(KAIR)--A Tuesday noon hour fire in Atchison- downtown business district caused minimal structural damage but left three businesses damaged by heavy smoke.

Atchison Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar, in a release, says firefighters were called to the Atchison Furniture Company, located at 501 Commercial Street, around 12:30 Tuesday afternoon, after receiving a report that “some shelving was on fire.”

Fire crews, en route, saw thick smoke coming from the area of the store.

When they arrived, heavy smoke and flames were found coming from the closed garage door of the business- loading dock; and, with a delivery truck moved, and through use of a power saw to gain entrance, firefighters found the loading dock engulfed in flames and went to work to extinguish the fire. A separate crew entered through the rear entrance and worked to extinguish the fire that had spread into the furniture store.

Adjacent buildings, including Hilligoss Shoes and Eddie- Five & Dime, sustained what Weishaar said was “heavy smoke damage when smoke infiltrated both buildings through the adjoining walls.”

Power fans were utilized by fire crews during the afternoon to clear smoke from the buildings, with the team remaining on site into the evening to assist with cleanup.

According to Weishaar, the extent of the damage from smoke and soot is not immediately determined, but structural damage was minimal due to the fire being contained mostly to the loading dock area.

The Fire Department- investigator was on the scene Tuesday, but a state investigator has been called in to assist due to, according to Weishaar, “the extent of damage from smoke and water.”

No injuries are reported due to Tuesday- fire.

Atchison County EMS was placed on standby, with those first responders working with Atchison Police to assist with the precautionary evacuation of businesses on the south side of Commercial Street- 500 block.

The Salvation Army provided refreshments to all of the responding agencies.

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(KLZA)-- A Humboldt man was arrested Monday by Nebraska State Patrol investigators, at his home for first-degree sexual assault and third-degree sexual assault.

33-year-old James Cherry, an employee with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services was arrested following an investigation into a reported sexual assault of a co-worker.

The investigation began when State Patrol Investigators received a report from the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services about an assault that allegedly occurred at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution in October of 2022.

Cherry was lodged in the Johnson County Jail in Tecumseh.

(KAIR)--A Saint Louis, Missouri man is charged in Atchison County, Kansas for the theft of items from a residence last year.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 52-year-old James Yokum was arrested Friday. He was taken into custody on an Atchison County District Court warrant for theft.

According to Wilson, the warrant comes in connection with the theft of items from an Atchison home, located in the 1400 block of South 8th Street.

The crime occurred October 30, 2022.

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

It requires no cost, simply a resolution of support, to develop United States Bicycle Route 55.

That matter came before the Atchison County Commission during its January 24 meeting due to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials designating a corridor crossing Kansas as the bike route.

Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips presented the Commission with the details of the project, which she says is for the serious bicyclist. During her presentation, Phillips told the Commissioners that revenue would likely be generated by cyclists who stop in the Atchison area as they travel the route. Signage would also be provided, with no road work requirements affecting the County.

Following Commission discussion, it was decided unanimously to table the matter prior to gaining additional information pertaining the County- portion of the bike route.

(KLZA)-- The Humboldt City Council will host a public hearing on Tuesday, February 21, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Council Chambers.

The topic of the hearing will concern an application to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for a Community Development Block Grant. Funding was made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

The City of Humboldt is proposing to provide $125-thousand in a CDBG loan to assist Cleaning Cousins, LLC, doing business as Niders Grocery, to assist with direct financial start-up costs associated with equipment, working capital and building improvements for a grocery store business expansion at 734 3rd Street in Humboldt.

The project, if approved would involve an award of $145 thousand from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to the City, $10 thousand of which will go to the City to be used for grant administration expenses and $10 thousand used for construction management expenses.

The $125 thousand performance-based loan will be forgiven entirely once the maintenance requirements are met.

If approved, the project is to be completed within 30 months.

The grant application will be available for public inspection at the City Clerk's office at City Hall in Humboldt during regular working hours.

If you cannot attend the public hearing on February 21, written comments addressed to the City Clerk in Humboldt will be accepted if received on or before Friday, February 17.

(KLZA)-- Unemployment was up slightly in Nebraska for the month of December.

The Nebraska Department of Labor reports the December jobless rate was 2.6%, up a tenth of a percentage point from November.

In Southeast Nebraska unemployment figures for the month included 2.2% in Richardson County, 2% in Pawnee County, 2.3% in Nemaha County, 2.7% in Johnson County, 2.3% in Gage County and 2.1% in Otoe County.

Statewide unemployment figures were up slightly over a year earlier despite a 3% increase of nearly 31,000 nonfarm jobs over the year.

The National unemployment rate for December was 3.5%.

Nebraska has the 6th lowest unemployment rate in the country at 2.6% for December. Utah has the best jobless rate at 2.2%. Missouri ranks 9th at 2.8%, Kansas is 12th at 2.9% and Iowa is 16th at 3.1%.

(KLZA)-- A Facebook post from the City of Falls City concerning Falls City Utility customers bills arriving now reveals a mistake was made resulting in utility bills being higher than they should have been.

The post said an internal audit of utility customer accounts revealed an error was made in the calculation of the “power cost adjustment” billing which resulted in an overcharge to customers.

The PCA is an adjustment made to customers electric bills each month reflecting fluctuation in the true cost of power purchased and / or the cost of power generation by the City of Falls City.

An investigation by the City, determined the incorrect base of cost for power production was utilized in calculation the PCA beginning when the new utility rates became effective on October 1, 2022.

The PCA calculation is performed manually each billing cycle, then entered into the city's utility billing software. The current checks and balances process did not catch the error which resulted in an overcharge to customers for electrical power consumed.

To correct the mistake, utility customers will receive a credit on the next billing cycle in February for utility bills due by March 15. The amount of the credit will vary depending upon the total kilowatt hours consumed between October 1, 2022 and January 15, 2023.

The credit will be applied directly to customer accounts in February and will carry forward until the credit is used.

The credit cannot be utilized for the January billing cycle that is due by February 15, due to timing of the credit posting.

The City plans to add additional layers of check and balances to ensure this error does not occur in the future.

In the post the City apologized for any confusion the inconvenience the issue caused.

(KAIR)--A weekend Atchison County rollover crash caused no injuries, but sent the driver to jail on numerous charges.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 51-year-old Brian Hinson was driving Saturday evening, shortly after 7:00, when his vehicle went off the road to the right, causing the vehicle to roll over at the intersection of U.S. Highway 73 and 242nd Road.

Laurie, in the release, says Hinson was arrested for DUI, possession of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

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

His bond is set at $7,500.

(KLZA)-- The National Transportation and Safety Board have issued a preliminary report on a plane crash near Auburn on January 11 that claimed the life of two people.

24-year-old Colton Hill of Kearney and 41-year-old Dustan Biegler of Valparaiso died in the crash.

The NTSB report shows that data indicates the Cessna 150H took off from Lincoln Airport about 6:45 p.m. on January 11, climbing to about 3,500 feet. Windspeeds were recorded at 12 knots with visibility at 10 miles.

At approximately six miles northwest of the Auburn airport, the plane began to descend, with the last air surveillance report showing the plane flying at 105 knots at about 1,900 feet a mile from the airport at 7:22 p.m. - two minutes before the crash just south of the Auburn airport.

At 11 p.m. a 911 call was received by the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office that a plane was missing and had been expected to return to Lincoln but never arrived.

There were no witnesses to the crash and no evidence of a wire strike. The report states that the wreckage and positioning of the debris indicate the front of the plane was pointed downward at the time of the crash.

The nose landing gear tire was found about 200 feet southwest of the main wreckage. The crash also left indication that all three wheels and both wing tips hit the ground in an empty farm field at some point during the incident.

The NTSB has retained the plane for further examination.

The picture posted with this stroy is of a Cessna 150H plane.

(KMZA)--The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Wamego Police Department, and Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office are investigating a man's death after he was found Sunday afternoon at a residence in Wamego.

The KBI said a preliminary investigation indicates that at about 1:00 a man called 911 after finding his friend dead inside a residence at 1001 Ash Street, Lot 29.

When officers from the Wamego Police Department arrived, they located the man on the floor of the bathroom. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

As the case unfolded, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office and the KBI were asked to assist in the investigation.

The man has not yet been positively identified. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.

The KBI said no threat to the public is believed to exist related to the incident.

The investigation is ongoing, and no further information is being provided at this time.

(KLZA)--Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated beginning Sunday at Falls City Sacred Heart School.

Sunday is Parish Appreciation Week / Public Relations Day.

Monday will be Celebrating our Community Day with students dressing as someone famous from Falls City or any special community members.

Tuesday is Parent and Faculty Appreciation Day; Wednesday is Honors Day celebrating our Nation. A luncheon for National Honor Society inductees and their parents will be held at 12:30 followed by induction of the new members at 1:30.

Thursday will be Celebrating Vocations Day and Friday will be Student Appreciation Day.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners met with Community Medical Center CEO Ryan Larsen during their January 24 meeting to review the current Inmate Medical Services Agreement.

Larsen explained to the Board that due to staffing shortages and the increased need for services pertaining to behavioral and mental health issues, it has become difficult for the current staff to provide the health services to inmates at the Law Enforcement Center.

Larsen said CMC is willing to work with the County to find a solution in order to keep providing services to the inmates and believes that a solution may be on the horizon.

Larsen said that it is possible an additional nurse practitioner to be joining the staff at CMC in a few months, might help with the situation.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty noted that the Law Enforcement Facility is set up to do a video visit if that would help.

Larsen also said that with so many expenses increasing, the cost to provide the service will most likely be increased.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Sheriff Rick Hardesty informed Commissioners of a heating issue at the Law Enforcement Center.

Hardesty said that the main control on the heating system that provides heat to the jail area went out and that the part needed to repair the system will not be available for approximately 30 days.

St. Joseph Plumbing & Heating is attempting to come up with an alternative solution so the system can produce heat, but it could be another week or more before that is completed.

Sheriff Hardesty said his department has been forced to house 20 inmates in other jail facilities until the jail area heat is working again.

Commissioners also opened bids for replacement of the Courthouse roof. Two bids were received. Skyline Construction of Roca, Nebraska submitted a bid of $178,850 with an alternate bid for painting of the penthouse area, window frames, mullions in the Jail / Courtroom areas and elevator penthouse walls and the fire escape at a cost of $47,600.

The other bid was submitted by R.L. Craft Company DBA Elevate Roofing of Dennison, Iowa in an amount of $204,785.

The bids were accepted and will be reviewed by the architect firm of Prochaska & Associates of Omaha.

Board members also discussed the possibility of changing the day of the week for County Board meetings to Wednesday in order to allow the County Attorney or a representative from that office to be able to be in attendance. The attorneys have court on Monday and Tuesday each week. The matter will be further discussed Tuesday.

(KLZA)-- First District Nebraska State Senator Julie Slama has reintroduced a bill outlining provisions for registering all-terrain vehicles and utility-terrain vehicles for street use.

Last year, LB 1110, which outlined these provisions got stuck in committee and never made it to the floor. This year, Senator Slama has introduced LB 66, which has the same intent as last year- bill.

Senator Slama calls ATVs and UTVs are a vital part of life in rural communities. They are used for a variety of purposes, including checking fields, plowing snow, recreational activities, and taking quick trips into town. However, current laws regarding the use of these vehicles are often confusing and inconsistent.

The existing law in Nebraska, for instance, allows communities to pass an ordinance allowing people to drive ATVs and UTVs on city streets, but only inside their respective boundaries. Numerous communities across the state, including many in District 1, have passed such regulations. However, the problem starts when Nebraskans who live outside of city limits wish to drive an ATV or UTV into the city. These people would theoretically be breaking the law while traveling their route unless they stayed within the legal gray area that permits the use of ATVs and UTVs for agricultural purposes. Just by crossing the city limits, they would fall into a bubble where their use, if accepted by the municipality, would be legal again.

LB 66 would provide a clear legal framework for the use of ATVs and UTVs on county roads, similar to the regulatory framework in other states. This bill would keep well intentioned Nebraskans from being labeled as criminals for driving their preferred vehicles on county roads.

Senator Slama also predicts this bill would increase tourism in Nebraska. Currently, many Nebraskans leave the state to go to other states with looser restrictions on these vehicles for vacations.

Slama encourages you or anyone else that may be interested, to visit LB 66- webpage found on the legislature- website to submit a comment, or email members of the Transportation and Telecommunications committee to encourage their support of LB 66.

(KNZA)--A Friday morning traffic stop in Jackson County led to the arrest of a Mayetta woman on drug and stolen property charges.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a release, said a sheriff's deputy stopped a car for a traffic infraction near 142nd Road and U.S 75 shortly before 10:00.

The driver was found to have a suspended license and was subsequently arrested. The passenger, 37-year-old Saleena Rae Masquat, also had a warrant through Topeka Police Department. A third occupant was identified and later released.

During the traffic stop, Morse said a Jackson County Sheriff's K-9 was deployed and indicated to the presence of drugs. A search of the vehicle revealed both suspected methamphetamine and marijuana as well as paraphernalia indicating the distribution of methamphetamine. Also located in the vehicle was electronic equipment that belonged to a Topeka Walmart store that was confirmed to be stolen.

Masquat was arrested for distribution of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of stolen property.

Masquat was booked into the Jackson County Jail, where she is being held on a $50,000 bond.

(KNZA)--A Saturday afternoon motorcycle crash in Jefferson County sent a Topeka man to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said it happened at the intersection of Ferguson and Marion Roads, about 4 miles north of Perry.

The Patrol reports 40-year-old Jesse Newell was southbound on Ferguson Road when he failed to negotiate a curve and his Yamaha Road Star motorcycle went into the east ditch.

Newell was transported to a Topeka hospital for the treatment of suspected possible injuries.

The Patrol says he was not wearing a helmet when the crash occurred shortly after 2:30.

(KAIR)--Atchison's Benedictine College is providing the public with a chance to view a comet as it returns to the solar system, an event, the College says, that “only occurs once every 50,000 years.”

A release from the college says that to help the public view the once-in-a-lifetime return of Comet C/2022 E3, the Benedictine College Department of Physics and Astronomy will host an open house at the school- Daglen Observatory, located on the corner of North 3rd and N Streets.

The open house is planned for Monday evening, from 7 until 9:00. However, the release notes that if there is cloud cover, the back-up date is Wednesday evening, from 7 until 9:00.

The viewing is free and open to the public.

Dr. Ryan Maderak, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, in the release, says the comet's closest approach to Earth will be Wednesday, but on Monday, “there is also a close conjunction of Mars and the Moon, adding to the spectacle of the night,” adding that a less bright moon also allows for better viewing of the comet, along with an opportunity to view Jupiter and Uranus.

Dr. Maderak and Dr. Christopher Shingledecker, assistant professor in the department, will run the open house with assistance from students who are astronomy majors or part of the Physics Club.

The Nemaha County STEP Foundation celebrated their 30th anniversary when they held their annual meeting Wednesday evening at the American Legion building in Seneca. The following was submitted by STEP Foundation Executive Director Tory Jost.

• The local community foundation has been serving Nemaha County since 1993.

• Grants and scholarships make a positive impact.

• STEP continues to make Nemaha County a great place to live, work and give.

2022 grant awards funded several projects in Nemaha County.

• $750 - Nemaha County Historical Society for the preservation of historical USD 115 documents.

• $1,250 - Sabetha Community Hospital for a new audiometer to screen newborn babies hearing.

• $1,000 - Centralia Ball Association for equipment to maintain the ball field.

• $3,000 - Corning Recreation Association to replace existing lights with new LED lights and four new poles.

Grants from the CNB/CNB Custody/Invisor Underprivileged Children Fund:

• $1,170 - Centralia Schools to provide athletic shoes and warm-up shirts to students who are economically disadvantaged.

• $2,000 - Mary Cotton Public Library to provide wireless internet access to the underprivileged children.

• $2,500 - Kids Kloset to provide clothes, food, toiletries, gym clothes, and shoes for children in need.

• $2,000 - USD 115 to provide basic needs to low-income students. Some examples include tennis shoes, backpacks, nap mats, coats, gloves, lice treatment, hair brushes and other basic hygiene needs.

Several new funds have been opened at the Nemaha County STEP Foundation. They are the Nemaha County Historical Society, the Seneca Free Library, the Seneca Impact Fund (for the creation and restoration of murals), the Centralia Community Project Fund, the Corning Impact Fund, the Centralia Community Church Endowment Fund, and the Centralia Community Church Scholarship Fund. All of these funds are improving the quality of life in Nemaha County and are eligible for Match Day donations.

STEP's second Match Day was a huge success receiving over 278 gifts totaling over $133,000. The third Match Day is set for Friday, August 25 at the Seneca Free Library from 10 am to 6 pm.

In other business, Kevin Feldkamp was elected to the STEP Foundation Board. President Marceil Hasenkamp recognized longtime board member and treasurer, Justin Lueger. “We really appreciate the diligence and financial expertise Justin has provided to STEP,” Marceil shared. “What an amazing asset to have in this community,” she added.

“STEP's component funds total over $1.9 million. Over the last five years, the foundation- net assets have increased by 8.8% a year. That's a product of investing STEP's assets prudently and connecting with donors in a way that serves their needs,” Lueger reported.

A meal was served before the meeting, catered by Home Cookin’ of Seneca. The meal was sponsored by Koch and Company.

(KMZA)--The results of a countywide survey that was distributed last October in Nemaha County to gauge residents' opinions on various topics will be released to the public Monday evening.

According to a release from the county, there will be be a public press conference at 6:00 in the Nemaha County Courthouse to release the survey results.

Jason Morado of ETC Institute will give the presentation via zoom.

The release says the meeting will be recorded and available for viewing at a later time on the county website. The public is invited to attend the event, but no public comments or questions will be allowed.

The survey results will be used to help create a comprehensive plan for the county.

(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is advising of another scam.

Merchant said he has received several concerns from county residents about being
contacted by phone from an organization calling themselves the National Police and Trooper Association.

He said he contacted a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper who told him they were not affiliated in any way with the group.

Merchant said the Better Business Bureau gives the group an "F" rating.

Merchant said if you would like to provide monetary donations to law enforcement, he would strongly advise doing so at the local or state level such as your Police, Sheriff or Kansas Highway Patrol.

(KAIR)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Ozawkie public water supply system located in Jefferson County. The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure in the distribution system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

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

Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Ozawkie indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

The Ozawkie boil water advisory was issued Tuesday.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee County Commissioners approved a $20 raise in cash in lieu of insurance for county employees when they met Tuesday. The cost will be $470 per month.

The Board also discussed with County Clerk Candi Nicholas who also serves as Clerk of the District Court, State legislation introduced regarding County Court taking over the Ex-Officio Clerk of the District Court office.

Following discussion the Board voted to oppose the County Court takeover of Ex-Officio Clerk of the District Court.

Highway Superintendent Chris Rauner discussed the One-and-Six Year road plan for Pawnee County. A public hearing on the proposed plan will be held February 21 at 10:30 a.m.

(KLZA)-- Nebraska 1st District State Senator Julie Slama says in her most recent news letter that LB 212 which she sponsored would allocate funds to the Department of Transportation to construct a continuous four-lane divided highway system from Plattsmouth of the Kansas border.

In addition, the bill would provide funding to pave all remaining unpaved state highways in Nebraska, including 10.04 miles of unpaved highway in Pawnee County and 10.28 miles in Otoe County. In all, there are three highways that are not completely paved in Nebraska, totaling just 39.17 miles. 20.3 miles of unpaved highway lies within the borders of Senate District #1.

Slama notes that U.S. 75 Highway runs a total of 1,239 miles from Dallas, Texas to Kittson County, Minnesota, just south of the U.S. - Canada border.

LB 212, if passed would make Highway 75 from just south of Plattsmouth, south through Nebraska City, Auburn and south to the Kansas border, a four-lane highway.

From 2016 - 2020, US-75 between Plattsmouth and Nebraska City had 10 fatalities and 114 injuries in 222 crashes. There were a dozen fatalities on US-75 from Nebraska City south to the Kansas border during that same time frame along with 144 injuries and 326 crashes.

(KLZA)-- COVID-19 cases in Nebraska hit a nine-month low last week with the state apparently experiencing something it has never seen during the three-year pandemic — a winter lull.

Nebraska reported 924 cases for the week ending Wednesday, down 38% from 1,486 the previous week, according to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It was the first time new cases in Nebraska had dropped below 1,000 since the first week of May, and it- the lowest case level since late April.

All other indicators, including hospitalizations, also point to falling virus levels.

Nebraska cases have been below 2,000 for four straight weeks after hitting a recent peak of 3,900 just before Christmas.

Hospitalizations for COVID also decreased last week, by 18% in the U.S. and by 17% in Nebraska.

A University of Nebraska Medical Center epidemiologist recently said he did not expect the state to see dramatic spikes in COVID cases as in the past, as large numbers of previous infections and two years of vaccinations and boosters have left the population with a rough patchwork of immunity. The future of the virus will remain unpredictable.

(KAIR)--City of Atchison residents, in their February utility bills, will receive a reminder of the approaching increase in solid waste-related fees.

According to the City of Atchison, as shown through the flyer to be included in the February bills, residents in March will see a $19.25 increase in their billing to make up for a lack of funding.

That comes, the City says, through the Atchison County voter approved sales tax in November that replaces the previous sales tax as approved in 1993. That long controversial tax was intended to fund both solid waste and joint communications for all of Atchison County. However, county cities, including Atchison, had, for years, bickered over the allocation of funds, leading the County to propose the new tax.

The City of Atchison, in the flyer, notes that “after the new sales tax takes effect, the City of Atchison will no longer receive sales tax revenue derived from local purchases.”

The Atchison City Commission, in December, approved the solid waste fee increase, as the proceeds from the previous 1-percent sales tax were used to fund the City- solid waste operation.

The approved replacement, a 3-quarter cent countywide sales tax, will not provide City solid waste funding.

At the time the increase was approved, the City noted that eligible low-income senior residents may qualify for a reduced rate of $9.63 per month.

(KNZA)--Charges have been filed against a Holton man accused of intentionally setting a Topeka home on fire last week that left three dead.

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay on Wednesday formally charged 32-year-old Kyle Tyler with three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated arson, and two counts of child endangerment.

Firefighters found Tyler on the back deck of the home after responding to the fire early January 20. He was treated at the hospital for smoke inhalation before being taken into custody for starting the fire.

His girlfriend, Genny Fitzpatrick, and two children, 9-year-old Peyton Tyler and 1-year-old Kourtney Tyler, died from smoke inhalation.

Tyler is being held in the Shawnee County Jail on a $1 million bond. He is scheduled to appear in court again February 2.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission heard an update on the development of a comprehensive plan for the county when they met Monday

Planning consultant Dick Horton, who was hired last October, met with the commission via Zoom to provide the update.

Horton said the next step is for the commission to form an advisory committee to work with him on the development of the plan. He suggested the committee consist of 7-members, with each commissioner selecting two members from their district and then Commissioners, as whole, selecting a 7th member.

Horton said he would email commissioners a document outlining what the responsibilities of a committee member will be so they know what they are getting into and how much time it will take.

Horton said he anticipates the committee members will make up the initial county planning commission.

The commission began discussing the need for a comprehensive plan last year as a way to guide decisions on how to regulate the development of large-scale wind energy projects in the county.

In June, the commission approved a temporary moratorium on commercial wind energy projects in the county for an 18-month period to allow for a comprehensive plan to be developed.

(KNZA)--An Atchison semi driver was injured in a single-vehicle crash early Wednesday morning in central Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 66-year-old Frank Bosse was eastbound on Interstate-70 in Boone County when his semi-truck began to slide on the ice-covered roadway. His semi traveled off the right side of the road, entered the ditch and overturned onto its side.

Bosse was transported by ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, for the treatment of suspected minor injuries.

The Patrol said Bosse was wearing a seat belt when the wreck occurred shortly after 12:30 Wednesday morning.

(KLZA)-- Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen delivered his first State of the State address in the state Capitol on Wednesday, spelling out plans to drastically cut taxes while increasing funding to state schools.

Pillen reiterated his plans announced earlier this month to increase K-12 public education funding by more than $2 billion over the next six years while cutting income and property taxes.

His proposed two-year budget would hold annual growth to just 1.3%, increasing spending by $164.6 million next fiscal year over the current year, and keeping the budget nearly flat the following 2024-25 fiscal year, with a proposed $500,000 increase. Nebraska- annual budget is about $4.5 billion.

The Governor said it is critical for Nebraska lawmakers to take steps to solidify the future for Nebraska. He said what the Legislature does with the current surplus funds, is critical to the future of every Nebraska family.

Pillen also says it is critical for Nebraska to overhaul the state tax policies, noting current policies chase young people as well as retiree's out of the state.

The Governor proposed exempting income tax on social security income in Nebraska by 2024, and reducing the individual and business tax rate to 3.99 percent by 2027 as part of a $1.5 billion tax cut proposal.

Governor Pillen says it is up to the state to fund special education needs, not property tax payers. Pillen is recommending a 3% cap on spending for school districts which could only be overridden by a 75% vote by local school board members or 60% of district voters.

The proposal also includes the state providing $1,500 per student to every public school district in the state.

(KAIR)--The Atchison County Commission has approved a change to its meeting layout.

The County Commission has, for nearly a decade, met twice on Tuesdays, first in the morning during a workshop meeting then for an afternoon, formal meeting where issues are decided.

The change, as outlined by Commission Chair Casey Quinn during this week- meeting of the County Commission, means an end to the workshop, streamlining each Tuesday meeting into one session as a way to reduce redundancies. “This just makes one meeting, one agenda, that will be recorded and start at 10 a.m. and go at least until 1 p.m. each Tuesday. Then from 9 to 10 no agenda, but just available for anyone that needs to run something by the Commission together.”

The approval of the resolution making the change to the meeting layout was approved on a 2 to 1 vote, with Quinn and Commissioner Allen Reavis voting in the affirmative.

Commission Vice-Chair Eric Noll voted against the change, saying that the open, but non-recorded morning workshop allows for a more candid discussion. “I’m for keeping the times just like we’ve been doing,” Noll said, prior to the vote. “I think we’ve established a good repoire with our department heads, having discussion in the morning. Go down to an hour of work session with no agenda? I think there- going to be a line of people for wanting that platform, and there will be less discussion in the long term if they don’t want it to be on the camera.”

The new Atchison County Commission meeting format will take effect for the February 7 meeting of the Commission.

(KNZA)--Despite a threatening video, Holton school officials say “there is no reason to believe there is any ongoing threat to the school and classes.”

That word came in a release Wednesday morning from Holton High School.

The release explains that on Wednesday morning, school administration “was made aware of a threatening TikTok video,” which led school officials to immediately contact the Holton Police Department.

Police responded to the school and reviewed the content of the video. They then questioned the student responsible, with the school noting that “the incident is being addressed by both the school and local law enforcement.”

Once the threat was addressed, classes and activities resumed at the school.

In the release, school officials say they commend “the students, staff, and the community for utilizing the “See Something, Say Something” motto for dealing with school and student safety,” with such actions able to help “school officials and local authorities to better respond to any potential school safety issues.”

(KAIR)--A stolen truck, and the connected theft of items from inside a business, are under investigation by Atchison Police.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a 2007 Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck was stolen early Sunday morning from the 1600 block of Main Street.

Stolen shortly before 4:00 that morning, Wilson says the truck was recovered the next day, Monday morning, in the 600 block of Atchison- Spring Street.

In connection with the theft of the truck, Wilson says his department is investigating the unlawful entry into a business building, located in the 1600 block of Main Street.

While inside, Wilson says thieves stole a welder and drill press, then left the scene.

No suspects are immediately identified and no arrests have yet been made.

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

(KAIR)--An Atchison man, charged in connection with a fatal, January 2 Atchison crash that occurred during an alleged attempt to flee from police, has been released on bond.

According to court documents, 22-year-old Brandon Mann was released Friday on a $250,000 surety bond, which was modified from Mann- original bond of $750,000.

As part of the conditions of his release on bond, Mann must serve house arrest while monitored by GPS.

Mann- next scheduled appearance in Atchison County District Court is February 27.

Mann was arrested January 4 on an Atchison County District Court warrant charging him with murder in the first degree, aggravated battery, 2-counts of aggravated endangerment of a child, fleeing and attempting to elude, and reckless driving. Mann turned himself in at the Atchison Police Department.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, following Mann- January 4 arrest, explained that the “charges are the result of an investigation by the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Atchison Police Department relating to [an] early morning traffic accident that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Jacey Paris” of Atchison.”

Paris was one of three passengers traveling with Mann. The other two, aged 15 and 16, were injured and transported, along with Mann, for hospital treatment following the wreck.

Hours after the crash, Wilson explained that an officer on patrol, around 2:10 on the morning of January 2, “observed a vehicle driving recklessly at 6th and U.S. Highway 59,” with the officer attempting to stop the vehicle. Instead, it- alleged that Mann fled north on 4th Street, with the officer then locating the vehicle after it crashed in the 900 block of North 4th Street.

According to Wilson, the vehicle had left the roadway and landed on its top, leading to Paris’ death and to the injuries for the other occupants.

(KMZA)--A Nemaha Central Middle School 8th grader won the Nemaha County Spelling Bee held this past Saturday in Seneca.

Tyler Nolte took first place by correctly spelling the word “ Alhambra”. Nolte will advance to the 2023 Regional Spelling Bee, which is to be held March 25 in Wichita.

Taking 2nd place was Sabetha Middle School 8th grader Isaac Scmid and Sabetha Middle School 7th grader Reed Toedman took third place.

Other schools taking part were Centralia and Sts. Peter and Paul, in Seneca.

The event was sponsored by the Alpha Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.

Editor's note: the following was submitted by Brown County Sheriff John Merchant

We are seeing a definite increase in fentanyl use and fentanyl overdoses in Brown County and I would like to bring awareness to county residents.

The fentanyl we have been seeing in our county is illicitly manufactured and the potency is so great, an amount as small as a pinhead can cause death. It is 50 times stronger the heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is the major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S.

If you consider that a sweetener or sugar packet found in restaurants contains approximately 1,000 milligrams, only 2 milligrams of fentanyl is considered lethal. To break it down, 500 deaths could occur from the fentanyl it would take to fit into the size of a sugar packet. Marijuana is also being laced with Fentanyl to increase and intensify the euphoric effect of the THC. Nationwide, deaths have occurred from fentanyl laced marijuana at an alarming rate.

There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Both are considered synthetic opioids.

Pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain, especially after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer. However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related overdose are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is distributed through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous.

Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is available on the drug market in different forms, including liquid and powder. Powdered fentanyl looks just like many other drugs. It is commonly mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine and made into pills that are made to resemble other prescription opioids. Fentanyl-laced drugs are extremely dangerous, and many people may be unaware that their drugs are laced with fentanyl.
In its liquid form, IMF can be found in nasal sprays, eye drops, and dropped onto paper or small candies.

Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths. Even in small doses, it can be deadly. Over 150 people die
every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl Drugs may contain deadly levels of fentanyl, and you wouldn’t be able to see it, taste it, or smell it. It is nearly impossible to tell if drugs have been laced with fentanyl unless you test your drugs with fentanyl test strips. Additionally, many opioids can be purchased via the Internet; social media sites such as Facebook, Google, and Craigslist, among others; as well as a myriad of sites on the Dark Web. They are then shipped discreetly via commercial parcel delivery carriers such as the U.S. Post Office, FedEx, DHL, or UPS.

Illegally manufactured fentanyl is being found in many drugs. Illegally manufactured fentanyl is often found in counterfeit pills that are made to resemble prescription drugs. This includes prescription pain relievers, like oxycodone, and stimulants like ADDERALL®. You are at risk for a fentanyl overdose if you buy pills from any source that is not a licensed pharmacy.
Illegally manufactured fentanyl is also found in other drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. You are at risk of a fentanyl overdose if you use any of these drugs.

Fentanyl overdoses are often fatal. Because fentanyl is very strong, it does not take a lot of fentanyl to cause an overdose, especially for someone who does not usually take opioids. In 2020, the latest year in which data is available, nationwide over 80% of overdose deaths were connected to a synthetic or manufactured opioid like fentanyl.

What Can You Do?

Have a meaningful conversation with your family. Reject the notion that “it can’t happen to you or your family.” Talk aloud about the threat opioid abuse brings to your family. Commit to asking the tough questions. Invest in your family and community- future. Many intensely affected regions routinely host public forums, town halls, prevention activities at schools, community vigils, walks, and fun runs. Get involved and participate.

Speak up. Contact law enforcement when you suspect drug-related
activity in your neighborhood. Successful policing relies on a whole-community approach to identify and bring drug trafficking organizations to justice.
Keep any prescription drugs in your house secure and locked away, out
of reach of others. Take advantage of national or local take back days sponsored by law enforcement or your local pharmacy to discard any unneeded drugs.

I hope some of this information is helpful to all. We intend to keep on doing everything we can do within our power to stay vigilant on holding anyone accountable who chooses to use or distribute this deadly drug in Brown County.

Sheriff John D Merchant
Brown County Sheriff's Office
709 Utah Street
Hiawatha KS 66434
(785) 742-7125

(KLZA)-- A federal grand jury has indicted an Ottawa, Kansas man for the armed robbery of the Citizens Bank & Trust, in Mound City, Missouri that occurred December 21, 2022.

A release from the United States Department of Justice says 41-year-old Marvin J. McWhorter III is charged with a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri.

McWhorter is charged with one count of bank robbery and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

The indictment alleges that McWhorter, brandishing a firearm, stole $4,445 during the robbery.

The case was investigated by the Missouri Highway Patrol, the Holt County Sheriff's Department, the Andrew County, Missouri Sheriff's Department, the Mound City Police Department and the FBI.

(KNZA)--Special recognition was given to local Scouts during Monday evening's Hiawatha City Commission meeting.

Mayor Becky Shamburg read a proclamation designating February 5-11 as Scouting Anniversary week. On hand were members of Pack 117 and Troop 313, who took a photo with the commission.

Shamburg credited the work the Scouts have done to clean trash, as well as to collect food for the local food bank.

At the request of City Water and Lights Superintendent Brad Scott, the commission approved a bid for the purchase of equipment for the water treatment plant evaporation project in the amount of $53,208, and to seek bids for the electrical service for the project. Scott said the Kansas Department of Health and Environment earlier this month gave the city approval to move forward with the project.

Commissioners approved a resolution setting a hearing for February 27 for property located at 808 Kickapoo Street, which City Code Official Dave Wilson has determined to be unsafe and dangerous. Wilson said the property has been declining for several years. At the hearing, the owner will have an opportunity show why the property shouldn't be condemned and order repaired or demolished.

The Commission approved setting the date of the city's annual fireworks display for July 3 and to award the bid for the display to Rainbow Fireworks in the amount of $14,500.

Also the commission awarded the bid for the landscaping and care of the downtown planters to Wolf River Nursery for $6,014. It was among two bids received.

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph, Missouri man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in connection with a drunk driving crash one year ago that claimed the life of a pregnant St. Joseph woman, formerly of Hiawatha.

KQ2-TV reports 30-year-old Steven Ayala was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty in December to a felony count of driving while intoxicated, causing the death of another.

Police say Ayala was driving on South Belt Highway in St. Joseph on January 14, 2022 when he crashed head-on into an SUV driven by 26-year-old Savannah Domann. The crash killed both Domann and her unborn child.

According to court documents, Ayala had a breath-alcohol content level of 0.15%, nearly double the legal limit, at the time of the crash.

(KAIR)--A well known coffee business is coming to Atchison, following approval last week of the Atchison City Commission to sale City Land Bank property for establishment of the business.

Scooters Coffee plans to establish operations on property located on the northeast corner of 4th and Main Street.

The City Commission, on January 16, voted to accept a real estate contract that will allow the business to begin operations.

According to the City, the proposed sale price of the property is $100,000, with the City to be responsible for a $20,000 broker commission, as well as a series of closing costs, as itemized in the approved contract. The estimated net proceeds are expected to be around $65,000 after paying the broker commission and closing costs.

City documents explain that Scooters Coffee, a regional drive-thru coffee business, "will incur the cost of any necessary gas tank removals or vapor barrier installations necessary to get clearance to build the project,” with the City and Scooters to "work cooperatively to develop a site plan that best minimizes any adverse impact to neighboring properties and businesses."

The City of Atchison will receive a right of first refusal for any future sale of the property.

Scooters Coffee, the City says, became "interested in the Atchison market in recent years and approached the City of Atchison a few months ago about acquiring the property.

A timeline for the opening of the Atchison store is not immediately available.

According to the City, Scooters was founded in 1998, with their first location in Bellevue, Nebraska.

(KLZA)-- Governor Mike Parson has announced that the Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded a total of $261 million through the ARPA Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program to 60 recipients for projects that will expand and improve internet access statewide. Projects receiving funds are expected to create more than 55,000 connections in locations that previously lacked adequate internet access.

The ARPA Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program, administered by DED- Office of Broadband Development, was launched in August 2022 to invest in broadband expansion

The program prioritized unserved and underserved areas. Funds will be used to build new connections that will deliver symmetrical speeds of 100 Mbps upload / 100 Mbps download or greater.

In the area, 7 projects will be funded serving Holt, Nodaway, Worth, Andrew and Buchanan counties.

The grant amount for those 7 projects is $8,240,048.

(KNZA)--A Brown County traffic stop over the weekend led to the arrest of two—including a Nebraska man on multiple drug charges—and seizure of suspected methamphetamine.

According to a release from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, a sheriff's deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in Hiawatha shortly after 1:20 Saturday morning for failing to turn on their headlights while driving.

The driver, 39-year-old Elizabeth Rose, of Hiawatha, was arrested on charge of driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked.

The passenger, 39-year-old Travis Rusche, of Humboldt, Nebraska, was arrested on suspicion of possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to distribute, no drug tax stamp, and a $15,000 Nemaha County probation violation warrant.

Merchant said about 30 grams of suspected methamphetamine was seized by the deputy.

Following their arrest, Rusche and Rose were booked into the Brown County Jail.

(KAIR)--A Boil Water Advisory has been issued for the City of Ozawkie, located in Jefferson County.

According to a release from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the issuance, affecting the public water supply system, was made Monday “because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system." According to KDHE, “failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.”

The Boil Water Advisory will remain in effect for Ozawkie “until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved.”

Ozawkie waster customers are advised to boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation. Use of bottled water is also encouraged.

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.

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 785-876-2550, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE- PWS Consumer Information webpage: kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption.

Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture- food safety & lodging program at kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785-564-6767.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran's office says someone scammed the Kansas Republican's reelection campaign out of $690,000 by getting his accounting firm to wire the money to fraudulent bank accounts.

Moran- campaign treasurer notified the Federal Election Commission last month of what it called “fraudulent activity by a third-party cybercriminal.” The letter said the case was forwarded by local authorities to the FBI and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The FBI wouldn't comment, but the campaign's letter said the campaign received two fraudulent invoices from what appeared to be its media company.

The letter said the campaign had recovered about $168,000.

(KLZA)--Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, in accordance with a request from the White House, announced Monday, that all U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff immediately to honor the victims of the deadly shooting in Monterey Park, California.

Flags are to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Thursday, January 26, 2023.

(KLZA)-- Falls City Volunteer Fire Department Public Information Officer Jon McQueen has released the departments final report on 2022 fire calls.

The Falls City Fire Department responded to 33 Fire calls in 2022 including 8 that appear to be of electrical origin, 6 brush/grass fires, 6 smoke investigation, 4 structural, 4 appliance, 2 vehicles, 2 mutual aid, and 1 fuel spill.

The total estimated loss for 2022 is $ 80 thousand damage of personal property .

The Fire Department along with the the Volunteers Thank the citizens for their continued support of all area first responders.

(KLZA)-- Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has proclaimed January as Radon Action Month.

With colder temperatures keeping people indoors more, it is important to consider the indoor air quality within your home.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Lung Association are encouraging residents of Nebraska to take action and test their homes for radon.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless and tasteless. It can enter into homes through gaps and cracks in walls, floors and foundations. Elevated radon levels can be found in any type of home, regardless of age. Radon cannot be detected by any of the senses, the only way to know the radon level in your home is to test.

In Nebraska more than 50 percent of homes have elevated radon levels. Radon kills more than 21 thousand people every year and is the leading cause of cancer in non-smokers.

The EPA recommends testing your home for radon every two years, even if you have a radon mitigation system installed or if you have previously tested your home.

You can hire a licensed Radon Measurement Business to perform the test or perform a self-test using a radon test kit. These kits are likely available from your local health department for ree or at a reduced rate.

There is no known safe level of radon. The EPA encourages anybody with radon levels above 4 to take action and fix their homes.

You can find licensed radon mitigation businesses at dhhs.ne.gov/pages/radon.aspx.

(KLZA)-- During last weeks Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise annual banquet, Peru State College President Dr. Michael Evans was the guest speaker.

Dr. Evans has been on the job at Peru State for about a year-and-a-half.

Currently, a fundraising effort is underway to pay for the construction of “Project ROAR” which includes five new buildings on the Peru State campus with a price tag of $14.6 million.

Dr. Evans said the fundraising is going well. With more than $8 million from the state and $2.4 million that has been set aside by the college for this project, it leaves about $4 million to be raised with nearly $2 million raised so far.

The project will include three domed structures near the baseball and softball fields and two large domed structures near the Oak Bowl, including one 81,000 square foot building.

Dr. Evans is hoping to break ground in April.

Once the buildings are completed and open, they will be available for public use by community organizations, individuals throughout Southeast Nebraska.

The new buildings will be the first on the Peru State campus in more than 40 years. While a number of buildings on the Peru State Campus have been renovated over the year, the last new construction was the Al Wheeler Activity Center in 1980.

Project ROAR is based on the idea of supporting students’ physical and mental health and well-being. Project ROAR will more than double the amount of indoor recreational and athletic space on campus.

If you are interested in giving a tax-deductible donation, please call the Peru State College Foundation office, 402-872-2304 or email Ted Harshbarger at tharshbarger@peru.edu.

(KLZA)-- During last weeks Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise annual banquet, Peru State College President Dr. Michael Evans was the guest speaker.

Dr. Evans has been on the job at Peru State for about a year-and-a-half.

Currently, a fundraising effort is underway to pay for the construction of “Project ROAR” which includes five new buildings on the Peru State campus with a price tag of $14.6 million.

Dr. Evans said the fundraising is going well. With more than $8 million from the state and $2.4 million that has been set aside by the college for this project, it leaves about $4 million to be raised with nearly $2 million raised so far.

The project will include three domed structures near the baseball and softball fields and two large domed structures near the Oak Bowl, including one 81,000 square foot building.

Dr. Evans is hoping to break ground in April.

Once the buildings are completed and open, they will be available for public use by community organizations, individuals throughout Southeast Nebraska.

The new buildings will be the first on the Peru State campus in more than 40 years. While a number of buildings on the Peru State Campus have been renovated over the year, the last new construction was the Al Wheeler Activity Center in 1980.

Project ROAR is based on the idea of supporting students’ physical and mental health and well-being. Project ROAR will more than double the amount of indoor recreational and athletic space on campus.

If you are interested in giving a tax-deductible donation, please call the Peru State College Foundation office, 402-872-2304 or email Ted Harshbarger at tharshbarger@peru.edu.

(KAIR)--A weekend shooting, that sent a man to the hospital, led to the arrest of an Atchison man.

According to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, Deputies were called to Atchison- Amberwell Hospital, around 6:45 Saturday evening, for the report of a gunshot victim.

During the investigation, Deputies learned that a 23-year-old man had been struck in the foot by a bullet while at a residence in Lancaster. He was later transported to the University of Kansas Hospital, in Kansas City, Kansas, for surgery.

The investigation led Deputies to 43-year-old Joshua Tull, who was arrested on charges for criminal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily harm.

Following his arrest, Tull was booked into the Atchison County Jail Saturday night.

According to Laurie, the investigation is ongoing.

(KAIR)--A Kansas City, Kansas man is going to prison, sentenced in Leavenworth County District Court for the July, 2022 murder of a woman in Leavenworth.

According to a release from Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, 28-year-old Jerell Martin was sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree murder of Ericka Hopkins.

Martin was found guilty of her murder during a two-day December jury trial.

According to Thompson, Leavenworth law enforcement, just after midnight July 15, 2022, “responded to reports of multiple shots fired at Woodland Village apartments. Officers found 20-year-old Ericka Hopkins with a gunshot wound to her head. She later died of her injuries.”

Surveillance video showed a gunman hiding at one end of an apartment building, then firing multiple rounds at individuals at the other end of the building. One of the bullets struck Hopkins who was sitting on the stairs. Martin was later identified as the shooter through multiple witnesses and surveillance video.

Thompson, in the release, explains that Martin will not be eligible for parole for 25-years; and, if he does receive parole, Martin will be subject to lifetime post-release supervision, and must register as a violent offender for 15-years following his release.

(KAIR)--The South Brown County Schools of USD 430 are ready should an overdose occur at one of the three district schools.

According to a release from the Horton Police Department, they and the school district “have been diligently working together to provide an up to date policy regarding Naloxone administration.” The drug, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, is used to reverse or reduce the effects of opioids if an overdose occurs.

The release, citing what it calls “the ever-growing Fentanyl crisis that we are seeing,” says “now is the best time to put that policy in place and provide accessible Naloxone to our three schools, adding that it “is essential in providing lifesaving medical care to a person who has overdosed on any opioid, including Fentanyl.”

The release calls implementation of the policy a goal of Horton Police Chief Jon Boller, adding that having the medication at the ready “is just another tool to maintain the safety and well-being of our students and staff.”

The release notes that “currently, the Horton Police Department carries Narcan while on shift and officers are trained in administering the drug.”

(KAIR)--Atchison-based VFW Post #1175 has again awarded excellence in the Atchison community for the now concluded year of 2022.

Among those receiving recognition is a long time Atchison firefighter, who receives the honor as he heads into retirement.

A release from the Atchison Fire Department says that recently retired Captain Ted Graf was named the 2022 Firefighter of the Year by the Atchison VFW post.

The release notes that Graf, who worked for the department for 30-years prior to his recent retirement, was also nominated as VFW District Firefighter of the Year.

Graf also previously served as Fire Chief for the City of Atchison.

Meanwhile, a release from the Atchison Public Schools of USD 409 says that instructor Annie Schelvan has been awarded the VFW Teacher of the Year for the Atchison Elementary School.

Meanwhile, an Atchison Police Officer is also receiving recognition.

According to a release from the Atchison Police Department, Master Patrol Officer Alex Moore is being honored as the VFW Officer of the Year.

All three were recognized with awards and medals bestowed by VFW representation.

(KMZA)--A bid has been awarded for the reconstruction of four blocks of Main Street in Seneca, from 7th to 11th Streets.

The Seneca City Council voted last week to award the contract to AHRS Construction, of Bern, in the total amount of $1,406,635.

That includes a base bid of $929,671 for removal of the existing brick and pavement surface and replacing it with a concrete surface, along with new curb and gutter. In addition, it includes alternate bids for replacement of the sidewalks, storm sewers and streetlights in the project area.

The total amount for the items approved by the Council was nearly $268,000 under the engineer's estimate.

Bids were opened January 10th from three companies.

Construction is to start in early spring. Once the contractor has been issued a notice to proceed, the work must be substantially complete within 150 working days with final completion within 180 days.

Sales tax reserves will be used to fund the project.

(KNZA)---A Holton man has been arrested after three died, including two children, following a Topeka house fire that investigators say was intentionally set and domestic in nature.

The Topeka Fire Department, in a news release, said 32-year-old Kyle Tyler was arrested Saturday after he was released from a Topeka hospital and questioned by investigators.

Tyler was arrested on three counts of first-degree murder, four counts of aggravated assault and two counts of aggravated child endangerment.

He was booked into the Shawnee County Jail where he is being held on one million dollars bond.

The house fire was reported shortly before 5:00 Friday morning in the 900 block of Southwest Warren Avenue in central Topeka. The release says there was heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-story home when firefighters arrived.

Firefighters entered the home and brought out two adults and two children.

One adult and one child were pronounced dead at the scene. The other adult and child were taken to a Topeka hospital, where the child died.

The victims were identified as 30-year-old Genny Fitzpatrick, 9-year-old Peyton Tyler and 1-year-old Kourtney Tyler, all of Topeka,

(KLZA)-- A truck driver from Cocoa, Florida suffered moderate injuries in a single vehicle wreck Wednesday afternoon in Holt County, Missouri.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 39-year-old Fernando Suarez was transported by the Atchison-Holt Ambulance to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.

Suarez was southbound on Interstate 29 approximately three miles north of Mound City when his truck traveled off the west shoulder of the highway and into a ditch, impacting an embankment before coming to rest.

Suarez was not wearing a safety device at the time of the wreck.

The Holt County Sheriff's Department and Mound City Fire Department also responded to the scene of the wreck that occurred shortly after noon.

(KAIR)--Interviews were held Wednesday for the 8 nominees seeking an open 1st Judicial District judge vacancy.

The judicial district includes Atchison and Leavenworth counties.

On Thursday, a release announced that 2 of the three Atchison attorneys, who were interviewed among the 8 total nominees, have been selected as finalists.

The release, issued by the Kansas Courts, on behalf of the 1st Judicial District Nominating Commission, says the names of John Fresh and Andrew Werring, along with Kansas City attorney Rhonda Levinson, have been sent to Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, who has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint to the open seat, according to qualifications and residency requirements.

The vacancy was created by the January 1 retirement of Chief Judge David King.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners awarded a bid for a concrete culvert project northeast of Falls City to Gus Construction of Casey, Iowa, when they met Tuesday.

The bid for the work was $645,620 and was the low bid of two received. The project is on 655 Avenue between 709 and 710 Road.

In other business the Board approved a pay increase of approximately $1300 for Noxious Weed Superintendent Brian Kirkendall. Earlier this month Kirkendall who serves as Director of Richardson County Emergency Management received a 12.1 percent pay increase to $62,776. With the addition for his duties as Noxious Weed Superintendent, Kirkendall will be paid $64,100 for 2023.

On a 2-1 vote with Commissioner David Sickel casting a nay vote, the Board approved the purchase of a digital fingerprint machine at a cost of approximately $25 thousand. $5 thousand of the total may be donated through grant funds awarded to the Falls City Public Schools by Communities for Kids.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty said the digital finger print machine will help create a quicker turn around for approval of finger prints for service workers in the community to include day care providers and employees in the medical field.

Sheriff Hardesty and Jail Supervisor Kristn Morehead updated Commissioners on the need for additional space for evidence storage and medical services for inmates.

(KLZA)-- Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise held their Annual Banquet and Business meeting Wednesday night at the Elk's Lodge in Falls City.

Named as the Investor of the Year for 2022 was Bosselman Pump & Pantry. The family-owned company purchased the Sapp Brothers convenience store along with the Mid-Town Service Center in 2021. In 2022 the company added High Flow Diesel pumps on the property to aid area truckers and ag producers. The company owns 46 stores across Nebraska with their headquarters being in Grand Island.

Two longtime Falls City supporters were inducted into the Wall of Fame. Ken Kunce who was the former owner of Ken's Pharmacy and later Falls City Pharmacy and Charlie Radatz who owned and operated KTNC Radio for 26 years were this years inductees'.

Kunce was instrumental in pushing for a new library in Falls City and was involved in many community events.

Radatz was Co-Chair of the Tri State Corridor Alliance that led the effort to get a new bridge built over the Missouri River at Rulo. The $27.7 million bridge was completed in 2013.

During the business meeting it was announced that Kevin Malone would be the new President of EDGE, replacing Rod Rowland who has served for three years as president.

Adam Morris was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors and Mitch Merz was elected to fulfill an open one-year term on the Board of Directors.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A federal jury has convicted a Kansas man who admitted he threatened to kill a congressman.

Chase Neill, of Lawrence, represented himself at the trial and questioned U.S. Representative Jake LaTurner on the witness stand.

Neill said he was a messenger from God, warning that the congressman would die for ignoring his concerns about wizards and extraterrestrials.

The judge found Neill competent to stand trial and act as his own attorney despite a past serious head injury.

Authorities have noted a sharp rise in threats against elected officials nationwide.

Neill faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he's sentenced April 11.

(KNZA)--An Oskaloosa man, who had been charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder, has pleaded no contest to amended charges.

According to court documents, Logan Wittenberg entered the plea earlier this month in Jefferson County District Court to one count each of aggravated battery and aggravated assault. In exchange for the plea, three additional counts were dismissed.

Sentencing was set for March 2.

Wittenberg was arrested last September in the alleged attempted murder of Brian Robinson and Ashley Perdue in Jefferson County.

He remains free on bond.

(KNZA)--A vacancy has been filled on the Hiawatha City Commission.

In a special meeting Thursday evening, former city commissioner Toni Hull was appointed to fill the position of Commissioner of Streets and Parks that had been held by Mayor Becky Shamburg.

City Attorney Andy Delaney cast the deciding vote in determining who should fill the position after two tie votes.

Hull, who previously served as Commissioner of Utilities for 7 years, was among five candidates seeking to fill the vacancy. The other candidates included Kevin Kneisley, Tom Martin, Bob Rahe and Laura Tollefson.

All five were given an opportunity to address commissioners on why they would like to fill the open spot.

After hearing from the five candidates, a motion by Shamburg to appoint Hull to the position ended in a 2-2 tie vote. Commissioner David Middendorf joined Shamburg in voting for the motion, while Commissioners Brian Shefferd and Evans Woehlecke cast the dissenting votes. Shamburg cited Hull's experience in making her motion.

Shefferd said he felt Tollefson and Martin should be considered because they recently ran for a seat on the commission. He then made a motion to appoint Tollefson to the position, which ended in a 2-2 tie vote. Woehlecke joined Shefferd in voting in favor of the motion, while Shamburg and Middendorf voted no.

Shefferd then made a motion to appoint Martin to the position, which failed due to the lack of a second, and a motion to appoint Rahe, which also failed due to the lack of a second. That left the deciding vote to Delaney.

Hull will fill a term expiring in January 2025. The position will be up for election in November 2024.

(KAIR)--$44.5 million will be awarded to nine service providers “to extend high-speed internet to 18,468 locations in 15 underserved counties across the state.”

According to a release from the office of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, announcing the funding, two of the 15 counties are in the local area.

The release explains that the funds come through the Kansas Capital Project Funds Broadband Infrastructure Program, with the latest round of funding being the third and final award phase of the program.

According to the release, “the CPF program provides funding to make broadband connections in critical areas of the state that lack access to high-speed internet,” with the $83.5 million total CPF investment, combined with almost $42 million in matching funds, to “result in more than 24,500 homes, businesses, schools, health care facilities, and other public institutions being connected to fast, reliable internet for the first time.”

Doniphan County is included among the underserved locations receiving funding, with the release explaining that the near $1.5 million is earmarked for the Iowa Tribe, with the release calling the location a “very rural, remote, and economically disadvantaged area in the northeast corner of Kansas” which is 91-percent underserved.

The project “will be based on a partnership between the Iowa Tribe, Doniphan County, Rainbow Communications, and the City of White Cloud.”

Jackson County, as well as the counties of Shawnee and Wabaunsee, will benefit from nearly $6.4 million awarded to Cox Communications, with the release calling the multi-county project “100-percent underserved.”

The release explains that “Cox will use an affordable, scalable solution already deployed in the KC metro region” to connect the rural counties, located northwest of Topeka, as “the CPF Grant Program provides the funding needed to implement high-speed broadband in these areas of the state.”

According to the release, all of the “targeted counties have as few as five locations per square mile, which until now has prevented providers from investing the resources needed to deliver a quality broadband option.”

(KAIR/Associated Press)--Anti-abortion activists will have multiple reasons to celebrate — and some reasons for unease — when they gather Friday in Washington for the annual March for Life. The march has been held since January 1974 — a year after the U.S. Supreme Court- Roe v. Wade decision established a nationwide right to abortion.

Among those in attendance will be more than 200 Benedictine College students, which, the college says, were rallied by the college- Ravens Respect Life student group.

The Benedictine College students departed from Atchison Wednesday.

This year- March for Life gathering will be the first since the high court struck down Roe in a momentous ruling last June. Since then, 12 Republican-governed states have implemented sweeping bans on abortion. But in the same period, abortion opponents were defeated in votes on ballot measures in Kansas, Michigan and Kentucky. And state courts have blocked several abortion bans from taking effect.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved a resolution Tuesday evening to enter the Declaration of Trust and become a participant of the Nebraska Class Trust.

The organization allows local government entities to invest surplus or excess funds in cooperation with other governmental entities.

City Administrator Anthony Nussbaum said the City could earn higher interest rates on this type of investment than what local banks can offer currently.

Nussbaum said the City still has the option to invest locally, and decisions on where to invest the money would come before the Council.

Ward IV Council member Derek Leyden, who works for F&M Bank, said that he would abstain from the vote on the resolution because of his occupation.

Although Leyden abstained, Leyden said currently local banks cannot match the interest rate being offered by the Trust. Leyden cautioned the Council about not investing locally. Leyden said municipal deposits are a big part of the banking industry, allowing the banks to lend money to those who need it. He noted that it is local banks that step up when local committees and organizations need money such and F & M Field, Morehead Field and Vandeberg Field at the Fiedler Sports complex that were supported by local banks. He said EDGE and the Chamber receive a lot of support from local banks.

Mayor Mark Harkendorff also suggested investments remain local since its local banks that lend money to people. He said that is more important than a little more interest.

The vote to approve the resolution was 6 in favor, with Leyden abstaining and Council member Jim Wisdom casting a nay vote.

(KAIR)--The newly named Chair of the Atchison County Commission shared her knowledge of leadership, in her role, as part of a panel discussion held last week.

According to a release, 3rd District Atchison County Commissioner Casey Quinn was in attendance at the New Commissioners Orientation, held in Topeka, as sponsored by the Kansas Association of Counties.

Quinn was among a group of four on a panel of experienced Kansas County Commissioners who, the release says, discussed “what they wish they had known before becoming a county commissioner.

The so-called “Look in the Rear View Mirror” session was held for the KAC's 47 new county commissioner participants.

The release thanks Quinn, and her fellow participants, “for sharing [their] valued experiences and wisdom as county commissioners.”

Quinn, during last week- organizational meeting of the Atchison County Commission, was elected to the role of Chair, while 2nd District Commissioner Eric Noll was elected Vice-Chair.

(KNZA)--A Wednesday afternoon single-vehicle Brown County wreck claimed the life of a Muscotah man.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says killed in the wreck on 330th Road, about one mile east of Raccoon Road, was 24-year-old Cody Carson.

The KHP reports Carson was westbound, when for an unknown reason, his semi-truck left the roadway to the right and entered the north ditch. His semi overturned, stuck a culvert, and came to rest in the ditch at the base of a steep embankment.

Carson, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The wreck was reported about 2:30 p.m.

(KLZA)-- Following a presentation by Julie Bauman, CPA, Tuesday evening the Falls City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Annual Audit.

Bauman said her firm found no issues to report during the audit.

Bauman said the City has total business assets of more than $48.4 million with total equity increasing in the past year by more than $1.1 million. The equity increase was attributed to the city paying down its amount of debt.

(KAIR)--A Holton woman was transported for hospital care following a single vehicle Atchison County wreck Tuesday.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 26-year-old Melissa Dexter was northbound on Bourbon Road, shortly before 7:55 Tuesday morning, when the 2004 GMC Envoy she was driving left the roadway.

According to Laurie, the SUV went onto the shoulder of the road, with Dexter overcorrecting, which “caused the vehicle to rollover at least two times” before it landed upright.

Dexter was transported by Atchison County EMS to the Holton Community Hospital for the treatment of unspecified injuries.

Laurie, in the release, says Dexter was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the wreck.

(KAIR)--The leadership for the Atchison County Schools has organized for the new year.

That came during Monday- regular meeting of the Board of Education for USD 377.

According to Dr. Andrew Gaddis, Superintendent of Schools, the School Board, Monday night, selected Lori Lanter to serve in the position of President of the School Board.

Lanter, who serves Position 6 on the Board, was reelected to the position.

Chosen to serve as Lanter- second in command as the School Board Vice-President, is Barb Chapman.

Chapman, who represents Position 1 on the School Board, was reelected to another term in that role by her fellow Board Members Monday.

(KLZA)- The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says a Falls City, Nebraska man was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Monday night in Cherokee County, Kansas following a police chase and officer-involved shooting.

The KBI, in a release, said the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office contacted the KBI about 8:30 Monday evening, requesting assistance investigating the shooting.

About 5:20 Monday afternoon, a woman called 911 from a residence in Galena, Kansas, reporting a disturbance where a man was being held at gunpoint by another man. The armed man left the residence in a flatbed truck.

The KBI said at about 5:30 p.m. deputies from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office spotted the pickup truck. The driver, later identified as 28-year-old Phillip Doerr, of Falls City, did not stop and a short pursuit began.

The truck came to a stop and Doerr exited the truck while allegedly firing a handgun at responding deputies. Multiple rounds from Doerr's gun hit a patrol vehicle. Both deputies returned fire, and Doerr fled into a tree line. Deputies reported hearing a single shot about five minutes later.

A perimeter was established and a drone and aircraft assistance was called to locate the man. At about 8 p.m. Doerr was discovered dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

An autopsy will be conducted, but no other gunshot wounds were evident. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.

The KBI says it will conduct an independent investigation into the incident.

(KMZA)--No injuries were reported after a train struck a semi-truck in Seneca Tuesday morning.

The accident was reported shortly before 9:30 on 6th Street, just south of Main Street.

Seneca Police say the accident occurred as the semi driver was backing their grain trailer into a loading bay at Fairview Mills, on the south side of the railroad tracks between 6th and 7th Streets. As the driver was backing the trailer, the front right side of the truck swung over the tracks and was struck by a passing train. The train took the semi's front grill guard and fender.

The accident forced the closure of a portion U.S. 36 on the east edge of Seneca for a period of time as the stopped train blocked the crossing on the highway. The highway was re-opened Tuesday afternoon.

( KNZA)--Five candidates are seeking to fill a vacancy on the Hiawatha City Commission.

The Hiawatha City Commission will hold a special meeting Thursday evening, beginning at 5:35, to interview the candidates and appoint someone to fill the vacant position of Commissioner of Streets and Parks.

The position came open after Becky Shamburg was sworn-in as mayor January 9th after winning election in November.

Seeking to fill Shamburg's unexpired term are former city commissioner Toni Hull, Kevin Kneisley, Tom Martin, Bob Rahe and Laura Tollefson.

The individual appointed will fill a term expiring in January 2025. The position will be up for election in November 2024.

A longtime Atchison lawyer and coach has died.

According to a social media post from Benedictine College Athletics, Rex Lane died Monday.

A private practice attorney, and former Atchison County Attorney, Lane, the college says, “coached over 50 All-Heart Cross Country runners, and over a combined 450 All-Heart selections in Indoor and Outdoor Track” during his time at Benedictine College. The college notes that Lane- most recent successes as coach “include guiding the Women- Indoor 4x800 relay team to the 2016 NAIA National Championship,” and was a six-time Heart Cross Country Coach of the Year while also earning the 2016 Heart Indoor Track Coach of the Year.

College Athletic Director Charlie Gartenmayer, in the release, calls Lane “a special person," adding that “his passion for student-athletes was evident during his time as a Raven.”

Funeral service information for Lane is not immediately announced.

(KLZA)-- The period to introduce bills for this years session of the Nebraska Legislature is winding down.

First District State Senator Julie Slama has introduced several bills that would be of value to Southeast Nebraska if adopted.

LB 213 is an economic development bill for District 1 and all of rural Nebraska. The bill targets villages and cities of the second class, which includes communities with populations of less than 5,000.

The bill would lower the match from .5:1 to .25-1 for Rural Workforce Housing and expands the Mainstreet Revitalization Act, specifically for communities under 5,000.

Rural Workforce Housing provides grants for the construction of workforce housing, but currently requires 50 percent in matching funds. If adopted the bill would lower the match to 25 percent for communities under 5,000 residents. Slama says it would help level the playing field with the larger communities that are able to reach the percentage of matching funds easier.

LB212 - would require the Department of Transportation to plan, design, and purchase rights-of-way for U.S. Highway 75 to be expanded to four lanes through the Kansas border and to pave all remaining gravel highways in Nebraska.

Senator Slama has introduced LB 66 which would change provisions relating to the regulation and operation of all-terrain vehicles and utility type vehicles.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee County Commissioners voted to renew the health insurance plan for County employees through NACO Benefits when they met January 10.

Mike Boden and Judd Allen with NACO presented information on the insurance plan with with a 3.3 percent premium increase for the same coverage plan.

The Board voted to reappoint Alan Gyhra and Dalton Bar to three-year terms on the Planning Commission Board, with the terms to expire in December 2025.

Commissioners also met in executive session with attorney Jennifer Stehlik Ladman and County Attorney Emily Sisco to discuss possible litigation.

(KLZA)-- Mound City Aldermen voted to approve an ordinance that would impose a 3 percent sales tax on the sale of marijuana, as allowed by the State of Missouri during their January 10 meeting.

The proposed tax will go before voters on April 4. Missouri allows communities to charge a 3 percent sales tax above the 6 percent sales tax the state will impose on marijuana sales.

An ordinance was also passed prohibiting the smoking of marijuana in certain areas of the City of Mound City.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners opened bids for the construction of a bridge on 655 Avenue between 709 and 710 Road when they met last week.

The Two bids were received, one from Vogtscapes Inc. of Bennett, Nebraska in an amount of $860,831 and the other from Gus Construction of Casey, Iowa in an amount of $645,620.

The bids will be reviewed by the engineer and Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. prior to a contract being awarded.

Darveau reported that specifications will be presented this week for replacement of the County shop in Rulo so advertising for bids can be placed. He also noted repairs are being made to the County shop in Humboldt.

Commissioners met with Sarah Bangert to review the possibility of her providing medical services to the inmates at the Richardson County Jail. Bangert will review the idea with Sheriff Rick Hardesty and the County Board.

(KLZA)-- The Johnson-Brock School Board members elected Jeffrey Ottemann Board President and Keith Bohling as Vice President for 2023 when they met last week.

Blayne Behrends will serve as Secretary of the Board and Kelli Bohling will be the Treasurer.

New Board members sworn in during the meeting were Chester Bohling and Mitchell Neddenriep.

The Board voted to extend the contract of Superintendent Jeffrey Koehler through the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years.

Superintendent Koehler provided an update on the building project currently in the design stages. He noted the architects would like to meet later this month.

Koehler said the levy increase for the building project would increase by just three cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

Board members also approved the 2021-22 financial audit conducted by Dana Cole.

(KLZA)-- Bryan Mellage has been re-elected as Chairman of the Nemaha County Commissioners for 2023.

During the January 5 reorganization meeting Mike Hall was elected Vice-Chairman.

Newly elected District 3 Commissioner Mike Weiss was sworn in to offic on the same day.

(KLZA)-- The Auburn Board of Education reorganized for 2023 when they met on January 9.

Bill Chapin has been elected Board President. Ryan Jones will serve as Vice President, Stephen Kennedy as Board Secretary and Kellie Fogarty as Treasures.

he Board recognized outgoing Board President Laura Osborne for her service in the past year.

In other action the Board approved Secondary Math teaching contracts with Cheyan Roke and Renetta Albury.

(KNZA)--Marel and Wenger Manufacturing officials have announced the creation of a philanthropic charitable fund.

The announcement was made at the Greater Sabetha Community Foundation's Community Celebration Gala Saturday evening.

According to a release from the Foundation, the Wenger Marel Charitable Fund will support sustainable development and community investment the following areas : 1) Reading and STEM Education, 2) Food, Nutrition and Water and 3) Community Support. This statement on their website emphasizes their philosophy: “Through partnership, Marel aims to empower external organizations, our customers and employees to support the communities in which we operate.”

As part of the acquisition of Wenger Manufacturing last year, Marel proposed a philanthropic commitment of $4 million. An agreement between Marel executives, the Greater Sabetha Community Foundation and Greater Manhattan Community Foundation was finalized to create the charitable fund. An executive board will be formed to administer grants from the fund to the Sabetha community and other communities where Wenger has an industrial and employment presence.

The announcement was made by Wenger Marel executives, Paul Wenger and Jesper Hjortshoj. Hjortshoj spoke to the community who were present and said, “We are very proud stewards of the Wenger legacy. I have known the company for many years, and I have admired the company for many years. We always admired Wenger, but we never really got it. How can you build the world- center for this type of technology in northeast Kansas? Now I tell the 8,000 people who work for Marel, why is Wenger so special? It is what you talk about here. It is a community where people support each other. Where they support businesses that are here, families that are here. And that is why we, as part of the process of the acquisition of Wenger, decided to donate $4 million that will be managed by the Greater Sabetha Community Foundation for the good of the community.”

(KAIR)--As many institutions are closed Monday, in honor of the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday, the City of Atchison is set to commemorate the slain Civil Rights leader with a variety of related events.

That includes two marches, with the first, the Walk for Racial Justice, beginning Monday afternoon at 1:00 at LFM Park, as sponsored by local community groups, including Atchison United and the Atchison Ministerial Alliance.

The walk will end at Atchison's Fox Theater, located at 612 Commercial Street, where the award winning documentary film, “The Evers,” will be shown. The Emmy award winning director, Loki Mulholland, will be present, along with his mother, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, one of the original Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights Movement and a friend of Medgar Evers, whose story is shown in the film. A question and answer will be held following the screening.

The story of Trumpauer Mulholland, and adjacent civil rights history, have been studied at the Atchison Public Schools, in advance of Trumpauer Mulholland's return visit to Atchison.

That includes 8th grade students Leyla Crittendon, Celine Healy, and Mya Smith.

Students at Atchison High are also learning the history of the Civil Rights Movement, and the role Trumpauer Mulholland played.

Those students, junior Ja’Ziah Williams and seniors, Cynthia Hysten, Zoe Boldridge, and Gracie Peuker shared what they’ve learned with MSC Radio News. The interviews can be heard below.

A second march, beginning at 5:30 at the Atchison County Courthouse, is sponsored by Benedictine College.

Beginning outside the courthouse, at the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, the march will make its way to the college campus, ending at the St. John Paul II Student Center.

The march will immediately be followed by an address in the O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium by Dr. Jacqueline C. Rivers, Executive Director of the Seymour Institute on Black Church and Policy Studies.

The talk is free and open to the public.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central USD 115 Board of Education has elected new leadership.

That came when the board held their annual organizational last week.

Owen Zinke was elected as board president and Amy Sudbeck as vice-president.

In other business, the board approved the 2023-24 school calendar as presented. The first day of school will be August 17 and the last day of school will be May 16. Spring break will be March 11-15.

The Board approved contract extensions for the district's administrators for an additional year through June 2025.

In addition, the board approved a policy for the emergency use of the nasal spray medication Narcan in case of an opioid overdose.

(KLZA)-- Lisa Hunzeker was elected President of the Pawnee City School Board with Jason Vetrovsky elected Vice President during the Board's Monday night meeting.

Hope Koester will serve as Board Secretary and Mary Moser as Treasurer for 2023.

In other business the Board approved the contract for the next year for Principal Derek Niss with a salary of $98 thousand as proposed by the Negotiations Committee. The pay increase is $3 thousand

Board members also approved the 2023-24 Negotiated Agreement with the Pawnee City Education Association approving an increase in the base salary schedule by $1,000 to $39,500 annually and increasing the bereavement leave from 2 days per year to 5 days per year.

Board members also approved a bid from Taylor Made Company in an amount of $47,153 to replace to rubber surfaces on the elementary playgrounds. The funds will come from the Depreciation Fund. This will cover the cost of approximately 23,500 pounds of recycled rubber.

The Pawnee City School District will be advertising for bids for upgrades to the Vocational Agriculture Building. ESSER funds will be used to pay for the improvements.

The Board also voted to accept with regret, the retirement resignation from Cindy Myers as a teacher, effective at the end of the school year.

(KNZA)--A longtime principal in the South Brown County Schools of USD 430 is retiring.

The USD 430 Board of Education, when they met last week, accepted the resignation of Horton Elementary School Principal Judy Dickman, with regrets.

The resignation is effective at the end of the current school year.

Dickman has served as principal since July 2011.

Superintendent Jason Cline thanked Dickman for her leadership and wished her well in retirement.

In other business, Curriculum Director Robyn Allen went over the math curriculum that the district would like to purchase for K-5 grades. The Board approved the purchase of the new curriculum for $54,032

(KAIR)--A garage fire, and a rollover crash, both occurred after 7:30 Saturday morning, in Atchison, leaving fire crews rushing to both scenes.

Reported first was the garage fire, which happened shortly after 7:30 in the rear of 1725 Main Street, with Police reporting the garage was unoccupied, but fully engulfed in fire.

The location of the detached, two car garage meant fire fighters had to respond through the driveway of the convenience store the garage was located behind.

According to a release from Atchison Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar, Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control, “but heavy damage to the structure had already been sustained.”

The cause of the fire remained under investigation Saturday.

Weishaar, in the release, says some of the fire fighters were temporarily called from the scene of the fire following the report of a traffic crash.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, that occurred around 7:45 Saturday morning, in the 600 block of Laramie Street, where 26-year-old Taylor Bonar had been eastbound on Laramie Street. It was there, Wilson said, that Bonar's Ford Fusion “struck a parked vehicle causing [Bonar's car] to roll over onto its top.”

Bonar, of Atchison, was transported to Mosaic LifeCare, in Saint Joseph, Missouri, by Atchison County EMS, for the examination of possible injuries.

(KNZA)--In the ongoing push for enhanced local broadcasting, KNZA Radio Inc. is proud to welcome a familiar voice into an expanded role.

Brown County resident Seth Tollefson is named as the new Program Director and Morning Show Host for Kanzaland Radio, including oversight of all aspects of on-air programming. Tollefson's first day in the new role will be Thursday, January 19.

Station President and owner, Justin Fluke, calls Tollefson “a great coach and colleague for all of our on-air talent,” adding that he will “bring new ideas and local broadcast opportunities,” as Tollefson is “very active and enriched in the local community.”

In addition, Tollefson will become a partner, joining the local ownership group of Fluke and Jake Spalding. "Our group of local radio stations has always had deep roots in the local communities we cover. And that remains a top priority with a team of trusted employees that are dedicated to serving and passionate about broadcasting. Tollefson will not only add to that, but continue to develop our culture and identity."

Tollefson began working part-time at KNZA Radio in 1999, while in high school.
Later working at KOFO in Ottawa, KS, Tollefson returned to Hiawatha and to a full time position at KNZA from 2001 to 2006. He then returned to the role in 2009-2014, following a few years working in the field of education.

When he returned to radio, Tollefson helped to enhance the station- Sunday morning programming, including developing several church programs, while also serving as music director and afternoon DJ.

Always heavily involved in all aspects of the station's sport productions, including past oversight of the local scoreboard show, Tollefson last year became the play-by-play voice of KNZA'S new Redhawk Channel.

Tollefson and his wife of 12-years, Robyn, have six children.

For the past 8-years, he was worked full time at BCDS in Hiawatha, advancing into a leadership supervisor position. "I am very excited about returning to the KNZA family and look forward to the challenges and opportunities this new position will provide,” Tollefson said. ‘Along with being on-air again and reconnecting with so many great listeners, I'm excited about developing other content through our company websites, video streaming channels and social media platforms. I've known Justin for more than 20 years and am excited to join his ownership team and a terrific staff at KNZA, INC.”

(Washington, D.C.) -- Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves calls this week's computer outage of a federal flight safety information system a huge vulnerability in the nation- air travel system. Graves, a Republican from northwest Missouri- Tarkio, is the chairman of the U.S. House- Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The outage temporarily grounded flights around the country Wednesday, affecting more than four-thousand flights. Graves says the FAA outage underscores how understaffed the FAA is currently.

(KNZA)--A Thursday morning two-vehicle Jefferson County wreck sent one person to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on U.S. 24 Highway, just east of Clark Road, shortly before 10:15.

According to the KHP report, 50-year-old Frank Newton, of Topeka, was westbound when he struck the rear of a westbound Kansas Department of Transportation dump truck.

Newton was transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital for the treatment of suspected serious injuries.

The driver of the KDOT truck, 38-year-old Michael Teeter, of Lecompton, was not hurt.

The Patrol says both drivers were buckled up when the wreck occurred.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission organized for the new year when they meet Monday after a new member joined the board.

Newly elected 1st District Commissioner Ben Glace took his seat on the commission after being sworn-in. He replaces Gary Scoby, who did not seek re-election.

2nd District Commissioner Jason Koch was nominated to serve as Board chairman for 2023 and Glace as co-chairman.

In other business, Galen Ackerman came before the board on behalf of the Nemaha County Planning Commission to update Commissioners on the status of the citizen survey that was recently sent out in Nemaha County. Discussion was held concerning having a public meeting to review the results of the survey.

Jeff Kidd with SBS Insurance Agency came before the board to speak to Commissioners about renewing the county- cyber coverage policy. The premium for this policy has increased significantly over the past year. Following discussion, the commission voted to renew the policy with SBS Insurance Agency as presented.

The board also accepted the resignation of Jason Conley as Home Township Clerk since he already holds the position of Home Township Trustee, effective January 9th.

(KNZA)--Sabetha Elementary School Principal Rusty Willis has resigned.

The Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education accepted her resignation when they met Monday evening, effective at the end of the current school year.

Superintendent Todd Evans told MSC News that Willis cited family concerns in her letter of resignation to the board.

She has served as principal since July 2021.

Willis taught at Atchison Public Schools before coming to Sabetha.

(KAIR)--The Atchison County Commission has organized for the new year, complete with a new addition sworn in to County leadership.

That happened Tuesday with Dr. Allen Reavis, elected in November to fill the role of 1st District Commissioner, sworn in to office by 1st Judicial District Judge Gerald Kuckelman.

Once Reavis was seated into his new position, the Commission went to work in selecting its leadership.

Chosen to serve as Chair of the Board, as nominated by Reavis, is 3rd District Commissioner Casey Quinn who, in turn, nominated 2nd District Commissioner Eric Noll to serve as Vice-Chair, which led to his election to the role.

Following the leadership election, the Commission then went to work filling committee and board assignments, as well as other related business.

(KAIR)--An Atchison woman required hospital treatment, following a mid-week Atchison crash into a parked vehicle.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 74-year-old Emma Isenhower was northbound on 3rd Street, around 7:00 Wednesday evening, when her Honda SUV crashed into a parked vehicle.

Isenhower was transported from the scene by private vehicle and taken for a hospital evaluation.

(KNZA)--Despite a rumor to the contrary, the Hiawatha schools were never under a threat of danger this week.

That confirmation is made in a release from the schools of USD 415 Wednesday.

According to the release, both the district, and Hiawatha high School administration, “were made aware of a school safety concern” after it was “rumored that a student had made a threat of violence toward the school.”

The release explains that high school administration, through the help of law enforcement, “thoroughly investigated the matter and determined that no threat was made.”

The release closes by saying that administrators, as well as the school resource officer, “will continue to monitor the situation.”

(KLZA)-- Three new members took the oath of office prior to being seated on the Falls City Board of Education Monday night.

Cassandra Goff, Teresa Olberding and Anthony Johansen were elected to the Board in November.

During the reorganization of the Board for 2023, June Bowers was re-elected President of the Board with Scott Hollens elected Vice President.

The Board approved a two-year contract with Superintendent Tim Heckenlively with a three-percent salary increase to just over $163 thousand.

During the Superintendent's report, Heckenlively reported that updates to the transportation fleet are scheduled for this week. Falls City Public Schools received federal funding for replacing two older school buses. Additional funding from the 2022 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act will also support the purchase of the 54-passenger route buses.

The two 2023 Blue-Bird Vision school buses are scheduled to be delivered by Friday.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners conducted their Annual Meeting Tuesday.

District 1 Commissioner John Caverzagie has been elected Chairman of the Board for 2023. David Sickel will serve as Vice-Chairman.

The Board reaffirmed the appointment of Steve Darveau Jr. as Richardson County Highway Superintendent with an annual salary for 2023 of $67,500 which was a 12.1% pay increase.

Brian Kirkendall was reappointed Emergency Manager and Noxious Weed Control Superintendent with an annual salary of $62,776 which is also a 12.1% pay increase.

Mona Godemann was reappointed Veterans Service Officer with a salary of $25.08 per hour, representing a 20% pay increase.

During the meeting Steve Mercure and Lindy Mahoney, the Richardson County contracted public defenders discussed the current contract and the number of cases being filed.

The current contract does not expire until the end of 2023, they informed the Board that they will be submitting a proposal for the new contact period that will reflect an increase in the cost, primarily due to a significant increase in the number of cases being filed since the current contract began.

The contract is for $70 thousand annually.

According to the numbers submitted by the attorney's, when the current contract was bid in 2019, there was a total number of new case filings of 388 which increased to 722 in 2022 with the number of felony cases increasing from 64 in 2019 to 172 in 2022.

(KLZA)-- In one of his first acts as Nebraska's new governor, Jim Pillen has named Pete Ricketts to fill the state's vacant U.S. Senate seat. Pillen surprised no one Thursday in naming the former governor to the seat vacated Sunday by Ben Sasse, even as some Republicans expressed reservations about Pillen selecting his benefactor.

Pillen was elected in November in large part because of Ricketts’ backing, which included more than $100,000 of his own money contributed directly to Pillen- campaign.

Pillen said he didn’t want to put in a placeholder, and wanted to choose someone who could win election in 2024. Pillen said Thursday that he interviewed nine candidates out of 111 applicants, none of the interviews were with Democratic applicants.

Sasse announced last fall that he would be leaving the Senate to take a job as president of the University of Florida.

(KLZA)-- Two men were found dead the wreckage of a small plane about a mile south of the Auburn, Nebraska airport Wednesday night.

A news release from the Nemaha County Sheriff's Department said the office received a 9-1-1 call at 11:00 p.m. regarding a missing plane that had departed Lincoln for the Auburn airport and was to return to Lincoln, but had not returned.

Deputies located the wrecked plane. Both occupants, 24-year-old Colton Hill, of Kearney, Nebraska and 41-year-old Dustin Biegler of Valperaiso, Nebraska were found dead in the wreckage.

Auburn Fire and Rescue responded to the scene.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board have been notified and will conduct the investigation into the plane crash.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board, when they meet Monday evening, approved a lease proposal for use of the new indoor practice facility nearing completion at Noble Park

Following a lengthy discussion, the board voted 5-1 to enter into a two-year lease agreement with the Hiawatha Baseball and Softball Club for $13,000 annually. The lease would run from January 2023 through December 2024.

Board member Roni Tietjens cast the lone dissenting vote. Board member Jacquie Kerl was absent.

The lease proposal must be approved by the Club board.

The Club had proposed a 4-year agreement at $18,000 annually or $1,500 a month. Board President Ian Schuetz said the group's primary concern was being able to cover operating expenses.

The indoor practice facility is the 1st phase of the Hiawatha Championship Sports Complex. Ground was broken last August for the facility and construction on the building began in October, which is expected to be completed by March 1.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has organized for the new year.

During their annual organizational meeting Monday, 2nd District Commissioner Wayne Grable was re-appointed as chairman and 1st District Commissioner Timothy Collins was re-appointed as vice-chairman.

Commissioners voted to re-appoint Jim Norris as noxious weed director, Sheryl Pierce as Health Department/Home Health Administrator and Dr. Bradley Gaul as county health officer for 2023.

Prior to the beginning of the meeting, County Clerk Peggy Franken administered the oath of office to 1st District Commissioner Timothy Collins, Center Township Clerk Norman Meng and Iowa Township Clerk Craig Windmeyer, whose 4-year terms began Monday.

In other business, a bid letting was held for an electrical upgrade at the Doniphan County Health Department building in Troy. The commission voted to accept the lone bid from Grable Electric , of Wathena, in the amount of $5,400.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Brown County Sheriff's Office, and the Horton Police Department are investigating a suspicious death after a man was found dead Tuesday afternoon in rural Horton.

The KBI, in a news release, said the preliminary investigation indicates that at about 4:00 the Brown County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call from a female resident requesting law enforcement assistance at 1435 K-20 Highway. Upon arrival, Brown County deputies discovered a man's body in the attic of the home. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The KBI said the man has been identified as 56-year-old Gene Dunlap, who lived at the residence where he was found.

The Sheriff's Office requested the assistance of the KBI.

An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME, or the Brown County Sheriff- Office at 785-742-7125. Tips can also be submitted online at kbi.ks.gov/sar.

No further information is being released at this time.

( Peru)- Lori (Vrtiska ‘84) Seibel has joined the Peru State College Foundation Board of Directors to usher in 2023. The Lincoln, Neb. resident was elected in November and began her three-year term in January.

Jeff Greenwald (’71) and Al Urwin (‘82) of LaVista, Neb. were re-elected to the Board.

The Foundation is a private, non-profit corporation whose sole mission is to support Peru State College through receipt and distribution of charitable gifts to support the college. Board members serve on a voluntary basis.

Seibel, a native of Table Rock, has extensive experience in the non-profit sector. She is currently serving as president and chief executive officer of the Community Health Endowment (CHE) of Lincoln - a position she has held since 1999. CHE- mission is to make Lincoln the healthiest community in the nation. To achieve this vision, CHE invests in health-related projects and programs and convenes the community around important health issues.

Prior to joining CHE, Seibel served as an aide for two Lincoln mayors - Dale Young and Mike Johanns. In addition, for four years she was an epidemiologist for the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department.

Seibel earned a Master of Science in preventive medicine and epidemiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. Her late parents, former State Sen. Floyd, and Doris Wagner (’47) Vrtiska, were staunch Peru State supporters, and the addition to Hoyt Science Hall was named in their honor.

Nestled in the hills of historic southeast Nebraska, Peru State College offers a mix of innovative online and traditional classroom undergraduate and graduate programs, including online graduate degrees in education and organizational management.

Established in 1867 as Nebraska- first college, Peru State has transformed over the past century and a half into a state-of-the-art institution offering diverse, multifaceted educational programs annually to nearly 2,000 students.

( Peru)- Lori (Vrtiska ‘84) Seibel has joined the Peru State College Foundation Board of Directors to usher in 2023. The Lincoln, Neb. resident was elected in November and began her three-year term in January.

Jeff Greenwald (’71) and Al Urwin (‘82) of LaVista, Neb. were re-elected to the Board.

The Foundation is a private, non-profit corporation whose sole mission is to support Peru State College through receipt and distribution of charitable gifts to support the college. Board members serve on a voluntary basis.

Seibel, a native of Table Rock, has extensive experience in the non-profit sector. She is currently serving as president and chief executive officer of the Community Health Endowment (CHE) of Lincoln - a position she has held since 1999. CHE- mission is to make Lincoln the healthiest community in the nation. To achieve this vision, CHE invests in health-related projects and programs and convenes the community around important health issues.

Prior to joining CHE, Seibel served as an aide for two Lincoln mayors - Dale Young and Mike Johanns. In addition, for four years she was an epidemiologist for the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department.

Seibel earned a Master of Science in preventive medicine and epidemiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. Her late parents, former State Sen. Floyd, and Doris Wagner (’47) Vrtiska, were staunch Peru State supporters, and the addition to Hoyt Science Hall was named in their honor.

Nestled in the hills of historic southeast Nebraska, Peru State College offers a mix of innovative online and traditional classroom undergraduate and graduate programs, including online graduate degrees in education and organizational management.

Established in 1867 as Nebraska- first college, Peru State has transformed over the past century and a half into a state-of-the-art institution offering diverse, multifaceted educational programs annually to nearly 2,000 students.

( Peru)- Lori (Vrtiska ‘84) Seibel has joined the Peru State College Foundation Board of Directors to usher in 2023. The Lincoln, Neb. resident was elected in November and began her three-year term in January.

Jeff Greenwald (’71) and Al Urwin (‘82) of LaVista, Neb. were re-elected to the Board.

The Foundation is a private, non-profit corporation whose sole mission is to support Peru State College through receipt and distribution of charitable gifts to support the college. Board members serve on a voluntary basis.

Seibel, a native of Table Rock, has extensive experience in the non-profit sector. She is currently serving as president and chief executive officer of the Community Health Endowment (CHE) of Lincoln - a position she has held since 1999. CHE- mission is to make Lincoln the healthiest community in the nation. To achieve this vision, CHE invests in health-related projects and programs and convenes the community around important health issues.

Prior to joining CHE, Seibel served as an aide for two Lincoln mayors - Dale Young and Mike Johanns. In addition, for four years she was an epidemiologist for the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department.

Seibel earned a Master of Science in preventive medicine and epidemiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. Her late parents, former State Sen. Floyd, and Doris Wagner (’47) Vrtiska, were staunch Peru State supporters, and the addition to Hoyt Science Hall was named in their honor.

Nestled in the hills of historic southeast Nebraska, Peru State College offers a mix of innovative online and traditional classroom undergraduate and graduate programs, including online graduate degrees in education and organizational management.

Established in 1867 as Nebraska- first college, Peru State has transformed over the past century and a half into a state-of-the-art institution offering diverse, multifaceted educational programs annually to nearly 2,000 students.

(KAIR)--Carrie Sowers remains as President of the Board of Education for Atchison- USD 409.

That follows the new year organization of the school board for the Atchison Public Schools, as held Monday evening during the board- regular meeting.

Along with Sowers being retained in her role of leadership, Diane Liebsch, also by a vote of her fellow board members, was reelected as Vice-President.

During business of the School Board, following the organization, it was decided to restore the transportation department under the operation and oversight of the school district.

Monday evening's vote of the board members to make that a reality set the date for that to begin as July 1, 2023. Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Renee Nugent, tells MSC News the current contract with First Student, formerly Apple Bus, which is in the process of being bought out by First Student, expires June 30, 2023, making it, Nugent said, “natural to begin looking at options going forward.”

When that contract expires, Nugent explains that, following summer school, the school district will, for the 2023-2024 school year, have its own transportation fleet overseen by district employees.

Nugent, in an emailed conversation with MSC News, said the primary benefit of returning to district transportation management is the elimination of the so-called “middleman,” meaning the district will be fully in charge of transportation, including hiring, training, and routing services.

Nugent added that while Apple Bus “served [the school district] well and fulfilled a need throughout their tenure with USD 409,” the district is “looking forward to resuming [its] own services.”

(KNZA)--New Hiawatha Mayor Becky Shamburg presided over her first city commission meeting Monday evening after being sworn-in earlier in the day.

It also marked the first meeting for new City Administrator Becky Burger and the last meeting for Interim City Administrator Larry Paine.

Burger was hired in November to replace former city administrator Mike Nichols, who resigned in April of last year. Paine has been serving as interim City Administrator since that time. Shamburg, along with Commissioners David Middendorf and Brian Shefferd, thanked Paine for his service to the city.

Commissioners decided to hold a special meeting Thursday evening, January 19 at 5:35 to appoint someone to fill the remainder of Shamburg's term as Commissioner of Streets and Parks. Those candidates who have expressed an interest in filling the position will be invited to appear before the commission. The individual selected will serve a term expiring in January 2025.

Besides Shamburg, also sworn-in Monday was Commissioner Middendorf. He won election in November to the position of Commissioner of Finance, which he was appointed to in December 2019.

(KNZA)--A late Tuesday morning three-vehicle Jefferson County wreck sent one person to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said it happened at the intersection of K-4 Highway and 39th Street shortly before noon.

The Patrol said a northbound car driven by 40-year-old Elizabeth Parker, of Silver Lake, was slowing to turn west onto 39th Street when it was struck in the rear by a northbound car driven by 23-year-old Joseph Hodgkiss-Epling, of Meriden. The impact caused Parker's car to cross the center line where it struck a southbound pickup truck driven by 40-year-old Jared Tyler, of Valley Falls.

Parker was transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital with suspected serious injuries. The other two drivers were not hurt.

The Patrol said all three drivers were wearing seat belts when the wreck occurred.

(KAIR)--Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has tested positive for COVID-19. However, a release from her office says Kelly “is fully vaccinated and is experiencing minor symptoms.”

Kelly was diagnosed Tuesday morning, with the release noting that the Governor “is following the guidance of public health officials to self-isolate as she continues to work.”

The release notes that the Governor- illness “should not delay normal government functions,” but adds that the annual State of the State will be postponed from Wednesday evening, January 11 to Tuesday evening, January 24, at 6:30.

The Governor- Budget will still be released to the Legislature Thursday, as planned.

(KAIR)--Stolen firearms, taken from a Cummings resident, didn’t remain missing for long following an investigation that led to the arrest of two, and to the recovery of the two weapons.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, his office, Sunday night, received a report from the victim of the theft, which then turned into an investigation.

According to Laurie, that led deputies to arrest 18-year-old Michelle Molt and an unnamed 17-year-old boy, both of Cummings.

Laurie, in the report, says Molt was arrested for felony theft of a firearm, while the juvenile was arrested for felony theft of a firearm and criminal use of a weapon.

He was released to juvenile intake, following his arrest, while Molt was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

Both of the stolen firearms were recovered during the investigation.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man, arrested during the weekend for failure to appear in court, now also faces drug charges.

That- due to the alleged possession of fentanyl, by 24-year-old Austin Lurquin, at the time of his arrest.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, Lurquin was arrested Saturday evening, in the 1600 block of Main Street, on District and Municipal Court warrants charging him with failure to appear.

After the drug was allegedly found on his person, he additionally faced a charge for its possession.

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

(KAIR)--Three Atchison lawyers are among a total of eight applying to fill the role of 1st Judicial District Judge.

The Judicial District, which includes Atchison and Leavenworth counties, is currently vacant one judicial seat, due to the January 1 retirement of Chief Judge David King.

The three Atchison attorneys seeking to fill the vacancy, according to a release from the Kansas Courts, are Allen Ternent, John Fresh, and Andrew Werring.

They, and the other five applicants, will be reviewed Wednesday during a late morning telephone conference held by the 1st Judicial District Nominating Commission.

Following Wednesday- review of the eight applicants, the nominating commission will again convene on the morning of January 18 to interview nominees, with that process to continue the next day, also at the Leavenworth Justice Center.

The nominating commission will select three to five, whose names are submitted to the governor to fill the position according to statutory qualification and residency requirements.
The governor has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint.

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

After serving one year in office, a new judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.

(KLZA)-- A Neosha, Missouri woman suffered moderate injuries in a single vehicle wreck in Atchsion, County, Missouri Monday afternoon.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 74-year-old Lillie Smith was northbound on Interstate 29about 5:00 p.m., approximately four miles west of Rock Port when her car traveled off the road and into the median, overturning and coming to rest on its wheels, blocking the southbound lanes of the Interstate.

Smith was transported to the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn by the Atchison/Holt EMS.

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

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has organized for the new year.

During their annual organizational meeting Monday, 3rd District Commissioner Bill Pollock was elected chairman for 2023.

The Commission approved a resolution designating The Horton Headlight as the official county newspaper. That came after the Commission accepted the low bid submitted by the newspaper for the publication of legal notices in the amount of $2.75 a column inch. The Hiawatha World submitted a bid of $6.50 a column inch.

The Commission also approved a resolution designating the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company and Morrill and Janes State Bank—a division of Bank of Blue Valley--as the official 2023 Brown County banks for checking and investments.

Following discussion, the commission decided to table for one week a decision on redistricting. The issue must be revisited every three years in order to maintain as close as possible a balanced population in the commission districts. County Clerk Dawn Boyles will contact an official with the Kansas Association of Counties for input before a decision is made.

(MSC News)--On Monday, Governor Laura Kelly and Lieutenant Governor David Toland were sworn into office in a ceremony outside the Kansas State Capitol. The Kelly Administration now begins its second term in office.

Governor Kelly first became the 48th governor of Kansas on January 14, 2019, pledging to rebuild Kansas by reaching across the aisle. Since then, she has worked with a bipartisan group of legislators to fully fund schools, axe the sales tax on food, close the Bank of KDOT, and recruit the largest economic development project in state history.

Governor Kelly began her second term by celebrating the Kansas spirit of “neighbor-helping-neighbor” and calling on the state- elected leaders to embody the same civility and unity.

“We’re often told that there- ‘a fork in the road’ and you have to make a choice - you can either go right or you can go left. I believe that- a false choice.  I believe the best choice is right down the middle of that road,” Governor Laura Kelly said.  

“Because the middle of the road is where left and right come together; where well-intentioned people who hold different positions find common ground.  Nobody gets everything they want, everyone gets something they want, and progress is made. That- how life works. It- how government should work too.”

Governor Kelly also shared her vision for her second term.

“Our North Star is this: To make Kansas the best place in America to raise a family,” Governor Kelly said. “Where you can see opportunity for yourself, for your children, and for your grandchildren.”

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council last week approved a resolution, authorizing adoption of the Blighted and substandard Abatement / Demolition Program recommended by the Building and Planning Department.

In December, the Council approved setting aside $100 thousand for the abatement program. The funds will be utilized for abatement and demolition of both commercial and residential individual properties to eliminate health and safety hazards and to help mitigate neighborhood property value decline.

In other action, Council members voted to authorize sending a letter of intent to apply for a planning grant for the 2023 Civic & Community Care Financing Fund for a Civic or Recreation Center.

The City is working with Community Medical Center to apply for the financing and eventually a construction grant. The grant would require a fifty-percent match by the City.

The City plans to apply for $15 thousand to complete a planning document for such a facility.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth County District Court case, focused on a fatal crash last year, ends with a prison sentence for a 20-year-old Lansing man.

According to a release from Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, Eric Lee Karpierz was sentenced to 4-years-4-months in prison for the involuntary manslaughter of Eric Chappell and driving under the influence on June 19, 2022.

Karpierz earlier entered a plea to the crimes, which stem from a deadly crash on that June night.

According to Thompson, it was shortly after 11:00 that Karpierz was driving behind two motorcycles, including one ridden by Chappell.

The motorcycles slowed down to make a left hand turn, but Karpierz sped up to pass them, in the no passing zone, while driving around 92 mph in the 50 mph traffic zone. His Jeep Renegade collided with Chappell- motorcycle, leaving Chappell dead at the scene.

When police arrived, Karpierz was breathalyzed, blowing a .128, which is over the legal limit.

(KNZA)--Longtime Jackson County Clerk Kathy Mick has announced she will retire, effective March 31.

Mick has served as county clerk for 30 years. She was first elected to the position in 1992 and took office in January 1993. Mick is currently in the middle of serving her eighth four-year term.

She has worked in the county clerk's office for a total of 44 years, starting as a part-time employee during her sophomore year in high school in 1978.

Mick is a Republican, and members of the Jackson County Republican Precinct Committee will hold a special convention in the near future to nominate someone to fill the remainder of her term. The name will be forwarded to Governor Kelly for appointment.

Editor's note: MSC News initially incorrectly identified Shane Meggison, of Hiawatha, as the shooter. He was not the shooter. MSC News apologizes for the mistake.

(KNZA)--The man accused of the non-fatal shooting of a woman in Brown County this week is in custody and has been identified publicly.

According to a release from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, 48-year-old Mark Alan Edmundson was arrested in Saint Joseph, Missouri, his city of residence, after allegedly fleeing the scene of the shooting, which occurred Monday afternoon in the vicinity of U.S. Highway 36 and Timber Road.

His apprehension came after an Attempt to Locate was issued by the Brown County Sheriff's Office Dispatch shortly after the shooting was reported.

Edmundson, as of Friday, remained in the Buchanan County, Missouri Jail, held on felony charges for 2nd degree trafficking of dangerous drugs.

When deputies arrived on the scene of the shooting, they located a woman who suffered an apparent gunshot wound to the lower leg. She was transported to Amberwell Hospital, in Hiawatha, where she was treated and released.

The shooting remains under investigation.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners have scheduled a public hearing on the proposed 1 & 6 Year Road Plan for Tuesday, February 21 at 9:30 a.m.

During their Tuesday meeting it was revealed that Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau is preparing specifications to receive sealed bids for the replacement of the County Shop at Rulo.

An agreement was approved with Felsburg Hilt & Ullevig for the Stella Southwest Project Environmental Services Project..

Sheriff Rick Hardesty reported that patrol vehicles deemed to be surplus will be offered for sale on a Big Iron auction on January 25. A 2015 Dodge Ram pickup, a 2017 Dodge Charger and a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix will be up for auction.

Sheriff Hardesty and Commissioner Rick Karas reported on a meeting they had with Humboldt Mayor Ron Rathbone concerning the lease of a building in Humboldt used for the Emergency Management Agency. The City is going to utilize the building in a different manner and the County will possibly be receiving a letter to terminate the lease.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Council waived the three-reading rule during their meeting last week, allowing the city to immediately adopt the 2018 building codes recommended by the Planning Department.

City Administrator Anthony Nussbaum told the Council it is simply a matter of bringing the codes up to date. The State of Nebraska adopted the 2018 codes in 2021. While municipalities are allowed to vary from the state codes, they must be in general conformance with the state.

The City had been utilizing codes previously utilized state wide.

(KLZA)--The Richardson County Sheriff's Office participated in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign from December 16th, 2022 through January 1st, 2023.

During this time, the department had 279 traffic stops and issued 52 citations, had a total of 13 arrests including 3 felony drug arrests. The department went on 116 calls for service and investigated 5 accidents.

(KLZA)-- St. Joseph, Missouri will host the 2023 Midwest Crops' Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 17 and 18 at the Stoney Creek Hotel.

Information will be presented on how to address issues producers are facing and will focus on maintaining and or increasing profitability. The 2023 weather outlook, new technology and trends in row crop production will be among the topics covered.

Extension specialists from the universities of Missouri, Kansas State and the University of Nebraska at both Lincoln and Omaha will provide information to attendees.

(KAIR)--A vehicle, reported stolen from Atchison last month, has been recovered in Missouri.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the 2011 Mazda hatchback was located Tuesday by the Riverside, Missouri Police Department.

The car had been stolen from Atchison, while parked in the 300 block of North 9th Street, sometime between December 24 and December 29.

No suspects are immediately identified.

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

(KNZA)--The Kansas Supreme Court has appointed District Judge John Weingart to serve as chief judge of the 22nd Judicial District from January 8 through December 31, 2023.

Weingart fills the unexpired term of Chief Judge James Patton, who will retire January 6.

The 22nd Judicial District is composed of Brown, Doniphan, Marshall, and Nemaha counties.

“We appreciate that Judge Weingart is willing to take on the additional responsibilities of chief judge and provide continuity in capable leadership in the 22nd Judicial District,” said Marla Luckert, chief justice of the Supreme Court. “We look forward to working with him in this new capacity.”

Weingart has been a judge in the 22nd Judicial District since 2000.

“I appreciate the confidence Chief Justice Luckert and our departmental justice, Justice Rosen, have in me to do the job,” Weingart said. “I look forward to working with the staff of the 22nd Judicial District, staff of the Office of Judicial Administration, and Chief Justice Luckert and Justice Rosen in this new capacity.”

Weingart graduated from Washburn University and Washburn University School of Law. He was in private practice in Hiawatha for 24 years before being appointed to the bench.

Weingart has been married to his wife, Nancy, for 35 years and has four daughters.

Each of Kansas' 31 judicial districts has a chief judge who, in addition to their judicial responsibilities, has general control over case assignments within the district, as well as general supervisory authority over the administrative and clerical functions of the court.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved a resolution during their Tuesday evening meeting, renaming a section of 652 Boulevard Bob Ferguson Boulevard.

Ferguson was first appointed to the Falls City Airport Authority in 1992 and has served 31 years on the Board. He has served numerous times as chairman of the Airport Authority.

652 Boulevard runs north along the east side of the Brenner Field Property.

The Council also approved the appointment of Brandon Keithley to the Airport Authority, filling the vacancy.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved a resolution during their Tuesday evening meeting, renaming a section of 652 Boulevard Bob Ferguson Boulevard.

Ferguson was first appointed to the Falls City Airport Authority in 1992 and has served 31 years on the Board. He has served numerous times as chairman of the Airport Authority.

652 Boulevard runs north along the east side of the Brenner Field Property.

The Council also approved the appointment of Brandon Keithley to the Airport Authority, filling the vacancy.

The number of traffic deaths in Nebraska increased by 15% in 2022.

Speeding, distracted driving and the failure to use seat belts were seen as the main culprits of the increase.

The 254 traffic deaths on Nebraska roads were 33 more than what was recorded in 2021. It was the highest total of traffic deaths in the state since 2007.

From 2017 - 2021 Nebraska averaged 232 traffic fatalities annually. The increase of 9.5% above the average was similar to the national trend.

165 of the fatalities were on rural roads. Traffic fatalities in urban areas jumped from 56 in 2021 to 89 last year according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Office.

The Nebraska State Patrol reported 938 citations were issued in 2022 to people driving 100 mph or more. It also appears that seat belt use is down another 5%.

The Nebraska Highway Safety Office indicates Nebraska had only about 76% of front-seat passengers buckling up, that figure is down 10% from 2017.

Motorcycle and pedestrian deaths also rose on Nebraska roads in 2022. There wer 30 motorcycle fatalities, an increase of 9 from the previous year. The 24 pedestrian deaths in 2022 were up from 15 in 2021.

(KAIR)--The Kansas Supreme Court has appointed District Judge Joan Lowdon to serve as chief judge of the 1st Judicial District from January 1 through December 31, 2023.

Lowdon fills the unexpired term of Chief Judge David King, who retired January 1.

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

“We appreciate that Judge Lowdon is willing to take on the additional responsibilities of chief judge and provide continuity in capable leadership in the 1st Judicial District,” said Marla Luckert, chief justice of the Supreme Court. “We look forward to working with her in this new capacity.”

Lowdon has been a judge in the 1st Judicial District since 2020.

“It is humbling to be selected chief judge,” Lowdon said. “We have benefited from the extraordinary leadership from Chief Judge David King the last 32 years. I am grateful to him for his service and for his support while I served as district judge. I look forward to working with the dedicated people who form our court system and to serving the people of Atchison and Leavenworth counties.”

Lowdon graduated from Kansas State University and the University of Kansas School of Law. Before she was appointed to the bench, she worked at the Leavenworth County Attorney's Office, first as an assistant county attorney and later as deputy county attorney.

Each of Kansas’ 31 judicial districts has a chief judge who, in addition to their judicial responsibilities, has general control over case assignments within the district, as well as general supervisory authority over the administrative and clerical functions of the court.

The Brown County Commission Tuesday received an additional request for American Rescue Plan Act Funds from the county.

Representatives of Mission Village Living Center, in Horton, met with the Commission to request a total of $56,000. CEO Bruce Bird said the funds are needed to purchase two commercial washing machines, a non-commercial washing machine, two hot water heaters and for the removal of carpet from walls.

Commission Chairman Lamar Shoemaker said the request will be added to the commission's list for consideration.

In other business, bids were opened for the right-to-harvest 60 acres of brome hay at the county landfill for calendar years 2023-2025. Commissioners accepted a bid from Troy Kolb, of rural Hiawatha, for $1,600 per year. It was among two bids received. The other bid was for $982 per year.

There is a new Meals on Wheels provider for north Brown County. County Services for the Elderly Director Wanda Davis informed commissioners, when they met last Friday, that the Bread Bowl, in Hiawatha, has agreed to provide the meals for $5 a meal. Brown County will pay $4 of the cost, with the recipient responsible for $1. The meals had previously been provided by Mission Village.

(KNZA)--A Wednesday evening two-vehicle Brown County wreck claimed the life of a Sabetha couple.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened at the intersection of U.S. 75 Highway and 260th Road, a half mile east of Sabetha, around 5:30.

The Patrol says a SUV driven by 61-year-old Rodney Sanner, of Sabetha, had been stopped at the stop sign on eastbound 260th Road. The Patrol says Sanner failed to yield the right-of-way and entered the intersection where his SUV was struck on the driver's side by a southbound pickup truck driven by 58-year-old Efrain Perez-Ordonez, of Grandbury, Texas.

Rodney Sanner and his 53-year-old passenger, Robin Sanner, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Perez-Ordonez was not injured.

(KNZA)--Authorities are investigating a shooting in Brown County that sent a woman to the hospital.

According to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, the sheriff's dispatch received a call around 4:00 Monday afternoon of a possible shooting and battery in the vicinity of U.S. 36 Highway and Timber Road.

Deputies responded and located the adult female victim who suffered an apparent gunshot wound to the lower leg. She was transported by ambulance to Amberwell Hospital in Hiawatha where she was treated and released.

Merchant said it was learned that the suspect had fled the scene before deputies arrived and an Attempt To Locate was immediately issued by Brown County dispatch to surrounding areas. The sheriff's office drone was also deployed in the search for the suspect.

A short time later, Merchant said the sheriff's office was notified that the adult suspect had been located in St Joseph, Missouri and was arrested. His name has not been released.

During the initial investigation and search for the suspect, 55-year-old Shane Meggison, of Hiawatha, was arrested on charges of child endangerment, felony
obstruction, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia,
possession of marijuana and no drug tax stamp.

Meggison remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a $25,000 bond.

The case remains under investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.

The Kansas Highway Patrol, Sac and Fox Police Department, Town and Country
Ambulance, Hiawatha Fire Department and Squad 48 assisted.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man is in custody following a shooting in Brown County.

According to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, the sheriff's office dispatch received a 911 call around 4:00 Monday afternoon of a possible shooting and battery in the vicinity of US 36 Highway and Timber Road.

Deputies responded and located a female victim who had suffered an apparent gunshot wound to the lower leg. She was transported by ambulance to Amberwell Hospital in Hiawatha, where she was was treated and released.

Merchant said it was learned that the suspect, later identified as 55-year-old Shane Meggison, had fled the scene before deputies arrived.

An attempt to locate was immediately issued by Brown County dispatch to surrounding areas. The Sheriff's Office drone was also deployed in the search for the suspect.

A short time later, Merchant said the Sheriff's Office was notified that Meggison had been located in St Joseph, Missouri and was arrested.

He was arrested on charges of child endangerment, felony obstruction, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and no drug tax stamp.

Meggison remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a $25,000 bond.

Merchant said the case remains under investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.

The Kansas Highway Patrol, Sac and Fox Police Department, Town and Country Ambulance, Hiawatha Fire Department and Brown County Squad 48 assisted.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man, accused of the non-fatal shooting of a woman Monday afternoon is now facing related charges.

According to a release from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, 55-year-old Shane Meggison faces charges for child endangerment, felony obstruction, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and no drug tax stamp.

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

His bond is set at $25,000.

He was located and arrested in Saint Joseph, Missouri, after authorities issued an attempt to locate after they responded to the area of U.S. Highway 36, near Timber, around 4:00 Monday afternoon. When they arrived, they located an adult woman who had, Merchant says, “suffered an apparent gunshot wound to the lower leg.”

The woman was transported for hospital care at Amberwell Hiawatha, where she was treated and released.

Meggison had fled the scene before authorities arrived.

According to Merchant, the case remains under investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Department of Corrections is reporting that an inmate at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution assaulted several staff members on Monday.

The report alleges the inmate was aggressive and started cursing at a staff member. The inmate then punched that person in the face. A second staff person who came to assist was also hit in the face and a third staffer was struck in the head, resulting in an injury requiring medical attention.

Once he was restrained, the inmate then spit on a fourth staff member while being escorted from the area.

One of the staff members was taken to the hospital due to their injuries.

Results of an investigation into the incident will be provided to the Johnson County Attorney for determination of criminal prosecution.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man faces murder charges in connection with a fatal, early Monday morning crash that followed what investigators say was an attempt to flee from law enforcement.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 22-year-old Brandon Mann, the alleged driver of the vehicle, was arrested during the noon hour Wednesday on an Atchison County District Court warrant charging him with murder in the first degree, aggravated battery, 2-counts of aggravated endangerment of a child, fleeing and attempting to elude, and reckless driving.
Following his arrest, Mann was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

His bond is set at $750,000.

Wilson, in the release, explains that the “charges are the result of an investigation by the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Atchison Police Department relating to [Monday-] early morning traffic accident that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Jacey Paris” of Atchison. Also injured were two other passengers, aged 15 and 16.

Mann, Wilson said, turned himself in at the Atchison Police Department Wednesday.

(KAIR)--The driver of a stolen vehicle that crashed and caught fire Sunday evening in an Atchison neighborhood remains on the run.

That word comes in a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, who says the 1994 Ford Thunderbird had been reported stolen in Platte County, Missouri on December 6.

On Sunday evening, around 6:30, Atchison Police Officers were called to the 900 block of George Street for the report of a vehicle on fire. When they arrived, police found a fire under the hood of the Thunderbird, but the driver had fled the area. A search followed, but did not lead to the driver- whereabouts.

According to Wilson, Police are continuing to follow leads.

In a separate investigation, police are trying to learn who- responsible damaging vehicle windows and then stealing the vehicles’ radios. Wilson, in the release, says police are investigating criminal damage to vehicle windows in the area of 9th and Commercial and the 700 block of Kansas Avenue. Two vehicles had there radios stolen.

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

(KNZA)--A February 8 preliminary hearing is set for a Falls City woman accused of breaking into the Sac and Fox Trading Post in Reserve multiple times.

22-year-old Jasmine Defore is charged in Brown County District Court with three felony counts of burglary and three misdemeanor counts of theft.

She was charged last October following an investigation by Sac and Fox Tribal Police.

According to court documents, stolen in the break-ins were a total of $1,800 cash and two packages of cigarettes.

Defore remains free on an OR bond.

Editor's note: the following was submitted by Brown County Sheriff John Merchant

(KNZA)--For 2022, the Brown County Sheriffs dispatchers received approximately 5800, 911 calls which averages approximately 16 calls per day, this includes Sheriffs Office, City of Hiawatha, Town and Country Ambulance, Squad 48, multiple fire departments, tribal police. Total number of calls other than 911 to dispatch was approximately 55,000 or 150 calls per day on average. When you combine the two, over 60,000 total calls were handled by dispatchers. We are very fortunate to have the caliber of dispatchers that we currently have. These folks are responsible for obtaining and disseminating accurate information to the proper agencies in a timely and efficient manner. Their job is very demanding and detail oriented. By statistic, dispatch positions are the hardest to fill due to the amount of multi-tasking involved and the high stress that comes with the position.

The following are a majority of the statistics of what was handled at the Brown County Sheriffs office level.

Accident reports--3 fatalities 193

Animal Calls 121

Assist other Agency Calls 286

Assault/Battery calls 13

Building Checks 155

Burglary Calls 4

Car Seat/ CINC 37

Civil Calls 35

Community Policing 58

Criminal Damage to Property 22

Criminal Threat/Trespass 10

Pedestrian Check 45

Offender Registrations 315

Narcotics/DUI's 123

Subpoena Service 1268

Suspicious Vehicle/person 61

Theft 33

Traffic Stops 1488

VIN 286

Warrants 211

Welfare Check 120

Vehicle Lock Outs, Vehicle Checks 414

Drone Deployments 13

Informational/Miscellaneous 562

Reckless Driving, Traffic Complaint, etc 140

The jail portion of the Sheriffs Office has held over 450 different inmates in the 2022 year with an average daily population of approximately 18. These inmates are all arrests of Brown County entities. Very seldom do we house any out of county inmates and if so, is done for a very short period of time under special circumstance. Jail staff are responsible for many areas of the jail and have many duties. From inmate observation, booking, timely jail inmate checks and documentation, preparing meals, kitchen and utensil clean-up, general upkeep, taking inmates to court, visitation, washing inmate uniforms, handling inmate complaints/concerns, medical observation, jail maintenance, etc.

We have been very blessed to be a location where the "NO HUNGER SUMMER" program has been offered to children and families in our basement during the summer months. This is a wonderful project that has brought together some very dedicated volunteers to make sure kids have noon meals during the week, so hunger wouldn't be an option.

The Sheriffs office car seat program has helped more than 1000 families to provide safe travel for children in the last 14 years. This program is funded through grants from the State and donations from the public. We also inspect car seats and provide safety information to parents and caregivers about the importance of proper car seat use, installation and care. We have 3 deputies who are CPS Techs and one who is a CPS instructor. We have partnered with Amberwell and their technicians to broaden services to the public.

Since we have dispatchers available 24/7, I decided that we should accept unwanted, unused or expired medications at all hours of the night and day, any day of the year. At any time people can drop off this medication at dispatch. We have been participants of the NATIONAL TAKEBACK event since its inception approximately 10 years ago and have turned in more than 2,800 pounds of medication to be destroyed by the DEA.

We are also very proud of the fact that as of this year, we have certified over 1800 high school students and staff in First Aid, CPR and AED at no cost to them. Several years ago, Kansas required all students learn these very important life saving skills before graduating. We have been certifying students for the last 9 years through the generosity of the Ruth and Roger Wolf Charitable Trust, grants and other donations. We have 7 certified instructors at the Sheriffs office. We are also pleased to announce that this year we have been classified as a "Training Facility" by KS CPR which will allow us to certify our instructors in house. By providing these life saving skills, we have enabled the students to render aid to each other in case of an active shooter situation, vehicle accident, farming accident, while baby-sitting or family medical emergency. We have had several students and staff inform us that they had actually put these skills to use and have saved lives, that is quite a testimony for the importance of this program. This also provides us the opportunity to work with students at a different level in hopes to inspire them to pursue a career in law enforcement or emergency services.

Each deputy patrols an average of 150-200 miles per shift, going through the small towns daily. Deputies are responsible for serving papers, traffic stops, rendering aid to citizens, answering complaints, working cases, making arrests, serving warrants, attend multiple training classes, Sheriff briefings, testifying in court, proper maintenance of their vehicles, etc., etc. Vehicle stops are an important part of crime deterrent as officer presence is not favored by those who choose to break the law. Statistics have proven that a proactive law enforcement agency has a major impact on reducing crime rates, this is verified by the 2021 KBI CRIME INDEX. I encourage everyone to go to the KBI website and view the statistics.

We are very thankful for the generosity of supporters of the Brown County Sheriff's Office which enabled us to purchase a DRONE over a year ago. The DRONE was 100% funded by donations and has been used on various situations in our county and surrounding counties. We have specific staff that train regularly so they can keep up to date on operation and maintenance. This is a resource that we would have been unable to have without the community support and we appreciate you all!

I firmly believe in the effort that we have put forth in notifying the public on scams that are circulating our county has made a positive difference. By informing and educating our county residents, we have a much safer county and have very few victims when it comes to money loss or identity theft due to scammers. Many residents thank me for coordinating and forwarding this information to our local media so they can be kept up to date.

Since being elected as your Sheriff, we have worked many major cases involving successful prosecution as well as protecting and serving the citizens of Brown County in a professional manner. Your safety and welfare is and always will be one of the most important aspects of my office. As with any political or law enforcement position, there will always be those who criticize or condemn but thankfully, there aren't too many. I have always believed in doing the right thing versus the popular thing and there are some who do not agree with this philosophy and I am OK with that. I have a very proactive group of employees that I am very proud of and they deserve all the credit when it comes to all of our accomplishments in the county. As time goes by, law enforcement positions are getting harder and harder to fill so I consider myself blessed when it comes to my staff.

I would like to express my thank you to our county residents for their cooperation and support of the Brown County Sheriffs office. Many are very comfortable reporting issues that happen within the county which helps us solve crime due to increased patrol and passing on of the information to the appropriate authorities. We have made and solved many cases due to the fact that you feel comfortable sharing information with us, our citizens are our greatest assets when it comes to crime prevention. It has always been my goal to provide Brown County citizens with the best employees as possible so their concerns and issues are met satisfactorily, and provide them a safer place to live and raise a family.

Sheriff John D Merchant

Brown County Sheriff's Office

709 Utah Street

Hiawatha KS 66434

(785) 742-7125

(KNZA)--A Tuesday evening single-vehicle Buchanan County, Missouri wreck sent one person to the hospital.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it happened on Route FF in Agency around 6:30.

The Patrol says 30-year-old Wesley Jones, of Agency, was southbound when he swerved to miss an animal. His car ran off the road, struck an embankment, then a tree before overturning.

Jones was transported by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, for the treatment of suspected moderate injuries.

The Patrol says he was wearing a seat belt when the wreck occurred.

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Legislature begins its 2023 session Wednesday.

State Senators say there are some great opportunities along with a chance of gridlock.

As always, tax relief and tax reform will be two of the major topics of debate.

Due to COVID-related stimulus spending, the state is anticipating a $2.3 billion cash reserve by 2025.

Senators will also be influenced by the preferences of a new governor. Jim Pillen takes office Thursday. He campaigned on limiting spending at all levels of government, reforming property taxes and school finance, expanding prison capacity, and restricting abortion.

District 1 State Senator Julie Slama expects restricting abortion and allowing people to carry concealed weapons without a permit will be among the hot button topics for the session.

State senators are also expected to grapple with whether to continue to conduct elections for committee chairs by secret ballot, or switch to open voting.

(KLZA)-- For the first time since 2016, Auburn Board of Public Works customers will see their rates increase in 2023.

During the December 21, BPW Board of Directors meeting, a five percent increase in electric rates was approved and the water rates will increase two percent. There will be no change in the wastewater rates.

(KNZA)--Longtime Brown County Developmental Services Director Linda Lock is retiring after 38 years with the non-profit organization.

A retirement reception for Lock will be held Wednesday, January 11 from 5 to 7 pm at the Fisher Center, in Hiawatha. The public is invited to come for refreshments, to share stories and wish Lock well in her retirement.

BCDS serves individuals with developmental disabilities in Brown and Doniphan Counties.

(KNZA)--A second candidate is running for the Kansas Senate seat currently held by Dennis Pyle, which is up for election in 2024.

Craig Bowser, of Holton, joins State Representative Dr. John Eplee, of Atchison, in seeking the Republican nomination for Senate District 1.

Pyle, who has held the seat since 2005, changed his party affiliation in June to run for Kansas governor as an Independent.

Bowser is a fifth-generation Kansan, raised on a ranch near Holton. He currently works for the state of Kansas as an information security officer in Topeka. Bowser and his wife, Erin, live on a farm near Holton.

He said he's running for the State Senate to return conservative leadership to the first Senate District.

The district includes Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson and Nemaha Counties, along with portions of Marshall and Pottawatomie Counties.

(KAIR)--A 20-year-old Atchison man is dead, killed after the vehicle he was riding in crashed during an alleged attempt to escape from police.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the victim, Jacey Paris, was among four occupying the vehicle, which was driven by 22-year-old Atchison resident Brandon Mann. He and two other passengers, aged 15 and 16, were transported to area hospitals by Atchison County EMS for treatment of their injuries.

Wilson, in the release, explains that an officer on patrol, around 2:10 Monday morning, “observed a vehicle driving recklessly at 6th and U.S. Highway 59,” with the officer attempting to stop the vehicle. Instead, it's alleged that Mann fled north on 4th Street, with the officer then locating the vehicle after it crashed in the 900 block of North 4th Street.

According to Wilson, the vehicle had left the roadway and landed on its top, leading to Paris’ death and to the injuries for the other occupants.

The investigation is handled by the Kansas Highway Patrol and Atchison Police.

(KLZA)--Nebraska Game and Parks is urging people to use caution until further notice as avian influenza continues to affect waterfowl and other bird species statewide.

Affected birds have been reported across the state in recent weeks. Nebraska Game and Parks staff have collected waterfowl, including geese and swans, which have been tested for cause of death. Avian influenza was confirmed in several cases.

Though the risk of infection to people is low, the public should avoid contact with sick or dead birds and report them to their local Game and Parks office. Find a location near you at OutdoorNebraska.gov/locations.

Those compelled to assist in clean-up of the birds to prevent further spread of the disease are required to wear personal-protection equipment, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture protocol. The birds should be double bagged and placed in a dumpster.

Sick birds should be left alone.

(KLZA)--Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts recently announced appointments to fill Nebraska- boards and commissions.

These appointments will provide crucial insight and expertise to their respective boards, committees, and commissions.

The appointees are unpaid and are not subject to Legislative confirmation.

The only persons appointed from the area were Brent E. Lottman, the Nemaha County Sheriff from Peru, to the Board of Emergency Medical Services and Martin Fattig, CEO of the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn to the Rural Health Advisory Commission.