***** Update 10:30 a.m. *****

As of 10:30, the river is still at 16 feet, but is now forecast to crest at 20 feet at 7 a.m. tomorrow, down from an expected 23 feet.  Graphic is updated.

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

As of 7 this morning, the Verdigris River has now reached the action stage.

The river level at the Coffeyville gauge now measures 16 feet, which is not considered a flood stage, but is the action stage where officials now must take mitigation action in preparation for possible flooding.

Original Forecast:

The flood stage starts at 18 feet, and the river is expected to crest at 23 feet around 1 a.m. early tomorrow morning, which will have some minor flooding impacts for parts of Coffeyville.

At 18 feet, flooding of low-lying areas is expected, especially along the left bank near the Water Plant. Further upstream and downstream from the gage site the river spreads out into the flood plain.  At 20 feet, both banks along the river lowlands will overflow. The road floods along the intersection of South Buckeye Street and Eldridge Street near the state line.  At 22 feet, outside the levee system, the intersection of River Road and Stark Street floods. Flood waters expand to 1/4 of mile eastward on Stark Street.

Coffeyville is under a flood warning through 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The Kansas Legislature could attempt to override Governor Laura Kelly's veto of the tax bills. State Senator Virgil Peck says he was surprised the governor vetoed the bills.

Peck says a veto override by the legislature is possible.  Governor Kelly says the reason for her veto was the tax plan was too expensive. Last week, Kelly put out her tax plan for the legislature to consider.

 Damage surveys have already begun as the central United States begins to clean up and repair from yesterday’s storms.

 At one point, the line of storms stretched from central Texas through Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, before ending near Lake Michigan and the Upper Peninsula in Michigan.

 Preliminary reports indicate ten tornados in southeast Kansas and seventeen tornados in the state of Oklahoma.

 Locally, isolated flooding remains a concern. Highway 160 remains closed between KS-99 and the Elk / Montgomery County Line. Highway 400 is closed between KS-47 and US-75, between Fredonia and Neodesha. The latest driver information can be found by using KanDrive, either by app or website.

The Verdigris River is expected to crest in Coffeyville tomorrow at 23.8 feet. Flood stage is set at eighteen feet. Coffeyville City officials expect to see minor to moderate flooding in the lower lying areas around the river. Hundreds of structures could see flood waters, with impacts possible to Highway 166 from Coffeyville east to the Labette County line, and Highway 169 from Coffeyville north to Cherryvale. Flooding is also expected in the eastern section of Coffeyville, and there is a possibility of disruption of city utility services.  

 The city of Caney saw the rise of the Little Caney River over its banks, with water levels the highest they’ve been in a few years. Officials hope the flooding will help with the flow of water upstream by removing beaver dams and fallen trees in the riverbed.

 Residents are reminded to not drive into flooded areas, “turn around, don’t drown”.

Numerous thunderstorms over several hours bring heavy rainfall resulting in flash flooding and road closures.

A flash flood warning has been issued Chautauqua County, Southeastern Elk County, Northern Montgomery County, Western Neosho County and South Wilson County. Some locations that will experience flash flooding are Independence, Chanute, Neodesha, Fredonia, Erie, Sedan, Cedar Vale, Thayer, Altoona, Longton, Elk City, Galesburg, Elk Falls, Sycamore, Earlton and Buxton.

US 160 is closed between Cowley County and Elk County Line, four miles west of the Grenola area and KS 99 near Moline and closed between KS 99 one mile east of the Moline area and Elk County and Montgomery County Line five miles west of the Elk City area.

US 75 is closed between US 400 near Neodesha and US 75 near Altoona. US 59 bridge closed between KS 47 two miles south of the Erie area and KS 39 seven miles north of the Erie area.

For full closures check kandrive.gov.

 An Oklahoma man is arrested this morning after a standoff with multiple law enforcement agencies.

 According to Caney Police Chief Ike Dye, the situation began in the lobby of the Caney Police Department, when an agitated man entered the building, screaming and cursing at those at the front desk. After he left, a call came into Caney PD concerning a man throwing shoes at a moving car at the intersection of 6^th and State streets.

 The man, later identified as 33-year-old Nathan Valdez, made his way into a home near the intersection of 6^th and Wood Streets, while those in the home left and were taken to safety.

 After barricading himself in the home for several hours, Valdez was arrested in the home by members of the Montgomery County SERT.

 Valdez was transported to the Montgomery County DOC. Suggested charges include aggravated assault on LEO’s, criminal threat and felony obstruction.

 Assitance to Caney Police included the Montgomery County SERT, Caney Fire, Caney EMS, Kansas Highway Patrol, Coffeyville SERT and Coffeyville’s EMS.

 The investigation is ongoing.  

Current Warnings for Kansas: 

Current Warnings for Oklahoma: 

***** Update: 12:30 p.m. *****

A tornado watch has been issued for the following counties in the immediate KGGF listening area:

Elk

Chautauqua

This watch will go through 7 p.m.

A flood watch remains in effect for southeast Kansas including Montgomery county and areast north and east, northeast Oklahoma and southwest Missouri through Sunday afternoon.

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

Severe thunderstorms are expected today for the four states, mainly this afternoon and evening.

All hazards of severe weather are possible, including large hail up to baseball size, damaging wind gusts to 75 mph and tornadoes. Since yesterday, southeast Kansas and central and northeast Oklahoma have now been upgraded into the “moderate” risk of severe weather, which is an increase from yesterday. A couple different rounds of thunderstorms are possible, affecting different locations through early tonight. The severe risk will transition into mainly a heavy rain threat later tonight across the Flint Hills and southeast Kansas where lowland flooding is possible. A flood watch will be in effect late this afternoon through tomorrow for eastern Kansas, central and eastern Oklahoma and western Missouri. KGGF will provide severe weather coverage today and tonight as needed.

 The city of Caney water system violates a drinking water standard.

 According to City Administrator Kelley Zellner, during a test administered March 4^th, disinfection byproducts, known as TTHM, set by the EPA at a running average of 80 micro grams per liter, registered at 91 micro grams per liter for the 1^st quarter of 2024.

 Zellner says an alternative water supply is not necessary, but if you have specific health concerns, you should consult your doctor.

 Zellner says this is another reason why the switch over to the Coffeyville water system needs to take place.

 The violation has been resolved. Heavy rainfall in a short period of time is being blamed for the violation.

 Residents in Montgomery County will have the chance to safely dispose of their old prescription medications tomorrow.

 The Coffeyville Police Department has partnered with the DEA for the 2024 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The event happens tomorrow from 10am until 2pm. CPD Police Chief Kwin Bromley says those who want to dispose of their old medicine can do so anonymously.

In addition to freeing up space in the medicine cabinet, Marci Roberts with Live Healthy Montgomery County says there are other good reasons to dispose of old medicine.

The event takes place from 10am to 2pm tomorrow. Other drop-off locations include the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office in Independence and the Cherryvale Police Department.

 The Independence City Commission meets and hears an update on public works projects.

 City engineer John Garris says the new Bartlett water line is nearly complete.

Garris also gave an update on the construction work on the municipal parking lot north of City Hall. He said work crews had just completed the first concrete pour in the lot and, weather permitting, construction should be complete by mid to late May.

 Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputies nab a pair of truck thieves and recover the stolen vehicles.

 On Wednesday, the Montgomery county Sheriff's Office responded to a 9-1-1 call of a Penske box truck that had been stolen from the Pete's Convenience Store location on West Main in Independence. The caller indicated the stolen truck was headed east on US-160. Deputies quickly located the truck east of Independence and attempted to pull it over, but the driver continued to flee. The truck turned onto US-169 where Cherryvale Police unsuccessfully deployed spike strips. The chase continued onto eastbound US-40 where Parsons Police and Labette County Sheriff's Deputies joined the pursuit.

The chase continued along county roads into Cherokee County where the Cherokee and Crawford County Sheriff's Offices joined the chase. Stop sticks were successfully deployed and the vehicle came to a stop in the middle of the roadway.

Deputies took into custody 34 year old Sumer Young of Independence and 36 year old Sierra Vernon of Coffeyville. Both suspects were taken to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections. Both face theft charges while Young will also face multiple traffic violations and charges of fleeing law enforcement.

Photo: Vernon (left), Young (right)

 The Collingsworth Famliy concert scheduled for Monday evening in Independence has been postponed due to unforseen circumstances.

 The concert will take place instead on Monday, May 6^th, at 7pm at Memorial Hall in Independence.

 Former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announces he is running for Congress.

 Schmidt announced Friday that he will run for the Republican nomination in Kansas' Second Congressional District.

A native of Independence, Schmidt has served as State Senator from District 15 and was Senate Majority leader from 2004 through 2010. He served as Kansas Attorney General for eleven years before running for Governor in 2022 where he lost to Laura Kelly.

Schmidt is a graduate of the University of Kansas, earned a Master's degree in International politics from the University of Leicester in England and has a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Kansas's Second Congressional seat is currently held by Republican Jake LaTurner who announced last week that he would not seek reelection.

 The Neodesha City Commission approves the purchase of a new police vehicle.

 At this week's meeting, Mayor Devin Johnson asks Police Chief Sam Tomlinson about the police vehicle that needs to be replaced.

Tomlinson told the commission that he compared several different models of vehicle in selecting the replacement. Tomlinson says he even looked at Teslas.

The commission gave its approval for the purchase of a 2024 Dodge Durango for no more than $62 thousand dollars.

In other business, Mayor Johnson also signed proclamations recognizing National Drinking Water Week, Public Service Recognition Week and National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.

 Authorities in Wichita are investigating a bomb threat made to buildings on the main campus late Thursday night.

 A call was made around 10pm to the Wichita State University Police Department indicating the presence of a bomb in Wallace Hall and also at the Starbuck's location on 21^st street. Both locations were evacuated. University police conducted a search of both locations and found no devices. The campus was given the all-clear around 2am Friday morning.

 A Tonganoxie man is sentenced to jail time for a 2023 traffic accident that killed two people.

 20 year old Jerron Lightfoot was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he ran a red light in Kansas City and crashed into a police car, killing 42 year old Officer James Muhlbauer, 52 year old Jesse Eckes, and Muhlbauer's police dog Champ.

Lightfoot entered a guilty plea to involuntary charges in February.

 A Missouri woman is arrested in connection to a shooting death near Nevada.

 On Tuesday, deputies from the Stone County, MO, Sheriff's Office were called to a scene in the northern part of the county where they found a deceased 50 year old male with a gunshot wound. Police were able to track the fleeing suspect using a series of cell phone pings.

Authorities eventually located the suspect near Nevada. The female suspect was identified as 62 year old Chris Tina Miller. Miller threatened to harm herself, but officers were able to convince her to surrender without incident.

Miller was taken into custody and transported to the Stone County Jail where she awaits charges.

 Students in Carthage had a bit of a scare yesterday.

 Mark Twain Elementary School in Carthage was evacuated yesterday after the building was struck by lightning. The strike occurred during the latest round of severe thunderstorms that moved through the area yesterday. Students and staff were moved to storm shelter classrooms shortly after the strike.

Students remained out of class as a precaution until the Carthage Fire Department could ensure that the building was safe.

 The Baxter Springs Police Chief announces he will run for Cherokee County Sheriff.

 Chief Brian Henderson made the announcement on Wednesday that he has filed the appropriate paperwork with the County Clerk's office to put his name on the ballot. Henderson has been a law enforcement officer for 28 years, 20 of which were spent as an officer in the the Joplin Police Department. Henderson retired as a sergeant from J-P-D in 2021 before taking the reins of the Baxter Springs Police Department. Henderson has worked as a patrol officer, traffic officer, and School resource officer among the many roles he has performed in his career.

The current Cherokee County Sheriff is David Groves who recently announced his departure from the position.

A local fallen fire chief is honored at the national level.

Dearing Fire Chief Martin K. Smith passed away in January of last year and is now being honored on the 2024 National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Honor Roll. Smith's name is among many listed on the back of a race car unveiled at the recent FDIC International firefighters conference in Indianapolis.

The car is expected to be raced in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in August which might make it to the Kansas Speedway.

 Bartlesville Police Chief Kevin Ickleberry responds to a video currently circulating that shows an encounter between a BPD police officer and and elderly woman.

 Body cam footage shows the officer taken the elderly woman to the ground and putting her in handcuffs. Ickleberry says that kind of behavior will not be tolerated.

The woman in the footage was pulled over after running a stop sign and failing to pull over when the officer first tried a traffic stop. The woman claimed she was trying to take her granddaughter to the hospital.

Ickleberry says the department wants to correct the things that went wrong in the stop and has signed up for a course form Georgetown University. Ickleberry says it will help officers do a better job.

Three officers began the training this week. Ickleberry says there are things citizens can do if they find themselves in a situation similar to the woman in the video.

For a link to the videos, go here, here, and also here.

***** Update 6 p.m. *****

Chautauqua, Elk and Greenwood counties have been dropped from the tornado watch.  Multiple tornadoes were reported near Fredonia earlier today.  Damage estimates are still coming in at this time.  Severe weather remains possible for southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma through this evening.

***** Update 2:45 p.m. *****

.A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL ELK AND SOUTHEASTERN GREENWOOD COUNTIES...

At 259 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Severy, or 8 miles northeast of Howard, moving
northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is
         likely.

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
north central Elk and southeastern Greenwood Counties, including the
following locations... Fall River Lake and Fall River State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

***** Update 2:30 p.m. *****

A tornado watch has been issued for the following counties in the listening area until 9 p.m.

IN SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS

COWLEY

IN SOUTHEAST KANSAS

ALLEN                 CHAUTAUQUA            ELK

GREENWOOD             LABETTE               MONTGOMERY

NEOSHO                WILSON                WOODSON

All of eastern Oklahoma is also included in the watch.

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

Scattered strong to marginally severe storms will impact the area this morning, making way for more severe weather into the weekend.

Storms are expected now through 8 a.m. A tornado watch is also in effect for portions of eastern Oklahoma including the Tulsa area through 11 a.m. A lull in storm activity is expected from mid-morning through early afternoon for southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma. A second round of storms is possible this afternoon, primarily east of a line from Sedan to Tulsa. Severe weather will be possible with any storms that form. The strongest storms may be able to produce baseball sized hail, 65 mph wind gusts and a tornado cannot be ruled out.

The best chance for severe weather will be tomorrow across the four-state area. More information will be available in later forecasts. Stay tuned and count on KGGF for severe weather coverage if needed.

Graphic: Today's severe weather threat

Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies and Independence Fire EMS respond to a reported stabbing incident at Independence Community College.

Deputies spoke with the students involved and determined that a fight had taken place. The injured party declined medical treatment and transportation to the hospital. Deputies are continuing to investigate the matter.

ICC has been fully cooperative with the ongoing investigation, and there is no evidence or information suggesting that there are any ongoing threats. This appears to be an isolated incident among students.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office conducts a successful search warrant and makes an arrest for Fentanyl.

Detectives and deputies executed a narcotics search warrant at 633 West Beech Street in Independence. During the search, authorities took Crystal Blex into custody after discovering evidence of fentanyl use. Blex was transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where she was booked on charges of possession of Fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff Ron Wade says Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous and addictive drugs out there and unfortunately they are seeing an increase in its presence, with supplies coming from places like Wichita and Tulsa.

 Improvements made to a troublesome Parsons street pays off during heavy rains.

 During Thursday's heavy rains the Corning underpass in Parsons remained open. The low point in the road has been subject to flooding and closure in the past, but thanks to two new pumps that were installed recently, city crews were not forced to close the route. The pumps were paid for through ARPA funds received by the city in 2022 and were installed by LaForge and Budd.

This was one of the last projects completed by the long-time construction company before its recent closing. According to the city , the improvements have made Corning a much safer route for drivers during heavy rains.

 Two juveniles are arrested for an incident involving knives in Chapman, KS.

 On Monday afternoon, the Chapman Police Department responded to a call of a fight involving three juveniles at a city park. CPD says a video was made of the incident and has been circulating among students in the Chapman schools.

The third juvenile involved was a 14 year old boy who was the victim. He was unharmed in the incident. CPD says a report has been made to the Dickinson County Attorney's Office for consideration of charges.

 A fifth person is arrested in the kidnapping and murder case of two Kansas women.

 The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has arrested 31 year old Paul Grice on two counts of suspicion of murder in the first degree, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree in the murders of 27 year old Veronica Butler and 39 year old Jilian Kelley.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Grice admitted during an interview that he was part of the planning, killing, and burial of the two women. It also states that he was a part of a separate attempt of Butler's life in February.

Grice's first court appearance is scheduled for May 1^st.

 The Coffeyville Police Department is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration for the 2024 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

 Coffeyville Are Chamber President Candi Westbrook says this Saturday is the day to get rid of your old medicines.

On the last Take Back Day in October, law enforcement agencies nationwide collected more than 300 tons of unwanted medications. Other area agencies with drop off sites this Saturday include the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office in Independence and the Cherryvale Police Department. To find a drop off location near you, go to

DEATakeBack.com

 Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signs into law a bill that would require Oklahoma students to learn how to write in cursive.

 On Tuesday, the governor signed the bill which requires instruction in cursive handwriting for students in third through fifth grade.

The bill's author – Tulsa Democrat Kevin Matthews – called cursive an important skill that will help students in many ways. He said that learning cursive handwriting is proven to improve students’ neural and motor function, as well as their grammar, handwriting, and spelling. It can also assist them with reading historical documents.

Twenty-three other states, including Arkansas and Texas, also require cursive handwriting.

 It's a first for this legislative session, as the Oklahoma State Senate has voted to override Governor Kevin Stitt's veto on the Oklahoma Survivors Act. 

 Sen. Bill Coleman of Ponca City made the announcement. 

The law allows domestic violence victims found guilty of a crime to enter evidence of abuse at sentencing to get a shorter sentence. It would also allow for resentencing for domestic violence survivors whose victimization played a significant factor in their defense. In his veto, Governor Stitt stated that he is committed to justice reform but called this bill “bad policy.”

 Governor Laura Kelly tours a southeast Kansas educational facility.

 Governor Kelly was in Pittsburg Wednesday to tour the John Parolo Education Center located on the campus of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. Kelly discussed with the health center's leadership team how Medicaid expansion could help address the state's shortage of healthcare workers.

Kelly says the expansion could help end the shortage by offering better benefits to those in the medical field.

Legislators from Crawford County and the surrounding areas also attended the tour.

Severe storm chances will increase through Saturday for the four states.

Strong to severe storms are possible this morning mainly for locations along and east of I-135 this morning through afternoon. The main concerns today will be hail up to quarter-sized, and isolated damaging wind gusts. A second round of strong to severe storms is possible tonight through tomorrow Morning, with the main impacts centered in western Kansas and Oklahoma.

A conditional risk of isolated severe storms exists tomorrow afternoon along and east of the Flint Hills. The best chance for severe weather for the four-state area will be Saturday, with very large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes possible, mainly for eastern Kansas and most of Oklahoma. Stay tuned for additional forecasts and count on KGGF for severe weather coverage if needed.

Graphic: Thursday's severe weather threat

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly vetoes the latest bipartisan tax bills and proposes an alternative plan for the legislature to consider.

She says her plan will accelerate the complete elimination of food sales tax to July 1^st. Her plan will keep the current three tax brackets in place but lowers rates while increasing the standard deduction, personal exemption and child care tax credit for dependent care expenses. The plan immediately eliminates state taxes on all Social Security income. Governor Kelly says her plan would also cut property taxes for Kansans by exempting the first $125,000 of all homes from the statewide property tax levy.

She says she is committed to meaningful tax relief across the board, but they must cut taxes in a responsible way. Governor Kelly says her reasoning for the veto was it was too expensive so she is asking the legislature to pass this plan, which will continue the progress they've made for the state, without breaking the bank.

Snakes are emerging from their winter hibernation period. In their search for food and habitat, they could potentially end up in unwelcoming places.

K-State Wildlife Specialist Drew Ricketts says there are benefits to having snakes around.  Ricketts says it's important to be able to identify the different types of snakes.

Ricketts says if a home has a snake problem glue traps can be bought to help in the removal of snakes, but make sure they are the large glue traps or say for snakes on them. He says for those trying to catch a snake make sure to pin it down at the back of the head and then hold it behind the head.

 The Independence City Commission will meet Thursday night for their regularly scheduled meeting.

 One of the items on the agenda will be the approval of a change order for the Central Park Sports Complex. City Manager Kelly Passauer says construction on the project is coming along nicely.

Other items up for discussion this week include a declaration of Public Service Recognition Week and a street closure for an event at the public library on May 31^st. The Independence City Commission meets on the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of each month at 5:30pm at City Hall. The public is invited to attend or to view the meeting remotely via the city website. Click on the camera icon for the meeting you wish to view.

 State Senator Virgil Peck announces that he will seek reelection.

 Peck says he will seek a second term in the Kansas Senate because there are still issues he wants to work on for the good of Kansas citizens. He says his prmamry issues include tax policy and protecting Kansans from an increasingly expensive and intrusive state government. The Havana Republican says voters from southeast Kansas want legislators who will protect conservative family values.

Peck has served as Vice-Chair of the Committee on Insurance and Vice Chair of the Assessment and Taxation Committee. He also serves on the Commerce Committee, Joint Committee on Kansas Security and as chairman of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

Peck represents State Senate District 15 which covers Montgomery, Labette, Neosho, Chautauqua, and Elk counties.

 Students in Caney will be wearing hats to class next week for a good cause.

 Students in USD 436 will be wearing hats to school next week to benefit injured Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputy Justin Ward. Ward was seriously injured in a line-of-duty traffic accident on April 7^th and area communities have rallied to help the deputy and his young family. Next week, students at Caney Jr/Sr high can wear a hat to class for $3 for one day or $10 for the whole week. Lincoln School students can wear hats on Friday, May 3^rd, for $1. Donations will be collected in the main office.

 The U.S. Figure Skating Championships are coming to Kansas.

 In January 2025, U.S. Champion figure skaters will be crowned at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita. Competition will take place in women's, men's, pairs, and ice dance events at both the junior and senior levels.

This is the first time the U.S. Figure Skating Championships will be held in Kansas. Tickets for the event will go on sale on May 16 through Select-A-Seat.

 Authorities in Hutchinson are investigating after a pedestrian is hit by a train.

 Just before 2pm yesterday, Reno County EMS along with the Hutchinson Police and Fire Departments responded to reports of a person being struck by a train while walking near the tracks in the southwest part of the city. Upon arrival, officers found 61 year old Daniel Raya injured beside the tracks. Officers attempted life-saving measures but Raya was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing.

 Governor Laura Kelly signs a bill to reform the Kansas Standard Asset Seizure and Forfeiture Act.

 The bill establishes new guidelines for asset forfeiture, improving due process for property owners, increasing governmental accountability, and not unduly interfering with federal assistance to local law enforcement in asset forfeiture.

For many Kansans whose property has been seized, the cost of recovering it is often greater than its value.  The bill also requires additional steps to initiate the civil asset seizure process and requires clear and convincing evidence in order to move forward with seizure.

Multiple rounds of severe storms are possible from early tomorrow morning through Saturday night for the KGGF listening area.

According to the National Weather Service, the most widespread severe weather is expected to occur on Saturday. Tomorrow morning and night, eastern Kansas and Oklahoma will see a marginal risk of severe weather. Better storm chances will be in western Kansas and Oklahoma. On Friday, the threat increases for the four states, with most of the listening area upgraded to the “slight” category of severe weather. If storms develop, large hail and damaging winds are possible, and a tornado can't be ruled out. Saturday will bring the biggest threat of severe weather from the afternoon through the evening, with multiple hazards possible. Stay tuned for later forecasts and count on KGGF to provide severe weather coverage if it's needed.

 The Oklahoma House of Representatives approves legislation restricting online access to pornography for people under the age of 18.

 The bill  holds commercial entities accountable for knowingly distributing obscene material or material promoting child pornography on the internet. It mandates that such entities must compensate individuals for damages and provide mechanisms for subscribers to block access to harmful content. Additionally, entities employing reasonable age verification methods are exempt from liability.

The measure passed the House 79-13 yesterday and now moves to the governor's desk for consideration. If signed , the measure would take effect November 1^st.

 Parsons Police are warning area residents of a Medicare scam circulating in southeast Kansas.

 The Parsons Police Department has received citizen reports of phony Medicare calls in and around the Parsons area. The callers try to obtain social security numbers, Medicare ID numbers and other identifying information from unsuspecting individuals.

PPD reminds residents that Medicare does not call you uninvited and ask you for personal or private information.You will usually get a written statement in the mail before you get a phone call from a government agency. Remember that calls requesting health insurance information should not be trusted.

Scammers can be very convincing, and they may know a little - or a lot - about you, especially if they have access to some of your personal information already.

The Kansas Department of Transportation is starting a field survey for bridge improvements on U.S. 166 in Labette and Cherokee counties.

The Labette County survey area includes four locations from the Montgomery/Labette county line east to Ness Road. The Cherokee County survey area includes three locations from SW 107th Terrace east to SW 10th Street. Surveyors will gather information necessary for detailed designs of proposed bridge improvements. The survey is based on the existing highway alignment and is expected to be finished by June 1st. Activities include the use of survey instruments on the ground to determine locations of existing features within the corridor. A member of the survey crew will contact property owners or tenants for permission to enter private property.

A new mode of transportation is coming to the City of Coffeyville.

The city commission approved a resolution to authorize a grant to support the Montgomery County Transportation Initiative. SEK-CAP Director of Transportation Scott Christiansen says it's a free service and available to anyone in the county.

Christiansen says they offer a three day a week service or a five day a week service.  Christiansen says they can travel county to county but cannot go to Oklahoma. SEK-CAP will be offering a three day a week service for this area. The City is providing $3,000 of the $9,800 needed.

The City of Independence has a unique way to improve things around town. City Manager Kelly Passauer says the system is called See, Click, Fix.

Passauer says whether using the app or going online there a many things that can be chosen to have looked at or worked on.

Passauer says when using the app it can pinpoint the location you're at and drop a pin for city workers to find the exact area needing to be worked on. A link to the website can be found here.

Independence High School receives high honors from U.S. News and World Report.  Independence Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Wilson says IHS is ranked as the 12^th best high school in Kansas.

Wilson says education is always one of the things families are looking at when moving into a new area.  IHS ranks fourth in the state on performance on state assessments and 2,281^st among all high schools in the nation. 

 The Coffeyville Police Department is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration for its 2024 National Prescription Drug Take Back Campaign.

 This Saturday from 10am to 2pm anyone can bring any unwanted, unneeded, or old prescription medications to the Coffeyville Police Department for disposal. This is a free event for communities nationwide and disposal can be done safely and anonymously. The Coffeyville Police Department is located at 1206 West 11^th Street and drop off will be on the east side of the building. Other collection sites include the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office at 300 East Main in Independence and the Cherryvale Police Department at 116 South Neosho Street in Cherryvale. You can also visit DEATakeBack.com for a site near you.

 The Bartlesville Fire Department responds to a call of a grass fire. 

 Bartleville Fire Chief David Topping says the grass fire got out of control.

Topping said the fire took place outside the city limits of Bartlesville, just outside of Oak Park.

 A Pittsburg man is under arrest after a wild ride on a stolen scooter.

 Early yesterday morning a Pittsburg Police officer noticed a man on a scooter. While the officer observed the man, he failed to negotiate a corner and wrecked at an intersection. The officer made contact with the driver, who was later identified as 32-year-old John D. Robertson Jr., of Frontenac. However, at the time of the initial contact, the driver provided a false name to the investigating officer.

While investigating the wreck, the officer discovered the scooter had been previously reported as stolen out of Pittsburg. The scooter was later towed away from the scene.

The suspect reported being injured in the wreck and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Once released, he was taken into custody and taken to the Crawford County Jail. Articles of contraband were located during the subsequent search of the driver incident to the arrest. Additionally, upon arrival at the jail, the driver’s identity was verified as being that of John Robertson Jr.

Robertson is currently being held without bond on multiple charges including felony possession of stolen property and felony possession of methamphetamine. The investigation is ongoing.

 **UPDATE** A School Resource Officer says the accusation stems from an incident in which the team allegedly killed a chicken on a school field before leaving for an away game last Saturday.

 A Kansas high school suspends it baseball season as the entire team and coaching staff are accused of animal cruelty.

 The Valley Center High School varsity baseball team is under investigation for animal cruelty. In a letter sent home to parents, the USD 262 school district said the incident involved the entire baseball team and coaching staff and it occurred on school property. The Valley Center Police Department is also looking into the accusations.

The district said it would make a decision on the remainder of the baseball season pending the outcome of the investigation. Valley Center is located north of Wichita.

 At last week's meeting of the Nowata County Commission, Sheriff Jason McClain asked for ARPA funds to get two 2017 Ford Taurus patrol vehicles for Nowata County.

 This week, McClain got his answer. County Clerk Kay Spurgeon calls for the vote.

The commission unanimously approved the purchase. Spurgeon also informed the commission about a pair of donations to help with meals at the county jail.

The Commissioners will meet again next Monday at 9 am at the Nowata County Courthouse Annex.

 A Great Bend man is dead following a weekend ATV accident.

 37 year old Wilbert Sanko was reportedly driving a 2014 Polaris RZR in a river bed about 8 miles southwest of Great Bend. At around 5pm on Saturday, the ATV entered a skid and flipped over, pinning Sanko beneath it. Witnesses began first aid until EMS arrived to transport him to KU Medical Center in Great Bend with serious head injuries.

His 33 year old passenger Cole Amick sustained minor injuries. Neither man had safety restraints at the time of the accident.

 The Fredonia Junior-Senior High School plant science class is holding a plant sale.

 4 inch, single pots plants are $5 each and four pack plants are just $3. There are a variety of tomato types for sale, as well as peppers, marigolds and zinnias. Plants can be purchased at the school Monday through Thursday between 8am and 4pm.

 Independence High School is listed as the #12 best high school in Kansas according to U.S. News and World Report.

 The rankings are based on the number of advanced placement classes that are offered and taken by students as well as student proficiency in math, reading, and science and graduation rates.

Independence ranks #4 in the state on performance on state assessments. IHS ranks #2,281 among all high schools in the nation.

The top school in Kansas is Sumner Academy of Arts and Science in Kansas City.

 The Caney Grocery is still in business.

 After a special council workshop last night, the decision was made by Caney council members to keep the store operating as normal, while looking at the numbers again in ninety days.

 City Administrator Kelley Zellner says the objective will continue as long as possible to make the store self sustaining.

 The city of Caney is designated to be in a food desert, with the nearest grocery store twenty minutes away, either in Independence, Coffeyville, or Dewey, Oklahoma. The city, however, is also tasked with keeping the store operating without using water funds, because using funds from the general fund is not an option. Zellner says Caney Grocery does play an important role in the town.

 Caney Grocery did show a plus in revenue seven months throughout 2023, but has only showed revenue one month in the 1^st quarter of 2024, although numbers through April look promising for a profit for the store. Zellner believes signage will make a difference for the store, not only with a new sign at 4^th Street on Highway 75.....

 Residents are urged to get in touch with their city council members to give input and to brainstorm on how to make Caney Grocery self sustaining.

 The store will once again be discussed during the council's next meeting, set for May 6^th.

 Coffeyville Municipal Light and Power earns national recognition. 

 The American Public Power Association has recognized CMLP for exceptional reliability. The power company boasts an average outage duration of only 9.39 minutes a year. The North American Utility average is 148 minutes.

The American Public Power Association represents not-for-profit, community owned utilities. Their stated purpose is to protect the interests of the more than 49 million people served by public power utilities.

Another fundraiser is kicking off to support a new Veterans' Court of Valor.

According to Project Chairman John Hufferd, a painting will be raffled off to help make this project a reality.

The painting will be on display at the Coffeyville Area Community Foundation at 117 W 9^th St. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased through the VFW or American Legion or by emailing CoffeyvilleFlagsofHonor@gmail.com.

Hufferd says the new Court of Valor will be just east of the current memorial.

The drawing will take place once all the tickets are sold.

 The Montgomery County commission discusses more issues with area bridges.

 At this week's commission meeting, Public Works Director Jim Wright told commissioners that the State Historical Society was interested in repairing only one of three bridges located on 8^th street east of Coffeyville. Wright says the county is at odds with what the historical society wants.

Wright said that the state originally wanted to repair only one of the bridges, and then redesign the roadway so that the other two would not be needed. He asked commissioners to reaffirm their position to repair all of the bridges or none of them. Commissioner Mike Cordray asks a “what if” question.

Wright told the commission that he would continue his negotiations with the state and then report back any progress.

 State Senator Virgil Peck continues his listening tour today.

 Peck is taking advantage of the current recess in the legislative session to find out what is on the minds of his constituents.

Today takes him to the Oswego City Hall at 3:45, then onto the Chetopa City Hall at 5pm, and finally Peck will visit the Altamont Park Building tonight at 6:30.

 The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating the death of an inmate at the Wilson County Jail.

 At around 5pm on April 2^nd, staff at the jail found 38 year old Joshua Michael Borden unresponsive in his cell. Life-saving measures were attempted and Borden was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Borden was arrested on April 1^st on a warrant for failure to appear on a traffic violation.

No foul play is suspected. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death. The investigation is ongoing.

 Police in Abilene locate a missing child with the help of a license plate reader.

 On April 18^th, the A-P-D received an alert from a Flock license plate reader that a vehicle associated with a child abduction in Minnesota was in Abilene. Officers were able to locate the vehicle and discovered a 5 month old baby who had been taken by a non-custodial parent. The baby was taken into police custody and will be returned to the custodial parents in Minnesota. The Flock license plate readers are also used by cities in southeast Kansas including Pittsburg, Frontenac, Coffeyville, Caney, Independence, and Parsons.

 Residents who want to use facilities and services at Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo have a new, convenient way to reserve them.

 Beginning today, the new CivicRec software system will allow users to create their own accounts, reserve and pay for rentable park facilities and request group field trips or ZooMobile education programs. The new system will be accessible around the clock.

In the near future, the new system also will include registration functions for programs offered by the Independence Recreation Commission.

To setup an account, go here.

 The theater department at Coffeyville Community College will be serving up the laughs this week with their production of the play Noises Off.

 The play portrays the chaotic world of theater where egos, forgetfulness and romance make every performance a risky endeavor. The play follows a touring company through dress rehearsal, opening night, offering a slapstick filled glimpse behind the scenes.

 Performances will be Thursday at 7pm, Friday at 7pm and the Sunday at 2pm. All shows will be at the Spencer Rounds Theater on the CCC Campus. Admission is free.

Correction: an earlier version of this story stated that the first performance would be Wednesday at 4pm. The date and time was changed by the college.

 US Senator Jerry Moran joins his Senate colleagues to address the Biden administration’s American energy restrictions while foreign adversaries like Iran continue to produce and export oil around the world.

 Moran says many Kansans earn a living from the energy industry.

The Kansas Senator says is it time for the United States to be and to remain a producer of our own energy sources.

Moran's comments come in response to the Biden Administration’s announcement that it would restrict oil development in Alaska.

 Authorities in Oklahoma are investigating what appears to be an accidental shooting of a hunter on the first day of spring turkey season.

 Oklahoma Game Wardens say an Oklahoma resident was shot by a member from his hunting party on April 16^th around 7:15am. According to an official statement, the man and a friend were hosting two Indiana residents on a turkey hunt. The victim and the friend were in a group of trees watching the other hunters near a feeder. One hunter took a shot at a jake turkey that was in line with the spectators, striking one man with several pellets. The shooter was less than 50 yards away from the victim.

Game wardens say no charges will be filed in the incident, though the parties involved were cited for illegally possessing turkeys within 100 yards of bait. The incident occurred on privately-owned land.

 This is the sound from Friday afternoon as the City of Fredonia held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new solar farm.

 City Commissioners Brandon Tindle and Bill Jones were on hand, as well as Mayor Allen Miller, City Administrator Wesley Young, and City Clerk Kelly Bogner. Representatives from Priority Power and Z Mac Engineering were also in attendance.

City Administrator Young says the solar farm will help reduce the city's exposure to fluctuating energy costs, especially during months of peak usage.

The solar farm is expected to produce more than 2500 kilowatts of power. The city recently gained approval from the US Department of Energy to commission the facility.

 A former Kansas State football player passes away.

 Terrale Johnson passed away on Saturday at the age of 29. Johnson graduated from Manhattan High School and played two seasons of football at Hutchinson Community College. He went on to play at Kansas State from 2014 through 2016. In his last season with the Wildcats, Johnson started all 13 games on the offensive line and earned First Team All Big 12 honors.

Johnson went on to work as an assistant football coach at Shawnee Mission South High School and Mill Valley High School in the Kansas City area.

  An Osage Nation Police Department Officer passed away on Wednesday when undergoing his mandatory yearly firearms qualification standard near Hominy.

 Investigator Brian Herbert was partaking in the strenuous activity when he began feeling signs of discomfort and had to stop. After losing consciousness, Herbert was taken to the hospital and later passed away. 

Herbert had been with the Osage Nation Police Department since 2007 and served in law enforcement for 28 years. He was also a U.S. Army Veteran. Herbert is survived by his wife and a sister.

 A Jenks man is sentenced for his role in the 2019 death of a Broken Arrow man.

 On Friday, 37 year old Bradley Wade Wofford was sentenced on Second Degree Murder in Indian Country. U.S. District Judge John F. Heil ordered Wofford to 19 ½ years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to court documents, Wofford was driving under the influence of methamphetamine when he rear-ended a car driven by 48 year old Scotty Dilbeck. Dilbeck was killed in the collision. State Troopers say Wofford was traveling at 66 miles per hour while Dilbeck was going 11 miles per hour when the accident occurred.

Wofford was previously convicted of driving under the influence on four separate occasions. He is a citizen of Cherokee Nation and will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

The FBI and Oklahoma Highway Patrol investigated the case.

 The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Saturday afternoon in Topeka .

 Just after 3pm Saturday, Topeka Police received a 911 call reporting that a suspect connected to an armed carjacking that occurred in Topeka earlier in the day had been spotted.

Responding officers discovered 34 year old Terrell Hayes-Osby fleeing on foot. Law enforcement gave chase and during the pursuit, Hayes-Osby fired at the officers, who then returned fire. Hayes-Osby was struck and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Hayes-Osby was reported in serious condition but is expected to survive.

Once KBI finishes its investigation, findings will be turned over to the Shawnee County District Attorney for review. The investigation is ongoing.

 A Saturday night car crash in Crawford County claims the life of a Pittsburg woman.

 Around 9:15pm, 53 year old Ann Marie Edgett was traveling northbound on K-3 near 630^th Avenue or about 6 ½ miles west of Girard. When her vehicle veered off of the road to the right, Edgett over-corrected, crossed the southbound lane, and overturned in the ditch where it came to rest on its roof.

Edgett was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

 A weekend house fire leaves an Independence firefighter with injuries.

 Independence Fire and EMS responded to reports of a structure fire around 7pm Saturday evening at 11^th and Hickory in Independence. Fire crews were able to get the blaze under control quickly, but the house sustained significant damage to the rear and attic of the house and to a detached garage. The residents of the house were all able to escape safely, but one Independence firefighter was injured during the incident.

Independence Rural Fire and Independence Police were also on the scene.

Chautauqua County commissioners have agreed to new accepted contracts for fuel prices.

The county has entered an agreement with MFA Oil, which has headquarters in Skiatook. The updated contract prices are for road diesel at approximately $3.28, unleaded gasoline for approximately $2.93, and agricultural/off-road fuel for approximately $3.29.

Public Works Superintendent Mark McCall presented the proposed contracts to the commission, which were approved by a 3-0 vote by the commissioners.

Additional items of business at this week's Chautauqua County commission meeting was the approval of an estimate from Maverick Elevator Inspections, LLC, as well as the approval of claims from Blue Cross & Blue Shield. Commissioners also went into two separate executive sessions, one regarding personnel matters of non-elected personnel, and one regarding security measures.

The commission next meets at 8:30 a.m. on April 30th in the commission room on the second floor of the county courthouse in Sedan.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelley vetoes a number of bills and allows two to become law without her signature.

Kelly has vetoed proposed tax breaks for pregnancy crisis centers while allowing restrictions on college diversity initiatives to become law without her signature. Kelly announced the actions Friday on bills approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature. Besides the abortion-related measure, she vetoed two election bills saying there's no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Kansas and that the bills would disenfranchise voters by making advanced voting more difficult. She also vetoed a bill increasing the penalties for killing police dogs, saying the issue needs more study. The new law on diversity will bar state colleges from requiring applicants for admission, jobs and promotions to state their views on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

 Authorities in Newton County, Missouri, are investigating reports of a gun found in a student backpack.

 School officials in Granby say an unloaded pistol was found in a backpack at Granby Elementary and Junior High School Thursday. The weapon was found after a student reported having seen it in another student's bag.

The Student Resource Officer and the Newton County Juvenile Office are assisting in the investigation.

 Kansas Senator Jerry Moran questions the U.S. Attorney General on the southern border and national security.

 This week Moran pressed U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on violent crime and the national security threats facing the United States during a committee hearing. The hearing was to review the President’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for the Department of Justice. Moran says the Biden Administration has caused a diffcult problem.

Moran is the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. He says these threats affect all Americans and they have hit close to home here in Kansas.

Moran added that  the cyber capabilities of U.S. enemies continue to improve which puts American systems at greater risk.

 As the weather warms, people everywhere start looking for fun things to do.

 In Coffeyville, one of those things is to pay a visit to the Aviation Heritage Museum. The museum is currently hosting a traveling display from Johnson Space Center in Houston. Coffeyville Area Chamber President Candi Westbrook says, if you haven't seen the display yet, it's definitely worth a look.

The exhibit will be on display in Coffeyville until June 14^th at the Coffeyville Aviation Heritage Museum at 2002 North Buckeye. Admission is free.

 The Fortitude Masonic Lodge # 107 in Independence is hosting a Health and Cancer Screening tomorrow.

 From 9 to noon, there will be screenings available for common types of cancer. There will also be materials available to help those who wish to quit tobacco. The public is invited to attended. No registration is required.

The event happens at the Masonic Building at 2000 West Laurel in Independence.

 A Crawford County high school student is honored at the KDOT Traffic Safety Conference in Topeka.

 Kendyl Renn a sophomore at Southeast High School in Cherokee received the 2024 Hero Award this week. More than 300 attendees looked on as Renn was recognized for her actions in rendering aid to students involved in a school bus injury accident on January 25^th.

Renn's parents and Southeast High School Principal Larry Malle were on hand to see her receive the award.

Photo courtesy Crawford County Sheriff's Office

 Police in Miami, OK, help out a familiar face who was having car trouble.

 The City of Miami posted a photo on their Facebook page of a Miami police officer with actor John Schneider. Schneider is well-known for his portrayal of Bo Duke on the television show the Dukes of Hazzard.

Schneider was traveling through Miami when he encountered some engine problems with his RV. Schneider posted on his own Facebook page “Thank you to the great law enforcement in Miami and their very own 'Cooter!' Greatly appreciate your hospitality all!”

Cooter was also a character on the show who was an auto mechanic.

 A federal judge sentences a southwest Missouri woman for her role in a 2020 kidnapping conspiracy of a Carthage man.

 40 year old Amy Kay Thomas of Webb City was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole for the July 2020 kidnapping of Michael Hall. Court documents show that Thomas entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Thomas is the fourth of six defendants to be sentenced in the case.

 A Cedarvale man is in a Tulsa hospital following a one-vehicle wreck on Thursday in Osage County, OK.

 The accident happened around 7:45am on Thursday. 21-year-old Tyler Vogele was driving a 2010 Dodge Ram on Oklahoma Highway 18, just north of Shidler when his pickup left the roadway to the right for an unknown reason. Vogele overcorrected to the left, causing the truck to go into a slide and roll.

The truck struck a fence and came to rest on its wheels.

Vogele was transported via ambulance to a Ponca City hospital, where he was later transported via medical helicopter to a Tulsa hospital. He was admitted in good condition with internal injuries.

The Osage County Sheriff’s Office, Shidler Fire and EMS assisted at the scene.

 A Bartlesville woman faces charges of felony charge of child abuse.

 41 year old Leah Young is accused of hitting a minor child across the chest and shoulders with a belt.

According to an affidavit, police reviewed the forensic interviews with the juveniles and found that the victim told interviewers that he went into his room and shut his door because he was upset. Young then allegedly came through the door and started swinging a belt at him and struck him multiple times.

Police found bruising on the victim consistent with those made by a belt.

Young was ordered to have no contact with the victim and was given a $50,000 bond. Her next court date is set for May 3rd.

 The Independence Community College Board of Trustees selects an interim president.

 ICC has hired Dr. Jonathan Sadhoo as Interim President. Sadhoo will take the helm of the college while the board searched for a full-time, permanent president.

Sadhoo has served as ICC’s Vice-President of Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer since 2019. Dr. Sadhoo earned an International Baccalaureate Diploma from the École Internationale de Nice, in Nice, France, a Bachelor of Science in Business and Leadership, with a focus in Finance & Accounting, in Boston, and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration both from Northeastern University in Boston. Sadhoo also earned a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Policy and Leadership from the University of New England.

Sadhoo will take over as Interim President on May 15th. He will also continue with his current duties during his interim presidency. He takes over for outgoing President Dr, Vincent Bowhay, who announced his resignation in February.

Board of Trustees President Cynthia Sherwood welcomed Sadhoo to his new role, stating that the Board was pleased to have him assume his new duties.

 Congressman Jake LaTurner says he will not seek reelection this fall. 

 LaTurner, who serves southeast Kansas in the U.S. House of Representatives issued a statement today making the surprise announcement.

 LaTurner cited family reasons for the decision.  LaTurner and his wife have four young children and says the rigors of campaigning along with his responsibilities in Congress have left him with too little time with his family.

 In his statement LaTurner says he looks forward to serving the remainder of his term and looks to the future with confidence.

 A Sedan business marks its 110^th year in business.

 And, not only has it been around for more than a century, Floyd's Market has been owned by the same family for four generations. Owner Austen Floyd says his family first came to the area around the same time that Kansas became a state.

Floyd says he moved away from the Sedan area in his younger days, but his ties to southeast Kansas brought him back for good. He says the sense of community is what he likes best about living and working in Sedan.

Floyd's Market will celebrate their 110^th birthday on Saturday with fun and prizes for their customers. Floyd's Market is located at 108 south Douglas in Sedan.

 The latest regular session meeting of the Caney City Council included a report from Jarred, Gilmore, and Phillips concerning the 2023 city audit.

 The city was given an unmodified opinion for 2023. City Administrator Kelley Zellner says he is happy with what was presented.

 Zellner says funds are more easily tracked now than in previous years of the city's budgets. He says the goal is to show all residents where the funds are coming from and going, with the least amount of movement possible.

 In other business, the council awarded the mowing contract of Sunnyside Cemetery to MTB Lawn and Garden for just over $26,500.

 Those in search of delicious baked goods should travel to Sedan on May 3^rd.

 The Sedan Senior Citizen Center will be hold a bake sale on May 3^rd from 9am to 4pm. There will be cookies, cakes, pies, coffee, and more. The purpose of the sale is to replenish the groups' funds after redoing the Center's roof. The Sedan Senior Citizen Center is located at 124 East Main in Sedan.

 City crews in Chetopa are out and about today working on equipment in the city park.

 Workers are making improvements to some of the playground equipment at Elmore Park and advise that there will be wet paint on some structures.

 The City of Sedan gives the go-ahead for asphalt.

 At this week's Sedan City Council meeting, public works requested more asphalt for street repairs.

The Sedan City Council approved the measure. The city also hired a new pool manager and is currently looking for applicants 15 years of age or older with red cross certification to be lifeguards for the summer.

 A Kansas woman is under investigation for making threats against two U.S. Presidents.

 40 year old Lori Davis of Park City is charged with one count of threats against a former president and one count of threats against the President of the United States.

The allegations stem from a call Davis is said to have made to the Clinton Foundation in September 2021 and several social media posts made about President Biden in 2024.

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating.

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated Davis' age as 49

 A head-on collision in Tipton Ford, Missouri, leaves one person dead and two others with serious injuries.

 The accident happened around 6pm yesterday when a 2000 Lincoln Town Car driven by 22 year old Joshua Niswonger of Neosho struck a 2018 Nissan Kicks driven by 50 year old Airine Gallen, also of Neosho.

Niswonger and his passenger 23 year old Lakin House both sustained serious injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Gallen was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of the crash in under investigation by the Major Crash Investigation Unit of the Missouri Highway patrol.

 Authorities in Bartlesville say the 3 year old toddler who was found submerged in a pond on Tuesday has died.

 The child was reported missing from a backyard in Bartlesville on Tuesday. When police conducted a search of nearby areas, they found the toddler submerged in a pond at a Bartlesville country club. The child was unresponsive, and was taken to a nearby hospital.

The incident is under investigation by the Bartlesville Police Criminal Investigation Division and Oklahoma Human Services Child Welfare Department.

 Reports of a stolen vehicle leads to a car chase in northern Oklahoma.

 A 16-year old juvenile led Osage County Sheriff’s vehicles on a pursuit throughout the county and in conjunction with the Ponca City Police Department, the chase ended with the juvenile crashing near the intersection of 14th street and Highland Ave. in Ponca City.  

The Osage County Sheriff’s Office was alerted of a stolen vehicle in Osage County late last week. When the deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the juvenile fled. After the crash, a brief foot pursuit ended with the suspect being taken into custody. He is now facing multiple charges.  

During the chase, a Ponca City Police Officer sustained minor injuries, but he received immediate medical attention and is expected to make a full recovery. The investigation is still ongoing.

Anyone traveling U.S. 400 between Beaumont and Severy will have to deal with a slight delay starting Monday.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, a resurfacing project on 400 is set to begin Monday at the Butler-Greenwood county line and continues east to the K-99 junction. Project activity includes surface recycling with an overlay. Flaggers and a pilot car will direct one-lane traffic through the work zone. Drivers can expect delays of 15 minutes or less during weekday daylight hours until July. KDOT awarded the construction contract of $4.7 million to Pearson Construction LLC, Wichita.

A benefit is being held this weekend for Deputy Justin Ward, who was injured in a car accident while on duty. The event is Saturday at Indy Fitness. Captain Chad Dunham says they have a full day planned.

There will also be a bounce house and carnival games for the kids at 4:00pm. Dunham says for anyone who can't make it there are two ways to donate including a GoFundMe.

Dunham says all the money raised will go to Deputy Ward and his family. The deputy has been recovering in the hospital since the April 7^th accident. A link to the GoFundMe can be found here.

It's wildfire season in Kansas and with fire being a useful tool for landowners it's important not to let a prescribed burn get out of control.

Kansas Forest Service Public Information Officer Shawna Hartman says escaped intentional burning is a major cause of wildfires.  Kansas has recently developed a Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal. A link to the portal can be found here.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation arrests a Kansas police lieutenant for child sex crimes.

At 7:15am this morning, 55-year-old David Justice, of Baxter Springs, was arrested near his residence. Justice was arrested for aggravated indecent liberties with a child, indecent solicitation of a child and promoting obscenity to a minor. The Kansas Highway Patrol assisted with the arrest. The Columbus Police Department and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office asked the KBI to investigate the allegations in February 2023.

Justice served as a Lieutenant with the Columbus Police Department but has been on unpaid administrative leave since February when the allegations were reported. KBI agents executed several search warrants to obtain evidence in the case. Following the arrest, Justice was booked into the Cherokee County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

 The Parsons City Commission approves the purchase of new fire equipment.

 At this week's meeting, the commission approved spending just over $27-thousand to replace fire hose and bag lift sets. The bag sets are used to lift heavy loads in industrial and commercial vehicle accidents. Fire Chief Brad Boss says the old set was more than 20 years old and had become a liability for the city.

In other business, the commission approved street closures for Labette Community College Commencement ceremonies and for Katy Days.

 A ruptured gas line has temporarily closed a Coffeyville intersection.

 At approximately 10:30 this morning, a vehicle struck a gas meter in the alley behind 1306 West 11^th, rupturing the gas line. As a precaution, the block of 11th and Buckeye has been evacuated.

 Fire Chief Hal Bumgarner says Atmos is on the scene making the necessary repairs. He is asking residents and drivers to avoid the area if possible.

 This is a developing story. Stay tuned to KGGF on air and on-line for the latest information.

Wilson County begins to see official filings for the County position openings this year.

Commissioner Casey Lair has been approved to run for re-election, earning enough district signatures to qualify. County Clerk Kayla Busch also reports that Harold "Pete" Kuhn has been approved to run for Wilson County Sheriff.

Additional items of business at this week's commission meeting is the approval of a new laptop for the Clerk's Office, as well as the approval of a medicare evaluation service for the county health department.

The commission will meet next on April 24th at 9 a.m. in Room 101 of the County Courthouse in Fredonia.

There will be a Coffeyville area meet and greet tonight, courtesy of the Montgomery County Action Council.

The event will be held at the Midland Theater in downtown Coffeyville. MCAC Executive Director Melissa Johnson says it's a great opportunity to have conversations with the Action Council.

The Midland Theater board will also be at the event, giving tours and speaking on the renovations taking place at the Midland.

Johnson says there will also be an opportunity to donate to the Midland Foundation.

For questions or more information regarding the meet and greet, call 620-331-3830.

 The City of Miami is getting ready for summertime.

 Starting next Monday City Parks Crews will be conducting annual mantenance and painting on the Splash Pad and the Outside Learning Environment. The complex will be closed through April 26^th so repairs can be made.

 At this week's USD 447 Cherryvale School Board meeting, building principals highlighted student achievement.

 Each school principal told the board about the great educational experience students had learning about and watching the recent solar eclipse. Cherryvale Middle-High School Principal James Renfro also recognized several students for their success at the recent KSHSAA Solo and Small Group Competition.

Renfro also recognized the girls four-by-one hundred relay team.

In other business, the board approved the purchase of 50 new Chromebooks to replace student and staff machines. Superintendent Travis Githens also updated the board on the district's capacity for out-of-district students. The current capacity is 960 students while current enrollment is 692.

 The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirms that the two bodies found on Sunday are those of two missing Kansas women.

 The O-S-B-I confirmed yesterday afternoon that the Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner has positively identified two bodies found in rural Texas county on Sunday as 27 year old Veronica Butler and 39 year old Jilian Kelley of Hugoton. The pair disappeared on March 30^th while they were traveling to Oklahoma to pick up Butler's children.

Four individuals were arrested on Saturday in connection to the alleged kidnapping and murder of the two women. One of those arrested is the grandmother of Butler's children. All four are members of a self-proclaimed anti-government group called “God's Misfits.”

Oklahoma attorney Garrett Oates, who represented Butler in her child custody battle, has indicated the crimes may be connected to the custody case.

 At Monday evening's city council meeting in Dewey, City Manager Kevin Trease informed the public that the town is under a consent order regarding the water system.

 Trease says this is in regards to testing for chloramine, which is a residual of chlorine. He says if they continue to take the water test the way they have been, they will fail every time and says that this is the result of an employee error. 

Trease says that because the test is being conducted on a dead in line, the result of a failed test will never change in that single location, but stresses that there are no issues with the water across town. 

The City will begin sending out a notice of the consent order to Dewey residents shortly.

 A 3-year-old child is in the hospital after escaping a home and drowning in a pond at Hillcrest Country Club in Bartlesville.

 According to Bartlesville police, a 911 call was made around 4:15yesterday afternoon for a missing child from a backyard on Hampton Square. Police responded and began a search on the adjacent country club.

Police say the child was found unresponsive and fully submerged in a pond at Hillcrest Country Club. Police say they immediately began administering CPR. The child was transported via ambulance to the hospital shortly after 4:45 p.m.

The condition of the child is unknown at this time. The Bartlesville Police Criminal Investigation Division and Oklahoma Human Services Child Welfare Department are investigating.

 The ICC Theatre Department announces its upcoming theatrical production of The Revolutionists .

 The play delves into the lives of four remarkable women during the French Revolution.  Through their intersecting stories, the play explores themes of activism, feminism, and the pursuit of justice in the face of adversity.

The play is part of the William Inge Theater Festival.

Show times are tonight at 7pm, tomorrow at 9am, Friday at 7pm and Satuirday at 2pm at the William Inge Theater on the ICC campus. Admission is free

 Students at Columbus High School get a first-hand look at the dangers of unsafe driving.

 On Monday, The Cherokee County sheriff's Office staged a mock crash for students at Columbus High School. Students were able to see the results of driving under the influence and distracted driving.

The purpose of the mock accident was to educate young drivers on the dangers and effects of unsafe driving in an effort to save lives.

Photo courtesy Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

The National Weather Service is providing damage reports from early-morning tornadoes yesterday in the Flint Hills.

Around 4 a.m. yesterday, one of the storms moving through the area started to show low level rotation as it moved into southern Greenwood county and shortly after produced an EF-1 tornado southeast of Eureka.

A few hours later, a line storms along the cold front moved into the Flint Hills with a brief but strong tornado occurring south of Virgil. This tornado was rated an EF-2 with damage including steel purlins being bent along with a large outbuilding ripped from its foundation. No injuries or fatalities were reported.

Photo: Damage near Virgil, KS. Photo courtesy Wichita NWS

The Kansas Department of Transportation will start a project in southeast Kansas next week to help give drivers a smoother ride.

KDOT expects to start a mudjacking project that includes various locations in Allen, Bourbon, Coffey, Franklin, Greenwood, Labette, Miami, Neosho, Osage and Wilson counties. Mudjacking improves road-to-bridge transitions by using polyurethane foam to raise and level concrete bridge approach slabs and highway and shoulder panels. Traffic will be reduced to one lane through the work zones and drivers can expect brief delays. KDOT awarded the $135,000 construction contract to Nortex Concrete Lift & Stabilization Inc., Fort Worth, Texas. Weather permitting, the work should be completed by July.

Coffeyville Community College Honors Program announces a one-day leadership conference for high school students in southeast Kansas.

The conference aims to inspire and educate high school students on leadership opportunities in college, providing insights and experiences from current campus leaders. Campus faculty and area business and community leaders will hold student workshops focusing on particular leadership areas.

Additionally, CCC student leaders will hold a round-table session highlighting the benefits and opportunities for leadership on college campuses. The event is scheduled for Friday with the college student roundtable taking place after lunch. 

The Coffeyville Police Department is looking for a missing person.

50-year-old Katherine Alcox was reported missing by her family on February 14^th. The last contact with her was on December 31^st. Alcox could have been traveling to Cushing, Oklahoma.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts should contact the Coffeyville Police Department at (620)252-6160.  

The Coffeyville Friends of Animals receive a donation from a local organization.

Keystone Lodge #102 made a $1,000 donation to CFA. The donation was made possible by Keystone and the Kansas Masonic Foundation's matching funds program.

CFA Board President Becky Barnhart and Vice President Danny Thompson accepted the donation from the Keystone Lodge.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas expands its Addiction Treatment Services to its Columbus clinic.

CHC/SEK Licensed Addiction Counselor Holly Engelbrecht will provide care and support to patients with substance use disorder from 8:00am to 7:00pm on Tuesdays and 8:00am to 5:00pm on Thursdays and Fridays. Services Engelbrecht offers include substance abuse assessments, individual outpatient counseling and outpatient group counseling.  Engelbrecht, who in July celebrates 35 years of sobriety, says she can relate to her patients because she has an inside understanding of what it is like to be held hostage by a disease

Additionally, CHC/SEK Peer Support Specialist Melba Marsh offers recovery peer support services on the first and third Fridays of each month from 8:00am to 4:00pm.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bureau of Waste Management announces the recipients of waste tire product grants.

These annual grants are awarded to local towns and schools across the state. The grants totaled $529,600.88 and were awarded to 51 organizations to fund projects that use recycled tire products, including playground surfacing and picnic tables. The grants are funded by revenue collected through the tire excise tax, a $0.25/vehicle tire fee.

Locally, the City of Altamont received $4,222, the City of Caney $11,922.21 and the City of Chetopa $7,842.  

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration for its 2024 National Prescription Drug Take Back Campaign. National Take Back Day is a free event for communities nationwide to properly dispose of old and unneeded medications safely and anonymously.

On Saturday, April 27^th, from 10:00am to 2:00pm anyone can bring old and unneeded medications to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office's south parking lot at 300 East Main Street in Independence or one of the other DEA collection sites, which can be found at deatakeback.com. Other collection sites in the county include the Coffeyville and Cherryvale Police Departments.

 The City of Columbus is looking ahead to the future of the city.

 The city is putting together a comprehensive plan to set goals for the next twenty years and they want input from the public. Columbus residents are invited to a public workshop on Tuesday, April 30^th to provide feedback for the Columbus Comprehensive plan. Topics up for discussion include everything from housing and parks-and-recreation to infrastructure and economic development. The workshop will run from 6 to 7:30 at the Columbus Community Building at 320 East Maple Street. Food and drinks will be provided at the event.

 The theater department at Coffeyville Community College will be serving up the laughs next week with their production of the play Noises Off.

 The play portrays the chaotic world of theater where egos, forgetfulness and romance make every performance a risky endeavor. The play follows a touring company through dress rehearsal, opening night, and performances of “Nothing On,” offering a slapstick filled glimpse behind the scenes.

 Performances will be April 25^th at 7pm, the 26^th at 7pm and the 28^th at 2pm. All shows will be at the Spencer Rounds Theater on the CCC Campus. Admission is free.

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that the first performance would be April 24th at 4pm. The date and time were changed by the college.

 The City of Miami will break ground on their new airport terminal this Friday.

 The groundbreaking event will take place at 1pm Friday afternoon at the Miami Municipal Airport.

 The new terminal was made possible by a $1 million grant from the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics. The new terminal is should be completed sometime next year and is expected to help boost the region's economy and serve more customers in the area.

 In 2027 the airport will also undergo a $4.3 million taxiway relocation and rehabilitation project.

 With summer just around the corner, the courthouse air conditioning is top of mind for the Nowata County Commission.

 At this week's meeting, Washington and Nowata County District Attorney Will Drake announced the main way the county will deal with warmer weather. Drake says, when the temps get too high, it will be too hot for employees to be in the courthouse.

 In other business, Nowata County Sheriff Jason McClain asked commissioners for $16,000 to purchase two vehicles for the police squad.

 The Nowata County Commission meets Mondays at 9am in the Nowata County courthouse Annex.

 State Senator Virgil Peck continues his listening tour across Southeast Kansas today.

 Peck says the tour is a good way for him to learn what issues are important to voters across his district.

 Today, Peck will be at the Wall Event Center in Parsons at 3pm, followed by a visit to the Cherryvale City Council Room at 4:30, and then at Dickey's BBQ in Independence at 6pm

 Peck will visit locations in Chanute and Erie on Friday.

 An assistant principal from a Kansas high school takes part in the Boston Marathon.

 Laura Scaglione is an assisattn principal at Andover High School and ran in yesterday's race. Scaglione finished in the top half of runners, finishing in about 3 hours, 42 minutes, and 23 seconds. She finished 12,502 out of thirty thousand runners.

 Scaglione also plans to run in the Chicago Marathon in October.

 A 15-year-old Bartlesville boy drowns at Birch Lake in Osage County.

 According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol it happened at approximately 4:45pm Sunday near Twin Coves beach.

 OHP says the teenager was retrieving a football and went under the water. He did not resurface. The OHP Dive Team recovered his body in 10 feet of water just after 7pm Sunday.

 His name has not been released by officials. However, a GoFundMe account has been established to assist the family with expenses.

 Two Parsons USD 503’s schools are the recipients of the Kansas Challenge Awards for student performance on the 2023 Kansas State Assessments.

 Garfield and Gutheridge Elementary Schools in Parsons have been recognized for outstanding achievement on math and reading state tests.

 Garfield Principal Barney Pontious says the the school prides itself on hard work and its tradition of excellence. Garfield has been the recipient of several Challenge Awards throughout the past decade including winning back-to-back awards in 2017, 2018 as well as 2022 and 2023.

 The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is looking into the death of an inmate at the Lansing Correctional Facility.

 44 year old Robert Edwin Blanchette was found unresponsive in his cell yesterday. Staff and EMS attempted life-saving measures but were unable to revive him. The cause of death will be determined by an autopsy.

 Blanchette was serving a life sentence for 2003 convictions of first degree murder and kidnapping in the commission of a crime in Reno County.

 This is the second death of a Lansing inmate in less than a month.

 The fate of the Caney Grocery will be discussed in a special workshop Monday evening.

 During last night's regular session meeting, first quarter numbers were given concerning the store's revenue, showing the store made a profit in January, but lost money in February and March.

 With revenues of just over $260-thousand for the first quarter of 2024, but expenses of almost $352-thousand, even with sales tax help, the store is in the negative just over $53-thousand.

 Caney City Administrator Kelley Zellner says there is no more money left to help the store.

 Zellner says all options have been examined.

 The workshop will be held in council chambers at City Hall Monday evening at 6:30. The public is invited to attend.

 Montgomery County Commissioners agree to revisit the issue of a bridge closure on a county road in the northeastern part of the county.

 At last week's commission meeting, residents from County Road 6200 near the junction of US-400 and US-169 showed up in force to ask commissioners to reconsider the closure of a low-water bridge. Residents cited a lengthy detour for both themselves and emergency vehicles. At this week's meeting, the three commissioners agreed to take another look at the issue. Commissioner Robert Bever says the bridge will be removed to see what steps need to be taken.

For the time being, the road will remain closed.

In other business, the county will no longer be responsible for tornado sirens in Havana, Dearing, Liberty, and Sycamore. Due to the way the sirens are set up, they will be the responsibility of the cities instead.

There will be a benefit for Montgomery County Sheriff Deputy Justin Ward this Saturday in Independence.

Deputy Ward was seriously injured in the line of duty in a head-on car accident on April 7^th. The benefit will feature several activities, including a cornhole tournament that begins at 1pm. The Independence Cornhole Club Flying Dirty Baggers is hosting the tournament. Club Organizer Michael Wrinkles says the group is happy to be able to help the injured deputy.

For those who want to take part in the tournament, there are two divisions: a social division and a competitive division. Entry fees for each are $30 and $60. Set up begins at noon and the tourney starts at 1pm. Registration can be done online in advance or in-person on Saturday. Wrinkles says beginners who don't have their own equipment will still be able to play.

In addition to the cornhole tournament, there will also be a bake sale, a strong man competition, and a silent auction, all starting at 5pm, plus live music from Brian Leedy and Tracy & The Time Travelers. All proceeds go to help pay for the medical and financial needs of Deputy Ward. Donations can also be made to the Justin Ward Medical & Financial Fund at Community National Bank in Independence.

 Bartlesville Police are investigating the death of a 9 month old baby girl that occurred last week at a Bartlesville Day Care Center.

 Bartlesville Police Captain Daniel Elkins says the incident occurred early last week.

Elkins says the investigation is still in the very early stages, though there does not appear to be any indication of negligence of malicious intent.

BPD is encouraging people to be respectful of the family's privacy and not to speculate or spread rumors on social media. Authorities are waiting on the Medical Examiner's report to determine the cause and manner of death.

 A Bartlesville man is arrested on charges of burglary in the 1^st degree, act of violence, and public intoxication.

 Paul Campos was taken into custody around 1am on Friday morning after allegedly trying to break into a woman's apartment. According to an affidavit, Campos is accused of breaking a window in an attempt to gain entry after finding the door to the residence locked. When the victim told Campos the police had been called, he fled the scene.

Police found Campos, along with a 1 liter bottle of alcohol, hiding under a vehicle in the parking lot of the apartment complex.

Campos has been given a $50,000 bond. His next court date is set for April 19^th.

 A Florida man is seriously injured in a weekend accident near Independence.

 The accident occurred around 10pm last night on Table Mound Road near Elk City Reservoir. 49 year old William Dodson of Key Largo, Florida, was riding a motorcycle southbound on Table Mound road when he went left of center and lost control of the bike. Dodson was not wearing a helmet or other protective gear. He was taken to Labette Health in Parsons with serious injuries.

 The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation announces major break over the weekend in the case of two missing Kansas women.

 On Saturday, O-S-B-I announced the arrest of 42 year old Tad Cullum, 54 year old Tifany Adams, 50 year old Cole Twombly, and 44 year old Cora Twombly in Texas and Cimarron counties. All four have booked into the Texas County, Oklahoma, Jail on counts of First Degree Murder, Kidnapping, and Conspiracy to commit Murder in the First Degree.

Yesterday, the O-S-B-I, FBI, and the Texas County Sheriff's Department recovered the remains of two deceased person in rural Texas County. The two individuals have been transported to the Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner's Office for identification and to determine the cause and manner of death.

27 year old Veronica Butler and 39 year old Jilian Kelley, both of Hugoton, KS, disappeared while on their way to Oklahoma on March 30^th. Their car was found abandoned in the Oklahoma panhandle, just south of Elkhart, Kansas.

Anyone with information on the case should contact the OSBI at 1-800-522-8017

 The Altamont City Council continues its discussion on the recent increase in the cost for season passes to the city pool.

 At the Council's March 14^th meeting, prices for season passes to the Altamont City Pool were increased by $5 the single passes and by $15 for the grandparents passes. Council Member Kyle Wiford says he's heard some chatter in the community regarding the issue. Wiford says the reason for the increase is to make the pool better for the community.

Wiford says the city is looking into the purchase of new, better pool-side furniture. He adds that the increase isn't something the Council takes lightly.

The daily cost for individuals to enter the pool has not increased. It remains at $2 per person for those ages 7 and up.

 State Senator Virgil Peck begins his spring listening tour this week.

 Tomorrow, Peck will be at the Wall Event Center in Parsons at 3pm, then the Cherryvale City Council Room at 4:30, followed by Dickey's BBQ in Independence at 6pm. Peck says the listening tour helps him know what his constituents want.

Peck says he places a strong emphasis on the “listening” part of a listening tour.

Here is Senator Peck's schedule for the rest of this week:

Tuesday, April 16^th

Parsons – Wall Event Center, 2605 Main, 3:00–4:00

Cherryvale – City Council Room, 123 W. Main, 4:30–5:30

Independence – Dickey’s Barbeque, 204 N. Pennsylvania Ave., 6:00–7:00

Friday, April 19^th

Chanute – Cardinal Drug, 103 E. Main, 4:00–5:00

Erie – Brickhaus, 202 N. Main, 5:30–6:30

Peck has also added stops in Oswego, Cehtopa, and Altamont on April 22nd.

 The Independence Historical Museum and Art Center announces the 2024 winners in the Young Artists Exhibit.

 This year's exhibit featured 260 entries from students from public schools in Independence, Neodesha, Sedan, and Tyro. There were also entries from students from St. Andrews of Independence, Tyro Community Christian School, and Zion Lutheran of Independence as well as from several home schooled students.

The Best of Show for High School grade level is Jane Gilger’s acrylic painting titled “Waiting upon the Love.”

Students from 3^rd through 12^th grades were awarded ribbons for their work and top exhibitors in high school and middle school received cash awards.

All exhibits can be viewed in the museum's online gallery.

Coffeyville Regional Medical Center is offering free health and cancer sreenings in Independence this weekend.

The screenings are from 9:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday at Fortitude Lodge No. 107 located at 2000 West Laurel. The event is hosted by CRMC, the Kansas Masons, the Masonic Cancer Alliance and The University of Kansas Cancer Center.

This community outreach event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome and no appointments are necessary.

***** Update 6 a.m. 4-15 *****

Timing continues to be refinded for severe weather on the way.  The timeline is being pushed back a bit, with storms most likely around 5 a.m. Tuesday for the Coffeyville area.  Severe weather in southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma will be most likely between 5 and 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

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

Scattered strong to severe storms could impact Kansas and Oklahoma late Monday night into early Tuesday morning.

Large hail up  to 2 inches, damaging winds up to 70 mph and tornadoes are all possible.   Timing is expected after 11 p.m. for most of the listening area.  For southeast Kansas, storms are most likely between 3 and 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning. 

More updates will be provided as confidence develops on the timing and magnitude of potential storms.

 Does Independence need its own flag?

 That was the question put to the Independence City Commission at this week's meeting. Independence residents Anthony Paolini and Mason Metcalf presented the commission with a flag designed by Metcalf. Paolini says it would be a symbol to rally the community.

Commissioners seemed agreeable to the suggestion. Dean Hayse says other Kansas communities have adopted their own flags.

The commission accepted the flag from the two men but tabled any action on the proposal in order to give it more consideration.

 The Community Elementary Twister Boosters are sponsoring a school carnival tomorrow.

 There will be lots of family friendly activities and games, plus free popcorn and a chance to win prizes. Students from Field Kindley High School will also be there selling Sizemore BBQ for $10 per plate from noon to 2. All proceeds will go to benefit an F-K-H-S teacher who is battling cancer.

It all happens at Community elementary at 102 north Cline Road in Coffeyville. The Carnival runs from 1 to 5pm tomorrow.

 State Senator Virgil Peck announces the stops on his spring listening tour.

 The Havana Republican will visit seven cities in southeast Kansas next week. On Monday, Peck will visit Caney from 4 to 5pm in the city council chambers. From 5:30 to 6:30, Peck will be at the Yoke Restaurant in Coffeyville.

On Tuesday, Peck will visit locations in Parsons, Cherryvale and Independence. He will make stops in Chanute and Erie next Friday.

Peck says hearing from constituents helps him know what is on the minds of voters. He says there are many important issues up for consideration in this legislative session.

State House members Doug Blex, Ron Bryce, Dan Goddard, Ken Collins and Mike Houser will join Peck as he stops in their legislative districts.

April 15^th

Caney – City Council Chambers, 100 W. 4^th, 4:00–5:00

Coffeyville – The Yoke Restaurant, 128 W. 9th, 5:30–6:30

April 16^th

Parsons – Wall Event Center, 2605 Main, 3:00–4:00

Cherryvale – City Council Room, 123 W. Main, 4:30–5:30

Independence – Dickey’s Barbeque, 204 N. Pennsylvania Ave., 6:00–7:00

April 19^th

Chanute – Cardinal Drug, 103 E. Main, 4:00–5:00

Erie – Brickhaus, 202 N. Main, 5:30–6:30

 Senate Republicans are calling on Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer to hold an impeachment trial for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

 Forty-three Republican Senators have signed a letter sent to Schumer, demanding that a trial be held. Kansas Senator Jerry Moran is one of the signers of that letter. The Kansas Republican spoke on the floor of the Senate this week. Moran says the Biden administration has an obligation to enforce the law.

Moran says lax enforcement of the law has led to the current situation.

Moran was joined by Kansas Senator Roger Marshall in signing the letter.

 Riverside Park in Independence is set for its spring opening tomorrow.

 Independence Chamber President Lisa Wilson says there will be lots of fun activities on tap for tomorrow.

Park festivities begin at 11 am tomorrow and run through 3pm.

 Pittsburg police arrest two people in connection to the 2023 fentanyl overdose death of a Frontenac teen.

 40 year old Tabitha Renee Wilson, of Frontenac, and 49 year old William Allen Davis, of Arma, were arrested Wednesday on multiple charges including Felony Distribution of a Controlled Substance Causing Death. The pair are accused of providing the fentanyl that led to the overdose death of 18 year old Kooper Campiti in April of 2023.

Both Wilson and Davis are being held without bond in the Crawford County Jail.

The investigation into this incident remains ongoing. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Pittsburg Police Department.

 A former South Coffeyville middle school teacher is sentenced to a term in federal prison.

 41-year-old Harold Steven Moore, now of Kansas City was sentenced yesterday on two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country and Coercion and Enticement of a Minor in Indian Country.

Moore was sentenced in Tulsa federal court to 15 years imprisonment, followed by 12 years of supervised release. Upon his release, Moore will also be required to register as a sex offender.

According to court documents, Moore was a teacher and coach at a South Coffeyville middle school. He had sexual relationships with two separate minor children in 2006. Both minor children were under the age of 16 years old and students at the middle school. Moore is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and he will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

The FBI, Cherokee Nation Marshal Service and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office in Kansas investigated the case.

 A school board position left vacant by a resignation two months ago in the USD-436 is still available.

 Caney Superintendent Blake Vargas gives the details.

 Vargas says an application was received before the April meeting, but the board wanted to give more people an opportunity to apply before making a selection.

 Those who qualify have until May 10^th to apply. The online application can be found here.

A warm and windy weekend will set the stage for some severe weather chances on Monday.

Strong to severe storms could impact southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma Monday evening into the night. There's a lot of uncertainty regarding timing, magnitude and location of the highest threat. In the meantime, stay tuned for updates and consider making sure your shelter is cleaned and your emergency supplies are ready, including a battery-operated radio.

 Area community members are organizing fundraisers to benefit Deputy Justin Ward of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

 Deputy Ward was seriously injured in a head-on collision near Independence. The accident required Ward to be transported to a Tulsa hospital's trauma center. Ward continues to fight to recover from his injuries with his wife Danielle by his side. The couple has three young children.

A local cornhole club is sponsoring a fundraising cornhole tournament at Indy Fitness on April 20^th. There will be a social division and a competitive division. The tournament begins at 1pm. There will also be a Strongman Competition, a bake sale, and Silent Auction at 5pm with live music by Brian Leedy and Tracy & The Time Travelers. For more information or to register to play, go here.

A GoFundMe has also been established for Deputy Ward.

 Donations can also be made to the Justin Ward Medical & Financial Fund at Community National Bank.

There is something new in Coffeyville's downtown pocket park.

Public Service crews installed musical instruments provided by Coffeyville's Reawakening in the Union Pacific Pocket Park at 8th and Elm Streets. The instruments are setup right next to the Coffeyville mural.

Coffeyville FFA students find success as they compete in the Mound City Regional Envirothon Contest for the first time.

14 FFA members traveled to the Linn County Fairgrounds to compete in the contest. The team of Tucker Vesey, Andrew Raper, Anna Merka, Emma Thompson, and Bennett Thompson placed first overall and are headed to state. They placed first in Current Issues and Rangeland and then in the Soils and Land Use Section they finished first with a near perfect score of 96 out of 100.

The team of Halle Hayes, Aubrey Battaglear, Alek Plute, and Sam Stukesbary finished third overall and the team of Dakota Davis, Wyatt Ditmore, Ethan Stotts, Evan Westervelt, and Graham Leeds placed first in the Wildlife Section. 

 The City of Independence will begin installing new water meters next week.

 The existing manually read water meters will be replaced by new, electronic smart meters. Crews from Goins Enterprises will be working in all neighborhoods and will notify residents when work is about to begin by placing door hangers at homes. City Engineer John Garris says the new meters will benefit water customers in two ways.

Garris says there should be little inconvenience to customers. The only disruption customers may experience is a temporary outage. After installation, residents should let their water run continuously for a few minutes to let the lines clear before consumption.

 Parsons teacher receive ten mini-grants from the Parsons Education Foundation totaling $3,938.46.

 Each year, teachers are invited to submit grant applications requesting funding for meaningful activities and items that enhance academics and all other aspects of learning in Parsons schools, that fall outside the normal school budget. The applications are reviewed and judged by a three-member board.

Among grants given include $560 to Lincoln Preschool to purchase three heavy-duty tricycles, $200 for Parsons Middle School for barista aprons for students working at the student-run business, the Magic Bean, and $300 to Parsons High School to cover costs of taking an Literature class to participate in the Sedgwick Co. Zoo Educational Program “Is there a Doctor in the Zoo.”

The Parsons Education Foundation also provides scholarships to graduating seniors.

The Allen County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a text scam circulating in the area.

 The scam texts tells the recipient that they have a product that has arrived at a U.S. Postal Service location and that the address is not detailed and cannot be delivered door-to-door. The text then includes a link.

One of the main indicators that the text is a scam is that the phone number it comes from is located in the Philippines.

The Sheriff's Office reminds residents to never click on a link in a text or email you didn't ask for.

 The City of Independence has hired a new Building Inspector.

 Assistant City Manager David Cowan has announced the appointment of Maurice Garlet as the new Building Inspector for the City of Independence.

Garlet brings experience in contracting, drafting, and construction design to his new position. He has owned his own construction company in the past and has been a licensed real estate professional in Texas for the past 14 years. He is also bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish. Garlet and his wife and son recently relocated to Independence from San Antonio.

As part of his new position, Garlet will serve in the capacity of Building Inspector Trainee for a period of time while completing the necessary requirements to obtain International Code Council Building Inspector Certification, which he anticipates achieving within a year.

 A contentious meeting of the Neodesha City Commission ends with a satisfactory compromise.

 Like many area municipalities the City of Neodesha has been pursuing abatement for unsafe structures around the city. At yesterday's meeting one resident with property on the list of structures to be demolished told commissioners that they had fixed all of the things the city asked them to repair. The man asks the commission why his house is still scheduled to be demolished.

The man continued, stating that six months ago, he was promised that the house would not be demolished if improvement was shown. City Manager Brogan Jones says that improvement means the structure must be up to code.

After nearly ten minutes of back and forth, the commission agreed to give the property owner until June 12^th to bring the building up to code.

In other business, Mayor Devin Johnson proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and also Fair Housing Month.

 A pair of brothers from Cass County Missouri plead guilty in federal court to charges of drug trafficking, conspiracy, and illegal possession of firearms.

 39 year old Serjio Diaz and 41 year old Tony Diaz entered their pleas in U.S. District Court. Each faces a possible sentence of 15 years to life in federal prison without parole. Both men admitted to participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy from January 2019 to June 2021 involving heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The brothers also sold large quantities of drugs to undercover law enforcement

Another co-defendant has already been sentenced to 11 years while a fourth currently awaits sentencing.

  The Independence High School FFA Chapter is holding their first of two spring sales this weekend.

 Agriculture students have been busy over the past few months caring and tending for their plants and now those plants are ready for new homes. Independence Chamber President Lisa Wilson says it's a great way for local gardeners to support local students.

In addition to hanging baskets and potted flowers, the club will also have vegetables for sale. Prices range from two to twenty-two dollars. The sale runs from 8am to 5pm this Saturday and Sunday.

 Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr is honored for his work in autism.

 Hoskin has been awarded the 2024 Visionary Award by the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma. He accepted this award on Friday in Oklahoma City with several members of the Cherokee Nation Autism Task Force present. 

A year ago, Hoskin created the task force, as an executive order was signed in an effort to continually review services and resources for those who have autism within the Cherokee Nation.

The Wilson County Sheriff's Department is requesting new road signs for accidents.

The signs would help county law enforcement secure the area following an accident. Sheriff Jack Lucke says the signs can attach to the car.

Commissioners agreed to discuss the request further at next week's meeting.

Additional items of business at this week's Wilson County Commission meeting was road work being needed on Bethel Road, with multiple pot holes by the bridges. Also, Commissioner Jerry Scott made a request to add a Children Playing sign at Jackson Street and Howell Street in Fredonia, with drivers neglecting the 30 mph speed limit sign.

The commission will meet next on April 17th at 9 a.m. in Room 101 of the Wilson County Courthouse in Fredonia.

A training opportunity is coming up for anyone who prepares food.

The Kansas State Research and Extension Wildcat District is conducting a ServSafe Food Handler education program on Friday, April 19th in Columbus, KS. Health, Food Safety and Nutrition Agent Holly Miner will be teaching the class, and she says this program is useful even if you don't work in the food-service industry.

The ServSafe Food Handler program provides education to help keep food safe. Preregistration is required by April 17^th. Participants will receive a book in class and be evaluated at the end of class to receive a Food Handler’s Certificate, which is good for three years. The cost is $15 and Miner says if you want to save some money, it's best to take the class now.

The class will take place next Friday at 8 a.m at Medicalodges at 101 North Lee in Columbus, KS. A link to register is available here.

Local firefighters return after assisting in the wildfires in Northeastern Kansas.

On Sunday, 12 members from local fire departments, including members from the Coffeyville Fire Department responded to a large grass fire in Riley and Pottawatomie County. The Burkland and Axtell Fire started on Saturday. High winds and dry conditions quickly caused the fire to burn out of control. Over three days over 20,000 acres burned and two houses were destroyed.

Fire crews from all over the State of Kansas responded to assist. Crews from Montgomery County arrived on Sunday afternoon and returned home yesterday. Fire crews from Coffeyville, Independence Rural, Liberty, Cherryvale Rural, Havana and Neodesha responded as part of the local Task Force.

The Parsons Police Department is looking for leads in a robbery case.

On Friday at around 4:45am, Parsons Police officers responded to a report of an aggravated robbery at the Pete's located at 1430 Main Street. Upon arrival, officers were told a man, wearing a face mask, entered the store with a semi-automatic pistol. The clerk was unable to open the cash register so the suspect fired one shot into it.

The suspect stole the clerk's purse, lottery tickets and Marlboro Red and Newport cigarettes. These items were put into a white 13-gallon trash can carried by the suspect. The suspect fled the scene, with the trash can, heading south on South 15^th Street. The suspect is described as a white man, around 5'7'' to 5'9'', with dark hair.

A Montgomery County Sheriff's deputy recovers a stolen motorcycle.

At around 11:00pm Monday, a deputy located a 2011 Harley Davidson Motorcycle near the intersection of Highway 160 and County Road 4410, east of Independence. The deputy discovered the motorcycle was reported stolen from Osage County, Oklahoma.

The deputy placed the driver, Eugene Laurens, of Independence, under arrest for possession of stolen property and transported him to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections. The stolen motorcycle will be returned to the owner.

 Students at Independence High School will be honored tonight for their academic excellence.

 Tonight is USD 446's Academic Awards night. Independence Chamber President Lisa Wilson says IHS has quite a few students to be proud of.

In addition to academic awards, tonight's banquet will honor present senior scholarship awards. Wilson says it's a great way to recognize the accomplishments of students as they look toward continuing their education.

Tonight's banquet begins at 6:30pm.

 Police in Tulsa arrest two women in connection to a 2015 stabbing death. 

 Tulsa detective exhausted every lead in the 2015stabbing death of 52 year old Rodney Dorsey and it appeared the case was about to go cold. Last week, DNA evidence linked 50 year old Tanikka West to the homicide. West has now been charged with 1^st degree murder in the case. Police have also arrested a second suspect, 46 year old Angela Friday, who has also been charged with 1^st degree murder in the case.

 The State of Missouri has carried out the execution of 52 year old Brian Dorsey for two 2006 murders.

 Dorsey's sentence was implemented yesterday by the Missouri Department of Corrections via lethal injection. Dorsey was pronounced dead at 6:11pm.

Dorsey was convicted of killing his cousin Sarah Bonnie and her husband Ben on December 23, 2006, while they slept and then leaving their 4 year old daughter alone in the house. Dorsey also stole several items from the couple's home in order to pay off a drug debt.

Dorsey was denied clemency on Monday from Missouri Governor Mike Parson. His case was also turned down by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Missouri has scheduled its next execution June 11 for inmate David Hosier for his conviction in the 2009 killing of a Jefferson City woman.

 Governor Laura Kelly announces more than $8 million to begin implementing the Kansas Digital Equity Plan.

 A major part of the plan is improve the availability of broadband access in rural areas of the state. The Kansas Office of Broadband Development says in order to improve the economy in the state, it is critical to meet the digital needs of farmers and ranchers.

Improved broadband access is also expected to improve health care access and quality of care in rural areas.

Governor Kelly called the Digital plan a significant milestone in knocking down barriers to affordable, high-speed internet in every corner of the state.

A special candlelight vigil will be held for Kasenn Dollar tonight.

The event begins at the Field Kindley High School gym tonight at 7:45 p.m., and will continue until 8:30.

Dollar was a senior at Field Kindley, and was a member of both the basketball and track and field teams.

He passed away in an automobile accident on Sunday morning.

A GoFundMe has been set up for Kasenn to help with funeral expenses. The link to donate can be found HERE.

Progress is being made on the U.S. 59 bridge over the Neosho River Bridge two miles south of Erie.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, the old bridge is gone as work continues on the bridge replacement. The project started in late January. Weather permitting, the new bridge should be open to traffic in January 2025. Traffic is detouring on K-39, U.S. 169 and K-47.

Photo by Warren Ebberts and Rowden Glaser, KDOT Southeast Kansas

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting on Highway 160 in Harper County.

A Harper County Sheriff's deputy responded to the area after a 911 caller reported a vehicle was stopped in the roadway on HWY 160. The deputy found a tan 2006 Toyota Prius in the middle of the highway. As the deputy approached the car he saw a woman holding a knife in one hand and scissors in the other. An officer from the Attica Police Department arrived on scene. The deputy and the officer backed away from the vehicle and called for backup.

They gave several commands for the woman, later identified as 54-year-old Cheryl Gaines, of Oklahoma City, to drop her weapons and exit the vehicle. She exited the vehicle but did not drop the weapons and then charged and lunged toward the deputy and officer. The officer tripped and fell and Gaines caught up to him still armed. The Harper County sheriff’s deputy fired three shots toward Gaines. EMS pronounced Gaines dead at the scene at around 7:15am. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident. The KBI will conduct an independent investigation into this shooting.

The Coffeyville City Commission hears a report on over $4.1 million in street reconstruction projects. Commissioner Don Edwards says there should be a sense of urgency in starting these projects.

Interim City Manager Tim Wilson says the City is paying for legacy debt when it comes to the condition of these streets.  Those street projects include Buckeye from 1^st to 11^th, 1^st from Buckeye to Grant, Overlook from North Terminus to 1^st, 8^th from 11^th to Elm and Overlook from 1^st to 11^th.

Even though the next eclipse isn't until 2045 don't throw those eclipse glasses away.

Eclipse glasses can be sent to Latin America for children to enjoy the annular eclipse. Glasses can be mailed to Eclipse Glasses USA at PO Box 50571, Provo, Utah, 84605. They will need to be sent by August 1^st so they can be mailed out to the Latin American kids in time for the annular eclipse.

Locally, glasses can be dropped off in a bucket on the porch of the old Gardencenter House at 4610 County Road 3700 in Independence.

South Coffeyville Public School is not giving up hope for a new gym despite failing to pass a bond twice. 900 registered voters in the school district but only 300 voted in the bond election. Superintendent Daryl Pruter says they are putting a committee together to get more out to vote.

Pruter says they are looking at two dates to run the bond election for the third time.  No official decision was made about when to put the bond up for election again. In other business, the board re-elected Wade Lamb as president and Kyle Mansfield as vice president of the board and elected Mike Finney as board clerk.

 A Jasper, MO, man convicted of a 2021 rape of a 13 year old girl is sentenced to 40 years in prison.

 30 year old John V. Estes was convicted in February of 1^st degree statutory rape. Earlier today, Jasper County Circuit Judge Dean Dankelson sentenced Estes to 40 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The families of the victim were in court for the hearing.

Representatives of the Jasper Police Department praised the courage and strength of the young victim during the judicial process.

 The storms of April 1^st took their toll on the city of Caney as a whole, especially the buildings of USD 436.

 Superintendent Blake Vargas says the repairs will take some time.

 Vargas says damage was done to all aspects of the district.

 With insurance adjusters looking at the properties over the course of a few days, Vargas says the numbers should start coming into his office in the next few weeks, with discussions about repairs and replacements beginning then.

 Other business during last night's meeting included a discussion of the location of several departments when the new CV West renovation is complete, and a discussion about the future of the district as a whole for future generations of Caney students.

 About 20 Montgomery County citizens were present at yesterday' Montgomery County Commission meeting to air their concerns about the recent road closure of County Road 6200 near the junction of US-400 and US-169 just north of Cherryvale.

 Commissioners voted to close the road at their April 1^st meeting due to an engineer's report. The report stated that a low water bridge on the road was unsafe and needed to be closed immediately. Commissioner Robert Bever explained last week that the county did not really have much of a choice when it came to closing the bridge.

The report from the engineer said the county has two options: to remove and replace the bridge or to close it. The County Commission decided it would be too expensive to replace the bridge. But, area resident Ruth Ellsworth tells the commission that this is the reason people pay taxes.

Another area resident Rachel Henry spoke at length and provided commissioners with photos and diagrams of the area. Henry says another concern is response time for emergency vehicles.

Commissioners acknowledged resident concerns. Bever says the cost to replace the bridge would be very high.

Commissioners agreed to revisit the issue to see if some compromise or accommodation could be made.

 The Zion Lutheran School is holding an open house event on Thursday evening.

 From 5:30 until 7pm on Thursday evening, the public is invited to stop by and tour the classroom and meet the teachers. Enrollment for the new school year is now open. Zion Lutheran School is located at the corner of 11^th and Magnolia Street in Independence.

 Cherokee Nation Marshals recover a body from a well in Kansas, OK.

 Acting on a tip from a farmer on Friday evening, the marshal service began searching the reported area in Delaware County. Members of the Cherokee Marshals dive team eventually found a deceased person at the bottom of a 20 foot deep well on a farm located just north of US-412 near Highway 10.

The victim has not yet been indentified and the investigation remains ongoing.

 A Washington County man is arrested on three charges of second-degree burglary.

 19 year old Justice Allen Rogers of Wann was taken into custody on Friday after allegedly breaking into locked storage units.

According to an affidavit, Rogers knowingly and willingly broke into four storage units in total. He is alleged to have taken items from the units and tearing apart the walls to the units next to his. There were also two glass cylinder shaped pipes located in his unit that were allegedly used for smoking methamphetamine.

Rogers bond was set at $7,500 and his next court date is set for April 19th.

 A two-vehicle accident near Hominy, OK, leaves one man dead.

 79 year old Wayne Brown of Hominy, died in a crash at around 11:30am yesterday morning on OK-99, about 2.5 miles south of  Hominy.

 Brown was traveling southbound on OK-99 and the second vehicle was traveling northbound on OK-99. the second vehicle vehicle crossed into the southbound lane and struck Brown's vehicle.

Brown was transported by  Mercy Regional EMS to St. Johns Hospital in Tulsa and was pronounced at on arrival.

From the second vehicle, 86 year old Lloyd Meyer, of Osage, was also taken to St. Johns Hospital in Tulsa where he was admitted in good condition.

Correction: The original version of this story stated that Brown was northbound and Meyer was southbound. It also stated that Brown was the driver who crossed the center line.

A road closure will happen tomorrow in Altamont.

Huston Avenue will be closed tomorrow between 5th & 6th street from 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the LCHS FFA Safety Day. 

LCHS FFA members Riley Bebb and Peyton Merrick appeared before the Altamont City Commission in February to ask for the closure. Merrick explains the purpose of Safety Day.

If you typically park in that block, the City of Altamont is reminding all to park elsewher, and make other arrangements for travel around this vacinity.

USD 446 is approaching the date to open the new Early Learning Center.

District Superintendent Jason McAfee provided an update on the building at this month's board meeting. He ensures that recent severe weather in the area has not impacted the exterior of the building, and that building tours should be available soon.

The district is still on schedule to open the ELC building in August.

Additional items of discussion at the April board meeting was the hiring of nearly 30 staff members, ranging from kindergarten to high school instructors, for the Summer School program.

The district also recognized extracurricular accomplishments, with Addison Lanning a powerlifting state champion, Kohen Wright and Mason Gibbons placing second and third place in state wrestling, respectively, and Adriel De La Cruz being named All State First Chair Trumpet.

After years of little change, enrollment is trending up at Coffeyville Public Schools.

Deputy Superintendent of Business Michael Speer shared enrollment data at last night's USD 445 School Board Meeting and says he's excited about the numbers.

Applications for free lunch have also decreased while those paying the full price for lunch are on the rise.

Board members also heard an update from Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, which reported more than 20,000 total visits with school-based nursing over the past year. Staff also noted how telehealth has reduced the time students spend missing class because of a doctor's visit. The board also approved the purchase of new sand filters to repair the pool at Field Kindley for just over $59,000. Much of the funding will come from an existing pool fund. The pool is expected to be usable in about 14 weeks.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office warns of a potential scam of someone impersonating an FBI agent.

Last week a Cherokee Count resident received a call from a thief posing as an FBI agent. The scammer told the resident that because he had missed a court hearing, a federal arrest warrant had been issued for him. The man receiving the call could avoid being arrested by paying a fine over the phone. The scammer sent a photo of the warrant by text.

The man recognized this as a scam and didn’t become a victim. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Department reminds citizens that law enforcement doesn’t call suspects on the phone to let them know they have a warrant and law enforcement won’t ever call and ask for payment for something over the phone.

Multiple fire departments and firefighters assist Northeastern Kansas with their wildfires.

Yesterday at around 1:00pm, Montgomery County formed a wildland task force and headed to Pottawatomie County. Units from Coffeyville, Cherryvale, Havana, Independence, and Liberty as well as the Neodesha Fire Department responded to a call for assistance in the Pottawatomie and Riley County fires. A total of six trucks and 12 firefighters responded.

The group has been deployed to Riley County for assignment and is expected to return late tomorrow evening.

 Kansans are familiar with high winds in the state, but one family got a little more than expected over the weekend.

 An El Dorado family was going about their business on Saturday when they heard what they thought was a limb falling from a tree. When they checked to see what happened, they found that an old tree had fallen on one of their vehicles parked in the driveway.

Their insurance company says the car was totaled. Several of the family's neighbors stopped by to help them remove the tree from the car.

 Police in McPherson nab a suspected car thief after chasing him through Walmart.

 Around 8am yesterday morning, McPherson police responded to reports of a man walking away from a vehicle in a ditch just north of Wichita. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the car had been stolen, but there was no suspect nearby.

Several hours later, officers were called to the same area about reports of a suspicious man going in and out of stores. The man matched the description of the earlier report. Officers located the suspect inside a Walmart and, when they confronted him, he fled through the store and out an emergency exit. Officers chased and eventually apprehended the suspect.

Police say the man was arrested on outstanding warrants and will face additional charges in McPherson County.

 The City of Neodesha is starting their spring clean-up today.

 In Neodesha, building materials, metal, wood, household trash, paint, electronics and appliances will be accepted at 1200 West Granby from 8 to 6, Monday through Friday and 8 to noon on Saturday. Tires will be accepted in Saturday for a fee.

 A Wichita woman is injured in a single vehicle crash just south of Weir.

 At around 9:45 on Saturday night, 23 year old Elissa Sturgell was traveling northbound on Southeast 30^th Road just south of Weir, KS. Her car left the roadway for an unknown reason where it struck a log and rolled before coming to rest in the west ditch.

Sturgell was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.

 **UPDATE**

 An escaped inmate is back in custody.

Lansing Correctional Facility Minimum-custody resident Bradley G. Verstraete has been apprehended.

Verstraete was taken into custody this morning by officials from the Lansing Police Department. He was arrested on the Kansas Department of Corrections escape warrant without incident.

Verstraete had been placed on escape status after he walked away from the minimum-security unit yesterday.

No other details are being released as the investigation is ongoing.

*********

An inmate escapes from the Lansing Correctional Facility.

Authorities placed 54 year old Bradley Verstraete on escape status around 9pm last night after it was reported that he walked away from the prison facility.

Verstraete is a minimum-custody resident who was serving an 8 ½ year sentence for attempted 2^nd degree murder and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer that occurred in 2017 in Pratt County.

Verstraete is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 130 pounds. He has Hazel eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing blue jean jacket, blue jeans, and red hat. His hair was in a ponytail, and he had a goatee-style beard.

Anyone with information on Verstraete can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 913-727-3235 ext. 58224, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463, or local law enforcement at 911.

 Riverside Park in Independence will officially open for the season this Saturday.

 Festivities begin at 11am on Saturday. This year's theme is “Go Bananas” to commemorate the 65^th anniversary of Miss Able's successful flight into space. Independence Chamber President Lisa Wilson says there will be lots of fun things to do.

Wilson says there will also be a new event this year, sponsored by the First Leadership Youth. They will hold a Putt-Putt Tournament starting at 8am on Saturday. Teams of 4 players can sign up to compete and the entry fee is just $10. The park festivities run through 3pm.

 Residents from northeastern Montgomery County ask commissioners to reopen a county road.

 A large number of residents from County Road 6200 near the junction of US-400 and US-169 attended today's Montgomery County commission meeting to protest the recent closure of part of that road due to safety concerns about a low water bridge. The bridge and the road were closed last week after Public works Director Jim Wright reported to the commission that an engineering report of the bridge found it structurally unsafe. At last week's meeting Commissioner Robert Bever said he thought a traffic study was in order to determine the amount of traffic that would be affected. However, due to the engineer's report and the liability face by the county, the decision was made to close the bridge indefinitely.

Many area residents spoke at today's meeting. Many of them voiced concerns that the detour would cause added to time for emergency vehicles in addition to the increased driving time for residents. Most want the bridge repaired bu the county thinks those repairs would be too expensive. One resident said that the cost may be high, but as taxpayers, they wanted the bridge repaired.

Commissioner said they would revisit the issue and see if some accommodation could be made.

 The solar eclipse will take place today and for most of the listening area, that means it will begin around 12:30pm.

For those planning to view the eclipse today, it's important to do so safely. Dr. Shravan Gangula, a primary care physician at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, says you should always you proper eye wear when viewing a solar eclipse.

Ron Mallory of Kansas Astronomical Observers says, if you don't have eclipse glasses, there are other ways to view the eclipse safely.

For more safety tips for the eclipse, visit the NASA website. To learn how to make a pinhole viewer, go here.

Coffeyville's Salvation Army's Festival of Salads is tomorrow. Organizer Jo Faulkner says there is more than just the wide variety of salads available.

There is also a chance to win a quilt donated by Sonya Cantrell. Those tickets can be purchased at the door for $1 each or five for $6. Faulkner says all the money raised stays right here for the Coffeyville community.

Festival of Salad tickets are $7 each and can be bought at the door. The event is from 11:00am to 1:00pm tomorrow at the First Baptist Church at 9^th and Elm.

A Field Kindley senior is killed and a sheriff’s deputy is seriously injured in a crash west of Independence.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, 18-year-old Kasenn Dollar of Liberty was driving a 2010 Chevy Silverado eastbound on US 160 about 3.5 miles west of Independance around 1:30 this morning.  The truck went left of center and struck a Dodge Charger driven by 26-year-old Justin Dean Ward of Independence.  The Silverado also struck a 2022 Dodge Durango driven by 28-year-old Zachary Farmer of Independence. Both Ward and Farmer are Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputies. They were en route to a non-emergency call in Elk City when the accident happened.

Dollar suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.  Next of kin has been notified.  Eighteen-year-old Amir Luten, who was riding with Dollar was taken to Coffeyville Regional Medical Center with a suspected minor injury.  Two juveniles were present in the vehicle as well, their names and condition are not being released.  Dollar and Luten were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Ward was taken to Ascension St. Johns in Tulsa with serious injuries to both legs.  Updates this afternoon indicate Ward is in surgery.  Farmer was taken to CRMC with no apparent injury.

A GoFundMe has been setup for funeral expenses has been setup and is available here.
 

There's a chance of some strong to severe storms Saturday evening for the four states.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Chautauqua and Elk Counties and areas to the north and west until 9 tonight.

Windy conditions are expected to prevail through the evening hours, with gusts up to 65 mph possible associated with a potential line of strong to severe storms expected to move through tonight.  Timing for the Coffeyville area is expected between 6 and 9 p.m. if storms develop.  Quarter to nickel-size hail is also possible.  A wind advisory remains in effect until 8 tonight for southeast Kansas and 9 p.m. for northeast Oklahoma. 

Coffeyville FFA has a successful day at the Allen Aggie Days.

In the district competition, all four members of the Agronomy A Team finished in the top ten and the team finished second. Anna Merka was second, Adrian Simpson fourth, Halle Hayes fifth and Jansen Grigsby finished eighth. All six members of the Agronomy B Team finished in the top ten and the team won the competition. Finian Foraker finished first, Tylan Rosson second, Alek Plute fourth, Cavin Schaplowsky fifth, Sam Stukesberry sixth and Bennett Thompson finished seventh.

The Vet Science Team took fifth place and individually Halle Hayes placed fourth. Emma Thompson was ninth in Ag Business Management and the Floriculture Team finished fifth.

 Federal, state, and tribal partners will be on hand for a Tar Creek Superfund Site Open House Event coming up in Miami.

 Those groups will be available to answer questions from the community about the Tar Creek Site. The focus will be on the importance of blood testing for lead for children and free residential soil cleanup. Other topics will include updates on chat pile cleanup and surface water investigations. Free blood testing will be available.

There will also be food trucks and free coffee. The Open House takes place next Thursday from 5 to 8pm at the Miami Civic Center.

 Springtime in Kansas means being prepared for severe weather.

 Becky Barnhardt from Coffeyville Friends of Animals reminds pet owners that we need to remember our furry friends when it comes time for spring weather. Barnhardt says weather can be a big stress, especially for dogs.

If you have a pet that is frightened by loud noises such as thunder, simple steps like closing blinds and drapes may help. If your dog becomes destructive, you can place him in a comfortable crate with bedding, blankets and toys. Barnhardt says it's also important to make sure your pet can be identified in case he gets lost.

In the event that you must evacuate your home or go to a shelter, make sure you pack a bag for your pet as well. Remember that not all storm shelters accept pets, so make sure you find one that will allow your dog or cat.

 Agents from the AFT are investigating an explosion at a Wichita apartment complex that has left one man dead.

 The explosion occurred just after noon yesterday at the Cedarbrooke Apartment complex at Harry and Rock Road in southeast Wichita. Wichita Police, Fire, and Bomb Squad were on the scene.

The name of the victim has not been released. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

 Fire crews in southwest Kansas respond to an explosion at a grain elevator.

 Just before 6pm on Tuesday evening, fire crews in Comanche County received reports of an explosion at the Alliance Ag and Grain elevator, located in Protection, KS, about 40 miles west of Medicine Lodge.

Comanche County Emergency Management Director Britt Lenertz stated that the explosion was contained to the outside leg of the elevator and grain pit.

There were no injuries reported.

Photo courtesy Comanche County Emergency Management

 A single vehicle crash in southwest Missouri claims the life of a Neosho man.

 57 year old George Owen was driving a Ford F-150 just west of Neosho yesterday afternoon when his vehicle left the roadway to the right. Owen attempted to bring the truck back onto the roadway, but over-corrected. His vehicle left the roadway again, went through a fence, and overturned. Owen was pronounced deceased at the scene.

 Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey asks the State Supreme Court to set a date of execution for a man convicted of the rape and murder of a nine year old girl.

 Christopher Collings was convicted of the rape and murder of Rowan Ford by a Phelps County jury in 2012. The same jury sentenced him to death in the case due to the inhumane treatment of the victim. Collings case has been reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court and no legal errors have been found.

If the Missouri Supreme Court issues and execution date, the date will be set for sometime within 90 to 120 days of the issuance of the order.

 A Bartlesville man is facing a federal kidnapping charge.

 41-year-old Jerico Lee Reddell, of Bartlesville, was indicted by a Tulsa Grand Jury on charges of possessing a firearm and ammunition after previously being convicted of felonies in Washington and Oklahoma County District Courts.

Federal prosecutors are alleging Reddell, who is also a member of the Cherokee nation, kidnapped two different victims, intentionally assaulted them with a dangerous weapon and used a firearm in a crime of violence.

The FBI, Tulsa Police Department and Bartlesville Police Department investigated the case.

 The City of Howard receives a grant for playground equipment through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

 The City of Howard joins fifty other Kansas towns and school districts that will receive funding through the 2024 Waste Tire Grant Awards. The grant helps provide entities with improvements made from recycled tire.

The City of Howard plans to use the funding to install a new climbing structure and two benches at West Park.

More than 100,000 visitors from across the country are expected to visit the capital of the Cherokee Nation for a special event this year.

The Cherokee Nation will celebrate its 72nd annual Cherokee National Holiday over Labor Day weekend, including an inter-tribal powwow, parade, and other longtime cultural favorites. Holiday activities will be held August 30^th through September 1^st in Tahlequah.

This year's theme is “Weaving Our Future.” The theme and art are meant to illustrate the traditional story of the water spider, one of the smallest creatures that according to Cherokees demonstrated no matter how small, every one of the tribe’s more than 460,000 citizens can make significant contributions to the fabric of Cherokee culture.

The Cherokee National Holiday commemorates the signing of the Cherokee Nation Constitution in 1839, which re-established the tribe’s government in Indian Territory after forced removal from the Cherokees’ original homelands in the Southeast. More information is available here.

The Caney Police Department continues to warn residents about potential scams following the recent storm damage.

Caney PD is receiving reports of roofing and hail repair companies requesting citizens not go through their insurance company and pay them. This can create a perfect opportunity for a scam. They say to be cautious about entering into agreements and money transactions with an outside company without an insurance provider.

They have also received calls regarding some of these companies pushing elderly homeowners to enter into an agreement. Any agreements or business transactions constitute as civil matters but, if a contractor becomes a nuisance or makes homeowners feel uncomfortable or unsafe, call Caney PD at (620)879-2141.

A Pittsburg man is arrested after breaking into a home.

Yesterday at around 5:15pm, Pittsburg Police officers were dispatched to a residence for a report of a domestic disturbance. The caller said someone was breaking into their home and was armed with a knife. Upon arrival, the victim met officers outside of the home because the suspect was still inside. Officers saw the suspect through a broken window pane and directed him at gunpoint to exit the residence.

25-year-old Zach M. Camplin was then taken into custody without further incident. A knife was located on him. After collecting additional information from the victim, Camplin was arrested for felony aggravated assault and felony criminal damage. He was transported to the Crawford County jail and is being held without bond. This incident is still under investigation at this time.

 Parsons Police peacefully resolve a stand off.

 Yesterday evening, law enforcement was called to the area of 21^st and Appleton after reports of an armed man barricading himself inside a house. P-P-D surrounded the house and advised the public to stay inside their homes or to avoid the area.

The armed man initially refused to come out of the house, but P-P-D officers were able to negotiate with the individual an d convince him to exit the residence. He surrendered without incident or injury. Police say the man was experiencing a mental health crisis and is currently getting appropriate care.

 The City of Independence will hold an open house next week for the new Community Economic Development Plan.

 City Manager Kelly Passauer says the new plan will take the city into the future.

Passauer says Tuesday night's open house will be a chance for the public to get a look at what the city has planned.

The open house happens Tuesday night at Memorial Hall

 There will be good solar eclipse viewing on Monday in southeast Kansas, weather permitting.

 The path of totality will just miss most of the listening area, covering instead parts of southeast Oklahoma, central Arkansas, and southeast Missouri. Ron Mallory of Kansas Astronimical Observers, says we'll still be able to see a good show.

Mallory reminds us to use proper safety precautions when viewing the eclipse.

In southeast Kansas, the eclipse will begin around 12:30pm on Monday.

 Residents of Fredonia may soon have a new, revamped shooting range.

 At last night's meeting, the Fredonia City Commission heard a presentation from Clayton Osburn of

MOA Tactical, a shooting education company based in Arkansas. Osburn says his organization is prepared to bring a safe shooting sports program to Fredonia.

The current shooting range in Fredonia was recently shut down by law enforcement due to the location being unsafe for shooting. Commissioner seemed agreeable to the idea of a gun club, but were concerned that the old range in under a lease agreement that allows the lessee to hay the area. Improvements to the range might nullify the hay lease. Commissioners agreed to investigate the issue and told Osburn they would revisit the issue at the May 1^st Commission meeting.

Photo: The Fredonia City Commission celebrates the declaration of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month

 The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says evidence found in the car of two missing Kansas women points to foul play.

  27 year old Veronica Butler and 39 year old Jilian Kelley, both of Hugoton, KS, disappeared over the weekend while on a trip to pick up children belonging to one of the women. Their car was found abandoned alongside the highway in the Oklahoma panhandle, just south of Elkhart, KS. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has issued an Endangered Missing Advisory for both women.

Butler is 5 foot 4 inches and has red hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt, denim shorts and Hey Dudes.

Kelley has brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a long-sleeved shirt, white-washed blue jeans and tan or beige shoes.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the OSBI at tips@osbi.ok.gov or 1-800-522-8017.

 An inmate at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility has died.

 Staff at the HCF found 51 year old Watson Kevin Bradford unresponsive in his cell yesterday afternoon. Life-saving measures were attempted but medical staff was unable to revive Bradford. He was then pronounced deceased. The cause of death remains unknown until an autopsy can be completed.

Bradford was serving a life sentence for 1^st degree murder committed in Leavenworth County.

His death is under investigation by the Kansas Department of Corrections and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

The skeletal remains found in Lansing back in February have been identified.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Lansing Police Department have identified the human skeletal remains found on February 18^th, in a wooded area in Lansing.

The deceased man has been identified as Derrick U. Collins. He was reported missing from Leavenworth in June 2022 when he was 59. No trauma was noted during the autopsy. At this time there is no evidence of foul play in Collins’ death. Final autopsy results are pending.

The City of Caney and USD 436 are holding a mock crash event to educate young drivers.

On Friday at 2:00 pm, Caney Police, Fire and EMS are conducting a mock crash at the intersection of Bullpup Boulevard and Vine Street. Barricades will be set up on Vine Street at Bording Avenue and on Bullpup Boulevard at Bradley Street. Mock crash events educate teens and young adults about the tragedy of crashes and reinforce the importance of using seat belts, paying attention behind the wheel, and showing the consequences of driving under the influence or distracted driving.

The goal is to reduce crashes, injuries and deaths involving younger drivers and their passengers by using visuals to demonstrate real-life consequences.

Three school districts just south of the Kansas border had bond proposals up for a vote.

Copan Public Schools and Oklahoma Union Public Schools saw overwhelming support from voters. Copan’s one bond proposition passed with nearly 83% of the vote. Oklahoma Union had two bond proposals pass with approximately 77% of voters supporting the measures. Meanwhile, South Coffeyville Public School's bond proposal for a new gym failed to get the 60% support required to pass. Fifty-one percent of electors voted in favor of the bond issue, while just under 49% voted against it.

In another area Oklahoma election, Garry D. Gibson beat J.T. Walton for the Nowata City Commission Ward 2 seat by more than 60% of the vote.

Coffeyville Regional Medical Center is accepting applications for two scholarships through the CRMC Foundation.

The Best Family Medical Scholarship was created by the children of Jerry and Norma Best in memory of their father and to honor their mother. This scholarship provides financial assistance to students accepted into a medical field program. The Edna and John Cape Scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a dietary degree leading to a position as a dietitian. The Cape Scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior undergraduate student participating in an approved dietary study program, or a graduate student pursuing certification as a dietitian.

Students interested in applying can download an application on the hospital’s website. Applications are due on May 31^st. Applicants are asked to submit a 500 word essay on why they chose to pursue a career in healthcare, school transcripts and letters of recommendation sent on their behalf. Multiple winners may be awarded. Applicants who have received the scholarship before are encouraged to apply each year.  

A 911 call leads to the arrest of two on theft charges.

Yesterday just before 8:00am, a 911 call was transferred from the Coffeyville Police Department dispatch to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department. The call was about an active burglary and theft northwest of Coffeyville near the industrial park. The caller told dispatch that the chain had been removed from their barn doors and they had seen a black Dodge Charger pull out of the barn and flee the property. The caller attempted to follow the vehicle but lost it.

CPD dispatch told their officers to be on the lookout for the vehicle. Shortly after, CPD officers located and stopped the vehicle. Deputies arrived on the scene and confirmed there was stolen property inside the vehicle. The driver, Robert Mikel of Coffeyville, and passenger Jacob Lind of Altamont were arrested for burglary, theft and criminal property damage. Deputies recovered the stolen property, which will be returned to the owner.

 The Kansas Food Bank will bring its Mobile Food Pantry to Sedan next week.

 The Mobile Food Pantry will be at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds at 610 Park E Avenue next Wednesday from 10 to 11 am or as long as supplies last. Guests will be asked to check in with basic information about their household. Anyone in need of food assistance is encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Ken at the Kansas Food Bank at 316-265-3663

There will be a public workshop this weekend in Wilson County, with activities on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, courtesy of the Fredonia Community Foundation.

Friday evening brings a historical walking tour, downtown design discussion, and asset mapping.

There is a hands-on design workshop from noon until 3 p.m. on Saturday, as well as an open house from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

All in attendance will have a chance to win a Walmart gift card. For more information, contact John Chenoweth at 620-378-4444 or at johnkchenoweth@gmail.com.

Additional items of business at this week's commission meeting the approval of a stop sign on 4th Street and Bethel Road in Neodesha, as well as an update from County Appraiser Jessica Porter.

 The Official Season Opening for Riverside Park in Independence is coming up on Saturday, April 13^th.

 The festivities will include lots of family-friendly fun. Independence Chamber President Lisa Wilson says this year's event has a special historical theme.

Train and carousel rides will be free, plus there will be free face painting. The First Leadership Youth will also host a Putt-Putt Tournament for teams of four players. Wilson says this is a special project.

The tournament will start at 8am and the entry fee is $10 per team. The Park Opening runs from 11am to 3pm next Saturday.

 The Independence First Church of the Nazarene is hosting the Schnazy Putt Putt League this summer at Riverside Park in Independence.

 The League will play on Wednesday nights from June 5^th through July 31^st from 5 to 7pm. The cost is $25 per person or – for families of 4 or more - $20 per person. Participants will get mini-golf every Wednesday and a League t-shirt.

Players should be at least 3 years old. There will be different divisions for different ages. Proceeds will go to the church's Children's Ministry for Kids Camps and Retreats.

Go here to register.

 Parsons will be putting the “fun” in fundraiser next weekend.

 It's Pizza, Puzzles & Pitchers next weekend in Parsons. Four-person teams will compete to put together a 300 piece puzzle while consuming a large pizza and 8 drinks. To add some chaos to the fun, teams will be able to pay to put another team in “time-out” or to send them another round of drinks. The first team to finish everything is the winner.

The entry fee is $100 per team and there will be trophies for the top 3 teams. The event happens April 13^th at 1pm at the Wall Event Center, located at 2605 Main Street in Parsons. All proceeds benefit the Labette County Shrine Club.

For more information ro to register call Mike Reed 620-423-7877 or Rachel Harness 620-820-3688

 The Parsons City Commission discusses new water meters and a new parking ordinance.

 At this week's meeting, commissioners dealt with resident complaints about the installation of new water meters. In an attempt to keep lawns looking nice, it seems that some residents may have back-filled the new meters prematurely. City Manager Debbie Lamb says it's likely that some of those who filled in the dirt may not have a new meter installed.

Commissioners also discussed a proposed city ordinance that would prohibit residents from parking cars and motorcycles in their yards. Commissioner Kevin Cruse says the need for the new ordinance comes from citizens.

The Parsons City Commission is using similar ordinances in Pittsburg and Coffeyville as a guide for the new regulation. No action was taken on the matter at this week's meeting. The next Parsons City Commission meeting will be April 15^th

 The City of Coffeyville if looking for volunteers to help clean up LeClere Park.

 The Stormwater Department will be hosting a Volunteer Stream Bank Clean Up to day from 1 to 2pm. Supplies will be provided.

  A Bartlesville man faces charges of larceny and eluding police following the alleged theft of a firearm.

 48 year old Ira Allen was arrested Sunday after his family reported he had stolen a firearm from their apartment. An affidavit states that when police attempted to make contact with him, he fled. He is accused of speeding past several pedestrians in a retail parking lot and disregarding their safety.

Allen has been charged with eluding a police officer after former felony conviction, possessing a firearm after former felony conviction, and petit larceny. He is also charged with a parole violation from a previous case. His total bond was set at $40,000.

 A motorcyclist was injured yesterday in a single vehicle accident in Montgomery County.

 The accident occurred around 10:30am on the westbound ramp of US-400 at the intersection of US-169 or about 5 miles north of Cherryvale. 45 year old Michael Eason of Peabody was riding his 2003 Kawasaki motorcycle and attempting to merge onto US-400 when he left the roadway to the south in order to avoid a collision with another vehicle. Eason was taken to Labette Health in Parsons and treated for minor injuries.

 The City of Independence invites the public to enjoy an open house for the new Community Development Plan.

 This come-and-go event will feature boards around the room that will highlight key components of each chapter and the process used for each phase.

The open house will take place next Tuesday at Memorial Hall from 5 to 7pm.

Those who can't attend in person can enjoy the interactive, online experience.

The National Weather Service has completed damage surveys and is providing information on Monday's tornadoes in northeast Oklahoma.

Five separate tornadoes were surveyed, all rated EF1 with wind speeds between 90 and 110 mph. The Hominy tornado developed around 7:15 p.m. near the intersection of County Road 5408 and 5257 and moved east-northeast. It had a path length of 7 miles. Numerous trees were uprooted and power poles were blown down.

The Wynona tornado started around 7:30 east of County Road 2665 along 330 Road. The track was 5.5 miles and the tornado blew the roof from a garage, uprooted or snapped trees, and blew down power poles.

The Barnsdall tornado started around 7:40, had a track just over 2 miles and started just east of Highway 11 over the southeastern side of Barnsdall. It damaged homes, destroyed outbuilding and blew down trees and power poles as it moved east-northeast.

The Ochelata tornado developed just west of the Osage/Washington County line between 2700 Road and 2600 Road.  The tornado track was just under 5 miles and dissipated east of Highway 75.  It uprooted trees, damaged outbuildings and blew down power poles.

The Delaware tornado lasted about 4 miles and started around 8:40 just north of 1600 Road and west of 4120 Road. It moved east-northeast and uprooted trees, snapped large limbs, and damaged power poles as well as outbuildings. No injuries were reported in any of the tornadoes.

A few delays will be possible this spring for anyone traveling between Oswego and Parsons on U.S. 59.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, resurfacing work will start on Monday, April 8^th. The 17-mile project area begins at the north city limits of Oswego and continues west and north to Parsons. Project activity includes a mill and inlay with rumble strips and edge wedge. Flaggers and a pilot car operation will direct one-lane traffic through the work zone during daylight hours. Drivers can expect delays of 15 minutes or less. The road work should be finished by June, weather permitting. KDOT awarded construction contracts totaling $5.1 million to Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., of Topeka.

A Missouri couple is taken into custody following an investigation into a burglary.