(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners voted to terminate the current contract with Pictometry International Corporation,, and entered into a Master Service Agreement with Pictomerty International doing business as EagleView to provide services for the years 2025 - 2030 at a cost of $39,972 annually when they met last week.

County Assessor Kim Riggs presented the agreement to the Board.

The service will aid the County is assessing properties.

Commissioners also approved entering into an interlocal agreement wtih the Nemaha Natural Resources District along with Johnson, Pawnee, Nemaha and Otoe counties to provide matching funds for a grant received by the NRD from FEMA for updating the All-Hazards Multi-Jurisdictional Mitigation Plan for Southeast Nebraska.

The cost to Richardson County will be $7,717.

(KLZA)-- The Nemaha Natural Resources District Board of Directors approved a resolution setting the property tax levy within the district boundaries at 2.99 cents per $100 of valuation when they met for their September Board meeting.

A significant portion of the Nemaha NRD expenses in the next fiscal year will again be rehabilitation of aging watershed structures.

Board members awarded a bid to Borrenpohl Excavating to remove trees at Kirkman's Cove Recreation Area northwest of Humboldt at a cost of $29,500.

Irrigation well permits were approved for Otto Acres LLC in Johnson County and three permits were approved for James Gerdes in Nemaha County.

The Board also discussed a public request to review well permit procedures. The Programs & Projects Committee will be reviewing options and management practices at their next meeting.

(KLZA)-- The Nemaha Natural Resources District Board of Directors approved a resolution setting the property tax levy within the district boundaries at 2.99 cents per $100 of valuation when they met for their September Board meeting.

A significant portion of the Nemaha NRD expenses in the next fiscal year will again be rehabilitation of aging watershed structures.

Board members awarded a bid to Borrenpohl Excavating to remove trees at Kirkman's Cove Recreation Area northwest of Humboldt at a cost of $29,500.

Irrigation well permits were approved for Otto Acres LLC in Johnson County and three permits were approved for James Gerdes in Nemaha County.

The Board also discussed a public request to review well permit procedures. The Programs & Projects Committee will be reviewing options and management practices at their next meeting.

(KLZA)-- The Nemaha Natural Resources District Board of Directors approved a resolution setting the property tax levy within the district boundaries at 2.99 cents per $100 of valuation when they met for their September Board meeting.

A significant portion of the Nemaha NRD expenses in the next fiscal year will again be rehabilitation of aging watershed structures.

Board members awarded a bid to Borrenpohl Excavating to remove trees at Kirkman's Cove Recreation Area northwest of Humboldt at a cost of $29,500.

Irrigation well permits were approved for Otto Acres LLC in Johnson County and three permits were approved for James Gerdes in Nemaha County.

The Board also discussed a public request to review well permit procedures. The Programs & Projects Committee will be reviewing options and management practices at their next meeting.

(KAIR)--A Nortonville resident has been named to serve on a Kansas board, designed to "provide Kansans equal electronic access to state, county, local, and other public information."

That's the responsibility of the Information Network of Kansas Board, to which Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has named Greta Funk to serve. Funk is among a total of three appointed, with the two others from the Kansas City, Kansas area.

The network, known as INK, was created, in 1990, by the Kansas Legislature, to make certain state residents have equal access, through use of the internet, to governmental data.

The three appointed to INK were among a number of other appointments made last week by Kelly, with local residents also named to continue serving on the Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board.

Among the eight reappointments Kelly made to that board are three from the local area, including Lorilee Thomas, a resident of Jackson County's Whiting. The two others reappointed are both from Leavenworth County, including Kathleen Engler, of Leavenworth, and Crystal Swann Blackdeer, of Tonganoxie.

The Pet Animal Advisory Board serves in an advisory capacity to the Animal Health Commissioner, aiding the commissioner in determining policies and plans relating to the Division of Animal Health, making recommendations concerning the rules and regulations for the Kansas Pet Animal Act.

(KAIR)--A long-time business teacher at Leavenworth High School has been named the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year.

According to a release, Elizabeth Anstine was awarded Saturday, during a special ceremony held in Wichita, earning the honor from a field of eight finalists.

Throughout the coming year, Anstine and the finalists will work and travel as a team to advocate for Kansas education and the teaching profession. Anstine, of Overland Park, has been teaching business marketing, entrepreneurship, and finance courses at Leavenworth High School for the past 12 year.

Stacey Cole, associate principal at Leavenworth High, in the release, credits Anstine for dramatically transforming the school- business and marketing program and for developing a partnership with high-incidence students who work closely with general education students.

Anstine calls one of the fundamental aspects of her teaching philosophy the “practice of deliberate reflection,” explaining in the release that she dedicates time to carefully assess her teaching methods and classroom practices, evaluating what is effective and where adjustments are needed to enhance the overall learning experience for her students.

(KAIR)--A Nortonville resident has been named to serve on a Kansas board, designed to "provide Kansans equal electronic access to state, county, local, and other public information."

That's the responsibility of the Information Network of Kansas Board, to which Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has named Greta Funk to serve. Funk is among a total of three appointed, with the two others from the Kansas City, Kansas area.

The network, known as INK, was created, in 1990, by the Kansas Legislature, to make certain state residents have equal access, through use of the internet, to governmental data.

The three appointed to INK were among a number of other appointments made last week by Kelly, with local residents also named to continue serving on the Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board. Among the eight reappointments Kelly made to that board are three from the local area, including Lorilee Thomas, a resident of Jackson County's Whiting. The two others reappointed are both from Leavenworth County, including Kathleen Engler, of Leavenworth, and Crystal Swann Blackdeer, of Tonganoxie.

The Pet Animal Advisory Board serves in an advisory capacity to the Animal Health Commissioner, aiding the commissioner in determining policies and plans relating to the Division of Animal Health, making recommendations concerning the rules and regulations for the Kansas Pet Animal Act.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County STEP Foundation Board of Directors has announced recipients for the fall-round of 2024 grants totaling more than $33,000.

The grants are awarded for charitable purposes to enhance and improve the quality of life for the residents of Nemaha County, Kansas.

Three local non-profits will be improving their playgrounds thanks to the STEP General Endowment Fund granting $3,000 to each of the projects. They include the Cardinal Community Foundation in Wetmore, Nemaha Central Elementary and Middle School and Sabetha Playground Partners. The Nemaha Central Elementary and Middle School will also be receiving an additional $8,000 grant for their project from the Chad Baker Memorial Fund.

Meadowlark Extension District #7 will receive $500 from the STEP General Endowment Fund along with $2,000 from the Chad Baker Memorial Fund for an educational landscaping project.

The Nemaha Valley Community Hospital will be receiving a $10,000 grant from the Nemaha County Dementia Fund. The funding will be used to provide activities for their patients. Some of the items that will be purchased include baby dolls, fidgets, activity books and training for staff and local EMS to better assist their patients.

In addition, Nemaha Central USD 115 will receive a $4,000 grant from the Underprivileged Children- Fund. It will be used to purchase coats, hats, gloves, backpacks, shoes, and meals for students who are unprivileged.

Grants are awarded twice a year through the STEP Foundation with the next deadline being January 15, 2025.

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

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse in a release said shortly before 8:00 Thursday morning, a Sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on car on U.S. 75 Highway near Holton for multiple alleged traffic infractions.

Upon contacting the occupants of the vehicle, the driver was identified as 61-year-old Paula Michael.

During the course of the traffic stop, Morse said a Sheriff- Office K-9 alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics within the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted and resulted in the alleged discovery of illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia.

Michael was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Following hear arrest, Michael was booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners reported that notice has been received from the City of Falls City that a Memorandum of Understanding dated July 8 of this year, with the County has been terminated.

The agreement ended due to the action of a division within the Public Service Commission in August, during which Richardson County's request to be a secondary Public Service Answering Point for 911 calls was denied.

The City has since sent of revised call procedure document outlining how dispatching will be handled moving forward for 911 calls outside of the city limits of Falls City.

Ashley Fisher, Dispatch Supervisor for the Sheriff's Department reported the County is operating with the revised call procedures document which is much the same as what was provided for in the Memorandum of Understanding.

Commissioners also approved the purchase of a restraint chair from Safety Restraint Chair Inc. of Omaha in an amount of $2,900 and the purchase of a medication cart from Universal Medical of Oldsmar, Florida at a cost of $4122 for the law enforcement center.

(KLZA)-- The Southeast Nebraska Memorial Cancer Garden (the Garden) was honored with the 2024 Outstanding Community Conservation Award at this year's Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) annual conference. This prestigious award recognizes communities leading the state in natural resource conservation efforts.

“The Garden showcases the incredible work a community can accomplish when they come together for a common cause,” said Ashley Rippe, Information & Education Coordinator of the Nemaha NRD. “The promotion of conservation is on full display through native and ornamental plants, pollinator habitats, educational components, and wildlife habitats.”

Located in Humboldt, Nebraska, the Garden has been a cherished landmark in southeast Nebraska, bringing hope and fostering a sense of community through its thoughtfully designed landscaping. Each year, dedicated volunteers spend countless hours landscaping and maintaining the Garden and its features. Every aspect of the Memorial Garden is meticulously planned, with each feature carrying significant meaning and purpose. For those whose lives have been touched by cancer, the connection to nature within the Garden offers a deeper, more spiritual meaning. Immersing oneself in the Garden allows visitors to find solace, healing, and a sense of community.

Throughout the Garden, personalized bricks are carefully placed, each engraved with the name of an individual affected by cancer. These bricks serve as enduring tributes, honoring loved ones, survivors, and those who have passed. Each brick tells a story of courage, remembrance, and love, contributing to the overall sense of community and connection within the Garden. In addition to being personal memorials, these tribute bricks are a testament to the Garden's mission of healing, hope, and remembrance.

Each year, the NARD recognizes outstanding conservation efforts across the state. Award categories include community, grassland, soil, and water conservation, as well as recognition for educator, tree planter, and director of the year.

Pictured with this story are: Front row, from left, Nemaha NRD Administrative Bookkeeper Brooke Gerdes, Southeast Nebraska Cancer Memorial Garden representative Lois Luthy, Nemaha NRD Assistant Manager Jane Kuhl. Back row, from left, NARD President Martin Graff, Nemaha NRD Directors Dan Hodges, Duane Sugden and Dr. Orval Gigstad, and Nemaha NRD General Manager Kyle Hauschild.

(KNZA)--The Jackson County Commission will host a special meeting Monday evening, September 30th to discuss the possibility of increasing the county sales tax by one percent.

The meeting will take place at 6:00 in the first floor meeting room at the Jackson County Courthouse.

The meeting comes after some residents in attendance at last month's budget hearing voiced support for raising the county sales tax in order to help reduce the county mill levy.

Jackson County currently has a 1.4 percent sales tax rate, which includes a special four-tenth percent sales tax for road and bridge improvements, and for each of the county's cities.

Any new proposed tax would have to be approved by local voters. Before going to vote, the Kansas Legislature would also have to pass a bill giving the county the authority to raise the sales tax.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has voted to reject the lone bid received for operation of the county transfer station and explore other options.

The Commission took the action when they met Monday, according to the official meeting minutes.

Bid letting was held on September 9th, with Central Disposal Service, of St. Joseph, Missouri, submitting the lone bid.

Waste Management, who currently operates the transfer station, has notified the county that they intend to end their contractual agreement on October 31st.

In other business, the Commission voted to accept a proposal from Husker Steel, of Columbus, Nebraska, to repair a double barrel box culvert on Ash Point Road, north of 150th Road, for a cost of $162,995.

In addition, the Commission voted 2-1 to accept best bid submitted by Urban Construction for the replacement of a concrete box culvert on 140th Road, west of K-7, with two 80 by 40 foot metal tubes in the amount of $27,650. Commissioner Timothy Collins cast the lone dissenting vote. It was among three bids received. Work is to begin following fall harvest.

(KNZA)--The annual Maple Leaf Festival will take place Saturday, September 28 around the Brown County Courthouse Square in downtown Hiawatha.

The festival, which will run 9:30 to 4:30, will include vendors, activities, entertainment, a car show and food trucks.

The band True North will be the headlining performer. There will also be a couple of new performers this year: Lisa Scholz, from the Highland area and the band South Wind, from Manhattan. The Hiawatha Headliners and Tori Wist will round out the musical entertainment.

In addition, there will be children's and adult activities-- including bouncy houses, leaps and bounds, a mechanical bull and bunge basketball . A $10 wristband will be available at the festival for the events.

There will also be several new children's entertainers this year—including Bluffwoods Boffers, entertainment and games. Also new this year is balloon artist Karen smith, who will be on hand from 11 to 2 on the south lawn of the courthouse. In addition, Songwriter and author Karla Bauer of Kansas City will be entertaining at 10:30 and again at 1:30 on the south side of the courthouse.

Local magician Barron Stringfellow will perform at 11:00 on the south side of the Courthouse and there will also be a petting zoo.

Nearly 60 craft and food vendors will be set up around the courthouse square.

The festival is organized by the Hiawatha Chamber and Visitor's Bureau.

(KLZA)--Harvest season is underway, and the Nebraska State Patrol encourages all motorists to be aware of agriculture equipment traveling on roads throughout the state.

As ag producers continue their harvest, all motorists should stay alert for slow-moving ag implements. Due to their dimensions and loads, operator visibility is often reduced, the State Patrol encourages drivers to stay cautious when approaching, following, or attempting to pass farm vehicles.

Agricultural products are moved across the country using various forms of transportation. According to the Bureau of Transportation, 2,259,610 trucks carry agricultural goods from farms to markets.

Haulers should prioritize vehicle safety by conducting pre-trip inspections, complying with traffic laws, displaying warning signs on machinery, using flashing yellow caution lights, and staying aware of vehicles attempting to pass.

(KLZA)--Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has announced the receipt of federal funds to aid in the recovery from storms that impacted multiple Nebraska counties June 20 - July 8.

This is the fourth time federal funds have been awarded to the state due to severe weather this year.

16 Counties are eligible for funding including Nemaha County.

For the time frame indicated above, those counties sustained significant damage resulting from severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding.

Additional funding may be available later based on results of further damage assessments.

(MSC News)--Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, on Thursday, joined the Kansas Office of Veterans Services to honor more than 6,500 fallen Kansan service members and their families during the third annual Kansas Gold Star Remembrance and Recognition Ceremony, held at the Statehouse.

According to a release from Kelly's office, the ceremony follows Kelly's 2022 signing of the Senate Bill establishing the Kansas Gold Star Families Memorial on Statehouse grounds.

Kelly, in the release, says "Gold Star Mothers and Family- Day is an important reminder that the cost of freedom is enormous and enduring, even long after the battles to protect it have ended.”

In addition to providing remarks during Thursday's ceremony, Kelly laid a wreath in respect to the families and their loved ones. Kansas Gold Star Families and guests in attendance were invited to lay flowers to honor their family members and service members who gave their lives for our nation.

(KMZA)--Governor Laura Kelly has announced the 14 grant recipients of the Rural Champions program's second cohort.

Among the grant recipients, announced Monday, is the Cardinal Community Foundation in the Nemaha County community of Wetmore, which was awarded funding for a community and economic development project.

According to a release from the Governor's Office, the selected Rural Champions will join a growing statewide network of grassroots individuals tackling critical projects in their respective rural communities.

Inspired by a Kansas Sampler Foundation report, the Office of Rural Prosperity, in collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation, created the Rural Champions program as a way for rural communities to move the needle in areas where a lack of capital or other resources hinders necessary progress.

The release says the program provides a one-year wage stipend of $20,800 to each community, along with training and resources. Communities also will receive up to $25,000 at the end of the year to move into the implementation phase of their projects.

(KLZA)--Nebraska Attorney General Mike Foley announced Monday that the City of Auburn has returned $658,003 of what was determined by a state auditors investigation to have been overcollected Tax Increment Financing funds.

Foley says the excess funds will be returned to schools and local government entities in Nemaha County.

During an interview with The Nebraska Examiner, Foley alleged that Auburn's Community Redevelopment Authority collected more TIF revenue that it should have for certain redevelopment projects and then used the funds to pay for different projects.

Tax Increment Financing is use by local municipalities for economic development and redevelopment projects in blighted areas.

State Auditor Foley listed out his concerns to Auburn and Nemaha County authorities in a letter in May.

Auburn was allegedly using TIF revenue remaining from a redevelopment project by rolling it over into an account to be used for other projects.

Foley said that reality is that Auburn has put the money back where it belonged.

Foley has noted he has concerns statewide regarding the increased use of TIF. Foley says cities are attempting to cleanup blighted areas and incentivize economic development which is good, but he feels we may have reached a point were things are a little out of control.

(KNZA)--A Jackson County Sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop, for an alleged number of traffic infractions, this past weekend, not initially knowing that a Topeka passenger was wanted by federal authorities.

A release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse explains the circumstances surrounding the Saturday afternoon traffic stop, which he says occurred around 3:30, near 118th Road, on U.S. Highway 75.

Once the Ford Taurus was stopped, a K-9 Officer allegedly detected the odor of what Morse calls "illegal drugs or narcotics within the vehicle."

Focus, during the stop, was placed on passenger Steven Lee, of Topeka, who, the deputy learned, was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, with Morse saying that ended with the discovery of what's alleged to be methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Lee was arrested at the scene of the traffic stop, then booked into the Jackson County Jail for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Details regarding the fed's interest in Lee is not immediately made public.

(KLZA)--This month, the FBI announced the launch of a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the frauds and scams impacting the public and encourage reporting to law enforcement.

Throughout this campaign, the FBI is sharing information with the public to highlight different types of fraud and scams, tips for identifying them and preventing losses, and how victims can report to protect others. One of the most common tactics scammers employ is a false sense of urgency or isolation. They may try to instill trust, induce empathy or fear, or promise monetary gains, companionship, or employment opportunities - all to lure victims into immediate action.

For this reason, the FBI- awareness campaign urges the public to “Take A Beat”: resist pressure to act quickly, pause for a moment, and assess the situation.

According to the FBI- latest Internet Crime Complaint Center data, there have already been $1.6 billion in losses from January to May of 2024, which is nearly $300 million more from the same time last year. “Anyone can become a victim of fraud” according to FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel, who says It- critical to talk to parents, grandparents, children, and other loved ones about fraud and how to identify the warning signs of a scam.

Fraudsters often purposefully make victims feel isolated. Forming communities of support can help get individuals to the reporting tools and support services they need.

While fraud can happen to anyone, there are small steps that can be taken to protect yourself and your information:

▪ Take precautionary measures to protect your identity should a criminal gain access to your device or account. Immediately contact your financial institutions to place protections on your accounts and monitor for suspicious activity.

▪ Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, mailings, and door-to-door service offers.

▪ Search online for the contact information such as name, phone number, email, addresses, of any unknown source which reaches out to you, as well as the proposed offer. Verify the legitimacy of businesses on websites such as Better Business Bureau. Other people have likely posted information online about businesses and individuals attempting to run scams.

▪ Never give or send to unverified people or businesses any personally identifiable information, money, checks, gift cards, or wire information. If you believe you or someone you know may have been a victim of a fraud or scam, contact your local FBI office or submit a complaint on IC3.gov.

You should document the name of the scammer/company and methods of contact, dates of contact, methods of payment, where funds may have been sent, and a thorough description of the interactions.

For more information on the common frauds and scams the FBI encounters, visit: www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scam

(KNZA)--Doniphan County is among 14 Kansas Counties included in a federal disaster declaration following summer storm damage across the state.

The Kansas Adjacent General's Department, in a release Wednesday, said President Biden has granted Governor Laura Kelly's request for federal assistance due to damages sustained because of severe storms occurring June 26 to July 7th, which included straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding.

Kelly said she is grateful the request for federal assistance has been approved, adding the federal funds will go a long way in supporting the restoration work by those in counties impacted by the storms.

The declaration allows for state and local levels of government, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations that provide vital and essential services, such as rural electric cooperatives, to apply for Public Assistance funds for emergency and permanent work for the repair or replacement of infrastructure damaged by the disaster.

It also activates the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program statewide for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is facing federal charges pertaining to sex crimes involving a child.

A release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson says 37-year-old Steven Woodward, Jr. was arrested Monday on a federal warrant.

While Wilson says the warrant charges Woodward with sexual exploitation of a minor, additional details regarding the case aren't immediately made public.

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

(MSC News)--Through upgrades made to iKan, described in a release as Kansas' "award winning digital government platform," will mean fewer trips to the DMV for licensed Kansas drivers.

The release, from the Kansas Department of Revenue, explains that along with the upgrades bringing "an improved resident profile interface," the technology will also allow state residents to update their vehicle's address, through use of the online platform, up to 90 days before the renewal date. The release notes that the process previously required residents to take a trip to the DMV.

First introduced in 2018, iKan encompasses services from numerous agencies in a consolidated experience for Kansas residents. Through iKan, residents can renew driver- and CDL licenses, ID cards, and vehicle registrations; order birth, death, and marriage certificates, request address changes for licenses and vehicles, and purchase annual park passes. The platform is available on web or mobile browsers and with a native mobile application.

Residents are encouraged to create an iKan account, which speeds the renewal process and offers a view of past, current, and upcoming transactions. A guest payment option is also available.

Since its launch, nearly 1 in 2 Kansas residents have registered with iKan, and the platform has processed over 4.5 million transactions, representing nearly $1 billion in revenue collected for the State.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council has approved changes to the city's tree ordinance that will enable city crews to trim trees that hang too low over streets.

The Council approved the revised tree ordinance last week.

After giving residents advance notice, branches will be cut about even with street curbs. The city's goal is to create safer travel.

Residents concerned about the appearance of their trees would be able to hire professional trimmers.

Homeowners would remain responsible for trimming branches above sidewalks.

Also, references to a Tree Advisory Board, have been removed from the ordinance. The board has not been in existence for several years.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening approved the reallocation of ARPA funds for the purchase of new equipment for the water and sewer departments.

That includes the purchase of a sewer camera at an estimated cost of $40,000 and two tapping machines for the water department at an estimated cost of $12,750.

The Commission approved seeking bids for the equipment.

City Administrator Brad Scott said the city has around $142,000 in ARPA funding available, which had been allocated for improvement's at the city's Aquatic Park. With the equipment purchases, Scott said that would leave around $90,000 in funding available for upgrades at the Aquatic Park.

Public Works Director Dominic Grier said the tapping machines will be needed for the lead and copper line replacement the city will have to undertake. He said the city hasn't had a sewer camera since 2007.

The Commission also approved seeking bids for the replacement of the Fisher Center doors with ADA compliant doors and for the purchase of a truck for the Parks and Recreation Department.

(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is making county residents aware of a pair of scams circulating in the area.

He says residents are receiving messages by text and e-mail from what appears to be from the Kansas turnpike---DRIVEKS-- stating that this is a final reminder to pay your toll bill and if not, a $35 fee will be imposed. It gives a site to visit to pay the bill. Merchant says this is scam.

He says another scam is that residents are being texted and contacted by phone by someone representing themselves as the Brown County Sheriff's Office. The number on the the caller ID coincides with the Sheriff's Office. The scammer then tells the resident that there is an outstanding warrant for their arrest unless immediate payment is not made. When questioned about the authenticity of the call, an ID card from someone who is representing themselves as an agent from the Federal Trade Commission, Fraud Control Division, is sent to the county resident in hopes to convince them that the call is genuine. Merchant says you should never trust your caller ID.

If you feel that you have been made a victim of a scam, you should notify your local law enforcement at once.

(KLZA)--Three Missouri and two Kansas members of Congress serving constituents in the greater Kansas City area forwarded a joint letter last week to the U.S. Postal Service demanding action to rectify problems with missing or delayed mail and protracted periods in which no mail was delivered at all.

Republicans Reps. Sam Graves of Tarkio and Mark Alford, both of Missouri, and Rep. Jake LaTurner of Kansas, as well as Democrats Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri and Sharice Davids of Kansas, forwarded the letter to USPS postmaster general Louis DeJoy, pointing to a July federal audit of the Kansas City Postal and Distribution Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and stations in Hickman Mills in Missouri as well as in Mission and Kansas City on the Kansas side of the border.

Deficiencies at the distribution center touched on mail clearance times, delayed mail, late cancellations and dock scanning during an inspection period in May, USPS auditors said. The report said challenges at the three stations included document scanning, delayed mail and property conditions.

The inspector general concluded USPS ought to address problems with employee staffing and recommended supervisors prepare better for staff absences in the Kansas City region.

Federal lawmakers said USPS ought to implement strategies to mitigate mail delays, ensure compliance with processing procedures, improve delivery logistics, and upgrade safety and security policies for staff at the mail facilities.

The representatives said residents of communities across Kansas and Missouri relied on consistent mail service and deserved better support from USPS management.

(KLZA)--The Auburn City Council has given approval to a nearly $2.8-million contract with Graham Construction to begin grading and construction of sewer and water main work on the Westgate Third Addition.

The work is to be completed by September 1, 2025.

In other business during the September Council meeting, final payment was approved for Schoen's Roofing for a re-roofing project at a cost of $327,277 after deductions were made.

(KLZA)--The Mound City Board of Education met September 19. Enrollment for Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade is 280 in the school district, just two students short of last years total.

Elementary Principal Emily Petersen reported that grades 5 - 8 are using a new grade check policy which mirrors the High School policy which means students with D's or F's in class will be on probation and unable to participate in extra curricular activities.

Superintendent Korey Miles reported that ProServe will be at the school September 27 to begin remediation to allow kindergarten students back in their classroom following the work to upgrade the air quality.

Lankford Flooring is currently sanding the gymnasium floor with an expectation of two weeks to complete the sanding, staining, painting and laying finish. The goal if for the Volleyball Senior Night can take place in the new gym.

Concrete work is being done north of the Multipurpose Building in the parking lot.

High School Principal Jake Shipman reported an "Arrive Alive Tour" which provided simulations for impaired driving for High School Students was presented earlier this month and that the North Star Advocacy Center provided presentations regarding sexual abuse and that 7 - 12 grade students will be attending a Suicide Awareness Event September 26 at Northwest Missouri State University.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Council held a special meeting Monday night.

The Council approved the city insurance package for Fiscal Year 24-25.

The Council approved awarding a bid for most of the package to the League Association of Risk Management at a cost of $267,953. In addition, the Council awarded a bid of $317,769 to the Cincinnati company which will cover the Board of Public Works, boiler and machinery, property, general liability and an umbrella policy.

The total cost for insurance will come to $585,722.

In one other item of business the Council approved a resolution to apply for a USDA Rural Development Assistance Grant for communications upgrades at the Falls City Police Department.

(KNZA)--A jury trial has been set for a Hiawatha man facing multiple sex and drug charges.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says Jeremy Stover pleaded not guilty Monday in Brown County District Court to eight counts. They include 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.

A jury trial was set for February 24-27, 2025.

The charges were filed in February 2023 following an investigation by the Brown County Sheriff's Office.

Stover remains free on a $50,000 bond.

(KAIR)--Students at Atchison's Central School are preparing to get their hands dirty, courtesy of a grant allowing them to gain first-hand experience with gardening.

According to a social media post from Atchison's USD 409, the grant was provided to the school in order to begin a Kansas Prairie Garden.

The release says the students, during the past week, spent time cleaning out the area where the garden will be planted, with time also spent designing the look of the garden.

A key to beginning the garden is, as the students are learning, researching plants, and the size they achieve, in order to make certain they'll fit with the garden.

(KAIR)--A tragic conclusion in the search for a missing child.

On Monday night, the emergency call went out regarding the child, who Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson says had not been seen since walking away from his home earlier in the day, on Monday afternoon.

Atchison Police, and the child's family, searched for him after he disappeared, with Wilson telling MSC News the search continued through Monday night into Tuesday morning, when a tragic discovery was made.

It was around 9:00 Tuesday morning, according to Wilson, that the child was found, deceased, in a remote, outdoor area on the southern edge of Atchison.

Due to the ongoing investigation, names are not released, and a cause of death not made public.

(KAIR)--A late Sunday night motorcycle crash, in the 700 block of Atchison's North 8th Streeet, sent the rider to the hospital.

A release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson says 22-year-old Caleb Cummins, of Atchison, had been northbound on 8th Street when he lost control of the motorcycle, which left the roadway, on the west side of the street, where it struck a mailbox and a metal handrail.

The impact of the crash ejected Cummins from the motorcycle, landing in a residential lawn, located in the 700 block of North 8th Street.

Cummins, following the wreck, was transported by Atchison County EMS to St. Joseph, Missouri's Mosaic Lifecare, where he was treated for his injuries, then released Monday.

The wreck occurred around 11:40 Sunday night. Wilson says charges are pending.

(KLZA)-- It has been an abnormally dry summer across nearly three-quarters of the Missouri River basin with drought conditions expected to continue, and possibly worsen through the month of November.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri River Basin Water Management Division reported 55.1 million-acre-feet of water stored in the Missouri River System on September 1, with that level expected to drop to 4.7 million-acre-feet below the base of flood control at the start of the 2025 runoff season. The base level is 56.1 million-acre-feet.

At Gavins Point Dam, the release rate of water into the lower river system has been set at 500 cubic feet per second below full service at four target locations which includes Nebraska City.

Those flow targets may be missed to conserve water. Season support for navigation will end Sunday, December 1.

(KAIR)--Atchison County Emergency Services has added a new state of the art piece of lifesaving equipment, unveiled, and installed, last week.

According to a release, the new equipment, known as the Zoll Autopulse NXT, was added to the department- ambulances and Captain's vehicle, with crews having completed training on the device in recent days. The release notes that the Atchison Fire Department and Atchison County Emergency Management also participated in the training.

The Autopulse, the release explains, is a mechanical CPR machine, which provides continuous chest compressions without the loss of efficiency that accompanies manual chest compressions performed by a person. The machine is also is a force multiplier, which allows emergency staff to perform other lifesaving interventions during a cardiac arrest incident.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council has given the green light to the construction of a batting cage at the Seneca West ball field for a senior class project.

Nemaha Central High School senior Reagan Gerety appeared before the Council last week to seek approval for the project.

The total cost of the project is projected to be $14,157. Gerety says she has received $10,161 in donations and requested the city donate the remainder of the funding for the project in the amount of $3,996, which the Council approved.

In other business, the Council accepted the resignation of Seneca Police Officer Rachel Grimm, effective September 29th. She has served with the Police Department for 7 months. Grimm plans to take a job in the private sector.

(KAIR)--Now that the weekend has ended, and fall has arrived, eyes turn to the upcoming weekend, and the continuation of seasonal traditions in the City of Atchison.

Along with Octoberfest Saturday, comes the 14th year for the scholarship fundraiser run known as "Mary Lea's Joggin' for the Noggin."

According to a release, the Mary Lea Johanning Scholarship Foundation has supported 17 Atchison women in their scholarly activities, with the run, each year, raising funds "in support of...young women and future recipients."

The 5K/2K walk/run is set to begin Saturday morning, September 28, at 8:00, at Veterans Memorial Park, located at the Atchison Riverfront.

Along with those taking part in the actual run, organizers look to anyone who wishes to donate, or volunteer, in support of the memorial scholarship, with the funds raised again earmarked for Atchison High School women who attend a Kansas University or College.

The merit-based scholarship, awarded annually to one Atchison High School woman, was created in the Spring of 2008 as a way to honor and remember Mary Lea Johanning. The 2024 recipient of the award is Emma Regan, who will be attending Kansas Wesleyan, in Salina, where she plans to play soccer and study Business and Marketing.

Online registration is open, as well as volunteer opportunities, for Saturday's "Joggin' for the Noggin.' That info can be found in the post below.

(KAIR)--Kansas City is the weekend destination for supporters of Atchison's Maur Hill-Mount Academy, as the college prep school's annual League of St. Maur Gala has a new venue for 2024, the Embassy Suites, near KCI.

Being held under the theme "Friendships that Span the Globe" Saturday night, the gala, each year, is when the Fidelis Award is presented, described in a release from the school as "an esteemed honor for those who are faithful, support Catholic education, a commitment to Maur Hill-Mount Academy, inspires others with their work ethic and servant heart for the Lord."

Two Atchison natives, Kevin and Theresa McDermed, are named to receive the honor, with the release saying the couple embodies the characteristics honored through the award, and are proud supporters of Maur Hill-Mount Academy, "evident with their time and talents."

The couple has three children, Lauren Hundley, Jennifer Minelli, and Mark McDermed, all graduates of Maur Hill-Mount Academy, with the release noting that Theresa McDermed "would say her most important job [of those she's held] has been being a stay-at-home mom."

David Trotter, President of Maur Hill-Mount Academy, calls the nomination of the McDermeds for the recognition "a clear choice," with Trotter citing their achievements, saying it's "their volunteerism, support of the school and Catholic identity as a whole that defines them clearly as this year- Fidelis recipients."

Kevin, the release notes, has served on the Maur Hill-Mount Academy Board as Treasurer for two terms, from 2003-2009 and again in 2018 through this past July. Theresa has served the school as an engaged parent, working behind the scenes, having also served on the Alumni Board, Parent Board, and helped renovate the basement of the Administration building, while both she and Kevin helped renovate the dorms.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Police Department has recently received complaints of drivers not stopping for children in cross walks at the schools.

The Police Department says they will be patrolling the schools and taking action on violations.

Pedestrians' have the right-of-way in a crosswalk.

When traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk who is in the lane in which the driver is proceeding or is in the lane immediately adjacent thereto by bringing his or her vehicle to a complete stop.

(KLZA)--The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has reported 35 cases of Pertussis, also known as the whooping cough, this year.

This has doubled compared to the 13 cases reported in 2023. A Pertussis case was recently confirmed in a student in the Two Rivers Public Health department region where they are currently monitoring the situation.

Officials are now recommending people take precautions as the number grows.

Pertussis is a contagious respiratory disease spread by coughing or sneezing. Early symptoms may include:

Common cold, Runny or stuffy noses, Low-grade fevers, Mild coughs, Vomiting fatigue after coughing fits, Strugling to breath.

One to two weeks after these symptoms occur, a person may also experience coughing fits which may last between one to 10 weeks where one might experience a cough causing a “whoop” sound.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) caution that approximately one in three babies who catch pertussis and are younger than one year of age may end up needing hospital care.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services encourage measures be taken to protect younger individuals who are more threatened by the disease as well as people who have not had the Pertussis vaccine at all.

It is strongly encouraged that if you have not had a Tdap vaccine in the last seven years that it is important to talk to your primary provider for more details and about your own personal risk.

If you are showing symptoms of pertussis, officials say you should make sure to inform your healthcare provider.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Council this week approved a resolution to accept and confirm infrastructure improvements for the Wilderness Falls Phase III development.

The City entered into an agreement with Excel Development Group to reimburse the company for 50 percent of the public improvement construction costs associated with the project.

The city's 50 percent cost for the improvements amounted to $236,111.

There are now 24 duplexes that have been built by Excel Development group in Falls City.

(KLZA)--Following a public hearing drawing no comment Wednesday, Richardson County Commissioners unanimously adopted the county tax levy for the next fiscal year at 32.71 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

In other action, the Board received correspondence from the County and District Court Judges in the 1st Judicial District in regards to fee increases that will be allowed for court appointed attorneys beginning January 1, 2025.

The rate will increase from $95 per hour to $110 per hour on January 1, and on January 1, 2026 the rate will increase to $125 per hour.

(KLZA)--Following a public hearing drawing no comment Wednesday, Richardson County Commissioners unanimously adopted the county tax levy for the next fiscal year at 32.71 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

In other action the Board received correspondence from the County and District Court Judges in the 1st Judicial District in regards to fee increases that will be allowed for court appointed attorneys beginning January 1, 2025.

The rate will increase from $95 per hour to $110 per hour on January 1, and on January 1, 2026 the rate will increase to $125 per hour.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission has approved a resolution extending the current moratorium on large wind energy projects in the county for another one year period, effective September 29th.

The Commission took the action when they met last week.

The Commission continues to consider the overall merits of a zoning ordinance.

The moratorium has been placed since May 2019.

In other business, the Commission approved the purchase of a new road grader for the county Road and Bridge Department from Foley Equipment in the amount of $371,300 with the trade-in of a 2011 John Deere grader.

A bid was also received from Murphy Tractor.

Funding for the new grader will come from the county's special machinery fund.

(KNZA)--Two individuals were arrested on drug charges following a Brown County traffic stop Wednesday.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, in a release, said a Sheriff's deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle on U.S 75 Highway near 160th Road for speeding.

Merchant said K-9 Carla indicated on the vehicle.

Upon conclusion, 45-year-old Michael Morris, of Beaumont, Texas was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In addition, 46-year-old Kenneth Lynch, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, was arrested on the same charges.

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

(KMZA)--Following a public hearing Monday, the Nemaha County Commission tabled adopted of a 2025 county budget to allow for further consideration of possible budget cuts.

Following a separate hearing, the Commission on a 2-1 vote adopted a resolution to exceed the revenue neutral rate of 36.168 mills. Commissioner Dylan Keim cast the lone dissenting vote.

Commissioners plan to go back and rework the budget to try to get it to the revenue neutral rate.

County Clerk Mary Kay Schultejans said multiple people attended the hearings, with three county residents speaking. She said they had questions about the valuation of the property they own in the county.

The proposed budget calls for a nearly 1.8 mill levy increase. It contains an estimated tax rate of 37.8 mills.

The budget calls for the county to collect nearly $8.9 in tax revenue. That's about $390,000 more than the county is expected to collect this year.

Schultejans said the Commission has until October 1st to approve the county budget.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has approved a road use agreement for construction of the Grain Belt Express transmission line.

According to the unofficial meeting minutes, the Commission took the action when they met Monday after consultation with County Attorney Charles Baskins.

Chicago-based Invenergy representative Jason Brown met with the Commission to seek approval of the agreement.

The about 800-mile line will deliver up to 4,000 megawatts of wind-generated power from southwest Kansas to eastern states. The line will go through 14 Kansas counties—including Doniphan.

Brown told the Commission that 97 percent of the land for the project has been acquired and construction is slated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025.

In addition to the road use agreement, Brown explained that a a one-time Construction Mitigation Impact Payment would be made to the county in the amount of $7,500 per mile. Doniphan County has a proposed route of just over 21 miles. The Construction Mitigation Impact payment would be in place of a Payment in Lieu of Tax agreement.

(KAIR)--A weekend of giving is planned in Valley Falls, with Match Day 2024 set to happen in the Jefferson County community to benefit 50 funds.

According to the Valley Falls Community Foundation, which oversees the event, donations, earmarked for local non-profits provided between midnight Saturday and 11:59 Monday night, will be matched, meaning more monies for those groups to utilize in their efforts.

In-person giving is also included as part of the weekend event, with that timed to happen during Grasshopper Falls Day, Saturday, with those donations to be made at the Kendall Bank Hall, on Broadway Street, between 9 and 2:00.

Donations to the Give Back to Valley Match Day can also be made online, at givebacktovalley. com and through the mail. There is no minimum donation amount.

Last year's Give Back to Valley Match Day raised more than $125,000.

(KMZA)--Nemaha Central USD 115 in conjunction with multiple local emergency first responders will be conducting a mass casualty drill Monday, September 23.

According to a release from Nemaha Central School Resource Officer Todd Helm, the drill will take place at the Nemaha Central Elementary and Middle School from about 12:30 to 3:30.

There is no school for students that day.

During the drill, Helm said there will be multiple emergency vehicles and first responders in the area. He said residents need to be aware of the activity and plan accordingly.

The drill is intended to improve response to a critical incident, facilitate the cooperation of multiple agencies, and identify areas for improvement.

(KMZA)--A Hiawatha man facing a child-sex charge in Nemaha County has pleaded to an amended charge.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert says Derrick Wichman pleaded no contest last week in Nemaha County District Court to a charge of aggravated battery.

Sentencing was set for November 7th.

Wichman was originally charged with indecent liberties with a child.

He was arrested in September 2023 following an investigation by the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office.

Wichman currently remains free on a $100,000 bond.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council received a presentation Monday night from Clint Simmons with the Nebraska League Association of Risk Management concerning insurance coverage, including workman's comp, which the city has been non-renewed on by the current provider.

LARM is not a traditional insurance company, that proactively works with members to assist them with questions and issues that arise and attempts to help member communities mitigate risk, prevent injuries and assist when there is a claim.

There are approximately 225 communities around Nebraska that make up the pool. LARM offered a $500 safety grant for members; provides $700 to be sued toward the purchase of a bulletproof vest for member police departments, provides property evaluation to make sure city property is listed adn covered and looks for cost-saving options.

LARM also provides a review of coverages annually at renewal time and also provides state-approved law enforcement training at no cost and has a library of more than 2,000 safety training videos including a wide range of topics. Contracts and agreements are also reviewed to mitigate liability and loss exposure.

The City is still waiting on final prices from it's current insurance carrier before making a decision which will be done yet this month.

(KAIR)--The annual celebration of Atchison's International Forest of Friendship is set for this weekend, including the induction of 5 honorees into Forest's sidewalks, all representing contributions to aviation and aerospace.

According to a release, the celebration's 2024 theme is "Security and Solace through Flight," which is intended to emphasize "contributions by military aviators, organizations like Angel Flight and flying doctors, and the aerial delivery of medicines."

Named as 2024's distinguished honoree, and keynote speaker at Saturday's celebration luncheon, is Retired General Glen VanHerck, USAF, who served in the U.S. Air Force for nearly 37 years with multiple assignments spanning fighter, bomber, and training operations including serving as a USAF Weapons School Instructor in the F-15C and the B-2A.

The weekend celebration of the Forest of Friendship begins Friday evening with a Cocktail Party on the lawn of the Amelia Earhart Birthplace, leading up to numerous festivities planned for Saturday morning. Among them is the annual Parade of Flags, at 9:45, with the release explaining that nearly 100 flags will fly to recognize the fifty states of the U.S. and the 36 countries where there are members of the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of licensed women pilots. Children of all ages are welcome to carry a flag in the parade, with registration beginning Saturday morning at 8:45, at the entrance to the forest. The parade will be led by Smokey the Bear, who will be available for pictures.

At 10:00 Saturday morning, the 5 honorees will be inducted into the Forest of Friendship, followed by the annual luncheon. Reservations are required for the luncheon, as well as Friday evening's cocktail party.

Along with the parade and induction, at the forest Saturday, other children's activities will also be held that morning, scattered throughout the Forest of Friendship until 11:15.

The International Forest of Friendship, located near Atchison's Warnock Lake, was founded in 1976, as part of the nation- bicentennial celebration, with work having begun on the idea in 1973 by Fay Gillis Wells, then Chair of the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots.

(KAIR)--Following months of discussion, including input from Atchison County residents; and, following a hold on approval to allow for additional discussion prior to certification, the Atchison County Commission, Tuesday, adopted its 2025 budget.

Prior to that move being made, Commissioner discussion included what proved to be a controversial proposal by Commission Chair Casey Quinn, who called for the Commission to forego its salary, and insurance, as a cost cutting measure:

The proposal did not win the approval of Quinn's fellow Commissioners, Dr. Allen Reavis and Eric Noll, but Quinn, pending legal findings from County Counselor Patrick Henderson, indicated she may still make the move personally.

Once discussion ended, and it was time for budget approval, the Commission took action, giving unanimous approval of the 2025 document:

The budget calls for total expenditures of $17.5 million, with a nearly 3.2 mill levy increase. The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 54.74 mills, which is anticipated to generate nearly $12.3 million in local tax revenue.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has approved several changes at the county landfill.

With action taken by the Commission Monday, County Emergency Management Director Don Pounds will assume the additional title of landfill director. With the additional responsibilities, his annual salary will be increased to $56,000.

Heather Merrill, who had served as landfill director, will assume the new title of scale operator at a salary of $20 an hour.

Noxious Weed Director Rich Rodvelt will be paid an extra $350 a month to oversee the construction and demolition pit, along with handle other duties as needed at the landfill.

Also the salary of landfill employee Brandon Rader will be increased to $21.50 an hour.

The pay increases were approved on a 2-1 vote, with Commissioner Lamar Shoemaker casting the lone dissenting vote.

The Commission approved a revised holiday schedule at the landfill for the remainder of 2024. The landfill will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. It will be open Veteran's Day, the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas eve morning.

As of September 9th, the Saturday schedule at the landfill has changed. The landfill is now open on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month instead of every Saturday. The schedule will continue for three months, at which time it will be re-evaluated.

(KAIR)--A late Wednesday morning Jackson County crash, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 75 and 190th Road, claimed the life of a Topeka man while leaving an Effingham woman seriously injured.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a release, says his office received a report of the crash just before 11:15 Wednesday morning, with deputies responding to the crash site.

When they arrived, deputies learned that a passenger van, northbound on the highway, was struck by a pickup truck.

The Kansas Highway Patrol, overseeing the investigation, identifies the driver of the truck as 16-year-old Wyatt Shields, of Holton, with the KHP's report stating he was eastbound, crossing the highway on 190th Road, when he failed to yield, pulling into the path of the van, causing the two vehicles to collide.

Dead is 52-year-old Scott Reaka, who was a passenger in the van, driven by 26-year-old Effingham resident Allison Lee. Lee suffered what the KHP calls "a suspected serious injury," and was, according to Morse, flown by LifeStar to the University of Kansas Hospital, in Kansas City, Kansas, after she was extricated from the van's wreckage.

Shields was not injured.

According to the KHP report, everyone involved was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the fatal Wednesday morning wreck.

(KAIR)--Formal charges are filed against the Fort Leavenworth resident accused of making a threat against the Leavenworth High School this week.

According to the office of Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, Thompson, Tuesday evening, charged 18-year-old Kaden Ray Bentley with aggravated criminal threat in connection with a social media post, brought to the attention of Leavenworth Police Monday evening, which led to the investigation that led to the arrest of Bentley.

Court documents, cited in Thompson's release, say Bentley, on or about Tuesday, "did unlawfully, feloniously, and with the intent to place another in fear, communicate a threat to commit violence, to wit: commit a school shooting."

Following receipt of the threat, Leavenworth Police coordinated efforts with the Fort Leavenworth Military police to investigate, with Bentley, a military dependent, surrendering to authorities Tuesday afternoon.

While he was still free Tuesday, Leavenworth Police showed a strong presence at Leavenworth High School that morning.

(KAIR)--Several public voices were heard Monday, as the Atchison City Commission held hearings prior to final action regarding next year's budget.

Some of the comments came during the public hearing held regarding the City's desire to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate, with unanimous approval ultimately granted for that resolution.

A public hearing, focused on the 2025 budget, followed, with Commissioners, at that time, discussing potential cost cutting measures for the future.

City Manager Mark Westhoff made budget related presentations during Monday's meeting, explaining, in part, that the budget is a good fit for the City overall.

The Commission, once hearings and discussion ended, approved the budget, which contains a reduced mill levy of 47.157, with total planned 2025 expenditures of more than $22.7 million dollars. Total assessed valuation is estimated to be more than $104 million for the 2025 budget, up 9% over the assessed valuation last year.

(KLZA)--Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Service have announced this year's recipients of the Governor's Wellness Awards.

23 Nebraska organizations have been honored for offering evidence-based worksite wellness programs.

Locally, Pawnee County Memorial Hospital in Pawnee City, received The Sower Award which recognizes workplaces that have established quality wellness programs.

Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn has received the Grower Award which honors businesses and organizations demonstrating significant improvement in employee health behaviors.

Including this year's winners, 540 total awards have been distributed across the state since the Governor's Wellness award program began.

(KLZA)--Old Fashioned Saturday Night will be held September 21 in Rock Port, Missouri.

This will mark the 41st year for the event.

Events begin at 5 p.m. and go til dusk.

Events will include carriage rides, funnel cakes, food, children's game, a kids' pedal tractor pull and other event taking place on Main Street.

For more information you can contact event coordinator Betty Stoner at 660-787-0531.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Council voted this week to move forward with a loan application to the Southeast Nebraska Affordable Housing Council for the construction of a residential house.

The Council took action on the recommendation of the city's Housing Board.

The home will be constructed at 1612 Fulton Street. The Southeast Nebraska Land Bank currently owns the property.

After looking at options, the recommendation was to build a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with approximately 1,662 square feet of finished living space including a finished basement. A two-car garage will also be included.

Southeast Nebraska Development District Contracting, a subsidiary of Southeast Nebraska Development District, will seek bids from contractors for the building of the home, estimated to cost $317,900. Once the home is built, the city will market the home with a target sale price between $321,000 and $330,000.

Any profit from the sale of the home goes back into the Rural Workforce Housing Fund, so more money will be available for another project at a future date.

(KLZA)--The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services reports 47 cases of mosquito-borne West Nile virus have been reported in the state so far this season, but no deaths have been reported and no cases have been reported in equines or birds.

No cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in Richardson, Pawnee, Nemaha, Johnson or Otoe counties in extreme Southeast Nebraska.

So far 84 of the 1,137 mosquito pools tested for West Nile Virus in the sate have been positive. That is 7.4% of the total.

The Health Department says statewide the risk of West Nile Virus is moderate.

(KLZA)--The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services reports 47 cases of Mosquito-Borne West Nile virus have been reported in the state so far this season, but no deaths have been reported and no cases have been reported in equines or birds.

No cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in Richardson, Pawnee, Nemaha, Johnson or Otoe counties in extreme Southeast Nebraska.

So far 84 of the 1,137 mosquito pools tested for West Nile Virus in the sate have been positive. That is 7.4% of the total.

The Health Department says statewide the risk of West Nile Virus is moderate.

(KLZA)--Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Service have announced this year's recipients of the Governor's Wellness Awards.

23 Nebraska organizations have been honored for offering evidence-based worksite wellness programs.

Locally, Pawnee County Memorial Hospital in Pawnee City, received The Sower Award which recognizes workplaces that have established quality wellness programs.

Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn has received the Grower Award which honors businesses and organizations demonstrating significant improvement in employee health behaviors.

Including this year's winners, 540 total awards have been distributed across the state since the Governor's Wellness award program began.

(MSC News)--Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, along with 1st District Congressman Tracey Mann, have introduced a bill to protect property rights in Kansas as the federal government considers an electric transmission line.

The bill introduced by the Kansas lawmakers would prevent the federal government from using taxpayer dollars to seize private property for the transmission line.

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor proposal to consider building a transmission line across Kansas.

The five-mile wide, 780-mile long Midwest Plains Transmission Corridor would transport green energy from Ford County, Kansas to the east coast. Locally, it would run through Marshall, Nemaha, Brown and Doniphan Counties.

By designating land as part of a transmission corridor, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would have new authority to site electric transmission lines.

The corridor was proposed as a way to protect consumers from higher electricity prices, more frequent power outages from extreme weather, and longer outages as the grid struggles to come back online.

In a press release, Moran said he has heard concerns about the project from Kansas residents: “Kansans have made it clear to the federal government that their land is not for sale. The NIETC proposal has been problematic from the start since the DOE permitted only 45 days for folks to submit their comments regarding the proposed transmission line. Sen. Marshall, Congressman Mann and I introduced legislation, the passage of which would prohibit the Department of Energy from trampling on the rights of Kansas landowners or usurping the authority of state regulators in order to build a transmission line across Kansas. These decisions should be left up to Kansans, not Washington.”

The legislation would have two major impacts:

• Ban federal funds from being used to condemn private property to be used for electric transmission lines, and

• Prohibit FERC from using its authority to overrule a state regulator- rejection of an electric transmission project.

Moran, Marshall and Mann have secured an agreement from the Department of Energy to continue accepting comments on the corridor project. Comments can be emailed to NIETC@hq.doe.gov

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff's Office is investigating recent thefts in the county.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant his office has received reports from area farmers regarding fuel and tools being taken while their vehicles and equipment have been in the fields.

Merchant is asking residents to stay alert and report anything they feel is suspicious.

He said some farmers have told him they have set up cameras when their equipment is parked overnight, which he thinks is a great idea.

Residents who see anything that looks suspicious are urged to contact the Brown County Sheriff's Office at once to report it.

Merchant says any information that you can obtain such as description of vehicle, tag number, direction of travel and number of occupants would be helpful.

(KAIR)--An 18-year-old is in custody, arrested Tuesday in connection with a social media post referencing what Leavenworth Police call "a potential threat at Leavenworth High School."

Police, Monday evening, were informed about the online post, with a release from the Leavenworth Police Department saying the investigation led to the identity of the 18-year-old suspect, identified as a military dependent who resides at Fort Leavenworth.

The Leavenworth Police Department coordinated efforts with the Fort Leavenworth Military Police; but, with no arrest immediately made as of Tuesday morning, a strong police presence was in place at Leavenworth High School "as a precaution," with the release clarifying that there was no immediate threat.

On Tuesday, at 12 noon, Leavenworth Police say the 18-year-old "surrendered to authorities at the Leavenworth Justice Center," where he was interviewed by detectives, then taken to the Leavenworth County jail. He was arrested for criminal threat.

The suspect's name is not immediately made public.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is facing drug-related charges following his weekend arrest while walking in Atchison.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, in a release, says officers on patrol, around 12:30 Saturday morning, saw 39-year-old Joseph Dyer walking in the area of 9th Street and Kansas Avenue, with Dyer known to be wanted on an Atchison County District Court warrant.

Dyer was taken into custody on the warrant, charging him with failure to appear. When he was arrested, it's alleged he was in possession of illegal drugs, leading to charges including possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Dyer additionally faces a charge for interference with law enforcement.

Following his early Saturday morning arrest, Dyer was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KAIR)--A Nortonville woman required hospital treatment following a single vehicle, Friday afternoon crash, which happened on 286th Road, near Hamilton Road, in Atchison County.

According to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 19-year-old Cleo Lee was eastbound, on 286th, when the pickup truck she was driving went south off the roadway, with Laurie saying it appears Lee over-corrected, sending the vehicle back onto the roadway, where it slid sideways into the oncoming lane of traffic, then off the right side of the roadway, where it hit an embankment, and went through a fence. The truck then went airborne, struck a power pole, and stopped, upright, in a field.

Laurie, in a report, says Lee suffered "a few lacerations," and complained of injuries to her hip/leg area, with Atchison County EMS and Atchison County Rescue both responding to the scene, with Lee later transported to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, Missouri, for treatment.

The wreck happened shortly before 1:45 Friday afternoon.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has selected a Topeka firm to provide engineering services for the replacement of the traffic signals and pedestrian improvements at the intersection of 1st of Oregon Streets.

On the recommendation of City Administrator Brad Scott, the Commission voted last week to accept a proposal from SBB Engineering to provide the services for an estimated total fee of $49,680.

The proposal includes project administration, a topographic survey, design and construction documents, and construction phases services.

The engineering firm has extensive experience designing traffic signal systems throughout Kansas.

A proposal was also submitted by Lawrence-based BG Consultants, the city's current engineering firm.

Under a project schedule submitted by SBB Engineering, the design plans are to be completed by March of 2025. Bid letting is to take place in May of next year, with the project to be awarded in June. Construction is to be completed by December 2025.

(KLZA)-- Falls City School Superintendent Tim Heckenlively reported to the Board at their September 9th meeting that the enrollment in District 56, as of September 10 was 808 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

The largest class is in the 8th grade with 69 students. The smallest class is 6th grade with 47 students.

The District 56 Board planning workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, September 25 at the Falls City Middle School. The Board will meet with administration members to collaborate and plan for the future direction of the school district and discuss factors that might support and challenge the school district.

The Board recognized the Falls City Education Association as the bargaining agent for Non-Supervisory Certificated Teaching staff for the 2026-2027 contract year.

(KNZA)--An online group chat mentions violence at Wamego's USD 320, and that led to a strong law enforcement presence Monday morning, as the threat was investigated.

That's according to a release from the Wamego Police Department, which says the investigation revealed "a non-threatening remark was made on Friday, which through communication between people, resulted in a perceived threat."
The release clarifies that later Monday morning, a photo of a firearm, from a magazine, was forwarded to students; and while there was no written threat, police say the photo "understandably caused concern."

However, the magazine is, in the words of the police, "in secure hands" and poses no threat.

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska State Patrol is urging Nebraskans to exercise caution when communicating online. In the past several weeks, NSP has received multiple reports of scammers impersonating State of Nebraska officials. One victim has reported losing $5,000 in crypto currency because of the scam.

The fraudulent scheme typically originates with a look-alike social media profile for a government official. When the scammers establish communication with a victim, the malicious actors typically move the victim to a different communication platform, such as a messaging application. The scammer then attempts to convince the victim of an authentic and secretive agreement by initiating conversations that appear to be with the state official.

The reported fraudulent schemes have promised a variety of perks, such as:

-Secretive financial grants totaling $500,000 or more, requiring a downpayment to receive. Financial transactions approved by government officials and Secretive job offers.

The State of Nebraska does not use social media sites or messaging applications to exchange sensitive financial or potential employment information with individuals. Anyone interested in seeking financial resources or employment should contact the respective government entity by using the contact information provided on www.nebraska.gov.

(KAIR)--A Monday morning Jefferson County crash between a teenaged driver and a school bus sent three of the 19-children on the bus to the hospital, while the teen driver also required hospital care.

A release from Oskaloosa's USD 341, says the wreck happened as the bus was completing it's morning route, with the three students who were boarding the bus, when the wreck happened, requiring hospital treatment.

A report from the Kansas Highway Patrol says the wreck happened around 7:15 Monday morning, as the bus was stopped on K-92, picking up the students. It was then, the report says, a car, driven by 15-year-old Ozawkie resident, Linn Cote, was driving up a hill and was blinded by the morning sun, which caused him to rear-end the school bus.

Cote, along with the three students, aged 3, 5, and 10, were transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail for treatment.

According to the KHP, Cote suffered suspected serious injuries in the crash, while the students all suffered possible or minor injuries.

The bus driver, 73-year-old John Norman, of Oskaloosa, was not hurt in the morning wreck.

(KNZA)--A combined total of more than $40 million has been awarded for 40 bridge projects across the state—including projects in Atchison and Brown Counties.

Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed announced the funding last week as part of two local bridge improvement programs capitalizing on new revenue from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Combined with matching funds from the awarded cities and counties, the total project value is over $45 million. By reshaping the local bridge programs to take advantage of the infrastructure law, a release says the KDOT more than doubled its annual funding as part of the existing Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, or IKE.

KDOT is awarding nearly $20.5 million through the Off-System Bridge program in the 2026 Fiscal Year to fund 21 projects across the state—including Atchison County. $900,000 has been awarded for the replacement of a bridge on Jewell Road nearly 4 miles north of Lancaster. Atchison County will provide just over $85,000 in matching funds.

About $19.8 million will be awarded by KDOT through the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program in the 2025 Fiscal Year. The funds will go to 19 bridge replacement projects—including Brown County. Brown County will receive nearly $1.2 million for the replacement of a bridge on 170th Road, southwest of Powhattan. KDOT received a combined total of 170 applications requesting more than $162 million.

(KNZA)--A Topeka, man, accused of attempting to run another vehicle off the road, all while two children were inside his vehicle, now faces a number of related charges in Jackson County.

A release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says 25-year-old Kaleb Johnson was arrested September 8, after the Sheriff's Office, that afternoon around 4:00, received a traffic complaint of a gray passenger vehicle unable to maintain its lane.

Responding deputies, through their investigation, allege that Johnson drove recklessly, swerving in front of another vehicle, causing it to nearly leave the roadway, while swerving across multiple lanes of traffic.

Once stopped, Johnson was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated child endangerment, reckless driving, and driving with an expired registration.

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

(KNZA)--Holton Community Hospital has announced plans to close its Home Health and Hospice Department, effective December 31st.

The hospital made the announcement in a release Friday. You can find the full release below:

It is with great sadness that Holton Community Hospital (HCH) announces the closure of its award-winning Home Health & Hospice department, effective December 31, 2024. This difficult decision was made by the HCH Board of Directors after many years of subsidizing the service to keep it available for our community.

The healthcare industry has faced significant changes in recent years, particularly in payment models for Home Health services and the expansion of Medicare replacement plans. Additionally, the growing number of competing agencies in our area has led to unsustainable financial challenges for our Home Health & Hospice department.

As part of our commitment to our patients and community, communication plans are underway to ensure that all Friends of Hospice, patients, medical referral sources, vendors, and community members are informed of this change. We will no longer be accepting new Hospice patients. Patients needing admission for home health services will be admitted on a case-by-case basis. HCH is working to collaborate with one of the many Home Health and Hospice agencies that provide care in Jackson County to ensure services continue to be offered.

We deeply value the dedication and compassion our Home Health & Hospice team has shown over the years and are working closely with each staff member to explore alternative opportunities within our hospital where their passion and expertise can continue to serve our mission of providing exceptional healthcare to our community.

We understand this is difficult news for our community and staff. Holton Community Hospital remains committed to its mission of delivering professional, compassionate, and excellent healthcare, even in the face of these challenging times.

(KMZA)--One person was injured in a two-vehicle Nemaha County wreck last Friday morning.

According to a report from the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office, 86-year-old Joseph Robke, of Seneca, was eastbound on 96th Road when he failed to yield at the stop sign of Q Road and his pickup truck was struck by a southbound semi driven by 56-year-old John Hulsing, of Seneca

Hulsing was transported by ambulance to the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca with unspecified injuries.

Robke was not hurt.

The wreck was reported shortly before 9:50 Friday morning,

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board in a special meeting Wednesday evening approved an amended budget for 2024-25 that calls for a one mill levy increase.

That came after the board on a 4-3 vote approved a motion by board member Mitch Brown to reduce the capital outlay levy from 5.5 mills to 5.25 mills.

Joining Brown in approving the motion were board members Ian Schuetz, Brooklyn Schuetz and Jacquie Spihlmann. Voting against the motion were Griff Howard, Ryan Patton and Roni Tietjens.

Following a hearing on the budget Monday evening, a motion by Ian Schuetz to reduce the capital outlay levy to 5.05 mills but otherwise approve the budget as presented failed on a 3-3 tie vote, with Spilmann absent.

The board agreed to hold a special meeting Wednesday evening when seven board members would be present.

Those board members in favor of keeping the capital outlay levy at 5.5 mills cited the large amount of facility issues the district needs to take care of. Those in support of reducing the levy didn't want to see the full increase passed to taxpayers in one year but rather incrementally.

The capital outlay levy had been lowered from 6 mills to 4.1 mills last year to provide some tax relief to residential property owners.

(KAIR)--No report of serious injuries, after a vehicle collided with a cow, about 4 miles east of Valley Falls, early Friday morning, in Jefferson County.

WIBW-TV reports it happened shortly before 6:00, on K-16 Highway, just east of Ferguson Road.

The woman driving the car apparently escaped serious injury, despite the crash with the cow totaling the vehicle.

Initial reports indicate the cow initially survived the wreck, but a current condition is not immediately publicly known.

(KNZA)--A Thursday afternoon single-vehicle Leavenworth County crash sent an Easton teenager to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 16-year-old Colby Nedwed was westbound on K-192, just east of Turner Road, when his Chevy Trailblazer left the roadway, striking a drainage culvert and multiple signs.

Nedwed was transported to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City with suspected minor injuries.

The Patrol says he was not wearing a seat belt when the crash occurred shortly before 4:00.

(KAIR)--The Savannah, Missouri Police Lieutenant, charged in the death of the department's K-9, is out of a job.

KQ2-TV reports the city's Board of Alderman, this week, voted to terminate the employment of Lieutenant Daniel Zeigler.

Zeigler, the TV station reports, was charged last week with misdemeanor animal abuse, stemming from the June death of K-9 Horus.

Horus died of heat exposure, according to court documents, after he had been left in the police department vehicle after Zeigler and Horus had completed their overnight shift in the early morning hours of June 20.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners approved the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget when they met Wednesday as presented during a public budget hearing.

The total property tax asking will be $5,984,108 which is an increase of $124,965, representing a 2.1 percent increase from the previous year.

The total budget of expenditures is down 5.4% at $19,283,248. That figure is $1,039,261 lower than 2023.

The property tax levy drops 6.7% to 31.0919 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. That amounts to a decrease of just over two-cents.

The Richardson County valuation increased $154,638,148 or 9.2% to 1,829,263,457.

(KLZA)-- Mound City, Missouri, is hosting a clean-up event Saturday, September 14th, between 1 & 3 p.m.

Property owners and Mound City residents will be able to bring trash to the water plant in Mound City during this time for disposal.

Items you may dispose of include furniture, televisions, trash, appliances, iron, scrap, metal and batteries.

Batteries must not be leaking and need to be separate from other trash.

Proof of Mound City residency or property ownership will be required.

Residents will be allowed one loaded pickup, trailer or vehicle per household with no items from commercial businesses allowed.

In addition, lumber, paint, chemicals, large pieces of glass and tires will not be accepted.

(KAIR)--A St. Joseph Missouri man has been charged with child sex-related crimes, and court documents name the victim as his now 14-year-old daughter.

KQ2-TV reports Ronald Hefley, this week, was charged by the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney with 1st degree statutory rape of a person less than 14-years-old.

According to court documents, investigators learned, when the victim was hospitalized in July, giving birth, that genetic test results indicated the father of the baby to be a 1st degree relative of the 14-year-old girl. Knowing she would have been 13 at the time of pregnancy, and with genetic test results returned in recent days confirming the earlier results, Hefley was arrested, and charged.

The court documents state that investigators suspected Hefley, as they learned the teenaged victim had been kept from seeing her siblings for more than 2-years, ruling them out as suspects.

It's alleged that the crimes Hefley's charged with occurred, in Buchanan County, Missouri, between October 1 and October 31 of 2023.

He was arraigned Thursday, with his preliminary hearing scheduled for September 27.

Hefley remains in custody. His bond has been denied.

(KAIR)--More than $28 million in Kansas funding is awarded to state-based organizations that provide services for both child and adult crime survivors.

Among local areas to benefit will be Atchison, with Leavenworth-based awarded services benefiting both locations within the state's First Judicial District.

In the division of 2025 Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Grant Awards, the Alliance Against Family Violence gains more than $329,000.

In the division of the 2025 Children- Advocacy Centers Grant Awards, the First Judicial District CASA Association earns more than $255,000, with the Leavenworth-based CASA also earning just over $51,000 in the Court Appointed Special Advocate Programs Grant Awards division.

According to a release from the office of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, she, and the bipartisan state Legislature, increased the state grant funds to sustain Kansas programs that experienced a decrease in funding from the federal Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Grant Program.

Domestic violence and sexual assault programs use state funds to provide shelter, advocacy, and safety planning for people who experience domestic violence or sexual assault.

Kelly, in the release, calls the total distribution of more than $28 million for the programs state-wide, an "investment" to "ensure Kansans across the state are not left to cope alone after a crime occurs.”

(KAIR)--A national publication has named Atchison's Benedictine College as one of the Top 10 most recommended colleges in the country by students and alumni.

That word is delivered in a release from the Catholic college, which says the recommendation was made in both the print and online editions of the Wall Street Journal, which, earlier this month, released its 2025 Best Colleges rankings. Benedictine was placed at #6 of the top ten recommendations.

According to the release, Benedictine, earlier this year, was named by the publication as the best private college in Kansas.

The release explains that tens of thousands of survey responses from current students and alumni were analyzed by The Wall Street Journal and College Pulse, a college-focused research firm, with dozens of questions asked, covering student life, classroom quality, career prep, dining halls and sports facilities. This year, the release says, the survey introduced questions focused on the extent to which colleges develop character strengths that help students make meaningful contributions to society, with those strengths including moral courage, resilience, and fairness.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission will have to adopt a revenue-neutral city budget for 2025 after a resolution to exceed the revenue-neutral tax rate failed to receive the approval of a majority of the Commission Monday evening.

Following a hearing drawing no public comment, the Commission voted 2-1 to adopt the resolution. Mayor Becky Shamburg and Commissioner David Middendorf voted in favor, with Commissioner Toni Hull casting the dissenting vote. Commissioners Brian Shefferd and Evans Woehlecke were absent. Shefferd later joined the meeting via Zoom.

The Commission then proceeded with a hearing on the proposed budget.

Local residents Richard and Cindy Schilling appeared before the Commission to voice their concerns about the increase in property taxes and urged the commission to look for ways to cut the budget.

City Attorney Andy Delaney stepped forward to inform the Commission that because the RNR resolution was not approved they would have to adopt a revenue neutral budget.

The proposed budget had contained an estimated tax rate of 40.8 mills, nearly 3.3 mills above the revenue neutral rate.

The Commission set a special meeting for Friday morning at 7:45 to consider adoption of the budget

(KLZA)--The Richardson County Fair Royalty was crowned during Wednesday evenings Humboldt Fall Festival.

The 2024 Richardson County Fair Queen is Lillian Bowen, a junior at the HTRS school and the daughter of Quentin and Mandy Bowen of Rural Humboldt.

Selected as the King of the Richardson County Fair this year is Mark Joy of Humboldt. Mark is the President of the State Bank of Table Rock.

The 1st runner-up for queen is Arrison Lowe daughter of Wade Lowe and Chelsy Kress of Humboldt. Arrison is a senior at HTRS.

2nd runner-up is Addison Fischer, the daughter of Nick Fischer and Becky and Justin Vonderschmidt. Addison is a senior at Falls City Sacred Heart.

3rd runner-up is Shayfer Cumro, daughter of Dan and Tiffany Cumro and a junior at HTRS.

4th runner-up is Kenadi McClarnen, daughter of Dennis and Kendi McLarnen of Dawson and a student at HTRS.

(KAIR)--An 18-year-old man is facing charges in Jefferson County, following an alleged pursuit from law enforcement, in a stolen truck, that crashed into a creek Wednesday morning, just 3 miles west of Winchester.

Arrested was Justice Ferris who was taken into custody following the pursuit, with WIBW-TV reporting he was captured after he climbed a tree, allegedly trying to hide from the authorities who were pursuing him.

The TV station, citing Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig, reports the crash, and capture, happened near the junction of U.S. Highway 59 and K-192, with the crash happening around 6:20 Wednesday morning.

Once Ferris was in custody, he was booked into the Jefferson County Jail, where's he's held on a $100,000 bond.

(KAIR)--A Bendena man, who was behind the wheel at the time of a single vehicle, Wednesday evening Atchison County wreck, has died; however, authorities are not immediately able to say if 75-year-old Stephen Godfrey's death is due to injuries in the crash, or because of medical issues, which they say could have possibly played a role into the cause of the fatal crash.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, Godfrey was northbound in the 2000 block of U.S. Highway 73, at Sherman Road, when his Ford Ranger ran off the right side of the road, into the ditch, and then kept traveling across Sherman Road, before it collided with a stop sign. The truck then went into the north ditch and back onto the highway, where it crossed all lanes of traffic before stopping in the ditch on the highway's west side.

Laurie, in the release, says an off-duty employee of the Sheriff's Office witnessed the crash, and provided care to the unresponsive Godfrey, with assistance provided by two off-duty Amberwell Atchison employees, with the three attending to Godfrey until the arrival of Atchison County EMS and Atchison County Rescue.

Godfrey was transported to Amberwell Atchison, where he later died, with Laurie saying it's not immediately known if his death was due to the crash or to possible medical issues, which may have played a role in the crash, whose cause remains unknown.

According to Laurie, his deputies were called to the scene of the fatal wreck around 7:00 Wednesday evening.

(KNZA)--Distribution of methamphetamine is among the charges cited in Monday afternoon's arrest of two in Jackson County.

That followed what Sheriff Tim Morse says was a deputy's discovery that a car, driving on U.S. Highway 75 and 110 Road, had an incorrect license plate, with the Kansas plate displayed actually belonging to a pickup truck.

That led the deputy to stop the vehicle, with Morse, in a release, saying that his office's "K-9 alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics inside the vehicle."

The driver, 53-year-old Axtell resident Craig Newton, and his 53-year-old Topeka passenger, Shelly Jo Artzer, were both arrested on drug-related charges, including distribution of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Newton was additionally arrested for traffic-related charges, including display tag not assigned to vehicle, and failure to provide proof of vehicle insurance.

Following their arrests, around 2:30 Monday afternoon, Newton and Artzer were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KMZA)--A late Wednesday morning two-vehicle Marshall County wreck left one person dead and another seriously injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on U.S. 36 highway, just east of West River Road on the west edge of Marysville, shortly before 11:50.

According to the KHP report, 23-year-old Emily Larson, of Bremen, was westbound when her Jeep Cherokee crossed the center line and struck an eastbound Buick Enclave driven by 89-year-old Bernice Nietfeld, of Marysville.

Larson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Nietfeld was transported to a Lincoln, Nebraska hospital with suspected serious injuries.

The Patrol says neither driver was wearing a seat belt when the wreck occurred. Both drivers were alone in their vehicles.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Board of Education conducted budget and property tax request hearings for the next fiscal year budget when they met Monday evening.

The General Fund Budget approved is $17,394,894 which decreased 1% from last year. the Special Building Fund was approved at $1,888,250 which is down 14% from the previous year.

The overall budget decrease amounts to 1%.

the 2024-25 property tax request calls for the collection of $8,088,828 for the General Fund, and $404,040 for the Special Building Fund, for a total of $8,492,868. The property tax requirement for School District patrons will be 70.4289 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, amounting to a 12% decrease from the 2023 budget.

The total valuation of property within District 56 increased by 9.52%.

Since the property tax request is within the allowable growth percentage, the school district is not required to mail out postcards to notify district patrons.

(KLZA)--The Johnson-Brock School Board unanimously approved the General Fund Budget of Expenditures for the 2024-2025 fiscal year in an amount of $5,748,526 when they met Monday evening.

The approved expenditures for the 23-24 fiscal year were $6,100,993. The new amount if $352,377 less than the previous year.

The Board also approved the property tax levy for the next fiscal year at $2,609,950 with an additional property tax request of $427,273 for the Special Building Fund.

In other action the Johnson-Brock Board approved Will Behrends, Amy Oestmann and Keith Bohling serving 3-year terms on the Johnson-Brock Foundation Board.

The Board also voted to recognize the Johnson-Brock Education Association as the collective bargaining agent for the Johnson-Brock teachers for the 2025-2026 school year.

Membership with the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association was renewed at a cost of $850.

(KLZA)--The Johnson-Brock School Board unanimously approved the General Fund Budget of Expenditures for the 2024-2025 fiscal year in an amount of $5,748,526 when they met Monday evening.

The approved expenditures for the 23-24 fiscal year were $6,100,993. The new amount if $352,377 less than the previous year.

The Board also approved the property tax levy for the next fiscal year at $2,609,950 with an additional property tax request of $427,273 for the Special Building Fund.

In other action the Johnson-Brock Board approved Will Behrends, Amy Oestmann and Keith Bohling serving 3-year terms on the Johnson-Brock Foundation Board.

The Board also voted to recognize the Johnson-Brock Education Association as the collective bargaining agent for the Johnson-Brock teachers for the 2025-2026 school year.

Membership with the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association was renewed at a cost of $850.

(KNZA)--The execution of a search warrant at a Hiawatha residence early Tuesday morning led to the arrest of two.

Based on an investigation, Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said the Sheriff's Office drug task force initiated a search warrant a 310 North 8th Street.

Upon completion of the search, 46-year-old Joshua Kasemeyer, of Osceola, Missouri was arrested on charges of criminal possession of a weapon by felon, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, no drug tax stamp and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In addition, 30-year-old Taylor Garcia, of Hiawatha, was arrested on charges of possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

The Hiawatha Police Department assisted.

(KNZA)--A Horton man convicted of rape and aggravated kidnapping has been sentenced to ten years in prison.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill said 21-year-old Matthew Harris was handed the sentence Monday in Brown County District Court.

Following his release from prision, Hill said Harris will be placed on lifetime post-release supervision and be required to register as a sex offender for life.

He pleaded no contest to the charges in July. In exchange for the plea, three additional counts were dismissed.

The charges arose from a violent incident that took place in the city of Horton in August 2023 that involved an 18-year-old victim.

(KMZA)--A Sabetha man has been arrested for aggravated battery and other offenses.

The Nemaha County Sheriff's Office says 31-year-old Jacob Asher was arrested Sunday on a Nemaha County warrant for aggravated battery, criminal threat, and criminal damage to property.

Following his arrest, Asher was booked into the Nemaha County Jail.

He remains held on a $100,000 bond.

(KAIR)--Atchison's new City Manager, this week, will meet with the public in an informal session, allowing an opportunity for casual, one on one conversation.

That's set to happen Thursday morning, with Mark Westhoff to be in attendance at the Santa Fe Depot Visitor Center for the one hour meet and greet.

According to a release from the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce, Westhoff will meet the public from 8 until 9 that morning, with coffee to be served, along with the chat.

Westhoff, who last served as County Administrator for Prowers County, Colorado, was selected from a pool of four candidates to fill the City Manager position. The Atchison City Commission, in July, approved his contract.

Westhoff and his wife, Brianne, have four children.

(KNZA)--A nationally known extortion scam has made its way to the local area, threatening to make public embarrassing photos of the would be victim if payment is not given.

Known as the Pegasus Spyware Scam, Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says it's being reported locally, with would-be victims targeted both through email and by cellphone.

The way it works is, the scammers name drop the spyware fictitiously as a way to threaen their victim, implying that they have been monitoring and recording them; and, if $2,000 Bitcoin isn't sent, the victim's secrets will be exposed.

Merchant, who says, "scammers are getting more and more devious on the ways to obtain financial support from unsuspecting victims," calls the scam "very cleverly written in order to extort your hard earned money from you," and adds that he is forwarding the related information reported to his office to the Kansas Attorney General.

Another aspect to add believability to the fraudulent claims has not yet been reported locally, but has elsewhere. Internet security website Malwarebytes.com reports that in some cases, the targeted victim is also sent, through cellphone or email, photos of their neighborhoods, obtained through public online sources, and not through online surveillance, as the scammer threatens.

(KLZA)-- The Citizens Support Committee in Humboldt learned during a Sunday night work session that $34,600 in cash donations have been received by the Humboldt Area Community Foundation and that the funding would be immediately conveyed directly to the Colonial Acres Nursing Home this week.

The Community is responding to efforts to reach the first threshold level of $100,000 in financial support in the first 45 days of the fund raising effort, which will be October 19.

This $34,600 will be applied to the oldest payables as the Citizen Support Committee- injection directly assists Colonial Acres Nursing Home work through the challenge created by this short-term post covid cash flow problem.

Colonial Acres Nursing Home employs between 65 & 75 individuals in full & part time positions. Those employed range from full time experienced career professionals, to newly Certified Nursing Assistants & aids who work part time while attending school. These types of positive reports are one of many reasons that the Citizen Support Committee wants to eagerly share the message that your help is needed now to meet the previously noted donation thresholds to sustain this important community asset!

Citizens are being asked to make a legacy gift donation specifically targeted for this Humboldt Colonial Acres Nursing Home Citizen Support Effort via the Humboldt Area Community Foundation.

Checks should be made out to the Humboldt Area Community Foundation. Mail it to Humboldt Area Community Foundation Box 335, Humboldt, NE 68376.

Questions about the Foundation can be directed to Foundation Chair Mark Novak 402-770-8029 or Foundation Treasurer Deb Lewis.

If you prefer to hand deliver your check, you can bring it to Deb Lewis at the bank. A second portion of $35,000 of Humboldt Area Community Foundation cash is in process and is anticipated to be convened next week, as the momentum success of this effort continues to build.

Humboldt community leaders feel that there is a formula in place to facilitate the recent tremendous response as many dedicated individuals continue to step forward to continue that tradition of commitment.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved accessing the additional 1% allowable growth rate in the budget authority when they met last week.

City Administrator Anthony Nussbaum explained the action does not mean additional property taxes will be collected. That action allows the budget authority to grow in case there is a special project that could come up in the future.

Last year the restricted funds authority was around $3.9 million while the tax asking was just $750,000. The money is used in areas such as the Library, Parks and Recreation and public safety.

During the Administrators report to the Council last week, Nussbaum presented information concerning what he feels is a need for safety management services from the Kansas Municipal Utilities organization.

The City has a Safety Committee but Nussbaum noted there is not a lot of information that comes from the meetings. The KMU organization offers training that includes office staff and utility workers and also includes management for the Safety Committee and helps with insurance and other requirements.

Audits of city plants and field operations as well as recreational facilities would also be included.

The cost will be approximately $23 thousand annually.

Nussbaum said the city is being dropped by it's workman's comp insurance carrier due to the number of injury claims filed. He is hopeful the safety measures will help avoid the on the job injuries.

On second reading the Council did approved an ordinance addressing the days fireworks can be discharged within the city limits.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved accessing the additional 1% allowable growth rate in the budget authority when they met last week.

City Administrator Anthony Nussbaum explained the action does not mean additional property taxes will be collected. That action allows the budget authority to grow in case there is a special project that could come up in the future.

Last year the restricted funds authority was around $3.9 million while the tax asking was just $750,000. The money is used in areas such as the Library, Parks and Recreation and public safety.

During the Administrators report to the Council last week, Nussbaum presented information concerning what he feels is a need for safety management services from the Kansas Municipal Utilities organization.

The City has a Safety Committee but Nussbaum noted there is not a lot of information that comes from the meetings. The KMU organization offers training that includes office staff and utility workers and also includes management for the Safety Committee and helps with insurance and other requirements.

Audits of city plants and field operations as well as recreational facilities would also be included.

The cost will be approximately $23 thousand annually.

Nussbaum said the city is being dropped by it's workman's comp insurance carrier due to the number of injury claims filed. He is hopeful the safety measures will help avoid the on the job injuries.

On second reading the Council did approved an ordinance addressing the days fireworks can be discharged within the city limits.

(KLZA)-- Rick Rummel graduated from Peru State College and built an impressive resume that took him to places like Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Florida, and Ohio. More than four decades after getting his business degree, he has returned to Peru State as Vice President for Administration and Finance.

Rummel- experience managing business operations for colleges and universities, non-profit social services agencies, and his connection to Peru State, made him not just the top candidate for the position, Peru State President Michael Evans said, but an ideal one. “This position requires a potent mix of experience, judgment, and interpersonal skills. Rick is the right person to ensure the College continues to thrive for years to come—and he- already making a significant difference for Peru State.”

For his part, Rummel sees his new post as the capstone of his career. “This is, I hope, my last stop. I want to make a difference,” Rummel said. Having grown up in Omaha and the first in his family to attend college, he followed the fortunes of Peru State from afar throughout his life. And while acknowledging the massive upgrades to the College- facilities since his student days, at its core he senses it- the same Peru State he experienced in the late 1970s and early ‘80s.

“The campus feels incredibly familiar to me,” Rummel noted. “It- almost surreal.” His time as a student, Rummel served as a residence hall assistant and was actively involved in the college- vocal music groups. He fondly remembers the faculty and staff as “a dedicated and supportive community, deeply committed to helping students succeed.”

Succeed he did. Rummel returns to Peru State after four years as Director of Finance and Administration for the Immigrant Legal Center and Refugee Empowerment Center in Omaha. Before that, he was Controller for the Thayer Academy in Braintree, Massachusetts. Other posts include four years as Associate VP for Finance and Business Services at the Rhode Island School of Design; six years at the Florida Institute of Technology, including VP of Financial Planning and Control; and three years as an Associate VP for Business Affairs at Ohio Dominican University.

He also served as the Director of Budget and Financial Analysis at Cleveland State University in Ohio and held the position of Controller at Quincy University in Illinois, where he earned his master- degree. Additionally, he worked as a Senior Accountant at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha.

“My dream has always been to be a Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at a college,” Rummel stated. He explained that his deep affection for Peru State and his commitment to its mission made this role an ideal opportunity at this stage in his life. “Peru State transformed the course of my life,” he added. “It equipped me for success.”

Rummel will oversee key areas including financial planning and management, accounting and business services, facilities and physical plant operations, information technology, and budget administration. His primary focus will be on ensuring the quality of services within these departments while continuously seeking operational efficiencies. In the short term, his primary objective is to help the college establish a more sustainable and robust budgeting process.

A self-described “workaholic,” Rummel has few hobbies outside of reading and spending time with his two dogs. He and his spouse of 30 years like to take in Broadway shows in New York.

As the academic year kicks off, it- an especially busy time on the college campus. Though the processes and the people have evolved significantly since his undergraduate days, Rummel is eager to contribute to “the strong commitment I see from the faculty and staff here at Peru State College.”

(MSC News)--Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has directed flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff from sunup to sundown Wednesday to honor those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001.

Wednesday marks the 23rd anniversary of those attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people and injured thousands more.

The governor also said she wants everyone to remember "the bravery and courage of our nation- first responders." More than 400 first responders - firefighters, police officers, EMTs and others - were killed in the attacks.

(KAIR)--One arrest is made in connection with the early Sunday morning break-in at an Atchison convenience store.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, in a release, says his officers were called to Kings Convenience Store, at 912 Unity Street, to investigate an overnight burglary and theft at the business.

Investigators determined the unlawful entry had been made into the store around 2:00 Sunday morning, with cigarettes, lottery tickets, vapes, lighters, beer, and a large quantity of coins, among the items that had been stolen.

Investigators were led to a 17-year-old suspect, who was located Sunday morning, around 10:00, at a residence located just several blocks from the targeted convenience store.

Wilson says the teen was arrested and taken into custody, then later released to a parent. Most of the stolen items have been recovered.

In a separate case of theft, a 26-year-old man is now facing charges in connection with a stolen utility trailer.

According to Wilson, Anthony Akins-Bomhoff was arrested Friday on a District Court warrant charging him with theft. Wilson says the arrest follows the August 19 reported theft of the trailer, which was stolen from outside a residence in the 900 block of August 19. Valued at $2,000, the trailer has since been recovered.

Following his arrest, Akins-Bomhoff was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KNZA)--Fairview native Christina Klein-Tross has returned to her hometown of Fairview to paint a mural funded by a grant from the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission.

Klein-Tross has a Masters of Fine Arts from Florida State University, a BA from Kansas State University in Painting and Sculpting, and studied at the Justus-Liebig-University in Giessen, Germany. In 2018, she was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study Painting and Printmaking in Germany.

Currently, she is a lecturer at UC Berkeley, and also maintains a private art studio at her home in Berkeley, CA, where she lives with her husband and their two daughters.

Christina's mural design features wildlife and plants native to northeastern Kansas, as well as local Fairview landmarks and farming images. It's located at the west entrance to Fairview.

The design was chosen by a specially appointed committee, working in conjunction with the Fairview City Council and Mayor Art Vonderschmidt.

The successful grant application was submitted by committee chair Sierra Renner-Goering.

(KMZA)--A series of town hall meetings will be held in Marshall County on the upcoming half-cent sales tax renewal vote for Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville.

The sales tax renewal will be on the November 5 general election ballot.

Hospital officials will provide information on the sales tax, which was initially approved by voters in November 2019 for five years, and must be approved by voters again to continue for additional five years.

The meetings will take place:

Wednesday, September 11th at the Axtell American Legion

Wednesday, September 18th at the CMH South Plaza conference Room in Marysville

September 25 at Valley Heights High School

October 2 at Altstadt Gallery in Frankfort

October 9th at the Beattie Community Center.

All the meetings will take held at 6:30 in the evening, accept for the meeting on September 18th in Marysville, which will be at 7:00.

The public is welcome to attend the town hall meetings and ask questions.

(KLZA)-- An Auburn man died Saturday afternoon from injuries suffered in a two-vehicle wreck on U.S. Highway 34/75 south of Plattsmouth in Cass County, Nebraska.

Cass County Sheriff Robert Sorenson said in a release that 30-year-old Zach Unruh was operating a 2002 Harley-Davidson motorcycle when 55-year-old Shelly Hayes of Omaha, who was southbound in a GMC Terrain, attempted to turn east into a driveway and Unruh's motorcycle struck the front driver's side corner of Hayes' vehicle.

Unruh was ejected, landing in the east ditch. He was pronounced dead at the scene. None of the occupants of the Hayes' vehicle were injured.

Unruh was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Highway 34/75 was shut down for approximately three-and-a-half hours following the wreck. Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in the crash.

The report indicates an investigation into the wreck is ongoing and charges are pending.

(KLZA)-- Beatrice, Nebraska police arrested Christopher Milke early Sunday morning on charges of first-degree murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony and two counts of kidnapping according to a release from the department.

Beatrice Police officers responded to a home near South 22nd Street and Hillcrest Avenue early Sunday morning where they discovered the body of 42-year-old Tammy Leslie who had been shot and killed.

Authorities say Milke then held a 19-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy captive.

The Nebraska State Patrol is assisting the Beatrice Police Department with the investigation, which is ongoing.

No motive for the killing has been revealed.

(KNZA)--The public's assistance is being sought in locating a person of interest in a recent Brown County case.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant Monday requested the public's assistance in locating 36-year-old Dustin Barrett, of Oneida.

Merchant said anyone with information on the whereabouts of Barrett should contact the Brown County Sherif's Office at 785-742-7125.

(KAIR)--A Sunday afternoon Atchison wreck left both drivers transported by private vehicle for hospital examination.

That word comes in a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, who says the crash happened around 12:50, at the intersection of 8th and Riley Streets. It was there, he says, that a Ford Fusion, east on Riley, had stopped at the stop sign; but, when 79-year-old Cheryl Boldridge entered the intersection, her vehicle collided with a Ford Explorer that had been southbound on 8th Street, driven by 25-year-old Alexis Birkinsha.

According to Wilson, Atchison County EMS was on the scene of the wreck and examined both drivers who ultimately refused transport, instead opting to be taken for hospital treatment by private vehicle.

Boldridge was cited for failure to yield.

An early Monday morning wreck into parked vehicles again brought Atchison County EMS to the scene, though the driver refused transport.

Wilson says it happened around 3:40, in the 400 block of South 6th, where Allyson Furhman struck a parked vehicle, which then, due to the impact, went on to crash into a second parked vehicle.

Furhman was cited for improper driving on a laned roadway.

(KLZA)-- The new Dean of the School of Education at Peru State College is Dr. John Jones.

Peru State, established in 1867, is Nebraska's first college and has always focused on teacher training.

Jones joins Peru State after 11 years at Truman State University, where he most recently served as Chair of the Department of Education. He has also taught special and elementary education in South Carolina and Texas and part-time at the College of Charleston. Jones holds a bachelor's from Georgetown University, a Master's from George Washington University, and a Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Jones brings excellent experience and a unique perspective to Peru State School of Education,” said Peru State College President Michael Evans. “The School has a lot going on - from its innovative TELL Lab to its hands-on approach to education, and Dr. Jones is the right person to take the School forward.”

Jones grew up in Medford, Massachusetts, before moving to Tokyo at 14, where he attended an international school. Initially a nursing student in college, he switched to Theology without plans to enter the ministry.

With parents in education, Jones naturally pursued a career in teaching. In grad school, he became interested in educational policy, working in special and elementary education before transitioning to higher education and educator training. His guiding philosophy is "work-to-live, not live-to-work." Jones is eager to expand the Peru State teacher education program, stating, "I want anyone even slightly interested in teaching to join this program."

Jones praised the faculty's proficiency and collaboration, stating, "I'm fortunate to have joined this team; my goal is to support them with the necessary tools and then let them excel."

Outside of work, Jones and his family, including two daughters, moved recently to Nebraska City. He likes to read and write and is into physical fitness.

(KLZA)-- An elder financial abuse financial abuse awarness class to be held in Falls City.

The Falls City Library and Arts Center is partnering with First Interstate Bank to present the class on Wednesday, September 11, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Center located at 14th and Stone Street.

Elder financial abuse is a crime that deprives senior citizens of their resources and ultimately, their independence.

Refreshments will be provided.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council voted last week to move forward with an application for a $480,000 CDBG grant through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for sewer improvements.

City Administrator Anthony Nussbaum informed the Council the project was necessary due to a large area from the north commercial corridor to the lift stations by the airport, where the sewer mains are underwater. The problem is the amount of excess water that infiltrates the sewer system and gets treated. The project would reduce the amount of water entering the system this reducing the costs to the city for treating the additional water.

If the grant application is successful, the city would be required to provide $107,000 in matching funds.

On a related action item, the Council approved an engineering services agreement with Miller & Associates that could cost up to $70,500 as part of the sewer rehabilitation project. Nussbaum noted the cost could be considerably less than the amount approved.

(KLZA)-- A vacancy has been filled on the Pawnee City School Board.

Following an executive session last week, the board voted 3-2 to appoint Corey Hatfield to fill the vacancy.

Voting in favor of appointing Hatfield was Bobbi Haarhues, Hope Koester and J.W. Vlcek. Casting no votes were Mary Moser and Jason Vetrovsky.

The vacancy came open follow the resignation of Lisa Hunszeker last month.

There were seven applicants for the open position.

In other business, the board conducted a public hearing on the proposed 2024-25 school budget.

The budget documents propose a property tax request is $3,254,005, which would require a levy of 82.97 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. With the Special Building Fund requirement of $60,000 the total levy would come to $84.5 cents, representing a decrease of 6.9 cents. Last year the levy was 91.4 cents.

The proposed total budget for the next fiscal year is $8.4 million.

The Pawnee City School District valuation has increased by 7.95% to $396 million.

It was noted that State Aid to the district will decrease by $158,636 for the new fiscal year to $968,190.

The Pawnee City School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday evening ( Sept. 9 ) to conduct a final hearing on the property tax request.

The date for the tax request hearing was updated due to the inability to have a quorum present on the date originally scheduled for the budget hearing and summary.

(KAIR)--A Wathena woman, traveling in Andrew County, Missouri Saturday. escaped injury in an early afternoon wreck that left a Savannah woman with minor injuries.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it happened at Northbound Business 71, at I-29, when 23-year-old Grace Brewer, of Wathena, drove her car across Business 71, into the path of an SUV, which struck Brewer's car on the driver's side.

Her car then slid across the median onto the west side of Business 71, where it stopped. The SUV also slid, stopping upright.

The driver of the SUV, 19-year-old Savannah resident Alaina Akins, was taken to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, Missouri, for the treatment of what the MSHP calls minor injuries.

Both drivers were buckled up at the time of the crash, which happened around 12:40 Saturday afternoon.

(KMZA)--Plans for two new soccer fields in Seneca move forward.

The Seneca City Council voted last week to move forward with the dirt work for the new fields to be located on the north side of Skoch Park. The work will be done by Kramer Construction, of Seneca, at a cost of $30,000.

After the dirt work is completed, a committee will meet to decide how the new soccer fields will be configured on the property and bring their recommendation to the Council at a future meeting.

After a plan is approved, the property will be seeded at cost of $1,000 to $1,200 for the grass seed. The seeding will be done by the city maintenance crew.

City Superintendent Brian Ruske said the seeding needs to be done this fall so the fields can be used by next soccer season.

The city currently has four soccer fields and is planning on moving two of them so that improvements can made to the fields during future projects.

(KAIR)--With an aim of enhancing patient communication across all locations, Amberwell Health has upgraded its phone system.

According to a release from the hospital, the new phone system, implemented in partnership with MetTel, will feature several advanced technologies to improve patient interactions, with the upgrade made "directly in response to community feedback about challenges in reaching our clinics and hospitals."

The release notes that Amberwell Health- CEO, Jared Abel, has prioritized the upgrade to ensure a seamless communication experience for patients, with Abel saying, in the release, that Amberwell is "committed to providing the highest level of service, and our new phone system is a crucial part of that effort.”

The upgraded phone system will be rolled out in phases, beginning with the launch of the new call center system in the coming weeks. Additional enhancements will follow, including deploying advanced technology to support improved network performance and communication reliability.

(KAIR)--An Atchison motorist alert..

Kansas Department of Transportation maintenance crews will close a section of U.S. 73 Highway in Atchison Tuesday, September 10th for pavement patching work.

KDOT says the highway will be closed between Woodland Avenue and U.S. 59 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., for the repair work.

The closure will be marked with signs and barricades. There will be no signed detour and drivers will need to find alternate routes.

KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone. To stay aware of highway construction projects across Kansas, go to www.kandrive.gov or call 5-1-1.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council Wednesday evening approved the 2025 budget as published following a hearing drawing no public comment.

The Council also adopted a resolution to exceed the revenue neutral rate following a separate hearing that drew no public comment.

The $12.4 million budget maintains the same tax levy as the past several years.

The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 32.58 mills, which is 1.7 mills above the revenue neutral rate. It calls for the city to collect more than one million in tax revenue.

Even though the mill levy will remain the same, the city will collect more than $58,000 in additional tax revenue due to a $1.7 million increase in the city's assessed valuation.

(KNZA)--Details have been released on a Brown County pursuit Thursday.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, in a release, said a red Ford pickup was observed driving without a tire on the rear of the vehicle near Morrill.

When an officer tried to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, the driver refused to stop and a chase ensued with speeds at times of over 75 miles per hour noted.

Merchant said the chase ended when the vehicle drove down a dead end road in the vicinity of 340th and Acorn Roads, went about 150-200 feet in to a corn field and caught fire. The driver fled on foot.

Multiple agencies assisted Brown County deputies in trying to locate the male driver, but he was not located. Assisting were officers from Nemaha County, Richardson County, Sabetha and Sac and Fox Tribal Police Department, along with the Brown County Emergency Manager.

The Morrill Fire Department responded to extinguish the vehicle fire.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to rescind prior authorization of a Memorandum of Understanding with Richardson County for the transfer of 911 calls to a Secondary Public Safety Answering Point.

In August, the Public Service Commission's 911 Advisory Committee determined the Richardson County Sheriff's Department does not meet the necessary criteria to be approved as a secondary PSAP, which makes the MOU no longer applicable.

City Administrator Anthony Nussbaum notes in a letter to Richardson County Commissioners that revised procedures have been developed on how dispatching of 911 calls outside of the city limits of Falls City will be handled, ensuring the County, the City will transfer calls requiring a deputy only, to the Sheriff's Department and relay pertinent information.

If multiple services are required such as an ambulance or fire department, the Police Department will gather all information to dispatch fire fighters or an ambulance prior to transferring the call to the Sheriff's Office.

(KLZA)--The Nebraska Attorney General's Office is issuing a Consumer Alert regarding a recent email extortion scam that has been reported numerous times.

Some Nebraskans have received highly personalized emails threatening to release allegedly embarrassing content unless the victim sends a large sum of money to a Bitcoin address. The scammer used the victim's personal information, address, and an internet street image of their address in the scam email. The use of personal information can make these scams scarier and seem more believable.

The scammer claims that the embarrassing content would be released soon after they read the email because they used a “special pixel.” Many scammers claim that the victim or a family member will be arrested, injured, or otherwise harmed if they don’t provide money.

Scams can damage Nebraskans not just financially but can also affect victims emotionally. If you receive a suspicious email, contact the Consumer Affairs Response Team at 402-471-2682. The Team can help you determine if you are in contact with a scammer and report the scam.

This particular scam email demanded payment via Bitcoin. While not all crypto transactions are scams, requests for this form of payment should always give consumers pause. Scammers often ask for payment methods that are hard to reverse like Bitcoin, gift cards, wire transfers, digital payment apps, and mailing cash.

If you are a victim of such a scam, actions you can take include:

Reporting scam emails to your email provider.

Report crypto wallets and addresses to the online crypto scam databases.

Common indicators of scams include:

• Requests for payments of bills or charges that aren’t shown on your verified billing statements or invoices

• Spelling, typos, and grammatical errors

• Poorly designed email formatting, including blurry images and logos

• Emails or numbers that aren’t exact matches to known contacts

• Benefits, such as investment gains that seem too good to be true

(KNZA)--The Double-Decker Bridge on Interstate 229, along the west side of St. Joseph, Missouri, is due for its biannual bridge inspection.

For the safety of drivers and crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation, the bridge and all ramps between U.S. Route 36 and Highland Avenue will close at 6:30 a.m. Monday, September, 9, and is scheduled to reopen by 9 a.m. on Friday, September 13.

During the week-long closure, MoDOT engineers will inspect the bridge, maintenance crews will complete general bridge and sign maintenance and electricians will make lighting repairs.

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

Motorists encouraged to utilize U.S. Route 36 and I-29 during the closure.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man has been arrested for an alleged child sex crime.

According to a release from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 40-year-old Jeffery Bowen was arrested Wednesday for aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

The arrest, Wilson says, followed an investigation by Atchison Police, this week, "focusing on unlawful sexual contact involving a victim under the age of 10."

Wilson said Bowen was taken into custody at his Atchison residence.

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

Details regarding his connection to the victim aren't immediately made public.

(KNZA)--The Jefferson County budget for 2025 has been finalized.

The Jefferson County Commission last week adopt a budget that calls for total expenditures of $31.1 million and slight mill levy increase.

The Commission also adopted a resolution to exceed the revenue neutral rate.

The action followed two separate hearings, during which, several county residents voiced their concerns about the budget proposal.

The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 67.9 mills, a .373 mill levy increase over this year.

It calls for the county to collect $18.8 million in tax revenue.

The county's assessed valuation increased $16 million to nearly $277 million.

Commission Chairman David Christy noted the county was 9.6 mills over the revenue neutral rate in 2021 and that has been lowered to nearly 4.4 mills. He said the county could have been revenue neutral if they had the nearly $1.2 million in current unpaid taxes.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has approved a resolution opposing a proposed five-mile wide electric transmission line corridor that would run through Brown County.

The Commission unanimously approved the resolution at their August 30th meeting.

In May, the U.S. Department of Energy unveiled a list of 10 potential corridors--a designation that would allow the federal government to expedite the development of electric grid expansion projects in those areas.

One of the proposed corridors would run span much of Kansas and run locally through Marshall, Nemaha, Brown and Doniphan Counties.

The proposal would allow the federal government to take land through eminent domain, which the resolution says would have a devastating impact on Brown County's tax base and the local agriculture community.

The resolution pledges the Commission's support to legislation being proposed by U.S Senator Jerry Moran that would ban federal funds from being used to condemn private property to be used in the transmission corridor designation and prohibit the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from using its authority to overrule a State regulator's rejection of an electric transmission project.

The resolution states the Commission's position that federal taxpayer dollars should not be used for eminent domain and that decisions regarding electric transmission siting should be left in Kansas, not Washington D.C.

(KNZA)--Voters in Jeff West USD 340 will decide the fate of a $21 million bond issue for facility improvements during the November general election.

On the recommendation of a facilities committee, the USD 340 Board of Education last month adopted a resolution placing the bond issue on the November 5 ballot.

An informational meeting on the bond proposal was held Wednesday evening in the Jeff West High School commons.

The bond issue would fund improvements and renovations to the elementary, middle and high schools, as well as the early childhood center. In addition, it would fund the construction of a multi-purpose facility connecting the high school and middle school.

According to the district website, the bond issue would be paid off over a 25-year period and require a tax levy of 17.5 mills. For the owner of a $200,000 home it would mean a just over $400 annual property tax increase.

The last major bond issue in USD 340 was for the building of the high school in 1996.

(KNZA)--Three individuals were arrested on drug charges following the recent execution of two search warrants in Brown County.

On August 25th, Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said the Sheriff's Office drug task force initiated a search warrant at 1008 Iowa Street in the city of Hiawatha.

Upon conclusion, 31-year-old Rae Mora, of Hiawatha, was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Hiawatha Police Department and Iowa Tribal Police assisted.

On August 22, Merchant said the drug task force initiated a search warrant at 113 West Flora in Fairview.

Upon conclusion, 42-year-old Monica Syens, of Fairview, was arrested on charges of possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

50-year-old Tracy Syens, of Fairview, was subsequently arrested on the same charges.

The Hiawatha Police Department assisted.

(KAIR)--Following a lengthy budget-focused session of more than 2-hours Tuesday, with community voices heard as public hearings were held, the Atchison County Commission decided to continue crunching numbers in an effort to lower the budget for the next fiscal year.

According to County Finance Director Mark Zeltner, testimony was first heard during the Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing, with the Commission then voting to approve a resolution to exceed the RNR.

The Budget Hearing followed, including a presentation by Zeltner who provided information regarding the calculation of Ad Valorem dollars. Discussion, from both the Commissioners and the public, followed, with a focus placed on the Ad Valorem tax increase for 2025 should the budget, as presented, be approved.

Once discussion ended, and all parties were heard, Commission Chair Casey Quinn called for a motion to close the public hearing.

Due in part to the public input, the Commission did not vote to approve, or deny, the budget as presented. Instead, according to Zeltner, they plan to hold a tentative meeting with County Department Heads to explore ways to possibly lower the budget prior to approval.

(KNZA)--Details are released regarding a Horton pursuit last week that ended with an Independence, Missouri man in custody.

The chase began in Horton, around 1:30 on the morning of August 29, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant who, in a release, says his deputies responded to assist, with the pursuit already in progress.

According to the release, the suspect vehicle fled from Horton, northbound on U.S. Highway 73, at a high rate of speed, making its way into Hiawatha, where the driver lost control and wrecked, near Farm and Home, allegedly fleeing the scene of the wreckage on foot.

Merchant, in the release, says Horton and Hiawatha Police were able to locate the suspect, who had tried to hide in a tree line.

Arrested was 24-year-old Montez Rodriguez, who was taken into custody on Horton-based charges. Following his arrest, Rodriguez was booked into the Brown County Jail.

(KLZA)--There are certain specific traits that make up the ideal candidate for board membership on a charitable, non-profit organization like the Peru State College Foundation. Its newest director, Alec Gorynski, pretty much checks all the boxes.

Gorynski, who recently joined the Greater Omaha Chamber and Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership as its Senior Vice President for Economic Development, began his three-year term on the volunteer Peru State Foundation board in May. He is, in the words of Foundation Chair Jeff Greenwald (‘71), “as close to a perfect fit as we could hope for.”

A 2007 graduate of Peru State and until July President and Chief Executive Officer of the Lincoln Community Foundation, Gorynski has always retained a deep affection for his alma mater. His resume reflects progressive growth, be it in finance, economic development, government, or non-profit philanthropic groups.

Gorynski understands the unique demands of work in the public sector, having twice worked in Omaha city government. While the Peru State Foundation is not a public agency, Peru State College itself certainly is, and his experience will be valuable.

“I am a proud alumnus of Peru State College. With my professional experience in philanthropy, it will allow me to contribute to my alma mater,” Gorynski said. “The Foundation has done a great job of raising funds for students and the campus; I’d like to help add some structure to the fundraising strategy.”

Gorynski had led the $225 million Lincoln Community Foundation for the past two and a half years, managing a staff of nearly 20 professionals whose mission involves inspiring the community to give, act, and lead.

In other words, Gorynski knows firsthand how successful non-profits work. The Peru State College Foundation is a private, non-profit corporation whose only mission is to provide assistance and support for Peru State College, established in 1867 as Nebraska- first public institution of higher education. The Peru State College Foundation has over $22 million in assets and is led by an all-volunteer board and a staff of four.

Prior to his work with the Lincoln Community Foundation, Gorynski was Vice President of Community Development, Corporate Philanthropy and Social Responsibility for First National Bank of Omaha, President of the FNBO Community Development Corporation, Vice President for Community Affairs at Bank of the West, and Deputy Grant Administrator for the City of Omaha Mayor- Office.

Community service is at the heart and soul of a successful non-profit, and Gorynski has helped found three community development financial institutions. He- been appointed by the Nebraska Governor to two state boards, and has held numerous board, officer, and committee roles with multiple foundations and community development organizations.

A native of Lincoln who grew up in Topeka, Kan., he learned of Peru State when a high school friend and his family moved to Southeast Nebraska. The friend was headed to Peru State, and his family invited Gorynski to live with them while attending Peru State.

“The size of the campus” was a big attraction for Gorynski, “The small student body gave me an opportunity to get to know a lot of people.”

Though a criminal justice student, Gorynski had “the opportunity to be involved in a lot - theatre, student government, intramurals - and I had a great relationship with my professors.”

Current professional community service activities include treasurer for the Nebraska Arts Council and President for NAC Development Corporation, and board member for Public Art Lincoln, and Lincoln Community Learning Centers. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Gorynski and his wife Laura have three children, Jamie, Ben, and Claire.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Police Department participated in the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization from August 16 trough September 2.

Falls City Police Officers conducted 95 traffic stops and issued 55 citations and 37 warnings during the period.

In addition to the special enforcement, Falls City officers responded to 183 calls for service which included four accidents. Five fugitives from justice were arrested while investigations into assaults, disturbances, thefts, shoplifting, child neglect, possession of controlled dangerous substances and possession of and distribution of child pornography.

The Falls City Police Department officers worked 56 hours of overtime during the mobilization with the cost of the additional hours funded through a grant provided by the Nebraska Department of Transportation, Highway Safety Traffic Office.

The Department wishes to thank the citizens of Falls City and the community partners for their continued support. All drivers are encouraged to drive safely, don't drink and drive and remember to buckle up every trip, every time.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Police Department participated in the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization from August 16 trough September 2.

Falls City Police Officers conducted 95 traffic stops and issued 55 citations and 37 warnings during the period.

In addition to the special enforcement, Falls City officers responded to 183 calls for service which included four accidents. Five fugitives from justice were arrested while investigations into assaults, disturbances, thefts, shoplifting, child neglect, possession of controlled dangerous substances and possession of and distribution of child pornography.

The Falls City Police Department officers worked 56 hours of overtime during the mobilization with the cost of the additional hours funded through a grant provided by the Nebraska Department of Transportation, Highway Safety Traffic Office.

The Department wishes to thank the citizens of Falls City and the community partners for their continued support. All drivers are encouraged to drive safely, don't drink and drive and remember to buckle up every trip, every time.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Police Department participated in the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization from August 16 trough September 2.

Falls City Police Officers conducted 95 traffic stops and issued 55 citations and 37 warnings during the period.

In addition to the special enforcement, Falls City officers responded to 183 calls for service which included four accidents. Five fugitives from justice were arrested while investigations into assaults, disturbances, thefts, shoplifting, child neglect, possession of controlled dangerous substances and possession of and distribution of child pornography.

The Falls City Police Department officers worked 56 hours of overtime during the mobilization with the cost of the additional hours funded through a grant provided by the Nebraska Department of Transportation, Highway Safety Traffic Office.

The Department wishes to thank the citizens of Falls City and the community partners for their continued support. All drivers are encouraged to drive safely, don't drink and drive and remember to buckle up every trip, every time.

(KLZA)--There are certain specific traits that make up the ideal candidate for board membership on a charitable, non-profit organization like the Peru State College Foundation. Its newest director, Alec Gorynski, pretty much checks all the boxes.

Gorynski, who recently joined the Greater Omaha Chamber and Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership as its Senior Vice President for Economic Development, began his three-year term on the volunteer Peru State Foundation board in May. He is, in the words of Foundation Chair Jeff Greenwald (‘71), “as close to a perfect fit as we could hope for.”

A 2007 graduate of Peru State and until July President and Chief Executive Officer of the Lincoln Community Foundation, Gorynski has always retained a deep affection for his alma mater. His resume reflects progressive growth, be it in finance, economic development, government, or non-profit philanthropic groups.

Gorynski understands the unique demands of work in the public sector, having twice worked in Omaha city government. While the Peru State Foundation is not a public agency, Peru State College itself certainly is, and his experience will be valuable.

“I am a proud alumnus of Peru State College. With my professional experience in philanthropy, it will allow me to contribute to my alma mater,” Gorynski said. “The Foundation has done a great job of raising funds for students and the campus; I’d like to help add some structure to the fundraising strategy.”

Gorynski had led the $225 million Lincoln Community Foundation for the past two and a half years, managing a staff of nearly 20 professionals whose mission involves inspiring the community to give, act, and lead.

In other words, Gorynski knows firsthand how successful non-profits work. The Peru State College Foundation is a private, non-profit corporation whose only mission is to provide assistance and support for Peru State College, established in 1867 as Nebraska- first public institution of higher education. The Peru State College Foundation has over $22 million in assets and is led by an all-volunteer board and a staff of four.

Prior to his work with the Lincoln Community Foundation, Gorynski was Vice President of Community Development, Corporate Philanthropy and Social Responsibility for First National Bank of Omaha, President of the FNBO Community Development Corporation, Vice President for Community Affairs at Bank of the West, and Deputy Grant Administrator for the City of Omaha Mayor- Office.

Community service is at the heart and soul of a successful non-profit, and Gorynski has helped found three community development financial institutions. He- been appointed by the Nebraska Governor to two state boards, and has held numerous board, officer, and committee roles with multiple foundations and community development organizations.

A native of Lincoln who grew up in Topeka, Kan., he learned of Peru State when a high school friend and his family moved to Southeast Nebraska. The friend was headed to Peru State, and his family invited Gorynski to live with them while attending Peru State.

“The size of the campus” was a big attraction for Gorynski, “The small student body gave me an opportunity to get to know a lot of people.”

Though a criminal justice student, Gorynski had “the opportunity to be involved in a lot - theatre, student government, intramurals - and I had a great relationship with my professors.”

Current professional community service activities include treasurer for the Nebraska Arts Council and President for NAC Development Corporation, and board member for Public Art Lincoln, and Lincoln Community Learning Centers. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Gorynski and his wife Laura have three children, Jamie, Ben, and Claire.

(KAIR)--A three-vehicle crash, early Tuesday evening at Atchison's 14th and Main Street, left injuries, and citations, in its wake.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, in a report, says officers were called to the location just after 5:30, where they found a pickup truck had been westbound on Main Street when it entered the intersection, on a red light, and struck an SUV, that had been southbound on 14th Street. The impact of that crash then caused the SUV to collide with another SUV that was stopped, eastbound, at the traffic light on Main Street.

The driver of the southbound SUV, 29-year-old Bristal Gann, of Atchison, was transported to Amberwell Atchison by Atchison County EMS for treatment of injuries. According to Wilson, Gann was also cited for driving while suspended.

The driver of the pickup truck, 38-year-old Leavenworth resident Clayton Marlowe, was not hurt, but was cited for disobeying a red traffic signal.

The driver of the stopped SUV, hit due to impact, was not injured.

(KAIR)--A second round of local consult meetings to gather input on strategies for implementing the 2022 Kansas Water Plan are set for this month, including one in the local area.

According to a release from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, those who attend will have the opportunity to provide feedback through facilitated group discussions about such topics as updated investment scenarios, ranking criteria to achieve long-term goals around aquifers, reservoirs, and water quality; preferred revenue sources, and setting objectives through reasonable actions.

Locally, one such meeting is set to be held in Leavenworth. It will be Thursday evening, September 26, from 6 until 9:00, at the Frontier Conference Center. Attendees are asked to RSVP here.

The Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Agriculture, and Kansas Department of Health and Environment, are conducting the local consult meetings.

Kelly, in the release, calls preserving the quality and quantity of the State's water "an existential issue," saying that the "meetings will help build a program that provides the collective, coordinated action on water conservation and quality that communities across Kansas need, in both the short and long term.”

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. reported to Commissioners last week that two additional quotes were sought from local contractors regarding needed repairs and improvements to the bridge leading into the County Shop area in Falls City.

Both contractors were unable to provide a quote at this time.

With that information the Board approved a quote from Midwest Infrastructure, Inc. to do the work at a cost of $49,385.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty reported that a patrol unit was damaged in the past week when a deer was hit. Plans are being made to get repairs done as soon as possible.

Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Kirkendall relayed to the Board his disappointment with the elimination of funding for a staff person in the budget proposed for next year. Funding for the Richardson County Emergency Management Agency is provided through funding from the Nebraska Public Power District's Cooper Nuclear Station and Emergency Management Program Grant funds through the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency with remaining expenses from property tax.

Following an executive session, Commissioners approved a request from Ted an Mona Godeman to have Mona's workplace in the Veterans Service Office tested for mycrotoxins.

(KLZA)-- The Humboldt Area Community Foundation is realizing results in their effort to raise funds through a Citizens Support Campaign to help Colonial Acres Nursing Home in Humboldt work through a cash-flow issue.

In a release from the group, it was announced that in the first week, the campaign received $22,500 in doantions.

The Humboldt Area Community Foundation is a 501(c) 3 organization.

The release also noted that early payment during the week by some private pay clients provided an additional cash infusion for the facility.

For more information on the effort you can contact Kevin Burnison at 402-862-5805 or text Ben Steffen at 402-862-5274.

(KMZA)--A Kansas Department of Transportation resurfacing project is scheduled to begin on U.S. 24 in Pottawatomie County, Thursday, September 5th, conditions permitting.

The project will take place on the eastbound lanes of U.S. 24, from about Excel Road to Columbian Road near Wamego.

KDOT says the active work zone will be reduced to one lane and will have a 16-foot width restriction.

All lanes will be open during non-working hours.

Work is expected to be complete within one week, conditions permitting. Crews will work during daylight hours and on Saturday, September 7th.

Vance Brothers Inc., of Kansas City, Missouri, is the prime contractor on the $490,000 project.

(KNZA)--After hearing the concerns of a large group of county residents, the Brown County Commission Tuesday unanimously adopted a 2025 county budget that calls for total expenditures of $13.7 million and about a half-mill property tax levy increase.

The Commission also unanimously adopted a resolution to exceed the revenue neutral tax rate of 34.55 mills.

Residents voiced their concerns over how high taxes have gotten and urged the Commission to make across the board cuts in order to remain under the revenue neutral rate.

The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 35.64 mills, which is 1.09 mills above the revenue neutral rate.

It calls for the county to collect $8.3 million in tax revenue.

Commission Chairman Rich Lehmkuhl said the Commission had already made a large amount of budget cuts, going from being $2 million dollars over the revenue neutral rate down to $247,000.

He said the county could face a budget shortfall next year and there will no money for anything extra.

Editors note: the following was submitted by Brown Co Sheriff John Merchant

These are the statistics of the Brown County Sheriff's Office for the month
of August, 2024.

I would like to inform everyone that SCAMS are increasing throughout the
county. Lately, residents are being contacted by a caller that is
identifying themselves as "Sheriff Merchant" on their caller ID. Several
people have reported this and when they have found out that it is not me,
they hangup on the caller. Several have stated that the person has a
foreign accent. I appreciate people informing us of this latest scam and
remind everyone to never give out personal information over the phone or
internet and never rely on your caller ID as to whom the actual caller is.

Thank you all for your continued partnership in community safety.

DISPATCH CALLS:

911 Calls 191
non-emergent calls 2894

TOTAL 3085 averages to more than 99 calls per day.

DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO THE FOLLOWING:

ACCIDENTS 8
ANIMAL CALLS 11
ASSIST OTHER AGENCY 30
BUILDING CHECK 6
COMMUNITY POLICING 60
CRIMINAL THREAT 1
CRIMINAL TRESPASS 1
DISORDERLY 2
DISTURBANCE 2
ELECTRONIC SOLICITATION 1
DUI/DRUG INVESTIGATION 25
FIRE ASSIST 4
MEDICAL 7
MISC 25
OFFENDER REGISTRATION 28
PEDESTRIAN CHECK 9
PROPERTY LOST/FOUND 1
DRIVING COMPLAINTS 7
SUBPOENA SERVICE 202
SUSPICIOUS PERSON OR VEHICLE 9
TOWN CHECKS 314
TRAFFIC STOPS 225
TRANSPORTS 4
VEHICLE CHECKS & LOCKOUTS 29
VIN's 3
WARRANTS 13
WELFARE CHECKS 13

OVER 1039 INCIDENTS WHICH AVERAGE TO OVER 33 INCIDENTS PER DAY.

(KAIR)--Strategic planning for the future is set to begin in Atchison's public school district, with leaders of USD 409 calling on the public to provide input for the plan.

The issue is addressed in the school year's first "Monday Minute," posted to the school district's social media. In the video clip, featuring School Board President Carrie Sowers, and Superintendent Dr. Renee Nugent, the pair encourages all patrons to take time to provide their thoughts as part of the School Board's Strategic Planning Process.

The survey mentioned in the "Monday Minute" can be taken online here.

(MSC News)--Flags will fly at half-staff across Kansas Wednesday, in honor of a late Kansas firefighter.

Governor Laura Kelly, on Tuesday, issued an executive order to fly all flags throughout the state at half-staff to remember Arkansas City Firefighter Trevor Rusk. Rusk died August 24 while off duty. He was 36-years-old.

Kelly, in the release, says Rusk's "selflessness and courage will be remembered by his colleagues, friends, and family,” adding that “Kansas owes him a debt of gratitude for his service and sacrifice."

Wednesday is the day of Rusk's funeral, with the flags to be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown.

(MSC News)--Kansas tax collections for August exceeded expectations. That word comes in a release from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, which says the total tax collections for the past month were $656.6 million. That's $22.8 million more than the estimate, while total tax collections are up 4% from August of last year.

Individual income tax collections, meanwhile, were $329.4 million, which is $19.4 million more than the estimate and up 10.1% from August 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $20.2 million, which is $9.8 million less than the estimate and down 19.7% from August 2023.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $294.6 million, which is $12.6 million more than the estimate and up $2.2 million from August 2023.

(KLZA)--Southeast Community College will hold listening sessions throughout the 15-county region over the next month as it develops a new Strategic Plan for 2025-2029.

SCC President Dr. Paul Illich and college representatives will be hosting listening sessions in the SCC service area including September, 10, at the Beatrice Campus, 4771 West Scott Road.at 6 p.m. September, 18, at the Nebraska City Learning Center, 1406 Central Avenue, starting at 6 p.m. and in Falls City September 26, at the Falls City Learning Center, located at 3200 Bill Schock Boulevard, at 6 p.m.

Each session will include a brief College update followed by a guided discussion designed to seek input from community members. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The 18-month planning process will culminate with a new strategic plan effective July 1, 2025.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners have set a public heairng for Tuesday, September 10 at 6:30 p.m. for a public heairng on the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget.

A hearing to set the tax levy at a different amount than the previous year has been scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday September 11.

Both hearings will be held in the Commissioners meeting room on the second floor of the Richardson County Courthouse.

The proposed tax requirement for the next budget is $5,687,104 which includes $400 thousand in cash reserves plus $296,567 for the Jail Bond. The total tax asking would amount to $5,984,108 which is an increase of $124,965 or 2.1 percent more than last year.

The total budget of expenditures is 5.4% lower than the current budget at $19,283,248. That is $1,039,261 less than this years expenditures.

The proposed tax levy is down 6.7% to 31.0919 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, representing a decrease of just over two cents per $100 of valuation.

The Richardson County valuation for 2024 is $1,829,263,457, an increase of $154,638,148 representing a a 9.2 percent increase in the county valuation.

(KLZA)--The Holt County Autumn Festival will be held in Oregon, Missouri from Wednesday, Septemaber 4, through Saturday, September 7.

The Festival will beign at 5 p.m. Wednesday evening and will include a baby show, the Pie Contest, an Ice Cream Social will begin at 6 on the courthouse lawn.

The Junior Festival Queen contest will begin at 7 p.m. on the bandstand with the Senior Queen contest at 8 p.m.

Other highlights of the annual Autumn Festival will include the kids water fight on Main Street on Thursday, at 4:30 p.m. sponsored by the South Holt Volunteer Firefighters Association.

There will be bingo on Thursday and Friday evenings and again on Saturday.

The Prince and Princess contest will be Thursday evening at 6:30 with the Junior Miss Queen contest at 8 p.m.

The Children's Parade will be Friday with the festivals General Parade on Saturday.

(KLZA)--The Holt County Autumn Festival will be held in Oregon, Missouri from Wednesday, Septemaber 4, through Saturday, September 7.

The Festival will beign at 5 p.m. Wednesday evening and will include a baby show, the Pie Contest, an Ice Cream Social will begin at 6 on the courthouse lawn.

The Junior Festival Queen contest will begin at 7 p.m. on the bandstand with the Senior Queen contest at 8 p.m.

Other highlights of the annual Autumn Festival will include the kids water fight on Main Street on Thursday, at 4:30 p.m. sponsored by the South Holt Volunteer Firefighters Association.

There will be bingo on Thursday and Friday evenings and again on Saturday.

The Prince and Princess contest will be Thursday evening at 6:30 with the Junior Miss Queen contest at 8 p.m.

The Children's Parade will be Friday with the festivals General Parade on Saturday.

(KLZA)--The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting offers for more than 2.2 million acres from agricultural producers and private landowners through this years, Grassland, General and Continuous Conservation Reserve Program signups administered by the Farm Service Agency.

With these accepted acres, enrollmant is nearing the 27 million CRP acreage cap.

Grassland CRP allows producers and landowners to continue grazing and haying practices while protecting grasslands and further CRP's impacts.

Among the top states for this year's Grassland CRP signup is Nebraska with 237,853 acres accepted. FSA also accepted nearly 200,000 acres through the General Signup, brining total acres enrolled in General CRP to 7.9 million acres.

For more information on these programs contact your local FSA office at your USDA Service Center.

(KAIR)--A report of a woman being pursued by a pickup truck, in the area of 286th and Greely Road, in Atchison County, Friday morning, turned into a two-county pursuit that ended with an Effingham man in custody.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, the report of the woman being chased was made to his office around 7:45 Friday morning, with both of the vehicles then spotted at 1629 Main Street, in Atchison, with the driver of the truck identified as 31-year-old Casey Crawford.

When the deputy arrived, Laurie says Crawford attempted to drive from the parking lot where an Atchison Police Officer had arrived and tried to stop him from fleeing. However, Crawford allegedly made his getaway, leading to the pursuit, which went south on 14th Street to U.S. Highway 59, which Crawford allegedly drove to make his escape into nearby Missouri. Stop sticks, used by Atchison Police, were deployed on the Amelia Earhart Bridge, causing one of the truck's tires to later deflate. Regardless, the truck continued east on Highway 59, in Missouri, turning north on Southwest Mud Lake Road, which continued back to the highway.

Laurie says the Buchanan County, Missouri Sheriff's Office was called in, with those deputies assisting the pursuit by deploying more spike strips that successfully deflated another of the truck's tires, with the pursuit ending around 3-miles south of St. Joseph, Missouri, when Crawford allegedly lost control of the vehicle, which ran into the east ditch and rolled over, stopping upside down.

Atchison and Buchanan County Deputies apprehended Crawford, who was placed into the Missouri department's custody.

According to Laurie, a criminal case is being submitted to the Atchison County Attorney for local charges.

The investigation is continuing.

(MSC News)-- U.S. Senator Jerry Moran says he plans to introduce legislation aimed at safeguarding the private property rights of Kansans affected by the U.S. Department of Energy's proposed five-mile wide national interest electric transmission corridors, one of which would span much of the state and run locally through Marshall, Nemaha and Brown Counties.

“Over the past several weeks, I’ve been traveling across Kansas, and I’ve heard from many who live and work along the path of the proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor,” said Sen. Moran. “There is concern and opposition. Their message to federal government is clear: their land is not for sale and is not to be taken.”

Moran says the proposed corridors would allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to use eminent domain for new transmission lines in certain cases, including if a state regulatory authority denies the siting of a proposed line.

The Kansas Republican says his proposed legislation would prevent federal funds from being used to condemn private property for transmission line corridor designations and bar the Department of Energy from overruling a state regulator's rejection of an electric transmission project.

In addition to the legislation, Senator Moran has been engaged with the Department of Energy, and says they have assured him they will continue to accept comments and take them into consideration through the next phase of this proposal.

Moran says if a Kansan would like to offer comments on the proposed transmission line to the Department of Energy, please email: NIETC@hq.doe.gov.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has adopted a 2025 budget that calls for total expenditures of $14.3 million and a 2.8 mill tax levy increase.

According to the unofficial meeting minutes, the Commission took the action August 26th on a 2-1 vote following a hearing drawing no public comment. Commissioner Timothy Collins cast the lone dissenting vote.

The budget contains an estimated tax rate of 39.726 mills, which is anticipated to generate nearly $6.2 million in local tax revenue.

Following a second hearing drawing no public comment, the Commission on a 2-1 vote adopted a resolution to exceed the revenue neutral tax rate of 37.497 mills for the 2025 budget year, with Commissioner Collins again casting the lone no vote.

In addition, the Commission unanimously adopted the 2025 budget for Doniphan County Ambulance District #1 following a hearing drawing no public comment. It calls for a one mill tax levy decrease to 1.199 mills for a total reduction in tax dollars of nearly $162,000.

(KAIR)--A barge and boat collided Sunday evening in the Missouri River, at Atchison, leaving emergency crews, including the Atchison Fire Department, rushing to the scene, activating the department's rescue boat, as well as one operated by Atchison County Rescue, while other responders dived into the water to search the boat which was found capsized and drifting down the river to the south.

That word is delivered in a release from Atchison Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar, who says it was learned the occupants of the capsized boat had already been rescued by the barge crew and other pleasure boaters on the river.

They were located and brought to shore for evaluation by Atchison County EMS, which resulted in the discovery of no major injuries.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, in a release, identifies the two Atchison men aboard the small fishing boat as 50-year-old operator, Marvin Reese, and his passenger, 21-year-old Chandler Reese. The elder Reese, Wilson says, was arrested for operating a watercraft while intoxicated, following a Kansas Wildlife and Parks investigation at the scene.

According to Wilson, “witnesses reported seeing the small southbound boat collide with the front of the northbound barge” leading to the accident.

The capsized boat, Weishaar says, "was not able to be secured and was left drifting downriver," with the Coastguard, and other downriver agencies, alerted to the boat's presence.

The barge, identified as The Ava Hadley, of Herman, Missouri, was fully loaded, traveling to Omaha, Nebraska, at the time the collision occurred, just south of the boat ramp, located near Trotter's at the riverfront.

The accident occurred shortly after 7:00 Sunday evening.

(KNZA)--A Lenexa man was arrested following a Jackson County pursuit Friday evening.

Shortly after 5:30, Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse said a Sheriff's deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2019 Toyota Camry for multiple traffic infractions, and allegedly driving at a dangerously fast speed near 198th road and U.S. 75 Highway.

While attempting to stop the driver of the vehicle, Morse said the driver allegedly engaged in reckless driving, traveling over 100 miles per hour and passing vehicles on the shoulder.

The driver, identified as 27-year-old Sedrick Hatfield, was taken into custody by deputies at 110th Road and U.S. 75 Highway.

Hatfield was arrested for fleeing and eluding law enforcement, driving under the influence, improper driving on roadway, no vehicle registration and driving without a valid license.

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