Representatives Ron Estes, Kansas, Mike Carey, Ohio, Adrian Smith, Nebraska, Carol Miller, West Virginia, Kevin Hern, Oklahoma, Darin LaHood, Illinois, and Nicole Malliotakis, New York, introduce the Pay Less at the Pump Act. This act will lower gas prices, foster domestic energy production and reduce America’s reliance on foreign energy sources.

Representative Estes says Kansas families and businesses have been suffering for too long under President Joe Biden’s elevated energy prices. He says the Pay Less at the Pump Act is another way that House Republicans are working to bring down energy costs for Americans and encourage energy production in the U.S.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment announces a change to the Project Access COVID Tests program. This program allows all Kansas households to request free, at-home COVID-19 tests through June 15^th. Residents are encouraged to order additional free tests while supplies last.

All Kansas households can order free COVID-19 tests through AccessCovidTests.org. Each household can place an order for 5 at-home COVID-19 test kits. Amazon will deliver the test kits directly to the house. Kansans who need more support to order tests can call 866-534-3463. KDHE has already distributed 308,615 tests to Kansas families through Project ACT.

For the third straight year, Kansas has won the Area Development Magazine’s Gold Shovel Award.

The back-to-back-to-back achievement has no precedent in state history and reflects three consecutive years of record-setting private-sector investment. Governor Laura Kelly says every day, her administration works to grow the economy so there are better opportunities for Kansans. She says this award shows that their work is paying off, and as a result, more Kansans have good-paying jobs with which they can support their families and contribute to their communities.

Panasonic Energy’s $4 billion electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto was the largest capital expenditure in 2022. There were 272 projects across the state totaling almost $7.4 billion in private-sector investment and nearly 13,400 jobs created or retained. 

Kansas is ranked in the High-Performance Tier in Trust for America’s Health Ready or Not Report.

The Ready or Not 2023: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism measures states’ readiness to respond to a spectrum of health emergencies and to provide ongoing public health services. The report takes an annual snapshot of states’ public health and emergency readiness.

Authored by TFAH since 2003, it documents that all states have made progress in preparedness since 9/11. However, it also highlights the pressing need for additional action, particularly as weather-related and other public health emergencies become more frequent. Governor Laura Kelly says this high ranking emphasizes the important role the public health departments play in keeping Kansans safe, healthy, and prepared for disasters and other emergencies.

 A Joplin chiropractor is indicted by a federal grand jury for receiving and distributing child pornography.

 39-year-old Eric Hedman was charged in a single-count indictment that was unsealed yesterday.

 Hedman, who operated a chiropractic business close to downtown Joplin, is charged with one count of receiving and distributing child pornography between January 1^st and December 12th, 2022.

 The case was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force. They work across 22 counties in Southwest Missouri specifically investigating technology crimes against children.

Galena Police Officers stop a burglary in progress.

Yesterday evening, officers were dispatched to 512 Bellevue for an open door. When officers arrived, they located an unidentified female in the residence. During their investigation, officers identified 25-year-old Penelope Akard and contacted the homeowner. The homeowner verified that Akard wasn’t supposed to be there and stated several items were missing from the residence.

A search warrant was requested for Akard’s residence and several stolen items were recovered. Akard was taken into custody and transported to the Cherokee County Jail. Charges are being requested for burglary, theft and criminal trespass.

 The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects.

 There are two projects in Cherokee County, including a milling and overlay of U.S. 69, from the U.S. 160/U.S. 400 junction north to the Crawford/Cherokee county line, for $3.3 million dollars, and on U.S. 400, from the Riverton roundabout north to the U.S. 160/U.S. 69/U.S. 400 junction, for $2,4 million.

 Another project in Coffey County replaces a bridge, located 0.6 mile north and 3.5 miles west of Waverly over the tributary to Sand Creek. The cost of that project is $586 thousand.

Update 10 a.m.: The road is back open.

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

Highway 169 or South Walnut is closed at the railroad crossing due to an engine derailment. According to the City of Coffevyille, traffic is detoured to Willow, south to Eldridge then back East to HWY 169. The city is asking drivers use caution in the area.

 More information is known on the standoff yesterday in Independence.

 Independence PD say a domestic disturbance involving a firearm took place in the 700 block of West Maple yesterday morning. The victim was able to escape and call police from another location. Officers attempted to get the suspect to surrender, but were unable to convince him to exit the residence.

 Montgomery County and Coffeyville PD Special Response Teams were called in, along with assistance from the KBI. After a search warrant was obtained, firearms believed to be connected to the incident were recovered.

 32-year-old Zebulon Zacharia Williams, of Independence, was arrested and is currently in the Montgomery County Jail. Charges of attempted murder and interference are being sought.

Parts of Oklahoma including Osage County and the Tulsa metro are under an ozone alert today. According to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, an ozone alert means that conditions are favorable for the buildup of ozone near the ground to an unhealthy level. When winds are light, the vapors from fuels such as gasoline, exhaust from engines and air pollutants from industrial activities remain trapped near the ground. If sunshine is abundant when these air pollutants build up, a chemical process is triggered that results in the development of ozone near the ground during the afternoon and evening hours. The department says while ozone in the upper levels of the atmosphere is beneficial in screening the suns radiation, it is harmful near the ground. Ozone can bother those with respiratory problems and can damage vegetation. Those in the Tulsa metro are asked to limit or postpone the running of gas engines and the department says industrial facilities should reduce pollution emissions as much as possible.

 A Bartlesville man was in Washington County Court yesterday on multiple charges, including eluding police, driving under suspension, possession of controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of drug proceeds and no license plate.

 When Bartlesville PD tried to pull Jessie White over for a missing tag Monday afternoon, White led police on a pursuit. It started in a parking lot, then into a field, where the chase ended. White fled on foot, but was quickly detained by police.

 In a search of the vehicle, police found a large clear baggie with a smaller baggie inside of it containing a white crystal-like substance that was recognized as meth.

 Over $3700 was found on White, which, according to court documents, was consistent with that of narcotic sales.

 White is being held on $75,000 bond; his next court date is today.

A group of aviators who stopped in Coffeyville are now Guinness world record holders. The group from Bowling Green State University in Ohio was successful in landing in all 48 states in 48 hours. According to an update on the group's website, the mission was completed in 44 hours and 7 minutes, which is just slightly over their goal of 43 hours and 31 minutes, still well under 48 hours. The group came through Coffeyville Monday night just after 11 p.m. and landed in Portland, Maine, last night at 6:42 Eastern time.

A Coffeyville woman who was injured in a single-vehicle crash on Sunday has died. Staff at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa have confirmed 18-year-old Mackenzie Kendall passed away late Monday afternoon. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Kendall was seriously injured Sunday on County Road 4300 when she crossed the center line, overcorrected and her Chevy Impala went off the roadway to the west. The car struck a metal fence and came to rest in a field. The other occupants in the vehicle were 18-year-old Iacob Palmer and 21-year-old Christian Rodrigue-Rodriguez of Coffeyville who had no apparent injury. All occupants were wearing their seat belts.

 Bartlesville Police Department Deputy Chief Kevin Ickleberry has been selected as police chief, the city announced yesterday.

 The move comes following the promotion of former chief Tracy Roles, who was promoted to assistant city manager last month.

 Chief Ickleberry began his law enforcement career with the city of Bartlesville as a reserve officer in October 1989. He moved to the Washington County Sheriff's Office in January 1995, where he served as a deputy sheriff until December 1995.

He was hired as a BPD patrol officer Dec. 4, 1995, and moved to the Criminal Investigations Division as a detective in May 2001. He earned the rank of sergeant in May 2006 and served in that capacity in CID until 2009, when he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

 He was assigned to the Services Division in 2011 until October 2018, when he was appointed as captain of the Special Operations Division. He was named deputy chief in January of this year.

 Ickleberry holds several accreditations in police work and leadership, including his attendance at the FBI LEEDA leadership institutes in 2019 and 2020, the University of Louisville, Southern Police Institute-Louisville, Ky., in 2021, and the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police training in 2017.

The Childrens Summer Theater returns to Coffeyville Community College this month.  Performances for NEMO are set for June 23rd through 25th at the Spencer Rounds Theater.  Vocal Music Director at CCC Markel Porter says about 30 kids have been working hard to make the performance a success.

Porter says the sets will be larger and more elaborate this year.  Performances are scheduled for Thursday, June 23^rd at 7:00pm. Friday the 24^th at 5:00pm and a matinee performance at 2:00pm on Sunday, June 25th. 

The Coffeyville Recreation Center is offering two activities during the month of June for students from pre-k to sixth grade.

The first event is on Tuesday, June 20^th, from 3:00pm to 4:00pm in the CRC meeting room. Students will be tie-dying a towel to use this summer at the pool. The second event is Messy Science. This event is on Friday, June 23^rd, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at the CRC meeting room.

Both events are $8 for in district and $10 for out of district and registration is due by June 16^th. Register at the CRC office Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

 The Joplin Police Department arrests the thief of a statue. 

 JPD received the call from the Joplin Public Library, reporting the theft of their bronze statue in front of their main entrance, May 29th, around 4:00 a.m. The statue is valued at $5,300.  

 A Joplin Police Detective was able to positively identify the man through surveillance video, and 56-year-old Larry Hart, of Joplin, was arrested late last week. 

 He is being charged with Class D Felony theft, with a bond of $25,000 surety plus $10,000 cash.

 The investigation is still active, with detectives asking for your help in locating the stolen statue. If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Joplin Police Detective John Watkins at 417-623-3131 x1603.

The Kansas Department of Transportation provides road closing, no thru traffic and detour information for the construction on Highway 166 near Baxter Springs.

KDOT has closed Highway 166 east of Baxter Springs until the fall. As a result there has been a significant increase in traffic on secondary roads near the construction zone. KDOT has designated Southeast 5-Mile Avenue, Commons Road and 90^th, north and south of Highway 166, as No Thru Traffic zones.

As a result of this designation, motorists who do not live in that area will need to utilize the approved detour north from Baxter Springs on Highway 69/400 to Riverton, then east on 166 to Galena and South on K26, or in reverse order, to navigate around the KDOT construction zone.

The Coffeyville Boys and Girls Club, who already offers travel basketball, plans to offer a new travel sport in the fall. Director Griff Walker says they want to build a place where kids can play sports.

Walker says he wants the sports offered by the Boys and Girls Club to focus on traveling to compete.  Walker says anyone interested in signing up for anything the Boys and Girls Club offers can contact him via email at griffin.walker@cvilleschools.com.

 A major water line in Caney is being replaced, after a vote by the city council during yesterday's regular session meeting.

 City officials say replacing the twelve inch line from the tower, which sends water to the industrial park and east side of town, will eliminate the poor condition the current line is in, and should help the town reduce water loss significantly. City Administrator Kelley Zellner uses the example of a break during Christmas 2022 as an example on why the line needs replaced.

 Zellner says the situation has gotten to where repairs to city water lines need to be done soon, because the amount of water loss keeps growing.

 Zellner says engineers and water officials with the KDHE continue to examine all options to see what would be the biggest help to the town. The cost of just over $257,000 is being covered by grant funding.

Four Ponca City teenagers are injured in a single-vehicle crash in Kay County, Oklahoma.

The accident happened just before 4:30pm yesterday afternoon, four miles west and one mile north of Kildare, Oklahoma. A 2003 Ford Escape, driven by a 17-year-old male, was southbound on N W Street approaching W Adobe Road, traveling at an unsafe speed. The driver lost control and rolled the Escape coming to rest on the driver's side. The driver was partially ejected and pinned under the vehicle for 3 minutes.

The driver was transported to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita and admitted in fair condition with injuries to his head. There were three passengers in the vehicle, a 17-year-old male, a 15-year-old male and a 14-year-old female. All three were transported to Alliance Health in Ponca City for minor injuries and all three were treated and released. No one in the vehicle was wearing their seat belt.

 A child was injured after being struck by a car in Bartlesville yesterday evening.

 Bartlesville Police Captain Andrew Ward says the incident happened around 8:00 at the intersection of Frank Phillips Boulevard and Cheyenne Avenue.

 Officers discovered a juvenile on a small motorized bike had been hit by a west-bound vehicle on Frank Phillips Boulevard. Officials determined the juvenile pulled out in front of the vehicle causing the accident.

 The juvenile was transported to Jane Phillips Medical Center and then to a Tulsa hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Numerous counties across the state, including Montgomery County, received limited responses to a student survey.

The annual Kansas Communities that Care survey, which provides valuable information regarding health risk behaviors and opinions of students on drug misuse, was released in March.

Wellness Coalition Community Mobilizer Molly Rains says the county received a very low response rate compared to previous years.

A primary reason for the limited data from the survey is the changes in legislature. Rains says that Montgomery County was not the only county that experienced low numbers.

Additional items of business at this week's commission meeting was a work session with Human Resources Director Ben Brubaker, and Commissioner Bever approving the Victim Services Grant with Emergency Management.

 The Independence Police Department and Montgomery County Sheriff's Department are asking residents to avoid the area of 13^th and 14th and Maple in Independence. Both departments are currently working a dangerous situation involving an armed and barricaded subject.

 Authorities are asking everyone to avoid the area for your safety and to allow law enforcement to focus on the situation.

 More information will be given as it becomes available. 

 A bill filed in the Oklahoma Legislature would change how long a criminal would serve their sentence.

 House Bill 2946 or the “Lauria and Ashley’s Law”, would change the number of crimes where the “85% Law” would be enforced. Oklahoma’s “85% Law” focuses on sexual and violent crimes, like first and second degree murder, manslaughter in the first degree, and poisoning with intent to kill. Those convicted would be required to serve at least 85% of their sentences.

 The bill is a response to the early release of 71-year-old Ronnie Busick, who plead guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2020 for accessory to felony murder in the killings of Danny and Kathy Freeman, and the kidnapping and presumed deaths of Ashley Freeman and Lauria Bible. Because of Oklahoma Department of Corrections rules, Busick only served half of his sentence.

 Representative Steve Bashore, the author of the bill, says House Bill 2946 would not allow that to happen in the future, as it would expand what’s included in the list of crimes handled under the 85% Law.

 If approved, Lauria and Ashley’s Law would take effect on November 1st, 2024.