The City of Coffeyville will be holding a volunteer stream bank clean up at LeClere Park this afternoon.

Participants can help pick up litter, remove debris, and clean along the stream banks to prevent pollution and protect water quality. The City will provide glove, grabbers, and buckets for the clean up. Those wishing to help should plan to meet at the main parking lot at LeClere Park on the south side at 1pm today.

Coffeyville will be one of the Southeast Kansas stops on the Kansas Department of Commerce Community Impact Tour Thursday, October 15th.

The tour will stop at the recently completed Rails to Trails pathway near LeClere Park at 11am.

The three-day tour is highlighting projects across Southeast Kansas made possible through state programs, local partnerships and community investment.

In Coffeyville, the spotlight will be on the one-point-2-mile multi-use pathway.

The project was funded through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program and a Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant.

After years of planning and construction, the pathway officially opened with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony July 29^th.

City officials say the project is now providing residents with a place to walk, run and bike, while showcasing the impact of state and local investment in the community.

The Wilson County Commission discusses a road closure between Altoona and Thayer.

The county’s Road and Bridge Department has closed a bridge on Wichita Road between 900 and 1000 Roads because repairs are needed for public safety. Road and Bridge Supervisor Kary Tatum added that the department is no longer on summer hours. Regular hours are now from 7am to 3:30pm, Monday through Friday.

County Coordinator Kris Marple also reported Wilson County will receive just over 99-thousand dollars this year through the state’s Federal Highway Funds Exchange program for road and bridge project reimbursement.

Commissioners also reviewed and accepted the county’s fiscal year 2025 audit. They then approved the chairman signing a representation letter and authorized an agreement with Jarred, Gilmore and Phillips to conduct the county’s fiscal year 2026 audit.

The Wilson County Commission will meet again on October 7 at 9am at the courthouse in Fredonia. The meeting is open to the public.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has released its new eight-year construction work plan, outlining more than one-thousand-200 highway and bridge projects across the state.

The Federal Fiscal Year 2027 through 2034 plan, approved Monday by the Oklahoma Transportation Commission, represents more than seven-point-three billion dollars in proposed construction.

ODOT says the plan focuses on critical safety, pavement and bridge needs. But inflation and rising construction costs are making it harder for the agency to keep pace with those needs.

Transportation Secretary and ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz says DOTs nationwide have experienced nearly 18 years’ worth of inflation since 2020.

Gatz says growing demands on the highway system are also outpacing traditional transportation revenues, raising concerns about ODOT’s ability to make needed investments on time.

Some projects have been pushed beyond the eight-year window. ODOT says those projects remain priorities and will continue to be developed as funding becomes available.

Tax receipts for the State of Kansas in September come in above estimates.

The total tax receipts last month came in at $1.08 billion, making it five months in a row that taxes have exceeded estimates. That number is about 5.5% or $56 million above estimates. Receipts were also nearly 8% higher than in September 2025. District 12 State Representative Doug Blex says the numbers show a good start to Fiscal Year 2027.

Both corporate and retail taxes rose in September, driving the higher-than-projected numbers. Corporate taxes were $261.7 million or 28.6% above expectations while retail taxes showed a slight increase. Those receipts were $8.3 million or 2.8% above estimates and 5.2% more than a year ago.

Individual income tax collections was the only indicator to miss the mark at $477.7 million or 2.7% below estimates. To see the full report for September 2026, follow this link.

A popular October event returns to Independence this Saturday.

Independence Community College history professor emeritus, Doctor Isaias McCaffery, will lead a historical walking tour called “Crime and Vice in Historical Indy.” The tour will explore stories, events and scandals that helped shape the city. It begins at 10 a-m at the Independence Historical Museum and Art Center on Eighth Street. The route is just under a mile, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Tickets are 20 dollars for adults, 15 dollars for museum members, and free for children 14 and under. Payment can be made at the museum before the tour.

Montgomery County approves the search for a consultant to perform bridge inspections across the county

At Monday’s meeting, Public Works Director Brandon Beurskins requested permission to go out for bids for the positions. He says all of the county’s 248 bridges must be inspected every two years.

The county also includes bridges in the Cities or Coffeyville and Dearing in their bridge inspections.

Kansas health care providers in rural areas have new opportunities to apply for more than 50 million dollars in state grants.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has opened applications for the second year of the Rural Health Transformation Program.

The Regional Partnership Grant Program will provide 44 million dollars to support collaboration among rural providers, improve preventive care, strengthen the health care workforce, and expand innovative and value-based care.

Another 11 million dollars is available through the Transformative Capital Investment Grant Program. That funding will help providers invest in new ways of delivering health care in their communities.

Eligible applicants include rural hospitals, clinics, physician practices, local health departments, behavioral health providers and long-term care facilities.

Applications for both programs are due November 13th.

KDHE will also hold an informational webinar October 9th at 10 a-m. More information and application details are available through the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program.

The Independence Community College Fine Arts Department will stage a production of Little Women this week.

The play is an adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott coming-of-age novel about the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—growing up in Massachusetts during the American Civil War.  The story is about sisterhood, growing up, finding one's identity, and deciding what makes a fulfilling life. Alcott uses the four sisters to explore very different ideas of womanhood—marriage, career, family, independence, creativity, and personal ambition.

Public performances will be Friday and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday afternoon at 2pm at ICC’s William Inge Theater. Admission is free.

The Caney City Council approves a series of expenses during last night’s meeting, including payments to Conrad Fire Equipment, personnel expenses, and invoices from Main Street Auto.

In other business, the council approves authorizing the completion of an application to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment regarding a loan from the Kansas Public Water Supply Loan Fund.

The council also approves an ordinance granting IDEATEK TELCOM, LLC, a contract franchise to construct, operate, and maintain a telecommunications system in the City of Caney.

The next Caney City Council meeting will be Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m.

It was standing room only at last night's Cherryvale City Council Meeting as the public packed the meeting room.

While no public comments were allowed at this meeting, and no decision regarding data centers was made, the council did have a 30-minute executive session on zoning likely related to the potential data-center project.

After the session, City Attorney Seth Jones recommended the council clear up an industrial zoning issue for an unspecified property.

Jones recommended the council pass a resolution to enable the planning and zoning commission to look at the property and make recommendations to be sent back to the council for a final vote.

In other business, the council approved a street closure for an community event in front of Lincoln Central on November 7^th and agreed to work with Jarred, Gilmore and Phillips once again for assistance with the 2028 budget.

The next Cherryvale City Council meeting will be on Monday, October 19^th at 6 p.m.

For the fourth straight week, Osage County Commissioners table a contract to deliver meals to residents in the Fairfax area.

Osage County Nutrition Director Jeanie Howerton is asking commissioners to approve a contract allowing James Hunt to deliver meals for $350 a month. She says the department has relied on county employees and volunteers since its previous Fairfax meal delivery arrangement ended. Howerton says the contract would allow the department to get a regular driver back on the route.

The proposed contract is for the same $350 monthly amount the county paid its previous meal deliverers. Commissioners have cited budget concerns while delaying approval of the contract. District Two Commissioner Steve Talburt says his frustration is with how the nutrition department got into its current situation. He says commissioners had previously asked the department not to make changes while looking for possible solutions.

Talburt says replacing the previous delivery arrangement at the same cost does not help solve the department’s overall budget problem. The board ultimately tabled the contract for another week.

Two drivers are injured in a two vehicle crash in Nowata County.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the collision happened at about 5:30am yesterday at Highway 169 and County Road 27. 48-year-old Louis Cox of Ochelata was traveling east on County Road 27 when he failed to stop at a stop sign and struck a commercial vehicle traveling north on Highway 169. The commercial vehicle was driven by 65-year-old Lyndon Wright of Kansas City, Missouri.

Both vehicles left the roadway following the collision. Cox's vehicle came to rest off the road, while Wright's vehicle struck a fence and then a tree before coming to rest Both drivers were injured. The collision remains under investigation.

Washington County 4H presents to the Washington County Commission for National 4H Week.  Commissioner Mike Dunlap says he was excited to the see the group and is always excited to celebrate Washington County 4H.

In honor of National 4H Week and after the presentation by the Washington County 4H, the Commissioners named this week Washington County 4H Week.

Coffeyville Community College’s Humanities Project welcomes veteran country music entertainer Carl Acuff Jr to the Spencer Rounds Theater.

Acuff will bring his “Country Music Unplugged” show to the CCC stage, offering audiences an intimate acoustic performance featuring country favorites spanning from the 1950s to today, along with stories, humor, and plenty of audience entertainment.

Acuff has entertained audiences around the world for more than four decades, traveling more than 3 million miles throughout his career. His “Country Music Unplugged” brings his music and stories to the forefront, giving audiences an up-close and personal evening of familiar songs, laughter, and memories.

Acuff will perform tomorrow night at 6:30 on the CCC campus. Admission is free.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for Allen County Rural Water District #10.

The original advisory was issued on September 3rd  because of possible contamination due to water line break. Laboratory testing of the Allen County Rural Water District #10 water supply showed no contamination and the K-D-H-E has determined that all conditions that placed the system at risk have been resolved.

A Columbus woman suffers serious injuries in a single vehicle accident near Baxter Springs.

84-year-old Linda Roark was injured in the crash that occurred around 9:15 on Sunday night at the intersection of US-400 and US-69 Alternate or about a mile north of Baxter Springs. Roark was a passenger in a 2019 Honda Civic driven by 24-year-old Adam Roark also of Columbus. The Civic was westbound on US-400 and failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection. The vehicle crossed the roadway and went into the ditch before striking the tree line. The driver was not injured in the accident.

Both occupants were wearing seat belts.

A driver suspect of driving under the influence is arrested near Girard.

The incident began on Saturday when Crawford County Sheriff’s deputies attempted a traffic stop on K-47 west of Girard. The driver was suspect of driving under the influence and refused to stop for law enforcement, leading to a short chase. The driver was stopped using a tactical vehicle intervention.

The driver was identified as 55-year-old Ronald Robert Paulie. Deputies arrested Paulie and took him to the Crawford County Jail where he faces charges of DUI, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, no insurance, unlawful registration, and ignition lock required.

Paulie is also facing similar charges in Labette County after a September 23rd incident in Parsons.

Photo courtesy Crawford Co. Sheriff's Office

Fire crews in Elk County respond to a weekend house fire.

Crew were called to the scene on 3rd Street near the intersection with Pine in Moline on Saturday afternoon. Reports indicate the fire was mostly confined to the home’s garage. Two vehicles were lost in the fire, but no injuries were reported.

Elk County Rural Fire was among the departments that responded to the blaze.

Photo courtesy City of Moline

The Galesburg Fire Department is set to receive a grant through the Kansas Forest Service.

The department has announced that it will receive the funding in the form of a Volunteer Fire Assistance grant. The money comes through a 50/50 cost-share program using federal funds from the U.S. Forest Service. Officials say they will use the funds to update fire hoses, pagers, and a new pump for one of the fire trucks.

This is the third year in a row that Galesburg Fire has received this grant.

A four-vehicle accident on Friday night on US-59 north of Garnett kills two and leaves three more injured.

The accident occurred around 9:30 on Friday night when 18-year-old Auriana Davis of Kansas City, Missouri, attempted to pass a 2014 Chevy Cruze and collided head-on with a 2008 Cadillac driven by 73-year-old Myron Wolken of Beloit.

That collision killed both Davis and Wolken while leaving 22-year-old Christian Wellbrock who was a passenger in the Cadillac with serious injuries.

The driver of the Cruze, 18-year-old Emma Franlkin of Uniontown also suffered serious injuries. The driver of the fourth vehicle, 20-year-old Jolee Olsen of Lawrence received minor injuries in the crash.

Drivers in Coffeyville are advised of a minor traffic disruption that’s underway today.

Crews from Coffeyville Public Works are in the process of paint striping on 11th Street today. Work will be done between Willow and Walnut Streets. Drivers are asked to use caution and to remain alert for lane closures while work is underway.

Fire crews in Wilson County respond to a grass fire just south of Neodesha.

The call came in around 6pm on Saturday night, calling crews to a location on Pratt Road near the Fall River. Upon arrival, firefighters found a grass fire in progress. Responders were able to bring the blaze under control and extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire was determined to be an arc from a broken ground wire on a nearby power pole.

No injuries were reported. Crew from Neodesha Fire and Wilson County Rural Fire worked the call.

Photo courtesy Neodesha Fire Dept.

Five people including four children are injured in a two-vehicle accident in Cherokee County.

The accident happened just before 6pm on Friday at the intersection of US-400 and K-7, just west of the City of Cherokee.

A Kia Sedona Van had stopped at the stop sign at the intersection. When the driver 43-year-old Shelly A. Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri, proceeded through the intersection, her vehicle was struck on the rear passenger side by an eastbound 2015 Nissan Pathfinder driven by 57-year-old Vickie Goodman of Fredonia.

Five passengers in the van received minor injuries including one 18-year-old female and four juveniles. All were properly restrained in the vehicle when the accident occurred.

The Montgomery County Commission is set to meet today as they address several requests from Public Works.

On today’s agenda Public Works Director Brandon Beurskins  is expected to engage in a discussion over speed limit signs in the county and also make a request to go out for bids for bridge inspections. Commissioners will also consider an occupational license for a Cherryvale business located just south of the city. There will also be a discussion regarding the Economic Development Incentive Policy. A Montgomery County citizen has also requested 15 minutes to address the commission on open positions within the county, requests for information, and transparency.

There is also an executive session planned to discuss confidential information related to a prospective economic development project in the county.

Today’s meeting begins at 9am in the Commission Room on the lower level of the Judicial Center in Independence. The public is invited to attend in person or to view the meeting online via the County’s website.