(KAIR)--A Lawrence woman was arrested in Atchison Wednesday afternoon after allegedly speeding toward two city officers responding to a disturbance.

In a release, Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson says officers were called shortly before 1:00 to a home in the 1200 block of South 6th Street.

As officers got out of their patrol vehicles, a woman alleged to have been involved in the disturbance was attempting to leave in a Nissan and accelerated toward them. The car stopped abruptly, and neither officer was hit.

Police arrested 23-year-old Zoie Bridges at the scene. The investigation found that Bridges allegedly slashed a tire on a vehicle belonging to a 54-year-old resident.

Wilson says open containers of alcohol, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were allegedly found inside the car.

Bridges, arrested for criminal damage to property, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, transporting an open container and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KNZA)--Amberwell Health in Atchison is among five Kansas hospitals forming a new partnership called Astra Health.

The hospitals will remain independent but work together to improve health care access in rural communities.

Along with Amberwell Health, the partnership includes LMH Health in Lawrence, the University of Kansas Health System, Newman Regional Health in Emporia and Salina Regional Health Center.

LMH Health CEO Shelly Kortkamp says Astra Health will leverage shared resources that no individual organization could efficiently develop on its own.

The partnership was announced Tuesday.

Michael Alan Hull/Credit: Platte Co Sheriff

Updated Wednesday, September 9, 2026

(KAIR)--A Weston, Missouri man sought during a nearly 12 hour manhunt Tuesday was arrested without incident Wednesday morning. According to a release from the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and Weston police arrested 37-year-old Michael Alan Hull around 11:50 after receiving information that he was at a Weston residence. Hull was wanted on a felony warrant after allegedly fleeing a traffic stop Saturday and causing minor injury to a Weston police officer. Tuesday’s search prompted West Platte schools to cancel classes. Authorities suspended the search, which began around 4:20 Tuesday morning, around 4:00 that afternoon because of extreme heat and heavy brush. Hull, after he was located Wednesday, was taken into custody on the outstanding warrant.

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(KAIR)--A 12-hour search for an armed and wanted Weston man was suspended Tuesday afternoon because of extreme heat and heavy brush.

According to the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, deputies began assisting Weston police around 4:20 Tuesday morning near Missouri Highways 45 and H. Authorities were searching for 37-year-old Michael Hull, who is wanted on a felony warrant after allegedly fleeing a traffic stop Saturday and causing minor injury to a Weston officer.

Investigators say Hull was seen on a security camera and may have been armed. West Platte schools first delayed classes because of the nearby search, then canceled school for the day.

Officers searched Hull’s former home on Cherry Street after receiving a report of an open door, but found the unoccupied residence empty.

SWAT teams later searched the river bottoms south of Weston. That search was suspended around 4:00 Tuesday afternoon, but additional law enforcement resources remained in the area.

Anyone who sees Hull should not approach him and should call 911 or the Platte County Sheriff’s Office at 816-858-5848.

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(KAIR)--A manhunt for an armed and dangerous suspect in Weston, Missouri prompted the West Platte School District to cancel classes Tuesday.

KCTV reports multiple law enforcement agencies were searching the Weston area for a man wanted on felony warrants who was believed to have an AR-style rifle.

Weston Police Chief Kelly Clark says officers encountered the man Friday and consider him dangerous.

Law enforcement officers chased the suspect Tuesday morning near the West Platte schools, but he escaped. Clark says the man grew up in the area and is familiar with the surrounding neighborhoods.

The chief did not release the suspect’s identity or details about the felony warrants.

The search was continuing as of 10:45 Tuesday morning. 

(KLZA)--There were no injuries resulting from a Union Pacific train that was northbound hitting the rear end of a westbound Ford pickup just past 11, Sunday evening on West 14th Street on the edge of Falls City. 

The Falls City Police Department report notes that the pickup was not at the scene of the crash but numerous pieces of debris were found at the scene of the wreck.

Richardson County Deputy's were able to make contact with the suspected driver of the pickup, approximately a half-mile west of the scene of the collision and verify the driver of the pickup to be 72-year-old Michael D. Marx of Falls City.

Pieces of debris found at the scene were matched to a pickup in Marx's driveway.

Officers determined that Marx had ignored the railway traffic signal, resulting in a collision and then drove to his home. 

The accident report from the Falls City Police Department shows alcohol is suspected  to have been a factor in the wreck.  A preliminary breathalyzer test  showed a blood alcohol contest of .238, which is nearly three times the legal limit.

The Richardson County  Sheriff's Department is handling the criminal investigation in the case.

(KAIR)--Benedictine College will honor current and former members of the U.S. military Saturday during its 19th annual Stars and Stripes Celebration.

The recognition will be held during the Ravens’ 1:00 afternoon football game against William Penn University at Wilcox Stadium.

At halftime, the college will present its St. Martin of Tours Award, named for the patron saint of soldiers, to retired Marine Corps Major David Litkenhus.

Litkenhus was an All-American basketball player at Benedictine before choosing military service over a possible professional basketball career. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1994, later became a Marine Corps officer and served multiple deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. He retired from the Marines in 2016.

The halftime program will also include the commissioning of a new Air Force officer who graduated from Benedictine.

The Raven Regiment Marching Band will perform the anthems of all six military branches before the ceremony concludes with the unfurling of a 60-foot American flag.

(KNZA)--Highland Community College in Doniphan County is proposing a property tax rate above the state’s revenue-neutral rate for the 2026-2027 school year.

The college is proposing a tax rate of 18-point-495 mills, which is about one mill above the revenue-neutral rate of 17-point-419 mills.

The proposed budget includes total expenditures and transfers of about 26-point-1 million dollars.

The college is proposing to levy about three million dollars in property taxes, an increase of about 175-thousand dollars from last year.

A public hearing on the proposed budget and tax rate will be held September 16th at 6:30 p.m. in the David Reist Administration Building Conference Room at the college.

The hearing will give taxpayers an opportunity to comment on the proposed budget, tax rate and use of funds.

William Holmes/Credit: Nemaha County Sheriff's office 

(KMZA)--A St. Joseph, Missouri man is facing multiple charges in Nemaha County.

The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office reports 48-year-old Williams Holmes was arrested by Seneca Police last Friday.

Holmes faces charges including fleeing or attempting to elude, criminal possession of a firearm, interference with law enforcement, reckless driving, DUI, transporting an open container, speeding and improper driving on a laned road.

He was booked into the Nemaha County Jail and is being held on a 15-thousand-dollar bond.

(KAIR)--The Atchison City Commission approved the city’s revenue neutral rate and 2027 budget Tuesday night, clearing the way for more than 63 million dollars in operating and capital spending.

City Manager Mark Westhoff explained that commissioners had three separate steps to consider. “So there are three things we are doing. The first, the revenue neutral rate and the mill levy, requires a public hearing and then a vote on the mill levy rate and the resolution to set that. The second, the budget proposal, requires a separate public hearing and then a vote to approve the budget. The third is an ordinance which appropriates the funds to the correct city funds for 2027.”The approved budget includes more than 26 and a half million dollars in operating expenses, an increase of 8.1%. Another 36.9 million dollars is planned for infrastructure projects and equipment upgrades.

The city’s property tax rate will decline from 46.359 mills to 45.002 mills. However, that remains above the revenue neutral rate of 43.709 mills, meaning the city expects to collect about 2.6% more in property taxes than last year.

The budget also provides a 2% cost of living adjustment for city employees and creates a city planner position. About two thirds of the budget is supported by revenue sources other than property taxes. “For most people, the question is, ‘Will my taxes go up?’ And the answer is, it’s complicated," Westhoff said. "Taking into account all the factors that we’re talking about here, the city’s reduction in our mill levy, only 2.6% rather than 5.5%, the new growth within the city that allows that to be possible, and the county sales tax, and if USD 409 maintains something like their current mill levy, it still ultimately depends on that individual appraisal for each home. But for many residents within the City of Atchison, based on the proposal in front of you today and the information we have tonight, property taxes will actually likely decrease in 2027. For those who did renovations or who received an updated appraisal from the county appraiser that was maybe lagging behind, they could still see a slight increase. It’ll depend on the value of that property. Some of them still might even see a decrease because we’re talking about nine to 10 mills below revenue neutral, which is pretty significant.”

Public hearings were held, with Mayor La Rochelle young responding to the concerns voiced by two regarding what they said were increasing property taxes and the amount of taxes paid compared to the amount of services delivered to residents. “We can certainly sympathize, and I do agree with our city manager. I would just encourage you to have those conversations with the county appraiser to look at that appeal process. I noted your concerns about the streets. That is noted. We are working diligently to try and address all of those things.”

Once public hearings concluded, votes were held with unanimous approval granted for the City of Atchison's 2027 budget. 

(KLZA)-- The Richardson County Commissioners approved a salary increase for the Highway Superintendent at an annual salary of $78,654, the Road Foreman $28.06 per hour and clerical staff to $20.70 per hour when they met Wednesday.

The pay increases are effective as of August 30.

In other business the Board approved seeking sealed bids for hauling rock from Weeping Water in order to create a stockpile of rock for county roads on the western side of the county. The quarry at DuBois will be shut down until after the first quarter of 2027.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty reported the radio equipment that was damaged by lightning during a storm several weeks ago has been repaired. He also noted that a couple of leaks in the roof of the law enforcement center have been discovered and that a contractor has been contacted to look at the areas.

Commissioners also discussed salary increases in the new fiscal year with the Sheriff.

A contract with MIPS for professional services to provide Richardson County Rural Residential CAMA Configuration at a price of $79 thousand was approved. Half will be paid in the 2026-27 fiscal year with the second half paid during the 2027-28 fiscal year. This concerns software for Assessment.

Photo credit: Northeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments, Atchison County/Facebook

(KAIR)--The Northeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department’s Atchison office is now a certified child passenger fitting station.

In a social media post, the department announced that registered nurse Kelli Tucker is a certified child passenger safety technician at its office at 616 Commercial Street in Atchison.

The certification allows families to receive trained assistance with checking whether child safety seats are properly installed and appropriate for the child using them.

The Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office awarded the fitting station certification August 28.

(KNZA)--Brown County Noxious Weed Director Richard Rodvelt was terminated during Tuesday’s county commission meeting.

The action followed an executive session concerning Rodvelt’s pay and job performance. Rodvelt attempted to leave the meeting despite warnings from county officials, then walked out and slammed the door.

Commission Chairman Lucas Heinen moved for Rodvelt’s immediate termination with cause. Heinen and Commissioner Richard Tesoriero voted in favor, while Commissioner Bill Pollock abstained.

County Counselor Austin Parker cited alleged policy violations, dishonesty, inappropriate behavior and repeated conflicts with commissioners.

Heinen described Rodvelt as disruptive, belligerent, uncooperative and insubordinate.

Tesoriero said Rodvelt’s position was not full-time during the winter and that he was offered other duties at the county landfill. Tesoriero said Rodvelt’s unwillingness to work with other landfill employees made it difficult to find additional work for him.

Rodvelt’s termination was effective immediately. He was ordered to return all county property, with his pay and benefits ending Tuesday.

Jose Angel Gamboa Jr./Credit: Jackson County Sheriff's Office 

(KNZA)--A Topeka man is facing drug charges following a traffic stop in Jackson County last Friday morning.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says a deputy stopped a vehicle for speeding around 2:00 a.m. on U.S. 75 near the Shawnee County line.

During the stop, the deputy developed probable cause to search the vehicle. The driver, 45-year-old Jose Angel Gamboa Junior of Topeka, was removed from the vehicle and searched.

Morse says methamphetamine and a pipe were allegedly found on Gamboa.

A search of the vehicle also turned up suspected marijuana.

Gamboa was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding.

(KNZA)--A federal lawsuit filed by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation against Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse has been dismissed following a settlement between the two sides.

According to court documents, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Vratil dismissed the case August 21st.

The Nation filed the lawsuit in July 2024, seeking a ruling that the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office had no civil jurisdiction or authority on the reservation.

The dispute stemmed from a 2024 incident at the former Snak Atak Travel Plaza, where tribal officials were attempting to enforce the Nation’s licensing and tax requirements.

The settlement does not declare a winner or resolve who has sole legal authority on the reservation.

Instead, the agreement states the Nation can enforce its civil rules, while Sheriff Morse and his deputies can continue to fulfill their duties to keep and preserve the peace within Jackson County.

Both sides agreed to end the lawsuit without a trial.

(KNZA)--The City of Seneca is proposing an 18-point-4-million-dollar budget for 2027, with the mill levy remaining unchanged.

City Administrator Steve Brooks went over the budget proposal at the city council's September 2nd meeting.

The estimated tax rate is 32-point-538 mills, less than one mill above the revenue-neutral rate.

The city expects to collect about 1-point-2 million dollars in property taxes, roughly 35-thousand dollars more than this year, due to an increase in the city's assessed valuation.

The council will consider adopting the budget following a public hearing September 16th.

The council also approved updated rules for customer-owned renewable energy systems, including solar, and standards for connecting those systems to the city electric grid.

In addition, Galen Niehues and Brad Lueger were reappointed to the Planning Commission through September 2029. Bruce Hermesch is not seeking another term, leaving a vacancy for a city resident.

(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is warning residents about scam calls threatening legal action, including arrest warrants.

Merchant says many local residents, particularly elderly people, are being targeted. Callers claim legal action will be taken unless the resident immediately returns the call or sends payment.

Merchant says residents should not answer calls from numbers they don't recognize, and should verify who they're speaking with even when the number appears familiar, because phone numbers can be cloned.

He also advises residents not to return calls left on voicemail if they don't recognize the caller, and to hang up immediately if they suspect a scam.

The City Commission will hold separate public hearings on the budget and its intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate during its meeting beginning Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 at City Hall.

The proposed budget includes more than $26.5 million in operating expenses, an increase of 8.1%. Another $36.9 million is planned for infrastructure projects and equipment upgrades.

The city proposes reducing its property tax rate from 46.359 mills to 45.002 mills. However, that remains above the revenue neutral rate of 43.709 mills. The city projects collecting about 2.6% more in property taxes than last year.

The plan includes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for city employees, a new city planner position and several capital improvement projects. Officials say about two-thirds of the city budget is funded through sources other than property taxes.

Following the hearings, commissioners are scheduled to consider adopting the budget, related capital plans and a resolution authorizing the higher-than-revenue-neutral tax rate.

(KNZA)--Two people were injured Friday evening in a three-vehicle crash in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash happened around 6 p.m. at U.S. 36 Highway and Coyote Road, east of Fairview.

The Patrol says a van driven by 33-year-old Francisco Torres-Melendez, whose address was listed as unknown, was stopped while attempting to turn north when it was rear-ended by an eastbound car driven by 51-year-old Mandy Nott of Holton.

The impact sent the van into the westbound lane, where it was struck on the passenger side by a pickup driven by 43-year-old Holly Grant of Horton.

Torres-Melendez was taken to Amberwell Health in Hiawatha with suspected serious injuries. Nott was taken to Sabetha Community Hospital with suspected minor injuries.

Grant was not injured.

The Patrol says all three were alone in their vehicles and were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

According to Atchison County Clerk Susan Carrigan, in answer to questions posed through email by MSC Radio News, Damon Bowen has been hired to fill that position. His duties in that role began August 10.

Bowen brings permanency to the role that's been held since early this year by Emily Sternsdorff following an early January UTV crash that left then Superintendent Joe Snyder injured. Sternsdorff was first named as acting Superintendent on January 20 and then installed officially in the interim at the May 12 meeting of the Commission.

It's not immediately clear when Bowen was hired for the position, with his name not found in any 2026 Commission meeting minutes, with the last discussion pertaining to the Road and Bridge Superintendent scheduled to be held in Executive Session at the July 28 meeting. The Commission did not hold a meeting on August 4, days prior to Bowen's August 10 start.

According to past reporting by MSC Radio News, Bowen, a resident of Muscotah, was hired as Transportation Director and Bus Supervisor for the South Brown County Schools of USD 430 in 2019. His resignation from that position was accepted by the school leaders in April of this year.

Nemaha County Sheriff Rich Vernon/Credit: Nemaha County

(KMZA)--Longtime Nemaha County Sheriff Rich Vernon is stepping down.

Vernon has submitted his resignation, effective November first. The Centralia Republican has served as sheriff since 2006.

Nemaha County Republican Party Chairman Ray Shinn says the county Republican Central Committee will meet September 15th to select a replacement. The name will then be forwarded to Governor Laura Kelly for appointment.

Anyone interested in the position should contact Shinn with their resume or qualifications.

(KMZA)--The sixth annual Nemaha County STEP Foundation Match Day has set a new record, raising more than 500-thousand dollars for local charitable funds.

The August 28 event generated 502-thousand, 500 dollars — more than 200-thousand dollars above last year's total.

Fifty-one charitable funds participated, and the foundation's 55-thousand-dollar matching pool was fully matched.

Cardinal Academy raised nearly 70-thousand dollars, while the Spring Creek Golf Course Improvement Fund received more than 103-thousand dollars, including a 50-thousand-dollar matching gift from Jim and Patricia Koch.

The Spring Creek funds will help pay for cart path improvements at the golf course.

"We are extremely grateful for everyone who makes Match Day's success possible. Our communities work together to strengthen the whole county, and we are very blessed to live where we do. Thank you to everyone who shows up, gives, and continues to support our mission," said Tory Jost, Executive Director of the Nemaha County STEP Foundation.

"The excitement of the day was electrifying. You could feel the pride as people arrived with checkbooks in hand to give back to their favorite nonprofits. We had a constant flow of donors and nonprofit leaders who kept the board members busy all day. Thank you to all the nonprofits that worked hard in order to get the word out about their projects and communities to make the day a success," said Maggie Grier, STEP Board President.

Gary Hermesch/Credit: Nemaha County Sheriff's Office 

(KMZA)--A man accused of killing a Seneca priest has been found incompetent to stand trial.

The Kansas Attorney General’s Office says a Nemaha County judge ruled Thursday that Gary Hermesch is not competent to stand trial and ordered involuntary commitment proceedings to be initiated.

Hermesch is charged with first-degree murder in the April 3rd, 2025, killing of Father Arul Carasala outside the Sts. Peter and Paul rectory in Seneca.

A judge ordered Hermesch to undergo a competency evaluation in November 2025. He was later transported to Larned State Security Hospital for further evaluation.

An evaluation report was issued to the court in late July, and that report was the basis for Thursday’s decision.

The Kansas Attorney General’s Office took over prosecution of the case in early August.

Linda Dillard/Credit: Nebraska State Patrol 

(KLZA)--The Nebraska State Patrol is once again asking for the public's assistance in the 5-year-old case of the disappearance of 58-year-old Linda Dillard of Fairbury, who was last seen near Table Rock on June 16, 2021.

Volunteers and law enforcement conducted a large scale, three-day search near the Table Rock Wildlife Management Area in March of 2022.

Investigators say they are confident Dillard's remains were not in the area where she disappeared.

The State Patrol believes Dillard, who was reported missing four days after she was last seen, may have been the victim of a crime.

Search warrants filed in Lancaster and Pawnee counties indicate she may have been kidnapped or murdered.

Richardson County Commissioners continued their review of requested budgets for the new fiscal year when they met Wednesday.

The proposed County Board proposed budget was completed reviewing changes that were made from the budget requests from all departments.

The proposal calls for a total budget of expenditures of $22,424,406. That represents an increase from the 2025 fiscal year budget of $1,232,602 amounting to a 5.8 percent increase.

The property tax request for the proposed budget would be $8,284,080 which would include $400,000 in cash reserves and $279,316 for the bond payment on the jail.

The tax requirement would be an increase of $2,103,698, an increase of 34 percent.

The property tax levy would increase by just over 8.3-cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 38.34 cents per $100. That increase is 27.6 percent.

The total valuation for Richardson County for fiscal year 2026 increased 4.75 percent to $2,160,620,189, an increase of $102,734,238.

Due to the proposed levy increase, Richardson County officials will need to participate in a joint public hearing on Tuesday, evening, September 22 at 6:30 in the District Courtroom on the 3rd floor of the courthouse in Falls City.

The Board of Commissioners will conduct a public budget hearing on the proposed county budget on Monday evening, September 21 at 6 in the Commissioners Room at the courthouse.