(KAIR)--With early voting beginning in just days, KAIR 93.7 FM continues to spotlight your Atchison County Commission candidates, as well as your state representation. 

On Monday morning, the candidates for the 2nd District Atchison County Commission position, Republican Randell Vanderweide and Democrat John Settich, answered submitted questions live for around 40 minutes. 

The forums continue, with Wednesday morning's featuring a live question & answer focused on the candidates for 1st District Atchison County Commission, Republican Katherine Kohler and Democrat Charles Perdue. 

Topics include land use & development, county infrastructure, and taxes & spending, among others. 

On Thursday morning around 7:20, the same format will be followed for the candidates seeking your vote for 63rd Kansas District State Representative, incumbent Republican Allen Reavis and Democratic challenger Adam Booth. 

Following completion of the forums, and prior to the start of the weekend, all three will be posted online, to this website. 
Early voting begins this coming Monday, October 19. 

(KAIR)--Several local area businesses and individuals were recognized during the 2026 To The Stars Kansas Business Awards.

A social media post from the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce congratulated Presley Pierce for receiving a Regional Award for Main Street Momentum during last week’s ceremony.

The Chamber also recognized member Justin Pregont, with Pomeroy Development, who received the South Central Regional Main Street Momentum Award for his work on the Meyer Landmark project in Hutchinson.

Two other local organizations were among this year's nominees. The Atchison Farmers' Market was nominated in the Agribusiness category, while AllWays Community Health Center was nominated in the Healthcare/Nonprofit category.

Meanwhile, Britni Beck, with Circle of Nations Collective in White Cloud, was named the statewide winner in the Welcome Back category.

Top honors went to Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training of Kansas, which received the Governor's Award of Excellence, and Sabetha-based NorthWind Technical Services, named Governor's Exporter of the Year.

NorthWind was founded by Mike and Marlene Bosworth in their home near Sabetha and has grown into an international provider of automation and control systems for manufacturing facilities.

According to a release from the Kansas Department of Commerce, nearly 500 people attended the October 8 awards ceremony in Overland Park.

More than 340 businesses, organizations and individuals were nominated in 11 categories, with 55 Regional Awards presented.

(KLZA)--A USDA grant will help pay for a new Falls City Police Department Patrol Vehicle. 
The pricetag includes the vehicle being fully equipped, according to Police Chief Jamie Baker, who informed the Commission of the grant's receipt during Monday night's City Council Meeting. 

The USDA funding will cover about 75 percent of the total cost.

According to the unofficial minutes of the Jefferson County Commission’s October 5 meeting, County Treasurer Doug Bond reported that 68 properties sold for a combined $79,550.

Of that amount, $13,200 will go to Jefferson County.

Bond also presented the county’s quarterly financial reports, showing more than $229,000 in interest earned during the third quarter.

In other business, commissioners reviewed next year’s Blue Cross Blue Shield rates and agreed the county will match half of the deductible for employees enrolled in its health savings account plan. The county will retain a $1,000 deductible for 2027 and reconsider the arrangement after that year.

The commission will not meet during the week of October 12. Its next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 19.

(KMZA)--Voters in Vermillion USD 380 will consider a two-question school improvement bond in the November 3rd general election.

Question One is a 16-point-8-million-dollar bond that can pass on its own. Question Two is a nearly two-million-dollar proposal that depends on approval of Question One.

The projects would improve facilities at Frankfort and Centralia schools.

At Frankfort, plans include two additional classrooms, family and consumer science room improvements, a secure entry, traffic and drop-off improvements, an accessible playground and track and field upgrades.

At Centralia, plans include six new classrooms and a storm shelter, a secured administration area, updated career and technical education space and a new competition gym.

Question Two would add music and fine arts improvements, including a new music classroom at Frankfort and renovation of Centralia's old gym.

Superintendent Joel Bickford says the proposals are needed because student needs have changed.

The district is proposing a 25-year repayment plan. If both questions pass, the estimated tax increase is 19 dollars and 65 cents a month on a 100-thousand-dollar home.

Another public meeting is scheduled for October 22nd at 6:30 p.m. at the Vermillion school.

More information is available on the district's website.

(KAIR)--Two separate crashes in Atchison Sunday sent two people to the hospital and led to a driving-under-the-influence arrest.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson says in a release that officers responded to the first crash around 2:20 Sunday morning in the 900 block of North Sixth Street. A Kia driven by 21-year-old Harrison Kisling of Atchison struck a parked vehicle and rolled onto its top. Kisling was not injured. He was arrested for driving under the influence and later released with a notice to appear in court.

Around noon, officers responded to a two-vehicle crash at Seventh and Kearney streets. Police say a car driven by 30-year-old Jared Herriage of Atchison entered the intersection and collided with a car driven by 63-year-old Staci Crowe, also of Atchison.

Crowe and a 33-year-old passenger were taken by ambulance to Amberwell Hospital for examination. Herriage was examined at the scene and planned to seek medical treatment by private vehicle. He was cited for failure to yield.

93.7 FM, part of the MSC Radio Network, wants your questions for the candidates seeking the open Atchison County Commission seats of Districts 1 & 2, as well as that of 63rd District State Representative. 

Send your questions to kairradio@gmail.com and hear them answered live, on the air, by the candidates, in advance of the October 19 start of early voting. 

The morning of Monday, October 12, and part of Co-Host Monday around 7:20, will be John Settich(D) and Randell Vanderweide(R) candidates for 2nd District Atchison County Commission. 

7:20, Wednesday morning, October 14, it's the race for 1st District County Commission, with Katherine Kohler(R) and Charles Perdue(D) seeking that seat. 

On Thursday morning, October 15, at 7:20 it's the race for 63rd District State Representative, sought by incumbent Republican Allen Reavis and Democrat Adam Booth. 

The general election is November 3, with a list of important deadlines courtesy of the Atchison County Clerk, below. 

The 50-50 match grant funds will be applied toward the purchase of one-thousand feet of large diameter supply hose.

The fire department tested its hose in June and discovered that over a thousand feet of hose had failed to pass testing and was taken out of service for safety reasons. 

The required matching amount for the grant will come from the local Volunteer Fire Department from funds received through the Richardson Foundation Board this past March.  

Plans are to order more hose and place it in service before the end of 2026.  

The total cost for the hose will be $10 thousand.

The Forest Service awards funds to cities with populations under 5,000 and who meet other criteria.  

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners received an update on the County Planning Commission meeting held September 28th from committee Vice-Chairman Mark Jones when they met October 7. 

Only four of the eight committee members were present which left the committee without a quorum.

Jones requested Commissioners consider three different actions to assist the Planning Commission in moving forward including doing nothing and leaving the current plan as is; Amend the current comprehensive plan and develop language addressing changes including: Poultry Farming / Feeding;  Electrical Energy Production and Data Centers and thirdly, rewrite and update the entire County Plan which would include poultry farming / feeding, electrical energy production and data centers. 

Developing a recruiting process to attract residents of Richardson County to consider serving on the Planning Commission was also discussed.   Jones also recommended the Committee either be enlarged by one person to make it a 9-person board, or eliminate a position to make it a 7-person committee.  

Commissioners are expected to further discuss the ideas presented when they meet Wednesday. 

The Board did vote to accept a letter of resignation from Planning Commission member Jerry McKim, effective immediately.  

There are three committee members up for reappointment to an additional three-year term beginning January 1,  they include Jerry Duerfeldt, Dick James and Ben Steffen.  

With two games forfeited earlier in the season due to a lack of players, the Titans were only able to compete in four of their eight scheduled varsity games this season due to having very few players and injuries.

HTRS Athletic Director Taylor Dunekacke submitted a letter to the Nebraska School Activities Association and the two schools remaining on the Titans varsity schedule.

The letter is below. 

Due to recent injuries and a resulting shortage of available athletes, Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer Public Schools has communicated with the Nebraska School Activities Association regarding the forfeiture of the remainder of the 2026 football season.

This decision was not made lightly. After careful consideration, the athletic department, football coaching staff, and school administration determined that forfeiting the game is in the best interest of our players’ health, safety, and overall well-being.

We apologize to our remaining opponents.  We realize that this leaves your team without a game this season.  

We extend our sincere thanks to our football coaches for their dedication, time, and commitment throughout the season. We are also proud of the student-athletes who committed themselves to the program, demonstrated perseverance, and gave their best effort in representing HTRS. Their dedication and determination have not gone unnoticed.

We appreciate the understanding and support of our students, parents, fans, and community as we prioritize the safety and long-term welfare of our student-athletes.  

Sincerely,

Taylor Dunekacke
Athletic Director
Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer Public Schools

(MSC News)--Northeast Kansans struggling to afford wheelchairs, hospital beds or other medical equipment may be able to find help through a statewide equipment lending network.

KMUW and the Kansas News Service report that medical loan closets are growing across Kansas. The programs accept donated equipment, clean and inspect it, then provide it to others for little or no cost. Available items can include power chairs, crutches, CPAP machines and feeding supplies. 

The Kansas Equipment Exchange, operated through the University of Kansas, serves all 105 counties. Its Northeast Assistive Technology Access Site is located in Topeka.

Since beginning in 2003, the exchange has collected about 32 million dollars in equipment and distributed nearly 15 thousand devices.

Advocates say the programs are especially important in rural areas, where residents may face higher costs, limited transportation and fewer places to purchase medical equipment.

Equipment can be borrowed temporarily during recovery or used longer term. The exchange also helps residents choose appropriate devices and learn how to use them.

(KNZA) — Hiawatha police are reminding residents that unhitched trailers cannot be parked or left standing on public streets or alleys.

Police Chief Dave Villanueva says city ordinances require trailers to be parked on the owner's property, on an approved surface such as concrete or gravel.

Trailers may be on the street for up to two hours in a 24-hour period while being loaded or unloaded, but they must remain hitched to a towing vehicle.

Residents needing additional time can request an extension from the police department. Approval depends on traffic safety and the ability to move the trailer if needed in an emergency.

Violators could face fines of 25 to 150 dollars, up to 30 days in jail, or both. Trailers may also be towed at the owner's expense.

Residents needing an extension or more information can contact the Hiawatha Police Department at 785-742-2155.

(KLZA)-- Currency and the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) are proud to announce the 2026-27 Believers & Achievers. Believers & Achievers is a statewide awards program designed to give recognition to Nebraska’s future leaders.

The 48 Nebraska high school seniors listed on the next page have been selected as Believers & Achievers. Eight of these Believers & Achievers will receive $1,000 scholarships from Currency to use for the college or university of their choice at a scholarship banquet to be held in April of 2027.

These 48 students will also be recognized at the NSAA Girls and Boys State Basketball Championships in March 2027 and on a poster sent to all NSAA member schools.

All students nominated for the Believers & Achievers awards program represent the very best of Nebraska’s high schools and are considered local school winners.

The 2026-27 statewide winners include: AJ Rautenbach from

Johnson County Central and Harper Rutt from Lourdes Central Catholic in Nebraska City.

Local winners included:

Isaiah Moyer and Beau Thomas from Auburn.

Jacoby Bangert, Bowdy Jones, Harley Sutton and Jennifer Sweeney from Falls City.

Colt Leech from HTRS.

Harrison Bacon, Andre (AJ) Rautenbach and Molly Weber from Johnson County Central.

Quentin Behrends, Wyatt Fulton, Tate Hawley and Daley Pelican from Johnson-Brock.

Aisilynn Campbell and Justice Curry from Lewiston.

Emalyse Gottula, Kailey Hartman and Adelyn Sisco from Pawnee City.

Joie Janssen, David Roecker and Taylor Truscott from Sterling.

(KLZA)-- The Missouri Department of Transportation is planning a bridge deck replacement project on Holt County Missouri Route 118 over Interstate 29 in Mound City.

A separate project addressing bridge approaches on I-29 from Mound City to U.S. Route 59 is planned for the same construction season. Both projects are currently scheduled to go out for contractor bids as part of MoDOT’s February 2027 letting.

The public is invited to attend a public open house meeting on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at the Mound City Middle School, 708 Nebraska St. Attendees are welcome to come any time between 4-6 p.m. to speak with project leaders. There will be no formal presentation.  

This meeting will allow the public to share their thoughts and concerns about the plans for both projects and to provide comments, either directly to the engineers or through the comment form.. 

If you are unable to attend the open house, two other opportunities for public comment are available through Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. 

View the project website at www.modot.org/projects/missouri-route-118-bridge-deck-replacement-over-interstate-29-holt-county.

(KNZA) — The Brown County Clerk’s Office will offer several early voting opportunities this week ahead of the November 3rd general election.

On Thursday, October 15th, voters can cast ballots at the Morrill Community Building from 9 to 11 a.m., the Maple Grove East Complex in Hiawatha from noon to 1 p.m., and the Northfield Community Room in Everest from 2 to 3 p.m.

A photo ID is required to vote.

Advance voting at the Brown County Clerk’s Office in the courthouse begins Monday, October 19th, and ends at noon November 2nd.

Tuesday, October 13th, is the deadline to register to vote or update voter registration information.

(KNZA)-- About 175 area students will get a firsthand look at manufacturing careers during the fifth annual Sabetha Manufacturing Day Wednesday.

The Sabetha Chamber of Commerce and 11 local manufacturers are hosting the event, which includes tours of manufacturing facilities and opportunities to meet industry employees.

Students from Sabetha, Hiawatha, Holton, Horton, Nemaha Central and other area schools are expected to participate.

Representatives from Highland Community College, Kansas State, Pittsburg State and Washburn Tech will also discuss education and training opportunities.

Organizers say the event will highlight careers in manufacturing, engineering, technology, business and skilled trades, including opportunities available right here in northeast Kansas.

(KMZA)---A 44-year-old Blaine woman faces drug charges following a search of a Pottawatomie County residence.

The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office says deputies executed a search warrant Friday in the 12-thousand block of Bucksnort Road in Blaine as part of an illegal drug investigation.

Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were seized.

Katrina Taylor was arrested on charges of aggravated endangering a child, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Additional charges may be filed pending laboratory testing.

Taylor is being held in the Pottawatomie County Jail on a 15-thousand-dollar bond.

(KAIR)--The Kickapoo Tribal Council joined other tribal leaders for a meeting focused on sovereignty, treaty rights and opportunities for collaboration.

According to a social media post from the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, council members attended the Four Tribes Meeting hosted by the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.

Tribal leaders discussed shared concerns and other issues affecting their nations.

The Kickapoo Tribe says the meetings provide an opportunity to strengthen government-to-government relationships, exchange information and work together on matters affecting tribal communities and future generations.

The tribe says the gathering also supports continued efforts to protect the rights and interests of tribal nations.

(MSC News)--Updated flood-flow information for the lower Missouri River is now available following a multi-year study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The study was launched following the historic floods of 2011 and 2019, when the Corps determined that data used to manage flood risk needed to be updated.

The first phase established new flow-frequency estimates at 10 gauges along the river from Yankton, South Dakota, to Hermann, Missouri.

The second phase used that information to estimate the height floodwaters could reach between levees at different flow levels.

The Corps says the updated information can help communities, emergency planners and levee districts improve flood preparation, response and recovery.

Two identical public webinars will be offered next month. The first will be Monday, November 2, from noon to 1:00. The second will be Friday, November 6, during the same time.

The Corps will also offer individual meetings with levee districts to discuss possible effects on their systems. Study results are available through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website.

(KAIR)--Three classroom projects at the Atchison County Community Schools of USD 377 will receive more than $3,700 through newly approved mini grants.

The Atchison County Community Schools Education Foundation approved the three grants Tuesday, totaling $3,718.

Charlotte Michel’s “Morphology Madness” project will help students in second through sixth grades learn about word origins and word parts.

Kate Oswald’s “Spin to Win” project will give sixth graders hands-on experience researching, building, testing and improving model wind turbines while studying engineering, science, math and architecture.

Tonya Eckert’s “Listen, Learn and Light Up Learning” project will create a multi-sensory discovery center combining technology, literacy, sensory exploration and hands-on learning for prekindergarten students.

Photo: Roy Hale/Credit: Mercer Funeral Home 

(KNZA)---A 96-year-old Mayetta man has died from injuries he suffered in a two-vehicle crash in Jackson County.

According to his obituary, Roy Hale died Thursday at the Midland Hospice House in Topeka, five days after the crash.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash happened shortly before four p.m. October 3rd at the intersection of U-S 75 and 158th Road, just south of Mayetta.

Hale was driving a pickup west on 158th Road when he failed to yield to a northbound S-U-V on U-S 75. The pickup struck the S-U-V, causing it to roll.

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

The S-U-V driver, 70-year-old Shelia Heiniger, and her passenger, 70-year-old Cory Heiniger, both of Fairview, suffered no apparent injuries.

The Patrol says all three occupants were wearing seat belts.

Hale's funeral Mass is scheduled for 11 Wednesday morning at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Mayetta.

(KAIR)--The Kansas Department of Transportation has approved a more than 740-thousand-dollar project on U.S. 73 in Leavenworth and Atchison Counties.

The project involves sealing 12-point-2 miles of U.S. 73, from just north of Millwood Road in Leavenworth County, north to the south city limits of Atchison.

Vance Brothers L-L-C of Kansas City, Missouri, was awarded the 741-thousand, 470-dollar contract.

The bids were opened September 16th in Topeka.

KDOT lists June 1st, 2027, as the earliest possible start date, with August 23rd, 2027, as the latest start date.

Photo Credit: SDIC

(KMZA)--The Seneca Area Chamber and Downtown Impact have been awarded a 30-thousand-dollar grant from USDA Rural Development.

A special check presentation took place October first, with USDA Rural Development Deputy State Director Dan Fischer, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, SDIC Executive Director Kylie Bergstrom, SDIC board members and Seneca city officials in attendance.

Bergstrom says the funding will help local businesses and organizations with marketing resources and technical assistance.

Planned activities include marketing workshops, hands-on training, one-on-one coaching and help with marketing strategies and digital presence.

The grant will also support Seneca's continued development as a visitor destination.

Part of the funding will be used to create digital content for the downtown walking tour and the new Pony Express Historic Byway Driving Tour, helping visitors discover historic sites, points of interest and businesses throughout the community.

Bergstrom says they are grateful to USDA Rural Development for investing in the community.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council has approved a Nemaha Central senior project at Swisher Field.

Levi Thomas appeared before the council Wednesday evening to seek approval to rebuild the south bullpen.

Thomas says he plans to install a chain-link fence around the rebuilt bullpen to help protect spectators nearby.

The Seneca American Legion has agreed to cover the entire cost of the project, with no city funding required.

The council unanimously approved the project.

In other business, the council approved the purchase of oil for chip sealing various city streets at a cost not to exceed 70-thousand-705 dollars.

City Superintendent Brian Ruske said streets in the Spring Creek addition are among those scheduled for chip sealing.

The council also approved the purchase of a new Ford F-450 pickup from Honeyman Ford for the Electrical Department at a cost of 55-thousand-202 dollars.

(KNZA)--Two Horton city employees were recognized during Monday’s City Commission meeting.

Mayor Bryan Stirton presented Code Enforcement Officer Andrew Patterson with a KUDOS Award for stepping forward when the community needs a helping hand.

Public Works Director Randy Mayfield also received a KUDOS Award for going above and beyond to help and serve the community.

In other business, commissioners held a first reading of an ordinance that would reduce minimum floor-area requirements for single-family and two-family homes, allowing for smaller housing options.

Commissioners also approved requests to waive fees for use of the Blue Building. One request was for a charitable fundraiser for Brianna Monson, and the other was for the South Brown County Community Foundation’s annual meeting.