(KNZA)--Two Iowa men were taken into custody over the weekend after a stolen vehicle was stopped in Holton.

Shortly after 4:00 Saturday morning, Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse said Jackson County deputies were alerted by Richardson County, Nebraska authorities of a stolen Ford Crown Victoria that had been taken from Dawson, Nebraska.  The vehicle was believed to be headed south on U.S. Highway 75. 

Jackson County deputies located the vehicle heading southbound north of Holton.  Deputies and Holton Police conducted a traffic stop near Arizona and Banner Drive on the south side of Holton.  A Jackson County Sheriff K-9 was used to bring the two occupants into custody. 

Morse said arrested were 23-year-old Dylan Peters and 21-year-old Zachary White, both of Council Bluffs.

Both men were booked into the Jackson County Jail for felony theft. Peters is also being held for possession of a controlled substance.  White also had an outstanding warrant from the Iowa Department of Corrections for robbery.

(KAIR)--Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) resident Patrick William T. Unrein died Thursday, July 28, 2022, after being transported to St. John’s Hospital, Leavenworth where he was pronounced deceased by hospital staff. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy. Preliminary assessment indicates the death was not related to COVID-19.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is currently on-going.

Unrein, 45, was serving a 281-month sentence for two Sedgwick County convictions (Voluntary Manslaughter; Aggravated Robbery).

(KAIR)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Jefferson County Health Department are investigating reports of individuals who suffered eye or skin irritation after visiting Perry Bar and Grill in Perry, Kansas.

The number of affected individuals is not known at this time, but there are reports that approximately 15 who visited Perry Bar and Grill on July 21 or July 22 had eye irritation.

The facility has worked with state and local agencies to identify and correct the issue. Ultraviolet-C (UVC) light bulbs that were installed in the facility on July 21 could be the cause of the irritation. The light bulbs have been removed. The facility voluntarily closed on July 23 and 24 and reopened on July 25.

UVC radiation can cause severe burns to the skin and eye injuries (photokeratitis). It can occur after a very short exposure (seconds to minutes) to UVC radiation. The type of eye injury associated with exposure to UVC causes severe pain and a feeling of having sand in the eyes. Sometimes people are unable to use their eyes for one to two days. Skin burns and eye injuries from UVC exposure usually resolve within a week with no known long-term damage.

To better understand how many people were affected and when they had symptoms, KDHE would like those who visited Perry Bar and Grill from Monday, July 11 through Monday, July 25 and later suffered pain or irritation in their eyes or on their skin to complete the survey at: https://tinyurl.com/Perry-Kansas.  

(KAIR)--A Texas truck driver is facing charges in Jackson County, arrested Wednesday for drug possession.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a release, said 31-year-old Christopher Caldwell was taken into custody on charges for possession of cocaine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, and drug paraphernalia.

Caldwell’s arrest came during a traffic stop near 102nd and U.S. Highway 75 following a complaint that the tractor-trailer was driving erratically near Holton.

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

(KAIR)--An Atchison man required hospital treatment following a Thursday morning crash in Buchanan County, Missouri, just one mile east of Atchison, Kansas.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 21-year-old Keldon Reynolds, westbound on U.S. Highway 59, lost control due to what the Patrol identifies as a mechanical failure. That sent Reynolds’ vehicle across the center line, with an eastbound vehicle crossing the center line in an attempt to avoid a crash with Reynolds.

Instead, the front right corner of Reynolds' Hyundai struck the front right corner of the SUV, causing Reynolds to slide off the southside of the highway, where his vehicle crashed into a concrete retaining wall, stopping partially on top of the wall.

Reynolds, who was not buckled up, was transported by Buchanan County EMS to Mosaic Life Care, in Saint Joseph, for the treatment of what the Patrol identifies as moderate injuries.

The driver of the SUV, 70-year-old Gerry Jackson, of Garden City, Kansas, was not hurt.

The crash occurred around 9:40 Thursday morning.

(KAIR)--Only five of the 105 counties in Kansas are not placed in the high division when it comes to the number of coronavirus cases identified by state health officials.  That means the majority of the state, including all of the local area. is listed in the high class, meaning 100 coronavirus cases per 100,000.  

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment explains those figures come through what's known as the Weekly Cumulative Index Rate. The state health department calculates the weekly cumulative incidence rate by summing the number of new COVID-19 cases with a symptom onset date for a weeklong period, divided by the population in the county and multiplied by 100,000.  

The dominant High Case class is among four classifications used: Low, Moderate, Substantial, and High.  

The latest Kansas figures reflect the reporting period beginning July 16 and ending July 22.

(KMZA)--Maintenance crews with the Kansas Department of Transportation will close K-87 in Marshall County next week for culvert replacements. The roadway will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1, and Wednesday, Aug. 3.

No detours will be posted, and motorists will need to use alternate routes.

KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone. 

(KLZA)-- Monday, August 1 is the deadline for candidates wanting their names on the ballot, to file for the General Election for Village Boards and Education Service Units.

In Richardson County, there are Village Boards with seats up for election in Barada, Dawson, Rulo, Salem, Shubert, Stella and Verdon.

In addition, the District 1 Seat for Educational Service Unity #4 is up for election. The District consists of Falls City voting Wards, I, II, III, and IV.

ESU candidates must file with the Office of the Secretary of State.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee County Commissioners approved the use of ARPA funds to pay for five digital radios for the Pawnee County Sheriff's Department when they met Tuesday.

The total for the radios to be purchased from Haug Communications will be $8,160.

County Court Clerk Magistrate LaRita Weber met with the Board to discuss upgrades to the courtroom. Commissioners approved upgrades to the courtroom that will allow for video conferencing in the courtroom.

The only cost to Pawnee County will be for wiring, backing and a 65-inch video display screen.

The Board also approved a proposal from Schulz and Associates for auditing for 2023 at a cost of $13,350; the cost in 2024 will be $13,850 in 2025 the cost will be $14,350.

(KAIR)--A lifetime in prison was the sentence handed down Thursday in Atchison County District Court for an Atchison man accused of child rape.

According to a release from Atchison County Attorney Sherri Becker, CJ Lonnie McPhie was sentenced for the crime of aggravated indecent liberties with a a child, a charge he plead guilty to in June.

It will be 25-years before McPhie becomes eligible for Parole.

According to the release, "the Court also ordered that [McPhie] be subject to a lifetime registration as a sexual offender, lifetime parole, and lifetime electronic monitoring if parole is ever granted.”

The crime was first reported to Atchison Police in August of last year, when McPhie was 36-years-old.

Following an investigation, leading to his arrest, Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the case involved a female victim “relating to crimes committed when [the] victim was under the age of 14 and crimes committed when [the] victim was under the age of 16.”

(KAIR)--1,056 voters cast ballots in the City of Atchison’s special election that ended in the defeat of a proposed sales tax to fund transportation infrastructure and property tax relief.

The Atchison County Commission Tuesday, meeting as the Atchison County Canvassing Board, canvassed the ballots from the July 14 special election, with Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips presenting the documents to the board members. “We had eight precincts open at four polling sites, plus an additional office, the County Clerks’ Office, for early voting,” Phillips explained, adding that 16 board members and four staff members were utilized. “We had 106 advance ballots...59 of those were returned,” Phillips said, adding that 337 voted early in her office.

40 of the ballots cast were considered provisional, or problematic.

During her presentation, prior to the canvass, Phillips explained the voter-registration controversy that came due to the timing of the City of Atchison’s special election.

That happened when Atchison residents learned their cutoff to register for the August 2nd Primary was shortened from the state’s July 12 deadline to late June due to the timing. Once that was known, a group of nine residents appeared before the City Commission, with the Commissioner’s asked to cancel the special election. The City took no action on the request, but Atchison County and the State of Kansas, including ACLU of Kansas intervention, made an exception to the state statute regarding voter registration cutoffs, restoring the July 12 registration deadline for Atchison voters, while allowing the special election to proceed.

The so-called “Save Our Streets Special Ballot Question” was soundly defeated by voters during the special election.

(KMZA)--Maintenance crews with the Kansas Department of Transportation will close K-87 in Marshall County next week for culvert replacements.

KDOT says the roadway will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1, and Wednesday, Aug. 3.  

 No detours will be posted, and motorists will need to use alternate routes.  

KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone.  

To stay aware of all road construction projects across Kansas, go to www.kandrive.org or call 5-1-1.

(KAIR)--More than 10,000 free at-home COVID-19 tests have been sent to more than 2,000 Kansas families following a partnership between the KDHE and the Rockefeller Foundation.

WIBW-TV reports the Kansas Department of Health and Environment says it has partnered with the Rockefeller Foundation’s public charity - RF Catalytic Capital - as well as Project Access to COVID Tests to offer free at-home COVID-19 tests to Kansans in vulnerable communities.

The KDHE said more than 2,000 Kansas families have already ordered more than 10,000 tests through the project.

The Department noted that frequent testing is especially important for those with more exposure to the public, such as kids in school or those who spend time in a group setting.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission, when they meet Monday, discussed repair of the Road and Bridge Department's oil distributor truck.

The truck has been in the shop for repairs while the county rents a truck for this summer's chip and seal projects.

Road and Bridge Secretary Tami Lehmkuhl met with the commission to discuss repair of the truck.  With a current repair bill of nearly $8,900, the shop offered the options of rebuilding or replacing the spray nozzles. The cost of rebuilding the spray nozzles would be just over $1,700, with the cost of replacing them at nearly $5,800.  

Following discussion, a motion by Commissioner Rich Lehmkuhl to have the nozzles replaced with new ones was approved on a 2-1 vote.  Commissioner Bill Pollock cast the lone dissenting vote.  

In other business, the commission on a 2-1 vote approved a request from the Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau for use of the courthouse square for the annual Maple Leaf Festival on Saturday, September 24—including access to the electricity and courthouse restrooms.   Commissioner Pollock cast the dissenting vote.

(KNZA)--The preliminary hearing for a rural Horton man charged in the shooting death of another man has been pushed back.

The hearing for 32-year-old Stryder Keo was continued Wednesday to September 28.

Keo is charged in Brown County District Court with one count each of murder in the first-degree and aggravated battery.

He's accused of fatally shooting 35-year-old William Blacksmith, of Whiting, on the morning of July 17 on the Kickapoo Reservation.

Another man was injured after he was struck by one of the bullets allegedly fired by Keo.

Keo was arrested without incident a short time later at his home elsewhere on the reservation after multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene.

He remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a a one-million dollar bond.

(KAIR)--Funding has been awarded for a project in Atchison through a new grant program launched last fall by the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Kansas Lt. Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland on Tuesday announced the recipients of the inaugural grants through the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline or HEAL grant program.

Slightly more than $1.8 million in matching grants are being awarded to help 32 projects across the state----including $65,000 for the Riverfront Brewery project in Atchison. The project would convert the old railroad freight house building located at 118 South 2nd Street. The project is to be completed by July 1, 2024.

Toland, in a release, said the goal of the HEAL program is to rescue downtown buildings and restore them as productive spaces for business and community use.

The release says HEAL was made possible through a collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation, which has been dedicated to strengthening rural communities since 2007.

Grants are divided into two funding categories, emergency and regular, for cities with fewer than 50,000 residents.

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

A rodeo will be held Friday and Saturday evenings at the Horse Arena at 8:00 each night , with mutin bustin each evening at 7:30.  

Friday evening will also bring the 4-H and FFA hog show.

Highlights Saturday include the goat, sheep, dairy, bucket calf and beef shows.

There will be carnival games Saturday from 3 to 7 pm and  Sunday afternoon from 12 noon to 4 at Skoch Park.  

Other highlights Sunday include a public style revue at the Community Building at 1:30 in the afternoon, Barnyard Olympics at 3:00 at the livestock arena and fair parade at 6:30 in the evening.  This year's theme is “4-H is How we Roll”.  The Topeka Drum Line will perform following the parade at Skoch Park.  

The Fair will wrap up Monday evening with the presentations of awards and livestock auction.

(KLZA)-- An Omaha man suffered suspected serious injuries after he was struck by a car at a Falls City business early Tuesday afternoon.

According to a Falls City Police Department report, a car driven by Amy Buckminster, of rural Falls City, went over the curbing at the Kwik Shop parking lot, hit the front door of the business and struck Richard Burgess Hook.

Both Burgess Hook  and Buckminster were transported to Community Medical Center by the Falls City Volunteer Ambulance Squad. The report indicates Buckminster did not appear to be injured.

The building sustained an estimated $5,000 in damage.

(KAIR)--Famed aviator, and Atchison native, Amelia Earhart now stands in the nation’s capitol.

That follows a Congressional Statue Dedication Ceremony Wednesday morning at National Statuary Hall, in Washington D.C.

United States Senator Jerry Moran, prior to the ceremony, spoke on the U.S. Senate Floor about Earhart’s childhood, leading up to a lifetime of achievements. “Amelia Earhart, the most famous woman in aviation, soared into the history books, setting flight records and breaking barriers,” said Sen. Moran. “But before she became known worldwide as the ‘Queen of the Air,’ she was the daughter of a small town in Kansas, Atchison. She captivated the hearts and the minds of many, and inspired the next generation of pilots to love the sky in the same way she did. Undeniably, the state of Kansas has a long history steeped in the aviation industry, but without pioneers like Amelia Earhart, our state would not be the epicenter of aviation that it is today.”

Moran commended the Atchison residents who, on behalf of the Amelia Earhart Foundation, worked to see Earhart’s statue placement become a reality. “This week would not have been possible without efforts of Jacque Pregont, Karen Seaberg, Reed Berger, all with the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation,” Moran said.

Earhart, who replaces Kansan John James Ingalls in the statuary hall, becomes only the tenth woman to be represented among the 100 statues on display.

An identical statue to the one placed in the Capitol will also be displayed in the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum, located at Atchison’s municipal airport named in her honor, once it opens in 2023.

Earhart each year for more than two decades, sans 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, is honored in her hometown of Atchison with a festival and concert. The festival returned earlier this month, in advance of Earhart’s 125th birthday which was commemorated July 24.

Earhart, the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, disappeared, with navigator Fred Noonan, as they flew over the central Pacific Ocean in 1937 during her attempt to become the first woman to complete a circumnavigational flight.

(KAIR)--Kansas Governor Laura Kelly Tuesday commemorated the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Signing a proclamation celebrating the July 26 anniversary, a release from Kelly’s office says her actions also commemorated the role that late Republican Kansas Senator Bob Dole played in seeing the passage of what the release calls a “historic law that expanded civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities.”

Kelly, in the release, recalls first meeting Dole when she lobbied at the state and federal level to pass such protections. She calls Doles efforts “tireless” in his work to pass the ADA, ensuring that “Americans with disabilities were afforded equal rights and opportunities.”

On July 26, 1990, President H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law, prohibiting discrimination in employment, public places, and businesses.

Senator Dole led the ADA’s development and passage along with many Kansas advocates.

The ADA has evolved to provide expanded protections and access to people with disabilities since the time it was originally signed into law.

(KAIR)--Stolen financial information leads to charges for an Atchison man.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 29-year-old Stacey Gorman, Jr. was arrested Monday for criminal use of a financial card and unlawful computer act. Those charges follow Gorman’s alleged use of a stolen financial card at two Atchison convenience stores, with both transactions occurring July 21.

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

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the city of Ozawkie public water supply system located in Jefferson County.

That word came in a release Wednesday.

The advisory was issued Saturday because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

The release says laboratory testing samples collected from the city of Ozawkie 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. 

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Sheriff Rick Hardesty updated County Commissioners Tuesday of the number of inmates currently in the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center and the number of prisoners that needed to be transported to other facilities in the past week due to the number of prisoners. The Jail can hold 24 inmates. Recently the Sheriff's Department has been transporting prisoners nearly 130 miles to Washington County, Nebraska when the number of prisoners climb past the allowable number of inmates.

Commissioners also approved a resolution to formally approve the number of deputies for the Sheriff's Department to allow an additional deputy to serve as the school resource officers the the Humboldt – Table Rock – Steinauer School District. The school will pay for the cost of the added Deputy.

 resolution to close a portion of 660 Avenue, approximately 415 feet south of the intersection of 711 Road and 660 Avenue was adopted during the meeting.

The Board also received the annual report from the Quad County Historical Society. A request for continued funding from the County in an amount of $5,000 for the next fiscal year was presented. The request will be considered during the budgeting process for fiscal year 2022-23.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Sheriff Rick Hardesty updated County Commissioners Tuesday of the number of inmates currently in the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center and the number of prisoners that needed to be transported to other facilities in the past week due to the number of prisoners. The Jail can hold 24 inmates. Recently the Sheriff's Department has been transporting prisoners nearly 130 miles to Washington County, Nebraska when the number of prisoners climb past the allowable number of inmates.

Commissioners also approved a resolution to formally approve the number of deputies for the Sheriff's Department to allow an additional deputy to serve as the school resource officers the the Humboldt – Table Rock – Steinauer School District. The school will pay for the cost of the added Deputy.

 resolution to close a portion of 660 Avenue, approximately 415 feet south of the intersection of 711 Road and 660 Avenue was adopted during the meeting.

The Board also received the annual report from the Quad County Historical Society. A request for continued funding from the County in an amount of $5,000 for the next fiscal year was presented. The request will be considered during the budgeting process for fiscal year 2022-23.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Sheriff Rick Hardesty updated County Commissioners Tuesday of the number of inmates currently in the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center and the number of prisoners that needed to be transported to other facilities in the past week due to the number of prisoners. The Jail can hold 24 inmates. Recently the Sheriff's Department has been transporting prisoners nearly 130 miles to Washington County, Nebraska when the number of prisoners climb past the allowable number of inmates.

Commissioners also approved a resolution to formally approve the number of deputies for the Sheriff's Department to allow an additional deputy to serve as the school resource officers the the Humboldt – Table Rock – Steinauer School District. The school will pay for the cost of the added Deputy.

 resolution to close a portion of 660 Avenue, approximately 415 feet south of the intersection of 711 Road and 660 Avenue was adopted during the meeting.

The Board also received the annual report from the Quad County Historical Society. A request for continued funding from the County in an amount of $5,000 for the next fiscal year was presented. The request will be considered during the budgeting process for fiscal year 2022-23.

(KLZA)-- A bridge rehabilitation project on Interstate 29 in Holt County over U.S. Route 59 (Exit 92 at Craig) is nearing completion.

The Missouri Department of Transportation contracted with Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. to replace the deck of the I-29 bridges over U.S. Route 59. Crews began work in late March and are on target to complete the project in early August.

Guardrail installation is scheduled for early next week, Aug. 1- 2. When the guardrail is complete, both I-29 and U.S. Route 59 under the bridge should reopen to all traffic.

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

(KLZA)-- Unemployment figures increased in Southeast Nebraska during the month of June but held steady statewide.

Johnson County has the highest unemployment rate in the area at 2.8% up a half-a-percentage point from May.

The largest increase in unemployment for the month was in Nemaha County with a jobless rate increase of one-percent to 2.6%.

Other unemployment rates included 2.1% in Richardson County, up half-a-percent; Pawnee County 1.8% up three-tenths; Otoe County, 2.4% up six-tenths and Gage county at 2.5%, up seven-tenths of a point for the month.

Statewide the jobless rate remained steady at 1.9 percent, second in the country, behind the 1.8% unemployment rate in Minnesota. Kansas is tied for the seventh best rate at 2.4%; Iowa is tied for 11th with a 2.6% unemployment rate and Missouri is 15th with a jobless rates of 2.8%.

(KLZA)-- The Richardson County 4-H and FFA Junior Fair continues through Saturday at the Fairgrounds in Humboldt.

The schedule of events includes:

Wednesday:

1 p.m. - Rabbit Show

4 p.m. - Poultry Show

6 p.m. - Ag Olympics

Thursday:

9 a.m. - Meat Goat Show

11 a.m. - Sheep Show

1:30 p.m. - Tractor Driving Contest followed by the ATV Contest and the Riding Mower Contest.

3 p.m. - Companion Animal Contest

5 p.m. - Livestock Judging Contest

Friday:

9 a.m. - Beef Show

1 p.m. – Dairy Cattle Show

4 p.m. - Dairy Goat Show followed by Dairy Goat Milking Demonstration

6 p.m. - Round Robin

Saturday:

7 a.m. - Ag Society Breakfast

9 a.m. - Clover Kid Showcase

11 a.m. - Public Fashion Show

1 p.m. - Awards Ceremony

4 p.m. - Auction

6 p.m. 4-H Dinner – everyone is welcome to attend.

7 p.m. - Silent Static Support Auction

The voting for 4-H Council is open every day until 11 a.m. on Saturday.

The Silent Support Auction continues until Saturday evening.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central USD 115 Board of Education plans to proceed with placing a bond issue on the November general election ballot to fund an estimated $24.2 million in improvements at the district's two schools.

That was the consensus of the Board at their July 18 meeting after new Superintendent Tavis Desormiers and Board President Jason Hammes discussed public meetings held on the bond proposal, which saw a mostly favorable response.

The Board will consider approval of a resolution at their August meeting stating their intent to place the bond issue on the ballot.

It was also the consensus of the board to begin the process of hiring a construction manager.

Work began on a new bond proposal after USD 115 patrons last November soundly defeated a $37.6 million bond issue for improvements at the district's schools.

The new proposal calls for classroom additions at the district's two schools. It also calls renovations at the high school and renovation of the career/tech building at the high school.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has adopted a 2023 city budget of nearly $8.6 million that contains a nearly 5.2 mill tax levy decrease.

The action followed a hearing during the commission's regular meeting Monday evening drawing no public comment.

Interim City Administrator Larry Paine gave a detailed review of the budget.

The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 41.087 mills, which is generate more than $1.1 million in property tax revenue.

The budget is based on an assessed valuation of nearly $27.5 million, up almost 12 percent from 2022. 

Paine said that sewer and water rates will need to be adjusted in the near future so the utilities are not losing money. The relative shortfall between the two utilities is roughly $465,000. 

Paine also informed the commission that city Streets Supervisor Nic Siebenmorgen has resigned as of last week.  Herb Roland will fill the position, beginning August 1. Commissioner Becky Shamburg praised the job Siebenmorgen did during his time in the role, and said she believes he received unfair criticism over the sales tax streets project.

(KAIR)--A City of Atchison employee required hospital treatment after the mower he was riding near the city’s riverfront slid away from him, and into the water, late Tuesday morning.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the 20-year-old City of Atchison Public Works employee had been mowing on an embankment, in the 300 block of River Road, around 11:00 Tuesday morning. As he mowed, the mower began to slide towards the river. The man, Wilson said, “was able to jump off the mower before the mower slid into the river.”

Atchison Police were joined by other local responders in rushing to the scene.

The man was transported by Atchison County EMS for hospital treatment of his injuries.

The mower was recovered from the river.

By Tuesday afternoon, the man was released from the hospital, having incurred no serious injuries in the accident.

(KAIR)--Atchison Police are seeking a missing handgun.

That follows the report that the handgun had been stolen from a vehicle sometime between July 22 and July 25.

The vehicle targeted for the theft had been parked in the 1200 block of Ridge Road at the time of the crime.

The missing handgun search comes as police continue to look for a missing shotgun stolen from inside a parked vehicle, likely between 9:00 Friday night and 1:00 Saturday morning.

The thieves, at that time, stole from two vehicles, parked in the 700 block of Park Street, owned by the same person.

Tools were also taken.

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

(KAIR)--Doniphan County voters during the August 2nd primary election will determine the fate of funding for a Countywide EMS Ambulance Service.

At issue is a proposed 1% sales tax to fund the service, with voters to be asked, on the ballot to vote “yes” in favor of implementing the sales tax, or “no” to vote against it.

According to a release from the Doniphan County EMS Committee, the 1% dedicated sales tax “is different than the current 1% county sales tax in that 100% of the dedicated sales tax collections will be used solely for funding countywide ambulance service.” The release explains that that’s different than the current 1% sales tax “which is divided between Doniphan County and it’s cities proportionate to assessed valuation.”

The release cites the outcome of a survey, approved by the Doniphan County Commission and mailed in January, as the reason behind the proposed 1% dedicated sales tax.

According to the release, the survey was sent to residential property owners asking their opinion on implementation of a countywide ambulance service and levying a tax to fund it. The release notes that the responses were overwhelmingly in favor of forming a countywide ambulance service, with those property owners saying that while in favor, they wanted the County Commission “to find another way to fund it other than putting all the burden on property owners in the form of property tax.”

Those survey result led the County Commission to decided that “a 1% dedicated sales tax for EMS services would be the fairest tax that would cover not only county residents in need of the service, but those visiting and traveling through Doniphan County.”

The formation of a countywide ambulance service has long been discussed due to funding issues leading to staffing shortages and other related concerns.

(KAIR)--Atchison Police are searching for a missing shotgun, stolen from inside a parked vehicle.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the owner of two vehicles reported that they had been targeted by thieves.
It’s believed the crime occurred sometime between 9:00 Friday night and 1:00 Saturday afternoon.

Both vehicles were parked in the 700 block of Park Street at the time the thefts occurred.

Along with the shotgun, also taken were tools.

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

(KLZA)-- Two people were arrested in Humboldt Friday following a lengthy investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine in Humboldt and the surrounding area.

According to a a release from the Richardson County Sheriff's Office, deputies arrested Kimberly Hoagland and Rickey Long.

The Sheriff's Office says the investigation indicates that Hoagland, Long and others conspired to distribute several pounds of methamphetamine over the last three years. It also revealed they were acquiring as much as 112 grams of methamphetamine at a time from sources in Topeka, Kansas.

There are just over 453.5 grams in a pound.

Both Hoagland and Long were booked into the Richardson County Jail on felony charges of distribution of 140 grams or more of methamphetamine.

(KNZA)--The 2022 Doniphan County 4-H Fair Prince and Princess were crowned during a ceremony Monday evening at the fairgrounds in Troy.

Crowned prince was 12-year-old Riley Grable, a five-year member of the Bendena 4-H Club. He will be a 7th grader at Troy Middle School this fall and was selected from among 4 boys competing for prince.

This year’s princess is 14-year-old Alyson Grable, a 7-year member of the Highland Cloverpatch 4-H club. She will be a freshman at Troy High School this fall and was selected from among five girls vying for princess.

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

(KLZA)-- Nebraska has had a great year financially with record tax receipts.

The Department of Revenue reported General Fund receipts for June, 2022 of $56 million above the amount forecast. For the year, net tax receipts are almost $1.47-billion above the certified forecast of $4.88 billion.

1st District State Senator Julie Slama said she expects plenty of options to spend the extra funds will come up during the 2023 Legislative session.

Senator Slama said she is a fan of giving the extra money back to taxpayers through tax relief and does not want to seek government spending expand.

Slama made her comments during a stop in Falls City Friday during her annual tour of the 1st Legislative District.

(Lincoln, Neb.) — The Nebraska Department of Transportation has announced hay harvesting permit applications for the public will be accepted through an online application portal beginning July 30 at 12:01 a.m. CDT.

Applications will be processed in the order they are received during normal business hours beginning Monday, August 1, 2022. Individuals must have a permit to harvest hay on State Right of Way.

An individual may purchase hay harvesting permits online from July 30 through September 15 on a first-come, first-served basis, with each permit limited to five miles of roadside hay total. The hay is for private use only and only one permit is allowed per person.

With the online option, an integrated online map will better aid customers and staff to select miles to mow, and will be routinely updated showing available the miles that are available for permits.

Landowners are given the opportunity to renew last year’s permits between March 1st  and July 29th.

The Hay Harvesting Permits Application and Help Docs will be available on the NDOT website. The option to purchase permits from specified NDOT locations will still be available. Please visit ndot.info/haypermit for more information.

(KLZA)-- Highway 136 from Tecumseh to Auburn is closed for a construction project.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation expects the maintenance crew to complete the project, including the installation of five tubes under Highway 136 in two weeks.

(KLZA)-- Highway 136 from Tecumseh to Auburn is closed for a construction project.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation expects the maintenance crew to complete the project, including the installation of five tubes under Highway 136 in two weeks.

(KLZA)-- Health alerts have been issued for two area lakes by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Health alerts due to Harmful Algal Blooms, also known as toxic blue-green algae have been issued for Duck Creek Lake in Nemaha County and Iron Horse Trail Lake in Pawnee County.

Water samples taken last week measured above the threshold of 8 parts per billion of total microcystin which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.

The public is advised to use caution at these lakes, and the designated swimming beaches are closed during the alert.

Recreational boating and fishing are permitted, but you should avoid exposure to the water, particularly avoiding any activity that could lead to swallowing the water.

Do not let pets get in the water or drink from the lake. Public areas are still open for camping, picnics and other outdoor activities.

(KLZA)-- An Oregon, Missouri teenager drowned over tthe weekend while swimming in the Missouri River in Holt County..

The Missouri Highway Patrol reported 18-year-old Alexander Harris, a recent graduate of South Holt High School in Oregon ,was swimming a half-mile north of Payne's Landing Saturday afternoon when he attempted to assist another struggling swimmer.

The Patrol says Harris went under the water and did not resurface.

His body was recovered Sunday. 

Members of the Missouri Conservation Service, Holt County Fire Department, Red Oak, Iowa, Dive Team and Clarinda, Iowa Dive Team assisted at the scene.

A candlelight memorial was held Sunday evening at the South Holt High Football Field.

Counselors and clergy were available Monday at the school for students, parents and staff to meet with.

(KNZA)--Unemployment increased in area northeast Kansas counties in June from May.  

That's according to figures released Friday by the Kansas Department of Labor.

Atchison County had the highest unemployment rate among area counties at 3.8 percent, while Nemaha County had the lowest at 1.9 percent.  

Elsewhere, Brown County's unemployment rate in June stood at 2.5 percent; Doniphan, 2.8 percent; Jackson, 2.4 percent; Jefferson, 2.7 percent; Leavenworth, 2.9 percent; Marshall, 2.2 percent and Pottawatomie, 2.7 percent.  All the figures were down from June 2021.  

Statewide, the unemployment rate increased to 2.4 percent in June. That's up from 2.3 percent in May, but down from 3.5 percent in June 2021.

(KAIR)--The 1st Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene by telephone conference Tuesday to discuss the nomination process to fill two district judge positions.

One position was created by Judge Martin Asher's July 8 retirement. The other was among the positions certified by a Supreme Court Administrative Order after the Kansas Legislature passed and the governor signed a bill to fund them.

The 1st Judicial District is composed of Atchison and Leavenworth counties.

A nominee for district judge must be: at least 30 years old; a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least five years, whether as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school; and a resident of the judicial district at the time of taking office and while holding office.

The nominating commission seeks nominations and then meets to interview nominees.

The nominating commission will select three to five people whose names will be submitted to the governor to fill the positions. The governor has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint.

(KNZA)--Four individuals were arrested on charges following two separate traffic stops in Jackson County over the weekend.

Three Mayetta residents were arrested on child endangement and drug charges following a traffic stop Saturday evening.

According to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, the traffic stop, for an alleged infraction, took place near 134th and U.S. Highway 75 around 8:15.

Further investigation led to the arrests of 32-year-old Rusty Potts, 26-year-old Simone Noriega, and 26-year-old Cass Cadue.

Potts was arrested on charges of interference with law enforcement and two counts of aggravated endangerment of a child.

Noriega was taken into custody on charges for interference with law enforcement, two counts of aggravated endangerment of a child, no child restraint seat, and driving while suspended.

Cadue was arrested on charges for possession of cocaine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, and drug paraphernalia.

Following their arrests, the trio was booked into the Jackson County Jail.

Another traffic stop late Friday night led to the arrest of a Kansas City, Missouri man on weapon and drug possession charges.

Morse said 39-year-old Neville Haynes, Jr. was taken into custody following a traffic stop near 150th and Q.4 Road shortly before 11:00.

During the stop, Haynes was allegedly found to be in possession of drugs and was taken into custody on charges for possession of cocaine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, and criminal use of a weapon. Following his arrest, Haynes was booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners voted to enter into an agreement with Richardson County Rural Water District #2 to award $200 thousand in ARPA funds to the Rural Water District when they met Tuesday.

Commissioners approved awarding funds to three entities who applied for funds earlier this month.

The Board approved an agreement with Lake Mac Assessment, LLC to provide appraisal training for the Richardson County Assessor and assist in building appraisal modes in the Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal system.

The cost will be $2 thousand for 20 hours of virtual training.

Matt Kasik, CEO of Region V Services presented the organizations annual report to the Board and requested $14,886 in funding from Richardson County for the next fiscal year.

After reviewing a quote from Matt Buckminster to provide professional spraying services on a parcel of property on 709 Road, east of 660 Avenue which is north of Rulo, Commissioners approved the quote of $5,500 to spray for Sericea Lespedeza with the cost to be assessed against the real estate.

The property is in non-compliance of the noxious weed control regulations.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Ozawkie public water supply system located in Jefferson County.

The advisory was issued Saturday due to a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system. KDHE says failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination. 

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

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

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

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

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

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

KDHE says the advisory will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved.

(KLZA)-- Three people are facing various charges in Richardson County following arrests by the Richardson County Sheriff's Department.

Thursday Christina Eichelberger of Seneca, Kansas, wanted on a Richardson County warrant for attempt of a Class 3A or 4 Felony was extradited from Nemaha County to Richardson County where she will either pay her fines or serve her time.

In 1999, Eichelberger was sentenced to pay a fine and restitution of more than $1,000.

The Sheriff's Department received information, from the Kansas Highway Patrol that Eichelberger was residing in Seneca. The KHP arrested Eichelberger and she was extradited to Richardson County.

Jacqueline Collier was also extradited from Nemaha County, Kansas on a warrant for possession of Methamphetamine.

Also Thursday, Richardson County Deputies stopped Retta Feldkamp in Humboldt. She was arrested following an investigation, for conspiracy to distribute Methamphetamine.

The Richardson County K9 Unit was deployed and a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted with suspected Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia located.

In addition to being arrested on the warrant charges, Feldkamp is facing new charges of possession of Methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

(KMZA)--The Seneca Planning Commission is recommending that commercial/utility grade wind energy systems be prohibited within the zoning jurisdiction of the city of Seneca.

Seneca City Administrator Tami Haverkamp said the Planning Commission voted unanimously following a public hearing Thursday evening to make the recommendation to the Seneca City Council.

Haverkamp said the City Council will consider the recommendation at their next meeting.

Currently, wind energy systems are permitted as a conditional use in areas with a Transitional Ag zoning classification.

Haverkamp said the proposed change is based on input from the city's FlashVote public surveys.

The city's zoning boundaries extend three miles outside of the city limits.

(KMZA)--There's a vacancy on the Seneca City Council.

Ward 1 Council member Lucas Koch resigned from the Council at Wednesday's regular meeting, effective immediately.

Koch said he's stepping down because his work situation is changing.

He has served on the Council since January.

The city says any resident living in Ward 1 interested in filling the open Council seat is asked to fill out an interest form at City Hall by August 19.  The position is for a four-year term that expires in January 2026. 

Ward 1 encompasses all residents that live north of Main Street and east of 6th Street.

In other business, the Council, on a 3-2 vote, approved the sell of two-acres of city owned land west of the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital to the hospital for $5,000. Plans are to use the property for a building materials staging area for the hospital's proposed facility improvement project. Council members Ray Shinn and Lucas Koch cast the dissenting votes, saying they didn't want the city to set a precedent of selling city property to companies. Council member Mike Stallbaumer abstained from voting.

Also the Council was informed by Administrative Consulting Service that there is $3 million dollars in forgivable funds available to the city to upgrade the city's water treatment facility to improve the water quality by lowering the magnesium levels. The Council approved applying for the funds.

(KLZA)-- Nebraska 1st District State Senator Julie Slama wrapped up her Summer Tour of the District Friday with a number of stops in Richardson County.

During a stop at One Stop Cafe in Falls City, Slama said high property taxes and unfunded mandates continue to be on the minds of residents in the area.

Slama says she is discussing the result of the 2022 Legislative session that wrapped up this spring and finding out from constituents what their concerns are for the 2023 session that will begin in January.

Slama spent this week touring all of the incorporated communities in Legislative District #1.

(KLZA)-- Shortly before 11 Thursday night Falls City Police Officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of Abbott Street for a suicidal subject.

When officers arrived the found a man sitting outside his house pouring gasoline on himself and threatening to light himself on fire.

Officers spoke with the man for an hour and were able to convince him to put down the lighter at which point he was taken into protective custody with no one being hurt.

The subject was transported to Community Medical Center where he was decontaminated and treated. The man was then transported to the Lancaster County Crisis Center for treatment.

In a press release, the Falls City Police Department recognized Sergeant Mike Dougherty and Officers James Wason and Mitchell Cheek for their actions to bring a safe resolution to a dangerous situation.

The Falls City Volunteer Ambulance Squad and Falls City Volunteer Fire Department were on standby during the event.

(KNZA)--The execution of two search warrants Thursday evening in Hiawatha led to the arrest of five Hiawatha residents on drug charges and a Topeka resident on outstanding warrants.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said the search warrants were served simultaneously at 711 and 714 Iowa Street.

At 711 Iowa Street, 36-year-old Derek Frakes was arrested on charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

56-year-old Kimberly Wagner and 65-year-old Steven Schler were arrested on charges of possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

At 714 Iowa Street, 61-year-old Morton Alfrey was arrested on charges of possession of meth, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

54-year-old Randy Glander was arrested on charges of  possession of Meth and possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  

25-year-old Tristan Morris was arrested on a misdemeanor city of Horton warrant for failure to appear and Jackson County felony probation violation warrant.

Merchant said the Brown County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force, Hiawatha Police Department , Kansas Highway Patrol and Brown County Attorney worked together to make the arrests.

He said many hours of casework, preparation and planning went into the investigation as well as concerns of the public.

(KNZA)--The 97th annual Jackson County Fair will kick off Monday at the Northeast Kansas Heritage Complex, south of Holton.

This year's fair parade will take place Wednesday evening at 6:00 in Holton. Serving as grand marshals will be longtime Meadowlark District Extension agents Jody Holthaus and Nancy Nelson, who both retired last year.

A new feature of this year's fair is a post-parade concert at 9:00 featuring country singer-songwriter Wynn Varble.

The county's 4-H youth will be showing their projects between Monday and Thursday.

Carnival rides and games will be provided by Great Plains Amusement Tuesday through Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, the annual Doniphan County Fair gets underway Monday with the coronation of the 4-H prince and princess at 6:00, and runs through Friday.

Vying for Prince are Grant Boos, Brycen Bauman and Riley Grable.

Vying for Princess are Alyson Grable, AnnaMaria Root, Mackenna Thomas, Allison Jeschke and Gracie Juhl.

(KNZA)--A rural Horton man charged in the shooting death of another man made his first appearance in a Brown County courtroom Wednesday afternoon.

32-year-old Stryder Keo is charged with one count each of murder in the first-degree and aggravated battery.

A preliminary hearing was set for July 27.

Keo is charged in the July 17 shooting death of 35-year-old William Blacksmith, of Whiting. 

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to a report of a shooting in the vicinity of 1300 Firefly Road on the Kickapoo Reservation shortly before 7:30 Sunday morning, where Blacksmith was found unresponsive in a yard with multiple gunshot wounds.

Another individual was struck by one of the shots allegedly fired by Keo.  The male victim is expected to recover from his injuries.

Keo was arrested without incident a short time later at his home on the reservation.

He remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a one million dollar bond.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth man has been convicted on a pair of child sex charges.

Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson said 36-year-old Terance Dozier, Jr., entered a plea to two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy as part of a plea agreement.

Dozier was arrested by the Leavenworth Police Department in March after an investigation in which it was reported he had molested two children when they were about 8 and 9 years old, with the abuse continuing over several years.

Thompson said the initial disclosure of the abuse was made to a school counselor who notified authorities.

According to the plea agreement, Dozier is expected to serve 29 or 26 years in prison, and will be required to register as a sex offender.

(KAIR)--A Kansas City, Kansas man has been charged in the shooting death of a Leavenworth woman.

Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson said 27-year-old Jerell Martin has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of 20-year-old Erica Hopkins on July 15.

Leavenworth Police say Martin was arrested Wednesday afternoon in Kansas City.

Police responded to an apartment complex in the 2900 block of Ralph Bunche Drive shortly before 12:30 last Friday morning for a report of shots fired.

Upon arrival, officers located Hopkins suffering from a gunshot wound.

She was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Martin is being held in the Leavenworth County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff's Office has child emergency ID kits available free of charge in the lobby of the sheriff's office.

Sheriff John Merchant said the kits are commonly referred to as IDENTAKID packets. He said the kits are all self contained, meaning everything is included in the kits to obtain fingerprints and DNA from children for safekeeping in the event they should be lost, injured or abducted.

The kit contains emergency information, fingerprint cards with non-toxic ink strips, sterile cotton swabs, DNA storage bags, information wallet cards, safety tips and instructions---which can all be stored in a clear plastic sleeve.  

Merchant urges all parents and caregivers to utilize these kits on behalf of child safety.  After completion, he said parents can keep this information in a secure area in the event it is ever needed.

The Sheriff's Office will also have the kits available during the National Night Out event in Hiawatha on August 2nd.

(KLZA)-- The Judicial Nominating Commission for County Judge in Nebraska's First Judicial District has presented two names for Governor Pete Ricketts to consider for the current vacancy in the District which consists of Richardson, Pawnee, Nemaha, Johnson, Gage, Jefferson, Saline and Thayer counties.

The Commission has submitted Diane L. Merwin of Humboldt and Richard R. Smith of Cook for the position.

The primary office location for the judicial vacancy will be either Richardson County, Nemaha County or Pawnee County, to be determined by the Nebraska Supreme Court after consultation with the judge appointed to the position.

The vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Curtis L. Maschman.

Merwin is an attorney with the Fankhauser, Nelsen, Werts and Merwin law firm in Humboldt. Smith is currently serving as Johnson County Attorney.

LINCOLN – The Nebraska State College System recently released an ,economic impact report demonstrating the collective impact of Chadron, Peru, and Wayne State Colleges on Nebraska. This independent report illustrates that the NSCS adds $564.8 million in income to the Nebraska economy each year, signifying that your State Colleges are working for Nebraska.

Chadron, Peru, and Wayne State contribute to a thriving workforce and grow the local and state economies. With an annual state investment of just under $56 million to support the State Colleges, the NSCS generated $10 of economic impact for every $1 invested.

10,593 Nebraska jobs are supported by the economic impact of the NSCS, meaning that the Colleges and their students support one out of every 127 jobs in Nebraska.

The average State College bachelor’s degree graduate will see annual earnings $22,100 higher than a person with a high school diploma or equivalent working in Nebraska. Over a working lifetime, the benefits of a bachelor’s degree over a high school diploma will amount to an undiscounted value of $928,200 in higher earnings per graduate.

Paul Turman, Chancellor of the Nebraska State College System said the report affirms how significantly the contributions of Chadron, Peru, and Wayne State Colleges directly fuel the Nebraska economy.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners conducted a public hearing Tuesday morning to receive comment about the proposed closing of a portion of 660 Avenue between 711 Road and 712 Trail.

No one from the public attended the hearing, and no action was taken by the Board.

Commissioners approved allowing the number of Richardson County Deputy Sheriffs to increase by one, to allow for an additional Deputy to serve as the School Resource Officer at the Humboldt-Table Rock – Steinauer School. The position will be funded totally by School District #70 at a cost of $5,127 per month.

Official action to amend the resolution last amended in October of 2021 will be taken during the July 26 meeting of the Board.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty reported there are currently 30 inmates booked into the Richardson County Jail with seven of the inmates having been transported to the Washington County Jail, in Blair. The Sheriff indicated there would be additional inmates booked into the jail this week for court commitments.

Capacity of the Jail is 28.

Commissioners conducted the Quarterly Jail Inspection, finding the facility to be in good order.

(KLZA)-- The Mound City Board of Education approved student handbooks for the Elementary, Middle and High School for the upcoming school year when they met Tuesday morning.

The Board also awarded the bid to provide milk to the district to Hiland Dairy and the bid for bread to Graves Foods for the new school year.

Superintendent Korey Miles presented information on what 21 area school districts allow for sick and personal days. Following the discussion the Mound City Board approved allowing teacher 10 sick days and three personal days per year beginning with the 2022-23 school year.

The Superintendent also reported work continues on the track at Ceglenski Field with asphalt work to be completed this week. Play clocks will be installed next week at the football field; He noted the gym floor has been refinished and the gym roof project is nearly completed.

(KLZA)-- The 11th Annual Community Medical Center Foundation Golf “Fore” Good Health Charity Golf Tournament will be Friday at the Classic Club 8 Golf Course west of Falls City.

Event Director Linda Santo said money raised by the annual tournament is used for needed medical equipment or wellness needs.

Former Nebraska football players Steve Taylor and Clester Johnson will take part in the event along with former Husker player and current coach Mickey Joseph. Also playing in the event will be former Husker basketball and NBA veteran Erick Strickland.

For those that do not golf, you are invited to a Meet & Greet event at the golf course beginning at 10:30 a.m. All of the former Huskers will talk and take questions from those in attendance.

To obtain a ticket for the meet and greet session contact Linda Santo at 402-245-6704 or 402-245-0645.

(MSC News)--Governor Laura Kelly has announced the awarding of $90,000 in grants to 14 rural communities to create new murals and public art projects that will beautify community gathering spaces and serve as new tourist attractions.

The funding, announced Tuesday, is through the Office of Rural Prosperity’s Rural Mural and Public Art grant program.

Locally, Jackson County and the Jackson Country Tourism Council was awarded $8,400 and Seneca Downtown Impact, Inc. was awarded $750.

Each of the projects requires a 1:1 match from the community. Seventy-five percent of the grant funding will be gifted up front as several of the city projects plan to start in the next two weeks.  

(KNZA)--A motorcyclist died from injuries received Wednesday evening in a two-vehicle Buchanan County, Missouri crash.

According to the The Missouri State Highway Patrol, 34-year-old John Shea, of Stewartsville, was westbound on U.S. 36, 13 miles east of St. Joseph, when his motorcycle rear-ended the towed unit of a semi truck driven by 55-year-old Scott Hopkins, of Mayetta Kansas, around 6:30.

Shea was ejected.  He was transported to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, where he later died.

The Patrol reports he was wearing a helmet.

Hopkins was not hurt.

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

Merchant said he's recently had a number of complaints from residents about a "POP UP AD"  randomly showing up on their computer screen that disables the computer.  

The ad states that their computer has been locked and disabled  by Windows and gives a number to call in order to repair.  It will appear that is is being sent by "WINDOWS" and looks to be somewhat official. However, Merchant says it is not being sent by Windows and is a scam.   

At times, he says the POP UP AD" is accompanied by a number of other pop ups and disables the use of the computers.  Merchant said several residents have called the number listed on the ad, and have been advised there is a fee associated with unlocking the computer and they want the ability to remote in on their computer to fix the problem as well as their bank account information to pay for their service.

At this time, Merchant says all those who have reported the scam have not given out their bank information to pay for the fee.  

Merchant advises residents not to allow complete strangers access to your computer or to give out your banking information.

He says if you feel you have been made a victim of this scam, notify your local law enforcement at once. 

(KNZA)--A Horton woman was arrested on drug charges after she allegedly granted a Sheriff's deputy consent to search her residence.

According to a report from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, while on duty Saturday a deputy identified the odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside a residence.

A consent search was allegedly granted, which resulted in the arrest of 35-year-old Anna Kaler on charges of Possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kaler was booked into the Brown County Jail and was later released after posting bond.

(KNZA)--Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the burglary of an abandoned house in Jackson County.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says the Sheriff's Office received a report of a suspicious vehicle near 198th and G. Roads Sunday afternoon.

Morse said deputies arrived in the area and located three individuals who were allegedly connected to an area burglary of an abandoned house.  

He said property from the residence was found inside the vehicle.

Arrested were 20-year-old Cyrie De Jong, of Olathe, 21-year-old Omar Garcia-Delgado, of Kansas City, Missouri, and 20-year-old, Grant Gardner. 

All three were booked into the Jackson County Jail for burglary, possession of stolen property, criminal trespass and theft

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved a resolution for bond reimbursement financing for the 33rd Street Project. The street will run from Bill Schock Boulevard east to Lane Street.

The City expects the $825 thousand in bonds to pay for all or a portion of the project.

The contracts for the project have been drafted and pre-construction tasks have been performed, including land re-platting and Right-of-Way filing.

Construction on the new street is expected to begin yet this month.

(KLZA) -- Attorney David Lopez who represents First District State Senator Julie Slama has called an attempt by former gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster to amend his defamation lawsuit “futile” and a delaying tactic according to a story in the Nebraska Examiner.

Herbster filed suit after Slama and seven other women accused him of sexually groping them. Herbster, who is from Falls City had denied the accusations and has filed legal motions to amend his original lawsuit, claiming that the allegations against him changed from “groping” to “sexual assault” and that Slama's attorney was attempting to try the legal battle in the media.

Attorney Lopez rejected Herbsters claims in a five-page legal response that was posted Monday. In the response, Lopez argues that Herbster's own lawsuit stated that he was accused of a sexual assault, and that “groping” is a sexual assault, according to Nebraska state statutes.

The suits have been filed in Johnson County District Court. The next court hearing on the matter is scheduled for August 15.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Liberty Alliance is sponsoring a “ Meet the Commissioner Candidates” event Thursday evening ( July 21)

The event will be at 6:30 at the Brown County Historical Society Ag Museum on East Iowa Street in Hiawatha.

On hand will be the two Republican candidates vying for 1st District Brown County Commissioner---incumbent Richard Lehmkuhl and Kenneth Pyle.

All voters living in District 1 are invited to meet the two candidates, listen to presentations and ask questions.

Lehmkuhl will kick off the evening with his presentation at 6:30 followed by a brief question and answer session. At 7:00, attendees will have a short break, followed by a presentation and question and answer session with Pyle beginning at 7:30.

The winner of the August 2 Republican primary will face Democrat Bill Collins, who currently serves as Hiawatha Mayor, in November.

(KNZA)--A candidate for the State Board of Education will make a stop in Holton Thursday evening ( July 21).

Danny Zeck, a Republican from Leavenworth, will be at the Jackson County Courthouse at 6:30 to discuss issues surrounding our schools.

The public is encouraged to attend.

Zeck is the lone Republican candidate vying for member district 1 on the State board of Education, which includes 12 northeast Kansas Counties. He will face Democrat Jeffrey Howards in November.

The position is currently held by Kansas City Democrat Janet Waugh, who did not seek re-election. She has served on the board since 1999.

(KLZA)-- A release from Johnson County Deputy County Attorney Benjamin Beethe has identified 41-year-old Billy Case Jr. of Auburn as the person killed in a single-vehicle wreck in Johnson County Saturday night.

Johnson County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to the wreck approximately 3 miles east of Highway 50 on Highway 136 around 10:30.

There were two other people in the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire, both were transported to the Johnson County Hospital in Tecumseh.

The accident is being investigated by the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska State Patrol and the Johnson County Attorney's Office.

(KLZA)-- A Saturday night, single vehicle wreck in Johnson County claimed the life of one man.

According to a Johnson County Attorney's Office news release, the wreck occurred about 10:30 p.m. approximately three miles east of Highway 50 on Highway 136.

In all, there were three people in the vehicle, two of the people were transported to the Johnson County Hospital in Tecumseh for treatment.

Identification of the victims has been withheld, pending notification of the next of kin.

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska State Patrol and the Johnson County Attorney's Office is investigating the wreck.

(KAIR)--Advance voting for the August 2 primary election is underway in Atchison County.

The Atchison County Clerk's Office will be offering four remote voting locations  Wednesday, July 20 and Friday, July 22 in advance of the primary election..

Remote Voting:
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
9:30 am to 11:30 am Lancaster City Hall, 301 Kansas Street, Lancaster, KS
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Cummings Christian Church, 2583 McPherson Road, Cummings, KS
Friday, July 22, 2022
9:30 am to 11:30 am Effingham Municipal Building, 414 Main Street, Effingham, KS
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Arrington Community Building, 1301 Kansas Hwy 116 Holton, KS

Early Voting
Atchison County Clerk’s Office 423 N 5th Street, Atchison, KS:
Monday, July 18, 2022 through Friday, July 22, 2022
8:30 am to 5:00 pm Daily
Monday, July 25, 2022 through Friday, July 29, 2022
8:30 am to 5:00 pm Daily
Monday, August 1, 2022
8:30 to 12:00 pm (noon)

You can also request an advance ballot by mail. Applications for an advance ballot by mail must be received by the County Clerk’s Office prior to July 26, 2022.

Ballots can be returned four different ways:
·By mail.  Envelope must be postmarked (hand cancelled) August 2, 2022, or before
·Deliver (in-person) to the County Clerk’s Office, 423 N 5th Street, Atchison before 7:00 pm August 2, 2022
·Deliver to Dropbox located on the North side of the Courthouse, 423 N 5th Street, Atchison before 7:00 pm August 2, 2022
·Delivered to ANY polling location prior to 7:00 pm on Election Day

(KLZA)-- Nebraska First District State Senator Julie Slama is in the midst of visiting all 37 incorporated communities in District 1.

The events are open to the public so constituents can relay their issues and concerns to Senator Slama.

The events are being held outside of normal working hours so everyone can attend. The events will be one hour or less.

The schedule of visits includes:

Wednesday, July 20 - 6:00-6:45 a.m. Coffee & Constituent Services, Gospel Coffee, 121 Main St., Brownville.

7:00-7:45 a.m. Auburn, Politics in the Park, Legion Park

8:00-8:45 a.m. Peru, Politics in the Park, Neal Park.

Thursday, July 21 - 6:15-6:45 a.m. Burchard Mobile Office Hours at Burchard Wildlife Management Area Picnic Area.

7:15-7:45 a.m. Lewiston Town Hall at Lewiston Public Schools

8:00-8:45 a.m. Crab Orchard, Politics in the Parking Lot- Crab Orchard Post Office Parking Lot

Friday, July 22 - 6:15-6:45 a.m. Humboldt, Politics in the Park at Southeast Nebraska Community Cancer Garden.

7-7:30 a.m. Dawson, Politics in the Parking Lot at Dawson Post Office.

7:40-8:10 a.m. Verdon, Politics in the Park at Verdon State Recreation Area.

8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Falls City, Coffee and Constituent Services at One Stop Cafe.

9:15-9:45 a.m. Rulo, Mobile Office Hours at Wild Bill's.

10-11 a.m. Salem, Door knocking for one-on-one conversations.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee County Fair begins Wednesday in Pawnee City.

The schedule of events includes:

Wednesday: July 20

7 p.m. - Ribbon Cutting for the new buildings at the fair grounds

6 p.m. - Garden Tractor Pull

Thursday: July 21

6 p.m. - Fair Parade – Theme “Legacy of Yesterday, Promise of Tomorrow”

6 p.m. - Chicken barbecue and the Greg Blecha Trio will play

7 p.m. - Open house for new buildings at the fairgrounds

7:30 p.m. - Karaoke Contest

7:30 – Pioneer Farm Family Awards to be presented.

Friday: July 22

7 p.m. - Mutton Bustin'

8 p.m. - Grand River Rodeo

9 p.m. - Kent Siebe Band

Saturday: July 23

9 a.m. - Mud Volleyball

11 a.m. - Car Show

12 p.m. - National Barrel Horse Association competition

7 p.m. - Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pull

7 p.m. - Mutton Bustin'

8 p.m. Grand River Rodeo

Sunday: July 24

1 p.m. - 51st Annual Tractor Pull

2 p.m. - Children's Power Wheel Races

There will be carnival games and entertainment on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 – 10 p.m.

(PERU)--  Peru State College has received continuing accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) for ten years, with the next Reaffirmation of Accreditation in 2031-32. HLC accredits degree-granting colleges and universities that are based in the United States. Institutional accreditation validates the quality of an institution as a whole and evaluates multiple aspects of an institution, including its academic offerings, governance and administration, mission, finances, and resources.

"We are pleased to receive notice of continuing accreditation," said Dr. Tim Borchers, Vice President of Academic Affairs. "The affirmation of the peer review team speaks to the dedication of our faculty and staff in providing an engaging and personalized education for our students that is of high quality."

According to the HLC, institutions are evaluated against its Criteria for Accreditation, a set of standards that institutions must meet to receive and/or maintain accredited status. Following the submission of a self-study report, a team of five peer reviewers visited campus in late March to validate the report, talking with students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

In its final report, the review team wrote, "The Team commends Peru State College on a thorough and well-documented Assurance Argument. It was clear from the Argument and the campus visit that PSC is mission-driven, with strong advocacy on their behalf from the Nebraska State College System Office."

The report continued, "Furthermore, the institution seems well equipped to serve the needs of students with excellent facilities and admirable student support services. The team was impressed by the high level of professionalism among faculty and staff, and the recognition by students of the institution's commitment to their success. As a whole the faculty who spoke with team members during the visit demonstrated resounding devotion to students and their profession to meet these challenges."

The state's first college, Peru State provides students of all backgrounds access to engaging educational experiences to strengthen and enrich communities, Nebraska and the world. Peru State is a member institution of the Nebraska State College System.

(KNZA)--Two men were arrested early Tuesday morning following a break-in at a Jackson County salvage yard.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse said shortly before 4:00 deputies reported seeing  two men at the Netawaka Salvage yard near 330th and U.S. 75 Highway.

Deputies and other area law enforcement secured a perimeter around the salvage yard.

A Jackson County Sheriff’s Office drone and K-9 were used in the search.  The drone located a man just east of the salvage yard lying in a field.  Shortly thereafter, a second man was located by the drone in a soybean field east of the property and east of U.S. Hwy 75.

 59-year-old Ronald Wieland Jr. and 49-year-old Michael Young, both of Topeka,  were booked into the Jackson County Jail for suspicion of burglary, attempted theft and drug charges.

Assisting in the search were the Kansas Highway Patrol, Kickapoo Police Department, Holton Police Department, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, and Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office

(KAIR)--A Lansing man was killed Monday morning when his small plane crashed in Leavenworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 68-year-old Gary Knight was killed after attempting to make an emergency landing in a bean field south of Basehor around 10:00.

The Patrol said the single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft was heading south near U.S. 24 Highway, just west of 151st Street, when Knight made a hard-right turn that caused the nose to face east.

After landing, the plane burst into flames and became fully engulfed.

Knight, who was the only person on board, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the fatal plane crash.

(KLZA)-- The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory is in effect until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday evening.

In Southeast Nebraska the advisory includes Richardson, Pawnee and Nemaha counties.

In Northeast Kansas the advisory includes Brown, Nemaha, Jackson, Jefferson and Marshall counties.

Heat index values between 102 and 110 degrees are possible due to the combination of hot temperatures and high humidity.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends people working outside should schedule frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency and if you have the symptoms you should call 9 1 1.

(KNZA)--Charges have been filed in connection with a fatal shooting Sunday morning on the Kickapoo Reservation.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill said a two-count complaint was filed Monday afternoon in Brown County District Court charging 32-year-old Stryder Keo with one count of murder in the first degree and one count of aggravated battery.

Around 7:20 Sunday morning, multiple law enforcement agencies responded to a report of a shooting in the vicinity of 1300 Firefly on the Kickapoo Reservation.

Upon arrival, Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said 35-year-old William Blacksmith, of Whiting, was found unresponsive in the yard with multiple gunshot wounds.

Merchant said Keo was arrested without incident at his home on the reservation a short time later.

Keo remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a one million dollar bond.

The incident is being investigated by the Brown County Sheriff's Office, coordinated with the Brown County Attorney and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

(KLZA)__ The 2022 Richardson County 4-H and FFA Junior Fair will begin Sunday, July 24 in Humboldt and continue through Saturday, July 30.

Local 4-H and FFA members will be exhibiting projects which portray the many hours of work and dedication the youth spend working on or with the projects.

In addition to the livestock shows and static exhibits, new evening entertainment events have been added to this years schedule.

A fair kick off barbecue with backyards games will be held Tuesday evening, July 26, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Fairgrounds. A free-will donation will be accepted with the funds raised benefiting the 4-H Council.

See schedule below.

(KLZA)-- According to a release from the Richardson County Sheriff's Department an Omaha man is facing drug and a firearm charges following a traffic stop early Friday morning.

Deputies conducted a traffic stop about 1:30 a.m.

During a search of the vehicle deputies located alleged drugs, paraphernalia and a firearm.

Patrick King of Omaha is charged with possession of Xanax, possession of a a firearm during a felony and possession of drug paraphernalia.

(KLZA)-- A Rock Port teen was injured in a single vehicle wreck Friday evening.

The Missouri Highway Patrol report indicated 19-year-old Alyssa Applen was northbound on U-S 59 Highway approximately three miles north of Fairfax when her car began to skid, traveled off the road and became airborne and overturned coming to rest on its top on the east side of the highway.

Applen was transported to the Fairfax Community Hospital by the Atchison-Holt Ambulance with what were described as moderate injuries. Applen was not wearing a safety device at the time of the wreck.

The car was totaled.

The Atchison County Sheriff's Department, Tarkio Police Department and Fairfax Rural Fire Department all responded to the scene.

(KLZA)-- A new City Council member has been appointed in Pawnee City.

During their July 11 meeting Vickie Zelenka was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of Council member Bruce Haughton. The seat will be up for election again in 2024.

According to the Pawnee Republican, Zelenka will withdraw her name from the November general election for one of the two council seats up for election.

Still on the ballot will be incumbents Susan Eisenhauer and Rickie Helms. Also seeking one of the seats is Laura Poskochil.

(KLZA)-- The Richardson County Sheriff's Department executed two search warrants simultaneously in Humboldt on Sunday.

The search warrants were for properties at 704 Nemaha and 716 Nemaha Street.

A report from the Sheriff's Department says firearms, large bladed weapons, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were discovered during the search with numerous people located at both properties.

Five people were charged following execution of the search warrants:

49-year-old Scott Bachman Sr. of Humboldt for Possession of Methamphetamine, possession of a deadly weapon by a felon, possession of a deadly weapon during a felony and possession of drug paraphernalia.

47-year-old Joshua Bachman of Humboldt is charged with possession of Methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a deadly weapon during a felony.

26-year-old Janeen Moyer of Humboldt was arrested for possession of Methamphetamine, possession of a deadly weapon during a felony and possession of drug paraphernalia.

34-year-old Matthew Koeneke of Rulo was charged with possession of Methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

24-year-old Stephanie Bachman of Humboldt is also charged with possession of Methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

(KAIR)--A 60-year-old man was robbed in Atchison over the weekend.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson said it happened around 4:00 Saturday morning in the 1100 block of North 7th Street.

Wilson said the victim was struck on the head with an unknown object.

He said the suspect took his wallet, cash, phone and keys.

The victim was treated by EMS for injuries but was not transported for further medical treatment.

 Wilson said the police department worked several leads over the weekend and identified a person of interest who they are trying to locate. 

(KAIR)--A late Saturday night two-vehicle wreck in Atchison sent two people to the hospital.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, it happened shortly after 11:00 at 5th and Park Streets.

Wilson said a Harley Davidson motorcycle ridden by 64-year-old Michael Emery, of Spring Hill, Kansas, was southbound on 5th Street.

A Toyota passenger car driven by 19-year-old Ayiana Blacksmith-Juarez, of Topeka, was northbound on 5th Street, and after stopping at a stop sign, proceeded into the intersection to turn west onto Park Street when the collision occurred.

Emery and a 55-year-old female passenger, who was also riding on the motorcycle, were transported to a St. Joseph, Missouri hospital by EMS.

Blacksmith-Juarez was cited for failure to yield.

(KNZA)--A Missouri man, who was wanted on a warrant and considered to be armed and dangerous, was arrested early Saturday morning after leading deputies on a pursuit in Jackson County.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says a deputy attempted to stop a van near Mayetta around 2:15. 

The driver fled and headed north in a southbound lane of U.S. 75 Highway near 150th  Road.

Morse said a deputy initiated a tactical vehicle intervention maneuver and forced the van to come to a stop.

The driver, identified as 41-year-old Justin Holloway, of Kansas City, was taken into custody.

Holloway was booked into the Jackson County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, interference with law enforcement, reckless driving, driving without a driver’s license, and no registration.

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

Traditional supplies like pencils and paper in addition to Kleenex, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are all needed.  

You can drop off school supply donations in the lobby of the Brown County Sheriff’s Office in Hiawatha now through August 13.  They are open 24/7.  

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

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

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

(KNZA)--An early Sunday morning two-vehicle Jefferson County wreck claimed two lives.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on K-4 Highway at Northeast Spring Creek Road shortly before 2:30.

The Patrol reports a southbound SUV driven by 20-year-old Jeremy Burd, of Topeka, was attempting to turn into a private driveway when a northbound motorcycle driven by by 27-year-old Joseph Platt, of Meriden, struck the passenger side rear door of Burd's vehicle.

Platt and a passenger in Burd's vehicle, 22-year-old Topeka resident Cameron Meinholdt, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Another passenger Burd's vehicle, 20-year-old Topeka resident Grace Sheets, was transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital with suspected serious injuries.

Burd and a third passenger in his vehicle escaped injury.

According to the Jefferson County Jail roster, Burd was booked into jail on charges of vehicular homicide and driving under the influence.  He remains held on a $100,000 bond.

(KNZA)--Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery of the Kansas Army National Guard were honored at a deployment ceremony Friday in the gymnasium of Washburn Rural High School in Topeka.

According to a release from the Kansas Adjacent General's Office, the deploying soldiers will be under the command of Lt. Col. Dana Graf, Jr.

“This state depends on selfless men and women of the Kansas Army National Guard – not only in deploying to serve their mission overseas, but every day in service to their mission at home,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “We value their service to our nation, and we will continue to support them while they’re away.”

“We are honored to represent our fellow Kansans and Kansas Guardsmen on this mission,” said Graf. “This departure ceremony is the culmination of over two years of preparation and has required many sacrifices by our Soldiers, their families and employers. We cannot thank them enough for their support.”

In addition to Graf, the official party for the ceremony included Brig. Gen. Anthony Mohatt, assistant adjutant general – Army and commander of the Kansas Army National Guard; Command Sgt. Maj. Steve Harmon, land component command sergeant major; and Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Spencer, senior noncommissioned officer, 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery.

“It is always a proud day when the men and women of the Kansas National Guard respond to their nation’s call to duty,” said Maj. Gen. David Weishaar, the adjutant general. “I have no doubt that these Soldiers will continue the tradition of honorable service that is the hallmark of all our Guardsmen.”

The battalion is deploying to Southwest Asia where they will be supporting Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Spartan Shield. The Soldiers are expected to return to Kansas sometime in the spring of 2023.

The 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery is based out of Hiawatha with subordinate units located in Holton, Kansas City, Marysville, and Paola.

(KNZA)--A fatal shooting is being investigated on the Kickapoo Reservation.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said the sheriff's office received a call at about 7:30 Sunday morning of a possible shooting on the reservation.

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded, and one fatality was confirmed.

Merchant said a suspect is in custody in the Brown County Jail pending further investigation.

No further details are being released at this time as the investigation continues.   

(KAIR)--A Wednesday afternoon Mayetta theft sent two Texas residents to jail.

That’s according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, who says his office was called around 3:00 Wednesday afternoon regarding a theft at Mayetta’s Dollar General.

Two people reportedly stole a scanner, printer, and a cell phone from an ice vendor who was at the store, with the pair also believed to have allegedly caused a disturbance earlier in the day at the Holton Walmart.

Traveling on a black motorcycle, the duo was located by the Kansas Highway Patrol about 30-miles south of Topeka, on the Kansas Turnpike, following a Jackson County search assisted by the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office.

They are identified as 47-year-old Jason Mathes and 34-year-old Stephani Rodriquez.

The pair was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KAIR)--Beginning Saturday, Kansans, 24-hours a day, seven days a week, can call three digits-9-8-8-to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The number can be dialed during any mental health and substance abuse emergency.

According to a release from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, it was bipartisan legislation that made 9-8-8 the official three-digit dialing code.

Kelly, in January, announced that the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services received the Lifeline’s 9-8-8 State Planning Grant through the nonprofit Vibrant Emotional Health to develop plans to build the infrastructure for and grow access to the Lifeline’s new three-digit number.

In June, Kelly signed the related Senate Bill meaning that, in the future, $10 million in state general funds, each July 1, will be appropriated to fund 9-8-8 with no access fee for Kansans.

Kelly, in the release, says that “just as every American know to call 9-1-1 in times of emergency, every American-and every Kansan-will soon known to call 9-8-8 when they or a loved one is facing a mental health or substance abuse crisis.”

On July 11, Kelly ceremonially signed the Senate bill during a celebration at the Sedgwick County Courthouse.

(KNZA)--An early Friday morning traffic stop in Brown County leads to the arrest of three Lincoln, Nebraska residents on drug charges.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said the Sheriff's Office K-9 officer initiated a traffic stop around 1:00 on a vehicle on U.S. 75 Highway near 190th Road. He said K-9 Carla was deployed and indicated on the vehicle.

69-year-old Randal Nicholson was arrested on charges of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

61-year-old Sandy Nicholson was arrested  on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia,

42-year-old Linda Shiley was arrested on charges of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia and Obstruction.

All three were booked into the Brown County Jail.

(KAIR)--An early Friday morning homicide is under investigation in Leavenworth.

According to a release issued by the Leavenworth Police Department, it was shortly before 12:25 in the morning when officers responded to an apartment complex, located in the 2900 block of Ralph Bunche Drive, in Leavenworth, after receiving a report of shots fired.

When they arrived, “officers located a 20 year old female victim suffering from a gunshot wound.”

Transported to a local hospital, the woman was pronounced dead.

Officers are currently searching for the suspect as the investigation remains ongoing.

(KLZA)-- A resurfacing and bridge improvement project on Interstate 29 in Atchison and Holt counties is scheduled to begin Monday, July 18, 2022.

Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will begin with improvements to the Rock Creek Bridge, immediately south of Rock Port.

One lane, each direction, of I-29 will be closed around-the-clock for 6-8 weeks as crews widen the shoulder near the bridge, complete bridge repair work, and resurface the deck of the northbound bridge.

Following the work at the bridge, the contractor will begin pavement repairs on I-29 from Route 111 near Exit 107 to Route W near Corning. Motorists will encounter single-lane closures in various locations along the 8.7 miles included in the project.

Asphalt paving is expected to begin after the Labor Day holiday. During asphalt paving, one lane each direction may be closed in two-mile increments. All work is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.

Crews may be working seven days a week, up to 12 hours per day. Please slow down and use caution in this and all work zones.

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

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Public Power District is warning customers to be wary of scammers demanding payment or your power will be disconnected.

The scammers call telling the customer their bill must be paid immediately or the power will be hut off. Several methods of payment are recommended.

At times the scammers caller-ID is falsified so it appears to originate from the utility company.

NPPD reminds customers that they do not ask for payment over the phone; Do not ask customers for credit card numbers or demand payment with a pre-paid card. Do not go door-to-door demanding payment and do not appear or request from Zelle, Venmo, PayPal or Apple Pay.

If you receive an urgent call requiring immediate action to prevent disconnect of your electric service, hang up the phone and call the NPPD Customer Service Specialists at 1-877-ASK NPPD.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board was updated Monday evening on the proposed Hiawatha Sports Complex project, planned at Noble Park.  

Troy Kolb, president of the Hiawatha Baseball and Softball Club Board,  said he's excited about the progress that's been made.  

Kolb said around $170,000 has been raised to date for the three-phase project.  

The 1st phase includes a 72-by-105 foot indoor practice facility.  Kolb said they have raised enough money to order the building and construction on the facility is planned for this fall.  The goal is to have the building  ready for the start of spring sports on March 1,  2023. 

Phase 2 includes a new all-turf softball field, which was initially estimated at $650,000.   Kolb said they are looking into a Community Development Block grant to assist with funding of the softball.

Phase 3 calls for renovations to Paul Rocky Field, which was initially estimated at $600,000.

In other business, Board Clerk Levi Thompson shared information regarding the cost and funding of the High School tennis program.  He said that for the past two years the program has been funded with Edith Shear funds and there is still sufficient funding to cover the current cost of the program.  

Board President Ian Schuetz asked the board about the possibility of opening up the Elementary School playground after school hours. Currently, the gate is shut and locked.  The board agreed to try opening up the playground and instructed Director of Maintenance Chris Morey to notify custodians to keep the gate unlocked so that kids have access to the playground after school hours.

(KMZA)--A two-vehicle early Thursday evening Nemaha County wreck claimed the life of a Topeka woman and left two other Topeka residents injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on 216th Road about two miles east of K-71 shortly after 6:00.

The Patrol reports 43-year-old Irene Centeno-Fajarzo was eastbound when she attempted to pass another eastbound vehicle and lost control of her car. She overcorrected and her vehicle crossed the roadway, striking the rear bumper of the other vehicle before entering the ditch and striking a wooden power pole.

Centeno-Fajarzo, who was wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A passenger, 26-year-old Janier Montoya-Anguilar, was transported to Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka with suspected serious injuries.

A second passenger, 19-year-old Gilbert Centeno, was transported to the Sabetha Community Hospital for the treatment of suspected minor injuries.

The driver of the second vehicle, 20-year-old Sabetha resident Charles Kuenzi, was not hurt.

(KAIR)--City of Atchison residents Thursday soundly rejected a retailer's 1% sales tax to fund transportation infrastructure and property tax relief.

The unofficial results, following Thursday night's tabulation of ballots, show that 743 Atchison voters said no to the proposal, while 313 voted in favor of the of the tax during the City of Atchison’s Save Our Streets Special Ballot question.

The Atchison City Commission in May, citing the results of a 2021 Community Survey, gave approval to the Citywide Sales Tax Referendum.

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

The proposal was met with controversy, beginning with public questions posed to the Commission regarding the short turn-around time from approval to the vote.
The timeline issue took another turn when Atchison residents learned their cutoff to register for the August 2nd Primary was shortened from the state’s July 12 deadline to late last month due to the timing of the City’s special sales tax ballot question.

Once that was learned, a group of nine residents last week appeared before the City Commission, with the Commissioner’s asked to cancel the special election.
The City took no action on the request, but Atchison County and the State of Kansas, including ACLU of Kansas intervention, made an exception to the state statute regarding voter registration cutoffs, restoring the July 12 registration deadline for Atchison voters, while allowing the special election to proceed.

(KAIR)--The Board of Education for Atchison’s Public Schools moved forward this week with the non-renewal of a Tenured Teacher’s Contract following the completion of due process procedures.

Finalization of the termination of Monica Beien came during a special meeting of the USD 409 Board of Education Wednesday morning.

Beien was informed by the Board in April of their intent to not renew her contract for the 2022-2023 school year, at first placing her on suspension, with pay.

The termination comes through what the Board of Education says were violations of district policy, including failure to maintain professional integrity as an educator, by unprofessional conduct with students and administrators; and underming the authority of building administration.

Beien, after being informed of the board’s plans to non-renew her contract, was allowed due process through an administrative hearing, which she first agreed to then later waived.

Beien has served as both a teacher and coach in the district during her years of employment that began with her hiring in August, 2003.

(KAIR)--A Wednesday afternoon Atchison traffic crash led only to minor injuries for a young passenger.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, Atchison resident Benjamin Woolston was westbound on the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge, around 4:30 Wednesday afternoon, when he ran into the rear of a vehicle that was stopped at the 4th Street and U.S. Highway 59 traffic light. The collision caused the vehicle struck by Woolston to move forward and hit another stopped vehicle.

A five-year-old passenger in Woolston’s vehicle was treated at the scene by Atchison County EMS but was not transported for additional care.

The Amelia Earhart Festival weekend has arrived in Atchison, meaning a swell of out-of-area visitors as well as traffic changes due to festival-related reasons.

According to a release from the City of Atchison, the traffic affects will be felt Saturday, starting early in the morning.

Those closings include:

-6th Street Viaduct/6th Street from US-59 to the alley North of Commercial Street.

-Commercial Street from 5th Street to 9th Street. 5th Street will remain open. 6th, 7th & 8th Streets will be closed at Commercial Street.

-Commercial Street from River Road to 4th Street. 2nd Street remains open until 3PM.

-3rd Street from Kansas Ave. to Main Street.

-River Road from Atchison Street to Commercial Street.

More closings will go in place Saturday afternoon around 3:00, with the City’s release saying that will include:

-Main Street from 5th Street East toward the Missouri River.

-4th Street from US-59 to Kansas Ave. Traffic coming to Atchison from Missouri is advised to use 10th Street to access Atchison’s downtown.

-2nd Street from Kansas Ave. to Main Street.

-The River Road closure will extend North of Atchison Street to the North Boat Ramp.

-Santa Fe Street from 2nd Street to North Terrace in addition to North Terrace.

-Atchison Street from 2nd Street to River Road

Downtown Atchison will be alive with family-friendly activities Saturday, while Benedictine College will again host Earhart-themed events, including the Speaker’s Symposium, featuring Amelia Earhart Pioneering Achievement Award winner Mandy Horvath.

Friday, Atchison’s Warnock Lake will be closed all day, due to the evening’s LakeFest country music concert, which traditionally marks the start of the Amelia Earhart Festival, held each year to honor the famed aviator who called Atchison her childhood home.

The front gates of Warnock Lake will open Friday at 4:00, but only for those with tickets to the concert, featuring the music of Erik Dylan, Michael Ray, and headliner Chris Janson.

The festival has been held for more than two decades, but was called off in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

(KAIR)--A new method of training law enforcement in the investigation of missing and murdered indigenous persons in Kansas had been developed.  

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt Monday announced the new training, with a release from Schmidt’s office explaining it “was developed in accordance with the bipartisan passage of a House Bill during the 2021 legislative session.

The measure, which took legal effect July 1, of last year “authorized the attorney general’s office to coordinate training for law enforcement agencies throughout Kansas regarding missing or murdered indigenous persons.”  

The release notes that over the past year, Schmidt’s office worked with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center “on developing the new training that contains a historical context, definitions, statutes, tribal sovereignty and jurisdictional challenges, the potential nexus with human trafficking, the importance of federal, state, and local partnerships, and resources available to aid” such investigations.  

Schmidt said his office sought the assistance and input from officials from the four federally recognized Native American tribes in Kansas, as well as the Native American members of the Legislature who sponsored the bill.  

The new online training module was reviewed and officially launched on July 1, 2022, on the KLETC web portal for use by law enforcement personnel, social services advocates, educators and the public.  

The training course will be reviewed and updated by KLETC training developers based on feedback and notes received throughout the year.  

The next update will be released on July 1, 2023.

(KAIR)--A vehicle, stolen last month in Topeka, has been located in Atchison.  

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, “police recovered a 2004 Porsche Cayenne vehicle on Tuesday morning in the 1000 block of South 7th Street.”  

The vehicle had been reported stolen to the Topeka Police Department on June 25.  

No suspects are yet in custody.  

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

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Utility Department reported Thursday morning that a large tree fell on a portion of a major power line.

The power will be down from 7th to 11th Street / (odd numbered) Harlan Street to (even numbered) Stone Street, for repair of the damaged line.

Power will be back on as soon as the repair is made. Thanks.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee County Commissioners received the annual update on the Blue Rivers Area Agency on Aging from Carla Frase when they met Tuesday.

The organization services Pawnee City with meals on wheels from Blue Rivers in Table Rock. Blue Rivers is requesting $765 in funding for the 2022-23 year.

Javier Fernandez, CEO / President of Omaha Public Power District met with Commissioners to introduce himself and provide updates that OPPD is involved in, including rural community updates that OPPD services.

The Board approved an agreement with Lutz & Company for consulting services in regards to Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in needed.

(KLZA)-- A scrap tire clean up event will be held Saturday in Nemaha County, Nebraska.

Nemaha County residents only, will be able to dispose of old tires between 8:00 a.m. and noon at either 1619, 27th Street in Auburn or at 409 Mulberry Street in Johnson.

Tires must be off the rims and non commercial tire businesses will be allowed to bring tires.

The scrap tire cleanup event is sponsored by Nemaha County.

(KLZA)-- A Topeka man is facing charges of robbery, burglary, assault and criminal mischief in addition to a habitual criminal enhancement following his arrest at the Check-In Motel in Falls City on July 8.

37-year-old Tyler Brown is alleged to have taken room keys form the motel office and assaulted the motel owner when he refused to rent him a room.

After stealing the keys Brown allegedly went into several rooms of the motel and then got into a fight with a motel guest in the parking lot.

Brown is alleged to have used a tree branch to break down a door and then assaulted the owner with the branch.

Brown is being held on bond at the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Board of Education approved increasing the daily pay for substitute teachers to $140 when they met Monday evening.

In other action the Board approved continuing to contribute to the salary of the UNL Extension Assistant position. District 56 will pay 11.9 percent of the salary amounting to $8,240.

During the Building and Grounds update, it was noted that the new synthetic turf at the football stadium is progressing with the demo and base work completed in late June. The field is expected to be completed prior to the end of July.

The roof replacement project at North School is being completed and the Falls City High School roof replacement project and the additional section of work required above the main gym is also nearly completed.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Board of Education approved increasing the daily pay for substitute teachers to $140 when they met Monday evening.

In other action the Board approved continuing to contribute to the salary of the UNL Extension Assistant position. District 56 will pay 11.9 percent of the salary amounting to $8,240.

During the Building and Grounds update, it was noted that the new synthetic turf at the football stadium is progressing with the demo and base work completed in late June. The field is expected to be completed prior to the end of July.

The roof replacement project at North School is being completed and the Falls City High School roof replacement project and the additional section of work required above the main gym is also nearly completed.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission has approved a bid for bridge replacement project about six miles northwest of Corning.  

On the recommendation of county Road and Bridge Supervisor Adam Kuckelman, the Commission Monday approved a bid from Norfolk Contracting in the amount of $201,592 ( with the price of the concrete not included) for replacement of a bridge on 72nd Road over the Black Vermillion River with a new 24 by 40 foot steel girder bridge.  

It was the lowest among three bids received.

Federal funding through a Kansas Department of Transportation program will pay for 80 percent of the construction cost, with the county responsible for the remaining 20 percent.  

A start date hasn't been announced.  

The project is scheduled for 50 working days.  

In other business,  it was announced the county recently received a payment of $208,000 from NextEra Energy Resources for violating the road use agreement for the Soldier Creek Windfarm.  

Also the Commission accepted the resignation of Glen Lee Hasenkamp as the Center Township Trustee and appointed Mark Haug to fill the position

(KLZA)-- A 29-year-old Lincoln man died from injuries suffered early Sunday morning in a rollover crash near Sterling, in Johnson County.

A release from the Johnson County Attorney's Office says William “Billy” Hall was a passenger in a Jeep driven by 42-year-old Marshall Behrens shortly after 1:00 a.m.

Behrens apparently lost control, entered a ditch, slid down a steep embankment and the vehicle rolled before coming to rest in a creek bed.

Hall was transported to the Johnson County Hospital in Tecumseh where he was pronounced dead. Another passenger in the Jeep was transported to a Lincoln hospital and was listed in stable condition. Behrens was not hospitalized.

The news release indicates that alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the wreck.

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska State Patrol are investigating the wreck.

(KAIR)--Just two days before showtime, the headliner for Atchison’s annual Lakefest Concert has been replaced.

That’s due to what a release issued Wednesday morning by Amelia Earhart Festival Coordinator Jacque Pregont calls “unforeseen circumstances” which led The Band Perry to cancel their performance Friday.
In the release, Pregont says the committee apologizes “for any inconvenience this may cause,” adding that they send their “best wishes to The Band Perry.”

Replacing the group at Friday night’s concert at Atchison’s Warnock Lake is Chris Janson, described in the release as a “breakout country star” who is “a platinum-selling recording artist, high octane entertainer, multi-instrumentalist, and award-winning singer/songwriter.”

The Band Perry themselves were added as a replacement in January for the originally scheduled headliner, Gabby Barrett, who was unable to perform “due to scheduling conflicts.”

Prior to Janson headlining Friday night's performance will be Michael Ray, followed by opener, and Atchison County native, Erik Dylan.

Tickets remain on sell.

LakeFest is held annually as the kickoff for Atchison’s annual Amelia Earhart Festival, held in honor of the late Aviator who called Atchison her childhood home.

Both the concert and festival are returning for 2022 following two years off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(KLZA)-- The Johnson-Brock Board of Education voted to amend the contract of Superintendent Jeff Koehler when they met Monday evening.

Under the amended agreement, health insurance and dental coverage will be excluded and an increase in the salary package will be approved at a later date.

Board members also agreed to renew membership in the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association at a cost of $850.

It will cost a bit more to attend activities at Johnson-Brock with the new school year. Admission prices will be $6 for adults, $4 for student in grades K-12. Senior citizen prices will remain $1 with the price for a family season pass set at $125 and a single season pass will remain at $50.

Superintendent Koehler reported the HVAC system work has started and that roofers are curently cleaning the rock off of the roof.

(KLZA)-- An armor coat project is scheduled to begin Monday, July 18 on U.S. Highway 159 between Rulo and Falls City.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation estimates the armor coating project to take three days to complete.

State Road Department workers will be performing the armor coating work beginning near Rulo at reference post 5 and move west to reference post 13.

Traffic will be maintained with a pilot car and flaggers.

Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, the buckle up and put phones down.

Armor coating is an application of an asphalt binder to a roadway surface followed by an aggregate.

(KLZA)-- School safety was the focus of a presentation to the Falls City School Board Monday evening when Falls City Police Chief Jamie Baker and Sergeant Chuck DiGiacomo spoke to the Board.

The presentation focused on school perimeter security, interior security, accessibility and situational awareness.

The information from the presentation will be reviewed by the District 56 Board of Education's Safety Committee as the district continues to study what additional safety measures could be feasibly implemented in the overall safety plan.

oth Chief Baker and Sergeant DiGiacomo have been attending training classes to get a better understanding of what law enforcement and schools should be doing to help keep schools safe.

Nebraska State Senator Lynne Walz, Chair of the Unicameral's Education Committee, has called together education groups across the state to discuss a response to recent shootings. In addition, she has asked Nebraska Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt to convene a task force that would study safety concerns in Nebraska's schools and make recommendations for improvements.

(KMZA)--Nemaha Central USD 115 will hold two additional community meetings Thursday ( July 14) on a proposed bond issue to fund an estimated $24.2 million in improvements to the district's schools. 

The meetings will take place from 12 noon to 1 pm and from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Nemaha Central High School commons area.

Meetings were also held in late June.

Information will be presented on what's being proposed, why it's needed and the impact of a bond issue on property tax rates.

USD 115 Board of Education members, school administration and staff, and project designers will be on hand to answer questions.

Work began on the new bond proposal after USD 115 patrons last November soundly defeated a $37.6 million bond issue for improvements at the district's schools.

The new proposal calls for classroom additions at the district's two schools.  It also calls for expansion of the elementary/middle school cafeteria along with renovations at the high school and renovation of the career/tech building at the high school.  

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission revisited a downtown building on the city's minimum housing code violations list when they met Monday evening.

City code enforcement official Dave Wilson told Commissioners that no actions have been initiated by the owner of the property at 113 South 6th Street to mitigate the dangerous roof conditions effecting the building and adjacent properties.

In addition, he said there appears to be an accumulation of vehicles, equipment and other items stored behind the building, which is not allowed in the downtown area.

Wilson said there is currently no water service at the location.

Commissioner Becky Shamburg said neighboring businesses would like to see the property cleaned up and know its not a safety concern.

While Commissioner Brian Shefferd agreed the outside of the building needs to be cleaned up, he said he didn't feel the building is in that bad of shape, and there are other downtown buildings in worse condition. 

Dean Tollefson, who owns the building, appeared before commissioners later in the meeting. Tollefson agreed the property is in violation of the minimum housing code but said he currently doesn't have the money to make repairs. He said the business has been closed the last 10 1/2 months and will remain closed until the property meets code. Tollefson assured commissioners no one is living in the building.

(KMZA)--A railroad crossing in Seneca will be closed for repairs this week.  

Seneca City Superintendent Brian Ruske said Union Pacific Railroad has informed the city the that the crossing on South 5th Street will be closed from Thursday morning until Friday evening.

Motorists are advised to take an alternate route during that time.

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle early Tuesday evening Brown County wreck sent a Sabetha man to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 56-year-old Anthony Geist was northbound on Acorn Road, a half-mile north of 170th Road, when he stated he fell asleep while driving. His Ford Explorer ran off the roadway into the west ditch, striking trees before coming to a stop.

Geist was transported to the Sabetha Community Hospital for the treatment of suspected serious injuries.

The Patrol says Geist was not wearing a seatbelt when the wreck occurred shortly after 6:00.

(KAIR)--The cause of death for a Lansing Correctional Facility inmate is currently unknown.

That’s according to a release Tuesday from the office of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly which says Jamie Gaius Marshall died Monday at the facility.

The release, which states “the cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy," does clarify that the “preliminary assessment indicates the death was not related to COVID-19."

The 43-year-old Marshall had been incarcerated since January 2013 due to two 2003 drug convictions and a rape conviction in 2012.

(KLZA)--The Nebraska Supreme Court released its decision Friday on an appeal by Joshua Keadle, who was convicted of second -degree murder in the death of Tyler Thomas.

The court affirmed Keadle's conviction.

Thomas who was from Omaha, was a student at Peru State College at the time of her disappearance in December of 2010.

An attorney for Keadle argued the appeal to the Nebraska Supreme Court in November of 2021 saying there was insufficient evidence to establish “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

The Nebraska Attorney General's Office said that on December, 3, 2010, Keadle drove Thomas to the Missouri River in Peru, they performed a sex act and then he refused to drive Thomas to her hometown of Omaha.

The state alleged that gave Keadle motive to kill Thomas, and the murder was backed up by GPS evidence and witness testimony, including that of a former jail inmate with Keadle.

Thomas' body has never been found. Keadle is the last known person to have seen her alive. In 2017 Keadle was charged with first degree murder in connection with Thomas' disappearance. A jury found him guilty of second degree murder and he was sentenced to prison.

Keadly was not arrested in Thomas' death for nearly seven years.

Keadle will be eligible for parole in 2051.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Clerk's Office will be providing the opportunity for individuals to vote early in the upcoming August 2nd primary election at three locations this week.

Early voting will take place Wednesday morning, July 13 at the Maple Grove Complexes in Hiawatha, from 9 to 10 at the west complex and 10 to 11 at the east complex.

On Thursday (July 14), early voting will be provided at the Morrill Community Building from 9 to 11 in the morning and Northfield Community Room in Everest from 1 to 3 in the afternoon.

A photo ID is required to vote.

Early voting will begin Friday, July 15 in the Brown County Clerk's Office.

(KNZA)--A Sabetha man has been arrested for alleged child sex crimes.

The Nemaha County Sheriff's Office says 42-year-old Kevin Devore was arrested July 7th by the Sabetha Police Department on Nemaha County warrant for aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated indecent solicitation of a child.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert said a complaint filed in Nemaha County District Court alleges that on or between April 1, 2021, and November 4, 2021, Devore solicited a child under 14 years of age to submit to an unlawful sex act, and engaged in sodomy (oral contact of the male genitalia) with the same child.    

Lippert said the case was investigated by the Sabetha Police Department.

As of Monday, Devore remained held in the Nemaha County Jail on a $500,000 cash/surety bond.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 19.  

(KAIR)--Repair work, made necessary by local storms, means KAIR 93.7 FM will be off the air for much of Tuesday.

Justin Fluke, President of KNZA, Inc., owner of the radio station, says the station’s tower, located near Horton, was struck by lightning a little over a month ago, with an assessment from experts determining the antennae to not be repairable.

Because of that, a new antennae will be installed, leaving KAIR off the air, beginning around 9:00 Tuesday morning. The work is expected to last 8 to 10 hours.

Despite the terrestrial broadcast downtime, KAIR will continue to broadcast online at mscnews.net or through the use of an Alexa device.

Once the antenna replacement work is complete, the radio station is expected to return to full broadcast strength and clarity.

(KAIR)--An Olathe, Kanas man, accused of felony theft and fleeing from authorities in Atchison County, is going to prison.

According to Atchison County Attorney Sherri Becker, Michael Wright III was sentenced Friday in Atchison County District Court to nearly 3-years in prison.

Wright, in May, plead guilty to felony theft, felony interference with law enforcement, and criminal trespass relating to crimes committed in December of last year.

According to a release issued by Becker, "the charges were filed as a result of an investigation that began December 2, 2021, when a witness reported to observing someone stealing a truck from the Effingham City Work location" around 1:00 that morning. It was reported by the witness that the truck rammed the fence of the Effingham City Shop before breaking the fence and driving away.

The Atchison County Sheriff's Office and the Atchison Police Department both responded, with a pursuit launched when the suspect truck was spotted.

The truck, identified as a 1999 Ford F250 owned by an Easton resident, was located by Atchison Police Officers near the Shannon Industrial Park, located on U.S. Highway 73, with the vehicle stopped by Police. The driver, identified as Wright, pulled over near Osage Road then ran from the vehicle, headed south on foot, leading to a search utilizing the Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 Unit.

Despite the initial search proving unsuccessful, it was around 6:00 Thursday morning that the suspect was located at a convenience store at 1173 U.S. Highway 59, where he was taken into custody.

(KLZA)-- It’s time to think about the Falls City Cobblestone parade, which will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.

There are two things to consider right now: parade entries, and nominations for the grand marshal of the parade.

The theme for this year’s parade is “The Neon Nineties.” The committee is looking for entries in categories such as business/commercial, churches/organizations, large implements, small implements, people walking, kids riding bikes, classic cars, demo derby cars, and just about anything else you can think of.

Last year, during the sting of Covid, our float entries were down, and the parade committee would like to build those back up.

Even if the entry isn’t a float, or part of the parade theme, it is wanted. Summer rec ball teams, large combines, fire trucks, kids riding bikes are all welcome to take part in the parade.

To enter the parade, either fill out an entry form at the Falls City Chamber Office at 1705 Stone Street, or send the name of the entry, contact person, and contact person’s cell phone number to gottula79@gmail.com, or by text to 402-245-8145.

Secondly, the parade committee is looking for nominees for the position of grand marshal. This is like a lifetime achievement award, and should be a person, couple, or group that has made Falls City a better place to live through volunteer service, monetary philanthropy, and/or leadership.

“Letters of nomination can be dropped off or mailed to the Falls City Chamber office, or emailed to gottula79@gmail.com. They can also be snail mailed to Lori Gottula, 71833 Hwy 50, Steinauer, NE 68441.

Please make sure the letters detail the nominee’s contributions. The more information that the committee has, the better. Letters of nomination can also be backed up by support letters.

The entries are due by August 1, 2022. For more information about anything regarding the parade, contact Gottula.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Board of Education unanimously approved the evaluation of Superintendent Brian Rottinghaus when they met July 6.

In other business during the meeting the Board voted in increase the substitute teacher pay form $135 to $140 per day, and to increase the school bus driver payment rate from $55 per route to $60 per route.

(KLZA)-- Robert Curry of rural Tecumseh has been selected to complete the term of the late Scotty Gottula as District 1 Commissioner in Johnson County.

A committee of County Clerk Kathleen Nieveen, Treasurer Nadien Beethe and County Attorney Rick Smith made the selection.

Curry previously served two terms as a Johnson County Commissioner. Curry will serve until January, 2023 when either Democrat Dave Borrenpohl or Libertarian Bob Gregory will take the seat following the November, General Election.

(KLZA)-- Robert Curry of rural Tecumseh has been selected to complete the term of the late Scotty Gottula as District 1 Commissioner in Johnson County.

A committee of County Clerk Kathleen Nieveen, Treasurer Nadien Beethe and County Attorney Rick Smith made the selection.

Curry previously served two terms as a Johnson County Commissioner. Curry will serve until January, 2023 when either Democrat Dave Borrenpohl or Libertarian Bob Gregory will take the seat following the November, General Election.

(KLZA)-- A Nebraska State Fire Marshall has ruled the cause of a fire Sunday morning in Falls City to have been accidental. The exact cause of the fire at the home located at 1323 McLean Street could not be determined due to the heavy fire damage.

A report from Falls City Volunteer Fire Department Public Information Officer Jon McQueen said firefighters were called to the home about 9:00 a.m.

Upon arrival smoke could be seen coming out of the east side of the house where an occupant was waving the fire fighters down. There were no injuries reported from the fire.

The fire appears to have started on the first floor, southeast bedroom. The occupant had been asleep in the north living room and awoke to the fire. The house is owned by Kristy Michelle Keller who resides there but was not home at the time of the fire.

A dollar loss has not been determined as no insurance was in force according to the property owner.

The Falls City Volunteer Fire Department, members of the Falls City Rural Fire Department, Falls City Utilities, the Falls City Volunteer Ambulance Squad, Falls City Police Department and Richardson County Sheriff's Department all responded to the scene of the fire.

Two lanes of traffic on East 14th Street were closed as firefighters battled the blaze.

Firefighters remained on the scene for approximately four hours.

A fire hydrant 700 feet away was used to knock down the fire and exhaust fans were used to push the smoke out of the home.

(KNZA)--The South Brown County Community Foundation will be hosting their first annual Match Days event this week during the Brown County Fair.

During the event, donations made through the Foundation will be eligible for a 50% match, up to $1,360, from the $44,000 in available match money    

There are 25 organizations participating in this year's event.  

Donations can be made in-person Tuesday through Thursday evening's from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the south foyer of the Blue Building.  

Donations can be mailed to South Brown County Community Foundation at P.O. Box 224, Horton, KS 66439 postmarked on or before July 15.  All mailed donations must include a completed donation form found at GrowSouthBrown.com.

An on-line option is also available for those who cannot make it to the event.  The donor portal will go live at midnight on Tuesday and will be open until 11:59 pm on Friday at GrowSouthBrown.com  

More information can be found at GrowSouthBrown.comhttps://www.growsouthbrown.com/

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is accused of attempted sex-related crimes, arrested in connection with an investigation that began last month.  

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 67-year-old Nathaniel Burnett was arrested Thursday “on [an Atchison County] District Court warrant” charging him with battery and attempted buying sexual relations.  

In the release, Wilson says Burnett’s apprehension came in connection to an Atchison Police Department Investigation on June 23.  It was that night Burnett was stopped by Police and issued a notice to appear in court for driving while revoked, no license tag, and no proof of insurance. It’s not immediately stated how that incident led to the investigation ending in Burnett’s arrested.

Once he was in custody Thursday, Burnett was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KNZA)--An early Saturday afternoon single-vehicle wreck in northwest Missouri sent a Hiawatha girl to the hospital.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 57-year-old Lori Nigus, of Hiawatha, was eastbound on U.S. 36 Highway at Stewartsville in Dekalb County when her Ford Escape travelled off the roadway, struck an embankment and road sign. The vehicle travelled across the crossover and into the median.

A 7-year-old girl, who was passenger in the vehicle, was transported by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, for the treatment of suspected minor injuries.

Nigus was not hurt.

The Patrol says both occupants were properly restrained when the wreck occurred shortly after 12:30 Saturday afternoon.

(KAIR)--Concerns regarding the early cutoff for City of Atchison voter registration have been heard, with the State of Kansas now allowing the date to be extended.

That follows the early closure for Atchison City voters to register for the August 2 primary election due to the City of Atchison’s decision to hold a special sales tax election July 14. State statute requires that registration must be closed 20 days preceding the day of any election, including the City’s Save Our Streets Special Ballot Question.

That meant the closing of registration last month, while the deadline to register for the rest of the state is July 12. That date is now the cutoff for all “citizens residing in Atchison County, including residents of the City of Atchison.”

Word of the decision was delivered Friday by Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips, whose release explains that “Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, in his capacity as chief state election officer under the National Voter Registration Act, has now recommended that Atchison county allow any Atchison County resident, otherwise eligible to vote, to have their ballot accepted, if they attempt to register up to July 12.”

The release notes Atchison County earlier closed registrations for City of Atchison residents due to the special election, following the guidance of Schwab’s office and state law.

On Tuesday, a group of nine Atchison residents addressed their concerns to the Atchison City Commission, with calls to cancel the special election in order for voter registration to continue heard during the session.

The City, explaining that the early cutoff was an unforeseen consequence of holding the special election, nonetheless took no action, as the special election is already underway.

The Atchison City Commission in May 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.

(KAIR)--Concerns regarding the early cutoff for City of Atchison voter registration have been heard, with the State of Kansas now allowing the date to be extended.

That follows the early closure for Atchison City voters to register for the August 2 primary election due to the City of Atchison’s decision to hold a special sales tax election July 14. State statute requires that registration must be closed 20 days preceding the day of any election, including the City’s Save Our Streets Special Ballot Question.

That meant the closing of registration last month, while the deadline to register for the rest of the state is July 12. That date is now the cutoff for all “citizens residing in Atchison County, including residents of the City of Atchison.”

Word of the decision was delivered Friday by Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips, whose release explains that “Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, in his capacity as chief state election officer under the National Voter Registration Act, has now recommended that Atchison county allow any Atchison County resident, otherwise eligible to vote, to have their ballot accepted, if they attempt to register up to July 12.”

The release notes Atchison County earlier closed registrations for City of Atchison residents due to the special election, following the guidance of Schwab’s office and state law.

On Tuesday, a group of nine Atchison residents addressed their concerns to the Atchison City Commission, with calls to cancel the special election in order for voter registration to continue heard during the session.

The City, explaining that the early cutoff was an unforeseen consequence of holding the special election, nonetheless took no action, as the special election is already underway.

The Atchison City Commission in May 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.

(KAIR)--Concerns regarding the early cutoff for City of Atchison voter registration have been heard, with the State of Kansas now allowing the date to be extended.

That follows the early closure for Atchison City voters to register for the August 2 primary election due to the City of Atchison’s decision to hold a special sales tax election July 14. State statute requires that registration must be closed 20 days preceding the day of any election, including the City’s Save Our Streets Special Ballot Question.

That meant the closing of registration last month, while the deadline to register for the rest of the state is July 12. That date is now the cutoff for all “citizens residing in Atchison County, including residents of the City of Atchison.”

Word of the decision was delivered Friday by Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips, whose release explains that “Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, in his capacity as chief state election officer under the National Voter Registration Act, has now recommended that Atchison county allow any Atchison County resident, otherwise eligible to vote, to have their ballot accepted, if they attempt to register up to July 12.”

The release notes Atchison County earlier closed registrations for City of Atchison residents due to the special election, following the guidance of Schwab’s office and state law.

On Tuesday, a group of nine Atchison residents addressed their concerns to the Atchison City Commission, with calls to cancel the special election in order for voter registration to continue heard during the session.

The City, explaining that the early cutoff was an unforeseen consequence of holding the special election, nonetheless took no action, as the special election is already underway.

The Atchison City Commission in May 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.

(KLZA)-- Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise Executive Director Lucas Froeschl presented the organizations quarterly report to the Richardson County Commissioners and the Falls City Council during their meetings this week.

Froeschl noted that work on the 33rd Street Project on the north edge of Falls City is scheduled to begin July 18. Snyder and Associates have been hired to prepare a master plan for the North Highway 73 development project which includes 19 acres.

With the passage of LB 97 by the Nebraska Legislature which qualifies Falls City for $15 million to help bring additional power to the community, EDGE is now working with the Falls City Board of Public Works and with OPPD for guidance on how they wish to proceed with an application.

EDGE is also partnering with OPPD on a master plan including utility installation and infrastructure costs for an approximately 1,000 acre site for future development. The site on the south edge of Falls City runs along the Union Pacific Railroad line and is close to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line. An engineer has been hired for the design and OPPD is paying half of the costs for the preliminary work. Marketing plans are expected to be completed by the end of the calendar year.

It was also noted during the report that EXCEL Corporation should know by the end of October if they will receive funding for eight more duplex units at Wilderness Falls which would create 16 more available apartments.

EDGE is also recruiting eight local investors to build 2 or 3-bedroom homes approximately 1,250 square feet in size. The development would be low maintenance homes and yards with smaller footprints.

The area proposed is Champions Crossing, just south of the Community Medical Center. Proposals include projected costs of $200 per square foot for slab-on-grade homes and $220 a square foot for homes with a basement.

Construction is proposed for the Spring of 2023.

(KMZA)--A new officer will be joining the Seneca Police Department.  

The Seneca City Council Wednesday evening approved the hiring of  Austin Watts, of Marysville, at a salary of $20 an hour.  

He is already a certified law enforcement officer, having graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Center in February.   Watts previously worked for the Marysville Police Department.  

He is already living in Seneca.  His wife works at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital.  

It hasn't been determined yet when Watts will begin his new job.

(KNZA)--The 105th annual Brown County Free Fair will kick off Saturday and runs through Friday, July 15 at the fairgrounds in Horton  

Saturday will begin with a fun run at 7:00.  Later that day, the county's 4-H clubs will rotate on a schedule to drop off their projects.  

On Sunday, the horse, dog and pet shows will take place.  

Monday will feature the livestock entries as well as the Brown County Shooting Sports Show at 1:00 in the afternoon.  The public fashion revue and food auction will be held Monday evening beginning at 6:00 at the Blue Building.  

Tuesday will bring the fair parade at 6:30 in the evening.  The theme of the parade this year is “ Stars, Stripes and Summer nights.”   The pedal power tractor pull will take place following the parade.

Wednesday will feature the swine, bucket calf, beef and dairy shows.    

Bounce houses and a mechanical bull will be available for entertainment Wednesday and Thursday evening's.  Also Thursday evening there will be a rock wall and corn hole tournament.   In addition, the band Wilder Horses will provide free entertainment Thursday evening at 8:00.    

The Fair will wrap up Friday evening, July 15 with the awards program and livestock sale.

(KNZA)--The presence of emerald ash borer has been confirmed in Brown County.

Hiawatha arborist Nick Haedt, working with the Hiawatha Tree Board, helped identify the wood-boring pest in a tree at the Hiawatha City Lake, and recently shared information on social media about the severity of the situation.

Haedt said emerald ash borer is a devastating pest that will destroy the ash trees in the area. He said if you have an ash tree it is recommended that you either treat the tree or have the tree removed.

Haedt said the Tree Board is planning to try to flag ash trees in Hiawatha and hope to communicate with homeowners about the pest and their options moving forward.

Symptoms of ash trees that might have EAB:

• Thinning leaves in tree crown (by about 50%)

• Branch die back

• Bark splitting along branches

• New sprouts on the trunk or random locations

• Increased woodpecker activity

The Emerald ash borer, a non-native insect from Asia, was first discovered in United States in 2002 near Detroit, Michigan. Since that time, the pest has killed millions of ash trees across the country. It was first identified in Kansas in 2012.

(KAIR)--A now ended voter registration date for City of Atchison residents, made shorter than the state’s July 12 deadline due to the City’s special sales tax ballot question, drew public opposition during Tuesday’s meeting of the Atchison City Commission.

The group of nine residents, who spoke during public comment, voiced their opposition to the cutoff, which comes through a state statute creating the early registration June deadline for the August 2nd Primary election because registration must be closed 20 days preceding the day of any election, including the City’s Save Our Streets Special Ballot Question.

Mayor Abby Bartlett addressed the issue, saying the early voter registration closure was an “unintended consequence” of the Commission’s decision to hold the special ballot question.

Despite the public outcry, including calls to cancel the ballot question, no action was taken, allowing the special election, which is already underway, to proceed.

The Atchison City Commission in May 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.

(KLZA)-- Due to a telephone system failure at the offices of KTNC Radio and SUNNY 101.3 in Falls City, anyone that needs to reach the radio stations is asked to call our sister station, KNZA in Hiawatha at 785-547-3461.

You can email KTNC at ktnc@sentco.net or SUNNY 101.3 at sunny1013fm@hotmail.com.

(KLZA)-- An inmate at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution died Wednesday evening at the Johnson County Hospital.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services report says 65-year-old Robert Mahler was serving 50 – 81 years on two counts of vehicular homicide and second-offense driving under the influence. He had been sentenced in Dixon County.

A cause of death has yet to be determined.

It is required that a grand jury conduct an investigation anytime an inmate dies in custody in Nebraska.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Humboldt – Table Rock – Steinauer School District on Tuesday for the employment of a School Resource Officer for the period of August 11, 2022 through May, 19, 2023.

The school district will pay Richardson County $5,127 per month for the service of the officer.

Commissioners also approved a resolution to approve a salary increase for the position of Chief Deputy Sheriff to $30.25 per hour effective immediately.

The Board also voted to authorize the establishment of a new Fund titled “OPIOID Settlement Fund.” The purpose of the new fund is for the receipt of funds Richardson County will receive from a court settlement from pharmaceutical companies concerning OPIOIDS.

The first payment to Richardson County was in an amount of $3,936.

An engagement letter with the Nebraska State Auditor to perform the fiscal year end audit was approved.

Omaha Public Power District President and CEO Javier Fernandez met with Commissioners to introduce himself and update the Board on projects OPPD is currently doing to maintain and improve the services to the district to provide quality service to the District.

(KLZA)-- A Hampton, Nebraska man suffered serious injuries Tuesday night when the semi-truck he was driving south on Interstate 29 traveled off the west side of the road and became airborne before coming to rest on its wheels.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 49-year-old Charles Janzen fell asleep before the semi left the road approximately five miles north of Rock Port. The wreck occurred shortly before 11:00 p.m.

Janzen was transported to the Fairfax, Missouri Hospital by the Atchison-Holt EMS for treatment of his injuries. Janzen was not wearing a safety device at the time of the wreck.

The semi was totaled in the wreck.

(KLZA)-- The Humboldt City Council voted Tuesday night to advertise to hire a City Treasurer and a Deputy City Clerk.

Applications will be accepted until Friday, July 22. Applications are available at City Hall and can be mailed back to the Humboldt City Hall at 330, East Square in Humboldt. You can also email a resume to ccc2863@windstream.net.

In other business the Council tabled a decision on replacing the air conditioner at the Bruun Memorial Library.

The current HVAC system is more than 30 years old. The Council decided to get bids to fix the current A.C. Unit or to replace it. An estimates to fix the current unit was in the neighborhood of two-thousand dollars. An estimate to replace the current A.C. Unit was in the range of $8 - $9 – thousand.

(KNZA)--A Brown County Commissioner doesn't believe the county should continue providing funding to two economic development groups.

As a budget cutting measure, Commissioner Bill Pollock made a motion at Tuesday's Brown County Commission meeting that the $50,000 the county has been providing to the Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development and Horton Industrial Development Corporation not be included in the 2023 budget. The motion died due to the lack of a second.

In making his motion, Pollock said the tax dollars are not the Commission's to give.

He said the city of Hiawatha currently has a citywide quarter-cent retailers sales tax earmarked for economic development, which generated more than $190,000 last year.

Commissioner Rich Lehmkuhl said he would like to hear how the two groups are using the funding before making a decision. He said he would also like to hear from Hiawatha city officials how the proceeds from the sales tax are used.

Commission Chairman Lamar Shoemaker said he also wanted more information before making a decision.

(KMZA)--Funeral services have been set for a St. Marys police officer who died unexpectedly while on duty Saturday.

According to an obituary, services for 45-year-old Mark Lamberson will be Tuesday morning at 10:00 at the St. Marys High School gymnasium.

A visitation will be held Monday evening from 5 to 7 at the Piper Funeral Home, in St. Marys.

Lamberson had served as an officer with the St. Marys Police Department since 2013. Prior to that, he worked for eight years with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office.

Among survivors are his wife and two children.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, but foul play is not suspected.

(KLZA)-- Governor Pete Ricketts announced recent appointments he has made to fill Nebraska’s boards and commissions.

The appointees are unpaid and are not subject to Legislative confirmation:

Area residents appointed to various boards and commissioens include:

 Geographic Information System Council

 Charles Wingert, Sterling

Judicial Nominating Commission – District Court – First District

 Arlen P. Grotrian, Johnson

 John A. Hill, Holmesville

 Karolyn Howard, Holmesville

Lynn Lyon, Johnson

 John Murphy, Tecumseh

 Dan Papik, Crete

State Advisory Committee on Mental Health Services

Robert S. Hutt, Tecumseh

Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees

 Brett Gehrig Hilbers, Wayne

Matthew Charles Leininger, Auburn

Sullivan Jones, Papillion

The Governor thanked the many Nebraskans that give generously of their time and talent to make a difference in our state.  These appointments will provide crucial insight and expertise to their respective boards, committees, and commissions.  

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Sheriff's Department personnel conducted a no-knock, night-time search warrant at a house north of Stella Tuesday resulting in the arrests of four people.

A report from the Sheriff's Office notes the department has been conducting an investigation into the possession and distribution of methamphetamine in the Stella and Shubert areas.

A search of the property at 64383, 719 Road near Stella resulted in the discovery of numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine, deadly weapons and items consistent with the distribution of methamphetamine.

Arrested were 73-year-old Noel Johnson for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; possession of meth with intent to distribute; possession of a firearm by a felon; possession of a firearm during a felony; two counts of possession of a deadly weapon by a felon; two counts of possession of a deadly weapon during a felony and maintaining a drug house.

Also arrested was 47-year-old Mariann Flores of Stella on charges including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; possession of meth with intent to distribute; possession of a firearm during a felony; and two counts of possession of a deadly weapon during a felony.

46-year-old Yvonne Williams of Stella was arrested on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of meth with intent to distribute.

54-year-old Joseph Roberts of Stella is facing charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; possession of meth with intent to distribute and habitual criminal.

(KAIR)--A stolen pickup truck, at the heart of a late Tuesday morning pursuit complete with a crash into an Atchison home, has been recovered.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the two-tone brown 2012 Ford pickup truck, which had originally been reported stolen in Leavenworth, was recovered Tuesday in Missouri, located on Old Highway Road adjacent to Highway 45, just south of Sugar Lake.

The driver, and probable thief, is not yet publicly identified.

Wilson said the Atchison Police Department and the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Department “have a joint investigation underway as leads are being followed."

The pursuit began around 10:30 Tuesday morning when Atchison Police were notified that the stolen truck was heading toward Atchison.
Spotted first by a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper southwest of Atchison, on U.S. Highway 59 near Cargil, the pursuit went west of Atchison, with the Trooper eventually losing sight of the truck, which was next spotted near the area of 17th and Country Club Road where it was eastbound on Country Club and turned south onto 17th Street. From there, the truck went southbound, continuing to Main Street, where it crossed the street to Chestnut, lost control, and crashed into a home. According to Atchison Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar, “the front of the residence had been demolished” when his crews arrived on the scene about 11:10 Tuesday morning, adding that “the vehicle then backed out and continued down Chestnut Street, leaving a trail of debris before exiting” the neighborhood.

No one was seriously hurt, though the resident was treated at the scene.

The truck then headed to 18th and Main where it went westbound on Main, with the driver fleeing west of the city before returning, eastbound on Main Street. The truck then went to 4th and U.S. Highway 59 where it crossed the Amelia Earhart Bridge into Missouri, where it was later recovered.

Anyone with information related to the case should contact authorities at 913-367-4323.

(KMZA)--An early Tuesday afternoon single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Pottawatomie County sent an Emmett man to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol say 67-year-old Jerry Tisdale was westbound on K-16 Highway, east of Wheaton Road, when his Harley Davidson motorcycle crossed the center line for an unknown reason and struck a guardrail shortly after 12:30.

Tisdale, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected from his motorcycle.

He was transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital for the treatment of suspected serious injuries.  

(KAIR)--Atchison authorities are searching for a stolen pickup truck that led area law enforcement on a pursuit, complete with a crash into a house, that ended with the suspect vehicle escaping into Missouri.

It began Tuesday morning, around 10:30, when a 2012 Ford 250 two-tone brown truck was reported stolen in Leavenworth, with Atchison Police notified that it was heading toward Atchison. According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, “a short time later a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper reported he was in pursuit” of the stolen truck, southwest of Atchison.

In a release, Wilson explained that the pursuit went west of Atchison, with the Trooper eventually losing sight of the truck, which “was next spotted near the area of 17th and Country Club Road where it was eastbound on Country Club and turned south onto 17th Street.” From there, the truck went southbound, continuing to Main Street, where it crossed the street to Chestnut, lost control, and crashed into a home. According to Atchison Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar, “the front of the residence had been demolished” when his crews arrived on the scene about 11:10 Tuesday morning, adding that “the vehicle then backed out and continued down Chestnut Street, leaving a trail of debris before exiting” the neighborhood.

The truck then headed to 18th and Main where it went, according to Wilson, westbound on Main, with the driver fleeing west of the city before returning, eastbound on Main Street. The truck then went to 4th and U.S. Highway 59 where it crossed the Amelia Earhart Bridge into Missouri.

Wilson said “the truck was last seen in the area of southwest Buchanan County and has not been located.”

Anyone with information should call police at 913-367-4323.

As for the home that incurred damage, Weishaar said “the resident, who was home at the time, was not in the front living room at the time of the incident,” but “was evaluated by Atchison County EMS but refused further treatment.”
Weishaar said no other injuries are reported, with five of the resident’s cats rescued by fire crews.

As a precaution, the home’s utilities were disconnected.
Weishaar calls the structure currently “uninhabitable,” but said the owners have already begun plans to secure the structure and begin repairs.”

(KLZA)  - Here are a few reminders on how to best deal with the heat.

Wear Appropriate Clothing: Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

Stay Cool Indoors: Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. If your home does not have air conditioning, go someplace such as the public library as even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.

• Keep in mind: Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off. Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your home.

Schedule Outdoor Activities Carefully: Try to limit your outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to recover.

Pace Yourself: Cut down on exercise during the heat. If you’re not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool area or into the shade, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.

Wear Sunscreen: Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out. Continue to reapply it according to the package directions.

Do Not Leave Children in Cars: Cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures, even with a window cracked open. While anyone left in a parked car is at risk, children are especially at risk of getting a heat stroke or dying. When traveling with children, remember to do the following:

• To remind yourself that a child is in the car, keep a stuffed animal in the car seat. When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with the driver.

• When leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car. Do not overlook any children who have fallen asleep in the car.

• Avoid Hot and Heavy Meals: They add heat to your body!

Stay Hydrated

Drink Plenty of Fluids: Drink more fluids, regardless of how active you are. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.

• Warning: If your doctor limits the amount you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.

• Stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks—these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.

Replace Salt and Minerals: Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.

• If you are on a low-salt diet, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.

Keep Your Pets Hydrated: Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets, and leave the water in a shady area.

Monitor Those at High Risk: Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:

• Infants and young children

• People 65 years of age or older

• People who are overweight

• People who overexert during work or exercise

• People who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation

Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

LINCOLN, Neb. - Nebraska’s unemployment website, NEworks, is back online following an outage impacting the site’s vendor, Geographic Solutions, Inc.

Among multiple states impacted, Nebraska’s site was the first to come back online.  GSI has also restored other state websites, with more to come.

NDOL will ensure that unemployment claimants are able to receive the benefits for which they are eligible. The agency is prioritizing payments for weeks already claimed.  Back payments will be issued to all eligible claimants.  Filers should check their account for status updates.

The NEworks system prompts workers with active claims to file for two weeks of benefits if a certification has not already been filed for the week ending June 25.

If an individual has recently become unemployed and was unable to file an initial application for unemployment benefits or reopen their claim because of the system outage, they should request back dating of the application by emailing NDOL.Unemploymenthelp@nebraska.gov.

(KLZA)-- Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, in accordance with a proclamation from the White House, announced Tuesday that all U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff to honor the victims of the shooting that took place in Highland Park, Illinois on July 4, 2022.

Flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset on July 9, 2022 in honor and remembrance of the victims. 

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved wage increases for members of the Highway Department and various positions within the Sheriff's Department when they met June 28.

The Board approved 10 percent salary increases for the Road Foreman, Bridge Foreman and Office / Clerical position effective this month.

The Board also voted unanimously to increase the Sheriff Deputies salaries beginning July 1. An uncertified officer with one year of experience will be paid $26 per hour. A part-time deputy with a year of experience - $28 per hour. Full time deputies will be paid based on experience. One-year - $28 per hour; two-years experience $29 per hour; three-years experience -$30 per hour. A Sergeant with three-years experience - $31 per hour; Lieutenant with three-years experience - $32 per hour; Chief Deputy with three-years experience - $32.50 per hour.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty presented a report to the Board on the funds received from other agencies for housing inmates. Since 2019, a three-and-a-half-year period, $149,435 has been received for boarding inmates.

(KMZA)--Voters in Valley Heights USD 498 will decide during an August 30th special election whether to issue bonds for school improvements.  

Two questions will be on the ballot.  The first asks for the authority to issue up to $13.865 million in bonds to construct a new elementary school addition, an auxiliary gym/multi-purpose addition and other improvements at the Valley Heights campus midway between Waterville and Blue Rapids.  It would require a net mill levy increase of 13.48 mills.  

The second question requests the authority to issue up to $4.675 million in bonds to make other improvements to district buildings that includes upgrades to the existing  Valley Heights High School mechanical equipment, the existing Vo-Ag building and improvements to the Blue Rapids gymnasium. It would require an additional 6.03 mills.  

The first of several community meetings on the bond proposals will be held on Sunday, July 10, with meetings at the Blue Rapids Community Center at 2 p.m and the Waterville Community Center at 5 p.m.  USD 498 patrons are encouraged to attend either meeting.

(KMZA)--The Pottawatomie County community of St. Mary's is mourning the loss of an officer.

Officer Mark Lamberson died unexpectedly Saturday while on duty.

Lamberson began his service with the St. Mary's Police Department in 2013. Prior to that, he worked for the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office as a jail deputy.

St. Mary's Police Chief Derek Cid said the loss of officer Lamberson is tragic for all who knew, worked and loved him.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, but foul play is not suspected.

Over the next few days, Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office deputies will be responding to calls for service within the city limits of Saint Marys.

Officer Lamberson is survived by his wife, children, and parents.

In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made for the family to Community First Bank, 215 S Seth Child Road, Manhattan, Kansas: C/O: FOP Lodge 17 / SMPD.

Funeral services are pending at this time.

(KNZA)--A Holton man was killed Friday afternoon in a single-vehicle wreck in western  Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 57-year-old Gary Fortner was eastbound on Interstate-70 in Lafayette County when a tire blew out on his 2002 Ford F-250 pickup truck shortly before 1:30.

The vehicle traveled off the highway and overturned.

Fortner, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.  

.

(KAIR)--Atchison’s assistant city manager has accepted an out of state job.

Joe Warren was offered the position of Belton, Missouri City Manager June 16.
He told MSC News that came one day after he interviewed for the position.

According to Warren, a contract has been agreed to. Related information included with the Belton City Council’s June 28 meeting agenda states that Warren will make no less than $158,225 annually.

Warren, whose hiring was approved through an ordinance approved June 28 by the Belton City Council, is set to begin his new role next month, with the ordinance taking effect August 16. However, Warren says an exact start date is subject to change. 

Warren, a former newspaper reporter and editor in Atchison, returned to the City following a departure for Missouri newspaper work, and was hired in June 2018 as the City of Atchison’s Director of Administrative Services.

In July 2021, Warren was chosen to serve as Assistant Atchison City Manager.

In response to an emailed question from MSC News regarding what he views as his accomplishments during his time of Atchison leadership, Warren provided the following answer:

(MSC News)--Many local communities are planning Independence Day celebrations this holiday weekend.  

Horton will hold its annual fireworks display at dusk Friday evening at Mission Lake.  On Saturday morning, the Horton Fish and Game Association will hold its annual Youth Fishing Derby at the little lake.  Registration will be from 7 to 8, with fishing from 8 to 10.  The event is open to kids up to 15 years old.  

Highland will hold its Independence Day celebration on Saturday with a full day of activities.  A parade will be held on Main Street beginning at 10:00 in the morning.  Food will be available along with face painting and bounce houses.   The community fireworks show will be held at dusk.  

The annual July Jubilee at Banner Creek Reservoir, west of Holton, will take place  Saturday.  Gates will open at 5 pm, with live music, food vendors and a fireworks display at dark.

 Atchison, Hiawatha and Sabetha will hold their  Independence Day celebrations Sunday, with fireworks at dusk.  Atchison's fireworks show will take place at Warnock Lake.

Bern, Centralia, Lancaster and Troy will hold their celebrations on Monday.  

Bern is planning a full-day of activities beginning with a 5K run/walk at 8:00 in the morning.  There will be food vendors, inflatables, D.J. Music and a one-hour play, “ Liberties Task”  will be presented at the Bern Community Building from 5 to 7.   At dusk, there will be a Veteran recognition event, with a huge fireworks display at 10:00.  

Centralia will celebrate the 4th of July with a full day of activities—including a parade starting at 10:30 in the morning.  The activities will conclude with a fireworks show at dusk at the Centralia Lake.  

In Lancaster, there will be a free-will donation BBQ pulled pork meal at City Hall, starting at 2:00 Monday afternoon.   A parade will be held at 6:00, with kids games to follow by the horse arena and the annual fireworks show at dark.  

Troy is planning a full-day of activities Monday to celebrate the 4th of July, including a parade on Main Street beginning at 4 pm and fireworks at dusk.

(KLZA)-- The boil notice for the City of Peru has been lifted.

Peru water customers no longer need to boil water for drinking or to cook with. However, Peru water customers are asked to continue to conserve water.

The well pump is not running at full capacity at this time. A new pump was installed, but it is still not running at the property capacity.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners voted 2-1 Tuesday to award $427,157 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to three of the groups that had submitted applications.

Richardson County Rural Water District #2 will receive $200 thousand, less than half the $499,613 they applied for.

The City of Humboldt / Humboldt Volunteer Rescue Squad will receive $130,000 which is half the amount they had applied for to purchase a new ambulance.

Richardson County Drainage District #7 was awarded $97,157 for levee stabilization and improvements. They had applied for $194,315.

Three entities applying for funds will not receive funding. Falls City EDGE has sought $400,000 for housing improvements in Falls City. The Richardson County House of Hope applied for $350 thousand for transitional housing and the Village of Rulo applied for $51,860 for improvements to the Rulo Public Library.

Commissioner David Sickel cast the nay vote.

Sickel had made a motion to approve one-third of the requested ARPA funding for the same three groups that received funding. That would have been nearly $318 thousand. The motion died due to the lack of a second.

A motion by Commissioner John Caverzagie to approve one-half of the requested funds for the three groups also died due to the lack of a second.

In April Commissioners decided to keep $700 thousand in ARPA funds back to be used for various road and bridge projects, courthouse improvements and communication upgrades. Richardson County received approximately $1,527,000 in ARPA funds, while requests for funding from various entities came to nearly $1,756,000.

To this point, the County has spent nearly $82 thousand of the total, including more than $79 thousand on courthouse plumbing upgrades.

With the $427,157 awarded Tuesday, plus the $700 thousand the County will keep in reserves, it leaves a balance of approximately $318,565 in ARPA funds.

Commissioners will be developing a plan for what to do with the remaining ARPA funds.

(KLZA)-- The Mound City Board of Education met in closed session Wednesday morning to discuss persennel.

Following the closed session the Board approved the resignation of Brian Messer as High School English Teacher and coach. Messer has accepted a job teaching in Everest, Kansas.

The Board also approved the hiring of Theresa Jordan to teach High School English for the 22-23 school year.

A contract with Jennifer Daniels was renewed for her to continue as Speech Pathologist.

Superintendent Korey Miles reported the replacement of the roof on the main gymnasium is underway and will be completed prior to refinishing the surface of the gym floor.

Work on the roof over the Library, Science Room, cafeteria and kitchen will be done in September and October.

(KLZA)-- Community Medical Center in Falls City has reported what is described as an “uptick” in the daily COVID hospitalization admission rate as well as the number of positive results in the clinics and laboratory testing.

The COVID positive patients are having what are described as bad cold symptoms or are mimicking allergy / sinus symptoms. Some patients have also had gastric upset and some report fever, achy joints, headaches, loss of smell and an abnormal amount of fatigue.

The hospital is asking if you have those symptoms. Please let the person scheduling your appointment at any of the hospital departments or clinics know.

If you are feeling ill or have had a positive COVID test, you should not visit someone in the hospital.

CMC has not changed the current “no” mask required policy for healthy visitors or patients coming for checkups.

(KNZA)--Three Wathena residents--including two children--were among four injured early Thursday afternoon in a crash involving five vehicles on Interstate-29, just north of downtown St. Joseph.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a box truck struck a vehicle that was being towed behind a Cadillac Escalade.

The box truck lost control and struck a Ford Explorer driven by 42-year-old Sherene Daniels, of Wathena. The impact pushed the SUV into a Ford Fusion. The driver of the Ford Fusion lost control of his vehicle, which began to spin, striking a Honda Civic.

Daniels, and two child passengers in her vehicle, ages 7 and 11, were transported by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, for the treatment of injuries.

The Patrol says Daniels sustained suspected serious injuries and the children, suspected minor injuries. The driver of the box truck, from Lee's Summit, Missouri, was also transported to the hospital with suspected minor injuries.

The Patrol says all four were properly restrained.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission, in a special meeting Thursday, approved the appointment of a new health advisor for the county Health Department.

Appointed to the position was Dr. Jarod Snyder, of Seneca. Snyder will be paid $250 a month.

The Commission also approved a contract with the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital to provide adult and childhood immunizations in Nemaha County.

During their regular meeting Monday, representatives of the Meadowlark Extension District informed commissioners they are considering building their own facility to house offices that are currently located inside the Nemaha County Community building. Discussion was also held concerning the Extension District renting the office space currently being utilized in the Community Building until they are ready to move into their own facility.

Representatives of Kanza Mental Health discussed with commissioners the county helping fund the Crisis Stabilization Center opening in the city of Leavenworth at a cost of $18,600 for 2023. Sheriff Rich Vernon, who was presented for the discussion, recommended the county support the facility for a year and even offered to pay the cost for 2023 out of the capital outlay funds earmarked for the law enforcement center.

The Commission also accepted the resignation of Robert Feldkamp from the Centralia Fire District #6 governing board.

(KMZA)--The first two community meetings on a bond proposal to fund improvements at Nemaha Central Schools were held Tuesday.

Information was presented at the meetings on the bond proposal and questions answered.

Work began on the new bond proposal after USD 115 patrons last November soundly defeated a $37.6 million bond issue for improvements at the district's schools.

The new proposal, at an estimated cost of $24.2 million, calls for classroom additions at the district's two schools. It also calls for expansion of the elementary/middle school cafeteria along with renovations at the high school and renovation of the Career/Tech building at the high school.

The proposal would require a 14.750 mill levy increase, which for the owner of a $100,000 home would mean about $170 in additional property taxes annually.

The bond issue would be paid off over a twenty-five year period.

Two additional community meetings on the bond proposal are planned for July 14 at 12 noon at 5 pm in the Nemaha Central High School commons area.