(KAIR)--Motorists traveling in Missouri Friday, July 1 are alerted to a closure.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Interstate 29 outer road, in Faucett, Missouri, will be closed for a pavement repair.

Local MoDot crews plan to close the outer road, between Route DD and ½ mile north of Route DD, on the east side of the Pilot Travel Center at Exit 35.

Friday’s work is planned from 7 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon, weather allowing.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has approved a resolution that implements a moratorium on commercial wind energy projects in the county for an 18-month period.

The Commission Thursday approved the resolution submitted by County Attorney Kevin Hill on a 2-1 vote. Commissioner Bill Pollock, who voiced concerns about the wording of the resolution, cast the lone dissenting vote.

Commission Chairman Lamar Shoemaker, in making the motion to approve the resolution, said he wanted to get something in place to safeguard the county. Commissioner Rich Lehmkuhl agreed the county needed to get the moratorium in place.

The resolution will take effect after its published in the official county newspaper.

Violation of the resolution would be a Class B misdemeanor punishable by fine of up to $1,000 a day.

The moratorium will allow time for a comprehensive plan to be developed to guide decisions on how to regulate the development of large-scale wind energy projects in the county.

(KLZA)-- The Mound City Board of Education approved an increase in the base pay for district teachers to $38-thousand for the 2022-23 school year when they met Tuesday morning.

The base pay for the previous year was $36-thousand. A new grant program approved at the state level raises the starting salary for teachers in Missouri public school districts to $38-thousand. The grants are only for next year and then the Missouri legislature will have to decide whether it will appropriate the funding again for the next fiscal year.

In other action the Board voted to amend the 2021-22 Budget so revenue and expenditures equal actual revenues and expenditures. These amounts will serve as the preliminary budget for the 2022-23 school year.

After having free breakfast and lunch last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, students will have to pay for meals starting with the new school year. The price will be $2.65 for lunch and $1.50 for breakfast.

(KLZA)-- An early morning traffic stop on Thursday led to the arrest of a Topeka man in Richardson County.

About 1:25 a.m. Deputies stopped Renso Vazquez Cabanas and learned that there were active warrants for his arrest in both Richardson and Otoe counties in Nebraska.

During a search of the vehicle, Deputies located approximately 10 grams of Methamphetamine.

Cabanas is facing charges of possession of Methamphetamine; Possession of money during a drug crime, obstructing a peace officer and no license.

(KLZA)-- The Richardson County Sheriff's Office has been conducting an investigation into the possible possession and distribution of methamphetamine in the Humboldt area.

A release from the Sheriff's Department says that as part of the investigation, they were actively looking for Travis Ross.

An arrest warrant was issued for his arrest for conspiracy to distribute Methamphetamine. Tuesday, June, 28, Deputies and Nebraska Probation wen to 614 Central Avenue in Humboldt where both Ross and Twila Taiclet were known to reside.

Deputies and the Probation Department representative inquired about the whereabouts of Ross. Taiclet admitted to hiding Ross in a locked room in the back of the residence.

A search of the property was conducted with Deputies locating numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia, Methamphetamine and items alleged to be consistent with the distribution of Methamphetamine.

Both Ross and Taiclet were arrested. Ross is facing the warrant charge of conspiracy to distribute Methamphetamine and new charges of possession of Methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school; being a habitual criminal and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Twila Taiclet was jailed for possession of Methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school; being an accessory to a felony; false reporting and possession of drug paraphernalia.

(KNZA)--A Mayetta man is jailed in Jackson County following a vehicle pursuit Tuesday evening.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse said the sheriff's office received a report of a possible intoxicated driver driving reckless northbound in northern Shawnee County on U.S. 75 Hwy in a black Kia.

Shortly, after the report, Morse said a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy observed the vehicle northbound on U.S. 75 in southern Jackson County allegedly travelling at speeds in excess of 100 mph. 

Eventually, a pursuit ensued and the vehicle headed westbound on 158th Road.  The pursuit headed south near L. Road.  The suspect vehicle continued to evade law enforcement driving through yards at an area apartment complex. 

Morse said the pursuit ended on Buffalo Drive where the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Lucas Kitchkommie, was taken into custody. 

Kitchkommie was booked into the Jackson County Jail on charges of aggravated assault on law enforcement, reckless driving, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, driving under the influence, driving while suspended, criminal littering, and interference with law enforcement.

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribal Police and the Kansas Highway Patrol assisted.

(KLZA)-- The boil order for water customers of the City of Peru remains in effect.

The pump has been installed in the well, however, it is not running at the proper capacity. Until the proper capacity is met, the water restrictions remain in place.

Two water samples have been submitted to the state lab and the City is hoping to get the results back by Friday.

Until the results are returned, the Peru water customers must continue to boil water before drinking or cooking with it.

Bottled water for the public is available at City Hall in Peru daily form 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

If you have further questions you may contact City Hall at 402-872-6685.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening approved a consent order with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, which requires  the city to make certain improvements to its wastewater treatment process.  

According to the consent order, the city failed to meet discharge limits for ammonia and E-coli 11 times in the past 18 months.  

In September of last year, the city submitted a schedule for improvements at the city's sewer lift stations, along with a schedule for completion of a study for sewer plant upgrades.  

Under the schedule, the improvements are to start by March 1, 2023 and be completed by March 1, 2026.  

In other business, the Commission approved a letter of conditions from USDA Rural Development for funding to finance phase 3 improvements to the city's wastewater collection system.

 The agency is offering a $1.64 million 40-year loan with an interest rate of 1.5 percent, and $995,000 grant for the project.  

The total project cost  is placed at nearly $3.6 million.  

The city would provide $345,000 in funding for the project, with $600,000 coming from a Community Development Block grant

(KMZA)--An early Wednesday afternoon single-vehicle Pottawatomie County wreck sent an Onaga woman to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 58-year-old Delores Sauvage was northbound on K-63 Highway, south of 286th Road, when her Cadillac Deville left the roadway and struck a field entrance shortly before 12:30. The vehicle became airborne for some distance before coming to rest on it's front.

Sauvage, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital for the treatment of suspected serious injuries.

(KLZA)-- The boil order for water customers of the City of Peru remains in effect.

The pump has been installed in the well, however, it is nor running at the proper capacity. Until the proper capacity is met, the water restrictions remain in place.

Two water samples have been submitted to the state lab and the City is hoping to get the results back by Friday.

Until the results are returned, the Peru water customers must continue to boil water before drinking or cooking with it.

Bottled water for the public is available at City Hall in Peru daily form 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

If you have further questions you may contact City Hall at 402-872-6685.

(KAIR)--Fireworks are blamed for an exterior, residential Atchison house fire, and that leads to an arson investigation.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the damage to the outside of the home, located in the 1200 block of Mound Street, was caused by fireworks being launched at the porch area of the home around midnight Tuesday.

Wilson says his office is approaching the investigation as a case of arson.

According to Wilson’s release, the “fire caused by the fireworks was extinguished by the residents before police and fire arrived on the scene.”

Police, Wilson says, “are following leads as the [Atchison] Police and Fire Departments continue to investigate.”

Anyone with information related to the fire should contact investigators at 913-367-4323.

(KLZA)-- The NEworks website — used by Nebraskans to file for unemployment benefits — has been shut down as a result of a cyberattack.

The Nebraska Department of Labor issued a statement Tuesday, saying the website is unavailable due to a national outage involving the department’s web vendor, Geographic Solutions Inc. GSI reportedly discovered a cyberattack that required its state labor exchange and unemployment claims systems to be taken offline.

GSI has not provided a projection for when the problem will be resolved but indicated the site will be down for at least two more days, Labor Department spokeswoman Grace Johnson said in the statement.

She said that once access to the site has been restored, the state will issue instructions to ensure that all eligible users have an opportunity to file their unemployment claims.

The vendor has indicated that the attack affected only access to GSI online systems and that there was no evidence of user data being compromised.

Currently, the website informs visitors that it is temporarily down for maintenance.

(KAIR)--A Saint Mary's, Kansas man, accused of costly, Atchison County burglaries in 2020, is going to prison.

According to a release from Atchison County Attorney Sherri Becker, Curt Vandevelde, last week, was sentenced in Atchison County District Court to just under 7-years of incarceration.

On June 1, Vandevelde, following a jury trial, was found guilty on all charges, including aggravated burglary of a residence, burglary of a non-dwelling, burglary of a motor vehicle, criminal trespass, and three counts of theft.

In one case, during Vandevelde's burglary spree, a homeowner awoke to find him inside the home. Vanvelde fled. He was later, at another crime scene, found sleeping in a shed. Awakened by the homeowners, Vandevelde again ran, this time escaping into a nearby tree line by the time the Atchison County Sheriff's Office arrived. The agency, through use of it's K9 Officer, was able to track and locate Vandevelde, who was taken into custody and arrested.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a five-percent pay increase for 2023 for the Building and Grounds, Veterans Service Officer, Extension Administrative Assistant and new road employees and full pay road employees once their probationary period ends. The Board also approved a three-percent raise for the Highway Superintendent.

The vote for the pay increase was 2-1 with Commissioner Jan Lang casting a nay vote.

A previous motion to include a $2,000 retention pay for full-time employees and prorated for part-time employees from ARPA funds died for a lack of a second.

Commissioners approved transferring $6-thousand to the County Sheriff's budget from the Jail budget due to the department being short on funds before the end of the fiscal year.

The Board also approved adding a Canine Fund to the budget records.

Commissioners also heard comments regarding the use of ARPA funds but there was no action taken.

(KAIR)--A federal jury on Monday convicted Jorge Perez, a Miami businessman who masterminded the takeovers of rural hospitals in Missouri, Kansas and other states, of conspiracy to commit health care fraud following a 24-day trial in Jacksonville, Florida.

Kansas News Service reports the government charged that Perez and his brother, Ricardo Perez, fraudulently billed insurance companies $1.4 billion, using the hospitals they acquired or managed, for laboratory testing services that were mostly performed by outside laboratories.

The 62-year-old Perez, and his associates targeted financially-ailing hospitals, including the one in Horton, whose insurance contracts provided for higher reimbursement rates for laboratory testing, according to the government. The scheme was designed to make it appear the hospitals themselves did the testing when, in the majority of cases, the testing was done by labs controlled by Perez or his business associates.

(KLZA)-- A special recycling collection event is scheduled for Thursday morning in Mound City.

Holt County Recycling will partner with the Northwest Missouri State University Recycling Center in Maryville for the event to be held at 302 Nebraska Street, the site of the former Laukamper Chevrolet dealership. The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Residents are invited to bring #1 and #2 plastics, aluminum and paper recycling materials to the event.

Items accepted will include cardboard, mixed paper including magazines and catalogs, newspapers, paper egg cartons and paper bags and non-corrugated boxes, glass bottles and jars with no lids and rinsed.

Aluminum cans, pans and and tin cans will also be accepted.

(KLZA)-- The Richardson County Sheriff's Department arrested two people on drug charges this past weekend.

Saturday afternoon about 3:15 40-year-old Travis Barnett of Falls City was arrested for possession of Methamphetamine and tampering with evidence.

The Sheriff's Office in a release thanked citizens who called the incident leading to the arrest and assisted the Sheriff's Department in the case.

Sunday evening shortly before 10:30 44-year-old Rachel Carter of Falls City was arrested on a warrant for delivery of a controlled substance.

(KNZA)--The city of Hiawatha will restart the search process for a new city administrator after they were unsuccessful in hiring someone during the initial search.

On the recommendation of Interim City Administrator Larry Paine, the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening approved contracting with the League of Kansas Municipalities to advertise the position and submit resumes to the city at a cost of $1,750.

The Commission also approved having a group of four current and retired city administrators review the resumes and submit a short list to the Commission at an estimated cost of $600.

The position has been open since former City Administrator Mike Nichols resigned, effective April 6, to take a similar position in North Kansas City, Missouri.

Paine, a retired city administrator from Hillsboro, has been serving as interim administrator since that time.

(KAIR)--Local counties are on track to receive thousands of dollars for fire safety usage courtesy of an annual distribution by the Kansas Insurance Department.

According to a release from the agency, more than $15 million has been distributed, pursuant to the Kansas Firefighters Relief Act, “among 554 local Firefighter Relief Associations throughout the state.”

The funds are generated by a two percent tax paid by insurance companies on fire and lightning insurance premiums written in Kansas.

The release notes that Firefighter Relief Associations “primarily use their distributed funds for insurance premiums and safety enhancements,” adding that “the relief funds may pay for the health, accident, disability, and life insurance premiums of local firefighters.”

Safety enhancements, such as new firetrucks, fire station building improvements, and firefighting gear can be purchased through relief funds loaned to local governing agencies.

Atchison County is named to receive $121,141; Brown County receives more than $61,000; nearly $26,000 is earmarked for Doniphan County; Jackson County earns more than $64,000; Jefferson County receives $94,000; nearly $340,000 is going to Leavenworth County; $72,000 goes to Marshall County; nearly $63,000 for Nemaha County; and Pottawatomie County is set to receive $162,000.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission Monday delayed approval of a resolution that would implement a moratorium on commercial wind energy projects in the county after a commissioner proposed changes be made.

County Attorney Kevin Hill presented a proposed resolution to commissioners at their June 6th meeting, at the request of the commission.  It would impose a $1,000 per day fine for any company in violation and be in effect for 18 months, unless extended. The moratorium would allow time for a comprehensive plan to be developed, which is the first step toward implementing countywide zoning.

Commissioner Bill Pollock Monday presented Commissioners with revised resolution, which included a penalty of up to $15,000 per day and not less than $10,000 per day. Pollock's draft also stretched the moratorium to 24-months.

Hill noted the maximum fine allowed is set by state statute.

A motion by Pollock to have Wichita attorney Patrick Hughes, who specializes in wind energy projects, review both drafts died due to a lack of second.

Hill said he would review the changes proposed by Pollock and discuss it with commissioners when they meet Thursday, June 30.

Commissioner Rich Lehmkuhl said that continuing to argue over details was holding up getting anything in place, which could hurt the county in the long term,

Prior to the discussion, Bill Vonderschmidt with the Brown County Blade Watch Group presented a list of 124 names of Brown County residents opposed to wind energy development in the county.  That's in addition to 243 names previously submitted.

(KAIR)--Local counties are placed under a drought watch as Kansas Governor Laura Kelly approves updated drought declarations Monday.

The declaration places all 105 Kansas counties under either a watch, warning, or emergency status, with a watch meaning drought is possible, a warning meaning its inevitable, and an emergency status meaning drought is happening.

Kelly, in the release, says, “a significant portion of [Kansas] has experienced drought or abnormally dry conditions for the past several months,” adding that the “conditions are forecast to persist or get worse.”

The drought declaration, placing 34 Kansas counties into an emergency status, 8 in a warning, and 63 into a watch, was recommended by Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.

In the release, Owen says the forecast, calling for hot and dry conditions, will likely lead to the rapid intensification of drought conditions in portions of the Midwest over the next few weeks,” adding that “as future outlooks call for hot and dry conditions to continue into July, the potential for a “flash drought” is likely.”

Local Kansas counties placed under a drought watch are Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha, and Pottawatomie.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission voted unanimously Monday evening to grant a 90-day reprieve for a house that had been slated for demolition.

Commissioner Brian Shefferd requested the 90 days to allow a group of volunteers to make a difference in cleaning up the property at 310 Hiawatha Avenue.  

Shefferd said he has been working with Richard and Amanda Davidson on their property.  

The Commission had voted at their May 23 meeting to proceed with demolition of the property, which is on the city's minimum housing codes violation list, after being told no notable progress had made.  

The Commission declined at their June 13 meeting to reconsider their decision.

Shefferd said about 50 people are willing to help clean up the property and others in town to prevent them from being torn down. He said several youth groups are also willing to help.  

He said they plan their first cleanup this Saturday, beginning at 8:00 in the morning. Those interested in helping should contact Shefferd.

(KAIR)--Six students and two chaperones from a Leavenworth County school district, who were riding an Amtrak train that derailed in Missouri Monday, are okay.

WIBW-TV reports the Easton USD 449 group was aboard the train heading to Chicago to represent Pleasant Ridge High School at the FBLA National Convention.

School official told the TV station that all six students have been reunited with their families.

Three people were killed and 50 others injured when a truck struck the train.   

(KAIR)--An Effingham man is facing charges, in part connected to the allegation that he used a knife during a domestic dispute to cut his victim.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, Atchison County Sheriff’s Deputies on Sunday attempted to make contact with the suspect, 27-year-old Anthony Martinelli, and when they did, Laurie says “he resisted arrest and attempted to flee on foot.”

Atchison County’s K9 officer was deployed, and that led to the arrest of Martinelli, who was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

He faces charges for aggravated battery and interference with law enforcement officers.

The cut suffered by Martinelli’s victim required stitches.

(KAIR)--Amelia Earhart, the famed aviator who once lived in Atchison, is being immortalized in the United States Capital.

Announcement that the Architect of the Capitol approved the placement of a statue representing Earhart in the Capitol was made by Kansas Republican U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall.

According to a release from the Senators, the Congressional Statue Dedication Ceremony, which is when Earhart’s likeness will be installed, is scheduled for July 27.

Seeing the statue placed at the Capitol has long been the goal of Atchison supporters of Earhart, whose name each July is remembered with a festival held in her honor in her childhood home city of Atchison.

Moran, in the release, credits the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation, the Earhart Family, and the City of Atchison for what he calls “their persistent work to bring [the Earhart statue] to the Capitol.”

Once put in place, Earhart will become only the 10th woman represented in the 100 statues in the National Statuary Hall.

Marshall calls Earhart a “true Kansas pioneer,” explaining that she will replace Kansan John James Ingalls in the statuary hall. He further said an identical statue to the one placed in the Capitol will also be on display in the Amelia Earhart Hanger Museum, located at Atchison’s municipal airport named in her honor, once in opens in 2023.

Both Senators, in the release, acknowledge Earhart’s achievements and the influence she continues to have, with Moran saying “she led the way for thousands of women to pursue their dreams” in numerous fields, while Marshall calls her “a true Kansas pioneer.”

Atchison resident Jacque Pregont, who has long served as the Amelia Earhart Festival Coordinator, is also chair of the Amelia Earhart Statuary Hall Selection Committee and board member of the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation. In the release, she says the statue will stand as “an inspiring symbol-particularly for women and girls -to boldly pursue their dreams.”

United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy will join Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Moran and Marshall during the Earhart statue dedication and unveiling ceremony set for the morning of July 27.

(KAIR)--A motorcycle, stolen last month from an Atchison residence, has been recovered.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the 2014 Kawasaki KLR 650 motorcycle was located by Atchison Police Sunday. It was found in the 500 block of Q Street.

The motorcycle, valued at $3,500, was stolen May 14 or 15 from a residential garage in the 500 block of North 4th Street.

No arrests are yet made. The investigation is ongoing.

(KLZA)-- A Mound City man suffered serous injuries Saturday afternoon when his motorcycle collided with a pickup on Route “O” approximately three miles northeast of Tarkio.

The Missouri Highway Patrol report indicated 41-year-old Joseph Rhoades of Mound City was southbound on a motorcycle that traveled into the northbound lane and was struck by a pickup driven by 45-year-old Daniel Beckman of Watson, Missouri.

Rhoades was transported from the scene of the wreck by Life-Net Helicopter to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.

Beckman was not injured.

The Atchison County Sheriff's Department, Atchison-Holt EMS and Tarkio Rural Fire all responded to the scene of the wreck.

(KAIR)--An early Saturday morning pursuit ended with the driver arrested and a stolen motorcycle, SUV, and trailer, recovered.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the pursuit began when a pickup truck, pulling a trailer, refused to stop for an Atchison Police Officer in the area of 10th Street and U.S. Highway 59 around 4:45 Saturday morning. Instead, the truck and trailer fled westbound on the highway into the Branchton area and then back to the highway where the truck headed east into Missouri.

A release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie explains that the truck matched the description of the vehicle used to steal a trailer from 6324 Sherman Road, around 2:00 in the morning on June 22.

The suspect vehicle was pursued by an Atchison County Sheriff’s Deputy into Missouri, with the pursuit ending in Platte County. According to Laurie, “the truck had lost all of its tires due to stop sticks being deployed multiple times” during the pursuit.

The driver, now identified as 29-year-old Leavenworth resident Michael Diblasio, allegedly fled on foot into some tall grass, but an Atchison County K9 was deployed, and Diblasio surrendered a short time later. He was taken into custody by the Platte County Sheriff’s Office.

A motorcycle, reported stolen from the 200 block of Atchison’s North 9th Street shortly after the pursuit began, was found on the trailer, which itself had been stolen from 12014 Labette Road. A Polaris Ranger was also found on the trailer. It had been stolen, according to Laurie, from another property on Labette Road.

According to Wilson, prior to the arrest as the pursuit made its way onto the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge, headed towards Missouri, an Atchison Police Officer, on the east end of the bridge, deployed stop sticks in an effort to flatten the truck’s tires. The officer was holding the stop stick cord, which “made contact with the fleeing vehicle and trailer and injured the officers hand,” sending him to the hospital for stitches to a finger. He has since been released following treatment.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners voted that an emergency exists concerning the exterior of the north side of the Courthouse in Falls City.

The Board approved having Andrew Tuckpointing of Clarinda, Iowa make repairs in an effort to stop further water damage to the interior of the building.

The quote from the company for the repair work was $12,590.

Commissioners also approved an agreement with Region V Systems for Emergency Protective Care Services for the next year at a cost of $214 per day.

The Board also reviewed bids received for the construction of a County Shop at Rulo. Following the discussion, the Board voted to not accept the bids and will consider rebidding the project at a later date.

In other action a public hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, July 19 at 9:30 a.m. to receive public input on the proposed closing 660 Avenue between 711 Road and 712 Trail.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee County Commissioners voted to approve the purchase of a new motgorgrader.

During their June 14 meeting the Board received a State Bid quote from Taylor Wenzl with Murphy Tractor for a new 770GP John Deere grader. The bid quote was for $314,856 less the trade in of $95,000 making the final price $219,856.

Commissioners also discussed a new Motorola portable radio system for law enforcement to replace the current outdated radios. A quote from Motorola was $7,648. No action was taken. It is possible that ARPA funds could be used to pay for the new radios.

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Jefferson County Rural Water District No. 10 public water supply system located in Jefferson County. The advisory was issued by KDHE because of a loss of pressure in the distribution system caused by a power outage. Failure to maintain water pressure may lead to a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing samples collected from Jefferson County Rural Water District No. 10 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 first of two community meetings on a bond proposal to fund improvements to Nemaha Central Schools is set Tuesday, June 28.  

The first meeting will take beginning at 12 noon and the second beginning at 7 pm in the Nemaha Central High School commons area.  

Information will be presented on the bond proposal, and USD 115 board members, school administrators and staff, along with the project designers, will be on hand to answer questions.  

Work began on a new bond proposal after USD 115 patrons soundly defeated a $37.6 million bond proposal last November.  Removed was plans for an auditorium and new gymnasium.  

The new proposal includes classroom additions to the high school, along with renovations at the high school—including new HVAC and fire sprinkler systems.

The proposal also includes an addition at the elementary school for the early childhood program and renovation of the high school's CTE building.    

The total project cost has been estimated at $24.2 million.

(KNZA)--A Kansas City, Kansas man died Saturday night after being thrown from his motorcycle in Jefferson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 57-year-old Michael Greene was eastbound on K-16 Highway, just west of Wellman Road, when he failed to negotiate a curve.  Greene was thrown from his Harley Davidson motorcycle and landed in a ditch.  The motorcycle came to rest on the right side of the road.

Greene, who was not wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash was reported shortly after 9:30.

(KMZA)--A new Seneca Chief of Police has been appointed.

The Seneca City Council at their June 15 meeting approved the appointment of Seneca Police officer Dylan Blevins to the position.

Following his appointment, Blevins was sworn in by Mayor Joe Mitchell.

He had been serving  as interim Chief since the resignation of former Chief Jordan Weaver in late April.

Blevins will be paid a starting salary of $52,000.

In other business, the Council approved the sale of Lot 2 of Fairway Addition #2 to the Meadowlark Extension District for $45,300.

In addition, the Council approved the final plats for the Koehler 1 and Koehler 2 Subdivisions. Both plats were reviewed and approved by the city Planning Commission on June 2.

(KAIR)--Details are scarce regarding what led to the arrest of an Atchison teenager this week on sex crimes-related charges.  

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the 14-year-old boy was arrested Thursday, taken into custody by police on an Atchison County District Court warrant charging him with aggravated criminal sodomy.  

Details regarding the victim, including their relationship to the accused, is not made public.  

Because of the age of the accused teen, the matter is placed in juvenile court.

Following his arrest, the 14-year-old was booked into a juvenile detention facility.

(KAIR)--An Atchison driver, who struck a parked vehicle, was taken for hospital care.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 31-year-old Julia Holt was driving in the 1100 block of Laramie Street, around 5:20 Thursday evening, when she struck the vehicle.

Atchison County EMS responded to the scene of the crash, and transported Holt to Amberwell Atchison Hospital for examination.

(LINCOLN, NEB.) — One person has been arrested following an investigating into a shooting that occurred last weekend in Peru, Nebraska. Saturday evening, the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting incident that occurred in the 1200 block of 6th street in Peru. After preliminary response, the Sheriff’s Office requested that the Nebraska State Patrol conduct an investigation into the incident. That investigation has revealed that Guadalupe DeLaCruz, 58, entered the property of Mark Dupre, 25, during a dispute between the two neighbors. During the altercation, DeLaCruz discharged a handgun twice, striking Dupre a single time and missing another person. Dupre was transported to Bryan Health Center West Campus in Lincoln for treatment of non-lifethreatening injuries and has since been released from the hospital. There were several people on Dupre’s property, including children, at the time of the incident. Following the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for DeLaCruz, who turned himself in to Nemaha County authorities early this morning. DeLaCruz has been lodged in Nemaha County Jail for first degree assault, attempted first degree assault, two counts of use of a weapon to commit a felony, child abuse, and carrying a concealed weapon.

(KLZA)-- A boil water advisory is in effect for Peru water customers.

A motor at the community well failed earlier this week and repairs are required. While the well is down, Peru residents are asked to conserve water. There is to be no car washing or lawn watering.

Water is being trucked in from Auburn to Peru. Water must be boiled for one minute before drinking and cooking.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved a request from Sheriff Rick Hardesty to increase the salary for a number of positions at the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center.

Based on comparisons to neighboring counties the Board approved increasing the clerical positions to $19 and $18 per hour. Jailers will be paid $18 per hour, the Jail Supervisor $20 an hour and the Jail Administrator will be paid $22 per hour.

The raises will be effective on July 1.

The Board voted 2-1 with Commissioner David Sickel casting a no vote to eliminate the 90 percent of pay for the first 90 days of employment. Sheriff Hardesty suggested the change as an incentive to attract and retain staff.

The clause in the Richardson County Employee Handbook stating “During the first 90 days of employment, employees earn no more than 90 percent of their pay.” will be eliminated effective July 21.

The Board also voted unanimously to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Humboldt for the County to provide law enforcement services for the next three years beginning September 1, at a cost to the City of Humboldt of $228,888 which amounts to $6,358 per month.

(KLZA)--  Agricultural producers in Nebraska who have not yet completed their crop acreage reports after planting should make an appointment with their U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) service center as soon as possible ahead of the upcoming July 15 deadline.

“Many USDA programs require producers to file an accurate crop acreage report by the applicable deadline,” said John Berge, FSA state executive director in Nebraska. “Most of our planting is complete across the state, so we are asking producers to call their local FSA office to make an acreage reporting appointment, if they don’t already have one scheduled.”

An acreage report documents a crop grown on a farm or ranch and its intended uses. Filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage, can prevent the loss of benefits, Berge said.

The deadline for acreage certification is July 15, 2022. This includes common spring-planted crops, such as corn, soybeans, dry edible beans and sugar beets, but also includes Conservation Reserve Program acres and perennial grass, such as pastures. 

Producers also should report crop acreage they intended to plant, but due to natural disaster, were unable to plant. Prevented planting acreage must be reported on form CCC-576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date as established by FSA and USDA’s Risk Management Agency.

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP-covered crops is the earlier of the date listed above or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins.

FSA offers continuous certification for perennial forage. This means after perennial forage is reported once and the producer elects continuous certification, the certification remains in effect until a change is made. Check with FSA at the local USDA Service Center for more information on continuous certification.

New Option to View, Print and Label Maps on Farmers.gov

Producers with an eAuth account linked to their USDA customer record can now access their FSA farm records, maps and common land units by logging into farmers.gov. A new feature will allow producers to export field boundaries as shapefiles and import and view other shapefiles, such as precision agriculture boundaries. This will allow producers to view, print and label their own maps for acreage reporting purposes. 

Producers who have authority to act on behalf of another customer as a grantee via form FSA-211 Power of Attorney, Business Partner Signature Authority, along with other signature types, or as a member of a business can now access information in the farmers.gov portal. 

Producers can learn how to use the farmers.gov Farm Records Mapping functionality with this fact sheet and these video tutorials. 

More Information

Producers can make an appointment to report acres by contacting their local USDA Service Center.

(KLZA)-- Following a lengthy discussion during their June 13 meeting, Pawnee City Council members approved a three-percent wage increase for all city employees plus a 40-cent per hours increase for crew members when they obtain their sewer certification.

Council members also approved the purchase of a new side-by-side from E.T.'s Lawn & Leisure. City Foreman Spencer Cumley suggested a larger machine with heat, a solid cab and doors power steering and would be a little wider . With a $7,000 trade-in of the current machine, the final price will be $13,274 which will be divided among six city funds.

The Council also approved the new solid waste disposal agreement with Seneca Sanitation as presented earlier.

City Clerk Tammy Curtis said she has visited with Pat Pat Hatfield with NPPD about concerns with the streetlights along the highway if the highway is changed from a 4-lane to a 2-lane highway with a suicide turn lane in the center. If the change is made, Hatfield said the State Engineers could do a “light study” to see if there were any dark spots along the highway. If there were dark spots, the State would have additional streetlights installed at their expense, but the City would have to pay for the additional electricity costs.

It was also noted during the meeting that during an Auto Loss Notice completed on the Pawnee City Fire Department Tele-Squirt ladder truck it was discovered that a rodent had chewed through wiring in the hydraulic section for the ladder. It is expected the cost to repair the damage will be more than the truck is worth. A claims adjuster will inspect the truck at Danco, in Snyder, Nebraska and a cash value would be placed on the truck with a $100 deductible.

The Fire Department is already looking for another truck to replace this one.

Update:  Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie reported the stolen trailer was recovered at Jackson Park in Atchison around 10:00 Thursday morning. The City of Atchison Parks Department stated that it had been there since Wednesday morning.

(KAIR)--Atchison County authorities are on the hunt for a pickup truck and an SUV, both believed to have played a role in the theft of a trailer earlier this week.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, the trailer was stolen from 6324 Sherman Road early Wednesday morning around 2:00.

According to Laurie, investigators believe a 4 door Chevrolet pickup truck, likely a 3500 with dual rear end, and an SUV pulled onto the property and removed the 16-foot bumper hitch trailer.

The truck is described as being a flat-bed with homemade, wood sides.
Details of the SUV are not available.

The stolen trailer, valued at around $1,500, has been located, recovered around 10:00 Thursday morning in Atchison's Jackson Park. According to Laurie, the City of Atchison Parks Department reports it had been in that location at least since Wednesday morning.

Anyone with information about the crime should contact the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office at 913-367-4323.

(KNZA)---A new Wathena Police Chief has been appointed.

The Kansas Chief reports the Wathena City Council Monday approved Mayor John Cluck's appointment of Dennis Thompson to the position.

He was among two applicants.

Thompson has been an officer for the Wathena Police Department since 2014. He previously served as Chief of Police in Sabetha for more than 4 years and as a K-9 handler with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department for more than 2 years.

(KMZA)--A Wamego man has been charged in a Nemaha County child sex case.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert said a complaint filed in Nemaha County District Court charges 28-year-old Joseph Keehn with sexual exploitation of a child.

Lippert said the complaint alleges that on January 20, 2021, Keehn unlawfully persuaded, induced or enticed a child under 18 years of age to engage in sexually explicit conduct with the intent to promote the performance.

The case was investigated by the Seneca Police Department.

Keehn was arrested Monday after being paroled by the Kansas Department of Corrections.  

He remains in the Nemaha County Jail, held on a $50,000 bond.  

Keehn is scheduled to make his first appearance in court June 28.

(KNZA)--A Kansas City man was arrested after a short Brown County pursuit Wednesday evening.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said shortly after 7:00 a Brown County deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a speeding motorist near Nighthawk Road, east of Horton.  

The vehicle refused to stop and a short chase ensued with the suspect vehicle stopping near Euclid Street in Horton, without incident.

Merchant said the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, 24-year-old Gary Williams, Jr., was arrested on charges of felony flee to elude, possession of Marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license cancelled, suspended or revoked, illegal registration and no proof of  insurance. Williams was booked into the Brown County Jail.  

Merchant said over 8 grams of marijuana was located in the vehicle.

(KLZA)-- Holt County U.S. Route 59 at the bridge over Interstate 29, north of Craig, is narrowed to one lane for pavement repairs due to a pavement blow-up.

Crews with the Missouri Department of Transportation began repairs Thursday. Work may extend into tomorrow, Friday, June 24.

Motorists will be guided through the work zones by flaggers. The speed limit through the work zone is reduced to 35 mph around-the-clock until the work is completed

A pavement blow-up occurs when the roadway surface expands at a crack or joint where moisture has seeped in. The crack weakens the pavement, and the heat causes the pavement to buckle and warp.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City Council members were informed during their June 13 meeting that Mallory Branek has been promoted to Head Lifeguard at the Pawnee City Swimming Pool and her wage was increased because of her leadership and initiative in saving a child from drowning and another incident when a citizen had taken an inappropriate video of female guards walking into the pool.

Branek has completed her swim instructor training.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council members approved the recommendation from the City Employee Health Insurance Committee to make a change in providers for the city health insurance coverage when they met Monday evening.

Dan Duren with Benefit Management explained that Blue Cross / Blue Shield had proposed a significant increase in premiums for the next year, totaling 37.25 percent for the City.

Duren said that a premium quote from MEDICA came in with a 15.92 percent increase over what the City was paying. He noted a significant advantage the company is offering, which includes basically, giving free prescriptions for most maintenance drugs including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. He said that would be a huge savings for the employees in out-of-pocket expense.

The Council approved switching to MEDICA with a monthly premium paid by the city of $60,162.

( KLZA)-- Pawnee County Commissioners discussed a canine project during their June 14 meeting.

Sheriff Braden Lang and Deputy Michael Cirrincione provided information and benefits of starting a Sheriff Department canine program.

It was noted that Hagner Strong K9 will donate a puppy free of charge and the county would pay $2,500 for the training of the canine and handler.

Deputy Cirrincione has just over $13,000 donated for a canine program from the community.

Pawnee City Council member Susan Eisenhauer informed the Board earlier in the meeting that the City Council had approved spending $5,000 toward the Sheriff's canine program during the June 13 Council meeting if the County approves the program.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Sheriff's Office obtaining the canine, completing dual purpose training and having the County Attorney review the contract.

(KAIR)--The “lowest unemployment rate in the state’s recorded history.”
That’s what Kansas Governor Laura Kelly celebrated Monday, as the state’s unemployment rate stood at 2.3%. That's the lowest rate since the state started keeping records of monthly unemployment rates in 1976.

According to a release from Kelly’s office, “unemployment continues to decline in the state, even as the unemployment rate nationally holds flat,” with Kelly calling 2.3% “over a full percentage point below the nation’s unemployment rate.”
Kansas, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “has the sixth lowest unemployment rate in the country relative to other states.”

The release, citing “preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services Division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics,” shows a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.3% in May, a decrease from 2.4% in April and a decrease from 3.4% last year.

Meanwhile, the release says “the unemployment rate in the United States as a whole has remained at 3.6% for three consecutive months, a rate significantly higher than Kansas estimates.”

(KAIR)--A variety of items are missing after thieves set their sites on vehicles parked in an Atchison neighborhood.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, it happened in the 1600 and 1700 blocks of Brookdale Drive where three vehicles were targeted.

Taken from those vehicles were tools, golf clubs, ball caps, a range finder, wallets, and cash.

The crimes occurred sometime Monday night.

Anyone with information related to the thefts are urged to contact Atchison Police at 913-367-4323.

(KAIR)--The City of Atchison this week received a clean audit from an independent firm.

According to a release, the Atchison City Commission Monday unanimously approved the 2021 fiscal year audit report during this week’s Commission meeting. Approval came after the Commissioners heard from Stacey Hammons of BT & Co. Certified Public Accountants deliver an unmodified opinion, which, the release says, “is the best possible outcome.”

The audit is performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in the United States, standards contained in Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and the Kansas Municipal Audit and Accounting Guide. It is the role of the auditor to determine if the city’s financial statements are accurately representative of the city’s financial position, and that the city has proper policies and protections in place to ensure the accurate financial reporting of city business.

City Manager Amy Finch, in the release, said the City is “pleased that the auditors found that [the City is] doing [its] due diligence with taxpayer funds,” with Finch adding that “a clean audit only happens when you have the right processes and people to carry out those processes.”

(KNZA)--Voters in the city of  Fairview will decide the fate of a sales tax issue during the November 8th general election.  

The Fairview City Council approved a resolution at their June 16 meeting placing a half-cent citywide retailers sales tax proposal on the ballot.

 Proceeds would go to fund infrastructure improvements.  

If approved by voters, the sales tax would not go into effect until April 2023

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for Jefferson County Rural Water District #10 located in Jefferson County.

The advisory was issued Wednesday because of a loss of pressure due to a power outage. KDHE said a loss of pressure can lead to a loss in chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

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

The boil advisory will remain in place until further notice.

(KLZA)-- A special meeting of the Falls City Council was conducted Monday evening during which John Krajewski, with JK Energy Consulting presented a draft of the 2022 utility rate design study for the Falls City Utility Departments.

Krajewski said Falls City has developed a good program of doing a rate study every three years allowing utility rates to increase some each year, instead of having to do like some communities and have a single large increase in utility costs all in one year.

Krajewski, who has been doing the Falls City Utility rate studies for several three-year cycles now outlined a plan calling for an increase in rates for customers over the three year period 2023- 2025.

The anticipated utility bill increase for customers utilizing all four services provided by the City of Falls City is projected at $9.77 per month beginning in October 2022; $9.92 per month beginning in October 2023 and an additional $8.50 per month beginning in October, 2024.

The largest increase would be in waste water which will increase approximately 15 percent over the three-year period but would be an increase of only about $2 per month. Electricity would increase approximately 14 percent during the period. Water rates would increase approximately 11.3 percent over three years with natural gas going up approximately 4.8 percent for the period.

Krajewski said that current inflation rates are having an effect on utilities, just like everything else.

The rate increases will also help the City pay for a portion of the electrical upgrades planned for the community in the coming years.

The next step is for the plan to go the the Falls City Board of Public Works for their approval in July. Then to the Council for action in August. If approved, the new rates would go into effect in October of this year.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Board of Education heard an update from Superintendent Tim Heckenlively Monday night on School Safety.

Much discussion has come about in the education world since the tragic school shooting Uvalde, Texas.

Senator Lynne Walz, Chair of the Nebraska Unicameral's Education Committee, has called together a group of education groups to discuss a response to the shootings.

Senator Walz has asked Education Commission Matt Blomstedt to convene a task force that would study safety conditions in Nebraska's schools, public, private and higher education and make recommendations for improvements.

Locally, the Falls City Public schools review each school buildings safety plan at least once per year and are reviewed by the school's safety team which includes the Falls City Police Department, Richardson County Sheriff's Department, Richardson County Emergency Management and the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department.

In addition, all buildings are locked-down and have only single entry access at the front door during the school day.

The Falls City Police Department has increased its presence in the school buildings in order to build positive relationships with students and to bridge the communication, safety and security priorities of the Falls City Public schools.

(KLZA)-- The 2022 Scarp Tire Recycling event in Pawnee County is scheduled for Thursday, June, 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The drop-off site will be across the street from the Pawnee County Shop at 342, 5th Street in Pawnee City.

This year the event will be open to the public and will include businesses that do not collect a tire disposal fee. Tire retailers or businesses that have charged or collected fees to accept scrap tires are not eligible to bring in scrap tires for disposal at the grant-funded scrap tire cleanup.

All the tires brought in must be off of the rims.

(KNZA)--The South Brown County Community Foundation was recently launched.

Representatives of the Foundation meet with the Horton City Commission at their June 6 meeting to discuss the new group.

The Foundation will serve as a fundraising source for charitable donations to groups in Horton, Everest, Powhattan, Willis and the Kickapoo Tribe.

There are 13 current members of the Foundation, and any individual, corporation, or organization can create a fund for $1,000.

The South Brown County Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization due to its affiliation with the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, which helps smaller Kansas communities manage funds. At the same time, the affiliate boards maintain local control.

The Foundation will hold its first annual match day event during the Brown County Fair July 12-15th at the Horton Community Building. The theme is Refresh-Renew-Revive South Brown County.

Donations can be made at the foundation's website at southbrowncf.com.

(KAIR)--A new principal is named for Atchison’s Maur Hill-Mount Academy.

According to a release issued Tuesday by the private, Catholic prep school, named to the position of leadership is Dr. Cameron Carlson, who comes to the Atchison school from Newman University, in Wichita, where he was Dean of the School of Education.

Prior to that, Carlson, who has what the release calls “an extensive background in Catholic Education, both as a teacher and administrator,” served as the Academic Dean of Education at Wichita’s Kapaun-Mt. Carmel a decade before moving on to higher education.

The release calls Carlson “a great choice” for Maur Hill-Mount Academy, citing his “experience as a Catholic school leader, teacher, and trainer for aspiring teachers.”

Carlson will move to Atchison, where all three of his children attended Benedictine College.

(KNZA)--A Falls City, Nebraska man has been charged in a Brown County grain theft case.  

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill said a criminal complaint was filed earlier this month charging 40-year-old Jay Bechtold with three counts of felony theft, with two of the alleged thefts falling between $25,000 and $100,000, and the third between $1,500 and $25,000.  

According to the criminal complaint, the charges stem from the alleged theft of grain tickets and/or checks from the Morrill Elevator.

 Bechtold was charged following a lengthy investigation by the Brown County Sheriff's Office.

 He was extradited from Nebraska on a Brown County warrant and transported to the Brown County Jail on June 15.  

Bechtold was released Monday after posting a $75,000 bond.

(KLZA)-- The Richardson Count Sheriff's Department arrested 33-year-old Shelby Kuker of Falls City Friday on nine felony counts.

Following an investigation into the distribution of controlled substances in Falls City the Sheriff's Department requested an arrest warrant.

Kuker was arrested on two counts of delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a playground; Three counts of delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a playground, those substances being Suboxone; Fentanyl and Methylphenidate; Kuker faces two counts of possession of drug money and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

(KLZA)-- Nebraska continues to set records and be a national leader in employment and unemployment figures.

For the month of May, Nebraska leads the nation with a 1.9 percent unemployment rate. Nationally the jobless rate in May was 3.6 percent.

With 1,042,762 people working during the month of May, it marked the 11th consecutive month oF record employment in the state.

Locally, unemployment figures in Southeast Nebraska remained low. Richardson, Nemaha and Pawnee counties had unemployment rates of 1.6 percent. The jobless rate in Gage and Otoe counties was 1.8 percent and Johnson County had the highest jobless rate in the area at 2.3 percent.

Kansas ranked sixth in May with an unemployment rate of 2.3 percent; Iowa was tied for 12th at 2.7 percent and Missouri was 20th with an unemployment figure of 3.1 percent.

The job growth in Nebraska has also contributed to another month of strong State General Fund tax receipts. In may, receipts in Nebraska were over $52 million above the forecast.. Nebraska is on track to have more than $1.8 billion in cash reserves at the end of fiscal year 2023.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee County Sheriff Administrative Assistant Nancy Tilton met with the Board of Commissioners during their June 14 meeting to provide information on the benefits of a school resource officer.

Commissioners gave Tilton permission to discuss with the Pawnee County Schools if there would be support from the school districts for such a program.

Sheriff Braden Lang and Tilton also met with Commissioners to discuss the Sheriff's Budget. They estimate it will require an additional $4,000 to make their budget for the fiscal Year. The matter will be discussed again during the June 28th Board meeting.

Following discussion the Board voted unanimously to approve the Sheriff's credit card limit being increased to $2,500 monthly with a $1,000 limit per purchase.

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska State College Board of Trustees has approved two new degree program options for Peru State College.

The two new options are included under the Business Administration major, they are Healthcare Business Option and Certified Management Accountant Business Option.

Peru State President Dr. Michael Evans says the program will help students launch meaningful careers in high-demand fields which is a win for the students and a win for Nebraska.

The Business Administration – Healthcare Business option provides a strong business core and healthcare-focused courses to provide the student with skills that develop the ability to navigate the unique challenges of healthcare organizations including hospital, outpatient and ancillary services.

There is a projected growth of 32 percent for Medical and Health Services Managers from 2020 – 2030.

The Business Administration – Accounting: CMA Option prepares students for high-demand careers in financial reporting and management. There are more than 100,000 accounting and finance professionals around the world with only 5,000 certifications granted each year. In May, there were 752 such openings in the state of Nebraska.

(KLZA)-- A 20-year-old Texas man is facing multiple charges following a pursuit beginning in Richardson County early Tuesday morning and ending in Nemaha County, Nebraska.

A news release from the Richardson County Sheriff's Office said Deputies grew suspicious of criminal activity when a vehicle noticed their presence and began making multiple turns without signaling in an attempt to dodge the deputies.

When the Deputies activated their emergency lights to pull the vehicle over, the vehicle proceeded north on Highway 75 near mile marker 11. Deputies then engaged in a pursuit that reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour.

The pursuit ended in Nemaha County, Nebraska at the intersection of Highway 75 and 725 Road when Nemaha County Deputies were able to spike the tires on the vehicle.

Once the vehicle came to rest, the male driver fled on foot and was later arrested. The driver was identified as Chase Cook, from Texas.

Once the vehicle was stopped, Deputies discovered there were multiple minors in the vehicle, one being less than three-months old. A 58-year-old female passenger was transported to the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn.

Cook is facing multiple charges in Richardson County including several felonies. The felony counts include two counts of child endangerment; four counts of false imprisonment; and flight to avoid arrest. In addition there are several misdemeanor charges.

This is an ongoing investigation and more charges could be filed.

The Richardson County Sheriff's Office thanked the Nemaha County, Nebraska Sheriff's Office for their assistance.

(KNZA)--A resurfacing project is scheduled to begin Tuesday , June 21, on U.S. 36 in Doniphan County.

The work will cover about 6 miles, from just east of Troy to just west of Wathena.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, 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 occur Monday through Saturday during daylight hours and is expected to be complete by mid-July, weather permitting.

Dustrol, Inc., of Towanda, is the contractor on the $768,000 project.

(KAIR)--An Atchison County resident was able to free himself after a tractor-mower rolled over on him Monday morning.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 66-year-old John Gehring “was operating a compact tractor, mowing along a roadside ditch in the 3000 block of Sheridan Road” when the tractor slid and rolled over, trapping the rural Atchision County resident underneath.

Gehring, who was able to free himself and contact 911, was transported for hospital treatment of suspected injuries by Atchison County EMS.

The accident happened around 9:20 Monday morning.

(KLZA)-- A 9-year-old boy from Dawson died following a collision involving a motorcycle on Wednesday, evening, June 15 in Macedonia, Iowa.

Brandon Stewart, son of Joe and Jessica Stewart was a visitor in the Pottawattomie County, Iowa community and was riding a bicycle when he was struck by a motorcycle.

According to the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office, the investigation is ongoing and the name of the person driving the motorcycle has not been released.

A funeral service for Brandon Stewart of Dawson will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 at the the Dorr and Clark Funeral Home in Falls City.

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Department of Transportation has reopened the Highway 8 bridge over the North Fork of the Big Nemaha River near Salem with a new weight restriction.

Following the completion of a bridge inspection last week the bridge, located just east of Salem was closed to all traffic.

Friday the bridge was opened to vehicles with a 9 ton weight limit.

The Department of Transportation will continue to have experts evaluate the bridge and determine what steps need to be taken to repair the bridge in an effort to remove restrictions.

(KAIR)--The fast action of a resident, who kept an Atchison house fire from spreading, is being recognized following the early Monday morning residential fire.

According to a release from Atchison Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar, fire crews were called to 901 Price Boulevard, around 12:15, Monday morning.

When they arrived, smoke and flames were seen coming from a second story window, but all of the five occupants were reported to be out of the home.

The release notes that the family’s mother, who apparently alerted the family to the fire, closed the upstairs bedroom door while evacuating, which contained the fire to the second story bedroom.

Fire crews, when they arrived, quickly made their way to the upstairs bedroom where they extinguished the fire.

The family’s 4 dogs and 2 cats have been accounted for.
No one was hurt.

The fire remains under the investigation of the Atchison Fire Department.

Kansas Gas, Evergy, and Atchison utility crews all responded.

Also assisting at the scene were the Atchison Police Department, Atchison County EMS, and the Atchison Salvation Army, which Weishaar says provided aid to the displaced residents and refreshments for the emergency crews.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth man is dead, killed Sunday night in a two-vehicle Leavenworth County crash.

 Dead is 40-year-old Eric Lee Chappell who the Kansas Highway Patrol reports was riding a motorcycle westbound in the 18000 block of Eisenhower Road, about 6 miles west of Lansing.  

The Patrol reports that Chappell's Suzuki was struck by an eastbound Jeep Renegade that went left of center, at a high rate of speed.  

The Jeep was driven by 19-year-old Eric Lee Karpierz, of Lansing. He and his passenger, 17-year-old David Davis, Jr., both escaped injury.  

According to KHP, the fatal wreck occurred shortly after 9:00 Sunday night.

(KAIR)--The body located in the Missouri River near Atchison Friday night has been identified.

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett, in a release, identified the body as 39-year-old Michael Zorn, of Saint Joseph.

Puett, in Sunday evening’s release, said preliminary id of the body followed an autopsy, with those results pending.

It’s believed Zorn was homeless at the time of his death, and the Sheriff’s Office was working to locate any potential relatives of Zorn. The Sheriff’s Office, late Sunday, said information related to Zorn was received from the public and Deputies were continuing efforts to locate potential relatives.

Zorn’s body was recovered from the Missouri River by Buchanan County authorities after the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office, aboard the Atchison County Rescue boat, notified the Missouri agency that the body was on the Missouri side of the river.

That followed response to the scene by the Atchison County authorities around 8:30 Friday night after the body was reported being seen about 2-miles north of the Atchison city limits.

(KAIR)--The Friday evening discovery of a body in the Missouri River, near Atchison, is confirmed by Atchison authorities, but details regarding the identity, or circumstances of the death, are not immediately determined.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the body was recovered on the Missouri side of the river by Buchanan County, Missouri authorities.

That followed response to the river by Atchison-area based rescue personnel, including Atchison County Rescue and the Atchison County Sheriff's Office, with the body reported about two-miles north of the city limits. Those two agencies took to the river, aboard a rescue boat, with Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie telling MSC News that based on the location of the body, the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office was notified. 

As of 9:00 Friday night, the situation was in the hands of Buchanan County authorities, but Wilson said depending on the circumstances and identification of the body, the investigation may expand in scope.

Emergency crews were called to the scene around 8:30 Friday night after the body was spotted in the river.

(KMZA)--The Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education has approved a negotiated agreement with teachers for the 2022-23 school year.

Under the agreement approved Monday evening with the Prairie Hills Education Association, Superintendent Todd Evans said teachers will see an average salary increase of 3.7 percent.

He said the agreement calls for $1,750 increase in the base salary, from $39,250 to $41,000.

The agreement must still be approved by teachers.

Evans said the board also approved a 3.17 percent salary increase for district administrators for next school year.

In addition, the board approved school fees for the 2022-23 school year. Lunch prices will increase 6.7 percent. The last price increase was for the 2018-19 school year.

Evans said admission to athletic events will be slightly higher for the upcoming school year. He said the Big 7 and Twin Valley League will increase their suggested admission cost to $4 for children and $6 for adults.

Also the Board approved a grant application for school safety improvements.

If approved by the state, Evans said the grant would pay 50 percent of the $45,772 requested to improve video surveillance and electronic door access to district schools.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Board of Education accepted the resignation of Special Education Teacher Pam Joy when they met Monday evening. She had been with District 56 for six years.

The Board accepted the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations, Communities for Kids Contract grant in an amount of $78,500. Falls City is one of twelve communities to receive a contract for child care capacity building.

The funds are intended to help increase high quality licensed child care availability in communities where there aren't enough spots for the children who need them. Current child care providers in Falls City will be included in the program.

The annual transportation report was presented by Transportation Director Tyler Bek. The eight rural bus routes traveled 89,739 miles during the previous school year, down from nearly 95,000 miles in 2020-2021. The average number of students transferred each day was 317 to and from school.

Falls City Public School students were transported to 353 school activities covering just over 47,000 miles.

(KLZA)--  For the second straight year, the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges froze tuition at the Chadron State, Peru State, and Wayne State Colleges for the 2022-23 Academic Year.

The Board also reduced the non-resident undergraduate tuition rate to match the resident rate in an effort to encourage out-of-state students to attend a State College in the hopes of further addressing Nebraska’s workforce shortage.

 The tuition freeze applies to undergraduate and graduate; resident and non-resident students; and online rates. The State Colleges are able to keep the same rates due to the support of the Governor and Legislature.

Dr. Paul Turman, Chancellor of the Nebraska State College System (NSCS) said that affordability is one of the State Colleges’ highest priorities as we work to increase degree attainment in Nebraska.

(KLZA)-- Longtime Pawnee City High School teacher, coach, athletic director, bus driver and current Pawnee City Council member Bruce Haughton is being remembered.

Bruce Haughton of Pawnee City died Tuesday, June 14 at the age of 75.

A Memorial Service for Bruce Haughton will be Monday morning at 10:30 at St. Peters Lutheran Church of rural Elk Creek, with visitation Sunday from noon until 8 p.m. at the Wherry Mortuary in Pawnee City.

Bruce Haughton taught at Pawnee City from 1969 – 1984 and then worked as an insurance agent.

Haughton served many school, civic and church organizations through the years.

He is survived by his wife Karen; a son Ryan, daughter Angie Hunzeker; sister Ruth Mandery and brother Harlan Haughton.

(KNZA)--Hiawatha residents will again be able to discharge fireworks at the City Lake to celebrate the 4th of July.  

The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening approved allowing the discharge of fireworks at the lake on June 30th until 10 pm and July 1st-4th until midnight.  

Its against city ordinance for residents to discharge fireworks in the city limits.

The city of Hiawatha will be hosting its annual fireworks display July 3 at dusk.

Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau Administrator Sarah Kleopfer Monday evening presented a $2,500 check to the city toward the purchase of the fireworks for the celebration.

(KAIR)--The Atchison High School-based food pantry is seeing success in providing to those in need.

That was shown in an update provided Monday to the USD 409 Board of Education regarding the status of the Campus Cupboard, described as "an in house food pantry that provides food to any enrolled student and their families."

The update was delivered to the Board of Education for USD 409 by Atchison educator Sarah Tschauder, who explained that the Campus Cupboard operation is a partnership with Saint Joseph, Missouri-based Second Harvest Community Food Bank. That organization stocks the in-house food pantry, which is overseen by volunteers.

According to the report tracking the Campus Cupboard's operations for the 2021-2022 school year, the number of "generous donations" during the year allowed an expansion of services, with the pantry, along with food, providing coats, gloves, scarves, prom dresses, and basic cleaning and hygiene supplies, as well as establishing a "school supply wall" which provided students with notebooks, pencils, and other classroom necessities.

The report shows that 99 bags of toiletries were distributed during the school year, as well as more than 2 and-a-half-tons of groceries, with over 90-percent community donated. That's an increase above the previous, coronavirus-focused school year, with 50-percent community donated.

Handwritten "thank you" notes were sent to each donor.

The Campus Cupboard opened in March, 2019.

(KMZA)-The Nemaha Central Board of Education has approved a negotiated agreement with teachers for the 2022-23 school year.

The Board approved the agreement with the Nemaha Central Education Association when they meet Monday evening.

Under the agreement, Superintendent Darrel Kohlman said teachers will receive an about  5 percent pay increase.

It includes a $2,000 increase in the base salary to $40,000, which he says has been a goal of the board for a couple of years.

In other business, the board approved a $1 per hour pay increase for classified staff.

In addition, the Board approved several new hirings for next school year. They include Matt Stallbaumer as high School vo-ag teacher; Regina Leonard as high school English teacher; Hannah Cole as a first grade teacher and Barb Nordhus as food service director.  

Accepted were the resignations of high school vo-ag teacher Marya Haverkamp and 1st grade teacher Jenna Burger. Haverkamp will teacher vo-ag part-time for the first semester of next school year.

(KNZA)--Interest is being gauged for student participation in new sports approved this week for Jackson Heights High School.

According to a release, the Board of Education for USD 335 Monday approved baseball and softball for the high school, with the release saying the plan is to begin play during the 2022-2023 school year.

The release notes that participation must be estimated to allow the district to know if it needs both Varsity and JV schedules.

In order to to gain that information, the district is asking patrons to take a four question survey now posted on line. 

The school asks that the survey be filled out only once per respondent in order for an accurate answer to be gained.

(KNZA)--A Winchester, Kansas motorcyclist was killed Thursday afternoon in a crash in southern Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it happened on U.S. 60 Highway about 1.5 miles east of Fremont around 2:00.

The Patrol reports 71-year-old Michael Beckham was eastbound when he failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. His motorcycle ran off the highway and overturned.

Beckham, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man was killed in motorcycle crash Thursday in Brown County. 

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on U.S. 73 Highway about one mile south of the Nebraska-Kansas state line.

The Patrol reports 51-year-old Luke Scheidt was southbound when for an unknown reason his 2005 Yamaha motorcycle left the roadway, crossed a driveway and overturned.

Scheidt, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Patrol says the crash was reported around 5 p.m., but its unknown at this time when it occurred.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held Saturday evening at Brenner Field on the northeast edge of Falls City.

Thousands of people have been attending the event in recent years. As of earlier this week, the Falls City Chamber had sold more than 1,100 tickets for this years event which is behind the normal pace. Chamber Director Amber Holle said a majority of the tickets have been purchased by people living outside of Falls City. She noted this would be a good year for area residents to attend the Hot Air Balloon Festival if they have been skipping it due to the crowds.

11 hot air balloons are scheduled to participate in the event, coming from as far away as Oklahoma.

The Chamber has made an effort to have additional food trucks and vendors on hand this year so there should be no shortage of food. A Kansas City band featuring 80's music will be playing throughout the evening.

The gates will open at 5:00 p.m. Saturday with the balloon liftoff scheduled for 7 p.m. depending on the weather. After the flight, the balloonists will come back to Brenner Field and will set up their balloons for the balloon glow at dusk.

Sunday morning the Falls City Area Jaycees will sponsor a fly-in breakfast with the balloons expected to lift off around 7:00 a.m. There is no charge to come watch the balloons and see the planes fly in and take off.

A free-will donation will be accepted for the pancake and sausage breakfast.

For more information call the Falls City Chamber office at 402-245-4228 or search online at Falls City Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Tickets for Saturday events are $12 for adults. $5 for those ages 5 – 12 and admission is free for kids under 5.

(LINCOLN, NEB.) — The Nebraska Department of Revenue, Property Assessment Division, reminds property owners that valuation protests must be filed on or before June 30, 2022. If there was an increase or decrease from the 2021 assessed valuation of a real property parcel to the 2022 assessed value, the county assessor was required to send a notice of valuation change to the property owner on or before June 1, 2022. If a change of valuation notice was not received, and there was a change in value from 2021 to 2022, contact the local county assessor for more information. If a property owner disagrees with the assessed value, whether or not a notice of valuation change has been received, a protest may be filed with the county board of equalization. The valuation protest may be filed in person or by mail with the county clerk in the county where the property is located. Requirements for filing a protest are on the Notice of Valuation Change. All real property protests are required to be completed using Property Valuation Protest Form 422 or 422A. If a protest is sent to the county board of equalization through the U.S. mail, the protest is considered filed on the date of the postmark. If a protest is sent through the U.S. mail using either registered or certified mail, the date of registration or certification will be considered the postmark date. For more information regarding filing a protest, please contact the county clerk where the property is located. County contact information is available at https://revenue.nebraska.gov/PAD/county-assessors-and-parcel-search. For further information, see the Real Property Valuation Protest Information Guide.

(KNZA)--Plans for a Doniphan County bridge replacement project move forward.

The Doniphan County Commission, when they met Monday, approved an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for the replacement of a bridge on 195th Road, about two miles east of Troy.

Under the agreement, KDOT will be responsible for 80 percent of the construction cost, with the county responsible for the remaining 20 percent.

According to the unofficial meeting minutes, bid letting for the project is scheduled this November, with construction taking place in 2023.

In other business, Commissioner Wayne Grable asked 2nd District Road District Foreman Sean Price the plan for the rebuilding of 150th Road from K-7 Highway to Port William Road.

Price said the road crew is currently working on side roads to accommodate the relocation of traffic while work is being performed on 150th Road. He said the crew has 3-4 days of patch work to complete prior to chip seal, with the 150th Road project commencing around July 1st. The project will begin on the east end and work west.

And on the recommendation of County Clerk Peggy Franken, the Board approved a pay increase for election board workers from $7.25 an hour to $10 an hour, beginning with the August 2nd primary election.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission, in a special meeting Tuesday evening, received training on the requirements of the Kansas open Meetings Act.

The training was provided by the League of Kansas Municipalities.

Following the session, the Commission approved a resolution declaring its intent and desire to comply with all provisions of the Open Meetings Act. The resolution has been posted on the city's website.

The training session and resolution were among conditions of a consent agreement the Commission approved earlier this year after Mayor Bill Collins, along with Commissioners Brian Shefferd and Evans Woelecke, were found to have violated the Open Meetings Act.

That determination was made following an extensive investigation by the Brown County Attorney's Office, through the independent assistance of the Atchison Police Department.

The investigation was launched by Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill following two separate requests after the three commission members voted in favor of terminating former Police Chief John Defore at their December 27, 2021 meeting.

(KNZA)--A man, arrested after a search warrant was executed at a Hiawatha motel, could face more charges for allegedly attacking officers during the raid.

According to a release from Hiawatha Police Chief Mickey Gruber, 38-year-old Zackariah Reed was arrested on a Brown County warrant for criminal threat.

The search warrant was obtained after Hiawatha Police were called to the Stars Inn Motel, at 207 Lodge Road, on the evening of June 9. The investigation following their response led to the warrant, which led to a search of a motel room, and to the arrest of Reed.

According to the release, “there are potentially more charges to come” because a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper and a KHP K-9 “were both struck with a blunt object during the execution of the search and arrest warrants.”

The Trooper was not hurt, but the K-9 suffered minor injuries.

Along with the KHP, Hiawatha Police were assisted by the Brown and Nemaha counties Sheriff’s Offices, Sac and Fox Tribal Police, and Brown County Dispatchers.

Following his arrest, Reed was booked into the Brown County Jail. As of Wednesday, he remained in custody, held on a $25,000 bond.

(KAIR)--A teenage bicyclist, struck by a vehicle while riding in Atchison early Tuesday evening, went to the hospital.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, it happened around 5:35 when Atchison resident Chelsea Thummel was driving northbound on 10th Street when the 17-year-old cyclist, westbound on Mound Street, failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection and was struck by Thummel’s vehicle.

The cyclist was taken by private vehicle for hospital examination.

(KAIR)--Atchison residents with questions, or concerns, regarding next month's sales tax referendum to fund infrastructure, are encouraged to attend a forum planned for tomorrow evening, June 16.

According to Atchison Assistant City Manager Joe Warren, the Save Our Streets Sales Tax Question Education Forum is will be held at the Atchison Event Center, and will run for two hours, from 6 until 8:00.

According to Warren, the forum will include a presentation of information by the City about the tax, including its uses if approved by voters. A question and answer session will conclude the forum.

The Atchison City Commission last month gave approval to the Citywide Sales Tax Referendum, which would approve a 1-percent city wide sales tax for transportation infrastructure and property tax relief. If approved, it would earmark 75% of the revenue generated for Atchison infrastructure, including street and sidewalk repair, while 25% would go toward property tax relief. That means the City’s portion of the mill levy will be lowered by an amount directly correlated to the money generated by the tax.

The citywide sales tax referendum is set for next month.

If approved, it would take effect January 1, 2023 and sunset after 20-years.

(KLZA)-- The Highway 8 Bridge over the Nemaha River east of Salem has been closed by the Nebraska Department of Roads.

A spokesperson with the NDOT tells MSC News that following a routine inspection and review of the results Wednesday morning, the bridge was shut down immediately.

An evaluation of the bridge is continuing but as of now the bridge is closed indefinitely.

Richardson County Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. notified MSC News that Pony Creek Road is not the state authorized detour due to the bridge closure and that Pony Creek Road will be posted for "Local Traffic Only."  

(KAIR)--A pickup truck, stolen while parked at an Atchison residence, has been recovered in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Wilson, in a release, says the 2003 Ford pick-up was stolen sometime between 8:00 Monday night and 5:00 Tuesday morning, while it was parked in the 1100 block of Mound Street.

On Tuesday morning, around 8:30, Wilson says the truck was located in Saint Joseph, in the 3100 block of Frederick Avenue.

An investigation is now on-going between Atchison and Saint Joseph Police.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners met with Doug Ostergard of First Wireless, Inc. Tuesday to review the completion of the communications tower and new radio equipment installation at the Law Enforcement Center.

Commissioners questioned the cost of adding lighting to the tower since it was not originally included in the agreement of total costs. Ostergard explained that in order to receive approval from the FAA for the license, the lighting had to be installed, due to its location.

Ostergard also explained the cost of the lights was divided between First Wireless, the contractor and the County with an additional cost to Richardson County of $2,225.

Representatives of the Miller-Monroe Insurance Company presented the renewal rates for the county insurance package. The total cost will be $259,859, which is a decrease of $1762 from last year. The Insurance coverage will be through Employers Mutual Casualty Company.

The Board met with department officials to discuss salary increases for the next fiscal year. The consensus was that an increase in the salaries for county employees was needed.

Noxious Weed Superintendent Brian Kirkendall met with the Board, informing them the duties of the position have proven to be more time consuming due to added requirements. Kirkendall said he is considering resigning from those duties, and requested the Board consider increasing the salary for the position to compensate for the amount of time required to complete the duties to stay in compliance with state regulations.

(KLZA)-- During the “Public Comment Period” of Monday night's Pawnee City School Board meeting several district patrons spoke.

Kealyn Ensminger made a presentation about the youth basketball program. Others speaking were Tenna Hanna, Terry Kerl, Carmen Rottinghaus and Mitchell Turnbull.

Superintendent Brian Rottinghaus asked the meeting record reflect that comments made about him pertaining to events referenced in an email that was sent to the Pawnee City School Board are grossly inaccurate, and that the referenced events occurred one year prior to his employment by the Pawnee City School District. Rottinghaus said he would be willing to provide any details about the events to the Board in closed session.

Board members approved the superintendent evaluation tool and the use of the NASB Online Superintendent Evaluation Service with a cost of $350.

Later the Board went into closed session to discuss the performance of the superintendent for the purpose of protecting the needless injury to the employees reputation. The closed session ended approximately 35 minutes later with no action taken.

(KLZA)-- The Richardson County Sheriff's Office participated in the Click It or Ticket Mobilization from May 23rd – June 5th.

During the time, sheriff's deputies conducted 351 traffic stops and issued 95 citations.

The department also answered 119 calls for service, responded to 1 motor vehicle accident.

Deputies made 33 arrests during the period. Of the 33 arrests, 3 were for Driving Under the Influence and 6 for felony drug offenses.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission declined Monday evening to reconsider their decision last month to demolish a house on the city's minimum housing code violations list.

Richard Davidson, Jr. and Michelle Martindale appeared before the Commission to discuss the property at 310 Hiawatha Avenue.

The Commission voted 3-1 at their May 23 meeting to proceed with demolition of the property after learning no notable progress had been made on the property despite being granted several extensions.  

Martindale told Commissioners Monday she now has the money to purchase siding and paint but didn't want to proceed with repairs if the city is still going to tear the house down.

Commissioner Becky Shamburg said she's afraid they would be putting what money they have into fixing up the property, but still not be able to get everything that needs to be done complete.

Commissioner Dave Middendorf and Mayor Bill Collins stated they felt the city had already allowed plenty of time for repairs to be made.

Commissioner Brian Shefferd was the only member of the commission to oppose demolition of the property.

Martindale in an email to MSC News said the house has been in her family for 47 years and is the only thing they have left from their deceased parents.

(KNZA)-The Hiawatha School Board has organized for the new school year.

That happened when the Board meet Monday evening.

Ian Schuetz was elected as board president for the 2022-23 school year. He replaces Tom Simmer who had served in the role since the 2020-21 school year.

Elected as vice-president was Jim Robidoux.

Both are effective July 1st.

Following an executive session, the Board accepted the resignations of middle school 8th grade social studies teacher Tim Abeita, third grade elementary school teacher Hannah Cole and Gordon Gunderson as high school assistant football coach.

Following a separate executive session, the Board approved an early graduation request.

(KLZA)-- A drainage project is underway at the Nemaha County Courthouse in Auburn.

Work has started at the southeast corner of the building and will continue to the west and then north.

The handicap parking on the North side of the building will be closed due to the contractors equipment sitting there. Parking spaces are open at the end of the main sidewalk with accommodations being made to help those citizens that need it.

This will be a two-phase project with the east and north sides of the building being the second phase.

(KAIR)--Following two years off, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Atchison’s annual Amelia Earhart Festival is set to return in one month.

Despite some changes in downtown Atchison, specifically the removal of the longstanding downtown mall, Festival Coordinator Jacque Pregont tells MSC News activities in that area are scheduled to return. 

(KLZA)-- Today is June 14, Flag Day in the United States.

June 14, 1777, The Second Continental Congress passed a resolution on how “the flag of the United States should be 13 stripes, alternate red and white stropes with the union stars on a blue field.

The idea for Flag Day was originated by Wisconsin teacher Bernard Cigrand in 1885, that an annual Flag Day, be celebrated across the country every June 14.

President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation establishing June 14 as Flag Day in 1916, saying he hoped Americans would show “significant expression to our thoughtful love of America” each year.

The current flag with 50 stars representing each state was designed by 17-year-old Ohio student Bob Heft when Alaska was certain to be admitted to the Union and Heft expected Hawaii would soon achieve statehood as well. He turned in his design of a flag with 50 stars as a class project and also sent the flag to his congressman, who presented it to President Dwight Eisenhower who selected Heft's design after both states joined the union.

On July 4, 1960, President Eisenhower and Heft stood together as the 50-star flag was raised for the first time.

Also worth noting on Flag Day is that the Stars and Stripes should not be used as apparel, bedding or drapery. The Flag Code also bars the flag from being used as a design for carpets and rugs since the flag is to be kept aloft at all times.

Etiquette calls for American flags to be illuminated by sunlight or another light source while on display.

(KAIR)--Two Topeka men are dead, but a Hoyt resident escaped serious injury, following a two vehicle, head-on crash Monday afternoon in Shawnee County, near the Jefferson County line.

Dead are 61-year-old Thomas Mika and 73-year-old Gerald Counter who were killed when their vehicles crashed head-on, 2-miles north of U.S. 24, on K-4 Highway.

Riding with Counter was 58-year-old Daniel Starkweather, of Hoyt, who suffered what the Kansas Highway Patrol calls a “suspected minor injury.” He was transported to Topeka’s Stormont Vail for treatment of his injuries.

The fatal crash happened around 3:40 Monday afternoon.

According to the KHP, Mika’s northbound pickup truck left the roadway to the right, over corrected, and re-entered the roadway before crossing left of center and crashing head-on into Counter’s southbound SUV.

The KHP report shows that Mika was the only one not buckled up at the time of the fatal crash.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Deputy Sheriff Josh Townsend was recently honored by the Nebraska Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his efforts in taking impaired drivers off the road.

Townsend was honored for taking more than 40 impaired drivers off the roads in Richardson County in 2021.

MADD sponsors an annual banquet presenting their “Hero” award as a thank those who do the work to keep Nebraska safe from impaired driving.

(KLZA)--The Nebraska Department of Revenue, Property Assessment Division (DOR), reminds property owners that the Nebraska Homestead Exemption Application, Form 458, must be filed with their county assessor on or before June 30, 2022.

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

In Nebraska, a homestead exemption is available to the following categories of property owners: • Persons age 65 or older before January 1, 2022; • Individuals with certain qualifying disabilities; • Certain veterans with qualifying disability statuses and their surviving spouses; or • Individuals with developmental disabilities.

Some categories are subject to household income limitations and residence valuation requirements. The income limitations are on a sliding scale. Some categories require certifications from a medical provider, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, or the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Please confirm what is required to be filed with your homestead exemption application.

Homestead exemption forms and information are available at revenue.nebraska.gov/PAD/homestead-exemption.

For more information on the homestead exemption program, please contact your county assessor or DOR at 888 475-5101.

(KAIR)--A motorcycle, stolen from nearby Missouri, has been located in Atchison.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the 2005 Buell Lightning motorcycle was recovered Friday. It was located in the 300 block of Atchison’s South 7th Street.

The motorcycle had been reported stolen to the Saint Joseph, Missouri Police Department May 10.

No suspects are immediately identified.

(KNZA)--An Ashland, Nebraska man was arrested early Monday morning in Brown County after leading authorities on a high speed pursuit in a stolen vehicle.

The pursuit, which reached speeds over 100 miles an hour, began in neighboring Richardson County, Nebraska.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said the pursuit ended near U.S. 36 Highway and Goldfinch Road around 1 am after Brown County deputies successfully deployed stop stick's.

The driver, identified as 33-year-old Nathan Wagner, was taken into custody

He was booked into the Brown County Jail on charges of felony possession of stolen property, flee to elude, driving while suspended or revoked and reckless driving, along with a probation violation warrant.

The Richardson County Sheriff's Office said the vehicle Wagner was driving was reported stolen out of Lincoln, Nebraska on June 1.

Once he is done facing charges in Kansas, Richardson County officials say  Wagner will be extradited to Nebraska to face additional charges.

No injuries were reported.

(KNZA)--A Mayetta woman was arrested on drug and other charges following an early Sunday morning Jackson County traffic stop.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse said 44-year-old Tamara Jo Christian was arrested after a vehicle was stopped around 2:00 near 126th Road and U.S. Hwy 75

Morse said Christian was booked into the Jackson County Jail for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, violating the registration offender act, driving while a habitual violator and for an outstanding Jackson County District Court warrant.

(KNZA)--The South Brown County USD 430 Board of Education, when they meet June 8th, approved pay increases.

Following an executive session, the Board approve a 2 percent pay increase for administrators; 70 cent increase for directors and board of education staff; 50 cent increase for 12-month staff and 30 cent increase for 9-month staff.

In other business, the Board approved additional concrete work at the high school and elementary school for $88,157 and adding heat to the Everest Middle School locker rooms at a cost of $6,960. The projects are being funded by proceeds from a bond issue approved by USD 430 voters last November.

In a special meeting May 31, the Board hiring Brian Messer as 7th/8th grade language arts teacher and Stephanie Brand as a 1st grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year.

(KNZA)--The public's assisting is being sought in locating the driver of a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run accident in Hiawatha Saturday evening.

According to post on the Hiawatha Police Department's Facebook page, officers responded to a report of an accident at 1st & Oregon around 7:20 p.m..

A silver early 2000s model Nissan single cab pick-up truck was involved in the accident and left the scene prior to the arrival of officers.

Police say the vehicle has damage on the front passenger side. It is suspected to be missing a headlight and the grill area. It is believed the vehicle fled the area by traveling east on US 36 highway from Hiawatha.

If anyone knows the vehicle and/or driver is encouraged to contact the Hiawatha Police Department at 785-742-7125.

(KMZA)--A tornado caused damage in Marysville Saturday evening as severe storms moved through northeast Kansas.

The tornado damaged buildings in the downtown area and downed trees and power lines. 

No injuries were reported.

Police Chief Matt Simpson took to social media Saturday eveninig to ask members of the public to stay away from the area and give first responders some time to get things cleaned up.

Many in the area took to social media to share images of the damage, which included a building's collapse on a top of a sheriff's vehicle.   

A disaster relief group came up Sunday morning to help residents with cutting down trees and limbs.  In addition, outside crews responded to help restore power.

The National Weather Service said four EF1 tornadoes moved through Marshall and Pottawatomie Counties Saturday evening.  Three of the tornadoes, with wind speeds up to 90 miles hour, caused damage in the Oketo, Marysville and Blue Rapids area's in Marshall County.  The fourth tornado, with wind speeds up to 99 miles, caused damage in western Pottawatomie County.

Prior to the severe storms moving into northeast Kansas, two tornado touch downs were reported in neighboring Gage County, Nebraska.   

Community HealthCare System has installed a new, state-of-the art magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, machine. The FUJIFILM Echelon Oval boasts the widest wide-bore opening in the industry as well as optimal image quality.

According to Jason McKinsey, CHCS Radiology Manager, the new MRI at Onaga Community Hospital has many features to make it more comfortable for patients.

“The Echelon Oval offers a wider opening and a wider table to make it comfortable for everyone from kids to large adults, and we strive to deliver a relaxing experience by providing patients’ requested music,” McKinsey said.

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, revolutionized medicine since its development in the 1970s. The technology, which became widespread in the early 1990s, offers highly detailed images that help providers diagnose everything from ligament injuries to aneurysms – and all without radiation.

“Magnetic resonance imaging sounds big and scary, but an MRI is non-invasive and painless. The scan provides your providers with essential information about your body that no other imaging modality can,” McKinsey said.

The new MRI comes with a variety of dedicated body and extremity coils, which means scans for a hand, wrist, foot, or ankle, for example, will be more comfortable and produce high-quality, detailed images.

CHCS providers are pleased with the new MRI and its capabilities.

“The new MRI machine in Onaga has elevated our ability to deliver state-of-the-art care in a rural setting,” said Dr. Cancelada, CHCS surgeon. 

“With an MRI, you can evaluate gallstones in the common bile duct, whereas before, you needed to have an actual procedure under anesthesia. You can see the pancreas in better detail and distinguish different lesions in the liver. The ability to diagnose certain soft tissue lesions or brain and spinal cord lesions can be better than other imaging modalities,” Cancelada said.

(MSC News)--Community National Bank (CNB) announces the finalization of the VisionBank merger, creating a larger footprint in the state of Kansas.

The expanded office locations will enable CNB to offer more services to existing customers and serve a larger customer base throughout Kansas.

Founded in 1984, Community National Bank (CNB)  has approximately $900 million in assets with seven locations serving the Kansas communities of Seneca, Tonganoxie, Basehor, Sabetha, Topeka, and Overland Park and is a Federal Charter regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of Currency. CNB prides themselves on delivering a level of customer care and dedication unmatched in the industry with consistency and community spirit.  The addition of the VisionBank staff and locations represent those same characteristics.

CNB is constantly looking for innovative products and services to meet customers banking needs. CNB Customers can take advantage of products and services such as Zelle®, CardValet®, online account opening, and more. CNB offers a full range of electronic, deposit, and investment management services, as well as business, agriculture, commercial real estate, C & I, construction, residential and consumer loans with both Commercial and Mortgage departments to serve customers better.

Additionally, CNB Custody, a division of Community National Bank, provides custody services for Roth, Traditional, and SEP IRAs as well as non-qualified accounts. This division, located in Seneca, Kansas, holds customer accounts in all 50 states and specializes in the administration and custody of non-traded assets such as REITS, real estate, private placements, stocks, bonds, cryptocurrency and more. In addition, customers also have access to Invisor, an affiliated wealth management company for all financial planning needs.  

Dorsey Hall, CEO/President, stated, “I am excited and very proud of how the teams, at both CNB and VisionBank, collaborated in this joint venture of taking two successful banks and joining organizations to create one customer centric financial services company.  It has truly been amazing! Our team has worked feverishly to create online access to most of our banking services. I am so excited for our customers, existing, new, and future, to experience our enhanced products and services.  These accomplishments demonstrate the professional level of the joint team and their ability to deliver the ultimate customer experience.”

Previous VisionBank locations in Topeka and Overland Park are now Community National Bank.  Although the name and ownership have changed, customers can expect to be greeted by same friendly faces they have grown accustomed to.  Community National Bank is committed to providing exceptional customer service, being a welcoming hometown community bank, and providing the services of products that make banking easier for customers.

CNB welcomes all community members to come experience the unique hometown feel with big bank services. We remain small enough to know you, and big enough to help you. Visit one of our locations or view information about products and services online at www.bankoncnb.com.  

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Police Department participated in the Click It or Ticket Mobilization May 23 through June 5.

The special enforcement concentrated on seat belt / child restrain use and awareness.

During the period, Falls City Police Officers made 48 traffic stops for various violations and issued 10 citations including those for seat belt violations. 40 warning citations were issued for various violations.

In addition, during the mobilization, a warrant arrest, a DUI arrest and a drug arrest were made, There was also an investigation into an illegal use of a firearm report which resulted in an arrest. All of this occurred while officers were responding to 162 calls for service.

Falls City Police Officers worked overtime during the mobilization, with the overtime being funded through a grant provided by the Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office.

(KLZA)-- Falls City Council members approved a number of requests when they met Monday evening.

Requests for the 2022 Cobblestone Festival in August and Lemonade Days in July by the Falls City Chamber of Commerce and Main Street were approved.

A request to install a metal building on an existing concrete slab on vacant lots at 1612 Fulton Street from Ron Kelley was approved.

Following public hearings on two animal permit requests, the requests were approved for Chip Ebel at 1711 Schoenheit Street for two cows and a permit for Colton and Kylie Vollan at 1701 Schoenheit Street to have two cows, two horses and a mini donkey was approved.

(KNZA)--Omya, a leading global producer of industrial minerals and a worldwide distributor of specialty ingredients, has reached an agreement to acquire agricultural prills assets of MK Minerals, a privately held American specialty fertilizers producer, headquartered in Wathena, serving customers in many key markets including row and specialty crops, turfgrass and home retail industry.

The acquisition will provide Omya with an access to the US Midwest - a key agricultural production area globally. We will be positioned to better serve our customers throughout the United States.

MK Minerals is highly regarded in the market providing quality products for crop nutrition and soil conditioning for over 25 years.

Rainer Siedler, CEO Americas at Omya, noted: "I am very excited about the acquisition of MK Minerals and look forward to welcoming the MK team to the Omya family. MK has a strong position in the Midwest agricultural market and throughout the U.S. for their specialty turf products. It's a strategically important addition to Omya's Agriculture business, and we will further invest and develop the business."

Bill Becker, CEO of MK Minerals, added: "Omya is a great company, and we are confident they will add value and opportunity for our employees, our customers and will contribute to the economic development of our region. They are a worldwide company with decades of expertise in this industry."
 
The closing of the transaction is expected to take place next month.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission, when they met Monday, was presented with copies of a housing marketing proposal created for the DC Development property on the south edge of Troy.  

According to the unofficial meeting minutes, County Economic Director Leah Johnson told Commissioners she has been working with the DC Development Board of Directors and Kansas Department of Commerce to strategize how to best market the property for much needed housing.

The marketing proposal will be sent to developers both inside and outside of Kansas.  

The DC Development property consists of about 158 acres.  The land was originally slated for construction of a nine-hole golf course with space for housing, as well. Some of the lots have already been sold and houses have been built on several of the lots.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission, during their regular meeting Monday, approved the purchase of a new trailer for the road and bridge department.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Adam Kuckelman told commissioners he would like to replace the department's lowboy trailer.

Following discussion, the Commission voted 2-1 to approve the purchase of a Load King trailer at a cost of $89,441. Commissioner Jason Koch cast the lone dissenting vote.

In other business, Sheriff Rich Vernon informed Commissioners of several personnel changes.

Vernon said he has moved John Defore from a relief deputy to a full-time deputy, retro-active to May 21. Defore's salary will be increased from $20.50 an hour to $21.20 an hour.

Vernon said he has hired Kayla Spurgeon and Trenton Wisdom as dispatchers. Wisdom is to begin work June 14 and Spurgeon on June 15. Both will be paid $17 an hour.

Vernon also informed Commissioners that Bethany Kenworthy has resigned her position as a dispatcher, effective June 2.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A second jury has found a former Leavenworth police officer not guilty in the 2017 shooting death of a man inside his vehicle while responding to a report of a domestic dispute at a home.

The Kansas City Star reports that Matthew Harrington was acquitted Wednesday of involuntary manslaughter in the death of 47-year-old Antonio Garcia Jr.

The decision came after a mistrial was declared in Harrington's first trial in April. Harrington shot Garcia in July 2017 while Garcia was sitting inside a vehicle in Leavenworth.

Prosecutors said Garcia had a knife but didn’t threaten the officer. Harrington was fired after a department investigation found he had violated policies on use of deadly force.

A lawyer for Harrington says the second jury made the correct decision.

(KAIR)--Accolades for the Atchison Police Department’s two motor officers who took home top division awards following a two day, motorcycle training and competition.

According to a release from the City of Atchison, Motor Officers, Corporal Greg Peterson and Master Patrol Officer Joe Ellerman, participated in the 2022 Police Motorcycle Challenge, a two day event sponsored by Gail’s Famous Motorcycles in Grandview Missouri.

The release notes one day was devoted to training, while the second was a full day of competition that included motor officers from throughout the Kansas City area.

Peterson earned First Place in the Novice Division, while Ellerman took First Place in the Team Challenge.

According to the release, the event was led by Sergeant Jay Richards, of the Lenexa Police Department, who has served as lead instructor of police motorcycle training for many years.

(KAIR)--Nine Atchison students are awarded scholarships, with the partnership between two local foundations to thank for the funds.

The 2022 Clubs for Kids and Joseph K. Julo Memorial Scholarship Recipients are awarded through the Clubs for Kids Foundation, established in 2007 through, what a release says was “the vision of former local businessman Joseph Julo.” The release explains that “in 2008, the Foundation began an educational scholarship program for eligible 10th through 12th grade students in high schools of Atchison County.”

Announcement of the scholarships was made through a release issued by the Atchison Area Community Foundation, described as “a source of funding for local nonprofits and public entities.” Clubs for Kids is a fundholder of AACF.

Awarded $1,000 scholarships “to pursue their higher education goals” are Katherine Harris, of Atchison High School; Blair Taylor of Maur Hill-Mount Academy; James Madden of Maur Hill-Mount Academy; Maci Behrens of the Atchison County Community High School; Madilynne Bruce, of Atchison High School; and Christine Parks of Atchison High School.

Three others, Ashton Jolly of the Atchison County Community High School, Alice McConnell Curry, and Sydney Snowden, both of Maur Hill-Mount Academy, are each awarded a $2,0000 Joseph K. Julo Memorial Scholarship.

Including 2022, Clubs for Kids has awarded 141 scholarships to Atchison County students totaling $133,500.

The foundation funds these programs through the annual “Clubs for Kids Golf Tournament” along with donated funds.

Clubs for Kids Foundation Board of Directors Member, and nephew of Joe Julo, Mike Julo, said, in the release that THROUGH the “consistent support from many business owners, volunteers, and local donors, [the Foundation] is honored and grateful to continue the legacy” of founder Joe Julo. Mike Julo added that the best investment for the future” is providing scholarships to Atchison area youth, saying that offering the “resources through the great game of golf is precisely what Joe [Julo] intended when he started” the organization.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved spending three thousand dollars toward the labor cost of relocating overhead power lines to underground on the southeast side of the Sacred Heart School when they met Monday evening.

The school is planning to make parking lot improvements.

A request was made to the City to bury the existing 3 phase power line at no charge to the school, to accommodate the new angled parking. The city estimated the cost to put the lines underground at nearly $22 thousand, with the labor cost estimate at $5,760.

The original request to waive the cost for the work was made to the Board of Public Works which voted unanimously to deny the request due to setting a precedent and would require putting the burden of recovering the costs on all of the rate payers.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners heard presentations from two more groups seeking American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Representatives from the City of Humboldt and Humboldt Rescue reviewed their request for funding for the purchase of a new ambulance unit for the Humboldt Rescue Squad. City Council member Larry Stauffer, Sheriff Rick Hardesty, Cindy Troxel, Deb Lewis, Mayor Robert Mendenhall and representative from the Colonial Acres Nursing Home and Assisted Living all spoke to the Board.

Dean Stevens, Paul Benitz and Gayle Swisegood, representing Richardson County Rural Water District #2 also met with the Board to review their request for the Richardson County ARPA funds. Commissioners took no action on the requests.

Commissioners approved the purchase of a van from Sarpy County Motors with a trade-in allowance of a surplus 2015 Dodge Charger. With the $5,500 allowance for the car, the total purchase price comes to $14 thousand.

The Board also approved a temporary policy for employees with the Law Enforcement Center to allow the payout of earned vacation leave at the next hire date anniversary due to current staff shortages.

C.J. Johnson, Regional Administrator for Region V Systems presented the organizations annual report and requested funding from Richardson County for the next Fiscal Year in an amount of $24,551 which is a 3.5 percent increase from the current year.

Blue Valley Behavioral Health Executive Director John Day updated Commissioners on the programs activity and asked for continued funding for the next fiscal year in an amount of $8 thousand with no increase from the current year.

(KMZA)--A Pottawatomie County man is running as a Democratic candidate for governor.

Richard Karnowski, of Emmett, filed with the Kansas Secretary of State's Office before the June 1st deadline to challenge Democratic Governor Laura Kelly.

Karnowski, formerly of Seneca, operates a tax preparation office in Seneca.

His running mate is Barry Franco, of Seneca.

The winner of the August 2 Democratic primary election will likely face Republican Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt in the November general election.

Kansas State Senator Dennis Pyle, of rural Hiawatha, announced this week he's running as an independent candidate for governor. Pyle will need to gather 5,000 signatures by August 1st to appear on the November general election ballot.

(KNZA)--Governor Laura Kelly has announced that nearly $4.7 million has been awarded to Kansas sexual and domestic violence programs—including in Jackson and Leavenworth Counties--through the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act.

 In Jackson County, the Midwest Native Coalition for Justice and Peace was awarded two grants totaling $426,926.

In Leavenworth County, the Alliance Against Family Violence was awarded two grants totaling $181,955.

A release from the Governor's Office says the funding will assist sexual assault support centers with transitioning to virtual/remote support services and increase their capacity to offer services to sexual assault survivors. The funds will also go toward measures to increase access to COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and mobile health units to promote public health.

 Kelly said the funding will help sexual and domestic abuse survivors access the support and resources they need – no matter where they are in the state.

(KMZA)--The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF1 tornado touched down in western Marshall County late Tuesday night about four miles southwest of Marysville.

A team from the National Weather Service in Topeka surveyed damage Wednesday.

The Weather Service said the tornado, with estimated wind speeds up to 93 miles an hour, touched down just after 11:00.

The tornado was on the ground for nearly three miles for three minutes.  It said the tornado was about 75 yards wide.

The tornado caused minor structural damage.

No injuries or deaths were reported.

(KAIR)--The City of Atchison is seeking developers, contractors, and investors “to collaborate on an application to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation for resources, [such as grant or tax credit funds] to assist in the development of new housing units in the Atchison market.”

According to a release from the City, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed “two major bipartisan housing bills into law.” The release explains that the measures “represent a combined $62 million in new housing resources, as well as initiatives to incentivize housing development.”

The release states that the City of Atchison “is planning to sponsor one or more applications for funding in the November 2022 round of funding and planning efforts are beginning immediately.”

The release notes that housing was listed as a high priority in the City’s 2020 Strategic Plan, and “qualifying partners and projects must be aligned with the City of Atchison’s 2020 Strategic Plan, have thorough and well developed plans to create new housing units in the Atchison market [including multi-family and/or single family], and partners must have prior experience in the development/construction business.”

Detailed project plans and project-related financial information must be provided, and all local and state codes met.

Interested partners should email justinp@cityofatchison.com to begin the vetting and application process.
Applications received after July 1 will not be considered for the current round of funding.

(KLZA)-- More than 30 percent of deaths involving teen drivers occur during what is called the “100 Deadliest Days” - a period between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.

Traditionally 30 percent of deaths involving teen drivers occur during this time period.

For every mile driven, new teen drivers, ages 16 and 17, are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults. Now that school is out for the summer, inexperienced teen drivers have more time to spend on the road.

In Nebraska, an average of six teen drivers are involved in fatal crashes between the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Every year, an average of 20 people are killed in teen driver-related crashes, nearly a third of those fatalities occur during the 100 deadliest days.

Parents can play an active role in guiding their teens toward safe driving behaviors. Driving with teen passengers, multiply the risks of crashes.

Teen passengers are the biggest distraction to teen drivers, but cell phones come in second.

Driving at night is more dangerous due to limited visibility, fatigue and impaired drivers being on the road. Parents should limit the time their your drivers spend behind the wheel at night.

Always wear a safety belt and make sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up.

Speed is the leading factor in cashes for teens and adults.

The single most important thing parents can do to keep their teens safe behind the wheel is to be actively involved in the learning to drive process.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council awarded a bid to Rulo Transportation to be the contractor on the proposed 33rd Street project running from Bill Schock Boulevard to Lane Street when they met Monday evening.

The bid of $846,849 was just over $2,400 more than a bid submitted by AHRS Construction.

The City has an engineer hired for the project but still has a number of steps to be completed before construction of the street can begin.

The Council also approved awarding a bid for a Switchgear Upgrade to Harold K. Scholz Company in an amount of $849,580 as recommended by the Board of Public Works. The bid was less than JEO Consulting Group, had estimated.

The project is required to allow the electrical distribution system to be converted to 13.8 KV from the current 4.16 KV switch structure which will upgrade the reliability, resiliency, and safety of the electric system.

The Scholz company recently completed a similar project in Auburn and has worked on multiple projects with JEO.

The final draft of the 2022 Integrated Resource Plan as defined by the Western Area Power Administration contract with the City was also approved.

(KAIR)--Atchison residents with questions, or concerns, regarding a forthcoming sales tax referendum to fund infrastructure, are encouraged to attend a forthcoming forum, planned for later this month.

According to Atchison Assistant City Manager Joe Warren, the Save Our Streets Sales Tax Question Education Forum is planned for the evening of Thursday, June 16, at the Atchison Event Center. The forum will run for one hour, from 6 until 7:00 that evening. According to Warren, the forum will include a presentation of information by the City about the tax, including its uses if approved by voters. A question and answer session will conclude the forum.

The Atchison City Commission last month gave approval to the Citywide Sales Tax Referendum, which would approve a 1-percent city wide sales tax for transportation infrastructure and property tax relief. Since that time, City of Atchison social media posts regarding the issue have been flooded with comments posing questions and alternative ideas, as well as both opposition and support for the plan.

The sales tax, if approved, would earmark 75% of the revenue generated for Atchison infrastructure, including street and sidewalk repair, while 25% would go toward property tax relief. That means the City’s portion of the mill levy will be lowered by an amount directly correlated to the money generated by the tax.

The citywide sales tax referendum is set for next month. If approved, it would take effect January 1, 2023 and sunset after 20-years.

(KNZA)--An early Tuesday evening two-vehicle Jefferson County wreck sent four to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says the wreck happened at the intersection of U.S. 24 and Thompsonville Road around 5:40.

The KHP reports a pickup truck driven by 23-year-old Louis Falk, of Ozawkie, was eastbound on U.S. 24 when he attempted to turn onto Thompsonville Road and failed to yield to a westbound SUV driven by 57-year-old Ronald Bahm, of Meriden. Falk's pickup collided with the SUV.

Falk and two child passengers in his vehicle, ages 9 and 11, were transported to Topeka's Stormont Vail Hospital with suspected minor injuries.

Bahm was transported to the hospital with suspected serious injuries.

The Patrol says all the occupants were properly restrained when the wreck occurred.

(KAIR)--A local organization is providing free lunches for Atchison County children up to the age of 18.

That’s being done by the Salvation Army of Atchison County through its “No Hunger Summer” campaign. Kim Bottorff serves as County Coordinator for the organization. "They're a cold snack lunch," she said, adding that the lunches "have a sandwich, a fruit, a veggie, a snack, a drink. We're doing them everyday, you just drop by."

The free lunches are available for pickup daily at the Atchison Salvation Army Office, located at 926 Commercial Street.

Bottorff says the free lunches will continue to be distributed through the summer until the start of the new school year in August.

(KNZA)--A resurfacing project is underway on U.S. 36 in Brown County.

The work covers about 12 miles, from the Brown/Nemaha county line to just west of Hiawatha.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, 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 occur Monday through Saturday during daylight hours.

KDOT says the expected completion is mid-July, weather permitting.

Dustrol, Inc., of Towanda, is the contractor on the $1.45 million project.

( Lincoln) -- Governor Pete Ricketts announced Nebraska’s participation in the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families.  Nebraska is one of 35 states taking part in the initiative from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  The Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs (NDVA) and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will be the lead agencies on the program.  The two-year initiative will identify gaps in care and drive enhancements to the state’s mental health services.

In discussing the initiative, the Governor highlighted the sacrifices made by service members to protect and defend America.  In particular, he cited the time spent away from family while on deployment, frequent relocations, and the physical and psychological impact of combat.  Gov. Ricketts credited the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs for its great work to care for veterans and their families across the state, and he noted that improving access to mental health care will further the State’s goal of becoming the best state in America for military families and veterans.

DHHS Behavioral Health Director Sheri Dawson expressed her excitement at the opportunity to coordinate veterans’ and mental health resources through the initiative.  She discussed the State’s intent to overcome the stigma of discussing mental health and to remove obstacles for those seeking mental healthcare.

NDVA Director John Hilgert highlighted three main ways his department supports veterans in crisis: 1) emergency financial support through the Veterans Aid Fund; 2) NDVA’s state service office which does over 100 outreach events each year to help veterans get the support they’re eligible to receive; and 3) the NDVA website at veterans.nebraska.gov, which includes a live chat option and a map to mental health resources across the state. 

The Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number is 1-800-273-8255.  By pressing “1” when the call connects, callers will be transferred to the Veterans Crisis Line, which offers support specifically for veterans and their loved ones.  There’s no need to be enrolled in VA benefits or healthcare to make use of the service.  

(KMZA)--Work began Monday on an asphalt overlay project on the Onaga Road.

According to a release from Pottawatomie County, a 1.5 inch overlay will be placed on the road from Indian Village Road to Aiken Switch Road.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane with flaggers and a pilot vehicle directing traffic through the work zone. Work will take place during daylight hours.

The release says motorists can expect delays up to 15 minutes and should plan accordingly.

The project is expected to be completed by July 1st, weather allowing.

(Hiawatha, KS/Submitted)--State Senator Dennis Pyle today, June 7, 2022, announced that he has appointed a treasurer and is planning to pursue the office of Governor with an official statement forthcoming. Senator Pyle said, “Due to the continual gross negligence in protecting and assisting citizens, my family and I have decided it is in the best interest of our state that I pursue running for Governor to enact solutions to stop the hardship of Kansans. I am a God-loving American, devoted to the Constitution and protecting our children, and I am entering this race to give Kansans a choice.”

Senator Pyle has selected Kathleen E. Garrison from Haysville, Kansas as his running-mate for Lt Governor. “Kathleen is highly intelligent and knows the solutions to help families. Her solutions are grounded from her faith, business acumen and experience in raising her (8) children through a morally decaying society. She is a phenomenal person to serve as the voice of the people of Kansas; not politicians,” stated Sen. Pyle.

Kathleen joins Sen. Pyle with her devotion to the people of Kansas, “I am honored and humbled to partner with Senator Pyle, a man of integrity, that will serve the people; not the parties. We must urgently correct bad actions to protect our families, and as your Lieutenant Governor, I will be the voice of Kansans to fix government. I am a Kansas girl, and I have witnessed the erosion of our constitutional rights by those in power. We will work tirelessly and will never cower to politicians or special interests! You now have a choice: business as usual or power to the people? You have hope. You have us!”

Wichita resident and Stand Up Kansas member, Kari Sue Vosburgh, stated, “We are excited to finally have a great choice for Governor. Sen Pyle is feared at the Capitol as he will not ‘look the other way’ as he stops much of the bad policies and political games. Those who dislike his ‘disruption of corruption’ will try to stop him and show they are the ones to immediately investigate. We are so grateful for his honesty, legislative successes and will support him fully as the choice is stark between good and bad.” 

Pyle and Garrison recently changed their party affiliations from Republican to Unaffiliated in order to seek the November ballot for office of Governor and Lt. Governor. They ask that citizens assist in gathering the five thousand qualified voters’ signatures by August 1, 2022 for them to file by petition.

Kathleen Garrison has been a business owner for over 25 years and has worked in the field of law. She is a single mother of (8) children and (6) grandchildren, after a 30-yr marriage ended in 2015. Garrison earned her BS in Political Science from Newman University in 2019, graduating with a 4.0 GPA (Outstanding Non-Traditional Student recipient). She went on to receive an Executive MS in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University in 2020. Garrison ran for Sedgwick County Commissioner for District 2 in 2019 and was recently elected to the Clearwater USD 264 Board of Education. She is an active member of St. Peter’s Schulte Catholic Church. Kathleen is the daughter of Dr. Patrick and Betty (RN) Shea, and was raised in Cheney, KS.

Senator Dennis Pyle singlehandedly championed the Kansas election audit and is notorious for his strategic maneuvers to block anti-family legislation, higher taxes and special interests leveraging the system for personal gain. As the champion of good government legislation, Kansans have witnessed his commitment to fight for Christian values, strong schools and an end to corruption in government.

Pyle is a fourth-generation grain and livestock farmer. He and his wife Jennifer have been married for 42 years and have (6) daughters, (5) sons-in-law and (12) grandchildren. They reside north of Hiawatha on their family farm. Dennis Pyle served one term in the Kansas House and currently serves in the Kansas Senate, District 1. Dennis attended Hiawatha High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in various sports. He also attended Grace College of the Bible in Omaha, NE. 

(KNZA)--Repairs will be made to the Horton Civic Center roof.  

The Horton City Commission, in a special meeting May 23, accepted a bid from Lanter SPS Roofing Systems in the amount of $79,450 for the project.

 Lanter late last year repaired the southwest corner of the Civic Center roof , which was damaged during the December 15 windstorm.  

The bid is for a new roof on the remainder of the Civic Center, two shelter houses and patching of the salt shed.  

The city received $67,297 from its insurance carrier for damages incurred from the windstorm, which leaves a difference of $12,153.  Commissioner Tina Nigh said she reached out to the Brown County Fair Board, and they are willing to contribute half of the portion that is not covered by insurance.  

The roof repairs are to be completed by fair time.  

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison in a child pornography case.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill said 29-year-old Richard Hargett was sentenced Monday in Brown Country Court to 34-months in prison on charges of internet trading in child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child.

Hill said the defense had asked for probation, but he asked for a prison sentence. Monday's hearing included testimony from a psychologist testifying on the defense's behalf. Hill's cross examination included a review of the digital evidence obtained against Hargett and the graphic child pornography he uploaded to the internet.

"The expert acknowledged that he had not reviewed or even seen the evidence in making his evaluation," Hill said.

Hargett pleaded guilty to the charges in early May, canceling a jury trial that had been set in the case.

Hargett was arrested in October of last year following an extensive investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department after a case referral by the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force — which Hill and the Police Department are members of.

As part of the investigation, officers executed a search warrant on a residence occupied by Hargett and seized electronics, hard drives, computers, and other data storage devices.

Hargett was remanded to the Brown County Jail following Monday's hearing to await a transfer to prison.

(KNZA)--The annual Pony Express re-ride is underway.

 The first rider departed from the Patee House Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri  Monday afternoon, and the last rider is to arrive in Sacramento, California on June 16.  

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said the riders will cross Doniphan and Brown Counties, ending up at the Sac and Fox Casino around 11:00 this evening.  Merchant said they will be riding the most original portion of the route. There will be vehicles and horse trailers following the riders.  

Each year, around 600 riders travel the route of the Pony Express National Historic Trail.  This year, they will traveling nearly 2,000 miles from Missouri, through Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada, to California.

The re-ride is a 10-day, 24 hour event honoring the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company which carried letters and telegrams from April 1860 to November 1861.

(KAIR)--Technical Trooper, and Atchison County resident, Don Hughes is retiring from the Kansas Highway Patrol, after serving the state and citizens of Kansas for 39 years.

Kansas Highway Patrol Superintendent Colonel Herman T. Jones made the announcement in a recent press release.

Hughes began his career with the Kansas Highway Patrol on March 28, 1984, as a Secretary Officer I for Troop K Guard and was promoted to Capitol Police Patrol Officer on October 18, 1986.

Hughes attended the Kansas Highway Patrol Training Academy and graduated with Class 29 as a Trooper I on March 18, 1995. His initial duty station was Atchison County in Troop B. He was promoted to Trooper II on March 21, 1999. Hughes rank was reallocated in June of 2003 to Master Trooper. In 2010, he accepted a lateral transfer to Technical Trooper in Troop B, where he would serve as a Public Resource Officer (PRO) for the Troop B area.

In his career with the Patrol, Hughes was recognized with a KHP Commander’s Commendation, Kansas Department of Transportation People Saving People Award, and a Safe Kids Kansas Service Recognition Award.

One of his favorites times while serving with the patrol was attending the Uniformed Safety Education Officer’s Workshop (USEOW), where he networked and learned from other Public Resource Officers from state law enforcement agencies across the nation.

(KAIR)--A weekend Atchison stabbing sent a man to the hospital and his wife to jail.

Arrested in connection with the alleged stabbing of her husband was 36-year-old Katie Thomas.  According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, Thomas was arrested Sunday for aggravated battery and booked into the Atchison County Jail.  

Wilson, in the release, explains that around 2:00 Sunday morning, “officers investigated a stabbing that had occurred as a husband and wife were walking in the 500 block of North  7th Street when a disturbance occurred between the two and Katie Thomas stabbed her 59-year-old husband.”  

Officers, Wilson said, “located the victim and the suspect several blocks from that scene.”  It was there that Thomas was taken into custody while her husband was transported to a Saint Joseph, Missouri hospital by Atchison County EMS for treatment of his non life-threatening stab wound.

(KAIR)--An Atchison woman, arrested following a mid-week Atchison traffic stop, goes to jail on drug charges.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, “an officer conducted a traffic stop near 7th and Atchison Street” shortly after 4:00 Wednesday afternoon.

Wilson says the driver, 42-year-old Vanessa Gerber, was found to be driving while revoked. The subsequent investigation led to the alleged discovery of drugs, including methamphetamine.

Gerber was arrested on charges including possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Once in custody, Gerber was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

Her bond is set at $10,000.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council discussed the purchase of a vehicle for the police department when they met Wednesday evening.

The Police Department wants to replace a 2013 Dodge truck.

Discussion was held on purchasing a 2021 Dodge Durango from the Kansas Highway Patrol with 49,000 miles.

The Council also discussed purchasing a new vehicle and requesting bids for the vehicle from local dealers. 

The Council was informed a new vehicle would not be available for purchase until 2023.

Council member Ray Schinn made a motion to purchase the Dodge Durango from the Highway Patrol, but the motion died due to the lack of a second.

The Council then approved a motion to request bids from local dealers for a new police vehicle.

In other business, the Council approved the appointment of Jacee Corby and the reappointment of Bruce Hermesch to the Seneca Free Library Board. Both are for 4-year terms, expiring in April 2026.

The Council also approved an ordinance amending the city's zoning ordinance to incorporate new flood plain regulations. The new regulations will effect flood prone areas in the city.

(KNZA)--In the wake of the mass shooting at a Texas elementary school, a Brown County Commissioner says a way must be found to place officers inside each of the county's schools to provide protection for students.

Commissioner Rich Lehmkuhl brought up the topic at Tuesday's Brown County Commission meeting, saying he has reached out to local law enforcement and school officials to begin the conservation of putting a plan in place.

Lehmkuhl said he would like to utilize, if possible, a portion of the American Rescue Plan funds awarded to the county to provide funding to implement the program until the schools could take it over.

He said having the summer to move forward gives some time, but that it would be a stretch to have anything fully implemented by the beginning of the next school year.

Several local law enforcement and school officials were on hand for the discussion.

USD 430 Superintendent Jason Cline said having the schools on board is a major hurdle that is already cleared.

Commissioner Bill Pollock said he believes the issues that cause school shootings go deeper than security, stating the only way to fix things is to bring God into the schools—including teaching the Bible as history.

(KLZA))--Two Humboldt residents were arrested on drug charges following a recent traffic stop in Richardson County.

According to the Richardson County Sheriff's Office, deputies arrested Justin Horne and Sara Marano on May 24.

Horne was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Marano was arrested for possession of methamphetamine.

Both were booked into the Richardson County Jail.

(KMZA)--A Thursday morning single-vehicle Pottawatomie County wreck claimed the life of St. George woman.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says killed in the wreck, southwest of Wamego, was 28-year-old Tyra Anderson.

According to the KHP report, Anderson was eastbound on Military Trail Road, east of Railway Road, when her car left the roadway for an unknown reason and struck a tree.

Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two children, ages 1 and 3, were passengers in the vehicle.  The Patrol says the one-year-old was transported to the Wamego Hospital with suspected serious injuries, while the three-year-old escaped injury.

The Patrol says all the occupants were properly restrained when the wreck occurred around 10:45 Thursday morning.

(MSC News)--Kansas Governor Laura Kelly Thursday signed a bipartisan House Bill that “will invest $50 million to help small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In a release, Kelly said the legislation “will support [Kansas] entrepreneurs by ensuring they can make investments they need to hire workers, strengthen their product lines, and better serve their communities.”

Senator Tom Holland, who was among those with Kelly during the signing ceremony, said “small businesses are what power our economy,” adding that the legislation “builds on years of work to ensure they have the resources they need to continue to serve customers and create jobs.”

Among others at the ceremony were small business owners and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man, accused of burning the belongings of someone else, is facing related charges.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 34-year-old Daniel Etin “was arrested Wednesday for arson and criminal damage to property in the 1100 block of Parallel Street.”

Wilson explains that police officers were called to a disturbance at the residence shortly after 12 noon Wednesday. When they arrived, they discovered that clothing belonging to a 30-year-old victim had been burned and furniture damaged.

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

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff's Office is inviting the public to a community safety event on Saturday, June 4th.  

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said the Hiawatha Police Department will be partnering with them for the event, which will take place from 11- 1 at the Sheriff's office located at 709 Utah Street, in Hiawatha.

 Free hot dogs, chips, and pop will be provided to the first 200 people.  

There will be certified child safety seat techs from Amberwell Health as well as the Sheriff's office on-site to check car seats.  

Merchant said they will also offer fingerprinting for all children as well as a bicycle obstacle course and safety information.  

Merchant said many parents have requested fingerprinting for their children. He said they have complete child ID kits that will be provided free of charge to parents and caregivers. Staff will fingerprint children and all documents will be given back to parents to keep for their records. The ID kit also includes emergency phone and contact numbers as well as a dental chart, a place for a photo, and any physical identifying characteristics the child may have.

 Each year, over 800,000 children are reported missing, so Merchant says he feels this is a very worthwhile project.

(KNZA)--USDA Rural Development is investing more than $16 million toward infrastructure improvement projects in nine Kansas communities— including several local projects.

Dan Fischer, Acting State Director for Rural Development Kansas, made the announcement Tuesday.

A $4.6 million loan will help provide improvements to Jefferson County Rural Water District #13. The improvements include rehabilitating the treatment plant filters, installing 16 miles of pipe, installing backup generators, adding a new well and creating a new emergency connection to a neighboring water district. These improvements will meet the water demands of customers on peak days and will accommodate anticipated increase in future customers.

The city of Highland will receive an $820,000 loan and $423,000 grant to provide additional funding to complete improvements to the city's water system. The project is to construct a new ion exchange treatment plant and a non-discharging lagoon. In Sept. 2021, Rural Development obligated a nearly $1.3 million loan and $534,000 in grant funding for the project. Other funding includes a Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant of $600,000 and Kansas Department of Health and Environment debt forgiveness of $600,000.

And the city of Nortonville will receive a $233,000 loan to supplement previous funding to complete water system improvements. The project will construct two new wells and replace cast iron waterline.

(KMZA)--A candidate filed for the position of 1st District Nemaha County Commissioner before Wednesday's deadline.  

The Nemaha County Clerk's Office reports filing for the position was Sabetha Republican Benjamin Glace.

 Glace is the lone candidate seeking the position, which is currently held by Gary Scoby, who did not file for re-election.

 It's the only county position up for election in November.

The primary election will be held August 2 and the general election is November 8.

(KAIR)--Kansas tax collections for the month of May exceeded expectations.

That’s according to a release from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, which says the state collected about $910.1 million for the month.
Kelly, in Wednesday’s release, said total tax collections for May are nearly $239.5 million, or 35.7-percent higher, than the month’s previous estimate.

Kelly, in the release, said the “tax collection receipts continue to show the state’s fiscal health,” adding that her administration will “continue [to] work to be fiscally responsible while providing tax cuts and fully funding schools, law enforcement, and roads.”

Kelly’s release says that individual income tax collections totaled $518.4 million, $198.4 million, or 62-percent, above estimates.

Corporate income tax collections for May totaled $51.4 million, $33.4 million, or 185.6-percent higher, than what had been estimated.

Retail sales tax collections in May totaled $240.8 million, $13.8 million, or 6.1-percent higher, than estimated.

(MSC News)--Former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach now seeks the role of Kansas Attorney General.

In a release, Kobach said he filed Tuesday, with his campaign to include what he calls “a five-point plan for the Attorney General’s Office."

That plan includes creation of a Special Litigation Unit to focus on lawsuits against the federal government; prosecute voter fraud; eliminate conceal and carry license fees; restore Kansas’s pro-life laws; and strengthen Kansans’ protections against consumer fraud.

Kobach is challenged in the Kansas August 2 Republican Primary Election by Senator Kellie Warren and former United States Prosecutor Tony Mattivi.

Chris Mann is seeking the seat as a Democrat.

(KAIR)--Formal charges are filed against the man accused of shooting another man during a Memorial Day family dispute in rural Oskaloosa.

WIBW-TV reports that 68-year-old Larry Hysten was charged Wednesday by the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office with attempted murder in the first degree, two counts of aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm under the influence.

According to the TV station, along with the shooting, two others were also victims of Hysten, leading to the aggravated assault counts.

Court documents cited in the WIBW report states that Hysten was under the influence at the time of the crimes.

Hysten remains in custody in the Jefferson County Jail held on a $500,000 bond.

On Monday, emergency crews, including the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and the Oskaloosa Police Department, were called to 9660 86th Street, in rural Oskaloosa for the report of a shooting. When they arrived around 4:20 Monday afternoon, Sheriff Jeff Herrig said they found 54-year-old Winfred Rodriguez had been shot.

He was transported by Jefferson County EMS to Topeka’s Stormont Vail for treatment of his injuries.

The TV station reports that Rodriguez, identified as a relative of Hysten, remained hospitalized as of Wednesday.

(KAIR)--The stage is set for a key Atchison County race for an open Atchison County Commission seat.

The deadline to file for both the August 2 Primary Election and the November 8 General Election came to a close Wednesday at noon.

Filing well before the deadline are two candidates seeking the open 1st District Commission seat, Republican Dr. Allen Reavis and Democrat Tom Lykins.

Both are unchallenged by members of their own parties in their run for election, with the two to face off in the General Election.

Current 1st District Atchison County Commissioner, Republican Jack Bower, did not file to run for re-election.

(KNZA)--Several additional candidates filed before Wednesday's deadline for positions up for election this November in Brown County.  

Laura Tollefson filed for the position of Commissioner of Finance on the Hiawatha City Commission.  The position is currently held by David Middendorf, who is seeking re-election.   Also challenging Middendorf is Thomas Martin.  A primary election will not be needed.

Current Hiawatha Mayor Bill Collins, who initially filed for re-election, withdrew his name Wedneday from that race and instead filed for 1st District Brown County Commissioner.  Collins joined Kenneth A. Pyle in challenging incumbent county commissioner Rich Lehmkuhl, who is seeking re-election.  

Pyle and Lehmkuhl will face each other during the August Republican primary election, with the winner facing Collins, a Democrat, in November.    

Four candidates are vying for Hiawatha mayor.  They include current city commissioners, Becky Shamburg and Brian Shefferd, along with Ronnie Calhoon and Randy Thaxton.  A primary election will be needed to narrow the field of candidates. During the August 2 primary election, the top two vote getters will advance to the November 8th general election ballot.

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

Merchant says county residents are being contacted by phone by individuals who are representing themselves as vehicle manufacturers offering residents a "Free Trial" of a new vehicle.  Scammers are telling residents they will deliver a brand new vehicle to their residence for a 30 day "free trial" if the resident will evaluate the vehicle.  The catch is, there is  a destination fee that has to be paid before delivery.  Merchant said they are requesting bank info to pay for the fee.

He is advising anyone who receives such a call to hang up immediately and do not give out any personal or financial information over the phone or internet.  

Merchant says if you feel you have been made a victim by any scammers, notify your local law enforcement at once.

(KLZA)--The Auburn Board of Public Works met on May 18th

During the meeting Leah Johnson from USI Insurance provided healthcare options for the July 1st open enrollment. Several options were presented including an Associate Plan being developed by the League Association - Risk Management (LARM). BPW is a member of LARM and is eligible to select BCBS Light at an annual cost of $208,251.78; a -14.2% compared to the current plan.

Jane E. Eckley requested the Board review the minimum charge for electric customers that do not exceed base usage of 1500 kwh. Eckley presented data of personal usage and noted that it is difficult to keep bills low. She requested consideration to remove the minimum fee and include this amount in the usage rate. The Board expressed appreciation for the input. It was noted that minimum fees are to ensure that BPW is able to maintain infrastructure, which is a fixed cost to the company and not recuperated through usage rates. It was also noted that this is a customary practice for all utility companies BPW has low minimums in comparison surrounding communities. The Board determined at this time no action will be taken to change the rate structure.

GM Hunter provided information on water damage to the Power Plant building. Estimates were received for tuckpointing and spray foaming. Discussion was held on tuckpointing the area at a cost of $18,000.00, versus spray foam for $6,000.00. The Board requested additional bids to tuckpoint the area in need of repair.

(KAIR)--An arrest is made in connection with nine Atchison burglaries, including seven this week, and two occurring earlier last month.

Arrested in connection with the crimes is 24-year-old Kyler Reynolds, who Atchison Police say was arrested early Wednesday morning during a burglary in progress at an Atchison Church.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, Reynolds was arrested at 3:30 Wednesday morning inside the First Christian Church, located at 7th and Santa Fe Streets. Arrested for burglary, Reynolds was also wanted on a Jackson County warrant for failure to appear. He was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

According to Wilson, Reynolds faces charges for the May 17 burglary of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, in the 800 block of Riley Street; the May 22nd and May 30 burglaries at Mount Saint Scholastica; three Tuesday burglaries, including the attempted burglary of Orscheln's Farm and Home Store, in the 600 block of South 10th Street; the Atchison Event Center, in the 700 block of South 9th Street; and Saint Mark's Lutheran Church, in the 400 block of South 6th Street.

Reynolds is also accused of two Wednesday morning burglaries, including the one at the First Christian Church that led to his arrest, and Marie's Tax and Bookkeeping, in the 800 block of Santa Fe Street, nearby the church. 

According to Wilson, additional burglaries, including one at Young Dragon Chinese Restaurant, in the 800 block of U.S. Highway 59, remain under investigation. Unlawful entry was made in the restaurant Monday night, with cash and a small amount of food taken.

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

(KNZA)--A microburst is blamed for damage incurred Monday night in the City of Horton as severe thunderstorms rolled through the local area.

The finding follows an on-site investigation Tuesday by the National Weather Service, with Warning Coordination Meteorologist Chad Omitt told MSC News the microburst, with winds between 75 to 95 mph, “caused a narrow 40 to 60 yard-wide sporadic damage swath that lasted about a quarter-mile in length on the southwest side of [Horton].

According to Horton residents, the damage happened around 6:30 Monday evening, with windows blown out, and other destruction, occurring in the downtown district.

In one case, a business sign was blown away and was found three blocks away. The pressure of the confirmed microburst also caused ceiling damage, and in one reported case, forced a curtain through the frame of the window without breaking the glass.

At least one building, reported as located across from the USD 430 Board of Education, was destroyed by the microburst.

Along with the business damage, Omitt says the microburst also led to sporadic tree limb damage through the rest of Horton.

(KNZA)--Doniphan County voters will decide during the August 2 primary election if a one percent countywide retailers' sales tax should be imposed to fund a countywide ambulance service.

The Doniphan County Commission Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution placing the special question on the ballot.

County Attorney Charles Baskins presented the resolution to commissioners for their approval.

The county currently has two ambulance services, one based in Troy and the other in Highland.

Faced with staffing challenges, increasing operating costs and aging equipment, a committee recommended the formation of a countywide ambulance service.

The Commission also Tuesday adopted a charter resolution, presented by Baskins, that would expand the boundaries of Doniphan County Ambulance District #1 to a countywide district.

The resolution must be published for three consecutive weeks in the official county newspaper and will take effect 60 days after the final publication unless a valid protest petition is filed.