The Parsons Police Department receives a donation for their K9 officer.

PPD's K9 Morgan has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s. The vest was embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love-Trained to Serve-Loyal Always". Vested Interest in K9s is a charity whose mission is to provide these vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.

This body armor is U.S.-made, custom-fitted, and NIJ-certified. The program is open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. Each vest has a value of $1800, weighs an average of 4-5 pounds and comes with a five-year warranty.

One is arrested after a traffic stop leads to a short chase in Parsons.

Sunday, a Parsons Police Officer was on a routine patrol when he noticed a vehicle driving recklessly performing donuts at the intersection before speeding off. The officer attempted a traffic stop, but the driver fled the scene. As the vehicle slowed down, a passenger exited the vehicle, while the driver continued to evade the officer. Eventually, the vehicle came to a stop and the driver, Xavier Donnell Porter, exited the vehicle crawling to the ground from the driver's seat. A search of the vehicle found an open bottle of Tequila, pills, and methamphetamine.

Porter is a registered offender who is in violation of his offender status and was driving with a suspended license. Porter was placed under arrest with recommended charges of possession of a controlled substance, transporting an open container, reckless driving, driving under the influence, driving while suspended, violation of offender registration and multiple traffic violations.

Two men are arrested after a robbery in Parsons.

The Parsons Police Department responded to a call on Saturday, reporting a potentially dangerous situation involving a firearm. According to witnesses, Austin Pollard, Josh Chaloupek, Trevor Pecha and Langston Polk entered a yard and approached Christuffer Roeder, Luke Martin and Nathaniel Steele. Chaloupek and Pollard pointed guns at the victims. In response to this threat, Roeder drew his weapon, causing the four men to flee the scene.

he three victims were able to provide information to law enforcement, allowing them to positively identify the individuals involved. After a short investigation, officers located and arrested Pollard and Chaloupek for aggravated robbery. Additional charges were added against Pollard for criminal use of a weapon and possession of marijuana. Charges for Pecha and Polk are currently under review concerning their roles in the incident.

 Residents of Sedan attend a special meeting to hear about new trash service.

 The city of Sedan held a special meeting yesterday (Monday) evening to meet with representatives from Waste Connections of Bartlesville about new trash services in the community.

John Siale of Waste Connections was on hand to answer questions. Many residents wanted to know about prices and pick up times.

Siale told the crowd that there would be differences for rural and city customers.

He explained to those in attendance that city customers would get one cart with weekly pickup, while rural customers would get two carts and pick up every other week. No decision was made at this meeting. The next Sedan City Council meeting will be held next Tuesday evening at 5:30pm.

 Ascension Via Christi announces the closure of the Fort Scott Emergency Department.

 Ascension Via Christi will cease operations at its emergency department in Fort Scott on December 20. The health care providers cites a steady decline in daily visits and its overall daily census as the primary factor in the decision. Other economic challenges have also contributed to the closure. Drew Talbott, president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg says it was the only option for them and that there are other providers in the region poised to serve the residents of Fort Scott and neighboring communities.

 Next week is the 3^rd Annual Mobility Week and KANcycle is celebrating by offering free rides in Coffeyville.

 KANcycle is a regional bike sharing program with two stations in Coffeyville. There is one on the CCC campus near the administration building and another located downtown at 8^th and Walnut. Kansas Mobility Week celebrates making smart transportation choices and happens from November 5^th through the 12^th . During that time, riders can use the promo code “MobWeek23” for a free ride at any location in the KANcycle service area.

Bikes are easy to check out.  Riders need to download the Movatic app, find a rack with an available bike, enter the promo code on the payment screen, and start riding.  To end the ride, the process is reversed. Movatic manages all aspects of its bike-share programs — from bikes and technology to maintenance and fleet rebalancing. Riding KANcycle bike share is easy. Bikes can be found via the free Movatic Mobile App — available for iPhone and Android.  Each bike has a unique number which riders enter into the app to unlock the bike.  After the rider returns the bike to a designated Movatic bike station, the rental ends and the bike is available for the next person to enjoy.

 Representatives from the Kansas Water Office and the Regional Advisory Committees from the Neosho and Verdigris Regions meet to discuss water issues.

 The hot summer weather and prolonged drought conditions in southeast Kansas prompted a meeting of the representatives from these three groups to meet in Parsons yesterday to discuss water issues currently affecting the region. Attendees shared ideas about how to prevent future droughts from becoming critical. Verdigris Committee Member from the Independence Public Water Supply John Garris says that while building new reservoirs is difficult, there may be some similar but less difficult solutions.

Doug Blex from the  Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy or WRAPS, was concerned by the response of some citizens during the water crisis.

Blex says he think getting out the message of the importance of water conservation should be a priority.

Both committees list increasing drought tolerance and maximizing reservoir storage capacity as top priorities. The purpose of the committees is to address water resource issues and what projects would most address those needs.

Harvest is finished for several summer crops.

According to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, 98% of corn has been harvested in Southeast Kansas. Statewide, 89% of the crop has been harvested in both Kansas and Oklahoma. In Kansas, 80% of soybeans have been harvested, while 47% have been harvested in Oklahoma, which is above the five-year average.

Winter wheat has seen good progress, with 83% planted in Southeast Kansas and 68% emerged. The percentage of wheat planted in southeast Kansas still lags the statewide average of 91%, but percentage emerged is more on track.

Topsoil and subsoil moisture continues to be a problem, with 63% of topsoil moisture supplies rated short or very short and 73% of subsoil moisture rated short to very short in Kansas.

  The Kansas Cold Weather Rule, designed to help Kansans who are behind on their utility payments avoid disconnection during the winter months, will begin tomorrow, November 1 and remain in effect through March 31.

 While the Cold Weather Rule is in effect, utility companies cannot disconnect a customer's service when the local temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees within the following 48-hour period. The Kansas Corporation Commission, the agency that regulates public utilities in the state, implemented the rule in 1983 to prevent utility companies from disconnecting a customer's natural gas or electric service during periods of extreme cold.

The Cold Weather Rule also requires utility companies to offer a 12-month payment plan to allow consumers to maintain or re-establish service. Any residential customer with a past due balance will qualify for payment arrangements; however, it is the customer's responsibility to contact their gas or electric company to make those arrangements.

Payment plan terms to maintain or restore service require that customers agree to pay 1/12th of the total amount owed, 1/12th of the current bill, the full amount of any disconnection or reconnection fee, plus any applicable deposit to the utility. The remaining balance must be paid in equal payments over the next 11 months, in addition to the current monthly bill.

The Cold Weather Rule applies only to residential customers of electric and natural gas utility companies under the KCC's jurisdiction, however many municipal utilities and cooperatives have similar winter weather policies.

Information about the Cold Weather Rule is available on the Commission’s website. Kansans may also contact their local utility company or the KCC's Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at (800) 662-0027 or 785-271-3140.

 The ghouls and goblins will be out tonight, looking for some Halloween treats, but don't let tonight be scary for real by avoiding real dangers like pedestrian accidents, falls, burns and poisonings.

 Safe Kids Kansas, the Kansas Poison Center, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal remind families to make safety part of your fall festivity planning.

On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a vehicle and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Drivers need to slow down and be extra alert, especially in neighborhoods, as there will be more children on the streets and sidewalks. Review safety rules with your kids before they leave the house. Trick-or-treaters are often out when it’s dark and more difficult for drivers to see them.

Parents and kids should also be careful with candy. It’s hard to resist the temptation to dive right into treats, but it is best to check sweets before children are allowed to eat them. Only eat treats in original and unopened wrappers. Also, be aware kids are in candy-seeking mode, so keep medicine locked up and away, and keep the Poison Help Line programmed into your phone: 800-222-1222.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of home structure fires happened because decorations were too close to a heat source. Most of these incidents were started by candles. Play it safe and use battery powered candles or lights. Remember to make sure your family has working smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside every sleeping room.

 Follow these tips to ensure your trick-or-treaters have a fun and safe holiday. 

Costume Safety 

• Choose costumes and decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant. 
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors. 
• Choose non-toxic face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision. 
• Have kids carry glow sticks and flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.  
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.  

Decorate Safely 

• Keep flammable materials such as hay bales, corn stalks and paper decorations away from heat and flame sources, like candles, light bulbs and heaters. 
• Use battery-operated candles in jack-o-lanterns and when decorating pathways and yards. 
• Set a reminder to blow out any candles and unplug lights at the end of the evening. 
• Talk to your teens who may be attending parties and haunted houses to look for the exits and have a way out in case of an emergency. 
• If using dry-ice, make sure you use gloves or tongs when handling it and do not put it in cups where it could be swallowed and cause severe burns. 

Walk Safely 

• Stick to sidewalks or paths. Don’t walk through neighbors’ yards, as there may be a hazard you can’t see. 
• If there are no sidewalks along your street, walk on the road facing traffic as far to left as possible. 
• Always stop and look before you cross the street, and cross at corners using signals and crosswalks whenever possible. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing. 
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up and teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars. 
• Put electronic devices away and pay attention to avoid hazards. 

Trick or Treat Safely 

• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit, stick to a pre-planned route and trick-or-treat in groups. 

Drive Safely 

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways. 
• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. 
• Watch out for pedestrians when turning at intersections. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully. 
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours. 

One is injured in a two-vehicle crash in Rogers County.

The injury collision happened this morning at around 5:30am on Highway 20 about a mile from Claremore. A 2012 Ford Fusion, driven by 49-year-old Sherri Hindman, of Claremore, failed to yield at a stop sign. A 1998 GMC Sierra, driven by 24-year-old Hunter Mathis, Pryor, hit the Fusion in the intersection.

Hindman was transported by Pafford EMS to Hillcrest Claremore and then Air Evaced to St Francis Tulsa, with head, body and leg injuries and was admitted in critical condition. Mathis was not injured.

The two men killed in a shooting at a Dodge City restaurant are identified.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Dodge City Police Department and the Ford County Sheriff’s Office have identified 28-year-old Abraham Morales-Santos and 29-year-old Antonio A. Cabrera as the two men killed yesterday morning at Central Station Bar and Grill. The 40-year-old shooting victim remains hospitalized in Wichita. His condition has improved, and he is currently stable.

36-year-old Ricardo J. Cadena-Garcia is being held in the Beaver County Jail in Oklahoma on a warrant for capital murder connected to the deaths of Morales-Santos and Cabrera, as well as attempted first-degree murder, and aggravated battery. An extradition hearing is expected. The investigation is ongoing.

One is arrested and a number of drugs are seized after three search warrants are executed in Labette County.

On Friday, the Labette Count Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Parsons Police Department and the Kansas Department of Revenue executed search warrants at 2501 Washington Street, 1538 25th Street and 2911 Main Street.

During their searches, officers located and seized 8.7 pounds of marijuana, four ounces of methamphetamine, and two grams of Fentanyl, along with over $18,000. 38-year-old Dorian Allen was arrested on a number of drug-related charges. The sheriff's office says other arrests will follow.

A Parsons teen is reported as a runaway or missing juvenile for the second time this month.

The Parsons Police Department is looking for 14-year-old MarCia Wilson. She was last seen on Thursday and was reported missing/runaway on Friday. Anyone with information should contact PPD at (620)421-7060.

Wilson was reported missing/runaway on October 4^th before being located on October 5^th.

The Independence Police Department along with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Bureau of Investigation are investigating the murder of an Independence man.

At about 7:30am this morning, IPD received a call of shots fired in the 1100 block of West Cedar. They arrived at the scene and found the victim, 37-year-old Jason York, who had been shot. The coroner pronounced York dead at the scene. The investigation is in its preliminary stages and no one has been arrested.

Anyone with information on this case should contact investigators at (620)332-1700 or call the KBI at 1-800-KS-Crime.

A groundbreaking is held for an RV park and campground coming to Vinita as part of their amusement park project. American Heartland Senior Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales Kristy Adams says this begins a shared journey.

Adams says the Three Ponies RV Park and Campground is the first phase of the American Heartland Amusement Park project.  Three Ponies will have 750 RV spaces and 300 cabins plus amenities. It is expected to be open by 2025, with American Heartland opening up in 2026.

 The K-State listening tour slated for this Thursday in Parsons has been canceled.

 The program had been set to hear from residents regarding healthier lifestyles in the state.

 One of Kansas' most infamous families, the Bloody Benders murdered at least 11 people in the 1870s and then buried them on their property near Parsons.

 When the family's terrible deeds were finally discovered, the family had vanished. The notorious local serial killers have captured the imagination of many people in southeast Kansas.

Bob Miller, owner of the land where the Bender house stood, recently partnered with a team of archaeologists from the University of Kansas in an attempt to locate the actual site of the old cabin. Miller says finding any of the old buildings would help find the rest of the Bender homestead.

The archaeological team was on site in July and took more than 100 pieces of glass and pottery for analysis. The team plans to return next summer to continue their work in hopes of finding the house and burial sites, with the possibility that there may still be victims whose bodies have not yet been found.

 The Montgomery County Health Department has flu shots available for residents who would like to get one.

 Brandee Hanna-Kirk spoke at today's Montgomery County Commission meeting to report that the health department had given flu shots to several area businesses and that they are available to do more.

Hanna-Kirk also said the health department had received 50 doses of the latest Covid booster. In addition to those services, the health department also has a new counselor to help with a common problem. They have a new tobacco prevention counselor to help those who want to quit smoking.

In other business before the commission, County Treasurer Nancy Clubine reported that the treasurer's office is looking to hire two temporary staff members to help during tax season. Those with questions can contact the Montgomery County Health Department at  (620) 331-4300 or (620) 251-4210

No injuries are reported after a structure fire in Elk City.

Independence Fire/EMS was called to Elk City yesterday to assist with a structure fire. Units from Sycamore and Independence Rural Fire also responded to the scene.  No one near the structure or responding to the call was injured.

  Halloween is tomorrow and many area communities and organizations are getting ready with their annual trunk or treat events.

 Among groups hosting events are:

• Neodesha, First United Methodist Church, 802 Indiana Street, starting at 5:30pm

• Fredonia, in the downtown square, 5:30-7:30pm

• Cherryvale at the community center, 712 South Liberty, 6:30-9:30pm

• Caney Church of the Nazarene, 407 North Spring Street, 6-8pm

• Sedan, North Chautauqua Street in front of the courthouse, starts at 5:30pm and includes a costume contest

• Coffeyville, St Paulo's Lutheran church, 506 West 9^th Street, 5:30-6:30pm

• Independence, downtown, 6-7:30pm

• Oswego, downtown, 6pm

• Nowata, downtown, 3-5:30pm

 The Kansas Water Office's Neosho and Verdigris Regional Advisory Committees will meet today in Parsons to discuss current water issues in the region.

 As the state's water office, the KWO conducts water planning, policy coordination and water marketing as well as facilitating public input on water issues. The agency also prepares the state water plan for water resource development, management, and conservation. Today's meeting will take place at 1pm at the Parsons Public Library at 311 South 17^th Street in Parsons.

 The legal battle between the newspaper The Marion County Record and the City of Marion are heating up once again.

  Eric Meyer, owner of the paper, and other reporters for The Marion County Record are asking the city for text messages between city staff and city council members during the time that the small town paper was raided by local police on August 11^th of this year. The raids led to the resignation of Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody on September 28^th .

Meyer says the newspaper is looking for what officials may have said to Cody and encouraged him to do. An attorney for the city of Marion has denied the request because the messages in question are on the private phones of city officials, stating that obtaining the messages from personal property would place an unreasonable burden on the city and the city is not obligated to produce the records.

Meyer says he thinks there is something in the messages and is considering legal action to obtain them.

 The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Dodge City Police Department and the Ford County Sheriff’s Office announce the arrest of a suspect in a weekend killing. 

 36 yeard old Ricardo Cadena-Garcia, of Dodge City, was arrested Sunday in Oklahoma and is believed connected to a Sunday morning shooting at the Central Station Bar and Grill in Dodge City that killed two men and injured two others. Cadena-Garcia then fled into Oklahoma.

 The Beaver County, OK, Sheriff’s Office sent deputies to search the area. They located Cadena-Garcia’s vehicle 1.5 miles outside of Forgan, Oklahoma. The truck was disabled due to a blown front tire. Cadena-Garcia was waiting for assistance from an area tire shop when deputies approached his truck. He was arrested without incident. 

Cadena-Garcia was booked into the Beaver County Jail. Formal charges are pending. The investigation is ongoing.

 A woman arrested last week for the assault of a Missouri police officer has now been charged with the attempted murder of an inmate.

 26 year old Raven Gomez of Columbia, MO, was arrested on October 18 near Moran, KS,  and was booked into the Allen County Jail. Last Friday, during a meal period in the jail, authorities says Gomez attacked another inmate with a food tray, causing the other female to fall to the floor and the inmate's glasses were broken, possibly by Gomez stomping on them. Gomez then used a piece of the broken glass as a weapon, striking the other woman in the face, head, neck and body. The other inmate was not fatally injured.

According to court documents, Gomez told an investigator that the attack was premeditated and that she had intended to kill the other woman. Her bond if set at $100,000.

The sounds of the Tulsa Quartet filled the air at Saturday's Masquerade Ball at the Brown Mansion. Costumed attendees took in a night of elegance in the historic third-floor ballroom at the mansion. Among the crowd was the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity Director Trisha Purdon. Pete Walterscheid also entertained the crowd with magic tricks. Up next at the Brown Mansion will be the annual Candlelit Tours, which are scheduled for the first four weekends of December.

On a cold and wet evening the famed country-gospel vocal group the Oak Ridge Boys thrilled the crowd Saturday night at Memorial Hall in Independence to close out Neewollah.  Performing an array of hits spanning 50 years the group closed the show with their biggest hit "Elvira" as the crowd sang along.

While a large crowd packed Memorial Hall very few people braved the weather outside for the final night of carnival rides, food trucks and games that are a part of the annual festival.  Although sparsely attended Saturday night Neewollah was very successful the rest of the week as near large crowds attended the activities during the pleasant weather earlier in the week and near record crowds for the Grand Parade earlier Saturday.

During Halloween, much like the Fourth of July, it is important to remember safety tips for pets. Coffeyville Friends of Animals Becky Barnhart says there can be a lot going on for a pet during Halloween.

Barnhart says, if possible, bring outside pets inside for a few hours while people are out trick-or-treating. If a pet does go missing you can contact CFA at (620)252-6060 or check their Facebook page.

The suspicious white powder scare from this summer proves costly for the state.  Kansas State Senator Virgil Peck says the situation cost almost $750,000.

That amount doesn't include how much it cost for local law enforcement agencies who responded to these situations around the state. Senator Peck says a lot of work went into sending the over 100 letters.

The powder ended up being some type of flower in most cases, no one received anything harmful. Peck says the KBI does believe they can solve this and find the person or group responsible.

 City Office in Cherryvale will close at noon today in order to give employees and their families the opportunity to enjoy Neewollah events and activities.

 Normal hours will return on Monday.

 Get ready for some spooky history in Neodesha.

 On Monday night, the Neodesha Area Chamber of Commerce will host tours of the city cemetery. The tours will begin at 7pm Monday night with the last tour of the evening starting at 8. Robyn Pierce from the Neodesha Chamber of Commerce says the tour will feature some spooky history of the city.

Admission is $10 for those age 12 and up while kids under 12 are $5. Those under 12 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Attendees should wear good walking shoes and bring a flashlight. The Neodesha City Cemetery is located at 1900 North 12^th street.

 The Neodesha City Commission approves a bond issuance to improve their municipal water system.

 At Wednesday's meeting, the commission heard from David Arteberry of Stifel, Nicklaus & Company advisors on the bond issuance.

The ordinance passed with a unanimous vote. Other business before the commission included approval of funding for the Fall River Dam Southeast Abutment Repairs and approval of a request for the use of the Civic Center for Senior Recreational Activities.

 The SWAT Team was called to a Joplin residence yesterday evening.

 Just before 5pm last night, Joplin Police were called to a residence on the 3400 block of South Joplin Street in the Oak Ridge neighborhood to conduct a well-being check of a female at that location. When officers arrived on scene, they discovered a male in the house with outstanding felony warrants. Officers set up a perimeter around the home and began to use a bullhorn to speak with those inside, asking them to exit the residence. SWAT was called in and broke into the back door of the house just before 6pm.. The occupants exited without incident and the male was taken into custody. The female was unharmed.

 A former teacher with the Miami, OK, public schools has been arrested and charged for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a student.

 54 year old Ronald Dale Sanders has been charged with travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual contact. Authorities claim Sanders sexually assaulted a 14 year old student in the alley behind her house. According to reports, the victim's father discovered the incident and followed Sanders before calling 911. Sanders was then arrested for driving under suspension and transportation of an open alcohol container.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident and the Miami School District is cooperating with the investigation.

 Residents of Miami, OK, are ready to kick up their heels this weekend.

 Tomorrow night is the Dance Through the Decades Patron Prom. Miami residents aged 21 and older are invited to dress in their finest decades-themed attire – anything from the 1920s through the 2000s – and come for an evening of dancing, drinks and fundraising. There will be food, a cash bar, a live auction, raffles, and dancing. There will even be a chance to vote for Prom King and Queen. General admission tickets are $30 and VIP tickets are $120. Proceeds benefit the Miami Chamber of Commerce Arts and Humanities Council. The event runs from 7 to 10pm tomorrow night at 1000 Buffalo Run Plaza in Miami.

 The identity of human remains found in Allen County over the summer has been determined.

 An anthropologist has determined that the male human remains discovered over the summer are those of an Iola man missing since 2017.

Last March, a man searching for antler sheds near Humboldt called 911 after finding skeletal remains near Arizona Road and 1800the street. The Allen County sheriff's Office contacted the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to help with the case.

The remains have been identified as those of 44 year old Dennis Luschbough of Iola, who went missing in August of 2017. Luschbough's family has been notified and, while the cause of death is not yet known, foul play is not suspected.

Reader looking to stock their bookshelves will have a chance to do so this weekend.

The Coffeyville Public Library book sale continues today and tomorrow. Paperbacks, hardbacks and even audio books are available at very low prices. The only thing you may need to bring will be a bag or box to carry your purchased books. The library is open today and tomorrow from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Drivers on U.S. 400 can expect a slowdown south of Neodesha.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has started a concrete patching project on the northbound lanes of U.S. 75/400 in Montgomery County. The road work is located between the south junction of U.S. 75/400 and the Wilson County line. Traffic is restricted to one lane with a speed limit of 50 miles per hour. Weather permitting, the work should be finished by early December. KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through the highway work zone.

Improvements at the Coffeyville Airport will be on full display this weekend.

A fly-in will be held tomorrow at the municipal airport from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Director of Airport Services Jarrod Powers says the purpose of the event is to invite the public into a space they might not normally visit.

Powers says the city took over airport services two-and-a-half years ago, and opening the self-serve fuel pump earlier this year has been a big deal for local aviation.

Powers says visitors can of course drive in, but the first 10 pilots to fly in will be given a free lunch. For everyone else, lunch will be available for purchase from Pop Pop's Soda Shoppe. The airport is located in the Coffeyville Industrial Park at 2608 N 2^nd Industrial Street.

Large crowds of several thousand people turned out for Neewollah festivities in downtown Independence.  The highlight of the evening was the annual Doo Dah parade featuring adults in costumes.   

The parade got underway at 6:00pm along Penn, but the crowds stayed to enjoy carnival rides and games, food trucks and live music from the bandstand stage at Penn and Laurel Streets.  

Neewollah continues tomorrow night before winding up Saturday with the Grand Parade and a performance Saturday night at Memorial Hall by the Oak Ridge Boys on their farewell tour.

As Halloween approaches, area law enforcement agencies are reminding parents of safety tips to help keep children safe.

Many communities and organizations host community safe walk or trunk or treat events, which can be used as an alternative to going to unknown homes. Children who do go door-to-door should go with a responsible adult and only to well-lit homes. Children should avoid entering homes without parental or guardian supervision. Pedestrians should stay on the sidewalks. Trick-or-treaters should wear reflective clothing or carry a light. Ensure costumes fit well and do not obstruct visibility or cause them to trip and fall. Ensure children know their address and parent's phone number, in case they get separated.

For drivers, eliminate distractions, focus on the road and trick-or-treaters. Slow down in residential neighborhoods and obey all traffic signs and signals. Look for children crossing the street. Turn on headlights, even in the daylight, to be more visible.

 The Independence Gun Club is holding a silent auction this Saturday at the Sporting and Heritage Center in downtown Independence and, thanks to the ICC Chapter of Student Veterans of America, they will have one very unique item to auction off.

 The SVA Chapter from Independence Community College presented the gun club with a signed and numbered American eagle carving for their fundraising auction. The artwork was commissioned by Dallas businessman and two-time presidential candidate, H. Ross Perot. Mr. Perot had a thousand of the eagles made and used them as symbolic gifts and tokens of acknowledgment to exceptional employees and others who demonstrated the highest level of patriotism and integrity. When Perot’s company sold in 2008 the new owners disposed of the remaining eagles. This eagle is one of the few that remains.

ICC SVA President Quinton Mason presented the carved eagle to the IGC and stated that the club was honored to donate an item that is a symbol of America and the patriotism of its people.

 The City of Caney and the USD436 School District receive help to reduce water consumption.

 Caney Superintendent Blake Vargas says three semis full of water were donated by Wal Mart and a semi truck was sent by Convoy of Hope to help the entire town. Vargas breaks down the numbers.

 Vargas also gave an update on the portable restrooms for Caney schools.

 Vargas says daily updates for water usage will be given through the website caney.com, so residents can see how water saving techniques implemented in the district are working.

 The homecoming fun continues through the weekend at Coffeyville community College.

 Each day this week on the CCC Campus has had a theme for homecoming week. Today is Throwback Day with a look back at the 90s and 2000s. Dean of Students Ryan McCune says there is still lots of events and activities set to happen.

The Red Ravens will take on the Butler Grizzlies at Veterans Stadium on Saturday night.

 The Oak Ridge Boys are headlining Neewollah this year with a Saturday night performance at Memorial Hall in Independence.

 This is part of their farewell tour and as a group that has played Neewollah on several occasions, they have a unique relationship with the city. As a part of that relationship, Mayor Louis Ysusi announced at last night's City Commission meeting that Independence will present the group with a key to the city at Saturday Night's show.

In other business the commission approved ordinances for imminent domain for several properties for sewer replacement and they also approved additional funding for the mill and overlay paving on Myrtle Street.

 The Montgomery County Clerk's Office announces the drop box closing for advanced ballots.

 The Election Drop Box Located in front of the Judicial Building in Independence Kansas will be closed for Advanced Ballots for the upcoming Election on November 7^th. Voters should bring envelopes into the County Clerk’s Office located at 217 E Myrtle or mail them in to PO Box 446 Independence, KS 67301.

 The city of Miami, OK, uses high-flying tech to catch hidden suspects.

 The MPD along with Ottawa County Deputies, Quapaw Marshalls, and BIA used thermal imaging from a drone to locate and capture a suspect wanted on several felony warrants. Officers arrested 33 year old Richard Foley of Quapaw yesterday (Wednesday). The arrest was made after officers used areal footage from a drone with thermal imaging to locate the suspect hiding in tall grass in a field. The suspect was not visible from ground level. Foley was taken into custody without incident and was booked on several felony charges including two counts of second degree burglary and one count of aggravated DUI. He is being held in the Ottawa County Jail in Miami.

An Oklahoma bull riding team finishes 6th place in the Professional Bull Riders Camping World Team Series in Las Vegas.

After concluding the regular season No. 4 in the league with a 14-14 record, the Oklahoma City-based Freedom faced off against the No. 7 Nashville Stampede in their first game of the tournament, winning after the lead changed six times. The Freedom won the game in walk-off form by a slim 0.5 points with the final scoreboard reading 262 - 261.5. The team wasn't as lucky on night two, falling to the Texas Rattlers 170.75 - 87.

Several native Kansans and Oklahomans are on the team, including Tate and Coy Pollmeier of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Caden Bunch of Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

 An accident on US-54 leaves a Missouri man dead.

 The accident happened yesterday evening around 6:45pm at the junction of US-54 and K-3, about 15 miles west of Fort Scott. A 2019 Toyota Rav 4 driven by 75 year old Rebecca Shinn of Uniontown was traveling eastbound on US-54. Shinn attempted to make a left turn onto K-3 and failed to yield to oncoming traffic. Shinn's vehicle was struck by a 2016 Jeep Wrangler driven by 35 year old Heath Baker of Nevada, MO. Shinn, who was wearing a seatbelt, was taken to Via Christi in Pittsburg with minor injuries. Baker was taken to St. Luke's Hospital with serious injuries. Baker had two passengers in his vehicle. The first – 44 year old Nathaniel Morehead of Milan, MO – was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The condition of the second passenger who is a juvenile remains unknown. No one in Baker's vehicle was wearing a seatbelt.

 Neewollah continues through the weekend in Independence.

 That's the sound of Neewollah revelers enjoying the food vendors and carnival midway that opened yesterday in downtown Independence. The festivities continue today and tonight features the Doo Dah parade starting at 6pm. On the bandstand tonight are the bands Caddywhompus, Swamp Poodle, and Final Warning.

Tomorrow is the Kiddie Parade at 4pm. Saturday caps off the the festivities with the Grand Parade at 11am, the Marching Band Competition at Riverside Park at 1:30pm, and the Oak Ridge Boys at 7:30pm at Memorial Hall.

 One man is injured and one woman is dead after a three vehicle accident near Sedan.

 The accident occurred around 7:20am yesterday morning on US-166 just southeast of Sedan. A 2007 Chevy Impala driven by 15 year old Grace Prince of Sedan crossed the center line and struck a 2023 Dodge Charger driven by 38 year old Charles Hockett of Mundelein, Illinois. Hockett lost control of his vehicle and then struck a 2019 Kia Soul driven by 54 year old Pamela Long of Niotaze. Long was pronounced dead at the scene. Both Prince and Hockett were taken to Sedan City Hospital, Hockett with serious injuries. There were two juveniles in Long's vehicle. Their conditions are unknown.

The City of Independence is celebrating the completed Phase I and II renovation of the historic 1916 Independence City Hall.

The City is hosting a Welcome Home Housewarming on Friday, November 3^rd. Drop-in public tours will be offered from 1:00pm to 5:00pm, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30pm. The Independence Mid-Continent Band is scheduled to play during the ribbon-cutting event. Mayor Louis Ysusi says much of the building’s historic character has been preserved, but important updates and redesigns will allow the City to use the space and serve its customers more efficiently and effectively. He says they are eager to welcome the community back into the new ‘old’ space.

The almost $9 million investment brings the building up to modern safety and accessibility standards. While the building’s traditional 6^th Street entrance at the top of the front steps is open, an ADA-accessible entrance and parking is now available on the building’s south side. Guests are welcome to use either entrance and staff will be stationed to assist with tours and answer questions.

The electric and water meter change-out process in Coffeyville continues. Director of Customer Service Alesia McFarland says with this process they have found a lot of meter reading mistakes.

McFarland says anyone who needs help or has questions about a bill should contact customer service.  McFarland says you can also send her an email with questions at amcfarland@coffeyville.com. They expect the electric meter change out to be down by the end of the month and the water meters by the end of this year.

 A Dewey man was in Washington County Court yesterday on a charge of domestic abuse in front of a child.

 26-year-old Bryan Hudson was arrested Monday after police responded to a domestic situation on the 300 block of North Oak Street. When police arrived, Hudson told them that the alleged victim was “acting crazy” and leaving him. Police noted the victim had bruising on her left eye and scratches along with markings on her neck and chest and was in visible distress. The victim said the markings happened in the last two days when Hudson allegedly pushed her. The victim also stated that their oldest child was in the garage where the alleged incident took place.

 Hudson says the victim injured herself to get him in trouble.

 Hudson was given a $5,000 bond with a court date set for November 1st.

 A home in the Colonial area of Bartlesville is robbed by seven youth early yesterday morning.

 According to one of the victims, the seven suspects entered the house around 2:30am armed with guns. They went stright to the bedroom of the man's teenage son, beat and robbed the young man and then fled.

 No arrests have been made; the investigation by the Bartlesville police department is in beginning stages. Similar reports have been made but it is unclear if the cases are related.

 This investigation is ongoing.

 More information has been released by the Lamar, Missouri Police Department about a stabbing that happened shortly after a home football game last week.

 Yesterday, LPD confirmed three teenage boys, all from Pittsburg, ages 14, 14, and 16 – are in custody due to a multi-agency investigation of the October 20th stabbing. The victims were 14 and 15 year old from Lamar: one was beaten, the other suffered multiple stab wounds.

 The incident took place around 9:15 PM near 6th and Maple, just south of the Lamar High School Football Stadium. Both were treated and released.

 Investigators say the suspects hid between parked cars before attacking the two victims as they walked by.

 The suspects have been charged with first degree assault through Juvenile Courts.

 The Lamar Police Department investigated this incident with assistance from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, The Ozark Drug Enforcement Team, and The State Juvenile Office.

 A Galena man has been sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing methamphetamine and distribution of a firearm.

 37-year-old Carlos Joseph Blake Gandy was sentenced Monday to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Gandy was sentenced as an armed career criminal due to his prior felony convictions.

 Gandy plead guilty October 18^th to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. The arrest took place August 30, 2021, when law enforcement found him operating a motorcycle in Joplin under a revoked license. Gandy was seen with a black backpack, but denied having one with him when he was arrested. Inside the backpack, officers found a plastic baggie that contained approximately 33.86 grams of methamphetamine, another baggie that contained approximately 3.2 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a loaded .45-caliber pistol.

 When he was arrested, Gandy was parole or probation for two robbery convictions and a conviction for stealing a car. Gandy also has two prior felony convictions for robbery, two prior felony convictions for tampering with a motor vehicle, and prior felony convictions for possessing methamphetamine, manufacturing methamphetamine, resisting arrest, possessing a chemical with the intent to create a controlled substance, and possessing a stolen vehicle.

 The case was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Joplin, Police Department.

This year's Queen Neelah has been crowned.

Kylee Davis was named Queen Neelah LXXXII during the Queen Neelah coronation last night at Memorial Hall. Allison Leiker was named first runner-up, and Mattily Brumley was named second runner-up.

Neewollah activities ramp up tonight with the opening of the carnival at 5 p.m. and food stands this morning at 11, plus bandstand entertainment all day including the IHS Orchestra and marching band and Neewollah royalty. The first parade kicks off tomorrow with the Doo Dah Parade at 6 p.m. with the theme “Every Beauty Needs Her Beast.”

Two men are dead after a head-on crash near Fredonia.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, 29-year-old Dustin Hale of Rogers, Arkansas was driving a 2020 Chevy Express Van eastbound on US 400 just after midnight yesterday near K-47. Hale's vehicle crossed the center line and had a head-on collision with a 2022 Ford Escape driven by 51-year-old Scott Bryant of Wichita. Hale's van came to rest on the Eastbound shoulder facing Southeast. Bryant's car spun into the eastbound ditch where it caught fire. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene and next of kin has been notified. Hale was not wearing a safety restraint, while it is unknown if Bryant was wearing a seat belt.

Coffeyville City Commissioners hear concerns about the awning and column removal on 9^th Street with the damage to some of the buildings now showing. Vice Mayor Bob York, who owns buildings on that street, says the damage to the brick siding of buildings has nothing to do with the awning removal.

York says the damage to the brick is internal damage from rain leaking in from the roof.  York says getting this kind of damage fixed can take time but the removal of the awnings makes it easier to for repairs to the sides of those buildings. When it comes to the pigeon poop, York says the removal of the awnings has decreased that significantly.   

The Independence Police Department establishes three ADA parking areas for the Neewollah Festival.

Those three locations include the south row of the municipal parking lot located on the southeast corner of Chestnut and 8^th, the east half of the 100 block of East Myrtle, both sides of the street and the municipal parking lot on the northeast corner of 6^th and Myrtle. ADA parking spaces will be marked with standard signs and temporarily painted stripes on the lots. Van-accessible spaces will have additional width to accommodate entry and exit from vans.

Festival goers cannot park in any portion of any row marked for ADA parking without displaying credentials as required by law. Do not park in the loading/unloading areas between spaces. All violators will be cited and towed immediately.

 Today is Buckle Up, Phone Down Day across the country and the Kansas Department of Transportation wants to challenge all drivers to ditch the distractions and focus on safety.

 Across the U.S., more than 42,000 people died in crashes in 2022, and about 50% of those killed in a passenger motor vehicle were not belted or restrained. In Kansas, 410 people died in traffic crashes last year. According to KDOT stats, 156 of those people were reported unbuckled.

Driving distracted is a big concern as well. Last year, more than 13,000 crashes occurred across Kansas because drivers were inattentive or were sidetracked by cell phones, eating, applying makeup, or people in the vehicle.  Those crashes resulted in 98 fatalities and near,ly 5,000 injuries.

Drivers will see increased enforcement of occupant protection and texting laws across the state as law enforcement officials are partnering in this effort. The goal is to bring awareness to these two simple actions – buckling up and putting the phone down – to help reduce traffic fatalities.

 The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred yesterday (Monday) morning in western Kansas.

 The incident occurred around 11am yesterday on US-54 about five miles west of Pratt when a motor carrier inspector from the Kansas Highway Patrol observed a 2016 Honda Odyssey on the side of the road. The officer stopped to offer help and ran the vehicle's tag number. Before the information on the tag came back, the vehicle fled, departing west on US-54. The tag then came back stolen out of Saline County and KHP and deputies from the Kingman County Seriff's Office attempted to locate the vehicle.

They found the vehicle stoppped along the highway and surrounded it. The female driver then rammed a Kingman County Patrol car and fled the scene. A chase ensued and entered Pratt County, at which time the Pratt County Sheriff's Office joined in. during the pursuit, the male and female occupants of the fleeing car switched places.

Officers deployed stop sticks several times, finally bringing the vehicle to a stop in the parking lot of a convenience store in Pratt.  The female passenger, later identified as Abyana Parker, 22, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, exited the vehicle and ran. A deputy with the Kingman County Sheriff’s Office deployed a taser during her arrest. Parker was arrested for aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer, flee and elude, operating a stolen vehicle, interference with law enforcement, and criminal damage to property.

Meanwhile, the male subject, later identified as 29-year-old Ulysses M. Parker II, of Colorado Springs, fled in the opposite direction. He forced the occupant of a white F-350 pickup that was pulling a trailer and water tank out of the vehicle and stole it. Parker fled west on US-54, crossing the center line multiple times, endangering motorists and forcing at least one driver off the road. Parker then made a loop in a field and began heading back east, toward Pratt. Stop sticks were deployed and the vehicle eventually came to a stop. During the incident a deputy from the Pratt County Sheriff’s Office fired multiple times into the truck, and Parker was struck in the arm.

He was transported to a Wichita hospital where he was treated for his injuries. Parker was later released and was arrested for aggravated assault. Additional charges are expected. Both subjects were booked into the Kingman County Jail.

The KBI asks anyone who was driving in this area Monday around 10:45 a.m., and impacted or endangered by this incident, to call 1-800-KS-CRIME to provide a statement. 

This investigation is ongoing. 

 The Kansas Bureau of Investigation confirms an investigation into the Kansas courts security breach.

 The KBI said yesterday that it is investigating the incident along with its federal partners. The security breach has temporarily moved the state back to on-paper and in-person operations. Kansas courts have remained open but have been forced to reply entirely on paper filings.

Anyone doing business with the courts must do so in person. Those looking to pay the courts must do so by mail and those looking for a marriage license must do so in-peron since the courts cannot current accept electronic payments. Those waiting for bond refunds or restitution will have to wait until systems are back online to receive their payments as will those awaiting child support payments from court orders.

Operations have not yet returned to normal.

 Neewollah week continues today in Independence.

 Last night was the Queen Neelah Talent Competition at Memorial Hall. Seven candidates were chosen to perform their talents at tonight's coronation: Jenna Schaper, Tionne Johnson, Hadley Hines, Kylee Davis, Allison Leiker, Ella Johnston, and Ayushree Patel.

The Queen Coronation is set for 7pm tonight at Memorial Hall.

Starting tomorrow, the food stands open downtown and the carnival midway opens as well. Bandstand acts tomorrow include the IMS and IHS orchestras, the First Baptist Worship Team, R & S Dance Studio, and Matt Wren.

The Oak Ridge Boys will perform Saturday night at Memorial Hall as a part of their farewell tour.

(Photo, left to right: Jenna Schaper, Tionne Johnson, Hadley Hines, Kylee Davis, Allison Leiker, Ella Johnston, and Ayushree Patel)

 A juvenile female was seriously injured yesterday (Monday) afternoon in an ATV crash in Rogers County.

 According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, an 11-year-old girl was driving a 2019 Polaris with an 11-year-old girl passenger on East 370 Road and South 406 Road, about five miles south of Talala. At approximately 3:05 p.m. Monday, while attempting a turn on an uneven surface, the ATV went on its side.

The juvenile female passenger was transported by Oolagah-Talala EMS to a Tulsa hospital in serious condition with leg injuries.

The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office and Northwest Fire also responded to the scene.

 The Nowata County Commissioners met for their regularly scheduled Monday meeting and started off covering their normal bases. They started with an update on the courthouse walls. 

 It was reported that a contractor had been found to look at the walls and assess the issues with them. The contractor is working on a quote for the cost to repair but added the walls had to be fixed for health reasons.

The metal detectors were also delivered to the courthouse with one already being put to use, and another one still in limbo due to the ceiling being too low and the fact that it wouldn't fit in the elevator.

The commissioners next agreed to an interlocal agreement with the City of Wann to help with some maintenance issues in local areas. The agreement covers the taking care of some dead trees and street signs at the park in Wann.

The commissioners will meet again next Monday at the Nowata County Courthouse Annex.

KGGF has been awarded best severe weather coverage for a medium-market station by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters.

This is the station's fourth award for severe weather in the last five years. Management and staff from KGGF including Kaleb Potter, John Leonard, James Copeland, Chris Freund and Matt Jordan (pictured left to right) traveled to Overland Park yesterday to accept the award, along with a second-place award for news feature and four third-place awards for morning show, excellence in multimedia, news feature and overall station excellence. Other cities in the medium-market category include stations in Lawrence, Manhattan and Joplin.

 Chanute residents hoping to kick up their heels a bit this coming holiday season will have the chance to do just that.

 The Chanute Do-Si-Do Square Dance club is offering lessons for beginners Sunday evenings through December 17^th. The class is open for anyone age 9 and up and no partner is required to attend. The goal is to get you ready for the New Years Eve Dance or any of the Saturday night dances held by the club. Those interested should wear something comfortable and be prepared to dance Sunday evenings from 5 to 7pm at the Central Park Pavilion in Chanute.

 Caney asks Montgomery County for help with their water emergency.

 City Administrator Kelly Zellner and USD 436 Superintendent Blake Vargas went before the Montgomery County Commission today to ask commissioners for a declaration of a state of emergency for the water situation in Caney. Caney officials stated last week that they had only one more pull left from the Timber Hill Lake into the Little Caney River. Caney Schools have changed to a four day school week and all local businesses are using porta-potties in an attempt to save as much water as possible. Caney City Administrator Kelly Zellner tells commissioners that rain alone won't help their current situation.

School superintendent Blake Vargas also spelled out for commissioners the steps the school district has taken to reduce water usage. As one of the largest consumers of water in Caney, USD 436 has made some major changes to reduce their water consumption. In addition to a shortened school week, the schools will also use porta potties for restroom use and dispense water instead of using bottled water to reduce the need for restroom use. The district is also considering changes to sports schedules to limit the number of home games. Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Rick Whitson says the schools and everyone else in Caney have worked to improve the situation, but that now is the time for outside help.

The commission agreed that the Caney water problem needs to be addressed as soon as possible in order to get the emergency help the city needs and approved the Emergency Declaration. The next step is to get approval from the state.

 A semi truck hauling bottled Dr. Pepper overturned on Mo-96 just north of Joplin early this morning.

 The tractor-trailer box broke open during the accident near Oronogo, MO, and spilled 44,000 pounds of Dr. Pepper across the highway. The trailer was completely destroyed in the accident and will have to be completely unloaded before the accident can be cleared.

Crews from The Jasper county Sheriff's Office, the Oronogo Police Department and Oronogo Fire Departments responded to the scene. The westbound lane of Mo-96 is closed and will likely remain so throughout the morning as clean-up occurs. Those planning to travel in the Joplin area today should avoid the area.

 Neewollah 2023 is off to a good start.

 The yearly festival in Independence got underway over the weekend with performances of the musical Beauty and the Beast at Memorial Hall. Athletic enthusiasts joined the fun on Saturday at Riverside Park, taking part in the 5K, 10K, and Fun Runs. Riverside Park was also bathed in the sweet aroma of BBQ on Saturday with the 1^st BBQ Cook off. Hundreds of people came out to sample the food.

Tonight contestants for Queen Neelah step into the spotlight with the Queen Neelah Talent Contest at 7pm at Memorial Hall

 Authorities in El Dorado have upgraded charges against a road rage suspect after victim dies.

 Authorities have upgraded charges against 23 year old Ashton McCoy to include aggravated battery and first-degree murder. McCoy was initially arrested for battery on October 8^th for alleged battery against a 74 year old man. The incident occurred at an El Dorado convenience store following an alleged road rage incident.

The 74 year old victim Alton Kent Algrim sustained injuries during the incident. Algrim later died at a Wichita Hospital.

McCoy's next hearing is set for November 20. Anyone with information about the original October 8^th incident should contact police at (316) 321-9120

 It's deer breeding season and that means deer are increasingly on the move, from now until the end of the year.

 Deer collisions can happen any time of year, but they are much more common in the fall. This means it's important for drivers to take caution especially when driving at dawn or dusk, when deer along roadways are more prevalent. The most important safety precaution drivers can take is to be alert and watch for deer along the roadway. Shawn Steward of Triple-A Kansas, says deer are a common cause of traffic accidents.

Steward also advises drivers to reduce speed near wooded areas and green spaces or streams and ponds, especially around deer crossing signs. not to swerve to avoid hitting a deer, as it may cause motorists to veer into oncoming traffic, run off the road, hit other objects, or overturn.

 More than 100 area students attend Junior/Senior Day at Independence Community College.

 ICC welcomed more than 120 area students to the college's annual Junior/Senior Day event held on Friday on the ICC main campus. The even offered students the opportunity to interact with ICC faculty and program directors while gaining insight into campus life through guided tours. The college also showcased some of its unique resources such as the ICC Fab Lab, the E-Sports Arena, and the William Inge Center for the Fine Arts.

ICC Senior Recruiter Chris Cameron called the event an investment in a brighter future for students considering the next step in their lives.

 The pilot of a small plane is injured after making an emergency landing near Iola on Saturday.

 27 year old James Devers of Oklahoma City was injured Saturday after making an emergency landing. Devers was attempting to land at the Iola Airport when he ran out of fuel around 7:30pm o n Saturday evening. He landed the plane on 2000 Road about 3 miles southeast of Iola. In the process of landing, the end of the plane's right wing clipped a tree, causing Devers' plane to travel into the ditch on the west side of the road and strike a tree. Devers was taken to Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola where he was treated for minor injuries.

Rain is finally back in the forecast.

Numerous rounds of showers and a few thunderstorms are expected starting later today and continuing through the weekend. Over an inch of rain is likely just about everywhere in southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma, with total amounts of 3 to 6 inches expected across much of northeast Oklahoma. Locally heavy rain and some minor low-land flooding is possible. Severe storms are not expected.

Cattle on feed in Kansas is up 6% when compared with last year.

That's according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Kansas feedlots with capacities of 1,000 or more head contained 2.50 million cattle on feed on October 1st. This inventory was up 6% from last year. Placements during September totaled 505,000 head, up 13% from 2022. Fed cattle marketings for the month of September totaled 405,000 head, down 11% from last year. Other disappearances during September totaled 10,000 head, unchanged from last year.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Department is looking for a stolen truck.

The sheriff's office is investigating the theft of a 1977 yellow Chevy Truck from a property near Weir. Anyone with information related to the investigation, the location of the stolen truck or the identity of the suspects is asked to contact the sheriff's office at (620)429-3992.

According to a Facebook post, there is a $500 reward from the family for anyone with information that leads to the return of the truck.

An Independence man is arrested after barricading himself inside his home.

Last night at around 9:00pm, Independence Police officers responded to a report of a man involved in an aggravated burglary which resulted in a robbery and domestic battery situation. The suspect fled the scene from IPD officers and barricaded himself inside of his home. Due to the violent nature of the incident, IPD requested the assistance of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team.

A search warrant was granted to extract the barricaded suspect from the residence. The SERT team made entry into the residence and immediately located the suspect. The suspect was identified as 45-John David Hall and was taken into custody. Hall is facing recommended charges of stalking, aggravated domestic battery, aggravated robbery, theft of property and interference with law enforcement.   

 A Commerce, Oklahoma, Assistant Police Chief saves a homeowner from a house fire.

 Patrol Assistant Chief Vernon Moyer was on patrol on early Tuesday morning when he noticed flames coming from a house. Moyer contacted dispatch to request fire rescue then proceeded to check on the house. He saw flames coming out of the home's windows when he heard a woman's voice calling for help. Moyer determined the voice was coming from the garage and attempted to open the garage door. He found that the door was stuck and there were no other windows or doors available as the woman inside continued to call for help. Moyer says he pulled on the door as hard as he could and it finally came open, freeing the woman.

Fire crews arrived to extinguish the fire and EMS treated the woman for smoke inhalation. She sustained no other injuries.

There was extensive damage to the house and investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire.

 A Missouri couple arrested in Kansas face charges in two states.

  Raven Gomez and Brandon David face charges of felony assault on a law enforcement officer in connection to an incident in Jasper, Missouri, on Monday night.

The pair were allegedly arguing in the parking lot of a gas station on Monday, when they were approached by a Jasper police officer. According to authorities, Gomez punched the female officer in the face, knocking her down on the pavement. David then punched the officer a few more times before attempting to steal her patrol car. The pair ran over the officer's foot twice before fleeing the scene.

David and Gomez were later spotted in Fort Scott, where they are also suspects in a theft at an area store. They were taken into custody without incident at a property 5 miles southeast of Moran on Wednesday evening by deputies from Allen and Bourbon Counties.

Gomez and Brandon are currently in the Allen County Jail in Iola awaiting extradition to Missouri. Charges have been filed for Felony Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer with a $50,000 cash only bond.

 Neewollah kicks off in Independence this weekend at Memorial Hall with the musical Beauty and the Beast with shows tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday.

 Tomorrow's events include the 5K/10K/Fun Run at 8:30am, a cornhole tournament at 9:30, and the BBQ Contest and Dessert Contest at 11:30. All of those events take place at the oval at Riverside Park.

Among events coming up next week is the Doo Dah Parade on Thursday Night at 6pm in downtown Indy. Generalissimo Sabrina Overfield says the public can join in by voting on Doodah royalty.

Vote for Doo Dah royalty with a little pocket change because all proceeds will go to FORPAZ to help refurbish the big train at Riverside Park.

 There will be spooky fun with spooky spokes at Elk City State Park this weekend.

 Eagle Rock Shredders will host their 4^th Annual Haunted Bike Ride tomorrow evening from 6 to 8pm. Independence Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Wilson says anyone can join the fun at Elk City State Park's Eagle Rock MTB Trails.

Children under 8 do need to have a ride-along-buddy, so pack up the family and the bikes and make plans to enjoy some family-friendly outdoor fun.

 A sense of safety will be in the air tomorrow in Parsons.

 Tomorrow is the 2^nd Annual Parsons Safety Fair. Attendees can enjoy displays by police, the fire department, and EMS, plus Med-Flight will make a landing. There will be lots of information and more to help keep your family safe. The first 500 attendees will receive a free Child Identification Kit. The Fair runs from 10am to 4pm at the Parsons Convention Center at 1500 Cattlemans Drive, next to the Holiday Inn Express

 School has now been back in session for several weeks and that means it's important that drivers proceed with caution around schools and school buses.

 The Parsons Police Department reminds drivers to observe and abide by speed limits in school zones and be mindful of the lights on school buses. Flashing yellow lights on a school bus indicates the bus is getting ready to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.

Flashing Red lights on a bus mean stop. Racing past the arm puts young lives in jeopardy. Motorists may begin moving only when the red lights are turned off, the stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins to move.

School bus safety helps keep kids safe.

 The city of Caney will face a looming deadline if rainfall isn't received soon.

 In a special session of the Caney City Council last night, City Administrator Kelley Zellner gave an update on the level of Timber Hill Lake. Zellner says the deepest part of the lake sits at four feet, which means the town has one full pull left before they run out. City leaders estimate water through the end of the year, but after that, it's up in the air on how long supplies would last.

 Zellner will meet with Montgomery County Commissioners and Emergency Management Director Rick Whitson Monday morning to begin the process of declaring a state of emergency. Zellner commends residents who are conserving water, and penalties will soon be on the books for those who have not attempted to reduce water consumption.

 It takes around 77,000 gallons a day to operate the city of Caney, with the USD436 being one of the largest customers. After the special session of the Caney City Council, a special session of the Caney School Board took action to reduce their level of water consumption. The board voted to shift days around in the district calendar through the end of the semester, and discussed the sports schedule and the installation of alternative restrooms. Superintendent Blake Vargas says the utilization of the alternative restrooms will significantly cut their usage of water, but the district won't eliminate restrooms completely.

 Vargas says the alternative restrooms should be installed in the next couple of weeks.

Last night was one of the rare nights where parking in downtown Coffeyville was extremely scarce.

At least 2000 people packed downtown to participate in this year's Spooktacular event. Local businesses and organizations were on hand giving out candy and treats to kids in costume. The Coffeyville Fire Department also was present but had to leave the event early and respond to a call. After Spooktacular, hundreds headed over to the Coffeyville Community College campus for their annual trunk-or-treat. If you missed out on last night's events, area cities including Independence and Cherryvale have trunk-or-treats coming up on Halloween night.

Milk production in Kansas and Oklahoma is down.

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, milk production in Kansas during September 2023 totaled 329 million pounds, which is down 4% from September of 2022. The average number of milk cows was 169,000 head, 6,000 head less than September of last year. Milk production per cow averaged 1,945 pounds.

In Oklahoma, milk production for July through September totaled 149 million pounds, down 8 percent compared with last year. The average number of milk cows in Oklahoma during the quarter totaled 37,000 head, down 1,000 head from the same quarter in 2022.

 Oklahoma has become the first state in the nation to require a work zone safety and first responder safety course for teen drivers.

 The law, set to take effect November 1^st will require all Oklahoma teens to complete the free Oklahoma Work Zone Safe and First Responder Safety online education course before applying for their intermediate driver license.

Work Zone Safe along with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Service Oklahoma are highlighting this new law this week during National Teen Driver Safety Week. With car crashes being one of the leading causes of deaths for U.S. teenagers, new drivers must understand the importance of driving safely inside work zones and moving over and slowing down for first responders.

There have been many questions and concerns regarding utility billing in the City of Coffeyville. City Clerk Melissa Carter says when it comes to paying a bill there several ways to do so including one new way.

Other ways to pay a utility bill include in person at City Hall, online or by mail. Director of Customer Service Alesia McFarland says customers who have paid utility bills for 12 months can sign up for the average monthly payment plan.

Sign-ups for the average monthly payment are only done in October and March. A link to sign up for the AMP plan and a complete list of available ways to pay a bill can be found here.

 A couple wanted in connection to an assault on a Missouri police officer are captured near Moran.

 Raven Gomez and Brandon David were taken into custody last night (Wednesday evening) in Allen County by Allen County Sheriff's Deputies with the help of the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office. The pair was arrested without incident and will be returned to the Jasper, Missouri, Police Department to face charges of felon y assault of a police officer in connection to a Monday night incident.

David is accused of striking a Jasper Police officer before knocking her to the ground and allegedly trying to steal her patrol car. He and Gomez then ran over the officer's foot twice before fleeing the scene on Monday.

The injured officer was treated for her injuries at a local hospital and released.

 With the autumn months comes pumpkin spice. But, if coffee isn't your thing, you might be more inclined to grab some apple cider. While browsing the aisles of the local grocery store, shoppers may wonder … What's the difference between apple cider and apple juice?

 The most obvious answer is the color. Apple juice is lighter in color and cider is darker.

But that is just the beginning. While both are made from pressed apples, apple juice is filtered and often preservatives such as sugar are added. This makes apple juice sweeter, but it also gives it a longer shelf life. Once opened, a bottle of apple juice can last up to three weeks in the refrigerator. Unopened, it can last three to six months in the pantry.

Apple cider is unfiltered and unpasteurized, which means it doesn't last as long in the fridge. After seven to ten days, cider will begin to ferment and become either apple cider vinegar or alcoholic cider. Unlike juice, apple cider should be refrigerated at all times. Cider may also have sediment in the bottom, which can be solved by shaking it.

While both beverages contain anti-oxidants, apple cider can have twice as as many of them as juice. In the end, the may difference may be the taste and a matter of personal preference.

[Photo: apple juice (left), apple cider (right)]

 A Caney Pastor invites the community to join him in praying for rain.

 Pastor Brad Sanders of Cornerstone Church in Caney invites all residents to join him at the city park on Sunday evening at 6pm for a special prayer service for rain. The extreme drought conditions have prompted water emergencies across the region and has caused serious conservation efforts in Caney. Pastor Sanders also invites those who can't be at the park on Sunday to join in prayer at 6pm from wherever you are.

 Deer can pose a crash danger for motorists at any time of year in Kansas.

 This time of year, however, is the most dangerous time of year for deer collisions. Shawn Steward of AAA Kansas, says deer can be unpredictable, so even the best drivers are at risk.

37% of all single vehicle crashes in Kansas involve a collision with a deer. The Kansas Department of Transportation reports that 575 people were injured in deer collisions in 2022 and six of those were fatal. The Kansas highway Patrol reminds drivers to be especially aware when driving at dawn and dusk when deer are most active.

 Neewollah gets underway this weekend.

 It's the end of October and in Independence, that means it's time for Neewollah. The yearly festival kicks off this weekend with performances of the musical Beauty and the Beast at Memorial Hall. Neewollah volunteer John Hamlin reminds area residents that there's a new Neewollah event happening this weekend as well.

The BBQ Contest replaces the Chili Cook Off that has been held in past years and will take place on the oval at Riverside Park on Saturday. The Neewollah Dessert Contest also happens Saturday along with the Pumpkin Decorating Contest.

 The highly anticipated film Killers of the Flower Moon opens in theaters nationwide tomorrow.

 Movie-goers in Fort Scott can attend a free special movie night premiere at the Forst Cinema Movie Theater hosted by the Fort Scott National Historic Site and Friends of the Fort Scot Nationjal Historic Site. The movie is based on real events that took place in and around Osage County, Oklahoma, that led to the birth of the FBI. The film features Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert DeNiro, and Lily Gladstone and was filmed in Pawhuska and other parts of rural Osage County. Admission to the 6:40 showing of the movie is free.

 Fredonia City Commissioners approve a new purchase for city law enforcement.

 At last night's Fredonia city Commission meeting, commissioners heard quarterly department head reports from various areas in the city government. Chief of Police Brad Pfluger reported on the number of arrests that had been made in the city and on the search for a new Student Resource Officer for Fredonia Jr/Sr High. And, while making his report, Plfuger made a request of the commission:

Pfluger suggested that by purchasing another police car the city could re-purpose one of the existing cars in the fleet to replace the vehicle currently used by Code Enforcement. Commissioners agreed and approved $20,000 for the purchase of a nearly-new police cruiser. Pfluger estimates that this purchase would save the city nearly $40,000 over the purchase of a new vehicle.

In other business before the Fredonia City Commission, street closures were approved for Trunk or Treat on October 31^st , for the Christmas Parade on December 2^nd , and for the FCCLA Crash Simulation at the High School on October 26^th . The other major issue before the commission – changes to a city ordinance regarding late penalties to utility accounts – was tabled until the November 1^st meeting due to the absence of Commissioner Brandon Tindle at last night's meeting.

 It's a double dose of fun tonight at Coffeyville Community College.

 CCC invites the community to join them for a little early Halloween fun at Trunk or Treat Extravaganza from 6 to 7:30pm tonight in the Student Union parking lot. Participants can connect with coaches, activity sponsors, and staff for an evening a family-friendly fun.

After enjoying some Halloween treats, head on over to the Raven Madness Basketball Kick-Off event and enjoy performances, contests, and a chance to meet CCC basketball players and coaches

One of the area's first trick-or-treating events is coming up today.

Spooktacular kicks off this afternoon at 4:30 in downtown Coffeyville. Children and families are invited to dress up and head downtown to get treats from local businesses and organizations. Staff from KGGF will also be at the event handing out popcorn. Spooktacular runs until 6 p.m., and all are invited to head to the Coffeyville Community College campus immediately afterwards for a trunk-or-treat from 6 until 7:30 p.m.

The City of Caney places a burn ban into effect.

The City says this ban has been issued due to the water shortage and ongoing drought conditions. This means no outside burning or open fires within the city limits, which includes recreational fires in fire pits. This does not include grills or smokers used for cooking.

The ban is in effect until further notice. 

The City of Parsons is hosting a public safety fair this weekend.

The second annual Parsons Public Safety Fair is this Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Police, Fire, EMS and Med-Flight along with other helping agencies will be on-site. There will be a lot of safety information and displays.

The first 500 attendees will receive a free Child Identification Kit. The Fair will be at the Parsons Convention Center at 1500 Cattlemans Drive right next door to the Holiday Inn Express.

The William Inge Theater Festival's New Play Lab is accepting playwright applicants to have their scripts presented as readings as part of the festival.  The 7^th annual New Play Lab connects emerging playwrights with members of the national and regional theater Community during the 41^st annual William Inge Theatre Festival in Independence.

The selected New Play Lab playwrights will receive a professional staged reading of their play with an audience, feedback on their play, additional playwriting classes and seminars, opportunities to meet with theater professionals and VIP passes to all festival events. The William Inge Theater Festival is April 18^th through the 20^th. 

 The severe water shortage in Caney forces changes for the rest of the semester in the Caney USD436 district.

 Beginning Monday, October 30^th, the district will move to a four day school week to limit water use in schools. With over half of Caney students living outside the Caney city limits, Superintendent Blake Vargas says that will greatly help the water situation, but will not hurt students academically.

 Vargas says he understands that the extra day will impact families who use childcare, but it is a necessity when a no water situation is even a slight possibility.

 Vargas says switching from water fountains to bottled water has brought an interesting consequence.

 Other modifications at the schools include no showers at the school, water dispensers donated by Atmos Energy to replace bottled water, and a possible modified sports schedule with less home games until the water situation improves. Alternate restroom facilities will be used along with port-a-potties during sporting events, weather permitting. The alternate trailer restrooms will also be used during the school day, but Vargas says safety will continue to be a priority, with all students being supervised while entering and exiting the building, and accommodations made for students and staff with accessibility issues.

 Aspiring playwrights take note … The William Inge Theater Festival is looking for you.

 Or, more specifically, they are looking for your plays. The New Play Lab at the annual William Inge Theater Festival is accepting playwright applicants to have their new scripts presented as readings as part of the 2024 Inge Festival coming up this April at Independence Community College. The New Play Lab. is a partnership between the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission and the William Inge Center for the Arts at ICC.

The selected New Play Lab playwrights will receive:

• A professional staged reading of their play with an audience

• Feedback on their play facilitated by national theatre professionals.

• Additional playwriting classes and seminars exclusive to New Play Lab participants, including a masterclass with William Inge Theatre Festival guest playwrights.

• Opportunities to meet with theatre professionals from across the country.

• VIP passes to all festival events.

• Meal vouchers to enjoy local restaurants in William Inge’s Hometown of Independence.

Applications open Monday, October 16 and are due no later than midnight CST on November 16, 2023, with notification by Jan. 16, 2024. Note: the receipt of applications will be limited to the first 150 to apply. Only the first 150 applications will be reviewed. Therefore, applicants are urged to submit early, as the number of applicants may reach its limit before the final due date.

To apply, click here.

The Wilson County Health Department is receiving financial support this fiscal year.

The county has been approved for a pair of grants, All Hands on Deck and Kansas Fights Addiction.

All Hands on Deck is designed for drug endangered children, and pays $130,000 over two years. Kansas Fights Addiction pays $109,000 over one year.

Additional items of business at this week's commission meeting is early voting for Wildcat Extension representatives and school board in the county, as well as the county clerk finalizing levy information for the treasurer this week.

 As with many areas in the region the water situation in Independence remains a little bit of good news and more bad news.

 The good news is that water is and continues to be available for use in Independence. Even if there is no rain in the next couple of weeks, Neewollah will not be impacted. Daily average water use per meter is just under 162 gallons of water per day and city officials say usage has dropped from summer levels and is currently about average. Cooler fall temperatures also mean less evaporation fro Elk City Reservoir. 

The city reports for the last week of September, the average water pull from the Verdigris River was 1.98 million gallons per day while last week's average pull was 1.76 gallons per day. The city has used the first 60 million gallons of supplemental water and secured an additional 60 million gallons on a short-term contract on September 1. An additional amount of 200 million gallons that will be an annual contract is expected to be put in place by the end of October.

There remains little rain in the near-term forecast.

 The Parsons Public Schools are seeing a decrease in student violence.

 At Monday's Board of Education meetings, board members heard from Assistant Superintendent Jeff Pegues about behavioral issues in the school district. Pegues told the board that there has been an increase in behaviors such as profanity, horse play, disruptive behavior, and cell phone and dress code violations. But, Pegues says, catching these lower level infractions means stopping them before they escalate into something worse. The district is using restorative practices to deal with problems in positive ways. Pegues says a focus on student attendance has also had a big effect.

The school board also discussed a new open enrollment policy for out-of-district students as required by the state due to a new state statute and accepted resignations from bus driver Roger Daniels and weights coach Jeff Schibi.

 The Sedan City Council met last night to discuss city issues.

 Among items up for discussion was trash collection. Since Chautauqua County decided to discontinue providing trash service, Sedan has been in negotiations with Waste Connections. Representatives form the company will be on hand to answer resident questions about the trash service later this month. At last (Tuesday) night's meeting, Mayor Jack Warren reminded residents to attend the special hearing.

Mayor Warren also announced that new playground equipment will soon be installed at the city park.  Warren says the city was able to obtain the equipment at low cost thanks to a grant.

In other business at last  night's meeting, Council Member Tom Oast asked the police department for clarification in their reports.

County Clerk Sherry Miller also announced that a planned staff training would be pushed back to begin on October 30^th 

 Update: A head-on collision occurred around 6:45am this morning on US-166 at County Road 3900 just south of Dearing.

 Emergency crews from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, the Dearing Fire Department, and Coffeyville EMS responded to the emergency call. The Dearing Fire Department reports that upon their arrival on the scene, all occupants were out of their vehicles and there were no serious injuries.

 The Kansas Department for Children and Families says delays will occur for those working with the agency’s Child Support Services, due to the network security issue announced by the Kansas Judicial Branch last week.

 KDCF works daily with Kansas courts to process child support court orders and payments on behalf of Kansas families. With the e-filing and electronic court records system offline, Kansans should expect delays on returned filings, court hearings and orders being entered. Child support payments that are awaiting court orders or direction from KDCF, Court Trustees, and county clerks will be delayed. Any orders filed prior to the week of October 9^th should continue to process properly.

DCF and its contracted partners of YoungWilliams and Maximus will continue to provide full-service operations through paper and fax filings. Johnson County is not impacted by this as the county operates on an efiling and case management system used only by the county.

Individuals with cases in process should consult the Child Support Services customer hotline at 1-888-757-2445 with questions or status information. Updates will be provided at the Kansas Payment Center website

 A two vehicle accident near Erie leaves one woman injured.

 The accident occurred around 3:30 yesterday afternoon two miles north of Erie on US-59. A 2002 Dodge Dakota driven by 19 year old Amber Kirkpatrick of Walnut, KS, was westbound on K-146 when she approached a stop sign at the junction with US-59. Kirkpatrick attempted to turn south onto US-59 and was struck by a 2008 Sterling Truck driven by 49 year old Brian Fortman of Newalla, MO. Kirkpatrick was taken to Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute with minor injuries. Fortman was uninjured. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Nearly 50 percent of this year's winter wheat has been planted in southeast Kansas.

That's according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Numbers in southeast Kansas are well behind the statewide average of 70 percent. Winter wheat emerged is listed at 32 percent, near the state average of 38 percent. K-State Research and Extension Wildcat District Crop Agent James Coover says the lack of rainfall is delaying wheat progress.

Wheat is a little more on track in Oklahoma, with 64 percent planted and 31 percent emerged, which is closer to being on track but still a little behind when compared with the five-year average.

Get ready for an evening of Halloween festivities as Coffeyville Community College hosts its Trunk or Treat Extravaganza. The event is from 6:00pm to 7:30pm on Thursday at the College's Student Union parking lot.

After Trunk or Treat, CCC is hosting it's Raven Madness Basketball Kick-Off event starting at 7:30pm. This event will include performances, contests and a chance to meet the CCC basketball teams and coaches.

The second of two suspects in a 2020 double homicide in Cherokee County receives sentencing.

32-year-old Kimberly Blizzard, of McCune, was given a 330-month sentence in Cherokee County District Court after pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree intentional murder. On the morning of Sunday, June 14^th, 2020, Cherokee County Sheriff's investigators and Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents responded to a rural area north of Columbus, after the bodies of Blaze Swank and Kylan Shook were discovered.

The following day law enforcement located and apprehended Mark Hopkins II for his role in the murders. On Tuesday, June 16^th, 2020, Blizzard was taken into custody in connection with the case. In December, 2021, Hopkins was sentenced to life imprisonment.

 Twelve area colleges are set to meet on Thursday to discuss the unique needs of military-affiliated

students.

 The 2^nd Annual Veteran Student Services Providers Symposium will be held in Chanute on the campus of Neosho County Community College. Event organizer Tommy Ellis who serves as the Director of Veteran Student Success at Independence Community College says the symposium came about to help the schools improve the college experience for veteran students.

There will be speakers from the Veterans Administration and the US Department of Education at the event. Representatives from area community colleges from Independence, Coffeyville, Iola, Chanute, Parsons, Ark City, El Dorado, and Fort Scott are expected to attend as well as those from Pittsburg State, Emporia State, and Southwestern College in Winfield.

 The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks successfully reintroduces a protected species of mussel to the Neosho River.

 KDWP says the purpose of the project is to create self-sustaining populations of the federally endangered Neosho Mucket Mussel in order to recover, de-list, and deregulate the mussel population. Around 1,300 of the mussels have been released into the Neosho River from the Neosho Fish Hatchery and the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium.

 Police in Jasper, Missouri, are looking for a couple in connection to an assault on a police officer yesterday evening.

 A Jasper police officer responded to a call of a disturbance at a gas station around 9pm last night. When he arrived on the scene, the officer observed a male and female arguing in the parking lot. He approached the couple and began a routine pat down of the female. During the pat down, the female used her fists on the officer and knocked him to the ground. As the officer lay on the ground, stunned, the female got into the driver's seat and ran over the officer's feet twice before fleeing the scene. The female driver has been identified as Raven Gomez and her male passenger as Brandon David. Both are wanted on various outstanding warrants including Felony Assault of a Police Officer. Anyone with information on Gomez or David should contact the Jasper County Sheriff's Office at 417-358-8177.

 The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks announces changes to the Kansas trout season.

 As the time for trout fishing in Kansas approaches, the KDWP announces some changes to the nearly 30 year old program in an attempt to improve angler satisfaction and program efficiency.

Changes to the 2023-2024 trout season include a new start date. This year's season will begin on December 1. The later start should help by not compromising fish health in warmer water. Each trout fishing water will be stocked during the most fished months of the year, instead of year round. The season will also conclude at the end of March instead of April 15.

While most fish stocked will be rainbow trout, Kansas anglers can occasionally catch a palomino or golden rainbow trout. Not to be confused with golden trout, golden rainbow trout have a genetic variation that many fish growers selectively breed to create a novelty fish for anglers to pursue.

KDWP based the changes on interviews with anglers.

Anglers 16 and older who wish to fish for trout must possess a $14.50 Trout Permit and fishing license, unless exempt. Kansas youth 15 and younger must possess a Youth Trout Permit, which can be purchased for just $7 (NOTE: Youth age 15 and younger are not required to have a fishing license). All anglers with a trout permit may keep up to five trout per day, unless posted otherwise.

To purchase a Trout Permit, click here.

To find a license vendor near you, click here.

To learn more about trout fishing in Kansas, click here.

 This week is National Teen Driver Safety Week and the Kansas Department of Transportation wants to help parents and guardians stress the importance of safety to their young drivers.

 Some of the biggest dangers for teen drivers include drug or alcohol use, lack of seat belt use, distracted driving, speeding, and driving with passengers in the vehicle.

KDOT encourages parents to talk with their kids about their expectations for safe driving. Familiarize yourself with the rules and restrictions of the Kansas graduated driver license. Set a good example by demonstrating your own safe driving habits. And remind your teens that safe road behavior is everyone's responsibility.

 The City of Coffeyville is having a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day today.

 Items that will be accepted are antifreeze, pesticides, used oil, transmission fluid, household cleaners, paint, and batteries. Drop off is between 8am and 2pm today at the downtown parking lot south of Commercial Bank located at 105 east 9^th . Items NOT accepted include explosives, compressed gas cylinders, tires, and asbestos.

 The Oklahoma Broadband Office has scheduled a public meeting in Miami.

 Miami is one of ten cities slated for the “Oklahoma's Digital Promise” tour to help the OBO gather public input. This will allow the OBO to develop a detailed plan to help close the gap between those communities with high speed internet and those without it.

Residents, business owners, farmers and ranchers, community leaders, members of tribal communities, and representatives for schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and other community organizations are encouraged to attend. You must register to attend. The meeting will be held Friday at 1pm in the upstairs meeting room at the Miami Public Library.

To register to attend a meeing, click here.

Other cities on the tour:

• October 3, 1:00 pm – Hobart
• October 5, 1:00pm – Muskogee
• October 11, 6:00pm – Krebs
• October 12, 11:00 am – Burns Flat
• October 17, 1:00pm – Atoka
• October 19, 6:00 pm – Oklahoma City
• October 20, 1:00 pm - Miami, Miami Public Library
• October 24, 11:00am – Okarche
• October 25, 1:00 pm – Duncan
• October 26, 12:00pm – Watonga
• November 9, 10:00 am – Ponca City

 Clarification was given in last night's Caney City Council meeting concerning a letter written by City Administrator Kelley Zellner that was posted on social media and the city's website late last week.

 Zellner says the letter was sent to the Kansas Department of Water, giving them an update on where the city is in their water situation. The city is having to release another round of water from Timber Hill Lake into the Little Caney River. With the concern of the depth of Timber Hill Lake, Zellner says it is absolutely imperative that conservation efforts continue in Caney. Zellner says most of the town understands that conservation is important.

 The small variety Zellner mentioned was forty four customers in the city who used water for projects such as watering grass, washing cars and filling swimming pools. Zellner says a future meeting will determine what to do with those who excessively use water.

  Mayor Josh Elliott says he and city staff is contacting businesses with restriction modifications on restrooms, with public restrooms open for paying customers only. He says the town is working with some businesses and how their water usage can be decreased.

The building next to City Hall in Cherryvale may eventually have to be torn down.

That was the consensus at last night's Cherryvale City Council Meeting, during which council members met as the Cherryvale Land Bank to discuss the proposed donation of the building next to city hall from Brad Bowman. According to City Administrator Jonathan Booe, the building was probably built in the mid-1800s and is in poor shape.

Some were frustrated with the potential of the city and taxpayers being stuck with the cleanup bill, but Council Member Norman Johnson says either route will probably lead to the same conclusion.

The topic was tabled and the regular council meeting continued with the approval of the Veterans Day Parade on Friday, November 10^th. Resolutions were approved concerning two dangerous structures. Council members also had an open discussion on a potential new provider for the city's website.

A mountain lion is spotted in Parsons. The mountain lion was seen on a security video on Friday. The location was along the northeast edge of town near Labette Creek.

The Parsons Police Department was made aware of this sighting and contacted the Kansas Department of Wildlife. The KDWP says while this mountain lion is likely no longer in the city, residents should be alert. If the mountain lion is spotted in town, residents should contact PPD at (620)421-7060, so that local KDWP officials may be dispatched. The KDWP is also investigating the area. Mountain lion attacks on people are extremely rare, but residents should be aware of basic precautions.

In the event of an encounter, do not approach the animal and do not run away. If children or pets are present, gather them or pick them up, and slowly back away. If a mountain lion still approaches, look as big as possible and speak in a loud, firm voice.  Since 2007, mountain lions have been confirmed more than 60 times in Kansas, including most recently in Allen County last week. So far, all have been moving across the state. Like most mountain lions, this one will naturally move on to other areas on its own.

With concerns over water and drought conditions continuing, all public restrooms with be closed in Caney.

Mayor Josh Elliot ordered that all public restrooms be closed as of noon today. There is no word on when they can or will be reopened. As of late last week, the City of Caney released their remaining water from Timber Hill Lake for the final few times.

The City will discuss water conservation enforcement regulations at tonight's meeting. They are hoping with the right restrictions in place they can make it to the 2024 spring rain season.

 Labette County Community College will host a lecture series at the end of this month.

 LCCC welcomes special guest speaker Patty McGee to the 38^th Annual Jack and Ruth Gibben English Lecture Series coming up on October 27^th (next Friday). McGee is an author-educator whose passion and vision is to create learning environments where teachers and students can discover their true potential. She has served schools nationally and internationally to support literacy teaching and learning. McGee is the author of two books. The event happens from 9am until 2:30pm at the Cardinal Event Center on the LCCC Campus.

 K-State is hosting a family and community programming listening tour this month.

 K-State Family and Consumer Science Agents want to hear your ideas for promoting healthier lifestyles in Kansas. This Thursday, they will be at the public library in Independence from 5:30 to 6:30pm. No registration is needed. The Independence Public Library is located at 220 East Maple. For more information, call the Wildcat District at 620-331-2690

 Pumpkin decorators in Independence, get ready!

 This Saturday is the 2023 Neewollah Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Decorate your best pumpkin and drop it off on the east side of the Stich Shelter House between 8:30 and 10:30 Saturday morning. There are four age categories from little kids all the way up to adults.

Age categories:

• 5 and under
• 6-9
• 10-14
• 15 and up (including adults)

Winners will be announced at the BBQ Cook off on Saturday.

 The second part of a three part book discussion series continues at the Parsons Public Library.

 The discussion series entitled “The Kansas Experience” explores the experiences of individuals who pushed back against poverty, racism, violence, and hatred to find success and then advocated for others in similar situations. The series continues next Monday at 6pm with a discussion of the book Heartland by Sarah Smarsh. Heartland is a memoir of growing up in a family of wheat farmers on one side and teen mothers on the other. Smarsh is a 5^th generation Kansan and Heartland was a finalist for the National Book Award. The discussion is sponsoered by Humanities Kansas as a part of its Talk about Literature in Kansas program

Parsons Public Library is located at 311 S. 17th St. For more information about the event, contact the library by calling 620-421-5920.

 The general election is quickly approaching. Election day 2023 is set for November 7^th and Kansans who want to vote but are not registered have just one more day to do so.

 Tomorrow is the deadline to register to vote for the November election. If you want to vote and have never registered or if your name or address has changed since the last time you voted, you will need to re-register.

Click here for more information.

 Candidates for the Independence City Commission faced voters for the first time last week.

 At the Candidates Forum at Memorial Hall last week the three candidates for the two open seats on the city commission had the chance to answer voters' questions. Each candidate gave their impromptu answers to the question of city infrastructure. Each were asked what they would do to maintain and improve an expensive area in the city budget. Dean Hayse says the key to infrastructure is to keep up with daily maintenance.

First-time candidate Bobby Hise says he thinks adequate funding for projects is the key.

Candidate William Scott Smith says he thinks an important part of infrastructure is to use employee knowledge to know what work needs to be done.

Hayse. Hise, and Smith will face off on the ballot in the general election on November 7^th .

(Photo, left to right: Bobby Hise, Dean Hayse, William Scott Smith, Anthony Vaughn, Lisa Wilson)

 The city of Independence is ready to begin construction on a new sports complex.

 Ground breaking ceremonies were held on Friday for the new Central Park Sports Complex on Park Boulevard in Indy. Mayor Louis Ysusi was on hand with other state and local officials to officially begin the new project. Ysusi says the purpose of the new sports complex is to continue the city tradition of providing excellent outdoor activities for the kids of Independence.

The project was made possible through donations from local citizens and organizations including the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Phase one of construction is slated to begin in the spring with Phase 2 to follow in the spring of 2025. Friday's ceremonies also included a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the Outdoor Fitness Center, located just southwest of the current ball parks.

A special public hearing and town hall will be held in Sedan at the end of the month.

The topic will be a discussion on city trash services after Chautauqua County decided to discontinue providing the service. Representatives from Waste Connections will be present to answer any questions community members may have. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 30^th in the 4-H building to accommodate everyone who would like to attend. No formal city council action will be taken a this meeting.

A Missouri woman is dead after a crash in Labette County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, 78-year-old Nancy Davis of Marshfield Missouri was driving a 2015 Chevy Impala westbound on U.S. 400 about three miles east of Parsons. Around 2:45 p.m. on Friday, Davis crossed the center line and struck a semi-truck and trailer driven by 43-year-old Tracey Butler of Bartow, Florida. Davis was pronounced dead a the scene and next of kin has been notified. Butler was taken to Labette Health with a suspected minor injury. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.

Water restrictions could get more strict in Caney.

According to City Administrator Kelly Zellner, the city's remaining water from Timber Hill Lake will be released for the final few times. This water should last the city until the end of the year with the current consumption and drought conditions. Zellner says enforcement regulations will be considered at the next council meeting. City officials also intend to work with the two biggest water consumers in the area on alternative conservation practices and options, as well as the other businesses in town. Zellner says once penalties are in place, the city has a chance of making it to the spring rains of 2024.

The cause of death is revealed in the case of the passing of Parsons Police Department K9 Karim.

According to the final necropsy report, extreme temperatures on the day in question is the lone contributing factor to the passing of Karim. The Labette County Sheriff's Office is initiating legal proceedings against PPD Officer Devin Wisdom. The case has been formally submitted to the Labette County Attorney's Office with requested charges of cruelty to animals. The decision to proceed with formal charges now lies with the Attorney's Office.

The Parsons Police Department is in the process of organizing a memorial service for Karim, with details to be announced in the near future. Chief Robert Spinks says their current focus is on concluding the investigation while simultaneously making arrangements for Karim's interment and memorial service to pay tribute to his role as a member of their department.

 State officials hear about transportation concerns in southeast Kansas.

 Officials from the Kansas Department of Transportation met with residents and local government officials in Iola yesterday. This is one of nine such meetings held across the state during the month of October. KDOT Secretary Calvin Reed says he has been impressed by the turn out in southeast Kansas and in the rest of the state.

At the meeting there was a strong focus on the roads near the new Bartlett plant. The roads near the plant will likely see an increase in heavy truck traffic, especially during harvest season. Sections of 160, east of the intersection and 169 north and south of the intersection with 160 also received a great deal of support from area officials. This is only one factor KDOT will use in determining which projects to fund and does not guarantee action by the state.

Election Day is quickly approaching and that means so are several important dates for voters.

Election Day 2023 is set for November 7^th. For those who want to vote, that means your last day to register is Tuesday, October 17.

To register to vote you must be a U.S citizen and be a resident of the State of Kansas. You must also have reached the age of 18 years before the next statewide general election and, if you have been convicted of a felony, have received final discharge from imprisonment, parole or conditional release. You will also need to register if either your name or address has changed.

For those already registered, early voting begins on Wednesday, October 18 and runs through Monday November 6, at your local county clerk's office.

Montgomery County, 217 E Myrtle, Independence

Labette County, 501 Merchant, Oswego

Chautauqua County, 215 N Chautauqua, Sedan

Bourbon County, 210 N National Ave, Ft. Scott

Neosho County, 100 S Main, Erie

Wilson County, 615 Madison #104, Fredonia

 Governor Kelly announces a major award for a Parsons business.

 Tank Connection of Parsons was awarded the Governor's Exporter of the Year Award last night as a part of the state Department of Commerce's Kansas Business Awards ceremony held in Wichita.

Nearly 300 businesses, organizations, and individuals were nominated in nine categories for their contributions to the state's economic success and their support of their local communities.

Tank Connection is the global leader in dry bulk and liquid storage systems and has multiple manufacturing facilities in southeast Kansas.

Governor Kelly says the Kansas economy is booming because of innovative businesses like Tank Connection.

Sedan homecoming festivities continue with a parade this afternoon.

Floats need to be lined up south of the football field by noon. Students will be dismissed early this afternoon to put the finishing touches on their floats. The parade begins at 2:30, and the community and elementary students should line up on Elm Street to watch. After the parade, all are then invited to follow back to the football field for a pep rally.

 Candidates for the USD 446 School Board faced voters for the first time on Wednesday night.

 Four of the eight candidates running for open positions on the Independence school board took questions at the Candidate Forum at the Civic Center this week. One of the questions they were asked was to state what they see as the most important issues facing the school district and to share their ideas to address those issues. Candidate Marty Reichenberger says the key is to continue to provide students with a world-class education.

Candidate Scott Hines says that staff retention is important, but that there are other issues to consider as well.

Candidate Charles Barker Sr says he thinks truancy and absenteeism are major issues, but he also adds that when looking for solutions, it's important to consider the positives as well as the negatives.

Candidate Jennifer Rutledge says the most important issues are staff retention and recruiting.

These four will be joined on the ballot for the USD 446 School Board by candidates Amanda Fredrickson, Joseph Housel, Andy O'Brien, and Melissa Small on election day, November 7^th

To view the video of the USD 446 School Board Forum, click here.

(Photo: left to right, Scott Hines, Charles Barker Sr, Marty Reichenberger, Anthony Vaughn, Lisa Wilson, Jennifer Rutledge)

A class is coming up for anyone looking to obtain their food handler's certificate.

Kansas State Research and Extension Wildcat District is conducting a ServSafe Food Handler education program next Friday, October 20^th at 8 a.m. The training will be held at the Wildcat Extension Office Conference Room, 410 Peter Pan Road in Independence. The program provides education to help keep food safe, and participants will receive a book in class and be evaluated at the end of class to receive a food handler’s certificate, which is good for three years. Preregistration is required by Wednesday, October 18^th. Registration can be completed by calling 620-331-2690 or via this link.

A Parsons man is arrested on a parole violation. In May, an investigation was started into the case of a non-compliant offender, 42-year-old Billy Lee White. The investigation revealed that White had been non-compliant since failing to register in December and had persistently remained in violation since January 1^st. White, currently on parole under the supervision of the Kansas Department of Corrections, was officially designated as a parole absconder by the KDOC on March 24^th.

After eluding authorities for over 280 days, White was finally taken into custody today. While on patrol, a PPD officer came into contact with White shortly after 11:00am today. White attempted to flee but the officer was able to locate him and place him under arrest. He is currently detained on a KDOC absconder warrant, with additional charges pending for aggravated violation of offender registration and eight counts of violation of offender registration.

A jury returns a guilty verdict following the trial of a Baxter Springs man.

After deliberating for nearly three hours, a Cherokee County Jury returned their verdict earlier this afternoon. The trial, which began Tuesday morning, came after Cherokee County Sheriff's Detectives began an investigation in November 2019, into 36-year-old Jason Miller's criminal conduct with a juvenile.

The jury found Miller guilty of three counts of rape, two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and one count of lewd and lascivious behavior. The judge ordered Miller to be held in the Cherokee County Jail and scheduled his sentencing for December.

Three suffer injuries in a two vehicle crash in Craig County.

The injury collision happened last night just after 8:00pm on Highway 60 and Highway 82, about two miles east of Vinita. A 2019 Lexus GX4, driven by 57-year-old Chai Vang, of Tulsa, was making the turn onto Hwy 60. The Lexus failed to yield at the stop sign pulling out in front of a 2005 Chevy Tahoe, driven by 63-year-old Gregory Gorman, of Broken Arrow. The passenger of the Lexus, 54-year-old Ia Change of Collinsville, and Groman were pinned for 30 minutes. The Vinita Fire Department used the Jaws of Life to extricate them.

ang was transported by Mercy EMS to Freeman Hospital in Joplin and was treated and released with internal injuries. Change was transported by Air Evac to Freeman Hospital and admitted in fair condition with a head injury. Gorman was transported by Mercy EMS to Mercy Hospital in Joplin and admitted in fair condition with a leg injury.

 A pair of area teens are arrested on drug charges.

 On Tuesday evening, Montgomery County sheriff's deputies stopped a 2015v Volkswagon Passat for a stop sign violation. During the traffic stop, deputies noticed the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A search of the car revealed marijuana, nearly 1000 fentanyl pills, drug paraphernalia, and an amount of cash.

Both the driver 18 year old Trinity Schlegel of Neodesha, and the passenger 18 year old Quaylan Johnson of Independence, were taken into custody. They were transported to the Montgomery County Jail and booked on the recommended charges of distribution of opiates, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The case will be referred to the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office for proper charging.

 A woman is in custody on burglary charges after a traffic stop in Weir.

 On Monday night, deputies in Cherokee County spotted a vehicle that matched the description of a car connected to an alleged burglary in Weir. The burglary occurred at the Weir Mini-Storage Unit on October 4.

The driver of the car 21 year old Raven Edwards was taken into custody on allegations of burglary, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

An investigation leads to the arrest of a Cherokee County couple on a number of charges.

The Columbus Police Department and Cherokee County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant on a Columbus home last night. The warrant came after an investigation into suspected drug activity. At around 9:00pm, the warrant was served at 1121 West Oak Street. During the search, law enforcement discovered suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, leading to the arrests of 45-year-old Mariah Moore and 42-year-old Michael Moore.

Both suspects were transported to the Cherokee County Jail on allegations of possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Additionally, Mariah Moore is being held on allegations of child endangerment.

 A roll-over accident in Harper County leaves an Oklahoma man dead.

 The accident occurred just after 4pm yesterday afternoon when a 2019 Kenworth driven by 59 year old Nelse O'Hair of Laverne, Oklahoma, was traveling southbound on K 14 just north of Harper, Kansas. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, O'Hair's vehicle left the roadway to the right. It then struck a ditch embankment and rolled an unknown number of times before coming to a rest. The vehicle then caught fire. The cause of the crash remains unknown.

 Candidates for the Independence Community College Board of Trustees speak out about the issues.

 At last night's candidate forum in Independence, candidates for the ICC Board spoke out about what they see as the major problems facing the college and discussed their proposed solutions. When asked the same question, candidate Jason Williams says his concern is what goes on in the classroom.

Williams drew an amused chuckle from the crowd when he added he agreed with the positions of candidate Jennifer Williams because she is his wife. Candidate Jennifer Williams says she thinks graduation rates and the types of classes offered are important.

Williams added that a focus on vocational-technical classes instead of general education classes would help boost enrollment. Candidate Mark Lasater says he was concerned about ICC spending $40,000 on a consultant.

Lasater added that having high quality faculty would help attract good students and raise graduation rates at ICC. Candidate Susan Porter says the things she's sees as important are enrollment and money.

Porter added that she thinks it's important to look for energy forms that don't destroy the environment. These candidates plus candidates Patti Snyder and Spencer Weaver will be on the ballot on November 7^th

For the full video of the forum, visit the City of Independence Facebook page.

(Photo left to right: Jason Williams, Susan Porter, Jennifer Williams, Lisa Wilson, Anthony Vaughn, Mark Lasater)

 This Saturday there will be a solar eclipse in the sky.

 Unlike the eclipse in 2017, this will not be a total eclipse. Kansas Astronomical Observers President Ron Mallory says this weekend's eclipse will be just short of total.

For those wanting to view the eclipse, remember you should not look at it without eye protection. You will need to use special eclipse glasses to avoid permanent eye damage. The next total solar eclipse will be on April 8, 2024.

For tips from NASA on viewing the eclipse safely, click here.

Today will be a windy and warm day with a chance of severe thunderstorms.

A wind advisory is in effect from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. for south-central and southeast Kansas including Montgomery, Wilson and Woodson Counties and areas to the west. South winds could gust up to 45 mph and Washington, Nowata and Craig Counties in Oklahoma are also included in the advisory from noon until 7 p.m. The high winds and low afternoon humidity will also increase the fire spread rate, so the National Weather Service says outdoor burning is discouraged.

In addition, severe storms are possible today, mainly for north-central Kansas, but a marginal chance of storms developing exists east of I-135. The Coffeyville area may not see storms develop, but if they do, timing will likely be between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. You can stay informed on severe weather by signing up for text alerts customized to where you live here.

The Montgomery County 4-H Shooting Sports club is hosting its annual Fall Fun Shoot. The event is Saturday, October 21^st at the Independence Gun Club. County Coordinator Sharon Blaes says registration starts at 9:00am.

Blaes says in addition to the competition there are some other ways to earn prizes.  Blaes says a chili lunch is provided for all participants. All the money raised will go to support the shooting sports program. If you can't attend but would like to donate you can contact Blaes at (620)205-8732.

Wilson County continues to struggle with retaining corrections officers, losing two more COs last week.

Earlier this year, the county had less than 50% of the needed staffing required to operate normal day-to-day operations. Sheriff Jack Lucke told commissioners this week that an additional two officers have quit, leaving the county short handed once again.

Additionally, the commissioners heard from Stan Jones of the Kansas Down Payment Association regarding down payment assistance for citizens of the county and its cities. The cities of Cherryvale and Independence have adopted the plan already.

Other items of business at this week's commission meeting was an update from County Clerk Kayla Bush regarding the hiring process for an employee in the clerk's office, as well as an executive session regarding non-elected personnel, with no action taken.

 The good work of an Allen County Sheriff's Deputy leads to an arrest near Iola.

 Deputies from the Allen County Sheriff's Office stopped to help a driver who had gotten his pick up truck stuck in a muddy ditch yesterday  afternoon. Deputies found the driver of the truck high centered in a field just west of Iola. After ticketing the 18 year old man for a traffic offense, another officer recognized the vehicle as one that had been involved in a theft of tires in La Harpe four days earlier.

The stolen property was tracked down and recovered from a residence in Iola. The driver was taken into custody on suspicion of Theft while his vehicle was towed out of the muddy ditch.

(Photo: Allen County Sheriff's Office)

 The Parsons Police Department says there is a new scam circulating in Labette County.

 The scam is a letter sent from what appears to be a law office claiming to have an unclaimed life insurance policy to collect. The name is Edward Woodland from Woodland, Brent & Partners LLP. The letter looks formal and may get some people confused, but please beware. This is not a legitimate claim. The public should discard this document and do not respond.

The Parsons Police Department wants to keep its citizens informed and let them know that if they have questions about a letter or a request to please contact your law enforcement agency. The Parsons Police Department has information about scams in the lobby of the police department as well as the lobby of the municipal building and the Parsons Senior Center. They remind residents to be cautious and to never give out personal information.

 It took him nearly eleven hours to do it, but a Missouri man is now the proud holder of a world record.

 Steve Kueny of Lebanon, Missouri, set the new record Monday after floating 39 miles down the Missouri River. And he did it … on a pumpkin. Kueny made the trip on a twelve hundred pound pumpkin he grew himself. He says the trip was cold and slimy and, even though he works out, there isn't really a good way to train for rowing a pumpkin.

Kueny's trip breaks the previous record of 38 miles floated on a pumpkin set in 2022 by a Nebraska man.

 The Montgomery County Commission approves new radios for staff at the Montgomery County Jail.

 Chad Dunham from the Department of Corrections spoke at yesterday's county commission meeting about the need for the new equipment.

The commission approved four thousand dollars for the purchase of the new radios. In other business, commissioners heard a request for a letter of support for a new transportation initiative from the Community Health Center and accepted a bid for improvements to the Sycamore Rural Fire Station.

 The City of Miami's Utility Customer Service Center will be closed until noon today for training.

 All other City offices will be open as usual. Those needing to make payments can do so online at www.miamiokla.net or at either the Welch State Bank or the First National Bank in Miami, or by dropping the payment off in the night box.

 The Labette County Sheriff's Office and the Parsons Police Department continue to investigate the death of a K9 officer.

 K9 officer Karim died on August 22 in h is kennel at the Parsons Police Department. His handler has now been placed on administrative leave and a personnel investigation has been opened to determine if any policy or work rules were violated in connection with the police dog's death.

K9 Karim's remains were turned over to K-State's School of Veterinary Medicine for a thorough examination. Following the examination, K9 Karim was cremated and his ashes were picked up at the end of September. His ashes were turned over to the Wall Funeral Home until a memorial service can be scheduled following the conclusion of the investigation into his passing.

 Continuing drought conditions force area communities to continue water saving efforts.

 Cities across the four state area continue to struggle with drought conditions and the lack of rainfall. Sedan remains in a Stage 3 Water Emergency and in Montgomery County, Coffeyville and Independence remain under a water warning. Elk City Lake is 5.37 feet below normal. While evaporation decreases as fall temperatures cool, there remains little chance of rain in the near-term weather forecast. Residents are encouraged to continue their efforts at water conservation as the drought conditions continue.

 A new transportation service seeks support to expand into Montgomery County.

 Representatives from the Community Health Center of South East Kansas and Building Health Inc appeared before the Montgomery County Commission yesterday with the hopes of gaining county support to bring a new, free transportation service to the area. The group is seeking grant money from the Kansas Department of Transportation and asked commissioners for a letter of support. Community Health Center transportation manager Dee Yount says the service would help older adults who can no longer drive, people with disabilities, and those with limited income.

The service already exists in Crawford and Bourbon counties and provided more than seven thousand rides in those counties last year. It would supplement services already provided by Four County. County Commissioners listened to the presentation, asked questions about the program, and agreed to discuss the proposal before giving the group a definitive answer.

 The Oologah marching band performing part of their routine during the Dalton Defenders Day's marching band competition yesterday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

 The Oologah Marching Band took first place in the competition, followed by the bands of Oklahoma Union and Nowata. A total of ten bands took part of the competition.

 CCC Band Director Dr. David Wiggins says it's a great opportunity for bands to not only be able to perform their routine in front of an audience, but with critiques given by Division One college band directors, it's a way to tighten up little details of their show as they get ready for competition season.

 Plans are already underway for next year's competition.

An active shooter drill is coming to an area hospital this week.

According to a press release, Wilson Medical Center will be holding an active shooter drill on Friday from 8:00 until 10:30 a.m. to train their staff on the proper procedures and protocols in responding to an active shooter situation on the hospital campus.

The Neodesha Police Department, Fire Department and EMS will also be assisting in the event. There will be hospital employees stationed at outside entrances to inform patients and visitors of the drill as they arrive. Upon entering, visitors can expect to hear loud noises and announcements through the overhead paging system. Patients and visitors can expect to see simulations of injured employees and a simulated shooter.

Independence Community College and Fredonia High School announce a collaborative concert.

The event is scheduled for Sunday at 3:00pm at Fredonia High School. Admission is free. This concert is an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy the talents of these young singers. The program will encompass a diverse range of musical genres and styles that will resonate with audiences of all ages.

FHS Choir Director Theresa Fischer says they are very excited to be performing with the ICC choir. She says any time she can expose students to different musical experiences as well as post-secondary opportunities it is beneficial.

The Coffeyville Area Community Foundation announces that the Annual Match Day will be held on November 16^th. 

The annual day of giving will benefit 26 area non-profit organizations.  Donations made on November 16^th will be matched.  The Foundations Samantha Kudrick says the matching funds available this year has doubled.

The matching funds are being made available through the Pratt Family Charitable Trust, the Bernard and Effie Jo Wade Family Foundation, the Patterson Family Foundation and the Dr. David and Lynn Bumgarner Family Trust.

Kudrick says donations are avaiulable immediately to the organizations and every donation nwill receive a match.  There will be three ways to donate on Match Day, in person at 601 W 8^th Street, by mail to PO Box 635 in Coffeyville or online at givematchgrow.com.

A Bartlesville man is arrested after a foot chase with the Caney Police Department.

Early this morning, a Caney PD officer was investigating an individual who had been going in and out of a local business a number of times. The officer determined the individual was stealing items from the store. At around 5:30am this morning, the individual returned to the store. The officer attempted to place the suspect under arrest but he pushed away and exited the store fleeing on foot. The officer pursued the suspect on foot catching up to him about three blocks away and placing him under arrest.

The suspect was identified as Aaron Nunn. During the arrest, Nunn was found to be in possession of narcotics, drug paraphernalia and some of the stolen items. He has recommended charges of possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia, theft, obstruction and battery of a law enforcement officer.

 One man is dead after a fatal car crash one mile north of Muskogee.

 According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the man was pronounced dead at the scene early yesterday evening by Muskogee County EMS while another man was transported to a nearby hospital with several injuries. No more details are available at this time and the cause of the crash is still under investigation.

 The City of Independence is breaking ground on the new Central Park Sports Complex on Friday.

 Friday will be a big day in Indy as the city will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and demonstration of the new outdoor community Fitness Court. Also on tap will be the ground breaking for the new Central Park Sports Complex. The city will also recognize the donors who helped make the project possible. There will be free hot dogs for everyone in attendance. The ribbon cutting happens at 11:30 on Friday morning, to be followed by the ground breaking ceremony. The event happens at sycamore and Park Boulevard next to the ball fields.

 The City of Independence reminds residents that due to the continued drought conditions, the city remains under a water warning.

 The city says water continues to be available for use with 21,000 acre feet of water in storage. However, last week's rainfall was only five hundredths of an inch (.05”) and there is little to no rain in the near term forecast.

Residents are asked to continue conservation efforts which include limiting outdoor watering to hand-held hoses and buckets and limiting outdoor water use to hours before 10am and after 9pm. Residents with odd numbered addresses should water lawns on odd numbered days and those with even numbered address should only water on even numbered days. Golf course watering is limited to tees and greens according to these restrictions. Excess water charges for consumption above winter levels will be considered. Wasting of water is prohibited and potential penalties may be enforced.

The city thanks residents for their continued cooperation and appreciates your efforts to save water.

 Test scores are up across the board in the Caney USD 436 School District.

 In last night's report to the Caney School Board, High School Principal Jimmy Littleford reported that test scores in all middle and high school grade levels were higher than in his previous seven years with the district, especially in the math and reading levels. Previous year test scores have been at or near national levels, but this year has seen test scores from four to six points above national levels.

 Superintendent Blake Vargas credits teachers and staff for the increase in test numbers, but he also credits the students for taking each day seriously when it comes to academics. Vargas says their focus is to help every student, but especially those whose need the extra help.

 In other business, Vargas reports that two electric buses are being run through the thirty day “real world” testing process and should be delivered to Caney and added to the fleet in the next thirty days or so. The board also heard building and maintenance reports from across the district.

USD 446 announces that Jefferson School will soon be receiving much needed help for their after school program.

The district announced the hiring of eight new employees at Jefferson, with six of them serving in the Kids Crew program. The additional staff allows the district to continue with out-of-school activities, such as the run club and Fab Lab.

Additional items of business at this month's school board meeting was the approval of a trip for IHS students within the Jobs for Americans-Kansas program, as well as a report from Tri County Special Education Representative Tamisha Sewell. Additionally, IHS parent-teacher conferences will continue tomorrow from 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

USD 446 school board meetings take place on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of Independence High School. All meetings are open to the public.

South Coffeyville Schools are cleaning house.

Surplus items were declared at last night's monthly school board meeting. Non-working Chrome books and laptops were declared surplus in addition to some old football lights. Superintendent Daryl Pruter says he wants to see any surplus items continue to be used if possible.

In addition, a school activity bus was declared surplus because of age and ongoing battery and charging system issues. The board also approved a fundraiser for the junior high cheerleaders for warm-up suits.

USD 445 receives recognition from the Kansas Can Star Program. This program recognizes success in the outcome measures Kansans told the Kansas Department of Education and the State Board of Education they value. Superintendent Dr. Craig Correll says they received stars in three categories.

In other business at this month's board meeting, Early Learning Center Principal Dr. Amanda Cavaness gave a presentation on Kindergarten Readiness. Assistant Superintendent Lora Stalford discussed Teacher Licensure. The board approved HVAC installation at the ELC gym, the purchase of accounting software and the purchase of a curriculum for Community Elementary.  

Coffeyville Community College is opening a food pantry on campus for students. Director of Residential Life Kamri Anderson says Redd's House will give students access to essential supplies in times of need.

Anderson says orders are placed online and the students come to pick them up.  Anderson says they are not currently accepting supply donations but monetary contributions to Redd's House are appreciated. CCC is dedicated to ensuring the pantry remains well-stocked to meet the needs of its students. The college will notify the community when supply donations are needed.

The Parsons Police Department is looking for a man wanted as an unregistered sex offender.

26-year-old Stephen Montreal Dunn is a lifetime register from a 2017 conviction of rape of a victim less than 14 years old in Montgomery County. Dunn was paroled to an address in Parsons at the end of August. He has failed to register with the Labette County Sheriff's Office as a Sex Offender. Dunn is wanted for felony charges of violation of offender registration and active arrest warrants.

According to the Kansas Department of Corrections website, he is listed as a parole absconder, as of September 21. Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Dunn is encouraged to report this information to law enforcement. 

There will be a new imaging service coming to Chautauqua County, which will provide clearer and focused 3-D images of the county.

Eagle View imagery is able to provide services for the county appraiser and sheriff departments, providing cutting edge angles and photographs of county properties and land. Both Montgomery and Elk counties also have agreed to the services of Eagle View, who cover over 50% of counties in Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska.

The agreement is for three years, and will be paid in annual installments of $21,467.

Additional items of business at this week's commission meeting was further discussion regarding plans for rural trash service moving forward in the county. The commissioners will schedule a meeting with Waste Connections in the coming weeks. Additionally, a truck from the Road & Bridge Department caught fire last week, and the county is investigating the cause of the fire.

A search warrant results in the arrest of four at a home in Cherokee County.

Just before 6:00am yesterday, Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputies searched a Weir home for a wanted fugitive. The search resulted in the arrest of 26-year-old Destiny Grassi who had outstanding warrants from Cherokee and Crawford Counties for various methamphetamine and burglary-related charges. Deputies located Grassi hiding under clothes in a back bedroom, before apprehending her.

Also arrested at the scene and transported to the Cherokee County Jail on allegations of interfering with law enforcement were 25-year-old Ryan Lindbloom, 18-year-old Quincey Gepford and 24-year-old Austin Barton.

 A Kansas Highway Patrolman rescues an injured bald eagle near Ellsworth.

 K-H-P Troop C posted on Facebook on Saturday that Lieutenant Brown and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks located the bird along I-70 near exit 255. The eagle had an injury to its wing and was picked up carefully before being taken to a wildlife sanctuary where it will be nursed back to health and given a chance at a new life.

(Photo: Kansas Highway Patrol Troop C Facebook)

 Kansas State University wants to promote healthy lifestyles in Kansas and they want your input on how to do it.

 K-State Research and Extension is conducting a listening tour in southeast Kansas to get input from area residents on way to help promote healthier lifestyles.

This Thursday, the tour stops in Neodesha at the Rankin Library, at 502 Indiana Street. The session runs from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. The tour will also makes stops in Independence, Parsons, and Pittsburg.

 As the autumn days get shorter as we get closer to winter and the holiday season, feelings of loneliness and isolation may increase, especially among older adults.

 Chief Medical Officer of United Health Care Dr. Amit Shah says there are several causes for adult loneliness and isolation.

Isolation and loneliness can have serious effects not only on mental health, but on physical health as well. Loneliness can cause an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and dementia among older people. Dr. Shah says it's important for people to maintain their social involvement in order to reduce these risks.

Dr. Shah adds that if you know someone who may be experiencing symptoms of loneliness and isolation, you should attempt to keep them involved. Check in on your older relatives and neighbors, and invite them to activities. If you are experiencing isolation and loneliness, try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member, health professional or counselor or consider visiting places where you can just be around other people – for example, a park, the cinema or a cafe.

Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging: 1-800-794-2440

 On the heels of the Covid-19 pandemic, schools across the nation have faced a wave of chronic absenteeism among students of all grade levels.

 Assistant Superintendent of Parsons schools Jeff Pegues says students missing many days of school has been a big problem nationally and locally.

While some might guess that student absenteeism is highest at the middle school or high school level, the greater issues actually happen at the elementary school level. Most chronic absenteeism in Parsons has occurred among kindergarten and first graders. For the 2021-2022 school year, absences at Lincoln and Garfield Elementary schools in Parsons neared 50%. Pegues says this alarming number prompted the school district to take action.

Some of the new initiatives include creating welcoming environments and routines in the morning, Fun Fridays, drawings for perfect weekly attendance, and teaching the importance of good attendance. So far this year, chronic absenteeism at Garfield is at 18% and at Lincoln School it is down to 30%.

 Tomorrow is the 4th Annual South Coffeyville Cops & Kids.

 The events offers kids the chance to interact with officers on a personal level in a fun environment. Kids can meet members of the South Coffeyville Police Department and get tours of police vehicles and equipment. There will be free hot dogs and snow cones for all who attend plus inflatables, music, and drawings for prizes. Cops & Kids happens tomorrow night from 5 to 7pm at the South Coffeyville School football Field.

 The Kansas Department of Transportation wants to hear from residents of southeast Kansas.

 KDOT will hold a local consult meeting in Iola on Thursday to give local residents the opportunity to voice their concerns about transportation issues in the area. This is one of nine meeting held across the state in October to give Kansans the chance to communicate their transportation priorities with state officials. The meeting will run from 9am until noon on Thursday at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, located at 205 East Madison in Iola.

 A Friday morning car accident leaves a Ft. Scott woman injured.

 The accident occurred around 8:30 am Friday morning in the industrial area of Ft. Scott at Liberty Bell and Jayhawk Road. A 2014 Freightliner truck driven by 41 year old Joseph Allen of Ft. Scott was traveling southbound on on Liberty Bell when it failed to yield to oncoming traffic. The truck was struck on its passenger side by a 2017 Chevy Trax driven by 19 year old Jenna Stockstill also of Ft. Scott. Stockstill received suspected minor injuries and was taken to Via Christi hospital in Ft. Scott for treatment. Stockstill was not wearing a seatbelt. Allen was uninjured.

Another Friday the 13^th is coming up, and the first of a series of spooky events is planned for that day.

Haunted History Tours are returning once again to downtown this year. Tourism Director Amy Dollar says this is a great way to learn about Coffeyville's history.

Additional tours are scheduled for next Thursday the 19^th and Friday the 20^th. Tickets are $12 and include an Icee and bottled water. The event on the 20^th is a 21-and-up night and includes an alcoholic beverage. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce.

 There's fall fun to be had coming up next week in Oswego.

 OswegoFest begins Thursday at the Labette County Fairgrounds. Events include a disc golf tournament, an adult spelling bee, and a pet costume contest. There will be bull riding and mutton bustin' on Saturday night and tie-down roping on Sunday. Plus, there will be food trucks, vendors, and a carnival all four night. Music acts include Adam Johnston Band on Thursday night and Final Warning on Friday night, both at the Pavilion. On Saturday, it's Kota Lewis and the Flyers and on Sunday, it's Craig Cook and the Marauders. OswegoFest begins next Thrusday and runs through Sunday.

 As the weather begins to feel more like fall, it makes people think of all things associated with autumn and October: Cooler weather, football, and marching bands.

 Coming up on Tuesday is the 2^nd Annual Dalton Defenders Days Marching Festival, showcasing the best high school marching bands from southeast Kansas, northeast Oklahoma, and southwest Missouri. The festival is hosted by Coffeyville Community College and takes place at Veterans Stadium. CCC Director of Bands Dr. David Wiggins says the festival gives students a chance to get feedback from some Division I College Band Directors.

The public is invited to enjoy the performances. Concessions will be available. The festival runs from 9am to 5pm on Tuesday.

 A head-on collision on the Oklahoma-Missouri line claims the lives of both drivers.

 67 year old Harold Slatton of Neosho, Missouri, was driving a 2004 GMC pickup northbound on State Route Y near Quince Road when he crossed the center line. He struck a 2014 Toyota Prius driven by 58 year old Ronald Swem of Seneca, Missouri. Crews from Seneca City Fire, Seneca Rural Fire, Newton County Deputies, and Newton County Ambulance responded to the call. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. The accident occurred around 5pm yesterday.

 Residents of Coffeyville without internet access or who simply prefer not to do business online will now have a new option to pay their bills.

 The City of Coffeyville has an interactive, voice response option to allow customers to pay their utility bills by phone. Residents can use the new system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 866-933-6260.

Debit and credit card payments are accepted and are subject to the 1.75% card processing fee. First time callers will be asked to give their account number and house number by the secure automated system. There is also an option available for Spanish speakers.

 The Parsons Police Department reports that the two missing teens they have been looking for have been found.

 For the past couple of days, authorities have been looking for 17 year old Tanya Kindrick and 14 year old Marcia Wilson. Thanks to the efforts of area citizens and local law enforcement, both teens have been located and are reported to be safe.

 After a record hot September, cooler fall weather is finally here in the four states.

 Highs today across the area will be in the upper 60s with lows tonight dipping into the mid 30s. There is a frost advisory in effect tonight from 3am to 9am, so protect those vulnerable plants tonight. And for those heading out to enjoy some high school football tonight, take a jacket along for cheering on your favorite gridiron gang.

At least one person is injured after a crash in Pittsburg.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, 19-year-old Avery Sebastian of Park City was driving a 2009 Chevy Impala southbound near the intersection of U.S. 69 and Quincy Street in Pittsburg. Sebastian attempted to make a left turn onto Quincy, failed to yield and was struck by a 1988 Ford F-150 driven by 17-year-old Eugene Chapman of Pittsburg. Sebastian was taken to an area hospital with a suspected minor injury. Chapman had no apparent injury. Two minor passengers were also riding with Chapman and their condition is unknown. Neither driver was wearing a seat belt, and Chapman did not have proof of insurance.

The City of Coffeyville is adding fencing on the sidewalks of 9^th Street.

The City says this is for public safety. The fencing has been placed around the sidewalks on the south side of 9^th Street. When the decking was removed as part of the awning removal process, additional safety concerns such as loose brick and collapsing columns were identified. In an effort to protect the public, these areas will remain fenced until all structural issues have been addressed and the area is deemed safe.

The City is working with property owners to resolve the issues quickly. Fencing has been set up so 9^th Street can be utilized as an emergency exit and business occupancy loads will not be affected.

 Parsons Police are looking for two missing teens.

 17 year old TaNya Kindrick who also goes by Jayden Kindrick was reported today as missing/runaway juvenile out of Parsons. Kindrick be in the Joplin area and may be accompanying another runaway 14 year old MarCia Wilson who was reported missing yesterday.

Anyone with information about either teen should contact the Parsons Police Department at 620-421-7060

[Photo: Kindrick (left), Wilson (right)]

 Saving the city money versus being in compliance with federal law was the issue before the Fredonia City Commission last night.

 Up for discussion was the total cost to repair sidewalks and curbing in the city and whether or not the repairs needed to be in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act or A-D-A. City Attorney John Chenowith says more could be done with more money.

However, a Fredonia citizen spoke out about the need for ADA accessible sidewalks.

Though no vote was taken, the commission did agree that it was more important to make sidewalks accessible for all citizens.

In other business, the commission decided to consider a new ordinance that would extend the grace period for utility payments to the city when the due dates fall on weekends or holidays.

 Total tax collections for Kansas in September are higher than estimated.

 According to Governor Laura Kelly’s office, total tax collections were $991.6 million, 4.4% higher than estimated, and up 3.2% from September 2022.

 Individual income tax collections were just under $391-million, 5.8% below estimate, and down 11.4% from last year. Corporate income tax collections were $261.5-million, more than 30% higher than estimated, and up more than 53% from last year.

For a complete review of September’s revenue numbers, click here.

 The death of an inmate at the Lansing Correctional Facility is under investigation by the KBI.

 40 year old Michael Aineta was pronounced dead yesterday afternoon after being transported to KU Medical Center. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy. When an inmate dies in custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections, the death is investigated by the K-D-O-C and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Aineta was serving a 90 month sentence for a rape conviction in Seward County. The investigation remains ongoing.

 Next week offers the chance for kids in Nowata to meet local members of law enforcement.

 Monday is the 4th Annual Nowata Cops & Kids. The events offers kids the chance to interact with officers on a personal level in a fun environment. Kids can meet members of the Nowata Police Department, Nowata County Sheriff's Department, and Nowata Fire and EMS and get tours of police vehicles and equipment. There will be free hot dogs and snow cones for all who attend plus inflatables, music, and drawings for prizes. Cops & Kids happens Monday evening from 5 to 7pm at the Jack Gordon Park.

 Step back into history this weekend in Coffeyville.

 Dalton Defenders Day happens this Friday and Saturday in Coffeyville. The celebration commemorates the citizens who lost their lives defending the city during the Dalton Gang's 1892 attempt to rob two banks during the day. Coffeyville Chamber president Candi Westbrook says you'll have several opportunities to catch the re-enactment this weekend.

Other Dalton Defenders Days events include gun safety demonstrations, live music, and Bingo on the Plaza.

 The Fredonia Police Department is working on a new Reserve Officer Program.

 Chief Bradley Pflueger told the Fredonia City Commission at last night's meeting that he is putting the finishing touches on his proposal. Pflueger says reserve officers would be citizen volunteers who would help the regular police force.

Pflueger says the reserve officers would have a different designation than a regular law enforcement officer.

Other business at last night's meeting included a discussion about installing new sidewalks and curbing that would be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and creating a new city ordinance that would extend the grace period on late utility payments to the city.

 Police in Springfield, MO, are looking for help from the public in finding a driver wanted in a hit-and-run fatality.

 According to the Springfield Police Department, last Friday morning a white tractor trailer pulling a 52 foot box trailer was eastbound on a n access road and made a right turn to go onto the Kansas Expressway. As it turned, the trailer left the roadway and struck 51 year old Todd Tennison where he was sitting on the ground just off the roadway. The driver of the tractor trailer fled the scene. Tennison was taken to a nearby hospital where he died of his injuries on Sunday.

Police are looking for the driver of the tractor-trailer. The tractor is white with a sleeper and the number “274” on the front fender. The trailer is also white with the word “Wabash” on the rear and on the left mud flap. Anyone with information on the truck or driver should contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-874-2209.

  US 400 west of Fredonia remains closed due to an accident at the Fredonia roundabout.

 Preliminary reports indicate a cattle truck has overturned in that area around 5am this morning. The Wilson County Sheriff's Office Dispatch has confirmed there are crews on the scene and traffic is being diverted in the area. Drivers are urged to use caution and, if possible, to find an alternate route until the accident has been cleared.

The Parsons Police Department is looking for a missing runaway Parsons teenager.

14-year-old MarCia Wilson was reported missing earlier today. She could be headed to the Independence or Pittsburg areas. Anyone with information should contact PPD at (620)421-7060.

The Neodesha Fire Department is celebrating 125 years of service this weekend. Fire Chief Keenan Fyfe says they'll have an open house from 11:00am to 1:00pm on Saturday.

Chief Fyfe says 125 years is quite the milestone and they are proud to get to be a part of it.  Neodesha FD will also have a booth set up to purchase challenge coins for $20 in celebration of their 125 years of service.

 Voters in Independence will get the chance to hear from local candidates coming up next week.

 The Independence Candidate Forum will be held next Wednesday at the Civic Center in Memorial Hall, at 410 North Penn. The Forum will begin at 5:30pm with candidates for the ICC Board of Trustees to be followed by Those running for the USD 446 School Board at 6:35. Candidates for City Commission will finish up the evening and will begin answering questions at 7:35. The moderator for the event is Anthony Vaughn, Vice Chair of Public Affairs for the Independence Chamber of commerce Board. Election day is set for November 7.

ICC Board of Trustees Candidates:

• Mark Lasater
• Susan Porter
• Patti Snyder
• Spencer Weaver
• Jason Williams
• Jennifer WIlliams

USD 446 Candidates:

• Charles Barker Sr.
• Amanda Fredrickson
• Scott Hines
• Joseph housel
• Andy O'Brien
• Marty Reichenberger
• Jennifer Rutledge
• Melissa Small

Independence City Commission Candidates:

• Dean Hayse
• Bobby Hise
• Scott Smith

 Next week offers the chance for kids in South Coffeyville to meet local members of law enforcement.

 Tuesday is the 4^th Annual South Coffeyville Cops & Kids. The events offers kids the chance to interact with officers on a personal level in a fun environment. Kids can meet members of the South Coffeyville Police Department and get tours of police vehicles and equipment. There will be free hot dogs and snow cones for all who attend plus inflatables, music, and drawings for prizes. Cops & Kids happens Tuesday evening from 5 to 7pm at the South Coffeyville School football Field.

 A Bartlesville man appeared in Washington County court yesterday afternoon on the charge of assault with a deadly weapon.

 Dustin Young is alleged of swinging an axe with intent at the victim on Monday.

According to an affidavit, Young and the victim got into an argument that escalated at a residence on the Northwest 400 block of Sooner Road in Bartlesville. Young locked himself in a bedroom during the argument and refused to open the door.

When Young eventually opened the door, he was allegedly holding an axe and chased the victim around the house with it. Young was also in violation of his parole and now has a motion to revoke a previous suspended sentence. His court date on the motion to revoke is set for October 11th

He was given a $75,000 bond on the assault charge and was given a separate court date of October 27th.

 The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is holding a public bison auction.

 The sale will take place November 1 at the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, located 6 miles north of Canton in McPherson County. A total of 62 bison will be sold including:

• 10 – Cows
• 10 – Yearling Heifers
• 12 – 2-yr-old Bulls
• 11 – Yearling Bulls
• 9 – Bull Calves
• 10 – Heifer Calves

Heifer calves older than 6 months will be vaccinated for brucellosis and certificates issued.

Buyers must pick up bison on the day of the sale or make arrangements with the refuge manager prior to the sale. Animals become the buyer’s responsibility upon settlement on auction day.

Load-out assistance is available until dusk on the day of the auction. Trailers should be covered or lined, as bison transport best in dark conditions.

Cash and personal checks (if accompanied by a notarized authorization letter from the issuing bank) will be accepted.

Those interested in bidding may preregister by filling out the bidder registration form and emailing it to sarahdotnavarro@ksdotgov (replace the word dot with a period). Registration will also be available on site.

The Maxwell Wildlife Refuge is managed specifically to preserve the area's prairie heritage and maintains herds of both bison and elk. However, the Refuge can only support a certain number of animals.

The sale begins at 11am on Wednesday, November 1. Both bidding and non-bidding members of the public are invited to attend.

 The fur continues to fly at the Sedan City Council meeting.

 Last night's city council meeting in Sedan saw another feisty public comment period as a resident raised concerns about city contracts for street paving and took particular issue with citizen speaking time being limited to three minutes.

Tension at the meeting cooled as council business turned to the trash pick up contract with Waste Connections of Bartlesville. Council member Janice Fine and Mayor Jack Warren looked for clarification on the contract.

The Council announced tentative plans to hold a public meeting later this month for residents to ask their own questions about trash service.

Today is the day for the nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System.

This afternoon at 1:20 p.m., mobile customers whose phones are on will hear an alert, their phones will vibrate and then a message will flash across their screens about the test. Anyone watching television or listening to the radio will also see or hear the message. KGGF will of course participate in the national test. These types of alerts are frequently used in targeted areas to alert people to things like tornadoes. Statewide tests happen every month, but today's test is being done across the country. Federal law requires the systems be tested at least once every three years. The last nationwide test was in 2021.

The Parsons Police Department honors a number of officers at their city commission meeting.

Officer Russel Parsons was honored for his retirement after 28 years of service. Officer Parsons finished the last four years of his career with the Parsons Police Department. Life Saving Awards were given to Corporal Rory Johnson and Officer Luke Schibi for their efforts trying to save a Parsons resident with life-threatening injuries to the abdomen and leg in April.

Officers Connor Eichinger, Sean McCullough, Ricky Thompson, and Josh Daniels successfully completed their 14-week basic training academy as well as the 12-week Field Training Program that finishes a recruit officers training.

A failure to appear warrant leads to an arrest for distribution in Parsons.

Parsons Police Officers went to a residence in the 700 block of North Central to serve an arrest warrant for Floyd Delmar Sales. The warrant was a Labette County failure to appear warrant for the distribution of controlled substances from an April 11^th arrest. Sales is also on federal parole for travel in interstate commerce in aid of racketeering. When officers arrived at the residence, Sales was outside and was arrested without incident. During a search of Sales, officers found three bags of methamphetamine, marijuana, a glass smoking pipe, drug paraphernalia used for distribution and over $1,000. The meth weighed over 45 grams.

Officers obtained a search warrant for the residence and found more items related to the sale and distribution along with more illegal drugs. Sales has recommended charges of distribution of certain stimulants, possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture controlled substances and possession of depressants, drug paraphernalia, marijuana and narcotics. He is also being held on the Labette County Warrant.

 Computers in Caney City Hall are shut down today for maintenance. The shut down shouldn’t last longer than today, with officials saying everything should be back in operation tomorrow.

 The city apologizes for any inconvenience.

 A Joplin man has been charged in an event stemming from a youth football game.

 61 year old Doug Rector has been charged with 4^th degree assault after he allegedly shoved a 4^th grader during a youth football game in Carthage last month. Video of the game in which Rector was a referee, shows a player running into an official who then pushes the player to the ground. The game was played as a part of the Southwest Football Conference which gave Rector a one week suspension after the incident. 4^th degree assault is a misdemeanor offense. No court date has been set.

A Fall Festival and Bull Blow-Out are coming up this weekend in Longton. Organizer Kolby Hugo says the Longton Fall Festival events get underway starting at 9:30am Saturday morning.

Hugo says Smitty's Bull Blow-Out begins at 8:00pm at the Longton Fair Grounds.  Registration for the bull riding and mutton busting are open. Mutton busting is for anyone six and under and is $20 and the bull riding is $65. 

More information on the Longton Fall Festival and Smitty's Bull Blow-Out.

 As the regional drought continues, city leaders of Caney continue to look at every option to fix the town's water issues.

 City Administrator Kelley Zellner says he and his office continue applying for federal and state grants to help offset the cost of the multi-year project that would eventually end the use of the water treatment plant and bring in potable water to the town.

 With over nine million dollars in grant funding already applied for, and with more applications in the works, Zellner says state organizations are seeing the great need for the Caney area. He says the town mindset must be toward the future, not just the present.

 In other business, the council approved the Fourth and Live concert event in downtown Caney for Friday, May 24^th, 2024, and set the fall City-Wide clean dates for October 16^th through the 21^st.

 The police chief who led an August raid on a small Kansas newspaper resigns.

 Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody resigned yesterday just days after being suspended from his duties. Marion Mayor Dave Mayfield suspended Cody last week for reasons that have not been made public.

Recently released body camera footage taken during the August 11 raid of the Marion County Record and the home of its publisher Eric Meyer show officers searching desks. Cody can be heard in the background of the videos. Cody obtained warrants for the raid by telling a judge that he had evidence of possible identity theft and other potential crimes tied to the circulation of information about a local restaurant owner's driving record. The local prosecutor, however, has said there was not sufficient evidence to justify either search. The raid has ignited a national debate over freedom of the press. Cody faces on federal lawsuit as a result of the raid and others are expected to follow.

(Photo: Marion County Record, Associated Press)

Fall holidays are on the way, and that means some street closures in Cherryvale.

At last night's city council meeting, two street closures were approved. Main Street in Cherryvale will be closed on Halloween for Trunk or Treat, and City Administrator Jonathan Booe says the event continues to grow.

Main will be closed starting at 4 p.m. and continuing through around 10:30 p.m. Trunk or Treat will officially start at 6 p.m. on the 31^st. The council also approved closing the 100 block of W Main on November 11^th for a toy run between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

In other business, council members discussed an ongoing nuisance abatement of a property in town.

 A landmark building in Independence gets its own month.

 The Independence City Commission has declared October the 100^th Anniversary Month for Live Performances at Memorial Hall. City Manager Kelly Passauer says the declaration marks a significant milestone in the building's history.

Construction of Memorial Hall was completed in 1922 and its grand opening was on November 11^th of that year – a date that is now Veterans' Day, but at that time was known as Armistice Day that marked the end of Word War I. The cornerstone of the building was set that day and the front bears the American Legion insignia. On the north face of the stone is the Masonic insignia. Also placed that day was an airtight copper box of memorabilia inside the stone, where it remains today. The American Legion staged the first live performance at Memorial Hall for Neewollah 1923 with a production of The Pirates of Penzance as a fundraiser for purchasing furnishings. The 2023 Neewollah musical is Beauty and the Beast.

A Locust Grove woman falls asleep at the wheel in a single vehicle crash in Mayes County.

The injury collision happened on Friday at around 6:00am about four miles south and four miles west of Locust Grove. A 2005 Hyundai Sonata, driven by 59-year-old Donelda Anderson was westbound on East 600 Road. She fell asleep, departed the roadway to the right and rolled her vehicle coming to rest on the top in the road.

Anderson was transported by MESTA EMS to St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa and admitted in stable condition with head, internal and external injuries.

A South Coffeyville woman dies after a two-vehicle accident involving a deer in Nowata County.

The fatality collision happened at around 7:30 last night. A 2016 Jeep Renegade, driven by 48-year-old Natalie Kelley, of Owasso, struck a deer on Highway 169, five miles north of Lenapah. The deer was thrown through the windshield of a 2019 Chevy Blazer, driven by 72-year-old Carolyn Howard, of South Coffeyville.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the deer went through the vehicle and exited out the rear window. Howard was pronounced dead at the scene by Nowata EMS from injuries sustained during the crash. The Nowata County Sheriff’s Office and Lenapah Fire Department assisted on the call.

 The Independence Police Department says they have recently been made aware of a Rental Scam happening in Independence.

 According to the I-P-D, scammers copy photos and descriptions of legitimate online listings and make it their own. Scammers may even make up listings for residents that are not even for rent or sale. They will ask all the right questions; even have victims fill out the correct paperwork and request their personal information. The scammer may even provide a fraudulent lease.

Watch out for the warning signs to prevent being scammed including not wanting to meet, not having access to the inside of a property, asking a renter to sign and incomplete lease, or not requesting a rental application or credit check. Be aware of rental listings with typos or grammar errors. Never pay with cash, wire transfers, or gift cards and never give personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you and claims to be working for an owner or rental company. Instead, use the contact information you have to contact the owner or company.

If you think you have been scammed, call the Kansas Protection Report Center hotline at 1-800-922-5330.

 County zoning is up for discussion in Montgomery County.

 At today's Montgomery County Commission meeting, Environmental and zoning Director Matt Debo raised the issue of county zoning with commissioners. Working together with the Montgomery County Planning Commission, the proposal was to consider new zoning regulations for commercial and industrial renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines and wind farms, or to consider zoning for all commercial and industrial projects. Commission chairman Robert Bever

says the county needs to find a balance between regulation and economic activity.

Commissioner Mike Cordray agreed with Bever's concern.

Commissioners agreed to consult with nearby counties such as Elk and Labette to see how zoning has worked in those areas and to begin the process of looking into zoning guidelines for renewables. Commission Chairman Bever emphasized that they should take things one step at a time.

 Kansas State University will be in southeast Kansas this week as a part of the second year of their community visits across Kansas.

 K-State leaders and students from their Connected Cats program will lead several events in Allen County to highlight university partnerships in the community. On Wednesday, there will be a community forum in Humboldt from 5:30 to 7pm at B & W Trailer hitches, The Hub, at 12-16 Hawaii Road. The forum is free and open to all Kansas residents. It will also feature free ice cream from K-State's Call Hall. Thursday will feature a pair of events in Iola. For a full listing of events, click here.

 For residents of Caney, your city wants to know … Do YOU have the cutest pet?

 If you think you have the cutest pet around, send a photo of your adorable animal to the deputy city clerk's office by October 13^th . If you have more than one pet, you can submit an entry for each one, but … only one photo may be submitted per pet. Photos must be of pets only – no humans in the photos are allowed. Any photograph that includes content that is deemed inappropriate, obscene, etc., as determined by the staff of Caney City Hall will be removed from the contest with no reentry. Employees of the City of Caney are not eligible winners but are encouraged to enter. Voting begins on October 15^th on the city of Caney Facebook page. The pet photo with the most likes wins and will be announced at Trunk or Treat on Halloween. 

 Drag performers from the new season of the HBO's "We're Here" appeared at Unity Square in Bartlesville yesterday for an open dialogue event with the community. 

 Drag queens Latrice Royale, Sasha Velour and Priyanka said that they only wanted to make themselves available for people who have questions and that they wanted to find out what people's thoughts and fears are about drag. 

The performers strongly believe that drag is okay for everyone and said they felt they had a responsibility to take steps and be seen after the Unity Square controversy over the 2022 Bartlesville Pride event that featured drag performances. 

Captain Daniel Elkins of the Bartlesville Police Department said,  "There was lots of yelling and lots of emotions, but nothing illegal."

 The City of Independence is considering the condemnation of several structures in the city.

 At last week's city council meeting, city commissioners in Independence set a date for a condemnation hearing for several dilapidated structures in the city. Assistant City Manager David Cowan showed the commission images of the buildings and spoke about the issues and concerns they are causing.

Four of the structures are located on South 15^th and another on North 9^th street. The commission agreed to set a hearing date for all of the structures for December 14^th. In other business at last week's meeting, the commission voted to move Independence from a water watch to a water warning and encouraged residents to increase their efforts at conserving water.

 A Sunday evening motorcycle accident leaves two men seriously injured.

 Two Ft. Scott men driving motorcycles sustained serious injuries around 5:30 pm on Sunday evening in an accident on K-7, 5 miles southeast of Mapleton. 34 year old Donovan Zornes and 46 year old Richard Springston were each riding a motorcycle southbound on K-7 at a high rate of speed when they failed to negotiate a curve. Zornes' 2001 Suzuki left the roadway and struck a guardrail. Springston, who was riding a 2007 Kawasaki left the roadway as well and struck Zornes' vehicle. Zornes, who was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, was transported to Research Medical in Kansas City. Springston, who was wearing a helmet, was taken to Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

South Coffeyville was a busy place over the weekend, not only because of garage sales all over town, but mainly thanks to this year's Native American Unity Gathering.

Here's the sound of drummers performing as crowds filled the Native American Fellowship Grounds. Speakers, dancers and other performers from all over the Cherokee Nation entertained and informed those in attendance. Chief Chuck Hoskin also paid a visit in addition to Tribal Councilors Victoria Vasquez, Doria Smith-Patskowski and Johnny Jack Kidwell. Free food, crafts and vendors were also on hand. This year's event was the fourth annual Native American Unity Gathering.

Another Wilson County Old Iron Days is in the books.

For four days, visitors were able to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of days gone by.

Here's the sound of the Parade of Power and an early-1900s steam-powered tractor. Organizers say equipment like this is very rare to find in operating condition. Old Iron Days Board Member Mike Olson estimates around 2,000 students toured the grounds during the week and got to learn about agriculture and technology used by the pioneers. Wilson County Old Iron Days takes place every fall during the last week of September.