Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse identifies the man as 44-year-old Alden Ray Stein.

Morse says the incident began around 9:00 Thursday evening when a deputy noticed a suspicious person near the grain silos west of Netawaka, near U.S. 75 and K-9 Highway.

The person left in a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis and allegedly drove erratically while committing several traffic violations. Deputies pursued the car before losing contact with it around 9:30. Holton police assisted with the pursuit.

Shortly before midnight, Holton police received a report of gunshots at Prairie Lake, north of the city. Responding officers and deputies found the vehicle from the earlier pursuit.

As law enforcement approached, the car left its parked location, nearly entered the lake and became stuck.

Morse says Stein got out of the vehicle and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Jackson County EMS also responded.

The incident remains under investigation.

(KNZA)---The Hiawatha School Board Wednesday night approved lease proposals with the Hiawatha Baseball and Softball Club.

Club representative Troy Kolb presented proposals for the softball field and Robinson Center at Noble Park.

The softball field lease would run for 10 years, beginning in 2026, at 15-thousand dollars a year.

The agreement calls for two 75-thousand-dollar lease payments. The first is due by October 31st of this year, with the second due by September 15th, 2027.

The board approved that lease on a six-to-one vote, with board member Roni Tiejens opposed.

The club also proposed a two-year lease for the Robinson Center, beginning in 2027, at 13-thousand dollars a year. That lease was approved unanimously.

In other business, the board approved the 2026-27 budget as published. It carries an estimated tax rate of 49-point-35 mills, slightly below the revenue-neutral rate. No one spoke during a public hearing on the budget.

The board also approved middle school cheerleading on a trial basis for the 2026-27 school year, with a two-thousand-dollar budget cap.

(KLZA)--Two Falls City residents are facing felony drug charges following an investigation by the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty says the Sheriff’s Office has been investigating the distribution of methamphetamine in Falls City since July.

On September fourth, deputies executed a search warrant at 710 Fulton Street in Falls City.  During the search, Hardesty says deputies located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

As a result, 44-year-old Stacy O’Banion of Falls City was arrested and initially charged with possession with intent to deliver within one-thousand feet of a school.

Later that same day, deputies located and arrested 29-year-old Ty Larson of Falls City for possession of methamphetamine.

On Thursday, Hardesty says the Sheriff’s Office concluded its investigation. An arrest warrant was issued for O’Banion on charges of delivery of methamphetamine within one-thousand feet of a school, possession of money during a drug crime, and unlawful acts related to drugs.

An arrest warrant was also issued for Larson on two counts of delivery of methamphetamine.

(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.

Luke Post with the firm said preparing the audit was a challenge. Post said his firm put the City staff through hell in acquiring documentation necessary to be able to get the City a clean audit opinion.

Post credited City Administrator Gary Jorn and his staff for their work in gathering the needed information. 

Post outlined some of the issue discovered during the auditing process. The issues including the fund  balance in the Electric Department was off by more than $12 million.  He cited issues with the paper financial statements did not match up with the accounting system. Cash was off in some other funds by as much as $2 million.

Despite the issues, all the money is accounted for. 

Post also discussed issues in tracking of the $15 million grant from the state for the transmission line project that is planned to bring more electrical capacity to Falls City creating additional challenges. 

The money is in the city accounts but entries made did not report any revenue from the grant. 

Post went on to outline deficiencies discovered and  recommendations to correct the issues in the future.  

The theme for this year’s festivities is “Red, White, and Blue – Coming Home to Peru.” 

The parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 24.

Parade entries are available online and are due by Friday, October 16, at 5 p.m. 

For more information regarding the 2026 parade, contact Student Senate President Britany Lofton at Britany.Lofton83291@bobcats.peru.edu. 

Additional information about the 2026 Homecoming can be found at https://www.peru.edu/events/homecoming/

(KNZA)--The Horton City Commission has adopted a revenue-neutral 2027 budget.

The commission approved the budget unanimously Tuesday following a public hearing.

The budget carries an estimated tax rate of 42-point-558 mills, the revenue-neutral rate and about two mills lower than this year.

Commissioners had considered a one-mill increase that would have generated nearly 11-thousand dollars in additional revenue, but ultimately approved the revenue-neutral budget.

Before the vote, commissioners approved a resolution allowing the city to exceed the revenue-neutral rate, with Commissioner Avery Thornton voting no. Several residents voiced concerns about the proposed increase. City officials said the county sent out tax paperwork showing the proposed rate before the city completed its budget workshops.

Mayor Bryan Stirton said the commission has not raised the mill levy during his time on the commission.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Liberty Alliance will host a candidate forum Sunday evening in Hiawatha.

The forum begins at 6 p.m. at the Bruning Barn, 301 East Iowa Street.

Candidates running in the November 3rd General Election have been invited to participate.

They include Richard Tesoriero for First District Brown County Commissioner; Mitch Bruning for Hiawatha City Commissioner, Seat One; and Becky Shamburg and Brian Shefferd for Hiawatha mayor.

Jack Geiger and Sean Willcott are also scheduled to speak. They are candidates for the Kansas 62nd District House seat.

The forum is free and open to the public. Organizers say it will give residents an opportunity to meet the candidates and hear

(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)--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.

(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.

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. 

(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.

That follows the outcome of the court case against Calhoon, filed by the Atchison County Attorney asserting that Kansas law doesn't allow two such positions to be held simultaneously, with an Atchison County District Court Judge ruling in favor of that claim. 

Judge John Fresh, on August 21, ruled that the law is clear and unambiguous, and that Calhoon is ineligible to hold both offices at the same time.

Calhoon, who was appointed to fill the unexpired Commission term in January, was defeated weeks prior to the ruling in his August 4 Republican Primary attempt to gain election to a full term, as the court case continued. 

Now, the Atchison County Republican 2nd District precinct persons are to select a replacement to fill Calhoon's seat until a new 2nd District Commissioner is elected in November's general election. County GOP Committee Chair Derek Franklin tells MSC News that will happen during a Republican Party Convention on the evening of Tuesday, September 15, at the Atchison County Courthouse, beginning at 5:15. 

Whoever is elected that evening will fill the role until Atchison County voters, in the general election, select either Republican Randell Vanderweide or Democrat John Setich to serve a full term as 2nd District Atchison County Commissioner. 

(KAIR)--No injuries were reported in an apartment building fire Tuesday afternoon in Atchison.

Fire crews were called shortly after 4:30 to 410 Santa Fe Street following a report of a fire on a second-story balcony.

Atchison Fire Chief Patrick Weishaar, in aa release, says when crews arrived, they found a third-story deck burning. Firefighters quickly brought the flames under control, but remained at the scene removing unstable and charred portions of that deck and the second-story deck below, where the fire had begun to spread.

Officials say there is no positive evidence showing how the fire started. However, a barbecue grill and an ashtray were found near the area where the fire is believed to have originated.

According to minutes from the commission’s August 25 meeting, Commission Chair Casey Quinn raised the issue after a resident suggested the county pursue a data center.

Because Atchison County has no zoning regulations, Quinn wants to determine what could happen if a property owner reached an agreement with a data center company.

The county counselor told commissioners they could directly regulate data centers without adopting comprehensive zoning. He planned to contact officials in Leavenworth County, where the issue has been studied extensively. Quinn also planned to seek information from the Kansas Association of Counties.

Commissioner James Campbell said residents have expressed interest because data centers could generate revenue and jobs. Others have raised concerns about noise, water use and tax incentives.

Campbell supports targeted regulations and believes the county could negotiate terms that benefit residents if a company eventually shows interest.

The matter remains under discussion.

(KAIR)--Although the current hot temps may not feel like fall, an annual tradition of the season returns to the Atchison Riverfront this month.

Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jill Thorne says the annual Muddy River Music Festival, complete with free admission, will feature an afternoon and night of local, live music. That will happen Saturday, September 12, from 2 to 10:00, at the riverfront.

Through a partnership with the Atchison Art Association, local artists will be on-site, displaying, and selling their work.

Other vendors, including food trucks and beverages will also be there, with items available for purchase.

(KNZA)--Hiawatha Police are reminding motorists about the importance of seat belts and child restraints.

Police say Kansas law requires drivers and passengers to wear seat belts, and children must use age- and size-appropriate safety restraints.

Children under four must be secured in a child safety seat. Children ages four through seven generally must use a booster seat, unless they meet certain height or weight requirements.

Children ages eight through 13 must use a seat belt once they have outgrown a booster seat, and everyone age 14 and older is required to wear a seat belt.

Hiawatha Police participate in the NHTSA and K-DOT Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, which includes enforcement of seat belt and child passenger safety laws.

Police say seat belts help prevent serious injuries by keeping occupants inside the vehicle and reducing the risk of being thrown into the vehicle's interior or other passengers.

Thomas Pahmahmie/Credit: Brown County Sheriff's Office

(KNZA)--A Horton man accused of a violent incident in January involving a female victim has pleaded no contest to three felony charges as part of a plea agreement.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says 30-year-old Thomas Pahmahmie entered the plea Monday in Brown County District Court to aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm, aggravated domestic battery and criminal threat.

A judge accepted the plea and found Pahmahmie guilty.

In exchange for the plea, charges of attempted second-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping were dismissed.

Sentencing is set for November 2nd.

Hill says Pahmahmie faces a presumed prison sentence under Kansas sentencing guidelines.

He was charged following an investigation by the Horton Police Department.

Hill said Pahmahmie's bond was revoked, and he was remanded to the Brown County Jail to await sentencing.

(KNZA)--A pedestrian is dead following a vehicle-pedestrian crash Tuesday night in St. Joseph, Missouri.

The St. Joseph Police Department says officers were called to Highway 36 and Riverside Road shortly before 9:50 p.m.

A male pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and suffered life-threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The department’s Traffic Unit is investigating. No other information has been released.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has approved a resolution prohibiting data centers and commercial battery energy storage facilities in the county.

The resolution was approved Monday following a recommendation from the Brown County Planning Commission after a public hearing in August.

The new zoning regulations define data centers to include facilities used for computing, data storage, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency and similar operations.

Commercial battery energy storage facilities with a capacity of at least one megawatt-hour are also prohibited, with limited exceptions.

The resolution takes effect after it is published in the official county newspaper.

Mary Lou Moore/Submitted

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha woman is preparing to celebrate 102 years of family, farming and finding the bright side of life.

Homestead Senior Living is inviting the community to a birthday celebration Sunday afternoon for resident Mary Lou Moore.

Moore was born in Hiawatha and later lived on a farm outside the community with her late husband. She raised two children and also worked for her husband.

Moore credits her longevity to enjoying each day, appreciating her loving family and looking for the good in life instead of worrying about the future.

Her 102nd birthday celebration will be Sunday afternoon, September 6, from 2:00 to 4:00, at Homestead Senior Living, 400 Kansas Avenue in Hiawatha.

Cake and refreshments will be served.

(KNZA)--Brown County commissioners have adopted an $18.1 million 2027 budget that remains revenue neutral.

The budget passed Monday on a 2-to-1 vote, with Commissioner Bill Pollock voting against it.

Three county residents attended the public hearing and thanked commissioners for keeping the budget revenue neutral, while urging them to continue looking for ways to reduce the tax burden.

Pollock proposed moving industrial development funds into the commissioners’ budget to give them more oversight of how the money is used.

Pollock said the funds should be available to any group or individual with a valid plan to increase industry and economic growth in Brown County, rather than being designated specifically for the Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development or Horton Industrial Development Corporation.

No action was taken on the proposal. Commissioners Lucas Heinen and Richard Tesoriero said they were open to discussing the idea further.

The budget sets the property tax rate at 40-point-329 mills, the revenue-neutral rate, and calls for the county to collect nearly $9.3 million in property tax revenue.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission has filled two positions.

Commissioners unanimously approved Cody Boos as the new Emergency Preparedness Director at their August 24th meeting. He’ll begin work September 15th at an annual salary of $70,000.

Boos will also oversee facility maintenance and projects. He replaces Eddie Aldrine, who resigned in May after serving in the position since 2022.

The commission also approved Mary Gatza of Junction City as the county’s new Human Resources Manager. She’ll begin September 14th at an annual salary of $68,000.

Gatza began her human resources career in 2011 following a 15-year career in law enforcement.

Her hiring comes as the county administrator position is set to end December 31st. County Administrator and Counselor Austin Parker will continue as county counselor under a new 2027 contract with no pay increase.

(KNZA)--Jackson County is searching for a new Road and Bridge director.

The county commission accepted the resignation of Joe Gardner at its August 24th meeting. His resignation is effective September 5th.

Gardner has served as director since December 2025.

The director oversees the day-to-day operations of the county’s Road and Bridge Department, including road and bridge construction and maintenance, employee schedules, planning and equipment maintenance.

The county is accepting applications for the position through September 30th. Applications are available at the county clerk’s office.

(KLZA)-- Following three months of remodeling, a grand opening celebration for the HyVee grocery store in Falls City kicked off with a ribbon cutting event Tuesday morning.

Formerly known as Dollar Fresh, a brand associated with HyVee, the change over to HyVee is now complete. Store Manager Clint Sailors told MSC News it's been a long three months for staff and probably the customers while the remodeling has been completed.

The newly renovated store now offers a full-service meat counter, full-service bakery, a Candy Shoppe, rotisserie chicken and 10,000 new items, offering customers a new level of service and selection.

The bakery will offer cake decorating, fresh breads and sourdoughs. The meat counter will offer HyVee signature brats, house cut steaks, fresh sea food and new bunkers fill of a variety of meats.

HyVee is located in the 1300 block of Stone Street and will be open daily from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

In a release, Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie says a deputy attempted to stop a Ford F-250 pickup shortly before 11:00 Friday night on River Road, north of the Atchison city limits.

The driver continued into Doniphan County before the deputy ended the pursuit because of safety concerns.

Laurie says the deputy identified the vehicle and driver as 19-year-old Brandon Albright who was arrested at his Atchison residence around 1:00 Saturday morning.

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

(KAIR)--An Atchison County woman has been sentenced to one-year of probation for insurance fraud.

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt says 30-year-old Amber Conner pleaded guilty July 13 in Atchison County District Court to one felony count of insurance fraud. She was sentenced August 24.

Investigators determined Conner opened a new insurance policy after her vehicle had already been damaged. She then falsely reported the date of the damage in an attempt to obtain coverage.

Schmidt says insurance fraud increases costs for families and businesses across Kansas, and the department will continue working to hold offenders accountable.

The Kansas Department of Insurance investigated the case. The Kansas Attorney General’s Office handled the prosecution.

The Commission meeting of August 25 has been unavailable, with the video posted by the county following that meeting containing no video or audio. 

Scheduled during that meeting was discussion related to the topic of data centers, but the outcome outside the Commission Room has remained unavailable. However, Atchison County Commission Chair Casey Quinn, through email correspondence with MSC News, says the discussion was brief based on a question posed by a constituent. The minutes of that meeting, approved during Tuesday's Commission meeting, will be, Quinn says, posted to the County's website. 

"Technical difficulties" were cited Tuesday morning in a social media statement from the County prior to that day's September 1 meeting of the Commission regarding online Zoom access. The County, in a later follow-up to that social media statement, clarified that online attendance would be available, but those joining would need to be signed in as an authenticated user due to Zoom security updates. Quinn, in her email, echoed that, telling MSC News that "Zoom has made changes on their platform which caused the issue[s]" with availability of meeting video. 

(KNZA)--Brown County Appraiser Steve Markham has resigned.

County Commissioners unanimously accepted Markham’s resignation Monday, effective immediately, following an executive session.

No reason was publicly given. Commission Chairman Lucas Heinen said he could not comment because it was a personnel matter.

Markham had served as county appraiser since March 2019.

Heinen says the commission plans to appoint an interim appraiser while it searches for a permanent replacement.