The City of Coffeyville is offering several opportunities for residents to dispose of unwanted items this week during Coffeyville Clean-Up Week.

Bulk trash disposal is available at the City Tree Dump at First and Union. Hours are 10am to 6pm Monday through Friday, and 8am to 3pm on Saturday.

Household hazardous waste collection is this Friday, October 23^rd, from 8am to 2pm at the lot north of Pete’s Convenience Store on West Eleventh Street. Residents can safely dispose of accepted household chemicals, paint, used oil and more.

Then, on Saturday, October 24^th, the Coffeyville Police Department will host National Drug Take Back Day from 10am to 2pm, giving residents a safe way to dispose of unused or expired medications.

Autumn has just began and it’s almost Halloween, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start thinking about Christmas.

Several Toy Runs have been scheduled for November to collected gifts to ensure that area kids have a nice Christmas.  The first toy run is coming up on November 7th in Cherryvale. Coffeyville’s toy run is slated for November 21st while the Independence event will be held on November 28th. Area bikers are invited to participate by bringing a new unwrapped toy or gift for the event.

More details will be provided on each toy run as the date gets closer.

Improvements to Neodesha’s historic Brown Hotel continue.

Work continues to transform the building in downtown Neodesha into a restaurant, entertainment venue, office spaces, and apartments. City Administrator Brogan Jones says the renovation is coming along nicely.

The project is funded by a Community Development Block grant that was awarded to the City in 2025 through the Kansas Department of Commerce. Neodesha City Commissioner Ed Truelove says that means the project is not being paid for by taxpayers.

The Brown Hotel was originally built in 1886 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

The City of Coffeyville signs an agreement to move forward on a study of available electric power in the City.

The City of Coffeyville has submitted an application to the Southwest Power Pool to conduct an electric transmission feasibility study for potential data center developments in the city. The evaluation assesses regional electric capacity, transmission infrastructure requirements, routes, and potential interconnection needs. City Manager Ben Brubaker says the agreement only applies to the study.

Taxpayers will not foot the bill. The City has received funding from the developers to cover the cost of the transmission study, and the study application has been submitted. Brubaker says the study is expected to take around five or six months to complete.

The City officials say the City remains in the evaluation stage, gathering information to determine whether these proposals can benefit Coffeyville while protecting the City’s electric utility and ratepayers.

The Altamont Police Department is investigating an alleged aggravated battery that led to a multi-agency search for a suspect later found deceased in Oklahoma.

Police say the incident occurred October 10^th at a residence in the seven-hundred block of South Wells in Altamont. The victim was later located in Parsons and received treatment at Labette Health.

Following an interview with the victim, investigators identified Jack Melton as the suspect and determined there was probable cause for multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated kidnapping and domestic battery.

Authorities searched for Melton, who was eventually reported to be in Grove, Oklahoma.

On October 11^th, officers were notified that Melton was deceased and had taken his own life. Altamont police later confirmed his identity while coordinating with Oklahoma authorities.

The Grand River Dam Authority is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Melton's death.

Kansas Works will be hosting a virtual job fair this weekend.

The job fair will occur online from 8am on Friday to 5pm on Sunday and will be accessible through any digital device. The event is designed for jobseekers who are unable to attend in-person job fairs during the standard work week. 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 even for those who have participated before. For more information or to register, follow this link.

KGGF Radio is recognized by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters as the 2026 Medium Market Station of the Year.

KGGF took home top honors with the Station of the Year award, which recognizes overall excellence, achievement, and cumulative performance across the K-A-B competition categories. Voice of the K-State Wildcats Wyatt Thompson announces the award.

KGGF placed first for complete newscast for KGGF News at Noon and also for Station Promotion Announcement for the Spring Severe Weather Promo. The station took second in that category as well.

KGGF garnered another 2^nd place award for Excellence I Diversity for Frybread Journeys, and for Spot News for coverage of the Kiwanis Buck Out, while taking home Honorable Mention for Best Morning Show.

KGGF thanks all of our listeners and supporting businesses for their support. To see a full list of this year's winners, go here.

A 24-year-old Parsons man is under arrest following an alleged machete attack on his roommate early Thursday morning.

Parsons police say officers were called to a residence just after midnight on October 17^th, in the twenty-three-hundred block (2300) of Belmont Avenue, following reports of a disturbance.

Investigators say an argument between the two individuals escalated when the suspect, identified as Rodolfo Mazariegos Gomez, allegedly attacked the other man with a machete.

According to police, the victim tried to flee but fell to the ground. Gomez allegedly caught up with him and struck his hand with the weapon.

The victim was later located at Labette Health, where he was receiving treatment for his injuries.

Officers reportedly found a machete with what appeared to be blood on the blade, along with suspected blood evidence along Belmont Avenue.

Gomez was taken into custody at approximately twelve-thirty-three A-M without further incident.

Police detectives have obtained a search warrant to collect additional evidence as the investigation continues.

Gomez was arrested in connection with the incident and taken to the Labette County Jail where he faces charges of Attempted 2nd degree Murder, Domestic Battery and Aggravated Assault.

Advance voting for the 2026 general election is underway across Kansas.

Kansas allows voters to advance vote in person at county election offices or satellite voting locations and by mail up to 20 days before an election.

For this election, the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office reports that just over 90,000 ballots have been mailed to Kansas voters with 943 returned as of Friday afternoon. More than 6,000 Kansans have also cast their votes in person.

Those who wish to vote early in Montgomery County can do so at the county courthouse in Independence, Monday through Friday until November 2nd between 8:15am and 4:45pm. The courthouse and in-person voting will close early on October 30th at 1:45 for the Neewollah Kiddie Parade.

In Labette County, voters may cast advance ballots at the County Election Office in Oswego weekdays from 8 to 5 until noon on November 2nd.

For voters in Wilson County, advance in-person voting begins today at the Wilson County Courthouse in Fredonia from 8 to 5 Monday through Friday.

Voters in Chautauqua County can advance vote at the Chautauqua County Courthouse in Sedan Monday through Friday from 8:30 to Noon and from 1 to 3:30 in the county clerk’s office.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd.

It was standing room only with overflow into the hallway as the Cherryvale City Council meeting room met maximum capacity. Six residents were on the agenda for public comments with data centers the main topic of focus.

Cherryvale Residents say they are split on their feelings when it comes to data centers.  Residents, despite disagreeing on data centers, say they all want to see Cherryvale thrive and grow.

In other business, Councilor Norman Johnson announced next meeting would be his last as he is moving. The council approved a bid for HVAC at the fire department and approved street closures on October 31^st for the Library's Book or Treat Event and on December 5^th for the Christmas Parade.

The next meeting will be on Monday November 2^nd at 6:00pm with the location of the meeting moved from City Hall to the Logan Park Building.

Montgomery County is still looking for volunteers willing to serve on the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations steering committee.

Interim County Administrator Kori White says the committee will help guide new county planning and zoning regulations, including discussions about data centers.

White says there is no travel involved, but that it will require a few hours per month.

Commissioners are currently in search of people who are either in favor of data centers or are neutral on the topic. Interested individuals should contact their commissioner. 

  District 1 Commissioner Robert Bever

District 2 Commissioner Phil Clubine

   District 3 Commissioner Mike Cordray

In other business at this week's county commission meeting, Jeff Culver was named at Director of Facilities Maintenance following the retirement of Jeff Phelps.

The Caney City Council will meet tonight to discuss details of the 2025 audit of the City's finances.

The yearly audit was conducted by the C-P-A firm Jarred Gilmore & Phillips to make sure public money is being handled properly, financial records are accurate, and taxpayers can trust how their money is being spent.

There will also be a discussion about the Caney Fall Fest that is set for this Saturday and the Fall Clean-up scheduled for November.

Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30pm at Caney's City Hall and is open to the public. Those who wish to attend the meeting in person are asked to enter the building through the east doors.

Montgomery County celebrates the retirement of a long-time county employee.

On Friday, county staff threw a surprise retirement party for Director of Facilities Maintenance Jeff Phelps. Friday was Phelps’ last day in the position after serving for 13 years in the role. Friends and family of Phelps joined community members thanking Phelps for his years of hard work in keeping county buildings and facilities in good, working order and keeping the county running smoothly

Those present joined county staff and officials in wishing him the best as he embarks on a new chapter in his life.

The Cherryvale City Council will meet tonight with plans to approve HVAC improvements at the fire station.

At tonight’s meeting, Acting City Administrator Karen Davis will present bids for work on the heating and cooling system at the Cherryvale Fire Department and council members will be asked to select a contractor for the project.

In other business, there will be an expected announcement of a Community Development Block Grant by Carey Spoon of Southeast Kansas Regional Planning. Council members will also hold a public hearing and consider an ordinance to vacate a portion of West 2nd Street, while also considering requests for street closures for two upcoming events.

Several area residents have also signed up to speak regarding data centers. The public comment period will be limited to 30 minutes and each individual is limited to five minutes with no time extension permitted. Priority will also be given to individuals residing within the city limits of Cherryvale.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 6pm at the Cherryvale City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.

The Democratic and Republican candidates for Kansas governor will speak on Wednesday at an event in Baxter Springs.

Democrat Cindy Holscher and Republican Ty Masterson will make remarks at the event hosted by the Baxter Springs Chamber of Commerce. The candidates will also be joined by State Senator Tim Shallenburger and Representative Dale Helwig. Following the main program, refreshments will be served at a meet-and-greet event with the candidates.

Wednesday’s Meet the Governor Candidates program runs from noon to 2pm with the meet-and-greet portion starting at 1. The public is invited to attend at the Maple & Rose Event Center, located at 1046 Military Avenue in Baxter Springs.

Authorities in Wichita are investigating a Saturday incident that left two people dead and 11 others injured at a youth soccer field.

The incident happened around 3:30 on Saturday afternoon at the Stryker Sports Complex near 29th Street and Greenwich Road in northeast Wichita. Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses says, at that time, a vehicle plowed into a crowd at the field and emergency responders were called to the scene.

Two people from McPherson were killed in the incident: 6-year-old Cole Adrian and 35-year-old Nicholas Schafer. Police say the two were not related. Eleven other people were injured including 5 children under the age of 10. None of those injuries are believed to be life-threatening. Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan says citizens on the scene began first aid before emergency crews arrived.

The driver of the truck – a 34-year-old woman from Garden City – was briefly taken into custody, but was released on Sunday, pending the results of a toxicology report and a mechanical examination of the vehicle. No charges have been filed at this time.

Authorities continue to investigate. 

A minor accident on Saturday at the Parsons Tri-City Airport results in minor damage and no injuries.

The accident occurred on the ground around 4pm Saturday afternoon. 25-year-old Aman Sharma of Waco, Texas, was towing his small plane for fuel when he clipped the wing of another plane that was parked at the airport.

The public airport is located about 13 miles west of Parsons near the US-400/US-169 interchange and offers a pilot's lounge, Internet access, small meeting space and hangar rental.

A Tulsa woman is seriously injured in a Friday afternoon crash near Tyro.

28-year-old Khyra Chapelle suffered serious injuries when her 2026 Isuzu Truck left the roadway and struck a culvert and a tree near the intersection of US-166 and County Road 3700 around 3:15 on  Friday afternoon. The accident occurred about 5 miles east of Tyro. Chapelle was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.

The Kansas Highway Patrol continues to investigate the cause of the crash.

The Montgomery County Commission is set to meet today and hear reports from two departments.

On today’s agenda, commissioners will hear a quarterly report from Director of Environmental Health and Zoning Joey Midgett and a monthly report from Register of Deeds Marilyn  Calhoun. In continuing business from last week’s meeting, Interim County Administrator Kori White is expected to announce volunteer appointments to the steering committee for the County Comprehensive Plan.

Commissioners will also consider two neighborhood revitalization plans in Neodesha and Independence. There are also three executive sessions planned. One will be to discuss personnel matters while the other two will cover the topic of a prospective economic development project.

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.

Several area residents have signed up to speak at Monday's Cherryvale City Council Meeting regarding data centers.

During the public forum time, Tyler Edwards, Jonathan Rozell, Theresa Cameron, Jennifer Williams, England Porter and Ryan York plan to address the council regarding data centers and economic development. The public comment period will be limited to 30 minutes and each individual is limited to five minutes with no time extension permitted. Priority will also be given to individuals residing within the city limits of Cherryvale.

At a meeting a month ago, information was shared regarding companies interested in building a data center that could use up to 6 million gallons of water a day. Members of the community have recently organized several meetings to oppose a potential data center.

In other business, there will be a public hearing the the vacation of West 2^nd Street, and information shared regarding a CDBG grant agreement. The city will also consider a bid for HVAC improvements at the fire department and consider an application for a street closing for the Library's Book 'n' Treat event on Halloween in place of Trunk or Treat which will not be held this year.

The meeting on Monday the 19th is open to the public and begins at 6 p.m. at the Cherryvale City Hall.

***** Update *****

Wilson County in Kansas and Osage and Washington County in Oklahoma have now been added to the frost advisory.  The area included in the freeze watch has now been upgraded to a freeze warning.

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

The first frost of the season is possible late Tonight into Saturday morning with lows approaching the freezing mark for a portion of southeast Kansas.

According to the National Weather Service, counties in southeast Kansas including Greenwood, Woodson, Allen, Cowley, Elk and Chautauqua counties will be under a frost advisory from 1 to 9 a.m. Saturday morning.  Montgomery County is not currently included in the advisory.

Temperatures as low as 33 will result in frost formation and those with sensitive plants should take action to protect them. Further to the west, a freeze watch is in place as temperatures could get down to the upper 20s for areas west of Wichita.

Two people are dead following a single-vehicle crash in Cherokee County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 5:45pm yesterday evening on Southeast 110th Street, about a quarter-mile north of Southeast Turkey Creek Road, three miles north of Galena. Troopers say a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis was traveling northbound when it struck the right side of the Spring River Bridge. The vehicle then entered a skid, left the roadway to the left and struck a tree.

The driver, 19-year-old Cameron Witham of Webb City, Missouri, and a passenger, 18-year-old Audrey Witham of Joplin, Missouri, were both killed in the crash. According to KHP, both occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. The crash remains under investigation by the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The Chanute Police Department reports four arrests over a three-day period, including three involving methamphetamine.

On Monday, officers arrested 47-year-old Stephanie Knavel following a traffic stop in the 600 block of North Santa Fe Avenue. Knavel was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. On Tuesday, officers responded to a trespassing call in the 200 block of South Wilson Avenue. Police arrested 49-year-old Tammy Swink on suspicion of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

Also Tuesday, officers arrested 64-year-old David Wilhite following a traffic stop near 21st Street and Santa Fe Avenue. Wilhite was arrested on suspicion of distribution of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. On Wednesday, officers arrested 67-year-old James Carter following a traffic stop near 9th Street and Katy Avenue. Carter was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and failure to signal a turn.

Chanute PD says reports from the arrests will be forwarded to the Neosho County Attorney's Office for review and consideration of formal charges.

Rain forces a change of plans for the Kansas Department of Commerce's Impact Tour stop in Coffeyville.

The city was one of 19 communities selected for the three-day tour, which highlights projects supported by state grant funding. Yesterday's stop was originally scheduled to take place along Coffeyville's Rails-to-Trails pathway near LeClere Park. However, rain forced the presentation indoors.  Instead, city officials used videos from the Walk the Town series and photos from the pathway's grand opening in July to showcase the project. Kansas Assistant Secretary of Commerce Matt Godinez attended the presentation. He says visiting communities and seeing the results of state investments firsthand is one of his favorite parts of the job.

The 1.26-mile pathway was developed through the Safe Routes to School and Rails-to-Trails project, with funding assistance from the Kansas Department of Transportation and a Community Development Block Grant. The project is designed to improve pedestrian safety, recreation and connectivity throughout Coffeyville. Representatives from Kansas Main Street and the Office of Rural Prosperity also attended the presentation, along with State Representative Ron Bryce.

The Nowata Fire Department announces the winner of its ladder truck raffle.

The department sold 131 tickets at $100 each, generating $13,100 in ticket sales. Nowata Fire Chief Brandon Jarvis says the money will help the department purchase equipment.  Jarvis conducted the drawing using Random.org, entering all 131 ticket numbers into the system before selecting the winners. Jarvis says the winner is Mark Stevens.

Jarvis says every ticket purchased made a difference, and they are incredibly grateful for the continued support of the department.