The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the City of West Mineral public water supply system located in Cherokee 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 waterline break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination. 

 The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

South Willow in Coffeyville will be closed through Saturday for repairs to the railroad crossing.

Starting today and continuing through Saturday, September 26th, the crossing on Willow south of 13th Street will be closed while repairs are made. Drivers will need to use an alternate route on Elm or Spruce while the crossing is closed.

A Bartlesville woman is facing a felony charge after allegedly leaving children without supervision while allegedly committing a separate crime.

27-year-old Dashanae Loomis was charged on Wednesday with child neglect, and also faces a misdemeanor charge of larceny of merchandise from a retailer. According to the Bartlesville Police Department, authorities responded to a reported theft at a convenience store during the overnight hours Wednesday morning. Loomis was found in possession of 15 alcoholic beverages that were removed by authorities. Authorities were then called to the Loomis residence. Loomis claimed that her three children were under the care of another individual. However, no individual was in the residence when authorities made contact. The children are ages five, four and two years old.

Loomis will appear in court again on October 16. Her bond is set at $15,000.

The Kansas Department of Transportation completes an overlay project in Sedan.

KDOT began work this week on the intersection of US-166 Business and K-99 or Main and School Streets. The project was originally slated to be completed on Friday, but the good weather conditions allowed work crews to complete the project early.

KDOT reports that maintenance work at the intersection is now complete.

Drivers in Labette County should be aware of a road closure east of Parsons.

According to Labette County Emergency Management, Udall Road will be closed from US-400 to 22000  through Sunday. The closure is to allow the transport of four large transformers through the area.

Drivers are asked to use an alternate route and to allow for extra travel time during the closure.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is looking for the owner of a wandering horse.

Authorities say the horse has been roaming loose for about a week just north of Coffeyville in the area of County Road 4350 and County Road 2600. The horse has been taken into custody and is currently being cared for, but the County would like to find its owner. Anyone who is missing a horse shoud contact the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and be able to describe the animal by sex and color, along with any distinctive markings the horse may have.

Osage County Commissioners approve a purchase for the Osage Cove Fire Department.

At this week's meeting, commissioners were asked to consider quotes for two heaters for the fire department building. County Purchasing Agent Reba Bueno-Conner provided details on the cost of the purchase. She says the purchase would be covered by funds from a Rural Economic Action Plan or REAP grant.

Commissioners approved the quote.

The Altamont City Council will hold its regular bi-weekly meeting tonight.

The City Council will handle a light agenda with reports expected from the Altamont Police and Fire Departments as well as from Public Works. Council members are also expected to approve a request for a street closure from the Altamont Recreation Commission for October 25^th in order to hold the Halloween Boo Bash event for local kids.

Tonight's meeting begins at 7pm at the Altamont City Hall. The meeting is open to the public and will also be available for online viewing via the City's Facebook page.

The Nowata County Election Board at work this week in preparation for the November election.

At this week's Nowata County Commission meeting, Election Board Secretary Dave Neely updated commissioners in preparation for the upcoming general election. He says they are making sure everything is in order.

The Oklahoma deadline to register to vote for the November midterm election is October 9^th.  Sample ballots for voters within Nowata County can be found through the Oklahoma Voter Portal.

The manhunt for a suspect who fled from custody in Cherokee County continues.

Authorities remain in search of 28-year-old Terron Allen who escaped from the custody of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department late Monday night. Allen fled on foot after slipping out of his handcuffs during transport near Columbus. Allen was being brought back to Kansas from Alabama to face charges of Aggravated Criminal Sodomy. Since his escape, Allen has been spotted twice in the Quaker area located about 3 ½ miles southeast of Columbus. Residents in that area are advised to keep their doors and cars locked until the fugitive is captured and to check any trail or security cameras for possible footage of Allen.

Allen is considered dangerous and anyone who thinks they see him should call 9-1-1.

The Independence City Commission will meet tonight and discuss several properties around the city.

On tonight's agenda, commissioners will consider awarding a Downtown Independence Building Grant for $7,600 to Community National Bank for the purpose of rehabilitating the stucco wall on the bank's drive-in. Part of the repair work will include rehabilitating the patriotic mural following the stucco repair.

Commissioners will also hold a public hearing for one property deemed dangerous and unsafe while setting a hearing date for a second property and rescinding the condemnation action for a third.

Tonight's Independence City Commission meeting will begin at 5:30 in the Commission Room at City Hall. The public is invited to attend or to view the meeting online via the City's website.

A tasty event is coming us this weekend at the Brown Mansion in Coffeyville.

The Coffeyville Historical Society and the Friends of the Brown Mansion are hosting “Meat at the Mansion” this Saturday at 6 p.m. in Coffeyville.

Organizer Darrell Detar says the goal of this fundraiser is to repair a specific room in the mansion.

There will be smoked pork and chicken available for just $20 for adults and $10 for children 10 and under. Detar says there will also be some great entertainment.

Tickets can be purchased at the Dalton Defenders Museum downtown or the Brown Mansion at 2109 S Walnut.

Parsons Police help arrest two men wanted by agencies in Oklahoma and Kansas.

PPD says officers arrested 33-year-old Dalton Stringer in Parsons on an Ottawa County, Oklahoma, warrant alleging he used technology to solicit sexual communication or conduct with a minor. Stringer is being held at the Labette County Jail pending extradition.

Officers also arrested 18-year-old Hunter Maslen in Parsons. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office says Maslen was wanted on a warrant alleging sexual exploitation of a child, employment of a child under 14 and electronic solicitation. He was transferred to Crawford County custody.

The man found dead on school property in Longton is identified.

50-year-old Jason Barrager of Independence was found yesterday afternoon on the USD 283 campus. Elk Valley personnel discovered his body around 2:00pm and immediately notified law enforcement. The Elk County Sheriff’s Office requested help from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation around 2:30pm. Investigators say Barrager was alone on school property around 3:00am and did not leave the area. The KBI says his body had no obvious injuries. An autopsy will be performed, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Authorities say there is no indication of foul play or evidence that students or the public are at risk. Superintendent Megan Gaston says the district provided investigators with requested materials, including available surveillance footage.

The Galesburg Fire Department receives a grant from a local Masonic group.

Fire officials have received $5,000 in grant funding from Masonic Lodge #117 located in Parsons through the Masonic Lodge Foundation. Galesburg Fire plans to use the funding to improve equipment, improving the departments ability to keep firefighters safe while continuing to serve the community.

Galesburg Fire officials say they have also received a grant to allow Fire Chief John Lilburn to attend the Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs Conference in Kansas City in October.

The Department has received nearly $265,000 in grants over the past three years.

Photo courtesy Galesburg Fire Department

Two Baxter Springs residents face drug charges in Cherokee County.

59-year-old Douglas Ashley and 52-year-old Rita Ashley were both arrested on Tuesday by Baxter Springs Police after the service of a search warrant on the Baxter Springs home. During the search, multiple items of drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine, and marijuana were located and seized. Both suspects were booked into the Cherokee County Jail in Columbus.

Douglas Ashley has been charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possessing prohibited weapons. Rita Ashley faces charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Photo: Douglas Ashley (left), Rita Ashley (right)

Independence Community College welcome the change of season from summer to fall with its third annual Pirate Harvest Festival.

The school welcomed local families to campus on Sunday to celebrate the first day of fall with an afternoon of activities, community connection and Pirate spirit. The event has become a way for students, faculty, and staff to engage with the Independence community in a fun way. It also gives students the opportunity to serve the community of which they are a part.

“We want our students to understand that being a Pirate means being part of this community,”said ICC Event Coordinator Kris Ferguson. “Events like this give them a chance to step outside of their normal routines, meet the families who live here and give back in a really hands-on way. At the same time, our community gets to know our students and see the energy, kindness and personality they bring to Independence.”

Students played a significant role in making the festival possible, from setting up and running activity stations to helping families navigate the event and cleaning up afterward.

US-75 in Neodesha will be closed today to allow the Union Pacific Railroad to make repairs to a rail crossing.

The highway or Main Street will be closed near 12^th Street from 7am through 11pm today. An official detour will be posted. Drivers are urged to use caution or to find an alternate route until repairs are completed.

The City of Parsons announces the permanent closure of the Marvel RV Park.

City Manager Jeff Cantrell says there were multiple reasons for the closure.

Cantrell says the old RV park was costly, but that there will likely be a new park coming sometime in the future.

The Marvel RV park will close for good at midnight on October 4^th. All vehicles and personal belongings must be removed from the park by October 5^th. Any campers or vehicle remaining after that date will be removed by the City.

The Neodesha City Commission will meet today and address the issue of dangerous and unsafe properties in the City.

At today's meeting, commissioners will consider resolutions for abatement on four properties and set public hearing dates for each. There will also be a proposal to deem a fifth property as an immediate hazard. Commissioners will also discuss the possible purchase of electric poles and make appointments to the Rankin Memorial Library Board.

Today's meeting begins at 4pm at Neodesha's City Hall. The meeting is open to the public and will also be recorded for later viewing on the City's Facebook page.

Cherokee County authorities are still searching for a suspect who escaped from custody on Monday.

28-year-old Terron Allen of Baxter Springs slipped out of his handcuffs and fled from a Cherokee Sheriff's Deputy as he was being transported back to Kansas from Baldwin County, Alabama. Allen fled into a wooded area near Columbus and is still suspected to be in the Columbus area. He was reportedly seen on surveillance camera on Tuesday afternoon in the 1500 block of Southeast Messer Road.

Allen was taken into custody on a warrant for Aggravated Criminal Sodomy and is considered dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office at 620-429-3992. Anyone who thinks they see Allen should call 9-1-1.

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

The original advisory was issued on September 17^th  because of possible contamination due to a loss of pressure due to an equipment failure . Laboratory testing of the City of McCune water supply showed no contamination and the K-D-H-E has determined that all conditions that placed the system at risk have been resolved.

Homecoming continues this week at Coffeyville Community College as students gear up for a game against Garden City.

Coming up Thursday, there will be a pep rally held in downtown Coffeyville. CCC Recruiter and Event Coordinator Haylie Bagwell says the public is encouraged to attend.

Tomorrow's pep rally will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The community engagement fair will also be today from 10 to noon in the upper level of the Graham Library, which serves as an opportunity for community organizations to connect directly with students and make them aware of services and opportunities offered in the area.

The City of Coffeyville will not raise the mill levy.  Finance Director Martin Cumings says the city had published a plan to raise its mill levy above the revenue neutral rate but that plan changed.

Cummings says the budget filed with the county clerk does not show every planned city expense and a more complete version will be posted on the city’s finance webpage. He says residents who cannot access it online can request a printed copy from the city.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating after a man was found dead on school property in Longton.

The Elk County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance around 2:30pm this afternoon. KBI agents and the agency’s Crime Scene Response Team responded to the Elk Valley USD 283 property. The KBI says there is no indication that students or the public are at risk. Superintendent Megan Gaston says all students and staff are safe and accounted for. She asks the community to avoid speculation while law enforcement investigates.

Authorities have not determined whether the death was accidental, a homicide, a suicide or due to natural causes. The man’s identity will be released after his next of kin are notified. The investigation remains ongoing.