(KNZA)--Sabetha Community Hospital is announcing a significant change in how maternity care will be delivered to local families.

Beginning with a new “Shared Care” model, the hospital will phase out in-hospital labor and delivery services, with its final births scheduled for May 31, 2026.

Hospital officials say the decision comes after a long-term review of regional healthcare trends, along with a steady decline in local birth rates in recent years. Leaders say the transition is intended to preserve high-quality care while adapting to the changing needs of the community.

Under the new model, expectant mothers will continue to receive prenatal care locally through Sabetha Family Practice. As delivery nears, patients will then transition to a regional birthing center of their choice.

After childbirth, families will return to Sabetha for postpartum care, newborn checkups, and ongoing pediatric services—allowing much of the care to remain close to home.

Hospital leadership says the approach is designed to combine the comfort and familiarity of local care with the safety and resources available at higher-volume birthing centers.

Officials also say the change will allow the hospital to expand outpatient services, preventive screenings, and primary care offerings for residents across the region.

Michael King (left) holds his Distinguished Educator of the Year award, joined by Benedictine College President Stephen Minnis (right)/Submitted photo

(KAIR)--Benedictine College has named Michael King as its 2026 Distinguished Educator of the Year.

According to a release from the Atchison-based college, King, an associate professor and chair of the college’s School of Business, received the honor during the annual Academic Honors Convocation on April 29. The college says the award is the highest faculty honor Benedictine presents and has been awarded for more than 30 years, with nominations submitted by students, faculty, and staff.

The college says King was recognized for qualities that include creativity and effectiveness as an educator, strong rapport with students, and a willingness to go beyond the classroom to help students succeed. Benedictine also notes King has helped grow the School of Business to more than 500 undergraduate students and incorporates a Catholic mindset into his teaching.

Benedictine says King is a 1983 graduate of the college and later earned his law degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, along with graduate degrees from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and Fort Hays State University. The release notes his professional background includes work in business ventures and investment banking, service on the professional staff of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, and time as president of the College of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More in Fort Worth, Texas.

Natasha Crosby/Credit: Jackson County Sheriff's Office

(KNZA)--A Sabetha woman was arrested on multiple drug charges  following a traffic stop in Jackson County Friday evening. 

According to Sheriff Tim Morse, a sheriff’s deputy arrested 45-year-old Natasha Crosby around 9:15  after a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 75 near 302nd Road.

During the stop, Morse said the deputy conducted a probable cause search of  her vehicle and reported finding cocaine, marijuana and THC products.

Crosby was booked into the Jackson County Jail on suspicion of possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Credit: Jackson Co Sheriff's Office

(KNZA)--A Havensville woman was arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop in Jackson County.

According to Sheriff Tim Morse, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Nissan Rogue around noon on Thursday for an alleged traffic infraction on U.S. 75 near 222nd Road.

46-year-old Margaret Thomas was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without insurance.

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

(KNZA)--The city of Hiawatha will hold its annual Citywide Clean-up Day on Saturday, May 9th.

The clean-up site will be set up at the City Public Works property, located at 912 Hiawatha Avenue. Drop-offs will be accepted from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Each household is limited to one pickup load, one carload, or one single-axle trailer load. Contractors are not permitted, and the city reserves the right to refuse any load. Proof of residency will be required.

New this year, the city is offering curbside pickup of one bulk item per household. Residents must place the item at the curb for collection and call City Hall at 742-7477 by Thursday, May 7th to be added to the pickup list.

Items not accepted include household trash, leaves, grass clippings, tires, paint, oil, ignitable liquids, hazardous materials, and any material containing freon—except for appliances.

Seventeen adult volunteers, nine 4-H members and five families of volunteers were recognized during National Volunteer Week.

Among the families to be honored as Outstanding Multi-Generation Family of Volunteers is the Vonderschmidt family from Dawson and Richardson Counties.

The Vonderschmidt family said their favorite memory as 4-H volunteers has been watching all the children they have been involved with carry the skills and leadership they learned through 4-H into adulthood. They have worked over the years to help develop responsibility and accountability, emphasizing communication and confidence while teaching practical and technical skills.

The Mike and Deb Wilcox Family from Pawnee County will also be honored at the State Fair.

Their favorite memory is helping a first-year member through their project and then watching them step into the ring with confidence.

The Wilcox family has helped youth become Beyond Ready by focusing on real-world skills, "like responsibility, time management, communication, and problem-solving. Whether it’s completing a project, caring for an animal, or presenting in front of judges, the Wilcox family encourages the members to take ownership and learn from both successes and setbacks, making it a point to connect what they’re doing in 4-H to future careers and everyday life.

Nine 4-H members are being honored as Outstanding Youth Volunteers for going above and beyond in their local 4-H programs. One of those nine is Wesley Schmid from Johnson County who's favorite memory is announcing the Clover Kid pet show.

Among the nine Outstanding Adult Volunteer Award winners is Lisa Schawang from Richardson County. These awards go to those who have been leaders for more than four years. Lisa's favorite memory as a 4-H volunteer is when the group was in the barn and a sudden heavy downpour hit and quickly started to flood the barn. As everyone scrambled to keep the pens dry and push the water back one of the parents splashed a kid with a cup of water leading to a full-fledged water fight causing laughter to fill the barn.

Earning an award as an Emerging Adult Volunteer is Lukas Fritz from Nemaha County. Those honored in this category have served less than three years in their local 4-H community.

Hrabik, a junior at Peru State College, is majoring in secondary social science education with a minor in theatre.

He has served on the Student Senate as President, Vice President, & Freshman representative; One-Act Competition Director and Coordinator; Peru Theatre Company as President & Vice President; and Social Science Club/Phi Alpha Theta Vice President.

When discussing his appointment, Hrabik stated, “Serving as Student Trustee is my way of giving back to the college that’s become my home, continuing to advocate for students, elevate their voices, and help shape decisions that strengthen both my campus and the State College System.”

Lucas is the son of Curt Hrabik and Dr. Cindy Janssen Hrabik of Louisville, Nebraska.

Governor Laura Kelly, through executive order, has directed flags throughout Kansas be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown Sunday in recognition of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day.

Kelly, in a release, calls first responders “the backbone of our communities,” saying they work selflessly to keep Kansans safe day in and day out, and that the day is a time to recognize firefighters’ essential work and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the state.

(KNZA)--More scams are circulating in Brown County, with the sheriff’s office warning residents about fake text messages designed to intimidate people into paying money.
According to a statement from Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, an overwhelming number of residents have recently reported receiving authentic-looking text messages claiming to be from the State of Kansas and the District Court in Johnson County. The messages demand the recipient appear in court for alleged toll evasion, speeding, and parking violations.

Merchant says the messages are fictitious, and that courts do not use text messages to demand someone appear in court. He says the texts are intended to intimidate and extort money, and residents who receive them should delete them immediately. Anyone who believes they have been victimized is asked to contact local law enforcement.
Merchant also warns of a separate scam involving texts claiming to be from the Kansas Turnpike Authority, stating the recipient owes a toll and that an arrest warrant will be issued if it isn’t paid. Merchant says the KTA does not notify people by text message and sends notices in paper form.
Residents with questions are encouraged to contact local law enforcement or the Brown County Sheriff’s Office.

(KNZA)--Brown County has a new Emergency Management Coordinator.

The County Commission voted Monday to hire Brandon Roberts for the position. Roberts will work 24 hours per week in the role.

He replaces Don Pounds, who resigned February 13 after serving in the position for the past six years.

Roberts was one of several candidates interviewed for the job. He officially began his duties on Tuesday.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission met Monday and approved a series of road surfacing projects planned for 2026.

Commissioners accepted bids for chip sealing, asphalt work, and crack sealing on several county roads.

Vance Brothers submitted a chip seal bid totaling about $589,000. That work includes Mineral Point Road south of Troy, Peck Road south of 175th Road, Randolph Road south of U.S. Highway 36, and two larger double-shot oil and chip seal projects on 150th Road and Saratoga Road.

Herzog Contracting Corporation was awarded a nearly $602,000 asphalt project on 240th Road west of Highland, covering 3.4 miles.

Midwest Sealing and Construction will handle crack sealing on Castleton Road south of Highway 120, for just over one mile at a cost of about $10,000.

In other business, Sheriff Mark Allen and Undersheriff Brendan Wolvington discussed wage comparisons for deputies, dispatchers, and jail staff with several nearby counties.

Wolvington said there was a misunderstanding in how 2026 pay increases affected starting wages for dispatchers and jailers.

Commissioners later approved raising starting pay for those positions to $17.50 an hour for day shifts and $18.00 an hour for night shifts, effective April 27th.

Michael Wheeler/Credit: Jackson Co Sheriff's Office  

(KNZA)--A Louisville man is facing multiple drug charges in Jackson County.

According to Sheriff Tim Morse, just before 1:30 Wednesday morning, a deputy conducted a welfare check on a Chevy Avalanche parked near Buck’s Grove Cemetery at the intersection of K-16 Highway and B Road.

Following an investigation, authorities arrested 67-year-old Michael Wheeler.

He was taken to the Jackson County Jail and booked on several charges, including distribution of an opiate, opium, narcotic, or certain stimulant; possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia; failure to have a drug tax stamp; interference with law enforcement; concealing or destroying evidence in a felony case; and possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.