Tomorrow is the 24^th annual National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

All are encouraged to bag healthy, non-perishable food items and place them near your mailbox tomorrow. Area cities participating this year include Coffeyville, Independence, Parsons and Caney. Donations in Coffeyville will go to Genesis and the Salvation Army.  Independence Rural Carrier Katie Uncapher says you can start leaving food at or in your mailbox today.

Organizers say more than 44 million Americans are unsure where their next meal will come from, and the timing of this drive is critical as many food pantries are usually depleted this time of year after their Thanksgiving and Christmas donations. Over the years, letter carriers have collected well over 1.9 billion pounds of food across the USPS Network.

A Cherryvale High School student's artwork is selected by a U.S. Congressman.

Junior Morgan Lasco learned that one of her paintings will soon be hanging in Representative Jake LaTurner's office in Washington, D.C. Lasco submitted her painting, which she titled “Freedom and Rebirth,” in a congressional art competition sponsored by the Congressional Institute. Each U.S. congress member is allowed to sponsor an art competition featuring high school artists from their home districts.

LaTurner picked four exhibits to be placed in his office as a display of Kansas-grown talent. Lasco’s painting won first place in the Creativity division in LaTurner’s district. 

Three Field Kindley High School seniors receive scholarships from the Coffeyville Recreation Commission.

CRC awarded those scholarships to FKHS Seniors Zac Becker, Drake Leeds and Greg Frazier. CRC says all three have excelled at academics and sports all while being great CRC employees. Frazier received a $500 scholarship while Becker and Leeds both received $250 scholarships.

CRC thanks all three for their dedication to CRC and helping them “Build Community Through Recreation”.

The Cherryvale Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a potential suspect.

The man is a person of interest in a theft that occurred in Cherryvale early yesterday evening. Cherryvale PD is asking anyone who recognizes him to contact them at (620)336-2400 and reference Cherryvale Case number 24-134.

Cherryvale PD says anyone can also message their Facebook page but it is not monitored 24/7. 

Photos can be seen below.

An Independence man is arrested after failing to comply with an eviction notice.

Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies arrived at a residence at 501 South 8^th Street in Independence with a court order and writ of assistance to evict Daniel Brault. When deputies informed Brault of the eviction he slammed the door shut and locked it. Despite attempts to communicate through the window, Brault refused to exit.

After Brault failed to comply, deputies entered the home and found him barricaded in a bedroom. After multiple failed attempts to get him to surrender, deputies forced open the bedroom door. They deployed a less-lethal Noise Flash Diversionary Device and took Brault into custody without any injuries.

 CCC EMT and paramedic students receive insight into the medevac operations of the Kansas National Guard earlier today, as the Guard landed a Black Hawk helicopter on the green space north of the student union.

 The event was open to CCC EMT and paramedic students, as well as local emergency services personnel, to gain an understanding of the crucial role played by medevac teams in emergency medical services, as well as the career paths available to those interested in the field.

 Ryan McCune, Vice President for Student Services and Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Coffeyville Community College, says the presentation was both informative and beneficial for those considering a career in emergency medical services.

*Photos courtesy of Andrew Elrod, Digital Commmunications Specialist at CCC

 Schools in Miami, OK, now have an interim superintendent.

 The Miami Public Schools have hired Keni Iverson to serve as as superintendent while the search for their next superintendent gets underway.

Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, Keni Iverson stated, “I’m excited to get back to the Wardog Way and do what’s best for our students by working collaboratively with our admin and community so we can build a strong foundation for the next superintendent.”

Iverson has previously served as an assistant superintendent and is expected to help the district continue to pursue academic excellence.

The Miami Public Schools Board of Education is confident that Keni Iverson’s leadership will continue to propel the district forward on its path of success. Chuck McKibben, board president said, “I’m extremely proud of the board and how we handled the process of appointing an interim. The collaboration, discussions, and passion are motivated by our desire to do what is best for our students and to provide support for our district employees.” 

Iverson fills the position after the abrupt resignation by Nick Highsmith last week.

The district will officially begin the search for a new superintendent on July 1.

 Parsons USD 503 recognizes the accomplishments of the Class of 2024 at their Senior Recognition Banquet.

 159 scholarships totaling more than two hundred thousand dollars were awarded to 53 Parsons High School serniors.

Awards were also handed out for Kansas Scholars Curriculum graduates, Kansas State Scholars, and President's Education Excellence.

The 2024 Kansas Scholars Curriculum Graduates included Timmy Chen, Davis Clark, Braylee Cramer, Maryssa Drummond, Amelia Hetlinger, DeAva Holman, Adian Marshall, Jayce Quirin, Isabella Ramsey, Autumn Shields, Sydney Webb and Landon Wheat. The Scholars Curriculum consists of completing four years of English; four years of math; three years of science; three years of social studies, and two years of world (foreign) language.

Of those, students named 2024 Kansas State Scholars were Davis Clark, Amelia Hetlinger, DeAva Holman, Adian Marshall, and Isabella Ramsey, based on ACT composite scores and grade point average.

The 2024 President’s Education Excellence Award winners were Davis Clark, Amelia Hetlinger, Adian Marshall, Carter Swanson and Jayce Quirin. The President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence recognizes students who have achieved academic. President's Excellence requires a grade point average of 3.5 or above and score of 85 percentile or above on either the reading or math sections of the ACT.

Clark was also the recipient of the 2024 Certificate for Exceptional Academic Performance for earning a composite score of 32 or above on the ACT.

 The Sedan City Council meets and approves the purchase of some necessary items for the city.

 At this week's meeting City Superintendent John Miller told council members that his crews needed new safety equipment. Miller says it's time for the city to replace some worn-out basic items.

The council voted unanimously to approve the purchase for Miller's department. Police Chief Kirk Richardson also asked for approval to purchase some much-needed supplies.

The City council gave the go-ahead to spend sixteen hundred and sixty dollars for ammunition.

 An Oklahoma family thanks a Kansas woman for saving the life of their child.

 The family was eating breakfast at a Ponca City restaurant last August when their 2 year old child picked up a quarter and put it in her mouth. The child immediately began to choke on the coin.

Fortunately, seated at a nearby table was the director of the Ark City, Kansas, Fire & EMS Director Jeri Wheatley, who was having breakfast with her husband. Wheatley noticed the child was choking and sprang into action. She grabbed the small child, told the parents that she was a paramedic, and then performed the Heimlich Maneuver on the toddler. Wheatley said the child threw up on her, but the quarter came out.

The child's family – who are members of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma – recently traveled to Ark City to thank Wheatley and present her with the gift of a tribal blanket.

 A Wichita man is sentenced for making threats against the President.

 28 year old Cody McCormick was sentenced yesterday to serve one year and nine months in prison for threatening to kill President Joe Biden.

McCormick pleaded guilty in the case after he sent a Facebook message to a Wichita TV station in April 2023. In that message, he detailed his plans regarding the President. The U.S. Secret Service interviewed McCormick and he told them he would kidnap President Biden and force him to resign from office if McCormick did not get the help he needed.

The US Secret Service and the Wichita Police Department investigated the case.

 A Miami firefighter braves the flood waters of the Neosho River to rescue a homeless man.

 Late last week, a call came into Miami 9-1-1 with reports of a man clinging to a tree in the flood waters near the Neosho River Bridge on Highway 69.

Miami Police used a drone with thermal imaging to locate the man who had been hanging onto the tree for almost two days. The man had been living near the location in a wooded area and awoke when the area flooded, leaving him unable to reach dry land.

The man and his five dogs are reported to now be safe and in good condition.

The Miami Police Department, Miami Fire Department, GRDA, and BIA, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, and Integris EMS all aided in the rescue operation.

 More severe weather hits the four-state area.

 Yesterday afternoon, after severe thunderstorms moved through the Miami area in northeast Oklahoma. Miami's tornado sirens were activated as rotation was spotted in the storm system. There was substantial damage to some houses in southern Ottawa county but no injuries were reported in this latest round of severe weather.

 A Wellington woman is seriously injured after her motorcycle strikes a deer near Winfield.

 53 year old Salena Dennis was injured yesterday morning when a deer attempted to cross US-160 in front of her. Dennis was unable to stop her Harley-Davidson F-L-H series motorcycle and struck the animal.

The accident occurred just after 5am about 5 miles west of Winfield. Dennis was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

 A Bartlesville woman is in stable condition following a single vehicle crash.

 Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that just after 8pm last night, a 2020 Ford Edge, driven by 62 year old Debra Sipes of Bartlesville was westbound on US-64 approximately 4 mile east of Bixby when her vehicle departed roadway to the left coming to rest on its top in a creek bed.

Sipes was taken to St. Francis Tulsa by Bixby Fire/EMS and admitted in stable condition with head, trunk internal injuries and arm injuries.

OHP reports the driver was sleepy and inattentive at the time of the crash.

 A Skiatook man is dead following a traffic collision Wednesday near Hominy.

  The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says 72-year-old Harvey Jones of Skiatook was driving a 1997 Chevrolet pickup on State Highway 20 about 7 miles east of Hominy, when it collided with a 2006 Kenworth semi driven by 44-year-old Earl McDoulett of Claremore just after 11a.m. yesterday morning.

 Jones was pronounced deceased at the scene by Hominy Fire. McDoulett was treated and released at the scene.

 OHP is investigating the cause of the crash.

The National Weather Service in Tulsa has completed its damage survey of the tornado that hit Barnsdall and Bartlesville.

The EF-4 tornado developed Monday southeast of Hominy, and crossed Highway 20, causing significant tree damage and snapping numerous metal power poles. The tornado hit Barnsdall and caused severe damage to the wax plant on the southeast side of town, then damaged and destroyed numerous homes on the east side of town. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 175 miles per hour, which is within the EF-4 category.

The tornado moved across the southern portion of Bartlesville, then across the eastern side of town, damaging homes and businesses. A squall line merged with the tornadic supercell and finally ended the tornado process on the northeast side of Bartlesville. The tornado lasted about 45 minutes and covered almost 40 miles and had a maximum width of at least 1,500 yards.

Photo: NWS Tulsa

 The City of Parsons honors a city employee for years of public service.

 At this week's Parsons City Commission meeting, the city announced a special celebration to honor City Manager Debbie Lamb. Mayor Eric Strait makes the pronouncement.

Lamb was first hired by the city on May 6, 1974 and has served in 10 different roles in her fifty years of employment.

In other business, hay bids were awarded for various city properties, a five year subscription was renewed for records management for the police department, and a discussion of vehicles being used for living purposes.

 Osage County Commissioners hold an emergency meeting to address storm needs.

 The Osage County Commission met yesterday in an emergency session to discuss a disaster declaration following Monday's tornado in Barnsdall. A representative from the American Red Cross was on hand

to speak on what they would be doing to assist in the coming weeks. 

Osage County Emergency Jerry Roberts added that as of 11 a.m. there were 300 power poles snapped and 150 PSO employees in Barnsdall. 

 Cleanup efforts continue across Bartlesville, as signs of improvement are slowly being made. Road crews continue to work along Washington Blvd and Frank Phillips Blvd, allowing traffic has been to open back up for two-way flow. 

  Washington County Emergency Manager Kary Cox says damage surveys have been completeand processing began overnight. He added that there are several utility companies, along with county and city road crews helping clear the streets.

 Several remain without power this evening, mainly in the area that the cleanup process continues along Washington Blvd. Cox says there is a time line to have the power fully up and running.

As crews continue to clean up, Cox asks that you continue to stay away from the effected area so that they can continue to work. 

 Tuesday night's meeting of the Independence Zoning and Planning Commission was standing room only as residents turned out to voice their disapproval of the city's new comprehensive plan.

 Nearly one hundred residents from the rural areas around Independence packed into the small meeting room for a chance to address members of the Planning Commission regarding a map that is a part of the draft version of the plan. The map has been circulating on social media for the past few weeks. A typo on the map erroneously labels the planning boundary for the city as the proposed city limits. The mis-labeled boundary stretches east of the city, along US-160 to the junction of US-169, prompting concerns by residents that the city was planning to annex the area. A representative from the consulting group that prepared the map was on hand. Abby Eckberg of Confluence says the city has no plans to annex the area.

The City of Independence stated last week and again at last night's meeting that the boundary is for planning purposes only and that no annexation is planned. Nearly twenty people spoke against the plan. 

Here is a sample of what they said.

The planning commission voted to approve the revised plan despite the resident opposition.

 Oklahoma State Senator Julie Daniels has words of thanks for first responders for their efforts during and after the recent tornado outbreak.

The Bartlesville Republican urged residents of Bartlesville and Senate District 29 to contact her office if they need assistance following the storm by calling 405-521-5634 or via email at Julie.Daniels@oksenate.gov .

Local officials are asking city residents to stay off the roads and remain home at this time due to downed power lines and street closures. This will also make it easier for representatives from the city and Washington County Emergency Management to survey the damage. Residents can check the City of Bartlesville and the Washington County Emergency Management Facebook pages for frequent updates on storm cleanup efforts.

Residents are also asked to report home, business and farm damage to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management so local and state authorities can get a full picture of the destruction and connect Oklahomans to aid. Visit damage.ok.gov to file a report.

B the Light Mission, located at 219 N. Virginia Ave., is serving as a shelter open to anyone displaced by the storm. The Salvation Army has set up a mobile unit at Wilson Elementary School, located at 245 N. Spruce Ave., to provide free meals and bottled water to residents.

To seek assistance from the American Red Cross, call 1-800-733-2767.

The tornado that struck Bartlesville Monday evening is believed to have been an EF3. The storm caused significant damage in southwest and northeast Bartlesville. No fatalities or serious injuries have been reported at this time.

 ConocoPhillips announced yesterday a $400,000 disaster relief donation after recent tornadoes in Bartlesville and Barnsdall.

 In a news release, the company said the funds will be allocated between the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Washington County Emergency Management to support relief efforts.

The company will also match donations from ConocoPhillips’ U.S. employees.

 Coffeyville Community College announces the selection of renowned foot ball coach Willie Fritz as the 2024 commencement speaker.

 Fritz – a Shawnee Mission native – served as Defensive Coordinator for the CCC football team from 1987 to 1990. During this time, Coach Fritz played an instrumental role in shaping the success of the Red Ravens' football program, contributing to the development of student-athletes both on and off the field.

Fritz went on to have success at Tulane University including earning back-to-back American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year awards and led the Green Wave to remarkable successes, including consecutive appearances in the American Athletic Conference Championship games and a thrilling Cotton Bowl victory against USC. In December of 2023, Fritz, was appointed the 16th Head Coach to the University of Houston, bringing with him his 30 years of greater football knowledge.

Fritz will share the knowledge and wisdom he has built over the three decades of his career with graduates at the CCC commencement exercises on May 11^th in Nellis Hall West on the CCC Campus.

**UPDATE: Fields was released Tuesday afternoon due to further investigation needed on this case. During the initial investigation Monday night and Tuesday, it was determined that further investigation should be conducted.**

A Pittsburg man is arrested after a shots fired incident in Parsons.

At around 2:20 yesterday morning, the Parsons Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the 3100 block of Crawford Avenue. The incident happened after a fight between a resident and another individual, 22-year-old Johntae L. Fields. The fight escalated, leading to the firing of the gun. Fields fled the scene on foot before getting into a car and fleeing the area.

PPD is actively investigating the incident, which is being treated as a case of aggravated assault and criminal discharge of a firearm. PPD detectives were able to locate Fields in Pittsburg with the assistance of Pittsburg Police Detectives. Fields was arrested by Parsons Detectives and will await formal charges.