(KLZA)-- The Tecumseh State Correctional Institution has taken a step toward resuming a normal operational schedule by increasing inmate movement on weekends.

The change occurred this past Saturday.

The facility has been operating under a staffing emergency since December 2019, when 12-hour shifts for employees were implemented.

Since October, 2021, the facility was cut back to a four-day operational schedules that has since increased to five days. The prison now has the ability to increase basic activities over the weekend.

Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) returned to normal operations in June.

The Tecumseh facility is now back to having three, eight-hour shifts per day, seven days a week. The necessity of brining additional staff to the facility by van from Omaha has also ceased.

Since the start of the year, NDCS has hired in excess of 700 new staff members. The majority, more than 600, have filled custody-related positions - those who work most closely with the inmate population.

As the end of the year nears, NDCS is on track to have historic low team member turnover and low vacancies.

(KAIR)--Lock the doors of your vehicles and leave no valuables inside.

That advice comes as another vehicle burglary is reported in Atchison.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a wallet and gym bag were are the latest items reported stolen.

The crime occurred sometime Sunday night while the vehicle was parked in the 1100 block of Unity Street.

The reported theft comes as similar crimes remain under investigation, including two that occurred over the past week.

That includes one in the 1200 block of Kearney Street, overnight Saturday, with a backpack, containing tools, a PlayStation, cologne, and change, taken from the parked vehicle.

Another theft occurred sometime Thursday night, with a vehicle parked in the 700 block of North 11th targeted. Taken in that crime was a ring and cash.

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

(KAIR)--The mysterious circumstances surrounding the theft, then recovery, of an Atchison County-based company- truck remains under investigation.

That- according to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, who explains that his office was called to Smokers Haven, a business located just east of Atchison, in Buchanan County, Missouri, after a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck drew suspicion on November 20, when discovered in the business parking lot.

The truck belonged to Rubble Reprocessing, located at 10433 Sedgwick Road, in Atchison County.
The investigation revealed that the truck had been stolen from that location on November 19, around 11:30 that morning.

It- believed it was then left in the Missouri parking lot the next morning sometime before 6:00.

The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with related information should contact the Atchison County Sheriff- Office at 913-367-4323.

(KAIR)--The Humane Society of Atchison is seeking public support, following a theft at the facility, located at 125 North 21st Street, in Atchison.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the theft of cash and blank business checks is believed to have occurred sometime between November 23 and November 28.

According to a social media release from the Humane Society, the theft occurred after someone broke into the facility.

No suspects are immediately identified.

The organization, in the release, addresses whoever is responsible, saying the theft doesn’t just impact the building, but deprives the animals housed there of the care they need.

Adding that the organization is “very low on funding as it is,” the post concludes by saying the theft means the shelter will “struggle even more than it already is.”

The Humane Society has established an online fundraiser seeking assistance for their losses during the theft, with monetary donations being accepted through Facebook.

Additionally, the organization has posted a wish list of items needed to care for the animals, ranging from cat litter and pet food to trash bags and cleaning supplies. The list can be viewed at the fundraiser link.

A spot of good news for the organization, despite the theft, as an Atchison school makes a donation to the group.

According to a release, the Servant Leaders of Saint Benedict Catholic School chose to donate the funds from the school- monthly non-uniform Fun Food Thursday to the Humane Society of Atchison.

Timed with November 29th- “Giving Tuesday,” a check for $175 was presented to the organization, by the students, with the money earmarked to buy supplies for the animals.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The top transportation official in Kansas is stepping down just before Christmas in the first major change at a state agency since Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly narrowly won reelection earlier this month.

Kelly's office announced Tuesday that Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz plans to return to private business. Lorenz's last day leading the state Department of Transportation is Dec. 23.

Lorenz spearheaded Kelly's successful legislative push in 2020 for a new, 10-year program of highway and bridge projects. Worth about $1 billion a year, it also includes money to improve infrastructure for high-speed internet service and allows the state to build new toll roads or add toll lanes on existing highways.

Before Lorenz became the state's transportation chief in 2019, she was an executive at Burns & McDonnell, a Kansas City engineering and architectural firm.

Kelly appointed Calvin Reed, director of the department's design and engineering division, as interim transportation secretary until the governor nominates a more permanent replacement for Lorenz. The appointment must be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Kansas Senate.

(KNZA)--State Representative Dr. John Eplee is running for the Kansas Senate seat currently held by Dennis Pyle, which is up for election in 2024.

Eplee, an Atchison physician, has filed for the Republican nomination in Senate District 1.

Pyle changed his party affiliation in June to run for Kansas governor as an independent. He finished well behind Democrat Laura Kelly and Republican Derek Schmidt. Pyle has faced criticism from many Republicans for siphoning votes away from Schmidt, opening the door for Kelly to be re-elected.

Eplee was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2016 and just won his fourth term in the House representing the 63rd District, which includes Doniphan County and a portion of Atchison County.

Pyle was elected to the Senate in 2004. Previously, he served one term in the Kansas House of Representatives.

So far, Eplee is the only candidate who has filed for Pyle's 1st District Senate seat, which is up for election in November 2024.

The First District includes Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson and Nemaha Counties, along with parts of Marshall and Pottawatomie Counties.

Editor's note: the following was submitted by the Nemaha County Recyling Committee

(KMZA)--National Recycling Day is November 15 each year and it became a special day in the life of the Nemaha County Recycling Center located on Highway 36 east of Seneca. On that day the Center received a much needed piece of new equipment, a new forklift.

To understand the need for a new forklift, a brief history of the Nemaha County Recycling program is needed. The Nemaha County Recycling program began 30 years ago in May of 1992 with drop off days in both Sabetha and Seneca. Since that time two recycling buildings and a hazardous waste holding center have been built at the Nemaha County Landfill and trailers are now located in Baileyville, Bern, Centralia, Corning, Goff, Sabetha and Wetmore with an additional large drop off center at the fairgrounds in Seneca.

In the early days of operation equipment like the early glass breaker was “jury rigged” by the recycling director or often confiscated from other county departments who considered it worn out and past use. Since no paper trail can be found on the forklift currently being used at the recycling center, it is highly likely that it is one of those pieces of confiscated equipment. It is documented the forklift in use has over 8,000 operating hours on it and was rapidly reaching the point where it might require more time and money to repair (if parts can be obtained in the present short supply situation) than it will give hours of operation.

In April, 2022, Adam Kuckelman, Road and Bridge/Solid Waste Supervisor, approached the Nemaha County Commissioners with information about the Solid Waste Management Grant Program available through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Bureau of Waste Management, with an application deadline of May 15. The Commission made a motion to pursue submitting a grant application with the County providing the 25% required match.

A bid was secured for the forklift and the application was begun. The first bid submitted on April 18, was $ 37,572.00 with no price guarantee if the forklift was ordered that day. It wouldn’t be delivered until at least December with the good possibility that there could be a 10% price increase by the delivery date. An updated bid was submitted for $ 41,329.00. After consulting with KDHE staff, it was decided to request the updated bid amount with the County providing 25% ($ 10,332.25) and requesting $ 30,996.75 from KDHE due to the uncertainty of availability and price increases. It was understood that if the actual cost of the forklift is less than the bid, the lower figure will be used in determining the actual amount of the grant and the County- shares. At the present time no invoice has been submitted but it Is assumed the cost will be between the two original bids.

Through cooperation between Mr. Kuckelman and his Department and Nancy Gafford, Director of the Rural Development Association of Northeast Kansas, the application was prepared and submitted to KDHE on May 9 prior to the due date of May 15. The County was notified of the award of the granton July 25..

After this date the waiting began. The real wait was finally over on November 11 when the company notified the County the forklift had been received. Delivery day was November 15, National Recycling Day.

Nemaha County is fortunate to have one of the premiere recycling programs in small rural counties throughout the state. The Nemaha County Recycling Committee is very appreciative of past support from the Solid Waste Management Grant Program in helping provide facilities and equipment needed to make this valuable and useful program available to the citizens of the County.

(KMZA)- A Marysville man has been charged with first-degree murder in the Thanksgiving day shooting death of his wife.

Marshall County Attorney Brad Lippert filed a complaint Monday in Marshall County District Court formally charging 66-year-old Gerald Brown with the felony offense.

Brown made his first appearance in court on the charge. A preliminary hearing was set for December 12.

Authorities responded to a 911 call early November 24 at 1070 Granite Road, in Marysville, were they found 57-year-old Jennifer Brown dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Her husband was taken into custody at the scene.

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

(KMZA)- A Marysville man has been charged with first-degree murder in the Thanksgiving day shooting death of his wife.

Marshall County Attorney Brad Lippert filed a complaint Monday in Marshall County District Court formally charging 66-year-old Gerald Brown with the felony offense.

Brown made his first appearance in court on the charge. A preliminary hearing was set for December 12.

Authorities responded to a 911 call early November 24 at 1070 Granite Road, in Marysville, were they found 57-year-old Jennifer Brown dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Her husband was taken into custody at the scene.

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

(KAIR)--Have you made a gingerbread house for the holiday season? If not, now's the time, as the Atchison United Methodist Church holds a competition seeking the best builders.

According to a release from the church, the community wide contest is now underway, with completed gingerbread houses to be brought to the church, located at 501 Kansas Avenue, on Friday. Houses can be turned in Friday from 8 until noon and from 1 until 7:30.

The gingerbread houses will be judged in three categories: People's Choice, Individual 0-12, and Individual 13 and older.

All entries must be 100 percent edible except the base. There can be no moving parts.

Winners will be announced Saturday afternoon at 4:30, timed with the annual "Sights and Sounds of Christmas" celebration, planned for Saturday.

Announcement of the winners will come prior to the evening's Parade of Lights.

According to the release from the Atchison United Methodist Church, up to $200 in prizes will be awarded, through Visa gift cards, as part of the Gingerbread House Competition.

(KAIR)--A 15-year-old Jefferson County resident required hospital treatment following a weekend hunting accident.

WIBW-TV, citing Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig, reports that five juveniles were hunting birds, between Meriden and Valley Falls, when one of the juveniles was accidentally shot in the head, in what Herrig told the TV station was “a tragic hunting accident.”

Injured was 15-year-old Cash Stein, who was transported by helicopter to Children- Mercy, in Kansas City, Sunday morning.

The TV station, citing Stein- family, reports that he underwent surgery to remove pellet fragments.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to assist with expenses.

(KAIR)--A missing Atchison County man, who sparked a Silver Alert Tuesday morning, has been located.
According to a late Tuesday morning release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 80-year-old Lawrence “Larry” Eckert "has been located and is at home with family."

The Silver Alert was issued after Eckert left his home, located on Highway 116, Southeast of Effingham, around 3:00 Monday afternoon, stating that he was going to Nortonville, in Jefferson County.

It was confirmed Tuesday morning that Eckert was in Richmond, Missouri around 6 a.m., where he was given directions to Holton, in Jackson County, via I-70. At that time, Eckert was captured on surveillance footage.

It was only a short time after that information was released, that Eckert was located.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth man was able to escape unharmed from the vintage sports car he was driving that crashed into an Atchison County pond.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, it happened in the early evening of November 22, when 18-year-old Isaiah Gelman was operating a 1971 Fiat Spider, traveling northbound in the 9000 block of U.S. Highway 59.

The report explains that the car left the pavement, running onto the gravel shoulder, causing Gelman to overcorrect and lose control.

The car left the roadway and ran into a pond, located at 9027 U.S. Highway 59.

Gelman, Laurie says, “was able to escape without injury prior to the vehicle sinking to the bottom of the pond.”

The depth of the pond made the recovery of the car initially impossible, but assistance from the Franklin County Water Rescue & Dive Team, this past Saturday, led to the car being located, and retrieved, from the pond.

Editor's note: the following release was submitted by the Greater Sabetha Community Foundation

(KNZA)--The seventh Give to Grow was a weeklong challenge that resulted in 686 gifts totaling $340,565.48. On top of this total is $73,500 in matching funds that will be added to the nonprofits total in a prorated match. As a result, $414,065.48 was raised to uphold 58 local area charitable organizations.

The event was sponsored by the Greater Sabetha Community Foundation, which is a vehicle for people of all means to make a lasting difference in their local community. All donations are tax deductible and help fund local projects or existing nonprofits.

GSCF was established in 2015 and is operated by a 15-member board of directors. GSCF is an affiliate of Greater Manhattan Community Foundation. GSCF can assist other organizations or people with ideas for community projects as well as help individuals establish donor advised funds which allows a donor to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax benefit and make personal planned giving decisions over time.

The Greater Sabetha Community Foundation is celebrating its seventh anniversary this year. In those seven years, $1,531,036.48 has been donated. Each nonprofit receives 100% of the donations plus matching funds and grants can be distributed upon their request.

GSCF will hold a Community Celebration Gala on January 14 to honor the charitable organizations in the area, celebrate the community and give recognition to honorees who have “Served Sabetha Strong.”

The matching gifts were provided by Ray and Jeannie Bachelor, Kent and Donna Saylor, an anonymous donor, Paul and Betsy Tedman, Ag Partners Coop, United Bank and Trust, Wenger Manufacturing, Edelman- Home Center, agroup of GSCF board members and ambassadors, Morrill and Janes Bank and Rainbow Communications. The impact these donors have on the outcome of Give to Grow is tremendous.

The Top 20 Funds are as follows:

Friends of the Mary Cotton Public Library- $42,956.78
Apostolic Christian Home- $35,463.84
Sabetha Community Hospital Health Foundation- $27,709.89
Albany Historical Society- $25,059.23
Neighbor-2-Neighbor- $23,521.11
First Lutheran Church Preschool- $21,329.73
Sabetha Playground Partners Fund- $20,641.03
The Main Event- $10,655.91
Sabetha Food Pantry- $10,337.49
Kids Kloset -$9,345.23
NorthRidge Family Development Center- $9,252.54
Meals on Wheels Nemaha County- $9,233.50
My Sisters House- $7,346.59
SHS Booster Club- $5,585.28
Brown County Humane Society -$5,357.85
SHS Industrial Arts/FFA Support -$5,191.02
GSCF Give to Grow and Community Celebration- $5,174.62
Kansas Honor Flight- $4,856.58
Sabetha Cemetery Association- $3,910.76
Kanza Mental Health Foundation Endowment- $3,305.86

(KAIR)--A break-in at an Atchison Church is under investigation, while Atchison Police make an arrest in an unrelated burglary and also seek leads in other recent theft cases.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, someone unlawfully entered the Ebenezer Baptist Church, located in the 800 block of Riley Street, and damaged an interior door.

Nothing was taken.

It- believed the crime occurred sometime between November 23 and November 26.

In a separate case, an Atchison man is facing charges for the unlawful entry of a home occupied by persons known to him.

According to Wilson, 19-year-old Micah Turner was arrested Saturday morning at 5:00, and taken into custody on charges for aggravated burglary and theft.

Wilson explains that Turner- arrest follows an investigation, earlier Saturday morning, after Turner allegedly, illegally entered the home, located in the 2200 block of Millwood Drive.

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

Meanwhile, two cases of vehicle burglaries are also under investigation.

That includes one in the 1200 block of Kearney Street, overnight Saturday, with a backpack, containing tools, a PlayStation, cologne, and change, taken from the parked vehicle.

Another theft occurred sometime Thursday night, with a vehicle parked in the 700 block of North 11th targeted.

Taken in that crime was a ring and cash.

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

(KLZA)-- The new 33rd Street from Highway 73, west to Bill Schock Boulevard and across from the entrance to Community Medical Center in Falls City is now open.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Monday morning.

Inside the Rural Fire Department building Mayor Shawna Bindle spoke of the cooperation between the various entities involved with making the new street possible.

Ryan Larsen, CEO of Community Medical Center said the hospital has been wanting to build the new street since moving to the hospitals current location in order to make it easier for emergency traffic and other traffic to get to the hospital.

EDGE Executive Director Lucas Froeschl said it took the efforts of many to get the project completed. It's been two-and-a-half year process to get the new street built. He thanked all those involved for their cooperation.

Froeschl said the new 19-acre commercial site on the east side of Highway 73, across from 33rd Street will be important to the future of Falls City. Hopes are to attract revenue generating businesses that will maximize the cities tax capturing potential and make goods available in Falls City, citizens now leave the community to purchase.

The Falls City Rural Fire Department has an entrance to 33rd Street. Department member Jerry Duerfeldt said the department is excited about the new street and the new driveway that will hopefully simplify the fire trucks exits and reduce the department response times.

The bid for the construction of the new street was $771,234. Community Medical Center is paying $275 thousand toward the cost of the project over a 10-year period.

(KNZA)--No injuries were reported Saturday morning after a vehicle struck a Horton convenience store.

The Horton Police Department reported a vehicle driven by Thomas Oswald, of Horton, hit the Horton Super Store located at 1450 Central Avenue.

The vehicle went through the front of the building.

A damage estimate wasn't available.

No details were immediately available on what caused the accident.

(KNZA)--Charges have been filed against an Auburn, Kansas man in connection with a 2021 Jackson County wreck that claimed the life of a Topeka woman during law enforcement pursuit.

According to court documents, charges of first-degree murder, three felony counts of aggravated battery while driving under the influence and ten other charges were filed November 17 in Jackson County District Court against 43-year-old Robert Love, Jr.

The charges were filed following an investigation by the Kansas Highway Patrol into a two-vehicle wreck on May 27, 2021 at the intersection of 286th Road and U.S. 75 Highway about 7 miles north of Holton.

The Patrol reports Love was westbound on 286th Road, fleeing from a Jackson County Sheriff's deputy, when he failed to stop at the intersection with U.S. 75 and his car collided with a southbound SUV.

A passenger in the SUV, 26-year-old Shai Boyd, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the SUV, Sara Ditch, of Topeka, and another passenger in the vehicle, Scott Ditch, of Topeka, were transported to a Topeka hospital for the treatment of suspected minor injuries. Love and a passenger in his vehicle, Ciara Evertson, of Topeka, were transported to a Topeka hospital for the treatment of suspected serious injuries.

(KNZA)--Four individuals were arrested on drug charges following two separate traffic stops in Jackson County Friday.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a release, said a deputy stopped a car around 4:30 Friday afternoon for an alleged traffic infraction near 126th Road and U.S. 75 Highway.

The driver of the vehicle, 30-year-old Adam Clark, of Valley Falls, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and criminal use of a weapon.

The passenger, 39-year-old Sarah Benedict, of Holton, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a hallucinogenic drug.

Both were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

Meanwhile, Morse said a sheriff's deputy stopped a car shortly after 9:30 Friday night for alleged traffic infractions near 190th Road and U.S. 75 Highway.

The driver, identified as 29-year-old Sabetha resident Jesse Hartter, was arrested for criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, defacing identification marks on a firearm and possession of a hallucinogenic drug.

The passenger, identified as 46-year-old Fairview resident Robert Hobbs, was arrested for distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, and no drug tax stamp.

Following their arrest, both men were both into the Jackson County Jail.

(KNZA)--Two men were arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop in Jackson County Friday night.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a release, said a sheriff's deputy stopped a car shortly after 9:30 for alleged traffic infractions near 190th Road and U.S. 75 Highway.

Morse said the driver, identified as 29-year-old Sabetha resident Jesse Hartter, and his passenger, identified as 46-year-old Fairview resident Robert Hobbs, were subsequently arrested.

Hartter was arrested for criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, defacing identification marks on a firearm and possession of a hallucinogenic drug.

Hobbs was arrested for distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, no drug tax stamp.

Following their arrest, both men were both into the Jackson County Jail.

(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 November 14 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 is progressing on a water treatment plant so the system can return to compliance as soon as possible.

(KLZA)--The second annual Lighted Christmas Parade will be held Friday evening at 6 on Stone Street in Falls City.

Decorated floats, machinery, emergency vehicles, UTV's, golf carts and other vehicles will be lighted for Christmas.

Santa will arrive on his sleigh at the end of the parade and will then greet chilcren at the Santa House in the Mini Park.

Saturday is Shop Small Saturday in Falls City from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Falls City merchants will have in-store specials, there will be activities in the downtown area as well.

The Christmas Vendor Festival will be taking place Saturday at Prichard Auditorium featuring around 50 vendor booths from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

(KLZA)--The long awaited opening of 33rd Street running from Highway 73, west to the driveway entrance to Community Medical Center in Falls City is scheduled for Monday.

During the November 21 meeting of the City Council, City Administrator Anthony Nussbaum said a street opening ceremony will be held Monday morning at 10. Those attending will be able to park at the Falls City Rural Fire Department station.

(KAIR)--A call for police at the Atchison Walmart store, following a suspected theft, led to the arrest of an Atchison man on methamphetamine related charges.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, police were called to the store, at 1920 U.S. Highway 73, to investigate the theft, around 2:30 Tuesday afternoon.

John Timothy Vass was ultimately arrested for theft from the store, and was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia at the time of his arrest.

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

(KAIR)--Now that longtime Atchison City Commissioner Dr. Allen Reavis sets his sights on his new role of County leadership, a vacancy is created on the City Commission.

The City now looks to fill that seat, with Commissioners to appoint a new City leader. That's set to happen during the Commission meeting of December 19, once Commissioners have reviewed the applicants.

Letters from those wanting to serve are due by 12 noon on Wednesday, December 14 at Atchison City Hall, located at 515 Kansas Avenue.

The letters of interest should include information from the applicant as to why they should be appointed to the role of City leadership.

Letters are to be submitted to City Clerk Tina Fitzpatrick.

Reavis, following 13-years of service, resigned from the City Commission November 21. That was made necessary due to his being elected to the role of 1st District Atchison County Commissioner during the November 8 General Election.

(KAIR)--An Oklahoma woman, driving in Jackson County earlier this week, is facing charges in connection with the distribution of methamphetamine.

A release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says 42-year-old Gabriella Gonzales, a resident of Edmond, Oklahoma, was taken into custody on charges including distribution of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Following her arrest, Gonzales was booked into the Jackson County Jail.

According to Morse, her arrest followed a traffic stop late Monday afternoon, on U.S. Highway 75, near 330th Road.

The stop, Morse said, lead to a search of the car and to the discovery of what authorities allege was methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

(KNZA)--A Jackson County traffic stop lead to the arrest of a Frankfort man for the alleged possession of methamphetamine.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse said a Sheriff- deputy stopped a 2006 Buick Lacrosse near 142nd and U.S. 75 Highway on Tuesday afternoon at about 2:30 for an alleged registration violation.

Morse said a Jackson County K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal drugs inside the vehicle.

The driver, 38-year-old Ryan Huninghake, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

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

(KMZA)--The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Marshall County Sheriff's Office are investigating a homicide that occurred early Thursday morning in Marysville.

The Marshall County Sheriff's Office requested KBI assistance at about 3:20 a.m. on Thursday. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.

The investigation indicated that at about 2:30 Thursday morning a 911 call was placed to the Marshall County Sheriff's Office from a man at 1070 Granite Road, in Marysville. The man requested medical assistance for his wife. When deputies arrived at the home, they entered the house and found 57-year-old Jennifer Brown deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

After investigating further, Jennifer's husband, 66-year-old Gerald Brown, was arrested for first-degree murder. He was booked into the Marshall County Jail. Formal charges are pending.

The investigation is ongoing. Nothing further will be released at this time.

(MSC News)--The Kansas Department of Transportation is partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to raise awareness of its “Click It or Ticket” campaign during the busy Thanksgiving weekend.

Law enforcement agencies will have an increased presence on roadways to check for speeders, seat belt use, and any suspicion of impaired driving.

KDOT statistics show 319 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in traffic crashes in Kansas in 2021. In that same year, 46.4% of those killed were unrestrained. About 46.6% of front-seat passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2021 were unrestrained and 58.3% of those killed in back seats were unrestrained.

KDOT Behavioral Safety Manager Gary Herman encourages everyone to buckle up and drive defensively when traveling over Thanksgiving weekend.

This Thanksgiving- “Click It or Ticket” surveillance period will be in effect from Wednesday, Nov. 23, to Monday, Nov. 28.

(KAIR)--As part of Atchison- “Shop Small” initiative, in conjunction with the national Small Business Saturday, Santa Claus will be making one of several visits to the City for the Christmas season.

According to a release from the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce, Santa and Mrs. Claus will both be in attendance on Saturday, visiting the Santa House, in the 400 block of Commercial Street, from 11 until 2:00. An elf helper will also be present as the Christmas couple poses for pictures.

Santa is set to return to his downtown house again on December 3, from 11 until 4:00; December 10, from 11 until 2:00, and December 17, from 11 until 2:00.

(KAIR)--Federal dollars, allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, could provide a boost to Atchison non-profit organizations.

According to a release, the City of Atchison “is seeking non-profit partners to collaborate in advancing quality of life and development efforts in the Atchison community through major capital improvements.”

The release explains that the federal rescue plan provided the City of Atchison with approximately $1.6 million, with the City appropriating $150,000 of that sum “toward capital projects that improve local non-profit organizations.”

According to the release, the ARPA Non-Profit Capital Support Program “will prioritize projects that benefit senior citizens and youth populations as well as projects in the downtown district [of Atchison].”

Clarifying that the program is not intended to provide operations support for non-profit organizations, the release adds that applications will be received until January 31, 2023 and award decisions are expected to be made by the end of the following February.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council held a public hearing on a Livestock / Animal Permit application for two cows, two horses and two mini-donkeys at 1701 Schoenheit Street when they met Monday evening. Tyler and LeAnn Bek applied for the permit.

Charolette Gentry who lives across the street opposed the permit application expressing her concern for the animals due to a lack of shelter and water on the property.

Bek noted there has been horses and cows on property both north and south of the property the Bek's own for a long period of time.

The Council voted 6-1 in favor of the permit, once there is water available on the property. Council member Jim Wisdom casting a no vote.

Councilman Mitch Merz said that at some point, the city needs to come up with a plan to move livestock outside the city limits. Merz said there are some prime properties in the city limits that have livestock on them and as businesses look for places to expand, they probably don't want to be right next to livestock.

During the Administrators report, Anthony Nussbaum reported the new Building Inspector has started work for the City. Blake Buckminster began his job as Building Inspector / Facility Maintenance Superviosor on November 14.

Nussbaum also reported the City will be demolishing two houses before the end of the year. One house at 807, East 12th Street, the other at 1704 Morton Street.

(KLZA)-- A pavement improvement and flood remediation project on Holt County U.S. Route 159 is shutting down for the winter and will resume in early 2023.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has contracted with Phillips Hardy, Inc. to complete the project.

As a flood remediation measure, the contractor has been installing erosion control along the roadsides on U.S. Route 159 from the Missouri River to the Little Tarkio Creek near Fortescue.

The temporary traffic signals which have been guiding motorists through the work zone have been removed. Some shoulder work may continue through early December. A date for all work to resume in 2023, and the temporary traffic signals to be re-installed, has not yet been determined.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners discussed the possibility of an employee contract with an advance of a hiring bonus for a Nebraska Certified officer to assist with moving expenses to relocate to Richardson County from the State of Washington during the November 22 meeting.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty said he had reviewed the matter with the County Attorney's Office and an employee contract could be drafted for review and consideration by the Board.

Sheriff Hardesty also reported two candidates for deputy positions are taking the necessary requirements to meet Nebraska certifiation and will be considered for full-time positions.

The Board reviewed offers made for the purchase of surplus vehicles by sealed bid during the November 15 board meeting. Due to the low offers, Commissioners voted to reject the bids received and to advertise the surplus vehicles on a Big Iron auction.

Sheriff Hardesty also reported that a deputy struck a deer with a patrol unit on the 22nd and it will be necessary to take the vehicle out of service until repairs can be made.

(KLZA)-- COVID-19 cases in Nebraska are rising.

But rates remain relatively low compared with previous holiday seasons during the pandemic. At this time last year, Nebraska was posting three times as many weekly cases. Two years ago, before vaccinations were available, cases were running more than seven times higher, and hospitals were on the verge of being overwhelmed.

Last week, a daily average of 174 Nebraskans were hospitalized with COVID, up from 163 the previous week.

The state posted 2,012 new cases last week, up from 1,746 the previous week, according to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The state- 15% case growth for the week was the seventh-highest in the nation, and its per-capita rate is the 12th-highest.

The CDC considers case levels low in Douglas, Sarpy and Lancaster Counties, with the highest levels in the state among a dozen counties, most of which are clustered in southwest and southeast Nebraska.

However, actual case counts are difficult to come by these days. Fewer people are getting tested, and most of those who are rely on at-home tests that generally aren’t reported to health departments.

Nebraska added 16 more COVID-19 deaths last week, bringing its toll for the pandemic to 4,622. The state has had about 540,000 positive tests.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha teenager has been arrested on a child sex charge.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said 18-year-old Clyde Craine was arrested Monday on a charge of unlawful sexual relations with a child between 14 and 16 years of age.

Merchant said the arrest followed an investigation by the Brown County Sheriff's Department.

Following his arrest, Craine was booked into the Brown County Jail.

No additional details were available.

(KAIR)--The resignation of a longtime Atchison City Commissioner has been accepted.

That happened Monday, during the meeting of the Atchison City Commission, with that session serving as the last for Dr. Allen Reavis.

Reavis, this month, earned the support of voters to be elected to the Atchison County Commission. Reavis will oversee the County- 1st District, filling the seat occupied by his fellow Republican, Jack Bower. Bower chose not to seek reelection, leaving the position up to the fate of voters in the November 8 General Election.

Reavis was challenged by Democrat Tom Lykins, who was defeated on the certified vote of 769 to 583.

In his letter of resignation, addressed to the Atchison City Commission a City Manager, Reavis writes that “it is with mixed emotions” that he offers his “resignation from the City Commission after 13 years of service.”

Noting that he would be in attendance during Monday- meeting, Reavis said his term would end at its conclusion.

Reavis, in the letter, says the last 13 years [of serving on the Commission] “have been filled with many experiences, both exciting and challenging at times,” adding that “all the successes that have occurred have been entirely a team effort.”

He concludes his letter by saying, “now let- start building a better relationship with Atchison County.”

(KLZA)-- The Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges approved two new graduate degree programs for Peru State College. The two new programs are included as focus areas in the Master of Science in Organizational Management (MSOM) degree:

Strategic Leadership and Communication and Healthcare Administration.

Coursework for the strategic leadership and communicaitons focus area includes Executive Coaching and Mentoring, Strategic Communication in Leadership, Leadership Theory and Practice, and Team Design and Performance.

Coursework for the Healthcare Administration focus area includes Healthcare Delivery and Organizational Systems, Healthcare Economics and Finance, Healthcare Information Systems, and Healthcare Law, Policy and Compliance.

The programs will be available beginning in Fall 2023.

(KLZA)-- Missouri- transportation system includes 33,825 miles of roads and 10,387 bridges. The system ranks among the largest for any state in the nation.

The Missouri Department of Transportation working with its statewide regional planning partners have identified $1 billion in annual unfunded needs. From the broader unfunded needs, MoDOT has developed a High Priority Unfunded Needs list to guide the development of projects into funded projects as state and federal transportation funds increase.

The public is invited to a meeting to discuss the draft updated High Priority Unfunded Needs list for transportation in Northwest Missouri. The meeting will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at East Hills Public Library located at 502 N. Woodbine, St. Joseph.

The meeting will be held in the library- lower-level theater. An elevator is available.

(KLZA)-- Missouri- transportation system includes 33,825 miles of roads and 10,387 bridges. The system ranks among the largest for any state in the nation.

The Missouri Department of Transportation working with its statewide regional planning partners have identified $1 billion in annual unfunded needs. From the broader unfunded needs, MoDOT has developed a High Priority Unfunded Needs list to guide the development of projects into funded projects as state and federal transportation funds increase.

The public is invited to a meeting to discuss the draft updated High Priority Unfunded Needs list for transportation in Northwest Missouri. The meeting will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at East Hills Public Library located at 502 N. Woodbine, St. Joseph.

The meeting will be held in the library- lower-level theater. An elevator is available.

(KNZA)--Brown County employees have been granted a cost of living increase for 2023.

The Brown County Commission Monday approved a 50 cent per hour cost of living raise for employees.

Following an executive session, the Commission voted to promote Dallas Johnson to county IT Director in training. Johnson will be paid $22 an hour.

The county will advertise for a new support specialist for the IT department to replace Johnson.

Current county IT director Sandy Carter is retiring effective December 23 after 40 years with Brown County.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Valley Community Hospital is requesting the city of Seneca issue $2.8 million in hospital revenue bonds to help finance an expansion and renovation project.

Hospital CEO Kylie Floyd, Scott Crist with UMB Bank and Sara Steele with Gilmore and Bell appeared before the Seneca City Council last week to discuss the request.

A majority of the funding for the $22 million project will come through a USDA direct loan.

The city won’t be financially obligated for payment of the bonds, but bond counsel wants to make sure that this won’t interfere with any city plans or projects because it does impact the city- ability to issue bank qualified bonds, which have an annual limit of $10 million.

The Council voted to move forward with the hospital revenue bonds allowing a hearing and a resolution to be on the December 7th council meeting agenda.

(KNZA)--A Topeka man is facing multiple child sex-related charges in Jefferson County.

44-year-old Jeremy Johannes was arrested November 10th on a Jefferson County District Court warrant charging him with felony counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and furnishing alcohol to a minor for illicit purposes.

The charges follow an investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.

According to court documents, Johannes is charged in connection with alleged offenses involving a child born in 2007 occurring on or about August 1st and 2nd.

A preliminary hearing in the case is set for December 13.

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

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners discussed a proposal from Sheriff Rick Hardesty during the November 15 meeting to approved an advance in a hiring bonus to a Nebraska certified officer, to assist with moving expenses to relocate to Richardson County, from Washington State, and approve the action through an employment contract for three years or more.

Commissioners requested Sheriff Hardesty review the idea with the County Attorney's office with the topic to be discussed again during the November 22 meeting.

Sheriff Hardesty reported Richardson County currently has 30 inmates in custody with 9 of them being housed at other facilities outside of Richardson County.

The Board opened sealed bids for two patrol vehicles deemed to be surplus. Bids were received for a 2015 Dodge Ram pickup and for a 2017 Dodge Charger. The bids were received for the purpose of further review with action anticipated during the November 22 meeting.

Commissioners also approved a Joint Defense, Common Interest and Confidentiality Agreement in a lawsuit filed by Rich Hill of Lincoln vs. a number of Nebraska counties and state officials concerning elections.

(KLZA)-- The Richardson County Sheriff's Office has announced they will be doing a “Stuff the Cruiser” campaign this year to help collect toys for Southeast Nebraska Community Action.

Joining with Ace Hardware-Farm and City Supply in Falls City and Dollar General in Humboldt and Falls City, new, unwrapped toys will be collected in a Sheriff's Department cruiser at Ace Hardware and Dollar General locations during the month of December.

Donations will also be accepted at the Sheriff's Office until December, 19. All of the toys will be donated to SENCA to be distributed to families in need this Christmas.

The Sheriff and Deputies will donate their time and toys to help with the campaign, which has a goal of making sure every kid in Richardson County receives a present this Christmas.

Collection Hours will be:

Saturday, December 10, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Dollar General in Humboldt.

Saturday, December 17, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Dollar General and at Ace Hardware, Farm and City Supply, in Falls City.

(KLZA)-- Three people were injured in a single vehicle wreck in Andrew County, Missouri Saturday evening about 6:40.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports a Ford pickup traveling north on Route E, went off the east side of the road and struck a utility pole, then traveled down an embankment and into a creek.

The driver of the pickup, was 60-year-old David Lane, or Oregon, Missouri.

There were three occupants in the pickup. 41-year-old Damian Gillenwater of Oregon, suffered what were described as serious injuries. Two juveniles in the pickup, a 12-year-old male and a 13-year-old female suffered minor injuries.

All three of them were transported by the Andrew County Ambulance to Mosaic Life Care Hospital in St. Joseph for treatment of their injuries.

(KAIR)--In order to gain feedback from constituents, Atchison County has implemented a new online tool allowing residents to provide their voices.

That- found on the Atchison County website, at AtchisonCountyKs.org, with the new tool allowing constituents to engage with County Commissioners while remaining anonymous.

It can be found on the website under the “government” tab, and then under the “Commission” tab, labeled as “constituent anonymous feedback form.” A direct link is found here.

The anonymous feedback is intended for constituents to remain comfortable while providing their insight to Commissioners.

(KAIR)--The results of the 2022 General Election have been certified.

That follows last week- meeting of the Atchison County Commission, with the Commission convening as the Board of Canvassers to review the outcome of the November 8 election.

According to figures provided by Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips, 5,553 ballots were cast, representing a 48.71 percent turnout.

Atchison County has a total of 11,375 registered voters.

455 mail-out ballots were received of the 522 advanced ballots provided, including provisional ballots.
1,118 voters cast their ballots early at the County Clerk- office.

48 provisional ballots were reviewed by the Board of Canvassers, with 12 rejected.

Ultimately, following the review of the provisional ballots, it was determined that no affect was had on the outcome of Atchison County- key general election race for 1st District Atchison County Commissioner, with the certified results showing Republican Dr. Allen Reavis with 769 votes and Democrat Tom Lykins with 583 votes.

(KAIR)--Top honors for an Atchison educational leader.

According to a release from the Atchison Public Schools of USD 409, Lacy Warren, the Principal of Atchison High School, had been recognized as the Region 1 Principal of the Year.

The recognition came during the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference.

Warren received the recognition, and award, during a banquet held last week.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School District will be searching for a new food service provider.

Superintendent Lonnie Moser informed the USD 415 Board of Education last week that the district's current food service provider, Taher, Inc., has notified the district that they will no longer be doing business with the district due to financial issues.

Moser said Taher provided the district 60 days notice, despite the contract requiring 90 days. That gets the district to January 1st.

There is a 45-day mandatory advertising period to search for food vendors.

Moser said there will be about a 10-day gap between the district's services with Taher and the new food service company. He said the district does have contingency plans in place to handle the situation.

In other business, Curtis Winter with DCS Services meet with the board via zoom to go over bids for the installation of a new HVAC system in the Ag building and wood shop.

The total cost will be $521,838, which is less than had been budgeted.

Most of the funding for the project will come from federal Esser funds .

The board voted to give DCS Services permission to move ahead with the project.

(KNZA)--The Powerball jackpot was hit in Kansas on Saturday night for the first time since 2012, and the winning ticket was sold in northeast Kansas.

The grand prize jackpot in the drawing was nearly $93 million, with a $47 million cash option.

The winning numbers in the Powerball drawing were 7-28-62-63-64 Powerball 10.

The Kansas Lottery said the winning ticket was sold in the northeast Kansas region, which locally includes Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha and Pottawawtomie Counties.

In Kansas, winners have the option to remain anonymous when claiming a prize. The retailer is eligible for a selling bonus for selling the winning ticket.

(KMZA)--A Sunday morning single-vehicle Pottawatomie County wreck claimed the life of a Topeka woman.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said killed in the wreck on U.S. 24 Highway, just west of Pleasant View Road, was 22-year-old Alexis Ward.

The Patrol reports Ward was westbound when her car left the roadway to the right. She overcorrected, crossed the middle lane lines and left the roadway to the left. The Patrol said Ward overcorrected again, and rolled her vehicle.

Ward, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The wreck was reported around 6:00 Sunday morning.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board heard a lease agreement proposal Monday evening for the indoor practice facility, currently under construction at Noble Park, as part of the Hiawatha Championship Sports Complex project.

Hiawatha Baseball and Softball Club President Troy Kolb met with the board to discuss the lease proposal.

Kolb said the group is asking that the school district contribute $50,000 up front help finish the building, and then a monthly fee of $1,500 for a 10-year period for the district teams to utilize the facility.

The indoor practice facility is the 1st phase of the sports complex project, which is to also include a new softball field and renovations to the existing Paul Rockey Field.

Ground was broken for construction of the facility in September, which is to be completed by March 1—in time for spring practices.

Kolb said the USD 415 baseball and softball teams, in season, would have top priority for the building, but that it would be open to other sports and events as well.

The board took no action on the lease proposal. Superintendent Lonnie Moser recommended the district's attorney be contacted for guidance before any final decisions are made. He said the matter be brought back to the board for consideration at next month's meeting.

(KNZA)--A Sabetha man has entered a plea in an officer-involved shooting case.

According to court documents, Kelly Hall pleaded no contest Thursday in Nemaha County District Court to a felony charge of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer.

Sentencing was set for December 15.

Authorities say Hall fired a nail gun at officers on October 20, 2021 after they responded to his residence for a report of man threatening suicide.

Hall was wounded after two officers fired their weapons at him, and received hospitalized treatment for his injuries.

No officers were injured.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation investigated the shooting. Nemaha County Brad Lippert determined the officers were justified in firing their weapons at Hall.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has approved nearly $218,000 in incentive and retention bonuses for county employees.

The Commission took the action when they meet Tuesday.

The bonuses will go to all county employees who worked during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the exception of the three county commissioners. The bonuses will be based on hours worked.

Funding for the bonuses will come from American Rescue Act Plan funds awarded to the county.

In other business, the Commission canvassed ballots from the November 8 general election. There were 32 provisional ballots cast. The Commission approved the counting of 18 provisional ballots, with 14 not counted, all according to Kansas state statues. Brown County Clerk Dawn Boyles reported there were 3,405 total votes cast, with a 52 percent voter turnout.

(KAIR)--A vehicle, stolen from Platte County, Missouri, has been recovered in Doniphan County.

According to a release from the Doniphan County Sheriff- Office, the vehicle, involved in an Atchison County pursuit earlier on Thursday, was recovered that night, and was found to contain “several items that appear to be stolen.”

The release says the vehicle's owner was notified of the vehicle's recovery, and when shown the suspect items, did not recognize them.

Investigators, the release says, believe the vehicle may have traveled through the local counties of Atchison, Brown, and Doniphan, as well as Crawford County, based on some of the items found in the vehicle.

Other details, including the make and model of the vehicle, as well as the specific location where it was recovered, are not immediately made public.

No suspects are immediately named.

The Doniphan County Sheriff- Office is seeking help from the public, with anyone having related information asked to call 785-985-3711.

(KNZA)--Beginning Saturday, November 19 through Monday, Nov 27, the Hiawatha Police Department will join many other law enforcement agencies across the state, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, in the Kansas "THANKGIVING SAFE ARRIVAL" traffic enforcement campaign.

Although all Kansas Traffic Laws will be enforced, the Police Department said in a release that the campaign will be focusing on actively enforcing the state's occupant protection laws.

The police department will also provide education that serves as a reminder that BUCKLING UP SAVES LIVES.

" Buckle Up--your friends and family are counting on you to arrive safely this Thanksgiving. Click it. Don’t risk it."

The campaign is supported by a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

(KNZA)--The Greater Sabetha Community Foundation will will hold its 7th annual Give to Grow Match Day Friday, November 18 through Monday, November 21 to benefit 58 non-profit organizations and projects.

Eligible donations made through the Sabetha Community Foundation will receive a prorated match from $73,000 in available matching funds.

Donations can be made in-person at various location or on-line at https://www.givetogrowday.com/

In-person donations can be made Friday from 7 am to 5 pm at the Creative Farmhouse located at 918 Main Street in Sabetha. Donations also can be dropped off at the Buzz Café, Community National Bank, Country Mart, Lukert Chiropractic, Morrill and Janes Bank, Simpson Chiropractic, or United Bank and Trust through Monday.

In addition, charitable donations can be mailed to the Greater Sabetha Community Foundation at P.O. Box 111, Sabetha, Kansas 66534. Your asked to make sure the donation check is posted by Monday, November 21.

Following the Give to Grow event, the Greater Sabetha Community Foundation will be at the Window Opening on Friday, Nov. 25, to share the success of event and will accept donations that night.

(KLZA)-- Johnson-Brock School Superintendent Jeff Koehler updated the Board of Education Monday night on traveling to Washington D.C. along with Principal Lucus Dalinghaus, Kindergarten teacher Kristine Ideus and Guidance Counselor DeeAnn Richardson to accept the Blue Ribbon Award for the school district on November 3 & 4.

The plaque and banner will be on display at the school.

Koehler also updated the board on personnel options and the building project plans. It was also noted the football bleachers have arrived and plans are in the works for installing them.

Board members also approved the slae of one of the spare buses through an auction site.

Carolyn Hahf updated board membes on the Teammates program which currenlty has 95 matches and 30 students currently waiting on a match. She noted an alum recently donated $500 to the Teammates program and that Fast Global Solution in Auburn made a donation which will be used to purchase movie tickets to the Auburn Theater for mentees.

A teaching contrat for the 2023-24 school year was approved for Glenda Deanne Riveros and the Board voted to increase Para sub pay by $20 per day.

(KLZA)-- The Richardson County Sheriff's Office is urging motorists to be mindful of stopped school buses.

Multiple incidents have been reported regarding motorists failing to stop for buses that are loading or unloading students throughout the county. Nebraska law requires drivers of a motor vehicle approaching a school bus displaying flashing yellow lights from the front or rear to reduce their speed to not more than 25 miles-per-hour.

When approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights and an extended STOP sign, the operator is to bring their vehicle to a complete stop, and remain stopped until the flashing lights are off, the STOP sign is retracted, and the bus resumes motion.

The Richardson County Sheriff's Office will be conducting a zero-tolerance enforcemet of school bus signal violations throught the school year and asks motorists to work with the local school districts and bus drivers in keeping our children safe.

A conviction for a school bus signal violation carries a $500 fine and three points assessed against the violator's driving record.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Board of Education has approved a bid from Diode Technologies in an amount of $24,744 to upgrade the school districts acesss control system.

The project involves replacing the two existing intercom system, adding intercoms to two additional doors and adding keyless entry to six additional doors. The funds for the project will come out of the Depreciation Fund.

In other buisness during their Monday night meeting the Board accepted, with regret the resignation of teacher Kealyn Ensminger, effective at the end of the current school year.

The independent auditors report by Dana F. Cole & Company of Grand Island, for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2021 was accepted. Thre were no major errors identified in the report.

The Board was also informed the Educaotrs Health Alliance Insurance rates for the 2023-24 school year will increase 6.87 percent, which equates to approximately a $45 thousand increae in annual premium expenses for the 35 employees who receive health and dental insurance.

(KNZA)--The Nemaha County Commission is looking at hiring a county administrator.

Following discussion at their November 7th meeting with Kristina Dietrick with HR Partners, the commission voted 2-1 to start the process of creating the position and to begin the hiring process. Commissioner Gary Scoby cast the lone dissenting vote.

Commissioners spoke with Dietrick about a job description for the position.

Commissioners also spoke with Dietrick about the elimination of the janitorial position and the creation of a new full-time position that would be part janitorial and part senior services.

In addition, the commission spoke to Dietrick about contracting wtih HR Partners to be on site on a regular basis to consult with department heads and commissioners.

(KNZA)--Charges have been filed in connection with a head-on collision over the weekend in Jefferson County that claimed the life of a Kansas Air National Guard airman.

According to court documents, 35-year-old Manuel Enriquez, of Kansas City, Missouri, was formally charged Tuesday in Jefferson County District Court with a felony count of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In addition, Enriquez was charged with a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence.

He made his first appearance Tuesday in a Jefferson County courtroom to hear the charges.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said Enriquez was driving a pickup truck on U.S. 24 Highway in southern Jefferson County late Saturday night when he crossed the center line and collided head-on with a car driven by 23-year-old Cheyanne Branson, of Diana, Texas.

Branson was pronounced dead at the scene. Enriquez was not hurt.

The Kansas Air National Guard said Branson served as a career development specialist with the 190th Air Refueling Wing for more than four years.

Enriquez remains in the Jefferson County Jail, held on a $150,000 bond.

(MSC News)--Governor Laura Kelly proclaimed Nov. 18-24 as Use Antibiotics Wisely Week in Kansas. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is asking health care providers and Kansans to use antibiotics wisely to help protect them from the growing threat of antibiotic resistance (AR). This weeklong observance led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) promotes awareness of AR and the importance of appropriate antibiotic prescribing and use across the United States.

“Overuse and misuse of antibiotics has resulted in some bacteria developing resistance to these important medications. We all have a part to play in ensuring the proper use of antibiotics,” said Dr. Joan Duwve, State Health Officer at KDHE. “Using antibiotics only when appropriate and as they are prescribed will help prevent the development of new antibiotic-resistant bacteria, further protecting all Kansans.”

Antibiotic awareness does not mean stopping the use of antibiotics; it means improving the way antibiotics are prescribed and used — only when necessary and appropriate.

Since the 1940s, antibiotics have been used to treat patients with bacterial infections, significantly reducing the number of related illnesses and deaths. But now, more than 75 years later, antibiotics have been overused and misused to the point that the bacteria the antibiotics are designed to kill have adapted to them, making the drugs less effective, according to the CDC. In fact, some organisms have become so resistant that there are almost no medications that can successfully treat the infections.

The CDC finds that more than one-third of all antibiotics prescribed or otherwise used in the U. S. are either not needed or do not match the germ. Antibiotics are not effective for viruses, such as colds, most sore throats and many sinus infections.

Duwve adds, “Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to both individual and public health because it reduces our options for effective treatments for bacterial infections and limits the tools healthcare providers have to fight life-threatening infectious diseases.”

Each year, more than 2.8 million people in the United States contract AR infections and more than 35,000 of those people die. Kansas is the 10th highest antibiotic prescribing state with 882 antibiotic prescriptions per 1,000 population, and the 11th worst in the nation for implementing antibiotic stewardship programs in our hospitals. Antibiotic stewardship (AS) is the effort to improve prescription and use of antibiotics. It is critical that health care providers include AS in their practice and that everyone becomes stewards of appropriate use.

Here are ways Kansans can help:

• Wash your hands. This is one of the best ways to prevent or stop the spread of infections.

• Do not request that your doctor prescribe antibiotics.

• Antibiotics may have side effects. When your doctor says you do not need an antibiotic, taking one may do more harm than good.

• Only take antibiotics that are prescribed for you and take the whole course as described. Do not share or use leftover antibiotics. Antibiotics treat specific types of infections. Taking the wrong medicine may delay correct treatment and allow bacteria to multiply.

To learn more about antibiotic resistance, visitUseAntibioticsWisely.com.

(MSC News)--Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has proclaimed Thursday, Nov. 18 as National Injury Prevention Day in Kansas. This third annual observance shines a light on the need for injury and violence prevention.

Every day, 20 children die from preventable injuries, resulting in more deaths than all diseases combined. By using safety practices and products and smart policies, many of these deaths are preventable. Partners in support of National Injury Prevention Day include Injury Free Coalition for Kids, Safe Kids Worldwide, Safe States Alliance, the American Trauma Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, BeSMART, the Society for Advancement of Violence and Injury Research, the Trauma Centers of American Association, and JPMA Cares of the Juvenile Products and Manufacturers Association, as well as State and local partners. Safety advocates across the country are working together to educate families and community leaders about ways to create and support safer environments.

On November 18, injury prevention partners will host Injury Free Day, a safety fair and story time for children at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Participating partners include Safe Kids Kansas, Safe Kids Shawnee County, the Kansas Traffic Safety and Resource Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Shawnee County Health Department, the YMCA of Topeka, and the Kansas Poison Center.

When the sun goes down on November 18, Evergy Plaza, Downtown Kansas Avenue and Stormont Vail Health in Topeka will be lighting up green in support of these efforts. We appreciate their commitment to a safer Kansas and invite others to join us in raising awareness of injury prevention by wearing green this Friday.

Safe Kids Kansas is a nonprofit coalition of partners and local organizations across the state dedicated to prevention of unintentional childhood injuries. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment serves as lead agency of the coalition. Safe Kids Kansas is part of Safe Kids Worldwide network. For more information, visit SafeKidsKansas.org or follow @safekidskansas on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

(KNZA)--A Robinson woman is facing drug and child endangerment charges.

According to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, 42-year-old Kristin Clements was arrested Sunday after sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant at 415 Goldengate, in Robinson.

Clements was formally charged Monday in Brown County District Court with felony counts of possession of methamphetamine and aggravated endangering a child, along with a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

She made her first appearance in a Brown County courtroom Monday on the charges.

A preliminary hearing has been set for January 4.

Clements remains free on bond.

(KAIR)--A Tuesday night wreck, on U.S. Highway 59, near Cummings, sent the driver to the hospital.

According to Atchison County Undersheriff Toby Smith, 40-year-old Winchester resident Jennifer Miller was southbound on the highway when her Volkswagen Passat, for reasons unknown, left the center of the roadway and struck a guardrail. That sent the car across the roadway and down an embankment, where the car stopped after crashing into a group of trees.

Smith- report says that when rescue crews arrived, they found the car 50 feet down the embankment, on the north side of the highway.

Atchison County EMS and Atchison County Rescue assisted Miller from the wreckage, and she was transported to Atchison- Amberwell Hospital for the treatment of what Smith identifies as non-life threatening injuries.

The wreck happened around 9:15 Tuesday night.

(KAIR)--A tradition of the holiday season is set to return next month, as Atchison-based MGP Ingredients and local non-profit agencies again team up to distribute food boxes, containing 25 pounds of non-perishable items each, to Atchison-area families in need.

According to a release, the food distribution, known as the “Boxes of Blessing” project, will mark its ninth consecutive year when held December 9.

The release explains that the food boxes, available while supplies last, will be distributed that forthcoming Friday afternoon, from 1 until 7 p.m., in the alley south of the Atchison Wholesale Grocery, located at 100 South 3rd Street.

Drivers who wish to receive a food box are asked to line up on Main Street.

Michael Buttshaw, MGP- vice president of Ingredient Solutions sales, marketing and R&D, in the release, calls “Boxes of Blessings” a “labor of love,” adding that it- hoped the distribution will “brighten the holidays for our neighbors,”

The project was inspired by a community program developed more than 20 years ago at B.C. Williams, a Dallas-based ingredients distributor and producer of custom mixes, bases and concentrates. Initially focused on helping families in Texas and Tennessee, “Boxes of Blessings” was extended to the Atchison area in 2014.

Local partners include Atchison County Food Pantry at First Christian Church; the Salvation Army of Atchison County; Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas; and Pantry of Hope; Atchison Wholesale Grocery and the Atchison Police Department.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Board of Education learned during their Monday night meeting that District 56 has been awarded $102,212 in Erate funds for fiscal year 2023.

The uses for the funding is for the internal connections necessary to bring broadband into, and provide it throughout the Distrcit 56 buildings. The broadband connections used for educational purposes will include network switchers and transceivers.

The School Board voted to accept the District Audit and Financial Report for the year ending August 31, 2022, and presented by Julie Bauman, CPA, during their November meeting.

Superintendent Tim Heckenlively reported the Educators Health Alliance has approved the 2023-24 school year rates. There will be a 6.87 percent increase in premiums next year for the medical and dental insurance plans used by Falls City Public Schools and nealry every Nebraska school district.

Medical Insurance rates for active employees and retirees will increase 7.2 percent while dental rates for all employees and retirees will remain unchaged. Over the past 10 years, the average annual increase has been 4.5 percent.

There will be no benefit changes for the next year.

(KLZA)-- The Peru State College Foundation recently hosted their Third Giving Day on October 19-20. As of November 1, 2022, $56,590 has been raised from 90 unique donors.

In addition to the gifts, though, Peru State students contributed by participating in various volunteer events throughout the week.

“The Peru State College Giving Day is a way for the Bobcat family to contribute to a cause - whether through volunteerism or philanthropy,” said Ted L. Harshbarger, Interim CEO of the Peru State Foundation.

The Giving Day goals were set at securing different 155 donors on Giving Day and 155 student volunteers during the week. The number 155 is significant as Peru State- first day of classes was on October 24, 1867 - 155 years ago.

While the goal for number of donors was not reached, it appears that student volunteers may have reached the goal of over 155 hours of community service according to Carrie Bradrick, Director of Student Activities and Programs at Peru State.

At least ten different student groups reported on their Giving Day service activities. Student organizations reporting their efforts include the Science Club, Rotaract, Collegiate FBLA, Phi Alpha Theta, Peru State Catholic Union (PSCU), Students Active in Leadership (SAIL), Campus Activity Board (CAB), Black Student Union (BSU), National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), and the Residence Hall Association (RHA).

Six members of the science club spent time cleaning up the Brownville Library while 13 Rotaract members read and did activities in the Peru Day Care.

Seven members of the Collegiate FBLA (former Phi Beta Lambda) did their biannual Nebraska Department of Transportation Adopt-A-Highway Program trash pick-up. Four members of the Phi Alpha Theta, the academic honorary for social science majors, did clean-up on the Lewis and Clark Trail.

Seven members of the PSCU made blankets for Project Response while 16 members of SAIL made buttons to sell with the proceeds going to the Bobcat SOS fund for Giving Day.

CAB had the most members as 18 provided service during the week as they helped pick up trash around campus and the residence halls. Four BSU members had fun reading books at the Day Care.

Two groups did trick or treating for Bobcat Bites - the student food pantry on campus. Members of the NSLS and RHA visited the Peru and Auburn communities for pantry items.

The staff at the Foundation genuinely appreciates the efforts of the students and their organizations for their volunteerism during the second giving day.

Four primary areas of support were targeted for the Giving Day in 2022. Project ROAR - the capital campaign for five new buildings on campus - received $13,270 from 49 donors. What You Love - an area which allowed individuals to donate to any program, sport, or scholarship - garnered $8,950 from 21 donors.

Twenty donors contributed $5,610 to the Greatest Needs category which allows the Foundation to provide support to the faculty, staff, and departments on campus. The Bobcat S.O.S. (Serving our Students) received $3,760 from 17 donors. This fund will be used to help students with small grants with temporary financial hardships.

Harshbarger noted that for the past two years, a generous donor has challenged the Foundation donors to contribute $25,000 and if that was met, the donor would add another $25,000. “We were initially concerned about not making the goal at the end of the 24-hour period. The phone rang and fortunately, it was a generous donor who stated that she wanted to make sure that the Foundation could still meet the challenge to earn the extra $25,000,” noted Harshbarger. “Shortly after hanging up the phone, the amount we needed was received which put us over the top. Obviously, hats off to that donor as well as all our donors and the individual providing the challenge the past two years.”

To learn more about Peru State- Giving Day, go to www.peru.edu/foundation/givingday. Plans are underway for 2023! The tentative dates for the 24-hour event are October 19 and 20 which will coincide with the College- 155th birthday of its actual first day of classes.

(KNZA)--The clock in the Hiawatha clock tower building is working again.

Interim City Administrator Larry Paine said the motor failed several months ago.

Paine said city Water and Light Superintendent Brad Scott was able to get the motor rewound and installed Monday.

The Clock Tower building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1892.

The building currently serves as city hall.

(KAIR)--The Atchison County Sheriff- Office is sending a reminder for Atchison motorists to remain diligent, while driving, during the seasonal movement of deer.

Although the deer rut, or mating season, typically runs from October through December, the high time for deer movement is mid-November, according to state wildlife officials, due to the peak of the fall mating season for the animals.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, deputies, this year, have worked 150 vehicle crashes, to date, in Atchison County, with nearly half of those crashes involving a vehicle-deer collision.

As of November 10, the agency worked its 68th deer-related crash of the year, with the crash, as of that date, marking the tenth such wreck in a ten day period.

Although extra caution is urged when driving at dawn and dusk, the release notes that deer are out at all times of the day, posing dangers to motorists.

The release reminds drivers to use bright headlights, when there- no oncoming traffic, and to look ahead for the animals’ reflective eyes.

Drivers are also reminded that crashing into a deer, rather than swerving to miss one in the road, is the safest maneuver. Swerving, the release says, “could cause a more serious crash if you veer into oncoming traffic, run off the road, or overcorrect.

If a deer-related collision occurs in Atchison County, the affected driver should move the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway, with hazard lights on, then contact Atchison County Dispatch at 913-367-4323.

(MSC News)--Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt Tuesday announced that his office has secured at least $15 million for Kansas as part of a settlement with Walmart to resolve allegations that the company contributed to the opioid addiction crisis by failing to appropriately oversee the dispensing of opioids at its stores.

As details are finalized, the Kansas share is likely to increase, perhaps substantially.

Schmidt said the settlement will provide more than $3 billion nationally and will require significant improvements in how Walmart- pharmacies handle opioids. The proceeds from the settlement must be used to provide treatment and recovery services for people struggling with opioid use disorder, while Walmart must provide broad, court-ordered requirements to its pharmacy practices, including robust oversight to prevent fraudulent prescriptions and flag suspicious prescriptions.

The settlement requires acceptance from the 43 participating states by the end of 2022, allowing for certain additional parties to join during the first quarter of 2023. With this settlement, Schmidt- office has now recovered more than $200 million related to unlawful opioid manufacturing, marketing and distribution. Additional national settlements have been reached with CVS Pharmacy for $5 billion and Walgreens Pharmacy for $3 billion. Terms for the state shares of the CVS and Walgreens settlements have not been finalized.

LINCOLN,— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began mailing ballots last week for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county and urban county committee elections to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country. Elections are occurring in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for these committee members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. Producers and landowners must return ballots to their local FSA county office or have their ballots be postmarked by Dec. 5, 2022, in order for those ballots to be counted.   

  “County committees provide an opportunity for producers to play a meaningful role in delivering farm programs, but in order for county committees to be effective, they must truly represent all who are producing,” said John Berge, state executive director for FSA in Nebraska. “Voting in these elections is your opportunity to help ensure our county committees in Nebraska reflect the diversity of our agriculture. Your voice and vote matter, so don’t miss your chance to cast your ballot.” 

  Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation but may not have applied or received FSA program benefits. Additionally, producers who are not of legal voting age but supervise and conduct farming operations for an entire farm are eligible to vote in these elections.  

  Each committee has from three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms, and at least one seat representing an LAA is up for election each year. Ballots must in the mail or delivered in person by close of business Dec. 5, 2022, to be counted. Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2023.   

  Producers can find out if their LAA is up for election and if they are eligible to vote by contacting their local FSA county office. Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot in the mail can request one from their local FSA county office. Visit farmers.gov/service-locator to find your local USDA Service Center and fsa.usda.gov/elections for more information.

(KNZA)--An early Tuesday morning Hiawatha RV fire sent the owner to the hospital.

That's according to a release from Hiawatha Fire Chief Patrick Sheldon, who says his department “was dispatched to an RV on fire located at 207 South 12th Street” around 3:45 Tuesday morning.

The RV was found by the arriving crews to be fully engulfed in flames, with Sheldon saying they “were able to extinguish the fire before it spread to a nearby garage.”

The RV's owner, identified by family members as Russ Stover, was able to evacuate the burning structure and was treated at Hiawatha- Amberwell Health for what Sheldon calls “unknown injuries.”

Sheldon said the Robinson Fire Department was requested for mutual aid, but was canceled upon the fire being contained.

The Brown County Rescue Squad and the Hiawatha Police Department assisted at the scene.

The Kansas State Fire Marshals Office will investigate the cause of the fire.

(KAIR)--An investigation is ongoing into a case of deer poaching in Atchison County.

That word is delivered in a release from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Law Enforcement Division, which is “seeking information on an 8 point buck deer that was poached on the morning of [November 8].”

According to the release, the deer had been shot illegally with a small caliber rifle.

The shooting occurred on Atchison County- McPherson Road, near 214th Road.

Anyone with information related to the deer poaching is asked to provide those details. That can be done by contacting Game Warden Porterfield at 785-230-8466.

(KMZA)--The details of a two vehicle, Nemaha County crash that claimed the life of a Sabetha man have been released.

According to the Nemaha County Sheriff- Office, 73-year-old Edward Garber, Jr. failed to yield the right of way while southbound on Y Road, making a left turn onto 176th Road.

The maneuver led to Garber- vehicle being struck on the right side by a northbound vehicle, driven by 55-year-old Teresa Stallbaumer, of Sabetha.

Garber was transported to Sabetha Community Hospital, by Sabetha EMS, where he was pronounced dead.

Stallbaumber was transported for hospital care by private vehicle.

Funeral services for Garber were held Saturday in Sabetha.

The fatal wreck happened during the late morning of November 6.

(KLZA)-- Community Medical Center in Falls City invites the public to join in the annual Turkey Trot on Thursday, November, 24 at 8:00 a.m. beginning at the CMC campus located at 3307 Barada Street.

This year you can walk, run, or take a stroll for Diabetic Awareness and Care.

Participants can select a 1 mile or 5K walk or run. The entry fee is $25.

To register in advance go the cmcf..org or contact Linda Santo at 402-245-6704.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Police Department reminds all drivers of the importance of seat belt use every time you get in your vehicle.

The department will participate in the Click it or Ticket mobilization enforcemnet November 23 - 27 which is aimed at enforcing seat belt use to help keep everyone on the road safe.

During the mobilization Falls City Police Officers will work overtime focusing on seat belt use to ensure the seat belt safety message gets out to all drivers and passengers. Everyone is asked to take two seconds to make it CLICK. Buckling up is more than just a good idea, it's the law.

(KLZA)-- On Friday, November 25 at 5:00 p.m. the public is invited to a ceremony unveiling a plaque and historical marker at 1601 Stone Street in Falls City to celebrate the historical location of the Dorrington House and Barn being designated as a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site by the Naitonal Park Service.

In September, the Park Service announced the designation of the Dorrington house and barn site into the National Underground Railraod Network to Freedom Program, which honors, preserves and promotes the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight.

The Dorrington house and barn were built in Falls City in 1857 by abolitionists David and Ann Dorrington. Mr. Dorrington had acquired a federal contract to carry mail between Falls City and Topeka. Mail carriers used mail wagons to help transport freedom seekers out of Kansas using the “Lane Trail.” The trail was the westernmost line of the Underground Railroad.

The original house and barn were located at 1601 Stone Street and were replaced by a two-story brick building in the early 1880s. The building became home to Falter's Clothing Store and currenlty houses the nonprofit Collection Museum.

Ann Dorrington provided food, water and medical assistance for freedom seekers sheltered in the family barn.

Robert Nelson, a Falls City native and former Omaha World-Herald columnist and a Dorrington descendent, researched and wrote the appilcation to nominate the Dorrington site.

(KMZA)--Two Sabetha residents are free on bond, following their arrests last week on meth-related drug charges.

According to a release from the Nemaha County Sheriff- Office, 36-year-old Faiqu Nawid and 34-year-old Crystal Velasquez were both arrested November 10 on Nemaha County warrants charging them with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nawid was additionally charged in the arrest warrant with criminal possession of a firearm.

Velasquez was released the same day as the arrest, freed on a $10,000 surety bond.

Nawid was released November 13 on a $25,000 surety bond.

Both have December court dates.

(KAIR)--The Jackson County Sheriff- Department, Friday, stopped a vehicle that was allegedly transporting packaged drugs intended for sale.

That- according to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, which says the driver, 60-year-old Topeka resident Ernest Davis, was arrested for distribution of cocaine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, and drug paraphernalia.

The arrest came after a Sheriff- Deputy, around 5:00 Friday evening, stopped Davis’ vehicle, near 162nd and U.S. Highway 75.

According to Morse, the vehicle was searched, and that- what led to the recovery of what- alleged to be 26 individually packaged bags of cocaine and other assorted drugs and paraphernalia.

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

(KAIR)--A thief, or thieves, set their sites on a work truck parked in Atchison and made off with a variety of items, ranging from a rifle and tools to video games.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the truck was parked in the 2000 block of Main Street at the time of the theft, which is believed to have occurred sometime between 7:30 Thursday evening and 6:30 Friday morning.

Items reported as stolen from the truck include an Alexander Arms AR-15 rifle, a playstation and video games, trading cards, hand tools, a Stihl concrete saw, a Stihl chainsaw, a pneumatic hammer, a Milwaukee-brand hole saw kit, a generator, and spools of copper line.

Atchison Police are continuing to investigate.

Anyone with information should contact the APD at 913-367-4323.

(KAIR)--A Saturday night two vehicle Jefferson County crash claimed the life of a Texas resident.

Dead, according to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, is 23-year-old Cheyanne Branson, the driver of a car that was westbound on U.S. Highway 24, just west of 3rd Street, when she was struck head on by a westbound pickup truck that crossed the center line.

According to the KHP report, the impact of the crash caused the truck, driven by 35-year-old Manuel Enriquez, of Kansas City, Missouri, to roll over. He was not hurt.

The KHP report says both drivers were buckled up at the time of the fatal crash, which occurred around 10:48 Saturday night.

(KAIR)--As the season of giving arrives, a Jackson County organization this weekend will hold what might be called a celebration of giving.

That comes through the 2nd Annual Thoughtful Giving Match Day event, hosted by the Jackson County Community Foundation.

The event is set for Sunday, from 1 until 5:00 that afternoon, at the Holton Community Theater.

The second event follows the inaugural match day which, according to the foundation, raised more than $115,000.

Sunday- event will have more than $50,000 of matching funds available, with the foundation having grown from 17 to 27 participating funds.

All donations made during match day are tax deductible.

On match day, donors select which nonprofit, or nonprofits, they wish to support, with 100 percent of their donation going to the selected organizations fund held with the foundation.

Although gifts of any amount are welcome and encouraged, those between $20 and $2,000 per charitable organization will be eligible to receive a match.

More information and online donations can be made at https://www.thoughtfulgivingday.com/

(KLZA)-- Applications for holiday gift and food baskets need to be turned in by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 in Richardson County.

The applications are available at the Southeast Nebraska Community Action offices in Falls City and Humboldt.

Pickup dates for the baskets and gifts will be Wednesday, December 14 in Humboldt from 10:00 a.m. - noon at the Humboldt Auditorium. You can make an appointment to pick up your items by calling Pastor Dorothy at 402-679-6216.

In Falls City you will be called to set up a pick up time.

If you have questions call the SENCA Office in Falls City at 402-245-5284 or the Humboldt office at 402-862-2411.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved the appointment of Tm Daniels to fill the 10th Police Officer position when they met Monday night.

Under a conditional offer of employment, the appointment will be effective January 2, 2023, at which time he will enter the Law Enforecement Training Program at the State Patrol Training Center in Grand Island.

Daniels was present at the meeting and introduced himself to the Council. Daniels currently is a member of the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department and the Falls City Volunteer Ambulance Squad. He said he wants to make a difference in the community.

In other business the Council approved a rsolution to correct the salary for the Assistant Police Chief. Assistant Chief Patrick Stampers salary will be $71,920 for 2022-23, $74,797 for 23-24 and $77,040 in 2024-25.

A mistake had been made in the salary tabulation when the new salaries were approved earlier.

The Council took no action following a discussion about creating a no-parking zone on th eastern half of East 15th Street between Stone Street and Harlan Street. The topic was brought up because of the new diesel fuel pumps installed at Pump and Pantry.

The Council said it would revisit the topic if there were issues with large trucks turning into the pumps or pulling out.

The Council also approved the purchase of three trucks. An F350 Crew Cab with a service body and snow plow and two F600 4x4 trucks with two snow plows, two hook lift hoists and two roll-on dump bodies plus a roll-on chipper box and a roll-on salt/rock spreader.

Money has been set aside from the solid waste funds to purchase the trucks.

(KAIR)--Today is Veterans Day, and a local community, selected as a regional site for celebrating the holiday, will hold ceremonies.

In late September, the City of Leavenworth was named as a regional celebration site by the Veterans Day National Committee, which is part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

A release from the Governor- office explains that today, Veterans Day 2022 “will mark the 103rd consecutive year for the Leavenworth County Veterans Day Parade,” which was first held on November 11, 1919, the one-year anniversary of the armistice agreement of World War I between the Allies and Germany in France. The celebration is recognized as the largest parade west of the Mississippi River.

Retired U.S. Army Tech Sgt. Wilbur Grisham, who served in World War II, will serve as Grand Marshal of the parade. The theme is “Honoring Veterans for Defending Our Lives and Freedom During Wars or Disasters.”

Leavenworth- parade will be held this morning at 10:30.

(KTNC)-- There are multiple Veterans Day Programs scheduled around SE Nebraska and NW Missouri on Friday.

Falls City- The Veterans Day events in Falls City kick off Friday morning at 10:15 at the Falls City High School with coffee and rolls for veterans and families. The Veterans Day Program will begin at 11AM at the Falls City High School gymnasium. The Guest speaker will be CPT Ethan Fritz. The combined music departments of Falls City and Falls City Sacred Heart will perform.

The program will be broadcast on KTNC.

A Veterans Day Parade will take place on Stone Street at 1:30 PM. A Veterans Day supper will be held at 6 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Falls City.

Cook- Johnson County Central School in Cook will host a Veterans Day Program at 10:45 AM. Students in grades 4-8 will be performing. A meal for veterans and their spouses will follow the program. To reserve a meal call 402-854-4181

Tecumseh - Johnson County Central School in Tecumseh will host

will host a Veterans Day Program at 10:45 AM. A meal for veterans and their spouses will follow the program. To reserve a meal call 402-335-3320

Sterling- Sterling Public School will be hosting a Veterans Day Program at 9:45 AM. Refreshments and social time will will be held in the school cafeteria beginning at 8:30. Michael Harris will be the guest speaker.

Auburn- Auburn High School will be hosting a Veterans Day Program at 10 AM in the high school gym

Johnson - The Johnson-Brock School will host a Veterans Day Program at 10:30 AM in the new gymnasium

Oregon- The South Holt R-1 school will hold a Veterans Day Program starting with breakfast at 8:30 AM. An Honor Walk will begin at 9:15 AM followed by a recognition assembly starting at 9:30. You can RSVP by calling the South Holt Elementary office at 660-446-2356

Mound City- The Mound City R-2 students and staff will hold a “Gratitude Drive” Veterans are asked to meet at the Mound City Municipal Pool parking lot at 10 AM before the drive begins. A little after 10 veterans will be escorted down State Street in Mound City heading to the school. Community members are welcome to drive through the “Gratitude Drive” as well. A free home delivered meal is also being offered to veterans and a guest. To have a turkey dinner delivered call Mound City R-2 at 442-5429

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved an ordinance on final reading Monday night to allow sales tax revenue to be utilitzed for public infrastructure imporovement projects.

The ordinance allows the issuance of up to $3,100,000 in municipal improvement bonds to help pay the costs of construciton of public infrastructure improvements in the city, primarily electrical system updates.

The Council also approved advertising for construction bids for the upgrades to the Electrical Distribution System Project recommened by the Board of Public Works and Utility Superintendent Ray Luhring. The bid opening will be conducted by JEO on December 8 with their recommendation to the Board of Public Works on December 15. The Council will be asked to award the bid during their December 19 meeting.

The cost of the work is estimated at $425 thosand for work at the switchyard by the power plant and $1,723, for the work to put the power underground.

It is anticipated the project will be completed by December of 2024.

Luhring also updated Council members on the relocation of the water main from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Reailroad bridge near Preston, to a bored line under the Nemaha River at the site.

The estimated cost about 18 months ago was approximately $900 thousand. Since that time, issues came up and the total cost is now estimated at around $1.9 million. The cost to the City will be $178 thousand with the railroad responsible for $1.691,000 of the total cost.

The Council also approved a professional services agreement the JEO for GIS Services that will aid the city's utility departments. The cost will be $51,051.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved an ordinance on final reading Monday night to allow sales tax revenue to be utilitzed for public infrastructure imporovement projects.

The ordinance allows the issuance of up to $3,100,000 in municipal improvement bonds to help pay the costs of construciton of public infrastructure improvements in the city, primarily electrical system updates.

The Council also approved advertising for construction bids for the upgrades to the Electrical Distribution System Project recommened by the Board of Public Works and Utility Superintendent Ray Luhring. The bid opening will be conducted by JEO on December 8 with their recommendation to the Board of Public Works on December 15. The Council will be asked to award the bid during their December 19 meeting.

The cost of the work is estimated at $425 thosand for work at the switchyard by the power plant and $1,723, for the work to put the power underground.

It is anticipated the project will be completed by December of 2024.

Luhring also updated Council members on the relocation of the water main from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Reailroad bridge near Preston, to a bored line under the Nemaha River at the site.

The estimated cost about 18 months ago was approximately $900 thousand. Since that time, issues came up and the total cost is now estimated at around $1.9 million. The cost to the City will be $178 thousand with the railroad responsible for $1.691,000 of the total cost.

The Council also approved a professional services agreement the JEO for GIS Services that will aid the city's utility departments. The cost will be $51,051.

(KAIR)--A Thursday morning crash sent a Leavenworth man to the hospital.

According to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, 19-year-old Skyler Holloway was southbound on Leavenworth's Tonganoxie Road, around 7:15 Thursday morning, when his Chevy Silverado went off the roadway to the right. When it did, the truck struck some rocks, leaving Holloway overcorrecting to the left, which sent the truck off the roadway, where it overturned.

Holloway suffered what the KHP report calls a "suspected minor injury."

He was transported to Overland Park Regional Hospital by private vehicle.

(KLZA)-- Thursday is Winter Weather Awareness Day in Nebraska.

State and county emergency managers across the state are promoting preparedness for winter.

For anyone who has survived a Nebraska winter, it- easy to remember the issues heavy snowfall and extreme cold can cause. It- easy to understand the need for a winter preparedness plan for your family- safety.”

Despite dry conditions throughout the state for most of 2022, snow and ice are still likely this winter. Emergency managers want Nebraskans to be prepared for winter before it strikes.

Everyone is advised that prior to watches and warnings being issued, you should prepare for a winter storm that would enable you and your family to survive for up to 72 hours without any outside assistance. It- also a good idea to make a family emergency plan so your family knows what to do if a blizzard strikes.

Nebraska Emergency Management recommends assembling disaster supply kits for home and auto, which could include:

• Flashlight with extra batteries

• Battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio or AM/FM radio

• First aid kit

• One-week supply of non-perishable food

• Nonelectric can opener

• Water (one gallon, per person, per day)

• One-week supply of essential prescription medications

• Extra blankets and sleeping bags

• Blankets or sleeping bag

• Extra sets of dry clothing

• A windshield scraper

• A shovel

• A container of sand

• Tire chains

• Battery booster ("jumper") cables

As part of your emergency plan, determine that if your family cannot return home because of severe weather or closed roads, where you will meet to reunite. Consider asking an out-of-town relative or friend to be your family emergency contact.

You can view winter weather preparedness tips online at www.ready.gov/winter-weather.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council Monday night approved an ordinance on first reading that would require vacant properties to be registered with the Housing Study Committee.

This is an attempt to help the City define, regulate, suppress and prevent nuisances created by vacant properties and places a duty on the owner of the property to assist the City in preventing public nuisances.

City Administrator Anthony Nusssbaum said the purpose is to register the properties so they can be brought back to code and avoid them contributing to blight, lower property values, endanger health, become fire hazards and criminal activity.

Nussbaum laid out the process the property owners would need to follow including registering the property at no cost. The property owner would then have 180 days to make improvements or remove the buildings from the property at not cost.

City Council member Mitch Merz said this is an attempt to help alleviate a shortage of workforce housing available in Falls City and keep the properties from becoming nuisances or hazards.

If property owners do not improve the vacant property within 180 days of registration, fees would be assessed. It would be $250 for residential properties and $500 for commercial properties with the fees increased to $500 and $1,000 every 180 day period during which no improvements are made.

Merz noted there could be exceptions for the property owners based on things such as attempting to sell the property or if the property is part of court proceedings.

Properties can be removed from the registration by providing sufficient notification and evidence, that the property no longer meets the definition of a vacant property.

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) awards $3,915,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to nine communities through the 2022 Downtown Revitalization Opportunity. Projects include the rehabilitation of downtown commercial buildings and sidewalk/street improvements.

A federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program, administered by DED on behalf of Nebraska- non-entitlement communities, provides CDBG dollars to help communities tackle projects that enhance public health and safety, economic well-being, local vitality, and quality of life.

All the funded communities established a solid approach to impactful community development, demonstrating collaboration, and support by the local businesses and residents for downtown revitalization.

Auburn. The City of Auburn, Nemaha County, was awarded $435,000 for the rehabilitation of commercial properties within the downtown supporting local businesses. Auburn has completed two successful DTR implementation phases resulting in more than 40 completed projects. Each of which has resulted in the improvement of the downtown business district. This project includes the reconstruction of up to six privately owned commercial building facades, along with meeting public safety and energy efficiency needs.

Fairbury. The City of Fairbury, Jefferson County, was awarded $435,000 for rehabilitation of commercial properties within the downtown supporting local businesses. A Downtown Revitalization (DTR) Plan was completed in 2021 that was funded by a 2019 CDBG Planning award. Residents, business owners, and groups like the Historic Preservation Committee worked together in planning sessions to set a plan for downtown restoration. The project includes the renovation of up to eight privately owned commercial building facades, along with meeting public safety and energy efficiency needs.

Syracuse. The City of Syracuse, Otoe County, was awarded $435,000 for rehabilitation of commercial properties within the downtown supporting local businesses. In 2021, Syracuse completed a Downtown Revitalization (DTR) Plan prepared by the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL), which defined the boundaries of the downtown business district. The project includes the renovation of up to 14 privately owned commercial building facades, along with meeting public safety and energy efficiency needs.

Also receiving grants were: Aurora, Benkelman, David City, Hebron, Pierce and Sutton.

(KNZA)--A local area Sheriff is offering gratitude for support shown at the polls Tuesday, keeping the office of County Sheriff an elected position.

That- one change that could have come if the Sheriff Amendment had been shot down.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant sent a release Wednesday, which he says is on behalf of all of his fellow Sheriff- across the state of Kansas, in extending “thanks to the public that has shown their support for the office of Sheriff.”

Merchant, saying the amendment passed by a huge margin, adds that the defeat of the proposed changes “means more than you will ever know.”

Merchant and Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, prior to Tuesday- general election, issued statements asking voters to turn down the potential changes.

Passage means that Kansas counties will be prohibited from merging the Sheriff- Office with another existing, local law enforcement agency, or eliminating the Office of Sheriff altogether.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican Kris Kobach has won the Kansas attorney general- race after two big losses tied to his national reputation as an immigration and election law provocateur. Kobach revived his political career Tuesday by defeating Democrat Chris Mann. Kobach was coming off losses in the Kansas governor- race in 2018 and a U.S. Senate primary in 2020 that Republicans chalked up to lackluster campaigns and views that turned off independent and moderate GOP voters. Many Republicans said they saw a Kobach this year who ran a better campaign and stayed more on message. Mann is a former police officer and local prosecutor making his first run for elected office.

(KLZA)-- Voters in Nemaha County, Nebraska elected Michael Weiss as Third District Commissioner Tuesday. He defeated write-in candidate Larry Holtzman 704 - 108.

The three incumbents seeking reelection to the Auburn Board of Education were successful. Laura Osborne received 1022 votes; Ryan Jones 951 and Beth Kernes-Krause received 930 votes. Eli Davidson received 863 votes and Jenika Mullins received 361 votes.

Elected to the Johnson-Brock School Board were Chester Bohling with 395 votes and Mitchell Neddenriep with 384. Write-in candidate Keith Bohling will be elected with 98 votes with write-in candidate Brian Meyer receiving 83 votes.

The two incumbents won reelection to the Johnson Village Board. Richard Meyer had 100 votes; Lonnie Swanson 82 in their reelection bids. Lucus Dalinghaus received 75 votes.

In Johnson County a pair of races for County Commissioner were decided Tuesday.

In District 1, David Borrenpohl was elected with 381 votes. Bob Gregory received 102 votes. In commission district 3, Les Agena was elected over Adam Keebler 451 - 131.

Elected to the Ward I Tecumseh City Council was Lance Beethe with 39 vots to 18 for Doug Bernadt. Both candidates conducted write-in campaigns.

Thre incumbents were reelected to the Johnson County Central School Board. Gail Hutt with 769 votes; Kim Welleinsiek with 756 votes and Justin Beethe with 738 votes. John Sterup received 338 votes.

Lyndsay Beethe was elected to a six-year term on the Tecumseh Airport Authority with 320 votes to 134 for Douglas Burnadt.

(KNZA)-The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening heard several requests in regards to the city's Starr Park.

Local resident Brenda Bolden appeared before the Commission to make the requests.

Bolden requested that the basketball court at the park, located in the 900 block of Pottawatomie Street, be named in honor Hiawatha native and basketball legend John McClendon, Jr.

She also requested that a flag pole be erected in honor of black Civil War soldier York Alexander, who was one of the pioneer citizens of Hiawatha. Bolden said Alexander's home stood where the park is currently located.

In addition, she requested that a trash can be installed on the east side of the basketball court.

The Commission took the requests under advisement and will consider them at their November 28 meeting.

(KNZA)--The 26th Annual Jingle Bell Ride will hit the streets of Hiawatha on Sunday, November 13.

Organizers say the goal of the ride is to help the less fortunate children in Brown County experience the joy of Christmas.

There will not be any public events around the courthouse square this year, instead residents are encouraged to watch from their neighborhood to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus and the decorated teams of horses and wagons.

Riders will going through Hiawatha neighborhoods from 1 to 3:30 to collect donated gifts.

Needed are new unwrapped toys for those of all ages, monetary gifts and children's hats and gloves.

If you would like to donate a toy or a monetary gift your asked to call 785-741-0861 or you can mail monetary donations to Jingle Bell Ride, P.O Box 434, Hiawatha, 66434. Donations can also be made through the Hiawatha Community Foundation's website at hiawathacf.org.

Anyone wanting to donate toys prior to the ride can drop them off at Pemberton Village and Freedom Hospice during weekday hours.

Last year, the Jingle Bell Ride helped around 100 families and about 300 kids.

(KAIR)--A controversial Atchison County sales tax will soon be a thing of the past, as voters Tuesday gave approval to a separate sales tax to replace it.

The unofficial results of Tuesday- ballot question show 3,107 Atchison County voters saying yes to the new tax while 2,252 voted in opposition.

Atchison County voters were asked “shall Atchison County be authorized to impose three-fourths of one percent sales tax countywide,” replacing the current sales tax in funding joint communications and solid waste disposal. The .75-percent sales tax will expire in 10-years, as required by state statute.

According to County estimates, the change will lower the sales tax in incorporated cities from 8.75-percent to 8.5-percent. The current sales tax in unincorporated areas of Atchison County stands at 7.75-percent, but will drop to 7.5 percent.

The current sales tax, approved in 1993 by voters, has long been a point of contention between the City and County of Atchison, with the two sides, since passage, unable to come to terms on the handling of the generated funds.

(KAIR)--A sitting Atchison City Commissioner is selected to serve the 1st District of Atchison County as a member of the Atchison County Commission.

Republican Dr. Allen Reavis, during Tuesday- general election, defeated Democratic challenger Tom Lykins, according to the unofficial tally of the votes.

Reavis, a longtime Atchison dentist, has also served as the City- Mayor during his years of service on the Atchison City Commission.

He will fill the 1st District Atchison County Commission seat held by his fellow Republican Jack Bower who chose not to seek reelection.

In Jefferson County, it appears the 1st District will have new representation, with the incumbent trailing his opponent as of early Wednesday morning.

The unofficial numbers for Tuesday- election showed Republican challenger Doug Walbridge leading independent incumbent Lynn Luck with 62-percent of the vote, with 5 of 7 precincts reporting.

(KLZA)-- Falls City will have a new mayor. Mark Harkendorff, a longtime Falls City businessman outpolled incumbent Shawna Bindle 745 votes to 590. Bindle is completing her first term as mayor.

Shawn Fouraker was elected to serve as Ward III Councilman in Falls City defeating Jeromie Brown 207 - 113.

Richardson County Commissioner John Caverzagie was elected to serve another term in the First Commissioin District defeating John Coonce, 561 - 272.

Three new people were elected to the District 56 School Board in Falls City.

Cassondra Goff received 1290 votes, Teresa L. Olberding who served previously on the Board received 1285 votes and Anthony Johansen received 944 votes. Incumbents Richard Malcolm ( 855) votes and John Martin (829) votes and Justin Courtney (667) votes were not elected.

Ron Rathbone will be the new mayor of Humboldt, defeating Dyann Herr 200 votes to 55.

A village sales tax proposal in Rulo was voted down 33 - 31.

Elected to serve on Village Boards in Richardson County in contested races were:

Carolyn Meckstroth and Jody Strecker in Barada; Mandy Morehead, Christine Nycum (Kelley) and Regina Barber in Rulo; Gary Hays and Linda Patchen in Shubert; Denise Koso and Cody Bahr in Verdon.

Pawnee County voters have elected Emily Sisco to serve as County Attorney. She defeated incumbent Jennifer Stehlik Ladman 697 - 392.

Laura Poskochil and Incumbent Susan Eisenhauer were elected to the City Council in Pawnee City. They outpolled incumbent Rickie Helms.

Elected to serve on the Table Rock Village Board were incumbents Kenneth Edwards and Cayle Rauner along with Kevin Anderson.

In Holt County, Missouri, Rebecca Thorngren was elected County Treasurer over Darin Brock 1060 to 581.

The local use tax question in the community of Oregon, Missouri was approved by a vote of 167 - 141.

(MSC News)--Area voters Tuesday approved several special questions.

Voters in Nemaha Central USD 115 approved a $24.2 million bond issue for facility improvements by a vote of 1,038 to 905, while voters in Riverside USD 114 approved renewal of the district's 3.6 mill capital outlay levy for a 4-year period by a vote of 576 to 435 .

In the Marshall County community of Frankfort, voters approved a one-half percent citywide retailers sales tax to fund operations and capital improvements at the Frankfort Community Care Home by a vote of 201 to 77. The sales tax will take effect April 1, 2023

Voters in the Brown County community of Fairview approved a one-half percent citywide retailers sales tax to finance city infrastructure and improvements, along with to provide mill levy support by a vote of 67 to 19.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Republican Jerry Moran has won a third term in the U.S. Senate. Moran defeated Democrat Mark Holland, the former mayor of Kansas City, Kansas and a United Methodist pastor. Moran has become visible on veterans issues in recent years and played a key role this year in improving benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. He received former President Donald Trump- endorsement early in 2021. It- been 90 years since Kansas elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate.

(MSC News)--Voter's Tuesday went to the polls, deciding federal, state, and local elections, as well as answering questions and determinging future taxation.

The Kansas Secretary of State's Office is monitoring the state and federal races.
MSC Radio News is also monitoring local election outcomes and is posting those to mscnews.net as well.

(MSC News)--Voter's Tuesday went to the polls, deciding federal, state, and local elections, as well as answering questions and determinging future taxation.

The Kansas Secretary of State's Office is monitoring the state and federal races.
MSC Radio News is also monitoring local election outcomes and is posting those to mscnews.net as well.

(KNZA)--Hiawatha voters Tuesday elected Becky Shamburg as the city's new mayor. Shamburg defeated Brian Shefferd by a vote of 599 to 482. Both currently serve on the city commission.

Incumbent Hiawatha Commissioner of Finance David Middendorf won re-election in a three-way race. Middendorf received 443 votes, Laura Tollefson, 398 votes, and Thomas Martin received 217 votes.

Incumbent 1st District Brown County Commissioner Richard Lehmkuhl easily won re-election to another term. Lehmkuhl, a Republican, defeated Democratic challenger Bill Collins, who currently serves as Hiawatha mayor, by a vote of 1,087 to 222.

The Brown County Clerk's Office reported a nearly 52 percent voter turnout.

Meanwhile, Jackson County voters Tuesday elected a new 1st District county commissioner. Democrat Mark Pruett defeated incumbent Republican Ed Kathrens by a vote of 946 to 877.

(KAIR)--An Overland Park man, traveling in Atchison Sunday, escaped injury despite a collision that included a building on the City- Main Street.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, Jackson Hoskins was driving in the 900 block of Main Street when he struck shrubbery, a mailbox, and a building.
Hoskins required no medical treatment following the wreck.

Wilson said Hoskins was cited for leaving the scene of the accident.

(KAIR)--Despite a strong push from the County, and votes from the Atchison County area, the Atchison County Sheriff's Office was not successful in gaining K9 unit funds.

That word was delivered Friday, with the County saying “it is with sad news” that notification of the unsuccessful grant is given.

A total of $15,000 in grant funds was made available by Aftermath, a firm specializing in trauma cleaning and biohazard removal. The grants are being made available to law enforcement and first responder K9 units, with the funds earmarked for the expansion or maintenance of existing K9 units or to create news.

Atchison County voters were asked to place their vote online for the Sheriff's Office, with the deadline arriving on Halloween.

Once the votes were tabulated, Atchison County was not included among the top 8 agencies receiving enough votes to be named a winner.

(KAIR)--Seven internet service providers are awarded $15.7 million that will bring high-speed broadband service to what a release from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly calls “underserved, economically distressed, and low population areas of the state.”

The release explains that the funds are the first of three rounds of awards from the Kansas Capital Project Funds Broadband Grant Program.

The first phase of funding, the release notes, “will connect more than 1,900 homes, businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and other public institutions to fast, reliable internet in the next 24 months.”

Among the seven receiving the first round funds are Giant Communications, in Jackson County. The release says the service provider will receive $895,295 to connect 163 premises in Jackson County with high-speed broadband service.

According to the release, the funding aims to solve what the release calls the “last mile” of broadband needed in critical areas.

The service providers selected to deliver the last-mile connections will provide partial matching dollars, bringing the total project amount for the first round to $19,700,991. All 141 applications remain eligible for the next two rounds of funding.

(KAIR)--Scheduling challenges for the contractor is the reason cited for the delay of Atchison- Main Street and 17th Street Asphalt Resurfacing Project.

According to a release from the City of Atchison, the delay will remain in place untl May, with public works, in the meantime, “striping a temporary configuration at 17th and Main by creating a right turn only lane on Main Street turning north onto 17th Street.”

The final striping configuration, once resurfacing is completed next year, “will match the rest of Main Street with a single westbound lane, a single eastbound lane, and a center turning lane.” Additionally, the City says, the Public Works Department “will be filling in the gap along the new gutter line one the south side of Main Street from 2nd to 10th Street,” adding that the move is “a temporary measure to get us through the winter season until the street can be properly milled and resurfaced.”

(KNZA)--The former city manager of Atchison has been hired as the new Hiawatha city administrator.

The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening approved the hiring of Becky Berger for the position, and authorized Mayor Bill Collins to sign an employment agreement.

She was interviewed by the Commission during a special meeting October 26.

Berger served as Atchison city manager for 4 years before resigning in August 2021. Prior to that, she served as assistant city manager and finance director for 5 years.

Berger is currently serving as Interim Assistant County Administrator for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.

She began her career in Cherryvale, Kansas in 2007 as assistant city administrator/city clerk.

Berger will begin her new job in Hiawatha on December 5 at an annual salary of $100,000.

The position came open following the resignation of former city administrator Mike Nichols in April.

Larry Paine has been serving as interim city administrator since that time.

(KNZA)--A Monday evening vehicle-deer collision in Jackson County sent a Topeka woman to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 48-year-old David Kreuzburg, of Topeka, was southbound on U.S. 75 Highway, four-tenths of a mile north of 110th Road, when a deer entered the roadway and was struck by his pickup truck.

A passenger, 51-year-old Jessie Kreuzburg, was transported to Topeka's St. Francis Hospital for the treatment of suspected minor injuries.

David Kruezburg was not hurt.

The Patrol said both occupants were not wearing seatbelts when the wreck occurred about 6:15 Monday evening.

Editors note: the following was submitted by Sabetha Community Hospital

(KNZA)--Sabetha Community Hospital is excited to welcome Dr. Rob Nagely to the team of physicians. Rob Nagely, MD recently signed a contract with SCH and will begin practicing in the summer of 2024.

“I look forward to carrying out my vocation as a rural family physician at Sabetha Community Hospital. My wife, Leah, and I both grew up in the great community of Sabetha. We are happy to know that our son, Thomas, will have that same opportunity.” said Nagely.

Dr. Nagely is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Medicine and is currently a resident physician in the Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency Program in Salina, Kansas.

Dr. Nagely is not a stranger in the SCH community either. “Throughout college and medical school, I was able to spend a great deal of time job shadowing Dr. Gregg Wenger. This was especially significant for me as he was the doctor who delivered me, provided medical care for my family, and was influential in my choice to pursue family medicine. It was edifying to watch how Dr. Wenger interacts with and cares for his patients. Shadowing also allowed me to get to know the employees at Sabetha Community Hospital and Sabetha Family Practice. I appreciate the hard work that these employees put forth and the great work atmosphere they have created.”

(KLZA)-- Following an executive session during their November 1 meeting, Richardson County Commissioners voted to concurrent representation by Baylor Evnen, LLP for the Richardson County Clerk along with the county clerks of five other Nebraska counties named as defendants in a suit filed in Lancaster County, District Court by Rick Hill, vs. Slection Systems & Software, State of Nebraska officials and 90 of the 93 Nebraska counties.

Hill claims the counties and state officials allowed unconstritutional elections.

In other business the Board reviewed bridge projects with Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. and the funding available trough the “bipartisan infrastructure bill” involving completion of an intensive grant application for “shovel ready” projects. Darveau will contact an engineering firm to meet with Commissioners Tuesday, November, 15, to review projects that may be eligible for the funding.

EDGE Executive Director Lucas Froeschl met with the Board and Sheriff Rick Hardesty to review the possibility of obtaining grant funding for the purchase of a digital fingerprint scanning system which would help to speed up the clearance process for employees hired for local daycares, medical and educational facilities.

(KLZA)-- The General Election will take place Tuesday.

Polls in Nebraska are open from 8:00 a.m - 8:00 p.m.

In Missouri voters can go to the polling places from 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Contested elections in the area include:

Richardson County:

County Commissioner - District 1

Incumbent - John Caverzagie; Democrat - John R. Coonce

Falls City Mayor:

Incumbent - Shawna Bindle; Challenger - Mark Harkendorff

Ward III Council in Falls City

Jeromie Brown and Shawn Fouraker

Humboldt Mayor

Dyann Herr and Ron Rathbone

District 56 School Board - Falls City

John Martin - Incumbent; Justin Courtney; Richard Malcolm - Incumbent; Anthony Johansen; Cassondra Goff; Teresa L. Olberding:

Village of Barada - electing 2

Carolym Meckstroth; Branson Darveau; Jody Strecker

Village of Rulo - electing 3

Mandy Morehad; Kraig Coonce; Christine Nycum ( Kelley); Dan Lyons; Regina Barber;

Village of Shubert - electing 2

Linda Patchen; Hailey Buchner; Kimberly Dunn; Gary Hays;

Village of Verdon - electing 2

Denise Koso; Cody Bahr; Terry Cummins; Phil Hitchcock;

Village of Rulo - Voting For or Against a proposed 1.5% sales and use tax upon the same transactions within the municipality on which the State of Nebraska is authorized to impose a sales and use tax.

PAWNEE COUNTY:

County Attorney;

Jennifer Stehlik Ladman - Incumbent - Democrat; Emily Sisco - Republican

Pawnee City Council - Electing 2

Laura Poskochil; Susan Eisenhauer - Incumbent; Rickie Helms - Incumbent;

Village Board of Table Rock - Electing 3

Kenneth Edwards - incumbent; Cayle Rauner - incumbent; Kevin Andersen; Paula Loveless;

Nemaha County:

District 3 County Commissioner:

Michael Weiss; Write-in candidate - Larry Holtzman

Auburn Board of Education - electing 3

Ryan Jones - Inc.; Beth Kernes-Krause - Inc. Laura Osborne - Inc. Jenika Mullins; Eli Davidson;

Johnson-Brock School Board - electing 3

Chester Bohling; Mitchell Neddenriep; Write-in candidates - Keith Bohling and Brian Meyer;

Johnson Village Board - electing 2

Richard Meyer - Inc.; Lonnie Swanson- Inc; Lucus Dalinghaus;

Johnson County

District 1 County Commissioner:

David Borrenpohl - Republican; Bob Gregorgy - Libertaian

Write-in Candidate - Rex Rogman

District 3 County Commissioner:

Les Agena - Republican; Adam Keebler - Libertairan

Johnson County Central School Board: -electing 3

Gail Hutt - Inc.; Ken Wellensiek - Inc; Justin Beethe - Inc.; John Sterup;

Tecumseh Airport Authority - 6-year term - electing 1

Douglas Bernadt; Lyndsay Beethe;

Tecumseh City Council - electing 1

Two Write-in candidates have filed:

Lance Beethe; Doug Bernadt

Holt County, Missouri:

County Treasurer: Rebecca Thorngren - Republican; Darin Brock - Democrat

City or Oregon Local Use Tax Question

Yes or No

Atchison County, MO.

No contested local races.

(MSC News)--Voters will go the polls Tuesday to decide local, state and federal races, along with several local special questions and two proposed state constitutional amendments.

Locally, voters in Nemaha Central USD 115 will decide the fate of a $24.2 million bond issue for facility improvements, while voters in Riverside USD 114 will decide whether to renew the district's 3.6 mill capital outlay levy for a 4-year period.

Atchison County voters will decide whether a three-fourths of one percent countywide sales tax should be imposed to replace the existing one-cent sales tax to fund joint communications and solid waste disposal.

Voters in the city of Fairview will decide whether a one-half percent citywide retailers' sales tax should be imposed to finance city infrastructure and improvements, along with provide mill levy support.

In the Marshall County community of Frankfort, voters will decide whether to levy a half-percent retailers' sales tax within the city to fund operations and capital improvements at the Frankfort Community Care Home.

Hiawatha voters will elect a new mayor. Current city commissioners, Becky Shamburg and Brian Shefferd, are vying for the position. Current Mayor Bill Collins is running for 1st District Brown County Commissioner against incumbent Richard Lehmkuhl.

There is a three-way race for the position of Commissioner of Finance on the Hiawatha City Commission. Incumbent David Middendorf is being challenged by Thomas Martin and Laura Tollefson.

There are also contested races for 1st District county commissioner in Atchison, Jackson, and Jefferson Counties. In Atchison County, Democrat Tom Lykins and Republican Allen Reavis are vying for the position. In Jackson County, Republican incumbent Ed Kathrens is being challenging by Democrat Mark Pruett. In Jefferson County, incumbent Lynn Luck is being challenged by Doug Walbridge.

The polls will be open Tuesday from 7:00 am to 7 pm.

(KAIR)--A woman suffers injuries requiring hospital care following an Atchison explosion Saturday night.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, it happened in the 800 block of North 9th Street, around 9:20, when the 59-year-old woman “was outside a residence going through some miscellaneous items she had obtained earlier in the evening and was holding onto what was a probable fireworks device.” According to Wilson, the victim was smoking at the time, causing the device to ignite as she held it.

When Atchison Police Officers arrived, they found the woman to have suffered injuries to a hand, arm, and chest, requiring transport by Atchison County EMS to Mosaic Life Care, in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Wilson, in the release, says his department was assisted at the scene by the Kansas Fire Marshal's Office, and the Leavenworth Police Bomb Squad, with that agency checking the scene for additional explosive devices. None were found.

(KNZA)--Two Holton residents were arrested Friday morning after a search warrant was served on a Holton residence.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a release, said the Sheriff Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation executed the search warrant at 513 Kansas Avenue around 9:00 in reference to an ongoing drug investigation.

Morse said 52-year-old Stoney Hards was arrested on a Jackson County District Court warrant for a probation violation,and 31-year-old Dacoeta DeVader was arrested on a Jackson County District Court warrant for failure to appear.

He said law enforcement seized a quantity of drug paraphernalia and a substance believed to be methamphetamine.

Morse said local officials were contacted due to deplorable living conditions at the residence.

He said further charges are expected.

(KNZA)--A building housing fireworks was destroyed by fire early Sunday morning, south of Holton.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a release, said the fire was reported shortly after 3:30 at 192nd and U.S. 75 Highway.

The Prairie Band Potawatomi , Hoyt, Mayetta, Delia, Holton, Whiting and Netawaka fire departments responded to the scene, along with the Jackson County Sheriff Office, Jackson County EMS and PBPN Police.

Morse said the metal structure, which was not occupied at the time, had been a fireworks provider over the years.

He said the report of fireworks discharging could be heard for miles away.

Morse said no injuries were reported, and the structure is a complete loss.

Firefighters remained on scene until dayllight.

Morse said the cause of the fire has not yet been determined and the Kansas State Fire Marshal will be investigating.

Chapel Oaks Funeral Home
124 S. 7th Street Hiawatha, Kansas 66434
(785) 742-2212 Fax (785) 742-7319
Steven John Davies, 75, of Hiawatha, with family by his side, passed away October 29, 2022, at Amberwell hospital in Hiawatha, KS after a prolonged illness.
He answered to many names: Dr. D, Dr. Davies, Steve, or Steven John, called himself Fat Steve, and Slim Davies. His most desired and cherished title was “daddy.” For those who were blessed to know him, mere words are insufficient to describe this unique personality. His storied life began in Kingman, Kansas, January 28, 1947, delivered at home by his father. His parents owned and operated Livingston Mortuary, which at the time also operated the ambulance service and the furniture store. He was born with a heart condition, fortunately to educated parents, his father with medical related training and his nurse mother, who saved his life. Despite this condition, he was a strong and active child who dreamed of being a cowboy. It was during his senior year he suffered a heart attack and was told his life expectancy would be short. He was advised to not pursue college as the strain would be too much. Steve remained determined to do whatever he set his mind to do, and he certainly did not slow down!
To say that he was highly educated is a vast understatement. After graduating high school, he began his higher education career with a BA in speech pathology, simultaneously obtaining a BA in elementary education from Wichita State University. He continued with an MA in Speech Pathology, a certification in Special Education Administration at ESU, an MS in Special Education from KSU, Education Specialist degree in Administration, Master- degree in Criminal Justice from WSU, and topped it off with a PhD in Adult and Continuing Education from KSU. He belonged to the Phi Delta Theta fraternity throughout his college years and was active in student government. He highly valued educational achievement, but had a down to earth style that many found surprising,
Steve- professional working career began in Hiawatha, KS as a speech/language pathologist and audiologist and over the years included multiple positions in the fields of speech, education, and criminal justice. Most notably, his career intertwined his education and criminal justice backgrounds including, the Superintendent of Education at Kansas State Industrial Reformatory in Hutchinson, KS, USD #105 Rawlins Co-Atwood, USD #331 Kingman-Norwich, Secretary of Corrections for the State of Kansas, Chairman of the Kansas Parole Board, and he returned to Brown County as Director of Special Education Interlocal #615, followed by Superintendent of Schools for USD#430 South Brown County from which he retired in 2017 after 16 yrs of service to the community.
He was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, and friend. At the age of 46yrs he married Tracy, who he met while teaching as adjunct professor at Pratt Community College. They wed in his hometown of Kingman, KS on April 1st, 1993, April Fools Day, his favorite day of the year. On this day, he also instantly achieved his lifelong desire to become a father, upon the consent of Raven (age 3yrs) and again in 1994 with the birth of their son Drew.
Steve always considered northeast Kansas his home and friends here his family. Regardless of his role, Dr. Davies devoted his life to kids to help them develop a positive self-image, he always had their best interests at heart.

Steve championed various organizations too numerous to list such as: Lion- Club, Jaycees, Boy Scouts of America, KARC, NASA, etc. that supported the development of young people, the disabled, and the disenfranchised. In a 1985, publication of the College of Education at KSU Perspectives in Adult Learning and Development Vol 9, Steve wrote an article entitled A Chance to Square Up where he detailed the value of a quality stair stepped educational program to support the needs of the inmates 85% of whom had not completed high school or a GED as he would later be quoted that 90% of incarcerated people return to the community and that the purpose of corrections is to return them as good neighbors. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop #112, and coached little league soccer and baseball. He devoted his time to mentoring youth, and networking to help people young and old achieve their goals. He had a passion for horses, vintage cars, and collecting antiques.
Although he had a giant personality to match his size and would go “toe to toe” with anyone who wanted to challenge him, he was a sentimental, tender hearted, humble man with a phenomenal sense of humor. You always knew where you stood with Steve. He was a true humanist and treated everyone with respect, and in turn was widely respected.
Ironically, he was told his life would be limited due to his weak heart, along with several other infirmities that came his way, however, he chose to live a vibrant life that he was so willing to share with others. Ultimately, it was his heart that proved to be the strongest, outlasting everything until the very end.
Steve is survived by his wife Tracy Davies of Hiawatha, KS, his daughter Raven Sharice Milam Davies of Topeka, KS, his son Drew Christian Davies, of Kansas City, MO, and his sister Karen Jo Vickery, of Cincinnati, OH.
Steve was preceded in death by his father Joseph Newcomer Davies, his mother Gladys Marguerite Hanson, and his sister Deanne Wagner.
A celebration of Steve- well lived life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 6, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. Tony French will officiate.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 12 noon Saturday where the family will meet with friends from 4 until 6 that afternoon. The family will have a storyboard provided to post your Steve stories so that all who visit may enjoy the humorous and loving man he was.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Kingman, Kansas.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Handicapped Equipment Playground Fund at Horton Elementary School which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th Street, 66434.
A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.co

Chapel Oaks Funeral Home

124 S. 7th Street Hiawatha, Kansas 66434

(785) 742-2212 Fax (785) 742-7319

Steven John Davies, 75, of Hiawatha, with family by his side, passed away October 29, 2022, at Amberwell hospital in Hiawatha, KS after a prolonged illness.

He answered to many names: Dr. D, Dr. Davies, Steve, or Steven John, called himself Fat Steve, and Slim Davies. His most desired and cherished title was “daddy.” For those who were blessed to know him, mere words are insufficient to describe this unique personality. His storied life began in Kingman, Kansas, January 28, 1947, delivered at home by his father. His parents owned and operated Livingston Mortuary, which at the time also operated the ambulance service and the furniture store. He was born with a heart condition, fortunately to educated parents, his father with medical related training and his nurse mother, who saved his life. Despite this condition, he was a strong and active child who dreamed of being a cowboy. It was during his senior year he suffered a heart attack and was told his life expectancy would be short. He was advised to not pursue college as the strain would be too much. Steve remained determined to do whatever he set his mind to do, and he certainly did not slow down!

To say that he was highly educated is a vast understatement. After graduating high school, he began his higher education career with a BA in speech pathology, simultaneously obtaining a BA in elementary education from Wichita State University. He continued with an MA in Speech Pathology, a certification in Special Education Administration at ESU, an MS in Special Education from KSU, Education Specialist degree in Administration, Master- degree in Criminal Justice from WSU, and topped it off with a PhD in Adult and Continuing Education from KSU. He belonged to the Phi Delta Theta fraternity throughout his college years and was active in student government. He highly valued educational achievement, but had a down to earth style that many found surprising,

Steve- professional working career began in Hiawatha, KS as a speech/language pathologist and audiologist and over the years included multiple positions in the fields of speech, education, and criminal justice. Most notably, his career intertwined his education and criminal justice backgrounds including, the Superintendent of Education at Kansas State Industrial Reformatory in Hutchinson, KS, USD #105 Rawlins Co-Atwood, USD #331 Kingman-Norwich, Secretary of Corrections for the State of Kansas, Chairman of the Kansas Parole Board, and he returned to Brown County as Director of Special Education Interlocal #615, followed by Superintendent of Schools for USD#430 South Brown County from which he retired in 2017 after 16 yrs of service to the community.

He was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, and friend. At the age of 46yrs he married Tracy, who he met while teaching as adjunct professor at Pratt Community College. They wed in his hometown of Kingman, KS on April 1st, 1993, April Fools Day, his favorite day of the year. On this day, he also instantly achieved his lifelong desire to become a father, upon the consent of Raven (age 3yrs) and again in 1994 with the birth of their son Drew.

Steve always considered northeast Kansas his home and friends here his family. Regardless of his role, Dr. Davies devoted his life to kids to help them develop a positive self-image, he always had their best interests at heart.

Steve championed various organizations too numerous to list such as: Lion- Club, Jaycees, Boy Scouts of America, KARC, NASA, etc. that supported the development of young people, the disabled, and the disenfranchised. In a 1985, publication of the College of Education at KSU Perspectives in Adult Learning and Development Vol 9, Steve wrote an article entitled A Chance to Square Up where he detailed the value of a quality stair stepped educational program to support the needs of the inmates 85% of whom had not completed high school or a GED as he would later be quoted that 90% of incarcerated people return to the community and that the purpose of corrections is to return them as good neighbors. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop #112, and coached little league soccer and baseball. He devoted his time to mentoring youth, and networking to help people young and old achieve their goals. He had a passion for horses, vintage cars, and collecting antiques.

Although he had a giant personality to match his size and would go “toe to toe” with anyone who wanted to challenge him, he was a sentimental, tender hearted, humble man with a phenomenal sense of humor. You always knew where you stood with Steve. He was a true humanist and treated everyone with respect, and in turn was widely respected.

Ironically, he was told his life would be limited due to his weak heart, along with several other infirmities that came his way, however, he chose to live a vibrant life that he was so willing to share with others. Ultimately, it was his heart that proved to be the strongest, outlasting everything until the very end.

Steve is survived by his wife Tracy Davies of Hiawatha, KS, his daughter Raven Sharice Milam Davies of Topeka, KS, his son Drew Christian Davies, of Kansas City, MO, and his sister Karen Jo Vickery, of Cincinnati, OH.

Steve was preceded in death by his father Joseph Newcomer Davies, his mother Gladys Marguerite Hanson, and his sister Deanne Wagner.

A celebration of Steve- well lived life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 6, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. Tony French will officiate.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 12 noon Saturday where the family will meet with friends from 4 until 6 that afternoon. The family will have a storyboard provided to post your Steve stories so that all who visit may enjoy the humorous and loving man he was.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Kingman, Kansas.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Handicapped Equipment Playground Fund at Horton Elementary School which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th Street, 66434.

A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.co

(KLZA)-- Four people were injured Friday morning about 8:20 on US 59 Highway six miles east of Oregon, Missouri.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports a westbound car driven by 22-year-old Mackenzie Shaw of Forest City, began to slide on the wet roadway and crossed the center line. The front driver side of the Shaw car struck the front driver side of an eastbound Buick Envision driven by 72-year-old Wayne Adkins of Oregon, Missouri.

The Shaw car came to rest on the highway while the Adkins vehicle slid off the road and struck a small cluster of trees.

Mackenzie Shaw sufered moderate injuries and a one year old juvenile in her car sustained minor injures. They were transproted by Andrew Ambulance to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.

Waynd Adkins suffered what were described as minor injuries and a passenger in his car, 71-year-old Lila Adkins suffered serious injuries. Both were transported by the Atchison Holt Ambulance to the Mosaic Life Care Hospital in St. Joseph.

The South Holt Fire Department and Holt County Sheriff's Department also responded to the wreck.

(KAIR)--A fentanyl overdose is confirmed as the cause of death for a Lansing Correctional Facility inmate, who died in April.

That’s according to a letter sent from the Leavenworth County Attorney’s Office to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

The letter opens by stating, “there are no charges [the County Attorney’s Office] is able to file at this time due to the death of Casey Wallace,” with the letter saying that “according to the medical reports, Wallace’s death was due to an overdose of fentanyl,” but “there is no evidence of how he acquired the illegal substance.”

The letter, which states Wallace’s fellow inmates had no knowledge of him using fentanyl, and that investigators were unsuccessful in determining how the fentanyl was obtained by Wallace, closes by saying, “there is no evidence that the cause of death was due to anything but fentanyl overdose.”

Wallace was serving a sentence for the distribution of marijuana, and possession of a handgun, at the time of his April 1 death.

Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, in an emailed message accompanying the release of the letter, calls fentanyl “very lethal, in even small doses,” adding that, “it’s a scary threat to our public, and now it’s made its way into our prisons."

(KLZA)-- The Mound City Board of Aldermen approved the purchase of rifles for the Mound City Police Department when they met October 20.

In addition, the Board approved the expenditure of more than $5,800 for five cameras from Laptop Pitstop for the department.

In other business Aldermen approved the low bid of $2,646 for concrete repairs on Paxton Street and low bid for tires for a city truck in an amount of just over $1,380.

An ordinance was adopted to create a four-way stop at the intersection between and behind the 500 block of State Street and Railroad Street.

Following an executive session to discuss personnel, the Board voted to promote Nathan Hayes to the position of Wastewater Superintendent and increase his pay to $18 per hour.

Chapel Oaks Funeral Home

124 S. 7th Street Hiawatha, Kansas 66434

(785) 742-2212 Fax (785) 742-7319

Steven John Davies, 75, of Hiawatha, with family by his side, passed away October 29, 2022, at Amberwell hospital in Hiawatha, KS after a prolonged illness.

He answered to many names: Dr. D, Dr. Davies, Steve, or Steven John, called himself Fat Steve, and Slim Davies. His most desired and cherished title was “daddy.” For those who were blessed to know him, mere words are insufficient to describe this unique personality. His storied life began in Kingman, Kansas, January 28, 1947, delivered at home by his father. His parents owned and operated Livingston Mortuary, which at the time also operated the ambulance service and the furniture store. He was born with a heart condition, fortunately to educated parents, his father with medical related training and his nurse mother, who saved his life. Despite this condition, he was a strong and active child who dreamed of being a cowboy. It was during his senior year he suffered a heart attack and was told his life expectancy would be short. He was advised to not pursue college as the strain would be too much. Steve remained determined to do whatever he set his mind to do, and he certainly did not slow down!

To say that he was highly educated is a vast understatement. After graduating high school, he began his higher education career with a BA in speech pathology, simultaneously obtaining a BA in elementary education from Wichita State University. He continued with an MA in Speech Pathology, a certification in Special Education Administration at ESU, an MS in Special Education from KSU, Education Specialist degree in Administration, Master- degree in Criminal Justice from WSU, and topped it off with a PhD in Adult and Continuing Education from KSU. He belonged to the Phi Delta Theta fraternity throughout his college years and was active in student government. He highly valued educational achievement, but had a down to earth style that many found surprising,

Steve- professional working career began in Hiawatha, KS as a speech/language pathologist and audiologist and over the years included multiple positions in the fields of speech, education, and criminal justice. Most notably, his career intertwined his education and criminal justice backgrounds including, the Superintendent of Education at Kansas State Industrial Reformatory in Hutchinson, KS, USD #105 Rawlins Co-Atwood, USD #331 Kingman-Norwich, Secretary of Corrections for the State of Kansas, Chairman of the Kansas Parole Board, and he returned to Brown County as Director of Special Education Interlocal #615, followed by Superintendent of Schools for USD#430 South Brown County from which he retired in 2017 after 16 yrs of service to the community.

He was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, and friend. At the age of 46yrs he married Tracy, who he met while teaching as adjunct professor at Pratt Community College. They wed in his hometown of Kingman, KS on April 1st, 1993, April Fools Day, his favorite day of the year. On this day, he also instantly achieved his lifelong desire to become a father, upon the consent of Raven (age 3yrs) and again in 1994 with the birth of their son Drew.

Steve always considered northeast Kansas his home and friends here his family. Regardless of his role, Dr. Davies devoted his life to kids to help them develop a positive self-image, he always had their best interests at heart.

Steve championed various organizations too numerous to list such as: Lion- Club, Jaycees, Boy Scouts of America, KARC, NASA, etc. that supported the development of young people, the disabled, and the disenfranchised. In a 1985, publication of the College of Education at KSU Perspectives in Adult Learning and Development Vol 9, Steve wrote an article entitled A Chance to Square Up where he detailed the value of a quality stair stepped educational program to support the needs of the inmates 85% of whom had not completed high school or a GED as he would later be quoted that 90% of incarcerated people return to the community and that the purpose of corrections is to return them as good neighbors. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop #112, and coached little league soccer and baseball. He devoted his time to mentoring youth, and networking to help people young and old achieve their goals. He had a passion for horses, vintage cars, and collecting antiques.

Although he had a giant personality to match his size and would go “toe to toe” with anyone who wanted to challenge him, he was a sentimental, tender hearted, humble man with a phenomenal sense of humor. You always knew where you stood with Steve. He was a true humanist and treated everyone with respect, and in turn was widely respected.

Ironically, he was told his life would be limited due to his weak heart, along with several other infirmities that came his way, however, he chose to live a vibrant life that he was so willing to share with others. Ultimately, it was his heart that proved to be the strongest, outlasting everything until the very end.

Steve is survived by his wife Tracy Davies of Hiawatha, KS, his daughter Raven Sharice Milam Davies of Topeka, KS, his son Drew Christian Davies, of Kansas City, MO, and his sister Karen Jo Vickery, of Cincinnati, OH.

Steve was preceded in death by his father Joseph Newcomer Davies, his mother Gladys Marguerite Hanson, and his sister Deanne Wagner.

A celebration of Steve- well lived life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 6, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. Tony French will officiate.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 12 noon Saturday where the family will meet with friends from 4 until 6 that afternoon. The family will have a storyboard provided to post your Steve stories so that all who visit may enjoy the humorous and loving man he was.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Kingman, Kansas.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Handicapped Equipment Playground Fund at Horton Elementary School which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th Street, 66434.

A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.co

(KNZA)-An Everest man, accused of threatening three 10-year-olds with a knife, will stand trial.

 Following his preliminary hearing Wednesday, 19-year-old Grayson Weesner was bound over Brown County District Court on three felony counts of aggravated assault.  

Arraignment was scheduled for December 5.  

Weesner was arrested by the Horton Police Department early September 9th after the alleged incident was reported.  

 He remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a $20,000 bond.

(KAIR)--A heavily traveled route in the City of Atchison is again closed, as the 6th Street viaduct undergoes additional repair work.

That follows, in recent weeks, occasional closures of the structure for repairs, following damage it incurred this past summer.

According to a release from the City, the viaduct is closed due to the contractor, late this week, putting "the finishing touches on the deck repairs,” with the City explaining that “a special carbon wrap will be placed over the patch areas for additional support.”

As of Thursday, prior to the arrival of rainfall, the city said motorists “can expect the viaduct to be closed for a few days,” adding that they, the City, “will provide an update once the engineer clears [the City] to re-open the viaduct.”

The damage to the structure occurred in August when a construction company’s excavator, transported on a trailer, damaged several of the viaduct’s beams as it passed beneath, eastbound on Main Street, due to a lack of clearance.

(KAIR)--$116.4 million generated for the local and state economy each year.

That’s the amount generated by Atchison-based Benedictine College, according to a new study focused on the economic impact of independent colleges.

According to a release from the college, “the study was commissioned for the 2021 calendar year by the Kansas Independent College Association...and was conducted by Parker Philips, a firm specializing in analyzing and quantifying the economic impact of businesses and organizations.

The release explains that Benedictine College is the largest employer in both the city and Atchison County and of the $116 million, nearly $60 million goes directly into the Atchison economy each year, making the college’s economic impact “sufficient to support 801 jobs, 341 directly and 460 indirectly.”

Among other findings outlined in the study, Benedictine College students spend $7 million annually with local businesses for groceries, rental accommodations, transportation, entertainment, and other purchases, while the college itself pays $6.7 million in state and local taxes each year.

The study was announced during Thursday’s Atchison Rotary Club meeting.

Benedictine College President Stephen Minnis, in the release, says the “study demonstrates just how truly powerful the contribution is that...Benedictine College students, faculty, alumni and the institution as a whole make to the Atchison community.”

The release notes that “Kansas private, non-profit colleges and universities contribute over $1 billion to the local, state and regional economies that would not otherwise occur if the colleges did not exist.”

Other highlights of the Economic Impact (FY21) study include:

• Benedictine College students spend $7 million annually with local businesses for groceries, rental accommodations, transportation, entertainment and more.

• Benedictine College attracts thousands of visitors to Atchison each year for school tours, college events or athletic competition. Their off-campus spending at hotels, restaurants, gas stations and other businesses added $1.6 million to the Atchison economy in the analysis year.

• Benedictine College pays $6.7 million in state and local taxes each year.

• Kansas private, non-profit colleges and universities contribute over $1 billion to the local, state and regional economies that would not otherwise occur if the colleges did not exist.

Further information can be found on the college website.

Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas. The College is honored to have been named one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report as well as one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by First Things magazine and the Newman Guide. It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging. Benedictine College has a mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

(KNZA)-The Kansas Department of Health and Environment  has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Jefferson County Rural Water District 10 public water supply system. 

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

KDHE, in a release Friday, said laboratory testing samples collected from water district indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed to be resolved.

(MSC News)-- It's time to “ fall back” as Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 6.

Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour before going to bed Saturday night.

The time change will officially “ fall back” at 2:00 Sunday morning, creating darkness earlier in the evenings and more daylight during the early morning.

Fire safety experts also recommend changing batteries in smoke and fire alarms with the time change.

(KLZA)-- Two people suffered minor injuries in separate single vehicle wrecks Thursday morning in Atchison County, Missouri.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reported the first wreck occurred at 5:45 a.m. a mile south of Fairfax on Missouri Highway 46.

81-year-old Joyce Strough of Skidmore was driving west on Highway 46 and failed to stop at the intersection of Highway 46 and 59. Her car traveled off the road and struck an embankment.

Strough was transported by the Atchison – Holt EMS to the Fairfax Community Hospital.

The second wreck occurred about 7:20 a.m. on Missouri Highway 46, East of Route N, four miles south of Fairfax. 24-year-old McKinley Daniels of Fairfax was eastbound in a car that struck a deer crossing the road. Daniels was transported to the Fairfax Community Hospital by the Atchison-Holt Ambulance Squad

The drivers in both wrecks were wearing safety devices at the time of the wrecks.

(KLZA)-- A two vehicle wreck in Nemaha County, Nebraska Wednesday afternoon claimed the life of an Omaha woman.

The Nemaha County Sheriff's Office received a report of a two-vehicle wreck north of Auburn on Highway 75 between 735 Road and 736 Road shortly before 3:00 p.m..

When Deputies arrived the investigation revealed that a southbound vehicle driven by Anne Reynolds of Omaha, crossed over the center line and struck a northbound vehicle being driven by Sara Wiltse of Nebraska City.

Reynolds was pronounced deceased at the scene of the wreck. Wiltse and a passenger in the Reynolds vehicle were transported to the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn.

Seat belts were in use by both of the drivers.

In addition to the Nemaha County Sheriff's Department, the Brock-Julian Fire Department, Auburn Fire Department, Peru Fire Department, Auburn Rescue Squad, Peru Rescue Squad, Nemaha County Emergency Management and the Nebraska State Patrol responded to the scene of the wreck.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth woman, accused of fatally stabbing the fiance that she alleges was an abuser, pleads to the related charges.

That happened Tuesday, in Leavenworth County District Court, where 41-year-old Eva Banks entered the plea for one count of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of aggravated battery, in connection with the 2021 death of Jerrold Jermaine Rhodes.

According to a release from Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, Banks is scheduled for sentencing December 14. She faces up to 120 months in prison.

It was in the early morning hours of June 12, 2021, that Leavenworth Police, Thompson says, responded to 2508 4th Avenue, in Leavenworth, after Banks called them, reporting her fiance had been stabbed.

When they arrived, Rhodes was found with a wound on his abdomen. Fire Department and EMS personnel, at the scene, were unable to save the life of Rhodes, despite their efforts.

Banks, who informed police that she and Rhodes lived together, told officers the couple had an argument at a store, and left separately, with Rhodes found stabbed when she returned home.

However, the police investigation proved otherwise, with Banks admitting she stabbed Rhodes in the bathroom because, she told police, “she was tired of getting beaten by him,” reporting to investigators that “there was a history of domestic violence between the two of them.”

Thompson, in the release said, “Kansas does not accept battered woman's syndrome as a standalone defense to homicide, but it could be considered in the event the defendant was faced with a deadly threat or imminent danger that was contemporaneous with the killing,” but “there was no evidence...that Banks was facing an imminent threat at the time of the stabbing.”

(MSC News)--Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Tuesday, sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committees, urging them to prioritize Kansas farmers and ranchers in the upcoming Farm Bill.

That’s according to a release issued by Kelly’s office, which says the bill “shapes key aspects of U.S. agriculture and food policy,” and is updated every five years.

In the letter, the release says, “Kelly advocated for increasing regional food sources and investing in the technological innovation that will drive down food prices long-term,” while urging “the committees to explore solutions to help farmers and ranchers impacted by prolonged drought, severe floods, wildfires, and extreme temperatures – and to do so in a way that lowers grocery prices.”

Kelly, in the letter, wrote that “instead of placing burdensome regulations on farmers and ranchers with already thin margins, the next Farm Bill should invest in voluntary conservation programs, drought-resistant crops like sorghum and cotton, robust crop insurance, and biological and technological innovation that will drive down the cost of regenerative agriculture in the long run.”

Initial talks, regarding the 2023 Farm Bill, have begun.

(KAIR)--A late Wednesday morning Atchison crash, at U.S. Highway 59 and the Omaha Junction, sent a Muscotah man and his passenger to the hospital.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, in a release, says it happened around 11:00 when a van, that had been southbound on the U.S. Highway 73/U.S. Highway 59 connecting link, turned east onto 59 and collided with a Peterbilt semi tractor-trailer that was northbound from a business parking lot, crossing 59 to the connecting link.

The driver of the van, 75-year-old Thomas McLaughlin, of Muscotah, and his 70-year-old female passenger, were both transported by Atchison County EMS to Atchison’s Amberwell Hospital for examination.

The driver of the semi, 55-year-old Hiawatha resident Timothy Torkelson, was not hurt.

(KLZA)-- NioCorp Developments has announced that it will hold two separate town hall Meetings on Thursday, November 17, 2022 to discuss progress being made on the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project.

The first town hall will start at 12 noon Central, and the second will start at 6 p.m. Central. Both events will be held at the Kimmel Ag Expo Center, located at 198 Plum Street, in Syracuse, Nebraska.

NioCorp is hosting two separate events in order to accommodate high expected demand and to stay within the size limits of the Kimmel Ag Expo Center. Each event will feature the same presentation and question-and-answer opportunities. Advanced reservations are required. Due to space limitations, participant reservations will be limited to a single event.

For the lunch meeting doors will open at 11:45 a.m. and the doors open for the dinner time meeting at 5:45 p.m.

(KLZA)-- The Mound City Board of Aldermen reviewed water and sewer rates during their October 20 meeting.

The water rate analysis indicated a need to increase rates to support the costs of operation, debt and repair / replacement reserves. A motion passed to allow the current base rates to remain the same for both in-town and out-of-town users but increasing the price per 1,000 gallons to $10.65 for in-town-users and $12.85 per 1,000 gallons for out-of-town users.

In addition, Public Water Supply District wholesale customers minimum charge will be $9,000. The cost will increase to $7 per 1000 gallons for the next 600,000 gallons and the will remain at $6.50 per 1000 gallons in excess of 1.8 million gallons.

The new rates will go into effect January 1, 2023.

The sewer rate analysis indicated the current rates are sufficient to support the costs of operation, debt and reserves.

In other business the Council approved a request to create a no parking zone on the west side of Nebraska Street from 7th thru 9th Street, adjacent to the Mound City School property, during the hours of 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Aldermen also decided not to close a section of Paxton Street as requested by Dave Rieger after speaking with surrounding property owners.

(KLZA)-- A 116 acre farm located east of Falls City along Highway 159 sold in an online auction recently for what is believed to be the highest price per acre ever sold in Nebraska.

The property sold for $27,400 per acre. The assessed value of the property was $4,185 per acre. The Lincoln Journal Star reported that the 2022 Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report said the average price per acre for farmland in Southeast Nebraska is $6,070..

The Lincoln paper reports there were originally nine interested bidders, but two potential buyers pushed the price higher and higher.

According to the Journal-Star story, David and Steven Frederick, who farm neighboring ground purchased the property.

DreamDirt Auction Company who conducted the auction said the price per acre surpassed the Iowa record of $26,250 per acre price for an Iowa farm sold recently.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission Monday approved the purchase of a new track hoe for the county road and bridge department.  

he Commission voted 2-1 to approve the purchase a John Deere track hoe from Murphy Tractor and Equipment Company, of Topeka, in the amount of $130,800 with the trade-in of the county's 2015 John Deere track hoe.  Commissioner Jason Koch cast the lone dissenting vote.  

Bids were received last week from three companies.

Following an executive session, the commission voted unanimously to eliminate one full-time janitorial position for the county and to create a new full-time position that is part janitorial and part senior services. Commissioners said an offer has been made to an individual for the position.

 The Commission voted to appoint Senior Services/Public Transit Director Tammy Epple as the county facility maintenance supervisor, with compensation to be determined at a later time.  

And the Commission approved signing a letter of support for JBN Telephone Company to submit with their grant application to bring high speed internet access to homes, farms and businesses in rural Nemaha County.

(KAIR)--Two Atchison County burglaries, with combined total losses in the lower thousands, leads to investigations by the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, a Cummings resident, October 26, reported a burglary and theft that occurred at a rural Atchison County residence.

The report states that someone entered the residence, located in the 5600 block of Meade Road, and stole items including an ax, a radio, a television, surveyor’s transit, and other miscellaneous items.

All totaled, the loss in the crime, including damage to a window, is estimated at around $1,500.

It’s believed the burglary and theft happened sometime between 6:30 on the evening of October 25 and 8:30 on the morning of October 26.

A separate theft, occurring at a different location of Atchison County, was reported Sunday.

According to Laurie, two chainsaws were reported as missing from the shed of a residence, located in the 5200 block of Sherman Road.

Investigators believe the crime happened sometime between Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

A separate investigation, focused on destruction of Atchison County-owned property, is also underway.

According to Laurie, the Atchison County Road and Bridge Department, on October 27, reported damage to the storm shelter at the Atchison County Lake. That includes a price tag of around $400 due to damage to the door handle and air vents.

Anyone with information related to any of the three Atchison County cases should contact the Sheriff’s Office at 913-367-4323.

(MSC News)--Kansas’ October total tax receipts were $740.1 million -- 11%, or $73.2 million, above the estimate, and $77.4 million, or 11.7%, more than October of last year. That’s according to a release from the office of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, which says October marks the 27th month in a row in which the state has exceeded its estimated collections. 

According to the release, individual income tax collections were $357.5 million, which is $52.5 million, or 17.2%, more than the estimate. That is $55.9 million, or 18.6%, more than October 2021. Corporate income tax collections were $32.5 million for the month. That is $0.5 million, or 1.6%, less than the estimate and 18.9% less than October 2021. Corporate receipts for the first four months of FY 2023 are 7.6% greater than the same period in 2021.   

Retail sales tax collections were $251.7 million, which is 9.4%, or $21.7 million, more than the estimate. Those collections are $24.0 million, or 10.5%, more than last October. Compensating use tax collections were $70.0 million, which is $2.0 million, or 2.7%, less than the estimate, but 3.6% more than October 2021. 

(KNZA)--A former local school leader is being remembered.

According to his obituary, Steve Davies, of Hiawatha, died last Saturday at Amberwell Health, in Hiawatha, after a prolonged illness.  He was 75.

Davies served as superintendent of South Brown County USD 430 for 16 years before retiring in 2017. Prior to that, he served as director of Brown County Special Education Interlocal #615.

Besides education, Davies also worked in the criminal justice field--serving as Secretary of the Kansas Department of Corrections and Chairman of the Kansas Parole Board.

A celebration of life service for Davies will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, in Hiawatha.

The family will meet with friends Saturday afternoon from 4 to 6 at the funeral home, where friends may call after 12 noon. The family will have a storyboard provided to post your stories about Steve so that all who visit may enjoy the humorous and loving man he was. 

Burial willl be Monday afternoon at the Walnut Hill Cemetery, in Kingman, Kansas, following a graveside service at 1.00.

Among survivors are his wife, Tracy, along with two children.

(KLZA)-- Intense irrigation in Nebraska is having a complex effect on the weather accorging to researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Scientists have been studying the impact of irrigation on weather for years because of irrigation’s importance to global food security and the need to understand how its increasing use might change the weather. Irrigated fields produce about 40% of the world’s food, and its use is growing.

Dubbed GRAINEX for the Great Plains Irrigation Experiment, the study placed weather sensing equipment across 3,600 square miles of southeast Nebraska — from Merrick County on the northwest to Johnson County on the southeast. 

The most noticeable, localized effect that irrigation has on the weather is to make an area more humid. People sense that through muggier and more uncomfortable weather. That humidity also suppresses temperatures, so it’s harder for hot weather to generate records.

Other changes aren’t discernible by people but can be detected through large-scale scientific studies, analysis of decades of data and sophisticated computer modeling. It’s this type of research that has led scientists to conclude that irrigation is changing wind patterns locally and affecting rainfall patterns over a large area.

Irrigation in Nebraska appears to have led to slight decreases in rainfall within the most heavily irrigated areas, while potentially causing slight increases in rainfall many hundreds of miles away.

While the amount of rain involved is minor, a fraction of an inch over decades, the science is very solid.

Nebraska, it turns out, is the perfect laboratory to study irrigation. The state leads the U.S. in irrigated land, and the U.S. ranks third globally for amount of irrigated land.

Using a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation, researchers from six institutions undertook a massive study of irrigation in Nebraska in 2018, and that study is still bearing fruit.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City School Senior Alex Farwell is among the 48 finalists for the 2022-23, Believers & Achievers scholarship.

Believers & Achievers is a state-wide program designed to give recognition to Nebraska’s future leaders.

Beginning in October and continuing through April, 48 Nebraska high school seniors will be honored as Believers & Achievers. From those 48 finalists, eight will receive $500 scholarships from Currency to use for the college or university of their choice at a scholarship banquet to be held on April 23rd, 2023.

These students will be recognized at NSAA State Championships throughout the 2022-2023 activities year and on a poster sent to all NSAA member schools.

All of the students nominated for the Believers & Achievers awards program represent the very best of Nebraska’s high schools.

(KLZA)-- The drought, crop inputs, and other farm costs expected in 2023 are top of mind concerns for farmers and ranchers across Nebraska according to a non-scientific poll conducted by Nebraska Farm Bureau. According to the survey, producers' top concerns over the next year continue to be input prices (35%), followed by drought (32%), supply chain disruptions (20%), and crop and livestock prices (11%).

According to Nebraska Farm Bureau’s Senior Economist Jay Rempe, input costs for farmers and ranchers have risen significantly since January 2021.

Diesel and fertilizer prices are well above levels seen over the past decade. The fertilizer price index earlier this year was 94% higher than the January 2021 index, nearly doubling. The diesel index was up 118%. The chemical price index has risen 55% over an 18-month period. Hay prices have also seen increases, with the index increasing 28% compared to January 2021.

The extraordinary cost increases to absorb in a short period of time has created tremendous management challenges for farmers and ranchers.

Those who raise cattle and other livestock have also felt the impacts of drought. Much of Nebraska’s pasture and rangeland is rated in poor or very poor condition. Alfalfa production is projected to be down 22 percent this year compared to last year. Other hay production is expected to be off 18 percent compared to 2021.

The Livestock Market Information Center reports heifers are entering feedlots at a higher rate this year. So, selling cows and marketing calves earlier can mean increased revenues this year, but the sales that shrink herd size will impact the operations in the years to come.

(KLZA)-- November 1, marks the beginning of the Nebraska Public Service Commission’s (PSC) cold weather rule.

The cold weather rule means that from November 1-through- March 31, customers of Nebraska’s jurisdictional natural gas
utilities who may be facing financial difficulties are given a little extra time to pay their bills, and their service may not be shut off without allowing an additional 30 days to pay their bill beyond the normal due date.

Customers finding it difficult to pay natural gas bills should contact the company to arrange payment. Local public assistance agencies can also be contacted for help with natural gas bills including the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Salvation Army.

The cold weather rule was implemented in 2003 when the PSC was given regulatory authority over the state’s jurisdictional utilities.

Nebraska communities served by municipally owned natural gas utilities are not subject to regulation by the PSC and are not required to comply with the cold weather rule.

Information on assistance can be found by calling your natural gas utility or visiting their website.

Consumers can take steps to lower costs by setting thermostats a little lower. Gas utilities
recommend 68 degrees or lower, and to reduce thermostat settings when a home or building is unoccupied. Check gas appliance and space-heating equipment for efficient operation. Obtain a home energy audit to identify ways to conserve energy and participate in a gas company’s yearly
budget plan to spread costs throughout the year.

Other ways to conserve energy costs include, improving insulation in a home by installing storm windows and doors, attach clear plastic to the inside or outside of windows and screen doors, caulking around windows and door frames, and covering window air conditioners. 

(MSC News)--A member of U.S. Senator Jerry Moran's staff will be in Hiawatha and Seneca Friday, November 4 to hold an open office opportunity.  

The staff member will be at the Morrill Public Library, in Hiawatha, at 12 noon and at the Seneca Free Library, in Seneca, at 2:30.    

The office hours are open to all residents in the area experiencing difficulties with Social Security, Medicare, immigration issues, veterans' affairs or who have other concerns regarding federal issues.  

The event does not require an RSVP.

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

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

KDHE also issued a boil water advisory Tuesday for Jefferson County Rural Water District #10 because of a line break. 

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

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

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

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

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

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

(KDHE)--A Boil Water Advisory is issued for the Jefferson County Rural Water District 10 public water supply system, located in Jefferson County.

Issued Tuesday by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the agency, in a release, says the advisory was issued because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system, with KDHE explaining that “failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.”

The release notes that the boil water advisory “will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved.”

Customers of Jefferson County Rural Water District 10 are told to boil water for one minute prior to ingestion, or use bottled water.

(KAIR)--A guardrail replacement project is scheduled to begin tomorrow, Nov. 2, weather permitting,
on U.S. 59 approximately four miles south of Atchison.

Maintenance crews from the Kansas Department of Transportation will be working on U.S. 59 over
262nd Road for approximately two weeks. Traffic on U.S. 59 will be reduced to one lane in the work zone and will be controlled by temporary traffic signals. Intermittent closures of 262nd Road may be necessary at times, but will only
occur when crews are working. Advanced signing and cones will mark the work areas.

Work will occur Monday through Friday, but the traffic signal will be in place for the duration
of the project. Motorists should plan for delays of up to 10 minutes.

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

(KAIR)--The discovery of a body at a Horton apartment complex is under investigation, with local authorities being assisted by outside agencies.

According to a release from Horton Police, officers were called to the Lake Village Apartments, around 4:30 Monday afternoon, after the unattended death of a 33-year-old was reported.

Horton Police Chief Jon Boller, the release notes, “contacted the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the [Kansas Bureau of Investigation,] and the Brown County Attorney to assist with a thorough investigation.”

According to the release, the case remains under investigation “and further information will be released as permitted."

The identity of the person is being withheld, pending notification of relatives.

Boller, in the release, says “residents of the community need not be alarmed as law enforcement does not believe that there is a current threat to the community.”

(KAIR)--The long controversial Atchison County-wide 1-percent sales tax to fund solid waste and joint communications could become a past issue depending on how voters choose November 8.

During the approaching general election, Atchison County voters are being asked “shall Atchison County be authorized to impose three-fourths of one percent sales tax countywide,” which would replace the current sales tax in funding joint communications and solid waste disposal.

If approved, the .75-percent sales tax would expire in 10-years, as required by state statute.

According to County estimates, the proposal would lower the sales tax in incorporated cities from 8.75-percent to 8.5-percent.

The current sales tax in unincorporated areas of Atchison County stands at 7.75-percent, but would drop to 7.5 percent if yes votes are the majority outcome.

The current sales tax, approved in 1993 by voters, has long been a point of contention between the City and County of Atchison, with the two sides, since passage, unable to come to terms on the handling of the generated funds.

The City of Atchison has taken to social media in opposition to the “Repeal and Replace” ballot measure, with the City claiming that if the new sales tax is approved, City of Atchison residents would need to pay an additional fee on Atchison water bills, meaning residents would pay an additional $19.25 a month, or $231 annually, to fund the collection of trash and recycling.

That’s because the City, the social media post says, "uses it's portion of the [current] one-cent sales tax to fund curbside trash and recycling collections.”

meanwhile, in person, advance voting, continues in Atchison County.

That’s according to a release from the Atchison County Clerk’s Office, which says daily hours to vote at the Atchison County Courthouse Clerk’s Office are 8:30 to 5 pm weekdays.

Extended hours are also planned for advanced voting in person, with that to happen Wednesday until 7 pm and Saturday, November 5 from 10 until 2:00.

In person advance voting will end at noon Monday, November 7.

(KAIR)--The theft of electronics from an Atchison home is under the investigation of the Atchison Police Department.

That’s according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, who says in a release that the crime is believed to have occurred sometime between October 23 and October 29.

The theft occurred at the residence located in the 800 of block of Parallel Street.

According to Wilson, thieves were able to make off with a TCL Roku 55” television, an Xbox, and an RCA projector.

Anyone with information related to the theft is asked to call Atchison Police at 913 367-4323.

(KNZA)--A Fairview man will stand trial on child sex charges.  

Following his preliminary hearing last week, 44-year-old Darin Lierz was bound over to Brown County District Court on four counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

 Arraignment was scheduled for December 12.

According to court documents,  Lierz is charged in connection with alleged offenses occurring between September 14, 2017 and September 2, 2022.  

He was arrested in early September following an investigation by the Brown County Sheriff's Office.  

Lierz remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a $200,000 bond.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission on Monday approved a staff move in the county solid waste department, and received word on a retirement.

The Commission voted to move transfer station employee Heather Merrill to the position of solid waste director, and to move Brandon Rader from solid waste director to operator.

.The change is effective immediately.   

Merrill will be paid $22 an hour and Rader will be paid $19 an hour.

The action followed an executive session.

Rader had been hired as solid waste director in September.

In other business, County Clerk Dawn Boyles presented commissioners with a letter of resignation from District 3 road crewman Bruce Kleppe. His retirement resignation is effective December 31. Plans are to advertise to fill the position

(KNZA)--The 2022 Hiawatha Halloween Queen was crowned Monday evening prior to the grand parade, which concluded the 108th annual Halloween Frolic.

Selected for the honor was Miss Frankfort: Clara Kee.  As winner, Kee, a senior at Frankfort High School, will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The 1st runner-up and winner of a $500 scholarship was Miss Horton: Carley Hammersmith, a senior at Horton High School.

Named as Miss Congeniality was Miss Hiawatha-South Brown County: Courtney Cline.  Cline, a senior at Horton High School, will receive a $250 scholarship.

10 area northeast Kansas girls competed in this year's scholarship contest.

The girls were judged on an essay, talent and interview, along with leadership skills, community involvement and scholastic achievements. 

Serving as grand marshals of the grand parade were Jim and Barb Rupe.