Multiple units respond to a fuel spill reported at the Indepdence Airport.

The initial call came in Friday night just after 8 p.m. of a report of a jet fuel spill from a tanker at the Textron facility at the Independence Municiapl Airport.  Fire units from Independence are responding in addition to Coffeyville Hazmat.  No fire has been reported at this time.

This is a breaking news story, more information will be shared as it becomes available.

The Town of Copan, Washington County Rural Water District 7 and Hulah Water District 20 are all under a mandatory water boil order until further notice.

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality issued the order on Friday. Individuals and businesses who use tap water in those areas should bring water to a full, rolling boil for at least one minute, use bottled water, or water from another acceptable source for consumption, use in food preparation, dishwashing and brushing teeth.

The order was issued due to high turbidities and low disinfectant levels in the drinking water.

Users will be notified when the water is considered safe for human consumption. Federal law requires that consumers be notified when a public water supply exceeds certain maximum contaminant levels and might be harmful to the health of consumers.

A suspect connected to an armed convenience store robbery that happened in Coffeyville in July is under arrest.

According to the Coffeyville Police Department, on July 25th around 2:15 a.m., the Department responded to a reported armed robbery at the Jumpstart on the east side of Coffeyville at 512 Northeast Street. The suspect fled prior to Officers arrival.

After a thorough investigation, a suspect was developed. As a result, the Coffeyville Police Department requested and received an arrest warrant for the suspect through Montgomery Co. District Court.

The suspect, 23-year-old Brelyn M. Sanford of Tulsa, was taken into custody without incident by the Tulsa Police Dept.

CPD is recommending charges of Attempted Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Assault to the Montgomery Co. Attorney’s Office.

Chief Kwin Bromley would like to thank Tulsa Police Dept. for their assistance in this investigation.

Anyone with information should call CPD at 620-252-6160. Those wishing to remain anonymous may provide information to the Crime Tip Hotline at 620-252-6133.

**UPDATE (10:14am, September 11): A statement from the CIty of Independence has confirmed there were fatalities resulting from the fire. The identities of those involved are not being released at this time pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

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

Emergency Crews in Independence respond to an early morning house fire.

Crews were called to the scene at Maple and Burns Streets around 6:30 this morning. Upon arrival, firefighters found a residence that was actively burning. Preliminary reports indicate at least one adult was inside the house along with several children between the ages of 2 and 5. The pediatric patients were taken to Labette Health in Independence while the adult was taken to Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. All were reported to have severe burns and airway trauma.

Emergency crews remain on the scene. The names and exact numbers of victims have not been released and no updates on their conditions have been given at this time.

This is a breaking news story and KGGF will provide updates as they become available.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has joined with the Oklahoma First Responder Wellness Division in a statewide effort to prevent suicide among first responders.

The Not One Mor campaign aims to make it much easier for first responders, including police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, to ask for help and reminds them that they do not have to carry their struggles alone.

For a link to learn more about the campaign, follow this link.

There will be an Opioid Townhall on Tuesday in Cherryvale.

The event will feature keynote speaker Shawn Campiti and a panel of experts who can answer questions and help attendees learn more about the issue. Substance use around Kansas has skyrocketed since 2017, with Montgomery County being in the top 10 of counties in Kansas per capita. Campiti, a Special Agent with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, will share his personal story about losing a loved one to fentanyl use. The public is invited to attend ask questions, and be part of the conversation as we work together toward a healthier Montgomery County. Refreshments will be served. Tuesday night's event will be held at the Cherryvale Community Center, located at 712 South Liberty Street. The event begins at 6pm.

The Humanities Project from Coffeyville Community College welcomes award-winning juggler and entertainer Brian Wendling to the Spencer Rounds Theater. .
 

Wendling brings his unique combination of juggling, comedy, and performance to Coffeyville next week. He began his juggling career as a college student and found that performing allowed him to express his more extroverted side. Wendling is an International Juggler's Association Team Champion and a favorite performer at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, where he has performed for over 40 years.

Wendling will perform Tuesday night in the Spencer Rounds Theater on the CCC campus. Admission is free.

Road construction is slated to begin Monday in the City of Neodesha.

The work by the Wilson County Road and Bridge Department will take place along 12th Street, beginning at Granby and continuing north across the overpass onto Spruce Street along the City's west side. While work is underway, 12^th Street from Granby to the overpass is expected to be completely closed while Spruce Street from the overpass to the city limits will be limited to one lane of traffic. Residents, businesses, employees, customers, and delivery drivers should plan ahead and allow additional travel time.

The Altamont City Council has rescheduled its regular meeting until Monday night.

The council was originally scheduled to meet last night, but was forced to make the change due to a lack of quorum. The agenda for that meeting will be the similar to the one published for last night's meeting. One change will be for the public hearing for flood plain management. The date for that hearing has been moved to Thursday, October 8, at 7pm.

The Altamont City Council will meet Monday at 6:30 at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public and can also be viewed online via the City of Altamont Facebook page.

The Independence City Commission approves the 2027 budget.

At last night's meeting commissioners were asked to approve the budget for the coming year and exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate. City Finance Director Lacey Lies says, while the City is exceeding the RNR, next year's mill levy will actually decrease.

Commissioner Tim White says it took a lot of work to whittle down the 2027 budget.

Commissioner Scott Smith says the budget reflects a balance between the needs of the City and the needs of the taxpayer.

Mayor Dean Hayse says deep cuts to the budget are good in the short term, but they can't last.

One citizen spoke during the public hearing on the RNR, citing concern for taxpayers living on fixed incomes. Both the budget and the RNR passed on unanimous votes.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces $3.5 million dollars in competitive grants available to federally recognized Tribes for projects aimed at improving water quality.

The funding is part of the E-P-A's Clean Water Act Section 319 program, which targets non-point-source pollution, or polluted runoff carried into waterways from urban, suburban and rural areas.

Eligible projects could include planting streambanks, controlling erosion, installing livestock fencing, managing stormwater and developing watershed plans.

Each Tribe or intertribal organization can apply for up to $175,000, with the E-P-A expecting to fund about 20 projects.

Applications are due November 9^th. An informational webinar is scheduled for September 17^th.

Flags across the state of Kansas will be flown at half-staff today in remembrance of of those who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Flags throughout the state will be lowered to half staff from sunup to sundown today by order of Governor Laura Kelly to mark the 25^th anniversary of the attacks on New York City.

“Twenty-five years after the unthinkable tragedy that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 Americans and injured thousands more, we uphold our commitment to remembering those whose lives were permanently altered by a horrific terrorist attack,” Kelly said. “We will never forget the bravery demonstrated that day by so many, including our nation’s first responders, who saved countless lives despite losing more than 400 of their own. Their sacrifice and service will never be forgotten.”

The Mighty 690 will be on the road tomorrow to broadcast live from the Mayes County Fair.

KGGF's Matt Jordan will be at the fair in Pryor from 9:00am to 11:00am, providing updates and visiting with fair organizers, exhibitors and others attending this year’s event. The Mayes County Fair runs through Sunday. The carnival is open from 6:00pm to 10:00pm each night until Sunday. The goat show gets things started tomorrow morning followed by the dairy and sheep show. The swine and beef shows are on Saturday, with the premium sale wrapping up the fair on Monday.

Tomorrow’s live broadcast is sponsored by DeLozier Insurance, Morehead Construction, Whitetail Properties agent Dean Anderson, Locust Grove Feed, the Pryor Area Chamber of Commerce, Pryor Vet, Troyer-Weaver Insurance and Brittain Farms.

Two debates for statewide offices will be heard on KGGF this weekend.

This Sunday, September 13^th, KGGF will broadcast a debate via the Kansas Information Network featuring Republican Ty Masterson and Democrat Cindy Holscher both vying for the Governor's seat in Kansas. That debate will start at 5 p.m.

Then, at 6:30 p.m., Candidates for US Senate, Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton, will face off for an additional 90-minute debate.

The debates will be broadcast on The Mighty 690, KGGF.

Coffeyville Police arrest two in separate incidents.

The first incident occurred on August 24^th when police stopped 44-year-old Bradley D. Phillipi of Coffeyville for a traffic stop. During the stop, officers discovered illegal narcotics. Phillipi was arrested and faces charges of Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the Intent to Manufacture, Possession of Marijuana, and Aggravated Endangering a Child.

The second incident occurred on August 27^th during another traffic stop on East 8^th Street in Coffeyville. During that stop, officers discovered illegal narcotics along with an illegal handgun. 62-year-old Leon E. Smith of Coffeyville was taken into custody. He faces multiple charges including Distribution of Methamphetamine, Defacing Identification Marks on a Firearm, Transporting an Open Container and DUI.

Anyone with information of either case is asked to contact Coffeyville Police. Anonymous tips can be made to the Crime Tip Hotline at 620-252-6133.

Photo: Phillipi (l), Smith (r)

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Montgomery County and western Labette County through 1pm today.

Morning storms have moved through the area and dumped a large amount of rain. Flooding is expected to occur along rivers, streams, and other flood prone locations.

Areas in Montgomery County covered in the warning include Coffeyville, Independence, Cherryvale, Caney, Dearing, Mound Valley, Elk City, Tyro, Liberty, Havana, Bolton, and Sycamore. In Labette County, areas include Angola, Parsons Tri City Airport, Big Hill Lake, and Dennis.

Remember to use caution around flood waters. Never drive through flooded roadways, turn around, don’t drown. Do not drive around barricades and avoid unnecessary travel in areas experiencing flooding.

The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin a mill and overlay project on Monday along a short stretch of US-169 in Labette County.

The contractor on the project - Bettis Asphalt and Construction of Topeka - will mill the existing pavement and add a 4-inch asphalt overlay along a nearly two-mile section of the highway from the Montgomery County line to near the Neosho County line. Other work includes paving the shoulders and adding center and shoulder rumble strips and pavement markings.

Flaggers and a pilot car will guide motorists through one-lane traffic in the work zones. Motorists can expect delays of 15 minutes or less.

Work will occur during daylight hours Monday through Friday, and is expected to be completed by early October.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the recent death of a Dewey police officer.

Dewey Police Chief Jimmy Gray says Sergeant Robbie Hicks died on Monday at the Dewey Police Station.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office says Hicks was under investigation for alleged crimes when the shooting occurred. Hicks was taken to Jane Phillips Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The case remains under investigation.

An Independence man is arrested and faces charges for distribution of narcotics within 1000 feet of a school.

Officers from the Independence Police Department were called to the scene in the 400 block of north 10^th Street on Tuesday for a report of a domestic disturbance. Following an investigation, police arrested 24-year-old Raevaughn White and 23-year-old Kennedy Curtis. Both suspects were taken to the Montgomery County Jail.

White faces charges of possession of an opiate or narcotic, possession of an hallucinogenic drug, unlawful abuse of toxic vapors and possession with intent to distribute to a minor within 1000 feet of a school.

Curtis faces similar charges.

Photo: Curtis (l), White (r)

The Independence City Commission will meet tonight and hold a public hearing to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate for 2027.

According to city officials, while the proposed levy exceeds the RNR, the City is not proposing an increase to its overall mill rate. The City's 2026 actual mill rate was 53.799 mills, compared to the proposed 2027 rate of 53.795 mills, a slight decrease of 0.004 mills. The increase would allow the City to collect an additional $113,000 in taxes for 2027. The City will receive additional property tax revenue because the assessed valuation is estimated to increase; the Revenue Neutral Rate is designed to reduce the mill rate as valuations grow, so that property tax revenues remain approximately level from year to year.

Also on tonight's agenda, commissioners will also consider adopting a resolution amending the Neighborhood Exterior Grant Program, consider awarding a Downtown Independence Building Grant to Independence Industries for a roof replacement at 115 South 6^th Street and hold public hearings on 11 properties deemed dangerous and unsafe. There will also be consideration of an emergency abatement and demolition of the trailer park at 1610 West Laurel.

Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 in the Commission Room at City Hall in Independence. The meeting is open to the public and can also be viewed online via the City's website.

An inmate at the El Dorado Correctional Facility dies in custody.

According to the Kansas Department of Corrections, 67-year-old Eddie Holmes Jr. was discovered unresponsive in his cell on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the Butler County facility. Prison staff alerted EMS and began life-saving measures. Holmes was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased. His cause of death will be determined by an independent autopsy.

Holmes was serving a 19-year prison sentence for voluntary manslaughter for the 2024 shooting death of Reginald Privette in Topeka.

Whenever an individual dies while in custody in a Kansas prison, the death is investigated by KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

The investigation remains ongoing.

A longtime USD 445 coach, educator and school administrator has passed away.

Harold Thomas passed away on September 5, 2026, at the age of 94. Thomas impacted many in the Coffeyville community through his 36 years with USD 445. Throughout his career, he coached 25 All-SEK athletes, seven All-State athletes and one High School All-American.

Thomas played basketball at Field Kindley High School and earned All-SEK honors and served as co-captain in 1950. He continued his basketball career at Coffeyville Community College, where he was a two-year starter and the team’s leading scorer during his sophomore season. His accomplishments earned him All-State and All-Kansas honors, and he served as co-captain in 1952.

Thomas competed against the Phillips 66 Oilers, the 1950 National Industrial Basketball League champions; the McPherson Globe Refiners All-Stars; the Marques Haynes All-Stars and Harlem Magicians; and Kansas City’s Chapel Touring All-Star Basketball Team.

Thomas will long be remembered for his involvement in the Interstate Basketball Classic, which was named in his honor.

Harold Thomas' full obituary can be viewed here.

This year is the 25^th anniversary of the terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.

To remember the tragic day, there will be a 9/11 Revival held at the Love in Action Chapel on Centralia Road in Childers, Oklahoma. This year's theme is “Our Finest Hour” and special guests include David Engles of the Oasis Radio Network, Doyle Edwards of Tulsa, Vincent Orange of Wann, Scott Lewis of Louisiana and Edwina Kidd of Arkansas. The revival will be held September 10th and 11th starting at 7 p.m. For more information, call 918-440-5683.

No injuries are reported following a vehicle fire early Monday morning.

Firefighters were called to 705 West 10^th Street shortly before 12:30am. Crews arrived to find a passenger vehicle heavily involved in flames. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire without incident.

The cause remains under investigation.

The Parsons Police Legacy Fund is donating $500 to the Labette County High School Booster Club.

The money will support student-athletes, activities and other opportunities for LCHS students. Parsons Police Chief and Legacy Fund President Robert Spinks says the contribution supports the organization’s goal of investing in young people and the community’s future. Lieutenant Jason Ludwig says the donation is especially meaningful because the Parsons Police Department includes graduates of both Labette County and Parsons high schools.

The Legacy Fund raises money through donations, sponsorships, partnerships and charitable events to support youth, education, athletics and other community programs.