(KNZA)--Two fundraisers are planned Saturday, March 30th, to benefit this year's Jackson Heights Honor Flight.

A Rock-a-thon will take place on the Square in downtown Holton from 8 in the morning until 8 in the evening where people can pledge.

Also a Radiothon will be broadcast over KNZA, 103.9 FM, from 2 in the afternoon until 6 in the evening where people can call in and pledge their support by calling 785-547-3461. You can also donate by clicking GIVE to donate through venmo.

The fundraising goal is $60,000.

The 10th annual Jackson Heights Honor Flight is scheduled for June 6th and 7th.

Forty-six veterans have signed up to participate in this year's flight to Washington D.C. where they will have an opportunity to visit their respective war memorials.

Both the Jackson Heights and Holton schools will be participating in the Honor Flight.

(KAIR)--Although summer is still in the distance, plans for an Atchison autumn tradition are finalized, with the lineup for the annual Muddy River concert now complete.

Locally Atchison Executive Director Jim Rowland, in a release, calls the now finalized lineup "a great combination of future stars," as Tigerlily Gold is named to headline the September 21 concert at the Atchison riverfront. The sister duo returns to Atchison following their local performance last year. The release says the duo, whose latest single is "I Tried a Ring On," was featured as part of CMT's "Next Women of Country for 2024."

Also performing will be Jacksonville-born, and Nashville-based, Jordon Fletcher, an artist the release says pays "intense attention to detail over authentic country spiked with rock spirit."

Prior to his performance, Carter Faith, described as "Cowgirl Hippie" in the release, will take the stage, with the North Carolina native named "Next Women of Country" in 2023 by CMT.

The September 21 concert will be opened by a local area act, as St. Joseph, Missouri's Tequila Mockingbird is named to that slot.

Early bird tickets go on sale April 1, and can be purchased online at visitatchison.com.

(KLZA)-- The Nemaha County, Nebraska Sheriff's Office will participate in the national U Drive, U Text, U Pay, National Mobilization enforcement campaign April 1 through April 8.

Nemaha County Deputies will be conducting high-visibility saturation enforcement patrols throughout the county during the week-long program.

The purpose of the enforcement is to reduce the number of distracted drivers.

Participation in the special campaign is funded through a grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved County Court Judge Rick Smith moving forward with obtaining quotes for an electronic lock system with a keypad for the interior doors of the Courtroom and foyer area that leads to the staff office area and to obtain a quote for the installation of a permanent glass shield for the front office counter when they met Wednesday.

In addition, Commissioners approved a Statement of Acceptance of Possession and Future Responsibility for Courtroom technology items installed by the Nebraska Administrative Office of the Courts & Probation for County Court and District Court.

The Board also authorized an amendment to the Centurylink Master Service Agreement Public Safety Version to supply managed date bundle at a cost of $66,599 over a 5-year period and approved a quote for the Managed Emergency Call Handling Bundle at a total cost of $30,415.

During their meeting with Sheriff Rick Hardesty, the Board approved adopting a resolution to establish the number of Sheriff's deputies , changing the previous resolution by stating there are two law enforcement dogs and adding 2 part-time positions, not to work more than 22 hours per week, which will cover vacations.

With the change the resolution allows for the Sheriff to appoint a Chief Deputy; 2 Patrol Sergeants; 6 full-time deputies; 1 full-time school resource officer to work at the Humboldt-Table Rock - Steinauer School; 2 part-time deputies and 1 part-time deputy to work at court security and to have two law enforcement dogs.

The Board also approved an agreement with Terri Eldridge to serve as a Dispatch Trainer for the Richardson County Sheriff's Office. Eldridge will be paid $25 per hour for (6) eight-hour training sessions with the agreement terminating after the completion of the 6 training sessions.

Sheriff Hardesty also introduced Ashley Fisher to the Commissioners. Fisher will serve as the Sheriff's Department Dispatch Supervisor.

(KNZA)--Plans have been set for the 2024 Hiawatha Farmers Market.

Brown County Extension Agent Matt Young appeared before the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening to seek approval to set in the grass next to the skate park as they have in the past.

The commission granted their approval.

The Farmers Market will be held on Thursday evenings from 4 to 6:30 from May 30th through September 26

(KMZA)--A Wamego man has been convicted of a second fentanyl-related death.

According to court documents, a Pottawatomie County jury Wednesday found 22-year-old McKaine Farr guilty of distribution of a controlled substance causing death.

He was convicted of distributing fentanyl to a Manhattan man last March, causing his death.

A jury convicted Farr of the same charge in December of last year in the September 2021 death of Jayson Ebert, of Wamego.

Farr was sentenced in January to more than 13 years prison for that conviction.

He is scheduled to be sentenced April 18th for the latest conviction.

(KMZA)--A Marysville man, convicted in the 2022 shooting death of his wife, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Gerald Brown was handed the sentence last week in Marshall County District Court on a charge of second-degree murder.

Brown pleaded no contest to the reduced charge last October as part of a plea deal.

He had originally been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his 57-year-old wife, Jennifer Brown.

Authorities responded to a 911 call early November 24, 2022 at the couple's Marysville home, where they found Jennifer Brown dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Gerald Brown was taken into custody at the scene.

(KLZA)-- The long awaited and longtime needed upgrades to the Falls City electrical distribution system will begin soon.

Preparations for the project have been ongoing for a couple of years.

The initial phase will include converting about 14 blocks of the downtown business alley overhead power lines to an underground system which will make the system more resilient to weather events and safer for the public.

Falls City Utility Superintendent Trevor Campbell said during an open house meeting Tuesday providing updates on the project that work will be getting underway Monday, April 1, with Watts Electric Company doing the construction.

Phase I of the project will be from Chase Street to Harlan Street and from 12th Street north to 20th Street, affecting businesses and a few residential properties.

The age and condition of the existing system in nearing the end of its useful life and no longer provides reliable electrical service to the community. If there were to be a loss of the current 5 kV switch structure, it would result in about 65 - 70 percent of the system being without power, affecting approximately 1,500 electrical meters.

A new 15 kV Power Distribution Center will be built as part of the project.

Currently the estimated price tag for the project is $5.9 million and will be paid for through city bonds and cash reserves. Just over $5.1 million of the estimated cost will be funded through two different bonds. A combined Utility Revenue Bond and a Municipal Improvement Bond.

Campbell said that during the downtown phase of the project, local businesses will at times be affected by power outages. Watts Electric will contact businesses to allow them to make necessary arrangements for the periods of time the power will be out.

One issue that could affect the time it takes to complete the project is the delivery of some transformers required for the project. Currently those transformers are scheduled to arrive this fall, but could be delayed. Campbell is hopeful that based on the latest estimates for delivery of the transformers, the downtown portion of the electrical distribution updates could be completed by the spring of 2025.

Tuesday's open house meeting was held at the Southeast Nebraska Community College Learning Center in Falls City.

(KLZA)-- During Severe Weather Awareness Week, Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) wants to remind customers to be vigilant of downed power lines.

Severe storms with tornadoes, high winds, or ice can damage power poles and power lines, leaving them broken or lying on the ground.

If an individual notices a damaged power line during a storm, they should call 911 or their local utility, who will dispatch professionals to de-energize and safely repair the line.

If you are in a car and a power line or power pole has fallen on it, stay in the car until utility personnel arrive on the scene. If remaining in the car is not an option due to a fire or other unsafe conditions jump clear of the vehicle so that you land upright with your feet reaching the ground at the same time, and then shuffle away from the area.

(KLZA)-- The long awaited and longtime needed upgrades to the Falls City electrical distribution system will begin soon.

Preparations for the project have been ongoing for a couple of years.

The initial phase will include converting approximately 14 blocks of the downtown business alley overhead power lines to an underground system which will make the system more resilient to weather events and safer for the public.

Falls City Utility Superintendent Trevor Campbell said during an open house meeting Tuesday providing updates on the project that work will be getting underway Monday, April 1, with Watts Electric Company doing the construction.

Phase I of the project will be from Chase Street to Harlan Street and from 12th Street north to 20th Street, affecting businesses and a few residential properties.

The age and condition of the existing system in nearing the end of its useful life and no longer provides reliable electrical service to the community. If there were to be a loss of the current 5 kV switch structure, it would result in about 65 - 70 percent of the system being without power, affecting approximately 1,500 electrical meters.

A new 15 kV Power Distribution Center will be built as part of the project.

Currently the estimated price tag for the project is $5.9 million and will be paid for through city bonds and cash reserves. Just over $5.1 million of the estimated cost will be funded through two different bonds. A combined Utility Revenue Bond and a Municipal Improvement Bond.

Campbell said that during the downtown phase of the project, local businesses will at times be affected by power outages. Watts Electric will contact businesses to allow them to make necessary arrangements for the periods of time the power will be out.

One issue that could affect the time it takes to complete the project is the delivery of some transformers required for the project. Currently those transformers are scheduled to arrive this fall, but could be delayed. Campbell is hopeful that based on the latest estimates for delivery of the transformers, the downtown portion of the electrical distribution updates could be completed by the spring of 2025.

Tuesday's open house meeting was held at the Southeast Nebraska Community College Learning Center in Falls City.

(KLZA)-- The long awaited and longtime needed upgrades to the Falls City electrical distribution system will begin soon.

Preparations for the project have been ongoing for a couple of years.

The initial phase will include converting approximately 14 blocks of the downtown business alley overhead power lines to an underground system which will make the system more resilient to weather events and safer for the public.

Falls City Utility Superintendent Trevor Campbell said during an open house meeting Tuesday providing updates on the project that work will be getting underway Monday, April 1, with Watts Electric Company doing the construction.

Phase I of the project will be from Chase Street to Harlan Street and from 12th Street north to 20th Street, affecting businesses and a few residential properties.

The age and condition of the existing system in nearing the end of its useful life and no longer provides reliable electrical service to the community. If there were to be a loss of the current 5 kV switch structure, it would result in about 65 - 70 percent of the system being without power, affecting approximately 1,500 electrical meters.

A new 15 kV Power Distribution Center will be built as part of the project.

Currently the estimated price tag for the project is $5.9 million and will be paid for through city bonds and cash reserves. Just over $5.1 million of the estimated cost will be funded through two different bonds. A combined Utility Revenue Bond and a Municipal Improvement Bond.

Campbell said that during the downtown phase of the project, local businesses will at times be affected by power outages. Watts Electric will contact businesses to allow them to make necessary arrangements for the periods of time the power will be out.

One issue that could affect the time it takes to complete the project is the delivery of some transformers required for the project. Currently those transformers are scheduled to arrive this fall, but could be delayed. Campbell is hopeful that based on the latest estimates for delivery of the transformers, the downtown portion of the electrical distribution updates could be completed by the spring of 2025.

Tuesday's open house meeting was held at the Southeast Nebraska Community College Learning Center in Falls City.

(KAIR)--The Maur Hill-Mount Academy Mock Trial Team is national tournament bound.

That comes after two of its teams qualified for the state finals, which were held last weekend, where victory was again accomplished.

Thomas Doyle, Head Coach for the Mock Trial Team, in a conversation with Neil Wieland for MSC News, says the two teams qualifying-one varsity, the other junior-varsity-will now travel to Delaware to compete at the national level in May.

Doyle is assisted in leading the teams to the championship by Assistant Mock Trial Team Coach Jeff Schremmer.

To hear the full conversation with Coach Doyle go here.

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Statewide Workforce & Educational Reporting System has released of its first-ever special report, a comprehensive exploration of dual enrollment in Nebraska.

Dual enrollment, an increasingly popular option across the educational landscape, provides students with the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school.

Dual enrollment is associated with positive academic outcomes including higher graduation rates in high school, higher levels of college enrollment and persistence, higher GPAs, and higher college graduation rates.

• Dual enrollment credit earners are more likely to attend college in Nebraska than non-dual enrollment credit earners.

  Dual enrollment credit earners complete more credits in their first year of college than students who did not earn dual enrollment credit.The more dual enrollment credits students earn in high school, the higher the college graduation rate and the sooner they graduate college.

Among the reports key findings are:

More than 27 percent of Nebraska students earn college credit before graduating from high school.

Dual enrollment participants and dual enrollment credit earners graduate from high school at higher rates than non-participants

More females than males take dual enrollment courses.

Dual enrollment credit earners are more likely to complete college on time.

High school students who participate in dual enrollment are more likely to enroll in college and persist when they get there.

Dual enrollment participants and dual enrollment credit earners perform better in both high school and college. In high school, dual enrollment participants have an average GPA of 3.4, where their counterparts average a 2.7 GPA. Likewise for both two-year and four-year college, GPAs are higher for dual enrollment participants versus those who did not participate in dual enrollment programs.

The data for this report comes from the Nebraska Statewide Workforce & Educational Reporting System.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission approved a street repair project when they met Monday evening.

Public Works Director Brad Scott said Natchez Street between U.S. 36 Highway and Hopi Drive by Wal-Mart is in a completely deteriorated state and in need of immediate repairs.

He said potholes in the street have been temporarily filled with rock due to their large size, and he obtained a quote to permanently fix the street.

On the recommendation of Scott, the commission approved a quote from J & B Contractors in the amount of $43,144 to repair the street.

3,924 square feet of 8-inch concrete will be removed and replaced, along with 131 feet of curb.

In other business, Fire Chief Patrick Sheldon requested approval to repair the Fire Department's first response truck.

He said a local mechanic determined the truck has a cracked cylinder head.

The Commission approved the purchase of a new first response truck last October, but it not known when that truck will arrive.

Sheldon said the 1990 model truck will serve as a backup unit after the new truck arrives.

The Commission approved repair of the truck at a cost not to exceed $8,000.

(KAIR)--The cause of death for a Lansing Correctional Facility inmate is awaited through the results of an independent autopsy.

That word comes in a release from the Kansas Department of Corrections, which says 58-year-old inmate Charles Homer Roberson was found unresponsive in his cell on Monday.

Staff and EMS went to work administering life saving measures, but were unable to revive Roberson, who was pronounced dead.

The investigation into his death, pending results of the autopsy, is ongoing.

Roberson was serving a life sentence for Wyandotte County convictions of first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, and forgery.

(KNZA)--A motorcyclist was seriously injured Wednesday evening in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 59 Highway in Winthrop, Missouri.

According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 53-year-old Jeremy Thompson, of St. Joseph, was eastbound on U.S. 59 when his Harley Davidson motorcycle crossed the center line. The motorcycle began to skid and traveled into the path of a westbound pickup truck driven by 22-year-old Lancaster, Ks resident Bodie Vandeloo.

Thompson, who was wearing a helmet, was ejected from his motorcycle, which came to rest on its side.

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

Vandeloo was not hurt.

The crash was reported shortly before 7:00 Wednesday evening.

(MSC News)--Cattle at two commercial dairy farms in Kansas have tested positive for avian flu.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture, in a release, says the risk to the public remains low because initial testing suggests mammals cannot spread the virus to other mammals.

At this stage, KDA says is not concerned about the safety of commercial milk or risk to consumer health because the pasteurization process kills bacteria and viruses.

State officials say people should avoid unpasteurized milk, and dairy farmers should keep a close watch on their herds.

It- the first time the bird flu has been documented in commercial dairy farms in Kansas. Cattle in Texas and New Mexico have also tested positive.

(KNZA)--An only 9.3 percent voter turnout was reported in Brown County in last week's presidential preference primary.

The Brown County Commission canvassed votes Monday from the election, agreeing to count two provisional ballots.

615 Brown County voters took part in the election.

520 Republican voters cast ballots, with former President Donald Trump receiving the majority with 415 votes. Nikki Hailey, who has dropped out of the race, drew 72 votes, and none of the names shown received 26.

On the Democratic side, 95 votes were cast. Current President Joe Biden drew the most votes, with 66. The next most popular choice was none of the names shown, with 18 votes.

The local results mirrored state-wide returns, with Trump winning the state's Republican nomination and Biden the state's Democratic nomination.

(MSC News)--Two important dates, as the Kansas Corporation Commission calls them, are fast approaching, with state utility customers alerted to possible affects.

The first, KCC says in a release, is Friday, March 29, the deadline to apply for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, known as LIEAP. All applications for that assistance must be received by the Kansas DCF office by 5 p.m. on Friday.

The second date is Sunday, March 31, which is when the Cold Weather Rule ends. That rule protects residential customers, served by KCC regulated utilities, from disconnection when temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees.

When the Cold Weather Rule is in effect, regulated utilities are also required to offer a 12-month payment plan upon request, even if a previous payment plan has been broken. When that protection ends on Sunday, failure to make arrangements or failure to adhere to an already established payment plan could result in disconnection. Reconnection after March 31 may require past due balances be paid in full, depending on the utility's policy.

(KAIR)--A two vehicle Wednesday morning wreck in Atchison sent a child passenger to the hospital.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, it happened around 7:30 at the interection of Hickory and Unity Streets.

Wilson said an SUV had been southbound on Hickory Street and was turning east onto Unity when it collided with an eastbound car on Unity.

The driver of the SUV, 41-year-old Lemeece Weston, was not hurt, but an 8-year-old passenger in her SUV was transported by Atchison County EMS to Amberwell Atchison for examination.

Weston was cited for failure to yield.

The driver of the car, 16-year-old Dane Spilman, was not hurt.

Both drivers are residents of Atchison.

(KAIR)--Although some Easter egg hunts have already been held, this weekend will see additional ones in Atchison as Easter arrives on Sunday.

Two are planned for Saturday, with the first being held that morning at 10:00. The traditional Atchison Easter Egg Hunt will happen at the Atchison Sports Complex, located west of the Atchison Elementary School on North 17th Street and Country Club Road.

The morning hunt is open to children up to 10-years-old, who are welcome to try to find the hidden, lucky eggs and win prizes.

The Easter Bunny will also be in attendance, giving the children a chance to meet the holiday rabbit.

As tradition holds, the event is sponsored by the Atchison Recreation Commission, with assistance from the Atchison Lions Club.

The second, Saturday Easter Egg hunt, in Atchison, is planned to start that morning at 11:30, as sponsored by the Sons of American Legion.

The hunt will be held at American Legion Post #6, located at 1617 South 6th Street.

Another Atchison Easter tradition will continue on Easter Sunday itself, with the 19th Annual Easter Egg Hunt, at Atchison's LFM Park, being held that afternoon.

Running from 1 until 2:00, at the city's northside park, all are invited to take part in the activities, which will then move to Atchison's Memorial Hall, located at 819 Commercial Street. It's there that a talent show/fashion show will be held from 2 until 6:00, with all invited to attend.

For any and all other Easter Egg hunts being held in the local region, go here.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission approved two grant applications when they meet last week.

The Commission approved a letter of support for a grant application on behalf of the city of Sabetha and Rock Creek Township to help fund road improvements.

Funding will be sought through the Kansas Department of Transportation cost share program for the paving of a two-mile stretch of Kansas Road from W Road to old Highway 75, along with a more than half-mile stretch leading into 14th Street.

The county will co-sponsor the cost-share project.

The Commission also approved supporting a Community Development Block Grant application on behalf of Derek Kaeb for the installation of 3-phase electricity at his welding shop near Sabetha.

Kaeb would pay the grant match through a special assessment added to his property taxes.

(KNZA)- A fourth attorney has been appointed to represent a Fort Worth, Texas man charged in a fatal 2023 Jackson County wreck that claimed the life of a Whiting woman.

According to court documents, a judge appointed former Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller to represent Ayinde-Jriel James during a recent hearing after he requested to dismiss his third court-appointed attorney in the case.

James is charged with second-degree murder, driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of marijuana and reckless driving in connection with the April 2023 wreck that claimed the life of 74-year-old Melinda Wareham.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says James was traveling at excessive speeds and passing several vehicles on U.S. 75 highway before he crashed head-on into a vehicle driven by Warmham about two miles north of Holton

Miller served as Jackson County Attorney from January 2009 until resigning effective June 1st, 2022. She is now a staff attorney with a Topeka law firm.

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

(KLZA)--This is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Nebraska.

The National Weather Service will be conducting the annul statewide tornado drill Wednesday morning at 10.

Wednesday morning at 10, the National Weather Service will send a scripted message on NOAA Weather Radio's which will be identified at a routine weekly test on the receivers. This mock tornado drill will replace the routine weekly test normally conducted at 11 a.m.

In addition to the Weather Radio alerts, local officials may also sound their warning sirens.

All schools, businesses, hospitals, law enforcement and other agencies are urged to test severe weather emergency communications, and sheltering plans.

(KLZA)-- Peru State College hosted its 40th Annual District History Day Contest. The College was the host to 100 students in the region competing for a spot at the Nebraska State History Day contest. Individuals or groups compete in five different categories: Exhibit, Documentary, Website, Paper, and Performance. History Day 2024 Winners Senior Division: Senior Group Exhibit 1st Place: Andrew Hodges, Gavin Parriot, & Holden Berglund, “Evolution of Firearms: The Metallic Cartridge”Johnson-Brock; Senior Individual Documentary - 1st place Caleb Bohling, “Turning Points in History: F-22 Raptor” Johnson-Brock; Senior Individual Website -1st place - Abigail Blomstedt, “The Tennessee Valley Authority: How George Norris Turned the Lights On” Johnson-Brock Junior Division: • Junior Group Exhibit - 1st Place: Hailee Greiner & Hannah Greiner, “The Development of Native American Reservations” Johnson-Brock; Junior Group Performance - 1st Place: Addison Volker, Marleigh Behrends, & Quinlee Sayer, “The Night of Terror: Fight in the Occoquan Workhouse” Johnson-Brock; Junior Individual Performance - 1st Place: Noah Metschke, “The Civil Rights Act of 1964—How Standing up for Justice Changed the World” Johnson-Brock Junior Group Website - 1st Place: Baker Beethe, Coy Behrends, & Landon Ideus, “The California Gold Rush” Johnson-Brock; Junior Paper - 1st Place: Katelyn Melvin, “Give Earth A Chance: Earth Day- Critical Role in the Environmental Revolution” Johnson-Brock;

(KLZA)-- The Nemaha Natural Resources District Board of Directors awarded two bids when they met on March 14.

The bid for a disc mower was awarded to Lewis Implement in Humboldt at a coast of $12,690.

Christiansen Tree Service from Eagle, Nebraska was awarded the bid for removing trees on Steamboat Trace Trail property near Peru in a amount of $12,200.

Board members denied a proposal regarding Steamboat Trace Trail property encroachment.

A proposal from JEO Consulting to prepare an updated multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan was approved.

The Board voted to approve a resolution for a Water Sustainability Fund Grant for irrigation efficiency cost - share which will allow $6 thousand of matching local funds to be budgeted in both fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

Two well permits were approved during the meeting. One for Sugden Farms and one for J. Rinne, both located in Johnson County.

(KLZA)-- Syracuse attorney Bob Hallstrom announced earlier this month, his candidacy to represent Nebraska's First Legislative District which includes Richardson, Pawnee, Nemaha, Johnson and Otoe counties.

During a campaign meet and greet in Falls City last week Hallstrom said he wants to be a strong conservative voice for the people of the 1st District with a lot of experience in and around the Legislature.

Hallstrom says he is pro-life and a supporter of the 2nd Amendment.

Hallstrom, a partner with the Brandt, Horan, Hallstrom& Stilmock law firm in Syracuse, says that his experience working with workforce development, rural workforce housing, access t healthcare issues and mainstreet business issues should all help him hit the ground running if elected.

(KLZA)-- Nebraska- unemployment rate for February stayed stagnant at 2.5 percent for the sixth straight month, and is up 0.4 percentage points from February 2023′s 2.1 percent, according to the state- Department of Labor.

Locally, Pawnee County has the lowest unemployment rate at 2.5%. Richardson and Otoe counties have jobless rates of 2.7%. In Nemaha County the unemployment rate in February was 2.8%. Gage County was at 3%. Johnson County had the highest unemployment rate in the southeast corner of Nebraska for the month at 4.4%.

Nebraska's 2.5% jobless rate was 5th lowest in the country. North Dakota was #1 at 2%; South Dakota was second at 2.1%. Kansas was tied for 7th with a jobless rate of 2.7%; Iowa was #11 at 2.9%. The unemployment rate in Missouri in February was tied for 21st in the nation at 3.3%.

The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February 2024 is 3.9 percent, up 0.2 percentage points from the January 2024 rate of 3.7 percent and up 0.3 percentage points from the February 2023 rate of 3.6 percent.

(KNZA)--An early Monday evening two-vehicle Jefferson County wreck sent a Meriden teenager to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says the wreck was reported shortly after 5:30 at the intersection of K-4 Highway and Palmberg Street on the south side of Meriden.

According to the KHP report, a pickup truck driven by 16-year-old Sophie Waters was stopped at a stop sign when she pulled out in front of a southbound semi truck on K-4 and was t-boned by the semi. The impact caused her vehicle to overturn.

Waters, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported to a Topeka hospital for the treatment of suspected minor injuries.

The semi driver, from Dodge City, was not hurt.

(KNZA)--Horton Elementary School Principal Rainey Auen has resigned.

According to the unofficial minutes from last week's meeting, the South Brown County USD 430 Board of Education approved Auen's resignation, effective at the end of the current school year.

She has served in the position since August of last year.

The board also approved the resignations of Horton High School Athletic Director Nick Dowell and Horton Elementary School 3rd grade teacher Jenna Larson.

In addition, the board approved the resignation of Andrew Gwennap as high school head football coach, head wrestling coach, and assistant track and weight lifting coach.

All the resignations are effective at the end of the current school year.

Also as part of the consent agenda, the board approved the renewal of the contracts of Curriculum Director Robyn Allen, Horton High Principal Larry Mills and Everest Middle School Principal Travis Torkelson.

In other business, the board approved a $5 increase in driver's education fees and Mark Friess as a driving instructor for a $50 per hour hourly rate.

Also a senior class trip was approved to Branson, Missouri May 1st-2nd.

(KNZA)--Two rural Horton residents were arrested on drug charges over the weekend after the execution of a search warrant at residence on the Kickapoo Reservation.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, in a release, said the Sheriff's Office drug task force served the search warrant Saturday evening at 835 K-20 Highway.

49-year-old Dawn Duncan and 31-year-old Brandon Negonsott were arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

The Kickapoo Police Department assisted.

(KLZA)-- A Win-Win for Nebraska Healthcare We are nearing the end of the legislative session with only 12 session days left and the Legislature is starting to make a move on some pretty big bills. For example, at the end of this past week, we passed Senator Jacobson- LB 1087 will establish a partnership between Nebraska hospitals and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to preserve healthcare services across Nebraska. Nebraska is one of six states that do not participate in this federal program that reimburses a percentage of costs that come from treating Medicare and Medicaid patients. Joining this program represents a win-win proposition for the state, Nebraska hospitals, and Nebraskans needing health care services. Furthermore, this bill will also improve the quality of care for those citizens. Inadequate Medicaid rates along with high medical inflation and below-cost Medicare rates have forced Nebraska hospitals (especially in rural areas) to eliminate and/or reduce essential services. Nebraskan hospitals have experienced closures of maternal care, behavioral health, home health, hospice, hospital-owned nursing homes, and others. This bill seeks to help mitigate these problems. LB 1087 is particularly important for rural Nebraska, where hospitals are often under financial strain. This bill secures federal matching funds for Medicaid payment which will support the economic health of many hospitals. In doing so, rural residents will continue to have access to essential healthcare services. The passage of this bill will tap into federal resources which will bring in an estimated $950 million to the state- hospitals. To be clear, this will also not raise Nebraska taxes whatsoever. I look forward to continuing to discuss these issues in the coming weeks on the legislative floor. As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners met with Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. last Wednesday and reviewed a request from Alan Rippe regarding the intersection of 707 Trail and 634 Avenue in regards to improvements that should be considered to ensure safe and reliable transportation of agricultural products.

The Board will review the request further before making a decision.

County Treasurer Amanda Bartek-Ramsy presented information to the Board on a postage machine and requested permission to make the purchase since the current machine in use will no longer be compatible for service. There are two options, one is to lease a machine for five years at a cost of $3,731 which includes all maintenance or to purchase the equipment with maintenance included for five years at a cost of $3,438, with the possibility of maintenance service costs increasing within the five year time frame.

The Board will consider the options during their April 27 Board meeting.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty reported that Deputy Novak has completed training and received certification as a K-9 handler.

The Sheriff also reviewed the possibility of hiring two deputies on a part-time basis and recommended the County consider selling a 2019 Ford Explorer that has been deemed surplus.

The topics will be further discussed when the Board meets Wednesday.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners met with Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. last Wednesday and reviewed a request from Alan Rippe regarding the intersection of 707 Trail and 634 Avenue in regards to improvements that should be considered to ensure safe and reliable transportation of agricultural products.

The Board will review the request further before making a decision.

County Treasurer Amanda Bartek-Ramsy presented information to the Board on a postage machine and requested permission to make the purchase since the current machine in use will no longer be compatible for service. There are two options, one is to lease a machine for five years at a cost of $3,731 which includes all maintenance or to purchase the equipment with maintenance included for five years at a cost of $3,438, with the possibility of maintenance service costs increasing within the five year time frame.

The Board will consider the options during their April 27 Board meeting.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty reported that Deputy Novak has completed training and received certification as a K-9 handler.

The Sheriff also reviewed the possibility of hiring two deputies on a part-time basis and recommended the County consider selling a 2019 Ford Explorer that has been deemed surplus.

The topics will be further discussed when the Board meets Wednesday.

(KLZA)-- Tuesday is the final day to file as a candidate for the Missouri Primary Election coming up on August 6.

Those seeking federal, state or county elected positions have until 5 .m. Tuesday, March 26 to file.

(KLZA)-- Tuesday is the final day to file as a candidate for the Missouri Primary Election coming up on August 6.

Those seeking federal, state or county elected positions have until 5 .m. Tuesday, March 26 to file.

(KLZA)-- The Atchison County U.S. Route 136 bridge over the Missouri River, near Brownville, Nebraska, is scheduled to undergo bridge washing as preventative maintenance at the beginning of next month. AAD Contracting, Inc., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, plans to complete the bridge washing Monday, April 1 through Friday, April 5.

Crews will narrow the roadway to one lane with flaggers guiding traffic through the work zone.

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

MoDOT asks drivers to work with us by always buckling up, keeping your phone down, slowing down and moving over in work zones. Know before you go and check what work zones you might encounter at traveler.modot.org.

(KMZA)--A Kansas Department of Transportation bridge replacement project is underway on K-9 in Nemaha County. The Spring Creek drainage structure is about 2 miles west of Wetmore, at the intersection of V Road.

During construction, KDOT says K-9 will be closed in the project area. Motorists can follow the signed detour on K-62, K-16, and U.S. 75, or use alternate routes that are not marked. KDOT utilizes state highways for official detour routes for safety, weight and maintenance reasons.

Work will take place Monday through Friday during daylight hours and is expected to be complete by mid-August, conditions permitting.

Ebert Construction Company, of Wamego, is the contractor on the $1.2 million project.

(KMZA)-It was standing room only for a public hearing Friday by the Kansas Department of Education on USD 115 Nemaha Central's petition to transfer land in the former Bern school area from Prairie Hills USD 113 to USD 115.

Scott Gordon, KSDE General Counsel, presided over the around 4 hour hearing at the Bern Community Center.

The USD 115 Board of Education approved a resolution last month authorizing the petition after failed mediation efforts between the two sides. The petition asks to transfer about 81 square miles of USD 113 territory.

According to information presented at the hearing, 68 students in the petitioned area are enrolled this school year in USD 115, while 21 students in the area are attending USD 113.

Following presentations by representatives of both districts, those attending were given 3-minutes each to provide their own comments.

A large number of patrons spoke both in support and in opposition to the petition.

Those in support of the petition said those who chose to send their children to Nemaha Central following the closing of the Bern school in 2012 deserve to have their land follow, run for the school board and have a vote on issues in the school district that their kids attend. Those in opposition to the petition voiced concern about the precedent it would set and questioned the timing of the petition.

Gordon said he will be taking written testimony from district patrons until April 15. It can be emailed to 113landtranfer@ksde.org. It can also be mailed to the Kansas State Department of Education, office of General Counsel, 900 West Jackson Street, Topeka, Kansas, 66612.

Gordon is to issue a written report with his recommendation to the State Board within 90 days. The board will then vote on the petition at a regular meeting.

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

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse said a Sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Toyota Camry near 142nd Road and U.S. 75 Highway in southern Jackson County shortly before 11:00 Friday morning.

During the traffic stop, the deputy seized items believed to be drug contraband.

The driver, 56-year-old Lora Longstaff was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while suspended.

Morse said additional substances were seized and are awaiting testing; therefore, additional charges may occur.

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

(KAIR)--An early Saturday morning, Atchison residential fire saw fire crews battling that blaze, while trying to protect two nearby houses, after the fire was discovered, around 5:00, by Atchison Police, who had responded to the area for a dog barking complaint.

That's according to a release from Atchison Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar, who says firefighters, upon arrival at the 914 Kansas Avenue address, found "the entire second-story and the backside of the two story residence engulfed in fire."
Weishaar notes that "crews eventually were able to bring the fire under control while protecting the exposure of 2 houses, one to the east, and one to the west, both in close proximity to the involved house fire."

No one was at home at the time of the fire, with Weishaar explaining that "ownership and occupancy remain under investigation as early reports indicate the home was recently sold," with Weishaar noting that "there were no electrical or gas services to the residence."

The Atchison Salvation Army was among agencies who provided assistance at the scene as the fire was battled.

According to Weishaar, "the structure eventually collapsed as a result of the fire, but no injuries were reported," with the investigation into the possible cause of the fire continuing through the weekend.

(KAIR)--A 32-year-old Atchison man is facing local charges for fleeing from police, but is also jailed on out-of-state felony warrants for robbery and burglary.

Aaron Bentley III was arrested Thursday, in Atchison, for fleeing and attempting to elude, driving while suspended, no insurance, and expired tag.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, it's alleged that Bentley failed to stop for an officer, around 8:45 Thursday morning, in the 1000 block of South 5th Street. Instead, it's alleged that Bentley fled behind the wheel of his car, driving north on 5th Street, until "the car proceeded to an apartment complex in the 200 block North 3rd where...Bentley was taken into custody."

Wilson says that after Bentley's arrest, it was determined that he "was wanted on outstanding warrants in Clayton County and Henry County, Georgia charging him with robbery and burglary."

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

(KAIR)--The City of Lancaster has a new Mayor.

That's the key outcome of a special meeting held Monday by the Lancaster City Council.

Held mostly in executive session, the meeting resulted in the appointment of Ryan Hermreck as the City's new Mayor.

Council member Hermreck now fills the position left vacant, first by the resignation of Matthew Wilburn at the Council's March 12 meeting, and then that of appointed Mayor, Council Member Jake Wilburn, who resigned during Monday's special meeting, prior to Hermreck's appointment.

Following the selection of the Mayor, the Council then needed to decide replacements for the two, open seats on the board.

Selected to serve in the vacant City Council seats are Christian Pease, appointed to fill Hermreck's unexpired term as a Council Member, and Karl Callahan, appointed to fill the unexpired term of Jake Wilburn.

The special session lasted around 15-minutes, with the Council's next, regular meeting set for the evening of Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30.

(KAIR)--A shipment of counterfeit, championship sports rings, including the Kansas City Royals, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Kansas Jayhawks, were seized by authorities as they were on track from Hong Kong to a residence in Atchison.

A release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection says agency "officers in Cincinnati recently seized a shipment containing 90 fake Kansas championship rings bearing the registered trademarks of the National Football League, National Collegiate Athletic Association and Major League Baseball," explaining that inside the March 21 intercepted parcel were "40 2019 Kansas City Chief Super Bowl rings, 20 1969 Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Rings, 15 1985 Kansas City Royals rings, and 15 2022 Kansas Jayhawks championship rings."

According to the release, the seized rings were sent to an Import Specialist who "noticed the rings were poor quality, had inferior packaging, a low declared value, were inaccurately declared, and lacked security features." Had the merchandise been deemed authentic, the genuine rings would carry a value of $2.71 million.

Originating in Hong Kong, the shipment was being sent to an Atchison residence in what the release says "appeared to be a person-to-person transaction, which is a common tactic used by counterfeiters" which "involves sending a shipment to one person" who "will then mail smaller addressed and prepackaged parcels concealed inside this larger shipment" with the person then paying "for shipping to the U.S. address, thus bypassing further scrutiny."

The customs agency reminds consumers to stay safe when making such purchases online, and offers ways to keep from getting ripped off, including purchasing goods directly from the trademark holder or from authorized retailers; review Custom's E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers; and to remember that if a price seems to good to be true, it probably is.

(KMZA)--A second candidate has filed for the position of 22nd Judicial District magistrate judge in Marshall County.

According to the Kansas Secretary of State's Office, Mike Vermetten, a Waterville Republican, filed Monday for the position.

The position is currently held by Marysville Republican Angela Hecke, who has filed for re-election.

Candidates have noon, June 3rd to file.

A primary election will be held August 6th and the general election will take place November 5.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth County jury, this week, found a 53-year-old Leavenworth man guilty of his crimes, including a sexual attack on a child.

According to a release from Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, the jury found Robert Earl Hagar III guilty Tuesday of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, aggravated burglary, and possession of marijuana.

Sentencing for Hagar is set for May 5.

The release explains that Hagar's arrest happened June 24 of last year, "when Leavenworth police officers were dispatched to an apartment complex near downtown Leavenworth in reference to a man with a knife who touched a child inappropriately," with officers establishing a perimeter prior to arresting Hagar.

According to court documents cited in the release, the victim, a child under the age of 14 who was spending the night at a family friend's apartment, answered a knock at the door. When the door was opened, a man, later identified as Hagar, entered the apartment with a knife, kissed the victim on her lips, and touched her inappropriately. The victim escaped Hagar and ran to another apartment for help, with an adult inside the apartment then finding Hagar and telling him to leave.

Hagar was arrested inside his apartment, which was located inside the same apartment complex.

(MSC News)--Kansas Senator Dennis Pyle, on Tuesday, provided insight into the Senate's workings as the Legislative Session continues in Topeka,

According to Pyle, "the Kansas Senate has continued to stay busy as session has progressed," adding that "now that the session is past turn around, the time when each body of the legislature begins to consider the other chamber's legislation, it seems as though things have really begun to speed up as many legislators are hopeful of a shorter session."

Pyle, in a release, says the Kansas Senate, on Wednesday, March 13, "worked six long hours of debate on [the Senate's] budget bill for 2025," with Senators giving initial approval to the legislation, sending it to the House. According to Pyle, the House may work the Senate bill or their own bill and then conference begins on the different pieces of legislation.

Pyle says the budget bill included many items, including $15.7 million to send the Kansas National Guard to Texas, which Pyle calls "just one of the many pieces in this 25-billion-dollar spending bill."

The budget, according to Pyle, also contained $174 million to raise state employee salaries by 5%, but did not include funding to expand Medicaid. However, funding did include $78 million to increase outpatient hospital reimbursement. Also, included was $23 million to be used for long waiting lists for disability services.

Pyle, in the release, notes that the Senate adopted his amendment to require a vote on the legislative pay increase, set to be implemented next year, before it can take effect.

According to Pyle, the Legislature, last year, voted to create a “compensation commission” of unelected officials to make pay recommendations for legislators. The legislation passed last year also required that the proposal by the commission must be “rejected” by the legislature in the first 30 days of session or it becomes law, with Pyle's amendment trumping that legislation.

Pyle, Senator for the 1st District, is a resident of rural Hiawatha.

To hear the full story, including comments from Pyle, go here.

(KAIR)--Although the week began with a wintery feel, the calendar shows that Atchison's tradition of summer-The Amelia Earhart Festival-is only 4 months away.

Plans continue to be put in place for the wide variety of activities that accompany the annual, July celebration of famed aviator, and one time Atchison resident, Amelia Earhart.

Made public this past weekend was the schedule for the annual Afternoon Tea with the Authors, set for the afternoon of Saturday, July 20. According to organizers, tea and treats will be served as part of the event, set to start at 3:00 at the Atchison Arts and Cultural Center, located at 111 North 8th Street, in Atchison.

The tea will highlight the work of three authors who have written about Earhart, Beatrice Gormley, Stacia Deutsch, and Heather Stemp. They will share their books, visit with guests, and sign purchased copies of their books.

The Afternoon Tea with the Authors is free, and only one part of the Saturday, July 20 activities, which wrap up that night with the annual Concert in the Sky Fireworks Spectacular over the Missouri River.

The previous day, Friday, July 19, will serve as the kickoff for the weekend festival with the annual country music concert at the city's river front.

Named as the headliner is legendary country music group Diamond Rio. Prior to their performance, singer Meghan Patrick will hit the Riverfront stage after the evening's opener, Phil Vandel.

Advance tickets are $20 (tax included) and will be $25 (tax included) on July 19 at the gate.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved the purchase of an outdoor warning siren from Federal Signal Safety & Security System in an amount of $34,898 when they met Wednesday.

Arrangements will be made with the City of Falls City to ensure the entire area of the corporate limits of Falls CIty are covered by the outdoor warning siren signal.

Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Kirkendall presented a request to the Board to increase the wages for the radiological response team and storm spotters. Commissioners approved a wage increase for Emergency Management Specialist position 1, storm spotters at $12 per hour and Emergency Management Specialist position 2, radiological team and storm spotters at $14 per hour effective as of March 20, 2024.

The Board also approved a salary increase for the clerical staff position in the Cooperative Extension Service Office to $17.60 per hour, effective as of March 18, 2024. Extension Educator Kaytlyn Kennedy had requested the office clerical staff wages be set at the same as other clerical positions within the County ranging from $17.60 per hour to $20 per hour.

Commissioners awarded a bid for some concrete repair work around the Courthouse square to Schawang Masonry in an amount of $15,843. The Schawang bid was the only one submitted.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Library & Arts Center has been awarded the Nebraska Library Commission- Youth Grant for Excellence for 2024.

The funds received will go toward a new program entitled Traveling Tales, that will allow the children- librarian to visit Falls City day cares and preschools to provide a story-time program similar to what is provided at the library.

Many of the children in the community do not have the opportunity to participate in these programs due to their parents’ work schedules or the library- operating hours.

Thanks to this grant, and required matching funds generously provided by The Friends of the Library, material have been purchased to create 25 tote bags of various themes that will include an activity/game/puzzle, and either a craft or coloring page.

These bags will also be available for checkout to library patrons.

An open-house is scheduled for Thursday, April 11 from 5pm-6:15pm at the library to give the community a first-hand look at these new materials and answer any questions about the new Traveling Tales program.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission is considering a proposed resolution that would limit open burning within the unincorporated portions of the county.

Discussion continued at this week's meeting with Emergency Management Coordinator Julie Meng, Sheriff Chad Clary and County Attorney Charles Baskins regarding the proposed resolution.

The resolution would give authorities the option to file a civil complaint against anyone who conducts open burning during a burn ban.

No action was taken. According to the unofficial minutes from Monday's meeting,

Commissioner Bobby Hall recommended tabling action until the county's rural fire districts have a chance to review the proposed resolution and provide any input they might have.

(KMZA)--A Seneca man is facing charges of rape and aggravated sexual battery.

55-year-old John Hulsing was arrested Monday by the Seneca Police Department, and was formally charged Tuesday in Nemaha County District Court with the felony offenses.

According to court documents, the alleged offenses, involving a person 16 or more years of age, occurred on or about March 17.

Hulsing remains in the Nemaha County Jail, held on a $250,000 bond.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board approved several resignations and new hires when they meet Monday evening.

Following an executive session, the board accepted the resignations of Joanie Abel as elementary school kindergarten teacher, Brent Krauter as high school social studies teacher, Alan Simpson as elementary school kindergarten teacher, Kyley Reschke as high school English-language arts teacher and Michael Downard as high school physical education teacher. The resignations are effective at the end of the current school year.

The board approved the hiring of Alyssa Nigh as kindergarten teacher, Cody Jiru as high school social studies teacher and Lori Fordyce as curriculum instructor and assessment coordinator for the 2024-25 school year.

Several coaching positions were filled. For this spring, Brady Jasper was approved as assistant golf coach, Matt Morton as high school assistant track coach and Theresa Williams as middle school assistant track coach. In addition, the board approved the hiring of Kristin Lock as middle school assistant volleyball coach for the 2024-25 school year

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central Board of Education Monday evening failed to fill a vacancy on the board following three votes.

The three candidates vying to fill position 3 on the board--Alex Bergstrom, Alan Lierz and Owen Zinke--appeared at the meeting.

The position had been held by Amy Huerter, who resigned effective December 31, 2023 after moving out of the position boundaries.

Each candidate was asked seven questions by the board.

After discussion, board member Amy Sudbeck made a motion, which was seconded by Cara Baker, to nominate Bergstrom to fill the vacant position. However, the motion failed on a 3-3 tie vote. Jason Kramer joined Baker and Sudbeck in voting in favor of the motion, while board members John Deters, Kris Anderson and Tori Jost voted no.

Jost then made a motion, which was seconded by Deters, to nominate Lierz to fill the position. However, it also failed on a 3-3 vote.

Following further discussion, Sudbeck made a motion to nominate Bergstrom again to fill the position, which was seconded by Baker. However, it failed on a 3-3 vote.

The item was tabled until the April board meeting due to a lack of majority vote for either candidate.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man, who escaped police custody after being arrested Sunday night following the report of a burglary in progress, is back in custody and facing new charges.

Hiawatha Police Chief Mickey Gruber said an officer was dispatched to the Country View Apartments at 206 East Miami Street in Hiawatha around 10:30 Sunday night, and after they arrived and secured the scene, 33-year-old Troy Enke was taken into custody.

Gruber said although the officer secured Enke in his patrol vehicle, the suspect was able to free himself, fleeing the scene while the officer was gathering physical evidence and information from victims and witnesses.

Several other law enforcement agencies assisted in the search for Enke, but he was not located.

However, according to Gruber, Enke was taken into custody without incident Wednesday by Hiawatha Police after he appeared for a scheduled hearing in Brown County District Court in a previous case against him.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill filed a 10-count criminal complaint against Enke Wednesday in connection with Sunday's incident. He was charged with attempted aggravated burglary, four counts of criminal threat, interference with law enforcement, two counts of criminal damage to property, misdemeanor theft and disorderly conduct.

Enke remains held in the Brown County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

(KAIR)--A Lansing man has been arrested in connection with the 2023 fentanyl overdose death of a 15-year-old Lansing boy.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says 19-year-old Torin Baughman was arrested Wednesday on a warrant for first-degree murder and aggravated endangering a child.

The KBI says the boy was found dead in his home on January 18, 2023.

The Lansing Police Department requested KBI assistance with the case in June of last year.

After his arrest, Baughman was booked into the Leavenworth County Jail where he remains held on a $500,000 bond.

The investigation is ongoing.

The Leavenworth County Attorney's Office is expected to prosecute the case.

(KLZA)-- Julie Bauman, CPA presented her review for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Falls City Audit during Monday nights City Council meeting.

Bauman noted her firm found no material weaknesses and no major deficiencies in their review.

The Council voted to accept the audit.

In other business, the Council gave favorable comment to the 2024 retail liquor license renewals and approved use of Stanton Lake Park and city streets for the annual Community Medical Center Earth Day Walk & Run on April 21.

(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is warning residents of several scams circulating locally.

Merchant says residents have reported receiving phone calls from someone representing themselves as an agent from the IRS. Caller ID shows IRS with a phone number.

Residents are being informed that there has been an issue with their income tax paperwork and they need verification before they can continue to process the return. The caller has been asking residents for their social security number so they can verify the amount of refund. Another person was asked to provide their checking account routing number so the money would be automatically deposited in their account.

In some instances, the residents had not filed yet and another person did not have a refund due.

Merchant said an agent from the IRS informed him they will NEVER contact you by phone and ask for any personal information.

If you feel you have become a victim of this type of scam, you should notify the IRS at 800-366-4484 or your local law enforcement.

Merchant said another familiar scam has cropped up where residents are being contacted by phone and the caller is telling them that their Social Security number has been compromised, suspended or rendered invalid.

Residents are being told to press 1 to continue with the call. Merchant said this is a scam and is advising anyone who receives such a call to hang up immediately.

In addition, Merchant says several residents have reported receiving calls from someone representing themselves as being from Medicare. The caller says they need to update their information. The caller is asking the resident to provide their social security number, Medicare/Medicaid number and other personal information.

Merchant says this is a scam, as Medicare officials will never call you to obtain this information.

He reminds everyone to never give out your personal information over the phone for any reason and to never rely on your caller ID to identify a caller.

(MSC News)--Sunflower State voters further solidified what- already been established nationally: the 2024 presidential election is a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

In Tuesday- presidential preference primary in Kansas, unofficial results show Trump earning the state- Republican nomination with 75 percent of the vote.

Despite bowing out from the race nationally, Nikki Hailey, the last challenger to Trump, received about 16 percent of the vote.

As the winner, Trump will claim all of the state's 39 delegates up for grabs in the winner-take-all primary.

On the Democratic side of Kansas- presidential primary, President Joe Biden secured the win with about 84 percent of the vote. As the winner, he receive all of the state's 33 delegates.

A low voter turnout was reported statewide in the first Kansas Presidential Primary since 1992.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man was arrested on drug charges following a Jackson County traffic stop.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse said a Sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Durango around 6:00 Monday evening on U.S. 75 Highway, just south of 330th Road, for a traffic infraction.

During the stop, Morse said probable cause was obtained to search the vehicle where round blue pills, known as “Dirty 30-” and drug paraphernalia was discovered.

The driver, 34-year-old Steven Perry, was arrested for distribution of fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended and no insurance.

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

KLZA--The Nemaha Natural Resources District reminds those planning to use Iron Horse Trail Lake, Kirkman's Cove Recreation Area, Wirth Brothers Recteation Area, Duck Creek Recreation Area or Prairie Owel Recreation Area, you must have a valid annual park permit on your vehicle to enter these areas.

2024 Park Permits are available by going online, stopping in the office, or at the park entry.

If you are ordering your permit online, be sure to watch for two of the “Captcha”/I am not a robot boxes.

The first one is on the bottom of the first page. The second one is on the top left of the next page. The second one is not as obvious as the first.

If you are not sure if you want a permit, you can try the parks parks for free the weekend of May 18-19, 2024!

(KNZA)--A fatal accident is being investigated in Fairview.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, in a release, said the sheriff's dispatch received a 911 call around 10:30 Monday morning reporting that an individual at TA Travel Plaza in Fairvew had fallen an estimated 60 feet while working on a sign in front of the
business.

Merchant said the male victim was unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene.

The Brown County Sheriff's Office is in charge of the investigation.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of family.

(KMZA)--A Lecompton man convicted on charges in a 2022 Pottawatomie County wreck that claimed the life of a Wamego man and his 7-year-old son has been sentenced to 24 months in jail, the maximum allowed under a plea agreement.

According to court documents, 44-year-old Mark Stanwix was handed the sentence last Friday in Pottawatomie County District Court.

After his jail sentence, Stanwix will have to serve 18-months probation.

He pleaded guilty in February to two counts of vehicular homicide, three counts of aggravated battery, reckless driving and texting while driving.

In exchange for the plea, a charge of interference with law enforcement was dismissed.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says Stanwix was driving a semi truck on U.S 24 Highway, just east of Wamego, on August 10th, 2022 when he rear-ended two vehicles.

Killed in the wreck was 37-year-old Randy Tinkel. His 7-year-old son, Korbin Tinkel, died from injuries three days later. Three others, including Tinkel's wife and two-year-old son, were injured in the wreck.

After sentencing, the judge immediately remanded Stanwix to the Pottawatomie County Jail.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff's Office arrested a Fairview man over the weekend on three felony warrants.

According to a report from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, 48-year-old Robert Hobbs was arrested without incident Saturday evening on a Jackson County felony probation violation warrant, a Kansas Department of Corrections felony parole violation warrant and a felony Brown County $1000 cash failure to appear warrant.

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

(KNZA)--Hiawatha School Board member Jim Robidoux announced his resignation as board vice-president at Monday evening's meeting.

Robidoux said he is resigning because he will be moving to Indianola, Iowa this summer.

The board voted to accept his resignation, with regrets, which was effective at the end of Monday's meeting.

The board approved board member Roni Tietjens to fill the position of vice-president.

New board officers will be elected in June for the 2024-25 school year.

Robidoux said he will also be resigning from the board, effective June 30th.

The board will have to appoint someone to fill Robidiox's unexpired term, with that expected to happen at their May meeting.

He has served on the board since January 2022.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission received the 2023 annual report from Northeast Kansas Environmental Services when they meet Monday.

Presenting the report was Martha Smith, the new environmental health specialist with the coalition that serves five northeast Kansas counties--including Brown.

Smith said they issued three new wastewater permit applications last year in Brown County, which is down from 7 issued in 2022.

She said they completed final use permits for six wastewater systems in the county.

In addition, Smith said they conducted two property resale system evaluations and checked three wells.

Smith said there no nuisance complaints last year, but they've already had two this year.

She said they are going to be revamping their website to make it more user friendly.

In other business, the commission approved the repair of the track loader at the county landfill. Foley Equipment, of St. Joseph, Missouri, will complete the repair work for a cost of nearly $30,000.

(KNZA)--Three Horton residents are facing drug charges following the execution of a search warrant Sunday night at a Horton residence.

That's according to a release from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, who says his office's Drug Task Force was joined by the Horton Police Department in the search, which happened around 10:10 Sunday night, at the 137 W. 11th Street residence.

Arrested following the search were 42-year-old Jamie Long and 32-year-old Skyler Pahmahmie, who both face charges for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The third person, 53-year-old Tisha Thomas, faces charges for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Once in custody, the three were booked into the Brown County Jail.

(KAIR)--This past weekend was one of celebration, as Saint Patrick's day was commemorated Sunday.

The City of Atchison celebrated one day earlier, on Saturday, as the City celebrated under the mantra of Irish Cheers for 40 Years.

Beginning Saturday morning with ceremonies at the Atchison Elks Lodge, the annual Saint Patrick's Day parade followed at 2:00 that afternoon.

Parade participants were awarded in three categories, with the Top Dog Drill Team earning first place in the Youth/Organization division, followed by Highland Auto Tech, and Girl Scout Troop 2992.

In the Business category, the top spot was awarded to Exchange Bank, followed by Atchison Animal Clinic, while Union State Bank of Atchison took third place.

It's been a long running tradition of lighthearted competition between families vying to win the Family division.
Taking first place in that category for 2024 was the Pickman family, while the Dooley Durkin family took second place. The Hegarty family earned third place honors.

Longtime Parade planning Committee Chair Janie Pickman, in an email to MSC News, said she wished to give a special thank you "to all the people who helped with the parade and ceremony."

(KLZA)-- Distinction in their chosen careers has earned four Peru State College graduates the designation as 2024 Alumni Excellence Award recipients, according to President Michael Evans.

The four - each representing one of Peru State- academic divisions - include Dr. Jeff Dahms from the Graduate Studies program, The Honorable Randy Reeves from the School of Professional Studies, Christopher Stangl from the School of Arts and Sciences, and Kim Vrtiska from the School of Education.

They will be recognized during a ceremony Tuesday, April 9 on the campus of Nebraska- first college. All will be given opportunities to speak with students during their time at the college. The awards ceremony begins at 2 pm in the College Theater and is open to the public.

Established in 2018, the Thousand Oaks Alumni Excellence program is sponsored by the Peru State College Foundation. Candidates must have demonstrated exceptional service to the College and/or community and have noteworthy achievements in their careers.

A career dedicated to educating youth and to community service are the hallmarks of Kim Vrtiska, who has both his bachelor- degree (1990) and a Master of Science in Education degree (2000).

The Table Rock native and current resident of Plattsmouth, Vrtiska completed a 30-year teaching career with the Falls City Public Schools in 2021. He had served Falls City as a middle school science teacher since 2002, along with coaching basketball and football there.

From 1991 until 2002, Vrtiska served the Tecumseh Public Schools as both an elementary school teacher and athletic coach.

Vrtiska, current President of the Peru State College National Alumni Association, also has a Master of Education Degree from Doane University.

Dr. Jeff Dahms is Director of Customer Experience Research and Insights with Physicians Mutual of Omaha, where he has worked since October. He received his master- degree in curriculum and instruction from Peru State College in 2007.

A retired Veteran of the Navy and Air Force, The Honorable Randy Reeves continues to advise National Leaders on issues affecting America- Veterans. He served as the Sixth U.S. Under Secretary of Veteran Affairs for Memorial Affairs from 2017 to 2021. A Certified Public Manager, he has a bachelor- degree from Peru State and an associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force and is a graduate of the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive program. Reeves has a Master of Science degree from Touro University.

Chris Stangl is Managing Director of the Washington D.C.-based Berkeley Research Group- Cybersecurity and Investigations practice. Previously he served the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2003-2023 investigating cybercrime.

A 1994 graduate of Peru State, he is a native of Pikesville, Md.

(KLZA)-- Tax season is in full swing, along with tax scams. According to the IRS, thousands of people have lost millions of dollars and their personal information to tax scams, often through a surge in email, phishing, and malware schemes.

Scammers have become sophisticated at sending messages that look like official documents from the IRS, state agencies, state officials, tax software companies, or your own tax professional. They may copy language, logos, or fonts from the IRS to make it look as legitimate as possible. These scammers are seeking to steal personally identifiable information from your official tax documents.

Popular tax scams may include messages about tax refunds or statements. They may contain a copy of the official IRS seal, leading you to click on links to check your “tax refund statement” or “fill out a form to get your refund.” These links may lead to identity theft or malware on your devices that could give scammers further access to your personal data.

It is important to note that the IRS will not contact you by email, text message, or social media to get your personal information. Take extreme caution if you get an unsolicited contact about your tax information.

If someone does reach out:

• Never click on any links. Doing so can put malware on your computer or phone, letting scammers steal from you.

• Check the status of any pending refund directly with the IRS on their official website. Visit Where- My Refund to see if you’re really getting a refund.

Another frequently reported tax scam involves imposters pretending they’re calling from the IRS. They claim that you owe taxes and demand you pay right now, usually through payment methods that are hard to reverse, like a gift card, prepaid debit card, wire transfer, or cashier- check.

Even if your caller ID shows it is the IRS calling, it could be a scammer. The IRS will always contact you by mail first. The IRS will also not require a specific type of payment.

If someone does call:

• Don’t give the caller information such as your financial or other personal information.

• Hang up.

• Contact the IRS directly. If you think you may owe back taxes, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or visit irs.gov/balancedue.

For more information on this and other forms of consumer fraud and scams, visit ProtectTheGoodLife.Nebraska.gov or call the Consumer Affairs Response Team at 402-471-2682.

Happy National Agriculture Week

This week (March 17 through March 23) is National Ag Week, and as a rural, farming community, this is an important week for District 1. However, Nebraska agriculture entails much more than our corn, though we are the #2 ethanol producer in the nation. According to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Nebraska is the #2 producer of popcorn in the nation. We are also ranked 6th for soybean, sunflower, and sugarbeet production. Nebraska is home to the 4th highest amount of farm and ranchland, with 44,400 farms and ranches using up 89.4% of our state- land. Of course, agriculture is not just about farming. Nebraska is home to many ranches. In fact, Nebraska is home to 22 million acres of rangeland. We are the #1 beef and veal exporter in the nation, ranked 8th for pork exports and 6th for the number of pigs and hogs. Nebraska is home to many young ag producers. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture reported that 11% of our ag producers are under the age of 34. As a rural Nebraskan myself, I understand just how important our rural, ag communities and culture are not only to our state but also to our nation. I am proud to serve the Nebraska farmers and ranchers of District 1. One out of every four jobs in our state is related to agriculture. Farmers are some of the hardest-working people in our state, and our policymakers should recognize them as such. Thank you to our farmers and ranchers and their families who keep our state, and our nation, fed and running smoothly. As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604; telephone 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov

(KMZA)--The Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office is investigating a business burlgary that occurred last week.

According to a release from the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to Brooks Yamaha located at 8070 east U.S. 24 Highway, in Manhattan, shortly before 6 am on March 12 for a past burglary that had occurred earlier that morning.

The Sheriff's Office says the investigation revealed that individuals arrived in a 15-ft U-haul truck and broke out the glass door on the front of the business.

Once inside, the individuals removed several dirt motorcycles from within the business and loaded them in the U-haul truck.

The total loss of the bikes and damage to the business was estimated at over $32,000.

Anyone with any information on the burglary is asked to contact Captain Tyler Garver at 785-457-3353. You can also leave a tip via the link on the sheriff's office website at ptsheriff.com.

(MSC News)--Kansas will hold its first presidential preference primary since 1992 on Tuesday, March 19th.

The presidential preference primary transfers responsibility for candidate selection from political parties to the state. Vote totals will be given to each party, which will then allocate delegates to go to the national convention in the summer.

Eight candidates—four Democrats and four Republicans, will appear on the ballot.

The Democratic candidates include Dean Phillips, Jason Palmer, Current President Joe Biden and Marianne Williamson.

The Republican candidates include former President Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis and Ryan Binkley.

Several of the candidates have suspended their campaigns since filing for the ballot, but their names will still appear.

Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 in the morning until 7 in the evening. Registered voters can vote at their regular polling place.

(KMZA)--The Kansas State Board of Education will conduct a public hearing Friday, March 22, on a pending petition to transfer school district territory from Prairie Hills USD 113 to Nemaha Central USD 115.

The hearing will take place at 3:00 Friday afternoon at the Bern Community Building located at 416 Main Street in Bern.

According to a public notice of the hearing, members of the public are invited to hear comments from representatives of each school district and will be given a limited time to provide their own comments to the appointed hearing officer.

Residents of either school district may also submit written testimony to the Kansas State Department of Education, Office of General Counsel, by April 15th.

The Nemaha Central Board of Education approved a resolution last month authorizing the filing of the petition with the State Board seeking the transfer of land in the former Bern school area from Prairie Hills USD 113 to Nemaha Central USD 115. A map filed with the petition identifies three tracts totaling almost 81 square miles to be transferred.

State law authorizes the State Board to order such transfer of territory following a public hearing on any petition that is filed.

(KNZA)--The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance regarding a crash that sent two to the hospital.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse said the crash happened around 3:45 Saturday afternoon on southbound U.S. 75 Highway near 162nd Road at Mayetta.

Morse said the Sheriff's Office is investigating the wreck that is believed to have been caused by a white unknown pickup that failed to yield the right away, causing a gray pickup to roll over.

Both occupants of the gray pickup were transported to an area hospital.

Anyone who witnessed the wreck or with information about the white pickup is asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff's Office at 785-364-2251.

(KLZA)-- The State Aid to Schools 2024-25 certification was made available at the end of February.

Superintendent Tim Heckenlively reported to the Falls City School Board Monday night that District 56 will receive $1,456,096 next year. The Revenue Cap with the included 3% growth is set at $12,830,229 with the 2024-25 Property Tax Authority set at $8,492,868.

The Property Tax Authority is $351,559 less than in the 2023-24 certification.

Heckenlively said it is important to understand the budget certification could potentially change based on legislation in the 2024 Nebraska Legislative session that is underway currently.

Board members also heard an update on the new career academy partnership being forged between Richardson County Schools and Southeast Community College.

The Southeast Nebraska Career Academy Partnership now serves 64 schools and more than 1,900 students and has 16 certificate options, 18 transfer pathways and offers 95 dual-credit college courses.

The program allows high school students in participating schools to begin taking college courses early saving both time and money.

Preparations are underway now for the Falls City Career Academy to begin in the Fall of 2024 at the SCC Falls City Learning Center.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners met with Andy Thies Wednesday. Thies talked about plans to construct a chicken production facility south of Humboldt.

Thies said that the transportation company that would service the facility would not be able to travel the road at the intersection of 634 Avenue and 707 Trail due to the grade of the hill, which is approximately a 6% grade. Thies said the road grade would need to be 4% or lower for the company to use the road.

Thies also requested that a STOP sign at the intersection be replaced with YIELD sign and maybe caution signs on each side of the road approaching the intersection.

Commissioners requested that Thies come back next week to review the matters further.

Richardson County had received an insurance check in an amount of $34,177 for damages to a motor grader on January 9.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty reported on training courses for dispatchers to be held over six different 8-hour sessions schedule to begin in May.

The Sheriff also noted that he and Commissioners Rick Karas had attended the HTRS School Board meeting on March 11 to discuss reinstating a school resource officer for the 2024-25 school year.

(KLZA)-- The Auburn Board of Education has approved contracts for the 2024-25 school year with administrators when they met Monday night.

Contracts to continue in their positions were approved for Superintendent David Patton; Secondary Principal Scott Siegel; Assistant Principal / Athletic Director Jason Palmer; Calvert Elementary School Principal Bristol Wenzl and Director of School Improvement /Curriculum Samantha Wehenkel.

The Board also approved a contract with Meraki MR Enterprise in an amount of $18,975 for E-rate funding.

(KMZA)--The Marysville City Council has selected a new city administrator.

Following an executive session during a March 6th special meeting, the Council voted to offer the position to Joshua Haverkamp and to begin contract negotiations.

Haverkamp was among three candidates interviewed for the position.

Haverkamp, originally from Bern, currently works in the city's manager's office in Kansas City, Missouri as a Cookingham-Noll Fellow.

He is a graduate of Kansas State University, with a major in political science and a master- in public administration.

The city of Marysville has been without a full-time administrator since former administrator, Austin St. John, took a similar position in Mulvane.

(KAIR)--Additional charges are filed against the Montana man arrested this week in Atchison in connection with a runaway teenage girl, with both located at a city hotel Tuesday.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 20-year-old Osias Everson, on Thursday morning, was arrested by Atchison Police on a State of Missouri warrant charging him with child kidnapping.

The arrest was made as Everson was already in custody in the Atchison County Jail, held on a charge of rape, in connection with the Atchison Police investigation that led to Everson's initial arrest Wednesday.

That followed police, according to Wilson, discovering Everson and the 13-year-old at an Atchison hotel Tuesday night.

The search for the pair began after the Atchison Police Department, Tuesday night around 10:00, was "notified that the Phelps County, Missouri Sheriff- Department was looking for a 13 year old female who had been missing since Monday night."

The release from Wilson says the child kidnapping charge was filed Wednesday by the 25th Circuit Court in Phelps Count, Missouri. The bond on the warrant is set at $500,000.

The joint investigation between Atchison Police and Phelps County, Missouri authorities is continuing.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission this week selected a new employee health insurance provider.

The Commission voted to go with a plan from Aetna, which contains a $3,000 deductible. It calls for a total annual premium of $383,529.

It will save the city more than $100,000 over a renewal plan from the city's current health insurance provider, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which contains a $1,500 deductible.

The Commission approved contributing $1,500 to each employee's health savings account for the 1st year to make up the difference in the deductible amount.

The city currently pays for 100 percent of an employee's health insurance coverage and for a portion of the three other tiers.

(KNZA)--A March 27 preliminary hearing has been set for a rural Horton man accused of severely beating another man on the Kickapoo Reservation in January, resulting in the hospitalization of the victim.

34-year-old Ryan Shopteese has been charged in Brown County District Court with aggravated battery.

He was arrested January 20th by the Brown County Sheriff's Office in connection with the alleged offense.

Shopteese remains held in the Brown County Jail without bond after a judge on February 28th granted a motion filed by Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill to revoke his bond for violating a protective order.

(KAIR)--Leavenworth Police Officers involved in an August 10, 2023 shooting that left a rape suspect dead have been declared justified in their actions.

That word was delivered Wednesday in a release from Platte County, Missouri prosecutor Eric Zahnd following his review of the shooting that happened on Platte County's Highway 92 when 25-year old Johnathan Heath-Taylor, in Zahnd's words, "repeatedly refused officers' commands" before "he then quickly reached into a backpack and pulled out what officers believed was a gun" that he pointed at them.

The fatal shooting happened after Heath-Taylor, of Leavenworth, fled a Leavenworth rape scene and lead officers on a chase that traveled from Kansas into Missouri before Heath-Taylor pulled over on Highway 92 where officers gave him multiple commands which he refused.

Officers shot two bean bag rounds at Heath-Taylor who then pulled his hand from his backpack with a black object pointed at the officers which they believed to be a gun. It is now thought that the object might have been a cell phone because no gun was found near Heath-Taylor.

Multiple officers opened fire and Heath-Taylor later died at North Kansas City Hospital.

(KAIR)--Irish Cheers for 40 Years is the theme this year, as Atchison, on Saturday, will figuratively turn green as Saint Patrick's Day festivities are held through the city.

The highlight of the day will be the annual St. Patrick's Day parade, through downtown Atchison, at 2:00.

Atchison's Janie Pickman has served as Parade Chair for nearly 20-years, and tells MSC News Saturday's activities, as tradition holds, will begin Saturday morning, prior to parade time.

The role of Grand Marshal, for 2024, is bestowed posthumously on longtime parade announcer, and all around volunteer, Paul Komarek.

Once Saturday's parade is completed, awards, in three categories, will be presented to the winners.

To hear the full story, and full details, go here.

(KLZA) The Falls City Board of Education approved a number or resignations, new hires and reassignments when they met Monday evening.

The Board approved hiring Paul Wertenberger as the High School Industrial Technology instructor. Krista Noll as Speech-Language Pathologist and Clarissa Ross as School Psychologist.

Board members approved the reassignments of Haylee Erickson to the position of Elementary Counselor and Dr. Amanda Powell as a 6th Grade Teacher.

Resignations were accepted from Elementary School Counselor and wrestling coach Troy Nelson after 21 years of service to District 56. Laurel Harling, High School Mathematics Teacher after 35 years; Patrick Miller as High School Science Teacher and Head Boys Basketball Coach after 2 years; Alexis Bippes as Speech-Language Pathologist for two years; Donald Coolidge as High School and Middle School Industrial Tech Teacher and Track Coach following 16 years; and Elementary Teacher Emily Gist after 10 years with District 56.

The School Board approved an administrators contact for the 2024-25 school year with Brandon Gibson to serve as South School Principal; and administrator contacts for the 2024-25 school year were approved for High School Principal Gale Dunkhas; Middle School Principal Megan Robison; North Elementary School Principal Shelly Leyden and High School Assistant Principal Ethan Sullivan.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Emergency Management Agency will be conducting Siren Maintenance on Friday, March 15, on sirens within the city limits of Falls City.

You may hear the sirens sound periodically in the afternoon. Again this is just maintenance no action will be required.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man flees from police while riding a scooter, escaping on foot following a crash, then entered an occupied home, pushed residents, and attempted to hide outside another home, where he was found.

That's the allegation made in a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, who says 31-year-old Christopher Edwards was arrested Tuesday for fleeing and attempting to elude and other traffic charges, interference with law enforcement, battery, criminal trespass, and criminal possession of a firearm.

According to Wilson, the case began shortly after 11:00 Tuesday morning when "an officer attempted to stop a Suzuki motor scooter in the area of 17th and Kansas Avenue, with the scooter instead fleeing for several blocks where the scooter crashed and the driver fled on foot."

Police, Wilson says, pursued Edwards on foot, with Edwards allegedly entering, through the front door, an occupied residence in the 1400 block of Atchison Street, where Wilson says Edwards "pushed several residents out of his way as he fled out the rear door."

Edwards was located hiding under a porch in the 1400 block of Santa Fe, where he was arrested.

According to Wilson, a handgun was found on the scooter, despite Edward's criminal history barring him from possessing one.

After Edwards was in custody, he was taken to Amberwell Atchison for examination of the minor injuries he incurred when the scooter crashed.

After he was treated and released from the hospital, Edwards was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission approved two repair projects when they meet this week.

Additional work was approved to help alleviate storm water runoff issues at the intersection of 3rd and Pottawatomie Streets.

Public Works Director Brad Scott said city staff evaluated the site and determined that adding a drainage tube on the east side of 3rd Street would be a good solution as well as fixing some problems with existing drainage tubes.

The commission approved the materials to complete the work from NEK Drainage, of Robinson, in the amount of $20,770.

All labor will be completed by city staff.

In addition, the commission approved the repair of the alley behind the library and police station building.

Scott said water flowing down the alley from the west during rain events is affecting the degradation of the gravel alley. He said city staff felt hard surfacing the alley with concrete would be the best option.

The commission approved a quote from J & B Contractors, of Hiawatha, in the amount of $28,190 to concrete the alley from 5th Street to the east edge of the back parking lot of the police station.

(KNZA)--This year's annual Brown County Fair Spotlight Auction was a big success, raising $17,652.

The Spotlight Auction was broadcast Monday and Tuesday evenings over KNZA 103.9 FM, with bids taken by phone.

More than 300 items, mostly donated by area businesses, were auctioned off during the two nights, bringing 87 percent of retail value.

Proceeds from the auction will be used for operations of the 2024 Brown County Fair to be held July 6-12 at the fairgrounds in Horton.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Board of Education approved Pawnee City Education Foundation expenses as presented which included scholarships totaling more than $100 thousand when they met Monday evening.

A special education speech services contract with Maria Hippen, Speech Language Pathologist was approved for the next school year.

A proposal from Bluum USA Incl for 160, Touchscreen Convertible 2-in-1 Chromebooks, with 4-Year Tier 2 warranty and protective cases and 100 Simply Portable SP25 15.6-inch laptops at a cost of $88,440 was approved.

Board members also approved the special education contract between Pawnee City Public Schools and Educational Service Unit #4 for the 2024-25 school year at a cost of $100,220.

The Board voted to set the last day of school as May 21, 2024 for students and May 22, 2024 for teachers. The 2024-25 school year calendar was approved with the first day of classes on August, 15, 2024 and the final day of the school year for students being May 22, 2025.

Board members voted to table developing a strategic plan for the district.

Superintendent Brian Rottinghaus reported that the Pawnee City School District state aid for the 2024-25 school year has been certified at $968,190. That is $158,636 less than the state aid for the current school year.

(KLZA)-- The Johnson-Brock School Board approved a contract for Special Education Services with Educational Service Unit #4 in Auburn for the 2024-25 school year when they met Monday evening in an amount of $138,069.

Board members also voted to regretfully accept the resignation of high school math teacher Ryan Zuhlke at the end of the current school year.

Superintendent Jeff Koehler reported to the Board that there are 20 Pre-School students currently signed up for each of the 3 and 4 year old classes for the next school year.

Koehler also reported that he will be submitting a grant to receive funds for safety and security to upgrade the bell and PA systems and also a kick lock door system.

(KAIR)--A special effort, being done in the name of future use, will be conducted Saturday at the Valley Falls City Lake.

According to a release from the City of Valley Falls, Saturday's Valley Falls Lake Revitalization Community Workday is being held as part of the ongoing plan to revitalize the City Lake for future recreational use and as a needed water source for the City.

Volunteers are being called to help with Saturday's effort, which is set to begin that morning at 9:00, north of Valley Falls, on K4, to Jackson Road, and then to the lake entrance.

Heavy equipment is also needed, with the release noting that bulldozers, skid loaders, and tractors, are included among machinery needed to assist with Saturday's effort.

Volunteers who plan to help are told to wear durable shoes or boots, jeans, and long sleeve shirts. They are also asked to bring, if possible, gloves, chainsaws, brush lobbers, rakes, and UTVs with dump bed.

Lunch will be provided to those who assist.

According to the release, Valley Falls has already been contacted about future recreational use of the lake, including the possibility of day camps and a Boy Scout retreat.

(KMZA)--It's good news for the Marysville Police Department, with the agency giving credit to United States Senator Jerry Moran for securing more than $100,000 for department upgrades.

According to a social media post Wednesday, the police department announced that it wished "to take a minute and publicly thank [Moran] and his staff member Marissa Lux," adding that Moran worked tirelessly to secure $177,000 in congressionally directed spending" for the Marysville Police.

The post explains that the "funding will include the acquisition of a TruNarc drug detecting analyzer that will improve officer safety when investigating dangerous drug crimes including Fentanyl."

Funds will also be used to update the department's in-car camera systems and fund their UTV.

The post closes by giving additional thanks to Moran, adding that the department appreciates him "for working hard to keep Kansans safe."

(KAIR)--A 20-year-old Montana man, wanted in connection with a 13-year-old runaway girl, was arrested in Atchison Wednesday, taken into custody, in part, for rape.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, his office, Tuesday night around 10:00, was "notified that the Phelps County, Missouri Sheriff's Department was looking for a 13 year old female who had been missing since Monday night. They had developed information that she was with a 20 year old suspect and they were believed to be in the Atchison area."

Atchison Police Officers began the search, locating the suspect's vehicle parked outside a local hotel. That led police to locate both the runaway, and the suspect-now identified as Osias Everson, of Deer Lodge, Montana-at the hotel.

Everson was arrested Wednesday on charges of rape and contributing to a child's misconduct. Once in custody, Everson was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

According to Wilson, the investigation continued through Tuesday night, continuing into Wednesday, jointly conducted by Atchison Police and the Phelps County Sheriff's Office.

(KAIR)--It was only a matter of weeks before an ousted, longtime employee of Atchison County gained a new role of leadership, this time in the Jefferson County community of Valley Falls.

Valley Falls Mayor Jeanette Shipley, in emailed correspondence with MSC News, says Wes Lanter was appointed to the position of Valley Falls City Administrator, through action of the Valley Falls City Council, on February 22.

Lanter, who is currently on the job in his new role, replaces previous Valley Falls City Administrator, Audree Guzman, who resigned her position, effective in January.

Lanter, who was employed with Atchison County for 14-years, was terminated by the Atchison County Commission February 6.

Although a reason was not given for Lanter's ouster, the County, at the time of his termination, said he was terminated from his positions as both Emergency Management Director and I.T. Director for the County.

(KNZA)--A Brown County road closure is planned.

The county announced Wednesday that Nighthawk Road will be closed between 220th and 230th Roads for about a month for a bridge repair project.

Those with questions can contact the Brown County Road and Bridge Department at 785-740-0943.

(KNZA)--The William R. Guild house in Hiawatha is now on the Register of Historic Kansas Places and could soon be part of the National Register of Historic Places.

The Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review last month approved the house located at 610 Miami Street for listing in the state historic register.

The board also recommended that the State Historic Preservation Office forward the house's nomination to the office of the Keeper of the National Register in Washington D.C. for evaluation by their staff.

If they concur with the findings of the Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review, the property will be included in the National Register of Historic Places within 45 days of receipt.

The Guild house, which was constructed in 1915, is a two-story Italian Renaissance style residence.

William R. Guild was a former Hiawatha banker.

The house is currently owned by Russell and Kimberly Brien.

The Kansas State Historical Society says listing in the registers qualifies the property for certain financial incentives, including grant and tax credit programs. In addition, the Historical Society said the listing provides recognition of the historic importance of the property and assures protective review of projects that might adversely affect the character of the historic property.

(KAIR)--Now that the clocks have sprung forward an hour, and warmer weather lingers around the region, the feeling of spring is in the air, with the County of Atchison preparing for a spring cleaning.

Atchison County Commission Chair Casey Quinn, a guest of the 93.7 FM "Co-Host Monday" with Neil Wieland, said the pieces are being put in place to finalize next month's cleanup event.

The demand to discard tires remains strong, with Quinn saying they will again be accepted.

To hear the full story, go here.

Meanwhile, the City of Horton is preparing for a spring cleaning, with the City offering an opportunity for residents to rid themselves of their clutter.

A release from the City of Horton explains the spring cleaning assistance, saying there will be a roll of dumpsters residents can use to discard their garbage. They will be located in the vacant lot on the corner of 1st Avenue East and 7th Street, south of City Hall, beginning Friday March 29. The dumpsters will then remain in place for use until April 8.

The City, in the release, outlines what items are acceptable to dispose of in the dumpsters, with those items including furniture, carpet, empty paint cans, plastic, mattresses, wood, cabinets, tables, windows, demolished buildings, tubs, toilets, sinks, and shingles. The release encourages residents to plan accordingly, as there will not be anyone on site to assist with moving items. Items prohibited from disposal include antifreeze, herbicides, pesticides, household cleaners, paint & paint products; spray paint, alkaline and Ni-Cad batteries, mercury, used oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, gasoline, leaves, grass clippings and household trash, as well as tires of any type.

The annual Spring Cleanup is sponsored by the City of Horton and Hamilton Recycling, with all questions addressed to Horton City Hall at 785-486-2681 extension option 1.

(KLZA)-- Several area projects are included in the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bills that passed in the U.S. Senate last week.

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer released a statement announcing the projects which she supported in the bills.

Included in the funding bill is $200 thousand for the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to conduct a feasibility study in the Lower Missouri River basin near the Cooper Nuclear Station which is located near Brownville.

$25 million s for the University of Nebraska with funds going for the construction of a U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service facility at the University of Nebraska for precision ag research.

$2.85 million will go for the Beatrice Municipal Airport to expand hangar space to attract new business.

$7 million will go for a new customs inspection facility to allow security screening operations for international aircraft and passenger travel at Eppley Airfield in Omaha.

Funds will also be allocated for Offutt Air Force Base at Bellevue.

(KLZA)-- Construction crews have been working for several months on the first two buildings for Project ROAR at Peru State College.

The Recreation Dome north of the Oak Bowl, and the Diamond Building next to the baseball/softball fields at the Centennial Complex.

The Recreation Dome is the air-supported structure that will house the 70-yard practice field, two basketball / volleyball/ badminton/ pickleball/tennis courts, and a weight room. This building will dramatically expand opportunities for students on campus to get up and get moving, year-round.

Everything from enhanced practice options for the football team to informal pick-up games of tennis or basketball will become possible.

The Diamond Building is the hard-sided facility that will include locker rooms for the baseball and softball teams, coaches’ offices, a small meeting/classroom, restrooms and concessions for baseball and softball spectators, and more.

These facilities will benefit Peru State students, faculty, and staff, and they also will provide much-needed indoor space for community organizations and schools in the surrounding towns.

Project ROAR is the largest such project in Peru State history and the first major new construction in more than 40 years.

To this point, nearly $2 million has been contributed toward the project. Funds for the remaining three buildings are still being raised.

Peru State anticipates opening the Rec Dome and the Diamond Building in about 12 months—the Spring 2025 semester.

To make a contribution to Project ROAR, you can do so online at www.peru.edu/foundation/projectroar and click on the Give Now button. Or, you can send a check to the PSC Foundation, PO Box 10, Peru, NE 68421-0010.

(KLZA)-- An open house meeting is planned for Tuesday, March 26 to provide an update on the planned electrical system construction project in downtown Falls City.

The meeting will be held at the Southeast Nebraska Community College Learning Center at 3200 Bill Schock Boulevard from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

The plans do not call for a formal presentation, but those in attendance can stop by at their convenience to learn more about Phase I of the project. Business and property owners are encouraged to attend.

Phase I will include properties located from Chase Street to Harlan Street and 11th Street to 20th Street.

Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin this spring and continue through the fall. The project will include conversion of approximately 14 blocks of the downtown business alley overhead powerlines to an under ground system, making the system more resilient to weather events and safer for the public. The Watts Electrical Company will complete the work.

The current condition of the existing overhead electrical system in the downtown area is nearing the end of its useful life and no longer provides reliable electrical service. Design for the upgraded electrical system began in 2021. JEO Consulting and Olsson, Inc. have designed the electrical upgrades.

Staff members from the City, Watts, JEO and Olsson will be on hand at the open house to answer questions and provide information on the upcoming project.

(KLZA)-- An open house meeting is planned for Tuesday, March 26 to provide an update on the planned electrical system construction project in downtown Falls City.

The meeting will be held at the Southeast Nebraska Community College Learning Center at 3200 Bill Schock Boulevard from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

The plans do not call for a formal presentation, but those in attendance can stop by at their convenience to learn more about Phase I of the project. Business and property owners are encouraged to attend.

Phase I will include properties located from Chase Street to Harlan Street and 11th Street to 20th Street.

Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin this spring and continue through the fall. The project will include conversion of approximately 14 blocks of the downtown business alley overhead powerlines to an under ground system, making the system more resilient to weather events and safer for the public. The Watts Electrical Company will complete the work.

The current condition of the existing overhead electrical system in the downtown area is nearing the end of its useful life and no longer provides reliable electrical service. Design for the upgraded electrical system began in 2021. JEO Consulting and Olsson, Inc. have designed the electrical upgrades.

Staff members from the City, Watts, JEO and Olsson will be on hand at the open house to answer questions and provide information on the upcoming project.

(KLZA)-- An open house meeting is planned for Tuesday, March 26 to provide an update on the planned electrical system construction project in downtown Falls City.

The meeting will be held at the Southeast Nebraska Community College Learning Center at 3200 Bill Schock Boulevard from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

The plans do not call for a formal presentation, but those in attendance can stop by at their convenience to learn more about Phase I of the project. Business and property owners are encouraged to attend.

Phase I will include properties located from Chase Street to Harlan Street and 11th Street to 20th Street.

Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin this spring and continue through the fall. The project will include conversion of approximately 14 blocks of the downtown business alley overhead powerlines to an under ground system, making the system more resilient to weather events and safer for the public. The Watts Electrical Company will complete the work.

The current condition of the existing overhead electrical system in the downtown area is nearing the end of its useful life and no longer provides reliable electrical service. Design for the upgraded electrical system began in 2021. JEO Consulting and Olsson, Inc. have designed the electrical upgrades.

Staff members from the City, Watts, JEO and Olsson will be on hand at the open house to answer questions and provide information on the upcoming project.

(KLZA)-- The Humboldt - Table Rock - Steinauer Board of Education has contracted with the Nebraska Association of School Boards to conduct three community and business leaders focus group meetings to discuss the needs of the children and communities served by the school district.

The first meeting will be Tuesday evening, March 12 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the Humboldt schoolhouse music room.

There will be two meetings on Thursday, March 14. The first will be from 5 - 6:30 p.m. at the Penn Colony Museum at Dawson with the second meeting at the Community Building in Stella from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

The school district is asking for residents to share comments on items of pride, accomplishments and achievements in the school and to share what skills students should have when they graduate from HTRS.

Ideas on how to attract families to the area to help grow enrollment and provide information on what one change you would implement I the HTRS School Distrit to benefit students success.

Each meeting is scheduled to last 90 minutes.

(KNZA)--The City of Horton is preparing for a spring cleaning, with the City offering an opportunity for residents to rid themselves of their clutter.

The city says there willl be a roll off or dumpsters in the vacant lot at the corner of 1st Avenue East and 7th Street, south of City Hall, beginning Friday, March 29 through Monday, April 8th for residents to dispose of their unwanted items.

The City, in a release, outlines what items are acceptable to dispose of in the dumpsters, with those items including furniture, carpet, empty paint cans, plastic, mattresses, wood, cabinets, tables, windows, demolished buildings, tubs, toilets, sinks, and shingles.

The release encourages residents to plan accordingly, as there will not be anyone on site to assist with moving items.

Items prohibited from disposal include antifreeze, herbicides, pesticides, household cleaners, paint & paint products; spray paint, alkaline and Ni-Cad batteries, mercury, used oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, gasoline, leaves, grass clippings and household trash, as well as tires of any type.

The annual Spring Cleanup is sponsored by the City of Horton and Hamilton Recycling, with all questions addressed to Horton City Hall at 785-486-2681 extension option 1.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission approved a motion Monday evening to reject a road diet proposal from the Kansas Department of Transportation and fix the traffic lights at 1st and Oregon.

Commissioner Brian Shefferd made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Evans Woehlecke, and approved on a 3-2 vote.

Mayor Becky Shamburg and Commissioner Dave Middendorf cast the dissenting votes. They both felt the city should continue to explore options before making a decision. Shamburg said KDOT informed the city last week that the timeline for making a decision on the road diet proposal could be pushed back to at least June.

The city held an informational meeting last week on the 1st Street corridor, with many in attendance at the standing room only meeting voicing opposition to the road diet proposal.

Shefferd said he had looked at the lights at 1st and Oregon and believes they can be fixed.

Commissioner Toni Hull said she didn't feel the road diet proposal was the right solution and the state was trying to tie the city's hands.

Discussions with KDOT have been ongoing since the fall of 2017 when the southwest signal pole at 1st and Oregon fell during a wind event.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission voted unanimously Monday evening to accept the resignation of City Administrator Becky Berger.

Following an executive session, Mayor Becky Shamburg announced that Berger had submitted a letter of resignation, which was effective immediately.

No reason was publicly stated for the resignation.

Berger was not present at the meeting.

Shamburg said she could not comment on the resignation, saying it was a personnel matter.

Berger had served as city administrator since January 2023.

In the absence of a city administrator, the Commission voted to name City Clerk Dawn Boyles and Public Works Director Brad Scott as temporary purchasing agents for the city. They will have the authority to spend up to $5,000 without commission approval.

(KAIR)--Safety for students, inspired by the passing of a 15-year-old Atchison High School athlete in August, 2021, is the reason behind initatives taken in the Kansas House, as spearheaded by Kansas 63rd District Republican Representative, Dr. John Eplee.

Eplee was a recent guest of 93.7 FM's "Co-Host Monday" with Neil Wieland.

Listen here.

(KLZA)-- The Missouri Department of Transportation will be hosting a job fair on Wednesday, March 20 from 2- 6 p.m., at the Northwest District Office in St. Joseph, located at 3602 N. Belt Highway, focused on hiring multiple positions including: maintenance workers, bridge maintenance workers and signal lighting technicians (electricians).

Full-time employees receive on-the-job training and other benefits including retirement, paid vacation, sick and parental leave, medical, vision and dental insurance. MoDOT is a diverse workplace dedicated to safety and personal and professional development.

Applicant information:

• Bring a valid driver- license.

• Applications can be completed on-site or ahead of time at modot.org/careers. An active email address will be required.

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma/GED and a valid driver's license.

• If offered a position, applicants also must successfully complete a criminal background check, drug screening, work simulation and physical at a separately scheduled date and time.

(KLZA)-- Southeast Nebraska Community Action is hosting a Community Needs Assessment town hall meeting on Thursday, March 21 at the Falls City Library and Arts Center in The Stalder Gallery.

The meeting will be from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

All interested Richardson County residents are invited to attend the meeting, which will focus on the 2024 update to the SENCA Community Needs Assessment.

A discussion will be held to identify community strengths, weaknesses and prioritizing needs.

(KNZA)--A Meriden man in jailed in Jackson County on multiple drug charges following a traffic stop early Sunday afternoon.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse said Sheriff- deputy conducted a traffic stop shortly before 12:30 on a pickup truck on U.S. 75 Highway in southern Jackson County.

The driver was suspected of driving without a valid driver- license.

During the course of the vehicle stop, Morse said a Sheriff- Office K-9 indicated the presence of drugs and or narcotics within the vehicle. A search was done and revealed items of drug contraband inside the vehicle.

The driver, 52-year-old David Friend, was arrested for distribution of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a narcotic, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with no valid license.

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

(KAIR)--A 41-year-old Leavenworth County inmate, who punched and kicked a fellow inmate, was sentenced in Leavenworth County District Court this week to 2-years-8-months in prison.

According to a release from the office of Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, Emanuel Robinson learned his fate Wednesday as the judge sentenced him for the crime of aggravated battery.
The 32-month sentence will be served by Robinson consecutive to all prior cases.

According to court documents cited in the release, Robinson, in late October, 2022, "battered his victim by using his feet and his fist," with the release explaining that "following the incident, the victim was transported to a Kansas City area hospital for treatment."

During the investigation, one witness reported that Robinson and the victim had been discussing a movie before Robinson struck the victim.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Emergency Management wants to notify county residents of planned emergency siren maintenance scheduled for Monday, March 11.

Richardson County residents may hear the emergency sirens sound periodically in the afternoon.

This will just be maintenance, no action will be required.

(KLZA)--Robin Ankrom addressed the Falls City Council session Monday evening, concerned about the possibility of major changes to Prichard Auditorium through a renovation project, including rumors the balcony seating might be removed and the building even demolished.

Ward I Council member Don Ferguson said tearing down the facility has never been an option but said some upgrades to the building would be nice.

Ankrom suggested a public forum be held to provide the public with more information about the entire concept of creating an events center / fitness center in the community. She said there are a lot of misconceptions about the project in the public.

4th Ward Council member Derek Leyden said that local gossip contributed to the amount of misinformation the public has heard and that the possible plans had been discussed in open session.

Since the initial discussion on upgrades to the Auditorium, the City found out, the facility did not qualify for grant monies that would have been used for upgrades.

Leyden also said while a public meeting could be held, he thinks it would be a good idea to wait and see what the steering committee comes up with.

The discussion concluded with no action taken.

(KLZA)-- Glenda Willnerd of Unadilla has announced her candidacy for Nebraska's First District Legislative seat.

In announcing her candidacy Willnerd says supporting public education, working for family farmers, fighting for fair taxation and working on veteran's issues will be her priorities if elected.

Willnerd worked for 36 years in Nebraska schools as a teacher and librarian.

(KLZA)--The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin signing up for the general Conservation Reserve Program now through March 29, 2024.

This conservation opportunity gives producers tools to conserve wildlife habitat while achieving other conservation benefits, including sequestering carbon and improving water quality and soil health.

As one of the largest private lands conservation programs in the United States, CRP offers a range of conservation options to farmers, ranchers, and landowners. It has been an especially strong opportunity for farmers with less productive or marginal cropland, helping them re-establish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and support wildlife habitat.

This past January FSA began accepting applications for the Continuous CRP signup. Under this enrollment, producers and landowners can enroll in CRP throughout the year. Offers are automatically accepted provided the producer and land meet the eligibility requirements and the enrollment levels do not exceed the statutory cap.

The USDA also offers financial assistance to producers and landowners enrolled in CRP to improve the health of their forests through the Forest Management Incentive (FMI), which can help participants with forest management practices, such as brush management and prescribed burning. FSA will announce the dates for Grassland CRP signup in the near future.

Producers with expiring CRP acres can use the Transition Incentives Program, which incentivizes producers who sell or enter a long-term lease with a beginning, veteran, or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher who plans to sustainably farm or ranch the land. 

Landowners and producers interested in CRP should contact their local USDA Service Center to learn more or to apply for the program before applicable deadlines.  

(KLZA)--The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin signing up for the general Conservation Reserve Program now through March 29, 2024.

This conservation opportunity gives producers tools to conserve wildlife habitat while achieving other conservation benefits, including sequestering carbon and improving water quality and soil health.

As one of the largest private lands conservation programs in the United States, CRP offers a range of conservation options to farmers, ranchers, and landowners. It has been an especially strong opportunity for farmers with less productive or marginal cropland, helping them re-establish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and support wildlife habitat.

This past January FSA began accepting applications for the Continuous CRP signup. Under this enrollment, producers and landowners can enroll in CRP throughout the year. Offers are automatically accepted provided the producer and land meet the eligibility requirements and the enrollment levels do not exceed the statutory cap.

The USDA also offers financial assistance to producers and landowners enrolled in CRP to improve the health of their forests through the Forest Management Incentive (FMI), which can help participants with forest management practices, such as brush management and prescribed burning. FSA will announce the dates for Grassland CRP signup in the near future.

Producers with expiring CRP acres can use the Transition Incentives Program, which incentivizes producers who sell or enter a long-term lease with a beginning, veteran, or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher who plans to sustainably farm or ranch the land. 

Landowners and producers interested in CRP should contact their local USDA Service Center to learn more or to apply for the program before applicable deadlines.  

(MSC News)--Its time to “ spring forward.”

Daylight Saving Time will begin at 2:00 Sunday morning, March 10.

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

Daylight Saving Time is observed everywhere in the United States except Arizona and Hawaii.

Fire department personnel also encourage you to install new batteries in your smoke detectors when you change your clocks.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission heard a proposal Monday to replace the outdated 911 dispatch consoles at the county law enforcement center.

According to the unofficial meeting minutes, Sheriff Chad Clary and representatives of Midwest Mobile Radio met with the Commission to discuss the proposal.

The current 911 dispatch console, which was installed prior to 2008, is no longer supported and parts are unavailable. In the event of failure, 911 services would be interrupted for an unknown period.

A cost estimate for two new consoles--with programming, certification and installation, as well as microwave to communicate with the tower at the Doniphan County Courthouse-- is about $141,000.

The cost would be allocated between the new sales tax and 911 telephone surcharge funds.

After discussion, the Commission agreed to move forward with having Midwest Mobile draw up a contract for their review.

(KMZA)--Nemaha-Marshall Electric is among two electric cooperatives in Kansas awarded nearly $26 million in funding from USDA Rural Development for projects to help ensure Kansans in rural areas have access to reliable electricity.

The funding was announced Wednesday by Christy Davis, state director at USDA Rural Development.

Nemaha-Marshall Electric will receive a more than $4.7 million loan to connect 148 consumers, along with build and improve 51 miles of line.

The Axtell-based electric cooperative serves more than 3,500 consumers through nearly 1,500 miles of line through Jackson, Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie and Washington Counties.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council, in a short meeting Wednesday evening, accepted a bid for a library repair project.

On the recommendation of City Superintendent Brian Ruske, the Council accepted a bid from Dry Basement Foundation Repair, of Kansas City, Missouri, in the amount of $4,480 for a project to eliminate water entering the library basement.

The company will install a sub-floor drainage system along the west exerior basement wall.

It was the lowest among two bids received.

Bids were opened at the Council's February 21st meeting, but tabled for review.

(KLZA)--Falls City Public Schools have announced that Brandon Gibson has been selected to be the next Principal at Falls City South Elementary School.

His new duties begin with the 2024-25 school year.

Gibson is completing his fourth year as a 4th Grade Teacher with the Falls City Schools and prior to that taught for a year at Gretna.

Gibson received his Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Peru State College, and a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska- Kearney.

(KNZA)--The expansion of Jackson County's U.S.Highway 75, from Holton north to K-20, to a four-lane expressway, is among three northeast Kansas projects selected for the " development pipeline" as part of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE).

The projects total $186 million in infrastructure investment, with $126 million earmarked for the expansion of the 14-mile stretch of U.S. 75.

Word of the funding was delivered in a release Thursday from the office of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, which says the Governor's announcement "clears the way for preliminary engineering work to begin on these three regional projects."

Kelly, in the release, extended appreciation to 1st District State Senator Dennis Pyle, for his longstanding efforts to advance the project, and also offered praise for community leaders and area residents for pro-actively advocating for U.S. 75 expansion, saying the three projects " tackle long-standing transportation needs across the state - improving safety, expanding economic development opportunities, and strengthening our communities.”

Pyle, in the release, said "the successful community efforts to raise awareness of transportation needs along the U.S. 75 corridor in northeast Kansas makes us all proud,” adding that "the addition of this expansion project to the IKE Development Pipeline is an important step toward enhancing the safety of a vital corridor for commerce and the traveling public it serves.”

The other two projects announced Thursday are the I-35/U.S. 56 interchange modernization project, located in Johnson County, which receives $25 million, and the K-5 modernization project which will reconstruct K-5 on new alignment from U.S. 73 southeast to I-435 in Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties. $35 million is designated for that work.

(KNZA)--Brown County Register of Deeds Nellie Brockhoff has filed for re-election.

The Brown County Clerk's Office reports Brockhoff, a Republican, recently filed for another 4-year term.

She has served as Register of Deeds since September 2006.

Candidates have until noon, June 3rd to file at the Brown County Clerk's Office.

A primary election will be held August 6th and the general election will take place November 5

(KNZA)--The annual Brown County Fair Spotlight Auction will be held on Monday and Tuesday evenings, March 11-12.

It will be broadcast over KNZA 103.9 FM from 5:30 to 9 each evening.

The Spotlight Auction is a live radio auction of merchandise, services and chamber dollars donated mostly by area businesses, with bids taken via the phone.

You can see pictures of the items being sold and view the flyer online by going to the Brown County Fair Facebook page.

Those unable to call on the two evenings can call the Brown County Extension Office and give a maximum bid on the item or items you would like to buy, and one of the fair board members will be the bidder for you.

Proceeds from this year's auction will be used for the operation of the 2024 Brown County Fair to be held July 6-12 at the fairgrounds in Horton.

(KNZA)--An additional candidate has filed for one of three seats up for election in November on the Hiawatha City Commission.

The Brown County Clerk's Office reports Jen Hoschouer filed Tuesday for commission seat 3, which is currently held by Brian Shefferd.

Also up for election are the seats currently held by Toni Hull and Evans Woehlecke.

Candidates have until noon, June 3rd to file at the Brown County Clerk's Office.

The general election will take place November 5.

(KAIR)--A Saint Joseph, Missouri man will spend the rest of his life in prison, sentenced this week on charges related to child sex crimes.

KQ2-TV reports that Jeffrey Gray, on Monday, learned his fate, with the judge giving him two consecutive life sentences.

Gray, following a January jury trial, was found guilty in Buchanan County District Court on two counts of first degree sodomy of a victim less than 12 years old.

With all totaled, Gray earned a sentence of 999 years of incarceration at Monday's sentencing.

(KAIR)--Details regarding the Atchison residents who lost their home to a Sunday morning fire are released through a fundraiser started on their behalf.

According to the GoFundMe information, all four residents of 304 Mound Street are students at Benedictine College, with Rian Bautista, Andrew Gomez, Ben Walter, and Anton Murray losing both their home, and belongings, in the late morning blaze.

The fundraiser has a goal of $5,000, with the organizers saying the donated funds "will go to replacing clothing, textbooks, computers, and other personal belongings that were lost to the fire," adding that "any amount of money is greatly appreciated and will go a long way."

The GoFundMe was begun because although "the Benedictine College community has started to come together to remedy the situation," the organizers note "they could use some more help."

Atchison firefighters responded to the home shortly after 10:30 Sunday morning where Atchison Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar said "they found the back deck and the back of the single-story residence engulfed in fire."

Exceptionally strong winds gusted as firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, which led to minor damage to a neighboring house.

An exact cause of the fire has not been made public, but on Sunday Weishaar said "it has been determined the fire began on or near the back deck."

(KNZA)--A Fairview truck stop employee, and a Brown County Sheriff's Deputy, are commended for their actions in assisting a missing, 86-year-old Nebraska man, and seeing him reunited with his daughter.

"A job well done" is given by Brown County Sheriff John Merchant to Deputy Peak and Tanya Rhyne, the TA Express Truck Stop employee who Merchant says "was concerned about an elderly person who appeared disoriented while driving in their parking lot."

Rhyne notified authorities, with Deputy Peak responding to the store around 2:00 Wednesday morning. Following a license plate search, Peak learned the vehicle belonged to someone in Lincoln, Nebraska; and, after Brown County Dispatch contacted the Lincoln Police Department, it was learned the man had been reported missing since Monday.

Peak then contacted the man's daughter, and, along with Rhyne, stayed with the man until 5:30 Wednesday morning, when the man's daughter arrived.

(KAIR)--The Kansas Supreme Court, following the review of a motion to correct an illegal sentence, as submitted by a convicted Atchison murderer, has denied that request.

In its ruling, released March 1, the state's top court denied the claim made by Leroy Perry that he was never notified of the April, 2018 Atchison County District Court decision denying his self-represented motion, filed in district court, to modify his life sentence.

According to a release Friday, "the Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the Atchison County District Court finding that the district court contemporaneously and properly notified Perry of its April 2018 decision denying Perry's motion to correct an illegal sentence, with the release further stating that "consequently, Perry's notice of appeal, filed a year and half after the decision, was untimely. Because his appeal was untimely, the Supreme Court dismissed Perry's appeal for lack of jurisdiction."

The Supreme Court's decision followed a district court review of the matter, with the factual findings showing that Perry received the order shortly after it was mailed to him, leading to the conclusion that Perry was "properly notified of the order as required by statute and court rule."

Perry received a hard 40 life sentence for the 1995 shooting death of a 16-year-old girl, and the wounding of two others, after entering the home of his victims, having known the eldest of the three residents he shot since he was a baby.

(KLZA)-- Following a presentation by Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise Executive Director Lucas Froeschl and an executive session Monday evening, the Falls City Council approved a directive to begin negotiations with the Omaha Public Power District in regards to a wholesale agreement in relation to the LB 977 grant application as recommended by the Board of Public Works.

In 2022 the Nebraska Legislature approved LB 977, which helped create a $15 million grant that, in 2023, with some language adjustments to the original bill, tailored it specifically for Falls City.

Froeschl said it has been about 15 years in getting to this point and determining the best use of the money for rate payers and the future of Falls City.

Falls City does not have the capability to receive enough electricity from OPPD at the present time to supply additional large electrical users,despite having a piece of ownership in the Nebraska City 2, a coal fired power plant at Nebraska City due to limitations of the line supplying power to Falls City.

In 2009 Falls City invested $7 million in the NC2 power plant to secure affordable power for Falls City but there is only one line feeding Falls City.

Due to the inability to receive all the power needed, at times Falls City has had to go out on the open market for additional power at higher rates that what power from the NC2 plant would have cost.

Froeschl noted that with only 1.5 to around 2 megawatts of extra power available it makes recruiting companies to Falls City especially challenging.

Froeschl noted that a 10-year period of large investments in Falls City and the surrounding area, amounting to about $115 million have made the community more desirable for companies looking to locate a new or expanded business. Those investments included a new hospital, new aquatic park, a new library, a new Missouri River Bridge at Rulo, additional back-up power generation at the power plant, a new road to the industrial park, the Grand Weaver Hotel, a new motel by private investors and SNC's fiber to the home project and downtown improvements.

If the project for additional power comes to fruition, it would provide in the neighborhood of 10 additional megawatts of power to the community.

LB977 was created to help expand electrical system capabilities and enhance redundancy and resiliency.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development is now accepting applications for those grant funds through the Site and Building Development Fund.

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Farm Bureau has announced the establishment of the Nebraska Ag Legal Professionals Group, a dedicated initiative aimed at assisting farmers and ranchers in estate and succession planning.

The group will focus on providing specialized legal counsel to farm and ranch families, ensuring a smooth transition of assets and securing a sustainable future for agricultural legacies.

With a commitment to the unique challenges faced by the farming community, the Nebraska Ag Legal Professionals Group will bring together legal experts well-versed in the complexities of estate/succession planning. The group is committed to the unique challenges faced by farm and ranch communities across Nebraska. These selected attorneys will provide guidance that will empower local farmers and ranchers to make informed decisions for the continuity of their operations.

The group's services will encompass a range of legal aspects: wills, trusts, tax planning, and business structure and is categorized by region to easily connect farmers and ranchers with legal professionals in their communities. By addressing these crucial elements, the Nebraska Ag Legal Professionals Group aims to contribute to the resilience and prosperity of Nebraska's farm and ranch families.

You must be a member of Nebraska Farm Bureau to access the Nebraska Ag Legal Professionals Group. To join and learn more go to www.nefb.org.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Council has approved resolutions that will be voted on by Pawnee City residents during the May 14, Primary election.

The first resolution, #4 will determine if the city continues to collect a sales and use tax in an amount of two percent.

Resolution #5 will determine what the sales tax monies would be used for, if approved by voters. The resolution proposes putting a portion of the sales tax funds toward an economic development program.

Pawnee City has collected a 2 percent sales tax within the city since 2016. One half cent of the tax has been sued to pay for street improvement projects.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for Doniphan County Rural Water District # 3 customers in the town of Severance.

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

KDHE said Wednesday that testing samples collected from Doniphan County Rural Water District #3 indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed to be resolved.

(KAIR)--A man charged in the 2021` death of a fellow inmate at a Leavenworth detention center has been found guilty by a Leavenworth County jury.

A release from the office of Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, a jury last week found 30-year-old Richey Farmer guilty of voluntary manslaughter for the Aug. 2, 2021, death of Scott Wilson.

At the time, both Farmer and Wilson were inmates at CoreCivic's Leavenworth Detention Center.

According to court documents cited in the release, Farmer struck Wilson with a plastic food tray and then used his feet to kick and stomp him.

Following the attack, Wilson was transported to a Kansas City area hospital, where he later died due to his injuries.

Farmer would later claim he was acting in self-defense.

(KNZA)--The first candidate has filed for a Doniphan County position up for election in November.

The Doniphan County Clerk's Office reported Monday that Highland Republican Rhian Ptomey has filed for the position of register of deeds, which is currently held by Susan Schuster.

Candidates have until noon, June 3 to file at the Doniphan County Clerk's Office.

The primary election will be held August 6th and the general election will take place November 5th.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Educational Foundation is pleased to announce that they are offering 27 scholarships worth $44,400 for Falls City High School Seniors who will be attending colleges and trade schools during the 2024-2025 academic year.

The Foundation will also be offering two scholarships to past Falls City High graduates.

The Governor A. J. Weaver Family Scholarship of $1,400 is for a past graduate of Falls City High who is currently attending a four-year college or university and who will be a sophomore, juniors or senior in 2024 having declared a Major of Music, Photography, Animal Husbandry, Journalism, Library Science, Political Science, Civil Engineering, or Prelaw.

The Betty Schawang Memorial Scholarship of $600 is for a past graduate of Falls City High School who will be entering their Sophomore, Junior, or Senior year in a 4-year College or University and having at least a 3.0 Cumulative GPA in College classes. A preference will be given to those applicants pursuing an Agricultural oriented career field.

Scholarship Notices and Applications for all scholarships offered by the Falls City Educational Foundation are available online at the Falls City Public Schools, High School Guidance web site: www.fctigers.org/page/scholarships

Applications for all Scholarships are due by March 25, 2024

(KLZA)-- Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2024 crop year have until March 15, 2024, to revise elections and sign contracts. Both safety net programs, delivered by USDA- Farm Service Agency (FSA), provide vital income support to farmers who experience substantial declines in crop prices or revenues for the 2024 crop year.

Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARC-County or PLC, which provide crop-by-crop protection, or ARC-Individual, which protects the entire farm. Although election changes for 2024 are optional, producers must enroll, with a signed contract, each year. If a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm, the contract will continue for 2024 unless an election change is made.  

If producers do not submit their election revision by the March 15, 2024, deadline, the election remains the same as their 2023 election for eligible commodities on the farm. Also, producers who do not complete enrollment and sign their contract by the deadline will not be enrolled in ARC or PLC for the 2024 year and will not receive a payment if one is triggered. Farm owners can only enroll in these programs if they have a share interest in the commodity.

(KLZA)-- This week, the Nebraska legislature is turning up the heat as we move from hearings into debate. Last week was the last of committee hearings and this week we begin all-day debate. Various bills have been passed by the legislature and await the governor- signature. This week, I will share some of the bills that were passed by the legislature. These bills give power back to local government and allow reserve members of our military to serve in government. The legislature passed LB 190, which would allow county boards to adopt resolutions that provide for payment schedules on bridge repair and reconstruction projects. It would also vest full authority in the county boards to create the payment schedule and provide that if another provision of the law in the county conflicts with the bill, the bill will take precedence. This bill provides a solution to our infrastructure needs without seeking to increase property taxes or additional bonding authority. With construction costs only getting more expensive, it is critical to allow for longer payment terms on these essential projects to lock in current prices so bridges can be repaired immediately. The legislature also passed LB 152 which would eliminate the registration requirement of membership campgrounds under the Membership Campground Act. Under current law, membership campgrounds must register with the Nebraska Real Estate Commission. LB 152 will remove this requirement. Initially, membership campgrounds were required to register with the Nebraska Real Estate Commission to add protections to consumers, however, this registration requirement resulted in little to no value to both the state and consumers. LB 152 would do away with the registration provisions that have consumed NREC resources, which would be better utilized for protecting consumers elsewhere. The legislature also passed LB 731. Currently, there are laws in place that prevent public officials from violating public trust, such as “double-dipping,” conflict of interest, corruption, or poor performance by public officials. Part of this law includes the fact that one cannot have another job if they are serving as a director of various state agencies. However, service to the Nebraska National Guard, Air, or Army is currently included in this preventive measure. LB 731 would add an exception for membership in a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States. I look forward to continuing to discuss these issues in the coming weeks on the legislative floor. As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov

(KAIR)--A Lancaster man is facing charges following his weekend arrest stemming from a reported domestic disturbance involving a firearm.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, his department received the report around 11:00 Saturday morning, leading them to respond to the Lancaster residence, located in the 100 block of Kansas Avenue, where the scene was secured.

Investigators, Laurie said, secured the scene then "applied for and were granted a search warrant for the [residence]" where they allegedly "recovered a firearm and ammunition, a large amount of marijuana, prescription drugs and other items of evidence."

Following the search, 29-year-old Chase Chapman was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

In a separate case, an Atchison man found himself jailed early Monday morning following what Laurie says was his office's response "to a past domestic disturbance in the 500 block of 8th Street, in Effingham," with Laurie noting that the report of the incident included a vehicle description of a man who had left the residence.

A search by deputies led to the discovery of the vehicle on 286th Road, near Hamilton Road, where they attempted to stop the car. Instead, it's alleged the driver, now identified as 50-year-old Jeremy Campbell, turned the vehicle onto the railroad tracks, where it became disabled. It's alleged that instead of surrendering to deputies, Campbell fled on foot, but was located by deputies a short time later, and placed under arrest.
He faces charges for fleeing and attempting to elude, interference with a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, and other traffic related charges.

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

(KAIR)--A Lancaster man is facing charges following his weekend arrest stemming from a reported domestic disturbance involving a firearm.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, his department received the report around 11:00 Saturday morning, leading them to respond to the Lancaster residence, located in the 100 block of Kansas Avenue, where the scene was secured.

Investigators, Laurie said, secured the scene then "applied for and were granted a search warrant for the [residence]" where they allegedly "recovered a firearm and ammunition, a large amount of marijuana, prescription drugs and other items of evidence."

Following the search, 29-year-old Chase Chapman was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

In a separate case, an Atchison man found himself jailed early Monday morning following what Laurie says was his office's response "to a past domestic disturbance in the 500 block of 8th Street, in Effingham," with Laurie noting that the report of the incident included a vehicle description of a man who had left the residence.

A search by deputies led to the discovery of the vehicle on 286th Road, near Hamilton Road, where they attempted to stop the car. Instead, it's alleged the driver, now identified as 50-year-old Jeremy Campbell, turned the vehicle onto the railroad tracks, where it became disabled. It's alleged that instead of surrendering to deputies, Campbell fled on foot, but was located by deputies a short time later, and placed under arrest.
He faces charges for fleeing and attempting to elude, interference with a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, and other traffic related charges.

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

(MSC News)--The State of Kansas ends February 2024 with total tax collections at $521.4 million. That is $33.1 million, or 6.0%, below the estimate.
That's according to a release Monday from the office of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, which says the total tax collections are down 5.2% from February 2023.

Individual income tax collections were $173.6 million. That is $46.4 million, or 21.1%, below the estimate, and down 17.9% from February 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $21.1 million. That is $5.1 million, or 31.6%, above the estimate and up 37.5% from February 2023.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $252.6 million, which is $10.4 million, or 4.0%, below the estimate and down $15.4 million, or 5.7%, from February 2023.

(KAIR)--Local area deputies and firefighters, on Sunday, offered assistance as a regional county required evacuations due to grass fires.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a release, says deputies from his department joined Kansas Wildlife and Park Officers in assisting the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office with evacuating some homes located in northern Shawnee County, near the Shawnee County State Lake, due to approaching grass fires, early in the afternoon.

Morse, in a release, noted that "Jackson County Fire Departments were also part of the crews battling fire amidst March winds that were making conditions difficult," referencing the strong, Sunday afternoon winds that gusted above 40 mph.

Morse noted that no evacuations were necessary in Jackson County, although he did alert residents to remain aware of conditions.

(KNZA)--Three Hiawatha residents were arrested on drug charges after a search warrant was served on a Hiawatha residence.

According to a report from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, the Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force, with the assistance of Iowa Tribal Police, executed the search warrant Saturday evening at 107 Utah Street.

36-year-old Rita Grier, 47-year-old Jennifer Rhyne and 30-year-old Zachary Sandeffer were arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

(KJLZA)--A new initiative is underway to help ensure access to high-quality emergency medical services in rural Nebraska.

Ambulances in 20 rural Nebraska communities and counties, with more being added, are being equipped with telemedicine technology.

Participating sites communities and services included in the initiative is Humboldt Rescue and the Pawnee County Ambulance service.

Avel eCare, which is partnering with the state of Nebraska on the initiative, has been collaborating with healthcare systems and healthcare professionals in Nebraska for more than 20 years.

The $1.3 million initiative is funded by a Centers for Disease Control Health Disparities grant.

Community leaders interested in finding out how to get involved, can contact Tim Wilson at tim.wilson@nebraska.gov or (402) 471-0124.

(KLZA)-- Nebraska- new voter ID law, which takes effect in the May 14, 2024, statewide primary, requires Nebraska voters to present a photo ID before voting. In an effort to ensure all Nebraskans are prepared, the Nebraska Secretary of State- office is sending out letters to voters who may not have an acceptable form of photo ID to vote.

About 97% of registered voters in Nebraska already have a driver- license or state ID, according to information from county election offices and the Nebraska DMV. The letters are a proactive measure on behalf of the Secretary of State- office to reach and inform voters in the 3% margin who might not have a Nebraska driver- license or DMV-issued state ID. The office is sending out approximately 35,000 letters.

“Many Nebraskans are already prepared for voter ID. For example, if you have a driver- license or state ID, you’re ready to go,” Nebraska Secretary Bob Evnen said. “We’re trying to reach voters who may not be aware of the new voter ID law and may not be prepared. Our office wants to ensure every voter is informed and ready.”

The Secretary of State- Elections Division is working with county election offices to ensure they’re prepared for an influx of inquiries from voters.

“Since the voter ID law passed, we’ve been working with our county election offices every step of the way,” Secretary Evnen said. “We want the implementation of the new voter ID law to be successful.”

County election offices are reporting a smooth process with voter ID in the early voting application process. Most Nebraskans are using their driver- license or state ID number to comply with the new voter ID law. The new early voting applications, which have an area to provide voter ID information, can be downloaded from the Secretary of State- website. Voters should make sure they aren’t using an old early voting application form.

What to do if you do not have an acceptable form of photo ID
If a voter does not have an acceptable form of ID to vote, they can get a free state ID from the Nebraska DMV. Nebraskans can use the temporary photo ID receipts from the DMV to vote if they don’t receive their ID in the mail before the primary.

To get a free Nebraska state ID at the DMV, individuals must present certain documents - one option is providing their birth certificate. If an individual was born in Nebraska and does not have their birth certificate, they can get a free certified copy of their Nebraska birth certificate from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Voters utilizing this service should do so as soon as possible.

Acceptable forms of ID
(IDs must have voter- name and photo.)

· Nebraska driver- license

· Nebraska state ID

· U.S. passport

· Military ID

· Tribal ID

· Hospital, assisted-living facility or nursing home record

· Nebraska political subdivision ID (state, county, city, public school, etc.)

· Nebraska college or university ID (public or private)

IDs that will NOT be accepted

· Birth certificate

· Medicare/Medicaid card

· Out-of-state driver- license

· Out-of-state college ID

· Social security card

· Store membership card

· Utility bill

· Bank statement

· Voter acknowledgement card

The Secretary of State- office urges voters to learn about the new law and prepare ahead of the May 14, 2024, statewide primary. More information and education resources are available at voterID.nebraska.gov.

(KLZA)-- There were a number of people file to run for various positions in the May Primary election on Friday, which was the last day to file for the election.

Gayle Swisegood filed to run for Second District County Commissioner on the Republican ticket. He will be running in May against Bobby Campbell for the Republican nomination to replace David Sickel who did not seen re-election.

Three people filing Friday for a position on the District 56, Falls City School Board. Gabe Ramsey, James “Chris” Fischer and Kevin Scheitel filed to run for three seats up for election. Incumbent June Bowers and Roger Windle filed previously.

Brittany Campbell has filed for the Ward II Falls City Council position. Also filing was Judy Murphy. They join Keneth Killingsworth and Joyce Jones who had previously filed. The top two will advance to the General Election in November.

In Falls City Ward III, Sarah Bangert filed for the City Council seat. She joins Sara Ruiz and Les Baker in seeking the position. The top two will advance to the General Election.

There are also four people that previously filed for the Ward I City Council seat, that will be on the ballot in May.

The incumbent City Council members in Wards I, II and III did not seek re-election this year.

(KLZA)-- Robert J. “Bob” Hallstrom, an attorney from Syracuse has filed to run for the Nebraska Legislature District 1 seat.

Hallstrom said in a press release the his priorities in the Legislature will include working to reduce the property tax burden on farmers and families, being a champion for family farmers and small business and supporting quality education to prepare our kids and grandkids in the future.

Hallstrom continued noting he is pro-life, a supporter of the 2nd Amendment and a fiscal conservative.

Also seeking the non-partisan legislative seat currently held by State Senator Julie Slama who announced she would not seek re-election are Dennis Schaardtfrom Steinauer, Bob Holman from Auburn and Glenda Willnerd from Unadilla.

(KNZA)--Local area deputies and firefighters, on Sunday, offered assistance as a regional county required evacuations due to grass fires.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a release, says deputies from his department joined Kansas Wildlife and Park Officers in assisting the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office with evacuating some homes located in northern Shawnee County, near the Shawnee County State Lake, due to approaching grass fires, early in the afternoon.

Morse, in a release, noted that "Jackson County Fire Departments were also part of the crews battling fire amidst March winds that were making conditions difficult," referencing the strong, Sunday afternoon winds that gusted above 40 mph.

Morse noted that no evacuations were necessary in Jackson County, although he did alert residents to remain aware of conditions.

(KAIR)--An early Monday morning crash between a semi and a car at the Omaha Junction, located on the west side of Atchison, on U.S. Highway 59, led to an on-scene rescue but no injuries.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a car, driven by 59-year-old Atchison resident Jerry Jenkins, had been southbound on the U.S. Highway 73/U.S. 59 connecting link, at the junction, and was turning east onto 59 Highway. That's when a collission with a semi tractor-trailer, driven by 70-year-old St. Joseph, Missouri resident, Ricky Willis, westbound on 59, occurred.

According to Wilson, a door on the car had to be removed by Atchison Fire in order to free Jenkins from the wreckage.

Atchison County EMS was on the scene and examined both drivers, but neither required hospital transport.

Wilson, in the release, says Jenkins was cited for failure to yield.

The wreck happened shortly before 7:00 Monday morning.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man facing multiple sex and drug charges will not face federal prosecution.

That word came Friday in an email from Brown County Kevin Hill following an inquiry from MSC News regarding the status of the criminal court case involving Jeremy Stover.

Hill told MSC News assurances had been received last year from federal authorities "that they would very likely be proceeding with a federal prosecution of Stover for alleged drug violations and that he could request depositions of witnesses on the State case if something happened to the federal case."

After a year, Hill said the federal prosecutor reponded to his inquiries on the status of the case, telling Hill he had "been recovering from a serious illness and had decided to not proceed with the federal case despite those previous assurances."

As a result, prosecution of the case will now proceed through Brown County District Court, with a preliminary hearing set for April 10th.

Stover was charged in February 2023 with eight counts---including three felony counts of promoting the sale of sexual relations, three misdemeanor counts of sexual battery, a felony count of distribution of opiates and a misdemeanor count of possession of a depressant.

The charges were filed following an investigation by the Brown County Sheriff's Office.

Stover remains free on a $50,000 bond.

(MSC News)--Advance voting underway for presidential primary 3/01/24 GB Registered voters may now vote an advance election ballot for the March 19th Kansas presidential preference primary.

Voters can cast their ballots in-person at their county clerk's office during regular business hours up until noon, March 18. Your reminded to bring a photo ID.

In the first Kansas presidential primary since 1992, eight candidates have filed to be on the ballot—four Democrats and four Republicans.

The Democratic candidates include Dean Phillips, Jason Palmer, current President Joe Biden and Marianne Williamson.

The Republican candidates include former President Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis and Ryan Binkley.

The presidential preference primary transfers responsibility for candidate selection from political parties to the state. Vote totals will be given to each party, which will then allocate delegates to go to the national convention in the summer.

(KAIR)--A late Sunday morning Atchison residential fire caused no injuries, but served as reminder of the increased danger strong winds bring when battling such a blaze.

Atchison firefighters were called to 304 Mound Street, shortly after 10:30, for what Atchison Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar says was "a report of a fire on the backside of the house."

When crews arrived on the scene, Weishaar, in a release, says "they found the back deck and the back of the single-story residence engulfed in fire," adding that they "were able to bring the fire under control, but high winds and dry conditions caused the fire to spread to the attic before it could be contained." Weishaar further states that "due to the high winds [Sunday], there was minor damage to a neighboring house."

Although the cause of the fire "is still undetermined" as of 2:30 Sunday afternoon, Weishaar adds that the department's fire investigator remained on the scene at that time, and "it has been determined the fire began on or near the back deck."

According to the release, the occupants of the residence were not at home when the fire began.

The Atchison Police Department, Atchison County EMS, and the Atchison Salvation Army all responded to assist.

Weishaar, in the release, reminds all citizens that both the County and City of Atchison remain under a burn ban due to the dry and windy conditions that increase fire danger.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for Doniphan County Rural Water District #3 customers in the town of Severance.

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

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.
• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
• If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.
• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.

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

(KNZA)--A Holton man has pleaded guilty to a child sex charge.

According to court documents, 44-year-old Jay Stewart entered the plea last week in Jackson County District Court to a charge of aggravated indecent with a child after waiving his preliminary hearing.

Following the hearing, he was remanded to the custody of the Jackson County Jail to await sentencing, which was set for April 9th.

Stewart was arrested February 14th on a Jackson County warrant following an investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

He was charged with engaging in the lewd fondling or touching of a child under 14 years of age in November of last year.

(KMZA)--A class will be held in Seneca next week on how to properly conduct a controlled burn.

Nemaha County Emergency Management is sponsoring the presentation by the Kansas Forest Service on the best practices during a controlled burn.

County Emergency Management Director Eddie Aldrine said Bryce Haverkamp with the Kansas Forest Service will help landowners and fire personnel who conduct controlled burns learn how to properly conduct a prescribed, or “controlled,” burn on local land.

The class will be held Monday evening, March 4, from 6 to 10 at the Meadowlark District KSU Extension Office located at 1615 Branch Street, in Seneca.

The class is open to the public and is free of charge. Registration is not required.

Those with questions can contact the Nemaha County Emergency Management Office at 785-336-2135.

(KNZA)---A ground breaking ceremony was held Monday to officially kick-off the construction of a new multi-purpose community building on the north side of Banner Creek Reservoir, west of Holton.

Aeschliman Construction, of Holton, was awarded the contract for the project last April, with a base bid of nearly $380,000.

The construction company reached out to several area sub-contractors during the bid process, and they agreed to donate nearly $19,000 in material or labor for the building.

Friends of Banner Creek Reservoir raised a total of $160,000 for the project, and was awarded an additional $160,000 matching grant by the state. County funds are being used to cover the remainder of the project cost.

The 48 by 72 foot building will include an event room, large kitchen, restrooms and a storage room. The building is to be completed by September.

(KAIR)--Atchison County's latest tax sale is being viewed as a success.

Held Tuesday, at Atchison's Memorial Hall, Atchison County Counselor Patrick Henderson, the next day, updated the County Commission about the outcome, saying all 13 parcels sold at auction. "We didn't have any that didn't sell, which is the first [Atchison County Tax Sale] we've had where we didn't have a bid on something," Henderson told the Commission, adding that that the "total out of all 13 parcels was $35,600."

Henderson's update came toward the end of Wednesday's special Commission meeting, held to finalize the sale of Atchison Senior Village.

(KAIR)--A request for the Jefferson County Commission to intervene in the allegation that fire districts are not handling their own calls was made Monday.

The request was made by Kentucky Township Fire Fighter Conley Feaster, who, during the weekly meeting of the Commission, asked that the County leaders arrange a meeting with the Township/Fire Boards to discuss what Feaster says is the problem of other county-based fire districts not handling their own calls.

According to the unofficial minutes of Monday's meeting, Commissioner Doug Walbridge addressed the request, saying that there is a standing mutual aid agreement, meaning that his district has also answered many calls for other fire districts.

It was then suggested by County Emergency Management Director James Tweed "that the fire boards schedule a meeting and talk to each other.”

No further action was taken on the matter.

Feaster didn't appear only to make the request. Instead, the minutes state he appeared to also present maps of possible boundary changes within the fire districts.

That follows Feaster, in December, being instructed by the Commission to create the maps, following Feaster's then request that one fire district be disbanded, with the district lines then redrawn to bring the disbanded district into an alternate fire district.
At that time, Feaster suggested to the Commissioners that Rural Fire District #3 be disbanded due to what he said at that time was that district's non-response to fires or accidents for the past year or two.

The Commission, following Feaster's December address, instructed him to create a map of the proposed changes, with his request to then later be taken under consideration by the Commission.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission this week approved the purchase of a vacuum excavation trailer in order to complete a survey of lead and copper service lines in the city, which is required by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

On the recommendation of Public Works Director Brad Scott, the Commission approved the purchase of the piece of equipment from Vermeer Great Plains for $98,931. It was the lowest among four bids received from three companies.

Scott said the vacuum excavator can be used for other projects as well--including cleaning storm sewers.

Also on the recommendation of Scott, the Commission accepted a proposal from Maple City Heating for the replacement of the HVAC system at the public works building for $15,860. Bids were received from three companies.

In other business, the Commission on a 4-1 vote adopted a resolution setting a July 1st deadline for the repair or demolition of structures on 10 properties deemed by the city as unsafe. Commissioner Brian Shefferd cast the lone dissenting vote.

Mayor Becky Shamburg said the city recently learned that its grant application for a proposed housing development project near Bruning Park has been turned down for a second time. Shamburg said the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation was only able to approve 12 projects out of the 50 projects submitted. She said the city will keep pursing the grant.

At the beginning of the meeting, Shamburg presented a plaque to Gene Atland in recognition of his 20 years of service with the Hiawatha Fire Department. Atland has retired from the department.

(KMZA)--A class willl be held in Seneca next week on how to properly conduct a controlled burn.

Nemaha County Emergency Management is sponsoring the presentation by the Kansas Forest Service on the best practices during a controlled burn.

County Emergency Management Director Eddie Aldrine said Bryce Haverkamp with the Kansas Forest Service will help landowners and fire personnel who conduct controlled burns learn how to properly conduct a prescribed, or “controlled,” burn on local land.

The class will be held Monday evening, March 4, from 6 to 10 at the Meadowlark District KSU Extension Office located at 1615 Branch Street, in Seneca.

The class is open to the public and is free of charge. Registration is not required.

Those with questions can contact the Nemaha County Emergency Management Office at 785-336-2135.

(KMZA)--A class willl be held in Seneca next week on how to properly conduct a controlled burn.

Nemaha County Emergency Management is sponsoring the presentation by the Kansas Forest Service on the best practices during a controlled burn.

County Emergency Management Director Eddie Aldrine said Bryce Haverkamp with the Kansas Forest Service will help landowners and fire personnel who conduct controlled burns learn how to properly conduct a prescribed, or “controlled,” burn on local land.

The class will be held Monday evening, March 4, from 6 to 10 at the Meadowlark District KSU Extension Office located at 1615 Branch Street, in Seneca.

The class is open to the public and is free of charge. Registration is not required.

Those with questions can contact the Nemaha County Emergency Management Office at 785-336-2135.