie Scoby was elected as board president and Kathy Lippold as vice-president.

Scoby replaces longtime board president Ed Reznicek. Reznicek had served as board president since May 2012.

Evans said Reznicek was thanked for his service on the board.

(KNZA)--With the start of school just around the corner, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office is again this year collecting new school supply donations.

You can drop off school supply donations of all kinds in the lobby of the Brown County Sheriff’s Office in Hiawatha - from now through August 13th – anytime – day or night. They are always open!

All supplies collected will be delivered to schools in Horton and Hiawatha.

Monetary donations are also welcome and will be used for additional supplies.

Call Cynthia at 785-742-3188 if you have questions. 

(KMZA)--Nemaha County is moving forward with vacating portions of two roads.

Following a public hearing at Monday's Nemaha County Commission meeting, the Commission approved resolutions to vacate a portion of 16th Road in Red Vermillion Township and a portion of T Road in Berwick Township.

Public comment was received concerning the possiblity of repairing the bridges in those locations or installing a tube or low water crossing. Commissioners said those options were not a possibility.

In other business, Con Olson with Nemaha County EMS and Brent Teter and Jay Watkins with Techs, Inc. met with the Commission about finding a new place to house the ambulances for the county.

Currently, the county leases the ambulance barn from the city of Seneca, who would like the Seneca Fire Department to be able to use the building in the future.

(KMZA)--After weeks of low numbers, Marshall County is reporting a spike in COVID-19 cases in the county.

The Marshall County Health Department on Wednesday reported 20 active cases, with two hospitalizations.

Since the pandemic began, the county has seen 1,165 total positive cases, with twenty-five COVID-related deaths.

Atchison, Doniphan and Jackson Counties have also recently reported an increase in coronarvirus cases. The increase of cases is also noted statewide, with Kansas seeing increasingly larger numbers of new COVID-19 cases and a surge in cases of the faster-spreading delta variant.

(KNZA)--Several school district patrons addressed the Hiawatha School Board at their July 12 meeting.

The meeting saw a return of the public comment portion of the meeting, which had been absent for some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing the board during the public comment session were Virgil Hallauer, Larry Stover, Annette Hoskins and Jason Dvorak . In addition, on the agenda to speak to the board was Stuart Aller.

Dvorak expressed concerns about bullying and the lack of discipline in the schools.  Hallauer, Stover, Hoskins and Aller voiced concerns about critical race theory and the district's Diversity Council.

The Diversity Council, which was discussed in the district's May newletter, was formed in late 2019. The article said the Diversity Council was formed to encourage inclusion and equality for all district stakeholders.

Its members, who were selected by Superintendent Lonnie Moser, include educators, board of education members, parents and community leaders.

Moser said he expects the Diversity Council to make a presentation to the board sometime this fall.

Editor's note: USD 415 Superintendent Lonnie Moser issued the following statement  Friday:

(KNZA)--The 2022 Hiawatha city budget has adopted as published.

That came following a hearing at Monday's Hiawatha City Commission meeting, which drew no public comment.

The $8.9 million budget calls a slight decrease in the property tax levy.

It contains an estimated tax rate of 46.259 mills, which is to generate more than $1.1 million in local tax revenue.

Despite a $439,000 increase in the city's assessed valuation, the city did not exceed the revenue neutral rate as established by legislation approved this year by the Kansas Legislature. The “ revenue neutral rate” adjusts the effective tax rate to account for an increase in assessed valuation.

(KLZA)-- The Four County Diversion Program serving Richardson, Pawnee, Nemaha and Johnson counties is hosting a special event called Gab & Gobble on Tuesday, July 20 at 5:30 p.m.

Everyone is invited to attend the event either in-person or from your own home or office.

Discussion topics will include ways to help people thrive in the area by identifying what service exist and how to support or promote them, and what services are still needed in the area.  

If you attend in person at one of the four central locations, supper will be provided.

The central locations include the Falls City Library and Arts Center at 1400 Stone Street;  The ESU Learning Center at 1109 R. Street in Auburn; the Pawnee  City Public Library at 735, 8th Street and at the American National Bank, 310  Broadway in Tecumseh. 

For more information on this special four-county event call 402-414-2460.

Funding for the event comes from the Nebraska Children and Family Foundation. 

The program is to help begin addressing gaps in local communities.

If you want to take part, please register online by Sunday, July 18 at https://bit.lv/grabNGobble.
 

(KLZA)-- The Johnson-Brock Board of Education learned during their Monday evening meeting that registration day for students will be Thursday, August 5 from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

Principal Lucus Dalinghaus also reported the Elementary School Open House will be held on Friday, August 13. 

Superintendent Jeff Koehler informed the Board that the bleachers at the football field will not be installed this summer.  There has been an issue locating another set that matches the requirements.  

Superintendent Koehler also told the Board the CDC is encouraging mask wearing for student age 2 and up.  Koehler is waiting to hear the recommendation from the Southeast District Health Department.       

The Board took no action on a Board Resolution to decline adoption of proposed health standards.  Board members did vote to renew membership in the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association at a cost of $850.  
 

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Board of Education has set the 2021-22 Budget and Property Tax Hearings for September 13 at 6:00 p-m.

Work on the preliminary budget is underway.  District 56 property values are not due to be certified by the County Assessor until August 20.  Early figures indicate the taxable value of property within District 56 is up 3.7 percent from the previous tax year.  

The Board also approved the expenditure of $8,248 in partnership with the University of Nebraska Extension and the HTRS School District to pay a portion of the salary for an assistant in the Richardson County Extension Office. 

(KLZA)-- The Auburn City Council approved renewal of the City Insurance for one year with LARM when they met Monday evening.  

The Council also approved placement and enforcement of parking signs for Legion Park and the Auburn Public Pool Only parking and extending or adding  to the existing designated liquor licenses outdoor area for American Legion Post #23.  

Mayor Dan White's appointments and reappointments to the Auburn Planning  Commission including current Chairman Dave Davis,  Doug Jones and Amber Kinnaman were approved. 

The Council discussed a request from Tom Shoemaker to use ARPA funds to add fiber to the community of Auburn.  No action was taken following the discussion. 
 

(KNZA)--A public health advisory has been lifted for a local northeast Kansas lake.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, announced Thursday that the Atchison County State Fishing Lake, northwest of Atchison, is no longer on the advisory list due to blue-green algae.

Horton's Mission Lake remains under " watch" status, while the Brown State Fishing Lake, northeast of Robinson, has been downgraded from " warning" to "watch" status.

For lakes under watch status, KDHE says people are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water. You should clean fish well with potable water and eat the fillet portion only.

(KNZA)-- The South Brown County USD 430 Board of Education has finalized the facility improvement projects to be included in a bond issue they will present to voters this fall.   

 The Board voted Wednesday evening to move forward with the scope of the bond project that has been discussed in the past meetings.

 Superintendent Jason Cline told MSC News that the Board is to approve a resolution next month to place the $7 million bond issue on the November 2 general election ballot. 

 If approved by voters, the bonds would be paid off over a 20-year period.

 The majority of the bond issue would cover new windows, doors, exterior restoration and updating of the HVAC units at the district's three schools.  In addition, the bonds would cover some concrete repairs across the district and a roof replacement at the elementary school.

 The last bond issue in USD 430 was approved in 1998 and paid off in 2017.     

(KMZA)--Advance voting has begun for the August 3rd primary election for a position on the Nemaha Central board of education.  

According to the Nemaha County Clerk's Office, registered voters that live in the USD 115 school board member position 1 areas of the city of Seneca may now vote an advance election ballot either by mail or in person at the County Clerk’s Office.  

The last day ballots may be mailed out is Tuesday, July 27th. Voters may vote in person up until 12:00 noon on Monday, August 2nd.  

Four candidates are vying for position one on the USD 115 board. They include Doug Dalinghaus, John Howard, Laurie Osterhaus and incumbent Amy Sudbeck.

During the August 3 primary election, the top two vote getters will advance to the November 2 general election ballot.  

For more information, you can contact the Nemaha County Clerk’s Office at 336-2170.

(KAIR)--Two drivers were transported for hospital treatment, following a two vehicle crash two miles south of Saint Joseph, Missouri, Thursday afternoon.

According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a Missouri Department of Transportation truck pulled onto the shoulder of U.S. Highway 59 to make a wide, left turn when a Peterbilt semi tractor trailer attempted to pass the MoDot truck.

According to the Patrol, the MoDot truck turned into the semi, which drove off the left, west side of the highway, and struck an embankment.

The driver of the semi, 52-year-old Paul Bennett, of Seneca, Kansas was transported by private vehicle for treatment of minor injuries at the Sabetha hospital.

The driver of the MoDot truck, James Morris, of Dekalb, Missouri, was transported by Buchanan County EMS for treatment of minor injuries at Mosaic Life Care, in Saint Joseph.

The crash happened shortly after 12:45 Thursday afternoon.

(KAIR)--Although the calendar shows that summer continues, take one look inside many area stores and you’ll see displays, now in place, offering back to school items and savings.

At the same time, the Atchison Public Schools of USD 409 begin enrollment for the next school year.

According to a release from the school district, enrollment for the upcoming school year is open, and enrollment documents are now available in the quick links section of the USD 409 website.

According to the district’s release, the current enrollment is open only to students that currently attend the district, stating that “new student enrollment is not open at this time.”

(KMZA)--One person was killed in a Thursday morning two-vehicle weather-related Pottawatomie County wreck.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened around 8:45 on K-13 Highway.

According to the KHP report, 22-year-old Owen Uhrmacher, of Shawnee, was southbound when his SUV hydroplaned. The vehicle crossed the center line and was struck by a cargo van driven by 39-year-old Jarrod Kirby, of Westmoreland.

Uhrmacher, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Kirby was not hurt.

(KMZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the city of Centralia.

KDHE issued the advisory on Tuesday because of a loss of pressure after a water line was struck. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination. 

KDHE said in a news release on Thursday that laboratory testing samples collected from the city of Centralia indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.  

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central Board of Education has approved a negotiated agreement with teachers for the 2021-22 school year.

The agreement with the Nemaha Central Education Association was approved following an executive session at Monday's board meeting.

Superintendent Darrel Kohlman said $1,300 was added to the base salary, bringing the base pay for a beginning teacher to $38,000. He said that's an about 5.7 percent raise.

Kohlman said the board also approved a similar pay raise for classified staff.

(KNZA)--A Doniphan County road foreman and employee has been fired.

The Doniphan County Commission voted unanimously Monday to terminate the employment of 2nd District Road Foreman Jerry Wayne Carter and 2nd District road employee Eric Ivins in two separate motions according to the unofficial meeting minutes.

No reason was publicly stated for the decision.

Carter's termination was effective July 9th, while Ivins was effective July 12.

The Commission voted to hire Roger Clark as temporary 2nd District road foreman until a permanent full-time foreman is hired.

The Commission also voted to promote Chris Schultz to 3rd District road foreman, effective July 12.

Commissioner Wayne Grable expressed the need to run the county road department as a countywide unit and not by individual districts for the betterment of the entire county.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County  Commissioners approved a plan submitted by Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Kirkendall to relocate an outdoor warning siren further to the east in Falls City when they met Tuesday.

Kirkendall said the current layout of the coverage for the sirens within Falls City means some residents on the eastern side of town don't always hear the warning sirens.  

Commissioners also approved the reappointment of Jameson Baker to the Veteran's Service Committee for a five-year term continuing through June 30, 2026 .

The Board also approved rehiring a former employee at the Law Enforcement Center that was terminated in 2019.

(KLZA)-- The Auburn City Council approved an ordinance Monday night approving an employment contract for a City Administrator / Economic Developer. 

Crystal Dunekacke of Humboldt has been hired for the position and will begin her duties in Auburn on August 16.

Dunekacke has worked several years with the Southeast Nebraska Development  District in Humboldt as a Community Program Manager. 

She is a Humboldt native with a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education from Peru State College and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Dunekacke previously served as a Humboldt City Council member and then as Mayor of Humboldt. 

Her salary for her new position will be established by ordinance in August. 

(KLZA)-- School Districts are currently making decisions on how to spend Elementary and Secondary school Emergency Relief Funds,  more commonly known as ESSER Funds.

Falls City Public School Superintendent Tim Heckenlively said the funding comes from the American Rescue Plan which is basically the third stimulus plan that was authorized. 

Falls City Public Schools have been eligible to receive more than $2.1-million in funding through the program with just shy  of $1.4-million coming in ESSER-III monies.

There are about 17 qualified uses for the funds with the primary target to help with loss learning during the pandemic and funds can also be used on certain facility upgrades, with a primary target being on air quality and air flow. 

District 56 is reviewing input from parents and educators in the district to determine the most beneficial uses for the ESSER funds.  Once the funds are spent, there will not be additional funds coming to continue things like paying staff and ongoing projects. 

There are certain criteria that must be met including at least 20 percent of the funds being spent on learning loss and instruction. District 56 will likely use funds on new reading and math instructional materials,  continuing the summer school program as well as instructional technology.

A large portion of the funds are eligible to be used on some needed upgrades in the District including HVAC improvements at the High School and Middle School. They have been on the project list for a few years as the equipment is now 20-plus years old.

Mental health and guidance counseling for students have also been a big part of the discussion. 

Heckenlively said a Falls High School HVAC project is likely to be one of the issues that are addressed.  A cooler tower at the High School is leaking and to replace the unit, a portion of the roof will need to be removed.  Cranes will be required to lift out the old tower and put in a new one.

The project will likely take a couple of months and the cost is estimated at just under a half-million dollars.

Heckenlively is hoping the cooler tower project can be done this year.  He noted that it would not effect the heating side of the system for the school.
 

(KNZA)--Jackson County is reporting an uptick in COVID-19 cases in the county, with variants of concern being detected.

According to information released Wednesday by the Jackson County Health Department, there were 13 active cases of COVID-19 in the county, with no hospitalizations. That's up from only two active cases on July 7.

The Health Department said eight virus variants have been detected in the county, with the majority being the delta variant.

Since the start of the pandemic, Jackson County has has 1,433 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. 15 have died in Jackson County.

The agency said if you are sick, stay home and get tested. In addition, health officials say to avoid touching your face, wash your hands often and get vaccinated.

The Health Department reported 48 percent of Jackson County residents have been fully vaccinated.

Atchison and Doniphan Counties have also recently reported an increase in coronavirus cases. The increase of cases is also noted statewide, with Kansas seeing increasingly larger numbers of new COVID-19 cases and a surge in cases of the faster-spreading delta variant.

(KAIR)--A Lancaster man is jailed in Atchison County, accused of child-sex related crimes.

According to Atchison County Jail inmate information, 59-year-old Michael Pease was arrested Wednesday by the Atchison County Sheriff's Office.

Pease faces charges including aggravated indecent liberties with a child, and lewd fondling/touching of a child less than 14-years of age.

According to the inmate information, the alleged crimes occurred June 12.

Pease is held without bond.

(KAIR)--An Independence, Missouri woman is jailed in Atchison County, arrested Wednesday for the theft of a vehicle from an Atchison acquaintance.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 23-year-old Kristina Smith was taken into custody Wednesday morning after the alleged Tuesday evening theft.

According to Wilson, the 2011 Volkswagen Passat was reportedly stolen from the 1500 block of Atchison’s Main Street, when the owner of the car left Smith inside while retrieving something that had been left at a nearby car wash. Instead of waiting, it’s alleged Smith drove off with the vehicle, which Wilson said ran out of gas at K-7 and 330th Road Wedneday morning, leading to Smith’s arrest and to the recovery of the car.

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

She’s held on a $1,500 bond.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has approved pay raises for county employees.

The Commission voted Monday to approve employee raises as requested for the proposed 2022 budget and to allow the reallocation of funds to fund the raises.

The Commission also adopted the proposed 2022 wage scale.

Both were approved on a 2-1 vote, with Commissioner Bill Pollock casting the lone dissenting vote.

The raises and new wage scale were effective July 11.

Instead of waiting until 2022, the Commission agreed to move up the pay raises, which range up to $1 an hour.

Pay raises were not included in this year's budget.

(KNZA)--Just weeks after a Hiawatha resident addressed the Hiawatha City Commission about issues with the sales tax streets improvement project, another resident appeared before the Commission Monday evening to voice his concerns as well.

Richard Tesoriero, who has more than 30 years of construction experience, said he was asked to get involved more than a year when some of things on the project weren't going smoothly, and was coming before the commission now because the projected closeout of the project is targeted for September.

He discussed his concerns with the way the project has been run and quality of the project.

Tesoriero said he observed areas where only 6 ¼-inches of concrete was poured instead of the 8 inches called for in the plans and bid specs. He also cited issues with the re-seeding of grass along the streets and methods used by the contractor that he believes are likely to cause long-term problems with the streets.

He urged the Commission not to close out the project and make final payment to the contractor until the issues are addressed.

Mayor Bill Collins said there won't be any close out until the Commission is completely satisfied. He offered to meet with Tesoriero to discuss his concerns.

(KNZA)--A milling and overlay project is scheduled to begin on U.S. 159 in Atchison and Brown counties on Thursday, July 15, weather permitting.

The Kansas Department of Transportation says the work will cover about 16 miles, from the northern city limit of Effingham to the southern city limit of Horton.

KDOT says traffic will be restricted to one lane in the work zone and will be directed by a pilot car, flaggers, signs and cones. Drivers should plan for delays of up to 15 minutes.

Work will take place Monday through Saturday, during daytime hours. The project is expected to be completed by mid August.

Herzog Contracting of St. Joseph, Mo., is the contractor on the $1.9 million project. 

(KAIR)--Thefts, and attempted thefts, early Wednesday morning, in the northeast section of Atchison, are under investigation by police.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, “an attempt was made to take a vehicle from the 400 block of Unity Street,” around 1:00 Wednesday morning. A short time later, Wilson said, forced entry was made into a vehicle, parked in the 300 block of Mound Street, but “vehicle alarms alerted victims and police to both [crime] scenes.” Although the two vehicles sustained damage, nothing was taken.

It was at 1:30 Wednesday morning, Wilson reports, that “police officers attempted to stop a Ford pick up truck pulling a utility trailer in the area of 3rd and Main” Streets.” Although the truck fled from officers, “the trailer was recovered in the 700 block of Riley and the truck was recovered at 5th and Riley,” but Wilson said no suspects were located.

The resulting investigation “determined that the truck and trailer had been stolen from the 900 block of North 6th [Street] sometime after 10:00 Tuesday night,” but no arrests have yet been made.

At 5:30 Wednesday morning, Wilson said “officers responded to 3rd and Laramie where a boat and trailer were sitting in the intersection.” The investigation that followed indicates a 2002 Dodge truck, with trailer and boat attached, “had just been stolen from the 500 block of Washington Street,” with Wilson saying “the truck had then been driven several blocks where the trailer was disconnected and left behind.”

Police continue to search for the truck as the investigation continues.

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

(KNZA)--A new Hiawatha USD 415 board clerk/director of finance has been hired.

Following an executive session at their regular meeting Monday evening, the USD 415 Board of Education voted to hire Levi Thompson for the position.

Thompson, a Hiawatha High School graduate, currently serves as executive director of Vintage Park in Hiawatha.

He will replace Sarah Windmeyer, who had held the position since December 2017. The board accepted her resignation last month.

In other action following the closed door session, the Board voted to hire Kimberly Applegate as an elementary school teacher, Matt Lock as middle school assistant track coach and Madee Walker as assistant middle school volleyball coach.

As part of the consent agenda, the board accepted the resignations of high school social studies teacher Jim Cox and elementary school head custodian Todd Zeigler.

Also accepted was the retirement resignations of Jill Sprick as payroll clerk and Debbie Gamble as elementary school custodian.

(KAIR)--A Tuesday afternoon two-vehicle Leavenworth County wreck sent an Atchison woman to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened shortly before 4:15 at the intersection of 4th and Linn Streets in Leavenworth.

According to the KHP report, a Honda Pilot driven by 77-year-old Michael Meyer, of Leavenworth, was eastbound on Linn Street when he failed to yield at a stop sign and his SUV was struck by a northbound SUV on 4th Street driven by 26-year-old Chelsea Thummel, of Atchison.

Thummel was transported to St. John's Hospital in Leavenworth with suspected serious injuries.

Meyer and a passenger in Thummel's vehicle, 25-year-old Atchison resident Jadon Orr, both complained of pain but were not transported for hospitalized treatment.

The Patrol says both drivers were buckled up when the wreck occurred, but Orr wasn't.     

(MSC News)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Centralia, located in Nemaha County.

The advisory was issued Tuesday due to a loss of pressure after a water line was struck. KDHE says failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

The agency says customers should boil water used for drinking and food preparation for one minute prior to use or use bottled water.

The advisory will remain in place until further notice.

(KLZA)--A Richardson County traffic stop leads to the arrest of a Dawson man on a felony drug charge.

According to the Richardson County Sheriff's Office, deputies conducted a traffic stop Sunday evening of a vehicle on Nebraska Highway 75.

A search of the vehicle was conducted.  The Sheriff's Office says suspected cocaine, baggies and synthetic urine were located.

Adam Walker was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine.

He was booked into the Richardson County Jail.

(KNZA)--An Olathe teenager was injured after crashing his car during a late Monday night police pursuit in Doniphan County.

According to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, 18-year-old Justin Fountain, Jr., was being pursued by Wathena Police on U.S. 36 when he lost control of his 2011 Nissan Altima on a curve about one mile east of Troy and the vehicle rolled around 11:15.

Fountain, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph with suspected serious injuries.

Details surrounding what lead to the pursuit were not immediately available.

(KNZA)--Four Hiawatha residents were arrested on drug charges after a search warrant was served on a Hiawatha residence Sunday afternoon.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said his Department's narcotic unit executed a search warrant at a residence located at 714 Iowa Street.  He said the Narcotic Unit and County Attorney Kevin Hill worked many hours to prepare for the warrant.

Upon arrival at the residence. Merchant said a deputy encountered 48-year-old Michael Ballman near the garage of the residence. He fled after the deputy identified himself and announced “ search warrant.”

He was later apprehended after a short case in the yard of a residence at 703 Pottawatomie Street. Ballman was allegedly in possession of about 9 grams of methamphetamine as well as a quantity of cash.

Merchant said seized during the search warrant was cash, syringes, air pistols, knives, bongs, marijuana, meth pipes, scales, paraphernalia, prescription medication and meth.

Ballman was arrested on charges of distribution  of meth, possession of meth,  possession of drug Paraphernalia and  felony obstruction.

55-year-old Kimberly Wagner was arrested on charges of  possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia

60-year-old Morton Alfrey was arrested on charges of possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

64-year-old Steven Schler was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Merchant said the case remains under investigation and additional charges are possible. 

The Hiawatha Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism assisted.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday to waive the bidding requirements to allow the county to enter into a contract with First Wireless for communication tower and radio equipment for a total price of $398,489.

The Board determined that an emergency exists allowing Commissioners to waive the bidding requirements. 

The Board approved a two-percent salary increase for the Road foremen and the Administrative Assistant at the Highway Department which will be effective as of July 1 of this year.

Salary increases for the staff at the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center were also reviewed. Further discussion will be held during the July 13th Board meeting. 

(KAIR)--Despite a last minute attempt to halt the naming of a new mascot for Atchison’s USD 409, including the submission of a petition said to contain 700 signatures, the Board of Education voted Monday night to name “Phoenix” as the new district-wide mascot.

“Phoenix replaces the former Atchison High School “Redmen” and Atchison Middle School “Braves.” Both names were retired in April on a unanimous vote of the school board, following long studies, and citing insensitivity toward Native Americans.

The school board Monday night voted 5 to 1 to approve the new mascot, with the 1 being school board member Dr. John Eplee who abstained following comments indicating a desire to slow the process.

Recent community surveys placed “Phoenix” as the top selection.

(KNZA)--A former Horton man has been sentenced to prison in a Brown County child abuse case.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill said 31-year-old Justin Ziegler was sentenced Monday in Brown County District Court to a a total of 73 months in prison arising out of his convictions for aggravated battery and felony child abuse against a two-month-old child.

Hill said the sentence was handed down following a lengthy evidentiary hearing during which he presented detailed reports from Children's Mercy Hospital and law enforcement.

Ziegler was accused of beating the child on June 18, 2017.  The child was life flighted to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City with significant injuries.

Ziegler was arrested in April 2018 following an investigation by the Brown County Sheriff's Office, Horton Police Department and the Kansas Department for Children and Families.  He was later released on bond.

After Ziegler's absconded from authorities for nearly two years, he was apprehended in Missouri and extradited to Brown County to stand trial.   

(KAIR)--A weekend roll-over wreck sent a Holton man to the hospital, and left him cited for driving under the influence.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 68-year-old Gerald Gerhardt was driving a 1958 Jeep CJ2 in the area of U.S. Highway 159 and 250th Road, in rural Atchison County, when the roll-over wreck occurred, around 3:45 Saturday afternoon.

Gerhardt, according to the report, “suffered a minor head injury in the crash and was transported by [Atchison County] EMS to Atchison's Amberwell Hospital to receive treatment for injuries sustained in the crash.”

Arrested for driving under the influence and transporting an open container, Laurie says Gerhardt, following hospital care, was released to the Atchison County Jail.

(KAIR)--The Chief Executive Officer of Amberwell Hiawatha is retiring, and the CEO of Amberwell Atchison will serve in both his current role, and in the soon-to-be vacated seat at the Hiawatha hospital location.

According to a release from Amberwell Health, Amberwell Hiawatha CEO John Broberg “has set his retirement date to be effective August 31,” noting that “upon Broberg’s retirement, the Chief Executive Officer of Amberwell Atchison, Jeff Perry, will assume the CEO role at Amberwell Atchison and Amberwell Hiawatha.”

Broberg, the release says, has over 49-years in the healthcare field, and “has served as the senior leader for 29-years and as Chief Executive Officer at four different hospitals.”

First joining the formerly-named Hiawatha Community Hospital as interim CEO in 2016, Broberg “returned to accept a full-time role in 2019.”

The release calls Broberg’s commitment to Hiawatha “tremendous,” adding that he “leaves a truly impactful mark on northeast Kansas health,” and played “a key role in creating the affiliation with Amberwell Health” that the release calls “ground-breaking for rural health.”

Perry, according to the release, “brings 29-years of healthcare experience to Amberwell Hiawatha, of which 23-years have been in management roles.”

Serving 8-years as a combat medic and nurse, Perry holds a doctorate in Health Administration and is a Fellow of American College of Healthcare Executives.

Perry, an Atchison resident since 2019, says, in the release, that he looks “forward to working to strengthen healthcare in Atchison, Hiawatha, and surrounding communities throughout northeast Kansas.”

According to the release, “over the four months since the affiliation of Amberwell Hiawatha and Amberwell Health was announced, both organizations have begun aligning processes and sharing resources to grow and improve access to care for northeast Kansas communities.”

Saying Amberwell “is committed to continue the impact that [Broberg] has made by ensuring growth of the healthcare model that includes facility improvements and growth in services,” the release announces that Dr. Brian Duncan “will be joining Amberwell Health on September 15 and will provide orthopedic surgery and clinic services in both Hiawatha and Atchison.

Additionally, the release notes that “Amberwell Hiawatha will welcome a new Chief Nursing Officer,” with Nichole Chamley named to that position.

The release also notes that facility improvements are planned for Amberwell Hiawatha’s surgical department.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Sheriff's Department is investigating the theft of a vehicle from Baileyville.

The Sheriff's Office says the 2003 Chevy truck was stolen from 253 Nemaha Street on Saturday.  It was later located in Kearney, Nebraska.

An abandoned 2000 Chevy S-10 pickup truck was located on Highland Community College property not far from the location where the 2003 Chevy was stolen in Baileyville.

The Sheriff's Office says the vehicle was identified as having been reported stolen from Franklin, Nebraska. It was placed into impound.

(KAIR)--A vehicle, reported stolen in Atchison, was later involved in a pursuit that ended with two arrests.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu was reported stolen, from the 1500 block of Kansas Avenue, early Sunday morning, and was then spotted that night, at 13th and Main Streets, by a Police Officer who attempted to stop the car.

Instead, the driver fled, with the pursuit ending in the 300 block of Kearney Street when the driver, and several passengers, fled on foot.

The alleged driver, 18-year-old Malakai Short, of Kansas City, Missouri, was located by Police in the 600 block of North 2nd Street, and arrested on charges for possession of a stolen vehicle, and fleeing and attempting to elude.

A 17-year-old passenger was located by Police in the 100 block of Atchison Street, and arrested on a charge of interference with law enforcement.

Short was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

The younger teen was released to a guardian.

(KAIR)--Although construction of Atchison’s new skatepark was set to begin earlier this month, rainy weather has put a slight delay on the plans.

Artisan Skateparks, the contractor for the project, was scheduled to arrive at Atchison’s Reisner Park, site of the new skatepark, last week, to begin grade work on the 4,500 square foot project.

However, Atchison Public Works Director Clinton McNemee told MSC News, the contractor “ran into several days of wet weather in Texas which delayed them on the project” they are completing at that location.
Now, they look to mobilize in Atchison this week.

According to McNemee, the City hauled 550 tons of dirt to the park in recent weeks, with that dirt donated by Rubble Reprocessing, in preparation of the project’s start.

Once Artisan Skateparks begins working at the Atchison location, McNemee says “they expect to be complete in 6-weeks” pending weather.

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 McNemee, the $200,000 project is being funded by a $5,000 grant from the Skatepark Project, formerly known as the Tony Hawk Foundation, a $75,000 City of Atchison contribution, and private donations raised by Skate High with Hope, the Joshua Kinsman Foundation.

(KMZA)--The arraignment hearing for one of two men charged in the death of an elderly Vermillion man has been postponed again.

The hearing for Jeremy Penix II, of Melvern, was continued last week in Marshall County District Court to August 3.

Penix is charged with first-degree murder and five other counts in the death of 83-year-old Donald McLaughlin, whose body was located inside the ruins of his burned out home in January 2020.

Besides the murder charge, Penix is also charged with conspiracy, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, arson and interference with a law enforcement officer.

Co-defendent, Jefferson Goad, of Waverly, recently pleaded not guilty to the same charges and a jury trial was set for November 8.

Penix remains in the Washington County Jail and Goad in the Marshall County Jail.

(KAIR)--An arrest is made in connection with a June pursuit from Atchison Police.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 36-year-old Andrew Feek was arrested Friday, taken into custody on an Atchison County District Court warrant for fleeing and attempting to elude, reckless driving, speeding, and failure to stop at stop lights.  

The crimes are alleged to have occurred June 19. It was on that date, according to Wilson’s release, that an officer attempted to stop a vehicle in the 1600 block of Main Street after the Chevrolet Malibu “was observed driving recklessly out of a convenience store parking lot.”  According to Wilson, “the vehicle fled from the officer, east on Main to 14th, south on 14th to U.S. 59, and east on 59 to Missouri.”

The investigation that followed pointed to Feek as the driver of the car.

Following his Friday arrest, Feek was booked into the Atchison County Jail.  He was later released on $10,000 bond.

(KAIR)---Governor Laura Kelly announced Friday the third round of Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Supplement awards, distributing nearly $4 million to 25 Kansas communities to promote business retention for small businesses affected by the pandemic.

According to a release from Kelly's Office, Atchison County, Troy and Wathena were each awarded $150,000.

“Kansas continues to experience record economic success, bringing in jobs and business investment at historic levels,” Governor Kelly said. “These grant funds will support that momentum by ensuring small Kansas businesses can maintain their workforce. We’ll continue to focus strategic investments that will create a stronger, more resilient economy to help Kansas businesses and families succeed.”

The grant is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce. The two previous grant rounds in this category awarded cities and counties with projects pertaining to economic development and meal programs. However, unlike previous rounds, these grants are available specifically to ensure job retention for Kansas businesses with under 50 employees.

(KNZA)--The 104th annual Brown County Free Fair kicks off today ( Monday) at the fairgrounds in Horton and runs through Friday.

The theme this year is “ Keeping the Dream Alive.”

Tuesday will bring rabbit and poultry shows. The Eddie Grathwohl Memorial Beef Clinic will be held from 10 to 12 in the morning.

The fair parade will take place at 6:00 Tuesday evening. The Topeka High School drumline will be featured during the parade.

The pedal power tractor pull will be held following the parade at 8:00, with registration beginning at 7:30.

Pony rides and face painting will also be available Tuesday evening.

Wednesday brings the swine, bucket calf, beef and dairy shows.

The sheep show will be held Thursday.

Wednesday and Thursday evenings will feature a mechanical bull, bounce houses and face painting. In addition, a rock wall will be available to climb Thursday evening.

Holle's Dance Studio will peform Thursday evening, followed by the headlining Tim Strahman Band at 8:00.

The fair will wrap up Friday evening with the awards program and livestock sale.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council has approved for publication a proposed 2022 budget that calls for the property tax levy to remain steady.

The Council took the action during their regular meeting last week. 

The proposed budget contains an estimated tax rate of 32.585 mills, which is to raise nearly $830,000 in local tax revenue.

Even through the property tax levy will remain the same, the city will collect $30,000 in additional tax revenue due to a $920,000 increase in the city's assessed valuation.

As required by a new state law, the Council approved a notice to be sent to the Nemaha County Clerk of the city's intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate.

The new law establishes a “ revenue neutral rate”, which adjusts the effective tax rate to account for an increase in assessed valuation.

Local government entities that plan to exceed the revenue neutral rate are required to hold a special public hearing in addition to the regular public hearing on the budget.

The Seneca City Council will hold both hearings during their September 1st meeting.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has reported its biggest surge in COVID-19 cases in more than three months with the faster-spreading delta variant becoming a growing public health issue.

Some of the biggest numbers of new cases per capita over the previous two weeks were in counties bordering Missouri--including Atchison and Doniphan. That state has had new cases spike recently because of the delta variant.

Both Kansas and Missouri also have seen vaccinations slow amid some residents’ resistance to getting vaccinated.

Kansas health department data showed that the state had an average of 275 new COVID-19 cases a day for the seven days ending Friday. That was the highest seven-day average since March 2

(KAIR)--A second arrest is made in connection with an ongoing investigation into a burglary and thefts in rural Atchison County.

Taken into custody Thursday night was Atchison resident Anthony Barnhart.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, the 34-year-old Barnhart was arrested on a warrant for the burglary and theft of an air compressor and generator.

Those two items were taken during the burglary, reported June 28, at 18858 262nd Road, and recovered from a residence the next day by Sheriff’s Deputies.

Also taken on that day, from the same rural location, was a trail camera that Deputies located that same day inside a suspect vehicle.

Arrested July 3 for that theft was 43-year-old Walter Taylor. Booked into the Atchison County Jail on related charges, Taylor remains in custody with his bond set at $2,500.

Barnhart, following his Thursday night arrest, was booked into the Atchison County Jail. His bond is set at $10,000.

(KMZA)--Pottawatomie County authorities are seeking information on a shooting near Wamego over the 4th of July holiday weekend.

According to a release from Pottawatomie County Sheriff Shane Jager,  the Sheriff's Office received a 911 call just after midnight Sunday regarding shots being fired into an occupied vehicle on Highway 24 near Bluebird Road, west of Wamego.

Upon investigation, deputies determined several individuals were in a silver Dodge Ram pickup truck when it was shot at by another vehicle. No injuries were reported.

It’s believed the other vehicle continued westbound on Highway 24 toward Manhattan.

Yager said the investigation is on-going and detectives are seeking the public’s help locating those responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Captain Darrin Stewart at 785-457-3353. Tips can also be submitted via the Crime Stoppers link at ptsheriff.com.

(KNZA)--Public health advisories remain in place for three local northeast Kansas lakes due to the presence of blue-green algae, while the advisory for another area lake has been lifted.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism, announced in a news release Friday that the Atchison State Fishing Lake,northwest of Atchison, and the Brown State Fishing Lake, northeast of Robinson, remain under “ warning” status.

Horton's Mission Lake remains under "watch" status.

The release says the health advisory that had been issued for Zone C at Perry Lake has been lifted.

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

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

(KLZA)-- Falls City Mayor Shawna Bindle recognized now retired Falls City Police Chief Duane Armbruster for his 39 years of service to the City as a police officer, including the last 8 years as Chief of Police during Wednesday evenings Council meeting. 

Mayor Bindle also updated Council members on the search for a new City Administrator, noting that several interviews have been completed,  second interviews have been scheduled with some candidates and that applications continue to come in.  

The Council approved the recommendation from the Health Insurance Committee to continue the policy with Blue Cross and Blue Shield with no rate increase for the next year.

The recommendation from Mayor Bindle to appoint Michael Dougherty to a sergeant position with the Falls City Police Department was approved along with an ordinance to issue a combined utility revenue bond series in an amount not to exceed $555,035 for sewer system improvements that included a lift station.

The Council voted to waive the three-reading rule on the ordinance.

(KAIR)--The naming of a new mascot for the Atchison Public Schools of USD 409 is expected to happen Monday.

That’s the next regular meeting of the Board of Education for the school district, with the School Board, and Superintendent, maintaining that the mascot selection would be made during the board’s July meeting; and, according to the agenda for the session, “the Board will take action regarding the renaming of the mascots.”

The mascot ultimately selected will replace both the Atchison Middle School’s “Braves” and the Atchison High School’s “Redmen” mascots. The school board in April voted unanimously to retire those mascots due to cultural insensitivity toward Native-Americans. Retirement of the mascots followed a long-process, including the use of community input sessions, and studies surrounding the district’s non-discriminatory policy.

A mascot committee has been working, in part through the use of community surveys, to select the new mascot.

The community surveys indicate that a district-wide mascot is wanted, using a red and gold district-wide color scheme.

The “Phoenix” mascot was selected as the top choice by 5 of the 7 groups surveyed.

Monday’s decision is expected to happen during the School Board’s meeting that evening, beginning at 6:00, at the Board of Education Office, located at 626 Commercial Street, in Atchison.

(KLZA)-- A Community Health Needs Assessment survey is available for residents in the five-county area served by the Southeast District Health Department and the hospitals serving Richardson, Pawnee, Johnson, Nemaha and Otoe Counties. 

The medical community is asking everyone to take a few minutes and complete the survey which provides valuable insights.  The survey results go directly to the Southeast District Health Department and are anonymous. 

To gain access to the survey log onto the address posted with this story at MSCNews.net. 

https://nalhd.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_50hMxW2yKvgOEui
 

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth driver escaped injury, but a Kansas City, Kansas man is dead, following a rear-end crash Thursday morning in Leavenworth County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the fatal crash happened around 7:30 Thursday morning as both vehicles were eastbound on U.S. Highway 24, at the intersection with 174th Street, in Basehor.

Killed in the crash was 48-year-old Marvin Giron-Ardon. He was the driver of a Chevrolet Tracker that attempted a left-hand turn onto 174th, but was struck by a GMC Sierra truck, driven by 27-year-old Heath Moore, of Leavenworth.

Moore, who was not buckled up at the time of the wreck, escaped with only a possible injury, and was not transported. A 40-year-old passenger in Giron-Ardon's vehicle was transported to the University of Kansas Hospital due to a suspected minor injury. He, and Giron-Ardon, were both wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

(KNZA)--A 24-year-old man has been charged in the shooting death of a St.Joseph police dog.

KQ-2 TV reports Buchanan County Prosecutor Ron Holliday on Thursday charged Valdez McDonald with armed criminal action in the death of K-9 Max.

The dog was shot on the evening of June 30 as St. Joseph police were serving a warrant on McDonald.

Max was one of two K-9's working for the police department.

McDonald also faces a charge of third-degree assault for allegedly attacking his mother.

He remains in the Buchanan County Jail without bond.

(KLZA)-- One woman is dead and four other people suffered minor injuries in a crash on Interstate 29 in Atchison County, Missouri Wednesday evening.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 38-year-old Jovannah Ross of Omaha, was was northbound on I-29 about three miles south of Rock Port when her car began to slide, crossed the grass median and entered the southbound lanes. The passenger side of the car struck the front of a southbound car.

Ross was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The driver of the second vehicle,  34-year-old Emily Ptacnik of Omaha and three juvenile passengers,  ages 2, 4 and 6 were transported by private vehicle to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph with what were described as minor injuries.    

Both vehicles were totaled.

The wreck was reported shortly after 7:30.
 

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council took no action on a proposal from the Southeast Nebraska 911 Center to provide dispatching services for Falls City as part of a regional dispatching service when they met Wednesday evening.

Richardson County has approved a three-year agreement to utilize the regional service at a year one cost of $180-thousand plus one time costs for a new radio tower and new radio equipment.  The cost proposed for Falls City to join was $130-thousand for the first year.  The current dispatching budget for  Falls City is approximately $250-thousand.

Council President Mitch Merz said he did not believe this is the time to make a change in dispatching due to the amount of uncertainties for the City.  Merz noted that for the foreseeable future the City has the necessary equipment with no major costs coming. 

City Administrator Gary Jorn said conversations with a member of the Public Service Commission staff cleared up some questions raised about the future of dispatching regulations.  

Jorn said there is no state mandate to go regional and no state regulation at this time requiring two 911 dispatchers be on duty at all times.

The Public Service Commission personnel also said once you lose  your Public Service Answering Point, it is gone for good and you will not get it back.  

Jorn said he feels as long as the City can afford to pay for the local dispatch service they should keep it. 

The proposal died for lack of a motion.
 

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has approved pay raises for sheriff's department employees for the remainder of this year.

The Commission on Tuesday approved a proposal submitted by Sheriff John Merchant for funding the raises on a 2-1 vote.  Commissioner Lamar Shoemaker cast the lone dissenting vote, saying he needed more time to review the proposal.  

The raises will be funded by utilizing the remainder of the bond and interest funds from the jail sales tax of nearly $52,000 and Sheriff's Department capital improvement funds of $30,000.

The raises are effective July 11.

Merchant said the raises are needed to retain employees.

The action comes as the Commission continues to discuss how to fund pay raises for 2022.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — The federal government will pay $7 million to settle eight cases filed by veterans who said they were sexually abused by a former physician assistant at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Leavenworth.

The veterans alleged that Mark Wisner subjected them to unnecessary genital exams and other physical abuse at the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center.

Wisner was a physician assistant at the hospital from 2008 to 2014.

More than 80 veterans represented by other lawyers settled their lawsuits over abuse from Wisner for $6.7 million in 2019.

Wisner was convicted of aggravated sexual battery and related charges in 2017 and sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison.

(KNZA)--About two-thousand Evergy customers in the Hiawatha area were without power for a large part of Wednesday.

The outage was reported around 10:30 Wednesday morning.

An Evergy spokeswoman told MSC News the outage occurred after a pole containing a transmission line that feeds two sub-stations caught fire.   

She said the pole's proximity to one of the sub-stations made it difficult for crews to restore power before repairs were made.

Crews worked through the day to restore power. 

Power was not restored to all customers until about 1:30 Thursday morning.

(Lincoln) - The Nebraska State Patrol is seeking any information regarding the disappearance of a Jefferson County, Nebraska woman. 

55-year-old Linda Dillard has been missing since the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 16, when she was last seen in the rural Table Rock area.

Dillard is believed to be missing under suspicious circumstances. She is described as a white female, 5’0”, 130 lbs., with blue eyes and brown hair (possibly dyed blonde or wearing a wig). 

She was last seen wearing a white tank top, jean shorts, a white and purple wig, and brown, lace-up sandal boots. She has several tattoos. 

Dillard sometimes walks with a cane and has a medical condition that makes it difficult for her to walk long distances.

Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts or information about her disappearance is urged to submit a tip through Nebraska Crime Stoppers. Tips are completely anonymous and can be submitted via the Nebraska Crime Stoppers website, the “P3 Tips” mobile app, or by calling 1-800-422-1494.

Nebraska Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information in this investigation. Tips to Nebraska Crime Stoppers can be made anonymously.

(KAIR)--Saying there’s been a regional uptick in confirmed, positive coronavirus cases, an Atchison County Commissioner is pushing for the public to get vaccinated.

Second District Atchison County Commissioner Eric Noll, during the Commission’s regular weekly meeting Tuesday, made the push to see county residents vaccinate against the virus. “I do want to encourage everyone that’s listening to try to get vaccinated if they haven’t been yet. There is an uptick in the region, and in the county.”

According to data released Wednesday by the Atchison County office of NEK Multi-County Health, Atchison County has had 15 active cases within the last ten days, with 12 of those involving a coronavirus variant.

Neighboring Doniphan County is experiencing a rise in cases, with the County Commission Tuesday addressing virus-related matters.

The session included a coronavirus update from Health Department/Home Health Administrator Sheryl Pierce, who informed the Commission that Doniphan County currently has 24 active virus cases, with a majority being the new Delta variant. Four are hospitalized.

Pierce, in answering a question posed by the Commission, explained that a few of the recent positive cases are what the unofficial minutes for Tuesday’s meeting calls “breakthrough cases of those fully vaccinated.” However, Pierce clarified that those who are fully vaccinated, but experience COVID, “will experience milder symptoms and are less likely to be hospitalized or die from symptoms of COVID.”

On June 16, Doniphan County was reporting just two active cases.

As of Friday, Brown County reported five active cases, with two hospitalized.

(KAIR)--An arrest is made in connection with one of two thefts committed at a rural Atchison County location, where tools were also stolen during a reported burglary.

A trail camera was also reported stolen from 18858 262nd Road on June 28, and Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, in a release, says 43-year-old Walter Taylor was taken into custody Saturday in connection with the camera’s theft. However, Taylor was not arrested in connection with the burglary, and theft of an air compressor and generator, that were also reported June 28.

It was the afternoon that the report was made that Deputies recovered the stolen camera from a suspect vehicle. The other stolen items were recovered from a residence on June 29.

According to Laurie, there are suspects remaining in the case, with the investigation continuing.

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Governor Mike Parson today announced that Missouri has requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) in 17 counties in response to severe storms and flooding. The joint teams will survey damage that began with severe storms on June 19 and continued through July 1 in preparation for the state's official request for federal disaster assistance.

“The extremely heavy rains that affected much of Missouri in late June resulted in flash flooding that caused significant and costly damage to roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure,” Governor Parson said. “SEMA has continued to communicate with our local partners about damage estimates, and it is clear that a number of counties have sustained high levels of destruction and response costs and that Missouri is approaching the levels required to qualify for federal disaster assistance.”

Once approved, PDAs will be conducted for Andrew, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Carroll, Chariton, Clinton, Cooper, Holt, Howard, Lincoln, Livingston, Moniteau, Montgomery, Ray and Saline counties. In the coming days, additional counties are likely to be added to the PDA request as more damage is documented locally. Joint PDAs are being requested for FEMA Public Assistance, which assists governments and eligible nonprofit organizations by providing reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs.

Joint Damage Assessment Teams are made up of local emergency managers and representatives from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and FEMA. Working together, the teams will document damage to public infrastructure and estimate recovery costs. Requesting joint PDAs is one of the first steps the state must take in order to request the President to issue a federal Major Disaster Declaration. For Public Assistance, both state and county thresholds would need to be met in order for a county to be included in the request.

(KNZA)--The Jackson County Sheriff is seeking what he calls “Jackson County’s Most Wanted.”

According to a release, Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says a reward is being offered for information that leads to the capture of 25-year-old Evalt Christopher Catling, Jr, who failed to surrender to law enforcement despite a court order. His exact crimes are not detailed in the release.

According to Morse, Catling is an African American man who stands 5 foot 9 inches, weighs 145 pounds, and is believed to be in the Topeka area.

Anyone with information related to Catling’s whereabouts are urged to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 785-364-2251.

(KMZA)-- A Sabetha woman has been arrested for the criminal sodomy of a teenage girl.

 According to the Nemaha Sheriff's office, 35-year-old Karen Davis was arrested by the Sabetha Police Department on July 1 on a Nemaha County warrant.  She was later released on a $50,000 surety bond.

 Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert says a complaint filed by his office alleges that between January 25, 2017 and January 24, 2019, Davis engaged in sodomy with a girl who was between 14 and 15 years old.

 Davis is scheduled to appear in court on July 27.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — Leavenworth County officials say a 25-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his half-brother during the weekend.

Cody Huninghake made his first court appearance Tuesday in 17-year-old Robert Nelson's death.

Leavenworth County Undersheriff Jim Sherley said officers who went to a home outside of Leavenworth city limits on Saturday found the victim dead from a gunshot wound. Sherley said the shooting resulted from a disturbance at the home.

Huninghake said during his court appearance on Tuesday that a family member is planning to hire an attorney for him. His next court date is scheduled for July 16. 

(KNZA)--A Fairview man is jailed on drug charges  

According to a report from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, a Sheriff's deputy stopped a vehicle Friday evening around 8:30 for a traffic infraction.

Upon investigation, he said it was determined that the driver, 52-year-old Sean Davidson, had outstanding warrants in Brown County for possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana.

The Sheriff's Department's K-9, Ari, was deployed around the vehicle.

Davidson was arrested and transported to the Brown County Jail.

Following further information and investigation after the traffic stop, Davidson was additionally charged Sunday with possession of meth, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant made a special presentation last week to the Hiawatha Redhawk Trap Club

Merchant presented Hiawatha RedHawk Trap Club coach, Art Vonderschmidt, and Asst. coach, Dan Lierz, a new Henry .20 gauge single shot shotgun and case on behalf of Henry Firearms.   

Henry has always been a big supporter of law enforcement,  youth safety programs and charitable events and created "Guns for Great Causes".    

Merchant said HENRY CEO Anthony Imperato generously donated the shotgun and case to the Hiawatha Redhawk Trap Club to help generate funds for the organization.  

He said Henry firearms are proudly made in the USA and the slogan "PROUDLY MADE IN AMERICA  OR NOT MADE AT ALL"  fits this company to a tee.  

"On behalf of  Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, Coach Art Vonderschmidt and Asst Coach Dan Lierz, we would like to say "Thank You"  to Henry Firearms for their support of local youth trap clubs and law enforcement throughout the United States!"
 

(KLZA)-- A Salem, Nebraska man died from injuries suffered when the closed-cab UTV he was in collided with a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train at a private railroad crossing northeast of Salem Monday afternoon.

The Richardson County Sheriff's Office reported 77-year-old Ralph Burns, Sr, was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck, just west of 645 Boulevard.

48-year-old Brianna Holloway, who was also in the UTV, was transported to Community Medical Center in Falls City with unknown injuries.  

The report from the Sheriff's Office said alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in the wreck which occurred about 3:15 p.m. 

Officials don't yet know who was driving the UTV.

(KLZA)-- Traffic stops by the Richardson County  Sheriff's Department led to the arrests of four people over the extended holiday weekend.

At about 2:45 Monday afternoon deputies conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle on Nebraska Highway 4 near 631 Boulevard.

The Richardson County K9 Unit was deployed and a probable cause search was conducted.  During the search suspected methamphetamine and marijuana were discovered along with related drug paraphernalia.

Area residents 61-year-old Robert Gilbert  and 31-year-old Travis Gilbert were booked into the Richardson County Jail for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.  

Early Tuesday morning deputies conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle on Highway 75 eight  miles north of the Nebraska – Kansas State line.  

The driver allegedly used a false name  Upon further investigation, deputies were able to identify the driver as22-year-old Jose Juan Jauregui-Pina of York, Nebraska.  He was wanted on a York County warrant for being a fugitive from justice and was arrested for false reporting and driving under suspension.  He has since bonded out of jail. 

20-year-old Luis Loza of York was arrested for possession of concentrated THC and  possession of drug paraphernalia.

(KLZA)-- Dr. Michael Evans began as president at Peru State College on July 1. Evans will serve as the 34th president of Nebraska’s first college.

Evans spent his first day visiting with faculty and staff at Peru State. A small reception was also held to officially welcome the new president and his wife, First Lady Joanna Evans.

Evans has expressed his excitement about the opportunity to serve as president and emphasized his commitment to the students, faculty and staff at Peru State College.

Evans said, “Peru State is a truly special place, with an amazing mission and a profoundly supportive and caring culture. Joanna and I are thrilled to be joining this community and contributing to the success of the College and its students.”

On March 24, 2021, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved Dr. Evans to be the next President of Peru State College. Evans succeeds Dr. Dan Hanson, who announced his plans to retire last October. Hanson's last day was June 30, 2021.

The comprehensive search process involved input and deliberation from a wide range of constituents and stakeholders, including the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members, and allowed the Search Committee to choose the best leader for Peru State College and its future.

Dr. Michael Evans served most recently as the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer for Southern New Hampshire University's campus-based program. Prior to SNHU, he was the Provost of Unity College in Maine, and before that, he was the Interim Dean of the Indiana University School of Journalism. He served on the IU School of Journalism faculty for 14 years, earning tenure and promotion there.

Dr. Evans is a graduate of the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard, earned a certificate in higher-education diversity from Cornell, and completed a nonprofit leadership program from Northwestern. His research explores indigenous communities' expressions of culture through mass media. With the support of a Fulbright, he has conducted ethnographic fieldwork with Inuit videographers in the eastern Canadian Arctic, and he has conducted similar research with Aboriginal video and radio professionals in the Australian Outback and Native American journalists in several North American nations.

Evans earned his doctorate and masters in Folklore from Indiana University and his bachelor's in English and philosophy from Bowdoin College.

Peru State College’s “Campus of a Thousand Oaks,” a member of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, is nestled in the hills of historic southeast Nebraska on the Missouri River. The College offers a mix of innovative online and traditional classroom undergraduate and graduate programs, including online graduate degrees in education and organizational management.

Nebraska’s first college, established in 1867 as a teacher training school with one building and 60 students, has transformed over the past century and a half into a state-of-the-art institution offering diverse, multifaceted educational programs to around 2,400 students. Peru State College has long been a wellspring of leadership, an invaluable resource for communities and businesses, and a source of accomplished graduates known for their excellent education and professional competence.

The College has enjoyed considerable support from the State of Nebraska, with more than $75 million of campus renovation projects funded over the last fifteen years. While serving students around the globe, Peru State retains a special commitment to serve the residents and needs of the southeast Nebraska community through education, research and public service programs.

(KLZA)-- The Craig, Missouri, Levee Committee is working with the City of   Craig on an event for Saturday, July 10  titled Craig Reunites II.

The one-day event is being held to raise funds to help support the City of Craig in maintaining future flood prevention.   Because of the 2019 disaster date the City and residents did not receive aid from FEMA  or SEMA according to the Levee Committee release.

Events on the 10th will include a 10 a.m. parade down Ensworth Street to Third Street ending on Main Street.  The Buchanan Highlanders and the Moila Shriners are both scheduled to be in the parade.  

A western reenactment will be held on Main Street following the parade featuring Justin Rother and Gang.

Other events include a ping pong ball drop and  a car, motorcycle and tractor show in the City Park.  

Vendors will set up in the west end of the park.  If you would like information about a vendor booth contact City Hall at 660-683-5412. 

Jackson County Undersheriff Darrel Chapman has completed a program that he has been working on since the beginning of 2020.

Undersheriff Chapman attended training that was a combined program between the Department Homeland Security and the National Sheriff’s Association designed for public safety leadership. In 2020, Undersheriff Chapman attended the first part of the federally funded training in Glynco, Georgia. After completing the entire program in June of 2021, Undersheriff Chapman was awarded certification as a Homeland Protection Professional from the Homeland Protection Professional Certification Board in Phoenix, Arizona. “The Certified Homeland Protection Professional (CHPP) designation was established to ensure that an individual who possesses the designation has the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to be considered a professional in the area of homeland protection.

Those who hold the Certified Homeland Protection Professional (CHPP) designation are prepared to help their organizations prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, mitigate and recover from all hazards including terrorism. They have demonstrated competency, knowledge, skills and abilities in the blended discipline area of Homeland Protection and have completed a rigorous qualification program. Homeland Protection Professionals must have a predetermined blend of experience and education and show completed course work in the knowledge areas required by the Certification Board.”

..

(MSC News)--A 4-year-old Monet, Missouri girl drowned while visiting family for the 4th of July holiday in the Jefferson County community of Perry.

Jefferson Co. Sheriff Jeff Herrig told WIBW-TV that the incident was reported around 6:45 Sunday evening at a home on Main Street.

Herrig says a family member noticed the young girl was missing and then discovered the child’s shoes sitting beside an above-ground pool outside of the home.

Herrig said the family member found the girl unconscious in the water and immediately started performing CPR.

The TV station reports the child was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

(KNZA)--A Saturday morning two-vehicle Buchanan County, Missouri wreck sent two St. Joseph residents to the hospital.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by 65-year-old Larry Johnson was southbound on Missouri Highway 371 about four miles south of Faucett when it crossed the center line and side swiped a northbound pickup truck.

The motorcycle overturned, ejecting both occupants.

Johnson and his passenger, 49-year-old Krystyna Johnson, were transported by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph for the treatment of injuries.

The Patrol said both were wearing helmets.

The pickup driver, 56-year-old Angela Mears, of Faucett, was not hurt.

The wreck was reported shortly after 10:30 Saturday morning.

(KAIR)--A Friday night fire, at a vacant Atchison home, left significant damage, despite a fast response from the Atchison Fire Department.

According to a release from Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar, firefighters “responded to a structure fire” around 11:22 Friday night following “a report of a roof on fire.”

Saying that “crews arrived just moments later to find a portion of the attic and roof on fire,” Weishaar, in the release, explains that “the fire was extinguished quickly but the structure had already sustained significant damage,” adding that “the home has been vacant with no utilities.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

No injuries are reported.

(KAIR)--A Friday night fire, at a vacant Atchison home, left significant damage, despite a fast response from the Atchison Fire Department.

According to a release from Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar, firefighters “responded to a structure fire” around 11:22 Friday night following “a report of a roof on fire.”

Saying that “crews arrived just moments later to find a portion of the attic and roof on fire,” Weishaar, in the release, explains that “the fire was extinguished quickly but the structure had already sustained significant damage,” adding that “the home has been vacant with no utilities.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

No injuries are reported.

(KMZA)--A jury trial has been set for one of two men charged in the death of an elderly Vermillion man, whose body was located inside the ruins of his burned out home in January 2020.

Jefferson Goad, of Waverly, pleaded not guilty last week in Marshall County District Court to a charge of first-degree murder and five other counts in the death of Donald McLaughlin.

The Marysville Advocate reports a jury trial was set for November 8.

An arraignment hearing for co-defendant, Jeremy Penix II, of Melvern, is scheduled for Tuesday, during which he is expected to enter a plea. 

Besides first-degree murder, both men are also charged with conspiracy, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, arson and interference with a law enforcement officer.

The murder charge carries a potential sentence of life in prison.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners this week adopted a resolution stating the Board has determined an emergency exists which threatens serious loss of life, health or property within the county.

This allows the Board to waive the bidding requirements of the County Purchasing act for the purchase of communication equipment through First Wireless, Inc.

This will also allow Richardson County to move forward with the purchase of necessary equipment to have the Southeast Nebraska 911 Dispatch Center do dispatching for the Sheriff's Office and all emergency response groups in Richardson County that are outside of Falls City. 

Commissioners also reviewed staffing at the Law Enforcement Center with Sheriff  Rick Hardesty and Chief Deputy Roland Merwin. 

The contract with Medica Insurance Company for County employee health insurance was also given final approval.  

(KLZA)-- The June edition of  “The Beacon”, a newsletter produced by Nebraska Emergency Management, reports the City of Auburn has been awarded a $50-thousand grant to purchases gear for the  Auburn Volunteer Fire Department. 

The United States Department of Agriculture announced June 23 several grants and loans totaling $975,800 to equip, rebuild and modernize essential services for Nebraska rural communities. 

Auburn will use the grant funds to purchase 15 sets of bunker gear, eight self-contained breathing apparatus equipment with a cascade control system including the needed hoses and cylinders.

The current bunker gear has reached or exceeded the 10-year lifetime standard set by the National Fire Protection Association.

The cascade control will extend the SCBA time before the need to refill from 30 minutes to 45 minutes.  Not only does it extend the time, but these will be fillable on scene, improving efficiency and time usage.

The new equipment will keep the volunteer firefighters safe while serving to protect the community of more than 3,400.

In all, eight projects in the state will benefit roughly 22-thousand rural Nebraska residents. The funds will help rural communities invest in facilities and services vital to all communities such as schools, libraries, hospitals and health clinics. 

Across the country, USDA is investing $185-million in 233 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. 

(KAIR)--Details are released regarding the planned renovation of a former Atchison school building into apartments.

Atchison resident Justin Pregont is the owner of Pomeroy Development, LLC the firm which successfully entered the winning bid for the former Central School Building.

The sale was approved in June on a unanimous vote of the Board of Education for the Atchison Public Schools of USD 409.

Pomeroy Development was the successful high bidder for purchase of the school building property, submitting the high bid of $40,000.

The school board, earlier this year, voted to close the building, citing high maintenance costs, and relocate students who formerly attended the site for the next school year.

Pregont, in a release detailing the history and architecture of the building, which stands at 215 North 8th Street, says buildings like Central School, with “enduring community impact must be preserved even,” Pregont writes, “if their future looks quite different from their past.”

In the release, Pregont outlines the planned apartment conversion, saying the Central School Apartments “will feature 13 apartment units, including two studios, averaging about 460 square feet, 8 one-bedroom units averaging about 775 square feet, 2 two-bedroom units averaging about 945 square feet, and one premium two-bedroom unit with 1,300 square feet” in what Pregont calls “the iconic Kindergarten room on the south end of the building.”

Atchison’s L&L Construction will serve as the general contractor on the project.

According to Pregont, the development team “also intends to pursue a handful of commercial/community use options for the gym/stage space,” but clarifies that “no specific tenant has yet been identified.”

In the release, Pregont explains that the project means the property will be “listed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring that the building remains” what Pregont calls “a character defining piece of the fabric of downtown Atchison for generations to come.”

While listing the property on the National Register will give Pomeroy Development “access to the State and Federal Historic Tax Credit Programs,” Pregont says the listing “also comes with extraordinary requirements in terms of historic preservation, design/review, and construction quality, all of which are positive outcomes for the Atchison community.”

Although Pregont says “there’s too much work to be done to have a clear vision for a completion date,” he notes that the company hopes “to have the apartments available in the summer of 2022.”

(KNZA)--Public health advisories have been issued for four local lakes due to the presence of blue-green algae.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism, announced Thursday that the Atchison State Fishing Lake, located northwest of Atchison, and the Brown State Fishing Lake, located northeast of Robinson, have both been placed under " warning" status.

Horton's Mission Lake and Zone C at Perry Lake have both been placed under "watch" status.

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

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

(KNZA)--Efforts to open a child care facility in Highland move forward.

The non-for-profit group, Doniphan Darlings, has entered into a 10-year, $1 lease with USD 111 for use of the former Doniphan West elementary school building to house the child care facility.

The building needs about $80,000 in renovations prior to opening.

The group is currently raising funds to help cover the renovation costs, with about $12,000 secured to date.

In addition, the group plans to seeks to Community Development Block Grant through the Kansas Department of Commerce to help with the project.

Ben Gilmore, representing Doniphan Darlings, met with the Doniphan County Commission on Monday to seek approval to apply for the grant under the county's authority.

The Commission voted unanimously to allow the group to seek the grant, which requires a 25 percent local match.

According to the 2019 Child Care Supply Demand Report, Doniphan County was ranked 6th worst in the state for childcare needs, with 40 or more children per one child care opening.

(KNZA)--Many area communities will hold Independence Day celebrations this holiday weekend.

Horton will hold its annual fireworks display at dusk Friday evening.

Atchison, Hiawatha, Highland, Holton, Hoyt, Sabetha and Troy will hold firework displays on Saturday evening.

Atchison will hold its display at Warnock Lake, with music beginning at 8:00.

This year will mark the return of the Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce July Jubilee at Banner Creek Reservoir, with vendors and activities Saturday evening. There will be a special ceremony at 5:30 on the north side of the reservoir to honor the community's first responders. Country music singer and songwriter Savanna Chestnut will perform at 8:00 at the reservoir's Shelter House #1. She was featured on NBC-TV's “ The Voice” earlier this year.

Highland and Troy will be holding parades Saturday as part of their 4th of July celebrations. Highland's parade will be at 10:00 in the morning and Troy’s at 4:00 in the afternoon.

Bern, Centralia, Everest, Lancaster, Humboldt and Robinson will hold their Independence Day celebrations on Sunday, with fireworks displays at dusk.

Centralia, Lancaster and Robinson will be holding parades as part of their activities. Centralia's parade will be at 11:30 in the morning. Lancaster and Robinson's parades will be at 6:00 in the evening.

(KAIR)--An area K-9 Officer has died in the line of duty.

KQ2-TV reports that K-9 Officer Max, of the Saint Joseph, Missouri Police Department, was killed Wednesday night when responding to a disturbance on the city’s south side.

According to the TV station, shooting happened in the 5100 block of Barbara Street around 10:30 Wednesday night. A person barricaded inside the house, which led to the response, shot and killed K-9 Officer Max during the disturbance. A 20-year-old man is in custody.

Max was a two-year member of the Saint Joseph Police Department, and served on the Special Response Team.

(KNZA)--The results of an evaluation of Hiawatha's sanitary sewer system were reviewed with the City Commission Monday evening, and improvements recommended to address overflows of the system during heavy rains.

Mike Milius and Brooke Huddlemeyer with Olsson Associates met with the Commission to go over the study.

As part of the study, seven flow meters were installed around the city and two rain guages to monitor rainfall in May and June of this year. Closed circuit television inspections were performed and smoke testing conducted.

The tests did not find any major defects leading to the infiltration of water into the system.

Among the recommended improvements was the creation of storage basins at the north and south lift stations where excess flow could be diverted during times of peak flow, then reintegrated afterward.

Olsson is proposing that the improvements be done in three phases, with the initial phase at the north lift station at an estimated cost of around $3 million.

The Commission agreed to apply for Community Development Block grant funding to help with the project, with no obligation to accept the funds if approved.

(KAIR)--A portion of U.S. Highway 73 in Atchison will be closed to traffic today, Thursday, July 1, for work at that location.

According to a news release from the Kansas Department of Transportation, Union Pacific Railroad maintenance crews will replace the railroad crossing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting.

 The work area will be marked with barricades. There will be no signed detour and drivers will need to find alternative routes.