An executive order was signed this week that helps protect Cherokee Nation Employees. This comes on the heels of the nation receiving a FOIA request for over 10 years’ worth of business and employee information. Chief Chuck Hoskin says it is important to protect Cherokee employees.

Hoskin says maintaining government transparency is important but not if it comes at the expense of the nation’s employees. This order will at least make it a requirement that employees be notified when their information is being requested. The Cherokee Nation Attorney General’s office has yet to respond to the FOIA request.

 A California-based cybersecurity company is relocating to Kansas. Governor Laura Kelly says Novacoast is moving its corporate headquarters to Wichita from Santa Barbara. The company plans to bring 100 new high-tech jobs to the state and help make Wichita a center for cybersecurity training.

Kelly says more and more companies are choosing to come to our state because they’ve seen that our talented workforce, strong infrastructure, and pro-business climate will help them grow and succeed. In February, Novacoast opened a 9,700 square-foot Security Operations Center in downtown Wichita, employing approximately 40 employees in sales, software development, and cybersecurity engineering. Novacoast has built recruiting relationships with the Air National Guard at McConnell Air Force Base and with education partners like Wichita State University, Friends University and Butler Community College.

The Caney Police Department would like the public’s help in attempting to locate Spencer Fahler as a “person of interest”. This is a result of the search warrant that was carried out earlier this week.

Please call Caney PD if you have any information as to the whereabouts of Fahler. Your name will be kept confidential.

The Chanute Police Department has issued an update on the homicide that occurred in the early morning hours on Monday.

Chanute PD says multiple law enforcement agencies are focused on a resolution and holding the person responsible accountable. At this point in the investigation, there is no indication that this crime was a random act.

If anyone has information or security footage of that night call Chanute PD at 620-431-5244.

Parsons’ Proud Animal Lovers Shelter will be hosting a microchip/vaccination clinic on August 6^th.

From 9 to noon they will do nail trims for $7. Ten to noon vaccinations will be given. They will do Rabies for dogs and cats for $8, Parvo/distemper for $13, Bordetella for $13, FVRCP for $13, and deworming for dogs and cats for $7. Microchips will be $10 each.

Free city licenses with proof of rabies vaccination and microchip. The clinic is sponsored in conjunction with Allen Veterinary Clinic.

A Seminole, Oklahoma couple is facing felony charges after being investigated for the death of a child. According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the child, whose age was not given, but was described as a toddler, was found near highway 99 as a result of a tip. Officers discovered the remains were burned.

Detectives then arrested 32-year-old Chad Jennings and his girlfriend 31-year-old, Katherine Penner, at the home, which was deemed a crime scene. Jennings is facing charges of first-degree murder, child abuse by injury, and desecration of a human corpse. Penner was charged with accessory to murder, child abuse, and desecration of a human corpse.

The Medical Examiner is determining the cause of death and the identity of the child. It has not been revealed if the suspects are related to the victim.

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners will meet on the lower level of the Judicial Center in Independence on August 1^st at 9 am. There is a light agenda for the meeting. Rick Whitson, Emergency Management Director will meet with the board about getting bids on floors for the Judicial Center and Jim Wright will go over projects in the Public Works department with the commissioners. Becky Lewis, Human Resources Director will meet with the board about the insurance brokers the county has been talking to about possibly changing the county's insurance.

Saying that the legislature, not the courts, should have the ultimate say on what laws are passed in the state, Kansas State Senator Virgil Peck called out what he called “misinformation” put out by opponents of the so-called “Value Them Both” constitutional amendment which appears on the ballot this coming Tuesday.

Peck claimed that there are currently laws on the books that restrict some abortions in Kansas, but that those laws would likely be struck down in a court challenge as unconstitutional if the amendment fails. In his support of the proposed amendment, Peck cited a recent statement from Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt saying that passage would not affect treatment for ectopic or septic pregnancies or miscarriages in the state.

A vote for the amendment would affirm there is no Kansas constitutional right to abortion or to require the government funding of abortion and would reserve to the people of Kansas, through their elected state legislators, the right to pass laws to regulate abortion.

Peck was a guest on “A Small World with Bill Small” Friday morning on KGGF.

A search warrant for drugs and stolen property is executed in Caney. Yesterday morning, Caney Police Officers executed the search warrant on a residence located in the 100 block of North Spring Street.

Officers located one occupant inside the home, identified as 39-year-old James Jones of Independence. Officers discovered that Jones had an active warrant out of Montgomery County for failure to appear on an aggravated assault with a weapon charge. Officers recovered methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, drug packaging materials, scales, numerous stolen credit cards and IDs.

The person who resides at the home was not home at the time of the search warrant. The investigation is still ongoing as officers continue to look for that individual.

The Montgomery County 4H Fair is underway with more events planned through the weekend. Fair Board Member Jackie Chandler says judging will begin tomorrow.

Chandler says the inside exhibits are open for viewing this weekend starting after the judging is finished tomorrow afternoon. She says you can see everything from horticulture and sewing projects, baked goods and almost anything you can dream up.

You'll soon have the chance to enjoy a great show reminiscent of the old vaudeville days while raising money for the restoration of the historic Midland Theater in Coffeyville. “Vaude in the Ville” will be Saturday August 6 at 7 pm at Coffeyville Community College's Spencer Round Theater. Tickets are $25, but according to Lisa Scheck, vice-president of the Midland Theater Foundation, you're getting a lot of bang for your entertainment buck.

It's billed as an evening of music, laughter, food, and drinks, featuring Coffeyville native Lindsay Oyler Goldapp as she entertains with comedy and music as well as introducing local musicians, vocalists, comedians, and dancers. Tickets are available at the Coffeyville Chamber, Coffeyville Reawakening, from members of the Theater Foundation, and on the web by clicking here.

Inside the Capitol Building in Washington, DC there is a chamber called Statuary Hall. It was established in 1864, and each state was granted two statues of heroes from their state that the citizens of each particular state deemed worthy of commemoration. Amelia Earhart is the newest addition. Senator Jerry Moran was one of the speakers at the dedication Ceremony.

Moran says Earhart's ambition and spirit of adventure epitomize the way of life in Kansas, ever since the first wagons rolled onto the prairie more than 150 years ago.

Moran says working hard and dreaming big is what Kansans have always done, after all, it's the State's motto, "to the stars through difficulties".

Tomorrow the City of Coffeyville Water Department will be conducting its annual flushing project on the City’s water system. Flushing the lines will scour the sides, breaking loose any accumulated sediment and bacterial growth. Eric Eagle, Master Operator, spoke with KGGF news this morning about the project.

The Water Department will temporarily stop the addition of ammonia tomorrow. When ammonia is added to the treated water it chemically reacts with the chlorine and reduces the chlorine odor. But the ammonia also reduces the effectiveness of the chlorine as a disinfectant. Despite the increased chlorine odor, the chlorine concentration will not be any higher than before. It will not be above the KDHE limit for chlorine concentration.

Although the appearance, taste, and odor may not be ideal, the water will be safe and will continue to meet KDHE requirements.

New mothers in Kansas who have health care coverage with KanCare will get an extension from two months to a year. Governor Laura Kelly’s plan was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

She said that the bipartisan work to expand the health care coverage will reduce maternal mortality, improve child development, and save Kansans money. KanCare mothers will also be able to access select dental services and screenings for postpartum depression.

The Little House on the Prairie Museum will be celebrating Carrie Ingalls’ birthday on Saturday from 1 to 3, rain or shine. She would be 152 years old.

They will have live music, cake, ice cream, live talks in the cabin and a special display from the family of Carrie Ingalls Swanzey. Dishes that were previously owned by Carrie will be on display.

Come learn about Carrie’s life on the prairie and the fascinating past of the Ingalls family. Learn about their travels to Independence, KS and all the challenges that they faced while living on the prairie. 

The set-up for the Montgomery County 4-H Fair began today for the exhibits and livestock.

Thursday is the day for livestock entries from 7:30 pm to 9 and the Rabbit Show will be at 7 pm.

On Friday, Frontier Farm Credit sponsors free donuts at 8 am. All inside exhibits will be entered. From 5 to 9 the food trucks will be serving everyone’s favorite fair foods. MG. Co. Farm Bureau will sponsor free Sno Cones at 5:30. The food auction is at 6. Then the swine show at 7:30 wraps up Friday’s festivities.

On Saturday Labette Health sponsors the breakfast at 8 am. The Dairy Goat Show is at 8 as well. The Bucket Calf Awards are at 9:30. Youth games, west of the 4-H building at 2. They will have a meal deal at the 4-H concession stand from 5-9. The sheep and goat shows complete Saturday.

On Sunday, Community National Bank and Trust and Independence Daylight Donuts sponsor breakfast at 8 am. At 9 in the exhibit building is the Inspirational Celebration. The sweepstakes registration and contest is at 10. Farm Bureau sponsors the kiddie tractor pull at 3. Dairy cattle show at 6 followed by the beef show at 6:30. From 8 – 10 pm all non-sale animals and exhibits are dismissed.

Monday is clean up and premium sale set up at 8 am. A buyers’ supper at the fairgrounds is a 5:30 pm. Awards will be presented in the sale ring at 6:45 and at 7 the livestock premium sale begins. A full list of events can be found by following the link in the online version of this story at kggfradio.com

Complete Schedule link:

https://www.wildcatdistrict.k-state.edu/4-h/county-fairs/montgomery-county-fair/documents/Fair%20Book%202022.pdf

Turning Soil Health into Practice is the theme for the upcoming Southeast Kansas Soil Health Conference, set for August 11 at the Greenbush Educational Center in Girard, Kansas. The event is sponsored by K-State Research and Extension. Speakers will include Loran Steinlage from West Union, Iowa, who will talk about practices and equipment for regenerative farming. Candy Thomas, a regional soil health specialist with the NRCS will provide soil structure and water infiltration demonstrations, and Ed Brokesh from K-State will discuss equipment and the economics of regenerative agriculture. Wildcat District agent James Coover laid out the agenda for the event, starting with field tours, followed by lunch.

Registration is free. Call 620-724-8233 if you need more information.

With the primary election in Kansas just days away the Republican Women of Montgomery are hosting a candidate’s forum this weekend.  The forum will take place at the Senior Citizens Center on South Walnut in Coffeyville this Saturday morning from 10 until 2:00 Saturday afternoon.  President of the organization, Joyce Adair says because of the length refreshments will be available.

The Senior Citizen’s Activity Center is located at 601 S Walnut in Coffeyville.

A change in the weather with cooler temperatures and chances of rain on the way couldn’t come at a better time for residents of Parsons.  The City pool will be closed temporarily.  The pool’s pump motor needs to be either repaired or replaced.

The Community Pool Party and Night Waves Pool Party will be postponed until a later date.  Officials say they hope to have the work done by next Monday and that they are working on ideas to extend the season or perhaps stay open later in the evening.

Officers with the Chanute Police Department conducted a traffic stop in the 1400 block of S. Plummer Ave. After interviewing the driver and the passenger, officers arrested 35-year-old Thadeous Valentine of Fredonia for allegedly operating a vehicle with expired tags, driving without a valid license, failure to provide valid insurance, distribution of methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school, distribution of marijuana within 1000 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal use of a weapon, criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and possession of stolen property firearm.

Also arrested was 35-year-old Marie Mata of Chanute for distribution of methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school, distribution of marijuana within 1000 feet of a school, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Charges and reports were sent to Neosho County Attorney’s office for review and consideration for formal charging.

A New York-based jewelry company agrees to a settlement for approximately 1,350 Kansas consumers, the vast majority of whom were military members or their families.

A muli-state investigation found that service members were enticed into retail stores that were intentionally placed near military bases through a marketing scheme, dubbed “Operation Teddy Bear” in which Harris Jewelry advertised teddy bears in military uniforms with promises of charitable donations. Investigators found that no legal contract was actually signed between Harris Jewelry and the charity it claimed to support. Harris Jewelry then used the marketing tactic to lure service members into high-priced, deceptive in-house financing contracts for vastly overpriced, poor-quality jewelry, which included high-interest loans, falsely claiming the program would improve their credit scores. This left service members and veterans with thousands of dollars of debt and damage to their credit.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt reached a settlement for Kansans that will refund to mostly service members more than $342,000 for protection fees. They will also cease collecting debt payments from the customers they scammed, totaling almost $300,000. Harris Jewelry is also required to correct the bad credit scores of consumers and dissolve all of its businesses.

Eligible consumers will receive an email and letter in the mail notifying them of this agreement and their eligibility. Links and Phone numbers for more information are listed on our website kggfradio.com

Copy of the consent judgment:

http://www.inyourcornerkansas.org/judgments

More info or file a complaint:

http://www.inyourcornerkansas.org/

Consumer Protection Division (800) 432-2310

Timely grants received from the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation and Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) will allow construction to begin August 1 on the Front of the House phase of the Midland Theater renovation in Coffeyville.

This phase will renovate the lobby and concession area on the first floor and add two ADA-accessible restrooms. The total cost of the project is $612,828. Decker Construction of Coffeyville will conduct the renovation and they have indicated that this phase will take approximately 7 months.

Fundraising is underway for the backstage and the theater portion of the project.

Coffeyville, Independence, and Caney will receive grants from the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL). With HEAL, the state will help building owners with matching grants to cover eligible expenses, as historic properties are revitalized.

HEAL was made possible through a collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation, which has been dedicated to strengthening rural communities since 2007. Caney will receive $65,000 in Emergency HEAL funds for the Union Gas Building Renovation. Independence will receive $65,000 for the Tree House of Early Learning and Coffeyville will get $65,000 to assist in restoring the Midland Theater.

The program was created for rural towns with fewer than 50,000 residents and will allow those businesses to once again become economic drivers in their communities by creating new jobs and services.

A Caney man was arrested for two counts of alleged Aggravated Criminal Threats. A call from a private citizen yesterday to the Caney Police reported an individual made a threat to shoot employees at the Caney High School.

Officers immediately responded to the school and contacted the suspect, 50-year-old John Swalley, a janitor at CHS, who was working in the administration building. The administration building was evacuated as a precautionary measure. Swalley was taken to the Caney PD for questioning without incident. Officers interviewed those employees who were present when the alleged threats were made, and after interviewing the suspect, officers determined there was enough evidence to make an arrest.

Swalley was transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and charges were forwarded to the Montgomery County Attorney's Office for review and formal charging.

If the size of the crowds was an indication Coffeyville’s Summer Celebration was a huge success.  One of the organizers, Mike Bradley says the state estimates crowd numbers and record numbers of people turned out to Walter Johnson Park.

Bradley said the crowds were so large that 9 of the food vendors sold out before the fireworks show began.

Amelia Earhart will join Dwight D Eisenhower in representing Kansas at the U.S. Capitol.  A dedication of an Earhart statue in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall will be held at 11:00 this morning.  U.S. Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas spoke on the floor of the Senate Tuesday to speak on the honor.  Moran told the Senate before she was he Queen of the ACir she was the daughter of a small Kansas town. 

The statue’s dedication today comes three days before what would be Earhart’s 125^th birthday.

Montgomery County’s County Attorney will be interviewing for the State’s Court of Appeals.  Lisa Montgomery will be interviewing in Lawrence next Tuesday as one of 11 applicants to fill an upcoming vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Anthony Powell.

Montgomery will interview before a nominating committee appointed by Governor Laura Kelly.  The nominating committee will submit 3 of the applicants to the Governor from which she will make the appointment subject to Senate confirmation.

Nowata County Commissioners declared a countywide burn ban for the next two weeks at Monday's morning meeting. The board unanimously approved a resolution that was originally discussed at last week's meeting. District No. 1 commissioner
Burke LaRue talked about what action the resolution prohibits.

Conventional grilling is not prohibited by this measure. The commissioners have the right to cancel the resolution at any time but they can extend it for more than 14 days. Anyone who violates the burn ban is subject to a misdemeanor charge and a possible fine.

A piece of western history in Kansas goes on the auction block today. The home in Wichita where Buffalo Bill once lived is being auctioned off. William Matthewson, better known as Buffalo Bill spent the final 10 years of his life in the home from 1906 until 1916.

The home, located on North Marke Street in Wichita is now a duplex and also once housed a former mayor of Wichita. Bidding on the home begins at 2 today and closes on August 11th.

Just in time for the projected break in the heat wave, the city of Independence will hold its Summer Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, July 25. Lisa Wilson, president and CEO of the Independence Chamber of Commerce said it's best to get an early start.

You can get more details about the Independence Summer Sidewalk Sale at the Main Street Independence website.

Residents in Cherryvale are being asked to avoid the alley between 7th and 8th on Carson Street. A tree has fallen on the line and has caused the power pole to break. Evergy has been contacted and will send a crew out later this evening, or tomorrow morning to replace the pole and make the alley safe again. 

The voting for Mr. and Miss Chautauqua County was as hot as the weather, and congratulations go to Hoyt Bane and Hazell Thomas. Although the 2022 Chautauqua County Fair and Rodeo will be remembered for the heat, that didn’t keep folks away. In fact, Joni Hubert with the Chautauqua County Fair Board said there was a great turnout, especially for the parade.

The fair was packed with things to do and see, but the planners are already looking at new events for next year.

We will be there next year as well to help get the word out and showcase one of the best small town fairs in the state.

An escapee from the Vinita Jail has been recaptured.  The inmate was captured in a Miami Hotel where officers from Miami and Ottawa County captured him without incident.  Officers also arrested a woman who was in the room with him for harboring a fugitive.  The inmate had been working on a farm under a work release program when he escaped.

A Chanute man was arrested on an outstanding warrant Sunday. The Chanute Police Department made contact with a person in the 1500 block of S. Highland Ave.

In speaking with the subject it was determined that 31-year-old Derek Liby was wanted for an outstanding warrant. Chanute PD arrested Liby for alleged possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and an outstanding warrant.

The case will be forwarded to Neosho County Attorney’s Office for review and determination of charges to be filed.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation was brought in by the Chanute Police Department to help investigate a homicide that occurred in the early morning hours yesterday in Chanute.

At about 12:20 AM Monday a 911 call was made by a female subject who reported hearing a gunshot. When officers arrived at the scene they found a male bystander administering CPR in the alley, east of 1706 S. Highland. EMS took over life-saving measures, however, the victim, 34-year-old Blake A. Pearson, of Topeka was pronounced deceased at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center.

An autopsy has been scheduled. Because the investigation is still ongoing, no other information is available at this time. Anyone with information or video surveillance about this homicide is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips can also be submitted online, you can find the link on our website at kggfradio.com.

https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar

A Burlington, Kansas man was killed in a motorcycle accident in Montgomery County Monday morning.  Harvey E Eccles died at Mercy Hospital in Joplin where he had been transported to by life flight following the accident

The accident occurred at about m9:30 Monday morning on County Road 5600, a half mile southwest of County Road 2700.  Deputies say the motorcycle left the right side of the road and entered a ditch.  A passenger on the motorcycle Deanna Eccles, also of Burlington was uninjured in the accident.

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners is planning to have local funeral homes pick up bodies for the county.
Chairperson Robert Bever said the company that the county had been using once again failed to be able to make a pick-up last week.

The board voted to have attorney Paul Crites send a memo to John Keith, manager of several Funeral Homes in the county, The memo would go over what is expected and then have a contract drawn up with Mr. Keith that would include everything that is needed to fix the problem including compensation. Mr. Bever said this would make sure the bodies are taken care of in a timely fashion by local professionals.

Having a local company would insure that there aren't delays of up to 5 or 6 hours or being told they can't do the job at all and would keep Montgomery county money in Montgomery county.

The Montgomery County Commissioners held a public hearing, as per Kansas state law, to change the resolution from 325 million in bonds to 375 million for the Bartlett Soybean Crushing facility currently under construction.

Bill Webster, representing Bartlett says inflation has played a role in the increase, but they also have expanded the scope of the project now that they are sure the rail system will be improved.

What this means for the county initially is more revenue and more direct jobs at the facility.

The jobs at the facility are just the beginning. Ryan Thompson says the increase in scope means it will be an even bigger benefit to the county.

The board voted to change the resolution so operations can continue.

If you've ever had the itch to make your own kind of music, now you have the chance to make your own guitar. Fab Lab ICC plans a guitar fabrication class for Tuesday evenings from Aug. 16 through December 6. Steve Reid will teach the course. He said there are a lot of things to be learned by someone looking to build a personal guitar.

Chuck Goad of Independence went through the class and found the course contained more than he first expected.

For more information about the class, call 620-332-5470 or visit the Fab Lab ICC website.

Are you a wannabe shutterbug? Check out the Basic Photography Class, offered by Fab Lab ICC on Saturday, July 30. According to Fab Lab Director Jim Correll, the class will be led by former Independence newspaper photographer Rob Morgan.

According to Correll, the class will help photographers sharpen their skills, and give new camera operators some basics to work with.

Correll said the class will be held from 9 until noon. The cost is $25. Go to the Fab Lab website at Independence Community College for more information.

The annual water line flushing in Coffeyville is scheduled to begin Friday.  City crews will be opening hydrants around town beginning this Friday and are expected to continue for four to five weeks.  The project may cause water to appear to taste and smell unpleasant at times but it will continue to meet KDHE requirements.  

The project is recommended by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to maintain the quality of water in the city.      

Residents of the southeast Kansas town of Weir in Cherokee County have been without water since yesterday.  A waterline break forced the city to shut off the town’s water while repairs are being made.  City officials hope to restore water to the town sometime today.

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners will meet today at 9 am in the Judicial Center in Independence. The board will meet with Human Resources Director, Becky Lewis regarding Insurance brokers. Bartlett Grain Project public hearing. Jim Wright will report about public works and Emergency Preparedness Manager, Rick Witson will report on the Coroner Matters from last week. 

State Rep. John Eplee, from Atchison, who is a physician, requested Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s legal opinion about ectopic pregnancies or fetal demise and how that would affect a physician’s ability to render care as it related to the Amendment that is currently being voted on statewide at the polls. Schmidt said in his formal legal opinion that passage of the Value Them Both Amendment would not affect a doctor’s ability to care for ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, or fetal demise and that those procedures or conditions are not abortion under Kansas Law.

Parsons Police Offices respond to the report of a stabbing.

At around 4:26am this morning, officers were called to the 100 block of South 31^st. The suspect had fled the scene but was identified by his parents as 21-year-old Ethan Edward Allen Thompson. The family told officers that Thompson suffers from a mental illness and had not been taking his medication. The victim was transported by EMS to Labette Health.

Thompson was located by a Labette County Sheriff's deputy near 14^th and Morton and was taken into custody. Parsons PD is requesting charges of domestic battery and attempted second-degree murder.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to help identify a vehicle caught on video surveillance.

In the early morning hours of Monday, a vehicle was seen in relation to the theft of a zero-turn riding lawn mower. Go to the Sheriff's Office Facebook page to see the video of the vehicle and a picture of the type of mower that was stolen.

If you recognize the vehicle call the office at 620-330-1000, or you can message them on
Facebook, although it is not monitored 24/7. You may remain anonymous.

Students at Pittsburg State University are conducting a statewide project in search of the rare spotted skunk species.

Jenell de la Pena and Daniel Benson, students of Associate Professor Christine Brodsky are surveying 18 counties in Kansas, which include Anderson, Barton, Butler, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cowley, Crawford, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Gray, Labette, Montgomery, Sedgwick, Sumner, Trego, Wilson, and Woodson counties.

To facilitate their quest they are seeking property owners in those counties who are willing to allow them to mount a motion-activated camera to a tree or t-post for a few months. They will bait the camera with a can of sardines. When they review the data, they will be happy to share with property owners all the mammals documented on the property.

Benson says that private land access is integral to their study and they greatly appreciate your help. Contact either Benson or Pena at ksspottedskunk@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like to hear more about the spotted skunk research project.

Manhattan, Kansas will host Kansas Renewable Energy Conference on October 3^rd and 4^th. This will be the first in-person conference since 2019.

The day-and-a-half seminar will focus on solar energy and storage, hydrogen, wind energy and transmission, transportation innovation, and they will overview how the public and private sectors are working together to advance the renewable energy industry in Kansas.

If you attend you will hear from industry experts, wind and solar developers, manufacturers, community leaders and related business representatives. These educational sessions and networking opportunities will underscore the impact of this rapidly growing industry that generates billions of dollars in capital investment and will encourage collaboration and investment that will fuel Kansas for decades to come.

For more information visit our website kggfradio.com for phone numbers and links to the complete itinerary and online registration.

Complete itinerary and registration - www.kansascommerce.gov/renewable-energy-conference

Industry partners and community leaders interested in sponsoring or speaking at the 2022 Kansas Renewable Energy Conference should contact Rosie Nichols at rosie.nichols@ks.gov or (785) 296-8886 by August 19. 

The Kansas Department of Transportation has recognized that there are increasing amounts of trash along the highways and so they have created an incentive stipend for groups that participate in the Adopt-A-Highway program. Groups and organizations that have helped keep Kansas clean for more than 30 years will now get $190 per highway section, which is generally two miles long.

New and existing groups will be able to submit a request for payment after their group completes a highway cleanup. KDOT says this benefits groups that are currently providing a valuable service and encourages them to take on more sections and it will increase the overall number of groups taking part in the clean-up program.

For more information contact the Adopt-A-Highway coordinator for SE Kansas in Chanute. The phone number is 620-902-6400.

Phase one of the Levee Impact Study and mitigation project in Coffeyville has been completed.

Emergency Management Director Rick Whitson says it’s taken since the flood of May 2019 to get this project underway and after over 2 years of COVID and other delays, they were finally able to bring everyone together in late 2021.

Whitson says Phase one has been almost a year of near-monthly meetings involving a great deal of planning, flood impact projections, impact modeling, partnerships and data collection. Phase two begins in mid-September.

The former television host of “Dirty Jobs” will be coming to Dewey.  Mike Rowe is coming to the area to film a mini-series that will feature parts of the City of Dewey and Prairie Song. The mini-series is based on his new podcast titled “The Way I Heard It" and it features true stories of historical events around the nation. 

One segment will be shot at the Dewey Hotel and the other at Prairie Song. The Dewey Hotel episode will concentrate on a story about Abraham Lincoln while the Prairie Song episode will be about Annie Oakley and Frank Butler. The episodes will be shown in the third season of Rowe's podcast at a later date. Rowe's first podcast aired in May of this year.  Rowe will partner with Tulsa-based Impact Productions to complete the filming.

If you were recently at Riverside Stadium and can’t find your backpacks be aware that on July 19, 2022, Officers of the Independence Police Department were dispatched to the Riverside Stadium for a report of found property. Officer Lloyd collected two backpacks. If you or someone you know are missing some backpacks please Contact the Police Department at (620)332-1700.

Summer canning season is underway, and K-State Research and Extension want to make sure you are following some simple safety precautions as you can foods at home. Holly Miner, extension agent for nutrition, food safety and health for the Wildcat Extension District will offer classes on water bath and pressure canning. Classes will be held in Fredonia, Altamont and Girard.

For more information, you can reach Holly at 620-331-2690.

Workplace Wellness screenings are being offered by the Business & Industry Health at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.

If you and your business would like to sign up go to the link on our website kggfradio.com and set up your time for Wednesday, August 17^th. You will receive a confirmation email and that will include a link to complete the form. Please make your selections carefully as they cannot be changed and submit the form. You will receive another email confirming everything is set up and text reminders.

It is crucial you keep your appointment time as changes cannot be made on the day of the event. Of course, all information that you share or that is collected is confidential and will not be shared.

https://signup.com/go/BNccoio

A Cherryvale man was arrested for alleged drug possession.

Officers were dispatched on July 17th to the 500 block of N. Pennsylvania Ave. to assist EMS. When the officers arrived they were alerted that there were possibly illegal narcotics inside a vehicle. After an investigation, 20-year-old Nathan Lyons-Kebert was arrested for possession of a depressant, possession of Meth, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Governor Laura Kelly announces the creation of the Governor’s Wildfire Task Force.

This will be a group of leaders from across the state that will create recommendations for how Kansas communities can better prevent, respond to, and recover from wildfires. Governor Kelly says they have seen too many devastating wildfires take a toll on communities in recent years. Several parts of Kansas have experienced large-scale wildfires in the last 10 years.

The Governor’s Wildfire Task Force will take a comprehensive look at mitigating wildfire threats, review the role that local governments and state officials play in responding to such emergencies and address how these entities can provide more support to the communities impacted. The Task Force will be led by Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam and appointments include representatives from local, state and federal agencies and organizations which have played an active role in responding to wildfires across the state, along with several state legislators.

The average price of a gallon of gas in Montgomery County is $4.49, in Labette County it's $4.46 and in Chautauqua County it's $4.50. Congressman Jake LaTurner says a year ago it was around $2.90.

Nationally the average price for a gallon of gas is $4.47 and in the state of Kansas it is $4.26 a gallon. The price of a gallon of gas has fallen in the last month by around $.40.

It's County Fair Season, and this year the K-State Research and Extension, Wildcat District will present informational talks concerning “edible landscaping” at each of the area county fairs. Extension agent Jesse Gilmore told KGGF News that “edible landscaping” combines traditional landscaping with fruit trees and other fruit-producing plants.

Gilmore will give the presentation July 21, 2 p.m. at the Labette County Fair; July 22, 3 p.m. At the Wilson County Fair; July 29, 3 p.m at the Montgomery County Fair, and Aug. 3 at 1:30 p.m at the Crawford County Fair.

So you are too busy to make it to Chautauqua County’s Blast From the Past Fair and Rodeo on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Never fear, the best is yet to come. Saturday is the one day you can’t miss.

They will crown Mr. & Miss Chautauqua County at 10 am with the parade to follow. If that’s not your cup of tea, watch or join in the horseshoe pitching tournament also at 10. At 11 the FFA is hosting the watermelon feed at the fairgrounds that will be going on in conjunction with the kid's pedal pull on the midway or take in the car show on the courthouse lawn ‘til 5. The 4-H style review show is at 11:30 in the pavilion and at noon the FFA will have the Cow Patty Bingo. At 12:30 in the 4-H building is the homemade cookie contest. The Cornhole Tournament starts at 1 in the pavilion. From 1 to 4 you can swim for free in the city pool. The BBQ judging is at 1:45 and at 2 in the 4-H arena, the can’t miss Celebrity Showmanship contest takes place. In the 4-H building at 2, there will be a Painting Class along with a Kid's Craft Corner at 3. From 5 to 7 the BBQ People’s Choice will be awarded. Play Bingo from 6 to 9. The carnival rides open back up from 6 ‘til 10. At 7 the 4-H Supporters Dinner will be in the 4-H building. The rodeo starts at 8 at the Lou Todd Arena and from 9 to midnight finish up the fair with the free dance featuring Tyler Byrd in the Pavilion.

On a personal note, my late mother Linda Kline served on the Fair Board most of her adult life, and she is looking down with a great big grin. The amount of activities and festivities in this year's fair is truly a blast from the past. Having helped mom organize and coordinate several fairs I have a good idea of how much time and hard work is spent to make sure everyone has a good time and truly after seeing all the sweat, blood, and a few tears, I'm sure, that have been put into this year's fair I would just like to say my hat’s off to the fair board and all those making the fun and the wonderful memories possible. I know mom would say she is very proud, as am I to be from a little place called Chautauqua County.

Ok, so you can’t make it to the Chautauqua County’s Blast From the Past Fair and Rodeo today or tomorrow. No worries, Friday is even more cram packed with fun wholesome activities.

The sheep and goat show starts the day at 8 am. You will need to have your cut flowers in place for judging at 8:30 in the exhibit building. From 10 to 4 there will be crafts and vendors on the midway. The round robin will be at 6 as well as the ice cream feed by donation in the 4-H building. The carnival rides open back up at 6 ‘til 10. The rodeo will start at 8 in the Lou Todd Memorial Arena and south of the softball field at 8:30 pm the BBQ Contest check-in takes place and the youth dance wraps up the festivities on Friday.

If you just can’t get away today or you just can’t enough of Chautauqua County’s Blast From the Past Fair and Rodeo. Don’t worry; there is still plenty to do tomorrow.

On Thursday starting at 8 you can bring in your open class entries to the 4-H building and the Swine show begins at 8 am in the 4-H arena as well. They will judge the Rabbits and Poultry at 11 in the 4-H arena. Then at 5 is the bucket calf show. Eat Free BBQ and Beans at 5:30 and then enjoy some softball at the softball fields with a Home Run Derby to follow at 9. At 6 there is the beef show, photography judging and open class entries close. Carnival rides and inflatables will open at 6 also. The kids can gather some coins in the hay scramble at 6 or if you’re a little too big to crawl around in the hay, then you will want to take in the Talent Show at the Pavilion at 6:30. Photography Awards will wrap up the day. And I, your humble correspondent, will host a live remote starting at 4

If the results of the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce's “One Day Sale” for tickets to the Third Annual “Hops Around Town Brew Fest” are any indication, it would seem that this year's celebration on October 8^th will be a smashing success. Chamber executive director Candi Westbrook told KGGF News that the one-day sale proved there is a lot of interest in the event.

Westbrook said this year's ticket sales are far outpacing last year's.

In addition to sampling various craft beers, wines, cocktails and other refreshments, there will be a barbecue cookoff, live music, food trucks, a cornhole tournament, vendors and more. Although the One Day Sale is over, Westbrook said tickets are still available at the regular price through the Chamber office. Contact the Chamber for more information.

Put down your cell phone and have some good ol’ fashioned fun, because you’re invited to a blast from the past. The Chautauqua County 4-H Fair and Rodeo will kick off today.

Starting at 8 is the swine, sheep, and goat weigh-in. The beef weigh-in is at 10. Check-in your 4-H exhibits at noon and judging will begin at 1. The kids Barnyard Olympics will be held in the 4-H arena at 4. At 6 the Farmer’s Market will be on the midway or swim at the 4-H cookout at the city pool. The frozen t-shirt contest is on the midway at 6:15. Fair Prayer and Worship will be at the Pavilion at 6:30. Those 10 and under can participate in the 1K Taco Run at 7:30 and the 5K run for all others starts at 8:15, but you will need to register at 6 for those events.

There will also be face painting, plenty of vendors, and that unforgettable fair food from the local churches and organizations - all this just on the first day.

KGGF will have Thursday, Friday, and Saturday’s schedule of events later this morning, which will include a live remote hosted by yours truly. (Brian Kline)

Temperatures in the mid to high 100s for the next several days will put a strain on utilities. Coffeyville Electric Utilities Director Michael Shook says they are prepared for the high temperatures.

Shook says he has some tips for conserving energy for the next several days and anytime during the summer. Shook says Coffeyville Municipal Light and Power is a part of the Southwest Power Pool which covers fourteen states. He says if something would overload part of their system somewhere else, it could also affect here.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is one of 19 state attorneys general asking the US Supreme Court to deny the Biden administration's request that would stay a lower court's ruling that prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from implementing new immigration enforcement policies. Schmidt said it is not the president's job to pick and choose which laws to enforce.

Schmidt joined the other states in filing an amicus brief in the case of Texas v. United States which centers on new guidance from DHS that halts nearly all arrests and deportations. In June, a federal district court in Texas vacated that guidance.

Coffeyville’s Friends of Animals needs your help. The heat and the pandemic have put a strain on the shelter. They are reportedly running low on dog and cat food, treats, toys, blankets and toys. Consider a donation to help them out today. Call 620-309-4125 for more information.

Today and tomorrow at Community Elementary in Coffeyville the Coffeyville Police Department will be conducting a training exercise. The staff from the school and the boys and girls club is aware of the training. Do not be alarmed if you see a large police presence at the school. This is a training exercise only.

Independence Community College welcomes new Director of Veteran Student Success. Tommy Ellis from Sherman, Texas holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management and a Master of Science in Labor Economics and Industrial Relations from North Texas State University.

Ellis said, “Being an Army veteran myself and having worked closely with the military at various posts during peak conflicts in the middle-East has given me a rare opportunity to see the challenges we face in helping veterans transition from the stress of military life to campus life." Ellis also said, "Working with the veteran population at ICC will allow me the honor and privilege to serve this great Nation by serving those who continue to protect it.”

ICC was appointed as a Purple Hear College by the Military Order of the Purple Heart. This classification is in recognition of the support for military members, including veterans and their families. The Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success at ICC strives to support student veterans in achieving their academic, career, and personal goals.

Labette County Commission Chairperson Lonie Addis has canceled the regular county commission meeting scheduled for August 1. The commission is meeting in regular session on July 29^th and with the clerk’s office getting ready for the primary election on August 2^nd, Mr. Addis stated quote “canceling seemed obvious”.

 A Delaware man is arrested on a warrant for burglary.

42-year-old Justin Swalley was arrested by the South Coffeyville Police Department on a burglary charge requested by the Nowata County Sheriff's Office. The charge was filed on June 8^th for an incident that occurred in Lenapah. Swalley is accused of burglarizing a mobile home and was caught on a trail camera running away from the residence.

Swalley is a non-tribal member but his co-conspirators in this incident are tribal members. Swalley charges were filed by the Nowata County District Attorney and he is jailed on a $5,000 bond. The others are awaiting review from the Cherokee Nation Attorney General's offices. 

Two Kansans and an Oklahoman are arrested in Caney on drug charges.

Over the weekend, Caney Police Officers conducted a traffic stop for a car traveling 46mph in a 35mph zone. During the stop, officers identified the driver, Michaela Webber, of McAlester and passengers Jordan and Leslie Hartley of Coffeyville. A Caney PD K9 officer arrived and alerted on the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and located two handguns, around 144 grams of what officers believe to be marijuana and THC vape pens.

Webber was arrested for speeding, driving with expired registration and possession of Marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Leslie Hartley was arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Jordan Hartley was arrested for criminal use of a firearm and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The County will be accepting bids to act, as a standby if the company they use to pick up bodies and take them to the coroner isn’t available. Emergency Manager, Rick Whitson conveyed to the County Commissioners in their regular meeting this morning that the local funeral homes had been doing it as a favor if the company the county contracted with was not available. So the board instructed Whitson to ask for bids to make sure somebody came to do the job in a timely fashion.

The Montgomery County Commissioners also met with the County Appraiser, Melody Kikkert, and asked if she could use the Ford Escape that the Health Department had and wasn’t using as a backup for her department. She agreed to that, so the board asked that they re-title the Ford with the Appraisers Office. In other business, the board voted to purchase a mobile refueling tank and accepted the low bid to paint the Cherryvale and Liberty Fire Stations.

Early voting has begun in Montgomery County.  All you need to do is show up at the County Clerks' office and ask for the ballot, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm until August 1^st at noon. You do not need a reason to request an early voting ballot. You will need to show a valid photo id. If you do not have a valid id then you will be given a provisional ballot.

If you would like to request your vote by mail then you would need to fill out the form found online and mail it to your county’s early voting site. You do not need an excuse to request a mailed ballot in Kansas. You can mail back the ballot, drop it off at your county election office or drop it in the secure ballot drop box in your county. The ballot drop box for Montgomery County is out front of the Judicial Center in Independence.

An Area Lake is listed on the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Blue Green Algae List. Lake Tanko just south of Cherryvale has a moderate blue-green algae bloom. KDWP on their website shows the lake is under a warning.

The Warning designation means you want to avoid swimming or wading, water skiing or jet skiing, and keep livestock and pets away. Clean your fish well and discard the guts. If you or your pets have contact with the lake water, all you need to do is wash with clean water as soon as possible.

If people or pets have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, irritated eyes, seizures, breathing problems, or other unexplained illnesses then you should contact a doctor immediately.

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners will meet this morning at 9 am in the basement of the Judicial Center in Independence.

Items on the agenda are as follows: at 9:15 the County Appraiser, Melody Kikkert will meet with the board about vehicles and Neighborhood Revitalization followed by County Attorney, Lisa Montgomery at 9:30. At 9:45 the Emergency Manager, Rick Whitson will report to the commissioners and then the board will hear from Public Works Supervisor, Jim Wright at 10. The meeting will wrap up with the Sheriff, Ron Wade at about 10:30.

The Board has other business listed with amendments to Independence City Neighborhood Revitalization Plans to be discussed.

A Cherokee County man is sentenced to over 10 years in prison. On Tuesday, 63-year-old James Dean Hignite was sentenced to 124 months after pleading guilty to 2 counts of aggravated battery and one count of aggravated domestic battery.

In December 2019, Cherokee County Sheriff's deputies and investigators responded to a rural location outside of Galena. A woman, who fled the home, reported sustaining significant injuries and being held against her will during a multi-day attack. After an investigation, detectives arrested Hignite.

With the recent announcement of the new Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant coming to Kansas, along with other positive economic outlooks, Kansas State Representative Jim Kelly told KGGF News that these developments are not just good news for Kansas at large, but Montgomery County in general.

Kelly said it took a big, bipartisan effort among Kansas lawmakers to get these deals done, calling it a positive indication that the Kansas economy is heading in the right direction.

Kelly was a guest on “A Small World with Bill Small” Friday morning on KGGF.

Creating your very own guitar sounds like a daunting task, but the folks at Independence Community College’s Fab Lab will show you how. The start-to-finish course has options including electric 6-string, 4-string bass, and 6-string acoustic.

The class is scheduled for Tuesdays, August 16th thru December 6^th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at 2564 Brookside Drive, on the campus of ICC.

The instructor Steve Reid will teach you basic woodworking and wood finishing techniques; tutorials on how electric guitars work; how guitar components are made; and instruction on guitar assembly and intonation. Both for-credit and non-credit enrollment are available. See our website kggfradio.com for contact info.

More information is available at www.fablabicc.org, or by contacting instructor Steve Reid at 620-779-5027 or mrreidsworkshop@gmail.com.

Kansas Infrastructure Summit began Wednesday at Wichita State University’s Hughes Metropolitan Complex. The primary message from Governor Laura Kelly at the event was that while we are making great strides in economic development here in Kansas, improving the state’s infrastructure needs are key to continuing that development.

With that in mind, Kansas looks to take advantage of at least $3.8 billion in funding during the next five years from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. A newly created Kansas Infrastructure Hub will help coordinate state agencies and local entities as they administer and apply for funding through the $1.2 trillion federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

More than 21,000 Kansas homes and businesses are set to receive high-speed internet access for the first time thanks to an $83.5 million grant program through the Kansas Department of Commerce Office of Broadband Development.

Entities eligible to apply for the program include internet service providers, political subdivisions, cooperatives and non-profit organizations.

The grant window will be open for 4 weeks beginning July 18. Go to the Office of Broadband Development’s website next week to see a full list of program guidelines.

An Oklahoman has been arrested in Kansas on multiple charges.

The Caney Police Department has arrested 31-year-old Tyler Branstetter, of Copan. Branstetter was arrested on charges of criminal threat and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The Cherryvale Youth Fair is underway with inside exhibits being judged today. The livestock show is set for tomorrow night. Exhibitor Maggie Chandler says she has been showing since she was seven years old and has some advice for those who are thinking about showing.

Chandler says this year she is showing three goats, two steers and a heifer as well as having some inside exhibits. The livestock show starts with dairy goats at 5:15pm tomorrow night. The adult bake-off silent auction is tomorrow from 2:00pm until 8:00pm. The bucket calf show is Saturday morning at 9:30am.

Cherokee citizens needing help signing up for the Clothing Assistance Program can go to the Cherokee Community building at 215 S. Oklahoma St. in South Coffeyville from 10 am to 5 pm. 

Links to learn about eligibility requirements and other important information about the program can be found here. The deadline to apply is July 29^th.      

A house in Independence is damaged as a result of an SUV backing into it causing severe damage to the building. The Independence Police Department investigated the incident which occurred in the 1000 block of West Maple Street at about noon on Tuesday.

A witness observed the incident and followed the suspect. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department deputies and Independence PD stopped the driver south of Independence. 61-year-old Larry Dick was arrested and processed on charges of felony criminal damage to property and failure to stop at an accident.

As videotaped images of the police response to the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, emerge, people are left to wonder about what many are calling the tragically slow response of the officers who were apparently inside the school for over an hour before moving to eliminate the shooter. Independence Police Chief Jerry Harrison said there is much to be learned from what happened, and those lessons are being incorporated into the training of the city's police officers.

Chief Harrison said the department is applying the lessons learned from Uvalde to ensure Independence police officers take a proactive role with officers being told they do not have to wait for an order from the chief of police before going after an active shooter.

Chief Harrison said the department is willing to provide active shooter response training to schools, businesses and organizations. Contact Sgt. Dustin Stafford at 620-332-1700 for more information.

A Bill passes the House of Representatives that will help ensure all veterans exposed to burn pits and suffering from toxic exposure injuries receive the benefits they deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Kansas Senator Jerry Moran co-sponsored the bill named Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022.

It will expand VA health care eligibility to Post-9/11 combat veterans and therefore it will include more than 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans. It will also strengthen federal research on toxic exposure as well as create a framework for the establishment of future presumptions of service connection related to toxic exposure and expands presumptions related to Agent Orange exposure.

The bill will now go to President Joe Biden’s desk for signing.

With record high gas prices, record high temperatures, and other rising energy costs, everyone is looking for ways to save money on their energy bills this summer. The Kansas Corporation Commission has created a website Energy Smart Kansas that will enable Kansans to provide feedback and more information about current state and federal programs as well as engage Kansans in the energy conversation and promote awareness of the ways energy efficiency can save you energy and money. If you visit energysmartkansas.org you can join in on the conversation.

Energy Smart Kansas is a direct result of efforts by the Kansas Energy Office, which is funded by the Federal Department of Energy – through the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Kansas State Research and Extension Wildcat District and Montgomery County Conservation District are hosting a Kubota Hay Day on July 20th at 11:00am. 
New hay harvesting equipment will be available to test drive. Learn about Broomsedge control and forage sampling techniques as well as cost-share programs and other services. Kubota Hay Day will be held off HWY 166, 1/3 of a mile east of HWY 75 intersection just north of Caney.  Lunch will be provided. For more information call 620-331-2690

An electric vehicle battery facility is coming to Kansas.  Governor Laura Kellys announced that Panasonic plans to build one of the largest electric vehicle battery manufacturing facilities of its kind in the United States in Kansas. The company has identified a site in De Soto for the potential project. 

The planned project is expected to create up to 4,000 new jobs and result in an investment of up to $4 billion, which represents the largest economic development project in Kansas history.  The development could create an estimated 4,000 additional jobs by suppliers and community businesses and 16,500 construction jobs.  Governor Kellys says winning this project shows that Kansas has what it takes to compete on a global scale and that their pro-business climate is driving the technological innovation needed to achieve a more prosperous and sustainable future.

Nominations for Coffeyville Community College’s Fine Arts Hall of Fame are now open. The nomination forms can be found on the CCC website under the Fine Arts tab.

 The Fine Arts Hall of Fame Inauguration will be on Friday, October 7th, with more information coming closer to the date of the event. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas will be conducting an on-line seminar tomorrow with more details on the insurance plans for employees that’s being offered through numerous Chambers of  Commerce in Kansas.  The plans offers employee health insurance at lower rates for businesses by pulling the resources of 43 Chambers that are participating.  Director of the Coffeyville Chamber, Candi Westbrook says this seminar will offer more details than previous meetings.

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Thursday's  meeting will get underway at 2pm.  You can get a link for the on-line meeting by calling the Chamber at 620-251-2550.  If you cannot attend the meeting it will be available at a later time as a webinar.

The West Main Street upgrade project between 8th and 10th Streets in Independence could be done within the next two weeks.

City Engineer John Garris says there are a few tasks left to complete by the project sub-contractors, including grinding and marking the pavement. The project is funded in part by a Kansas Department of Transportation grant, which means it has to meet certain state specifications and pass inspection before the street is opened.

Garris says if everything goes as planned with inspections and weather conditions the street could reopen by the end of July or maybe even a little sooner.

A Coffeyville woman was taken to the hospital for injuries sustained from a rollover single-vehicle accident. At about 1 pm yesterday, on US 160 about 3 miles west of US 169 the Kansas Highway Patrol reported that 56-year-old Ronda J. Byrd was eastbound and went off the roadway and subsequently ran her 2004 Chrysler Sebring into the ditch, whereupon the vehicle rolled over. Byrd was taken to Parson’s Labette Health to determine if any serious injuries occurred.

It's no secret that companies are struggling to find employees these days. Chamber of Commerce Director Candi Westbrook says they have resources available to help employers find and recruit new employees.

You can visit the Chamber's website for more information.

The Kansas Highway Patrol, the Kansas Corporation Commission, and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance are teaming up to reduce the number of crashes involving commercial trucks. Operation Safe Driver Week is being observed this year from July 10-16^th. Law Enforcement Officers will be making a concerted conscientious effort to cite any driver, regardless of whether they are driving a big rig or a passenger vehicle if dangerous driving is observed, such as speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, improper lane change, and drunk or drugged driving.

Unfortunately, Monday had its 31^st tragic fatal crash involving a commercial motor vehicle in Kansas when a pick-up ran into the back of a turning semi on US-160. Last year there were 52 fatal crashes involving commercial motor vehicles in Kansas, at the present rate this number will be exceeded this year.

KCC offers some tips to make sure you make it to your destination while sharing the road with large trucks this summer: Give them space and maintain a safe following distance, pass with care and don’t cut them off, stay out of their blind spots – if you can’t see their mirrors, they can’t see you, signal your intentions, focus on driving, not your phone and don’t drive fatigued.

The Kansas Livestock Association has voted to endorse a candidate for Governor. KLA President Phil Perry says the Kansas Livestock Association is proud to endorse Derek Schmidt for governor. Schmidt has fostered a positive business climate for livestock producers throughout his entire career in public service. He says they look forward to continuing their strong relationship with him.

Early in his tenure as attorney general, Schmidt partnered with the Kansas Department of Agriculture to form the Livestock Theft Investigation Unit to combat cattle theft in Kansas. Before serving as president of the National Association of Attorneys General, Schmidt helped found the organization’s Agriculture Committee to raise the profile of agricultural issues on the national level among state attorneys general.

On July 6^th officers of the Independence police department were dispatched to G&W Food at 416 W. Myrtle for a possible theft. After an investigation, 23-year-old Ashely Engroten was arrested for drug paraphernalia, possession of an opiate stimulant, and theft.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has announced that the Kansas Children's Cabinet will be matching dollar-for-dollar investments made by local Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library programs. Co-Chair of the Coffeyville Imagination Library Sue Rudziensky says they started their program in December 2013.

Rudziensky says children start receiving books when they are born through turning five and will get one each month for a total of 60 books. Co-Chair Cathy Shald says the matching funds they receive will be 50% of the cost of each book which is $1.05. You can sign your child up for the imagination library online.

Coffeyville's Hops Around Town Brew Fest is hosting a one-day sale for tickets on Friday. Chamber Director Candi Westbrook says they wanted to try something different this year by offering discounted tickets.

The price of the VIP tickets during the one-day sale are $40. Westbrook says they are hoping the one-day sale will give them an idea of how much beer, wine and everything else they will need for that day.

Westbrook says they are still looking for some volunteers to help throughout the day. Hops Around Town Brew Fest will be October 8^th from 2:00pm to 9:00pm.

The Cherryvale Youth Fair gets underway tomorrow with the rabbit show at 9:00am and the poultry show at 6:00pm. The youth exhibitor bake goods auction is Thursday night at 7:30pm and the Adult Bake Off silent auction is from 2:00pm to 8:00pm Friday. Organizer Sharon Blaes says this year the proceeds from the silent auction will go towards a scholarship.

Blaes says there are six categories for the Adult Bake Off, cake, decorated cake, cookies, decorated cookies, pie and bread. The livestock show is Friday starting with the dairy goats at 5:15pm followed by meat goats, sheep, dairy cattle, beef and then finishing with swine. There will be a concession stand open from 4:00pm to 10:00pm on Thursday and Friday.

The Labette County Fair kicks off Monday at the Oswego Fairgrounds with a full week of livestock shows, bull riding and rodeo action. Fair Board Member David Newby says there will be a special livestock sale on Friday, July 22^nd.

A Demo Derby will wrap up the action on Saturday with a payout of more than $13-thousand dollars. For a full listing of all the events at the Labette County Fair, visit the Labette County Fair website.

The Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony this Friday. Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice has opened a new office in Coffeyville and they would like you to join them at 10 am, July 15^th to help celebrate. The new office is located at 1503 W. 11^th Street in Coffeyville.

Kansans and all Americans can soon call 9-8-8 during a mental health and substance abuse emergency. July 16^th is the launch date for the official 24/7 three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Governor Laura Kelly ceremoniously signed Senate Bill 19 yesterday.

The bipartisan legislation was made possible by the Lifeline’s 9-8-8 State Planning Grant through the nonprofit Vibrant Emotional Health. This allowed for the building of infrastructure and to grow access to the 3-digit number. Part of SB 19 allocates $10 million in general state funds to be appropriated every July 1 to fund 9-8-8. There will be no access fee for Kansans.

Pat George of Dodge city, a former state representative and commerce secretary will chair the new Kansas Fights Addiction Grant Review Board. The initial organizational meeting on July 14 will begin the process for the distribution of funds to combat opioid and other addictions in Kansas.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt appointed George, who previously served as president and CEO of Valley Hope, an addiction treatment organization based in Norton. Under the Kansas Fights Addition Act, proposed by Schmidt and enacted last year by the Legislature, money recovered by the attorney general pursuant to opioid litigation will be used to address substance abuse throughout the state. Schmidt’s office has negotiated settlements resulting in nearly $200 million related to unlawful opioid manufacturing and distribution. Under provisions of the Act, a portion of the settlements will be distributed directly to the local Kansas jurisdictions, with the remaining funds to be handed out by the grant review board.

The Sedan Police Department is looking for information on stolen campaign signs.

They ask anyone with any information on the theft of multiple campaign signs to call dispatch and ask for Officer Zambrano. If anyone has any security footage of the subject Sedan PD is asking for it to be forwarded to manny.sedanpd@gmail.com. They are encouraging the individual that stole the signs to reach out to Officer Zambrano before he tracks down the suspect.

Sedan PD says removing a political sign from someone's yard is theft and may also be considered criminal trespassing.

The Nowata County Commissioners move closer to a resolution regarding the First Responders Radio Project. This item has been discussed at several meetings without a solution being found. Emergency management director Laurie Summers says city officials want a radio for each first responder in the county. District No. 2 Commissioner Timmie Benson, who works with Wann Fire Department, says he doesn't see why each person needs a radio.

The commissioners want each agency to at least have a few individual radios and give them the ability to purchase more down the road. The initial quote was for over 100 handheld radios. The board was able to reduce that number to 27 handheld radios to go along with 62 truck radios. This will take roughly $30,000 off the cost. A final quote could be presented at next week’s meeting.

Two complaints about slow or inadequate service at the tag office were heard by Montgomery County Commissioners at Monday's meeting. The complaints, one by e-mail, the other in person, were addressed by County Treasurer, Nancy Clubine, who assured Commissioners the Independence tag office was now fully -staffed and operational including the ability to process title work and MSO's. She added that after an extensive yearly audit of each title clerk's work, two of the four clerks in the department received perfect scores, while one scored 95% and a fourth scored 93%. The state audits every county's offices yearly without their knowledge and then reports its findings to the County Treasurer.

This week South Kansas Oklahoma Railroad (SKOL) will be working in Independence laying new rail. On July 12^th & 13^th, SKOL will be putting in new, bigger, wider rails to allow for heavier and faster lines. You will want to try to avoid crossings from N. 8^th over to W. Railroad and 21^st Street. If these crossings are unavoidable, then you will need to prepare for delays.

Coffeyville's USD 445 Board Meeting will be held later today. The original agenda stated that the meeting would be held at 7 pm. That was incorrect. The meeting will start at 5 pm. Among other items on the agenda tonight the Board will decide whether to accept construction bids from Battagler Concrete for concrete replacement and D&G Contracting’s bid to remove asphalt.

A driver is pulled over after driving recklessly through Oklahoma and into Caney.

Earlier this weekend, the Caney Police Department was notified of a reckless driver on Highway 75 northbound from Oklahoma. Officers were able to locate that vehicle and attempted a traffic stop but the vehicle did not stop. The vehicle left Caney city limits and took the westbound ramp for Highway 166. The vehicle hit a guardrail causing damage to both the rail and the passenger side of the vehicle including both passenger tires. The vehicle lost a tire and was driving on just the rims when it finally stopped just a mile short of the Montgomery and Chautauqua County line on Highway 166.

Once contact was made with the driver, officers realized the driver was suffering from a medical condition. The driver was treated for complications by EMS and released. No charges were filed against the driver since he was suffering from a medical condition. 

The Wildcat Extension District and Kansas State Athletics is hosting their Celebrate Agriculture Day on October 1^st.  The football game will be against Texas Tech. The Wildcat District will have a drawing on July 14^th with three ways to enter.

Make sure you are following the extension district on Facebook and comment on the Willie’s Farm Family post with your name or nominate a family by tagging them. Add a photo of your family to your comment for a bonus entry and get a second bonus entry if you are wearing K-state gear in the photo. The Wildcat Extension District will draw a name from each of the four counties, which include Crawford, Montgomery, Labette and Wilson, on Thursday and contact the winners by direct message.

If you were on one of Kansas’ public lakes, reservoirs or waterways over the 4th of July weekend you might have been made aware of Operation Dry Water – a nationwide law enforcement effort to prevent boating under the influence.

Game Wardens spent last weekend targeting impaired boat operators and safety violations to keep Kansans safe while recreating on the water. As a result of the operation, wardens arrested two boat operators for BUI, 39 boating violation citations were issued and 80 warnings were given out.

The holiday weekend proved to be a safe one with only one reportable boat accident with no injuries. During their time on the water, game wardens also assisted 30 stranded boats and completed 6 search and rescue missions.

Thanks to the outreach efforts of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, US Coast Guard and law enforcement agencies, like KDWP, Operation Dry Water will remain a nationwide priority year-round.

The last Independence Day fireworks display will take place tomorrow at dusk as part of the Coffeyville Summer Celebration. It is billed as the largest fireworks display in SEK. There will be additional parking at Walter Johnson Park in the west lots, thanks to CVR Energy and Coffeyville Resources.

The Farmers Market will start the day at 7 am, then the fun walk and 5k run. They will be followed by the Car Show and Kiddie Car Show at 8 and 8:30 respectively. The Coffeyville City Band will perform at 10. The waterslides will open from 10 to 5, stage ArtDance group at 11, DeAngelo Bradley tribute to Michael Jackson at 11:30. Corn Hole registration at noon, then Kiddie car show cruises at 1:30. Car Show trophy presentations at 2. The poker run will be at 3. CCC duck races from 3-6 and then the Music Show at 6 followed by the Fireworks at 10.

Two-time NHRA World Champion drag racer Megan Meyer Lingner, a 2015 graduate of Pittsburg State University’s College of Technology, will be back in Pittsburg on July 14 from 5 – 7:30 pm for an event at Block22 in downtown Pittsburg that is free and open to the public.

The world champ will park her dragster, where fans of all ages will be able to see, touch, and photograph the dragster in the Evergy Courtyard in front of The Pitsco Idea Shop, 402 N. Broadway, before racing in the 60^th Anniversary Nitro Chaos at Mo-Kan.

Inside the Idea Shop, Pitsco employees will offer opportunities for youth to build and race fold and roll paper dragsters. Food and drinks will be available.

GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Derek Schmidt gets the nod from the 3^rd major Kansas organization that either previously supported Governor Laura Kelly or maintained neutral in the 2018 general election for Governor.

The Kansas State Troopers’ Association Political Action Committee announced their support of the now Attorney General in his race for the Governorship. The endorsement comes after the organization stayed neutral in 2018.

KSTA PAC President Bryan Clark included the following statement: “Derek Schmidt has long been a strong supporter of law enforcement and he has advocated to make Kansas a safer place to live, work, and raise a family”.

The increase in the price of fuel is having a domino effect in causing the prices of other items such as groceries to go up. Senator Jerry Moran says in talking with agriculture producers in Kansas it's not just fuel but fertilizer prices as well.

Moran says he has been all over the state of Kansas and has heard the struggles the citizens are having. Moran says inflation is a result of government spending and borrowing. He says some of this comes from the money spent with stimulus during the pandemic.

The state of Kansas has experienced some extreme heat over the last month. K-State Meteorologist Chip Redmond says heat bursts are causing the record-setting highest low temperatures across the state.

Redmond says similar to a down burst in a thunderstorm, heat bursts are very localized.  Redmond says the Kansas Mesonet is a valuable online resource with multiple useful tools including the animal comfort index for livestock owners. A link to the Kansas Mesonet website can be here.

Additions and Improvements are coming to Montgomery County with upgrades and expansion to the railroad and the groundbreaking of a soybean crushing facility. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, who was at both events recently, says it is great to see Southeast Kansas getting job creation and economic growth.

Moran says the addition of the soybean facility and the improvements coming to the railroad go hand in hand. Bartlett says the upgrades and expansion to the railroad are necessary for their project. The funding for the railroad project is in part coming from a grant that Senator Moran wrote a letter in support of getting.

Coffeyville Regional Medical Center is hosting a prayer walk in and around the hospital starting this Friday. CEO Brian Lawrence says for him his faith is his center.

Lawrence says the prayer walk is from July 8^th through July 17^th.  There are six prayer locations four on the outside of CRMC and two inside, one at the Healing Garden and the other at the Chapel. A link to the map can be found here.

As concerns over active shooters continue to rise across the country local law enforcement is taking steps to make sure the county is prepared. Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Rick Whitson says they started by meeting with John Deere's incident response team.

Whitson says in addition to the facility tour they give a two to two and a half-hour presentation to employees.  Whitson says they have also done training for the Independence Walmart and has one planned for next week at Standard Motors in Independence. If any business or organization would like to receive this training you can reach out to the emergency management office.

The Cherryvale Historical Museum will host a presentation and discuss the book "Last Stand at Rebel Creek: The Osage as Union Allies in Civil War Kansas". On July 16 at 10 am Isaias McCaffery will be at St. Frances Xavier Community Center to lead the discussion. Everyone is invited to attend the free program. It was made possible by Humanities Kansas. the building is handicapped accessible and refreshments will be served. Visit our website kggfradio.com for links and phone numbers for more information. 620-336-2241 facebook@cherryvalehistoricalmuseum

Harbor Freight Tools is giving away a total of $1.25 million in cash prizes this October. Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence has narrowed to fifty public high school skilled trades teachers.

Brian Kuntz, the industrial technology teacher at Dexter High School in Dexter, KS has been named as one of the finalists. In his application, Kuntz wrote: “To me, my shop during school time is like a factory running at its peak production. Sawdust in the air, sparks flying from a grinder, and projects getting built in the safest way possible. That is what it’s all about.”

Eric Smidt, founder of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools said “We deeply appreciate the work skilled trades teachers do to prepare and inspire our next generation of tradespeople.”

A record 768 applications were received from 50 states. The finalists will now go on to the second round of the competition. Once that is completed five grand prize winners will each receive $30,000 and $70,000 will go to their school. 15 additional winners will get $15,000 with $35,000 going to their school.

The City of Caney is seeing a rash of vehicle break-ins.

The Caney Police Department is asking citizens to make sure to lock their vehicles and remove valuables and weapons. Caney PD says they are asking everyone to review their home security footage from last night and contact them if anyone sees someone looking in or entering a vehicle. You can reach Caney PD at (620)879-2141.

The Coffeyville Aquatic Center has announced its new name after a contest was held earlier this year.

As they celebrate their 20^th anniversary they have announced the new name as Big Hill Splash. A contest was held this spring where residents submitted name suggestions. There was over 70 different names submitted. Those were narrowed down to 5 for the public to vote on their favorite consisting of AquaVille, Big Hill Splash, Coffeyville Waterworks, Jerry Liebert Aquatic Center and SplashVille.

There were over 1,400 votes with Big Hill Splash receiving almost 600 votes. Three residents submitted the winning name, Jacob Enloe, Ashley Hudson and Gail Misch. Those three will receive a 2022 and 2023 season pass to the pool. City employee Amy Taylor designed the new logo.

Four are arrested on multiple drug charges in Baxter Springs.

After a multiple-month-long investigation, Baxter Springs Police Officers and Cherokee County Sheriff Deputies served a search warrant at a residence in Baxter Springs. The search warrant was for the possession and possible distribution of illegal drugs. During the search methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, multiple loaded firearms and multiple boxes of ammunition were located.

Arrested at the residence were 60-year-old Timothy Putnam for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and criminal use of a firearm. 55-year-old Andrew Putnam was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia and criminal use of a firearm. 40-year-old Michelle Hughey and 24-year-old Nason Putnam were both arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

We have compiled a list of the local festivities for this weekend so you don’t miss out on your area fireworks. Here is what we have so far:

Coffeyville - 9^th  @ dusk during Summer Celebration @ Pfister park

Independence – 4th @ dusk @ Riverside park

Caney - 3^rd @ dusk by Hope Church

Parsons – 3^rd @ dusk

Sedan – 3^rd @ dusk @Old City Lake

Neodesha - 4^th @ dusk @ Waterworks Amphitheater

Nowata – 4^th @ 12 pm @ Jack Gordon Park

Bartlesville – 4^th @ 9:30 @ Sooner Park

New Alluwe – 3^rd @ dusk @ corner of Roberts and Phillips Streets

 If we have left out a celebration that you are aware of please email me a brian@kggfradio.com or call us at 620-251-6909 and we will get it added to the list.

Multiple stolen vehicle spree ends in Chautauqua County. According to Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department's Facebook page, yesterday afternoon Elk county notified Chautauqua they were southbound on K99 in pursuit of an alleged stolen motorcycle. The suspect was believed to have fled from Greenwood and Elk County Officers had allegedly stolen multiple vehicles and was broadcast as possibly armed and dangerous.

Pursuing officers lost sight of the suspect near the Elk/Chautauqua county line. A short time later Chautauqua county officers located the suspect heading southbound on road 14 and another pursuit was initiated. The suspect fled south to US166 Hwy, at times going off the roadway. The suspect fled westbound and after a short distance struck another vehicle.

Officers rendered aid until Sedan EMS arrived. Kansas Hwy Patrol is conducting the investigation. According to Cq Sheriff's office, the suspect is not a threat to public safety at this time.

A handfishing tournament is to be held next weekend. The 3^rd Annual Okie Hillbilly Handfishin’ Tournament will be July 9^th in downtown Nowata from 2-8. there will be vendors, plenty of food and even a handfishing tank where the public is invited to give a hand as it were and try to muscle in a big catfish.

To participate in the tournament you will need to fill out a registration form and pay $100 per team, a team is 1 to 3 people, and an extra $25 if you want in on even more prizes like biggest fish. Visit our website kggfradio.com and you will find the links to find out more info or forms. https://www.facebook.com/NowataHandfishin

A $27 million dollar grant will help modernize South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad. This is a direct result of the addition of the Bartlett Grain soybean processing plant, as the upgrades are necessary to the 239 miles of the 433-mile network because it will allow customers like Bartlett and inevitably others to be able to connect to the major rail companies, known as class 1 carriers. They include the Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and the Kansas City Southern.

The grant was awarded to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for use on the SKOL project, with matching funds from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). In addition to the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) funding, $12.7 million is being contributed by Watco/SKOL, $1 million by KDOT, and $450,000 by ODOT, which brings the total to more than $40 million.

Senator Jerry Moran was at the Cherryvale Depot yesterday to recognize the beginning of the construction of the project. Moran played a crucial role in obtaining the funding by promoting it and penning a letter of support to the Federal Railroad Administration.