(KNZA)--An 85-year-old Wamego man was killed in a two-vehicle crash Saturday morning in Shawnee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash happened just before 8:00 a.m. on U.S. 24 Highway at Countryside Road.

According to the KHP report, a westbound pickup driven by 36-year-old Zachary Obrock of Topeka crossed the center line for an unknown reason and collided head-on with an eastbound car driven by Robert Kidd of Wamego.

Kidd was pronounced dead at the scene.

Obrock was taken to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka with suspected serious injuries.

The Patrol says Kidd was wearing a seat belt. It was not immediately known whether Obrock was restrained.

 

(KAIR)--New life is coming for an Atchison business that closed its doors after 150 years of operation.

In a statement, Jefferson County-based Perry Milling says it's acquiring Blair Feeds & Elevator, which closed its Atchison doors in April. The Atchison business was established in 1867 as a flour mill.

The Perry, Kansas company says the acquisition strengthens its manufacturing, grain handling, and distribution capabilities, and expands its ability to serve livestock producers across Kansas.

Facility improvements are expected to begin shortly, focused on operational efficiency, production capacity, and preparing the site for future growth. Because of those upgrades, the Atchison facility will not reopen immediately, with the company to make that public once determined.

The company also says the site's grain elevator infrastructure will help strengthen local grain procurement and support feed production across its network.

Christopher Speckhals/Credit: Brown County Sheriff's Office

 

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man is facing felony criminal threat charges following his arrest last week.

Thirty-seven-year-old Christopher Speckhals was arrested June 27 after an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department.

According to court documents, Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill filed a three-count complaint Monday in Brown County District Court, charging Speckhals with two felony counts of criminal threat and one misdemeanor count of harassment by telephone.

The charges allege Speckhals threatened two individuals on June 26.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 8. Speckhals remains in the Brown County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

(KNZA)--Area northeast Kansas communities are gearing up for Independence Day celebrations honoring America’s 250th birthday. 

 In Hiawatha, fireworks will light up the sky Friday evening at dusk near the Brown County Historical Society Ag Museum.   

Bern will host a full July 4 celebration including a morning 5K, pancake feed, food trucks, evening activities, and a 10 p.m. fireworks show.   

In Highland, the day features a parade, community events, live music, and a 9:30 p.m. fireworks display. 

In Horton, Summer Slam at Hickory Point includes a pulled pork dinner for a free-will donation , games, tournaments, and family fun Friday evening.   

And in Robinson, a full day of activities—from a morning run and parade to a street dance and fireworks—rounds out the holiday celebration.

Barron Stringfellow/Credit: Facebook

 

(KNZA)--A local magician and illusionist is being remembered.

Barron Stringfellow of Hiawatha died Tuesday at the age of 66.

Stringfellow discovered his passion for magic at the age of seven, turning a childhood fascination into a career that spanned nearly six decades. He entertained audiences with magic and illusion while becoming an active member of numerous magic organizations, where he mentored and inspired fellow performers.

He was also a familiar face at Hiawatha's annual Maple Leaf Festival, where he regularly performed for festival goers.

A celebration of life is scheduled for July 17 in Robinson.

Stringfellow is survived by his wife, Athena, three daughters, three sons, and other family members.

(KNZA)--The City of Hiawatha has offered to pay Brown County $125,000 annually for continued dispatch services.

City Administrator Brad Scott met with county commissioners Tuesday to discuss the proposal. The county has provided dispatch services for Hiawatha since 1990.

Until 2017, the city paid the county $40,000 per year for those services. That payment was suspended by a previous commission, with the city instead providing in-kind services and directing savings toward law enforcement needs.

Earlier this year, Brown County asked Hiawatha to resume contributing to the cost of dispatch operations. Since then, both sides have been negotiating a new agreement.

Scott told commissioners the city is prepared to offer $125,000 per year, paid quarterly, beginning in 2027. He said the amount fits within the city’s financial plan, noting the city’s 2027 budget discussions focused on avoiding property tax increases.

County Commissioner Richard Tesoriero said the county would prefer the agreement take effect within the current fiscal year. He thanked Scott for the proposal and said commissioners will review and get back with the city.

(KLZA)--Democratic candidate for Attorney General Jocelyn Brasher recently  made a campaign stop in Falls City meeting with the public on the balcony of the Falls City Library and Arts Center.
A former Deputy County Attorney in Dodge and Dawson counties who spent five years as an Assistant Nebraska Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Bureau says it is time for a change in the Attorney Generals office in Nebraska by ousting Mike Hilgers from the position. Brasher says Hilgers has  spent 3.5 years taking the office in the wrong direction by filing political lawsuits and using the office to overturn election results he does not agree with instead of serving the people.
Brashear says she has spent the majority of her career fighting for Nebraskan's advocating for children, prosecuting criminals, and getting money back for the state while putting money back in the wallets of Nebraska residents. 
Brasher who is challenging her former boss, criticized Hilgers for using the office to fight election outcomes he does not agree with. 
She says Hilgers is using the power of his office to fight election outcomes he does not agree with including medical cannabis and minimum wage.  
Brasher says Nebraska needs an Attorney General to stand up for people and not large corporations.  She says over and over Hilgers has sided with big corporations and not the people of Nebraska. 
Brasher says the Attorney General's election this year may be the  most important election in the state. She says Hilgers is the person calling the shots, filing lawsuits and making decisions.  She said even if a new Governor is elected and a new U.S. Senator, if Hilgers is elected he will continue down the same path, accusing him of being in the pocket of his billionaire friends. 
Brasher says her priorities if elected will be protecting Nebraska consumers; strengthening public safety;  respecting voters and independence, not politics.

(KAIR)--The Doniphan West school district is in need of a new superintendent. That follows the recent resignation of Heather Ball, as announced last week by the school district, which is now set to start the search for her replacement. 

Ball had been serving under an interim contract that concluded on June 30th, with her resignation becoming effective at that time.

In a letter dated June 29, and addressed to the Doniphan West Family, the school board says "finding the next leader for our district is the highest priority for the board members," who say they're "committed to a smooth transition for our staff and their families and a great start to the 2026-2027 school year ahead," adding that they aim to hire a leader who can "bring stability and focus" on the district's mission.

Ball leaves the district after the school board voted unanimously in April to place her on administrative leave while working through a formal complaint procedure. At the time, board members said the process was meant to be "thorough and fair to all involved," but did not release a reason behind the decision, citing employee privacy and confidentiality laws. A connection between that administrative leave and Ball's resignation has not been publicly confirmed.

This week's letter to the district's patrons also states the school board is "steadfast in our belief that the best for our district is yet to come," and says more news on district leadership will be shared "in the weeks ahead."

Students and staff return to school in August.

Larry Myer/Credit: Jackson Co Sheriff

 

(KAIR)--The Lieutenant for the Brown County Sheriff's Office accused of misdemeanor harassment crimes against a local tribal officer has retained legal counsel from Topeka in advance of his forthcoming first appearance in a Brown County courtroom.

According to online court records, Larry Myer, who also once served as Undersheriff for Atchison County, and a resident of Lancaster, has retained Thomas G. Lemon of the Topeka-based law firm of Cavanaugh, Biggs & Lemon, P.A. to act as his defense in the case accusing him of the charges of intimidation of a witness or victim and harassment by telecommunications device.

Myer, last week, was arrested by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation after agents coordinated his surrender at the Jackson County Jail where the KBI says he was arrested on a warrant for his alleged crimes.

According to a release from the KBI, the Kickapoo Tribal Police Department requested the investigation by the agency in January after Myer allegedly threatened and harassed a tribal officer who had ticketed him for a traffic violation in December of last year.

Brandon Apperson, special prosecutor from the Johnson County District Attorney's Office, was appointed by Brown County to handle the case.

Myer, released on bond following his arrest, is scheduled to make his first appearance on the morning of July 22.

 

 

Timothy Workman/Credit: Brown County Sheriff's Office 

 

(KNZA)--A Horton man is facing multiple child sex charges in Brown County.

According to court documents, 47-year-old Timothy Workman was charged Monday with six counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Workman was arrested June 26 following an investigation by the Horton Police Department.

The charges stem from alleged sex offenses on June 26 involving two children, one under the age of 14 and the other between the ages of 14 and 16.

Workman remains in the Brown County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Gerry Rilinger/Credit: Brown County Sheriff's Office

 

(KNZA)--A Fairview man who had been charged with attempted second-degree murder has entered a no contest plea to three charges in the case.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says 44-year-old Gerry Rilinger entered no contest pleas during a June 22 arraignment to aggravated battery, battery of a correctional officer, and battery on a law enforcement officer following a mediation hearing.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 17.

Hill says, based on Rilinger's criminal history, he faces a presumptive prison sentence of between 114 and 128 months for aggravated battery and between 31 and 34 months for battery of a correctional officer. He said the plea agreement was reached with the active involvement and agreement of the victim, with the understanding it would result in a lengthy prison sentence that also provides an opportunity for treatment while incarcerated.

Rilinger originally faced 10 charges, including attempted second-degree murder, stemming from an alleged violent attack on a woman on November 8, 2025. The victim was hospitalized, and Rilinger was later taken into custody following an altercation with deputies.

Rilinger remains in the Brown County Jail on a $2 million bond.

(KNZA)--Brown County Commissioners have awarded a bid for a bridge replacement project on 170th Street, southwest of Powhattan.

Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to award the contract to B & B Bridge Company of St. Paul, Kansas for $767,480. The action came on the recommendation of project engineer Brady Hedstrom with BG Consultants.

The winning bid was the lower of two submitted and came in more than $200,000 below the engineer's estimate.

Construction is expected to begin in August and is scheduled to take 120 working days.

The project is being funded through a $1.15 million grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation's Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program. Brown County provided more than $127,000 in matching funds to secure the grant.