Several community events are coming to the Coffeyville area this fall.

The Native Unity Gathering is September 26^th in South Coffeyville, featuring Native dance demonstrations, storytelling, music, children’s activities, craft vendors and free food. Dalton Defender Days returns to downtown Coffeyville October 2^nd and 3^rd with reenactments of the Dalton Gang raid, entertainment, vendors and children’s activities. The Aviation Heritage Museum will celebrate women in aviation October 10^th, followed by Downtown Spooktacular October 15^th.

Haunted History Tours are scheduled for October 16^th, 17^th and 23^rd. Cedar Bluff Camp will hold its Night of Fright October 23^rd and 24^th and October 30^th and 31^st. The fall schedule concludes with the Coffeyville Craft Fair November 21^st at the Recreation Commission. More information is available through the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce.

A former firefighter pleads guilty to child sex crimes.

26-year-old Spencer Barnard of Baxter Springs pled guilty to attempted electronic solicitation and two counts of aggravated endangering a child. Investigators say Barnard attempted to contact teenagers online over a six-month period to obtain sexual content.

KBI agents arrested Barnard in July of last year following a traffic stop in Cherokee County. Investigators say a subsequent search of his home and electronic devices uncovered child sexual abuse material. Barnard is scheduled to be sentenced November 5^th.

The USD 446 Independence Board of Education votes to exceed the revenue neutral tax rate and approves the 2026-2027 school year budget. 
 

The vote came in last night’s Independence Board of Education meeting. The total mills of the proposed budget is 45.355, a projected increase of 0.471 mills from the 2025-2026 budget. 

In other business, the board approved the purchase of 35 new smartboards to replace older-model BenQ boards that began failing at high rates during the 2025-2026 school year. BenQ boards are 4K touchscreen displays that allow teachers and students to interact with lesson material. Each new smartboard will cost $2,450. 

The next USD 446 Independence School Board meeting will be on October 12 at 6:00 pm.

The Wilson County Commission approves a major purchase for the Road & Bridge Department at its most recent meeting.

Commissioners approved $22,000 for the purchase of an Iron Craft 3510 mower from Fredonia Outdoor Equipment. The heavy-duty mower is built for demanding mowing jobs on uneven terrain, including roadsides and right-of-ways.

In other business, County Coordinator Kris Marple updated commissioners on the progress of Neodesha's planned Granby Street Project.

Commissioners also agreed to cancel this week's regular meeting. The next meeting of the Wilson County Commission will be on September 23^rd at the courthouse in Fredonia.

A representative from Nowata EMS addresses the Nowata County Commission regarding the recent reclassification of the Nowata hospital.

Ascension St. John's application was recently accepted to reclassify Nowata's hospital to a Rural Emergency Hospital or R-E-H. Nowata EMS Supervisor Sabrina Lee says the reclassification will bring only minor changes.

In June, Ascension St. John submitted an application to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). That application was then reviewed and approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), reclassifying Ascension St. John Nowata from a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) to an REH.

Outpatient services and 24/7 emergency care do not change as a result of the reclassification.

There will be an Opioid Townhall tonight in Cherryvale.

The event will feature keynote speaker Shawn Campiti and a panel of experts who can answer questions and help attendees learn more about the issue. Substance use around Kansas has skyrocketed since 2017, with Montgomery County being in the top 10 of counties in Kansas per capita. Campiti, a Special Agent with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, will share his personal story about losing a loved one to fentanyl use. The public is invited to attend ask questions, and be part of the conversation as communities work together toward a healthier Montgomery County. Refreshments will be served.

Tonight's event begins at 6pm at the Cherryvale Community Center, located at 712 South Liberty Street. The public is invited to attend.

A Scammon man suffers serious injuries in a crash with a semi truck in Cherokee County.

23-year-old Raven Bailey was injured on Monday morning in an accident at the intersection of Scammon Road and US-69. According to the Kansas highway Patrol, Bailey failed to yield at a stop sign at the intersection and was struck on the driver's side of his 2011 G-M-C Acadia by a southbound semi on US-69. Bailey was taken to Joplin's Mercy Hospital.

The driver of the semi was uninjured.

The City Of Coffeyville unveils a new process for purchasing property from the City's Land Bank.

Starting this week, the City is using a sealed bid process, giving interested buyers an opportunity to review the available properties and submit their best bid during the designated bidding period.

Bids are currently being accepted on 33 properties located throughout Coffeyville. The bidding period will remain open through October 14. The time frame will give interested buyers time to explore available properties, review property information and submit their bids to the City.

Property information, photos, minimum bid amounts, sale requirements and sealed bid materials are currently available through the City of Coffeyville’s Community Development webpage.

Kansas Works will be hosting a virtual job fair next week.

The job fair will occur online on Thursday, September 24, from 8am to 5pm and will be accessible through any digital device. The event is designed to allow jobseekers to discover and explore open job opportunities in a wide variety of career fields . Those seeking employment will be able to fill out applications, chat live, and interview virtually with participating employers. Training videos, a list of participating employers, and channels for attendees to register and log in are also available through the job fair online portal. Participants are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers may request to engage in a video interview.

Registration is required. For more information or to register, follow this link.

A mill and overlay paving project originally set to begin this week on a short stretch of US-169 in Labette County is postponed until October.

The project will cover a short, 2-mile portion of US-169 in the northwest corner of Labette County from the Montgomery County line to the Neosho County Line. Other work to be included in the project is the paving of the shoulders, adding center and shoulder rumble strips, and new pavement markings.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, the $1.5 million project is now scheduled to begin in late October.

The Montgomery County Commission clarifies its position on Coffeyville’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan.

At last week’s meeting, commissioners voted 2 to 1 against supporting Coffeyville’s latest N-R-P. An N-R-P is a local economic development program that offers property tax rebates to encourage people and businesses to fix up old buildings or build new ones. At issue was the commission’s approval of a similar plan presented by Independence last year. Commissioner Phil Clubine says last week’s decision doesn’t mean the county is not supporting Coffeyville.

Clubine says there is still a plan in place for Coffeyville that is in effect until through 2030 and that it is supported by the county.

Commission Chair Mike Cordray then read aloud a letter from the Coffeyville City Commission asking the commission to either reconsider last week’s decision or to explain the difference in treatment between the two cities. The City of Coffeyville stated in the letter that it would continue to move forward with the City’s N-R-P plan.

Neodesha’s Granby Street Project is nearly ready to go.

That was the word at the most recent meeting of the Neodesha City Commission. City Administrator Brogan Jones says the funding portion of the project is complete.

Jones says the project will be funded in large part through grants.

Jones added that the earliest possible start date for the project would be June of 2027.

In other business, the City agreed to settlement terms with Labette Health regarding an ambulance that was totaled in a traffic accident and also tabled an appointment to the Rankin library board until the September 23 meeting.

Enrollment numbers are up slightly for South Coffeyville Public Schools.

That's according to Superintendent Daryl Pruter who says they now have slightly more than 225 students enrolled.

Those numbers are up around 5-10 students from last year.  Pruter says they still have more room for students wishing to enroll for this year.

Emergency crews are responding this morning to an early morning traffic accident near Havana.

The initial call came in around 5:30 this morning as Independence EMS was dispatched to the intersection of US-75 and County Road 2600, just east of Havana and about 5 ½ miles north of Caney. Early reports indicate multiple emergency units are on the scene with possible injuries involved.

Drivers are advised to use caution in the area or find a different route. Again, that location is US-75 just east of Havana.

The USD 445 Board of Education votes to exceed the revenue neutral rate and approves the 2026-2027 school year.

The Board held their hearings for the RNR and budget during this month's meeting, with no one from the public speaking during either hearing. The mill levy was raised by 1.8 mills.

In other business, the board heard facility updates including the completion of the Community Elementary School roof project. The board also got a timeline on the Natatorium project, which is scheduled to be complete by late April 2027 and will be ready for the 2027-2028 swim season.

The burn ban in Labette County has been lifted effective immediately.

Labette County Emergency Management Director Charlie Morse met with county commissioners this morning to discuss the ban. Recent rainfall across the county has helped ease the dry conditions that led commissioners to originally approve the ban.

Residents may resume outdoor burning but are encouraged to continue using caution.

The Wilson Medical Center Board of Trustees is named as the Kansas Hospital Association's Board of the Year.

The announcement was made at the K-H-A Convention and Trade Show held in Overland Park last Friday. The award recognizes community hospital boards that display excellence in governance and leadership. The prize was changed this year from an individual award to a group award to honor hospital boards of directors who are leaders, and who give back to the community while routinely going beyond the call of duty.

The board includes Chad Estes, Justin Newland, Michael Springer, Mitchell Peitz, Amy Brown, Drew Johnson and Doctors Miranda McKellar and Bert Chronister.

The board shares the 2026 award with the Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems Board of Trustees in Beloit.

Photo: (left to right, front) Amy Brown, Dr. Miranda McKellar, Drew Johnson, justin Newland. (back) Chad Estes Michael SPringer, Mithell Peitz

The Altamont City Council will hold a special meeting tonight after not having a quorum at last week’s regularly scheduled meeting.

Council members will entertain a light agenda with a residential development incentive up for consideration. There will also be a discussion on the city-wide rummage sale set for September 19 and for bulk trash collection on September 21 through 23.

Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6:30 at the Altamont City Hall. The meeting is open to the public and can also be viewed online via the City of Altamont Facebook page.

Repairs to a bridge on the north side of the city are scheduled to begin today in Parsons.

The bridge over Labette Creek on North Boulevard between 16th Street and Lincoln Avenue will get underway this morning. Construction crews will work on one lane at a time, allowing the other lane to remain open to traffic throughout the project.

Drivers are asked to slow down, use caution, and watch for crews and equipment when traveling through the work zone. Use an alternate route if possible, until repairs are complete.

A Neodesha home is destroyed in a Saturday afternoon fire.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 513 North 10th Street in Neodesha around 1pm on Saturday afternoon to a report of a structure fire. The house was fully engulfed in flames by the time emergency crews arrived. The home was a total loss. The structure was vacant at the time and no injuries were reported.

Neodesha Fire, Wilson County Rural, Fredonia Fire, and Neodesha Labette EMS responded to the call.

The USD 446-Independence Board of Education will meet tonight and hold public hearings to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate and to approve the 2027 budget.

The Public hearings will begin before the regular school board meeting with the RNR hearing scheduled to begin at 5:40 and the budget hearing at 5:50. Approval of the budget is expected to occur during the regular meeting, along with the approval 22 individuals for staff positions, including Kids Crew Staff and classroom paras. Board members will also discuss the purchase of a new smartboard for classroom use.

Tonight’s USD 446 School Board regular meeting begins at 6pm in the library at Independence High School. The public is invited attend.

Fire crews in Washington County, Oklahoma, respond to a Saturday morning grass fire.

Firefighters from Dewey, Wann, and Copan Fire Departments were called to the scene of a fast moving grass fire around 10:30 on Saturday morning. Crews were on the scene for nearly an hour before bringing the blaze under control. No injuries were reported. Officials remind citizens that the Washington County burn ban remains in effect and that brush and grass are still dry despite the recent rainfall.

The Montgomery County Commission is set to meet today as they address a brief agenda.

On today’s agenda under new business is the quarterly report from Director of Facilities Maintenance Jeff Phelps. Commissioners will also address correspondence from the Coffeyville Chamber and the Coffeyville City Commission regarding last week’s decision not to support the City’s Neighborhood Revitalization plan.

There is also an executive session planned to discuss confidential information related to an 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.

Five people, including four children, are confirmed dead in an early Friday morning house fire in Independence.

Two adults and three more children are also being treated for life-threatening injuries suffered in the blaze. USD 446 in Independence has also confirmed that two of the children involved were students in the district. The initial call for the fire came in around 6:20 on Friday morning. The Independence Fire Department responded to the scene at 201 South Earl Street on the east side of the City where they found the residence fully engulfed in flames.

Multiple agencies assisted with the response, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Independence Rural Fire Department, Independence Police, CRMC EMS, and Cherryvale Fire/EMS.

Independence Fire Chief Aaron Cook thanked first responders for their work along with the medical staff at Labette Health Independence ER. Cook and the City of Independence expressed their condolences for everyone affected by the tragic loss. The names of the victims have not yet been released.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Here is a link to a GoFundMe for the family.

Photo courtesy Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office

Multiple units respond to a fuel spill reported at the Indepdence Airport.

The initial call came in Friday night just after 8 p.m. of a report of a jet fuel spill from a tanker at the Textron facility at the Independence Municiapl Airport.  Fire units from Independence are responding in addition to Coffeyville Hazmat.  No fire has been reported at this time.

This is a breaking news story, more information will be shared as it becomes available.

The Town of Copan, Washington County Rural Water District 7 and Hulah Water District 20 are all under a mandatory water boil order until further notice.

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality issued the order on Friday. Individuals and businesses who use tap water in those areas should bring water to a full, rolling boil for at least one minute, use bottled water, or water from another acceptable source for consumption, use in food preparation, dishwashing and brushing teeth.

The order was issued due to high turbidities and low disinfectant levels in the drinking water.

Users will be notified when the water is considered safe for human consumption. Federal law requires that consumers be notified when a public water supply exceeds certain maximum contaminant levels and might be harmful to the health of consumers.

A suspect connected to an armed convenience store robbery that happened in Coffeyville in July is under arrest.

According to the Coffeyville Police Department, on July 25th around 2:15 a.m., the Department responded to a reported armed robbery at the Jumpstart on the east side of Coffeyville at 512 Northeast Street. The suspect fled prior to Officers arrival.

After a thorough investigation, a suspect was developed. As a result, the Coffeyville Police Department requested and received an arrest warrant for the suspect through Montgomery Co. District Court.

The suspect, 23-year-old Brelyn M. Sanford of Tulsa, was taken into custody without incident by the Tulsa Police Dept.

CPD is recommending charges of Attempted Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Assault to the Montgomery Co. Attorney’s Office.

Chief Kwin Bromley would like to thank Tulsa Police Dept. for their assistance in this investigation.

Anyone with information should call CPD at 620-252-6160. Those wishing to remain anonymous may provide information to the Crime Tip Hotline at 620-252-6133.

**UPDATE (10:14am, September 11): A statement from the CIty of Independence has confirmed there were fatalities resulting from the fire. The identities of those involved are not being released at this time pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

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

Emergency Crews in Independence respond to an early morning house fire.

Crews were called to the scene at Maple and Burns Streets around 6:30 this morning. Upon arrival, firefighters found a residence that was actively burning. Preliminary reports indicate at least one adult was inside the house along with several children between the ages of 2 and 5. The pediatric patients were taken to Labette Health in Independence while the adult was taken to Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. All were reported to have severe burns and airway trauma.

Emergency crews remain on the scene. The names and exact numbers of victims have not been released and no updates on their conditions have been given at this time.

This is a breaking news story and KGGF will provide updates as they become available.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has joined with the Oklahoma First Responder Wellness Division in a statewide effort to prevent suicide among first responders.

The Not One Mor campaign aims to make it much easier for first responders, including police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, to ask for help and reminds them that they do not have to carry their struggles alone.

For a link to learn more about the campaign, follow this link.

There will be an Opioid Townhall on Tuesday in Cherryvale.

The event will feature keynote speaker Shawn Campiti and a panel of experts who can answer questions and help attendees learn more about the issue. Substance use around Kansas has skyrocketed since 2017, with Montgomery County being in the top 10 of counties in Kansas per capita. Campiti, a Special Agent with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, will share his personal story about losing a loved one to fentanyl use. The public is invited to attend ask questions, and be part of the conversation as we work together toward a healthier Montgomery County. Refreshments will be served. Tuesday night's event will be held at the Cherryvale Community Center, located at 712 South Liberty Street. The event begins at 6pm.

The Humanities Project from Coffeyville Community College welcomes award-winning juggler and entertainer Brian Wendling to the Spencer Rounds Theater. .
 

Wendling brings his unique combination of juggling, comedy, and performance to Coffeyville next week. He began his juggling career as a college student and found that performing allowed him to express his more extroverted side. Wendling is an International Juggler's Association Team Champion and a favorite performer at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, where he has performed for over 40 years.

Wendling will perform Tuesday night in the Spencer Rounds Theater on the CCC campus. Admission is free.

Road construction is slated to begin Monday in the City of Neodesha.

The work by the Wilson County Road and Bridge Department will take place along 12th Street, beginning at Granby and continuing north across the overpass onto Spruce Street along the City's west side. While work is underway, 12^th Street from Granby to the overpass is expected to be completely closed while Spruce Street from the overpass to the city limits will be limited to one lane of traffic. Residents, businesses, employees, customers, and delivery drivers should plan ahead and allow additional travel time.

The Altamont City Council has rescheduled its regular meeting until Monday night.

The council was originally scheduled to meet last night, but was forced to make the change due to a lack of quorum. The agenda for that meeting will be the similar to the one published for last night's meeting. One change will be for the public hearing for flood plain management. The date for that hearing has been moved to Thursday, October 8, at 7pm.

The Altamont City Council will meet Monday at 6:30 at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public and can also be viewed online via the City of Altamont Facebook page.

The Independence City Commission approves the 2027 budget.

At last night's meeting commissioners were asked to approve the budget for the coming year and exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate. City Finance Director Lacey Lies says, while the City is exceeding the RNR, next year's mill levy will actually decrease.

Commissioner Tim White says it took a lot of work to whittle down the 2027 budget.

Commissioner Scott Smith says the budget reflects a balance between the needs of the City and the needs of the taxpayer.

Mayor Dean Hayse says deep cuts to the budget are good in the short term, but they can't last.

One citizen spoke during the public hearing on the RNR, citing concern for taxpayers living on fixed incomes. Both the budget and the RNR passed on unanimous votes.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces $3.5 million dollars in competitive grants available to federally recognized Tribes for projects aimed at improving water quality.

The funding is part of the E-P-A's Clean Water Act Section 319 program, which targets non-point-source pollution, or polluted runoff carried into waterways from urban, suburban and rural areas.

Eligible projects could include planting streambanks, controlling erosion, installing livestock fencing, managing stormwater and developing watershed plans.

Each Tribe or intertribal organization can apply for up to $175,000, with the E-P-A expecting to fund about 20 projects.

Applications are due November 9^th. An informational webinar is scheduled for September 17^th.

Flags across the state of Kansas will be flown at half-staff today in remembrance of of those who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Flags throughout the state will be lowered to half staff from sunup to sundown today by order of Governor Laura Kelly to mark the 25^th anniversary of the attacks on New York City.

“Twenty-five years after the unthinkable tragedy that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 Americans and injured thousands more, we uphold our commitment to remembering those whose lives were permanently altered by a horrific terrorist attack,” Kelly said. “We will never forget the bravery demonstrated that day by so many, including our nation’s first responders, who saved countless lives despite losing more than 400 of their own. Their sacrifice and service will never be forgotten.”

The Mighty 690 will be on the road tomorrow to broadcast live from the Mayes County Fair.

KGGF's Matt Jordan will be at the fair in Pryor from 9:00am to 11:00am, providing updates and visiting with fair organizers, exhibitors and others attending this year’s event. The Mayes County Fair runs through Sunday. The carnival is open from 6:00pm to 10:00pm each night until Sunday. The goat show gets things started tomorrow morning followed by the dairy and sheep show. The swine and beef shows are on Saturday, with the premium sale wrapping up the fair on Monday.

Tomorrow’s live broadcast is sponsored by DeLozier Insurance, Morehead Construction, Whitetail Properties agent Dean Anderson, Locust Grove Feed, the Pryor Area Chamber of Commerce, Pryor Vet, Troyer-Weaver Insurance and Brittain Farms.

Two debates for statewide offices will be heard on KGGF this weekend.

This Sunday, September 13^th, KGGF will broadcast a debate via the Kansas Information Network featuring Republican Ty Masterson and Democrat Cindy Holscher both vying for the Governor's seat in Kansas. That debate will start at 5 p.m.

Then, at 6:30 p.m., Candidates for US Senate, Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton, will face off for an additional 90-minute debate.

The debates will be broadcast on The Mighty 690, KGGF.

Coffeyville Police arrest two in separate incidents.

The first incident occurred on August 24^th when police stopped 44-year-old Bradley D. Phillipi of Coffeyville for a traffic stop. During the stop, officers discovered illegal narcotics. Phillipi was arrested and faces charges of Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the Intent to Manufacture, Possession of Marijuana, and Aggravated Endangering a Child.

The second incident occurred on August 27^th during another traffic stop on East 8^th Street in Coffeyville. During that stop, officers discovered illegal narcotics along with an illegal handgun. 62-year-old Leon E. Smith of Coffeyville was taken into custody. He faces multiple charges including Distribution of Methamphetamine, Defacing Identification Marks on a Firearm, Transporting an Open Container and DUI.

Anyone with information of either case is asked to contact Coffeyville Police. Anonymous tips can be made to the Crime Tip Hotline at 620-252-6133.

Photo: Phillipi (l), Smith (r)

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Montgomery County and western Labette County through 1pm today.

Morning storms have moved through the area and dumped a large amount of rain. Flooding is expected to occur along rivers, streams, and other flood prone locations.

Areas in Montgomery County covered in the warning include Coffeyville, Independence, Cherryvale, Caney, Dearing, Mound Valley, Elk City, Tyro, Liberty, Havana, Bolton, and Sycamore. In Labette County, areas include Angola, Parsons Tri City Airport, Big Hill Lake, and Dennis.

Remember to use caution around flood waters. Never drive through flooded roadways, turn around, don’t drown. Do not drive around barricades and avoid unnecessary travel in areas experiencing flooding.

The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin a mill and overlay project on Monday along a short stretch of US-169 in Labette County.

The contractor on the project - Bettis Asphalt and Construction of Topeka - will mill the existing pavement and add a 4-inch asphalt overlay along a nearly two-mile section of the highway from the Montgomery County line to near the Neosho County line. Other work includes paving the shoulders and adding center and shoulder rumble strips and pavement markings.

Flaggers and a pilot car will guide motorists through one-lane traffic in the work zones. Motorists can expect delays of 15 minutes or less.

Work will occur during daylight hours Monday through Friday, and is expected to be completed by early October.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the recent death of a Dewey police officer.

Dewey Police Chief Jimmy Gray says Sergeant Robbie Hicks died on Monday at the Dewey Police Station.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office says Hicks was under investigation for alleged crimes when the shooting occurred. Hicks was taken to Jane Phillips Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The case remains under investigation.

An Independence man is arrested and faces charges for distribution of narcotics within 1000 feet of a school.

Officers from the Independence Police Department were called to the scene in the 400 block of north 10^th Street on Tuesday for a report of a domestic disturbance. Following an investigation, police arrested 24-year-old Raevaughn White and 23-year-old Kennedy Curtis. Both suspects were taken to the Montgomery County Jail.

White faces charges of possession of an opiate or narcotic, possession of an hallucinogenic drug, unlawful abuse of toxic vapors and possession with intent to distribute to a minor within 1000 feet of a school.

Curtis faces similar charges.

Photo: Curtis (l), White (r)

The Independence City Commission will meet tonight and hold a public hearing to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate for 2027.

According to city officials, while the proposed levy exceeds the RNR, the City is not proposing an increase to its overall mill rate. The City's 2026 actual mill rate was 53.799 mills, compared to the proposed 2027 rate of 53.795 mills, a slight decrease of 0.004 mills. The increase would allow the City to collect an additional $113,000 in taxes for 2027. The City will receive additional property tax revenue because the assessed valuation is estimated to increase; the Revenue Neutral Rate is designed to reduce the mill rate as valuations grow, so that property tax revenues remain approximately level from year to year.

Also on tonight's agenda, commissioners will also consider adopting a resolution amending the Neighborhood Exterior Grant Program, consider awarding a Downtown Independence Building Grant to Independence Industries for a roof replacement at 115 South 6^th Street and hold public hearings on 11 properties deemed dangerous and unsafe. There will also be consideration of an emergency abatement and demolition of the trailer park at 1610 West Laurel.

Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 in the Commission Room at City Hall in Independence. The meeting is open to the public and can also be viewed online via the City's website.

An inmate at the El Dorado Correctional Facility dies in custody.

According to the Kansas Department of Corrections, 67-year-old Eddie Holmes Jr. was discovered unresponsive in his cell on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the Butler County facility. Prison staff alerted EMS and began life-saving measures. Holmes was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased. His cause of death will be determined by an independent autopsy.

Holmes was serving a 19-year prison sentence for voluntary manslaughter for the 2024 shooting death of Reginald Privette in Topeka.

Whenever an individual dies while in custody in a Kansas prison, the death is investigated by KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

The investigation remains ongoing.

A longtime USD 445 coach, educator and school administrator has passed away.

Harold Thomas passed away on September 5, 2026, at the age of 94. Thomas impacted many in the Coffeyville community through his 36 years with USD 445. Throughout his career, he coached 25 All-SEK athletes, seven All-State athletes and one High School All-American.

Thomas played basketball at Field Kindley High School and earned All-SEK honors and served as co-captain in 1950. He continued his basketball career at Coffeyville Community College, where he was a two-year starter and the team’s leading scorer during his sophomore season. His accomplishments earned him All-State and All-Kansas honors, and he served as co-captain in 1952.

Thomas competed against the Phillips 66 Oilers, the 1950 National Industrial Basketball League champions; the McPherson Globe Refiners All-Stars; the Marques Haynes All-Stars and Harlem Magicians; and Kansas City’s Chapel Touring All-Star Basketball Team.

Thomas will long be remembered for his involvement in the Interstate Basketball Classic, which was named in his honor.

Harold Thomas' full obituary can be viewed here.

This year is the 25^th anniversary of the terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.

To remember the tragic day, there will be a 9/11 Revival held at the Love in Action Chapel on Centralia Road in Childers, Oklahoma. This year's theme is “Our Finest Hour” and special guests include David Engles of the Oasis Radio Network, Doyle Edwards of Tulsa, Vincent Orange of Wann, Scott Lewis of Louisiana and Edwina Kidd of Arkansas. The revival will be held September 10th and 11th starting at 7 p.m. For more information, call 918-440-5683.

No injuries are reported following a vehicle fire early Monday morning.

Firefighters were called to 705 West 10^th Street shortly before 12:30am. Crews arrived to find a passenger vehicle heavily involved in flames. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire without incident.

The cause remains under investigation.

The Parsons Police Legacy Fund is donating $500 to the Labette County High School Booster Club.

The money will support student-athletes, activities and other opportunities for LCHS students. Parsons Police Chief and Legacy Fund President Robert Spinks says the contribution supports the organization’s goal of investing in young people and the community’s future. Lieutenant Jason Ludwig says the donation is especially meaningful because the Parsons Police Department includes graduates of both Labette County and Parsons high schools.

The Legacy Fund raises money through donations, sponsorships, partnerships and charitable events to support youth, education, athletics and other community programs.

The Caney City Council votes to make a slight increase to the mill levy and exceed the revenue neutral rate by 3 mills. 

The vote came in last night's Caney City Council meeting.  Caney City Administrator Andrea Sibley says that the slight increase was necessary to keep the budget numbers the same. 

In other business, the city officials declined to comment on the Carl Hempel case, as it is now going through the legal process. The next Caney City Council meeting will be on Monday, September 21, at 6:30 p.m. 

The Kan-Okla 100 Mile Highway sale is this week, and you can advertise your garage sale for FREE on the radio with KGGF's Open Line.

Callers are welcome to call during the program every weekday from 8:40 to 11, and Saturdays from 9 to 11. Some interviews are scheduled during the Open Line time, so it's best to listen to the radio if possible before calling in. Open Line is broadcast live on 690 AM across the four-state area, and can be streamed online at kggfradio.com or through the KGGF App.

Once you call in, you'll be placed on hold and put on the air as soon as possible. If you reach a busy signal, wait a few minutes and try calling again. When calling Open Line, you can list your sale location, hours of operation, a brief overview of items and a phone number if desired.

Listeners are welcome to call each of a sale. The list of all items listed on Open Line is repeated through the day, available for viewing at the station at 306 W 8^th Street in Coffeyville and is also posted here.

In addition to garage sales, individual items can be listed as well. Full Open Line rules are available here.

Some area cities are encouraging a return to traditional trick-or-treating.

At last night's Cherryvale City Council Meeting, Acting City Administrator Karen Davis informed the council that the remaining four members on the Community Center board have given their resignations. Because the Community Center traditionally organized the city's annual trunk-or-treat, Davis and the council discussed the feasibility of another organization putting on the event or returning to traditional trick-or-treating. While some including those with the public library expressed a desire for the event to continue, the consensus was to not hold the event this year, as some residents expressed.

Independence Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Wilson says Independence will also not be having a trunk-or-treat this year because of the conflict with Neewollah.

The Coffeyville Chamber will host its annual Spooktacular event on Thursday, October 15^th.

Fire crews in Wilson County battle a house fire.

Firefighters were called to the scene of a residence on the north side of Fredonia just before 6pm on Tuesday night. When crews arrived on scene, they found a home heavily engulfed in flames. Units immediately began working to protect two additional house and a garage located to the north of the burning structure. Mutual aid was requested from surrounding fire departments.

The blaze was successfully extinguished. The homeowners escape the blaze without injury. However, the family's pets did not survive. The house was deemed a total loss.

Wilson County Rural Fire, Neodesha Fire and Fredonia Fire all responded to the call.

Photo courtesy Wilson County Rural Fire

The Neodesha City Commission will meet today and consider finalizing an agreement with Labette Health regarding an ambulance that was damaged and taken out of service.

The agreement settles the loss of a Neodesha-owned ambulance that was being leased by Labette Health. After the ambulance was declared a total loss, Travelers Insurance paid Neodesha just over $129,000. The agreement closes out claims related to the vehicle and reduces Labette Health's leased ambulance fleet from three to two, while leaving the rest of the existing agreement unchanged. In other business, commissioners will consider a new appointment to the library board.

Today's meeting begins at 4pm in the Commission Room at Neodesha's City Hall. The public is invited to attend. The meeting will also be recorded for later viewing on the Neodesha Facebook page.

The Montgomery County Commission denies the City of Coffeyville's request for an Neighborhood Revitalization plan.

At this week's meeting, Coffeyville City Manager Ben Brubaker asked for the county's approval of the City's Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. An N-R-P provides property tax rebates to encourage people and businesses to fix up old buildings or build new ones in designated areas. The county wants to focus on agricultural and residential properties and to exclude commercial from the plan, partially because commissioners say commercial properties have the opportunity the recoup their costs in ways that the other types do not. Commissioner Phil Clubine says county taxes are another reason.

Last year, the county commission approved a similar plan for the City of Independence. Half of that city is represented by Clubine and the other half by Commissioner Robert Bever. Commissioner Mike Cordray represents Coffeyville and says he worries about hurting that City's economy.

Commissioner Bever says he wants to see more cooperation between the cities in Montgomery County.

County Appraiser Melody Kikkert says, in the long run, that would be the ideal solution.

The final vote to deny Coffeyville's request was 2 to 1, with Commissioner Mike Cordray voting no.

North Buckeye Street in Coffeyville will remain closed today as city crews continue work on a waterline project on 8^th Street.

Buckeye north of 8^th Street was closed yesterday to begin the work. The area will remain closed today until repairs are made. City officials anticipate that the intersection will reopen tomorrow, work conditions permitting.

Drivers are asked to plan an alternate route until the street reopens.

The Cherryvale City Council votes to exceed the revenue neutral rate by five mills.

At last night's meeting, the council held its revenue neutral and budget hearing. Resident Brooke Austin spoke during the hearing, saying she would prefer a three-mill increase as opposed to five.

Acting City Administrator Karen Davis says the city continues to face big expenses and they have limited funding options as a small municipality.

The majority of the council voted in favor of the increase with council members Steve Strickland and Curtis Whittley voting against. Cherryvale raised taxes by three mills last year. A mill represents $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed taxable value.

The Montgomery County Commission denies the City of Coffeyville's request for Neighborhood Revitalization.

City Manager Ben Brubaker says the requested to have the entire city be included instead of just small areas of the city.  Brubaker, Mayor Jim Faulkner and Vice Mayor Deborah Maples discussed the reason behind the commission not approving Coffeyville.

NRP's are approved for 10 years at a time so Independence's will be in place until 2035.

The City of Coffeyville will conduct a manual test of its outdoor storm sirens Thursday at noon.

The sirens will sound for about three minutes. City officials say it is only a test, and residents do not need to take any action. A computer system issue continues to prevent the sirens from being activated through the normal system. The sirens remain operational and can be activated manually during an emergency.

Thursday’s test will allow city employees to practice that process. Officials say the three-minute cycle is required when the sirens are activated manually. A technician is expected to repair the computer system within the next several weeks.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports no fatal crashes during its Labor Day holiday enforcement period.

The reporting period ran from Friday evening through late Monday night. Troopers made 23 DUI arrests, compared with 22 last year and 12 in 2024. The patrol issued 683 speeding citations and another 686 speeding warnings. Troopers also issued 96 seat-belt citations, including 11 involving teenagers. Another 15 citations were issued for child-restraint violations.

KHP personnel assisted 548 motorists during the holiday weekend. That is down from 643 motorist assists during the same reporting period last year.

A previously approved battery-storage project in Labette County could be expanded under a new arrangement involving Evergy.

Labette County Zoning Administrator Mel Haas says Evergy has discussed adding 100 megawatts to the Plus Power project near the Wallace Road substation. The county approved a 20-year agreement with Plus Power about two years ago. Under the new arrangement discussed, Evergy would reportedly purchase two-thirds of the project’s capacity or output, while Plus Power would retain one-third. Haas says the discussions remain preliminary.

The original agreement includes language protecting the Plus Power project from future countywide zoning changes. Officials are now considering whether the additional capacity would be covered by that provision or be subject to the county’s newer battery-storage regulations. Haas says Evergy indicated the proposed arrangement could increase payments to the county.

The Commission says the plans will need to go before the Labette County Planning and Zoning Board.

Washington County is under a 14 day burn ban effective immediately.

The Washington County Commissioners approved the ban, due to lack of precipitation and hot weather leading to drought conditions. Washington County Commission Chair Mike Dunlap says the fire risk is too high right now.

Under the ban, all outdoor burning is prohibited, with a few exceptions. Grilling or outdoor cooking is permitted, as long as it occurs on a hard, fireproof surface that is at least 10 feet by 10 feet. Additionally, welding, grinding or gas torch work can happen as long as there is a dedicated fire watch person with means to extinguish any fire that may occur. Violators of the burn ban could face a misdemeanor charge with a $500 fine and one year in the county jail.

The Nowata County Commissioners have extended the current county-wide burn ban an additional two weeks.

Officials within the Nowata Fire Department asked the board in last week's meeting if a 30-day ban was possible. County Clerk Kay Spurgeon says they are limited in how long the ban can be put in place.

A burn ban has been active at the county level since August 17^th. A city-wide burn ban for the City of Nowata is also still active. Exceptions to the ban include outdoor grilling on a hard, fireproof surface, or grinding, welding or gas torch work that is supervised by a dedicated fire watch person. Penalties for violating the ban can include a fine of up to $500 or up to one year imprisonment.

A Coffeyville native and Field Kindley High School graduate has been selected for a national STEM fellowship.

Maria Olds, formerly Maria Burris, is a 2001 FKHS graduate and doctoral chemistry student at the University of Texas at Arlington. Olds is one of 30 doctoral students nationwide selected for the inaugural ASCENDR Fellowship. The one-year program prepares students for defense-related research careers and provides each fellow with $12,500 for research.

Olds’ doctoral work includes studying how insect gut bacteria break down pesticides and developing new methods of ion chromatography. The fellowship concludes with a conference in June 2027, where participants will present their research to program administrators and Department of Defense officials.

A $4.6 million highway resurfacing project is scheduled to begin next week in Neosho County.

Crews will mill and overlay about 21 miles of U.S. 59, beginning at the K-39 junction north of Erie and moving south. Work will then cover four-and-a-half miles of K-47 between U.S. 59 and the west city limits of St. Paul.

A pilot car will guide one-lane traffic through the active work zone. Drivers should expect delays of up to 15 minutes. Work will take place during daylight hours Monday through Friday. The project is expected to be completed in early November, weather permitting.

Buckeye Street north of 8th Street will be closed today and tomorrow while crews complete street repairs.

According to the City of Coffeyville, there will be no access to Buckeye Street north of 8th Street from the Buckeye & 8th Street intersection during the closure.

Crews are currently looking at Thursday for the roadway to reopen, weather and work conditions permitting.

Drivers should plan an alternate route while the street repairs are ongoing.

The Humanities Project from Coffeyville Community College welcomes internationally acclaimed songwriter and acoustic roots performer David G. Smith to the Spencer Rounds Theater .
 

Smith’s music blends folk, Americana, country, and blues, with lyric-driven songs and a versatile voice at the center of his performances. Smith’s performance will showcase his distinctive acoustic roots sound while offering audiences an opportunity to experience the storytelling and songwriting that have earned him recognition throughout the music community.

David G. Smith will perform at 6:30 tonight in the Spencer Rounds Theater on the CCC campus. Admission is free.

Two people are dead following a Monday afternoon plane crash in southwest Missouri.

According to the Newton County Sheriff's Office, an experimental private aircraft crashed near the Fort Crowder Shooting range on the southeast side of Neosho around 1:30 yesterday afternoon. Both people on board the plane were killed in the crash. The names of the victims have not yet been released.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Nowata County Commissioners have a regular meeting scheduled for today after yesterday's Labor Day holiday.

Commissioners will revisit the county-wide burn ban that has been in effect since August 10. The current ban was extended two additional weeks during last week's meeting. The City of Nowata is also under an active burn ban.

The commissioners will also review a no zoning letter, declare an item as surplus, dispose an item and accept a donation.

The board will also appoint a deputy, discuss improvements to the courthouse, revisit the county certification map and county action report and hear an update from Emergency Manager Laurie Summers.

Today's meeting begins at 9am at the Nowata County Annex in downtown Nowata.

Two teens are injured following a police chase in Allen County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, around 11:30am on Monday, law enforcement was in pursuit of a 2010 Cadillac C-T-S as the vehicle traveled recklessly along Hawaii Road, about 7 miles southeast of Moran. When the vehicle approached the intersection of 4550 Road, the driver lost control of the vehicle and veered off the roadway before coming to rest. The driver was identified as 18-year-old Logan Fielding of Junction City. Both Fielding and his passenger – identified only as a 15-year-old female from Texas – both suffered minor injuries and were taken to Allen County Regional Hospital for treatment.

The Coffeyville City Commission will meet tonight with several items of business on the agenda.

At tonight's meeting, commissioners will discuss the Kansas Airport Improvement Program Grant Award for a Hangar Approach Pavement Reconstruct project. They will be asked to approve the acceptance of a nearly $400,000 grant for the project with a $43,000 match from the City to improve and repair several hanger approaches at the Coffeyville Airport.

Commissioners will also consider a reduction in a Community Development Block Grant for the Brown Street Sewer Renovation project.

Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 in the Commission Room at Coffeyville's City Hall. The meeting is open to the public and can also be viewed online via the City of Coffeyville YouTube channel.

The Caney City Council will meet tonight and hold public hearings for the revenue neutral rate and for the 2027 budget.

The public is invited to attend tonight's meeting in order to make public comments on the City's plan to exceed the revenue neutral rate for the coming year. The Revenue Neutral Rate is the specific property tax mill levy rate required to generate the exact same amount of property tax revenue in dollars as the previous year, using the current tax year's total assessed property valuation. Citizens will also be able to comment on the proposed budget for next year.

Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Caney's City Hall. Those planning to attend the meeting in person are asked to enter the building through the east doors.

The Montgomery County Commission will meet today with a light agenda.

At today's meeting, commissioners will hear a opioid fund request from Deputy Director of Four County Mental Health Steve Denny. They will also hear an update from the Montgomery County Action Council.

Commissioners will also hold two executive sessions to discuss confidential information regarding economic development.

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.

The Wilson County Commission approves a measure to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate for the coming year and also approves the 2027 budget.

The decision came at the commission's most recent meeting. During the public hearing for the
RNR and for the budget, only one citizen spoke. That individual raised concerns about the increase in revenue for the county as compared to inflation and also stressed the need to keep the mill levy low. Commissioners went on to approve both measures, voting in favor of the 2027 mill levy of 66.590 for a budget total of just over $11.7 million.

In other business, commissioners also approved an agreement renewal with Schneider electric for maintenance of the courthouse HVAC system for $3,000, and also heard an update on the asphalt road repair project from Road & Bridge supervisor Kary Tatum.

The next meeting of the Wilson County Commission will be tomorrow morning at 9am at the courthouse in Fredonia. The public is invited to attend.

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

State Representative Doug Blex says the numbers show impressive growth.

The total tax receipts last month came in at $714.7 million. That number is about 11.5% or nearly $74 million above estimates. Receipts were also nearly 12% higher than August 2025.
 

All tax segments were up in August, including individual income and corporate taxes, driving the higher-than-projected numbers. Individual taxes were $54 million or 14.5% above expectations while corporate taxes were up as well. Those receipts were nearly $18 million or 4.2% above estimates and 5% more than a year ago. Combined with July, total state revenue collections are sitting roughly 10% ahead of projections for fiscal year 2027. Blex says the strong month positions Kansas favorably for the start of its new fiscal year.
 

The ongoing momentum signals steady growth for the Kansas economy, giving state lawmakers more financial flexibility as they navigate upcoming budget planning sessions.

To see the full August report, follow this link

A Parsons man is seriously injured in a Sunday evening car accident.

29-year-old Bryar Cares suffered serious injuries last night when he lost control of his Ford F-350 pick up truck while driving on a gravel road about 9 miles east of Parsons. His truck slid into a concrete culvert and rolled an unknown number of times before coming to rest. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Cares was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

He was taken to a Joplin hospital for treatment.

The pond at Neodesha's Riverwalk Park remains under a blue-green algae warning from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

The pond has been under a warning status for several weeks, with the first advisory issued by the City in early July. A warning status from K-D-H-E means that a harmful algae bloom is present or expected. During this time, individuals should continue to avoid contact with the water and keep pets and livestock away from the pond.

The 19th Annual Kan-Okla 100 Mile Highway Sale kicks off on Thursday.

The event features yard sales, flea markets, local vendors, covering over 100 miles of highways 75, 169 and 166 across southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma. Independence Chamber President Lisa Wilson says the Independence maps for the sale will be available starting on Wednesday.

Wison says the maps will be available for free at various locations across the city.

The sale runs from Thursday through Saturday.

The 23rd Annual Tyro Car Show is coming up this weekend.

The show will feature lots of different types of cars on display along with activities for the whole family. Organizer Linda Moon says there will be lots of raffles up for grabs.

Moon and her husband Wayne have been organizing the show since its beginning in 2002. She says the idea behind the event is to bring the community together.

The 23rd Tyro Car Show happens Saturday, September 12, starting at 8am at the Tyro Christian Church. Visitor parking will be available west of the church.

The Yates Center Police Department is set to receive federal grant funding that will go toward the purchase of upgraded equipment for officers.

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran was in Yates Center on Friday to announce the funding from the U.S. Department of Justice. Moran says Congress has tried to prioritize funding for law enforcement agencies in rural areas.

Yates Center Police Chief Michael Strode says the grant will go toward upgrading some much-needed equipment.

In addition to new radios, Y-C-P-D also plans to use a portion of the $146,000 grant to purchase a new patrol vehicle and new body armor for officers.

Photo: Senator Jerry Moran and Yates Center Police Chief Michael Strode on Friday. Courtesy Yates Center Police Department.

A police chase in Crawford County leads to the arrest of two people.

The incident began around 6am on Friday morning when a Crawford County Sheriff’s deputy spotted a stolen vehicle in Frontenac. The vehicle had been reported stolen less than an hour earlier in Girard. When the deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled, leading police on a chase that took them through the City of Arma and then into Fort Scott.

There, the driver and passenger abandoned the vehicle and continued to flee on foot. The two suspects – who were identified as juvenile males – were quickly caught and arrested.

The Crawford County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Arma Police Department, the Fort Scott Police Department and the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office.

The names of the two suspects are not being released due to their age.

Authorities in Great Bend are investigating a weekend shooting that took the life of a 17-year-old girl.

Just after midnight on Friday night/Saturday morning, Great Bend Police were called to a residence on the east side of the city following a 9-1-1 hang up call. Upon arrival, officers found the body of a 17-year-old girl identified as Erin Smith. Smith was dead from an apparent gunshot wound. An investigation identified a suspect in the shooting as 19-year-old Keegan Martens. Witnesses told police that the suspect had fled the scene after the shooting.

Martens was later located in Salina and taken into custody. He was then taken to the Barton County Jail in Great Bend.

The case remains under investigation by the Great Bend Police with the assistance of the Barton County Sheriff's Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Salina Police Department.

The City of Coffeyville advises residents that there are no current water restrictions in place, but asks that citizens be water wise.

Coffeyville's primary water source is the Verdigris River. Elk City Reservoir serves as Coffeyville’s backup water supply if river levels become low, but that supply is not currently in use. If needed, the City has approximately 500 million gallons of water available from Elk City.

During periods of hot, dry weather and drought conditions, the City typically takes proactive steps to reduce unnecessary water use. The City is watering Hillcrest Golf Course less, turning off City fountains and asking City departments to use water only when necessary.

City officials are asking the community to voluntarily limit outdoor watering when possible, fixing leaks and being mindful of overall water use. This is on a voluntary basis. Again, there are currently no water restrictions in place for Coffeyville.

A Fort Scott man is seriously injured in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident on Friday evening.

52-year-old Shawn Cameron was traveling on a 2004 Honda CBR-600 motorcycle along US-54 on the east side of Fort Scott. Around 5:30pm, he braked hard as he approached the intersection with Locust Road. Cameron laid the bike down and was ejected. He was taken to a Springfield hospital for treatment.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The usual weekly and bi-weekly city and county meetings that occur on Mondays will occur tomorrow due to the Labor Day holiday.

The Montgomery County Commission, Cherryvale City Council, Caney City Council, Labette County Commission and Parsons City Commission will all meet at their usual times tomorrow instead of today. As a reminder, all federal, state, and local offices are also closed today due to the holiday. They will resume normal business hours tomorrow

The recent hot, dry weather means a lot of grass fires for local fire departments.

Copan Fire along with Washington County Fire responded to a grass fire on Friday. The blaze occurred in a wildlife area north of Copan Lake. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire.

Wilson County Rural Fire also responded to a grass fire late last week near the Montgomery County line. Again, the fire was brought under control and extinguished by fire crews with minimal damage to the field.

No injuries were reported in either fire.

Photo courtesy Copan Fire

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office in Columbus is looking for the owners of a variety of lost items that have been turned into their office.

Some of the items have names associated with them, such as driver’s licenses, license plates, and cell phones. Others are a little trickier to identify. Items without an identifiable owner may require claimants to provide additional details before the item is released.  The Sheriff’s Office is trying to return all of the property to the rightful owners.

If you’ve lost something in Cherokee County, it might be there.

Currently in Lost & Found:

• Black wallet containing cards belonging to Bryan A. Murray of Afton, Oklahoma

• Bank debit card belonging to Jacob L. Jarman of Missouri

• Brown leather gun holster only

• Kansas driver's license belonging to Christian Ritter

• Kansas driver's license belonging to Trey Sommer

• Silver women's ring with a stone — must be able to describe

• Texas driver's license belonging to Kimberly Williams

• Nebraska driver's license belonging to Aidyn Collins

• Two silver house keys and one gold key on a black carabiner

• Sam's Club card belonging to Angela Nielsen

• GM vehicle keys — two keys with one black key fob

• Three small silver keys

• Chevrolet key with two additional keys and a keychain

• Oklahoma license plate belonging to James Hensley of Ramona, Oklahoma

• Blue Motorola cellphone, Model XT2613V, possibly belonging to Heather Cooper of Missouri

 A Joplin woman is dead following a three-vehicle accident near Riverton on Friday afternoon.

The accident occurred around 4:30 on Friday afternoon on US-69 Alternate about two miles north of Riverton. 45-year-old Shawna Novak of Galena was traveling northbound on the highway when she slowed to make a left hand turn. The vehicle behind her, driven by 21-year-old Anna Coberly of Columbus, swerved left-of-center and struck Novak’s vehicle on the rear driver’s side.  Coberly then collided head-on with a third vehicle driven by 21-year-old Madison Macias of Joplin.

Both Coberly and Macias were taken to Joplin’s Freeman Hospital where Macias succumbed to her injuries.

The Cherryvale City Council will meet Tuesday night due to the Labor Day holiday.

On the agenda will be the hearing to exceed the revenue neutral rate. This is the public's opportunity to comment and learn more about the proposed five-mill tax increase. The budget hearing will also take place at the start of the meeting.

The Council will also continue a discussion on Logan Park improvements, and hear from new Independence Community College President James Arnold who will address the Council.

A new ordinance on weed height is also expected to be approved, with would reduce the acceptable limit of grass height from 12 inches to 8 inches.

Tomorrow's meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Cherryvale City Hall and is open to the public.

Officials in Elk and Chautauqua counties are asking for citizens to provide their input and assistance as they pursue grant funding to improve streets and roads.

The two counties are hoping to secure funding through the Safe Streets and Roads for All program. The program is a $5 billion federal initiative run by the U.S. Department of Transportation to fund local, regional, and Tribal projects that prevent traffic deaths and serious injuries. Cities, towns and counties are eligible applicants.

County officials are asking residents to take part in a community survey about transportation needs in the two counties. The goal is to identify areas in need of safer or improved sidewalks and ADA accessibility, school and pedestrian crossings, dangerous intersections, and routes for biking and walking.

To take the survey, follow this link.

A former Kansas Commissioner of Education will become the Interim Dean of the College of Education at Pittsburg State.

The University announced this week that Randy Watson will step into the interim role beginning on October 1^st. Watson is a Coffeyville native who spent 45 years in education. He has taught and coached in Twin Valley and Andover and also served as a school administrator in Concordia and McPherson. Watson was also an assistant professor at Kansas State University, and an adjunct professor for both Wichita State and Baker Universities. He retired in May after 11 years and the Kansas Commissioner of Education.

“I’m a native Kansan and care a great deal about students and teachers,” Watson said. “I’m excited and honored to be chosen for this role and look at it as a way to give back to a region of the state that helped shape who I became, to help an institution that understands its regional mission is to serve educators and students, and to strengthen that educator pipeline.” 

Good news for those traveling between Independence and Coffeyville.

An engineer has given the okay to the bridge over Onion Creek on County Road 3900, just south of Dearing. The county placed a 10 tons weight restriction on the structure earlier this week following damage from two incidents last week. In one incident, a vehicle drove over the railing of the bridge and fell into the creek below. Last weekend, a fire in a brush pile under the bridge prompted concerns about its stability.

Following an inspection, the bridge has been deemed structurally sound and the weight restriction has been removed.

The city of Neodesha is awarded a $1.3 million grant from the US Economic Development Administration.

The funds will go to support improvements to Granby Street between US-400 and 8th Street. The Granby Street project is designed to improve transportation, strengthen access to local businesses and industry, and support Neodesha’s continued economic growth. Neodesha Mayor Devin Johnson says the project supports the entire community.
 

Another part of the funding would come from a Community Development Block Grant for job retention at Cobalt Boats since part of the project would fix an issue with an entrance to the Cobalt facility.

An 18-year-old Thayer woman is seriously injured in a collision near Chanute.

The accident happened just before noon on Thursday near the intersection of 160^th and Brown Roads or about 5 miles south of Chanute. Kiera Garretson of Thayer was traveling northbound on Brown Road in a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 when she failed to yield at a stop sign. Her vehicle was struck in the intersection by a 2023 Ford pickup truck driven by 23-year-old Jesse Martinez of Quenemo, Kansas. Garretson was taken to KU Medical Center with serious injuries. Martinez was uninjured.

Coffeyville Community College gifts a charter bus to the Caney School District.

CCC has been updating its transportation fleet and identified the bus as being no longer needed. Instead of selling the vehicle, CCC has given the bus to USD 436. Caney is the only school district within the CCC taxing district that operates its own transportation department, instead of contracting those services to a third party. The donation also comes at a time when the school district was facing the need to replace its current activity bus.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Coffeyville Community College Board of Trustees and Leadership for thinking creatively about how to put this resource to work for another public institution,” said USD 436 Superintendent Blake Vargas. "Caney was already facing the need to upgrade one of our activity buses, but a vehicle of this size and capability is something we simply would not have considered adding to our fleet through a traditional purchase. The college's decision has given our students an opportunity that would not otherwise have been on the table.”

The gift also represents the long-standing partnership between CCC and Caney schools.

Columbus Firefighters are called to an early morning structure fire north of Columbus.

The initial call came in around 2am on Friday morning. Upon arrival, crews encountered a vehicle inside a shop heavily involved in fire. The fire had also spread to nearby contents and the structure itself.

Firefighters quickly made entry and worked to extinguish the vehicle, contents, and structure fire. Crews were able to stop the spread and protect the remaining vehicles and equipment inside the shop.

No injuries were reported.

A two-vehicle accident just south of Parsons leaves two injured.

The accident occurred around 7:15 Thursday morning on US-59 near the intersection with 19000 Road. 31-year-old Gabriel Vitt of Parsons was stopped on the highway to make a left turn into a private driveway when his vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle driven by 21-year-old Burgandie Green, also of Parsons. Both drivers sustained minor injuries and were taken to Labette Health for treatment.

Independence Community College is awarded a $987,589 in grant funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation to increase STEM and advanced manufacturing careers throughout rural Southeast Kansas.

The Increasing Interest and Employment in STEM Studies and Manufacturing Careers in Rural Areas project will begin on October 15^th with the goal to strengthen the connection between education and employment. The grant will help ICC work with regional industries to develop paid internships and apprenticeships in hard-to-fill technical positions. The project is designed to expand those opportunities throughout the three-year grant period while providing students with meaningful, hands-on experience in technical workplaces.

“This project will allow us to strengthen the connection between the classroom and the workforce by helping students develop the skills, certifications and industry connections they need to be successful in technological careers. Just as importantly, we’ll continue working directly with our regional business and industry partners to make sure our curriculum reflects the skills employers need and prepares students for opportunities right here in our region,” said Taylor Crawshaw, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The project will also explore new approaches to mathematics instruction for students pursuing technical careers.

The goal of the program is to increase student interest and success in technological careers, while strengthening connections between classroom instruction and the skills sought by area employers.

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

Customers should boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water instead. Dispose of ice cubes from trays and automatic ice makers. If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears. Water used for bathing does not need to be boiled, but supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested.

KDHE officials issued the advisory on Thursday, September 3, because of a loss of pressure due to a water line break.

 The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

Local fire departments remain busy with grass fires.

Yesterday around 11 a.m., the Dearing Fire Department was called to assist Tyro Rural on a vehicle and grass fire about two miles northwest of Tyro.

Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control, and were also able to correct a mechanical issue encountered with one of their engines. No other damage or injuries were reported.

Photo: Dearing Fire Dept.

Another tax sale is on the way in Montgomery County.

The county's annual tax sale date has been set for Tuesday, October 6^th in Memorial Hall in Independence. The doors will open at 7:30 and the auction will begin at 9:30.

A new bidder preregistration process will be available this year, beginning Monday, September 14^th at the Montgomery County Treasurer's Office in Independence. To preregister, prospective bidders must bring a valid driver's license and will be check for delinquent taxes prior to the auction.

Individuals who do not preregister should plan to arrive early on October 6^th to complete registration before the auction begins.

Payment accepted at the tax sale includes cash, cashier's check and personal checks with a letter of credit from a financial institution, dated no more than one day before the sale. Buyers are also responsible for a $21 recording fee for each parcel purchased.

The tax list will be published in the Independence Reporter on Saturday September 5^th, 12^th and 19^th.

Anyone with questions should call the Montgomery County Appraiser's Office at 620-330-1050.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation arrests Chanute man for child sex crimes.

On Thursday, Sept. 3, at approximately 8:15 a.m., KBI agents served an arrest warrant for 55-year-old Brian W. Bollig of Chanute. Bollig was arrested near a residence at 1400 Road and Anderson Road in Chanute on charges of sexual exploitation of a child. 

The case began in June 2026, after the KBI received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children suggesting Bollig possessed child sexual abuse material. Search warrants were executed to locate evidence. 

Following his arrest, Bollig was booked into the Wilson County Jail.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This investigation remains ongoing.

Montgomery County is asking for citizen input on the 2027 Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations Update.

The county is asking for citizens to help develop a community survey by identifying keys issues in the county. Elected and appointed officials, city or county staff, business and civic leaders, faith leaders, teachers, farmers, artists, youth and adults alike are all invited to participate.

Those who are interested are asked to contact Interim County Administrator Kory White by 4pm on Friday September 11.

Kori White, Interim County Administrator

Email – kwhite@mgcountyks.org

Phone Number: 620-330-1113

Emergency crews in Parsons respond to a small fire at Lincoln Elementary School.

Parsons Police, firefighters, and EMS responded to the school on Wednesday to a report of a small electrical fire in a ceiling light fixture. Students and staff were safely evacuated from the building as firefighters quickly extinguished the fire. There was no damage to the school building. Classes resumed as usual.

Ottawa County, Oklahoma is now under a county-wide burn ban.

The ban went into effect on Wednesday, September 2, at the order of the Ottawa County Commission and will remain in effect through September 16 due to the high risk of fire. The ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including the burning of trash, debris, grass, brush or any other type of wildlands. Campfires and bonfires are also prohibited.

Outdoor grilling is allowed as is welding, cutting, or roofing activities as long as fire safety precautions are followed.

Violators of the ban may face fines up to $500 , up to a year in jail or both.

Columbus fires crews respond to reports of a grass fire that had spread to a building.

Firefighters were called to the scene on North Illinois Street on the east side of the City. There they found a grass fire that had spread into a nearby home. Crews were able to contain the blaze and keep it from spreading further into the structure. The fire was safely extinguished. There was some damage to the home, but no injuries were reported.

Photo courtesy Columbus Fire Dept.

The Labor Day weekend is gearing up to be a near-record travel weekend with higher gas prices expected.

Triple A says many people will be taking to the roadways this weekend with plans to travel 50 miles or more from home. For those who are traveling and for those staying close to home, it's important to enjoy the last blast of summer responsibly.

The Kansas Highway Patrol  will be on Kansas highways as a part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Adult beverages are often part of Labor Day celebrations but Shawn Steward of Triple-A Kansas says part of a good safety plan is to have a sober driver.

Steward adds that driving while impaired is a risk for everyone on the road.

For those traveling this weekend, check your vehicle's condition before starting your trip, including tires, fluid levels, and mechanical equipment. Allow plenty of time to arrive at your destination. Pack an emergency kit for the car that includes water, flashlights, chargers, blankets, and non perishable food. And, always wear your seatbelt.

You can also check road conditions at kandrive.gov.

K-H-P reminds all drivers that the leading causes of traffic crashes are excessive speed, inattention, and impaired drivers.

The heatwave continues this week, with heat advisories in effect across the area and temperatures forecast in the triple digits.

While the hot weather is hard on humans it can also be difficult for animals. Coffeyville Friends of Animals Becky Barnhart says heat stroke can occur easily in a dog. 

 Barnhart says it is important to watch for the signs of heat stress in dogs.

For outdoor animals, ensure they have a shaded area to seek relief and make sure they have plenty of cool, clean water available throughout the day.

The City of Severy will be celebrating Labor Day weekend with a series of fun-filled days.

The weekend will feature a kids fishing derby on Friday at Severy Lake from 8 to 10:30am, a cornhole tournament on Sunday, and a parade and car show on Monday. There will also be a horseshoe tournament, a mechanical bull, kids games and waterslides.

It all happens this weekend in Severy.

Four people are injured, including an Independence woman, in a four-vehicle accident on the Kansas Turnpike.

The accident occurred in the eastbound lanes of I-70 near Tonganoxie in Leavenworth County. Around 1:30 yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, several eastbound vehicles were stopped due to traffic ahead when a 2010 Chevy Malibu driven by 19-year-old Jaden Ramirez of Shawnee collided with a 2015 GMC Acadia. The impact caused the Acadia to hit a third vehicle, which then collided with the fourth car.

A passenger in the Acadia 68-year-old Linda Taliaferro of Lubbock, Texas, suffered fatal injuries while the driver 68-year David Taliaferro was seriously injured. Ramirez sustained minor injuries as did 26-year-old Sina Sanford of Independence.

The driver of the fourth vehicle was uninjured.

The City of Fredonia is asking residents to continue their efforts to conserve water as city crews work to repair multiple water line breaks across the city.

The line breaks have caused the Fredonia's water storage tank levels to drop. Thanks to conservation efforts, the levels in the tanks have gradually started to rise, but they are still lower than normal. Residents can do small things such as not watering lawns, washing large vehicles, or operating dishwashers and washing machines unless fully loaded.

City officials are asking residents to continue their conservation efforts through this evening until tank levels return to normal.

City crews in Independence have been working overnight to repair a water main break.

City Engineer John Garris says the leak was discovered north of Oak Street late Wednesday afternoon.

Repairs were completed around 4am on Thursday morning. Water line breaks can happen frequently, especially during hot weather. The extreme heat can cause dry soil to shift, placing additional pressure on pipes that can also expand due to the heat.

Residents in the northern part of Independence likely experienced low water pressure or a lack of service while repairs were underway. Crews worked to complete the repairs as quickly and safely as possible.

There will be a an open house in Caney next week to recognize the new highway signs on US-75 honoring Brigadier General George H. Wark.

Wark was born in 1878 in Liberty and served in the Kansas National Guard during World War I. He also served as a state senator and practiced law in Caney for many years. A portion of US-75 from US-166 north of Caney to the Oklahoma state line has been renamed in honor of Wark and signs honoring the Montgomery County native will be placed at the north and south entrances to the City of Caney.

The Caney Valley Historical Society & Museum will join with the Earnest Brown American Legion Post #138 and the Kansas Department of Transportation in hosting the open house on Wednesday from 5 to 7pm at the Caney Museum. The museum will have Brigadier General Wark memorabilia on display along with other information for the public to see. Museum tours will also be available. Admission will be free, and refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend.

Photo courtesy Kansas Department of Transportation

Ascension St. John Nowata is transitioning to a Rural Emergency Hospital while continuing to provide emergency and outpatient care.

The designation from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services takes effect immediately.  The Nowata hospital will continue offering 24-hour emergency care, radiology, laboratory services and other outpatient care. Patients requiring hospitalization will be stabilized and transferred to an appropriate hospital for inpatient treatment.

Hospital President Tanner Holt says the new designation allows the facility to better align its resources with the community’s healthcare needs.  Ascension says no layoffs are planned, and staffing changes are expected to be minimal.

The Nowata County Fall Free Fair begins Wednesday, September 16^th.

Indoor entries will be accepted until that afternoon. Thursday, September 17^th's schedule includes exhibit judging, livestock check-in, a bake auction, stick horse rodeo and bucket calf show. Friday, September 18^th features a 4-H petting farm, farm equipment operator contest, Farm Hand Olympics, free bean and watermelon feed and pedal tractor pull.

Livestock shows begin at 9:00am on the morning of Saturday September 19^th, featuring swine, sheep, goats and beef. The fair concludes Sunday, September 20^th, with horse show registration beginning at 12:00pm and the show starting at 2:00pm at the Round-Up Arena.

A Nowata man is injured after a rollover crash in Washington County.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says 62-year-old Randall Short was driving west on U.S. 60 near North 4035 Road when his vehicle left the highway and rolled. The crash was reported shortly before 4:40am this morning.

Short was the only person in the vehicle and was wearing a seat belt. The extent of his injuries was not released.

Bartlesville police arrest a driver following an early-morning pursuit into Washington County.

Officers spotted a Chevrolet Corvette traveling about 90mph near Adams Boulevard and Johnstone Avenue shortly before 5:00am yesterday morning. BPD says the driver refused to stop and continued south on Silver Lake Road despite officers deploying tire-deflation devices. The pursuit ended near County Roads 3950 and 2800 after an officer performed two tactical vehicle interventions.

Police identified the driver as 44-year-old Aaron Robison. He was medically cleared and arrested on complaints of felony eluding, running a roadblock and speeding. No injuries were reported.

The Kansas Department of Transportation announces bid awards for highway projects in southeast Kansas.

KDOT will fund several concrete projects on US-400, including work from the Wilson/Greenwood County line, east to the Fredonia roundabout. In Montgomery County, work will be done on US-75 from the Wilson County line to the US-75/US-400 junction. The project will then continue east on US-400 to the Labette County line. That project was awarded to Pavement Pros, LLC of McPherson for $240,000.

In Labette County, a mill and overlay project on US-59 from the north city limits of Parsons was approved for $98,000 and awarded to Bettis Asphalt and Construction of Topeka.

The City of Coffeyville is set to receive $687,240 in federal funding for repairs to its water treatment plant.

The announcement came this week from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, through the Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability grant program. The grant funding would increase drinking water system resilience to extreme weather by paying for repairs to the Coffeyville water plant. The money would also fund the installation of a standby generator.

“American families, businesses, and schools rely on their local drinking water system to provide clean and safe water, day-in and day-out. Cyberattacks, wildfires, flooding and other hazards represent a significant risk to water system operations, and EPA provides vital support to help increase resiliency to such threats,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer. “With over $11 million in grant funding, EPA is helping ten drinking water systems strengthen their resilience to these risks while advancing best practices within the water sector. This funding is just one part of the equation and complements the agency’s technical assistance work and partnership with federal agencies, states, and the water sector to address cyberattacks and natural hazards.”

The EPA anticipates awarding a federal grant to the City of Coffeyville after legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

Allen County extends its burn ban through next Monday.

Allen County originally issued the burn ban on Monday, August 31, and it was set to expire this afternoon. However, the Allen County Commission has extended the ban through Monday, September 7^th, at midnight.

The ban includes all open burning including campfires, trash, or any controlled burning of grass, brush, or weeds.

Fires will still be allowed in permanent stoves, fireplaces or barbecue grills. Prescribed burning may be conducted with the written permission of Allen County Sheriff Anthony Maness.

Residents are asked to use caution to avoid accidentally sparking a fire.

The City of Fredonia is asking residents to voluntarily conserve water.

Due to multiple recent water line breaks, the city water storage tank on the South Mound has dropped in capacity and city officials are asking water customers to limit or eliminate non-essential water use for the next 24 hours to allow the tank to return to normal levels.

The City asks that residents avoid watering lawns, washing vehicles, and using dishwashers. Officials are actively monitoring storage levels and working to restore tank volume during this time.

Police in Baxter Springs are asking for the public's help regarding the recent theft of plants from the City's Veteran's Memorial.

The plants were donated to help landscape the memorial to Baxter Springs veterans who served and sacrificed in the nation's military. They were removed from the memorial, located at 13^th and Park Streets, sometime during the overnight hours on Monday night.

Anyone with information on the theft is asked to contact Baxter Springs Police. Those who took the plants are simply being asked to return them.

The Kansas Highway Patrol will increase enforcement on state roadways during the Labor Day weekend.

The Patrol is participating in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign as troopers work to reduce crashes caused by impaired driving, speeding and inattention. Drivers are encouraged to wear seat belts, properly secure children and check their vehicles before traveling. Motorists should also allow additional travel time and check KanDrive-dot-gov for current road conditions, construction and delays.

Anyone planning to drink should designate a sober driver or arrange another ride home. Motorists needing assistance on a Kansas highway can call star-47. Those traveling on the Kansas Turnpike can call star-5-8-2.

The City of Caney is now under a Stage One Water Watch due to ongoing drought conditions.

The watch takes effect immediately. Caney Mayor Josh Elliott says the watch is similar to what happened in the City a few years ago.
 

Residents are asked to reduce outdoor watering and use water efficiently inside their homes. Elliott says that all conservation efforts are voluntary at this time.

Suggested conservation measures include taking shorter showers, turning off faucets when they are not needed and washing only full loads of dishes and laundry. The City is also asking residents to avoid other unnecessary water use as it works to protect Caney’s water supply.

Dove hunting season is underway across Kansas.

The season for mourning and white-winged dove continues through November 29^th. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks sets a daily bag limit of 15 dove in any combination, with a possession limit of 45. Most hunters are required to carry a valid Kansas hunting license and register for the state’s Harvest Information Program, commonly known as H-I-P.

Hunters using public land should also check posted regulations because some state wildlife areas require non-toxic shot or have additional restrictions. Complete regulations and public hunting locations are available through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

Three drivers are arrested for DUI during a joint law-enforcement operation in Cherokee County.

A sobriety checkpoint was conducted Friday night at the intersection of U.S. 400 and Kansas Highway 7. Authorities say 400 vehicles passed through the checkpoint and four drivers were tested for impairment. One driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, aggravated child endangerment, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, transporting an open container and an outstanding warrant.

Two additional drivers were arrested on suspicion of DUI during a roving patrol conducted after the checkpoint. Authorities say both had open containers of alcohol. The Kansas Highway Patrol and law-enforcement agencies from Cherokee and Crawford counties participated in the operation.

The Parsons Police Legacy Fund donates $500 to the Parsons High School Booster Club.

The money will help support students and school activities during the upcoming school year. Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks says the donation reflects the Legacy Fund’s goal of investing in the next generation. Spinks says today’s students will become the community’s future employees, business owners, first responders, teachers, coaches and leaders. The donation continues the partnership between the Parsons Police Department and USD 503. The Legacy Fund says relationships between law enforcement, schools and community organizations create more opportunities to support students inside and outside the classroom.

The organization also recognizes Courtney Stangle for helping coordinate the donation and identify an opportunity to assist Parsons students. The Legacy Fund supports education, athletics, scholarships and other community programs through donations from citizens, businesses and community partners.

A burn ban is now in effect for the City of Chanute.

The Chanute Fire Department says all outdoor burning is prohibited because of continued hot and dry conditions and an increased risk of fire.  The ban is scheduled to remain in effect through October 1st unless conditions improve and it is lifted earlier.

Fire officials warn that even a small fire could quickly become difficult to control.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Wilson Co RWD 4 public water supply system located in Wilson County.

The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure due to repairs being done on a broken line from Public Wholesale WSD 23, which supplies water to Wilson Co RWD 4. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind notice following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing of drinking water samples collected from the Wilson Co RWD 4 indicates no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.  

A data center company closes on a real estate deal that will estalish a data center in the City of Claremore.

The facility will be built at the Claremore Industrial part by Beale Infrastructure as part of an agreement that will see the company pay more than $172 million dollars to local schools and governments over the course of 25 years. The company will pay the money directly to each entity instead of property taxes. Sequoyah Schools will receive $100 million, Oologah-Talala Public Schools will get $26 million and Rogers County will receive $20 million as part of the deal. The deal is part of what is called a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes or PILOT program.

The facility is expected to bring in more than $400 million to the area over the next 30 years in electric and sales tax on top of the PILOT payments.

Claremore City officials say they have built in safeguards in case the company pulls out of the deal. Those safeguards include an irrevocable letter of credit and a retail electric service agreement requiring financial security for the company’s anticipated electric service obligations, including capacity, usage and transmission commitments.

Construction is expected to begin this fall and take between five and seven years to complete.

Independence Police arrest three people in two separate incidents.

The first occurred on Saturday, when officers were dispatched to the area of South Main and Wald Streets for a report of an individual with active warrants. 31-year-old Jade Davis and 26-year-old Zoltan Simmons were both taken into custody at the scene. Both individuals face multiple charges including possession of an hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia.

The second incident occurred around 12:15 on Sunday afternoon when officers were called to the 100 block of South Peter Pan Road for reports of a theft. After an investigation, police arrested 19-year-old Trey Ossenkop. He is charged with felony fleeing and eluding, theft, interference with law enforcement, Possession of hallucinogenic drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of tobacco under the age of 21.

All individuals were booked into the Montgomery County Jail in Independence.

Image (clockwise starting at top left): Jade Davis, Zoltan Simmons, Trey Osskop

Authorities in Franklin County were worried yesterday when they received reports of a deceased person in the waters of the Marais Des Cygnes River.

Police responded to the area located about 7 miles west of Ottawa and made visual confirmation of what appeared to be a body in the water. Investigators wanted to preserve any evidence of wrong doing and called the Franklin County Dive Team to recover the body. When divers retrieved the suspected body from the water, it was found to be a human-shaped object similar to a mannequin and tied to a cinder block.

The object was removed from the water and disposed of by police.

Local Firefighters are called to battle a grass fire near Wann.

Crews from the Wann Fire Department and Dearing Fire were called to a report of a large grass fire around 11am on Monday. Due to the size and conditions of the fire, multiple departments and agencies were also called to assist. The fire was safely extinguished with no injuries reported.

Crews from South Coffeyville, Copan, Edna, Bartlett, Tyro, Coffeyville and Coffeyville Resources all assisted on the call.

The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Kansas Department of Transportation report that traffic fatalities on Kansas roadways have fallen in the past year.

K-H-P reports 211 traffic deaths so far in 2026 as compared to 242 for the same time period last year. That number represents a 12.81% decrease in traffic fatalities. With the Labor Day weekend coming up, drivers are reminded to remain alert while behind the wheel and to avoid alcohol. On average, 32 people are killed in alcohol-impaired traffic accidents each day across the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For those planning to celebrate over the Labor Day weekend, please make wise choices and have a game plan for getting a safe ride home.

Allen County implements a 48-hour burn ban.

The ban went into effect on August 31 at 1pm and will remain in effect through September 2 at 1pm. During this time, all outdoor burning is prohibited in Allen County.

As the hot, dry weather persists, residents are asked to avoid any actions that might spark a fire.

The Nowata County Commission votes to extend the county-wide burn ban for an additional two weeks.

During Monday's, commissioners voted unanimously to extend the ban until september 14 due to the lack of rain and consistent trend of hot temperatures. Nowata Assistant Fire Chief Brian Hewitt says he would prefer a 30-ban.

Commissioners will revisit the matter at next week's meeting to consider amending the ban to 30 days. The ban can be lifted at any time throughout its course if significant rain affects the county.

The current burn ban does allow exceptions for outdoor grilling, as well as grinding, gas torch work and welding. Welding, gas torch work and grinding must be done under the supervision of a dedicated fire watch person.

The Nowata Fire Department's burn ban at the city level is still in effect as well.

The Wilson County Commission discusses details of a road repair project and property sales data.

At the commission's most recent meeting, County Coordinator Kris Marple reported the cost to date of an ongoing asphalt road repair project. Marple told commissioners that the total cost at this time was just over $188,000. Marple also provided details on an insurance claim submitted on behalf of a driver who drove through road oil on 500 Road. Commissioners then voted to approve the receipt of a letter from the Kansas Department of Health and environment regarding the annual review of the County Solid Waste Management Plan.

County Appraiser Jennifer Porter also appeared before the commission to inform them that her office was currently out of compliance with residential & commercial property sales data based on the Kansas Property Valuation Division annual audit of six random properties. Porter stated that those finding would have no impact on the County.

The Wilson County Commission will meet again tomorrow morning at 9am at the County Courthouse in Fredonia. The meeting is open to the public.

This year's corn harvest is more than halfway done in southeast Kansas.

According to the latest from the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, harvest is 63 percent completed in southeast Kansas, far ahead of central Kansas as 22%. The statewide average is only 8% harvested.

Corn condition is rated 31% poor or very poor, 27% fair, 33% good, and 9% excellent.