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Parsons Man Arrested On Active Warrants

 A Parsons man is arrested over the weekend for active warrants.

 Saturday, Parsons police on patrol identified a Parsons man wanted for felony warrants out of Labette County, in the 1300 block of Grand in Forest Park.

 44-year old William Earl Troester Jr., was stopped and placed in custody without incident.

 During an open-air sniff conducted on a vehicle in question, the K9 officer indicated the presence of narcotics and a search of the vehicle ensued. The search located approximately 75 grams of methamphetamines and 20 Xanax pills, plus digital scales and other paraphernalia.

 Charges requested against Troester include distributions of narcotics, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of narcotics. He is also being held on a Labette County warrant for failure to appear.

 The investigation is on-going.


Parsons Man Arrested Less Than 24 Hours After Bond Release

 

 A man released on bond in Parsons is arrested less than 24 hours later.

 Saturday, Parsons police were dispatched to the lobby of the police department. The victim reported a domestic fight that had taken place the previous day in the 2900 block of Morgan.

 The victim reported that Sir Christuffer Roeder, who was bonded out of Labette County Jail March 15th, had beaten the victim after a cheating accusation. During the argument, Roeder allegedly struck and threatened to kill the victim, then took their phone and drug them around outside. After taking the phone, Roeder grabbed a knife and there was a struggle, but the victim was able to get away.

 After the interview, police were later called to the 200 block of North 14th for a verbal altercation between the victim and Roeder. Roeder fled when he heard the sirens, but was found later that evening at a residence in the 2300 block of Clark and taken into custody.

 Charges requested against Roeder for his latest arrest include aggravated assault, criminal threat, robbery, and domestic battery.

 Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks says the arrest is part of a larger problem in Labette County and Parsons, and it will take input from the community and its citizens to court system to fix the revolving door in the criminal court system.

 

The investigation is on-going.


Coffeyville Blood Drive On Tuesday and Wednesday

 

 The First Nazarene Church in Coffeyville is hosting a blood drive tomorrow and Wednesday. 

 Anyone 17 years of age and older who is in good health is eligible to donate. Those who are 16 years old can donate with parents permission. Lori Holman with the Red Cross says there is always a need for blood.

Holman says blood is needed for a variety of needs including accident and burn victims, surgery patients, and those fighting cancer. She says those who want to donate can check their eligibility at redcrossblood.org.

The blood drive happens from 11:45 to 6pm Tuesday and from 8:30am to 12:30pm Wednesday. Donors can make an appointment by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. They prefer appointments, but walk-ins will be taken as they have open time slots. The First Nazarene Church is located at 2300 west 1st in Coffeyville.


Job Fair Set For Wednesday in Independence

 

 Anyone looking for a job should plan to attend the Kansas Works Job Fair in Independence on Wednesday.

 Independence Chamber President Lisa Wilson says there will be many area employers looking to hire

The job fair runs from 12:30pm to 3:30pm in the Independence High School gym at 1301 North 10th Street. Some of the business at the fair include: 

Day and Zimmermann

Equity Bank

Penmac Independence

Acme Foundry

Montgomery Place

Parsons State Hospital

The Monarch Cement Company

John Deere Coffeyville Works

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

Independence Kansas Police Department

Independence, Kansas Public Schools USD 446

Four County Mental Health Center, Inc.

Express Employment Professionals: Independence, KS

Labette Health

VT Hackney

VSE

Bartlett Grain

 


Altamont City Council Votes to Raise Price on Season Pass for Pool

 

 The Altamont City Council approves a measure to raise prices on a season pass for the city swimming pool this summer.

 At last week's meeting, council members spent a significant amount of time discussing a proposal to raise prices. Mayor Richard Heyward says he had heard from citizens on what would make them willing to pay more. Council member Lyle Sykes say he thinks a moderate increase would be acceptable.

The Council approved a measure to increase prices for a single pass to $45 and the family/grandparent pass price to $90. The daily admission will remain at $2 per person. The council approved the measure 4 to 1 with Tyler Jalich voting no.


One Man Injured in Bourbon County Car Crash

 

 A single vehicle accident in Bourbon County leaves one man seriously injured.

 23 year old Luke Price of Pryor, OK, was traveling westbound on K-7 about ten miles southwest of Fort Scott on Friday. Around 4pm, Price – who was driving a 2008 Ford F-150 – attempted to pass in a no passing zone. In order to avoid a head-on collision, Price swerved and left the roadway where he struck a tree. Price was taken to a Springfield hospital with a suspected serious injury. He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.


Parking Lot Construction Begins Today in Independence

 

 Residents in Independence may have noticed the barricades going up in the Municipal Parking Lot at 6th and Myrtle this weekend.

 Construction begins on the project today. City Engineer John Garris says there may be some inconvenience when it comes to parking downtown. Garris says the purpose of the renovation is to improve accessibility in the parking lot.

The project will also add ADA parking spaces to the lot. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of May.


Community Meals Available in Independence

 

 Every week in Independence, there are several community meals available to the public.

 Chamber President Lisa Wilson says they provide an in important service in the community.

Wilson says there are several meals provided by area churches every week.

Last week, the CUFF meal helped feed 190 people.

 

The First Christian Church holds a Tuesday meal – carry-out only – from 5 to 5:30pm. The First Baptist Church has a meal on Wednesdays at 5:45 – dine-in only. On Thursdays, the churches take turns hosting the CUFF meal at the Wesley Center. The CUFF meal is carry-out only and starts at 6pm


Tractor-Trailer Accident Caused When Turkey Strikes Windshield

 

 A Tractor-Trailer crashed near Sarcoxie last week when a turkey smashed through the truck's windshield.

 The Missouri Highway Patrol responded to the accident on I-44 after receiving reports of a semi truck hitting a cable on the median. When Troopers arrived, they found the big rig with a large hole in its windshield. Upon investigation, troopers learned that a turkey had gone through the windshield, hitting the driver who was identified as 63 year old Kevin Battaglia of Dallas, TX. Battaglia received moderate injuries from the bird strike and was treated at Mercy Hospital in Joplin.

The Highway Patrol reminds drivers that, with turkey season coming up in April, the big birds will be on the move. An adult turkey can weigh between 15 and 25 pounds.


Kansas Presidential Preference Primary Tomorrow

 

 The Kansas Presidential Preference Primary is tomorrow.

 Early voting for the primary ends today at noon. Absentee ballots must be postmarked or returned in person by tomorrow at 7pm. This is a presidential preference priamary because it is an election where the vote totals are given to a political party to allocate delegates to candidates at the national convention. This is not a primary where the voters selected the party candidate.

In Kansas, it is a function of the state political parties to allocate delegates to presidential candidates at each party’s national convention to select each party’s presidential nominee. Such delegates are chosen via caucus or convention by the political parties. This year, the state legislature decided to resurrect the state-run presidential preference primary, which had only been used in Kansas in 1980 and 1992.


Weekend Motorcycle Accident Leaves One Injured

 

 An Oklahoma man is injured in a motorcycle accident near Parsons.

 57 year old Billy Johnson of Ada was injured yesterday afternoon around 3:30 when the motorcycle he was riding had a blow out in the rear wheel. Johnson was westbound on US-400 near Pratt Road when the accident happened. The blowout caused Johnson to lose control of the bike and hit the right guardrail. He was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries. His passenger – 44 year old Cara Applehans of Topeka – was not injured.


Coffeyville Paint the Town Program

 

 The City of Coffeyville has a program for homeowners to help them spruce up their homes.

 It's called Paint the Town and Coffeyville Area Chamber President Candi Westbrook says it will help homeowners with the cost of painting their house.

Eligible homeowners may be able to get a grant of up to $300 for paint and supplies. The program is funded by  the Housing and Community Development portion of the ½-cent sales tax and provides free paint and supplies to qualifying homeowners who live in Coffeyville.

To see eligibility requirements, go here.


 Governor Laura Kelly signs Senate bill 195, which will allow private funds to support Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

 The Imagination Library allows every child aged birth to 5 in the state of Kansas to receive one free, high-quality, age-appropriate book per month until their fifth birthday. The new law will allow the Kansas Children's Cabinet to establish a non profit to receive donations, grants, and gifts an conduct fundraising activities for the Library. 

Parton says the Imagination Library can help inspire kids across Kansas to love books and reading. Parton added that a love of reading is a gift that will last a lifetime.

As of March 1st. more than 70,000 Kansas children were enrolled in the program.

To enroll in the program, go here.


CCC Baseball Team Volunteers at St. Paul's Lutheran

 

Moving heavy pews, desks and bookshelves might be a daunting task for the average church congregation, but members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Coffeyville got some extra help this weekend from the CCC Baseball Team.

 

The entire Red Raven Baseball Team turned out Sunday morning to help the church prepare for tile cleaning and resealing. A task that might have taken hours was reduced to a few minutes with the help of around 40 volunteers. St. Paul's Pastor Jon Franson thanked the players several times for their generosity in helping out. Afterwards, the team was fed lunch provided by the church.


Midland Theater Open House This Weekend

 

For the first time in many years, the public will be able to step inside the Midland Theater this weekend.

 

Coffeyville’s Midland Theater Foundation will host an open house this Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. The public is invited to the come-and-go event celebrating the completion of the front of house, which includes restoration of the lobby, concession stand, two new ADA-accessible restrooms on the first floor, and ballroom, mezzanine, two offices and the original restrooms on the second floor.

 

Midland Board Member Wyatt Starnes says this is a milestone towards hopefully opening the theater by its 100th anniversary in 2028.

 

Concessions will be available for purchase during the event this Sunday. Upcoming renovations will include the back of house and stage and then the auditorium itself. The Midland Theater is located at 214 West 8th Street in downtown Coffeyville.


Volunteers Needed in Search for Missing Labette Man

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Volunteers are needed in Labette County to help search for a missing person.

 

61-year-old Leroy LB Myers went missing near the Harmony Grove cemetery on 23000 Road just east of Douglas. Myers is a white male, 6'02” and weighs about 190lbs. Anyone with information should call the sheriff's office at (620)795-2565.

 

Volunteers should meet at the Harmony Grove cemetery at 9:00am tomorrow for a grid search.  Volunteers will be searching in heavily wooded areas.


Two More Arrested in Independence Murder

 

Two more are arrested in the murder of an Independence man.

 

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Independence Police Department secured two additional arrest warrants for murder based on an investigation into the October 2023 shooting death of Jason York. In late February, three other men were arrested in St. Louis connected to the murder, so a total of five suspects are now in custody. The U.S. Marshals Service and the St. Louis County Police Department Fugitive Task Force arrested 21-year-old Joshua Denton and 18-year-old Kayvion Williams.

 

Both men were arrested yesterday at around 10:35am on warrants for first-degree murder and aggravated robbery. The suspects were booked into the St. Louis County Jail. Extradition is expected. The three men previously arrested are still being held in the St. Louis County Jail. The investigation is ongoing. The Montgomery County Attorney’s Office is expected to prosecute the case.


St. Patrick's Day Potato Bar in Cherryvale

 

 Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a St. Patrick's Day Baked Potato Bar at St. Francis Zavier Catholic Hall on Sunday.

 The event starts at 11am and runs until 1pm. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy a potato. St. Francis Zavier Catholic Hall is located at 202 South Liberty street in Cherryvale.


April 1st Magic Show on CCC Campus

 

 There will be magic in the air on the campus of Coffeyville Community College on April 1st.

 Magician Pete Waltersheid will perform a 90 minute show on the CCC Campus. Waltersheid says he will also have a pair of talented guests appearing with him.

Waltersheid says it will be an evening of good family-friendly fun.

The show takes place on April 1st in the Spencer Rounds Theater on the CCC campus at 7:30pm. Admission is free.


Firefighters Respond to Neosho House Fire

 

 The Neosho Fire Department responds to a residential structure fire.

 

 Fire crews were called to the scene of a house fire in the 1700 block of South High Street in Neosho early Wednesday morning. Firefighters arrived around 7am to find visible smoke and flames coming from the house. No occupants were in the home at the time the fire occurred and no other injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire has not been determined though it appears to have started in the laundry room. The Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating.

 


Drive-Thru Animal Clinic Monday in Edna

 

 The City of Edna is holding a drive-thru animal clinic at City Hall on Monday evening. It's the opportunity for residents to protect their pets and make sure they are in compliance with Edna City Ordinance #400 by making sure they are up-to-date on vaccinations and have their city dog tags. The clinic will be held from 5 to 6pm at City Hall. Attendees are asked to enter the parking lot from the south on Delaware street.


Baxter Springs Fine Motor Group Connection

 

 The USD 508 Baxter Springs Parents As Teachers group is hosting a Fine Motor Group Connection on Tuesday evening. The group is open to parents with children ages birth through kindergarten. It meets from 6 to 7pm Tuesday at Lincoln School at 801 Lincoln Street in Baxter Springs.


Independence City Commission Approves Plan for KDOT Application

 

 The City of Independence has plans to refurbish to major streets in the city.

 

At last night's city commission meeting, City Engineer John Garris asked for commission approval to submit applications for grant money for two projects. The first project would be a mill and overlay project on east Main street from 2nd street to the city limits. The other project would be a re-paving of 10th street from Main to Laurel. Garris says this project is likely to gain KDOT approval soon.
 

Commissioners gave the go-ahead for the application process. They also approved a contract with

T-L-C Groundskeeping for a grassing package for the new Central Park Sports Complex.


Independence City Commission Says Good-Bye To Police Chief

 

 Independence Chief of Police Jerry Harrison announced his resignation earlier this week. At last night's (Thursday's) city commission meeting Harrison was recognized for his tenure with the city by City Manager Kelly Passauer and Commissioner Dean Hayse. Harrison leaves Independence to take over as Chief of Police in Lebanon, MO. The move will allow him to live closer to his family. Harrison says he has enjoyed working in Independence.

 There will be a reception for Harrison Prior to the March 28th City Commission Meeting. The public is invited to attend.


Man Wanted for Homicide Spotted in Southwest Missouri

 

 Authorities in southwest Missouri barely miss a man wanted in a Jasper County murder.

 

 30 year old Scott Burleson of Wyandotte, OK, was spotted Wednesday evening in Pineville, MO, near the Missouri/Arkansas line.

 

McDonald County Deputies responded to a report of a stolen generator just outside of Pineville. When they arrived on scene, the deputies were told that Burleson had just left. Witnesses reported seeing him on foot near the junction of Route W and East State Highway 76. Burleson was wearing a red shirt and blue jeans. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the suspect.

 

Anyone with information about the location of Scott Burleson should contact 911


OK Attorney General Sues Scam Cancer Charity

 

 Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond sues a sham cancer charity for deceiving donors who offered financial support to women battling cancer.

 

 Oklahoma joins nine other states in a complaint filed Monday in federal court. The suit alleges that Cancer Recovery Foundation International, also known as Women’s Cancer Fund, and its operator, Gregory B. Anderson, collected more than $18 million from donors between 2017 and 2022. The organization claimed it would use the donations to help women undergoing treatment for cancer pay for their families’ basic needs. Instead, the complaint charges, only about one cent of every dollar went to provide support, while the overwhelming majority went to pay for-profit fundraisers and Anderson.

 

While Women’s Cancer Fund collected $18 million from tens of thousands of donors, it only spent $194,809 on financial support to cancer patients. At the same time, it paid Anderson $775,139 – nearly four times as much as Women’s Cancer Fund collectively gave to all the cancer patients it supported.

 

Consumers looking for information on how to donate safely and avoid charity scams can learn more at ftc.gov


Parsons To Hold 6th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

 

 The City of Parsons is holding a St. Patrick's Day Celebration tomorrow.

 Festivities will kick off at 8am tomorrow morning with the St. Patrick's Church C-Y-M 5k run/walk. The Parsons Elks Lodge #527 will have biscuits and gravy served by Parsons High School Honor Flight from 7 to 10am. At 11am, activities in downtown Parsons will include a Best Dressed Lad and Lassie contest for kids under 10 years old.

The parade happens at 1pm.

Other events includes food trucks, children's activities, a beer garden, and live music featuring the band Final Warning.


Yates Center Police Arrest Three For Threats Against High School

 

 The Yates Center Police Department and the Woodson County Sheriff's Office make an arrest in the case of threats made against Yates Center High School.

 The original threats were made on March 7, prompting officials to cancel all school activities for safety reasons. Using license plate readers, police were able to identify three individuals from Missouri as suspects in the case. The three have been arrested and are currently awaiting extradition to Kansas to face charges of Terrorism and Aggravated Criminal Threat in the case.

No names have yet been released.


K-State Extension Maker's Fair Set for Tomorrow in Parsons

 

 The K-State Research and Extension Maker's Fair and Open House happens tomorrow in Parsons.

 K-State Extension Agent Adaven Rohling says there will be lots of activities for all ages.

The Maker's Fair will also feature area 4-Hers with their products on display plus many youth activities and a farm animal petting zoo. The K-State Maker's Fair happens from 9am to 1pm tomorrow at the K-State Southeast Research & Extension Center at 25-0-92 Ness Road in Parsons.


Barnsdall Man Charged With Trafficking Meth

 A Barnsdall man appeared in Washington County Court yesterday afternoon on charges of trafficking methamphetamine after being pulled over in Bartlesville.

 Dillon Smith was arrested on multiple charges, including trafficking a controlled substance. An affidavit states that officers observed Smith's trailer had a defective tail light, which initiated the traffic stop. A K9 alert allowed officers to search Smith's vehicle.  The search revealed more than 200 grams of methamphetamine. Officers also found a digital scale with white residue, more than $2,000 in cash and a pair of brass knuckles in the vehicle. 

Smith's bond was set at $100,000 and his next court date is next Friday.


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