A dozen suspects land in jail following a combined drug sweep by the KBI, Independence Police, Coffeyville Police and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Bobby Dierks says a lot of work goes into those enforcement efforts.

Dierks says his investigators logged 172 additional man-hours and spent $1,700 on drug buys.

Dalton Defender days is back! Starting up next weekend in the downtown area of Coffeyville is a list of fun things to do and be apart of. as well as spectate the reenactment. A member of the reenactment Dave Brown tells us Friday night is packed with activities vendors opening up at 4 PM and of course the reenactment at 6 PM. Brown says the activities pickup on Saturday into full swing starting early morning at 9 AM with the vendors opening up. Brown says their Facebook page Dalton Defenders Days has a long list of all the Saturday activities but noted the reenactment will take place at 11 AM, 3 PM and also 5 PM in the downtown plaza. Live music, long list of various vendors, a car show and many more fun activities is something you and the family can be apart of next weekend at Dalton Defenders Days here in Coffeyville.

After weather postponed the original date for Touch a Truck it is back and will take place Saturday from 9:00am until 12:00pm at the Coffeyville Recreation Commission parking lot at Walter Johnson Park. CRC's Chirstine Lay says this will be a good event and is their first annual.

Lay says the event is free and is for kids of all ages.

A Coffeyville business owner faces child sex abuse charges. 69-year-old Virgil Marion Patchett was arrested by Coffeyville Police late last week. He faces a charge of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. The operator of Patchett Glass and Construction was booked into the Montgomery County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Montgomery County Sheriff Bobby Dierks tells KGGF News Patchett is out of the jail for medical treatment following a cancer diagnosis.

The Coffeyville Salvation Army prepares for the upcoming holiday season. They will soon be accepting applications for their angel program. Chamber Director Candi Westbrook says they are also looking for bell ringers.  The money raised through the kettle campaign stays in the local area.

Westbrook says the long-time coordinator of the bell ringers has retired, so they are also looking for someone to help with that.

This Saturday the 29th the Coffeyville Street Drags has its Fall Races out at the industrial park. Gates open at 10 AM and races begin at 1 that afternoon. Organizer Trey Maxon tells KGGF news there will be plenty to enjoy including various vendors and other things for you and the family to enjoy. Now Tech Registration starts at 9 AM that morning and the general public gates open at 10. 10 dollars for general admission tickets and discount prices for children 10 and under. For more information you can head to their website https://coffeyvillestreetdrags.com/

Making friends and networking to grow your career. The Young Professionals of Independence are always looking to add new members. Independence Chamber Director Lisa Wilson says most find YPI to be a lot of fun.  She says the group also gets involved in a number of civic projects.

Right now, they are improving the basketball courts on Park Boulevard.

Coffeyville Resources Refining & Marketing and the Fertilizer Facility plan to run their annual test this morning. The test is part of the emergency action plan to notify the community in case there is a hazardous material release. The warning sirens will be activated at 10 am. Typically, there would be a a digital voice message describing what action should be taken by residents.

Plans call for a plant evacuation and a drill for the emergency response team The warning sirens are located west of Linden Street between 4^th and 5^th Streets and at First and Maple.

The City of Coffeyville may be closer to naming a city manager. Mayor Paul Bauer says two candidates have recently been interviewed.  Coffeyville City Commissioners met in executive session last night, likely to discuss which candidate they would select. Michael Shook has been serving as interim city manager.

Former City Manager Kendal Francis resigned in March. He is now the city administrator for Great Bend.

Ten-X Commercial is hopeful someone is ready to bid. An on-line auction opens today and continues through Thursday on the former Amazon building. Montgomery County Action Council's Trisha Purdon says a potential buyer, if they didn't need all the space, could make some rental income on the deal.

She says there has been interest in the warehouse expressed by a couple of companies in the Kansas City area and some international firms, as well.

View the auction listing here.

Scouting for food, a week long effort to collect non-perishable foods put on by the Caney Boy Scouts. From September 30th through the 7th of October they will be collecting food items. The Scouts will also be out at the Dollar General on the final day of the drive on October 7th. To be apart of the youth collecting visit anytime between 1 and 5PM that Sunday and bring your food items! If you can’t make it, there is drop boxes all over town as well as they provide a pick up service by simply calling Roy at 620 - 688 - 17 - 27.

Time to try again. Ten-X Commercial prepares to auction off the former Amazon building. The starting bid will be $2-million for the over 877-thousand square foot industrial facility. The auction pamphlet says the warehouse has 25-40 foot ceilings and 76 docks.

The auction will be conducted on-line tomorrow through the Thursday.

The Caney Valley Historical Society asks the Montgomery County Commission to consider increasing its funding. Historical Society President Dale McBride says the museum has made a number of changes to be more fiscally fit.  As part of the restructuring, the museum would like to county to double its contribution from just over $2,600 to $5,300. Commissioners agreed to consider the request.

The panel also approved the purchase of 42-hot shield masks for rural firefighters to use when battling grass fires.

The Highway Task Force had their meeting in the Southeast corner of Kansas over in Pittsburg recently as representative Jim Kelly says, some of the projects in our area may be getting recognized as high priority due to the fatalities, and high truck traffic. Kelly says the 169 coalition was united this time around, as they outlined a few projects in our area that may be listed as high priority. Including adding shoulders to 169 near Welda and Garnet as well as the 160-169 interchange outside of Independence. The high fatality areas of 160 and 169 are receiving the most attention and may be put on the high priority list later on. Kelly says the 169 coalition was very united during the meeting and is optimistic. Another item on the list was to come up with a design to improve the flow of traffic on highway 169 through Thayer and Coffeyville.

UPDATE:   Investigators have confirmed there wasn’t anyone inside the vehicle.  It is believed the vehicle may have been abandoned several days ago.  

Traffic is being impacted on U-S 169 coming into Coffeyville. The police department and CRMC Ambulance crews are on the scene after there were reports of a vehicle in the water.  

At this time, it is unclear if anyone is inside the car.  

Thousands gather in Wichita to remember a Sedgwick County deputy killed in the line of duty. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt was among those attending. He tells KGGF News too many officers are dying doing their job.  41-year-old Robert Kunze had been with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office since 2006.

Sheriff Jeff Easter says others could have died if the mortally wounded deputy hadn't killed 29-year-old Robert Greeson.

A McDonald's employee lands in jail after allegedly serving an Allen County Deputy a tainted drink. Investigators says the deputy was in the McDonald's in Iola when he picked up his food and drink from the drive-thru. A short time later, the deputy developed flu-like symptoms. The 22-year-old employee is accused of putting a peroxide-based cleaner in the deputy's drink.

KOAM reports the suspect has been booked into the Allen County Jail for aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer.

Statement from Iola McDonald's owner Glen Nichols:

“In our restaurants, nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of our customers. We are very disappointed by the allegations made regarding the behavior of one of our former crew members. This kind of behavior goes against our food safety standards and is not tolerated. Our organization will take all appropriate measures to gather facts and will work closely with authorities in their investigation.”

Next week the Coffeyville Public Library turns a spotlight on banned books. The library's Rachel Rose says the idea is to get people to think about the importance of having access to books of all types.  Rose notes some may be surprised to learn that one of the top 10 banned books this year was To Kill A Mockingbird.

Rose says they have a display in place to have patrons consider how far they would go to protect their favorite works of literature.  She also notes that if you do not agree with a book's content, you do not have to read it.

The reserve officers in Baxter Springs receive what could be life-saving gifts from the Joplin Police Department. JPD donated a number of bullet resistant vests for the Baxter Springs Police reserve officers to use. The reserve officers in Baxter Springs receive their funding exclusively through donations and fundraisers.

The gift of the vests will significantly improve safety for those reserve officers.

A former Caney resident and Oklahoma Highway Patrolman moves into a new position. Eddie Rose has been named chairman of the Grove Municipal Airport Managing Authority. Rose has been serving as a vice-chairman of the authority.

He replaces Berwin Kock. His term expired at the end of August.

A fun event is coming up this weekend in downtown Coffeyville to benefit the Midland Theater. Director of the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce Candy Westbrook says it’s the return of the Hot Dogs N’ History. Westbrook says the event is put on by the Daylight Defenders Club as they continue to circulate around town hoping to benefit particular funds and businesses. Westbrook says the event is open to anyone and encourages your attendance. The event is this Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM, as they will be handing out Hot dogs, giving history lessons on one the more historic buildings in our area, and as Westbrook has mentioned giving tours of the Theater all while benefiting The Midland Theater.

The Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and his office has continued their efforts to end abuse of the elderly. He went before a subcommittee in an attempt to make non-institutional medicaid abuse easier to prosecute. He says the increase in abuse numbers comes with the increase in population in the age group.  He says in non-institutional cases its very difficult to prosecute abuse, and after speaking to the committee Schmidt says things are looking bright. If enacted the legislation would allow the AG’s office to investigate and prosecute, as well as broaden their ability to screen complaints or reports alleging potential abuse or neglect of medicaid beneficiaries.

Two men face felony charges following their arrests over the weekend. Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves tells KGGF News that a Bobcat Tractor valued at over $30,000 was stolen in Galena. 45-year-old Carroll Flowers of Galena and 48-year-old Jerry Joe Smith of Broken Arrow were arrested after a resident reported seeing the two trying to hide the tractor near some railroad tracks.

Both men were booked on a complaint of felony theft with a $15,000 bond.

Work continues on the Brownsfield Trail Project. Thomas Osborn with the City of Coffeyville says the weather has created some delays for Jeff Graham Construction.  The walking/biking trail is being constructed in the area of the former Sherwin Williams Plant. It will feature a paved surface, 10 feet wide.

A Brownsfield Clean-Up Grant is covering the cost of the construction of the trail.

Law enforcement officers across Kansas mourn the death of one of their own. Sedgwick County Deputy Robert Kunze  and another deputy were responding to a suspicious person call yesterday. Sheriff Jeff Easter says the deputy leaves behind a wife and child.  Easter says Kunze patted down the suspect and found a 40-caliber handgun. The suspect was being cuffed when the two scuffled and the deputy's weapon was discharged.

The suspect died at the scene. Kunze died at a Wichita hospital.

Independence Police continue to investigate a shooting inside an Independence home. It happened on Thursday in the 700 block of East Main. The victim says three suspects kicked in his front door and fired two shots inside his home. Officers recoverved shell casings and a bullet from the scene. The suspects fled from the seen on foot. Chief Jerry Harrison says investigators recovered drugs from the victim's home. Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputies located three juveniles later in the day, and they were arrested in connection to the case.

In all four have now been arrested, but two other suspects are being sought.

US Senator Jerry Moran makes a stop in Columbus over the weekend as a part of his 105 county listening tour. Part of his focus was on addressing the concerns of farmers who says the trade war is hurting crop prices.

Moran says the president really needs to wrap up his NAFTA work because Mexico and Canada are the biggest buyers of Kansas goods and products.

The two-day Oklahoma Indian Summer Festival will take place this weekend in downtown Bartlesville at the Community Center.

The festival promises to entertain those of all ages with several different activities. This festival allows the Cherokee Nation to share its culture with the Bartlesville Community in a distinctive way. Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. talks about what makes this festival unique.

The children’s show begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday featuring a children’s art show for all kids through 12^th grade. A youth powwow will be held Saturday afternoon as well. Food and art vendors will be present as well.

Hoskin Jr. will serve as the honorary chair for the event. As a proud member of the Cherokee Nation Hoskin Jr. is very excited to interact with the people of the Bartlesville community.

A full schedule of events can be found here.

The Mercury 7 School Redesign effort continues at Coffeyville's Community Elementary. Principal Jennifer Bright says part of the focus is letting students know that even though they are small they can make a big difference.

Bright says the younger students are working on projects to improve their community, older students are focused on bettering the state, their nation, and the world.

The Independence Community College Fab Lab is getting major local support for their new expansion. As Jim Correll from the Fab Lab explains they received a more then generous donation from Equity Bank to help make improvements to the facilities. Equity Bank has generously granted the Fab Lab 25 thousand dollars over 5 years to help with the expansion of new facilities. The Fab Lab has named one of the new rooms in the building as the Equity Bank Digital Design Studio. Jim Correll can’t thank the branch enough for their support, as both truly believe in investing into entrepreneurship all while keeping the money local will do nothing but benefit them and businesses all around the community.

A Community Improvement District put in place by the Coffeyville City Commission will soon start forwarding tax dollars to a hotel developer. Coffeyville's Finance Director Stephanie Richardson says the city will be able to cover some of its costs.

The CID was established to reimburse the owner of the Holiday Inn Express a portion of the funds spent on construction of the hotel.

Although we find ourselves just halfway through September the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce is preparing for Spooktacular!

Director of the Chamber Candi Westbrook says it's a trick or treat like event where the kids go collecting their treats from business to business in the downtown area.

Spooktacular takes place on October 22nd as Westbrook encourages more businesses to be involved as well as the ones who are, to put their own unique Halloween twist to your trick or treat setup. Plenty of time to prepare but Westbrook encourages your attendance and your participation with the Halloween Spooktacular event.

When the Coffeyville Police Department relocated, they lost some of the capabilities of the recording system for dispatch and radio traffic. Captain Danny Grigg says the technology is eight-years-old and it is time to upgrade the necessary system.  The price tag for the new system is $20,000.

The Coffeyville City Commission has agreed to allow the police department apply for a Justice Assistance Grant that would cover the entire cost.  The final vote was 4-0.   Commissioner Justin Doane was absent from the meeting.

A 30-year-old Quapaw man lands in the Cherokee County Jail. Jason Upton was arrested in Baxter Springs on Monday. A felony arrest warrant had been issued for him. Upton faces charges of rape and aggravated burglary for an incident last month, near Galena. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office worked with the U-S Marshal's Service to capture Upton.

“We appreciate the tips and cooperation received from the public as well as our law enforcement partners in bringing this suspected dangerous fugitive into custody,” said Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves.

Three new officers will soon be patrolling the streets of Coffeyville. Police Chief Kwin Bromley says they will be off to the academy in November. In March, they'll begin their local field training.

Chief Bromley says more candidates are being interviewed for the remaining three positions they need to fill.  The City of Coffeyville has eased residency requirements and added incentives to encourage individuals to apply for open jobs on the force.

More students at Coffeyville Public Schools look to the Southeast Kansas Community Health Clinic for care. The clinic's Ashley Hooper says there has been a lot of growth in the usage of the clinics within the district. She says it is having an impact.

She says the clinics make it easier for students and parents to access medical attention. And, for those with chronic health problems, they spend less time out of class.

The American Red Cross hosts blood drives in Coffeyville this week. Spokeswoman Jan Hale says they really need help meeting the demands of hospitals.  Hale says you have three opportunities to give on Wednesday from 9-2 at Coffeyville Community College. Thursday from 11-45 to 6 pm at the First Baptist Church on 9^th Street. And, at the church again on Friday morning from 8:30 to 12:30.

You may make an appointment to donate by calling 1-800-Red-Cross or online at redcrossblood.org .

We sat down with republican representative Doug Blex last week as he spoke upon some lighter notes coming out of Topeka. The numbers are in and the month of August showed higher revenues. Blex says the economy being in the shape it is as well as the increase of state income tax in 2017 are some reasons for the increase but the numbers continue to look positive as he says August numbers were almost 8 million dollars more than our previous year. Blex says September is always usually a month that is higher than expectations, as self employed individuals will make their yearly tax payments. Blex says the increase is always a good thing as we approach November, where we start to look towards the following year. Though 8 million isn’t an excessive amount to the Kansas Government, at least tee numbers are up.

The Coffeyville Police Department furthering their fight against the distribution of illegal drugs. They teamed up with the KBI, Montgomery County Sheriff and other local law enforcement offices on alleged drug distribution between 5 individuals. Chief of the CPD Kwin Bromley says they have made a couple arrests, yet a few still remain outstanding and asks for your help to locate them. The individuals that still remain outstanding from the investigation are, Chris Bridgeman of Independence, Grant Kinser and Carey Walker both of Coffeyville. If you have any information on their whereabouts again Bromley urges you contact your local police department. He states that eliminating the larger scale drug crimes it will ultimately lessen the total amount of crime generally involved in drug use and distribution.

The final count is in on the USD 445 Bond Election.  The voters say no.  Montgomery County Clerk Charlotte Scott Schmidt says there were 795 yes ballots and 933 no votes. A total of 1,728 ballots were cast out of 7,005 eligible voters.   

We we will have more on the vote during the KGGF Morning News on AM 690.  

KGGF News has just received an update from Montgomery County Clerk Charlotte Scott Schmidt.  She reports that the vote tally on the bond question for Coffeyville Public Schools is right now at 401 yes votes and 464 no votes.

There are still 5 of 21 precincts to be counted. 

We we will update again with the final, unofficial tally.  

A Pittsburg man receives life in prison after pleading no contest to two counts of first-degree premeditated murder for the 2016 deaths of two family members. 33-year-old David Patrick McNabb was sentenced to life in the Kansas Department of Corrections without the possibility of parole for 100 years by District Judge Mark Ward. McNabb pleaded no contest in April to the two counts of first-degree premeditated murder as well as one count of felony theft and one count of interference with law enforcement. The charges stemmed from the November 2016 deaths of McNabb’s uncle, Kenneth McNabb, and grandmother, Betty McNabb.

The case was investigated by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Bureau of Investigation. 

With the 2018 year flying by, many programs are preparing for the following year. We spoke with Cheri Nelson from the K-State extension office as she explains that if you're interest in 4 H programs for your children you its time now to apply. Nelson says your kids need to be 7 before the beginning of the year to apply and all enrollment is found online at their website. As she also say 4 H is an easy and effective way of not only teaching your kids many skills to becoming a successful adult on and off the farm. For more information you can also call Nelson in the Wilson County extension office at 620 - 378 - 2167.  She also urges your support for our area 4hers at the state fair in Hutchinson starting tomorrow.

17 year old Dezzirell Holt of Coffeyville, who was reported missing on Tuesday, has been located and safely returned to her father. Dezzirell was located at the residence of 31 year old Harry Bruhn, of rural Montgomery County. Bruhn was arrested and charged with interference with law enforcement and contributing to a child’s misconduct.

Police Chief Kwin Bromley says “We received information from Dezzirell’s father about her possible whereabouts. Through the combined efforts of the Coffeyville Police Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to locate her and get her safely back home.”

It is an election day for voters of USD 445, Coffeyville Public Schools. Polls are open until 7 p.m. For people to cast ballots today. There is a single bond question on the ballot for 25 million dollars. The money would be used district-wide to improve safety, security and accessibility to the facilities. The election is open to all of those who live in the boundaries of USD 445. So, if Coffeyville buses roll by your house, you are probably eligible to vote at your usual polling place. If you are not sure if you are an eligible voter, you may contact Montgomery County Clerk Charlotte Scott Schmidt's office. Despite a number of public forums, many still have questions about the bond, if you would like to have those addressed, you may contact any school board member or the district office.

There is also a website that answers many questions.

Where To Vote:

City of Coffeyville

Coffeyville Precincts 1,2, 3,7, 8, 9, 10

Senior Citizen's Center 601 S. Walnut

Precincts 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13

Grace Fellowship Church 2455 Woodland

Cherokee Township

Cherokee Township Hall (Clymore School) 5174 CR 2400

Fawn Creek Township

Dearing Precinct 

Dearing Christian Church

Tyro Precinct

Tyro Christian Church

Liberty Township

Liberty Township Hall

Parker Township

1st Princinct

Grace Fellowship Church 2455 Woodland

2nd Precinct

Parker Township Hall (Cedar Bluff School)  2294 CR 4550

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation takes an Ottawa Police sergeant into custody. The arrest was made yesterday after an incident was reported to the Ottawa PD involving a situation at the home of 38-year-old Sgt. Steven E Burkhart. That allegations involve an incident that occurred on Monday.

Burkhart has been booked for battery and criminal threat. The investigation is ongoing. 

Several groups come together to support the Nowata Police Department. They want to help the PD get a new K-9 officer following the death of K-9 Officer Smokey last week. Officer Jeramiah Frauenberger says he misses his partner.  Smokey was struck by a semi after a woman let him out of the patrol vehicle along U-S 169.   Frauenberger is using another dog temporarily until K-9 Officer Brit is ready to go.  He is a younger brother of Smokey.

A memorial service is set for tomorrow afternoon for Smokey at Stumpff’s Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Nowata Cemetery.

***The News On 6 Contributed To This Story

A woman dies after being shot at an Ochelata trailer park. Washington County Sheriff's Lt. Jon Copeland says Michele Mayes had gunshot wounds to the upper torso. The gunman, her estranged boyfriend, John Jeffrey Thomas was flown to a Tulsa hospital for treatment of two gunshot wounds to his chest. The two appeared in court last week following an alleged domestic abuse incident.

Mayes did have a restraining order in place against Thomas.

A crash in Cherokee County claims the life of a Georgia man dies. The Kansas Highway Patrol says 70-year-old William Lewis was driving northeast of Oswego yesterday morning. Authorities say the Guyton man missed a curve and drove off the roadway and struck a tree before his pick-up ended in an field.

Lewis died at the scene.

The City of Coffeyville prepares for a city wide clean up. It's set for October 15th-21^st. Interim City Manager Michael Shook says they're looking for volunteers to help those who need assistance.  Residents will be able to clear brush from their yards and hazardous items out of their homes and sheds.

A drug take back day will be held on October 20^th.

A shooting is under investigation in Ochelata. Deputies responded this morning after a report of gunshots.

Washington County Undersheriff Steve Johnson confirms two people have been shot at the Prairie View Trailer Park.

Two people sustain injuries when a motorcycle crashes into a pick-up truck on U-S 169, just north of Cherryvale. The Kansas Highway Patrol says the truck, driven by 21-year-old Samuel Chrisman, of Thayer, had slowed to make a turn. The truck apparently did not have brake lights or turn signals and was rear-ended by 42-year-old Timothy John Holliday of Olathe. He and his passenger, 41-year-old Amber Lynn Holliday were thrown from their motorcycle.

Both were transported to a hospital for treatment of their injuries.

An Owasso man dies in a crash on the Will Rogers Turnpike, just east of Adair. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is still investigating what caused the wreck, just after 6 p.m. OHP says the driver of a passenger car was killed when it collided with a semi. 36-year-old Michael David Williams was pinned in the wreckage for an hour and a half before the Big Cabin Fire Department was able to free him. He died at the scene from massive injuries.

The driver and passenger of the semi were not injured.

It is Labor Day. That means all federal, county and city offices are closed for the day. There will be no mail delivery. And, for the City of Coffeyville no refuse collection.

Those who typically have trash service on Monday will have it on Tuesday this wee with all residents advancing pick-up to the next day.

The Kansas Attorney General’s office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation will provide Kansans with consumer protection and public safety information at the Kansas State Fair, which opens next weekend. “Providing Kansans information to help avoid scams and rip-offs and to improve the safety of their families is key to our mission,” Schmidt said. “We will once again share this important information at our fair booth.”

The booth will be in the Meadowlark Building on the fairgrounds in Hutchinson. Staff from the attorney general’s office and the KBI will be available throughout the fair to answer questions. Attorney General Schmidt will be at the fair on Saturday, September 15, and available at the booth from 10 a.m. to noon to answer questions and listen to Kansans’ concerns.

The Kansas State Fair opens Friday, September 7, and runs through Sunday, September 16.