A candidate forum is coming up later this month for the Kansas House District 11 which covers eastern Montgomery County including Coffeyville.

Republican Dr. Ron Bryce and Democrat William Kendall will participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce and KGGF. Bryce is the current incumbent for District 11, while Kendall is currently service as a city commissioner in Coffeyville.

The Forum will be on Tuesday, September 29^th from 6 to 7 at the Windsor Event Center in Coffeyville. The public is welcome to attend the event in person. The forum will also be broadcast on The Mighty 690, KGGF. Anyone who would like to submit questions in advance is welcome to do so by emailing president@coffeyvillechamber.org.

A band teacher at Labette County High School in Altamont earns a regional award for excellence.

Megan Gabehart has been named the Southeast Kansas District Outstanding Music Educator at the high school level. She serves as the band teacher at Labette County High School and Meadow View Grade School.

In order to be eligible for the award, a teacher must have taught for 8 to 10 years, be a member in good standing of the Kansas Music Educators Association and direct a music program that demonstrates consistency or shows notable improvement over time.

Gabehart will now represent the Southeast Kansas District at the state level, where her nomination will compete for the state award.

Photo courtesy USD 506

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly recognizes the actions of several first responders regarding a fatal car crash in June.

Governor Kelly presented the Governor’s Award for Valor to Kansas Highway Patrol Lieutenants Lindsey Murphy and Carson Nuss; Kansas State Fire Marshal Mark Engholm; and Kansas City, Missouri, Police Officer Yul Bean earlier this week for their actions, following a fatal crash on I-70 in Wabaunsee County on June 5.

The actions of the officers saved the lives of a 7-year-old child and 45-year-old Jason Webb of Cheboygan, Wisconsin. Webb was driving a semi truck that crossed the center line and struck another vehicle, causing both vehicles to burst into flames.  70-year-old Barbara Krier, of Great Bend and 50-year-old Steven Reed, of Topeka both died in the accident.

Kelly stated that the courage, decisive action, and unwavering commitment demonstrated by the KHP Troopers, Kansas State Fire Marshal Engholm, and off-duty K-C-P-D Police Officer Bean reflect the highest traditions of public service and exemplify courage in the face of extraordinary circumstances.

Photo: (left to right) Officer Yul Bean, Trooper Carson Nuss, Trooper Lindsey Murphy, and State Fire Marshal Mark Engholm. Courtesy Kansas Highway Patrol

Independence Community College will host its 3^rd Annual Pirate Harvest Festival this weekend.

Independence Chamber President Lisa Wilson says the yearly event offers fun for all ages.

Independence  families, students, and community members are invited to the ICC main campus to join in the festivities from 1 to 3 on Sunday afternoon.

Two people are arrested in separate incidents in Independence.

The first incident occurred on September 4 when Independence police officers wer asked to conduct a welfare check. 60-year-old Michael Downing was arrested after Independence police officers were called to the 100 block of Peter Pan Road. Downing faces charges including Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Criminal Threat, and Fleeing and Eluding.

The second arrest took place on September 6 following a domestic incident. 25-year-old Trayce Justice was taken into custody after I-P-D officers were called to the 600 block of West Walnut Street in Independence for a domestic disturbance. Justice was booked into the Montgomery County Jail on charges of kidnapping, endangering a child, and aggravated domestic battery.

Both incidents remain under investigation.

Photo: Downing (left), Justice (right)

A Chanute man is under federal indictment for trafficking in methamphetamine.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas announced this week that 39-year-old Kyle Ingels has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Wichita on one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Today is the last day for residents in Montgomery County to sign up as a stakeholder for the upcoming survey for the new Zoning and Comprehensive Plan & Regulations.

The County beginning the process of developing a new Zoning Comprehensive Plan and updated Zoning Regulations. As part of this process, county officials are seeking community stakeholders to participate in brief interviews to help identify key county-wide issues and concerns that they feel should be addressed. The issues identified will be provided to the County’s consultant the E-T-C Institute to assist in developing survey questions that will then test and measure the key issues. All concerned citizens are invited to take part in a 15-minute long interview with county administration.

Those who would like to participate should contact Montgomery County Interim Administrator Kori White by 5pm today.

Contact:
Kori White, Interim County Administrator
kwhite@mgcountyks.org
620-330-1113 or 620-515-5450

The Wilson County Health Department confirms a case of rabies found in a skunk in Fredonia.

Fredonia Animal Control was called to West Park located near the Wilson County Fairgrounds on Wednesday,  September 16,  for a report of a skunk behaving oddly. Officers captured the skunk and the followed rabies protocols. The Wilson County Health Department was notified on Thursday that the animal tested positive for rabies.

County authorities say anyone who may have had contact with a skunk in West Park within the past week should contact the Health Department as soon as possible at 620-378-4455.

Residents are reminded to avoid contact with wild animals, especially animals that are behaving unusually, appear sick or injured, or are active at unusual times. Do not attempt to approach, capture, or handle a sick or dead wild animal.

Pet owners should also make sure their pets are current on their rabies vaccinations. If you believe your pet may have had contact with this rabid skunk, please contact Salt Creek Veterinary Clinic at 620-378-2532 and/or Fredonia Animal Control at 620-378-2208 for guidance.

Wilson County Old Iron Days is on the way next week.

The annual event will be held at the permanent grounds in Fredonia and features four days of demonstrations focused on education and preserving traditions of the past.

Organizer Mike Olson says there will be more than 25 different displays.

Organizer Rod Meckley says there will be a lot of school field trips during the week, but the public is more than welcome to attend during that time.

Admission to Old Iron Days is $5 and each person attending will get a button good for each day of the show. The event runs from Wednesday September 23^rd through Saturday the 26^th from 8 to 4 in Fredonia.

Listen to the full interview about Old Iron Days HERE.

Lions Clubs across Southeastern Kansas are helping the Community Access Center in Independence replace an aging walk-in freezer used to distribute food throughout the region.

The Lions Club International Foundation has awarded a $44,000 grant toward the purchase of a new freezer. The 30-foot-by-12-foot unit will replace a nearly 35-year-old freezer that requires continual monitoring. Community Access Center Representative Chris Mitchell says the freezer supports more than the center’s own programs.

The center, located at 807 West Pecan, handles tens of thousands of pounds of fresh and frozen food each week. The entire project represents an investment of nearly $94,000. Along with the international grant, Lions Clubs in Caney, Coffeyville, Fredonia, Independence and Neodesha have helped raise money. Mitchell says private donations have moved the campaign closer to its goal, while another donor has offered to match additional contributions.

The grant money will purchase the freezer, while officials are seeking additional funding to cover shipping and installation. Anyone interested in donating can contact the Community Access Center or the Independence Lions Club.

The City of Coffeyville is awarded more than $883,000 in grant funding for pedestrian upgrades around Community Elementary.

The funding comes from two separate grants from the Kansas Department of Transportation. City Clerk Melissa Carter says there will be a new pedestrian island installed on Cline Road.

Carter says there will also be new sidewalks added on streets surrounding the school.

The total estimated project cost is just under $1.07 million, with the City's estimated 20 percent share just over $200,000. Some money will also go towards developing an updated Safe Routes to School Plan for Community Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School, and Field Kindley High School.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the City of McCune public water supply systems located in Crawford County.

Customers should boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water instead. Dispose of ice cubes from trays and automatic ice makers. If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.  Water used for bathing does not need to be boiled, but supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested.

KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a loss of pressure due to an equipment failure.

 The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

The U.S. House of Representatives passes the Farm Bill.

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran applauded his colleagues in the House for advancing the bill to the next step. Moran is a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and says the bill provides certainty for Kansas ranchers and farmers.

The Farm Bill includes Kansas priorities such as year-round E-15 sales, increasing Farm Service Agency Loan limits, and the Rural Hospital Revitalization Act.

The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

The Sedan City Council meets and hears the latest financial report for the City.

At this week's meeting, City Treasurer Raven Darnall updated council members on the City's finances.

In other business, council members repealed an ordinance on City water rates and replaced it with a new one that will raise prices on city water customers. There was also a discussion on changing vendors for the suppliers of uniforms for Public Works employees, No action was taken on that issue.

The Independence Public Library welcomes Humanities Kansas guest speaker Murl Reidel.

Reidel will speak tonight at the library about the impacts of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on Kansas soldiers. Reidel is a fiscal analyst and a retired major from the Kansas Army National Guard. He will discuss methods for collecting, recording, and preserving modern wartime stories before they are lost to time.

The presentation begins tonight at 6pm at the Independence Public Library. Admission is free.

A Pittsburg man is facing felony meth charges after police execute a search warrant on a Pittsburg home.

The search warrant stemmed from an investigation into the distribution of controlled substances, specifically methamphetamine. 51-year-old Christopher Edward Lee was taken into custody on Wednesday at the scene after the search revealed evidence sought in the warrant. Lee is currently being held in the Crawford County Jail where he faces felony charges of possession and distribution of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He is being held without bond.

The historic fort in Fort Scott was the scene yesterday for 22 people from 17 different countries to officially become citizens of the United States.

The location provided a unique historical setting for the nearly two dozen people who reached the peak of a years' long process to become naturalized citizens. About half of the new citizens then registered to vote in order to be able to take part in the electoral process.

The Fort Scott National Historic Site hosts a naturalization ceremony each September.

The City of Moline announces an increase in garbage collections fees.

According to the City's Facebook page, the company contracted for trash collection is increasing its collection fee by $1 due to high fuel costs. The base rate for customers in Moline will now be $24,50. The cost of an extra poly cart will remain at $10.

The contractor has assured city officials that the rate will return to the previous amount when fuel diesel prices drop.

City offices in Independence will be closed for a short period of time today to allow for staff training.

Offices will be closed from 11:15 to 1:30 to allow city employees to take part in an annual safety training. Normal business hours will resume at 1:30 today. Those who have business with the City are asked to plan accordingly.

A Dearing woman is facing felony charges in Washington County, Oklahoma, after allegedly being in possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

22-year-old Alexius Yeubanks was charged on Wednesday with trafficking in fentanyl and possession of a controlled dangerous substance without a tax stamp.

According to the Bartlesville Police Department, Yeubanks was reportedly in the backseat of a vehicle that was pulled over early Tuesday morning for a non-functional tail light. Authorities reportedly searched the vehicle and the occupants after a positive K9 alert. Authorities allegedly found two small foil wrappings that contained fentanyl and four separate plastic baggies of methamphetamine.

Yeubanks wil l appear in court again on September 25. Her bond is set at $100,000.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as 49-year-old Blanca Herrera, is also facing a misdemeanor charge of possession.

A controversy is brewing in Bartlesville over the search for a new City Manager.

The City has been searching for an individual to fill the position left vacant by the August 7 resignation of Mike Bailey, who had served the City for 21 years. City Council member Tim Sherrick has expressed his concerns about the process the City is using to interview five internal candidates for the role. He says the process is not taking place during city council meetings.

Sherrick says the process is already in place.

He adds that he thinks the process is being conducted in order to avoid the Oklahoma Open Records Act.

Despite Sherrick's concern, keeping information about interviewees confidential is expressly allowable under Oklahoma's law. Internal files related to hiring, promotion or resignation are protected from public view. Additionally, information related to unsuccessful applicants for a position is also protected.

Sherrick is calling for interviews to be conducted in either an open meeting or in an executive session.

An Oklahoma game warden and a Nowata police officer are recognized for life-saving efforts.

Oklahoma Game Warden Dartanion Tilley and Nowata Police Department Officer Zachary Peak have been awarded the Nowata Fire & EMS Life Saving Award for their recent actions during a medical emergency. When the two encountered a patient who was experiencing cardiac arrest, they took immediate action. Warden Tilley and Officer Peak quickly began lifesaving efforts. Through their quick response, decisive actions, and continued resuscitation efforts, a pulse was successfully regained.

Their prompt actions saved the life of the patient.

Nichols Hitching Post and Maple Street Meat Market will soon move into a larger building with both businesses under one roof.

According to owner John Nichols, the business has outgrown the Columbia Building in downtown Coffeyville, so they are moving into the former Fastenal Building at 1312 11^th Street in Coffeyville.

Nichols says the new space will allow them to expand their offerings.

Nichols says work on the new building will start soon.

Nichols Hitching Post and Maple Street Meat Market offers local meat and discounted grocery items, and is currently located at the intersection of 8^th and Maple in Coffeyville.

The Kansas Supreme Court hears an appeal from a convicted Kansas serial Killer.

The Court has heard arguments in the latest appeal of convicted serial killer John Robinson Sr., who has spent more than two decades on death row. Robinson was convicted in 2002 of killing three women in Johnson County and later pleaded guilty in Missouri to five additional killings. In 2015, the Court upheld Robinson's capital murder sentence after a woman was found in a barrel on his farm near the City of La Cygne.

His attorney argued on Monday that ineffective defense counsel and errors in how prosecutors presented the case violated Robinson’s rights and should overturn his remaining death sentences.

State attorney Jacob Gontesky urged the justices to reject the appeal, saying Robinson had a highly experienced defense team.

The justices did not immediately rule on the issue.

The Kansas State Fair in underway in Hutchinson as Kansans and other fair goers brave the heat.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, 59 people have been treated for heat-related illness at this year's fair, that began on Friday. Temperatures across the state have reached or exceeded 100 degrees in central Kansas for 10 straight days just prior to the kickoff of the fair. That is the longest 100 degree streak since 2000. Hot weather remains in the forecast this week.

Anyone heading to Hutchinson this week to enjoy the fair should remember to stay well hydrated and take regular breaks from the heat, including finding shade or air conditioning. While at the fair, anyone feeling sick can seek help from the K-H-P, EMS, or fair staff. The Kansas State Fair runs through Saturday.

Those staying closer to home should also use caution when spending time outside while the heat wave lasts.