A number of communities are dealing with power outages and damage this morning after last night's storms.

In Howard, more than 500 Evergy customers are without power, and school is canceled for West Elk because of the outages. The Elk County Courthouse is also closed today at least through noon because of the outage. All power to Edna was lost around 11 last night, and this morning, 100 customers remain without power. Labette County Emergency Management Director Charlie Morse says a tree fell on a house in Chetopa with reported injuries, and a barn had its roof blown off just east of Coffeyville at 166 and Douglas Road. Power outages continue in northeast Oklahoma, with scattered outages across Bartlesville, Nowata and Pawhuska.

 Towns in Oklahoma and Missouri hit by last night's storms begin the clean up effort.

 Substantial damage was done from Barnsdall to Bartlesville last night as a large tornado moved through the area. Early reports indicate at least one person in the Barnsdall area has died as a result of the severe weather. Downed power lines in the area have left thousands without power and significant damage to structures and homes has been reported. The Barnsdall high School Field House has been opened to those in need of shelter.

Most of the damage in Bartlesville appears to have occurred around the U.S. 75 and Tuxedo area. Washington County Undersheriff Jon Copeland says people need to avoid the storm-damaged areas.

Authorities in the Joplin area also report damage to structures and loss of power as a tornado was reported there between 9^th and 20^th streets from Rangeline to Duquesne. In Elk County, Kansas, near Howard there are about 500 customers without power after severe weather there last night.

According to the National Weather Service, at least fifteen tornadoes touched down in the central U.S. last night, seven of which were in Oklahoma.

Photos of Damage in Bartlesville (Images by Kaleb Potter)

Severe weather season is here and AAA Kansas wants drivers to be prepared.

Storms can strike quickly, so it's important to know how to stay safe on the road. During heavy rain and hail, reduce speed and pull over if visibility is low. Remember, to turn around, don't drown when encountering floodwaters. For lightning, stay in the car but avoid metal and windows. The biggest danger comes from tornadoes.

In the case of a tornado, abandon the car and seek shelter in a sturdy building. As a last resort, take cover in the vehicle by buckling up, ducking below windows, and protecting the head. AAA Kansas also recommends creating a severe weather emergency kit to keep in the car, including food, water, and a flashlight. Following these tips, drivers can stay safe on the roads.

Montgomery County Sheriff deputies arrest two in connection with an ongoing narcotics investigation.

Deputies on patrol in Independence spotted a black Jeep parked near the Main Street overpass and recognized it as a suspect's in a narcotics investigation. Deputies approached the vehicle and identified Quayland Johnson and Trinity Schlegel. Deputies saw drug paraphernalia in plain view inside the vehicle.

Both were arrested on outstanding warrants and transported to the Department of Corrections. The Jeep was impounded. Following a search warrant, deputies found additional drug paraphernalia and fentanyl pills inside the vehicle. The investigation is ongoing and there are additional charges expected to be filed against Johnson and Schlegel for the items found in the vehicle.

 Representatives from Coffeyville Regional Medical Center thank the Montgomery County Commission for their support on a grant application.

 CRMC told Montgomery County Commissioners at today's (yesterday's) meeting that they had received nearly $1.8 million in grant funding from the state of Kansas. The funds come through the Kansas Rural Hospital Administration Grant Program administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. CRMC asked the commission for support for the grant in February. Director of the CRMC Foundation Amy Taylor says the funding will help with construction on the new Primary Care Clinic.

CRMC Chief Operating Officer Lisa Kuehn says contract negotiations are underway to allow the project to be completed on time.

The 12,000 square foot Primary Care Clinic will be located south of the hospital property on 4^th street and will house clinics for Pediatrics, Women's Primary Health, and Primary Care will be housed in the new facility.

 Four people from Nebraska are injured in a weekend car accident near Neosho.

 The single vehicle accident occurred on Friday evening when the 2018 Dodge Charger they were in failed to negotiate a turn. The vehicle ran off the roadway and overturned several times. Witnesses say the car was traveling at speeds in excess of 100mph when the accident occurred. Two of the car's occupants were ejected from the vehicle during the accident.

 The search for a man reported missing after he drove into flood waters last week is over.

 The body of 50 year old Brian Richardson of Pottersville, MO, was discovered around 8am on Satruday morning. Rishardson disappeared after his pick up truck was swept off a bridge by rushing flood waters last Tuesday. He was found by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Underwater Recovery Team.

 Fire crews across southern Missouri respond to a call of a fire at a Verona chemical plant.

 The fire occurred around 7pm last night at the B-C-P Ingredients plant. According to the Aurora Rural Fire Department, the blaze occurred in a building that grinds and dries corn cobs and that the fire began in the dryer.

B-C-P Ingredients has faced violations and fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration since 2021. In July 2023, OSHA said the plant continued to endanger workers.

There were no injuries reported and the investigation into the cause of the fire continues.

 A fifteen-year-old male is dead following a crash on Saturday near Barnsdall, OK.

  Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported the fatality collision happened just after 6 pm at the junction of two county roads near Barnsdall. The 15 year-old juvenile male passenger was pronounced deceased on scene.

 36 year old Weston Lowe of Barnsdall, was transported by Survival Flight to St Francis Hospital in Tulsa. Lowe was admitted in serious condition with head and trunk internal injuries.

 21 year old Trey Taylor, also of Barnsdall, received minor injuries. Another passenger, a 16 year-old juvenile female, was transported by Survival Flight to St Francis Hospital in Tulsa where she was admitted in critical condition with head, trunk internal injuries.

 The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating the death of an inmate at the Topeka Correctional Facility.

 36 year old Asa Hashanna Adams was found unresponsive in her cell on Saturday morning and was pronounced dead by medical staff. The cause of death will be determined by an autopsy.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

Adams was serving a life sentence for a 2007 conviction of first-degree murder committed in Sedgwick County.

 The City of Independence is looking to fill an open position on the Tree Board.

  The purpose of this division is to honor the city's rich history of enjoying and preserving local natural resources, and to promote and protect the public health, safety and general welfare by providing for the development of a community forestry plan.

The Board oversees  the planting, maintenance and removal of trees located on public property, or which encroach upon public property, and seeks to enhance the natural beauty of the community. 

Those wanting more information about the position can contact Scott Patton by email at ScottP@IndependenceKS.gov or by calling 620-332-2512.

Applications for the position are due by Noon on May 16^th. For the online application, go here.

 There have been reports of low to no water pressure in multiple areas of Independence this morning.

 The City Water Department is aware of the situation and have crews out working to resolve the issue. There is currently no time table for restoration of services.

We will have more information as it becomes available.

Current Watches for the immediate listening area:

Tornado watch through 11 p.m.:

Elk, Chautauqua, Greenwood

Osage County, OK

***** Update 10 a.m. *****

The area south of Wichita is now included in the highest possible severe weather risk category.  (As seen in updated image)

***** Original Story ******

An outbreak of severe thunderstorms is possible this evening for southeast Kansas.

According to the National Weather Service, the potential for significant weather has now expanded from south central Kansas to southeast Kansas including the Coffeyville area. Hail up to softball size, winds up to 80 mph and some strong and long-track tornadoes are possible. Storms are expected for southeast Kansas between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., although timing could be a bit earlier for Chautauqua, Elk and Osage counties. If storms develop, they are expected to track to the northeast. The rest of the four-state area could see hail up to 2 inches, winds up to 70 mph and tornadoes possible. KGGF will provide severe weather coverage if needed this afternoon and tonight.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Topeka Police Department make an arrest in an officer-involved shooting.

Just before noon today, 34-year-old Terrell D. Hayes-Osby was arrested for the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, criminal possession of a weapon and unlawfully tampering with electronic monitoring equipment. Hayes-Osby was arrested as he was released from Stormont Vail Hospital where he was recovering from injuries sustained in the shooting.

The attempted murder charge was secured by the KBI who is investigating the officer-involved shooting, where Hayes-Osby fired a pistol multiple times toward TPD officers. The remaining felony charges were secured by TPD in their investigation into the theft at gunpoint of a pickup truck, occurring prior to the shooting at the gas station.

A Parsons Police Officer is honored by the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police.  Corporal Rory Johnson received the Silver Award for Uncommon Valor. This recognition was in honor of his life-saving actions in April 2023.

Corporal Johnson responded to a distress call from former Parsons Officer Luke Schibi at the Parsonian Apartments. Officer Schibi requested assistance after a resident fell through a large window. Recognizing the need for first aid, Johnson applied pressure to a severe abdominal wound while providing support to Officer Schibi, who attended to a leg injury. Corporal Johnson rendering aid until EMS arrived is credited with saving the individual's life.

Nominated by PPD and selected by KACP, Corporal Johnson received this award during the annual KACP conference held at the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane.

 Flags in Kansas will be flown at half-staff this Sunday in observance of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day and to honor a Dearing firefighter.

 Governor Laura Kelly issued the directive today for all flags in the state to fly at half mast from sun up to sundown on Sunday. While the order honors all fallen firefighters, Kelly noted the service of Division Chief Martin Smith of the Dearing Fire Department. Division chief Smith passed away unexpectedly in January 2023 after responding to a vehicle accident.

Smith had a long career with the Dearing fire Department. He became a junior firefighter at the age of 16 and later served as a Volunteer Firefighter. He served as Assistant Chief for 26 years and became Chief of the Dearing Division in 2016. Smith had a reputation for being a strong leader, bringing many improvements to the Dearing Fire Department, and expected his volunteer firefighters to be well-trained professionals.

Governor Kelly stated, " “Division Chief Smith selflessly served the people of Montgomery County for nearly 50 years. We will not forget the sacrifices Division Chief Smith made and the work all Kansas firefighters undertake each day to protect Kansans.” 

 Book lovers, take note!

 The Spring Book sale at the Coffeyville Public Library is underway. Librarian Lois Hendricks says it's a chance to grab some great titles.

The library is open until 5pm today and from 9 to 5 Saturday at 311 West 10^th street in Coffeyville.

 One person is injured after a semi truck carrying cattle overturns on a Kansas highway.

 The accident occurred early Thursday morning at around 3:30am on K-14 near Kingman. The Kansas highway Patrol says the semi was traveling north on K-14 when it drifted to the right. The driver then over corrected, causing the truck to overturn. The 55 year old driver was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.

The roadway was reopened around noon yesterday (Thursday) after all of the cattle had been recovered.

 An Oklahoma man is taken into custody by U.S. Marshalls on multiple charges.

 22 year old Devon Schubert was arrested Monday in Okay, Oklahoma, afetr attempting to flee from authorities. Schubert was taken to the Wagoner County jail and booked on charges that include kidnapping and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

 The City of Neodesha is looking for candidates for the city commission.

 The city has one commissioner seat up for election this year. The term on current commissioner Emily Vail-Keller is set to expire as she was appointed by the commission to fill the unexpired term left by the resignation of former commissioner Tom Nichol.

The new commissioner would face a primary election in August and a general election in November. Their three year term would begin in January.

Interested candidates must complete and submit the Declaration of Intention and Substantial Interest forms along with a $20 filing to the Wilson County Clerk's Office by noon on June 3^rd. Qualified electors may file a petition in lieu of the filing fee which must be signed by 38 qualified electors of the City. Specific rules and guidelines for the process are in place by the Office of the Kansas Secretary of State.

 The Osage Nation Police Department is investigating after it was discovered that the, "Million Dollar Elm," tree had been cut down on Tuesday evening.

 This is a tree that was planted in 2014 to symbolize the Osage Nation's past and was located next to the Principal Chief's Office.

The Osage Nation Police Department is reviewing footage. A smooth cut halfway through the trunk and yellow paint marks show that this could not have been from the Tuesday evening thunderstorms. The investigation is ongoing.

 A pair of Bartlesville brothers are arrested on larceny charges.

 18 year old Elijah Campbell and his juvenile brother were arrested on Tuesday and face larceny charges stemming from two separate incidents.

According to an affidavit, Campbell and his brother are accused of taking $1300 from a lock box and using the money to purchase cell phones from Walmart on April 16th.

According to a separate affidavit, on Tuesday, the brothers were picked up after a report of someone pointing a gun at a victim. One witness told officers that one of the brothers pointed a gun at his father before fleeing. A pistol was found in a bush near the house where officers located Campbell and his brother.

Both were arrested, and Elijah Campbell is being held on an aggregate bond of $75,000.

 The Oklahoma Department of Transportation says it is keeping a watchful eye on a logjam in the Neosho River.

 The large logjam was caused by downed tree, brush and debris that swept into the river after last weekend's heavy rainfall. The debris in the river has backed up next a bridge on US-60 near Wyandotte. Residents of Miami, who are upstream from the logjam are concerned about flooding. Miami Mayor Bless Parker says area residents should contact their state legislators and demand the Grand River Dam Authority be held accountable.

Miami residents won a major legal victory against G-R-D-A in January when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission found a G-R-D-A responsible for flooding in the Miami area. Parker says the state needs to step in.

ODOT says they have no immediate concern for the structural integrity of the bridge. Authorities say that most of the debris is on the surface of the water, which allows water to continue to flow downstream. This is an important consideration to prevent upstream flooding.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office is looking for a suspect whose bond is being revoked on an attempted murder charge.

Earlier this morning, law enforcement received a tip that Josh Ferguson, who is wanted on a bond revocation warrant, was at a residence in southern Baxter Springs. Law Enforcement checked the residence and did not locate Ferguson. The original charge of attempted murder stems from an incident involving one of Ferguson's family members in May 2023.

After clearing the residence, law enforcement then searched the area but did not locate him. Anyone with information on Ferguson's whereabouts should contact the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office at (620)429-3992.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment rescinds the stream advisory for the Verdigris River.

The stream advisory was the result of an oil well spill about 500 feet from the Verdigris River, East of Neodesha. Further field site investigation revealed that the original source of the oil is not discharging to the river and high flow conditions have quickly dispersed and moved any oil in the river past Coffeyville.

The KDHE has determined that water quality conditions in the river are safe for contact and livestock use. Residents are encouraged to take caution when around high, fast-moving water in the river.