(KNZA)--An early Saturday evening large structure fire in Hiawatha sent numerous fire crews, from throughout the local area, rushing to the scene.

The fire was reported shortly after 5:00, just north of Oregon Street on North 9th Street.

The Hiawatha Fire Department, in a social media post, said there was heavy smoke and large flames coming from the structure, located north of the old HD Repair facility, when firefighters arrived.

Fire Chief Patrick Sheldon said the fire was contained by about 6:15 and firefighters remained on the scene until 10:30.

He said Brown County Emergency Management made the decision to evacuate homes in the area for cautionary reasons due to the level of heavy smoke. Residents were allowed to return by 8:00.

Sheldon said there was about 150 gallons of oil in the building, which was used for heating and mechanical purposes.

The building is owned by J and B Contractors and was being leased by HD Repair for generator repair. The building was considered a total loss.

No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Sheldon said an investigator from the State Fire Marshal's Office was on scene Monday morning.

Fire crews from Robinson, Horton, Everest, Iowa Tribe, Powhattan, Kickapoo Tribe, Fairview and Morrill assisted.

Sheldon thanked the fire departments for their assistance. In addition, he thanked community members who helped bring water and Gatorade to the firefighters.

He said he was out of town when the call first came in and gave credit to his assistants for taking command during the large structure fire.

" The HFD 1st assistant Ryan Shockley and 2nd assistant Tristan Dickinson done a great job with on scene comand and organization of incoming responding fire departments, " Chief Sheldon said. " It is truly a blessing to live in the community we do. The overwhelming support from area fire departments, businesses and community members are the foundation and support of this area"

(KNZA)--A Friday evening traffic stop in Jackson County led to the arrest of a Topeka man on drug possession charges.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says a Sheriff's deputy stopped a car on U.S. 75 Highway, just south of 142nd Road, shortly before 9:30 for traffic violations.

During the traffic stop, Morse said the deputy conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle, which revealed alleged drug paraphernalia, hallucinogenic drugs, cocaine and an open container of alcohol.

The driver, 31-year-old Ian Black, was arrested for possession of cocaine, possession of hallucinogenic drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, transporting an open container, violation of driver's license restrictions, defective tail lamp and improper driving on a laned roadway.

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

(KNZA)--Hiawatha city employees have been granted a pay increase for 2024.

The Hiawatha City Commission Thursday evening adopted a resolution authorizing a 3 percent cost of living increase for all full-time employees.

Funding was included in the 2024 budget for 5 percent employee pay adjustments.

After assessing market conditions and consulting with staff, the Commission intends to utilize the remaining two percent pool to address positions with under-market wages.

The pay increases will be effective for the first pay period of 2024.

(KLZA)--During the December meeting of the Mound City Board of Aldermen, Jeff Arm with the Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association presented a grant in an amount of $2,015 for the City to purchase two, wearable cameras for the Mound City Police Department.

Aldermen also approved an ordinance to set April 2, 2024 for the City Election and designating polling places.

Positions up for election will be Mayor for a two-year term and Aldermen for two-year terms in both the North and South Wards.

(KLZA)--During the December 18th City Council meeting in Falls City, City Administrator Anthony Nussbaum updated the council members about the upcoming election.

Four Council members are up for reelection in 2024, one in each ward.

Those Council members whose terms are coming to an end are Amber Holle in Ward I, Kaylie Ractliffe in Ward II, Carla Rhodd in Ward III and James Wisdom in Ward IV.

Incumbent can file for reelection beginning January 5 with a final deadline to file being February 15. The final day for non-incumbents to file is March 1.

The 6-year term on the Falls City Airport Authority held by currently appointed board member Jack Weaver is also up for election in 2024.

(KAIR)--A two vehicle, Thursday evening Atchison crash sent three to the hospital, including both Atchison drivers.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, it happened at the intersection of 10th Street and U.S. Highway 59, when a car, northbound on 10th, collided with a pickup truck that had been westbound on the highway.

Atchison County EMS transported the driver of the car, 64-year-old Sharon Sowers, to Amberwell Atchison, along with her 42-year-old passenger. EMS also transported the driver of the truck, 75-year-old John Garrison, to Amberwell, with all three evaluated for injuries.

The wreck occurred shortly after 7:00 Thursday evening.

(KNZA)--The three winners of the Hiawatha Chamber and Visitor's Bureau “ Shop Local” campaign have been announced.

The winners of the $500 first place prize were Hiawatha residents Matthew and Shayna Leahy, who purchased their winning ticket from Blue Moon.

The winner of the $400 second place prize was Hiawatha resident Pam Tesoriero, who purchased her winning ticket at Oak and Willow.

Horton resident Jarrod Watkins won the $200 third place prize. His winning ticket was purchased at Hiawatha Farm and Home.

11 businesses participated in this year- “ Shop Local” campaign, which ran from November 16th through December 19th.

(KAIR)---Special recognition for two members of the Atchison Police Department, with both commended for helping to save the life of an Atchison child earlier this month.

According to a release, Master Patrol Officers John O'Grady and Wyatt Richardson have both received letters of commendation from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson for their lifesaving actions taken December 16, with O'Grady being the first to arrive on the scene of the Atchison residence where it was reported that a 5-year-old child was suffering a medical emergency.

O'Grady, according to the release, "quickly determined the child to be unresponsive and not breathing," and then "took immediate action and began CPR," as other first responders, including Richardson who assisted with CPR procedures, arrived on the scene.

Firefighters, EMS personel, and the officers, all worked together in the life-saving effort, with the two officers continuing CPR as the child was transported by Atchison County EMS to Amberwell Atchison where she began to breathe on her own, with a heartbeat detected.

According to the release, "doctors told the officers that their immediate life-saving actions saved the young girl- life," on that December 16 afternoon.

The release notes that "the Atchison Police Department commends O’Grady and Richardson for their calm and quick actions" that helped save the young girl's life.

(KNZA)--The Kickapoo Tribe is without a police force.

That's according to the unofficial minutes of the December 18 meeting of the Horton City Commission, when Kickapoo Tribal Chairwoman Gail Cheatham informed the Commission that the entire Tribal police force resigned December 4th, with the exception of one officer who gave his two weeks' notice.

Cheatham said the Tribal Council had been engaged with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Law Enforcement Division requesting technical assistance and a comprehensive assessment of their police department. When they showed up, she said the police force walked out.

Cheatham said the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Brown County Sheriff's Department are currently patrolling the Kickapoo Reservation.

She said the Kickapoo Fire Department are all EMS certified, so anytime there is a call on the reservation their department will run along. If it is a criminal call, they will be on-call for law enforcement.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs will be assisting in the process of conducting interviews for police officers.

(KLZA)--A Kansas teenager was killed Tuesday afternoon in a two-vehicle wreck north of Tecumseh in southeast Nebraska.

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office said killed in the crash on Highway 50 was 18-year-old Gracelynn Pellicotte, of Junction City.

The Sheriff's Office said Pellicotte was a passenger in one of the vehicles.

The two drivers were taken to a hospital for the treatment of unspecified injuries.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The wreck was reported around 1:30 Tuesday afternoon.

(KAIR)--The Atchison City Commission is down one member, with the search now underway to fill the open seat.

According to the City of Atchison, the vacancy was created by the resignation of Commissioner Lisa Moody, whose unexpired term runs through December 6, 2027. Whoever is selected to fill the seat will serve through that period.

The City is now seeking applicants who wish to be appointed to fill the unexpired term, with the deadline to submit interest set for 9:00 on the morning of Thursday, January 11.
Those wishing to be appointed should submit a letter of interest by the deadline, along with reasons why they should be selected, to Atchison City Clerk Tina Fitzpatrick at Atchison City Hall, 515 Kansas Avenue, in atchison.

The appointment of the selected applicant is planned to happen at the Atchison City Commission's meeting of January 16.

(KAIR)--Although no one was injured following a crash with a mailbox and utility pole, the driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to a release from Atchison County Undersheriff Toby Smith, the arrest of the 32-year-old Atchison man followed Sheriff's Deputies being called to the 8300 block of Fremont Street for a disturbance, reportedly involving a fight that led to the vehicle driving from the scene.

Investigators determined that the driver, Jeffrey Foster, was behind the wheel of a Honda Civic when the car, northbound on Fremont, left the roadway and struck the mailbox and pole. Foster, and his lone passenger escaped injury, but Foster was arrested for DUI, and booked into the Atchison County Jail.

According to Smith, there is no report regarding the disturbance that reportedly preceded the crash, which occurred around 11:00 Saturday night.

(KLZA)--During the December Falls City School Board meeting, Curriculum Director Meghan Robeson reported that Falls City Public School were rated as “
Great” through the Accountability for a Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow.

AQuESTT classifies all Nebraska school districts and individual school buildings as either Excellent, Great, Good, or Needs Improvement.

As far as the individual building ratings, Falls City South School was rated as “Good.” with the middle and high school rated as “Great.”

Superintendent Tim Heckenlively was pleased with the improvements made in the school district, noting great gains at all levels across the district.

Among the highlights was a drop in chronic absenteeism by 7.9 percent; and proficiency scores from the spring 2022 state assessment indicating Falls City Public Schools exceeding state average scores in English / Language Arts in grades 6, 7 and 8; 8th Grade Science and 7th Grade Math.

The 2022-2023 four year graduation rate was 100%.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central USD 115 Board of Education approved the bid package for the last part of the $24.2 million bond issue approved by voters in November 2022 when they meet last week.

The Board approved a guaranteed maximum price of $3,372,173 for renovation of the Career and Technical Education building, with the work slated for 2025.

In addition, the board approved a change order for a total cost of $3,369,942 for additional projects within the scope of the bond issue.

The funds for the change order projects, which include high school classroom renovations, are available because of lower than expected costs and bond fund investments.

The board also voted to authorize high school parking lot improvements, if funds allow.

All construction is still scheduled to be done by August of 2025.

(KAIR)--A field survey, for a bridge redeck and culvert replacement on K-7 in Doniphan County, is set to start Tuesday.

According to a release from the Kansas Department of Transportation, which will conduct the field survey, says the work "is necessary to gather information for the detailed design of the proposed improvements and is expected to be completed by February 15."

The areas of interest, the Mission Creek Bridge and the Wolf River drainage culvert, are located several miles north of Sparks.

Craig Mattox, P.S., Survey Project Manager, Finney & Turnipseed, will be in charge of the survey for KDOT.

A member of the survey crew first will contact property owners and/or tenants for permission to enter private property. Survey activities will include the use of survey instruments on the ground to determine locations of existing features within the survey corridor.

(MSC News)--The Kansas judicial branch phased restoration of the Kansas eCourt case management system in district courts continues, although at a slower pace than had been planned.

The case management system is used by district courts to process cases, and is among several information systems temporarily incapacitated by an October 12 cyberattack.

According to a release issued Wednesday, district courts in nine Kansas judicial districts encompassing 28 counties had their access to the case management system restored as of December 19. Two more judicial districts were added December 22, eight were added Tuesday, and one was added Wednesday. Among those that regained access Tuesday was the 2nd Judicial District, including the local counties of Jackson, Jefferson, and Pottawatomie, as well as the 22nd Judicial District, including Brown, Doniphan, Marshall, and Nemaha Counties.

The restoration plan originally called for courts in 104 counties to be back on the case management system by the end of last week, but system performance slowed the effort.

When the case management system is restored in a district court, that court can offer visitors the option to search district court case information through a courthouse terminal.

Because courts have not had access to the case management system for several weeks, case events and case documents dated after October 12 are not likely to show up in search, at least initially. It could take courts several weeks to bring all case events and documents up to date.

A similar search capability through the web-based Kansas District Court Public Access Portal will not be available until sometime after all district courts have their access to the case management system restored.

The public can continue to search cases through a public access service center in the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka or visit a district court that has regained access to the case management system.

(KAIR)--Two were taken to the hospital, and a family pet was lost, as the result of a Tuesday afternoon fire at Atchison's Applegate Apartment Complex, apartment #34.

When Atchison Fire Department firefighters arrived at 1501 Applegate Drive, following the report of a bedroom fire, heavy smoke was seen coming from the multi-unit apartment building, with Atchison Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar, in a release, saying that all occupants had safely evacuated the apartment.

Firefighters "quickly made their way to the second story apartment and began extinguishing operations," with the fire brought "under control before spreading beyond the bedroom."
Damage to the structure was contained to the bedroom as well as smoke damage throughout the apartment. The first story apartment below also incurred damage "due to extinguishing operations."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but Weishaar says it "appears to have started in the bedroom."

Although the apartment's occupants escaped the fire, two were taken by private vehicle to Amberwell Atchison to be evaluated for smoke inhalation.
Atchison County EMS provided assistance at the scene.

The fire was reported around 2:10 Tuesday afternoon.

The American Red Cross responded to provide immediate assistance to those impacted.

(KMZA)--An outdoor fitness court should be ready for use next summer in the city of Seneca.

That follows action taken by the Seneca City Council last week.

The Council unanimously voted at their December 20th meeting to give City Administrator Steve Brooks approval to place the order for the court even though the city is about $60,500 short of the estimated $205,000 total cost.

So far, Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of Kansas and the city have each pledged $50,000, and local businesses and companies have promised about $40,000 of cash and in-kind donations.

Brooks said he should hear back by February if an application for a $50,000 grant from T-Mobile to help fund the project is successful.

The Council adopted a resolution last month committing to the construction and launch of the fitness court by the end of 2024.

The court, a 38-by-38 foot square of outdoor exercise fixtures, was developed by the National Fitness Campaign.

A site east of the Aquatic Center parking lot is proposed for the court.

(KLZA)--Humboldt, Nebraska Mayor Ron Rathbone has resigned.

Rathbone notified Humboldt City Council President Rhonda Dettmer of his resignation in a December 22 letter.

The resignation was effective immediately.

Rathbone had been the subject of a recall effort.

Richardson County Deputy of Elections Patty Brown said due to his resignation there will be no need for a recall election.

Rathbone was elected last November to replace Bob Mendenhall, who had faced a recall election. Humboldt voters retained Mendenhall, but he chose not to seek re-election.

(KNZA)--Several candidates have filed so far in Jackson County for county positions up for election in 2024.

Two candidates have filed on the Republican ticket for District 3 county commissioner. They include incumbent Keith Kelly and Tom Hoffman.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, a Republican has filed for re-election.

Republican Kristie Richter has filed for county clerk. Richter was appointed to the position last January following the retirement of longtime county clerk Kathy Mick.

Lisa Miller, a Republican, has filed for county treasurer. Miller works in the treasurer's office under current Jackson County Treasurer Linda Gerhardt.

Democrat Mary Savage has filed for register of deeds. Savage currently works in the register of deeds office current Register of Deeds Tammy Moulden.

Also up for election in the District 1 county commission seat currently held by Dan Brenner and county attorney position currently held by Jeff Morrow.

Candidates have until noon, Monday, June 3rd to file at the county clerk's office.

The primary election will be held August 1st and the general election will take place November 5.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners have approved a five-year contract for Steven J. Mercure of Tecumseh to serve as Richardson County Public Defender.

For 2024 the compensation will be $108 thousand with a two thousand dollar increase each year. The final year of the contract will pay $116 thousand.

Mercure will be allowed to appoint Lindy Mahoney as his deputy.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty informed Commissioners that Humboldt - Table Rock - Steinauer School Superintendent Dr. George Griffiths has indicated to him that the school district would like to continue with a School Resource Officer program. Currently the program does not have an officer due to a deputy shortage in the Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff Hardesty also reported that Samantha Wissman had graduated from the Law Enforcement Training Academy in Grand Island last week and will begin work with the Sheriff's Department.

Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. update the Board on a session he attended recently with representatives from Nemaha, Pawnee, Johnson and Otoe Counties regarding the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill that would provide federal funding for county bridge projects.

The group will work with the Midwest Engineering firm to proceed with completing the grant application.

Darveau will be meeting with John Steinman concerning 661 Avenue located south of 708 Road which is north of Rulo about possible improvements to the road.

(MSC News)--Several local area communities are named as being among the newest award recipients through the Strategic Economic Expansion and Development grant program, known as SEED.

According to a joint release from the Kansas Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce, a total of 13 recipients will receive nearly $275,000 to invest in small communities across Kansas.

The release explains that awardees are located in communities with a population of 5,000 or less, as required by state statute, with the recipients required to provide a minimum 10-percent match as well as complete the projects within 12 months. Projects must be focused on economic development and revitalization efforts through one of four quality-of-life categories, including childcare and senior programming, community vibrancy, food retail, and libraries.

Named as a recipient in the childcare and senior programming category is Doniphan Darlings, Inc., located in Highland, with the childcare facility to receive an award of $22,189.

A Marshall County organization earns an award in the community vibrancy division, defined as projects that refresh, re-energize and unlock the attractiveness of rural communities, such as art installations, murals and signage. Blue Rapids Community Action is named to receive a grant award of $12,085.

The Nemaha County community of Sabetha will benefit in the library category, with the release saying that the Mary Cotton Public Library will receive an award of $25,000.

Funding for the SEED program, administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, is provided through the Technology Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institutions Development and Expansion Fund, enacted in 2021 through bipartisan legislation to promote economic development throughout the state.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council was updated last week on the outdoor fitness court project.

City Administrator Steve Brooks told the Council that $60,500 is needed yet to fully fund the estimated around $200,000 project.

He proposed applying for a $50,000 grant from T-Mobile to help provide the needed funds, and said the city should hear back by February if the grant application is successful.

The Council voted to give the city administrator approval to move forward with the project and order the equipment for the fitness court for a total cost of $205,000.

The Council last month adopted a resolution committing to the construction and launch of the fitness court by the end of 2024.

The court, a 38-by-38 foot square of outdoor exercise fixtures, was developed by the National Fitness Campaign.

A site east of the Aquatic Center parking lot has been proposed for the court.

(KNZA)--A boil advisory has been issued for water customers of the Kickapoo Tribe.

That word came Friday morning in a release from the tribe.

Customers are advised not to drink the water without boiling it first. You should boil the water for at least five minutes prior to use.

The tribe said they anticipate the problem that led to the advisory to be resolved within 5 to 7 days.

(KLZA)-- Time is running out for Richardson County Commissioners to make a decision on the future dispatching for the Richardson County Sheriff's Department.

Southeast Nebraska Communications 911 in Beatrice is currently doing dispatching for the Sheriff's Department but since the contract began there have been issues with communication as well as equipment being compatible.

During the December 19th county board meeting, Interim Beatrice Police Chief Jay Murphy met with Commissioners concerning renewal of a dispatching contract.

Prior to Murphy being named Interim Chief, Richardson County was told to renew the contract the price would be $360 thousand which was an increase of approximately $170 thousand from the original contract. At that point, Richardson County began to look at options for dispatching including returning to having the Falls City Police Department handle the dispatching.

Murphy told Commissioner John Caverzagie and Rick Karas that he was able to offer a renewal rate of $200 thousand. He noted that most of the calls from Richardson County are for traffic stops and feels the $360 thousand proposal was unfair.

The Commissioners have been in contact with the City of Falls City trying to find out what the costs would be to return to having Falls City handle the dispatching. The costs discussed were not revealed during Tuesday's meeting.

Because of equipment issues, and changes made in dispatching rural fire departments, what was agreed to in the original contract is not what has been occurring. Commissioner Rick Karas said he feels the $200 thousand asking price to too much, noting that for three years, Richardson County has paid for services not delivered, thus overpaying.

Murphy said it is now possible for Southeast 911 to dispatch everything outside the city limits of Falls City. Sheriff Rick Hardesty pointed out there would still be some issues with the Falls City Volunteer Ambulance Squad providing service to villages within the county.

Murphy said he will work with the County to make sure the bugs are worked out of the system.

Commissioner David Sickel was absent due to illness and no decisions on the dispatching were made.

The current contract with Southeast Communications 911 expires in August, 2024.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission this week approved the purchase of new radios for Sheriff's deputies and heard a request for the creation of a grant writer position to help obtain funding for the county's volunteer fire departments.

County Emergency Management Coordinator Don Pounds requested approval to purchase seven portable radios utilizing funding from his budget.

He said four of the Sheriff's Department's current portable radios are unuseable. Pounds said the average age of the department's radios is 10 years.

The Commission approved the purchase of the seven new radios at a cost of $34,152.

Pounds also discussed the need for a professional grant writer to not only help obtain funding for the county's fire departments but also allow firefighters to focus on their duties.

He noted some of the fire departments are so underfunded they are paying for the gas to put in their fire trucks out of their own pockets.

Pounds said it takes a professional to write grants because there is so much competition for funding.

Horton Fire Chief Randy Mayfield, who was present for the discussion, said county's fire chiefs in a recent meeting were in agreement that a grant writer is needed.

(KMZA)--A former Wetmore area woman and her daughter were killed last week in a two-vehicle wreck in Marion County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 43-year-old Jessica ( Kirk) Henson and her 10-year-old daughter, Baylie Henson, both of Wamego, were killed in the December 13 crash on U.S. 56 highway, northeast of Marion.

The Patrol reports a semi-truck was stopped in a Kansas Department of Transportation work zone waiting on a flagger when a car driven by Henson failed to stop and struck the back end of the semi.

The semi driver, from Emporia, was not hurt.

Henson, who grew up in the Goff and Wetmore area, was a 1999 graduate of Wetmore High school.

Services for Henson and her daughter will be held Friday, December 29th, at 10:30 at the Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, in Wamego.

Among survivors are her 16-year-old son, Ayden, along with her father, Rick Kirk and brother, Sam Kirk, both of Goff.

(KNZA)--A man wanted on a Nebraska felony warrant is facing additional charges after he was taken into custody in Brown County.

According to a report from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, the Sheriff's Office received information around 2:00 Wednesday afternoon that an individual with an active extraditable Nebraska warrant was observed at 415 Goldengate Street in Robinson.

Deputies responded and the individual in question was attempting to load a vehicle on a trailer immediately north of the residence.

44-year-old Walter Lee Cole, Jr. was taken into custody on a Richardson County felony failure to appear warrant.

Sheriff's Office K-9, Carla, was deployed and alerted on the vehicle where methamphetamine and paraphernalia were located.

Cole was additionally arrested for possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

(KNZA)--An Auburn, Kansas man charged in connection with a 2021 Jackson County wreck that claimed the life of a Topeka woman during a law enforcement pursuit has entered into a plea agreement.

The Holton Recorder reports 44-year-old Robert Love, Jr., pleaded no contest December 15 in Jackson County District Court to two counts of aggravated battery while driving under the influence and one count each of aggravated battery and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.

As part of the plea deal, a charge of first-degree murder, along with five misdemeanor counts and four traffic infractions were dismissed.

Sentencing was set for February 23.

The charges were filed in November 2022 following an investigation by the Kansas Highway Patrol into a two-vehicle wreck on May 27, 2021 at the intersection of 286th Road and U.S. 75 Highway about 7 miles north of Holton.

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

A passenger in the SUV, Shai Boyd, was pronounced dead at the scene. Four others, including Love, were injured in the wreck.

Love remains in the Jackson County Jail, held on a $750,000 bond.

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Department of Health and Human services is inviting licensed childcare programs across the state that are open and operating to consider two new grant opportunities worth up to $15 million.

The Restoration and Enhancement Program and Technology Access Program are need based funding programs being administered by DHHS's Office of Economic Assistance and funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

DHHS will be offering 5 informational webinars with live demonstrations to guide child care providers through the application process of each grant.

Through the Restoration and Enhancement Program grant opportunity, DHHS seeks to assist licensed child care providers with improving facilities, investing in new equipment, and enhancing the quality of childcare homes and centers throughout the state of Nebraska. Awards will support programs by providing funding for allowable indoor and outdoor equipment, facility and maintenance repairs, installation of required fire alarm systems, and upgrading child care supplies and equipment.

Through the Technology Access Program, DHHS seeks to promote adequate and updated technology to enhance the child care quality and capacity throughout the state. This funding will facilitate the ease of service delivery, encourage higher personal security and protection of Nebraska's children, and further the educational programs of child care providers.

Applications for both programs will be accepted beginning at 8:00 a.m. CST on Monday, December 18, 2023 through 11:59 p.m. CST February 9, 2024. Awards to qualifying REP applicants will be made following the close of the application period. Awards to qualifying TAP applicants will be made on a rolling basis until funds are fully disbursed, which may occur prior to February 9, 2024.

To learn more about these funding opportunities, please visit www.dhhs.ne.gov/CCDF for more details and to register for one of the informational Webinars.

(KLZA)-- Boat ramps at Indian Cave State Park and Riverview Marina State Recreation Area are closed because of the low water level of the Missouri River, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Kevin Holliday, southeast regional parks superintendent, said boaters should use caution at all ramps along the Missouri in southeastern Nebraska because of low-water hazards.

For an interactive map of public boating areas in Nebraska, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov, then search “Maps.”

(KLZA)-- The Missouri Department of Transportation on Tuesday, celebrated the completion of Gov. Mike Parson- Focus on Bridges program that restored or replaced 250 of the state- poorest bridges over the last four years.

Among the bridge projects were six bridge rehabilitation projects in Holt County totaling $5,585,000 and two bridge rehab projects in Atchison County, Missouri totaling $6,132,000.

Established in 2019, the Focus on Bridges program was one of Gov. Parson's first major investments in transportation infrastructure.

The final project replaced the Blue Ridge Boulevard bridge over Interstate 70 in Independence and made interchange improvements to the ramps and approaches. The bridge will officially reopen to motorists on Dec. 22, just four years after the first bridge under the program opened on Dec. 20, 2019, in Iron County.

MoDOT is responsible for maintaining 10,424 bridges on the state system, the sixth most in the nation. The average age of the bridges is 49 years, and most of them were designed to last 50 years.

Prior to Governor Parson- focus on infrastructure, the number of bridges rated as “poor” using Federal Highway Administration criteria, were increasing year over year rather than declining as now seen in Missouri. Currently there are 804 bridges that have been rated “poor” using Federal Highway Administration criteria, down 19 from a year ago.

Gov. Parson- Focus on Bridges program was was made possible through a $50 million appropriation from General Revenue as well as $301 million in bond revenue approved by the Missouri General Assembly in 2019. M

(KLZA)-- Falls City is part of a group with Nebraska City and Henderson Nebraska in the Rural Workforce Housing Fund Project.

Falls City EDGE Executive Director Lucas Froeschl provided an update to the City Council Monday night. While Falls City does not have a project ready at this time to take advantage of the funding available.

Froeschl said the idea is to build a home near schools in the neighborhood from 9th Street north to 20th Street ant somewhere from Lane Street over to McLean or possibly Valley.

The goal is an affordable two bedroom, one bath home with a two car garage costing in the neighborhood of $175,000 to $200,000.

Froeschl says there are $400,000 in funding available to Falls City if anyone is interested in building a home in the area described.

For more information you can contact Froeschl at the Falls City EDGE office.

(KAIR)--Special honors for Locally Atchison Main Street, selected to participate in what's known as Main Street America's Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Rural Communities Pilot Program.

According to a release from Locally Atchison, the City's selection is among one of 30 communities nationwide, including Puerto Rico, chosen to participate in the program, which is supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and "aims to engage, activate, and empower entrepreneurial talent in rural communities so that everyone sees themselves reflected on their Main Street." Participants will identify barriers preventing entrepreneurs from starting or growing local businesses and develop action items to address them.

Along with joining a cohort of national thought leaders and partners, communities will receive a $5,000 seed grant and $1,500 toward professional development certification with the International Economic Development Council. There is also an opportunity for communities to receive additional funding as the program expands.

The release explains that the Main Street approach is centered around Transformation Strategies, with the program organized around four points: economic vitality, design, promotion, and organization.

The release notes that Locally Atchison Main Street, over the next few months, "will be working to collect feedback from local entrepreneurs and small business owners through an anonymous survey," with the feedback collected to "help inform the growth and expansion of support for local entrepreneurs in Atchison."

(KNZA)- Doniphan County employees have been granted pay increases for 2024.

According to the unofficial meeting minutes, the Doniphan County Commission took the action when they met Monday.

The commission voted to grant all employees, including department heads, a $1 per hour pay increase, elected officials a $1.50 per hour pay increase and all current registered nurses of the Doniphan County Health Department a $3 per hour pay increase. I

In addition, the commission voted to grant additional $1 per hour pay increases for Deputy Treasurer Kimberly Smith, Jail Administrator Dennis McKittrick and Road Office Manager Lindsay Norris.

The Commission voted to increase the county election officer's salary by an additional $1,000 annually and to grant the county clerk an additional 50-cent an hour pay increase.

All pay increases are effective January 1st, 2024.

In other action , the Commission voted to set the starting wage for all employees at $16 an hour, effective January 1st, except for Road and Bridge, Sheriff's deputies with experience, jailers and registered nurses of the county health department..

The starting wage for road and bridge employees and sheriff's deputies with experience was set at $20 an hour. The starting wage for registered nurses of the county health department was set at $30 an hour and starting wage for jailers at $16.50 an hour, effective January 1st.

In other personnel action, the commission voted to hire Harley Hartman as an operator/laborer in the Road Department at a rate of $20.00 per hour, subject to pre-employment screening, effective January 2. The Commission also voted to hire Jason Wilson to serve as First District Road Foreman, subject to pre-employment screening, effective January 2.

(KMZA)--A Marysville man has been charged in connection with a five-vehicle crash in April that claimed two lives.

KVOE radio reports 47-year-old Travis Edwards was formally charged Tuesday in Lyon County District Court with second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery, and interference with a law enforcement officer.

Edwards was arrested Monday.

The charges were filed following an investigation by the Kansas Highway Patrol into the April 5 crash on U.S. Highway 50, four miles west of Emporia.

The Patrol says Edwards was driving an eastbound semi truck that went left of center for an unknown reason, striking a westbound SUV. The impact caused the SUV to spin into the eastbound lane where it was struck by another semi truck. Edwards truck continued to travel over the center line where it hit two other vehicles.

Killed in the wreck were two Kansas men--29-year-old Ryan Miller, of Independence, and 32-year-old Jacob Suenram, of Lawrence.

Edwards remains in the Lyon County Jail, held on a $100,000 bond.

(KAIR)--Disbanding one fire district, then redrawing the fire district lines to bring the disbanded district into an alternate fire district, is under the consideration of the Jefferson County Commission.

The matter was raised Monday, during the regular meeting of the Commission, with the unofficial minutes saying Kentucky Township Fire Fighter Conley Feaster addressed the Commission. He discussed the service provided by Rural Fire District #3, with Feaster telling the County leaders that over the past year or two, the district has not been responding to fires or accidents.

During his address, Feaster suggested to the Commissioners that Rural Fire District #3 be disbanded, with the County to then redraw the fire district lines to include the rural district into surrounding fire districts.

Following a question regarding the dissemination of equipment, Feaster suggested that it could possibly be divided up between surrounding districts.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Commissioners instructed Feaster to create a map of the proposed changes, with the matter to be taken under the consideration of the County leaders.

(KLZA)-- Falls City Council members approved awarding bids on five owner occupied housing rehabilitation projects when they met Monday night.

MIT Contracting of Pleasant Dale, Nebraska was awarded all five bids. Only one other company submitted a bid and that was on only one of the projects.

The total cast of the five projects will come to $71,312.

City Administrator Anthony Nussbaum said there is grant funds remaining to complete more projects and plenty of applications on file to use the funds. Those funds need to be expended by August of next year.

Council members also approved moving forward with closing more than 20 existing non-used bank accounts the city has.

A request from the Falls City Fire Department for a resolution authorizing the fire chiefs to respond and assist cities and villages in the area that participate in the Richardson County Mutual Aid Agreement, and would also include neighboring states and up to a 40-mile radius outside the corporate limits of Falls City if requested by other agencies or their local Fire Departments.

This could include are communities such as Hiawatha, Auburn, Sabetha and Pawnee City.

(KNZA)--The report of a suspicious vehicle in southern Jackson County led to the arrest of two individuals on drug possession charges.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a release, said a Sheriff's deputy was dispatched shortly after 1:00 Monday afternoon to the 98-hundred block of U.S. 75 Highway for a suspicious vehicle.

The deputy made contact with two occupants and discovered that the female had an active protection order against the male driver.

Morse said a Sheriff's Office K-9 alerted to the presence of an illegal substance within the vehicle. A search located a substance believed to be methamphetamine.

Subsequently, the driver, 46-year-old Freedom Hood, of Portland, Oregon, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of a protection order and unlawful vehicle registration.

The passenger, 38-year-old Rosalie Hood, of Boise, Idaho, was arrested for possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Following their arrest, the pair were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KNZA)--A new Hiawatha High School principal has been hired.

The USD 415 Board of Education in a special meeting Monday evening unanimously approved hiring Rhonda Wright as principal for the 2024-25 school year.

She will begin work next July.

Superintendent Lonnie Moser said Wright has a varied and considerable background in Kansas schools. She has served as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal and principal.

Wright currently serves as assistant principal at Arkansas City High School USD 470.

She holds degrees from Fort Hays State, Emporia State, and Kansas State.

Wright will replace Lori Fordyce, who is resigning at the end of the current school year after serving as principal the past five years.

(KNZA)--A former Doniphan County Sheriff's deputy convicted on five child-sex related charges has been sentenced to 9 years and 10 months in prison.

35-year-old Nathaniel Keller was handed the sentence last week in Doniphan County District Court.

A Doniphan County jury in September found Keller guilty of criminal sodomy, three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and furnishing alcohol to a minor for illicit purposes.

He was acquitted on a charge of promoting obscenity to minors.

Keller was charged with sex crimes occurring between May and December 2017 involving a girl who was 14 years old at the time.

He was arrested in June 2021 after Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents served a search warrant on his home.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff's Office is requesting the public's assistance in identifying information pertaining to a string of vehicle burglaries that occurred on or about October 4, 2022.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said the Sheriff's Office has received recent information that a vision (EBT) card may have been stolen out of an unidentified blue Dodge Dakota pickup around the same time.

Anyone with information pertaining to the investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff's office at (785) 742-7125.

(KLZA)-- Mound City, Missouri residents will notice an increase in water and sewer rates at the start of the new year.

The water and sewer rates will increase 15 percent.

The increases are necessary to cover operating costs, debt service and maintenance.

(KAIR)--A GoFundMe account is in place, with funds being raised to assist the Delia family who lost their rural home to fire on the night of December 12.

The family of 12, including Vince and Virgina Shibler, were able to evacuate without injury, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, who says his office, and numerous local area fire departments, were called to the home, located at 13626 E. Road, around 10:00 that night. Despite firefighters remaining on the scene until 4:00 the following morning, the home, located north of Delia in southwestern Jackson County, is deemed to be a total loss.

The Sheriff's Office and Kansas Fire Marshal's Office have been investigating the cause of the fire.

At last check, the GoFundMe had nearly reached its $40,000 goal.

The GoFundMe is found here.

(KMZA)--Nemaha Central USD 115 will no longer provide transportation services to students who live less than 2 ½ miles from school, beginning January 1st, 2024.

The USD 115 board of education approved the change when they met last week on a 5-1 vote. Board member Jason Kramer cast the dissenting vote. Board member Jason Hammes was absent.

The board was told the change is needed to address a shortage of bus drivers that is causing some kids to be on the bus for more than an hour.

In other business, the board adopted a new open enrollment policy for non-resident students following a hearing drawing no public comment.

The policy is the result of legislation passed and signed by Governor Kelly last year.

The law, which will take effect with the 2024-25 school year, will allow students to transfer to any school in Kansas a long as the school has space.

Superintendent Tavis Desormiers recognized two outgoing board members. He presented plaques to Owen Zinke in appreciation of his 14 years on the board and Jason Hammes for his 12 years on the board.

As part of the consent agenda, the board accepted the resignation of board member Amy Huerter at the end of her term due to her moving out of the district and resignation of 1st grade teacher Hannah Cole.

The board also approved the extension of administrative contracts for an additional year, through June 2026.

(KMZA)--A Seneca teenager required a trip to the hospital following a midweek, single vehicle crash.

According to a release from the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office, 15-year-old Caleb Hynek was southbound on K-63, just north of 146th Road, when his Ford F150 left the roadway and struck a culvert.

Hynek was transported to Nemaha Valley Community Hospital by private vehicle for the treatment of his injuries.

The wreck happened around 4:45 last Wednesday afternoon.

(MSC News)--Governor Laura Kelly Monday announced the new Kansas standard-issue license plate design, which was chosen by a majority of the public after a week-long voting process that elicited nearly 270,000 votes from Kansans in all 105 counties. Kansans chose the design featuring the Kansas Statehouse dome within a cutout of the state and a yellow, white, and blue gradient background. It received over 140,000, or 53%, of the total votes.

“It's great to see Kansans’ passion for representing our great state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Now, we can move forward on a design that received majority support and get clearer, safer license plates on the streets as soon as possible.”

This is the first time the state has allowed public input on the standard tag. Governor Kelly has asked the Kansas Department of Revenue to review their process for selecting license plate designs moving forward.

“The Department of Revenue is pleased to have a design selected so it can promptly get to work issuing the updated plates,” said David Harper, Director of the Kansas Department of Revenue's Division of Vehicles.

Votes cast with non-Kansas zip codes were removed from the vote totals.

The State of Kansas incurred no additional costs for designing the new license plate options or the voting website; existing contracts with Kansas-based firms covered both.

Governor Kelly also addressed the license plate designs that were not part of the voting process but have circulated widely on social media.

“So many of the designs circulated on social media and sent to my office are beautiful works of art but, unfortunately cannot be used given the strict public safety, printing, and branding guidelines the new license plate has to meet,” Governor Kelly said. “Kansans will notice that license plates across the country are moving to simpler designs - that's because of law enforcement and license plate reader requirements. Our number one priority with these license plates is safety.”

(KLZA)-- Peru State College is about to reach the two-million dollar fundraising milestone for Project ROAR which is a campaign to build five new health and wellness-related facilities on the Peru State campus.

Construction has begun on the first two buildings, the Recreation Dome and the Diamond Building. Construction is expected to take about 18 months with plans to open the two buildings in the spring of 2025.

The costs for Project ROAR are now estimated at $15 million, up slightly from the initial projections due to rising construction costs. Peru State has received $8.3 million from the State and saved approximately $2.4 million from its budget, leaving a bit over $4 million needed from fundraising efforts.

Project ROAR is the first construction of all-new building son the Peru State campus since 1980 and is the largest construction project in the history of the college.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee County Clerk Candi Nicholas is retiring.

Nicholas informed the Pawnee County Commission during their December 12 meeting that she will resign from her position, effective March 1, 2024.

(KLZA)-- One person was injured in a Holt County, Missouri wreck Sunday evening about 12 mikes south of Mound City, on Interstate 29.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports a southbound SUV driven by 43-year-old Hamd Baher of Olathe, Kansas, slowed to avoid striking an animal in the roadway. When the SUV slowed down, a southbound semi truck driven by 65-year-old Miguel Guzman of Miami, Florida impacted the rear of the SUV which traveled off the right side of the road, striking a mile marker sign.

A passenger in the SUV, 37-year-old Arian Baher, of Olathe, KS. Was transported by the Atchison Holt EMS to Mosaic Life Care in st. Joseph for what were described as minor injuries.

All those involved in the wreck were wearing safety devices at the time of the wreck.

(KLZA)-- One person was injured in a Holt County, Missouri wreck Sunday evening about 12 mikes south of Mound City, on Interstate 29.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports a southbound SUV driven by 43-year-old Hamd Baher of Olathe, Kansas, slowed to avoid striking an animal in the roadway. When the SUV slowed down, a southbound semi truck driven by 65-year-old Miguel Guzman of Miami, Florida impacted the rear of the SUV which traveled off the right side of the road, striking a mile marker sign.

A passenger in the SUV, 37-year-old Arian Baher, of Olathe, KS. Was transported by the Atchison Holt EMS to Mosaic Life Care in st. Joseph for what were described as minor injuries.

All those involved in the wreck were wearing safety devices at the time of the wreck.

(KLZA)-- A number of people met with the Pawnee County Commissioners during their December 12 meeting in support of the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office.

The two department deputies have told the Board that without additional pay, they will resign after the first of the year.

During the public comment period, Scott Brown, Johnson Winemiller, Karen Stanley, Vickey Weirs and Tonya Brown spoke supporting the Sheriff's Office and asking questions in regards to the county budget and road equipment.

Pawnee City Mayor Charlie Hatfield met with the Commissioners to discuss his correspondence to the Commissioners regarding how the Commissioners were going to move forward regarding the Sheriff's office requests.

Chris Rohrbaugh met with the Board raising concerns about crime and offering support for more funding for the Sheriff's office.

Sheriff Braden Lang met with Commissioners. The Board and Sheriff Lang will work together to reach an agreement regarding the requests from the deputies for changes to salary and policies.

A 50 minute executive session was held to discuss staffing with the Sheriff.

Sheriff Lang also discussed the Canine Fund noting that he would be contacting donors that have not responded if they want a refund or the Sheriff's Office to keep their donations.

Seeking refunds for K-9 donations have been The City of Pawnee City $3,658; Community Insurance, $366. Dens Country Meats, $732; the State Bank of Table Rock $366 and Barb Freeman.

(KNZA)--Two Hiawatha residents are facing drug related charges following an investigation resulting in the execution of a search warrant, and to their arrests.

According to a release from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, his "office received information about recent drug related activity in Hiawatha," leading deputies to investigate the concern, which resulted in them obtaining the search warrant.

Merchant, in the release, says the warrant was executed around 9:00 Thursday night at a residence located at 1104 Utah Street, leading to the two arrests.

22-year-old Yiesson Porter was taken into custody on charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of psilocybin with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of illegal drugs without a tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
20-year-old Francis Gonzales was taken into custody on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Following their arrests, the pair was booked into the Brown County Jail.

According to Merchant, the investigation is ongoing.

(KAIR)--A Jackson County traffic stop near Mayetta Saturday night, near 166th Road on U.S. Highway 75, lead to the arrest of two men on drug related charges.

According to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, a search of the vehicle, stopped by a deputy, "yielded a quantity of [suspected] methamphetamine," after a Sheriff's K-9 "alerted to the presence of an illegal substance within the vehicle."

The driver, 42-year-old Oskaloosa resident Michael Robertson, was arrested for driving under the influence, possession of methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.

The lone passenger, 32-year-old Randy Lee Hyatt, Jr., of Lawrence, was arrested for distribution of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Once in custody, the duo was booked into the Jackson County Jail.

The traffic stop, resulting in the arrests, happened around 10:30 Saturday night.

(KAIR)--Local area judges are among the chief judges reappointed in 29 judicial districts of Kansas.

According to a release from the Kansas Courts, the terms begin January 1,2024 and end December 31, 2025.

In the 1st Judicial District, comprised of Atchison and Leavenworth counties, Chief Judge Joan Lowdon was reappointed as Chief Judge, a role she's filled since January of this year. Lowdon has served as a district judge since 2020.

In the 2nd Judicial District, which includes Jefferson, Jackson, and Pottawatomie counties, Chief Judge Jeffrey Elder was reappointed to the role he's served since 2020. His time as district judge began in 2008.

The chief judge of the 22nd Judicial District, which includes Brown, Doniphan, Marshall, and Nemaha Counties, was also reappointed. Chief Judge John Weingart has served in that role since January of this year, and has served as a district judge since 2000.

The release, issued Friday, explains that 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.

(KAIR)--An alleged threat made with a firearm during an Atchison domestic disturbance sent an Atchison man to jail.

30-year-old Anthony Simon was arrested Thursday on charges of aggravated assault and domestic battery.

Simon's arrest, according to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, came after Atchison Police Officers, shortly before 9:00 Thursday night, "responded to a domestic disturbance in the 300 block East P Street," with the investigation determining "that a domestic battery had occurred against a 38 year old victim and during the disturbance a firearm was used in a threatening manner."

Simon was not at the address when police arrived, but he was located a short time later at another location where he was taken into custody. Following his arrest, Simon was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KLZA)-- Ten farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness professionals from across Nebraska have been selected for Nebraska Farm Bureau- (NEFB) 2024 Leadership Academy. They will begin a year-long program starting Feb. 15-16 in Kearney.

Academy members will participate in sessions focused on leadership development, understanding the county, state, and national structure of Farm Bureau and its grassroots network, policy work on agricultural issues, and the importance of agricultural literacy. The group will also travel to the Capitols in Lincoln and Washington, D.C. to visit with elected officials and agency representatives.

The 2024 Nebraska Farm Bureau Leadership Academy members include:

Kellie Kennedy, a member of Nemaha County Farm Bureau and is a fifth-generation farmer with her husband Steve near Nemaha. Along with her husband and son, they operate a rotational row crop farm of soybeans, yellow and white corn, and alfalfa, plus raise a cow/calf herd and background heifers.

Kellie and her daughter also raise pumpkins and other fall produce for retail sale. She is involved with her community in various causes and is a grandmother of six. Kellie currently holds the position of the OA/PKR of the Nemaha County Farm Bureau.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 55,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska- economy.

(KLZA)-- Falls City Public Schools have announced an upcoming partnership for the 2024-25 academic year in collaboration with Southeast Community College to establish the Career Academy at the Falls City Learning Center located on Bill Schock Boulevard.

The partnerships goal is to provide benefits and opportunities for high school students in Richardson County by utilizing the advantages of SCC's cutting-edge education/career pathways and resources.

Falls City Superintendent Tim Heckenlively said improving partnerships with SCC has been part of the District 56 strategic plan for several years.

The Career Academy will allow students to gain hands on experiences in career trade areas including welding and carpentry.

The program should also help create more usage of the Learning Center facility.

For the students that take part in the Career Academy, they will graduate high school with not only their high school diploma, but also certifications in welding and or carpentry.

In addition to welding and carpentry plans are to bring back the CNA program during the school day and also have dual credit courses in intro to teaching and agriculture.

The collaboration between Falls City Public Schools and the Southeast Community College, Falls City Learning Center is poised to create a career oriented educational experience, providing students with exceptional opportunities for growth and success.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is going to prison, sentenced this week in Atchison County District Court in connection with a residential burglary late last year.

According to a release from Atchison County Attorney Sherri Becker, Walter Taylor, Tuesday, was sentenced to one-year-nine-months of incarceration, along with probation in two additional cases, with all to run consecutive to each other. Becker explains, in the release, that Taylor "also had a prior case where he was on probation in which the Court revoked that probation and ordered that Taylor serve that underlying sentence."

All totaled, Taylor will serve the prison term, and will then, at its conclusion, "be placed on probation for the two remaining convictions."

Taylor, in September, pled guilty in three cases to the crimes of residential burglary, criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and three counts of felony theft.

According to the release, "the residential burglary case stemmed from an investigation that occurred late last December when it was reported that a home was burglarized in the City of Atchison." The resulting investigation, by Atchison Police, showed that entry had been made into the home through forcing open a basement door, then breaking another door to gain access into the home, where $7,000 worth of property was stolen, and the entire residence ransacked.

The Atchison Police investigation linked Taylor to the burglary, "as well as additional crimes he committed in Atchison." The investigation led to Taylor, who was 45-years-old when arrested early this year, being charged in three separate complaints that charged him with residential burglary, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and three counts of felony theft for stealing three separate vehicles.

(KAIR)--The final two basketball games of the year for the Ravens of Benedictine College will be used to collect food for those in need.

According to a release from the Atchison-based college, canned foods and non-perishable items collected this coming Saturday and Tuesday will be done in support of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

According to the release, items such as tomato and pasta sauce, canned vegetables, fruits, and meat, peanut butter, baking items, oatmeal, and apple sauce are among the food items most needed by Catholic Charities.

Saturday's games will be that afternoon at 2 and 4:00, while Tuesday's tip-offs are set for 5:30 and 7:30 that evening. Admission to the games, both days at the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium, will be free, whether or not donations are provided.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, on Thursday, during a visit to the Holton Community Hospital, unveiled what's called the Cutting Healthcare Costs for All Kansans Act to expand Medicaid across the state.

According to a release from Kelly's office, the proposed state and federal health insurance program would expand Medicaid to an estimated 150,000 Kansans at no additional cost to state taxpayers. The release, calling the plan a "commonsense legislative proposal," explains that it "builds on previous bipartisan Medicaid Expansion proposals to address Republican concerns, including by making the bill revenue-neutral."

Introduction of the legislation follows the Governor's months-long "Healthy Workers, Healthy Economy" tour, with the proposed bill to expand health coverage to working Kansans who currently make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but don’t receive health insurance through work or make too little to afford private health insurance.

Kelly, during comments made at the Holton stop, said, "at this point, every legislator standing in the way of Medicaid expansion is going against a commonsense, fiscally responsible proposal that benefits their constituents."

Kelly was joined for her announcement by Medicaid expansion advocates and stakeholders, Kansas legislators, and area leaders.

Republican Senator John Doll, in the release, voiced his support for the plan, saying that the proposal addresses many of the concerns he's heard from Republican colleagues by including a work requirement and multiple funding streams to ensure Kansas taxpayers won’t foot the bill for Medicaid expansion. According to the release, there will be exceptions to the work requirement, including for full-time students, full-time caretakers, veterans, and Kansans with medical conditions.

Along with saying the plan will grow the Kansas workforce, the release notes that it would also reduce uncompensated care costs and improve public safety.

(KAIR)--A Wednesday afternoon Atchison crash sent one driver to the hospital, while the other was cited for the wreck.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, it happened at U.S. Highway 73 and Raven Hill Road, when a Ford Escape, driven by 64-year-old Leavenworth resident Elisabeth Vincent, had been westbound on Raven Hill Road when she collided with a Volkswagen Jetta, which had been northbound on the highway.

The driver of the Jetta, 27-year-old Elizabeth Johnson, of Overland Park, was transported by private vehicle for examination. Vincent was cited for failure to yield at the intersection.

The wreck happened around 1:20 Wednesday afternoon.

(KLZA)-- 911 dispatching in Richardson County has been a topic of debate for a number of years. The idea of a combined dispatch center between the Sheriff's Office and the Falls City Police Department has been discussed but no agreement has been reached.

The Falls City Police Department handled the emergency dispatching for the Richardson County Sheriff's Office for many years but since 2021, the 911 dispatching for Richardson County, outside of Falls City has been contracted out to Southeast Communications 911 in Beatrice.

During that time conversations about having the emergency dispatching returned to the Falls City Police Department has been taking place. This past August, a proposal to renew the contract with Southeast Communication 911 sought an increase in cost to Richardson County from $190 thousand to nearly $360 thousand annually.

When the dispatching discussion was on the table again during Tuesday's Richardson County Commission meeting. Commissioner David Sickel voiced his displeasure with the current arrangement, calling it unfair to taxpayers in the county and in town, labeling the current arrangement as stupid.

Richardson County Sheriff Rick Hardesty has been in favor of having the dispatching brought back to Richardson County, via the Falls City Police Department, which he believes would be cheaper for everyone involved.

The idea of a combined dispatch has been discussed over the years. Falls City Police Chief Jamie Baker said it will take time to develop a single dispatch center, including hiring additional dispatchers and reaching an agreement between the City and County.

Baker estimates it would take up to two years to hire the required additional dispatchers for a combined dispatch and to get them trained as 911 dispatchers.

Baker says it typically takes 4-6 months to get a new dispatcher trained in 911 procedures, depending on the person. Chief Baker says it would be a costly and time consuming effort.

No decisions were made during Tuesday's meeting. More meetings are expected involving City and County representatives to come to an eventual agreement over the dispatch issue.

(KLZA)-- December 15 through January 1 the Falls City Police Department will take part in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization campaign in an attempt to reduce fatal and serious alcohol and impaired driving related injury crashes and provide safer travels for everyone.

The Falls City Police Department reminds everyone that drunk driving is deadly, illegal behavior that puts the driver, their passengers and everyone else using the roads at terrible risks.

If you feel impaired by any substance, do not get behind the wheel of any vehicle. Everyone is encouraged to make a plan, designate a driver or other ride before heading out to parties, gathering or festivities.

During the special enforcement period, additional officers will be working overtime, conducting saturation patrols, concentrating on taking drunk or impaired drivers off the streets.

The overtime for the mobilization will be funded through a grant provided by the Nebraska Department of Transportation, Highway Safety Office.

You should remember to drive safely, report unsafe driving behaviors, use a designated driver and buckle up every trip, every time.

Friends don't let friends drive drunk.

(KAIR)--The new year will mean a new look for the Atchison Public Schools, with the mascot, and other district logos, receiving a makeover.

The decision for the overhaul was approved this week by the Board of Education for USD 409 during its regular meeting. Approval follows the rebranding process that's been underway since August. The matter stems from identified problems with the district's branding, including inconsistency, no universal brand guide, multiple fonts, and the district's "A" symbol being the same as used by the Arizona Wildcats. Additionally, the district's mascot, and primary logo, the Phoenix, was generic clip art that includes such issues as being too detailed to properly replicate, intimidating for younger ages, and design limiatations.

The new Phoenix logo is original art, created specifically for the school district. The new letter "A" logo incorporates aspects of the Phoenix into its design, as a matter of consistency, while other district logos, including sports and club crests, are also redesigned for consistency and versatility.

The School District plans to begin using the new designs in January.

(KNZA)--Three outgoing Hiawatha School Board members were recognized when the board met Monday evening.

Superintendent Lonnie Moser presented plaques to Amy Kopp, Tom Simmer and Jeff Brockhoff in appreciation of their 8 ½ years each on the board. Monday marked their last meeting.

The three were initially elected to the board in April 2015 and didn't seek re-election this year.

Simmer said he felt the board had worked together well during his tenure, even though they didn't always agree. He cited improving teacher pay as their biggest accomplishment.

Mitchell Brown, Ryan Patton and Griff Howard were elected in November to replace the three outgoing board members. They will take their seats on the board next month after being sworn in.

In other business, Board President Ian Schuetz presented certificates of recognition to staff members Joshua May, Natalie Hackler, Jeff May, Denny Gray and Gordon Gunderson for outstanding work. They were nominated for recognition by district patrons

Following an executive session, the board accepted a pair of resignations and approved several new hires.

The board accepted the resignations of elementary school stem teacher Kent Michel and high school English teacher Alec Rodvelt. Both resignations are effective at the end of the current school year.

The board approved the hiring of Amanda Frierdich as 5th grade social studies teacher and Madee Lierz as high school counselor for the 2024-2025 school year.

The board also approved the hiring of Kristin Clark as school nurse at the middle and high school, effective immediately.

In addition, the board filled several coaching positions for the current school year. Approved was the hiring of Josh Chandler as high school assistant baseball coach, Danny Siebenmorgen as high school assistant baseball coach and Kelsey Hubin as high school assistant softball coach.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening approved a new contract with the Hiawatha Country Club to provide effluent water for irrigation.

Under the 10-year contract, the Country Club will pay the city $6,000 a year. That's a $2,000 a year increase from what the Country Club currently pays.

City Administrator Becky Berger said the contract includes a provision that will allow the city's to adjust what it charges based on any potential increase in the city's cost.

The current five-year contract expires at the end of this month and Berger said the Country Club requested to go with a longer term contract.

She said the contract has been reviewed and approved by the city attorney.

The city has been providing effluent water to the County Club for irrigation purposes since 2013.

On the recommendation of city Public Works Director Brad Scott, the commission approved the repair of 10th Street between Miami and Shawnee Streets by J & B Contractors for a cost of $7,900. Scott said the street is badly deteriorated where a manhole was replaced during a sewer project several years ago and needs to be repaired.

On the recommendation of Mayor Becky Shamburg, the commission approved declaring December 26 as a city holiday. City employees already have December 25th off for Christmas. Due to the Christmas holiday, the Commission will hold its next meeting on Thursday, December 28th.

(KNZA)--The death of an inmate at the Lansing Correctional Facility has been ruled a homicide.

29-year-old Darionce Charles-Lott was found unresponsive in his cell on November 25th. Despite life-saving measures at the facility's clinic, he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy was conducted. While the final autopsy report is pending, the KBI in a release Wednesday said preliminary autopsy results indicated Charles-Lott's manner of death was homicide, and cause of death was strangulation.

A male inmate at the facility has been identified as a suspect, but has not been arrested or charged

The KBI says the investigation is ongoing. Once it is completed, findings will be presented to the Leavenworth County Attorney's Office for determination of charges.

Charles-Lott had been serving a 172-month sentence for a conviction in Wyandotte County for aggravated battery. He was admitted to the Lansing facility in November 2011.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Board of Education approved a two-year contract extension for Superintendent Tim Heckenlively when they met Monday evening.

No financial terms for the new contract have been negotiated at this time. That will be completed once the negotiations are completed with the Falls City Teachers Association.

The Board voted to accept the resignations of High School special education teacher Rebecca Bridgwater and School Psychologist Clarissa Ross.

A motion to amend the negotiations committee members approved last January failed on a 3-3 vote with Board members Cassondra Goff, Anthony Johansen and Dan Jones voting in favor of amending the committee and Board members Scott Hollens, June Bowers and Teresa Olberding voting against the change.

(KAIR)--A Topeka woman, arrested in Jackson County Monday, "is believed to be involved in a burglary that took place on December 5th, near the Jackson, Jefferson and Atchison County lines."

That's according to a release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, which says 44-year-old Alyyshia Schwanz "allegedly stole a number of firearms from the residence" that was targeted for the burglary.

Schwanz was arrested by Sheriff's Deputies Monday on charges of burglary with the intent to steal firearms, criminal distribution of firearms to a felon, and criminal damage to property.

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

LANSING, Kan. - The death of an inmate at the Lansing Correctional Facility has been ruled a homicide.

On Saturday, Nov. 25, at around 10:45 p.m., the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) was notified by personnel at the Lansing Correctional facility that 29-year-old Darionce Terrell Charles-Lott had died after being found unresponsive in his cell.

Despite life-saving measures that were attempted at the facility- clinic, Charles-Lott was pronounced deceased.

Charles-Lott had been serving a 172-month sentence for a conviction in Wyandotte County for one count of aggravated battery with intent for bodily harm. He was admitted to Lansing on Nov. 1, 2011.

KBI agents responded to the facility to investigate, as is required by state statute. Investigators with the Kansas Department of Corrections assisted in the investigation. An autopsy was conducted. While the final autopsy report is pending, preliminary autopsy results indicated Charles-Lott- manner of death was homicide, and cause of death was strangulation.

A male suspect who is incarcerated at the facility has been identified. At this time, the suspect has not yet been arrested or charged for this crime.

The investigation is ongoing. Once it is completed, findings will be presented to the Leavenworth County Attorney- Office for determination of charges.

(KAIR)--An 18-year-old Atchison man is facing a charge of arson in connection to a fire set Tuesday at Atchison's Reisner Park.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, officers were called to the park, located in the 700 block of North 10th Street, around 2:40 Tuesday afternoon after a report was received saying "that a restroom had been set on fire and four persons were seen fleeing the area."

Police launched an investigation, locating the four suspects several blocks from the park, and "determined that a fire had been set in a porta potty causing minor damage."
The fire had been extinguished by the Atchison Fire Department, with minor damage left behind.

The police investigation led them to learn that of the group of four, it was Odessa Ellison who had allegedly set the fire, and he was arrested for arson.

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

(KLZA)-- The Johnson-Brock Board of Education approved a change order for an electrical panel for the building addition at the school with a cost not to exceed $22 thousand when they met Monday evening.

Superintendent Jeff Koehler updated the Board on the progress on the addition.

Superintendent Koehler also reported the financial audit has been completed and submitted to the Department of Education.

Principal Lucus Dalinghaus reported the school has received an “Excellent” rating from AQUESTT for the second consecutive year. AQUESTT stands for Accountability For A Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow, stemming from the 2014 Quality Education and Accountability Act.

The Board also met in executive session to discuss Superintendent Koehler's annual evaluation. No action was taken following the closed session.

(KLZA)-- The Auburn Board of Education approved the purchase of a school bus and a car when they met Monday evening.

The Board approved the purchase of a 2020 Dodge Journey from Meyer Earp Auto in Auburn in an amount not to exceed $19,500. The Board also approved the purchase of a 2015 Bluebird school bus from Masters Transportation in Missouri at a cost not to exceed $49,900.

The Board also approved the sale of surplus equipment including a 2011 Thomas School Bus; a 2006 International School Bus; a 1994 Ford F250 pickup with plow; a 1997 Chevy Van, 2500 model; A Ford tractor with rear blade and tire chains; a tractor shredder; a router machine; two lathe machines, a bandsaw, router and table, workout equipment, shot lights and a wood planer.

Adding one full time equivalent certified education teacher for the 2024-2025 school year was approved as was a partial year 2023-24 elementary teacher contract with Jerica German.

(KAIR)--A rural Delia home is considered a total loss following a Tuesday night fire that caused no injuries but left the family displaced.

A release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says his office was called to 13626 E. Road, north of Delia in southwestern Jackson County, shortly after 10:00 Tuesday night, following the report of a structure fire. The Sheriff's Office was joined at the scene by fire crews from Delia, Mayetta, Hoyt, and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, as well as Jackson County EMS, as firefighters battled the blaze into the early morning hours of Wednesday. According to Morse, the fire fighting efforts ended around 4:00.

The home was occupied at the time of the fire, but all occupants were able to evacuate without injury.

The Sheriff's Office is working with the Kansas Fire Marshal's Office in investigating the cause of the fire.

(KMZA)--Pottawatomie County officials have announced the Havensville Road bridge project has been completed and is open to traffic.

The announcement was made Monday in a social media post.

The county says the contractor will seed the project during the week of December 22, and pavement striping will be completed next year.

The post says the bridge, which is located three-quarters of a mile east of the Onaga Road between Sunflower Road and Trails End Road, has been replaced with a reinforced concrete haunch slab bridge with a 28-foot roadway width.

The project replaced a bridge that was over 90 years old.

A bridge inspection in 2021 indicated accelerated deterioration of the bridge substructure.

The county says repairs to the substructure would have cost more than replacement of the bridge.

(KMZA)--A wanted Kansas felon is behind bars after being arrested in Pawnee City, Nebraska.

According to a release from the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office, the Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of the US Marshall's Service and the Nebraska State Patrol, apprehended Corey Bloom, of Junction City, Kansas, during the early morning hours of December 5th.

Bloom had 5 active felony warrants from the Junction City area. The warrants were for drug-related crimes---including 3 counts of methamphetamine possession with intent to distribute and 3 counts of possession of methamphetamine paraphernalia.

Bloom is known to be an armed and dangerous individual because of prior violent crimes and the use of a firearm during the commission of previous crimes.

The Sheriff's Office says Bloom was brought into the Pawnee City community by friends who sheltered him, knowing he was a wanted felon.

The Sheriff's Office thanked their law enforcement partners for assuring that the arrest of Bloom went safely and those in the community who assisted with the investigation.

(MSC News)--Several area school districts have made mediation progress in a dispute over school district boundaries.

That word came Tuesday in a joint release issued by Prairie Hills USD 113, Nemaha Central USD 115, Jackson Heights USD 335 and Vermillion USD 380.

Representatives from USD 113 met with representatives of USD 115, USD 335 and USD 380 on December 5 and 6 in Topeka. A mediator appointed by the Kansas State Board of Education facilitated the confidential discussions with the intent of establishing agreements regarding future school district boundaries.

The release says USD 113 and USD 380 reached an agreement in principle to transfer a portion of land from USD 113 to USD 380. The USD 113 and USD 380 boards of education unanimously approved the agreement at their regularly scheduled board meetings Monday evening.

Also on Monday evening, the USD 113 and USD 335 boards of education unanimously approved a transfer of land south of 80th Road in Nemaha County and 140th Road in Brown County from USD 113 to USD 335 (not including land subject to the agreement with USD 380).

USD 335 and USD 380 will begin the process of drafting legal descriptions for the proposed land transfers. Both proposed land transfer agreements are subject to the approval of the Kansas State Board of Education.

The release says deliberations between USD 113 and USD 115 are ongoing but are not resolved at this time.

Updated:

(KAIR)--Kansas Governor Laura Kelly will make an announcement regarding Medicaid Expansion when she visits the local area Thursday afternoon.

That's according to a release from Kelly's office, confirming her planned visit to the lobby of the Holton Community Hospital, where she will deliver brief remarks. During her time in the Jackson County community, Kelly will be joined by Medicaid expansion advocates and stakeholders, Kansas legislators, and area leaders when she gives her annoucement.

Kelly's comments are expected at 2:00 Thursday afternoon, with the public invited to attend.

Kelly has been traveling the state, working to gain support for Medicaid expansion in advance of the forthcoming Legislative Session.

(KAIR)--Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is coming to the local area this week.

According to a release from the Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Kelly, on Thursday afternoon, will visit the lobby of the Holton Community Hospital. During her time there, Kelly is expected, according to the release, to "hold a press conference to announce her plans for the upcoming legislative session."

The release does not provide specifics regarding Kelly's planned comments, but it's known that the Governor has, in recent times, made visits across the state, including medical facilities, to push her goal of Medicaid expansion, in advance of the forthcoming Legislative Session, when Kelly hopes to see that expansion accomplished.

Kelly's Thursday afternoon visit to the lobby of the Holton Community Hospital is planned for 2:00.

The public is invited to attend.

(MSC News)--With temperatures dropping, the Kansas Department for Children and Families announced Tuesday that Kansans needing financial assistance to keep their heat on this winter can apply for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program earlier this year than in past years.

“Kansas winters can be brutal and no Kansas family should be cold,” said Laura Howard, DCF Secretary. “We are accepting LIEAP applications beginning Dec. 18, rather than the beginning of January as we have traditionally done.”

LIEAP helps Kansans restore or maintain energy services that heat their home. This includes electricity, natural gas, propane and other home heating fuels.

“We understand that applying for benefits can be complicated,” Howard said. “Beginning Dec. 18 through the end of March, DCF and partnering energy companies will be available to help Kansans gather information and submit their LIEAP applications.”

To attend an in-person LIEAP application event near you, visit LIEAP one-on-one support page. Kansans should have with them their identification, proof of income for all adult household members and current utility bills. Partnering energy companies, Atmos Energy, Black Hills Energy, Evergy, Kansas Gas Services and Midwest Energy, will be in attendance at most events in the areas that they provide energy services to Kansans.

Applications are accepted on-line at www.dcf.ks.gov, click “Apply for Services,” until 5 p.m., March 29. To qualify, households must have an adult at the address that is responsible for the heating costs of the home. Applicants be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.

(KMZA)--A Seneca, Kansas man is among four people charged in a federal child pornography case.

According to the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office, 31-year-old Taylor Mullen was booked into the Nemaha County Jail December 1st on a U.S. District Court complaint for sexual exploitation of a child involving the production of child pornography.

He was transferred to the custody of U.S. Marshals on December 4.

Also charged in the case are Denise Sandmann Yoder, Jessica Lynn Quave and Joel Womochil, who formerly served as the police chief of Burns, Kansas.

According to court documents, Mullen allegedly produced videos of Quave in sexually explicit conduct with a minor in April 2021.

Investigators said the two shared a home in Council Grove at the time. The child also resided at the residence.

An affidavit alleges Quave and Mullen produced the videos at Womochil's direction.

Mullen is currently being held in the Harvey County Detention Center.

(KNZA)--A late Monday morning 4-vehicle Jefferson County collision sent one person to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said it happened shortly after 11:00 on U.S 24 Highway about two miles west of Perry.

According to the KHP report, three vehicles were stopped in a construction zone on the highway at the flagman location when an eastbound pickup truck driven by 54-year-old David Berry, of Lawrence, failed to stop and struck a Honda Pilot in the rear. That set off a chain reaction collision with the other two vehicles.

The driver of the Honda Pilot, a 49-year-old Lawrence man, was transported to a Topeka hospital for the treatment of suspected minor injuries.

No other injuries were reported.

The Patrol said all four drivers, along with two passengers in the third vehicle, were wearing seat belts when the crash occurred.

(KAIR)--A man was taken into custody Monday afternoon after a nearly 4-hour armed standoff in Platte County, Missouri.

According to a release from the Platte County Sheriff's Office, the Sheriff- Office responded to a report of a domestic disturbance with an armed barricaded subject in the 16-thousand block of 371 Highway near Tracy, Missouri shortly before 10:00.

The stand-off lasted until about 1:40 Monday afternoon.

During the stand-off, the Sheriff's Office says a single gunshot was heard coming from inside the residence.

The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Bradford Wallace, of Platte County, was taken into custody without injury and was transported to an area hospital for evaluation.

A 38-year-old female was evaluated by EMS on the scene and then interviewed by detectives.

The Sheriff's Office says the case is being forwarded to the Platte County Prosecutor- Office for review.

(KMZA)--The Seneca Nutrition Center will be moving to a new home this month.

Nemaha County Senior Services/Public Transit Director Tammy Epple informed the Nemaha County Commission last week that the Nutrition Center will be closed from December 18 thru December 20th to move from the Seneca Housing Authority to the Nemaha County Community Building.

Epple said box meals would be provided to those that need it during that time.

She said they will be re-opening on December 21 with the annual Christmas dinner.

In other business, Sheriff Rich Vernon informed commissioners he received bids from three local dealerships for the purchase of new patrol vehicle for 2024. He said he plans to purchase a 2024 Dodge Durango from Nemaha Valley Motors for $33,000. The bid includes the trade-in of a 2019 Dodge Durango.

Vernon also informed the commission that Deputy John Defore has submitted his resignation, effective December 14.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with Johnson, Pawnee and Nemaha Counties to apply for Community - based Juvenile Service Aid Program Funds through the Nebraska Crime Commission for the 2024-25 period when they met last week.

Linda Volker presented the 4-County Juvenile Services program and summary of services provided during the meeting.

Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. reported construction has begun on a concrete box culvert project on 704 Road, 4.5 miles west of Highway 73 on Pony Creek Road. The project is anticipated to be completed by early spring.

Commissioners also authorized advertising for sealed bids for rock purchases in 2024 to be opened December 27.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty reported on seized monies totaling approximately $27 thousand from an illegal drug investigation. The funds will be submitted to the Federal Forfeiture program with Richardson County to receive a portion of those funds.

The Sheriff also reported there were 666 calls with 447 of them being traffic stops in the last month. The Sheriff's Department made 48 arrests.

Commissioners did approve a request from the City of Falls City for $3,831 to cover the matching share of the total cost of $15,323 for three new computers with mounting brackets, printers and scanners for patrol vehicles which will be covered by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Board of Education approved contracts with the Pawnee City Education Association, Superintendent Brian Rottinghaus and Principal Derek Niss when they met last Thursday evening.

Superintendent Brian Rottinghaus will be paid a salary of $131,000. His contract is for two years.

Principal Derek Niss will be paid $100,000 for the next year.

The Board approved the 2024-2025 Negotiated Agreement with the teachers group at will increase the base pay by $1,200 from $39,500 annually to $40,700 per year.

The agreement included an increase for the One Act head coach by an additional percent after three years of service and by two percent after six years of service.

The pay for the One Act assistant coach was increased from 3.5% to 5% of the base salary.

Salaries for High School football, volleyball, girls and boys basketball, track, wrestling and One Act were increased by 1% to 11%. The salary for the One Act Coach was increased to 8%.

An additional one percent will be added to the salaries after six years of service as head coach of those activities.

(KNZA)--Kansans can now weigh in on the state's new license plate design.

Governor Laura Kelly announced Monday that Kansans can go to KSPlates.kansas.gov to vote for their favorite plate among five designs created by Mammoth Creative Co., a Kansas-based marketing firm, in partnership with Kansas Tourism.

Voting will end at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 15.

According to a release from the Governor's Office, the five options, while continuing to align with Kansas Tourism- “To the Stars” branding and the already announced guidelines, incorporate previous public feedback such as a lighter blue on the original proposal, a State of Kansas outline, wheat, and sunflowers. The plate proposals were also chosen because they prioritize public safety. Clear, simple designs enable law enforcement officers and traffic systems to quickly and easily read the license plate number.

The release says Kansans can vote on their favorite design as many times as they would like until voting closes on Friday. Kelly encourages Kansans to make their voices heard.

Votes will gauge support for a specific design, though minor aspects of the winning design may change to ensure compliance with production protocols.

The selected plate will be announced on Monday, December 18.

(KNZA)--A Sabetha teacher has been honored.

Elizabeth Badertscher, sixth-eighth grade math and stem teacher at Sabetha Middle School, was recently named the 2024 Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (KFAC) Teacher of the Year.

According to a release from the non-profit organization, the award recognizes teachers who instill a passion for learning about agriculture within their students. KFAC honors one teacher annually who has successfully integrated agricultural education into their pre-existing curriculum.

Badertscher is in her ninth year of teaching, where she incorporates agriculture into math, science, and STEM classes. She incorporates Journey 2050, an agricultural simulation game, into her classes as a unique way to assess students' knowledge of the topic practiced that day. She also adds daily exit questions to help students reflect on the ripple effects the actions in the game could have on their lives.

"I believe I have helped my students better understand agriculture and the ripple effect it has on many aspects of our world," Badertscher says.

In another class, students study wind energy with the end goal of building a wind turbine. Students study every aspect of wind, turbine and blade design, and figure out how much wind it would take to power their classroom. Combined with a novel study, students learn about another country's agriculture and sustainable agriculture practices.

Badertscher introduces many aspects of agriculture to her students to show them how important agriculture is to their community and what they can do to support it. By using innovation and technology, students stay engaged and are excited to learn more. She used the American Farm Bureau Purple Plow Challenge to allow students to use their knowledge and imagination to create their own food truck designs and sell food to other classes using the challenge criteria.

Badertscher will receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2024 National Agriculture in the Classroom conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Badertscher will also be considered for the 2024 National Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award, presented by National Agriculture in the Classroom.

(KNZA)--A Sabetha teacher has been honored.

Elizabeth Badertscher, sixth-eighth grade math and stem teacher at Sabetha Middle School, was recently named the 2024 Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (KFAC) Teacher of the Year.

According to a release from the non-profit organization, the award recognizes teachers who instill a passion for learning about agriculture within their students. KFAC honors one teacher annually who has successfully integrated agricultural education into their pre-existing curriculum.

Badertscher is in her ninth year of teaching, where she incorporates agriculture into math, science, and STEM classes. She incorporates Journey 2050, an agricultural simulation game, into her classes as a unique way to assess students' knowledge of the topic practiced that day. She also adds daily exit questions to help students reflect on the ripple effects the actions in the game could have on their lives.

"I believe I have helped my students better understand agriculture and the ripple effect it has on many aspects of our world," Badertscher says.

In another class, students study wind energy with the end goal of building a wind turbine. Students study every aspect of wind, turbine and blade design, and figure out how much wind it would take to power their classroom. Combined with a novel study, students learn about another country's agriculture and sustainable agriculture practices.

Badertscher introduces many aspects of agriculture to her students to show them how important agriculture is to their community and what they can do to support it. By using innovation and technology, students stay engaged and are excited to learn more. She used the American Farm Bureau Purple Plow Challenge to allow students to use their knowledge and imagination to create their own food truck designs and sell food to other classes using the challenge criteria.

Badertscher will receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2024 National Agriculture in the Classroom conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Badertscher will also be considered for the 2024 National Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award, presented by National Agriculture in the Classroom.

(KNZA)--Christmas is for children. Or the dogs. Or your other fur babies. And that's the reason why a local area animal rescue is providing pictures with Santa Claus for all of the above.

That's set to happen this week, during the evening of Wednesday and Thursday, as the Doniphan County Pet Rescue offers the pictures.

According to the organization, pictures will be taken both evenings, from 6 until 8:00, at the 4-H Building, in Troy.

Kids and animals will be photographed with Santa Claus, or even the Grinch, if that's who they choose. 4x6 pictures will either be printed, or emailed, to those who take part.

Donations will be accepted during the photo session, in support of the work of the Doniphan County Pet Rescue, which offers its services throughout the local area.

(KAIR)--A passenger, in one of two vehicles involved in a Thursday afternoon Atchison crash, required hospital transport.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the wreck happened around 2:00, in the 1300 block of U.S. Highway 59. It was at that location, Wilson says, that the two vehicles, one driven by William Tirrell and the other driven by Micah Dillinger, both of Atchison, were involved in the crash.

A 73-year-old passenger in Dillinger's vehicle was transported for examination at Amberwell Atchison by Atchison County EMS. The passenger's name is not immediately made public.

(KNZA)---A Kansas City man has been charged in a fatal shooting outside a St. Joseph, Missouri convenience store Friday afternoon.

KQ2-TV reports 25-year-old Nathan Keegan has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 35-year-old Curtis Cruse Jr., of St. Joseph.

Captain Jeff Wilson with the St. Joseph Police Department said a disturbance started between Cruse and Keegan on U.S. 36 Highway and ended in the parking lot of Speedy's Convenience Store on South Riverside Road where shots were fired, striking and killing Cruse.

Cruse was transported to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, where he was pronounced dead.

Keegan was taken into custody at the scene and booked into the Buchanan County Jail, where he is being held on a $50,000 bond.

He's scheduled to appear in a Buchanan County courtroom Tuesday morning.

(KMZA)--A Friday afternoon two-vehicle Washington County, Kansas crash claimed one life and left two others injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said the crash happened shortly after 4:30 at the intersection of K-119 and K-148 Highways, one mile south of Greenleaf.

According to the KHP report, a pickup truck driven by 23-year-old Hunter Wohlbrandt, of Wakefield, was southbound on K-119 when he failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck by a SUV on K-148 driven by 15-year-old Lindsay Gray, of Waterville.

Wohlbrandt was transported to a Lincoln, Nebraska hospital where he died.

Lindsay Gray and a passenger in her vehicle, 47-year-old Waterville resident Brian Gray, were transported to the Washington County Hospital for the treatment of suspected minor injuries.

The Patrol says Wohlbrandt was not wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred, but the Gray's were buckled up.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved the purchase of four trucks for the City when they met Monday evening.

The purchase of four trucks approved to be purchased from Hullman's Ford of Falls City for delivery in 2023 have been cancelled by Ford with the trucks not being built.

Monday night the Council approved the purchase of a 2024 F-550 truck from Woodhouse Ford which is currently on their lot, in amount of $58,745.

The Council also approved the purchase of two, 2024, F-600 trucks and one 2024 F-350 pickup from Hullman's Ford-Lincoln in Falls City. The F-600's will cost $60,892 and the F-350 will cost $55,303. All three of the trucks are to be built in 2024.

In other action Monday night the Council approved the appointment of Jim Brown to the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department and also approved resolutions to abate outside nuisances at two locations.

The property at 1719 Wilson Street has bee deemed a menace to the public health or safety due to weeds, litter violations and appliances in the yard. The City Attorney is authorized by the resolution to bring a civil action to abate the nuisance, including the request that the property be demolished.

A property at 2101 Barada Street was also deemed a menace to the public health or safety due to weeds and grasses. Upon obtaining a judgment, the City may take action to abate the nuisances and collect the cost thereof.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County, Kansas Emergency Management Office will hold a search and rescue training exercise Monday evening, December 11.

County Emergency Management Director Eddie Aldrine said the training exercise involving the Seneca Fire Department and local law enforcement will take place near the intersection of K-63 and U.S. 36 Highways.

The training exercise will involve a simulated missing person scenario.

Aldrine said residents will see several emergency vehicles in the area east of Seneca, but there will be no emergency.

He said it is highly advised that the public try to refrain from loitering in the area.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force had a very busy December 1st, arresting five individuals following the execution of three search warrants in two different cities.

According to a release from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, two Powhattan residents were arrested after a search warrant was served at 208 South Center Street in Powhattan.

At the conclusion of the investigation, 46-year-old Brad Donohue was arrested on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 41-year-old Stacy Obanion was arrested on charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction.

Also on the evening of December 1st, Merchant said three Hiawatha residents were arrested after two search warrants were initiated simultaneously on two apartments at 715 1/2 Oregon Street, in Hiawatha.

60-year-old Bryan Emary was arrested on charges of Possession of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

60-year-old Brenda Emary was arrested on charges of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

In addition, 68-year-old Renee Trotter was arrested on charges of Possession of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

All five were booked into the Brown County Jail, but have since been released on bond.

The Hiawatha Police Department assisted.

(KNZA)--A second suspect has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a former Holton resident in October.

WIBW-TV reports 29-year-old Tremale Serrano, of Topeka, was arrested last week in Kansas City, Kansas and was transported back to the capital city December 1st to face a charge of second-degree murder in the shooting death of 23-year-old Jackson Danner.

Co-defendant, 32-year-old Aaron Serrano, of Topeka, was arrested last month on the same charge.

Both men are being held in the Shawnee County Jail on one million dollars bond each.

Topeka Police responded to the 16-hundred block of Southwest 21st Street the morning of October 15 where they found Danner suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the front yard of his residence. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Danner was a 2018 graduate of Holton High School.

(KNZA)--Representatives with Rainbow Communications met with the Doniphan County Commission Monday to provide an update on a broadband expansion project.

The project will connect to 200 homes along the US. 36 corridor from east of Troy to the western city limits of Wathena to fiber internet access.

According to the unofficial meeting minutes, Angie Kreider with Rainbow told Commissioners construction on the project began December 1 and is expected to last five to six weeks, subject to the weather and a three week holiday break.

Kreider said customers can expect to be online beginning June or July 2024.

Commissioners were also informed that Rainbow was not successful in their application to the Kansas Broadband Office for grant funding for the further expansion of fiber internet service north and south of the Highway 36 corridor.

Rainbow Communications General Manager and CEO Jason Smith plans to meet with representatives of the Kansas Broadband Office to get an explanation on why they were not selected.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council elected 4th Ward Councilman Derek Leyden as Council President for 2024 when they met Monday evening, 3rd Ward Councilman Joe Buckminster was elected Acting President of the Council.

In other business the Council approved the appointments of Matt Beer as Fire Chief, Jon McQueen as First Assistant Chief and Devin Moore as Second Assistant Fire Chief for 2024 as recommended by the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department.

Officers of the Department that are not appointed by the Council will include Brian Vice as President; Jake Cochran - Vice President; Ben Hullman - Secretary and Jon McQueen - Treasurer.

(KLZA)-- A power outage is planned for Friday that will effect a portion of Falls City.

The power outage is required in order to make repairs to the electrical infrastructure.

The outage will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will last until approximately 4:00 p.m.

The impacted area will be approximately south of 14th Street, or Highway 159 from Harlan Street, east to Dundy Street and south to 10th Street on the east side of Fulton and south to 9th Street between Nemaha and Dundy Streets.

East 16th from just east of Fulton Street to Nemaha Street will be effected as well from 16th Street south to 14th Street.

The outage will not include Falls City High School or South Elementary School.

(KAIR)--A longtime Atchison teacher, and an active member of the Atchison community, has died.

Paul Komarek died Wednesday at Amberwell Atchison. He was 76-years-old.

According to his obituary from Atchison's Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, Komarek was a teacher for 33-years, with the majority of that time spent with Atchison's USD 409's fifth grade through middle school, where he coached basketball and football.

Following his retirement as an educator, Komarek became a familiar face, and voice, at events across Atchison, annually potraying Santa Claus while helping to deliver Christmas gifts with the Atchison Police Department. For the past 17-years, Komarek's voice could be heard announcing Atchison's Saint Patrick's Day Parade, as well as the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Parade.

Among Komarek's survivors is his wife of 54-years, Annette.

A memorial service for Komarek is planned for Tuesday morning, at 11:30, at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home.

(KAIR)--A vehicle crash in downtown Atchison Thursday morning sent the two drivers to the hospital.

It happened in the 700 block of Main Street, around 9:15 Thursday morning, when 64-year-old Atchison resident, Dennis Collier, was southbound in the 100 block of South 7th Street. He then turned west, into an apartment complex parking lot, where his pickup truck struck a fixed object and then a parked vehicle.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, in a release, explains that Collier's truck then exited the parking lot onto Main Street, in the 700 block, where it struck an eastbound SUV. The driver of that vehicle, 31-year-old Garret Williams, of Smithville, Missouri, was transported to Amberwell Atchison, for hospital examination, by private vehicle. Collier was transported to Amberwell, for examination, by Atchison County EMS.

(KAIR)--More national recognition for Atchison because of the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum, nominated as a Reader's Choice Top 10 New Museum by USA Today.

According to the publication, nominees are submitted by a panel of experts, with 10Best list editors to narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Reader's Choice Awards.
As of Wednesday, the museum was in the fourth place position, with votes able to be cast once per day here.

In it's write-up regarding the Hangar Museum, USA Today says the attraction "offers ample insight into [Amelia Earhart's] early life and famous flights," adding that visitors to the museum "can explore 14 interactive exhibits across the space, with the museum's Lockheed Electra 10-E aircraft serving as a particularly fascinating item on display." Of course, the description also includes the fact that Amelia's "life journey began in Atchison, Kansas."

Voting continues until Christmas Day.

The museum, in the planning stages since 2016, held its grand opening in April.

(KNZA)--Brown County employees have been granted a cost of living raise for 2024.

The Brown County Commission voted unanimously at their November 30th meeting to approve a 50 cent per hour cost of living increase for employees, with the exception of the Commissioners and a Community Corrections position.

In other business, the commission approved a pair of attorney contracts for 2024. They include a contract with Elizabeth Olson to provided guardian ad litem services for $2,600 a month and a contract with Judd Herbster to provide court-appointed attorney services for $3,500 a month.

In addition, the Commission approved a resolution renewing the moratorium on the development of commercial wind energy projects in the county for an additional 18 months. The moratorium was put in place in 2022 to allow for the potential development of land use regulations for the county.

(KAIR)--New leadership for the City of Atchison was sworn in Monday, with the Atchison City Commission then organizing in time for the new year.

Sworn into office, at the start of Monday's meeting of the Atchison City Commission, were newly elected Commissioners Bill Murphy and Mike Slattery, as well as incumbent Lisa Moody, who was re-elected in November.

Once the ceremony was completed, the Commission moved on to the process of electing a new Chair, ceremonially referred to as Mayor, with La Rochelle Young named to that role.

With Young named to the Mayoral position, nominations were taken for the role of Vice-Mayor, with that role going to the Moody.

Once organization of the Commission was complete, the Atchison leaders entered into the business of their regular meeting, including public comments regarding the City's homeless situation, with recommendations, not immediately approved, on ways to assist those in need.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man, who pled guilty to possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute, and aggravated endangering a child, in August, will spend more than a decade in prison.

28-year-old Trevor Siard was sentenced Monday, in Atchison County District Court, to spend 10-years-4-months of incarceration, despite his failed attempt to instead earn probation.

Accordng to a release from Atchison County Attorney Sherri Becker, Siard's sentencing stems from a summer investigation, by the Atchison County Sheriff's Office, into his role of distributing controlled substances.

On May 23, with a search warrant secured and in place, Siard's residence was searched, leading to the recovery of 304 fentanyl pills, money, and items consistent with distribution of controlled substances. Following the search, Siard was taken into custody.

(KLZA)-- Chad Engle with the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency met with Pawnee County Commissioners during their November 28th meeting to discuss best safety practices for the county.

Engle said he will be meeting with the Pawnee County Safety Committee to go over what the committee should be discussing during their quarterly meetings. Engle noted that NIRMA can provide safety training to employees at no cost.

Emergency Management Director Megan Buckley updated the Board on the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Policy Committee that will include Commission Chairman Ron Seitz.

Zoning and Weed Administrator Terry Kerl met with the Board, indicating that he would like to resign. Kerl introduced Josh Black to the Board, noting that Black would be interested in the position. Commissioners will need t make an appointment after the first of the year.

James Thies of Lewiston met with the Commissioners and discussed areas he feels need to be changed including a need for better management, better oversight, better training and more attention to the bottom line in the budgets.

(KLZA)-- The Missouri Department of Transportation will close U.S. Route 59 near Tarkio from U.S. Route 136 to Atchison County Route AA on Thursday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 a.m. so the city of Tarkio can repair a water main break.

During the closure, trucks will be detoured from U.S. Route 136 onto Route Y to Route AA and back to U.S. Route 59. The repairs are scheduled to be completed by 5 p.m. on Thursday.

(KMZA)--The J-Six Legacy Foundation has made a $500,000 donation to the capital campaign for the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital expansion and renovation project.

Courtney Schmelzle, Director of the Nemaha Valley Health Care Foundation, announced the contribution last week. Schmelzle said the donation will recognize J-Six Legacy Foundation as the sponsor of the hospital- Imaging Wing and Courtyard.

Joe Kramer, CFO and Co-Owner of J-Six Enterprises, stated “J-Six Legacy Foundation is honored and proud to be part of the expansion plans at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital. We believe that supporting the community and this project is a vital element in the well-being of our friends, families, and neighbors. Our support today is an investment in the future of healthcare for all of us and this commitment is a reminder of how important healthcare is, especially in our rural communities.”

Nemaha Valley Health Care Foundation Board Member T. J. Haverkamp stated “We are incredibly grateful of the J-Six Legacy Foundation for their generous commitment to our Capital Campaign and their continued support of the entire NVCH community. This commitment demonstrates how deeply the J-Six family believes in our area health care, now and for future generations.”

A ground breaking ceremony was held in July to celebrate the beginning of the 22-million dollar expansion and remodel project at the Seneca hospital.

For information concerning the NVCH hospital expansion or the Capital Campaign please contact Kiley Floyd at 785-336-6181 Courtney Schmelzle at 785-336-0426.

(KNZA)--Jackson Heights USD 335 is withdrawing its membership from the Kansas Association of School Boards, claiming the nonprofit organization's priorities no longer match that of the district's conservative community.

If Jackson Heights follows through, The Topeka Capital Journal reports it would be the only one of Kansas’ 286 public school districts in the state without a membership.

KASB offers legal advice, research, training, executive staffing and legislative advocacy for school districts around the state.

Howard told The Capital-Journal that he views KASB as being increasingly liberal in its lobbying efforts to legislators and advocating for items he said hurt his district.

He said he thinks Jackson Heights’ decision to leave KASB could lead other districts to consider a similar course.

If Jackson Heights does end up leaving the organization, it will have to take on some responsibilities the KASB previously handled.

Jackson Heights currently pays about $10,000 per year for KASB's services.

(KLZA)--Several members of the public addressed the Pawnee County Board of Commissioners concerning salaries for Pawnee County Deputy Sheriff's when they met November 28.

Eight people spoke in favor of raises for the Sheriff's Department employees with one person expressing concerns of increasing property taxes if raises are provided.

Chief Deputy John Samuelson and Deputy Taylor Bredermeier met with Commissioners later in the meeting presenting a list of requested changes to benefits and salaries. Charts comparing the Pawnee County deputy salaries to those in Gage, Jonson, Nemaha and Richardson County were presented to the Board.

Chief Deputy Samuelson said deputies are not compensated for what they do and they are doing the job alone which is not acceptable.

Commission Chairman Ron Seitz said the Pawnee County deputies are compensated at a salary level comparable to other counties with a similar valuation and population as Pawnee County, noting that the counties the deputies used for their comparison have much higher valuations and are able to collect more revenue from taxes than Pawnee County can generate.

Commissioners said they would like to move forward attempting to address the requests one-on-one or during a commissioners meeting.

(KMZA)--Pottawatomie County authorities are investigating the theft of five black Angus cattle from the Onaga area.

In a social media post, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office says it was notified Nov. 17 that the cattle were stolen from a pasture in the 17-thousand block of Onaga Road containing 80-head of cattle

The cattle are branded on their left hip and also had white ear tags. All five of the stolen cows had calves, but the calves were not stolen.

The Sheriff's Office says the cows could have been taken anytime between May 15 and November 2.

Anyone with information can contact Detective Gates with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office at (785) 457-3353, or by email at rgates@ptsheriff.com. Tips can also be submitted through the Crimestoppers link at www.ptsheriff.com.

(KAIR)--No hospital treatment was required, following a Monday afternoon crash in Leavenworth County, involving a Meriden man, at work on the Kansas Turnpike, and a Tonganoxie resident.

According to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, both vehicles were eastbound on I-70, with 54-year-old Douglas Persing operating a trailer, in the left lane, setting up a temporary construction zone. As the Meriden man did so, the trailer was rear-ended by a Kia Forte.

The driver of the Kia, 22-year-old Kaleb Shukeat, of Tonganoxie, suffered what the KHP calls a "suspected minor injury," but was not transported for hospital treatment.

Persing was not hurt in the wreck, which happened at 12:36 Monday afternoon.

Both men were wearing safety restraints at the time of the collision.

(KAIR)--Despite detected minor injuries, hospital treatment was avoided following a Sunday night, Atchison County rollover crash.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, it happened in the area of K116 and Delaware Street, within the Atchison County limits of Arrington, where an eastbound Ford Ranger went off the road to the south. When it did, Laurie says the truck traveled up a hill and then came down the hill and struck a ditch, which caused the truck to rollover.

The driver, identified as 18-year-old Lancaster resident Lillian White, and her 18-year-old passenger, Seven Boyle, of Atchison, were both assessed at the scene by Atchison County EMS for minor injuries but refused transport.

Also assisting at the scene of the wreck, which happened around 9:20 Sunday night, was Atchison County Rescue.

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

According to a release, the food distribution, known as the “Boxes of Blessings” project, will mark its 10th consecutive year when held Friday, with the milestone year being marked by MGP by supporting other food-related programming for 10 days beginning Friday, including snacks at Atchison Child Care; lunch at Project Concern; and gift cards at a local grocery store.

The release explains that the food boxes, available while supplies last, will be distributed Friday from 1 until 7 p.m., in the alley south of the Atchison Wholesale Grocery, located at 100 South 3rd Street. Drivers who wish to receive a food box are asked to line up on Main Street.

Michael Buttshaw, MGP- vice president of Ingredient Solutions sales, marketing and R&D, in the release, calls “Boxes of Blessings” "an annual labor of love to help our neighbors.”

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

Since the annual holiday food distribution began in Atchison 10-years ago, the program has provided 370,000 pounds, or 185 tons, of food to Atchison families.

(KAIR)--A 55-year-old Leavenworth man, accused of bribing a child victim for sexual acts and photographs, has pleaded to the related charges.

That's according to a release from the office of Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, which says Steven Ray Cridlebaugh, least week in Leavenworth County District Court, was found guilty by the judge after he entered a no contest plea to one count of aggravated criminal sodomy and one count of sexual exploitation of a child.
A sentencing hearing for Cridlebaugh is set for the afternoon of January 3.

The release explains that Cridlebaugh came to the attention of law enforcement due to an investigation into a sex offender located in Virginia.
Communications were found between that sex offender and the Leavenworth man, leading law enforcement to believe the Cridlebaugh was committing sexual-related crimes against a juvenile he had a connection to.
Local law enforcement conducted an investigation into Cridlebaugh, which revealed he would compensate the victim with money and toys for sexual acts or photographs.

(KNZA)--A Horton man has been arrested on a felony warrant for multiple offenses.

According to a report from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, 43-year-old Gerald Adams was arrested November 27 on a Brown County warrant for aggravated assault, criminal threat and battery.

Following his arrest, Adams was booked into the Brown County Jail where he remains held on a $40,000 bond.

No additional details were immediately available.

(KMZA)--The Kansas Department of Agriculture is awaiting confirmation on a presumptive positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), better known as bird flu, in a backyard flock in Pottawatomie County in northeast Kansas.

If confirmed, it would be the first case of the bird flu in Kansas this fall. “If you have not yet taken steps to protect your backyard flocks, now is the time to take this threat seriously,” said Dr. Justin Smith, Kansas Animal Health Commissioner.

Fall has brought a resurgence of the bird flu nationwide, including cases in several states that border Kansas- Missouri, Oklahoma and Colorado.

KDA advises owners of poultry flocks to be particularly vigilant in protecting their birds. Analysis of this outbreak of HPAI has shown that the spread has been primarily from wild migratory waterfowl, which makes free-range backyard flocks at high risk because of the potential of exposure to the wild birds.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that can infect chickens, gamebirds, turkeys, and other birds and can cause severe illness and/or sudden death in infected birds. This outbreak has seen illness and mortality in a wider scope of bird species than past outbreaks, including wild and domestic waterfowl.

If these symptoms are observed in your birds, immediately contact your veterinarian. If you don’t have a regular veterinarian, contact KDA's Division of Animal Health office toll-free at 833-765-2006.

(KAIR)--The Prairie Band Pottawatomi Nation, located in Jackson County, is one of 12 Kansas entites selected to share in part of $28.5 million in grants awarded to the state to increase internet connectivity.

According to a release from the office of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, the funding is made available through the Lasting Infrastructure and Network Connectivity program, commonly referred to as LINC. The program provides strategic funding for crucial aspects of broadband connectivity to reduce the cost of internet service, increase availability, and improve performance.

Kelly, in the release, calls LINC "another step forward in [the] promise to connect all Kansans, including in rural areas, to high-speed internet,” which, she says will continue "empowering communities with high-speed broadband infrastructure, unlocking greater economic growth, increased access to telemedicine, and expanded educational opportunities."

The Prairie Band Pottawatomi Nation has been awarded $3 million for the purpose of improving broadband infrastructure, with the release noting that a $571,150 service provider match is required to receive the grant funding.

According to the release, the total broadband investment in LINC is expected to surpass $33.9 million, when factoring in the matching funds from service providers.

(KAIR)--Atchison's Saturday celebration of Christmas will extend from the city's downtown district to the campus of Benedictine College, with Santa Claus to make stops at both locations.

That comes as the college hosts its annual Christmas Joy Toy Drive, with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy to serve as admission for today's basketball games.

According to the college, the collected toys will help those in need in Atchison through the support of the Salvation Army.

Santa Claus will be in attendance, visiting with children from 11:30 until 2:30, with cookies and hot chocolate to be served.

The new toy admission price will allow attendees to watch the Lady Ravens tip off at noon, while the men tip off at 2:00, in the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium. The teams face Culver-Stockton.

While the on-campus activities are underway, Santa will also visit Atchison's downtown, where the Spirit of Christmas will be celebrated from 11:30 to 4:30, with the heart of activities to happen in the 500 block of Commercial Street.

The downtown activities will lead up to Saturday evening's lighted, downtown Christmas Parade, which will be broadcast, and announced, on 93.7, starting at 5:30.

(MSC News)--The State of Kansas ends November 2023 with total tax collections at $649.6 million. That is $13.8 million, or 2.1%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are up 1.1% from November 2022.

Individual income tax collections were $291.8 million. That is $10.7 million, or 3.5%, below the estimate, and down 0.2% from November 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $35.5 million. That is $10.4 million, or 41.5%, higher than the estimate and up 168.8% from November 2022.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $291.0 million, which is $14.2 million, or 4.7%, below the estimate and down $13.9 million, or 4.5%, from November 2022.

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) is offering free nitrate sample kits and lab analyses to private drinking water well owners across the state until Jan. 31, 2024.

Nebraska well owners who participate will receive their sample results, and NDEE will use the data from this sampling effort in a statewide nitrate study that the agency is currently conducting. The study will included nitrate sampling data from public water systems and participating private drinking water well owners.

NDEE said well owners’ identifying information will not be used in the study.

Well owners can request a free nitrate sample kit, which comes with sampling instructions and pre-paid return postage, on the DHHS website or by calling NDEE at 402-471-2186.

Public participation in this free sampling event is key to ensuring the nitrate study accurately encompasses private drinking water wells in Nebraska.

NDEE said collecting the sample is easy. Allow the cold water tap to run for three minutes, then fill the plastic container provided in the sample kit, being careful not to overfill. More detailed instructions will be provided with the sample kit.

If a private well owner- results are above 10 parts per million (ppm) of nitrate, they may be eligible for NDEE- Reverse Osmosis (RO) Rebate Program to treat their water. This program offers up to $4,000 in rebates to well owners whose wells are registered through the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and whose wells sample above 10 ppm of nitrate.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners met Wednesday, authorizing certification of County Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. so the County may receive the annual incentive payment for 2023.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty reported that during the “Click It or Ticket” grant period, November 22 - 26th his department made 187 traffic stops with 52 citations issued, 9 arrests made with two of them being felons and two a result of warrants.

Commissioners also learned that Schawang Masonry will begin an improvement project to the northeast area of the Courthouse lawn and parking lot on Thursday, December 7. The work is expected to last 7 - 10 days and is to eliminate a water drainage problem in the area and leaking within the lower level area of the Courthouse,.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Police Department has been notified the Department is receiving a grant worth $11,492 for eCitations and eCrash equipment.

Bill Kovarik, Administrator of the Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office said in a news release the money will aid the Falls City Police Department in purchasing eCitation and eCrash equipment to better track citation and crash information.

Nebraska has again qualified for Federal Racial Profiling funds. The NDOT Highway Safety Office utilized the funding to aid local and area law enforcement in obtaining equipment that will improve tracking citation and crash data.

(KNZA)--Three Falls City residents were arrested on drug charges after Richardson County Sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant on a Falls City residence Thursday.

According to a release from the Sheriff's Office, deputies served a search warrant at 1624 Abbott Street around Noon.

During the search, the sheriff's Office says suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, various pills, and drug paraphernalia were located.

45-year-old Rachel Carter was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of multiple controlled substances (pills), Unlawful Acts Relating to Drugs, Possession of a Legend Drug, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

49-year-old Donald Baxter and 33-year-old Cara Cavaness were arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

The Sheriff's office says both Richardson County K-9 Units were deployed on vehicles at the scene.

Searches were conducted on the vehicles, which lead to an additional charge of Possession of Marijuana for Baxter.

Following their arrest, the trio were booked into the Richardson County Jail.

(KNZA)--Brown County has been awarded a nearly $958,000 grant for a road improvement project through the Kansas Department of Transportation's Cost Share Program.

County Road and Bridge Secretary Tami Lehmkuhl informed the Brown County Commission when they met November 30th of the funding award, which is for a rehabilitation project on 270th Road from the U.S. 75 interchange to Coyote Road.

The county will provide more than $319,000 in matching funds, plus will be responsible for preliminary engineering costs.

Lehmkuhl said bid letting for the project will take place in 2024, with actually construction slated for 2025.

Its among 16 transportation construction projects across the state awarded more than $12 million through KDOT's Cost Share Program for fall 2023.

Locally, funding was also awarded for projects in Atchison and Pottawatomie Counties.

(KNZA)--A Hoyt business has been awarded a nearly $221,000 grant from USDA Rural Development.

The agency, in a release, said Elm Creek Beef will use the grant funding to double the production of its value-added products while implementing targeted marketing techniques to grow and diversify their customer base.

Working capital funds will be used for marketing, labor, raw agricultural commodity and retail supplies for the business.

The release says three jobs will be created as a result of the project.

Elm Creek Beef was among two businesses in Kansas awarded grant funding.

(KNZA)--Hiawatha city officials met with Kansas Department of Transportation officials last week to discuss safety concerns along the 1st Street corridor.

City Administrator Becky Berger updated the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening on the meeting, which she called productive.

The meeting follows KDOT's decision to have the traffic signals at the intersection of 1st and Oregon removed.

Berger said discussed was converting the existing four-lane street to a three-lane roadway consisting of two through lanes and a center two-way left-turn lane.

The reconfiguration, known as a “ road diet”, would be similar to what was done in Fairview.

Berger said there is some speed limit modifications that need to be made along the corridor, with KDOT planning a speed study this winter.

She said the street would be re-striped following a seal project planned next spring.

The proposed project would be completed by the start of school in the fall of 2024.

Commissioner Brian Shefferd said while he believes the proposed project would improve north-south traffic flow, he has some concerns how it would effect traffic leaving the high school. Shefferd said he believes it would create a bottleneck.

Berger said she will check with KDOT to see if there are other communities where the same change has been made within a school zone and the impact its had.

(KNZA)--The 31th annual “ Festival of Lights” Christmas Luminaries will be held in Horton Sunday evening, December 3rd.

The event, being put on by the South Brown County Ministerial Association, will take place from 5:30 to 7:00.

The Luminaries transform ten city blocks into 17 living scenes of the life of Christ. Men, women and children of the Ministerial Association churches take their places as Bible characters in a setting of live animals, colorful props, costumes and music.

13-hundred candles outline the route, which will begin at the junction of Highways 73 and K-20.

The event draws hundreds of people each year.

A free-will donation may be dropped in a receptacle at the end of the route, which the funds going to support the ministries of the South Brown Ministerial Association.