(KAIR)--The date for Atchison County’s next tax sale has been set.

According to information released this week by Atchison County Counselor Patrick Henderson, the 2022 tax sale will be held on the morning of October 5, at 10:00, at Memorial Hall, in Atchison, located at 819 Commercial Street.

The release specifies that all proceedings will be conducted in-person, and will not be held online.

Registration is required for those wanting to bid at the tax sale.

The deadline to register is the close of business Tuesday, October 4.

The release notes that information about the properties to be placed up for bid should be available next week.

According to Atchison County Treasurer Connie Ellerman, property owners must redeem delinquent property by the close of business on October 4, the day prior to the sale, in order to remove it from the tax sale.

The last Atchison County Tax Sale was held last year in April.

(KAIR)--Fatal vehicle crashes on Missouri roadways have decreased from the same time in 2021. The Missouri Department of Transportation urges motorists to continue to be vigilant in reducing deaths and injuries as summer draws to a close.

“Eleven people died and 458 were injured in Missouri traffic crashes during the 2021 Labor Day holiday weekend,” said MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna. “As we round out the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, let’s see if we can achieve zero fatalities for the 2022 Labor Day weekend.”

With favorable weather forecasts, more motorists could be taking to Missouri roads to enjoy the last three-day weekend of the summer. MoDOT asks motorists to do their part and not let down their guard in this crucial period. Buckle up, put down the phone, obey posted speed limits, and never drive impaired.

The Labor Day weekend wraps up the nationwide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Hundreds of officers across Missouri are participating in this year’s campaign, which aims to prevent impaired driving by saturating the state’s roadways with officers on the lookout for impaired drivers.

In addition to watching for impaired drivers, state troopers and local law enforcement agencies will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways and enforcing speed-limit, seat belt and aggressive-driving laws, as well as being available to assist motorists.

The Missouri Department of Transportation will limit road construction on Labor Day weekend to accommodate expected increased holiday travel. 

Work on most maintenance and construction projects that would impact traffic will be suspended at noon Friday, Sept. 2 and resume at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6. Travelers should always be alert to sudden closures due to emergency situations like crashes and always slow down and move over for emergency responders.

(KNZA)--A section of K-16 in Jackson County will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 1st,  while maintenance crews replace crossroad pipe in the area.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, K-16 will be closed to through traffic from 7 am to 3:30  pm between K-63 and K-62. 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 highway construction projects across Kansas, go to www.kandrive.org or call 5-1-1.

(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is alerting residents of a new scam circulating in the county.

He said residents are being called by someone representing themselves as Brown County Court Summons Services, telling residents they have legal papers that will be served on them. 

Merchant said most residents have simply hung up on the callers but several residents reported that they were instructed to make payment over the phone in order to avoid the summons.

At this time, he said no one has reported being made a victim of the scam.

Merchant said he made the Brown County District Court Clerk aware of the scam and she wanted him to assure residents that their office would never conduct business in this manner.

If you feel you have been made a victim of this or any other type of scam, Merchant said you should notify your local law enforcement at once.
 

(KAIR)--The date for Atchison County’s next tax sale has been set.

According to information released this week by Atchison County Counselor Patrick Henderson, the 2022 tax sale will be held on the morning of October 5, at 10:00, at Memorial Hall, in Atchison, located at 819 Commercial Street.

The release specifies that all proceedings will be conducted in-person, and will not be held online.

Registration is required for those wanting to bid at the tax sale.

A link to the registration form is posted with this story at mscnews.net.

The deadline to register is the close of business Tuesday, October 4.

The release notes that information about the properties to be placed up for bid should be available next week.

Property owners, prior to the sale, can pay taxes owed in full, as well as other required fees, in order to see their property removed from the auction.

The last Atchison County Tax Sale was held last year in April.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Morrill, located in Brown County.

The advisory was issued last week because of a loss of pressure in the City of Sabetha’s distribution system. The City of Morrill purchases water from Sabetha.

KDHE says failure to maintain adequate pressure may lead to a loss of chlorine residuals and result in bacterial contamination.

KDHE said Tuesday that laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Morrill indicated no evidence of contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk are deemed resolved.

A boil advisory for Sabetha was rescinded last week.

(KAIR)--More than $1.4 million in grant monies are secured for Atchison’s Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport.

The funds come through two Federal Aviation Administration grants secured by Kansas Republican leaders, Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, and Congressman Jake LaTurner.

According to a release, the grant funds will be used to complete phases 2 and 3 of construction on runway 16/34 at the airport, shifting the runway south 1,200 feet to meet FAA airfield design standards. According to the release, the project will include design of the runway and acquisition of additional land.

Moran, in the release, says the role local airports play is “vital” in “providing economic opportunities for [Kansas] and critical resources for the surrounding community,” adding that the funds serve as an “investment for the Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport” to make sure “the airport can continue to provide safe and efficient travel for Kansans and visitors to Atchison County.”

Marshall, in the release, says “updating and modernizing our regional airports helps Kansas keep up with the needs of its growing economy,” while LaTurner said the airport “is vital to growing Atchison’s local economy.”

(KAIR)--Minimum-custody inmate Michael Shane Stroede has been placed on escape status after it was reported at 11:05am that he walked away from Lansing Correctional Facility on Tuesday, August 30, 2022.

Stroede, a 43-year-old white male, was reported missing when the offender could not be located at the minimum-security unit. This walkaway does not impact the security or operations of the medium-maximum secure compound.

Stroede is serving a 111-month sentence for a 2021 drug conviction in Rice County. Stroede has seven prior convictions dating back to 1999.

Stroede is 5 feet 10 inches tall, 180 pounds with Hazel eyes and shaved head. He has several tattoos across his upper body and arms.

Anyone with information on Stroede can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 913-727-3235 ext. 58224, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.

The walk-away is currently being investigated.  New information will be released as it becomes available.

(KAIR)--Suicide is cited as the cause of death of a Lansing Correctional Facility inmate who died Tuesday.

That’s according to a release from Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, who says 43-year-old Ricardo Carlos Ramirez was facing first degree murder charges for the beating death of his cellmate. 56-year-old Fred Patterson III, who was killed August 7. According to Thompson, he had refused to loan Ramirez a pen for a word search puzzle, leading to the murder.

Patterson was in custody for a parole violation, having been previously convicted of indecent liberties with a minor.

Because of Ramirez’s death, Thompson said the murder case must be closed.

Ramirez was in custody for a parole violation with prior convictions for aggravated sexual battery and battery on city or county employees.

A release from the Kansas Department of Corrections says Ramirez was found unresponsive in his cell, early Tuesday morning, with prison staff immediately beginning life-saving measures, which continued once EMS arrived.

Despite the effort, Ramirez was pronounced dead at the scene.

The official cause of his death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.

The death investigation is continuing, overseen by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

(KAIR)--An occasional rash of valuable vehicle parts being stolen returns to Atchison, with a college and a local non-profit both reporting being targeted by thieves.

Two vehicles belonging to Benedictine College lost their catalytic converters to thieves.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the costly parts were taken while the vehicles were parked in the 1200 block of North 2nd Street.
It’s believed the crime was committed somtime between August 20 and August 27.

The non-profit Project Concern, based in Atchison, also fell victim to the thieves.

According to the report, a catalytic converter was stolen from a vehicle, owned by the agency, in the 500 block of Kansas Avenue.

It’s believed it was taken sometime between August 10 and August 29.

Wilson told MSC News the Project Concern vehicle, hit by thieves, was a community transportation van belonging to the agency.

It was in the late summer/early fall of last year that Atchison Police were notified of a number of cases involving catalytic converter thefts.

Those crimes came as similar thefts were reported on the upswing nationwide.

(KAIR)--A Monday night, single vehicle Atchison County motorcycle crash with a dog, sent the rider to the hospital.

Injured was 21-year-old Adrian Birkinsha, of rural Atchison County who, according to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, “had been northbound in the 5500 block of Ottawa Road,” riding a 1999 Honda Shadow motorcycle, which struck a dog and crashed.

According to Laurie, the crash occurred around 9:40 Monday night, with Birkinsha’s family transporting him to Amberwell Atchison for hospital treatment for minor injuries to his legs and arms.

Sheriff’s Deputies took a report of the wreck when they were called to the hospital around 10:30 Monday night when they received word of the crash.

(KAIR)--A Jackson County traffic stops ends with a Valley Falls man jailed for drug and weapon-related charges.

That’s according to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, who says 45-year-old Joshua Funk was arrested around 1:00 Monday afternoon and taken into custody on charges for criminal use of weapons, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with law enforcement, transporting an open container, no insurance, and driving while suspended.

According to Morse, Funk’s arrest came after his vehicle was stopped by a deputy, near 118th and S. Road, for an alleged vehicle registration violation.

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

(KMZA)--A milling and overlay project on U.S. 36 in Marshall and Nemaha counties is scheduled to begin Tuesday,  Aug. 30, weather permitting. The project will cover approximately 15 miles, from K-87 to the eastern city limits of Seneca.  

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

Work will occur Monday through Saturday during daylight hours. The project is expected to be complete by late October. 

Hall Brothers, of Marysville, is the contractor on the $4.6 million project. 

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 road construction projects across Kansas, go to www.kandrive.org or call 5-1-1.

Peru, NE – Recovery continues throughout the area impacted by the 2019 floods as projects are completed, and others show significant progress.

“FEMA recently provided the final approval for the waterline connection between Peru and Auburn,” said David Pease, Mayor of Peru. “We were waiting for this approval before opening the project for contractor bids, but I am pleased to announce bids will be collected in City Hall on September 13 and the contracts awarded during the September council meeting.”

JEO Consulting is leading the project, and working with the Peru City Council, they have acquired needed easements along the water line route and pre-procured the pipe.

“With the rise in construction costs and challenges with the supply chain, we took steps to pre-order the pipe for the water line,” said Zach Schulz, lead engineer. “The pipe is currently in Lincoln and will be housed by the contractor when the bid has been awarded. City Council took this important step to save time and money.”

The Northeast Nemaha County Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) continues to support and seek funds for infrastructure projects.

“FEMA is the largest funder for the water line project, but the State Revolving Fund and the Water Sustainability Fund are also assisting with financing,” said Deborah Solie, LTRG Disaster Recovery Coordinator. “We continue to seek additional funds to help with all infrastructure projects, including Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery funds available through the state.”

The LTRG continues to receive positive updates on several infrastructure projects that are key to recovery for the region, including:

• Lagoons – Repairs have been completed.

• Steamboat Trace Trail – The NRD has reopened the trail to visitors, and a dedicated group of community members is working to improve the Peru trailhead.

• Street repairs – Design is completed for the 5th Street project, and we are working through an easement process; the project is expected to kick off in the summer of 2023.

• New grocery store in Peru – The LTRG and the City of Peru worked together to secure funding to bring a new grocery store to Peru. The Market will be opening soon and providing the area with access to healthy, fresh food.

• Sid Brown Park renovation – The City of Peru is seeking funding for a new playground. The community is invited to an enjoyable evening on September 27 to view proposed plans and provide input by voting on their favorite equipment.

• Bark Park - Nemaha County Leadership Class 7 continues raising funds for a dog park installation in the ballfield north of the field house.

• Levee repair – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving forward with the repair of the breach, although the timing is still uncertain. Congressman Adrian Smith has recently reached out on behalf of Peru to prompt the Corps into action.

• Housing - Peru is partnering with the Southeast Nebraska Development District to rehabilitate homes and attract single families to Peru.

“We want to celebrate the movement on these flood-related projects,” said Deborah Solie, Disaster Recovery Coordinator. “But, also remember the Peru community and surrounding areas suffered an estimated $7.91 million in economic loss, including $4.2 million in agricultural revenue losses due to levee damage. The LTRG’s goal is to emerge from recovery as a community stronger than before the floods. We have begun focusing on disaster preparedness as part of that recovery.”

The LTRG, the City of Peru, and leaders throughout the area continue to work together as recovery continues for the region.

(KLZA)-- A former Pawnee City resident who was on death row at the state prison in Tecumseh has died.

45-year-old Patrick Schroeder died Monday. Officials say a cause of death has not been determined.

Schroeder was first convicted of killing 75-year-old Pawnee City farmer Kenneth Albers in 2006. In 2017 Schroeder admitted to killing his cellmate, Terry Berry by strangling him. Schroeder said Berry was too talkative.

The state paid Berry's family $479,000 to settle a lawsuit that alleged the state was responsible for Berry's death because they put him in a cell with Schroeder.

Schroeder is the fifth death row inmate to die while awaiting execution in Nebraska.

(KAIR)--Kansas Governor Laura Kelly Thursday reaffirmed her support for medical marijuana in Kansas, but stopped short of endorsing recreational sales in the state.

The Kansas City Star reports Kelly’s comments come ahead of Missouri’s vote to legalize recreational sales. On November 8, Show Me State voters will head to polls to cast ballots that could mean the sale of recreational marijuana in the state, which borders Kansas, with the vote coming four-years after Missouri voters approved medical marijuana in the state.

According to the newspaper, Kelly has supported medical legalization for a number of years, but isn’t quite ready for recreation legalization. However, the Kansas Democrat left open the possibility of supporting recreational legalization in the future, telling the Star beginning with medical marijuana is the right place to start, as that will allow Kansas to “get that infrastructure built so that [the State] can regulate it the way it needs to be regulated.”

Kansas has yet to legalize a medical marijuana program, despite widespread hopes it would be accomplished during the Legislature’s 2022 session. Kelly told the newspaper she wants “to push that through next term and make sure we get there.”

(KAIR)--Thousands of vehicles will travel the Kansas roadways during the Labor Day weekend, with many families heading out on one last trip or getaway as the school year begins.

Safe Kids Kansas, sponsored in part by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, State Farm and the Kansas Department of Transportation, want to encourage families to buckle up and drive safely to protect what a news release calls "their most valuable asset," their families.

This year, from now through September 11, a safety belt awareness campaign called “Bucks for Buckles” is being held in 45 cities across Kansas. Local volunteers distribute dollars bills to drivers who have all occupants buckled up securely in their vehicle. Those riding unrestrained will receive educational materials about the effectiveness of seat belts and child safety seats in saving lives and reducing injuries.

According to Safe Kids Kansas, in 2020, 426 people lost their lives on Kansas roadways, with State Director Cherie Sage saying, “the single most effective means of protecting the lives of you and your passengers is wearing seat belts and using appropriate child restraints every time you ride in the vehicle – even short distances.”

According to the 2021 KDOT Seat Belt Survey, 85 percent of Kansans surveyed were wearing their seat belts. This compares to the national average is 90 percent. Kansas ranked 38 in belt use in 2021 among 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Seat belts save more than 15,000 lives yearly and are cited as the best defense against drunk, aggressive and distracted drivers.

(KAIR)--KS Governor Laura Kelly Monday touted Kansas as a leader in wind energy, citing the recently released Wind Energy Market Report from the U.S. Department of Energy.

A release from Kelly’s office, citing the report, says land-based wind energy supplied 45.1% of Kansas’ electricity generation in 2021, making it third in the nation. In addition, Kansas has continued to bring on more wind energy capacity over the past year. The state ranked fourth in annual growth of wind capacity (1,228 MW) and cumulative wind capacity (8,245 MW) in 2021.

The wind energy industry has attracted more than $15 billion in investment to the state, impacting the Kansas economy through the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs — from operations and maintenance, to construction, manufacturing, and engineering. The industry also benefits the state by contracting with Kansas service providers, purchasing equipment produced in the state, investing in communities, and providing long-term lease payments to landowners in rural Kansas.

Release of the report, and Kelly’s recognition of it, comes in advance of the Kansas Renewable Energy Conference, to be held October 3 through 4 in Manhattan. Registration is currently open.

(KAIR)--A Sunday night search for a possible vehicle burglar turns into a probe of shots fired in Atchison.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, following an inquiry made by MSC News, says police officers were in the area of 9th and Atchison Street, around 9:15 Sunday night, to investigate a report that a person was seen in that area looking inside vehicles.

While in the area, searching for the suspect, officers heard a gun shot, and saw a person running away from the area, disappearing into the Sunday night darkness.
According to Wilson, an extensive search of the area ended without the suspect being located.

The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information related to the case should contact Atchison authorities at 913-367-4323.

(KLZA)-- The Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn has announced that Dr. Clayton Damme is joining the staff of physicians.

Dr. Damme received his undergraduate degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University and his medical degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, graduating with distinction. He completed his residency in anesthesiology and a fellowship in chronic pain medicine at UNMC.

Damme is committed to helping patients relieve chronic pain without invasive procedures.

Dr. Damme will see patients, with a doctor's referral on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee County Commissioners discussed the 2022-23 Sheriff's Department budget with Sheriff Braden Lang during their August 23 meeting.

The budget will be increased by three percent along with the rest of the offices.

Commissioners also discussed inserts for the K-9 vehicle with Deputy Micheal Cirrincione. Deputy Cirrincione said a new truck had been ordered. Currently the plan is to put K-9 inserts in a department vehicle.

Sheriff Lang and County Attorney Jennifer Stehlik Ladman discussed a claim from Community Medical Center in Falls City with the Board. Sheriff Lang discussed how a person was injured and Stehlik Ladman explained the county is liable for payment if the person is injured, then taken into custody and has no primary insurance.

The Board also voted to set levies for the next Fiscal Year for the Pawnee County Fire District and the Pawnee County Ag Society at just over half of one percent.

(KLZA)-- The Johnson County Historical Society and the Brownville Historical Society have been notified they are among 27 recipients of grants from the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation.

The total amount of grant monies awarded totaled $25 thousand. The funds help organizations such as museums, historical societies and libraries with core education, preservation and interpretive programs about community history.

The Johnson County Historical Society Museum complex consists of three historic buildings with the main building and the rural schoolhouse located at one site and the Old Jail standing on its original location nearby. The main museum is housed in the historic Christian Church that was built in 1888 with pews from the original church, an organ, and pulpits displayed at the front of the building. Adjacent to the church is the restored District 73 schoolhouse.  The church building includes a variety of exhibits, many of which are displayed in free-standing cases.

The Brownville Historical Society began in December 1956 with the express purpose of maintaining the historical heritage, the landmarks and the picturesque buildings of Brownville.  Museums hold the artifacts of life in early Nebraska and the Society maintains these properties.

You can learn more about the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation grants program at www.nshsf.org/statewide-grants-program.

(KAIR)--An injured owl is under the care of specialists, courtesy of the action of a member of the Atchison Police Department.

According to a release, the owl was found to be injured behind Atchison’s YMCA.

Discovered Friday by Captain Travis Eichelberger, the owl, apparently unable to fly or walk, was safely captured.
Once safely removed, the owl was later taken by what the release calls an experienced rehabilitation specialist.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Deputy Sheriff Clinton Stonebarger provided information to the Board of Commissioners last week on a USDA grant application, in which the USDA will provide $50 thousand in grant funds to be sued for the purchase of two patrol units with radios and equipment including the installation.

Three quotes for patrol units were presented to the Board. Commissioners approved the purchase for two, FORD Explorers with attached radio and safety equipment installed from Defender Supply or Argyle, Texas. The total cost will be $103 thousand. Richardson County will pay $53 thousand with grant funds covering the remaining costs.

Commissioners also unanimously approved a resolution to establish the salaries for the deputies of elected officials for the term of office at 75 percent of the elected officials salary. That will be for the County Clerk / Election Commissioner / Register of Deeds, County Assessor, County Treasurer and Clerk of the District Court.

The Chief Deputy Sheriff will receive 80 percent of the Sheriff's salary and the Deputy County Attorney will receive 80 percent of the County Attorney's salary.

During the August 16 Commissioners meeting a motion by Chairman David Sickel to set the deputies salary at 70 percent of the elected official's salary died for a lack of a second.

(KAIR)--A Saint Joseph, Missouri man is dead, killed in a single vehicle crash discovered early Saturday morning in Andrew County Missouri. However, the Missouri State Highway Patrol says the exact time and date of the fatal wreck that claimed the life of 29-year-old Jacob Dollars are unknown.

What is known, as stated in the Patrol's report, Dollars was southbound on U.S. Highway 169 when his pickup truck went off the west side of the roadway, struck a ditch, went through two fences and into a creek where it struck several trees

Investigators say Dollars was not buckled up at the time of the wreck.

(KLZA)-- A pavement improvement project which was to close Holt County U.S. Route 159 Monday through Wednesday next week has been pushed back by two days.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has contracted with Phillips Hardy, Inc. to complete the project which will now close the roadway around-the-clock Wednesday, Aug. 31 through Friday, Sept. 2

U.S. Route 159 will close from Route 111 near Forest City to the Little Tarkio Creek Bridge west of Route P. The intersection at Route P south of Fortescue will be closed with no access from Route P to U.S. Route 159. The intersection at Route 111 north of Forest City will remain open.

During the closure, motorists must use an alternate route.

Railroad maintenance will close Holt County Route 111 just north of U.S. Route 159 on Monday, Aug. 29. Contractors working with BNSF Railroad, under a permit from the Missouri Department of Transportation, will close the roadway Monday, Aug. 29, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The project is expected to only take one day to complete.

During the closure, motorists must use an alternate route.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County STEP Foundation held its second annual STEP Up Nemaha Match Day on Friday, August 26, 2022. Donors gave in person at the Seneca Free Library between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. with KMZA radio broadcasting live from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Online donations were collected at www.stepnemaha.com.

STEP Treasurer Justin Lueger shared, “I am excited to announce we surpassed the total dollars raised since last year. Also, the number of donors has increased so we are getting the word out about Match Day, and more people are participating in this great event. We truly appreciate the generosity.”

Executive Director Tory Jost reiterated “Thanks to our generous donors, our second Match Day net total set a new record with over $131,700 raised.” Twenty-one funds were eligible for a dollar for dollar match up to $2,000. The new St. Peter and Paul School (SPPS) Fund brought in the most overall donations with $35,835.80 followed by the STEP General Endowment Fund with $26,176, then Meals on Wheels – Nemaha County at $17,003.38. Two hundred seventy-six gifts were received, ranging from $10 to $20,000. A special thank you to the anonymous $20,000 donor. For a complete list of funds and balances, check out the leaderboard at www.stepupnemaha.com.

Jost emphasized, “Thank you again for making Nemaha County a great place to live, work, and raise a family.” The third annual Match Day will be held in August 2023. To set up a fund with the STEP Foundation, please contact Tory Jost at info@nemahastep.org.

(KNZA)--A groundbreaking ceremony was held Sunday evening for phase one of the Hiawatha Championship Sports Complex project at Noble Park.  

On hand for the ceremony to kick off the first phase of the three-phase complex, which is an indoor practice facility, were members of the Hiawatha Baseball and Softball Club Board, Hiawatha City Commission and community.  

HBSC Board President Troy Kolb discussed the history of the project and their plans, which also include a new softball field and renovations to Paul Rockey Field.

He thanked the community for its support. Kolb also recognized the Hiawatha Community Foundation, saying fundraising for the project really kicked off with the Foundation's Match Days event in 2021, and additional funds were raised during this year's event. Kolb said more than $200,000 has been raised so far for phase one and they are working to raise the remainder of the funding needed.  

Kolb said Knudson Construction completed the dirt work last week for the 72-by 105-foot indoor practice facility.  He  estimated the facility would be completed by March 1st-- in time for spring practices. Kolb said the board would plan a dedication and open house at that time.

(KMZA)--Voters in Valley Heights USD 498 will decide during a special election Tuesday 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.

There will be one polling location—the Valley Heights Junior-Senior High School.

Voters can cast their ballots Tuesday from 7 in the morning until 7 in the evening

(KLZA)-- Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) has announced the names of the Third District high school students who will serve on his Youth Advisory Council for the 2022-2023 academic school year.

Madalyn Kohlmeyer of Tecumseh is among the 16 Council members from throughout the Third Congressional District.

Smith’s Youth Advisory Council is a forum for high school students to discuss opinions, thoughts, and concerns about local and federal issues with Smith throughout the school year.  Through in-person meetings and other contacts, the Council provides students an opportunity for involvement and insight into their government and communities.

The Council is open to Third District sophomore, junior, and senior high school students. 

(KLZA)--The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has announced the City of Auburn is among the recipients of approximately $17.5 million in awards under the 2022 annual cycle of the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NAHTF).

DED established program in 1996 to help communities address local housing needs through ongoing development projects. The program encourages the creation of safe and affordable housing to establish socioeconomic vitality in Nebraska neighborhoods.

The program assists local units of government, public housing authorities, community action agencies, nonprofit organizations and for-profits working in partnership with one of these entities.

NAHTF dollars may be applied to support a variety of housing-related projects, including the construction of new units and rehabilitation of a community’s existing housing stock. The program also supports first-time homebuyers through direct homebuyer assistance such as down-payment and closing costs.

Funding will be applied to the development of 381 housing units across the state, with plans involving a mixture of new construction, both rental and single-family owned, housing rehabilitation and direct homebuyer assistance.

The City of Auburn will receive $530 thousand.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners continued their review of the proposed Fiscal Year 2022-23 budgets when they met Tuesday.

Commissioners did approve accessing the additional one percent budget authority as allowed by state statute.

The preliminary budget proposal includes a total budget of expenditures of $21,816,874 which includes ARPA funds and Inheritance tax. That would be an increase of nearly $3.9 million or 21.7 percent.

If approved as proposed, the property tax requirement would be $5,407,280 including $400 thousand in cash reserves plus the Jail Bond of $302,635 for a total property tax requirement of $5,709,915 or a 15.85 percent increase totaling an additional $781,202 above the 2021 total.

The proposed levy would increase 12.6 percent to 37.08 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The increase would be 4.16 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

Commissioners are scheduled to complete their review of the budget proposal during their August 30th meeting.

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska unemployment rate was slightly higher in July at 2 percent which was a tenth of a point higher than in June. Nebraska is tied with Utah and New Hampshire with the second best unemployment rate in the country.

Nearly all the area counties had higher jobless figures in July than in June.

Richardson and Nemaha counties have the best unemployment figures in Southeast Nebraska at just 2.3 percent. Nemaha County was the only area county with a decrease in unemployment, down 3-tenths of a point.

Otoe County had a jobless figure of 2.5 percent; Pawnee County was up nearly a full percentage point for the month at 2.7 percent. The rate in Johnson County was 3.3 percent and in Gage County the unemployment figure was up 1.4 percent to 3.9 percent.

Minnesota now has the best unemployment rate in the country at 1.8 percent.

Kansas is #8 at 2.4 percent followed by Iowa and Missouri at 2.5 percent.

Nationwide in July the jobless rate was 3.5 percent which is down slightly from June but well below the 5.4 percent a year ago.

(KLZA)-- Charles W. Herbster, cattleman, businessman and former 2022 Republican candidate for Governor from Falls City, has announced the formation of the Nebraska First Political action Committee.

Founded by Herbster, Nebraska First's mission will be to educate voters on policy issues and important legislation while promoting conservative values.

Herbster said “While I came up short in my bid to be our next Governor, I fully intend to remain active in fighting for the traditional Christian Conservative values our state and country were founded on.” Herbster continued “Nebraska First gives us the platform to keep people engaged with the Nebraska government and gives a voice to those who believe they are not being heard by our elected leaders.”

As part of the effort to hold elected officials accountable to the citizens they serve, Nebraska First is asking all current state legislators who will remain in office in 2023 and all candidates for Legislature to sign two pledges to the citizens of Nebraska.

The Transparency in Leadership Pledge states the signer will support making all votes for leadership positions in the Nebraska Legislature a public vote.

The second is The Constitutional Carry Pledge stating the signer will support a Constitutional Carry Amendment to the Nebraska Constitution, confirming they support the Second Amendment and the rights of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves without requiring them to have a special permit to do so.

For more information about Nebraska First you can go to www.NebraskaFirst.net.

(KLZA)-- It appears Gage County will be able to complete its payments to six people wrongfully convicted in a 1985 murder, earlier than expected.

KETV in Omaha reports that if the Gage County Board of Supervisors approves the 2023 Fiscal Year budget, a half-cent sales tax enacted to help pay the settlement, would expire January 1, 2023.

The Beatrice 6 were awarded a total of $28.1 million. The final cost was approximately $30 million for the county due to attorney fees.

The sales tax has generated about $150,000 per month. Those funds combined with insurance and about $4 millions in a special allocation from the state will allow the debt to be paid in 4 years rather than the originally anticipated eight years.

(KLZA)-- It appears Gage County will be able to complete its payments to six people wrongfully convicted in a 1985 murder, earlier than expected.

KETV in Omaha reports that if the Gage County Board of Supervisors approves the 2023 Fiscal Year budget, a half-cent sales tax enacted to help pay the settlement, would expire January 1, 2023.

The Beatrice 6 were awarded a total of $28.1 million. The final cost was approximately $30 million for the county due to attorney fees.

The sales tax has generated about $150,000 per month. Those funds combined with insurance and about $4 millions in a special allocation from the state will allow the debt to be paid in 4 years rather than the originally anticipated eight years.

(KLZA)-- SNC in Falls City announced Thursday afternoon that due to a fiber optic line cut outside of the SNC service area, their customers are unable to make calls from a landline phone to a mobile device or from a mobile device to an SNC landline phone.

In addition, any calls to and from ANC long-distance carriers are not currently working.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is going to prison, sentenced this week in Atchison County District Court, for a violent Atchison robbery that left the victim hospitalized.

According to a release from Atchison County Attorney Sherri Becker, Landen Williams was sentenced to 3-years-5-months of incarceration” for, as the release puts it, "his participation in the crimes of robbery and aggravated battery." He plead guilty to those charges in May. Additionally, it was the decision of the judge to revoke Williams' probation for a theft and firearm case and instead imposed the underlying 6-month sentence to be served consecutive to the latest case.

It was, the release says, on July 7, 2021, that the Atchison Police Department "took a report that a person was beaten up and money was stolen from his wallet" while he was at home. The man was transferred to the University of Kansas Hospital for treatment of his injuries, which included a broken nose. The following investigation led police to the arrest of Williams.

While COVID-19 cases continue to trend downward, the lack of open beds and available staff have doctors in Northeast Kansas worried about the fall and winter seasons.

WIBW-TV reports the University of Kansas Health System hosted its COVID-19 update on Wednesday, with a panel of 13 chief medical officers and infectious disease doctors from around the state.

Dr. Steve Stites, Chief Medical Officer at the University of Kansas Health System, said COVID numbers were falling around the region which is a welcome sight with the new bivalent COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer that could start shipping in as soon as a week.

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, Infectious Disease Expert at KU Med, said those shots are expected to be ready by the first or second week of September while the Moderna bivalent vaccine will come later in September. He also noted that monkeypox is on the rise in the U.S. with 15,909 cases - four of those in Kansas and 38 in Missouri.

Dr. Stites also boasted a new application from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to help rural hospitals transfer COVID-19 patients to open beds in facilities better equipped to handle the virus.

(KMZA)--The Seneca Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting a 100th birthday celebration for their 1922 Model K Stutz Fire Engine on Saturday.

The Stutz, as it is commonly called in Seneca, was purchased by the city in March 1922.

The Stutz Motor Company produced 23 Model K fire engines between 1922 and 1928 and Seneca's is believed to be among only two left in existence.

Restored for the 1976 bicentennial, the Stutz is once again in need of repairs. As a result, the observance of the Stutz’s 100th year will not only be a celebration, but will provide an opportunity to raise funds to perform the needed repairs.

Saturday's festivities will begin with a fire truck show at the Seneca City Park, located at 11th and Pioneer Streets, from 10 to 3. All fire departments are being invited to bring trucks to the show, with registration beginning at 9:00.

There will kids' activities and games at the park from 11 to 4.

A free will donation lunch and supper will be served.

At 5 p.m, there will be a fire truck and apparatus parade, which will begin at the city park and travel down Main Street to Third Street. The parade will also feature the Kansas City Pipe and Drum band, who will have a performance back at the park following the parade .

King Midas and the Mufflers will play at the park from 7 to 11 pm.

(KNZA)--It's official---State Senator Dennis Pyle will be on the Kansas ballot in November as an independent candidate for governor

The Kansas Secretary of State’s Office announced Thursday that it had verified that Pyle had gathered more than the 5,000 signatures required.

Pyle, of rural Hiawatha, left the Republican party earlier this year before announcing he would run for governor against incumbent Democrat Laura Kelly and Republican Derek Schmidt, who currently serves as state attorney general. Libertarian Seth Cordell will also be on the ballot.

In a press release announcing the certification of his signatures, Pyle described himself and running mate Kathleen Garrison as the “conservative opposites of Kelly and Schmidt.” 

Garrison is a Clearwater school board member. He pledged to be a “pro-life” leader in the wake of the overwhelming defeat of Kansas’ abortion amendment, support parental control over education and “get to the bottom” of election integrity concerns. There is no evidence of widespread election fraud in Kansas.

(KAIR)--Nearly $350,000 has been raised through the second annual “All Aboard Atchison” Match Day Fundraiser, held last week through the efforts of the Atchison Area Community Foundation.

According to a release, the total amount was raised collectively through the 39 local fund holders of the AACF. On August 19, a two-hour, in-person fundraising event was held at the Atchison Event Center, with that gathering generating $155,000 of the total dollars raised.

The release explains that “over 720 individual gifts were made from the public totaling over $238,000 and $105,000 in matching funds was contributed from event sponsors as well as $2,000 in prize drawings.”

The Match Day Fundraiser was held August 18 through August 21.

AACF President and Chairman Jonathan Mize, in the release, calls the Match Day Event “a powerful fundraising tool for [Atchison’s] local non-profit community,” adding that Atchison again showed how “generous” it is.

The Match Day’s major sponsors were the Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust, the Exchange Bank Foundation, Union State Bank, Blish-Mize Co., Berger Company, the Pratt Family Charitable Foundation, MGP Ingredients, Karen (Cray) Seaberg, and Thrivent Financial.

According to the release, the Match Day Event is set to return in 2023 and will be, the release says, “looking to raise even more money for more local causes.”

The Atchison Area Community Foundation was established in 2019, and serves as a source of funding for local nonprofits and public entities.

(KAIR)--Gunfire is blamed for damage to an Atchison County electric meter box owned by Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, a representative of the company reported the damage Wednesday.

It’s believed the meter box, located at the corner of Anderson Road and 286th Road, incurred the damage August 17.

The estimated loss is around $500. However, the electric cooperative reported that seven additional meter boxes, located in Brown County, were damaged the same way.

The investigation is continuing.

(KAIR)--Gunfire is blamed for damage to an Atchison County electric meter box owned by Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, a representative of the company reported the damage Wednesday.
It’s believed the meter box, located at the corner of Anderson Road and 286th Road, incurred the damage August 17.

The estimated loss is around $500. However, the electric cooperative reported that seven additional meter boxed, located in Brown County, were damaged the same way.

The investigation is continuing.

(KAIR)--The Kansas Department of Transportation launched a new pilot program, and Atchison County is selected to take part.

According to a release from the Atchison County Road and Bridge Department, the county is chosen to play a role in KDOT’s new Kansas County Infrastructure Planning web tool, which is currently under development.

The release explains that the tool will allow Atchison County Road and Bridge crews to track a variety of information on roads and bridges, while creating trends for spending County tax dollars on maintenance, construction, and related efforts.

The release expresses gratitude for being selected, noting that County road and bridge crews “are continuously working hard to improve all county roads.”

(KAIR)--The Kansas Department of Transportation and the City of Atchison have closed the U Street bridge over U.S. 73 after a hole was discovered in the bridge deck on Aug. 18.

Upon inspection, KDOT said in a release Thursday it was determined that the condition of the bridge is beyond repair and the structure will be closed permanently.

The release said the decision to close the bridge follows a mutual understanding previously made between KDOT and the City that additional efforts to repair or replace the bridge would not be made, and that KDOT would decommission the bridge once it was deemed unusable. Factors considered in the decision include the age and type of the structure, its advanced deterioration, low traffic volume and high cost of replacement. The bridge is not part of an emergency route.

Barricades have been placed at the entrances, and KDOT will begin planning the complete removal of the bridge. 

(KNZA)--The search for a new Hiawatha city administrator has suffered some setbacks.

Interim City Administrator Larry Paine provided an updated at Monday's Hiawatha City Commission meeting.

Paine said the two recruitments the city has undertaken, with assistance from League of Kansas Municipalities, have not gone well.

He said he has reached out through another avenue to try and find someone, but has not had any success either.

Paine suggested the commission wait until after the November election, when the race for the position of mayor will be decided, to restart the search process.

The position has been open since former City Administrator Mike Nichols resigned in April.

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

(KNZA)--An agreement has been signed that will bring a national chain restaurant to the Brown County community of Fairview.

According to a press release, A & W Restaurants has signed a multi-development deal with Sabetha father and son team, Bud and Stan Keim, that will also see restaurants built in Wellsville and a yet to be determined location.

The Fairview restaurant will be built at the Keim Travel Plaza, currently under construction at the junction of U.S. 36 and 75 Highways.

"I grew up here and know the community and what it needs," Bud Keim said in the press release. "I've spoken with many residents that are very excited to have an A&W here as it brings back nostalgic memories. This is a rural area, along with the 8,500 vehicles that travel past Hwy 36 and 75, and we knew it would be a perfect place for it."

There are currently ten A & W restaurants in Kansas.

The Keim's have been in the trucking business and lived in Sabetha their entire lives.

Construction began in March on the travel plaza, which is expected to open in 2023.

The Keim's have operated a truck wash at the location for 10 years.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Step Foundation will hold its 2nd annual Step Up Nemaha County Match Day on Friday.

The Step Foundation says the purpose of match day is to help area nonprofits raise monies for their funds.

Twenty-three funds will be eligible for a dollar to dollar match up to $2,000 per fund.

You can donate in-person Friday at the Seneca Free Library from 10 to 5. In addition, you can donate on-line by going to stepupnemaha.com.  

You can also go to the website for information on the participating funds and a leaderboard that will keep track of the funds.

Last year's STEP UP Nemaha County Match Day event raised over $105,000 for 16 funds.

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph man was injured Wednesday night when his motorcycle crashed on a Buchanan County, Missouri road about 2 ½ miles south of St. Joseph.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 42-year-old Christopher Hunt was southbound on Bluff Road, south of U.S. 59 Highway, when he failed to observe a dead end and struck a guard rail around 9:00. 

Hunt, who was wearing a helmet, was ejected from his motorcycle.

He was transported by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, with suspected serious injuries.

(KLZA)-- The boil water notice for the City of Peru has been lifted.

The boil order was issued August 8.

Water samples taken in confirmed there was no contamination of the public water system.

(KLZA)-- The Mound City Board of Education approved the tuition rate for students that come into the district at $3,500 when they met Tuesday.

The Board approved extra duty assignments including Will Haer and Jake Shipman coaching Cross Country. Shealy Rathman and Renee Doles was approved as Paraprofessionals for the 2022-23 school year.

Superintendent Korey Miles reported the rubber is being installed on the track at Ceglenski Field and the spray-on finish should be applied by the end of the week.

Principal Jake Shipman reported there are currently 84 students enrolled in High School. The Senior Class is the largest clas with 22.

(KLZA)-- A pavement improvement project will close Holt County U.S. Route 159 for three days next week.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has contracted with Phillips Hardy, Inc. to complete the project which will close the roadway around-the-clock Monday, August 29 through Wednesday, August 31.

U.S. Route 159 will close from Route 111 near Forest City to the Little Tarkio Creek Bridge west of Route P. The intersection at Route P south of Fortescue will be closed with no access from Route P to U.S. Route 159. The intersection at Route 111 north of Forest City will remain open.

During the closure, motorists must use an alternate route. All work is weather-permitting, and schedules are subject to change.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded boil water advisories for the cities of Sabetha and Morrill.

The advisories were issued Monday because of a loss of pressure in Sabetha's distribution system. Morrill purchases its water from Sabetha.

The state health agency said Wednesday that laboratory testing samples collected from the city of Sabetha 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.

(KAIR)--The number of Kansans applying for new concealed carry licenses declined in the recently ended 2022 fiscal year, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said Tuesday.  

Between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, the attorney general’s Concealed Carry Licensing Unit received 4,544 new applications, a decline from 7,717 applications received in the previous fiscal year.

The licensing program began in 2006, and a legislative change in 2015 allows eligible Kansans age 21 and over to carry concealed without a license.  

The 2021 Kansas Legislature authorized a new provisional license available for individuals between 18-20 years of age. The Concealed Carry Licensing Unit issued 305 provisional licenses to applicants aged 18-20 during the 2022 fiscal year.  

Most Kansans who already have licenses are choosing to keep their licenses active. The Concealed Carry Licensing Unit received 15,169 renewal applications during the 2022 fiscal year.  

Licenses are still required in most states, and Kansas licenses are currently recognized in 40 states.

(KAIR)--Four Atchison attorneys are among a group of ten selected as nominees to fill two local, open district judge positions.

The First Judicial District Nominating Commission met Monday to review the complete applications of those seeking the judicial seats.

One of the two openings in the First Judicial District, comprised of Atchison and Leavenworth Counties, is due to the July retirement of longtime Judge Martin Asher, of Atchison.

Named as nominees for the positions are the four Atchison attorneys, John Fresh John Kurth, Allen Ternent, and Andrew Werring, while the remaining six are from areas including Tonganoxie, Bonner Springs, Olathe, and Kansas City, Kansas.

The nominating commission will convene to interview nominees Monday morning, with interviews starting at 8:30. The interviews will be conducted in courtroom 2 of the Leavenworth Justice Center, located at 601 South 3rd Street, in Leavenworth.

The nominating commission will select three to five of the nominees whose names will be submitted to the governor to fill the positions according to statutory qualification and residency requirements.

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

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth man has entered a plea in connection with an arson earlier this year at the Leavenworth business where he had been employed.

According to a release from Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, Troy Grimm, Jr., last week in Leavenworth County District Court, “plead no contest to arson for the March 22, 2022 fire at 513 N. 10th Street,” the location of the Towne Pub.

The release explains that the Leavenworth Police Department investigated the arson at the establishment that had employed Grimm and fired him the very morning of the fire.

The investigation led to the apprehension of the 23-year-old Grimm at his Leavenworth residence. It was there, the release says, that police “found materials used to make the Molotov cocktails that were similar to those found at the Towne Pub.”

The fire caused no damage to rain, and no one was hurt.

Sentencing for Grimm is set for the afternoon of September 28.

(KNZA)--Representatives of two groups meet with the Brown County Commission Monday to request American Rescue Plan Act funds for projects in their communities.

Meeting with the commission were Tim Lentz with the Horton Industrial Development Corporation, along with Troy Kolb and Ryan Meininger with the Hiawatha Baseball and Softball Club.

Lentz requested $150,000 to complete the ball field improvement project currently underway in Horton. He said his group has raised more than $200,000 for project and needs additional funding to finish the project.

Kolb and Meininger requested funding for the Hiawatha Championship Sports Complex project planned at Noble Park. They requested $175,000 to complete phase one of the project, which is the construction of an indoor practice facility. In addition, they requested $250,000 to provide matching funds for a grant they plan to seek for phase two, which is the construction of a new softball field.

Kolb said the group has raised close to $190,000 for phase one of the project. He said dirt work is scheduled to get underway this week for the indoor practice facility, with construction of the building to be completed by March 1 of next year. A ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled Sunday evening at 5:00.

The trio touted the economic benefits of the projects and benefit to youth in the communities.

Commissioners took the funding requests under advisement.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has adopted the 2023 county budget as published.

The action followed a hearing Monday.

The budget calls for net expenditures of nearly $14 million and a 1.5 mill tax levy decrease.

The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 36.965 mills, which is generate nearly $5.9 million in local tax revenue.

Even though the mill levy will decrease, the county will collect the same amount of property tax revenue as for the 2022 budget due to a $6.3 million increase in the county's assessed valuation.

In other business, commissioners voted to close county offices Thursday morning from 10 to 12 noon to allow employees time to attend the funeral services for Richard Blanton.

Blanton, who served as county courthouse custodian from January 1999 until his retirement in June, died Saturday.

Commissioners offered their condolences to his family.

(KNZA)--A Fairview man is facing child sex and drug charges after authorities were called to investigate a disturbance last week.

According to a report from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, his office received a 911 call of a disturbance in the vicinity of 210 Lodge Road, in Hiawatha, around 11:40 Thursday night.

Deputies arrived on the scene and investigated the complaint with assistance from Hiawatha Police.

After an initial investigation, Merchant said 23-year-old Dakota Wilhite was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

After further investigation, Merchant said Whilhite was also taken into custody on several child sex charges. 

The case was forwarded to the Brown County Attorney for review.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill said a criminal complaint was filed Friday charging Willhite with a felony count of sexual exploitation of a child under 18 and misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Wilhite was released from the Brown County Jail Friday after posting a $25,000 bond.

(KNZA)--Police are investigating the unattended death of a man found along the side of a road in Hiawatha Tuesday morning.

Police Chief Mickey Gruber said the man was found along the side Oregon Street, just west of 12th Street, shortly before 7:00.

Gruber said officers with the Hiawatha Police Department and Brown County Sheriff's Office responded to the call as well as the Hiawatha Fire Department and Town and Country EMS.

Gruber said the man wasn't a local resident and foul play is not suspected.  In addition, he said the incident did not involve a motor vehicle and is not related to a motor vehicle accident.

The man was identified Wednesday as 61-year-old Douglas Koehn, of Goltry, Oklahoma.

The investigation is continuing.

(KAIR)--A Tuesday morning shooting at an Atchison apartment complex sends a man to the hospital and another to jail

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News Atchison Police Officers were called to Massasoit Apartments, located at 3rd and Santa Fe Streets. The first call, received around 9:30, reported shots fired while the second report indicated that someone had been shot.

According to Wilson, Officers and Detectives at the scene discovered a 36-year-old man suffering from a single gunshot wound.

He was transported for hospital care of non life-threatening wounds by Atchison County EMS.

According to Wilson, a 61-year-old suspect, identified as Atchison resident Billy Hazelton, is in custody in connection with the shooting.

Hazelton, following his arrest, was booked into the Atchison County Jail, facing charges for aggravated battery.

The investigation is continuing.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board, in a special meeting Monday morning, approved a negotiated agreement with teachers for the 2022-23 school year.

Under the agreement, Superintendent Lonnie Moser said teachers will receive an average 3.7 percent pay increase.

Moser said no change was made to the base salary.  Instead, he said the salary schedule was adjusted. Moser said the adjustment condenses the overall length ( in years) of the schedule. He said that means, in theory, a teacher could reach higher salary levels a bit earlier than before.

The teachers association has approved the agreement.

(KLZA)-- Saturday's Cobblestone Parade in Falls City was one of the largest in the past 25 years according to parade director Lori Gottula.

Grand Marshals Julie Phroper and Ardis Ramsey were toward the front, riding because of their service to the Humane Society of Richardson County.

The floats and decorated entries followed the theme of the Neon Nineties, and Sojka Plumbing won the top honors for best in show.

The other winners were as follows: Business/Commercial category; Falls City Care Center, first place; Heartland Arts, second place; Six Pence, third place.

In the organizations/churches category, the Humane Society of Richardson County, first place; Edward Jones’ small girls summer recreation champions, second place; and the Boy Scouts, third place.

Wes Karst of True Value, and Falls City Chamber Director Amber Holle will be in charge of the parade next year.

(KLZA)-- Saturday's Cobblestone Parade in Falls City was one of the largest in the pst 25 years according to parade director Lori Gottula.

Grand marshals Julie Phroper and Ardis Ramsey were toward the front, riding because of their service to the Humane Society of Richardson County.

The floats and decorated entries followed the theme of the Neon Nineties, and Sojka Plumbing won the top honors for best in show.

The other winners were as follows: Business/Commercial category; Falls City Care Center, first place; Heartland Arts, second place; Six Pence, third place.

In the organizations/churches category, the Humane Society of Richardson County, first place; Edward Jones’ small girls summer recreation champions, second place; and the Boy Scouts, third place.

Wes Karst of True Value, and Falls City Chamber Director Amber Holle will be in charge of the parade next year.

(KLZA)-- Saturday's Cobblestone Parade in Falls City was one of the largest in the pst 25 years according to parade director Lori Gottula.

Grand marshals Julie Phroper and Ardis Ramsey were toward the front, riding because of their service to the Humane Society of Richardson County.

The floats and decorated entries followed the theme of the Neon Nineties, and Sojka Plumbing won the top honors for best in show.

The other winners were as follows: Business/Commercial category; Falls City Care Center, first place; Heartland Arts, second place; Six Pence, third place.

In the organizations/churches category, the Humane Society of Richardson County, first place; Edward Jones’ small girls summer recreation champions, second place; and the Boy Scouts, third place.

Wes Karst of True Value, and Falls City Chamber Director Amber Holle will be in charge of the parade next year.

(KLZA)-- The Peru State College athletic department and the Peru State Foundation will be hosting Dale Thomas Night on Saturday, September 3, at its first home football game. Thomas, longtime public address announcer for Bobcat football, passed away unexpectedly on December 1, 2021.

As a part of the event, all area first responders are invited to attend the football game as guests of the College and Foundation in recognition of their important volunteer service to their respective communities. Peru State will be hosting Central Methodist at 6 p.m. in the historic Oak Bowl. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m.

Thomas followed his grandfather and father into service with the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad in October of 1978. Later, in the early 80’s, he became an EMT and went on numerous calls over the years. Thomas was either the chief or assistant chief for over 20 years. After 9/11, Thomas was one of six Auburn volunteer fire fighters to volunteer at Ground Zero.

He will be remembered by Peru State football fans for his “colorful” announcing of the Bobcat games. Thomas was a big Bobcat fan but was quick to acknowledge good plays of the opposing team. He would add flair to the game by adding some special nicknames to the Peru State players. Occasionally, Thomas would assist the officiating crew with a call as well.

Thomas was very proud and supportive of his entire family. Suzzy, his wife of 41 years, and his children Katy (John) Billings and Ryan, along with his grandchildren, brothers, sister, mother, mother-in-law, and many cousins and other relatives plan to pack the Oak Bowl that evening.

In addition to the Thomas recognition, the athletic department will be recognizing its Swenson Award winners at halftime of the football game.

Lincoln - A Nemaha County judge has sentenced a former Lincoln sports writer to serve at least 15 years in prison after he was convicted for sexually assaulting a minor on multiple different occasions.

As first reported by the Lincoln Journal Star, a 50-year-old Brian Rosenthal pled no-contest to three counts of first-degree sexual assault. He reportedly used his status and connection with the victim’s family to initiate a relationship with a teenage boy. He reportedly used social media accounts to reach out to the teenager’s friends.

Rosenthal previously worked for the Lincoln Journal Star and for Husker Athletics. He’s been sentenced to 30 to 50 years in prison, with parole eligibility in 2036.

(KLZA)-- Due to a broken water valve, water will be off Tuesday from 9:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. from 15th and L Street to 20th and L Street in Auburn, including 18th Street between K Street and M Street and K Street from 17th to 18th Street.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is calling lawmakers back to work Sept. 6 for a special session to cut income taxes.

Parson on Monday said he wants lawmakers to cut the top income tax rate from 5.3% to 4.8%. The Republican's office estimates the cut will amount to about $700 million less in state revenues.

Parson says Missouri has been bringing in more revenue and should give money back to taxpayers. He also wants lawmakers to extend several tax credit programs to help farmers and ranchers.

A top House Democrat warned that the cuts are financially irresponsible.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth woman has been ordered to pay more than $3,500 in restitution to the Kansas Medicaid program after pleading guilty to one count of Medicaid fraud, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. 

Seunghee Lee, 61, of Leavenworth, was sentenced last week in Leavenworth County District Court by Judge Gerald R. Kuckleman on one count of making a false claim, statement or representation to the Medicaid program.

Lee was sentenced to pay $3,519.44 in restitution to the Kansas Medicaid program, a $1,000 fine and to serve 12 months of supervised probation.

Lee pleaded guilty to the charge on August 11.  

An investigation found that Lee falsely billed the Medicaid program while serving as a personal care attendant for her mother-in-law who was a Medicaid beneficiary. Lee was submitting false claims as if she were providing home care for her mother-in-law, after her mother-in-law was hospitalized and had died.

The case was part of “Operation Keeping Them Honest,” a cooperative effort between the attorney general’s office and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Office of Inspector General to investigate fraudulent billing to Medicaid for personal care services provided in Medicaid beneficiaries’ homes. This sentencing brings to a close the first case in this joint effort to crack down on those who take advantage of these federal- and state-administered healthcare programs.  

Other investigations are ongoing.

The cases are being jointly investigated by federal and state authorities and prosecuted by the attorney general’s Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Division.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Eve Kemple of Schmidt’s office prosecuted the case against Lee.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued boil water advisories for the cites of Sabetha and Morrill. 

The advisories were issued Monday because of a loss of pressure in Sabetha's distribution system.  KDHE says failure to maintain adequate pressure may lead to a loss of chlorine residuals and result in bacterial contamination. 

The city of Morrill  purchases its water from Sabetha.

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. 

(KAIR)--Flags fly at half-staff across Kansas, as the state remembers the work of State Representative Gail Finney.

The Kansas Democratic Party Saturday morning announced that the Wichita Democrat had died at the age of 63.

Her cause of death is not yet made public.

WIBW-TV reports that In 2022, Finney announced that she would not seek re-election to what would have been her eighth term serving the people of Kansas.

Finney had served the Sunflower State in her official capacity since 2009. She was also a small business owner in the Wichita area.

On Saturday, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff immediately until the day of internment in honor of Finney, who Kelly calls “a warrior,” saying, in a release, that “no one fought harder for her constituents, for her community, for justice and equity than Representative Gail Finney.”

(KLZA)-- A resurfacing project on U.S. Route 136 is underway in Atchison County, Missouri.

Phillips Hardy, Inc. will resurface the road and improve shoulders from the Missouri River to Interstate 29.

Traffic impacts will be minimal initially with crews clearing, grubbing and doing earthwork during daylight hours.

If a lane closure is needed throughout any portion of the project, temporary traffic signals will be used to guide motorists through the work zone.

Base widening of the roadway will begin later this fall and continue through mid-December, then resume in mid-March.

The final asphalt overlay is scheduled for the first of October, 2023.

LINCOLN - Secretary of State Bob Evnen announced today that two medical marijuana ballot initiatives failed to qualify and will not appear on the November 2022 general election ballot. 

The Medical Cannabis Patient Protections Initiative and the Medical Cannabis Regulation Initiative failed to meet the Nebraska Constitutional signature requirements. A total of 7% of registered voters as of July 7, 2022, and 5% of registered voters in at least 38 of Nebraska’s 93 counties were required.

The number of valid signatures required statewide is 86,776. The number of valid signatures for the Patient Protections initiative was 77,843. The 5% threshold was met in 26 counties. The number of valid signatures for the Cannabis Regulation initiative was 77,119. The 5% threshold was met in 27 counties.

“Certified letters have been mailed to the sponsors notifying them of the results of the signature review,” Evnen said.

Signature verification of the Voter ID Constitutional Amendment Initiative and Nebraska Minimum Wage Initiative is not yet complete. The Secretary of State’s office expects to have updates on these initiatives by the end of August.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man and convicted felon faces charges in connection with a theft from a business and weapon possession.

A release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson explains that on Saturday afternoon, shortly after 4:00, “officers responded to the AT&T Store at 806 U.S. [Highway] 59 to investigate a theft.”

According to Wilson, investigators found 46-year-old Landon Bain in a vehicle outside the store. He was taken into custody on charges for theft and criminal possession of a weapon.
The release notes that the theft had just occurred, prior to the arrival of officers, and Bain, allegedly in possession of a handgun recovered by police, is a convicted felon, leading to that related charge.

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

(KAIR)--A stolen Atchison motorcycle is found, but two recent vehicle burglaries remain under investigation.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the 2008 Honda 1000RR motorcycle had been stolen from the 200 block of Atchison’s North 9th Street August 15.

Later in the week, the motorcycle was found in Missouri, recovered by the Platte County Missouri Sheriff’s Department. It was located in a rural area near 371 Highway and Old Pike Road, near Camden Point, Missouri.

An investigation regarding the motorcycle is continuing between the Atchison Police Department and the Platte County Sheriff’s Office.

Meanwhile, the latest round of vehicle thefts is under the probe of Atchison investigators.

According to Wilson, a vehicle, parked in the 700 block of Mound Street was targeted Wednesday night.
Police received a report that the vehicle had not only incurred criminal damage, but cash was stolen from inside.

The other case also occurred Wednesday night, this one happening in the 400 block of North 8th Street, where a vehicle was parked.

According to Wilson, the victim reported that a wheel and tire had been stolen from the vehicle.

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

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

The advisory was issued Monday because of a loss of pressure in the city's distribution system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may lead to a loss of chlorine residuals and result in 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. 

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

(KLZA)-- Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has appointed Richard “Rick” R. Smith of Cook to the County Court, First Judicial District which includes Richardson, Pawnee, Johnson, Nemaha, Gage, Jefferson, Saline and Thayer counties.

Smith is 40 years old and has served as Johnson County Attorney since 2015. Prior to that he served as Deputy County Attorney in Johnson County from 2007 – 2015.

Smith has practice law in Tecumseh since 2007, as a partner of Smith and Smith and as sole practitioner of Law Office of Rick Smith since 2015.

Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and a Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School. He is a member of the Nebraska Bar Association and Southeast Nebraska Bar Association.

Smith fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Curtis L. Maschman.

The primary place of office for the judgeship will be either in Richardson, Nemaha or Pawnee County, to be determined by the Nebraska Supreme Court in consultation with Judge Smith.

(KNZA)--Holton Community Hospital released its 2021 Annual Report Friday that highlights its efforts to continue to provide quality and excellence in healthcare.

“It was a year of staying true to our mission of excelling in providing compassionate care as we were awarded several national patient satisfaction awards” said CEO Carrie Saia. “We are extremely proud of our 2021 accomplishments as outlined in our Annual Report. As guided by our recent Community Needs Assessment and our own Strategic Plan, we continue to look for ways to improve access to healthcare, work with community partners on a variety of issues, including adequate housing and child care resources and collaborating with other area hospitals to provide 24/7 general surgery coverage.”

The 2021 Annual Report highlights key equipment purchases, awards, patient success stories, quality achievements, our current Community Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan and employee milestones. To view the Annual Report in full, please visit our website at www.holtonhospital.com/newsroom.

Holton Community Hospital is a 501c3 Not-for-Profit Corporation governed by an eight member Board of Directors. Designated as a Critical Access Hospital, Holton Community Hospital, offers vital health care services to Holton, Hoyt, Wetmore and surrounding areas. For more information about Holton Community Hospital please visit: www.holtonhospital.com.

LINCOLN, Neb.- The State of Nebraska has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, at three lakes including the Iron Horse Trail Lake Wildlife Management Area in Pawnee County.

The other sites are Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County and Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County.

Samples taken last week at the lakes on alert measure above the threshold of 8 parts per billion (ppb) of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.

When a health alert is issued, signs are posted to advise the public to use caution, and designated swimming beaches are closed during the alert. Recreational boating and fishing are permitted, but the public is advised to use caution and 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. People can still use the public areas for camping, picnics and other outdoor activities.

(MSC News)--Unemployment was up in area northeast Kansas counties in July from the month before.  

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

 Atchison County had the highest unemployment rate among area counties at 4.8 percent, while Nemaha County had the lowest at 2.4 percent.  

Elsewhere, Brown County's jobless rate in July stood at 3 percent; Doniphan, 3.3 percent; Jackson, 2.8 percent; Jefferson, 3.2 percent; Leavenworth, 3.5 percent; Marshall, 2.5 percent; and Pottawatomie, 3.2 percent.  

All the figures were up from June, but down from July 2021.

 Statewide, the unemployment rate in July was 2.4 percent.  That's unchanged from June and down from 3.4 percent in July 2021.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council has approved for publication a proposed 2023 city budget that calls for net expenditures of nearly $15.4 million and no change in the mill levy from the city's 2022 budget.

The proposed budget contains an estimated tax rate of 32.591 mills, which is to generate nearly $893,000 in local tax revenue.

A mill is $1 in taxes for every $1,000 in assessed valuation.

Even though the mill levy will remain unchanged, the city will collect nearly $63,000 in additional tax revenue due to a $1.9 million increase in the city's assessed valuation. The city's assessed valuation increased to nearly $27.4 million.

The Council will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing at their September 7 meeting. The Council will hold a separate hearing on its intent to exceed its revenue neutral rate of 30.302 mills.

(KAIR)--The completed applications for two open district judge positions will be reviewed Monday.

According to a release, the 1st Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet that afternoon at 2:00 “to review completed applications for two district judge positions and discuss the process for submitting names to the governor for appointment.”

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

One of the two vacancies is due to the July 8 retirement of longtime Judge, Martin Asher, of Atchison.

Monday’s meeting, to be held at the Leavenworth Justice Center, is open to the public.

The deadline to submit a nomination for the open seats was Friday, August 19.

According to the earlier released timeline of the process,

The nominating commission will convene to interview nominees at 8:00 on the morning of Monday, August 29, with interviews starting at 8:30, and continuing Tuesday, August 30. Interviews will be at the Leavenworth County Courthouse. After nominees are interviewed, the nominating commission will select from three to five people whose names will be submitted to the governor to fill the positions according to statutory qualification and residency requirements.

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

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

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a release, said shortly after 1:00 Saturday morning a Sheriff's deputy stopped a 2005 Nissan Altima near 150th Road and U.S. Highway 75.

The driver of the vehicle, 42-year-old Tiffany Thompson,  of Topeka, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, transporting an open container and driving while suspended. 

The passenger, 41-year-old Dwan Taylor, Sr., of Topeka, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and felony interference with law enforcement.

Around 3:40 Saturday morning, Morse said a Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a 2010 GMC Terrain for a traffic infraction near 150th Road and U.S. Highway 75. The driver, 31-year-old Arturo Garcia-Silva, of Kansas City, Kansas, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with law enforcement and driving while suspended.

After 10:00 Saturday night, Morse said a Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on an Infiniti G near 150th and Q. Roads for a traffic infraction.  Following a search, the passenger, 60-year-old-Janet Huhs, of Topeka, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Following their arrests, all four individuals were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KAIR)--Did you see yellow vested volunteers at work along Atchison highways Wednesday?
They were among a group of more than 70 Benedictine college students who worked in partnership with local service group Project Atchison to put a fresh shine on the City to start off the fall semester.

According to a release, work was conducted along the major highways as well as in four Atchison parks. While on the job, volunteers picked up trash, painted, and spread mulch as part of Wednesday morning’s work.

Project Atchison, in a release, thanked the college volunteers for giving back to the Atchison community, and closed by saying, “welcome back, Ravens!”

(KAIR)--No one was hurt, but a vehicle sustained gunfire damage, following an early Friday morning Atchison shooting.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, Police Officers responded to the area of the 400 block of North 9th Street to investigate a report of shots fired.

When they arrived, around 1:00, they “determined that multiple shots had been fired.”

Wilson says that while there were no reported injuries, a vehicle parked in the area did incur damage after it was struck by a bullet.

Investigators are continuing to follow leads as the investigation continues.

(KNZA)--A high nitrate warning has been issued for water customers of the city of Highland.

According to a release issued by the city Friday,   a water sample collected on August 10 showed a nitrate level of 12 milligrams per liter, which is above the federal maximum contaminant level of 10 milligrams per liter.

The release says customers are advised not to give the water to infants or use it to make infant formula, as children below the age of 6 months could become seriously ill. In addition, the water should not be boiled.

Adults and children older than six months can drink the water. However, if you are pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.

The release says the city of Highland will provide, free of charge, an alternate source of drinking water for all infants less than six months of age, nursing mothers of infants less than six months of age, pregnant women, and other at-risk customers as identified by a health care provider.

The release adds the city reviewed all available options and construction has begun on a water treatment plant so the system can return to compliance as soon as possible.

(KNZA)--The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska recently announced the awarding of a grant for $855,555 to begin work on their Great Nemaha River Trading Post project in Rulo, Nebraska.

The grant is from USDA Rural Development.

The Great Nemaha River Trading Post will be located in downtown Rulo's oldest remaining commercial block, the Hosford and Gagnon Block, built in 1887.

The area's natural, cultural and historical heritage will be featured as an integral part of the project, including the heritage of the French and Indian fur trade and the Nemaha Halfbreed Tract reservation, which existed from 1830 to 1861.

The purpose of the Great Nemaha River Trading Post is to provide an economic anchor and jobs for the Rulo area, where many tribal members are residents. It will provide retail, office and community gathering space and cultural opportunities. 

The tribe will complete the project in stages. Some preparatory work will begin this fall  and winter, with the exterior work starting in the spring of 2023.

The firms performing the majority of the work are HDR Architecture and Engineering, of Omaha, Nebraska, and Grey Snow Management Solutions, LLC.’s construction company. Grey Snow Management Solutions is a tribal enterprise wholly owned by the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska and will serve as the general contractor for the project.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council has approved an ordinance amending the city zoning code to prohibit commercial /utility grade wind turbines within the city's zoning jurisdiction.

The action came on an unanimous vote Wednesday evening after the Council held an executive session with City Attorney Martin Mishler for attorney-client privilege to discuss legal questions.

The Council had tabled action on the ordinance at their August 3 meeting to allow a review of information presented by rural Seneca resident Laurie Schmelzle during the public comment portion of the meeting and to seek input from Mishler.

The amendment to the zoning code was recommended by the city Planning Commission following a public hearing held on July 21.

The ordinance will take effect after its publication in the Seneca newspaper.

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

The change was proposed based on input from the city's FlashVote public surveys.

(KLZA)--Superintendent Tim Heckenlively announced the Falls City Education Foundation Annual Outstanding Teachers of the Year Awards and the Outstanding Employee of the Year Award during the opening session of the Falls City Public Schools Pre-Service on Monday, August 15th.

Vicki Martineau is the recipient of the Outstanding Employee of the Year Award. Mrs. Martineau is beginning her 39th year with the school district. She has kept track of honor roll, students of the month, inputting students in the school’s schedule, and report cards just to name a few.” Furthermore, she is the front line for school safety as far as allowing people access into the building.

Emily Gist, was presented the Outstanding Elementary Teacher of the Year Award. Mrs. Gist is beginning her 9th year as an elementary teacher. Mrs. Gist serves on the district’s school improvement committee, data committee, and curriculum development team for ELA. She has volunteered to step into a variety of roles when called upon, as demonstrated by creating and supervising our student mentorship volunteer program, sponsoring a new school newspaper club, Elementary PBiS team, and serving on the faculty interview team.

Donna Eickhoff, Falls City High Business & Accounting instructor, was presented the Outstanding Secondary Teacher of the Year Award. Mrs. Eickhoff is beginning her 23rd year of teaching with the Falls City Public Schools. “She is a true professional in her classroom and is genuinely dedicated to her students, many of whom have chosen to pursue a career in business, accounting, and management, professions she helped prepare them for.”

The purpose of these awards is to recognize excellence in the field of education. The recipients of this award play key roles in creating a school environment that promotes student achievement, safety, and health.

(KNZA)--The Falls City Police Department, along with other the enforcement agencies will be participating in the nationwide drunk driving enforcement effort. Drive sober or get pulled over crackdown, August 19, 2022- September 5, 2025. This effort will be done using highly visible saturation patrols and the use of additional officers on the street. We will be taking extra efforts to remove impaired drivers from the roadways.

During the enforcement period, Additional officers will be working overtime to take a drunk/impaired drivers off the streets in an effort to keep the community safe. The overtime for the additional officers will be funded through a grant provided by the Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office. 

Remember, drive safely, report  unsafe driving behaviors, and please buckle up every time.

(KLZA)--Nebraska roads are about to get more crowded - and hazardous - as thousands of students and teachers return to school. This time of year is particularly dangerous due to the combination of young inexperienced drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists who will all share the road in the early morning and afternoon hours.

Since children can move quickly and cross the road unexpectedly, it’s important to constantly scan the road for people while driving and be ready to stop at a moment’s notice.

According to a new survey of Nebraska drivers:

• More the 75% have driving routes that take them through school zones or bus stops.

• 45% admitted to speeding in an active school zone.

• 31% admitted to using their hand-held cell phone while driving in active school zones.

AAA – The Auto Club Group, through its School’s Open Drive Carefully campaign reminds motorists to:

• Slow down. Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster.

   

• Come to a complete stop. Research shows that more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Always come to a complete stop, checking carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.

   

• Eliminate distractions. Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing.

   

• Share the road with bicyclists. Children on bicycles are often inexperienced, unsteady and unpredictable. Slow down and allow at least three feet of passing distance between your vehicle and a bicyclist.

   

  Talk to your teen. Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death for teens in the United States, and nearly one in four fatal crashes involving teen drivers occurs during the after-school hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Top AAA Safety Tips for Students

For Pedestrians

• Pay attention at all times. Avoid texting or wearing headphones, so you can detect nearby traffic.

   

• Use sidewalks where available. If not, walk against the direction of traffic so you can see oncoming vehicles.

   

• Make yourself easier to be seen by wearing reflective, bright colored clothing.

In Nebraska, motorists who approach a school bus with the yellow warning lights activated are required to reduce speed to 25 mph and come to a complete stop when the school bus driver activates the red flashers. Drivers must remain stopped until the school bus resumes motion.

TOPEKA – (August 18, 2022) – A Leavenworth woman has been ordered to pay more than $3,500 in restitution to the Kansas Medicaid program after pleading guilty to one count of Medicaid fraud, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said today.

Seunghee Lee, 61, of Leavenworth, was sentenced yesterday in Leavenworth County District Court by Judge Gerald R. Kuckleman on one count of making a false claim, statement or representation to the Medicaid program. Lee was sentenced to pay $3,519.44 in restitution to the Kansas Medicaid program, a $1,000 fine and to serve 12 months of supervised probation. Lee pleaded guilty to the charge on August 11.

An investigation found that Lee falsely billed the Medicaid program while serving as a personal care attendant for her mother-in-law who was a Medicaid beneficiary. Lee was submitting false claims as if she were providing home care for her mother-in-law, after her mother-in-law was hospitalized and had died.

The case was part of “Operation Keeping Them Honest,” a cooperative effort between the attorney general’s office and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Office of Inspector General to investigate fraudulent billing to Medicaid for personal care services provided in Medicaid beneficiaries’ homes. This sentencing brings to a close the first case in this joint effort to crack down on those who take advantage of these federal- and state-administered healthcare programs.

Other investigations are ongoing. The case are being jointly investigated by federal and state authorities and prosecuted by the attorney general’s Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Division. Senior Assistant Attorney General Eve Kemple of Schmidt’s office prosecuted the case against Lee.

MANHATTAN — Today, [Thursday, August 18] Governor Laura Kelly kicked off the seventh annual Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth, a meeting of more than 400 leaders representing a variety of agricultural interests across the state of Kansas. 

“The Kansas Ag industry is the life blood of this state, and I’m grateful for the opportunity today to celebrate their accomplishments and the critical goods and services they provide to our communities, our state, and our world,” said Governor Kelly. “Given we saw record-breaking agricultural exports last year, I’ve never been more confident in the agriculture community’s ability to lead our state toward continued success.”  

Governor Kelly touted the importance of the industry to Kansas: In 2021, agriculture contributed nearly $70 billion to the Kansas economy and fueled nearly 240,000 jobs – 12% of Kansas’ workforce. Earlier this year, she announced that Kansas exported $5.35 billion of agricultural goods – the most in the state’s history. 

At the conference, attendees will spend their morning attending breakout sessions focused on specific agricultural sectors including traditional agricultural areas like beef, pork, corn, and wheat, as well as sectors such as specialty livestock, agricultural technology, and cotton. Since the first Ag Growth Summit in 2016, these sectors have worked to identify strategies for driving growth in their sectors.  

“Many of the initiatives that we have seen realized in recent years were born at previous Kansas Ag Growth Summits,” said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam. “As leaders from across all sectors of agriculture engage in active discussion about how we can move this industry forward, we know that collaboration benefits the entire state of Kansas.” 

The afternoon session will include a report on the 2022 Ag Workforce Needs Assessment Survey followed by a panel discussion about how agribusinesses can better recruit and retain employees.  

Secretary Beam will close the conference by recognizing the 2022 Kansas Ag Heroes, with a special tribute to the many individuals and organizations who stepped up to help with the wildfires that devastated many parts of the state this year. 

For more about the 2022 Kansas Ag Growth Summit and the full Ag Growth Project —including materials shared in the day’s sessions and a full list of the Kansas Ag Heroes — visit www.agriculture.ks.gov/GrowAg. 

(KAIR)--Kansas Law enforcement, for the Labor Day weekend, will be searching for impaired driver, working the annual, combined campaigns dubbed “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.”
In conjunction, the Kansas Department of Transportation is warning drivers of the risks and consequences associated with such driving, partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Association to, as a press release puts it, “bring attention to the sobering statistics.”

According to the release, three out of ten fatal crashes, in 2020, were caused by impaired drivers, with KDOT Behavioral Safety Manager Gary Herman noting that over 19% of all Kansas traffic fatalities that year were alcohol related, adding that one person was killed every 45 minutes in a drunk-driving crash, nationwide, that year.

The two drunk driving campaigns are set to start Friday, September 2 and run through Tuesday, September 6, with law enforcement to be, as the release states, “out in force.”

(KAIR)--A realignment is noted at the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce, as a new staff position is added and the Chamber works to brand its services under the Locally Atchison label.

According to a release, the Chamber is announcing “the addition of the Locally Atchison brand to each of [its] four distinct services that seamlessly deliver enhanced economic opportunities for the Atchison community.”

The release explains the offerings of each of those four services, explaining that Locally Atchison Chamber “will continue to provide business networking, advertising, support, advocacy and a new Chamber Blue health insurance initiative.”

The second service noted is what’s dubbed “Locally Atchison Tourism” which will, the release says, “continue promoting Atchison as a visitor destination,” while the third service, “Locally Atchison Main Street,” “will continue to support the growth and development of the downtown corridor.”

The fourth service, named in the release as the Locally Atchison Tasting Room, is set to open next spring and will provide what the release calls “a uniquely Atchison destination experience.”

As the branding of services goes into place, and “with organizational services flourishing,” as the release puts it, Locally Atchison is announcing the addition of Jill Thorne into a new full time Director position, joining Executive Director Jim Rowland and staff members Mary Jane Sowers, Dianna Kruger, Kristen Otte, and Nora McCrory.

Rowland, in the release, says Thorne “brings enormous experience and professional capacity to Locally Atchison and her skills align with [the] long-term strategic vision.”

Thorne, a native of Atchison who attended Atchison’s Maur Hill-Mount Academy and Emporia State University, brings with her a background including ten-years in accounting and fifteen-years as an Area Sales Manager and Sales Director in the visual arts industry.

Thorne, in the release, says she’s “excited to join an organization that’s creating incredible momentum,” adding that she looks “forward to working with the people and businesses in Atchison County to help create a great place for the future of our community.”

(KAIR)--Two arrests were made, along with assistance given, during a boating event last weekend in Jefferson County, at Perry Lake.

According to a release, Game Wardens from the Law Enforcement Division of Kansas Wildlife and Parks were at work during the semi-annual Midwest Boat Festival held August 13 which, the release notes, “draws 1000’s of people and boaters around the Midwest.”

Among the assistance the Game Wardens provided was attending “to a person having heat related issues,” as well as when “a vessel with several children on board became disabled and wardens towed the vessel to the boat ramp.”

During the night, one person was arrested for Boating under the Influence while another person was arrested for Interference of Official Duties of a Law Enforcement Officer.”

Despite those incidents, the Game Wardens say “the festival went off with little to no significant issues.”

August 18, 2022, Hiawatha - State Senator Dennis Pyle says his concerns of delay on his petition to file for governor are accurate and real. Pyle received an email from the Secretary of State which clearly presents the delay in certification of his petition. Reports Pyle has received suggest that some counties have just received the petition for the validation process as of this week. 

Pyle said, "We are witnessing the type of behavior you would expect from the left-leaning Liz Cheney-Derek Schmidt Republicans carrying out their plan to keep me off the ballot. These FBI-like activists are employing the same Mar-a-Lago like tactics used -to keep Trump out of the presidential race- to prevent my petition and stop my campaign. I believe it is their goal to keep kicking the can down the road." 

The email from Clay Barker, states clearly the Secretary of State has no intention of validating the Pyle petition until early September, if then. It is also clear they are not acting expeditiously to fulfill the people's petition to put Pyle on the ballot. Pyle volunteers gathered 8,894 signatures from 85 different counties; 5,000 is the requirement for certification. Orman's petition in 2018 took only 11 days to certify.  

Stating the obvious, Pyle added, "They are making excuses. Clearly the Secretary of State is acting in liberal, loyal party fashion to delay, if not prevent, the certification. It appears they are running a quasi-organized operation on behalf of those who object to a real, freedom loving Christian, Dennis Pyle, candidacy. It isn't that difficult to check the list, this isn't rocket science, after all they did it in only 10 days in 2018. We are witnessing big brother exercising bully style tactics." 

*** 

The following is from Clay Barker, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, General Counsel 

    There are two different types of nominating petitions: 

1. Candidates seeking to have their name placed on a political party’s primary election ballot to be nominated as the party’s candidate in the general election, and 

2. Candidates seeking to have their name placed on the general election ballot as an independent candidate.  Senator Pyle has opted for this approach. 
   
     
   
   Chapter 25, Article 2, governs party candidate nominating petitions.  KSA 25-208a(a) specifies that “Within 10 days , Saturdays, Sundays and holidays not included, from the date of the filing of nomination petitions . . ., the secretary of state shall determine the validity of such petitions or declaration.”   That provision does not apply to Sen Pyle’s petition. 
   
     
   
   Chapter 25, Article 3, specifically KSA 25-303 and -305, governs independent candidate nominating petitions like Sen Pyle’s petition.  Those statutes do not prescribe a time period in which the Secretary of State must determine the validity of the petition.  This makes pragmatic sense since the deadline for submitting the petition is the day before the primary election, and county election offices will spend the two to three weeks following the primary election on audits, county canvasses, and recounts before they can turn their staff resources to petition signature verification.  Unlike in 2018 when the Orman/Doll petition was submitted, in 2022 there are post-election audits in every county, close election audits in every county for the GOP Treasurer race, and 24 counties conducting hand recounts. 
   
     
   
   It remains our goal to make a determination on the petition’s validity before the State Canvass, which must be held on or before September 1.  
   
     
   
   If you have any other questions please let us know. 
   
     
   
   Clay 

   Clay Barker 

   
   Deputy Assistant Secretary of State 
   
   General Counsel 

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has approved for publication a proposed 2023 budget of nearly $12.6 million that calls for a slight mill levy decrease.

The Commission took the action Monday on a 2-1 vote. Commissioner Bill Pollock casting the lone dissenting vote, objecting to the inclusion of funding for economic development.

The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 31.89 mills, a .269 mill decrease over the 2022 budget.

The proposed budget calls for the county to collect more than $7 million in local tax revenue.

Even though the mill levy will decrease slightly, the county will collect nearly $276,000 in additional tax revenue due to a nearly $11 million increase in the county's assessed valuation.

The commission will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing at their August 31 meeting. The commission will also hold a separate hearing at the meeting on their intent to exceed the state imposed revenue neutral rate.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has approved a zoning change that will allow a pet rescue center to operate on property in Bendena.  

On the recommendation of the county Planning Commission, the Commission unanimously Monday approved a zoning change from A-1 agriculture to A-1 conditional use for property located at 887 Friendship Road.  

Village View Farms Inc. recently donated an old school building and Quonset hut at the location to the non-profit group, Doniphan County Pet Rescue, which was launched in 2020.  

The school building was built in 1917 and served as Bendena High School until Midway High School was constructed.  It was then used as Bendena Elementary School until Midway Elementary School was built.  After that, Doniphan County Education Cooperative utilized the building.  The building hasn't been used for several years. 

(KMZA)--Although the Landoll Family Sports Complex at Marysville High School is usually festooned in red and black, the school’s colors, vibrant shades of purple and white will be the dominant colors Friday, August 19.  

Under the direction of Dr. Frank Tracz, the 450 members of the K-State Marching Band will spend the afternoon and evening on the Pat Landoll Memorial Field to lead “Marching with the Pride.” Nearly 400 local band students will join the marching Wildcats to have a hands-on approach to learn band techniques.  

The event is sponsored by the Marshall County Arts Cooperative and Landoll Company.  

Throughout the day, college professors and students will work with junior high and high school band students on playing, marching techniques and learning the fundamentals of performance.  

At 7:00 Friday evening,  there will be a public performance featuring the K-State Marching Band and all members of the local school bands.  

Locally, bands invited to participate include Axtell, Centralia, Frankfort, Marysville, Nemaha Central, Onaga, Sabetha, Troy, Valley Heights and Wetmore.

(KNZA)--A sealing project on Hiawatha's Oregon Street has been pushed back.

The project had been expected to begin Wednesday. However, City Clerk Lynette Grier said the city was notified by the contractor, Vance Brothers Inc., that they had some delays and will not start until sometime next week.

The more than $100,000 project is to take place from 1st to 9th Streets, and will include the center striping of the street.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle collision in Richardson County Wednesday afternoon claimed three lives.

The Richardson County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the wreck on U.S. 75 Highway, about two miles north of the Kansas state line, shortly after 3:00.

The Sheriff's Office says when deputies arrived at the scene, they found two vehicles that had collided head-on.

One vehicle, a Kia Forte, had two occupants. They were identified as 82-year-old Dennis Podliska and 80-year-old Ramona Podlisha, of Lincoln.

The other vehicle, a Chevy Blazer, was occupied by 74-year-old Patrica Tonar, of Omaha.

All three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Sheriff's Office says assisting at the scene were the Nebraska Department of Transportation, Nebraska State Patrol, Humboldt Fire and Rescue, Dawson Fire, Kansas Highway Patrol, and Sabetha Fire and Rescue.

The wreck remains under investigation.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission voted Monday to enter into a five-year contract with Holton-based Tech's Inc. to provide ambulance service in the county.

That comes after Doniphan County voters during the August 2 primary election approved the imposition of a one-percent countywide retailers sales tax to fund EMS operations, beginning in 2023.  

County Attorney Charlies Baskins reviewed the agreement, which will begin January 1st, 2023 and run through December 31, 2027. On hand for the discussion were representatives of Tech's Inc., several Doniphan County EMS committee members and Emergency Management Coordinator Julie Meng.

Under the contract, Tech's Inc., doing business as Doniphan County EMS, will provide ambulance service to the county with two fully staffed licensed ambulances with advance life support on both units.  One unit will be stationed in Troy and the other unit will be stationed in Highland.

 Doniphan County will provide $1,089,713 in funding annually to Tech's Inc. for the services, with payments to be made in twelve equal monthly installments of $90,809.

 Buchanan County, Missouri EMS will continue to service the Elwood area.

(KNZA)--Several Brown county residents met with the Brown County Commission Monday to voice their safety concerns about a road intersection.

Rodney Lierz said the intersection of 170th and Goldfinch Roads, southwest of Powhattan, has been the scene of three fatality wrecks-- including a wreck he was involved in on April 5 that claimed the lives of a rural Horton woman and her 10-year-old son.

Lierz' 17-year-old daughter, Darcy, describes a close call she had at the intersection less than a week ago after a semi pulled out in front of her.

Lierz said there is currently no “ stop ahead” sign posted on Goldfinch Road for motorists coming from the south and that would be one of the easiest things to fix. 

Other options were suggested to address the safety concerns.

Commissioner Rich Lehmkuhl said he believes a “ stop ahead” sign could be installed, but any additional measures would require a Kansas Department of Transportation study.

Commission Chairman Lamar Shoemaker said the commission would look into what they can do

(KAIR)--The City of Atchison has developed a proposed budget for 2023.

According to a City memorandum from City Manager Amy Finch, the total proposed budget for 2023 is $31,972,154. Of that, property tax levy funds make up 410,871,952 of the total.

A general fund budget of $9,905,527 is included, along with the debt service fund budget of $965,425.

The 2023 CIP budget is $7,569,500, while the ERP budget is $1,145,588.

The 2023 budget is subject to the Revenue Neutral Rate legislation, which requires that the city give notice for the intention to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate from the year before, also setting a public hearing for the intention to exceed RNR. The commission already provided the intention to exceed RNR during the July 18 meeting. This gives the city the ability to take property valuation gains in 2023 while decreasing the mill levy rate. The proposed budget reduces the combined general fund and debt service mill levy by 3.404 mills which coupled with a significant increase in assessed valuation, will result in an additional levy of $162,000 which will be used to shore up the Equipment Reserve Plan.

Received and filed during Monday’s meeting of the Atchison City Commission, a notice will be published September 3, setting the maximum property tax levy and a budge hearing for the afternoon of Monday, September 19. That will happen as part of that day’s City Commission meeting, which begins at 4:30 at Atchison City Hall.

(KAIR)--The latest round of Atchison thefts, this one including a motorcycle, is under investigation by Atchison Police.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a red, 2008 Honda 1000RR motorcycle was reported stolen by its owner. It was taken from the 200 block of North 9th Street, with the crime believed to have occurred sometime between 8:00 Monday morning and 3:15 Monday afternoon.

In a separate theft case, a 32-year-old Atchison resident is missing a push lawnmower. Wilson says the owner reported it stolen Monday morning, with the mower missing from the 1300 block of Commercial Street.

Also missing, as reported in a separate case, is a purse. It was stolen from inside a vehicle parked in the 800 block of King Street.

According to Wilson, it’s believed the purse was taken sometime between 9:30 Saturday night and 5:00 Sunday evening.

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

(KAIR)--Two Brown County residents are facing drug charges in Jackson County, following their arrests earlier this week.

It happened during a traffic stop late Monday morning, with the vehicle stopped near 110th and U.S. Highway 75, around 10:45. According to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, the stop was made after the driver “was identified as having outstanding warrants.”

The driver was 40-year-old Skyler Tosspon, of Hiawatha who, according to Morse, had a Jackson County District Court warrant and a Nebraska warrant for drug violations.

Additionally, Tosspon and his passenger, 40-year-old Elizabeth Bruning, of Robinson, were both taken into custody on charges for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Following their arrests, both were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KAIR)--Two Brown County residents are facing drug charges in Jackson County, following their arrests earlier this week.

It happened during a traffic stop late Monday morning, with the vehicle stopped near 110th and U.S. Highway 75, around 10:45. According to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, the stop was made after the driver “was identified as having outstanding warrants.”

The driver was 40-year-old Skyler Tosspon, of Hiawatha who, according to Morse, had a Jackson County District Court warrant and a Nebraska warrant for drug violations.

Additionally, Tosspon and his passenger, 40-year-old Elizabeth Bruning, of Robinson, were both taken into custody on charges for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Following their arrests, both were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KAIR)--The school buses for the Atchison County schools of USD 377 are set to safely run for the new school year.

That’s according to Transportation Director Dwight Myer, who told MSC News

Kansas State Highway Patrol Troopers, on the morning of August 4, conducted inspections of the school district’s 17 buses and 6 vehicles used for student transportation.

Myer calls the inspections “thorough,” explaining that brakes were checked, as well as any fluid leaks, ABS systems, parking breaks, window cracks, alarms, steering, frame and suspension, heaters and defrosters, tires and wheels, and other matters that could affect transportation safety.

Myer told MSC News he is “so very proud to say that for 5-years straight now” the vehicles have passed 100-percent,” saying patrons of the district should be proud to know that all district vehicles are in “top notch shape.”

(KAIR)--More than a decade in prison. That's the fate for an Atchison man following sentencing in connection with two cases involving convictions for robbery, aggravated battery, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Gary Brown, Jr. was sentenced Friday in Atchison County District Court to 10-years-11-months of incarceration for the crimes.

According to a release from Atchison County Attorney Sherri Becker, the first case stemmed from "evidence obtained during the execution of a search warrant of [Brown's] home" in March, 2021. Law enforcement, during the raid, "seized a number of items from the house, including: firearms, marijuana scales, baggies and other items of drug paraphernalia," stemming from an Atchison County Sheriff's Office investigation.

While he was free on bond, the then 21-year-old Brown held a man at gunpoint on April 17 of last year, ordering his victim to give him all his money and transfer funds from his online account.

After the man complied with Brown's demands, Brown ordered his victim out of the vehicle where the gunpoint robbery took place. Once he was outside, Brown struck the man in the head with the butt of a gun, took the man's phone and threw it in the grass, where he shot at it.

The investigation into the kidnapping/robbery was conducted by Atchison Police.

According to Becker, Brown, on May 27 of this year, entered a guilty plea to the counts of robbery, aggravated battery, and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.

Editor's note: the following was submitted by the Hiawatha Police Department

(KNZA)--Drivers are advised that during the period of August 20 through Labor Day, September 7, Hiawatha Police Department will join other police agencies across Kansas in a crackdown aimed at removing impaired drivers from the roadways during You Drink. You Drive. You Lose.

It is illegal to drive while impaired, yet one person is killed in a drunk driving crash every 52 minutes in the United States. Just one drink before driving can put you and others in danger, because alcohol impairs thinking, reasoning and muscle coordination.

Driving after consuming alcohol or any other potentially impairing substance is a choice you make.

The You Drink. You Drive. You Lose enforcement campaign is intended to remind drivers to take a moment to consider how it would be to begin every day with the memory of your decision if it resulted in injury or death. If you are driving impaired, you are not only more likely to crash, but that crash is much more likely to cause serious injury or death. Think about your family, your friends, your coworkers, neighbors.

And, always wear your seat belt it’s your best defense against impaired drivers. Every trip, every time.

You can count on Kansas law enforcement vigorously enforcing impaired driving and other traffic laws, not just during this enforcement campaign but all through the year in order to save lives.

(KNZA)--A Monday evening single-vehicle Doniphan County wreck sent a Wathena man to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on U.S. 36 Highway, about 1 ½ miles east of Troy, shortly before 7:00.

According to the KHP report, 36-year-old Kevin Marika was westbound when his Ford Mustang left the roadway to the north. Marika over-corrected, causing his vehicle to cross the roadway and enter the the south ditch. The vehicle rolled, coming to rest on its top.

Marika, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was taken to Mosiac Life Care, in St. Joseph, with suspected serious injuries.

(KLZA)--Cobblestone Neon 90's is the theme for the annual Cobblestone Festival in Falls City August 18 – 21.

The events begin Thursday afternoon and continue through Sunday evening.

Cobblestone kicks off Thursday at 5:00 p.m. with the annual Falls City Volunteer Fire Department fishing contest at Stanton Lake.

Friday events include:

5 – 10 p.m. - Food and craft vendors on Stone Street.

6-10 p.m. - Ozark Amusements will be open.

7 p.m. - The crowning of Little Mr. and Miss Cobblestone on the Courthouse lawn.

SATURDAY EVENTS:

7 a.m. - Community Medical Center Fun Run at Stanton Lake

8 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Car Show at 18th and Stone.

9 a-m – 10 p.m. - Craft and Food vendors open on Stone Street.

9 a.m. - Frog Jumping contest

9:30 a.m. - Falls City High School Tiger Golf Tournament

10:15 a.m. - The Buchanan Highlanders Bagpipe concert will take place at the First Presbyterian Church.

11 a.m. - Cobblestone Parade.

12 p.m. - 1st United Methodist Church Lunch at 1700 Harlan

1 p.m. - Hot Wheel races at 1800 Stone Street

1 – 10 p.m. - Ozark Amusements will be open on Stone Street.

1:30 p.m. - Dodgeball tournament at Prichard Auditorium

3 p.m – Dollar Fresh watermelon eating contest at Prichard Auditorium

7 p.m – Falls City Area Jaycees Demolition Derby at the Jaycee's Arena south of Falls City

SUNDAY EVENTS:

12 – 4 p.m. - Craft and food vendors open on Stone Street

1 – 5 p.m. Ozark Amusements open on Stone Street

1 p.m. - Pinewood Derby at Falls City Middle School gymnasium

(KLZA)--Visitors to Indian Cave State Park that lies in parts of Richardson and Nemaha counties can now view the cave which his home to prehistoric Native Indian petroglyphs from a new boardwalk and viewing deck.

An historic bomb cyclone in March of 2019 saturated the area where the old boardwalk was located and caused a landslide.

The new boardwalk is ADA compliant with an 8-foot-wide viewing deck. The 5-foot-wide staircase accesses the boardwalk. The total length of the boardwalk is 420 feet. From the top of the staircase, the boardwalk extends 160 feet into the canyon.

The new area includes a seating area and informational signs. In addition to seeing the cave, visitors can also see the Missouri River. Interpretive panels are also in the works to inform visitors of the cultural aspects of the area and tell the story of the petroglyphs.

The $800 thousand project was paid for by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's Capital Maintenance Funds.

(KLZA)--Falls City Public Schools will open with students in class on Wednesday, August 17.

There will be 17 new employees working for District 56 for the 2022-23 School Year. The District is projecting 812 Pre-K through 12th grades students for the new school year.

A Middle School Open House will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16.

An Open House for students in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students will be from 5 – 6:00 p.m on Tuesday, August 16. An Open House for students in grades 1 and 2 will be held from 6 – 7:00 p.m, and the Open House for students in grades 3 – 5 will be from 7 – 8:00 p.m that same evening.

The Falls City High School Open House will be Tuesday, August 16 from 7 – 8:00 p.m.

(KAIR)--An Atchison woman required hospital treatment following a weekend traffic crash.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 32-year-old Rebecca Shanks was driving Saturday evening, when her vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree on a private roadway, located in the 1700 block of Country Club Road.

Wilson says Shanks was transported by Atchison County EMS to Amberwell Atchison for treatment.

(KAIR)--A Missouri man is facing sex-crimes and drug related charges following a weekend arrest.

46-year-old Waylon Barnett, of Marshfield, Missouri, was taken into custody on charges for sexual battery and possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, Barnett was arrested Saturday in the 500 block of Atchison’s South 9th Street. That’s where police were called when a 39-year-old woman reported being the victim of sexual battery.

Barnett was taken into custody, and during his arrest was found to be in possession of what’s alleged to be methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

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

(KAIR)--A Missouri man is facing sex-crimes and drug related charges following a weekend arrest.

46-year-old Waylon Barnett, of Marshfield, Missouri, was taken into custody on charges for sexual battery and possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, Barnett was arrested Saturday in the 500 block of Atchison’s South 9th Street. That’s where police were called when a 39-year-old woman reported being the victim of sexual battery.

Barnett was taken into custody, and during his arrest was found to be in possession of what’s alleged to be methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

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

(KNZA)- A sealing project is set to begin this week on Hiawatha's Oregon Street.

The city says the project will take place from 1st to 9th Streets.

Crews are to begin work Wednesday ( August 17) and the project is to be completed by the following Wednesday, August 24, weather provided.

Crews will work from 8:00 in the morning until 6 in the evening.

The city is asking that all motorized vehicles be removed from the street throughout the duration of the project.

Vance Brothers Inc. will serve as the contractor on the more than $100,000 project, which will also include the center striping of the street.

(KNZA)--South Brown County USD 430 has been awarded a federally funded grant for the purchase of new Chromebooks for staff and students.

Superintendent Jason Cline informed the Board of Education, during their regular meeting last week, that the district had been awarded a Emergency Connectivity Fund Grant in the amount of $177,592.

Congress authorized the Emergency Connectivity Fund as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to help schools and libraries support remote learning.

In other business, Rainbow Communications presented a grant for $5,928 to Horton High School Industrial Technology teacher David Pottroff for the purchase of a SawStop table saw for his class.

Horton Elementary School will be getting new playground equipment. The Board approved a proposal from ABcreative for the equipment in the amount of $33,505.

The USD 430 Board also accepted an anonymous gift of $6,000. The donation will be split between Horton High School football, volleyball, basketball and track, with each receiving $1,000. In addition, the Horton Elementary School and Everest Middle School will each receive $1,000 for student needs.

(KNZA)--A Sunday afternoon two-vehicle Brown County wreck sent a Sabetha woman to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on U.S. 36 Highway at Natchez Street in Hiawatha shortly before 2:45.

According to the KHP report, 44-year-old Jose Pinto, of Fairview, was attempting to turn east onto Natchez Street and failed to yield to a westbound minivan driven by 74-year-old Norma Jean Brownlee, which struck Pinto's car.

Brownlee was transported by ambulance to Hiawatha's Amberwell Hospital with suspected minor injuries.

Pinto and two passenger's in his car were not hurt.

The Patrol says all the occupants were buckled up when the wreck occurred.

(KLZA)-- Nemaha County Nebraska Commissioners voted to accept the retirement resignation of County Attorney Louie Ligouri when they met August 3.

An article in the Nemaha County Herald notes that Ligouri's last day on the job will be August 31.

Ligouri's term was up in January, 2023. The only person that is seeking the position of County Attorney in the November General Election is Angelo Ligouri.

(KAIR)--The controversial county wide 1-cent sales tax approved by Atchison County voters in 1993 to fund joint communications and solid waste is facing an alteration, with the matter to come before Atchison County voters in November.

That comes as the Atchison County Commission this week approved a resolution to repeal the current sales tax, replacing it with a dedicated sales tax of 0.75%.

Atchison County Commission Chair Eric Noll, along with fellow Commissioner Jack Bower, voted in favor of the resolution.

Commissioner Casey Quinn voted in opposition to the resolution, not because she disagrees with putting the matter before voters, but because she questions if the lower percentage will guarantee enough revenue for service operations.

If approved by voters in the November general election, the current sales tax will end December 31, with the dedicated sales tax taking effect January 1, 2023.

The current countywide sales tax has been a matter of controversy since its 1993 approval, with Cities in the County through the years, engaging in a back and forth with the County over the distribution of the funds, among other related issues.

(KLZA)-- A Richardson County man has been sentenced in federal court to 15 years and four months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

U.S. Attorney Stephen Russell in news release said 47-year-old Michael Tinsley was handed the sentence Thursday. After his release from prison, Tinsley will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. 

In December 2020, a Richardson County Deputy Sheriff attempted to stop a Chevy Avalanche driven by Tinsley.  He fled from the deputy at a high rate of speed.  Minutes later, the deputy found the Avalanche abandoned in a ditch. 

During an inventory search of the vehicle, investigators found methamphetamine, syringes, spoons with residue, two scales, and two cell phones. The deputy obtained a search warrant for the Avalanche and for the cell phones.  During a search of the seized cell phones, Miller said investigators found evidence of drug distribution by Tinsley. The methamphetamine was tested and confirmed to be at least 120 grams of pure methamphetamine.

Miller said several witnesses told investigators that Tinsley had been selling them methamphetamine in varying quantities in 2019 and 2020.

On January 4, 2021, Tinsley was arrested at a Lincoln hotel by a Lancaster County Sheriff’s Deputy. He had about 7.6 grams methamphetamine and a pipe on him.  He admitted he had used methamphetamine in the past and admitted that he had methamphetamine on his person.

This case was investigated by the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board has approved for publication a proposed 2022-23 budget that calls for net expenditures of nearly $20.5 million and a slight decrease in the property tax levy.

The board took the action Monday evening after Superintendent Lonnie Moser reviewed the proposed budget.

The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 48.518 mills, which is a .231 mill decrease from last year.

The budget calls for the district to collect more than $6.7 million in local tax revenue. 

Moser said the district's assessed valuation increased $6.8 from last year.

He said the budget includes a proposal to raise the local option budget from 30 percent to 31 percent of the general fund.

The board will hold two hearings at their September 12 meeting. The first at 6 p.m. on its intent to exceed the revenue neutral tax rate and the second at 6:10 p.m on the proposed budget.

(KAIR)--A voice of local sports broadcasting returns to the KNZA, Inc. Radio Group, but this time in an expanded role of influence.

Station President Justin Fluke announces that Jake Spalding returns this month as a partner with some ownership in the Hiawatha-based company.

Spalding for 10-years served as a sportscaster for the company’s family of radio stations, but also as a sales executive, a role Fluke says Spalding excelled at for nearly 3-years.

Fluke, who took sole ownership of KNZA, Inc. January 1, 2022, says Spalding begins his new role as a Vice President August 15.

"Jake has a proven track record of success in both sports broadcasting as well as sales and is passionate about local broadcasting," Fluke noted. "He has built tremendous respect and a positive reputation in Northeast Kansas while establishing great business relationships throughout the area. That is a huge value and asset to have rejoining our team and his drive and energy will be a boost to help take our stations to the next level."

Spalding has spent the last 18 months working as a Business Account Manager for Giant Communications and looks forward to his homecoming with the radio group. "I am excited to help lead the sales team in a VP role, but even more happy to partner with Justin Fluke and look forward to this company expanding an already powerful tradition of excellence and rising above other small market stations to become one of the best radio groups in the region. Fluke and I understand our market, how we can help local businesses, and our listeners' desires for timely, accurate and accessible information.”

Spalding added that he and Fluke “understand the work and dedication it takes to create a great product every day,” noting that “it all starts with a great team,” which Spalding says KNZA Inc. has through its five radio station network, as well as its 40-plus-year tradition of excellence.

Spalding is married to Alicia and has two sons. He says they “are excited to once again be a close part of the KNZA Radio Group family.”

KNZA, Inc. provides coverage to Northeast KS, Northwest Missouri, and Southeast Nebraska through its family of five radio stations, including KNZA FM, Hiawatha; KMZA FM, Seneca; KAIR FM, Atchison, and Sunny 101.3 FM and KTNC AM, Falls City, Nebraska.

(KAIR)--A Netawaka man is in custody, arrested in connection with domestic battery, child endagerment, and drug possession.

A release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says his Deputies responded to Netawaka shortly after 9:00 Wednesday night after they received a report of a domestic incident.

When they arrived, 32-year-old William Honig was taken into custody on charges for aggravated domestic battery, aggravated endangering of a child, possession of an opiate, opium narcotic, or certain stimulant, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City School Board voted 5-0 Monday night to accept the resignation of Board member John Hunzeker of DuBois.

In his letter of resignation dated August 4, Hunzeker said that he regretfully made the decision to resign from the Pawnee City School Board “due to personal reasons which have become too great for me to be able to fulfill the requirements of my position on the Board of Education.”

Hunzeker called it a great pleasure to work alongside the board members the past year-and-a-half. He went on to say “he felt sorrow for the Board members, administration, teachers and parents that have been harassed, bullied and rejected by some people in the community and some businesses, like myself and my family.”

Hunzeker said he and his wife have decided to have their youngest child transfer to another school district.

He concluded by wishing the Board well and the Pawnee Public Schools future success.

Following the vote, the Board discussed how to fill the opening on the Board.

(KMZA)--Voters in Nemaha Central USD 115 will decide the fate of a $24.2 million general obligation bond issue for facility improvements during the November general election.

The Board of Education adopted a resolution Monday evening to place the bond issue on the November 8th ballot.

That comes after the board held community meeting in June and July on the bond proposal.

The board began working on a new bond proposal earlier this year after voters last November rejected a $36.7 million bond issue.

The proposal calls for improvements, renovations and additions to the district's two schools, along with improvements and renovations to the existing Career and Technical Education facility at the high school.

If approved by voters, the bond issue would be paid off over a 25-year period and require a tax levy of 14.75 mills. The levy would raise taxes on a residential home valued at $150,000 by $254 annually.

At board held a hearing at the beginning of the meeting on its intent to utilize a construction manager at risk on the project. No public comment was received.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth man that authorities say “molested two family members over a period of several years” is going to prison for more than two-decades.

37-year-old Terance Lee Dozier, Jr. learned his fate in Leavenworth County District Court, where he was previously convicted of two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy. All totaled, Dozier’s sentence means 25-years-10-months behind bars.

According to a release from Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, Dozier was arrested by the Leavenworth Police Department following an investigation into his reported crimes of family molestation.

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

(KLZA)-- Pawnee County Commissioners continued their discussions regarding the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act funds when they met Tuesday.

Representatives of the Pawnee Rural Water District met with Commissioners to discuss the use of ARPA funds to replace lines going from 4-inch to 6-inch supply lines. The estimated cost of the project was $237 thousand in 2017. Rural Water is not aware of any grants they could use to help pay for the project. No action was taken.

Highway Superintendent Chris Rauner discussed the idea of funding rock purchases with ARPA funds. Following a discussion the Board voted unanimously to purchase rock out of ARPA funds until further notice up to an amount of $100 thousand.

Commissioners also approved a bridge closure agreement and grade crossing maintenance agreement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Rail Company.

The railroad agreed to pay Pawnee County $400 thousand upon completion of permanently closing the 624 Boulevard grade separated crossing and construction of the new road.

Following a review the bids for the 2023 Scrap Tire Cleanup program for 100 tons of scrap tires, the Board approved a bid from The Tire Cutters of Seneca, Kansas at a cost of $175 per ton. They will have trucks on site the day of the cleanup and start hauling as a truck gets full and continue daily until all the tires and scraps are removed.

Two other bids were received but the companies would not have been on site the day of the the cleanup event.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City School Board received an update Monday night on Falls City being selected as one of a dozen selected to receive a contract for $78,500 for child care capacity building through the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation.

The funds were made available through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations program with the money aimed at increasing high quality licensed child care availability in communities where there simply aren't enough spots for the children who need them.

Technical assistance for implementation and ongoing support will be provided by the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation's Communities for Kids initiative.

Community members interested in being part of the community effort and conversation should contact Early Childhood Community Coordinator, Susan Witt at switt@fallscityps.org.

Current child care providers in Falls City will be included

The School Board approved setting a budget work session for Monday, August 29 at 7:00 p.m. for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

(KNZA)--A Wednesday afternoon single-vehicle Brown County crash sent a Nebraska woman to the hospital.

According to a Kansas Highway Patrol report, 48-year-old Nichole Strauss, of Falls City, was southbound on U.S. 73 Highway about 9 1/2 miles south of Hiawatha when her car went off the road, into the east ditch and struck a tree.

Strauss was transported by ambulance to Hiawatha's Amberwell Hospital with suspected serious injuries.

The Patrol says she was buckled up when the crash occurred around 1:30.  

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission, when they met Monday evening, approved a request from a local group to use the City Lake.

Jeremy Umland with Cub Scout Pack 117 appeared before the commission to request use of the City Lake on August 27 from 8 to 11 in the morning for a fishing derby.

Umland said the fishing derby, for kids from 6 to 18, is being held for recruitment purposes. Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the commission was told the club's numbers have dropped off and they are trying different activities to get more kids interested in scouts.

In other business, local resident Kevin Lehmkuhl appeared before the commission to request a reduction on his water bill due to a leak.

Lehmkuhl said his bill, which averages $83, was nearly $600.

In denying the request, Mayor Bill Collins explained its been the commission's policy not to grant water bill adjustments unless the issue was on the city's side. He said the city does offer a payment plan.

The commission held a special meeting Tuesday evening to interview candidates for the city administrator position.

The position has been open since the resignation of former City Administrator Mike Nichols in April.

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

(KNZA)--An early Wednesday evening three-vehicle collision in Pottawatomie County claimed the life of a Wamego man and left four others injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on U.S. 24 highway, just east of Wamego, around 5:30.

The Patrol reports an eastbound pickup truck driven 37-year-old Randy Tinkel had stopped to make a left turn. A SUV was slowing as it came up behind the pickup when a semi tractor-trailer struck the SUV and pickup from behind.

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

Three passengers in his vehicle, his 36-year-old wife, Jillian Tinkel, and his two sons, ages 2 and 7, were transported to area hospitals for the treatment of suspected serious injuries.

The driver of the SUV, 34-year-old St. Mary's resident Megan Schindler, was transported to a Topeka hospital with suspected serious injuries.

The semi driver, from Lecompton, was not hurt.

(KMZA)--Union Pacific Railroad will close and replace its crossing on U.S. 36 near Baileyville in Nemaha County this weekend.

The Kansas Department of Transportation says work will begin at 7:00 Friday morning and is expected to be complete by 7:00 Saturday evening.

KDOT says the highway will be closed to all traffic at the railroad crossing.

Motorists can follow a marked detour using K-99, K-9 and K-63.

(KLZA)-- A longtime Falls City businessman and and Falls City Rural Fire Department Chief is being remembered.

Kenneth Arnold died Monday at the age of 78.

Following a four-year stint as an Industrial Arts teacher in Ruskin, Nebraska, Arnold and his wife Rose moved back to Falls City where he began a 50-year career as an electrical contractor.

Arnold was a member of the Falls City Rural Fire Department for nearly 50 years, serving many of those years as Fire Chief.

A memorial service for Arnold will be held Saturday morning at 10:30 at the Good News Assembly of God Church in Falls City.

(KLZA)-- Johnson-Brock Superintendent Jeff Koehler reported to the Board of Education Monday night that there were 364 students that registered for the new school year on Monday with a couple of additions still possible.

The Superintendent also reported the roof project at the school has been completed and the HVAC project is being finalized. The Board also discussed an addition to the Johnson-Brock campus. The Board is expected to decide about moving forward with the project next month.

Principal Lucus Dalinghaus said the Elementary School open house will be Thursday evening.

New teachers for the upcoming school year, Kelsey Brudage and Zadie Smith were introduced to the Board.

Dawn Metschke also provided an update on the the Johnson-Brock AG/FFA program. She noted the program, now in its sixth year has had a steady increase in membership each year and that more events have been added with the increased participation.

(KLZA)-- “An Old Time County Fair” is the theme for the Johnson County Fair Parade, which will be Sunday afternoon, August 21 in Tecumseh.

The parade will line up around the courthouse square beginning at 5:00 P.M.  with the parade starting at 5:30.

The 143rd Johnson County Fair parade will be held rain or shine.  No entry form is required for those wanting to participate in the parade. 

( St. Joseph) - The Missouri Department of Transportation is seeking public input regarding a bridge replacement project on Holt County Route B, the bridge over Hickory Creek.

Currently the project is in the design stage. Plans are to replace the 83-year-old timber pile bridge which is in poor condition.

The project includes raising the grade of the bridge and roadway near the bridge to provide for better sight distance. To make the changes additional right-of-way will be required.

The project is currently scheduled to go to for bid as part of the February, 2023 letting with construction expected during the 2023 construction season.

The road will be closed to all traffic during the project. A signed detour is not planned. Motorists will need to find an alternate route during the closure.

Anyone wanting to comment on the project may do so by Friday, August 19.

You can go online at www.modot.org/holt-county-route-b-bridge-repalcement-over-hickory-creek; you can E-mail nwcr@modot.mo.gov or you can send remarks in the mail to Holt County Route B Hickory Creek Project; Missouri Department of Transportation; 3602 North Belt Highway, St. Joseph, MO. 64506.

(KAIR)--A pursuit, that began when the driver allegedly fled from Jackson County authorities, ended in Nebraska with 39-year-old Terrance Dowd taken into custody.

According to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, a Deputy with his office attempted a traffic stop around 11:30 Monday night near K-9 Highway and U.S. Highway 75, for a traffic infraction. Instead of stopping, it’s alleged the driver sped off, headed northbound on Highway 75.

That began a pursuit that continued across Brown County into Nebraska, with the pursuit then turned over the Richardson County, Nebraska Sheriff’s Office.

The Richardson County Sheriff's Office said the pursuit ended in Auburn, Nebraska early Tuesday morning after deputies deployed tire deflating devices.

The driver, identified as Dowd, a resident of Fremont, Nebraska, was taken into custody on traffic and drug charges.

(KAIR)--A yard sale, benefiting furry friends in need, is set to continue in Doniphan County this weekend.

According to a release from the Bendena-based Doniphan County Pet Rescue, the sale, featuring a wide variety of donated items, will be held Friday and Saturday, from 8 in the morning until 5 both evenings, at 887 Friendship Road, in Bendena.

The For the Paws Benefit Yard Sale began last weekend, with the rescue’s social media showing a range of donated items, from bicycles to home goods. The items are being sold at unspecified prices, with monetary donations to the rescue being accepted for purchases.

According to the animal rescue charity, all proceeds from the funds raised through the benefit yard sale will be used to pay for vet services, food, litter, and other essentials.

The rescue, according to it's Facebook page, "helps pets in need through shelter, adoption, education, spay/neuter, and community outreach."

(KAIR)--A Texas man, traveling through Jackson County, now faces drug and weapon-related charges in that jurisdiction.

According to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, a Deputy stopped a pickup truck for a traffic infraction in the 200 block of Holton’s Arizona Street, around 1:00 Monday morning. That followed an earlier report received by the Sheriff’s Office that the pickup truck was driving erratically.

The following investigation led to the arrest of the pickup’s driver, identified in a release from Morse as 46-year-old Joseph Derting, of North Richland Hills, Texas.
He was taken into custody on charges for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal possession of a weapon, driving under the influence, transporting an open container, and driving without a valid license.

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

(KAIR)--Increasing high speed internet access in Doniphan County took another step forward last week, with monies committed, and a grant application approved. Now, community input is needed to be successful in the application.

Funding comes in the way of the County’s $1.4 million in America Rescue Plan funds.

That sum, following closed door, executive session discussion, will be used for broadband expansion along the U.S. Highway 36 corridor, from the east Troy city limits to the west Wathena city limits.

The expenditure was approved unanimously by the Commission.

Also decided last week was applying for a Kansas Capital Project Fund grant, with the state making available $83.5 in grant funding opportunities.

Doniphan County Economic Development Director Leah Johnson told the Commissioners the County would like to apply, in partnership with Rainbow Communications and the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, with the grant’s purpose being to bring high speed internet into homes across Kansas.

As part of the grant application process, Doniphan County residents are asked to complete a survey and speed test, located on the Doniphan County website, dp-countyks-dot com. A written testimonial on the importance of high speed internet can also be submitted to the County.

A particular focus of the survey is placed on the affects felt by homes who went without high speed internet during the coronavirus pandemic, despite the increased need for online usage for such factors as distance learning.
The speed test and survey, approved by the Commission along with making the grant application, must be completed by August 15.

The grant application is due four days later, on August 19.

(KLZA)-- Peru State College has announced plans for “Project Roar,” a five-building project that will add more than 104,000 square feet of indoor space to the campus, making it the largest construction project in Peru State history.

Peru State College President, Dr. Michael Evans said “ROAR” stands for Renewed Opportunities for Activity and Recreation.

The project will carry a price tag estimated at $14.6 million which is the biggest price tag for a project on the campus.

Project ROAR will be the first new buildings at Peru in more than 40 years. The Al Wheeler Activity Center was built in 1979 – 80.

$10.6 million has been secured from the State of Nebraska and college resources with alumni and friends to be called on to gift the remaining $4 million.

President Evans said the project will help with a critical need for space at Nebraska's first college and that it is essential to the strength and well being of Peru State and its students.

The new buildings will include locker rooms, coaches offices and training facilities for the Bobcat baseball and softball teams. The project will also relieve pressure on the Al Wheeler Activity Center and provide recreation space for students.

The goal is for construction to begin in the Spring of 2023 and if fundraising and construction goals are met, the project could be completed in the Fall of 2024.

Three of the buildings will be constructed near the baseball and softball fields at the Centennial Complex south of the main campus. The other two will be built on a practice field north of the Oak Bowl.

There will be large air-supported, artificially-turfed domes at each site.

(KLZA)-- Two decades of volunteer service to the Humane Society of Richardson County have earned Julie Phroper and Ardis Ramsey, both of Falls City the honor of serving as the Grand Marshals of the 2022 Cobblestone Parade.

Parade Director Lori Gottula said the two were selected by an anonymous committee of volunteers and community leaders.

Phroper and Ramsey are at the Sam and Lela Schuler Memorial Shelter every day, seven days a week to care for the needs of the cats and dogs who have been abandoned or abused, found as strays, or who need foster care for a while.

They will lead the Cobblestone Parade down Harlan Street in Falls City on Saturday, August 20.

The humane society runs solely on donations, memorials, and volunteers.

(KLZA)--A Texas man is facing felony drug and weapon charges following a traffic stop in Richardson County last week.

According to the Richardson County Sheriff's Office, deputies stopped a vehicle early Friday morning.

During a search of the vehicle, the Sheriff's Office says about two pounds of suspected marijuana was discovered along with a stolen firearm and drug paraphernalia.

Wendell Johnson III, of Kennedale, Texas, was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm during a felony, possession of a stolen firearm and carrying a concealed weapon.

Johnson was booked into the Richardson County Jail.

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(KLZA)-- A Humboldt man has been charged in connection with a pursuit late last month. 

According to the Richardson County Sheriff's Office, deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on 47-year-old Joshua Bachman on the evening of July 29.

The Sheriff's Office says Bachman would not stop and due to what they describe as a willful disregard for person and property, deputies discontinued the pursuit.

Bachman was arrested last Thursday on charges including flight to avoid arrest which is a felony, obstructing a peace officer, criminal mischief, and reckless driving.

Bachman is also facing charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a deadly weapon during a felony from an arrest in Humboldt in July.

(KNZA)--A former Atchison/Brown County resident was among four people killed in the small northeast Nebraska town of Laurel last week.

Authorities say the body of 53-year-old Michele Shankles Ebeling, who grew up in Muscotah and later lived in rural Brown County, was found inside one of two homes that were set on fire early August 4.

The bodies of the three other victims, ranging in age from 55 to 86, were discovered in a nearby home.

The Nebraska State Patrol says the four victims were shot and killed before the homes were deliberately set on fire.

A neighbor of the victims, 42-year-old Jason Jones, was arrested Friday in connection with the quadruple homicide. He is being treated for severe burns at a Lincoln hospital.

Jones has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, four counts of use of a firearm to commit a felony and two counts of first-degree arson. His bond has been set at five million dollars.

A motive for the murders is not known at this time.

A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help pay for the funeral expenses of Ebeling. https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-expenses-for-michele-ebeling

(KLZA)-- Agencies and organizations across Northwest Missouri have received funding for programs aimed a reducing injuries and fatalities on roadways in recent years.

To assist agencies in the fight toward zero deaths in Northwest Missouri, and across the state, the Northwest Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety is once again offering grants for highway and safety programs and resources.

This year the coalition will offer funding through two different opportunities.

The annual highway and traffic safety grant opportunity and a new Community Outreach Funding program.

Applications for grants will be accepted through September 9. Grant requests may not exceed $5,000. Schools, community groups, law enforcement, health departments and more are eligible to apply. The program must address at least one of the emphasis areas identified in the Show-Me-Zero strategic highway safety plan which includes occupant protection, distracted driving, speed and aggressive driving and impaired driving.

The Community Outreach funding will be provided on a first-come basis through May 31, 2023.

Funding requests must be for physical items with the total cost equaling no more than $2,000. Schools, community groups, law enforcement, health departments are among the groups eligible to apply. Again the funding request must address at least one of the emphasis areas identified in the Show-Me-Zero strategic highway safety plan.

More information is available about the grant funds at www.savemolives.com/mcrs/show-me-zero.

(KLZA)-- Mandatory maintenance is being done on the temporary water treatment plant and well at Peru.

While this work is being completed, water is being trucked into Peru.

City of Peru water customers are under a boil advisory and a stage 3 water emergency.

There are cases of water available for community residents at the Peru City Hall, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

(KAIR)--The July 8 retirement of longtime 1st Judicial District Judge, Martin Asher, means one of two judicial openings that must be filled.

According to a release, the 1st Judicial Nominating Commission is seeking nominees to fill the two district judge posts. The 1st Judicial District is made up of Atchison and Leavenworth counties.

According to Justice Eric Rosen, the Kansas Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 1st District, individuals can apply or be nominated, “but nominations must come on a nomination form and include the nominee’s signature.” Eligibility requirements including the person being at least 30-years-of-age, a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least five-years; and must be a resident of the judicial district at the time of taking office and while holding office.

The deadline to submit a nomination with supporting documents is noon Friday, August 19. The nominating commission will convene to interview nominees at 8:00 on the morning of Monday, August 29, with interviews starting at 8:30, and continuing Tuesday, August 30. Interviews will be at the Leavenworth County Courthouse.

After nominees are interviewed, the nominating commission will select from three to five people whose names will be submitted to the governor to fill the positions according to statutory qualification and residency requirements. The governor has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint.

(KAIR)--An Ozawkie woman was transported for hospital care Friday afternoon following a two vehicle, Shawnee County crash on Highway 24.  

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports the wreck happened shortly before 3:30 Friday afternoon on the highway, just east of Meriden Road.  

The KHP report says a Toyota Sienna driven by a Lawrence woman, and a Hyundai Tuscon, driven by 46-year-old Corby Lockwood, of Ozawkie, were both eastbound on the highway when Lockwood came to a stop at a median turn around to go north onto Frontage Road.  The Lawrence driver did not brake in time, causing her vehicle crash into the rear of Lockwood’s vehicle.  

Lockwood was transported to Topeka’s Stormont Vail with what the KHP identified as suspected minor injuries.  

The other driver was not hurt.  

Both were buckled up at the time of the wreck.

(KNZA)--Authorities are investigating the death of an inmate at the Lansing Correctional Facility as an apparent homicide.

The Kansas Department of Corrections in a news release said that 56-year-old Fred Patterson III died Sunday.

Per protocol, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.  

The release said an independent autopsy will be conducted.

Patterson was admitted to the facility on May 24 after violating his parole.

His underlying offenses are from Douglas County for one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child greater than 14 and less than 16 years of age, and one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child less than 14 years of age.

(KNZA)--The Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Holton Police Department will hold its second annual National Night Out event Tuesday evening, August 9.

The event will take place from 5:30 to 8:00 on the east side of the Jackson County Courthouse, in Holton.

A free meal of hot dogs, brats, chips, cookies and drinks will be served.

Public safety agencies from Jackson County and the state of Kansas will have equipment on display.

There will be a drone presentation, a law enforcement K-9 presentation and an investigations presentation.

The event will also feature music, giveaways and prizes.

For more than 35 years, National Night Out events have been held across the country to promote police-community partnerships.

(KNZA)---The Kansas Department of Transportation has approved bids for several local highway projects.

According to a release from KDOT, Bettis Asphalt and Construction, of Topeka, was awarded the bid for two milling and overlay projects in Brown County.

They include a nearly 17-mile stretch of U.S. 75 Highway from the Jackson/Brown County line to a quarter mile south of 260th Road in the amount of $5.5 million, and a 10-mile stretch of K-20 from the junction with U.S. 75 to the west city limits of Horton in the amount of nearly $1.7 million.

KDOT also approved bids from Bettis Asphalt for three milling and overlay projects in Jackson County. They include a more than 13-mile stretch of U.S. 75 from West 5th Street in Holton to the Jackson/Brown County line, in the amount of $3.6 million; a nearly 4- mile stretch of K-79 from the K-16 junction to the south city limits of Circleville for just over $609,000 and a more than 15-mile stretch of K-16 from the Jackson/Pottawatomie County line to the junction with U.S. 75 in the amount of $2.5 million.

In addition, KDOT also approved a bid from Dustrol Inc, of Towanda, for the recycle and seal of 16 miles of K-16 highway in Jefferson County in the amount of nearly $2.4 million.

The bid letting took place July 20 in Topeka.

A start date hasn't been announced yet for the projects.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council has tabled consideration of the adoption of an ordinance that would ban commercial/utility grade wind energy systems within the zoning jurisdiction of the city of Seneca.

The Council voted at their August 3 meeting to table consideration of the ordinance until their August 17 meeting to allow City Attorney Martin Mishler to review information presented by rural Seneca resident Laurie Schmelzle.

The city Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommended that the ordinance by adopted following a public hearing on July 21.

Schmelze told the Council she believes the ordinance would limit property rights and could have a substantial economic impact on those living within the city's zoning jurisdiction, which extends three miles outside the city limits.

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

The proposed change is based on input from a FlashVote survey the city conducted earlier this year that saw over 75 percent of some 60 anonymous respondents indicate they oppose wind farm development.

(KAIR)--The July theft of a skid-steer loader from a Holton business leads to an arrest.

According to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, 50-year-old Topeka resident Brian Ray Stephenson was arrested Thursday on a Jackson County District Court warrant for felony theft and possession of methamphetamine.

Morse explains that his office was notified around 5:45 on the morning of July 21 that the Volvo skid-steer loader had been stolen from Holton, leading deputies and detectives to begin their investigation into the theft. By that evening, it was recovered in Jefferson County, near the community of Rock Creek, off of Butler Road. The skid-steer was found hidden in a wooded remote part of the property. Also recovered at that time, according to Morse, was a Doolittle trailer that had been used in the skid-steer loader’s theft. That trailer had earlier been reported stolen in Holt County, Missouri.

The release from Morse notes that the investigation remains open “and further arrests are anticipated.”

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Topeka Police Department all assisted the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office with the case.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha woman was arrested on drug charges following the search of a home late Thursday night.

According to a release from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, his department's drug task force, with assistance from the Hiawatha Police Department, executed a search warrant at 414 Pawnee Street around 11:30.

Merchant said 41-year-old Dante Royal was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and no drug tax stamp.

She was booked into the Brown County Jail.

(KLZA)-- U.S. District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced 38-year-old Tia Hall of Falls City to three years of probation following her conviction for possession of an unregistered silencer.

Hall advertised the silencer for sale on Facebook. In the post, she said the item was a “Napa 4003 fuel filter.” The post noted that the item fitted s 5/8 threaded barrel, and the ad listed several common rifle calibers with which the silencer would be compatible.

An undercover officer responded to the Facebook ad and arranged to purchase the silence from Hall in July, 2020.

In a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, it says through meeting with Hall, it was apparent that Hall was not the person who had acquired the silencer to sell, but that she was selling the silencer on behalf of another person who was not familiar with using Facebook.

Judge Gerrard stated during sentencing that this type of offense typically would result in a prison sentence, but that he was departing from his usual practice due to the fact that Hall was not the primary culprit in obtaining and distributing the illegal silencer, and that Hall had made significant progress in bettering her situation while on pretrial release.

The case was investigated by the Richardson County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives and was part of Project Safe Neighborhood.

(KAIR)--The costly theft of items from an Atchison address have police seeking details about the crime.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, in a release, says the theft was reported Tuesday, after having occurred in the 800 block of N Street.

The owner reported stolen a riding lawn mower, a gas generator, two ladders, and a table router.
The cost of the missing items is estimated at $1,600.

Anyone with information related to the theft are asked to call Atchison Police at 913-367-4323.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County  Commissioners met with Dave Bramow of Prochaska & Associates when they met Tuesday to review plans for replacing the roof of the  Richardson  County Courthouse.

The architectural firm is putting together a bid package for the Board to review and approve with plans to advertise for sealed bids later this year with the project expected to take place in 2023.

Commissioners also reviewed a number of budgets for the next fiscal year with Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr.,  Sheriff Rick Hardesty and Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Kirkendall.

Sheriff Hardesty reported on a number of maintenance issues at the Law Enforcement Center.   He also reported there were 20 inmates at the County Jail on  Tuesday with another 19 inmates from Richardson County being housed at the Washington County Jail in Blair.   

(KLZA)-- As students across Nebraska prepare for a return to school, the Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division encourages families to make time for conversations about the dangers of drug use and consequences of experimentation. Methamphetamine and fake pill seizures remain high in Nebraska and the DEA wants to raise awareness to the drug marketing being used to target youth.

Methamphetamine pressed into pills shaped like marshmallows from cereal and fake pills laced with fentanyl made to look like Xanax, Adderall, Oxy and other legitimate pharmaceuticals, are all things the DEA Omaha Division has seen happen in the state.

DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Justin C. King said. “In addition, drug cartels are trying to entice a younger audience through the use of social media and the dark web. Make no mistake, these organizations know exactly what they’re doing as they try to recruit their next life-long customer.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 108,000 overdose deaths in a 12 month span ending February 2022. Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, are the primary driver behind the increase in drug overdose deaths. Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin with a potentially lethal dose, two milligrams, small enough to fit on the tip of a freshly sharpened pencil. 

DEA lab testing reveals that four out of every 10 pills with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose.  In response to the growing threat, the DEA announced its One Pill Can Kill campaign in the fall of 2021, posting the website www.dea.gov/OnePill as a resource for those looking to learn more about fake pills.

“It can be a hard conversation to start, but talk with the children in your life and help them realize the dangers that can come from experimenting and misusing drugs,” King said. “Kids are constantly asked to try new things. Let’s educate these students so that when presented with the temptation to experiment they make the choice to walk away and save themselves, their families and their communities the heartbreak of addiction, overdose and death.”

For more information on the drugs students may be exposed to, or for tips on talking with your family members about drugs, visit www.dea.gov/OnePill, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.gov or www.JustThinkTwice.gov.

(KLZA)-- Tuesday was primary election day in Missouri.

In Holt County on the Republican ticket incumbent Presiding Commissioners Tom Bullock defeated challenger Karma Metzgar 715 – 402.

In the race for First District Commissioner Richard Meyer received 273 votes to out poll Richard Luzier with 159 votes and Gregory Book with 88.

Incumbent County Clerk Angie Gamache was defeated by challenger Alice Derr 681 – 421.

Brian Tubbs won the Republican nomination for Associate Circuit Judge over David Craig Blevins 829 – 256.

In Atchison County, Missouri, Republicans cast 807 votes for Brett Hurst for Associate Circuit Judge to 215 votes cast for Sharleen Pritt-Bothwell.

Thyra ( Davis) Beckman out polled Tierra Stoner for Circuit Court Clerk 728 – 381.

(KLZA)--  The state has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Iron Horse Trail Lake (Wildlife Management Area) in Pawnee County.

Maskenthine Reservoir in Stanton County and Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County are still on health alert.

Samples taken earlier this week at the lakes on alert measure above the threshold of 8 parts per billion (ppb) of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.

When a health alert is issued, signs are posted to advise the public to use caution, and designated swimming beaches are closed during the alert. Recreational boating and fishing are permitted, but the public is advised to use caution and 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. People can still use the public areas for camping, picnics and other outdoor activities.

(KAIR)--A rural Atchison County man is facing charges in connection to alleged child sex-related crimes that investigators say happened last month.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 37-year-old Bradley Dean Scholz, of rural Lancaster, was arrested Thursday. He was taken into custody for indecent solicitation of a child and indecent liberties with a child, specified as being over 14-years-of-age.

According to the release, the crimes allegedly occurred between July 8 and July 9. They were reported to the Sheriff’s Office July 15.

The release specifies that the victim was 15-years-old at the time the alleged crimes occurred. Laurie says the child was acquainted with Scholz at the time of the crimes. 

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

(KNZA)--Joseph Rupnick was sworn-in Tuesday as Chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Tribal Council after being re-elected to a second four-year term.

According to a release from the tribe, Rupnick garnered 71 percent of the vote during the recent tribal election over two other candidates.

Also sworn-in Tuesday were the other newly elected tribal officials.

William “ Bill” Evans was re-elected to the Tribal Council member #1 position for a second consecutive term.

Rey Kitchkumme, who ran unopposed, was re-elected to the Gaming Commissioner #3 position.

Incumbents Shawna Wabaunsee and Allison Pahmahmie, who both ran unopposed,  were re-elected to the Ethics Commission.

Lianna Onnen was elected to fill the remaining term of the vacant Ethics Commission Chairperson position.

A run-off election will be held for the tribal council secretary position on August 20 between Lorrie Melchior and Charissa Wahwasuck-Jessepe since no candidate received a majority vote.  Melchior received about 35 percent of the ballots cast for the position, while Wahwasuck-Jessepe received 28 percent.  Other candidates receiving votes were Coleen Thomas and Paul Vega. 

(KLZA)-- The Auburn Board of Public Works is offering an opportunity for agricultural producers operating within the Auburn Wellhead Protection Area to receive financial incentives to establish cover crops, buffer strips and no-till practices.

In a news release Auburn BPW General Manager Dave Hunter said the goal is to help slow soil erosion,, improve soil health, and reduce infiltration or runoff of nutrients to groundwater systems and help reduce the threat of nitrate contamination to Auburn's drinking water.

The Auburn BPW received funding from the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy that can be applied above and beyond what the Natural Resources Conservation Service is currently offering through its Environmental Quality Incentive Program.

To find out more about the program, producers are encouraged to contact the NRCS Auburn Field Office or by calling Stephen Kennedy at 402-274-4987.

The EQIP cutoff is in November.

In addition, the program offers a no-cost decommissioning of abandoned wells and up to $4,000 in assistance per system to homeowners wanting to upgrade malfunctioning, failing, or non-compliant wastewater system. The Auburn BPW will also provide a no-cost inspection along with septic tank pumping and disposal to participating property owners.

You may contact the auburn BPW office at 402-274-4981 to sign-up.

(KLZA) -- An armor coat project is scheduled to begin Tuesday, August 9 on US-75, from just north of Dawson at reference post 11, north to reference post 27 according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

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

State maintenance forces will be performing an armor coat with the work anticipated to take five days to complete.

Traffic will be maintained with a pilot car and flaggers.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners tabled a tort claim filed against Richardson County and Community Medical Center, Incorporated of Falls City when they met Tuesday.

The tort claim was filed by the Atwood, Holsten, Brown, Deave, Spier and Israel Law Firm on behalf of Robert Howard of Falls City. The claim states that Howard has a tort claim against one or both entities in regard to acts and omission of their officials, employees, contractors and agents in failing to properly assess, examine and care for Howard from November 2017 to January 19, 2022.

The claim says a failed diagnosis of the signs and symptoms of Mr. Howard's medical issues will lead to his life being cut short and that Howard would accept $1 million for the conscious pain and suffering and medical negligence.

Richardson County received the tort claim in June, but Richardson County has no ownership of Community Medical Center which is a non-profit corporation.

(KNZA)--Representatives of the Horton Industrial Development Corporation met with the Brown County Commission Monday to appeal for continued funding the county.

Tim Lentz, who serves as economic development director for the organization, told commissioners they would not have been able to accomplish what they have to date without funding from the county and don't want to see it go away.  

A motion by Commissioner Bill Pollock last month to not include funding in the county budget for the Horton economic development group and Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development died due to the lack of a second.  The county has been providing $25,000 annually to each organization.  

Lentz said he feels economic development is important to small communities like Horton and the organization has been a driving force for the city.

He said one of their main accomplishments was helping to start the Horton Community Foundation, which has expanded to become the South Brown Community Foundation, raising funds for non-profits and special projects that benefit the communities of south Brown County.  

Lentz said  they also helped raise funds for the new Horton baseball complex currently under construction.  In addition, he said they've helped several businesses with new paint and facade.  

Lentz said the group is currently working on options to bring affordable housing to Horton.

(KAIR)--A Wednesday morning Atchison accident left a major city travel route damaged and closed.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, Atchison’s 6th Street viaduct incurred the damage after an excavator on a trailer, being pulled by a Kenworth truck passed beneath it, eastbound on Main Street, around 7:45 Wednesday morning. As it passed, it struck the underside of the viaduct, causing the damage that left the viaduct closed Wednesday.

The truck is owned by L&L Construction and was driven by Atchison resident Kim Rader at the time of the accident.

Wilson told MSC News the viaduct will remain closed until it undergoes a review by a bridge inspector. That timeline is not immediately known.

(KLZA)-- A Maitland, Missouri man suffered what were described as minor injuries in single vehicle wreck on Missouri Route 113 four miles south of Maitland Tuesday afternoon around 2:30.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 54-year-old Dean Hawn was westbound on MO-113 when the Mack Truck he was driving went off the north side of the road, returned to the road, then slid across the eastbound land and off the south side of the road, came back onto the road again and then overturned onto the drivers side and skidded off the south side of the road.

Hawn was transported to a St. Joseph medical facility by private vehicle. The truck was totaled.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved a resolution Monday night, authorizing the City to abate a nuisance house at 820 McLean Street, described as a menace to the public health or safety of the people of Falls City which may prove detrimental to children.

Letters have been sent to the property owner, End of the Road LLC in care of Jared Hollinger of Omaha to bring the property into compliance with city code but there has been no action to bring the property into compliance.

In other business the Council approved a request from Ryan Schutte to block off two parking spaces at 1715 Stone Street on the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of each month for the rest of the summer to allow him to set up tables and chairs in front of his new business venture at that site.

Following a public hearing drawing no comment, the Council approved a re-plat of Lot A in the West Plaza Addition. This will allow a transfer of just over a third of an acre owned by Community Medical Center to the Falls City Rural Fire Department.

(KAIR)--A Jefferson County water rescue ends successfully, with the four affected boaters escaping with only minor scrapes and cuts.

That’s according to a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks social media post explaining that Saturday afternoon, Kansas Game Wardens were contacted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. That agency was requesting response to a report of four overturned canoes in the Kansas River, with the boaters in need of assistance.

The release, identifying the responding Wardens as Entwistle, Arnold, Porterfield, and Cook, says the Wardens went to the scene, equipped with a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Rescue Airboat.

It was learned the four stranded boaters had gone over a low water dam and overturned their canoes, but were able to make it to the bank as all four were wearing life jackets.

The Wardens were able to locate the boaters and transported them, and their canoes, back to safety.

For the tabulation of KS races, go here. 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas voters have protected abortion rights by rejecting a measure that would have allowed the Republican-controlled Legislature to tighten abortion restrictions or ban it outright. The vote Tuesday was the first test of voters’ feelings about abortion since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in late June. Voters rejected a change in the Kansas Constitution to ensure that it does not grant a right to an abortion so that legislators could regulate it as they see fit. The measure was a response to a 2019 state Supreme Court decision protecting abortion rights. Supporters of the change would not say whether they would pursue a ban, while opponents predicted one would be coming if the measure had passed.

Former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach on Tuesday won the Republican nomination for state attorney general, promising to weaponize the office against the Biden administration. The Kansas City Star reports Kobach’s primary victory marks the 56-year-old’s first political win since he lost the Republican U.S. Senate race two years ago and re-establishes him as a force within the Kansas Republican Party. But the hard-right candidate now faces Democrat Chris Mann, a former police officer and Wyandotte County prosecutor. Mann ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

The Kansas Gubernatorial race is now set, with the incumbent Democrat to face-off against the current Republican Attorney General in November. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly Tuesday was declared the winner of the Democratic Primary, after she defeated challenger Richard Karnowski 209,207 to 12,017. Kelly, in November's General Election, will be challenged by Republican Derek Schmidt. The current attorney general defeated challenger Arlyn Briggs with 241,810 to Briggs' 60,971. Both Kelly and Schmidt were declared winners by the Associated Press just one hour after the polls closed Tuesday. Following his win, Schmidt issued the following statement: 

(KNZA)--Hiawatha voters on Tuesday narrowed the field of candidates vying for the position of mayor.

Advancing to the November general election ballot were current city commissioners Becky Shamburg and Brian Shefferd. Shamburg received 605 votes and Shefferd received 271.

Eliminated from the race were Ronnie Calhoon, who received 46 votes, and Randy Thaxton, with 35 votes.

Incumbent Richard Lehmkuhl won the Republican primary race for 1st District Brown County Commissioner by defeating challenger Kenneth A. Pyle. Lehmkuhl received 596 votes to Pyle's, 283.

Lehmkuhl will face Democrat Bill Collins, who currently serves as Hiawatha Mayor, in the November general election.

The Brown County Clerk's Office reported a 45 percent voter turnout.

In Doniphan County, voters on Tuesday gave overwhelming approval to the imposition of a countywide one percent retailers sales tax to fund operations of countywide emergency medical services. 1,787 votes were cast in favor of the sales tax to 458 against.

In the race for 1st District Doniphan County Commissioner, incumbent Timothy Collins won the Republican primary race by defeating challenger Brian Ptomey. Collins received 421 votes and Ptomey received 214. Collins will face no Democratic opposition in November.

The Doniphan County Clerk's Office reported a 48 percent voter turnout.

In Jefferson County, Doug Walbridge won the Republican primary race for 1st District County Commissioner over Ken Newell. Walbridge received about 59 percent of the vote.  He will face no Democratic opposition in November.

In Marshall County, Jon Ungerer defeated incumbent Barb Kickhaefer by a vote of 448 to 302 to win the Republican primary race for 1st District Marshall County Commissioner. He will face no Democratic opposition in November. 

The results are unofficial until they are canvassed by the county commission's in each county on Monday. 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is the first state to test voters’ feelings since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade.

Its voters are deciding Tuesday whether to allow state lawmakers to further restrict or ban abortion. The measure is a proposed anti-abortion amendment to the Kansas Constitution and voting on it coincided with the state’s primary, when the electorate typically skews conservative and Republican.

But Kansas saw a surge in early voting, and that electorate was more Democratic than usual. Supporters of the measure haven’t said whether they will pursue a ban if voters approve the measure, but opponents expect that they would.

For the results of KS races, go here. 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is the first state to test voters’ feelings since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade.

Its voters are deciding Tuesday whether to allow state lawmakers to further restrict or ban abortion. The measure is a proposed anti-abortion amendment to the Kansas Constitution and voting on it coincided with the state’s primary, when the electorate typically skews conservative and Republican.

But Kansas saw a surge in early voting, and that electorate was more Democratic than usual. Supporters of the measure haven’t said whether they will pursue a ban if voters approve the measure, but opponents expect that they would.

For the results of KS races, go here. 

(KAIR)--$55,000 is made available for the Atchison Police Department’s body camera program, with Senator Jerry Moran securing the funds in the Federal Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Bill.

According to City of Atchison correspondence, Police Chief Mike Wilson calls his department “very fortunate” to have been selected for the funding, with only 13 law enforcement agencies in Kansas included in the allocation.

Wilson, prior to the City of Atchison approving the purchase of body worn cameras last year, worked unsuccessfully to secure federal funding for the cameras.

Then, on September 7, 2021, the City Commission approved the $47,000 purchase after, as Wilson says, the City’s “Finance Department continued to review funds available in [the City’s] Equipment Replacement Program and determined that because this was a high priority project it was possible that sufficient funds could be made available,” leading to the Commission’s approval. According to Wilson, “the purchasing and implementation process followed and the program was fully operational in late January” of this year.

On March 28, Wilson was contacted by Moran’s office informing him of the secured funding, which will be used for additional cameras, replacement cameras, server issues, batteries, vehicle replacement bundles, transfer station replacement, and future licensing fees.

According to Wilson, the “funding is secure to maintain [the Police Department’s bodycam] program for a number of years.”

(MSC News)--Food insecure Kansans are set to benefit from a new program “that will purchase and distribute locally grown, produced, and processed food” to feed residents in need.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly Monday was joined by U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Jenny Moffitt and Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam at Just Food food bank in Lawrence to announce the program.

According to a release from Kelly’s office, the Kansas Department of Agriculture has been awarded a $2.5 million cooperative agreement from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service as part of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program. The funds will be used to purchase and distribute Kansas-grown and-processed foods to underserved communities and families across Kansas through the state's existing distribution network of food banks. 

The local food purchased through the agreement will be distributed through the state’s existing distribution network of Feeding America food banks, including those that serve counties in the local area, such as Second Harvest Community Food Bank and Harvesters.
 

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Examiner reports that a judge has ruled former Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster from Falls City will be allowed to add more examples to his defamation lawsuit against State Sen. Julie Slama.

As a result, Slama’s attorneys must wait until after Herbster updates his lawsuit before deposing him for Slama’s counter-lawsuit.

Johnson County District Judge Rick Schreiner resolved those issues and more from a June hearing in a two-page ruling last week, involving dueling lawsuits between Herbster and Slama. Herbster sued Slama after she and seven other women alleged that he groped them. Slama counter sued, alleging that he had sexually battered and defamed her.

Schreiner also ruled that Herbster cannot muzzle Slama’s attorney from defending her publicly. 

One issue not resolved in the ruling is whether Herbster could be sanctioned for missing his first deposition date in May.

The judge did not grant a protection order that Herbster’s attorneys had sought to silence one of Slama’s lawyers, Dave Lopez, who spoke on her behalf before the Herbster lawsuit or counter-lawsuit were filed.

Schreiner said he would use an August 15 hearing in Tecumseh to hear arguments involving the Slama legal team’s effort to force Herbster’s political team to turn over records sought in her lawsuit.

Herbster’s legal team has filed motions seeking to limit the scope of Slama’s subpoenas. Both sides have been negotiating, at the judge’s urging, to narrow the range of documents.

Herbster has denied wrongdoing. He argues that the allegations against him were political. Slama alleged that Herbster touched her inappropriately after reaching up her skirt during a 2019 fundraising dinner in Omaha. The Nebraska Examiner reported the allegation in an April 14 article.

(KLZA) -- Falls City Volunteer Fire Fighters responded to a home at 1501 McLean Street Sunday afternoon about 5 where a porch had caught on fire on the back side of the home owned by Brad Unruh.

A fire extinguisher was used along with a booster tank to extinguish the fire.

Fire Department personnel remained on the scene for approximately 30 minutes.

There was minor damage to the steps going up to the wood porch.

(KLZA)-- A traffic stop by Richardson County Deputies shortly before midnight, Friday night led to the arrest of two people.

During a search of the vehicle Deputies located alleged cocaine, open containers and drug paraphernalia.

Arrested were 27-year-old David Winters and 20-year-old Haley Loyd, both of Falls City.

Winters was jailed on charges of possession of cocaine, DUI 2nd offense, procuring alcohol for a minor, obstructing a peace officers, possession of drug paraphernalia and three other misdemeanor charges.

Haley Loyd was charge with possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, minor in possession of alcohol and possession of an open container.

(KNZA)--Kansas State Senator Dennis Pyle Monday submitted a petition to run for Governor, with the Kansas Republican Party, shortly following Pyle’s filing, issuing a statement saying Pyle is “playing games” with the future of Kansans.

Pyle, a longtime Republican Senator from rural Hiawatha, switched his affiliation from Republican to Unaffiliated and followed the switch by announcing, in June, his intentions to file for Governor.

According to a release from his office, a win for Pyle means he would join the Republican and Democrat winners of the August 2 primaries.

"It is very likely historical to have three state senators on the ballot together for governor in the general election. Having served six consecutive sessions with both former Senator Schmidt and former Senator Kelly, my fiscal and social conservative record stands in stark contrast to their liberal voting records, they are two peas in a pod." 

The presumptive Republican winner of that primary is Kansas Attorney General Schmidt, with the Kansas GOP Monday issuing a statement saying Pyle is playing games “by knowingly providing [Governor] Laura Kelly the only path to a second term,” with KS GOP Executive Director Shannon Pahls adding that “Pyle only cares about Dennis Pyle,” and a vote for him is for four more years of Laura Kelly and liberal Democrat control.”

Pyle, in his release, doesn’t touch on the criticism, but does imply that he is the only conservative in the Kansas Gubernatorial race, saying there is no difference in the R and the D. "Currently, there is no choice for voters. Liberal vs. liberal. When our petition is confirmed, voters will have real choice and definitive contrast," Pyle said. "When comparing votes on the issues, I am the conservative choice, without me voters only have liberal choice." 

Pyle, in the release, notes that he filed 8,894 signatures from qualified electors while the requirement is 5,000. Pyle’s running mate is Kathleen Garrison, a business owner for over 25 years who currently serves on the Clearwater USD 264 Board of Education.

(KAIR)--July’s total tax receipts exceed estimates by $127.6 million.

That’s according to a release from the office of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, which says the state collected $586.2 million in July.

Kelly, in the release, notes that “July marks the 24th month in a row that Kansas tax receipts have surpassed expectations,” saying that “represents more money [that Kansas] can use to continue fully funding” schools, improving roads, investing in law enforcement, and expanding healthcare.

Individual income tax receipts were $300.5 million, or 15.6%, over the $260.0 million estimate. Corporate income tax collections were $36.6 million, or 66.4%, over the estimate. Higher-than-expected corporate tax receipts reflect continued optimism that corporate profits will remain stable in the new fiscal year.

A comparison of July’s receipts to those of July of 2021 is not meaningful because a statutory change during the 2022 Legislative Session had the effect of deferring the collection of certain sales and use tax receipts from July to August beginning this fiscal year.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle, Monday afternoon crash near Hoyt sent three to the hospital.

According to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, emergency responders were called to the crash scene, located at 110th Road, on U.S. Highway 75, around 2:00 following a report of the crash.

When they arrived, they found that a northbound Buick Enclave collided with a westbound Subaru Outback.

The two occupants of the Buick and the driver of the Subaru were all transported by Jackson County EMS to area hospitals for treatment.
Morse says it appeared all of those transported had non-life-threatening injuries.

Along with the Sheriff’s Office and EMS, others responding to the scene were the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Hoyt, Mayetta, and Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation fire departments.

(KNZA)--On Tuesday evening, Aug. 7, neighborhoods throughout Hiawatha are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the “39th Annual National Night Out” crime and drug prevention event.

For the 27th year, the Hiawatha Police Department will sponsor the event. Agencies will set up displays in the Schuneman Addition at the Fisher Center on East Iowa Street from 6–8 p.m. Those include the Brown County Sheriff’s Department, Squad 48, Town and Country EMS and Hiawatha Fire Department.

The police department will be serving free corn dogs, chips, soda pop and bottled water.

Residents can swim free at the Hiawatha Aquatic Park from 6 to 8 that evening.

The National Night Out program helps build neighborhood unity and strengthen police-community partnerships.

(KNZA)--Kansas Governor Laura Kelly was in Holton Friday, continuing her “Prosperity on the Plains” economic development tour.

According to a release from Kelly’s office, she joined leaders of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce for a tour of a local family, and veteran owned, small business, More Than Lemons Hot Glass.

Kelly, in the release, said the tour allows her to visit with entrepreneurs across Kansas “because small businesses power [the state’s] economy and have helped drive” what she calls “record-breaking economic success.”

During her Friday visit to Holton, Kelly also visited an under-construction mural project located in the Holton Downtown Square. Holton is one of 14 rural communities awarded grants early this month through the Rural Mural and Public Art Program.

The release notes that Kelly has supported small businesses throughout her time in office, signing in June a bill providing $50 million of financial relief to Kansas small businesses. Kelly also reinstated the Kansas Main Street Program in 2019, with 25 communities, including Holton, grandfathered” back into the program to receive resources and tools supporting the revitalization of downtown districts.

(KNZA)--Kansas Governor Laura Kelly was in Holton Friday, continuing her “Prosperity on the Plains” economic development tour.

According to a release from Kelly’s office, she joined leaders of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce for a tour of a local family, and veteran owned, small business, More Than Lemons Hot Glass.

Kelly, in the release, said the tour allows her to visit with entrepreneurs across Kansas “because small businesses power [the state’s] economy and have helped drive” what she calls “record-breaking economic success.”

During her Friday visit to Holton, Kelly also visited an under-construction mural project located in the Holton Downtown Square. Holton is one of 14 rural communities awarded grants early this month through the Rural Mural and Public Art Program.

The release notes that Kelly has supported small businesses throughout her time in office, signing in June a bill providing $50 million of financial relief to Kansas small businesses. Kelly also reinstated the Kansas Main Street Program in 2019, with 25 communities, including Holton, grandfathered” back into the program to receive resources and tools supporting the revitalization of downtown districts.

(KLZA)-- Falls City, Beatrice, Fremont, Grand Island, and Wayne have all been designated as an Accredited Main Street America™ programs for 2022.

Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of Accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.

In all there were 863 nationally Accredited Main Street America programs this year.

Performance is annually evaluated by the Nebraska Main Street Network in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet the national performance standards. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building meaningful and sustainable revitalization programs and include standards such as, fostering strong public-private partnerships, supporting small and locally owned businesses, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.

(KLZA)-- The Missouri Highway Patrol has reported two injury accidents over the weekend involving area drivers.

About 12:20 Friday afternoon 28-year-old Brooke Anderson of Oregon, Missouri was southbound on Interstate 29 approximately five miles south of Mound City when the Chevy Avalanche she was driving began to skid, went across the passing lane, off the east side of the road and overturned in the median and then skidded back into the southbound lane of I-29 coming to rest on its top.

The report indicates Anderson was transported to the Fairfax Hospital by the Atchison Holt Ambulance with what were described as minor injuries. The vehicle was totaled.

The Holt County Sheriff's Office also assisted at the scene of the wreck.

At approximately 1:30 Sunday morning a pickup operated by 21-year-old Gavin Abbott of Rock Port was westbound on Burke Road, just south of U-S 136 approximately a half-mile east of Rock Port when he came to a sharp curve to the north, crossed the center line, traveled off the west side of the road and struck a guardrail. The pickup continued westbound, crossed a field and collided with an embankment before coming to rest.

Abbott was transported tot he Fairfax Community Hospital by a private vehicle with what were described as minor injuries. The pickup was totaled.

The Atchison County Sheriff's Department at the Rock Port Fire Department also responded to the scene.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports indicate that the drivers involved in the wrecks were not wearing safety devices when the wrecks occurred.

(KLZA)-- Tuesday is Primary Election Day in Missouri.

Locally, Holt County voters in the Republican Party will be voting for either Brian A. Tubbs or David Craig Blevins for Associate Circuit Judge.

Incumbent Tom Bullock or Karma Metzgar for Presiding Commissioner.

Richard Luzier, Gregory Book or Richard E. Meyer for First District Commissioner.

Incumbent Angie Gamache or Alice Derr for County Clerk.

There are no contested local races on the Democratic ballot in Holt County.

In Atchison County, voters on the Republican ticket will cast ballots for Circuity Court for either Thyra ( Davis) Beckman or Tierra Stoner.

Two Republican candidates are seeking the position of Associate Circuit Judge. Brett Hurst and Sharleen Pritt-Bothwell are running.

Holt and Atchison County voters will both cast ballots on a number of races on the Republican ticket.

For U.S. Representative District 6: Incumbent Sam Graves, Brandon Kleinmeyer; Dakota Shultz; John Dady and Christopher Ryan.

For State Senator in District 12: Delus Johnson; J. Eggleston; Rusty Black.

For State Representative in District 1: Jasper Logan; Alan Bennett; Holly Kay Cronk; Michelle Horner; Jeff Farnan.

On the Democratic ballot, Henry Martin, Charles West and Michael Howard are seeking the nomination for U.S. Representative in District 6.

Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday for the Primary Election.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Volunteer Department responded to a report of a building on fire in Falls City Thursday afternoon at approximately 2:30.

Department Public Information Officer Jon McQueen reported the call was to 420, East 14th Street, a building owned by Eickhoff Storage & Properties.

Upon arrival, fire fighters found a furniture moving blanket outside the east side of the building that had been completely burned. The blanket did scorch the metal building and due to radiant heat, the inside insulation which was blackened was pulled away from the wall and removed.

A booster tank was used to douse any remains.

Fire fighters remained on the scene for about 30 minutes.

(KAIR)--The investigation continues into a dual law enforcement agency pursuit that was abandoned due to dangerous conditions.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, his agency’s Deputies assisted the Atchison Police Department in the vehicle pursuit shortly after 8:30 Saturday night.

Laurie, in the release, says Deputies discontinued the pursuit north of Atchison, on River Road, due in part to many pedestrians being in the area and low visibility due to dust produced by the suspect vehicle during the pursuit.

According to Laurie, the suspect driver was also positively identified during the pursuit prior to the discontinuation, but the name is not made public.

The investigation is ongoing.

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

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 will include 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. Soldiers from the 250th Forward Support Company, based in Clay Center and Iola, will be deploying with the 2-130th.

(KNZA)--Tuesday is primary election day in Kansas.  

Statewide, voters will decide whether to amend the Kansas Constitution to allow the Legislature to further restrict or ban abortion.

 Doniphan County voters will decide whether a one percent retailers sales tax should be imposed to fund a countywide ambulance service.  

Hiawatha voters will narrow the field of candidates vying for the position of mayor from four to two.  Seeking the position are two current city commissioners, Becky Shamburg and Brian Shefferd, along with Ronnie Calhoon and Randy Thaxton. The top two vote getters will advance to the November general election ballot.  

Current Mayor Bill Collins is running for 1st District Brown County Commissioner on the Democratic ticket. Collins will face the winner of the Republican primary race between incumbent Richard Lehmkuhl and Kenneth A. Pyle in the general election.  

There are also contested Republican primary races for 1st district county commissioner  in Doniphan, Jefferson, and Marshall Counties.  

In Doniphan County, incumbent Timothy Collins is being challenged by Bryan Ptomey.  

In Jefferson County, Ken Newell and Doug Walbridge are vying for the Republican nomination to replace current 1st District County Commissioner Lynn Luck, who didn't seek re-election.  

In Marshall County, incumbent Barbara Kickhaefer is being challenged by Jon Ungerer.  

There are also be primary races for statewide offices and the U.S. Senate seat held by Jerry Moran.  

The polls will be open Tuesday from 7 am to 7 pm.