The ICC Fine Arts Department is hosting another concert this Sunday at 6:00 pm that will include a special guest.

Independence Chamber of Commerce Director Lisa Wilson provides the details of this concert.

Admission to the concert is free. For more information, contact the Chamber at 620-331-1890.

A Pittsburg State University alumnus will return to the school for a book reading Sunday afternoon. J.T. Knoll will read from his new book of poetry, Counterpart. The reading will take place in the basement level of PSU’s Axe Library at 2 p.m.

Knoll is a founding member of White Buffalo and an award-winning columnist for the Morning Sun. His previous book of poetry, Ghost Sign — co-authored with fellow PSU alumni Al Ortolani, Adam Jameson, and Melissa Fite Johnson — was selected as a Kansas Notable Book for 2017.

Other titles by Knoll include the column collections Paperboy and Where the Pavement Ends; audio recordings of poetry, songs, and stories called True Stories and Fetch Crazy; and a live recording of boyhood memories called The Republic of Frontenac.

Knoll’s book will be available for purchase at a reception following the reading. Admission to the book reading is free.

It was a busy Thanksgiving weekend in Caney as four are arrested after routine traffic stops.

On Friday, the Caney Police Department arrested two Californians. 61-year-old Daniel Billingsly, Valley Springs, California, was arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and Sabrina Campbell, Sacramento, California, was arrested for speeding, transport of an open container and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

On Saturday, 29-year-old Trenton Buhler, Skiatook, Oklahoma was arrested for vehicle equipment violation, driving under the influence and driving with an open container. 32-year-old Nicholas Raffety, Witchita, was arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Santa Claus is coming to Coffeyville's Candy Cane Lane.

On Saturday, December 18th, Santa will make a trip from the North Pole down to Coffeyville to pass out hot cocoa and candy canes to all that visit him. In addition, the "Letters to Santa" box is open once again. Letters left in the box at 207 Evergreen Drive will be mailed to the North Pole.

Make sure to leave a return address to ensure that you receive a reply.

A federal court on Monday morning blocked a second of the Biden administration's federal vaccine mandates. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri today placed a temporary injunction on the mandate from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that required nearly all health care employees, volunteers, and third-party contractors to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said this particular mandate could be the most damaging of the three mandates.

The injunction is the second Schmidt has obtained blocking a Biden administration vaccine mandate. A different federal court has stayed the OSHA mandate that applied to private employers with more than 100 employees. A third lawsuit filed by Schmidt challenges the mandate for federal contractors and is scheduled for a hearing Friday on the state’s request for a preliminary injunction.

The CRMC Foundation will host their annual “Tree of Hope” tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, December 8^th which honors all those friends, family, and loved ones who have been affected by cancer. The event will take place near the Radiation Oncology Entrance from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM with the tree lighting scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Director of Foundation and Guest Relations Lisa Kuehn says that angels will be available for purchase during this event.

Angels may be also purchased through the CRMC Foundation Office and will also be available for purchase online here. Proceeds will benefit the CRMC Cancer Centers. For more information contact the Foundation at 620-252-1674.

State Senator Virgil Peck will in Labette and Montgomery Counties this week for a listening tour.  Peck says that these listening tours are an important part of a legislator’s job in hearing what's on the minds of voters.

He adds that it’s also an important way to keep voters informed.

State Senator Peck will be in Altamont this Thursday afternoon at the Park and Community Center at 12:45, the Oswego Senior Citizen’s Center at 1:45, the Wall Center in Parsons at 3pm and conclude the day at 4:30 in at the Logan Park Building in Cherryvale.

Peck will also be spending time in Montgomery and Neosho Counties next Thursday, December 9^th.  Time and locations for those events will be announced in the next couple of days.

Applications to serve on the city of Independence's Park Board are due by the end of the week.

To be considered, applicants must submit their application before 5 PM on Friday, December 3rd. The vacancy is for an unexpired term that ends on July 1st, 2022.

The purpose of the board, as outlined in the city code, is to "act as an advisory board to the governing body of the city concerning all matters pertaining to the municipally owned zoo and parks." Nine members serve, including a chairman, vice chairman and secretary. The board meets quarterly, depending on current membership.

The application, to be submitted online, can be found here.

The Coffeyville Recreational Commission and the Coffeyville Friends of Animals are teaming up for an exciting event.

Santa Paws is an event where your pets will be able to have their picture taken with Santa Claus at the Bobby Clemons Recreation Center. CRC Special Events Coordinator Jaime Grant discusses the details of this event.

There is no fee to have the pictures taken but they are requesting a donation such as a bag of dog or kitty litter. All pictures will be posted on the CRC Facebook page after the event for free downloading.

For more information, contact the CRC at 620-251-5910.

A bonus for rural firefighters and more insurance concerns feature on the agenda of next Monday's Montgomery County Commission meeting.

Rick Whitson will speak to the commission on behalf of Rural Fire District #1 on the possibility of a bonus being given to rural firefirghters.

In other buisness, environmental healh and zoning administrator Matt Debo will speak on approving a new planning commission member, public works coordinator Jim Wright will address the commission, and David Luke will meet with commissioners and department heads on new insurance.

Monday's meeting begins at 8:30 AM at the Montgomery County Courthouse.

A substitute teacher in Crawford County is arrested after trying to solicit sex from a student.

USD 249 Administration contacted the Crawford County Sherriff's Office School Resource Officer and reported an incident involving a substitute teacher and a student from the Frontenac School District. The substitute teacher, Ross McCullough, requested a female student to engage in sexually explicit conduct via mobile phone. The student refused the request and reported to a parent who then alerted school officials.

McCullough was arrested and transported, to the Crawford County Jail and booked for attempted sexual exploitation of a child.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has reopened a road in Bourbon County.

A section of K-39 has been closed since April to fix the bridge over Pawnee Creek. Now that the bridge has been fixed, K-39 has reopened to through traffic between K-3 and U.S. 69.

The City of Pittsburg has appointed a new Director of Parks and Recreation. The appointment comes after the previous director, Kim Vogel, took over as Human Resources Director. The new director of Parks and Recreation will be Toby Book.

Book has worked for the City of Pitsburg for over 24 years.

The Bartlesville Community Center postpones Broadway in Bartlesville's performance of "An Officer and A Gentleman." BCC Managing Director Val Callaghan says the show, originally scheduled for Monday, has been postponed due to several breakthrough cases of COVID-19 in the touring company.

Callaghan says the show has been rescheduled for Monday, January 3 at 7:30pm. Original tickets will be honored to make the transition to the new date easier. If you have questions or concerns, call the BCC box office at (918)337-2787.

Coffeyville Regional Medical Center hosts a ribbon-cutting for their new MRI machine. CRMC welcomed the Coffeyville Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors for the ribbon cutting on Monday.

The new Siemens Altea 1.5 MRI System is a revolutionary service for the facility. This new machine allows those who have had difficulty tolerating an MRI in the past to more comfortably have their image study performed. The imaging machinery is quieter, less confining, and offers videos on screen.

A Coffeyville civic organization is marking a century of practicing service above self in the community.  The Coffeyville Rotary Club was formed in 1921 with 25 members.  The Club has always been active in the community with its first major project the establishment of a camp, now known as Cedar Bluff Camp.

The club also annually rings bells for the Salvation Army at Christmas time, provides scholarships for local students, sponsors special events at college sporting events and hosts one of Coffeyville’s annual events, Mardi Gras.  The Club recently marked its 100^th year by celebrating with a special Centennial event that drew numerous dignitaries to town including Rotary District 6110 District Governor Kevin Merrill and his wife Lisa.

The Independence Community College Theatre Department will wrap up their fall season with a performance of a 1957 classic.

Independence Chamber of Commerce Director Lisa Wilson gives the details of this performance of Samuel Beckett's “Endgame”.

Admission to this show is free. For more information, contact the ICC Theatre Department at 620 331-4100.

The Independence Recreation Center is now taking registrations for the 2^nd session for the 2021-22 youth basketball leagues.

Leagues that are available for girls are 1^st, 2^nd, 7^th, and 8^th grades while leagues for boys are 3^rd through 6^th grade. The cost is $30 per child and the deadline to register is December 16^th.

For more information, you can contact IRC at 620-331-0260 or visit their website at indyrec.com. You can find the registration page here.

An Independence man appears in court yesterday morning at the Montgomery County Court House.

36-year-old Joseph Barrager is charged with possession of marijuana and reckless driving.  Reports say that Barrager drove a vehicle at 120mph in a 50mph zone and failed to yield at a stop sign.  He also drove on the wrong side of the road creating a hazard.  Barrager's next court date is set for December 7^th at the Montgomery County Court House. His bond is set for $50,000.

The Montgomery County Courthouse will close later this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

The courthouse, along with the Coffeyville Tag Office, will be closed on both Thursday, November 25th and Friday, November 26th. It will open back up to resume normal operations next Monday.

The Independence Tag Office is still closed due to staffing shortages.

Motorists who use K-47 in Altoona will need to give themselves extra time as Union Pacific Railroad plans to close and repair its crossing next Wednesday through Friday, December 1^st-3^rd.

K-47 will be closed to traffic at the work zone. Traffic will follow a signed detour through Neodesha on U.S. 75 and U.S. 400. For more information on this closure go to www.kandrive.org.

The Kansas legislature approves a bill regarding COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The special session ended around 11:20pm last night. The legislation would cover exemptions for both medical and religious reasons. It will also provide unemployment benefits to anyone who has lost or loses their job because of a mandate. Any business that denies exemptions could face financial penalties.

State Senator Virgil Peck says the legislation they passed isn't as strong as he wished but it does provide protections for Kansas citizens. The Senate passed a bill that would not allow any vaccine mandate in the state but it wasn't approved by the House.  Governor Laura Kelly says she will sign this bill.

All four Montgomery County schools have received awards issued by the Kansas Department of Education as part of the Kansans Can Star Recognition Program.

The Program is designed to support the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation process by providing a level of recognition that helps districts identify where they want to focus their improvement efforts. Districts can receive gold, silver, bronze, or copper stars in the qualitative and quantitative measure areas in several areas including Academically prepared for postsecondary and High school graduation.

USD 445 Coffeyville received a bronze star award in Social-Emotional Growth and a copper star award in High School graduation.

USD 446 Independence received copper star awards in the Academically Prepared for Post-secondary, Post-secondary Success categories and Social-Emotional Growth. USD 446 also received a 2021 Commissioner's Award.

USD 436 Caney Valley received a silver star award in High School graduation and copper star awards in the Academically Prepared for Post-secondary and Postsecondary Success categories. USD 436 received a 2021 Commissioner's Award as well.

USD 447 Cherryvale-Thayer was awarded a copper star award in the Academically Prepared for Post-secondary category.

The Commissioner’s Award is achieved by those districts that outperform their predicted post-secondary effectiveness rate.

A few weeks ago Gov. Laura Kelly and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced that they would like to see food tax eliminated in the state. The “Axe the Tax” plan would see about a $450 million tax cut in the state.

Representative Jim Kelly said that he thinks there will be several versions of this plan but it should receive bi-partisan support.

Kelly also said he thinks that any plan that is put forward will get finished in the 2022 regular session.

The 2022 Legislative Session begins on January 10^th.

One is injured after a crash in Cherokee County.

53-year-old Brian Nichols was driving his Semi Truck northbound on K7 when he collided with the rear of a school bus that had slowed to make a turn. There were 23 passengers on the school bus, 21 children, and 2 adults. Debra Smith, the driver of the school bus was unharmed, the second adult passenger,

Jamee Shierk was taken to the hospital in Pittsburg. Shierk was the only victim of the crash to sustain any injuries.

A woman in Parsons is in custody following a weekend burglary.

Parsons Police Officers were called to the 100 block of North 14th Street for a reported vehicle burglary. When officers arrived and spoke to the victim, they were told that the suspect was caught in the act by the vehicle owner and ran off north from the house. The suspect had broken into four vehicles and stolen multiple items.

Later the same day the suspect was spotted in Parsons.  29-year-old Kaylan Anastasia Mills was arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft.

A second suspect has been arrested in a Parsons burglary case from last week.

Police Detective Kyle Wiford and two Labette County deputies met at a house on the 1600 block of Gabriel in Parsons, with both parties searching for 36-year-old Christopher Hilton. While waiting for the landlord to arrive, a loud crash was heard in the garage. The landlord claimed that no one was supposed to be in the garage.

Upon entry, officers first thought that there was a black male and female in the garage, but it was discovered to be Hilton, who had painted his face black in an attempt to conceal his identity. He was arrested on both a previous Neosho County warrant and for the November 16th burglary.

The police department is requesting charges of burglary, theft, and criminal damage to property. Hilton's counterpart, Lazarus Hinman, has already had charges filed against him.

A Labette County commissioner denies he has been harassing signers of the recall petition and potential voters in the recall election. Commissioner Brian Kinzie says this isn't something he has done and that anyone can file a complaint.

According to the county clerk, there were 31 names that were duplicates. Falsely signing a recall petition is a class B misdemeanor. The recall election for Commissioner Kinzie is set for December 7^th.

A commissioner in Labette County is being accused of harassing voters before an upcoming recall election next month. The Facebook group Labette County Neighbors United has accused Commissioner Brian Kinzie and his attorney of harassing voters in District 2 for signing the recall petition.

Allegedly Commissioner Kinzie and his attorney have questioned some of the names as being duplicates. The group says that around 30 signatures were marked as possible duplicates, which would not be enough to change the outcome of the petition. The group says that some of the names are two different people living at two different addresses with the same name. Allegedly members of law enforcement have been sent to confront the possible duplicate names to confirm if their signing of the recall petition was legitimate.

The City of Chanute has been awarded $474,000 dollars as a part of Governor Kelly's Cost Share Funding program.

The Cost Share program is designed to help rural and urban areas advance transportation projects to improve safety, support job retention and growth, relieve congestion, and improve access and mobility.

The funds from the program will be used to add turning lanes, a signal, and concrete pavement at the intersection of Plummer and 21st streets.

KDOT Offices are down with a 30% shortage of needed equipment operators statewide.

The SouthEast offices specifically are down 22%. The shortage will decrease the rate at which highways are cleared of snow and ice during inclement weather. KDOT has experienced shortages in the past but none as severe as this.

To help address the shortage, the agency will deploy all employees who have a Commercial Driver’s License to plow snow and hire seasonal workers.

A collision with a deer in Cherokee County leaves one potentially injured.

75-year-old Leonard Mosler was driving his school bus northbound on K-7 when a deer entered the roadway from a wooded area on the east side of the road. The bus struck the deer with the driver's front bumper area, then exited K-7 and removed the kids from the bus.

15-year-old Jesse Smith was taken to Columbus Hospital by his parents due to a complaint of injury. Everyone else involved in the crash was unharmed.

A Cherokee County jury has found a Miami, Oklahoma man guilty of the attempted murder of a Baxter Springs man.

The jury returned with a verdict in less than two hours Thursday and found 38-year-old Brian Waterman guilty of Attempted First Degree Murder, Aggravated Kidnapping, and Aggravated Burglary.

The trial dates back to 2016 when authorities say Waterman broke into a Baxter Springs home and while inside, he stabbed the resident repeatedly and then doused him with bleach. Authorities say Waterman then fled the scene.

Law enforcement later received a tip that Waterman was in Miami and he was arrested after being found hiding under a bed.

Inflation numbers have reached a thirty-year high and have caused the rising cost of food. Two U.S. senators from Kansas spoke on the issue during a press conference. Senator Jerry Moran says this will be the most expensive Thanksgiving in history.

Senator Roger Marshall says many Thanksgiving meal items are in low supply or out of stock.  The cost of a Thanksgiving turkey is up 18%, potatoes are up 17%, green beans rose 39% and eggs, bacon and butter are almost 30% higher all compared to last year.

Another successful Match Day is in the books for Coffeyville. There were 364 donations totaling $124,194.29, which is the most given beating last year's record of just under $120,000.

The Midland Theater Foundation received the most donations at 51 gifts totaling $43,600. The Community Children's Fund received 7 gifts totaling $10,285.71, Coffeyville Friends of Animals 43 donations for $9,715.71 and the Coffeyville Community College Foundation 17 gifts for $9,915.71. The amount of money received this year brings the nine-year Match Day community impact to $921,200.42.

A Dearing man has been arrested after attempting to escape from law enforcement Thursday morning.

Just before 8 AM, patrol deputies located and attempted to conduct a traffic stop near Woodland Avenue in Coffeyville. The stop involved 39-year-old Jasper Hedges of Dearing. Deputies knew that Hedges had a felony warrant out of Crawford County for aggravated assault and criminal threat.

Hedges failed to stop for the deputies and took off at a high rate of speed, eventually driving onto County Road 2000. He continued through Dearing and Jefferson. Soon after driving through the later, Hedges' vehicle was disabled leading him to attempt to flee on foot.

After a brief chase, deputies observed Hedges enter Onion Creek and start swimming. They were soon able to talk him into leaving the chilly waters, taking him into custody without incident. Hedges was evaluated, wrapped in blankets and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where he was booked for felony fleeing and eluding and felony interfence with law enforcement. The case has been sent to the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office with those suggested charges. 

There has been a slight increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and students in isolation at Pittsburg State University.

The school reports that 34 symptomatic students were tested for COVID-19 at the Bryant Student Health Center between November 10^th and November 16^th.  Three were reported positive and seven students are in isolation after off-campus testing.

In the same time period, no faculty or staff reported a positive case. The health center also administered seven COVID-19 vaccines during the last week. Pitt State will take a brief break from reporting cases for the week of Thanksgiving when classes are not in session and offices are closed, and will report two weeks of data on December 1^st. 

John Deere's striking union employees have approved the company's latest contract offer, ending a month-long strike and successfully fighting for greater pay and benefits.

In the third vote on a contract offer, the United Auto Workers union members voted 61% in favor of the deal that includes an $8,500 ratification bonus, an immediate 10% increase in wages with further increases over the life of the six-year agreement, and other benefits including retirement boosts. The new contract covers 12 plants in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois.

Vice President of the UAW and Director of the UAW Agricultural Implement department Chuck Browning said,  "The sacrifice and solidarity displayed by our John Deere members combined with the determination of their negotiators made this accomplishment possible. They have started a movement for workers in this country by what was achieved here today and they have earned the admiration and respect of all that strive for what is just and equitable in the workplace."

The workers had been on strike since Oct. 14.

Coffeyville's Match Day is here. The Coffeyville Area Community Foundation alongside the Bernard and Effie Joe Wade Family Foundation, the Pratt Family Charitable Fund and the David and Lynn Bumgarner Family Trust will be matching each donation up to $50,000. Foundation Board President Ann Marie Vannoster says there are three ways to donate.

Donations can be made in person until 5:30pm or on the website until midnight. There are twenty-two different organizations that can be donated to. If you want to see the full list of organizations or to donate you can visit givematchgrow.com.

Hundreds of people packed into Memorial Hall in Independence to hear former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and the Chief Medical Advisor for Truth for Healthcare Dr. Peter McCullough speak on problems with the COVID-19 vaccines. 

In his hour long, speech Kobach told the crowd that the legislatures and the President don’t need to re-write the constitution, just re-read it.  Kobach says the government has no constitutional right to mandate vaccines.  

Speaking after Kobach, Dr. Peter McCullogh says the vaccines are based on propaganda and that the numbers put the safety of the vaccines in doubt.  Last night’s three hour event was sponsored by Kansans for Health Freedom.

A resident of Edna Kansas is injured following a crash in Labette County.

A 16-year-old female was eastbound on U.S. 166 when her vehicle drifted to the right onto the gravel shoulder. The driver then overcorrected and skidded sideways across both lanes, the car overturned and came to rest against a fence. The driver was taken to Labette Health in Parsons, Steelman's passenger received no injuries.

All passengers were wearing their seatbelts.

More than 10,000 striking Deere & Co. workers were voting Wednesday on a new contract offer from the tractor maker.

The latest proposed contract maintains the 10% immediate raises that the last deal offered, and it makes what the United Auto Workers union called modest changes to the details of Deere’s internal incentive pay program for workers.

After the last vote on Nov. 2, Deere officials told the union not to expect the company to offer any more money, and Deere largely stuck to that promise in this latest offer.

In addition to the initial raises, this week’s offer keeps the 5% raises that were in the third and fifth years of the six-year deal and 3% lump-sum payments in the second, fourth, and sixth years of the deal. The offer would also preserve a pension option for new employees, make workers eligible for health insurance sooner, and maintain their no-premium health insurance coverage.

The contract covers 12 plants in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois. This was the first major strike at the company since 1986.

The Southeast Kansas Community Action Program will begin accepting applications for the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program on November 29^th at 8:30 am. This program is available for a limited time only.

To qualify for assistance, applicants must be certified as “homeless” or “about to become homeless” by a social service agency or helping organization. Additionally, applicants’ income must be at or below 50% of the Area Median Income for their county of residence. SEK-CAP will provide TBRA assistance to eligible households, starting with the most vulnerable, as determined by an intake assessment.

A link to apply for assistance can be found here.

The Thanksgiving Safe Arrival Traffic Enforcement Campaign will be in full swing starting this weekend.

The Cherokee County Sherriff's Office will be one of many law enforcement agencies, including Kansas Highway Patrol to participate in the Campaign. During the campaign, which will start Saturday, November 20th, and run through Monday, November 29, 2021, law enforcement will be strictly enforcing occupant protection laws. This time of year, there is an increase in vehicle traffic and also an increase in traffic crashes.

Buckling up is a quick, easy and effective way to help reduce the risk of serious injury or death if a vehicle is involved in a crash.

One man has been arrested, and another man is being sought in connection with an early Tuesday burglary.

Just before 10 AM Tuesday, a resident contacted the Parsons Police Department to report that a lock had been cut off of their storage shed on Grand Avenue.

After the area was searched for possible suspects or evidence, the resident called the department again and reported that they had seen two people getting into the shed, but they had split up and fled when officers were called.

One suspect was found and detained. He was identified as 20-year-old Lazarus Thomas Hinman of Parsons. The second has not been located, but has been identified as 36-year-old Christopher Harold Hilton of Parsons. Both are on bond for pending cases in Labette County District Court. Hilton is also on probation through Neosho County.

An attorney and former Kansas Secretary of State will be speaking at an event in Independence tonight regarding constitutional law and COVID-19. Kris Kobach says he will be speaking about the Biden Vaccine Mandate as well as other legal matters involving the vaccine.

This event has been advertised as informational and not a political event. Kobach says that it isn't about the 2022 election or any office that he is running for.  Kobach will be speaking alongside Dr. Peter McCullough, who will be speaking about vaccine safety and efficacy. The event will be from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Memorial Hall in Independence. You can listen to the full interview here.

The typical Thanksgiving meal, consisting of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, green beans, rolls and pumpkin pie, is relatively healthy. Turkey is not only a healthy food, but it’s also popular too. K-State Research and Extension Nutrition Specialist Sandy Procter says in 2019, we consumed about 16 pounds of turkey per person.
 

As with many healthy foods, we often find ways to make them less healthy. Turkey is no exception. Procter says roasting, rather than cooking the turkey in a fryer, is the best way to maintain its healthful qualities. She also cautions against using too much butter under the skin of the turkey.

The longest lunar eclipse of the century will be visible in all 50 states early Friday morning.

NASA forecasts that the upcoming Beaver Moon eclipse will last for over 3 and a half hours. For Kansans, the eclipse should become visible at around 1:18 AM, should peak at around 3:00 AM, and finally conclude at about 4:47 AM.

Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth moves in between the sun and moon, blocking most of the former's light and casting a shadow on the latter. Earth's atmosphere filters out blue wavelengths of light, but still allows red and orange wavelengths to pass through. This is what results in the signature, rusty-red color the moon takes on during this event.

Previously, the longest eclipse of the 21st century took place in 2018 and was visible for 1 hour and 43 minutes. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to the human eye. They also require no special equipment to view.

The next lunar eclipse will come, as predicted by NASA, in May 2022.

The Independence Community College Fine Arts Department will present an ICC Holiday Spectacular on November 29^th at the William Inge Theater.

Independence Chamber of Commerce Director Lisa Wilson says this is a showcase of all the Fine Arts students.

The show is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm and admission is free.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has sued federal officials including President Biden, seeking to invalidate in multiple lawsuits that all concern the multiple COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Schmidt talks about what the first two lawsuits will cover.

Schmidt said that the third lawsuit covers the CMS mandate which he says has received the least amount of attention but could be the most damaging.

Schmidt went on to say that he thinks vaccines are a good thing, but that is his personal opinion and that he thinks that the federal government doesn't have the authority to impose these mandates on the American people across the county.

Preparing before the trip begins and keeping safety in mind while traveling are important steps to help everyone have a good start to Thanksgiving and other holiday gatherings, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Kansas Turnpike Authority.

Check KDOT’s traveler information website, www.KanDrive.org, before hitting the road to have up-to-date road condition information when traveling throughout the state. Impact to traffic is updated 24/7 including maintenance and construction activities, winter highway conditions, incidents, and crashes affecting traffic and closed highways.

An event on the COVID-19 vaccine and treatment of COVID-19 will be held in Independence tomorrow evening. The event will feature Dr. Peter McCullough and Kris Kobach and will be held at Memorial Hall from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.

Dr. McCullough is an internist and cardiologist, who will speak on vaccine safety and efficiency as well as other preventative measures of COVID-19. Kobach will speak on rights protected by the constitution when it comes to COVID-19 and vaccine mandates. The event is being put on and paid for by the Kansans for Health Freedoms. KGGF reached out to Montgomery County Medical Director Dr. Shravan Gangula, who had no comment on the event but said it would not be something he attended.

Independence Fire and EMS will be hosting their 4^th Annual Stuff the Ambulance event. IFD Lt. Chris Furr says this is a partnership with KVC foster care.

Lt. Furr says there are three dates where they will be set up to receive donations.  If you have any questions about what to donate or where you can bring your donations you can give IFD a call at (620)332-2504.

The Edna Volunteer Fire Department is looking for entries in its annual Christmas parade next month.

This year's parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 11th. Entries can include marching bands, classic and antique cars, floats and more.

Over $500 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the best entry. For more information, call 620-922-3841 or email cityofedna@ckt.net.

Incorrect addresses have been printed on tax statements for some Nowata County residents. County Assessor Chandee Hawk says they aren't sure how this error happened.

Errant addresses are being listed on streets that do not exist. The documents were sent out on November 10. Hawk says the county cannot afford to send out new documents. This issue will not affect any tax bills for residents.

The Labette County commissioners canvassed the votes this morning from the November 2^nd general election. There were two ties, the first for the Labette City mayor and the second for the final spot on the Labette City council. County Counselor Brian Johnson says there are two ways to settle a tie.

To decide the ties names were chosen out of a hat by Commissioner Brian Kinzie and Commissioner Cole Proehl. The final city council spot went to James Smith and the mayor to Nick Berry.

Things got heated at the Labette County commission meeting.

A county citizen asked a question about the possibility of entering into an agreement with RWE before the December recall election of Commissioner Brian Kinzie.  According to County Counselor Brian Johnson, RWE sent him the first proposal on the wind turbine project on Friday he then informed Commission Chairman Lonie Addis. Commissioner Cole Proehl and Commissioner Kinzie did not find out about the proposal until the meeting. Commissioner Kinzie says it will take more than a couple of weeks to work out an agreement with RWE.

The commission held two executive sessions to discuss what RWE had sent them. Commissioner Proehl made a motion to rescind his resolution from April and the motion passed. The recall election of Commissioner Kinzie is set for December 7^th.

CVR Energy along with leaders from Coffeyville and Montgomery County broke ground on the new Coffeyville Expansion Project at the Northwest Corner of Sunflower and Second Streets. Coffeyville Resources General Manager Refining Brent Traxel says this is a fifty million dollar relocation project.

CVR Energy Director of Cooperate Affairs Brandee Stephens says they wanted the project to have the least amount of impact on the surrounding community.  Present for the groundbreaking was Chamber of Commerce Director Candi Westbrook, Director of Rural Prosperity Trisha Purdon, County Commissioner Robert Bever, city commissioners and Representative Jim Kelly.

A Caney man has been arrested on a variety of drug, alcohol, and weapons charges.

Early Sunday morning, Caney Officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation at Taylor and Wood. Upon speaking with the driver of the vehicle, 25-year-old Joseph Armitage, it was discovered that he had been drinking.

As a result of the traffic stop, Armitage was arrested for numerous charges including driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, possession of marijuana, and criminal possession of a weapon by a felon.

Armitage was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and the case has been forwarded to the Montgomery County Attorney for final review and charging.

Gov. Laura Kelly has called for a special session of the Kansas Legislature in reaction to the Senate and House Republicans’ special session vote on Nov. 11.

During this special session, the legislature will decide on two bills that will be introduced. The first bill is called the “Religious Freedom” bill. State Senator Virgil Peck describes what is in this bill.

The second bill that will be brought to the floor involves unemployment benefits.

The special session will begin at 10 am next Monday.

Roadway closure coming up soon due to repairs.

The railroad crossing between Highway 103 and Cherokee in Cherokee County will be closed to thru traffic on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.

The Montgomery County Commission completed the canvassing of the votes in this month's general election, finally bringing the process to a close.

There were minimal issues with the canvass. In other business, Public Works Director Jim Wright obtained permission from the commission to use recently acquired grant funds on new equipment for the county.

 A water line break in Caney earlier this weekend has been fixed.

City Administrator Fred Gress says the line is fixed and they are currently working to bring the sunken pressure back up. He expects the issue to be resolved later today. Originally, they were having problems getting the break fixed. Gress says he apologizes for the inconvenience and appreciates the patience of the citizens of Caney.  

Votes from the general election earlier this month will be canvassed today during the county commission meetings in Montgomery and Labette counties.

Other business in Montgomery County includes approval to purchase equipment for Emergency Management using grant money, an update from Public Works Director Jim Wright and some information from EBMS's Micah Boulanger.

In Labette County, Larry Kenemore will present some information on the Parsons Rotary Project and the commission will receive an update from Noxious Weeds Director Ralph George. Both commissions meet at 9:00am this morning.

Two escaped fugitives from Oklahoma are found after multiple hours of searching in Rogers County. According to the Rogers County Sheriff's Office, it took an extraordinary amount of resources to find and put back into custody Dustin Marris and Coker Barker.

Rogers County joined the US Marshall's Office in the search early yesterday morning after the two went missing late Saturday night. The two men were put in custody by members of the US Marshal’s Office, where they will be confined in a secured facility awaiting further Federal processing. They were found in a residence near the original area where both suspects fled on foot. 

There has been a water line break in Caney. 
 

City Administrator Fred Gress says that they are having trouble fixing a water line and that residents will begin to experience low water pressure. 
 

Gress says they are working to fix the pressure returned as soon as possible. 

A three-way crash in Wilson County has left three injured.

30-year-old Lance Willig of Dewey, Oklahoma, was southbound on U75 when he failed to stop at the stop sign. Lance's vehicle collided with Vehicle 2, which was westbound on K47. Vehicle 2 rolled onto its side and struck Vehicle 3, which was stopped at the intersection. The driver of Vehicle 2, 63-year-old, Ralph Norman Miller Jr, as well as his two passengers, Bradley Lake and Peyton Crum, was taken to Fredonia Hospital with a suspected injury. No other victims of the crash suffered any injury. Everyone involved was wearing their seatbelt.

A four-year-old child was found wandering in the 300 block of N26th in Parsons.

Parsons PD was able to identify the child's parents to determine where he lived. At the child's house was Michael Lee Tremaine, 47 of Parsons, who told officers that he was left in charge of the child, and was aware of the child's disappearance however he did not go out and search for him. Tremaine was then arrested and during the arrest, officers found Methamphetamines and a glass smoking pipe on him.

Tremaine was charged with endangering a child, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Independence Community College will host a Senior Day on Friday, December 3. The event will take place on the Main Camps from 9:00am to 1:00pm. ICC Recruiting Director Brooke Joseph says they are excited to welcome local and area seniors to join them on campus. ICC is proud to offer a variety of programs that will fit any students’ needs.

This opportunity allows high school seniors to interact with students, faculty, and staff while exploring all that ICC has to offer. Students will have the opportunity to speak to Financial Aid and admissions experts and learn about student life activities. Lunch will be provided and each student in attendance will have the opportunity to win an iPad.  For more information or to register for Senior Day, please contact Joseph at bjoseph@indycc.edu.

Independence Community College has been selected for the Innovative Program Award with the Votes Initiative Program.

ICC President Dr. Vincent Bowhay says ICC has a long history of preparing students to be active participants in our democratic society. He is proud that the college is recognized for its work registering students to vote in the 2020 Presidential election. He says despite a pandemic, their students made their voices heard on a wide variety of issues, and that is something we should all be proud of.

ICC is one of over 231 “Voter Friendly” campuses across 37 states. The mission of the Votes Initiative Program is to help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process. Campuses are evaluated based on a campus plan that offers ways for individuals to register, educate, and turn out student voters.

The Director of Student Life at Independence Community College was selected as the Community College Professional of the Year. Cody Westerhold said he is very honored to have been selected for this award. He said this is not an award someone can win without the support of everyone in the Pirate family.

This award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to the profession while at a community college. Award nominees were required to have a record of contributions towards innovative services and programs that address student needs and at least five years of experience in Student Affairs. Westerhold has been a member of the Pirate family since 2015.

A yearly tradition returns next week, as the "World's Largest Living Ghost town" presents its very unique tour.

People from all around will gather in Elk Falls for the 26th annual Outhouse Tour. Visitors are greeted by various creatively-designed outhouses competing for a first place prize of $100. Contestants are required to write a backstory to go along with their creation, but it may be fictitious if desired.

Taking place over two days, November 19th and 20th, the tour also features bluegrass music, food vendors, a quilt and craft show and more. The deadline to compete has already passed, but everyone is still encouraged to come out and enjoy all there is to see and do.

The tour is sponsored by the Friends of Elk Falls Association. For more information, visit this website.

Photo Credit: Facebook/Get Elk Falls

Dr. Peter McCullough drew an overflow crowd at the Bartlesville Community Center as he talked about COVID-19 early treatments and the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines when he was here a few weeks ago. 

Dr. McCullough will host a similar presentation at Memorial Hall in Independence, KS with Former Kansas Secretary of State and now Kansas Attorney General hopeful, Kris Kobach, on Wednesday, November 17, from 6 to 9 pm. 

The event is presented as information only by the Kansans for Health Freedom.

This free presentation will center on COVID-19 prevention and treatment options along with your constitutional rights regarding your medical choices regarding COVID-19.

You can listen to the interview here.

This Sunday the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce is celebrating their annual Holiday Open House with the theme Jingle and Mingle. Chamber Director Candi Westbrook says there are about twenty businesses participating this year.

The event is from 12:00pm until 4:00pm. Westbrook says some of the businesses participating include the Dalton Museum, The Yoke, Jan L's Flowers and Cantrell's Fine Jewelry.

Starting next weekend law enforcement across the state of Kansas will begin a safe travel for Thanksgiving campaign. Beginning next Saturday, November 20^th through Monday, November 29^th the Caney Police Department will join many other law enforcement agencies, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, in the Thanksgiving Safe Arrival Traffic Enforcement Campaign.

This extra provision will be enforcing occupant protection laws. While the objective of this campaign is to target the unbuckled and incorrectly restrained, they will also provide education that serves as a reminder to buckle up. Caney Police Chief Kevin Kitterman says to keep in mind that if you are going for a drive make sure you and all passengers are buckled up.

CVR Energy is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony next week for their Coffeyville Expansion Project.

The ceremony is Monday at 3:00pm at the northwest corner of Sunflower and 2^nd Streets.

The City of Independence has announced that city crews will be coming through all neighborhoods for leaf pick up this fall

The city has giant leaf vacuums that can easily pick up leaves, but to ensure it functions properly and efficiently, the city would like residents to follow a few important procedures to make things run smoothly.

Put your leaves by the curb or street but not in the street. Do not place your leaves in the alley and do not put brush, weeds, rocks, or bricks in your leaf pile. If extra debris is noticed in a leaf pile, it will not be picked up. If you have an urgent need for leaf pickup before or after your pick-up date, please bag your leaves and set the bags out for the Sanitation Department.

Pickup dates may vary due to weather conditions or equipment breakdowns.

A map of pick-up dates can be found here.

A Baxter Spring firefighter has passed away after receiving injuries that occurred during a fire back in October.

Lt. Malachi Brown died this morning in a Springfield Burn Unit. Lt. Brown had been transferred to the burn unit following his injuries sustained in the October 15^th fire in Baxter Springs. He was placed in a medically induced coma and ventilator during his stay with burns covering 25% of his body.

Lt. Brown was a veteran in the department and is survived by his wife, Jessica, and their three children.

To recognize Veteran's Day a group of Republican Senators, led by a senator from Kansas, recorded a message thanking all veterans. The group was led by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Jerry Moran.

Senator Moran is joined by over twenty senators including Kansas Senator Roger Marshall. A link to the full video can be found here.

With Christmas time just around the corner, it’s time for the 2nd Annual Coffeyville Holiday Lights & Decorating Contest. Plan early to create the best display for a chance to win some prizes.

Coffeyville Area Chamber of Commerce Director Candi Westbrook explains the details of the contest.

Your registration needs to be turned in by December 10^th and voting begins on December 13^th. For more information, contact the Chamber at 620-251-2550. A copy of the registration form can be found here.

The 42^nd annual Pitsburg Christmas Parade is coming up soon.

The Pittsburg Parks & Recreation Department is seeking entries for the parade, on Monday, November 29^th at 6:30 pm. There is no fee for organizations looking to participate, categories include, floats, marching bands/dance groups, vehicles, animals/horses, or representatives who may simply walk in the parade. It is requested that all entries be decorated.

Pittsburg State has announced new positive cases of COVID-19 and students in isolation.

The school reports that 29 symptomatic students were tested for COVID-19 at the Bryant Student Health Center between Nov. 3 and Nov. 9. Of those, three were positive. Currently, four students are in isolation after off-campus testing.

During the same period, one faculty member or staff member reported an infection. The health center also administered 14 COVID-19 vaccines in the same seven days, all of which were booster shots.

The numbers show a slight uptick in last week's numbers which revealed two students tested positive for COVID-19 and two in quarantine.

A Coffeyville man sustains minor injuries after colliding with a semi-truck and trailer outside of Caney. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, William Toner III was westbound on Highway 166 when he hit the back of a semi driven by 46-year-old Ralph E. Thomas.

The semi was westbound and waiting to make a left turn at Kopco near the intersection of HWY 166 and County Road 1700. Toner was transported to Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville with suspected minor injuries. Thomas was not injured. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.

Coffeyville Community College is among 150 elite institutions eligible for the 2023 Aspen Prize.

The award comes with a prize of $1 million and is considered to be the nation's signature recognition of high achievement and performance among community colleges. According to the Aspen Institute, the colleges selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.

Colleges selected, including Coffeyville, are invited to submit data and narratives, the first step in an intensive process that eventually culminates in the announcement of the prize winner in spring 2023. The eligible colleges represent 34 states, and serve as little as 230 students or as many as 57,000. Other Kansas schools eligible for the prize include Cloud County Community College, Flint Hills Technical College, North Central Kansas Technical College, Northwest Kansas Technical College, and Salina Area Technical College.

A familiar face has once again been booked for another Fab Lab community cooking class.

Professional chef Arielle Gustafson will present her "Extreme Food Makeover" class November 17th for Independence Community College's Fab Lab in a hybrid format which is both live and recorded. The class is a tutorial on creative ways to use meal leftovers, but also aims to teach why fruits and vegetables don't have to be perfect and how to also use "pantry staples" to make a delicious dish.

Registration for audience seating is first come, first serve. The live audience can accomodate up to six people. Registration can be done online at the Fab Lab website.

For those that are interested in local theater, Monday evening will be the night for you with the production of All Together Now.

Independence Chamber of Commerce Director Lisa Wilson says this is a show with a power-packed cast.

Admission to the show is free. For more information, contact the Chamber at 620-331-1890.

Parsons Police have arrested a man for Aggravated Failure to Register as an Offender.

This arrest came from an investigation conducted through the Parsons Registered Offender Program (PROP) and had found that 48-year old Larry Neil McQuarie Jr. was supposed to register with Labette County as an offender from a previous drug conviction for the Manufacture of a Controlled Substance. McQuarie was arrested and jailed without incident. McQuarie's new charges are four Aggravated Counts of Failure to Register as an Offender and six separate violations for Failure to Register as an Offender.

The PROP program is designed to maintain a level of accountability for released violent, sex, and drug offenders as a part of their sentencing requirements. This program is not an additional punishment but a follow-up for an already convicted felon or misdemeanant that has been released into the community. This program is headed up by Detective Wiford and works in a close partnership with the Labette County Sheriff's Office. The Labette County Sheriff's Office is the location of the registry for Labette County Registered Offenders.

The price at the pump continued its slow climb, rising two cents on the week. For consumers, gasoline prices last hit this mark in September 2014.

As for Montgomery County, residents are paying $3.19/gallon which is up nearly 20 cents at the same time last month while Labette County residents are paying $3.17/gallon which is six cents higher than the state average of $3.11. Chautauqua County is the lowest in the immediate Kansas area at $3.10.

While prices in Oklahoma are up 11 cents over the past month to $3.03/gallon, it is the least expensive gas in the U.S. Washington County is currently $3.01 while Nowata County is up to five cents higher at $3.06.

Today’s national average of $3.42 is 16 cents more than a month ago, $1.31 more than a year ago, and 80 cents more than in 2019.

The Kansas Department of Transportation is facing a shortage of equipment operators heading into winter.

KDOT has dealt with reduced staffing in the past. However, the shortages are greater this year. The agency has reported it is about 30% short of snowplow operators needed to be fully staffed across the state.

To help alleviate the shortage, KDOT will deploy all current employees who have a Commercial Driver's License to plow snow, as well as hire temporary, seasonal employees. Those interested in working should apply at the state's employment website, at jobs.ks.gov. KDOT will assist those selected in receiving their CDL, including paying for training.

A busy meeting as the Nowata County Commissioners sign and approve multiple resolutions at this week's regularly scheduled meeting.

One of the resolutions signed was for a donation for emergency management. Conoco Phillips donated $500 as a match for employee volunteer hours. Another resolution was signed to select Guy Engineering of Tulsa to serve as the county bridge inspection firm. The county sheriff’s office received a donation from Mayes County for two Dodge Chargers. The cars are already being put to use by deputies.

In other business, the board announced the awarding of road material bids for each district. The commissioners also made slight revisions to the 2022 meetings and holiday schedule.

More than two dozen states, including Kansas, have filed a lawsuit challenging President Joe Biden's vaccine requirement for private companies.

Representative Doug Blex explains what is in the mandate.

Blex went on to say that a special session could be called to deal with the mandate but there are risks.

The lawsuits against the mandate ask courts to decide whether the administration's effort to curtail the pandemic represents a federal power grab and seizes the authority of states to set health policy.

Currently, the mandate has been put on hold due to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granting an emergency stay of the requirement. Biden's administration says it is confident that the requirement, which includes penalties of nearly $14,000 per violation, will withstand the legal challenges.

Citizens of Kansas won't have to worry about sales tax on food beginning next year. Governor Laura Kelly says her administration plans to eliminate Kansas’ food sales tax.

Eliminating the state food tax will save the average Kansas family of four $500 per year. This tax cut will take effect in 2022. Governor Kelly says this means more money in every Kansans’ wallet, more money on our Main Streets, and more money in our economy. She says it is finally time to Axe The Food Tax.

An engineering firm with connections to wind turbine companies has filed an open record request in Montgomery County regarding some property north of Caney. County Environmental Health and Zoning's Tammy Jackson says they were wanting some information on these properties.

In other business, the county commissioners approved five seasonal employees for the treasures office, approved a computer policy change for employees and received an update on the 10th Street project just outside of Independence.  

The Chautauqua County Commission is interested in discussing  the sharing of a heath department administrator with a neighboring Elk County.

The county has shared employees with neighboring counties in the past, with positive results. While the commission did express concerns over political questions such as vaccine mandates, and how power would be shared between the two counties, Commissioner Rodney Shaw said he is open to at least looking into the idea.

The commissioners agreed that it was at least worth looking at as a cost-saving measure. It was also agreed that it was not a decision that would be made within the next week.

Fab Lab ICC’s Fab Food Lab has booked local entrepreneur Kaci Gilchrist for its next community cooking class. The class will be presented November 10^th in a hybrid format – live by Zoom and recorded for later viewing.

This cook-along class will be held at 5:30 p.m. live from the culinary kitchen at ICC West. This class is designed to offer basic instruction in preparing three different family meals which can be stored in the freezer and cooked later as needed. Recipes to be prepared include Broccoli Chicken Alfredo Bake, Smoky Pulled Pork Sandwiches, and Zesty Tortilla Soup.

The class will offer participants the opportunity to download the recipes, grocery list, freezer labels, and basic preparation instructions once they are registered. Registration is free and is available at www.fablabicc.org.

To help bridge the gap between aging farmers looking to retire and new farmers looking for opportunity, Kansas State University is establishing the Office of Farm and Ranch Transition. Farm Economist Robin Reid says one thing that has never been done in Kansas before is a land link program.

Reid says this office will also provide direct services to help with these transitions as well as create a program for young farmers and ranchers focused on financial and business skills.

The Kansas governor doesn't support President Joe Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Governor Laura Kelly says she has reviewed the new vaccine mandate from the Biden Administration and while she appreciates the intention to keep people safe she doesn't believe this directive is the correct, or the most effective, solution for Kansas.

States have been leading the fight against COVID-19 from the start of the pandemic. It is too late to impose a federal standard now that we have already developed systems and strategies that are tailored for the state's specific needs. Governor Kelly says she will seek a resolution that continues to recognize the uniqueness of Kansas and builds on their ongoing efforts to combat a once-in-a-century crisis.

UPDATE:

      A missing boy was found in Chautauqua County. On Thursday, the Sedan Police Department reported, 12-year-old Dakota Miller missing from Road 29 and the Independence Road Area. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office reported that Miller has been found safe a day later. Investigation into his disappearance is ongoing.

OLD:

A young boy has gone missing in Chautauqua County.

According to the Sedan Police Department, 12-year-old Dakota Miller went missing from the Road 29 and the Independence Road area. He was last seen around 5:00pm yesterday evening.

It is believed that he could have been headed to the Sedan area. If you spot Miller or know of his whereabouts contact the Sedan Police Department at (620)725-3108 or by dialing 911.

The Montgomery County Republican Party will soon host an opportunity to visit with several candidates in next year's elections.

On November 13th, those interested may stop by Riverside Park's enclosed 4H building in Independence for a chill and chicken noodle feed. Food will be served from 5:30 to 7:00.

Candidates advertised include Senator Jerry Moran, current Attorney General Derek Schmidt, and more. The cost is $5 per person, with a max of $20.

The driver of a motorcycle is arrested after a high-speed chase ends in a wreck in Caney.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol was in pursuit of a motorcycle. Caney PD officers that were set up at the state line clocked the motorcycle coming into Kansas at 98mph. A church van was traveling north on highway 75 and attempted to yield to officers. When the van attempted to get in the right traffic lane the motorcycle hit the back of the van at highway 75 and Boarding St.

The driver was identified as 26-year-old Artyom Patchell of Copan. Patchell was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries. Recommended charges include felony attempt to elude and numerous other traffic infractions. The driver of the motorcycle will also face charges in Oklahoma.

As we have moved into November, that means it is time for the Coffeyville Area Community Foundation's Match Day.

On November 18^th, the foundation, alongside the Bernard and Effie Joe Wade Family Foundation, the Pratt Family Charitable Fund, David and Lynn Bumgarner Family Trust will also be matching each donation up to $50,000. CACF Executive Director Janie Gillis explains how Match Day works.

CACF Board President Ann Marie Vannoster says there are three ways to donate.

To donate online or to find a full list of organizations that you can donate to, visit the Match Day website here.

As people turn their clocks back this weekend for the end of daylight savings time, The American Red Cross asks everyone to test their smoke alarms. House fires are the nation's most frequent disaster and tragically take seven lives every day in this country.

Regional Disaster Officer for the Missouri-Arkansas Region Chris Harmon says "It's critical to take action now to be safe as possible as the threat of home fires increases with the holidays and cooler weather.”

Follow these steps to get your home ready, install smoke alarms on every level of your home and replace smoke alarms that are ten years or older.

A Georgia man wanted for murder has been caught in southeast Kansas.

Adrian Weston was apprehended Wednesday evening in Chanute by the local police department and the US Marshals Service. He was wanted for the January 2021 murder of 33-year-old Alex Tolbert. The victim had been shot 14 times inside of a Budget Inn motel room.

Weston is currently being held in the Neosho County jail pending extradition to the Morgan County (GA) jail.

A high-speed chase involving a motorcycle and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol ends in Caney. OHP was pursuing a motorcycle through Bartlesville. The pursuit ended when the motorcycle hit a van. Minor injuries were reported.

The pursuit began around 6:07pm last night on Highway 75. The motorcycle was driving through oncoming traffic at Nowata Road and Frank Phillips Boulevard and continued northbound through Dewey at speeds in excess of 110mph. The Washington County Sheriff's Office assisted in the pursuit.

A Labette County industrial park is claiming to be the first in North America to go 100 percent carbon neutral.

Located just outside of Parsons, Great Plains Industrial Park has executed a memorandum of understanding with Center for Botanical, Innovation, Research and Development, LLC (CBIRD), an agro-conservancy advisory and management firm based out of Parsons and Austin, Texas.

CBIRD will work with the park to measure, reduce and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions across normal business operations to achieve a "net zero" carbon impact.

Park director Brad Reams said the partnership is not only important from an environmental perspective, but also highlights the park's committment to innovation and the cutting edge.

There are new cases of COVID-19 for the first time in almost a month at Pittsburg State University.

Twenty-seven symptomatic students were tested for COVID-19 at the Bryant Student Health Center between October 27^th and November 2^nd. Of those, two were positive. Currently, two students are in isolation after off-campus testing. In the same period, no faculty or staff members reported an infection.

A Cherokee County man has pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree premeditated murder for the deaths of two individuals in 2020.

30-year-old Mark Hopkins II of Columbus, entered a guilty plea yesterday in Cherokee County District Court. Senior Judge Robert Fleming accepted the plea on two counts of first-degree premeditated murder and set sentencing for December 27.

The crime occurred in June of last year, resulting in the deaths of Blaze Shank and Kylan Shook in Cherokee County. The case was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Related charges against another defendant remains pending.

Deere executives say the company won't return to the bargaining table with striking workers because it won't offer a better contract than one they rejected that included immediate 10% raises.

Marc Howze, the chief administrative officer of Deere & Co., said that the deal the United Auto Workers union rejected on Tuesday represented the most it could offer and still keep its costs competitive. About 55% of the 10,100 workers across Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas voted down the contract Tuesday, continuing a strike that started Oct. 14.

Deere's latest contract offer would have increased retirement benefits, increased hourly wages by 10%, and preserved the pension program for future employees, which the company had proposed to end in the first contract offer, rejected by workers Oct. 10.

Kansans safely disposed of nearly four tons of unused and unwanted medicines during last month's National Drug Take-Back Day. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt says Kansas law enforcement officers collected 7,742 pounds of medicines at 69 locations throughout the state on October 23^rd.

Kansans have safely destroyed a total of 229,556 pounds of medications in the 21 collection days that have been held since 2010. Law enforcement agencies turn the drugs they collect over to the DEA, which safely destroys the medications. Unused prescriptions can be turned in year-round at many local law enforcement locations, including the Emergency Services Building in Coffeyville.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has announced approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects. Two of those projects include Montgomery and Labette Counties.

In Montgomery County, RS 818 at the Verdigris River near 3800 Road will be graded and resurfaced. Heck & Wicker of Parsons will work on the road at a cost of nearly $1.7 million.

Labette County will see the U.S. 59 bridge over Labette Creek northwest of Oswego be replaced. A.M. Cohron & Son of Atlantic, Iowa received the contract at a cost of nearly $3.2 million.

Work is expected to begin soon.

Representative Jim Kelly and USD 445 Superintendent Dr. Craig Correll spoke at this month's Business Over Breakfast in downtown Coffeyville.

According to Coffeyville Area Chamber of Commerce Director Candi Westbrook, Rep. Kelly talked about two big impacts of the soybean crushing plant being put in Montgomery County.

Superintendent Correll also addressed what has been the talk of the town lately with the parking lot being put in front of the auditorium. According to Westbrook, this is part of a plan to modernize the building.

To listen to the entire interview with Westbrook, you can find it here.

A man has been taken to a hospital after an altercation on Tuesday night.

Caney Police Department received a 911 call concerning a male subject passed out at a residence in east Caney. The occupant of the residence did not know who the person was.

Officers responded to that location and found a male subject suffering from a knife cut wound on the front porch of a residence. Officers rendered life-saving measures to the male until ambulance personnel arrived on the scene. The man was then taken by ambulance to a local hospital in critical condition.

Officers were able to determine that there had been an altercation between two men in the alley behind the residence, which resulted in one man being injured.

Officers are investigating the altercation. Once the investigation is completed, the case will be forwarded to the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office for review and charging if warranted.

The unofficial final election results are in for Chautauqua County.

For the Sedan City Council, Jason Plecker with 102 votes, Jaime Morris with 85 votes, and Jessie Kate Buck with 71 votes are selected for the three open seats.

For the Peru City Council, Bill Sweaney, Jack Myers, Paul W. Marshall, Donald R. Simpson, and Heath Joslin are selected for the five open seats.

Complete, but still unofficial, Chautauqua County election results can be seen here.

The Independence Police Department is looking for a gun that was used during a shooting on Halloween.

36-year-old Lyle Gillen was arrested for the shooting shortly after it was reported. The shooting occurred in the 200 block of West Chestnut and Gillen was arrested in the 900 block of North 10^th. IPD could not locate the gun Sunday night and after assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies were unable to locate it on Monday.

Chief Jerry Harrison says after hours of searching and exhausting all available resources they are now asking for the public's help. The gun is a small-caliber handgun that is grey with black handgrips. It is believed to be abandoned between the alley west of 8^th and Locust and the 900 block of N. 10^th. If you locate the weapon call IPD at 911 or 620-332-1700 but do not touch it.

The unofficial final results are in for Labette County.

In the City of Parsons, Eric Straight with 549 votes, Verlyn Bollinger with 521 votes and Tom Shaw with 492 votes are selected for the three open seats on the Parsons City Commission. For USD 503, Julie Legler 597 votes, Jeffrey Quirin 489 votes and Olivia Lyons 448 votes are elected for the three board of education seats. The Parsons sale tax question passed with 771 yes votes to 303 no votes.

Kenny Gott, Lance Smith and Jesse Merritt are elected to the Oswego City Council. For the Edna City Council, Sharon Bozman, Jesse Foister and Joseph Kashka are all elected. Full Labette results can be found here.

The results are in and the half-cent sales tax has passed in the City of Coffeyville. KGGF's John Leonard has the update.

For the Coffeyville City Commission, Ann Marie Vannoster receives nearly 39% of the votes followed by Deborah Mapels and Jason Swindell. Jim Emert, 568 votes, and Louis Ysusi, 394 votes, are selected for the two Independence City Commission seats.

The three incumbents receive the three highest votes for USD 445, Bob Roesky, Darrell Harbaugh, and Jerry Hamm. David Baldwin, Becky Barnhart, and Ron Bryce are elected for the Coffeyville Community College Board of Trustees. Cynthia Sherwood, Val Defever, and Jerri Hammerschmidt for the Independence Board of Trustees.

In the City of Caney, Joshua Elliot is elected as Mayor. In ward one Zach Ellison, ward two Nathan Rains, ward three Lori Patterson, and ward four Aaron Elliot. In Cherryvale, for the city council ward one position one Steve Strickland and ward two, position one Leslie Overall.

The preliminary hearing for a Bartlesville murder case has been delayed. Koalton Ellis, a Bartlesville man facing first degree murder charges was slated for the preliminary hearing docket on Tuesday morning at the Washington County Courthouse.

Assistant district attorney Will Drake said that the state was not ready to proceed because the reports from the medical examiner’s office were not ready yet. Special Judge Jared Sigler granted a continuance in the matter.

Ellis is accused of stabbing Buffie Raulston multiple times at the Skyline Motel. The victim later passed away due to her injuries. The case was originally charged as two counts of assault and battery likely to produce death during an arraignment on July 26. However, charges were changed to murder during a court appearance in August. Ellis remains in custody at the Washington County Jail on a $1,000,000 bond.

This Saturday is the 5^th Annual Veterans Day of Honor celebration in Independence and there will be plenty of activities involved with this event.

The day gets started with the Veterans Appreciation Breakfast at the Civic Center from 7:00 am – 8:30 am.

Then at 8:45 am at the Park Oval will be the “Run for the Colors” 5K fun run and walk. Unlike years past, this year's fun run is free. Independence Chamber of Commerce Director Lisa Wilson goes into more detail.

Also included in the celebration is a cornhole tournament, the Veterans Square Memorial Tribute, a musical presentation by the 312^th Army Band, a car show, and a bean feed at the 4H buildings in Riverside park at noon.

To wrap up the day's festivities will be the Veterans Day of Honor Parade at 2:00 pm. Wilson tells us that there will be a very special start to the parade.

For more information about the parade or if you would like to be in the parade, contact the Independence Chamber at 620-331-1890.

Spring enrollment is currently underway at Coffeyville Community College for the Spring semester.

Senior Director of College Relations Yvonne Hull says that if you are interested in enrolling, there is plenty of help available at the college.

The best way to enroll is to contact the Student Success Center at studentsuceess@coffeyville.edu as that will go to all of the members of the office.

Eleciton day is upon us once again. If you live in Chautauqua County and are unsure of where to vote, there are three polling locations:

1. Sedan High School Gymnasium, 507 N. School, Sedan, KS for qualified electors residing in Center, Chautauqua-Belleville, Hendricks, Lafayette, North Sedan, Salt Creek, South Sedan, Summit & Washington precincts.

2. God's Lighthouse of Prayer Church, 108 N. Main, Peru, KS for Peru-Belleville & Little Caney precincts.

3. First Baptist Annex, 510 Cedar St., Cedar Vale, KS for qualified electors residing in Caneyville, Harrison, & Jefferson precincts.   

If you need additional information regarding your polling location, contact the county clerk's office at 620-725-5800.

Election day is here.

Today is an important day for citizens to choose their next leaders and engage in issues that are vital to the communities they live in. Up for election in the county include city commission seats in both Coffeyville and Independence and city council in Caney. There are also open seats on the Coffeyville Community College board as well as the USD 445 board. Citizens in Coffeyville will also vote to extend a half-cent sales tax.

To vote in Kansas, you must present a government-issued ID. Valid IDs include a driver's license, a non-driver ID card, a U.S. passport or a Kansas college ID.  A list of candidates can be found here and the two candidate forums can be found here and here.  You can tune into the Mighty 690 KGGF tonight for full election coverage beginning at 7:00pm.

A two-year-old child was killed in Bartlesville in mid-October. Bartlesville Police believed a 17-year-old male was the responsible party in the murder. The suspect is of Native American descent and because of this, the crime could not be prosecuted locally. The juvenile was first brought in on Friday night.

No information has been released about the nature of the incident. The suspect was in a dating relationship with the child's mother. 

According to District Attorney Kevin Buchanan, attempts were made to find a facility to hold a juvenile Cherokee Nation detainee. Buchanan further said that despite the best efforts of all parties involved a facility could not be found to hold the suspect and he was turned loose. Buchanan says this is a direct result of the McGirt ruling.

The unnamed juvenile was then released to the care of a family member in Bartlesville. Less than 24 hours later he was arrested at the child’s mother’s home.  A protective order had been filed after the incident. The suspect is currently being held at a facility in Eastern Oklahoma.

Under the Major Crimes Act, murder is to be prosecuted at the federal level. Buchanan explains why this case can’t be prosecuted locally.

Buchanan said that a further complexity in this matter is that the federal government does not routinely handle juvenile cases and does not have the same processes in place that the state level has.

Since the defendant and victim are both minors, no information can be released at this time. If federal charges are filed then the defendant’s information would become public record.

READ THE LETTER FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY KEVIN BUCHANAN.

Response from Cherokee Nation Attorney General Sara Hill:

“It’s clear that state officials and the Washington County District Attorney are trying to sabotage tribes who are protecting public safety in the U.S. Supreme Court McGirt decision.

 On Friday, even though the state had bed space available for a 17-year-old murder suspect who falls in Cherokee Nation’s jurisdiction in McGirt, the Cherokee Nation was told no beds could be made available for a tribal defendant at any price.

As always, Cherokee Nation was ready, willing and able to pay for the bed space, which was readily available.

Ultimately, Bartlesville Police were asked to put the juvenile in his mother’s custody for the night. Instead, Bartlesville Police delivered him into the custody of the juvenile’s friend.

The Washington County District Attorney on Monday then called up a radio station in Bartlesville and the Bartlesville Examiner newspaper to come down to their office to spin a story with the goal of creating chaos and confusion.

Those reporters were given news releases from District Attorney Buchanan citing that the Cherokee Nation could not find bed space for the 17-year-old murder suspect who was “loose… on the streets because the tribe had run out of room to house tribal members.”

This is blatantly incorrect and DA Buchanan should know this, because that juvenile has been in secured detention arranged by the Cherokee Nation since Saturday.

The DA would be better served trying to help protect communities and citizens here in the Cherokee Nation Reservation, rather than stir up confusion and blatantly false media narratives aimed at sabotaging tribes.”

Two were arrested on Halloween in Caney on multiple drug charges. Caney Police Officers stopped a vehicle for speeding at 6th and McGee and upon approach, officers could smell marijuana coming from the vehicle. A search revealed hallucinogenic drugs, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

The driver was identified as 21-year-old Emilee Shoff-Olson of Independence, MO and the passenger as 21-year-old Jesse Taveria of Caney. Both were arrested on multiple drug charges, with added charges of driving under the influence, no liability insurance, registration and expired tag for Shoff-Olson.

One man is dead and a woman is seriously injured in a crash following a police pursuit in Montgomery County.

According to the Kansas highway patrol, the crash happened Friday morning just before 11:00 am on County Road 3875, just 2 miles east of US Highway 75. A car driven by 28-year-old Justin Frostad of Neodeshea was involved in a police pursuit with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office when it lost control after crossing the railroad tracks.

The car veered off the road overturning several times before coming to a stop on its top in a field north of the road. Frostad was killed in the crash, and his passenger, 20-year-old Shania Parks of South Coffeyville was taken to a hospital in Tulsa with serious injuries.

Union workers at farm-equipment maker Deere and Co. would get wage increases of 10% if they ratify a tentative contract reached over the weekend.

The upfront pay increase would be followed by 5% raises in the third and fifth years of the tentative contract. Terms of the deal were posted Sunday on the United Auto Workers website. The agreement next goes to a vote of union members. Local unions will have the details of the time and location of the meeting and subsequent ratification votes.

The contract will cover approximately 10,100 production and maintenance employees at 12 facilities in Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas.

On Oct. 10, the union rejected a proposed six-year collective bargaining agreement. The union began to strike on Oct. 14 and has continued to picket facilities ever since.

State Senator Virgil Peck had a few things to discuss recently including license plate readers on the Kansas Turnpike.

Peck said that he recently attended a Joint Committee for Kansas Security in Topeka and during that meeting, he said that he found out something interesting and troubling.

Peck said the committee was told that license plate readers pictures are only used in certain cases.

You can listen to the entire interview with Sen. Peck here.

An Oklahoma Union FFA student has been named as the October Arvest Bank and KGGF Ag Student of the Month.

Senior Kyla Taylor comes from a family well-versed in FFA, having seen her two older brothers come through the program previously. Her advice to underclassmen includes not being intimidated and getting involved right away.

You can watch the full interview with Taylor at KGGF's Facebook page.

A Kansas University bus was hit in Coffeyville on its way to Tulsa late last week. Two buses were headed from Lawrence to Tulsa for a closed-door basketball scrimmage between KU and TU.

The second of the buses, which was carrying the support staff and no players, was hit by an elderly driver pulling out of an intersection. The incident occurred Friday afternoon. No one was injured in the incident. KU Head Coach Bill Self said they were very fortunate because there was minimal damage, no one was hurt and it only slowed them down enough to file a police report.

The Jayhawks season gets underway on November 9^th against Michigan State.

Trout season begins today in Kansas and will run through April 15^th.

Coffeyville's LeClere Lake has been stocked with approximately 384 trout funded through a grant project from Kansas Fish and Game. A trout permit and Kansas fishing license are required to fish for trout. In Coffeyville, fishing licenses and permits can be purchased at Walmart, and they are also available on the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism website.

The price of one-day fishing licenses have been reduced from $8.50 to $6.00 for residents and from $14.50 to $10.00 for non-residents. The daily limit for trout is five with a total possession limit of 15. Additional information about fishing at LeClere Lake is available on the City of Coffeyville website.