***** Update 2:45 p.m. *****

.A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL ELK AND SOUTHEASTERN GREENWOOD COUNTIES...

At 259 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Severy, or 8 miles northeast of Howard, moving
northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is
         likely.

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
north central Elk and southeastern Greenwood Counties, including the
following locations... Fall River Lake and Fall River State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

***** Update 2:30 p.m. *****

A tornado watch has been issued for the following counties in the listening area until 9 p.m.

IN SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS

COWLEY

IN SOUTHEAST KANSAS

ALLEN                 CHAUTAUQUA            ELK

GREENWOOD             LABETTE               MONTGOMERY

NEOSHO                WILSON                WOODSON

All of eastern Oklahoma is also included in the watch.

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

Scattered strong to marginally severe storms will impact the area this morning, making way for more severe weather into the weekend.

Storms are expected now through 8 a.m. A tornado watch is also in effect for portions of eastern Oklahoma including the Tulsa area through 11 a.m. A lull in storm activity is expected from mid-morning through early afternoon for southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma. A second round of storms is possible this afternoon, primarily east of a line from Sedan to Tulsa. Severe weather will be possible with any storms that form. The strongest storms may be able to produce baseball sized hail, 65 mph wind gusts and a tornado cannot be ruled out.

The best chance for severe weather will be tomorrow across the four-state area. More information will be available in later forecasts. Stay tuned and count on KGGF for severe weather coverage if needed.

Graphic: Today's severe weather threat

 The city of Caney water system violates a drinking water standard.

 According to City Administrator Kelley Zellner, during a test administered March 4^th, disinfection byproducts, known as TTHM, set by the EPA at a running average of 80 micro grams per liter, registered at 91 micro grams per liter for the 1^st quarter of 2024.

 Zellner says an alternative water supply is not necessary, but if you have specific health concerns, you should consult your doctor.

 Zellner says this is another reason why the switch over to the Coffeyville water system needs to take place.

 The violation has been resolved. Heavy rainfall in a short period of time is being blamed for the violation.

 Residents in Montgomery County will have the chance to safely dispose of their old prescription medications tomorrow.

 The Coffeyville Police Department has partnered with the DEA for the 2024 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The event happens tomorrow from 10am until 2pm. CPD Police Chief Kwin Bromley says those who want to dispose of their old medicine can do so anonymously.

In addition to freeing up space in the medicine cabinet, Marci Roberts with Live Healthy Montgomery County says there are other good reasons to dispose of old medicine.

The event takes place from 10am to 2pm tomorrow. Other drop-off locations include the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office in Independence and the Cherryvale Police Department.

 The Independence City Commission meets and hears an update on public works projects.

 City engineer John Garris says the new Bartlett water line is nearly complete.

Garris also gave an update on the construction work on the municipal parking lot north of City Hall. He said work crews had just completed the first concrete pour in the lot and, weather permitting, construction should be complete by mid to late May.

 Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputies nab a pair of truck thieves and recover the stolen vehicles.

 On Wednesday, the Montgomery county Sheriff's Office responded to a 9-1-1 call of a Penske box truck that had been stolen from the Pete's Convenience Store location on West Main in Independence. The caller indicated the stolen truck was headed east on US-160. Deputies quickly located the truck east of Independence and attempted to pull it over, but the driver continued to flee. The truck turned onto US-169 where Cherryvale Police unsuccessfully deployed spike strips. The chase continued onto eastbound US-40 where Parsons Police and Labette County Sheriff's Deputies joined the pursuit.

The chase continued along county roads into Cherokee County where the Cherokee and Crawford County Sheriff's Offices joined the chase. Stop sticks were successfully deployed and the vehicle came to a stop in the middle of the roadway.

Deputies took into custody 34 year old Sumer Young of Independence and 36 year old Sierra Vernon of Coffeyville. Both suspects were taken to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections. Both face theft charges while Young will also face multiple traffic violations and charges of fleeing law enforcement.

Photo: Vernon (left), Young (right)

 The Collingsworth Famliy concert scheduled for Monday evening in Independence has been postponed due to unforseen circumstances.

 The concert will take place instead on Monday, May 6^th, at 7pm at Memorial Hall in Independence.

 Former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announces he is running for Congress.

 Schmidt announced Friday that he will run for the Republican nomination in Kansas' Second Congressional District.

A native of Independence, Schmidt has served as State Senator from District 15 and was Senate Majority leader from 2004 through 2010. He served as Kansas Attorney General for eleven years before running for Governor in 2022 where he lost to Laura Kelly.

Schmidt is a graduate of the University of Kansas, earned a Master's degree in International politics from the University of Leicester in England and has a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Kansas's Second Congressional seat is currently held by Republican Jake LaTurner who announced last week that he would not seek reelection.

 The Neodesha City Commission approves the purchase of a new police vehicle.

 At this week's meeting, Mayor Devin Johnson asks Police Chief Sam Tomlinson about the police vehicle that needs to be replaced.

Tomlinson told the commission that he compared several different models of vehicle in selecting the replacement. Tomlinson says he even looked at Teslas.

The commission gave its approval for the purchase of a 2024 Dodge Durango for no more than $62 thousand dollars.

In other business, Mayor Johnson also signed proclamations recognizing National Drinking Water Week, Public Service Recognition Week and National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.

 Authorities in Wichita are investigating a bomb threat made to buildings on the main campus late Thursday night.

 A call was made around 10pm to the Wichita State University Police Department indicating the presence of a bomb in Wallace Hall and also at the Starbuck's location on 21^st street. Both locations were evacuated. University police conducted a search of both locations and found no devices. The campus was given the all-clear around 2am Friday morning.

 A Tonganoxie man is sentenced to jail time for a 2023 traffic accident that killed two people.

 20 year old Jerron Lightfoot was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he ran a red light in Kansas City and crashed into a police car, killing 42 year old Officer James Muhlbauer, 52 year old Jesse Eckes, and Muhlbauer's police dog Champ.

Lightfoot entered a guilty plea to involuntary charges in February.

 A Missouri woman is arrested in connection to a shooting death near Nevada.

 On Tuesday, deputies from the Stone County, MO, Sheriff's Office were called to a scene in the northern part of the county where they found a deceased 50 year old male with a gunshot wound. Police were able to track the fleeing suspect using a series of cell phone pings.

Authorities eventually located the suspect near Nevada. The female suspect was identified as 62 year old Chris Tina Miller. Miller threatened to harm herself, but officers were able to convince her to surrender without incident.

Miller was taken into custody and transported to the Stone County Jail where she awaits charges.

 Students in Carthage had a bit of a scare yesterday.

 Mark Twain Elementary School in Carthage was evacuated yesterday after the building was struck by lightning. The strike occurred during the latest round of severe thunderstorms that moved through the area yesterday. Students and staff were moved to storm shelter classrooms shortly after the strike.

Students remained out of class as a precaution until the Carthage Fire Department could ensure that the building was safe.

 The Baxter Springs Police Chief announces he will run for Cherokee County Sheriff.

 Chief Brian Henderson made the announcement on Wednesday that he has filed the appropriate paperwork with the County Clerk's office to put his name on the ballot. Henderson has been a law enforcement officer for 28 years, 20 of which were spent as an officer in the the Joplin Police Department. Henderson retired as a sergeant from J-P-D in 2021 before taking the reins of the Baxter Springs Police Department. Henderson has worked as a patrol officer, traffic officer, and School resource officer among the many roles he has performed in his career.

The current Cherokee County Sheriff is David Groves who recently announced his departure from the position.

A local fallen fire chief is honored at the national level.

Dearing Fire Chief Martin K. Smith passed away in January of last year and is now being honored on the 2024 National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Honor Roll. Smith's name is among many listed on the back of a race car unveiled at the recent FDIC International firefighters conference in Indianapolis.

The car is expected to be raced in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in August which might make it to the Kansas Speedway.

 Bartlesville Police Chief Kevin Ickleberry responds to a video currently circulating that shows an encounter between a BPD police officer and and elderly woman.

 Body cam footage shows the officer taken the elderly woman to the ground and putting her in handcuffs. Ickleberry says that kind of behavior will not be tolerated.

The woman in the footage was pulled over after running a stop sign and failing to pull over when the officer first tried a traffic stop. The woman claimed she was trying to take her granddaughter to the hospital.

Ickleberry says the department wants to correct the things that went wrong in the stop and has signed up for a course form Georgetown University. Ickleberry says it will help officers do a better job.

Three officers began the training this week. Ickleberry says there are things citizens can do if they find themselves in a situation similar to the woman in the video.

For a link to the videos, go here, here, and also here.

Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies and Independence Fire EMS respond to a reported stabbing incident at Independence Community College.

Deputies spoke with the students involved and determined that a fight had taken place. The injured party declined medical treatment and transportation to the hospital. Deputies are continuing to investigate the matter.

ICC has been fully cooperative with the ongoing investigation, and there is no evidence or information suggesting that there are any ongoing threats. This appears to be an isolated incident among students.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office conducts a successful search warrant and makes an arrest for Fentanyl.

Detectives and deputies executed a narcotics search warrant at 633 West Beech Street in Independence. During the search, authorities took Crystal Blex into custody after discovering evidence of fentanyl use. Blex was transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where she was booked on charges of possession of Fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff Ron Wade says Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous and addictive drugs out there and unfortunately they are seeing an increase in its presence, with supplies coming from places like Wichita and Tulsa.

 Improvements made to a troublesome Parsons street pays off during heavy rains.

 During Thursday's heavy rains the Corning underpass in Parsons remained open. The low point in the road has been subject to flooding and closure in the past, but thanks to two new pumps that were installed recently, city crews were not forced to close the route. The pumps were paid for through ARPA funds received by the city in 2022 and were installed by LaForge and Budd.

This was one of the last projects completed by the long-time construction company before its recent closing. According to the city , the improvements have made Corning a much safer route for drivers during heavy rains.

 Two juveniles are arrested for an incident involving knives in Chapman, KS.

 On Monday afternoon, the Chapman Police Department responded to a call of a fight involving three juveniles at a city park. CPD says a video was made of the incident and has been circulating among students in the Chapman schools.

The third juvenile involved was a 14 year old boy who was the victim. He was unharmed in the incident. CPD says a report has been made to the Dickinson County Attorney's Office for consideration of charges.

 A fifth person is arrested in the kidnapping and murder case of two Kansas women.

 The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has arrested 31 year old Paul Grice on two counts of suspicion of murder in the first degree, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree in the murders of 27 year old Veronica Butler and 39 year old Jilian Kelley.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Grice admitted during an interview that he was part of the planning, killing, and burial of the two women. It also states that he was a part of a separate attempt of Butler's life in February.

Grice's first court appearance is scheduled for May 1^st.

 The Coffeyville Police Department is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration for the 2024 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

 Coffeyville Are Chamber President Candi Westbrook says this Saturday is the day to get rid of your old medicines.

On the last Take Back Day in October, law enforcement agencies nationwide collected more than 300 tons of unwanted medications. Other area agencies with drop off sites this Saturday include the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office in Independence and the Cherryvale Police Department. To find a drop off location near you, go to

DEATakeBack.com

 Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signs into law a bill that would require Oklahoma students to learn how to write in cursive.

 On Tuesday, the governor signed the bill which requires instruction in cursive handwriting for students in third through fifth grade.

The bill's author – Tulsa Democrat Kevin Matthews – called cursive an important skill that will help students in many ways. He said that learning cursive handwriting is proven to improve students’ neural and motor function, as well as their grammar, handwriting, and spelling. It can also assist them with reading historical documents.

Twenty-three other states, including Arkansas and Texas, also require cursive handwriting.

 It's a first for this legislative session, as the Oklahoma State Senate has voted to override Governor Kevin Stitt's veto on the Oklahoma Survivors Act. 

 Sen. Bill Coleman of Ponca City made the announcement. 

The law allows domestic violence victims found guilty of a crime to enter evidence of abuse at sentencing to get a shorter sentence. It would also allow for resentencing for domestic violence survivors whose victimization played a significant factor in their defense. In his veto, Governor Stitt stated that he is committed to justice reform but called this bill “bad policy.”

 Governor Laura Kelly tours a southeast Kansas educational facility.

 Governor Kelly was in Pittsburg Wednesday to tour the John Parolo Education Center located on the campus of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. Kelly discussed with the health center's leadership team how Medicaid expansion could help address the state's shortage of healthcare workers.

Kelly says the expansion could help end the shortage by offering better benefits to those in the medical field.

Legislators from Crawford County and the surrounding areas also attended the tour.

Severe storm chances will increase through Saturday for the four states.

Strong to severe storms are possible this morning mainly for locations along and east of I-135 this morning through afternoon. The main concerns today will be hail up to quarter-sized, and isolated damaging wind gusts. A second round of strong to severe storms is possible tonight through tomorrow Morning, with the main impacts centered in western Kansas and Oklahoma.

A conditional risk of isolated severe storms exists tomorrow afternoon along and east of the Flint Hills. The best chance for severe weather for the four-state area will be Saturday, with very large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes possible, mainly for eastern Kansas and most of Oklahoma. Stay tuned for additional forecasts and count on KGGF for severe weather coverage if needed.

Graphic: Thursday's severe weather threat