The Bartlesville Police Department is asking the public’s help in locating a missing juvenile.

16-year-old Francesca Galster, also known as Frankie, was last seen on Friday. She is described as a Black female, about 5’5”, weighing around 110 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a black hoodie featuring a Simpsons character, black sweatpants and was not wearing shoes.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts should contact BPD at (918)338-4001.

The Coffeyville Community College Humanities Project continues this week with a performance by singer-songwriter Barak Hill.

Hill's music blends folk, soul, and rock music to offer a powerful mix of soulful vocals and strong guitar work that many have compared to the music of Steve Earle, Neil Young, and the Jayhawks. Hill's talents were first recognized when he won the American Songwriter Magazine's 2012 Santa Cruz Guitar Song Contest. He has also been named as one of the top three solo musicians in southwest Missouri in a 417 Magazine readers' poll. Hill's performances bring a balance of original works and cherished covers.

Barak Hill will perform tomorrow night at the Spencer Rounds Theater on the CCC Campus. The show begins at 6pm and admission is free.

The National Weather Service Storm Spotter Training will be held this Thursday in Independence.

Meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Wichita will present the Storm Fury on the Plains program to provide weather education and training for those in attendance. The program will instruct attendees on how to recognize a storm's potential severity and on how to report hazardous and severe weather safely.

The presentation will take place at Memorial Hall at 6pm. Admission is free and no registration is required to attend.

An elderly woman living in a senior apartment building in Hutchinson is rescued by a Postal worker following a fall that left her unable to move.

The woman had fallen in her apartment early last week and was left unable to move while on the floor for three days. On Thursday, letter carrier Misty Hernandez was on her usual mail route, that included the Sentney Lofts Apartments, when she heard a cry for help from inside one of the units. Hernandez was able to get inside the apartment and call for emergency services to provide medical attention for the woman.

Authorities say that without Hernandez’s quick actions, the outcome could have been much worse.

The Montgomery County Commission will continue to hear quarterly reports from various county departments at this week's meeting.

At today's meeting, commissioners will hear reports from the County Treasurer's Office, Juvenile Corrections, Rural Fire, and Environmental Health and Zoning. Other business will include a discussion on a transfer of funds for the Caney Betterment Group, the bid results to purchase a dump truck for Public Works, and a request for Opioid funds.

Today's' meeting begins at 9am in the Commission Room on the lower level of the Judicial Center in Independence. The meeting is open to the public and is also available for online viewing via the County's Facebook page.

An Arma man is convicted of first-degree murder in the February 2023 shooting that claimed the life of a Pittsburg man.

45-year-old Collin Pal Gepford was convicted last week by a jury Of First-Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, Criminal Discharge Of A Firearm, Aggravated Assault, and Criminal Possession Of A  Firearm.

The incident occurred on February 17, 2023, on Main Street in Pittsburg. Law enforcement responded to a report of shots fired in the area and arrived to find 51-year-old David Mays deceased with a gunshot wound to the chest. Gepford was on the scene and taken into custody at that time.

According to the Crawford County Attorney’s Office, Gepford and Mays along with Travis Conness had lured a man to the scene and fired into his vehicle. The man fled on foot and Gepford fired at him again as he ran.

Both firearms used in the incident were recovered by a Kansas Highway Patrol K-9 officer.

Travis Conness of Neosho was sentenced to five years in prison on an involuntary manslaughter charge in June 2024.

Gepford will face sentencing in the case on May 20th.

A federal prison inmate dies at the Leavenworth correctional facility.

The Federal Correctional Institution in Leavenworth has reported that an inmate at the facility passed away on Saturday night. According to prison authorities, 28-year-old Denix Heredia-Chang was discovered unresponsive in his cell around 7:15 on Friday evening. Staff attempted life-saving measures and emergency medical crews were called, but Chang was eventually pronounced dead. His cause of death has not been disclosed.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshal’s Service was notified of the death.

Chang had been housed at the Leavenworth facility since May 2024 on an indictment for an alleged sale of synthetic narcotics.

His death remains under investigation.

Fort Scott Community College is looking for a new President.

Interim President Sara Sutton announced her resignation from the position as the school’s executive officer last week. Sutton was appointed to the role in May 2024 after former President Dr. Jason Kegler was placed on paid administrative leave. Prior to her appointment, Sutton had taught in the school’s Agriculture Department and coached the Meat Judging Team. Sutton called her time as Interim President an honor and stated that she remains fully committed to the institution for the remainder of this academic year.

Her last day will be June 30.

A former Police Chief for the City of Burns, KS, is sentenced to 60 years in prison in a federal child pornography case.

39-year-old Joel Womochil was given the sentence last week after entering a guilty plea to charges of Conspiracy to Commit Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Production of Child Pornography. Court documents indicate that the crimes occurred between 1019 and 2021. At that time, Womochil was employed as a Marion County, KS, Sheriff’s Deputy. He later served as Police Chief in Burns, a small community about 20 miles north of El Dorado. He resigned from that position in August 2023.

Womochil was one of four people that faced federal charges in the case.

Photo courtesy El Dorado Police Department

The string of storms that swept through the four-state area early Sunday morning caused damage and one fatality in eastern Oklahoma.

Strong winds from the storm knocked over a tree near a camping area along the banks of the Illinois River. The tree fell on a camper and trapped a couple inside. The National Weather Service in Tulsa reported that the incident occurred in Cherokee County, OK, and caused one fatality.

No other details regarding the incident have been released.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Commission discusses night vision coyote hunting in the state.

The commission met last Thursday in Topeka to discuss and head public comments on regulations currently under consideration by the state agency. Among those topics was the night vision coyote hunting season, which currently runs from January 1^st through March 31^st. K-D-W-P Secretary Christopher Kennedy says it's important to find a balance between population control and conservation.

The commission agreed to consider a change to the season that would have it begin on February 1^st and run through June 30^th. Other topics for consideration included season, bag limits, and permits for elk and waterfowl. The next meeting of the K-D-W-P Commission will be on April 24 in Fall River.

The Price Tower will be auctioned through a bankruptcy sale, according to social media post by Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Oklahoma, a commercial real estate agency.

The iconic Bartlesville building that designed by Frank Lloyd and constructed in 1956 as the headquarters of H.C. Price Company is slated to be auctioned at 9:00 a.m. on May 6, 2025, at the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma in Tulsa.

KTUL-TV reports that the process is open to all who submit a qualified bid before the auction date, and a stalking horse bid of $1.4 million has been placed by McFarlin Building, LLC.

Open bidding begins Monday, March 31. Interested buyers should contact Scott Schlotfelt at 918-720-7556 for official bidding information.

Like many area municipalities, the City of Altamont has been considering the issue of dangerous and unsafe structures around town.

At the most recent meeting of the Altamont City Council, two structures were identified as being dangerous and unsafe. The property owner of one of those structures told the city that they were in the process of repairing the house to bring it up to code. The other structure was eligible for demolition. City Administrator LeaAnn Myers says the City shouldn't have to pay to haul away demolition debris.

There was also some discussion as to where the funds would come from.

The issue was tabled to allow council members to get more information on the financial details from bidders.

In other business, council members heard a presentation about the upcoming City Flag Day Celebration scheduled for June 14. The council approved several street closures for that date to accommodate the celebration.

The Kansas Department of Transportation will co-host a teen proactive driving school in Kansas City on April 12th and 13th.

The driving school will include hands-on driving exercises such as Distracted Driving Awareness, Panic Braking, Crash Avoidance, Car Control/Skid Recovery, and Drop-wheel/Off-road Recovery. Other elements include proper seat and mirror placement, proper use of seatbelts, eye scanning, big rig Safety, what to do during a traffic stop, and more.

The course is open to those between the ages of 15 and 19 who have a valid learner’s permit or driver’s license and have at least 30 hours of driving experience. All students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The class is free but does require a $99 credit card deposit to reserve a space in the class. The course takes place at the Kansas Speedway.

For registration information, follow this link.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach issues a consumer alert for Kansas customers of the genetic testing company 23andMe.

The 23andMe company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 23. The company stated in a press release that there are no planned changes to the way the  company stores, manages, and protects customer data. However, as bankruptcy proceedings continue, there is the chance 23and ME may attempt to sell genetic data and other personal information.

The State Attorney General’s Office advises consumers to be aware of their rights under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act and the Wayne Owen Act.

For those with 23andMe accounts:

To delete genetic data:

1. Sign in to your 23andMe account at www.23andme.com.
2. Navigate to your profile’s “Settings” section.
3. Scroll down to the “23andMe Data” section at the bottom of the page.
4. Click “View” next to the “23andMe Data” heading. 
5. If you would like to keep a copy of your genetic data, download your data before continuing. 
6. Locate the delete data option.
7. Select “Permanently Delete Data”. 
8. Check your email for a confirmation link and follow it to complete the deletion process.

To destroy your sample: 
If you previously chose to allow 23andMe to store your saliva sample and DNA but would now like to opt-out, you can update your settings by going to “Preferences” on your account page. 

To Revoke Permission for Your Genetic Data to be Used for Research:
If you previously consented to 23andMe and third-party researchers to use your genetic data and sample for research, you may withdraw consent from the account settings page under “Research and Product Consents.”

To learn more about privacy laws in Kansas, see the Kansas Attorney General's website.

The City of Cherryvale will hold a special meeting today to approve a bid for cemetery mowing and maintenance. City Administrator Michael Hall will make the presentation and the council will vote to approve or deny the bid. The special meeting will start at 5 p.m. at city hall in Cherryvale instead of the usual 6 p.m. start time. The next scheduled meeting for regular business is coming up on Monday, April 7^th.

One person is injured in a two-vehicle crash in Dearing.

Yesterday around 5:20 p.m., the Dearing Fire Department, Coffeyville Regional Medical Center EMS and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a two-vehicle accident on Highland Street in Dearing. One person was transported to CRMC with non-life-threatening injuries.

Photo: Frank Shedden, SnapWild Photography

Another potential round of severe weather is on the way early this week.

Isolated severe storms will be possible tomorrow night after 6 p.m. for the entire four-state area. Hazards include large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes possible. KGGF will provide severe weather coverage if needed tomorrow. After this upcoming round of weather, showers will be possible off and on through the end of the week.

Residents in Baxter Springs are cleaning up after storm damage.

Early Sunday morning around 2 a.m., a severe thunderstorm came through Baxter Springs and casued damage across town. Trees were updrooted, window damage to homes and vehicles took place and roofs were also torn off buildings. Some damage downtown also took place.

The City of Baxter Springs Public Works Department will be hauling brush and trees for city residents. The city says to do what you can to get fallen limbs as close to the road as possible and to reach out to city hall to get on the pick up list. Starting Monday at 8 a.m., crews will go block to block to haul away brush.

Photos: Baxter Springs Fire Department

The Inter-State Farm and Home Show was a huge success with a great turnout at Nellis Hall on the campus of Coffeyville Community College. KGGF 690 AM and KRIG 104.9 FM and Bartlett Co-op Association partnered with more than 100 participating vendors from Northeast Oklahoma and Southeast Kansas bringing together both the residential and agricultural world.

There were many door prizes given out throughout the weekend from the stations along with vendors.

Door Prize Winners from Saturday’s Drawing Include:

Sprayer from Wash County Equipment won by Tim Cooke and David Vannoster

A private wine tasting for 2 from Wyldewood Cellars won by Tabitha Oyler

$20 Gift Certificate from Smokey's Joe BBQ won by Gina Hunt

Gym Fitness Set From H&R Block won by Joshua Trotnic

Insulagted Tote Bag from American Heritage Beef Company won by Sandra Kaspar

Thermal Mug with Scooters Gift Card from Schenk Insurance & Financial won by Kay Littlepage

$45 Gift Certificate from Coffeyville Feed and Farm won by Jerry Rau

Lewis Cattle Oiler Cup from Lewis Cattle Oiler won by Adam Vanderlinden

Nichols Hitching Post $25 from Maple Street Meat Market won by Monty Cunningham

50# Bag Shawnee Mills Dog Food from Coffeyville Feed and Farm won by Eva Gordan and Jared Hinderson

$30 Value Challenge Coin from Coffeyville Veterans Memorial won by Dennis Vanderhofe

Jupiter Moon Yarn set from Hometown Yarns and More won by Kim Lain

Cap- White from Livestock Risk Service won by Bill Schemica

Dream On Candle from K&B Candles won by Lisa Brookover and Barbara Graves

Pepper Spray from OK Security Professionals won by Kaitlyn Closs

Belara Body Lotion from Mary Kay - Kathy Langley won by Ruth Penner

One 10” Decorated Cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes won by Samantha Gudd

Branson tickets For Four won by Rand Sollie

Branson For Two won by Johnnie Bellamy

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium won by Dan Yost

Stafford Air & Space won by Sharon Alexander

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and the Great Passion Play Tickets won by Sharon Oyler

Branson Weekend won by Victoria Thomas

and the $500 Cash from KGGF 690 was won by Kaithleen Follett

Door Prize Winners from Friday’s Drawing Include:

A private wine tasting for 2 from Wyldewood Cellars won by Donna Corne

50# Bag Shawnee Mills Dog Food from Coffeyville Feed and Farm won by Mark Krenz

50# Bag Shawnee Mills Dog Food from Coffeyville Feed and Farm won by Joe Brooks

Lewis Cattle Oiler Cup from Lewis Cattle Oiler won by Robert Cook

Grey Ball Cap from Livestock Risk Service won by Dan Jenkins

Hand Cream Gift Set from Mary Kay - Kathy Langley won by Jennifer Umbarger

Scentsy Gift Set Box from Melissa Kastler Scentsy won by Joyce Pennington

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Tickets won by Melila Law

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium tickets won by Russell Durham

And the Grand Prize of $500 from KRIG won by Ed Baker

KGGF and KRIG would like to thank the Coffeyville Community College for their hospitality along with everyone who made the show possible from security, vendors, and the many people who came out to visit the exhibits.

***** Update 9:20 p.m. *****

Scattered thunderstorms are developing across southeast Kansas. A tornado watch has been issued for northeast Oklahoma, but not for Kansas at this time. Hazards include up to quarter sized hail and 50 to 60 mph winds. Widespread severe weather is not expected.

***** Update 8:15 p.m. *****

A tornado watch has been issued for much of northeast Oklahoma.  The watch includes the following counties until 1 a.m.:

ATOKA                BLAINE              BRYAN
CADDO                CANADIAN            CARTER
CHEROKEE             CLEVELAND           COAL
COMANCHE             COTTON              CRAIG
CREEK                DELAWARE            GARFIELD
GARVIN               GRADY               HUGHES
JEFFERSON            JOHNSTON            KAY
KINGFISHER           LINCOLN             LOGAN
LOVE                 MAJOR               MARSHALL
MAYES                MCCLAIN             MCINTOSH
MURRAY               MUSKOGEE            NOBLE
NOWATA               OKFUSKEE            OKLAHOMA
OKMULGEE             OSAGE               OTTAWA
PAWNEE               PAYNE               PITTSBURG
PONTOTOC             POTTAWATOMIE        ROGERS
SEMINOLE             STEPHENS            TULSA
WAGONER              WASHINGTON

A couple of tornadoes, hail to the size of tennis balls and 80 mph wind gusts are all possible with severe thunderstorms expected to move through the area.

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

Severe weather is possible Saturday evening for the four-state area.

Severe storms are expected to develop after 7 p.m. along and east of the Kansas Turnpike, then progress eastward. The threat area will include all of southeast Kansas, northern counties in Oklahoma and parts of western and central Missouri. Potential hazards include up to golf ball size hail, 50-60 mph winds, and a low chance of a brief tornado. Stay tuned for additional updates as the forecast is refined, and count on KGGF for severe weather coverage if needed Saturday night.

A number of local departments respond to a structure fire in South Coffeyville.

Just after 2 p.m. on Friday, South Coffeyville Fire and Coffeyville Regional Medical Center EMS were dispatched to a fully-involved structure fire at Shawnee and Seventh Street in South Coffeyville. Additional units were called in for mutual aid, including the Dearing Fire Department, Tyro Rural Fire, Liberty Rural Fire, the Coffeyville Fire Department, Coffeyville Resources Fire, Lenapah Fire and Nowata Fire. The structure was a total loss, no injuries were reported.

Photo: Frank Shedden, SnapWild Photography

Day one of the Inter-State Farm and Home Show was a big hit with a great turnout at Nellis Hall on the campus of Coffeyville Community College. KGGF 690 AM, KRIG 104.9 FM and Bartlett Co-op Association partnered with 100 participating vendors from Northeast Oklahoma and Southeast Kansas bringing together both the residential and agricultural world.

Door Prize Winners from Friday’s Drawing Include:

A private wine tasting for 2 from Wyldewood Cellars won by Donna Corne

50# Bag Shawnee Mills Dog Food from Coffeyville Feed and Farm won by Mark Krenz

50# Bag Shawnee Mills Dog Food from Coffeyville Feed and Farm won by Joe Brooks

Lewis Cattle Oiler Cup from Lewis Cattle Oiler won by Robert Cook

Grey Ball Cap from Livestock Risk Service won by Dan Jenkins

Hand Cream Gift Set from Mary Kay - Kathy Langley won by Jennifer Umbarger

Scentsy Gift Set Box from Melissa Kastler Scentsy won by Joyce Pennington

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Tickets won by Melila Law

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium tickets won by Russell Durham

And the Grand Prize of $500 from KRIG won by Ed Baker

Day two will begin Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. at Nellis Hall on the Coffeyville Community College and end at 4 p.m. Whether you're looking for the latest agricultural products and equipment, landscaping and general remodeling, home décor, lifestyle services, or tasty treats, this a must-visit show. Many vendors will have cash and carry items for purchase during the show.

KGGF 690, KGGF 104.1, KUSN 98.1, KWON 1400/93.3/95.1, KYFM 100.1 and KRIG 104.9 will be broadcasting live from the Inter-State Farm & Home Show. Meet local radio personalities, plus Charles Moll and Charles Miller from Tech Talk. Open Line will also be broadcast live from the show tomorrow.

There will be many more door prizes and giveaways from local vendors including one more $500 cash prize, tickets to Branson shows, Oklahoma City Attractions, Kansas City Zoo and more!

Two Coffeyville residents are taken into custody on allegations of burglary.

According to the Coffeyville Police Department, officers responded to a reported burglary at a local home on Tuesday, March 25th. An investigation led to the execution of a search warrant at a home in the 900 block of W 9th St. Reported stolen items were recovered from the initial reported burglary. In addition, items were recovered from three additional reported burglaries.

Two suspects were detained including 50-year-old Kevin Lee Allison and 43-year-old Guadalupe Ramos. Both were taken into custody on recommended charges of theft, possession stolen property, criminal damage to property and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both are currently in custody in the Montgomery County Jail.

Additional arrests are expected and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Coffeyville Police Department at at 620-252-6160. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the Crime Tip Hotline at 620-252-6133.

The Independence City Commission approves a pair of measures aimed at improving the city's water infrastructure.

At last night's meeting, commissioners gave the go-ahead to spend $47,000 to allow the engineering firm of Evans, Bierly, Hutchison & Associates to develop a long-term water supply plan. The plan would identify priority locations in the city for water line replacement and identify areas that are most prone to leaks. The plan would be implemented over the course of the next ten years. Mayor Scott Smith says, when it comes to such a big project, a good plan is needed.

Commissioners also approved $158,000 for Water Resource Solutions for the design and permitting of a diversion structure for the inspection of the City Dam. City Engineer John Garris says it's been more than 40 years since the dam was last repaired and that this is just the first step in the process.

In other business, Independence joined other area cities in proclaiming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The next Independence City Commission meeting will be on April 10^th.

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran leads a Senate hearing regarding the January 29 crash between a passenger airliner traveling from Wichita and a Black Hawk helicopter.

As Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation, Moran opened the hearings yesterday by saying that the preliminary report on the collision has left many questions unanswered.

Among the witnesses was the  Chair of the National Transportation Safety Administration Jennifer Homendy. Moran says the NTSB has the crash data. He asked her if it wasn't used.

Investigators say more than 15,000 near-miss events occurred between 2021 and 2024.

Police in Dodge City are crediting an anonymous tip for leading to the discovery of a major marijuana distribution operation.

A search warrant served on a Dodge City residence earlier this week resulted in the arrest of 39-year-old Sara Myers and 38-year-old Juan Perez Tapia. Two juvenile boys were also arrested in the case. Inside the home, police found over 400 THC vape cartridges, several ounces of THC concentrate, raw marijuana, more than four pounds of marijuana edibles, a small amount of cocaine, ten firearms, and over $1,000 in cash.

Myers and Tapia both face multiple counts of aggravated child endangerment. Each is being held on a $100,000 bond. The two juveniles were taken to a juvenile detention facility and face multiple charges, including conspiracy to distribute marijuana, criminal possession of a firearm, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Photo: Sara Myers and Juan Perez Tapia, courtesy Ford County Jail

A Joplin man is injured after being struck by a train while walking along the railroad tracks.

Authorities say the adult male was experiencing a mental health emergency when he began walking along the railroad tracks south of 15^th Street around 4:30 yesterday afternoon. The engineer in the southbound C-P-K-S train saw the man and applied the emergency brakes just before the accident occurred.

The victim was taken to a nearby hospital but there has been no word on his condition.

The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin a resurfacing project on US-69 north of Fort Scott on Monday.

An overlay project will be placed on the northbound lanes of US-69, starting at the south US-54 junction in Fort Scott and continuing north for 25 miles to K-52 near Pleasanton. Traffic will be carried through the work zone with alternating lane closures and intermittent ramp closures. Weather permitting, the road work should be finished by mid-December. The $17.6 million project will be conducted by Pearson Construction of Wichita.

A bill that would raise the age of consent passes in the Oklahoma House.

Yesterday, the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed House Bill 1003 on a unanimous 91 to zero vote. The bill would raise the age of consent in Oklahoma to 18 years of age. The current age of consent in the state is 16 years old.

The author of the bill, Republican Jim Olsen of Roland, stated that the measure ensures that state laws reflect the maturity and well-being of Oklahoma youth as well as upholding the beliefs and morals of the majority of Oklahomans.

The bill passed the House with an emergency clause, meaning that it would go into effect as soon as it is signed by the Governor.

The bill now moves on to the Oklahoma Senate for further consideration.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission approves the interim rates OG&E has been charging utility customers for nearly a year.

The interim rates went into effect on July 1, 2024, which increased rates for residential customers at that time by 6.6%. Because these rates have been in effect for almost a year, yesterday's vote by the O-C-C will not result in the amount customers pay for their utilities.

The interim rate – which was approved by the O-C-C in November – is substantially lower than OG&E initially requested. The $126 million interim increase was only about 38% of what the utility originally requested.

O-C-C Commissioners Kim David and Brian Bingman voted in favor of the final order while Commissioner Todd Hiett voted against it.

A firefighter is injured while fighting a structure fire.

According to the Elk County Rural Fire Department, crews were responding to a structure fire yesterday afternoon when a steel stove pipe fell and hit firefighters Brandon Wolfe and Nick Miller. Wolf did not require medical attention but Miller was taken to the hospital in Eureka with injuries. According to family, Miller has multiple fractures to his shoulder blade, four broken ribs and a punctured lung. Area fire departments say the injuries are a reminder of the danger involved in firefighting, and that the majority of firefighters are volunteers.

Warmer weather means brown recluse spiders are starting to make their appearance again. K-State Entomologist Jeff Whitworth says where they are most likely to be found.

Whitworth says what needs to be done to help get rid of the spiders as they start to come out.  Whitworth says the best thing to do is to prevent them by cleaning up storage areas like garages, sheds and barns.

The City of Neodesha gets an update on the closure of US-75 through the city.

A rail crossing replacement and installation project by Union Pacific has closed US-75 or West Main Street in Neodesha. The project was originally slated to be completed this week, but Neodesha City Administrator Brogan Jones says that date has been pushed back.

Mayor Devin Johnson says he'd like to see better enforcement of the No Truck route on the current detour.

The current detour follows US-400 and K-47. The Kansas Department of Transportation advises drivers to check for updates at Kandrive.gov or by calling 5-1-1.

The Independence City Commission will consider a request from the Barlett plant to revise their current contract for waste water at tonight's meeting.

Commissioners have previously approved an agreement with the soybean crushing facility to accept up to 50,000 gallons of waste water per day. Bartlett has requested to increase that amount to 75,000 gallons per day at a cost of $10 per thousand gallons from the company. That cost would provide a rate that is comparable to what residential customers outside the city limits pay for the service.

The commission is also expected to approve the installation of two streetlights at Spruce and 11^th Street for pedestrian safe ty and to approve the application for a C-CLIP grant for the milling and overlay of East Main from 2^nd Street to the city limits.

Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 in the Commission Room at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public and is also available for online view via the City website.

For those who have driven down 11th Street in Coffeyville between Willow and Buckeye, you may have noticed some of the street lights have been turning off and on.

The City of Coffeyville is aware of the issue and have sent contractors to fix the problem. Linemen from Coffeyville Municipal Light and power have disconnected the light circuit and it will remain disconnected until the issue is fixed.

The repairs are part of a project funded by a grant from the Kansas Corporation Commission. The City says repairs should be completed soon.

The ongoing Wilson County zoning case regarding the Sunflower Skies solar project is approaching a conclusion.

The commission met this week with representatives from Savion Renewable Energy and Evergy, both of whom have been consistent contributers to the project's development. The commissioners went into executive session to review the most recent information.

Attorney Jacob Bielenberg has provided legal counsel to the commission for the project, after recommendation from County Attorney Brandon Cameron. Bielenberg says his recommendation is to wait a little longer before making a decision.

The commission determined that they were not ready to make an official ruling on the case at this time, and tabled the decision to the meeting in two weeks.

The next meeting for Wilson County will be April 2nd at 9 a.m. in Room 101 of the County Courthouse, with the next zoning hearing during the April 9th meeting.

Early voting begins today in Oklahoma for the April 1^st election.

There are more than 100 issues on the ballot across the state, including a bond issue vote in Nowata. Nowata residents are being asked to approve two bond issues totaling $17 million to repair and improve buildings across the district. The fund would also cover improvements to the district's athletic and ag programs.

A second bond issue would go to purchase three new school buses for student transportation and to help expand the bus barn.

Nowata voters can cast their early votes between 8 and 6 today at the Nowata County Election Board at 228 North Maple Street in Nowata. All Oklahoma voters are eligible to vote early. No reason is required.

A motorcyclist was seriously injured yesterday morning after striking a downed power line on Adams Boulevard in Bartlesville.

The collision occurred around just before noon after three over-sized trucks were traveling through the area prior to the crash. It is unclear if the over-sized loads contributed to the downed power line. Authorities say the trucks were operating within appropriate height restrictions.

The driver of the motorcycle was transported via ambulance to a Tulsa hospital in stable condition.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

A Bartlesville man faces charges of assault and breaking and entering in two different incidents earlier this month.

37-year-old Rusty Gardner was charged on Wednesday with biochemical assault and breaking and entering a dwelling without permission. Bartlesville Police say a March 1^st incident allegedly shows Gardner on video intentionally spraying another person in the face with WD-40.

The second incident occurred on March 19^th. On that date, Gardner is accused of illegally entering a residence. When he was confronted by a person inside the residence, he fled the scene.

Gardner will appear in court again on April 9^th. He was given an aggregate bond of $15,000.

A former Pawhuska Police Chief remains under investigation by local authorities.

The months-long investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation into former Pawhuska Police Chief Lorrie Hennesy found that she had committed no wrongdoings. The O-S-B-I recently announced its findings in the case.

However, Osage County District Attorney Mike Fisher says his office is conducting an investigation of their own and could still bring charges.

Fisher declined to reveal what possible charges his office may be considering.

A Wichita man is dead after the trailer he was hauling comes into contact with some power lines.

53-year-old Shawn Kinder of Wichita was hauling an oil derrick on a flat bed trailer on K-23 southeast of Colby yesterday afternoon. When Kinder attempted to make a right-hand turn to enter a ditch in an effort to obtain more clearance for his payload, the oil derrick came into contact with live power lines. Kinder was subsequently ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries. A nearby pedestrian – 48-year-old Leonard Ramsey of Natoma – was able to get into the cab of the truck and apply the brake, bringing the Kenworth to a stop.

An Arizona man arrested in Iola in March 2024 for kidnapping and sexual exploitation of a minor is sentenced to 95 years in prison.

A federal judge handed down the sentence to 27-year-old Martin Brandon Gillen of Phoenix, Arizona, this week. The U.S. Attorney's Office states that Gillen entered a guilty plea to multiple charges, including one count of kidnapping, one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, and one count of possession of child pornography.

Gillen was accused of kidnapping a 17-year-old girl in Illinois, transporting her through multiple states, and assaulting her on several occasions.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Iola Police Department, the New Baden, Illinois, Police Department, and the Illinois State Police.

A Yates Center man is seriously injured in a single-vehicle accident on a gravel road in rural Woodson County.

21-year-old Brandon Howell was traveling on 130^th Road northeast of Yates Center around 1am Wednesday morning when he lost control of his 1998 Ford Mustang. Howell then struck a bridge guardrail, causing his car to roll into the ditch. Howell was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car when it overturned.

He was taken to the Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola with serious injuries.

The Kansas Cold Weather Rules that protects residential customers from utility disconnection when the temperatures are below 35 degrees comes to and end on Monday.

According to the Kansas Corporation Commission – the group that regulates utilities in Kansas - When the Cold Weather Rule is in effect, regulated utilities are required to offer a 12-month payment plan upon request, even if a previous payment plan has been broken. When that protection ends on Monday, failure to make arrangements or failure to adhere to an already established payment plan could result in disconnection. Reconnection after March 31 may require past due balances be paid in full, depending on the utility's policy.

In addition, Monday is the deadline to apply for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. Applications for this federally funded program must be received by the Kansas Department of Children and Families by 5pm on Monday. The K-C-C urges all customers facing financial difficulties to act now to stay connected.

To find out more about utility assistance programs in your area, please contact your utility or the KCC Consumer Protection Office at 800-662-0027 or 785-271-3140. Utility assistance program information is also posted on the KCC website.

Information about the Low Income Energy Assistance  program is available here.

 For a complete list of utilities regulated by the KCC visit: http://kcc.ks.gov/about-us/jurisdiction

Agents from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation are involved in a shooting in Kansas City.

The agents were involved in a shooting that occurred last night as they were attempting to serve a warrant in Kansas City, Kansas. Agents were in the process of making an arrest, a 25-year-old male subject at the El Rio Bravo Supermarket was shot. The man was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and is expected to recover from his wounds. It is unclear if the shooting victim was the target of the arrest.

KBI states that no agents were injured in the incident but that the agent involved in the shooting was medically evaluated and later released.

The agent has been placed on paid administrative leave pending further investigation.

The KBI has requested the shooting be investigated by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police.

Another event is coming up this weekend in Caney for anyone who wants to buy, sell and trade.

The Caney Valley Antique Power Association will host a swap meet this Saturday at their grounds north of Caney on Highway 75. Association President Gary Gorby says there's a wide variety of items for sale.

Gates will open at 7 a.m. for vendors. Gorby says 20 by 20 foot spaces are available for $10, and the event will be open to the public from 9 until 3 with free admission.  It all happens Saturday at 2270 US-75 just north of Caney.

Independence Community College Esports teams continue their strong start to the spring semester season. Coach Zachary Spradlin says their Call of Duty team is getting ready for the playoffs.

Spradlin says the Fortnite team is also ranked number one in the nation.  Spradlin says they have 33 students on their Esports rosters, across all of their teams, with eight to ten more expected to join in the fall.   

The Kansas Highway Patrol and Labette County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a sobriety checkpoint next Friday, April 4^th.

Technical Trooper Gary Boles says the purpose of these checkpoints is to decrease traffic crashes through awareness and enforcement. Sobriety checkpoints are aimed at reducing collision rates by identifying impaired drivers. The goal of this checkpoint is to encourage compliance with the alcohol related statutes of this state, by removing drivers from Kansas roadways that are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Annually about 11,000 people are killed in alcohol related traffic crashes, averaging one alcohol related fatality every 39 minutes. These deaths are about 32% of the total traffic fatalities. Traffic related deaths are the greatest single cause of death for children. The proportion of fatal crashes that are alcohol related is about three times greater at night than during the day.

A Neodesha man enters a plea of no contest in the 2024 death of a Coffeyville man.

Ryan McCollough was originally charged with second-degree murder and aggravated battery in the death of David Wintjen. The two men were involved in an altercation in May of 2024, and Wintjen later died from his injuries.

McCollough agreed to a plea deal in which he would plead no contest to the battery charge in exchange for the dismissal of the murder charge.

McCollough will face sentencing in the case on May 20.

The City of Miami, Oklahoma, has a new Police Chief.

Stephen Sigmon has been named as the new Miami Chief of Police. Sigmon is a career law enforcement officer with more than 30 years of experience. He last served as the Director of Law Enforcement for the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office in Fort Pierce, Florida, with an operating budget of over $101 million and 785 employees, serving two municipalities including 330,000 residents.

Sigmon is a native of Oklahoma, having graduated from Will Rogers High School in Tulsa. He then earned a B.A. in Organizational Management at Warner University at Lake Wales, Florida, a Master of Public Administration, Policy Administration at Troy University in Orlando, Florida, and a P.H.D. in Administration with a Criminal Justice Concentration at Northcentral University in San Diego, California. He has over 1,000 hours of advanced law enforcement and leadership training and is a graduate of the Florida Sheriff’s Association’s Commanders Academy, now recognized as the premier course of executive study for mid to upper-level criminal justice leaders.

Sigmon was chosen from among 14 applicants for the position.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signs into law a new bill that expands the kinds of vehicles that drivers must move over for when encountering them on the highway.

The new law requires drivers to move over and change lanes for all vehicles with flashing lights pulled over on the side of the roadway. This includes emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and garbage trucks, but now also applies to disabled vehicles with emergency flashers activated.

While it has long been considered common courtesy to move over for disabled vehicles, there has been no law requiring it until this week.

The 9^th Annual Interstate Farm and Home Show happens this Friday and Saturday in Coffeyville.

The Interstate Farm and Home Show features the latest agricultural products and equipment, landscaping and general remodeling, and home decor. Event organizer Tina Romine says there will be lots of new and interesting items and vendors.

Romine says the show happens on the campus of Coffeyville Community College.

Everyone who attends will get a free goodie bag and be eligible to win $500, which will be given away on both days of the show. The show runs from 1 to 7 on Friday and then from 8:30 to 4 on Saturday. Parking and Admission are free.

KansasWorks will be hosting an upcoming virtual job fair for job seekers and employers in the construction industry coming up on April 9.

The job fair will occur online and will be accessible through any digital device. Those seeking employment in the construction industry will be able to fill out applications, chat live, and interview virtually with participating employers. Training videos, a list of participating employers, and channels for attendees to register and log in are also available through the job fair online portal. Participants are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers may request to engage in a video interview.

Registration is required. The KansasWorks virtual job fair runs from 8am to 5pm on Wednesday, April 9. For more information and links to register, follow this link.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives passes a bill that would ban the manufacture and sale of lab grown meat.

The measure would make it unlawful to manufacture, hold, or offer for sale any cultivated meat product in the State of Oklahoma. Cultivated meat, also known as lab-grown meat, is produced from cultured animal cells rather than traditional livestock. If it becomes law, violators of House Bill 2829 could be convicted of a misdemeanor, and food sellers could lose their license if they run afoul of the law. Proponents of the bill claim the measure will protect the integrity of Oklahoma's meat industry and prevent confusion among consumers. The bill does provide an exemption for research done by governmental entities and educational institutions.

The bill passed the Oklahoma House on a 72 to 18 vote and now moves on to the Senate for further consideration.

A pair of bald eagles nesting near Bartlesville are the proud parents of two baby eagles.

The Sutton Avian Center in Bartlesville announced two eaglets hatched at the nest — the first one on March 21 and the next on March 24. The eagle pair returned to the nest in late October, which is earlier than normal. The first egg was observed on February 10.

Initially, three eggs were laid, but one, unfortunately, broke in late February.

The two eaglets will remain in the nest under the watchful eyes of their parents for the next few months before they take their first flights.

To watch the nest live, visit  the Sutton Center “Eagle Cam”

The Parsons Police Department is encouraging responsible pet ownership after a dog attack occurred on a city street.

Parsons Police responded yesterday to reports of multiple individuals who had been attacked and bitten by dogs in the 2400 block of Main Street. EMS was called to administer first aid to the victims. All of the dogs were impounded by Parsons Police and taken to the Parsons Pet Hospital for quarantine. The owner of the animals was located and cited for allowing the dogs to run loose. The owner will also be responsible for the cost of housing the animals while they are under quarantine. If the owner is unable to pay the fees, the animal may be placed for adoption through the City.

P-P-D says the department has responded to nearly 200 animal calls so far in 2025 and advises residents to follow the law in order to keep pets and the community safe. All animals should be secured in fenced yards or on leashes to ensure safety of both animals and humans.

Parsons residents with questions about animal regulations or pet safety can contact Community Services Officer Ricky Thompson at (620) 421-7060.

The Neodesha City Commission is set to make several proclamations at today's meeting.

With a new month comes new proclamations. The Neodesha City Commission will officially proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in an attempt to raise awareness to the problem of child abuse and neglect and highlight the need that all communities have in ensuring all children have positive experiences. The focus of the proclamation is also to help ensure all families have the support they need before they reach the crisis stage. Commissioners are also expected to proclaim April as Fair Housing Month.

Also on the agenda for today's meeting is an ordinance to set the date and time of commission meetings and another for contractor licensing. Commissioners will also appoint an individual to the KMEA and will be asked to approve the purchase of electric materials and the use of the Fall River Dam area.

Today's meeting begins at 2pm at City Hall and is also available via Zoom call at the City's Facebook page.

Next month is Childhood Abuse Awareness Month and the City of Coffeyville officially recognizes April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City. Mayor Deborah Maples reads the proclamation.

Childhood Abuse Awareness Month raises awareness about child abuse and neglect by educating the public on the signs of abuse and how to report it, while promoting support for families and children at risk and advocating for policies and programs that prevent child abuse. You can hear the full proclamation here.

The Coffeyville City Commission discus the possibility of a community survey to hear what the residents want to see changed and improved.

Commissioner Don Edwards says there hasn't been one done in Coffeyville in over a decade and he feels they should do one again.  Commissioner Alec Hendryx says he doesn't like the idea of a community survey because he already knows what the responses will be.

City Manager Ben Brubaker says they may look at a survey that has specific questions rather than a more generalized one. No official decision was made.

A Caney Valley, Oklahoma school teacher is arrested on assault charges. On Friday evening, officers responded to a report of shots fired in Ochelata. Upon arrival, they spoke to Fifth Grade Teacher Benjamin Grace.

According to an affidavit, Grace told officers he was watching a Christian movie with the victim in bed when she asked him why he had a blanket in between his legs. He says she accused him of using the blanket to do inappropriate things. Grace says he then got upset and asked her to leave. When the victim refused, Grace says he grabbed a pistol and pointed it at the bed. Grace told officers he shot a round at the headboard next to where the victim was lying in an attempt to get her to leave. The victim did so once the shots were fired.

The victim says the two were in bed watching a movie when she asked Grace if she could play some Christian music at a low volume to fall asleep. She says this is when Grace got mad and asked her to leave. The victim says Grace left the room to throw things and came back in the room at which time he got the gun from the bedside table. The victim says she heard the loud gunshot and thought she was dead as it made her right ear ring. Officers collected the weapon, saw the bullet holes and arrested Grace. The bond was set at $150,000 on the condition he have no contact with the victim. Grace is due back in court on Friday, April 4^th. 

 Residents of Caney USD 436 were invited to an informational meeting last night to see and hear more about the $32.3 million dollar bond set to be voted on in an April 8^th election.

 Representatives from Raymond James Financial and Architect One were on hand to answer any questions about the design and financial aspects of the bond issue.

 Architect and owner of Architect One Scott Gales says he was pleased to see a steady stream of people.

 Bond Underwriter from Raymond James Financial Greg Vahrenberg says he was encouraged with the questions asked by residents, adding that residents are in a low interest rate environment.

 Caney Superintendent Blake Vargas says the bond issue is not just for today, but for thirty years in the future.

 More information on the “Bond For Everyone” can be found on the USD436 Facebook page or website. A link to the website can be found here.

The Montgomery County Commission continues to hear updates from various county departments.

At this week's meeting, County Attorney Melissa Johnson gave her quarterly report to commissioners. Johnson says her office is currently in search of a full-time attorney and has had some difficulty keeping attorneys on staff.

John added that her office has also been in the process of digitizing case files. The effort began two years ago and John says she anticipates it will be complete by the end of the year.

Adult Community Corrections Director Dennis Webb, Facilities Manager Jeff Phelps, and Environmental Safety and Zoning Director Matt Debo also presented reports at this week's meeting.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a suspect wanted in a fatal arson case in Henryetta.

The ATF has released a video that shows a man approaching the home of Sarah Yancey, setting a fire, and then leaving the scene. The fire occurred on February 10^th and resulted in Yancey's death. Investigators say the suspect was then picked up at a nearby convenience store following the arson.

Anyone with information about the crime is urged to contact the ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS.

Two men are dead following a multi-car accident on the Muskogee Turnpike yesterday morning.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says 31-year-old Baylor Butler of Muskogee and 26-year-old Stevie Ray Carter of Gore were both pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident that occurred just north of Porter around 5am yesterday morning. Both victims were passengers in the car of a third man, who was seriously injured in the crash.

The O-H-P has not released the cause of the crash.

Kansas lawmakers are currently debating a bill that would limit out-of-state individuals to hunting waterfowl to three days a week.

The proposal would raise the cost of hunting permits and limit non-Kansans to hunting waterfowl on public lands to Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. Senator Virgil Peck is one of the proponents of the bill and stated that part of the reason for the bill is that migratory birds have changed their flight patterns due to excessive hunting.

The Bill is currently under discussion by the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Human remains found recently near Columbus are thought to be those of a missing 19-year-old man.

Jaden Santini was originally reported missing in December of 2023. When the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office recently received a call, notifying them of human remains found in a wooded area west of Columbus, authorities worked quickly to confirm the identity of the individual. Personal items found near the skeletal remains identified the person as Jaden Santini.

The county coroner will confirm the identity of the remains, but Santini's family has been notified. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office says foul play is not suspected in the case.

A late night car accident in Reno County leaves one dead and two more seriously injured.

The accident occurred around 9:30 last night just east of Hutchinson at the intersection of Airport Road and 17^th Avenue. A 2001 Dodge Dakota driven by 37-year-old Preston Lewis of Hutchinson was traveling westbound on 17^th Avenue when he crossed the center line for an unknown reason. He then collided head-on with a 2023 Buick Envision driven by 61-year-old Helen Blevins. Blevins sustained fatal injuries in the crash. A passenger in her vehicle – 29-year-old Stephanie Blevins – was seriously injured. Lewis also sustained serious injuries. Both he and the younger Blevins were transported to the Hutchinson Regional Hospital for medical treatment.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly vetoes a bill that would have removed the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots in Kansas elections.

The measure – known as Senate Bill 4 – would have amended a bill passed in 2017 that was meant to address delays in the U.S. Postal Service in processing mail that might have caused ballots to arrive late.

In explaining her veto of the bill, Kelly stated that the purpose of the original law was to ensure voters in rural areas would be secure in the knowledge that their vote would be counted. The governor went on the say that Senate Bill 4 would cause confusion among county election officials because ti would require them to update policies regarding the handling of mail-in ballots.

Kelly concluded by stating that she refused to sign a bill that would – in her words – deprive Kansans from having their vote counted.

The Coffeyville City Commission is set to discuss the need for housing in the city.

At this week's meeting, commissioners are expected to approve a resolution to establish a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District. This is a program that comes through the Kansas Department of Commerce with the purpose of aiding developers in building housing within communities by assisting in the financing of public infrastructure improvements.

The commission is also expected to approve the awarding of bids to repair a storm sewer at 5^th and Santa Fe Streets as well as a bid for a water main replacement on West 6^th Street. There will also be a second reading of the Home Rule Ordinance regarding Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.

Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 in the Commission Room at City Hall. The public is invited to attend in person or watch the meeting online vie the City's YouTube channel.

The Chautauqua County Animal Shelter is holding a major adoption event this Saturday.

The Shelter invites those interested in adopting a dog to meet their new best friend and help them “Clear the Shelter.” This Saturday, adoption fees for adult dogs will be $50 and the fee for puppies will be $100. By adopting a shelter dog, you can help reduce pet overpopulation and give a deserving dog a second chance at a happy life with a loving family.

The Chautauqua County Animal Shelter “Clear the Shelter” event runs this Saturday from 1 to 3pm at 921 Highway 99 in Sedan.

Coffeyville Community College and Independence Community College Boards of Trustees both vote in favor of beginning talks of consolidating the two schools.

The Boards of Trustees of both schools met separately Monday night and each held executive session to discuss the possibility of consolidating the two schools.

ICC's Board of Trustees also discussed the issue in executive session after a lengthy comment period in which they heard from multiple people. Many of those who spoke were faculty members with concerns about the potential merger. Here is a sample of what they had to say.

While most who spoke at the meeting were against consolidation, one person spoke in favor of the move. Former Interim Coffeyville City Administrator Tim Wilson says, there is one big reason many people are in favor of consolidation.

Following the public comment session, Trustees went into executive session to discuss the move. Board Chair Dr. Cynthia Sherwood calls for a motion following the discussion.

CCC voted on the measure first, passing the proposal by a 6-0 vote following a two-hour executive session. ICC Trustees were aware of the CCC vote before the motion was made. Sherwood stressed that this vote by both schools is merely the beginning of the process.

Sherwood says consolidation may be the school's best option.

Sherwood stressed that last night's vote is just the beginning of the process. Trustee Jeri Hammerschmidt says this is a first for community colleges in Kansas.

In other business, the ICC Trustees approve a request from the school to begin the process of implementing a new Industrial Maintenance Tech program, while also tabling a vote on the proposed welding program for another month due to concern about the associated start-up costs.

Also at last night's meeting, the ICC Trustees canceled their search for a new school president in light of last night's vote. Trustees agreed to retain current President Dr. Jonathan Sadhoo to guide them through the consolidation process. Sadhoo will also continue in his role as Chief Financial Officer for the school.

To listen to the entire public comment section of last night's meeting, go here.

A storm spotter talk will take place tonight in Wilson County.

The Wichita Office of the National Weather Service will present their Storm Fury on the Plains program tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Altoona Fire Station.

This free talk allows the public to learn more about severe weather, how to send in storm reports and stay safe during storms.

If you can't make tonight's presentation, the program will be presented in Independence next Thursday, April 3^rd in Memorial Hall at 6:30 p.m.

The Tulsa Office of the National Weather Service will also put on a spotter talk this Thursday, March 27^th at 6:30 in the community center at the fairgrounds in Vinita.

Starting today, Coffeyville residents should leave their old polycarts at their normal pickup location and not take them back from the curb.

As the transition from Republic Services to Waste Connections continues, residents should put Republic Services carts out on the normal pickup day so they can be collected. All carts should be picked up by the end of the month. Those with Monday service should put carts out like normal next Monday and leave them out.

Friday, April 4^th will be the first pickup from Waste Connections using newly-delivered carts. Going forward, all trash in town will be collected on Fridays. Anyone with questions should call Coffeyville City Hall.

Coffeyville Community College and Independence Community College could be consolidating.

At tonight's CCC and ICC Board of Trustees meetings, both boards voted 6-0 in favor of a resolution of intent to begin discussions between the two schools in regards to consolidation.  This is only a preliminary agreement and both schools agreed that if they cannot agree to terms between them, that both votes would be nullified.

ICC Board Chair Dr. Cynthia Sherwood says this was not an easy decision, but cites multiple factors including downward enrollment over the past decade at Kansas community colleges and the pressure from the Kansas legislature on institutions serving southeast Kansas.

Sherwood says the ICC and CCC Boards will contact the Kansas Board of Regents to notify them the intent to proceed with a consolidation. A special election will then be called, and the ballot question before voters will state: “Shall Independence Community College and Coffeyville Community College consolidate into a united community college system?” 

Sherwood says if voters approve the measure, the decisions to be made will be numerous and the public's input is encouraged.

ICC has also canceled their search for a new president and Jonathan Sadhoo will stay on as president for the immediate future.

KGGF will provide more analysis and a full recap of Monday's meeting on-air and online, including audio from last night's meetings plus analysis from local lawmakers and those involved on potential implications going forward.  Subscribers to KGGF's Text Alerts got this information first.  Subscribe HERE to be in the know on local breaking news.

The Kansas Department of Transportation says US-75 through Neodesha will remain closed for at least one and possibly two more weeks.

Union Pacific Railroad has been working to repair the U-P and South Kansas & Oklahoma crossing on West Main Street in addition to installing a new crossing in the area. The project was originally planned to be completed this week but due to unforeseen circumstances, the completion date has been extended. US-75 will remain closed possibly through the second week of April.

The Montgomery County Corrections Department is moving in the right direction.

That's the word from Montgomery County Jail Administrator Chad Dunham. Dunham says jail capacity is lower than it has been in some time.

Dunham says another positive trend is among corrections staff. The turnover rate among guards at the county jail has been nearly cut in half. Sheriff Ron Wade says that's a good sign for Montgomery County.

Wade also commended officers from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department and Corrections officers for their efforts.

The Fredonia City Commission approves a new location for the City's Police Department.

The building that currently houses the Fredonia Police Department has fallen into disrepair and the city has been exploring options for a new place to locate the force. City Administrator Evan Bolt says the city considered several different options.

One of the locations considered by the city commission was 515 Madison Street. Commissioner Bill Jones, who is also a former member of the Fredonia Police Department, says the Madison Street location would be an excellent upgrade for the department.

Mayor Allen Miller and Commissioner Brandon Tindle agreed with Jones and voted in favor of moving the police headquarters to the Madison Street location. The move is expected to be complete by the end of 2025.

A northwest Arkansas high school student notches a perfect score the the ACT college entrance exam.

The Fort Smith Public Schools have announced that Cody Goodson – a junior at Northside High School in Fort Smith – earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT. Goodson also scored a perfect 1500 on the PSAT, a test designed to help students prepare for the SAT and that also qualifies students for National Merit Scholarships.

After graduation from high school in 2026, Goodson says he plans to pursue a degree in astrophysics.

A 23-year-old Saline County man is under arrest for the vandalism of a Catholic church in Wichita.

Michael Gonzalez was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with felony counts of burglary and public desecration, plus misdemeanor counts of theft and criminal damage to property in connection to the vandalism that occurred on March 1.

Wichita Police say the St. Patrick Catholic Church at 19^th and Arkansas showed damage to statues, candles, and glass. The allegations also include hate speech and the burning of an American flag.

Gonzalez is currently being held in the Sedgwick County Jail.

A Pittsburg man is in custody in Crawford County on charges of burglary following a multi-county police chase.

48-year-old Cory Reynolds led police on a car chase late last week that spanned several Kansas counties and reached into Missouri as well before he was apprehended. The chase began just before 11pm Thursday night when Reynolds allegedly fled a traffic stop by Pittsburg Police. Officers pursued the suspect as he fled into Cherokee County and then crossed the state line into Missouri. According to authorities, the driver was driving recklessly reaching speeds in excess of 100mph. Sheriff's deputies involved in the pursuit also say the driver turned off his headlights and continued to flee in the dark.

Officers from the Crawford and Cherokee County Sheriff's Offices were joined by those from the Quapaw Nation Marshal's Service in the pursuit. Crawford County Sheriff Billy Tomasi attempted to stop the vehicle by using a Tactical Vehicle Intervention maneuver, but the driver still refused to stop. The car was eventually disabled and Reynolds was taken into custody.

In addition to the burglary charges, Reynolds has also been charged with stalking, domestic battery and fleeing and eluding. He is currently being held in the Crawford County Jail.

One person is injured following a house fire in Nevada, MO.

The blaze began just after midnight on Friday morning. When Nevada firefighters arrived on the scene, they found the residential structure fully engulfed in flames. Crews were able to bring the fire under control and extinguish the flames. The home sustained serious damage and one occupant was taken to a nearby hospital with undisclosed injuries.

It is believed the fire was caused by discarded smoking materials inside the home. Fire crews from Deerfield and Milo assisted on the call.

Photo courtesy Nevada Professional Firefighters

The City of Chetopa will begin a major waterline repair project today.

City crews will begin work today to repair the waterline from the well house to the City Water Treatment Plant at Veteran's Park today. Residents are asked to conserve water today by not using more than they would for normal daily use. City officials also ask that residents avoid the work area during construction in order to allow crews to finish the repairs in a timely manner.

The Nowata Public Schools will hold an open house tomorrow night to discuss the proposal for the bond issue.

There are two proposals that will be on the April 1 ballot, The first – for just over $16 million – would pair for repairs and improvements to all school buildings in the district while also adding improvements to the athletic and agricultural programs. The second bond issue for $450,000 would purchase three new school buses and expand the existing bus barn. Tomorrow night's meeting will begin at 6pm in the Nowata High School cafeteria.

A recent traffic stop by a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper leads to the arrest of a kidnapping suspect.

According to the K-H-P, the trooper pulled over an SUV on a Kansas roadway for a traffic violation. The vehicle was occupied by two adult males – both appearing to be in their 60s – and a young female child. During the stop, the trooper discovered that the passenger in the vehicle had an outstanding warrant for his arrest in another state for the kidnapping of a 6-year-old girl. It was also discovered that the driver had a criminal history including homicide and weapons violations.

The trooper called in deputies from the local Sheriff's Office to assist on the stop. The two law enforcement officers then secured both men and removed the child from the vehicle. The young girl eventually revealed her real name to the officers and it was confirmed that she was the 6-year-old kidnapping victim. The girl had been on the run with the suspect for over a month. Both suspects were taken into custody and the girl was placed in protective care. The victim was unharmed in the incident.

No names or other details have yet been released

Consolidation will be on the agenda at tonight's Independence Community College Board of Trustees meeting.

The topic is listed on the published meeting agenda under an executive session with possible action to be taken. Under the Kansas Open Meetings Act, executive sessions can be called during regular meetings to deal with issues of attorney/client privilege, contract negotiations or matters of personnel. No votes can be taken during such a session and matters discussed in executive sessions are considered confidential. A second executive session is scheduled to discuss the possible contract for a new school President.

Also on tonight's agenda is a request for approval for a new Industrial Maintenance Tech program and the continuing discussion of a possible welding program.

The meeting also includes a public comment portion during which attendees can voice their concerns over agenda items.

Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 in room 104 in the Fab Lab or C-I-E building. The public is invited to attend.

Montgomery County will revisit the burn ban resolution at today's Montgomery County Commission meeting.

At last week's meeting commissioners issued a 3-day ban that prohibited all outdoor burning in Montgomery County, due to the recent dry, windy weather. The original ban was allowed to expire late last week, but commissioners may consider similar weather forecast for this week in making their decision on the issue.

Also on this week's agenda, quarterly reports from County Departments will continue with County Attorney Melissa Johnson, Adult Community Corrections Director Dennis Webb, Facilities Manager Jeff Phelps, and Environmental Safety and Zoning Director Matt Debo.

Today's meeting begins at 9am in the Commission Room on the lower level of the Judicial Center in Independence. It is also available for viewing online via the County's Facebook page. The public is invited to attend.

Breaking News ….

We have reports of a major accident on US-169 at County Road 6 about 4 miles south of South Coffeyville.

Initial reports indicate an 18-wheeler has overturned and that there are possible injuries involved. Drivers are advised to avoid the area to allow first responders to access the area.

We will have more details on KGGF as they become available.

Montgomery County Democrats stage a protest in Coffeyville over the weekend.

The event happened at Walnut and 11^th on Saturday as attendees expressed their displeasure with the actions of the Trump Administration and Elon Musk, as well as congressional Republicans. The group has been active in various protest events this month including protesting at the State Capitol. The protest took place on the right-of-way at the intersection and was not sponsored by any nearby businesses.

Photo: Frank Shedden, SnapWild Photography

An accident involving multiple vehicles causes the shutdown of the westbound lanes of the Muskogee Turnpike in Oklahoma.

The accident occurred just before 6am this morning. Emergency crews are on the scene, including at least three ambulances and a medical helicopter. There is no word yet as to what, if any injuries, occurred.

Drivers are advised to avoid that area of the Muskogee Turnpike north of Porter until the accident can be cleared.

Excitement is building for the 9^th Annual Inter-State Farm and Home Show is just a few days away.

The two-day event on the Coffeyville Community College Campus features a wide variety of products and services. Organizer Tina Romine says there's really something for everyone.

Romine says there's a lot of information available on the Inter-State Farm and Home Show website, which is available HERE.

Admission and parking at the show this Friday and Saturday are Free, and attendees will receive a goodie bag plus the chance to win $500 each day of the show. Hours are Friday from 1 to 7 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 to 4, and food will also be available on site.

The Midland Theater is one step closer to reopening thanks to a generous gift from a family with deep Coffeyville roots.

On Friday afternoon, Bill and Stacy Pratt presented a $100,000 check from the Pratt Family Charitable Fund to the Midland Theater Foundation as part of their matching challenge that took place late last year.

Longtime Coffeyville supporter Bill Pratt says this is an opportunity for him to give back to his hometown and leave a legacy for his family.

Stacy Pratt says it's important to remember that this is a matching donation and that every supporter of the Midland played a part in this challenge.

The matching 100,000 was raised in only two months during fundraising efforts last November and December. The auditorium renovation project is expected to get underway this year as fundraising efforts continue to open the theater by 2028, which is the Midland's 100 anniversary. Tax credits are still available for those interested in helping out and also getting a credit on their 2025 taxes. Details are available HERE.

One person is dead following an early morning house fire in Hutchinson.

Fire crews were dispatched to a residence in the Reno County city around 3:45 this morning. Personnel was advised while en route that there was possibly a person still inside the home. The house was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived on the scene. It took nearly ninety minutes to bring the blaze under control, allowing emergency responders to remove the victim from the home.

Two neighboring homes sustained moderate damage.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

 USD 436 voters will head to the polls soon to decide on the fate of a $32.3 million bond issue for a full scale facilities upgrade.

 All USD 436 facilities are being addressed, from construction of a secured main entrance at Lincoln Memorial Elementary School, to playground overhauls, enhanced parking and general upgrades to restrooms and classrooms. Construction of a storm shelter at Caney Valley Jr.-Sr. High School would bring more space for wrestling and music education, new boys’ and girls’ locker rooms, plus improvements to specialized classrooms that have not been upgraded since 1973.

 The bond would also bring football, baseball and softball to the high school campus, along with a new concession stand, public restrooms and visiting team locker rooms. A small expansion at CV West would incorporate a woodworking/construction program at Caney Valley Jr.-Sr. High School.

 Caney Superintendent Blake Vargas says the focus is on every person associated with the district.

 For a home with an appraised value of $100,000, the increase would be just over $145 a year in tax revenue, or $12.10 per month.

 Superintendent Vargas will join James Copeland Monday at 8:45 to talk about the bond issue and the implications it would have for the district. More information can also be found here.

A Pittsburg teen is in critical condition after being struck by a car while crossing a highway.

Deputies from the Crawford County Sheriff's Office say the 18-year-old woman was attempting to cross K-47 near 190^th Street just east of Girard when she was struck by a 2016 Ford Transit. The driver rendered aid to the victim before Crawford County EMS arrived on the scene.

The victim was taken to the Girard Medical Center before being transferred via Med-Flight to St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa.

The driver of the car has not been identified and the Crawford County Sheriff's Office says there was no signs of impairment.

The City of Neodesha is asking residents to refrain from dumping items other than brush at the city brush dump.

The City Public Works Department says trash items have recently been found at the brush dump and there has also been damage to the grass by people not driving on the road. If the issues continue, the City will be forced to restrict access to the dump. Residents are advised to leave nothing other than brush and to keep vehicles on the gravel roads to avoid damage to the area.

Two people in Commerce, OK, are charged in federal court in the death of a two-year-old child.

32-year-old Daniel Ash and 30-year-old Amber Murphy have each been indicted by a Grand Jury for Second-Degree Murder in Indian Country and four counts of Child Neglect in Indian Country. Ash also faces an additional charge of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor Under 12 Years Old in Indian Country.

Both suspects were arrested last September after a two-year-old child was found deceased at a Commerce residence. There were a total of five children under the supervision of the couple at the time of the child's death. It remains unclear if either defendant is the biological parent of the deceased child.

Murphy and the victim are both identified as being citizens of or eligible for citizenship in the Cherokee Nation.

The case is being investigated by the Quapaw Nation Marshal Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Residents in Nowata are being asked to approve a bond issue to make repairs and improvements to Nowata Public Schools.

The issue is expected to cost the district just over $16 million dollars and would make some much-needed repairs to district school buildings and improve security measures at both Moore Elementary and at Nowata Middle/High School. The bond would also cover new construction for the agricultural education program.

Nowata Superintendent of Schools Tim Simpson says the bond will not raise taxes.

A second proposition that will come before voters is to purchase three new buses for the district. That measure would cost $450,000.

The school bond issue will be on the ballot for voters in Nowata on April 1.

Authorities in southeastern Oklahoma are asking for the public's help in finding new leads in a 2021 cold case.

The Choctaw County Sheriff's Office along with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation are looking for new leads in the death of 37-year-old Thomas Allen Miller. Miller was found dead near the intersection of Wilson and Front Streets in Swink, OK, on November 9, 2021. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Miller’s cause of death was a gunshot wound.

The O-S-B-I is offering a $5,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for Miller’s death. Anyone with information regarding Miller's death should contact the O-S-B-I at tips@osbi.ok.gov or 1-800-522-8017.

A detention officer at the Stephens County Jail in Duncan, OK, faces rape charges for inappropriate contact with an inmate.

Stephens County authorities arrested 58-year-old Christi Gail Baird yesterday morning on two felony charges of Second-Degree Rape and Sexual Battery. The charges stem from allegations that Baird had inappropriate contact with an inmate in the Stephens County Jail during her employment there as a detention officer. The arrest was made following an investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Baird is being held on a $25,000 bond.

A former Pawhuska Police Chief is cleared of wrongdoing following an investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

No charges will be filed against former Pawhuska Police Chief Lorrie Hennesy after she was placed on paid administrative leave in August 2024 following accusations from City Manager Jerry Eubanks that she violated department policy. Hennesy was later fired.

Hennesy's attorney Travis Vernier, said on Thursday that the criminal allegations against Hennesy were an attempt to weaponize the law. He also r thanked Osage County District Attorney Mike Fisher and OSBI agents for upholding the law and for their professionalism during the investigation. Vernier urged Pawhuska city leaders "to do the right thing" by clearing Hennesy's name and reinstating her as police chief.

One woman is dead and a man is seriously injured following a single-vehicle accident yesterday on I-70.

The accident occurred 10 miles west of Wakeeny around 8:30am. Icy conditions persisted on I-70 after the interstate was closed to traffic west of Salina due to a late-season snowstorm on Wednesday. 63-year-old Deborah Nagorka of Glendale, Arizona, was traveling in the westbound lanes in a Toyota 4-Runner when she hit an icy patch and lost control of the vehicle. The SUV crossed the median and overturned, crossing the eastbound lanes of I-70 before coming to rest on its top in the south ditch. Nagorka was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passenger – 63-year-old Anthony Nagorka – sustained serious injuries and was taken via Eagle Med Life Flight to a Hays hospital.

The State of Oklahoma carries out its first execution of 2025.

Yesterday morning, the State carried out the death sentence of 56-year-old Wendell Arden Grissom at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. Grissom was pronounced dead at 10:13am.He was found guilty of first-degree murder for the shooting death of 23-year-old Amber Matthews near Watonga in 2005. Matthews had been at a friend's house in rural Blaine County, helping the friend pack for a move. His accomplice, Jesse Johns is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole for his role in the crime. In his last words, Grissom apologized and asked for forgiveness.

Dreu Kofp, - Matthews' friend who survived the attack – stated that she felt the apology was sincere but that it came too late.

Independence Police arrest a Cherryvale man on outstanding warrants.

On Tuesday afternoon, officers from the Independence Police Department identified and located an individual with active warrants from several different jurisdictions. 32-year-old Jordan Marshall was taken into custody just before 2pm near the intersection of 8^th and Birch Streets in Independence. Marshall had five outstanding warrants from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, the Wilson County Sheriff's Office, and the Nowata County Sheriff's Office. He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail in Independence where he faces additional charges of Possession of an Opiate, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Interference with Law Enforcement.

Fire danger returns for the region today, although some rain chances are on the way.

A red flag warning will be in effect starting at 10 a.m. for the entire four-state area and continue through early evening. Winds could gust to 40 mph and afternoon humidity is expected to be very low. Outdoor burning should be avoided today.

The chance of rain is on the increase for the weekend, though, with Coffeyville and eastern Kansas seeing at least a 50% chance of some rain tomorrow evening and overnight. Storms are not expected to be severe, but could produce some dime to quarter-size hail.

A Bartlesville man is facing felony charges after being in possession of over one pound of meth.

43-year-old Rodney Garber was charged with aggravated trafficking in illegal drugs, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of drug proceeds.

According to the Bartlesville Police Department, a search warrant with assistance from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics was executed on Garber's residence. Garber told agents the code to his safe and also told agents that there was a pound of meth inside the safe. Agents located a total of 499 grams of methamphetamine in Garber's residence. Agents also located seven firearms in the residence and over $2,200 dollars.

Three people are under arrest in southwest Missouri following a police investigation of stolen property.

Authorities in Newton County, MO, have arrested 44-year-old Adam Trammel of Seneca along with a 57-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman. The three were taken into custody following a search of a property on Kentucky Road near Neosho for suspected narcotics and stolen property. The Newton County Sheriff's Office recovered stolen guns along with a substance believed to be methamphetamine.

All three are currently being held in the Newton County Jail in Neosho awaiting formal charges.

The Independence Fire Department responds to several fires during the recent high winds with help from Independence Police officers.

With the extreme wind conditions across the region on Friday, area firefighters were very busy. The Independence Police Department responded to a structure fire at 12^th and Beech Streets on Friday and then quickly moved on to another fire report on Rainbow Drive in the Country Club area. Grass fires are especially dangerous in high winds because they can spread very quickly and become a threat to structures and people.

When police officers arrived on the scene, they found a grass fire along a tree line that was very close to nearby homes. They attacked to fire quickly along with help from some nearby citizens. They were able to contain and extinguish the fires before they got out of control.

Later that Friday afternoon, officers from the Independence Police Department responded to another grass fire in the 900 block of East Poplar because fire crews were busy on other calls. Officers were able to put out the fire before fire trucks arrived.

The Parsons City Commission approves funding for several projects at this week's commission meeting.

Commissioners awarded a bid for a project to replace windows at the Parsons Public Library. Mayor Verlyn Boulanger says the project was awarded to the sole bidder.

Library Director Samantha Graven says the project is nearly ready to get underway.

In other business, commissioners also agreed to $12,000 in funding for the Parsons Car Cupboard, which offers free personal hygiene products to Parsons residents in need. The group recently added more products to their care packages and the funds will help offset those costs. Bids were also awarded for summer mowing services for city properties and for Oakwood and Pefley Cemeteries.

The City of Fredonia is asking residents to respond to an upcoming survey.

The anonymous survey will ask residents questions about their household income. City Grant Writer Beth Ann Falstad says it is important because the information will help the city in obtaining state grants.

The income threshold is a vital element in Community Development Block Grants or C-D-B-G grants that come from the State Department of Commerce and are intended to help low to moderate-income communities fund projects. The City of Sedan recently received one of these grants to help them construct a new public library while Caney will use C-D-B-G funds to pay for part of their water line connection to the City of Coffeyville.

Falstad says Fredonia residents will soon receive a letter in the mail instructing them on how to complete the survey.

In other business at this week's Fredonia City Commission meeting, Code Enforcement Officer Duste Odell updated commissioners on progress made in the effort to condemn dangerous and unsafe homes in Fredonia. Odell told commissioners that she will present more conclusive findings at the April 16^th meeting.

Nestle USA issues a voluntary recall of certain Lean Cuisine and Stouffer's frozen meals due to the potential presence of a wood-like substance in the food.

The recall applies to limited batches of Lean Cuisine Butternut Squash Ravioli, Spinach Artichoke Ravioli, Lemon Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry, and Stouffer's Party Size Chicken Lasagna. The products were distributed at major U.S. retailers between September 2024 and March 2025. One choking incident has been reported in connection to the recall.

Consumers who have purchased these products should not prepare or consume them. Products can be returned to the retailer where it was purchased for a replacement or a full refund.

Read the full release, follow this link.

Good news for those needing to travel across western Kansas.

The Kansas Department of Transportation reports that all roads in western Kansas have reopened following yesterday's snow storm. A major weather system that moved across the Midwest yesterday brought blizzard conditions and caused road closures across the western portion of the state including all lanes of I-70 from Salina to the Colorado border. Roads were closed starting early yesterday morning and continuing into the evening hours, causing travel delays. KDOT began opening roads late yesterday afternoon and, by midnight, all roads were back op en to traffic.

Kandrive,gov reports this morning that all roads are open and travel conditions are back to normal.

Two rural water districts in Northern Wilson County will be merging.

The county will be combining District No. 5 and District No. 7 together. Fredonia City Attorney John Chenoweth says the area of the merger is in the northeast part of the county.

Rural water District No. 5 has been the primary provider for Benedict for decades, but has experienced more difficulty in recent years. Following discussion, the commission unanimously approved the motion.

Additional items of note at this week's meeting were updates from County Clerk Kayla Busch, County Coordinator Kris Marple, and Road and Bridge Director Kary Tatum. The commission will meet next on Wednesday, March 26th, at 9 a.m. in Room 101 of the County Courthouse.

Advanced voting for the USD 436 Special Bond Issue in Caney starts today.

Caney voters who are registered may cast their votes in person at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Independence. Votes may be cast in the County Clerk's Office between 8am and 5pm. Advanced voting is open through Monday, April 7, at noon.

The $32 million bond would be used to pay for new additions to Caney schools and improvements to district buildings.

Anyone with questions about advanced voting for the bond should contact the Montgomery County Clerk's Office at 620-330-1200 or visit their website.

To learn more about the Bond issue, follow this link.

A Neodesha High School Senior receives a youth leadership award. Senior Tucker Leck was presented the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award by Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab.

Leck says he was surprised to see the Secretary of State and his parents enter his third-hour class.  The award honors the accomplishments of Congressman John Lewis and is a way for the National Association of Secretaries of State to recognize gifted, civic-minded youth in their state each year.

Leck says he was recognized for his work in getting people registered to vote.  Leck is the first Kansan to win this award. You can hear the full interview with him here.

A Bartlesville man is in jail on a felony charge of animal cruelty after dragging, kicking and punching a puppy.

50-year-old Melvin Meadows Jr. was arrested Monday afternoon following several witnesses contacting police for the animal abuse. Police say they found Meadows in the 1700 block of SW Frank Phillips Boulevard walking the puppy on a leash. Meadows demonstrated how he was making the puppy walk by yanking up on the leash. During the demonstration, police say the puppy's front paws were hanging off the ground and Meadows repeatedly pulled the leash several times.

Officers say the puppy appeared to be afraid of Meadows. The dog coward toward the ground every time Meadows reached for it and was also shaking and tucking its tail. Police say they saw blood on the puppy's chin. Meadows was arrested. During his court appearance, Meadows' bond was set at $25,000.

A Dewey man is accused of two felony counts of stalking, one misdemeanor count of resisting an officer and one misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace.

According to the Dewey Police Department, 18-year-old Isaac Joseph Turner had been stalking two individuals for several consecutive days, including driving by a residence and shouting profanities at the victims. Turner told the victims that he was going to smoke them and bury them in the county. The stalking happened on 14 separate occasions.

On March 13^th, Turner was set to appear in Dewey Municipal Court when he began yelling in the lobby of the police department. He was asked to quiet down or go outside. While outside, Turner flipped someone off while cursing. He then became combative with officers when they ordered him to come in for court. Turner began cursing the officers, and police warned him if he continued, he would be placed under arrest for disorderly conduct. Turner reportedly continued cursing and officers attempted to place him under arrest. Officers tackled Turner to the ground and he became combative. Following a brief struggle, officers were able to place Turner in handcuffs. He is being held in the Washington County Jail on a $35,000 aggregate bond. His next court date is April 4^th.

The Hilton Garden Inn of Bartlesville is looking for the public's help in identifying a suspect in a vandalism incident.

The suspect caused a significant amount of damage to their property on yesterday evening. Anyone with information regarding this case should contact the Hilton Garden Inn or the Bartlesville Police Department.

A teen in South Coffeyville is reported missing.

Christopher Nathiel Ryder is 14 and was last seen on Sunday, March 16^th. Ryder is a white male with blue eyes, 5 foot 3 and weighs 114 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans in the Coffeyville and Tyro area. If you have any information, contact local law enforcement or call the South Coffeyville Police Department at 918-255-6513.

A former Neosho County Sheriff has passed away.

Retired Neosho County Sheriff Jim Keath passed away on Monday. Keath began his career in law enforcement as a Deputy Sheriff in 1989. He then served under Sheriff Rick Wingate as a Deputy, Detective, and then as Undersheriff. He was appointed Sheriff of Neosho County in 1998 and re-elected as Sheriff multiple times. Keath finished his final term and retired in 2021.

Jim Keath was dedicated to serving the citizens of Neosho County. Even while being full-time employed with the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office continually from 1989-2021, he also served the citizens in other capacities. He worked as a part-time police officer for the cities of Chanute and Erie, an EMT, Volunteer Fireman, and Deputy Coroner.

Keath passed away peacefully at his home in Oklahoma on Monday.

Woodson County and the City of Yates Center have begun clean-up efforts following a Friday fire that destroyed a local nursing home.

The dry conditions and high winds of Friday afternoon led to multiple dangerous fires across the state. Among those was the South Owl Fire in Woodson County. Around 3:30 on Friday, the fire began to threaten the Yates Center Health and Rehab residential facility. Woodson County Emergency Management Director Johnny Atkin says a quick response by staff at the facility allowed all residents to be safely evacuated before the fire reached the building. While two residents sustained minor injuries during the evacuation, no lives were lost. Atkin credits the quick work of all first responders.

Atkin says things could have easily been much worse.

Atkin added that all residents of the care facility have been temporarily moved to other area facilities and the the City is working to secure another facility for residents.

Photo: Senator Roger Marshall meets with staff. Photo courtesy Yates Center Health and Rehab Facebook page

A missing Arkansas woman and her children are found safe.

Authorities in Benton County, Arkansas, say 34-year-old Whitney Dunson and her two children have been located and are safe. The trio was reported missing earlier this week. Family members said they had last been seen on March 4^th in the Siloam Springs area.

The Benton County Sheriff's Office says that Dunson and both her children – ages 6 and 3 – were found safe around 8pm last night.

A Collinsville man was killed Monday morning in a Rogers County collision with a semi-truck.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says 71-year-old Ernest Blakestad was driving a 2000 Ford F-150 on State Highway 20, near the intersection with North 152nd Avenue just after 6:30am on Monday. Troopers say Blakestad failed to yield at a stop sign and was struck by a 2025 Kenworth.

The OHP report says Blakestad was pronounced deceased at the scene due to his injuries.

The driver of the semi-truck and a passenger were not injured

Residents in Altamont soon will see an increase in their sewer rates.

The Altamont City Council voted for the two-stage rate increase at their most recent meeting. City Manager LeeAnn Myers told council members that, in order to qualify for grants that would help pay for some much-needed repairs to their existing sewer system, rates would need to go up. Myers says it's been more than a decade since the city has raised rates.

Current residential rates for Altamont are around $26. Myers stated that rates would have to go up considerably to meet current needs. Council member Lyle Sykes says it's a step the city needs to take.

Council members voted unanimously in favor of the measure. Rates for residential customers will go up to $35 on April 1^st and then rise again to $45 on October 1^st.

The Humanities Project Concert series continues next week at Coffeyville Community College.

Tuesday's performance will feature quirky singer-songwriter Shanna In A Dress. Known for her unique blend of humor and heartbreak, Shanna brings a delightful mixture of clever wordplay, sharp lyrics, and sweet vocals to every performance. She has been compared to John Prine and Phoebe from Friends.

Shanna In A Dress will perform Tuesday night at 6pm in the Spencer Rounds Theater on the CCC Campus. Admission is free.

The Fredonia City Commission will meet tonight to hear an update on the progress of condemnation procedures on properties deemed dangerous and unsafe.

The City began the process of condemning more than twenty houses in the city in March of 2024. Over the past year, several homes have been removed from the condemnation list after property owners made efforts to repair the properties. Commissioners are expected to approve the remaining houses on the list and move to the next step in the process. Code Enforcement Officer Duste Odell will be on hand to provide updates for the commission.

Commissioners are also expected to designate 515 East Madison as the Police Department Headquarters and approve a 25-year contract with the Grand River Dam Authority and the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency. There will also be a discussion of conducting a local income survey to update qualifications for low to moderate-income Community Development Block Grants.

Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 at City Hall in Fredonia. The public is invited to attend.

A St. Marys man is injured in a single-vehicle accident in northern Bourbon County.

The accident happened just before 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon as 31-year-old Brian Kleinsmith was traveling on K-7 near Wagon Road or about 15 miles northwest of Fort Scott. Kleinsmith was driving a large International Dump Truck and caught the edge of the roadway. He then over-corrected, causing the big truck to leave the roadway to the left and overturn. Kleinsmith was wearing a seat belt and sustained only minor injuries in the accident. He received treatment at a Fort Scott hospital.

Counties in northwestern Kansas are facing a strange bout of spring weather.

Last week's high winds and dry conditions caused dust storms that prompted the closure of many major roadways and led to a 71-car pile-up on I-70 on Friday. Today, all lanes of I-70 are closed once again, this time from Salina to the Colorado border due to a late season snow storm. The Kansas Department of Transportation advises that accumulating snow and strong winds are causing blizzard conditions and low visibility, hindering travel through western Kansas.

US-40 from Sharon Springs to the Colorado border is also closed. US-400 is currently open, but is under a travel alert, while roads in southwest Kansas are listed as partially covered to seasonal.

Motorists are also advised NOT to attempt to use secondary roads to avoid the closures. Drivers should delay any non-essential travel through western Kansas until conditions improve.

Those planning to travel can get updates on closures and conditions by consulting kandrive.gov or by calling 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside of Kansas.

Photo shows conditions on I-70 at Goodland around 6am on 3-19-25. Courtesy Kansas Highway Patrol

K-23 in Cimarron today

Northeast Oklahoma, far southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri will be included in a red flag warning again today.

The warning will be in place through 11 a.m. for southwest Missouri and Bourbon, Crawford and Cherokee Counties in Kansas. The warning will be in place through 1 p.m. for northeast Oklahoma as gusty and dry conditions will continue for a little while longer. A wind advisory will continue through the early evening for the four-states as temperatures are expected to plummet this afternoon.

In response to the growing interest in the sport of Pickleball, the City of Miami is working on projects to repair and improve the playing courts.

During a storm in November, the fencing surrounding the tennis and pickleball courts had posts damaged and bent. These fence posts, mainly on the Pickleball side, will be getting replaced starting this week. The contractors are hoping to have it completed by the end of the day on Friday. After the fence posts have been installed, new windscreens will be put up starting on Monday.

The Indoor Pickleball Courts located at the Ottawa County Expo Building are also being refurbished. Crews started cleaning and painting the Expo building floors, including painting the Pickleball lines. It will take about a week to allow everything to dry properly. The courts should be ready by March 28^th.

A Barnsdall man is taken into custody on a felony DUI and a misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia charge.

Dispatch received several phone calls of Chance Hogue driving a van northbound on Highway 75 at speeds of 100mph. Officers saw Hogue going 85mph at the intersection of Rice Creek Road and Highway 75, where the posted speed limit is 45mph. Officers saw him cross the center line and divider line.

Once officers pulled Hogue over, they had him perform standard field sobriety tests, which he performed poorly on. Hogue had two marijuana pipes with burnt residue inside each one. His bond is set at $25,000 and he will be back in court on Friday, April 4^th.

Two suspects in a Osage County shooting are released due to a lack of evidence.

Allen Brown and Owen Ewing were being held in the Osage County Jail on accessory to murder charges for a shooting that happened at Lake Bluestem near Pawhuska last weekend. District Attorney Mike Fisher says there is insufficient evidence to hold Brown and Ewing, so the two were released. Fisher says this remains an ongoing investigation.

Caleb Andrews is still being held in the Osage County Jail on a first degree murder charge and Charli Alexander is being held on an accessory to murder charge. The victim in the shooting was Enrique Ramon Urbana.  

Due to continued high winds, warm temperatures, and low humidity, county-wide burn bans remain in effect for both Montgomery and Labette Counties.

The Montgomery County Commission issued a 3-day burn ban on Monday. County Emergency Management Director Rick Whitson says the weather continues to be an issue.

The County Commission will revisit the ban at next Monday's meeting. The 3-day ban was issued and Commission Chair Mike Cordray will be able to either extend or cancel the ban in the event that conditions change before next week. Commissioner Robert Bever says the ban applies to all of Montgomery County.

The ban applies to all outdoor burning including trash burns, agricultural burns, and recreational fires such as campfires and bonfires. Residents are urged to use caution and be vigilant against causing accidental fires.

The burn ban for Labette County will remain in effect until Monday, March 24.

The City of Cherryvale is approving an updated compensation package for city employees.

City Manager Michael Hall says the pay scales hadn't been updated in about three years.

Hall says it's important to try and remain competitive when it comes to wages. Department directors' pay will be between $1,750 and a maximum of $2,900 per pay period. Hourly employees will be paid between $10 an hour up to a maximum of $25 per hour depending on the position.

In other business, the council approved the annexation of Fairview Cemetery after it was realized that the Cemetery wasn't technically within city limits.

The Council also gave their support to Wreaths Across America representatives for their event on December 13^th to honor veterans.

 After a one million dollar CDBG grant was presented recently to the city of Caney, the funding numbers continue to improve for the connection to Coffeyville and other water projects town-wide.

 City Administrator Andrea Sibley says the process is basically a snowball effect.

 Sibley says once the process is visible to citizens and businesses, it's easier to invest in the community. She adds that implementing SOP's is helping the scope of funding expand to the federal level.

 Sibley says very good news should be coming concerning additional funding for the water system soon.

A Columbus home is a total loss after an early morning fire.

Emergency crews received the call of a structure fire around 3:30 this morning. When crews arrived on the scene they found a two-story home fully engulfed in flames. High winds were pushing the flames toward a neighboring home, so crews went to work in an effort to save that home. Firefighters were able to keep nearby structures from harm, but the primary home involved in the fire was a total loss. However, all occupants were able to escape safely from the house and no injuries were reported.

The Columbus Fire Department was assisted on the call by the Baxter Springs and Scammon Fire Departments as well as Columbus Police, Cherokee County EMS and Columbus Public Works.

Photo courtesy Columbus Fire Department

The Osage County Commission is planning to develop a satellite shop in District Three.

Commissioner Charlie Cartwright says the county has plans to develop land currently under a lease agreement.

Also at this week's meeting, County Emergency Management Director Jerry Roberts suggested the the commission open the county dump on Saturday, April 26^th. The Commission will vote on the proposal at next week's meeting.

The Dewey City Council votes to amend an ordinance regarding homeless people at this week's meeting.

The change would apply to the section of the ordinance on health and sanitation involving unauthorized camping. Dewey Police Chief Jimmy Gray says the ordinance gives police a chance to make contact with people living on the streets.

The council approved a resolution amending the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget. 

The council also started a discussion on the Dewey Fire Department's mutual aid to neighboring towns, an ordinance is expected to be discussed on the matter in the next meeting that will take place on April 7.

Like many other counties in southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma, emergency management takes center stage at this week's Nowata County Commission meeting.

County Emergency Management Director Laurie Summers says the risk of fire remains high as strong winds remain in the forecast.

In other business, the commission continued last week's discussion on courthouse improvements, involving piping in the mapping office and other maintenance.

Commissioners also signed corrected claims of reimbursement from the Nowata County Election Board and passed a resolution for an equipment disposal correction.

A former pastor of a Texas megachurch turns himself in to authorities in Osage County, OK, where he faces charges of lewd or indecent acts with a child.

63-year-old Robert Preston Morris was booked into the Osage County Jail in Pawhuska and later released on a $50,000 bond. Morris faces five counts stemming from claims made by a woman who says Morris began molesting her in 1982 when she was just 12 years old.

Morris resigned as pastor of Gateway Church in the Dallas suburb of Southlake, Texas, last year when the allegations first surfaced. His attorney has stated that Morris plans to plead not guilty in the case. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. Morris will be back in an Osage County courtroom for his initial appearance on May 9.

The Dearing Fire Department responds to a grass fire yesterday evening.

Fire crews were called to the 300 block of Walnut Street in Dearing around 7:45 last night. Upon arrival, they found a controlled burn in progress and quickly extinguished the blaze. The owner of the property was unaware of the county-wide, 3-day burn ban currently in place in Montgomery County.

Dearing Fire reminds residents that high winds are still in the forecast and that no burning should be conducted without permission from your local fire department.

Photo courtesy Dearing Fire

The Girard Public Library will host a presentation on the life of Girard native and professional baseball player Frank Wickware.

Wickware was born in Girard in 1888 and moved to Coffeyville in 1906. Wickware was a noted pitcher, throwing a no-hitter for a Muskogee team against Fort Worth when he was just 19 years old. He would later play for teams such as the Chicago Leland Giants and the Brooklyn Royal Giants.

He once faced another Coffeyville great Walter Johnson in a pitching duel in 1913. The game lasted only 5 ½ innings before the game was called due to nightfall. Wickware struck out 11 and gave up only two hits in the 1-0 win.

Wickware was inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011. Presenter Phil Dixon will also do a presentation on the Kansas City Monarchs baseball team. The program happens this Saturday at noon at the Girard Public Library located at 128 West Prairie Street and is made possible by Humanities Kansas..

The suspect in an officer-involved shooting in Webbers Falls, OK, is in custody after being found in New Mexico.

The shooting occurred on Sunday evening in the City of Webbers Falls, located about 20 miles southeast of Muskogee. Around 5:45pm a Webbers Falls Police officer attempted a traffic stop on 46-year-old Billy Wayne Williams. During the encounter, a shooting occurred and the officer was injured. Williams then fled the scene. The officer was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition and was later released.

Police continued searching for Williams who was located yesterday morning in the City of Grants, New Mexico. Using FLOCKS camera license plate readers, the Grants Police Department were able to determine the suspect's vehicle was spotted in the city around 7:45 yesterday morning.

Police then located the vehicle in a Walmart parking lot with the suspect inside. Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies surrounded the car and attempted to make contact with Williams. During the standoff, the suspect suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he remains in critical but stable condition.

While in the hospital, Williams was taken into custody by the New Mexico office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Another red flag warning is in place today for Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.

The warnings will start late this morning and continue past sunset, and south winds gusting 40-45 mph are likely. Combined with low afternoon relative humidity, any fires that do start could spread very quickly. Several area counties remain under a burn ban including Montgomery County. A wind advisory is also in effect for the entire four-state area.

The switchover to Waste Connections as Coffeyville's new trash service provider has started.

New dark blue Polycarts are being delivered to residents for the change to start next month. Residents will need to continue using their Republic Services carts through the end of the month. Starting next Tuesday, the 25^th, Republic carts should be left at the curb after they are collected for crews to start picking them up. The exception is those with Monday trash service, who should still bring their carts back from the curb next week, but should leave their carts out for the final time on Monday, March 31^st. This will allow all old carts to be collected and the transfer to Waste Connections to be complete by the start of April.  The first trash collection date with Waste Connections will be Friday, April 4th for all of Coffeyville.

Crews from Evergy and Cherryvale Fire are working to repair downed power lines this morning.

The call went out around 5:15 this morning of reports of downed power lines in the 300 block of South Labette Street. The lines were reported to be live and sparking and arcing.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area to allow repairs to be made.

A Parsons Police officer is named Office of the Year for the second time.

Sergeant Detective Brice Dickens has been awarded the 2024 Officer of the Year, an honor given to him by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 704. This marks the second time that Sgt. Dickens has received this award, recognizing his dedication, investigative excellence and service to the Parsons community.  

The Officer of the Year Award is an honor awarded annually based on nominations from the police department's staff and administration. It honors officers who have demonstrated exceptional performance, leadership, and a positive impact on both the department and the community. Sgt. Dickens' selection this year highlights his commitment to upholding public safety and combating crime in Parsons and the surrounding region.

The Coffeyville Area Community Foundation announces the opening of nominations for the new Annual Stephens Teaching Excellence Award.

This award recognizes outstanding educators currently serving in the Coffeyville Public School system for their commitment to inspiring students, fostering academic achievement, and demonstrating exceptional teaching practices. The Stephens Teaching Excellence Award was established by John & Peg Stephens. The award celebrates teachers who exhibit a passion for teaching and a lasting positive impact on their students’ lives.

The recipient will receive $2,500 and recognition this May. Administrators, non-classroom and non-teaching personnel are not eligible to receive this award. To submit a nomination visit the Coffeyville Area Community Foundation’s website or contact the foundation at (620)251-4769. The deadline for nominations is Monday, April 14^th.  

The Montgomery County Commission issues a 3-day county-wide burn ban effective immediately.

The decision was made at today's meeting to issue the ban based on the past weekend's fire danger and the forecast for more high winds this week. Montgomery County Rural Fire Chief Michael Smith says the ban is needed to reduce the chance of accidental fires due to open flames.

Commissioners originally discussed issuing the ban for 7 days but opted instead for the shorter duration. Commissioners Mike Cordray and Phil Clubine say the shorter ban gives them more flexibility in the event that conditions change.

The ban will be reviewed at next Monday's Commission meeting, but Commission Chair Mike Cordray will have the option to either cancel or extend the ban, depending on weather conditions. The burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including trash burning, agricultural burns, and open flame recreational activities such as campfires and bonfires. Residents are urged to take precautions and remain vigilant to prevent accidental fires. Exceptions to the burn ban may be granted under certain circumstances, such as controlled burns essential for agricultural purposes, but must be pre-approved by the local fire department. Residents are encouraged to contact their local fire department for more information.

Spring time in Kansas means warmer weather and a chance to get outside and get active.

It also means it's almost time for Walk Kansas. Walk Kansas is a K-State Research and Extension health initiative that promotes personal health and well-being by helping participants adopt healthful lifestyle habits and runs from March 31 to May 24. This year, Walk Kansas is teaming up with Kancycle, the regional bike sharing program, to offer free bike rides. Walk Kansas State Leader Sharolyn Jackson says, whether you're biking or walking, the goal is to get healthy.

Jackson says creating a healthy habit is the key.

Walk Kansas participants will receive a special promo code to use in the Movatic app, allowing them to enjoy a daily free 1-hour KANcycle ride during the program for a total of 56 rides.

How It Works:

1. Register for Walk Kansas
2. Download the Movatic app
3. Enter the promo code (provided after registration)
4. Unlock a KANcycle bike and start riding!

There are two Kancycle locations in Coffeyville: downtown at 8th and Walnut and on the CCC Campus. Other cities in Kansas with Kancycle locations include Salina, Minneapolis, Concordia, Belleville, Mankato, Beloit, Lincoln, Ellsworth, and Lindsborg.

High winds over the weekend result in fires and wind damage across the area.

High winds caused power outages and downed trees across the listening area on Friday afternoon and into the weekend. Winds caused damage to the Technical Building on the CCC campus. Coffeyville and Neodesha both reported power outages in those cities due to the high winds, while multiple grass fires were reported. An assisted-care facility in Yates Center caught fire on Friday afternoon causing extensive damage. However, all residents and staff in the facility were able to safely escape the fire.

Clean-up continues across the area following the massive wind storm.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has reported two additional probable cases of measles, following an investigation launched on March 14, 2025. Both individuals were in public settings while contagious, potentially exposing others to the virus.

The OSDH identified several locations where the individuals may have exposed the public to measles on February 27, 2025, and March 2, 2025, in Owasso and Claremore. These include:

• Kohl's, 12405 E 96th St N, Owasso, OK, Feb. 27, 2025, 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.

• Aldi, 9259 N Owasso Expressway, Owasso, OK, Feb. 27, 2025, 4:20 – 7:00 p.m.

• Walmart Supercenter, 12101 E 96th St N, Owasso, OK, Feb. 27, 2025, 5:15 – 8:00 p.m.

• Sam's Club, 12905 E 96th St N, Owasso, OK, Feb. 27, 2025, 7:00 – 9:21 p.m.

• Sprouts Farmers Market, 9601 N 133rd E Ave, Owasso, OK, Feb. 27, 2025, 7:30 – 10:02 p.m.

• Lowe's Home Improvement, 1746 S Lynn Riggs Blvd, Claremore, OK, March 2, 2025, 7:00 – 9:27 p.m.

Individuals who were present at these locations during the specified times and are unvaccinated, unsure of their vaccination status, or have concerns, are encouraged to contact the OSDH or the Tulsa Health Department for guidance. If exposed, unvaccinated individuals should avoid public places for 21 days after their exposure.

The cases are linked to a larger measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, and both individuals are unvaccinated. The OSDH emphasizes the importance of timely reporting and testing to control the spread of the virus.

For more information, visit www.Oklahoma.gov/health/measles

A fatal car accident occurred on K-96 in western Kansas early yesterday morning.

54-year-old Walter Waldren of Tribune died in a single-vehicle accident in Wichita County or about 60 miles northwest of Garden City. Waldren was ejected from his Ford F-350 pickup truck when it rolled after leaving the roadway. He was not wearing a seat belt when the accident occurred.

The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.

The Oklahoma Attorney General is warning businesses that a state price-gouging statute is in effect following the recent emergency declaration for 12 Oklahoma counties.

The Price Stabilization Act prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent in the price of goods and services. The purpose of the law is to help protect citizens from large price hikes following natural disasters. The statue is in effect for Cleveland, Creek, Dewey, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills and Stephens Counties following the weekend wildfires.

State Attorney General Gentner Drummond cautioned that anyone who violates the Act will face legal consequences. More than 130 wildfires were reported across the state during the weekend windstorms.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt is among those who lost property during the weekend fires.

Stitt was traveling the state to inspect fire damage near Stillwater and Mannford before traveling to Luther to check on his own property. The Governor’s ranch, located northeast of Oklahoma City was a total loss. Despite the damage, Stitt says he remains optimistic and confident that Oklahomans will be able to rebuild.

Stitt called the fires “heartbreaking” but added that he was proud to see so many Oklahomans helping their neighbors in their time of need.

Authorities in Pawnee County, OK, are investigating after human remains were found in the ruins of a burned home following Friday’s fires.

Initial investigations indicate that the victim was attempting to flee the home and was overtaken by flames. The medical examiner’s office is conducting an autopsy to confirm the victim’s identity, though police say their investigation has pointed to the possible identity of the victim.

Police discovered the remains on Saturday afternoon following a phone call from a concerned neighbor. Details about the victim’s identity and location are being withheld until notification of next of kin can be made.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking into the recent vandalism of a Catholic Church in Wichita.

The St. Patrick Catholic Church was vandalized on Saturday morning. The Kansas Catholic Conference says the perpetrators forced their way into the building, smashed statues, broke windows, and caused other extensive damage. They also report that a satanic website address was left written on the wall. The Church is located near 19th and Arkansas Streets and serves a largely Latino community.

A 23-year-old Saline County man has been arrested in connection to the case, but his name has not yet been released. The FBI along with the Wichita Police continue to investigate the case.

Photos courtesy Kansas Catholic Conference

The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin a pavement remarking project on three roundabouts in the state, including the one located at US-160 and US-59 east of Altamont.

The project will begin today at the roundabout of US-69A and K-66 at Riverton and will then proceed to the roundabout near Altamont. The project is expected to take 10 to 15 days at each location, so the Altamont project may begin sometime late next week.

The project will conclude with the final roundabout marking at K-68 and Old Kansas Road at Paola. The project was originally slated to begin last Monday, but KDOT moved the start date to today for unknown reasons. 

The Montgomery County Commission will consider issuing a county-wide burn ban at today’s meeting.

Recent high winds combined with dry conditions led to multiple grass and structure fires across the area over the weekend. In response, the Montgomery County Commission will consider a resolution to ban burning in the county until conditions improve.

Other business expected at today’s meeting includes quarterly reports from Montgomery County Sheriff Ron Wade, County Emergency Management Director Rick Whitson, and with a report from Human Resources Ashley Hand.

Kenneth Fecke from the Juvenile Justice Authority will also ask commissioners for the approval to purchase a commercial-grade wheelchair lift for the J-J-A building.

Today’s meeting begins at 9am in the Commission Room on the lower level of the Judicial Building in Independence. The meeting is open to the public and also available for viewing online via the County’s FaceBook page.

It’s Spring Break for many area schools and that means many parents and kids alike will be looking for fun things to do.

Independence Chamber President Lisa Wilson says there are lots of activities around town to keep kids busy this week.

The Independence Historical Museum and Art Center will also be open Tuesday through Saturday this week from 10am to 4pm each day. Admission this week is also free, in celebration of spring break. The museum offers an art collection, intriguing artifacts, and historical exhibits.

The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of a 71-car pile-up in western Kansas on I-70 that killed eight people on Friday afternoon.

K-H-P reports that strong winds and a weather front caused a dust storm that reduced visibility on the interstate to near zero. The lack of visibility caused traffic between Goodland and Colby to slow, resulting in several accidents. A total of eight people were killed and numerous other travelers were injured in the accident.

The pile-up caused I-70 between Goodland and Colby to be shut down for more than 24 hours to allow emergency crews to rescue motorists and clear the scene. The Thomas County Commission declared a local state of emergency and set up a temporary shelter at Colby Community College for those affected by the accident.

The crash remains under investigation by the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Photos courtesy Kansas Highway Patrol

A 77-year-old Harper man is dead following a single-vehicle accident on Saturday.

Ronald Tracy was traveling westbound on K-44 about 6 ½ miles east of Anthony just before noon on Saturday. Tracy’s Freightliner semi reportedly left the roadway causing him to overcorrect. The over-correction caused the truck to roll and come to rest in the ditch. Tracy was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the accident.

A Chanute man is injured in a Friday evening crash near Yates Center.

The accident occurred around 5:15pm on US-54 about 6 miles east of Yates Center. 18-year-old Noah Vogel was stopped on the highway, waiting for another vehicle to make a turn, when his vehicle was struck from behind by a 2018 Chevy Malibu driven by 49-year-old Ronald De Voe, also of Chanute. De Voe attempted to avoid the accident by swerving but struck the rear passenger side of Vogel’s car. De Voe received minor injuries in the accident and was taken to Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola for treatment.

Vogel and a passenger in his car were both uninjured.

The Cherryvale City Council will consider a request for annexation of Fairview Cemetery at its meeting tonight.

More will be shared on the plan and the council is expected to approve the resolution as presented. The council will also discuss compensation for officers and employees at their meeting tonight. An executive session is also on tonight's agenda related to attorney-client privilege.

Tonight's Cherryvale City Council meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall and is open to the public.

A red flag warning is in place once again today for the four states.

The warning will be in place from the late morning through 10 p.m. at the latest. Conditions are right for any fires that start to spread very rapidly. Strong north winds will gust between 35 and 40 mph for southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma, with slightly stronger winds expected tomorrow. The strongest winds are expected tomorrow night through early Wednesday and could peak around 55 mph. The highest fire weather danger will be between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. today and 11 to 10 p.m. tomorrow.

As cleanup is underway from yesterday's high winds and grass fires, here's a look at some of the peak wind gusts for the KGGF listening area:

Coffeyville: 61 mph

Independence: 70 mph

Parsons: 63 mph

Altoona: 72 mph

Chanute: 71 mph

Yates Center: 61 mph

Piedmont: 64 mph

Joplin, MO: 60 mph

Anderson, MO: 67 mph

Ponca City, OK: 62 mph

Foraker, OK: 60 mph

Wynona, OK: 60 mph

Tulsa, OK: 58 mph

Bartlesville, OK: 59 mph

Bentonville, AR: 60 mph

High grassland fire danger is possible today across the four-states, with a greater threat over central and western Kansas and Oklahoma.  Elevated fire danger is expected to continue through Tuesday, March 18th.

Photo: "Whitecaps" on LeClere Lake in Coffeyville!

An assisted-care facility in Yates Center suffers extensive damage in a fire.

Residents at Yates Center Health & Rehab were evacuated due to a nearby grass fire which spread to the facility.  Woodson County Sheriff Jacob Morrison says the fire spread to the north hall of the facility, bringing it closer to the unburned areas north of the nursing home. 

Morrison asks residents in the southwest area of Yates Center to keep an eye out for hotshots showing up due to the burning embers from the burning home fire, and to report those for crews to put out.

All residents were able to escape and no injuries were reported.

Photo: Colony City Marshal

Local fire departments work another grass fire in Montgomery County.

Friday afternoon around 4:45, the Dearing Fire Department, Liberty Rural Fire and the Coffeyville Fire Department were dispatched to Hidden Lakes Mobile Home Park north of Coffeyville.  The fire was contained and no property damage or injuries were reported in the fire.

Photos: Frank Shedden, SnapWild Photography

High winds are ongoing around the four-states with red flag warnings now extended for the area.

Crews responded to multiple fires today, and Montgomery County Emergency Management Director gave an update to KGGF listeners during the 5 p.m. news.

The red flag warning and high wind advisory is now extended until 9 p.m. for Kansas and 10 p.m. for northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas.

Above Photo: Tree damage in Independence, courtesy Independence Fire/EMS

Damage to CCC Technical Campus Building

Multiple units respond to a grass fire north of Coffeyville.

This afternoon around 2:15, the Dearing Fire Department was dispatched to a grass and timber fire near the intersection of County Road 2600 and 4500. Mutual aid was requested from the Coffeyville Fire Department, Coffeyville Resources and Liberty Rural Fire.

A snapped tree was blocking 2600 about a half mile east of 3900. Dearing FD had to clear the obstruction in order to respond.

Dangerous fire weather conditions continue this afternoon, and area fire departments remain busy.

Photo: Frank Shedden, SnapWild Photography

***** Update *****

As of 9 p.m., all main circuits are reported to be back on in Neodesha.

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

The City of Neodesha is battling power outages due to high winds.

The City says there is currently a power outage due to an issue with a main feed line into town. Evergy is aware of the situation and actively working to restore power. At this time, there is no estimated timeline for when power will be restored.

The City will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available. 

Coffeyville Municipal Light and Power crews are working on power outages caused by the wind storm.

The City says they are aware of the current electric and fiber outage affecting parts of Coffeyville. Their team is actively working to resolve issues affecting the majority of the rural southwest side of town and has notified Evergy of a downed pole on their line West of the Industrial Park.

The City says unfortunately, with the forecast predicting strong winds lasting through most of the evening, restoration efforts may be challenging and pop-up outages may continue to occur. Crews will work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power to everyone.

Cherokee Nation Leaders, Native American Fellowship board members, and representatives of the City of South Coffeyville join together for the signing of legislation for housing in South Coffeyville.

Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. says this legislation designates the land near the old Southern Super Club in South Coffeyville as the Public Health and Wellness Reserve.  Hoskin says they plan to add more than just housing to the area.

The Cherokee tribe is making the largest housing investment in its history across its 7,000 square-mile reservation. This includes, during the last four years an investment of $7.9 million into housing in District 11, which includes South Coffeyville.

There will be some new changes coming to the Interstate Fair and Rodeo in Coffeyville this year.

The Fair committee has added two counties that will be eligible to exhibit at the Fair. FFA members and 4-Hers from Neosho County in Kansas and Rogers County in Oklahoma will be eligible to show at this year's fair. They will join youth from Montgomery, Labette, and Chautauqua counties in Kansas and Craig, Washington, and Nowata Counties in Oklahoma.

Another change for the 2025 event is the transition to a mostly non-terminal event. Only Grand and Reserve Grand Champions from each species are required to go through the premium sale and they will be terminal. All other sale animals will be allowed to return home for the exhibitor.

The final change will be for the nomination and entry processes. Traditionally, these processes have taken place with paper forms and cash or check payments. This year, the process will take place entirely online.
 

This year’s Inter-State Fair and Rodeo will be August 10 - 16, at Walter Johnson Park. The Inter-State Fair and Rodeo livestock shows will begin on Tuesday, August 12

The Independence City Commission gives the go-ahead for the demolition of 21 houses in the city that have been deemed unsafe.

Commissioners voted unanimously at last night's meeting to demolish 21 houses in Independence that have been deemed dangerous and unsafe. The city began work on the issue more than a year ago. Commissioner Dean Hayse thanked city staff for their work on the project and says planning ahead is what made it possible.

Commissioners awarded the demolition contract to G & G Dozer of Caney for a total of just over $119,000. G & G says the entire project will be complete in 30 days. Hayse says the city may have to find more money in the budget if it wants to continue the effort.

Hayes added that the city will need to consider this if more is to be done about the issue of unsafe structures in the city.

In other business, commissioners also approved a request from Friends of Riverside Park and Zoo to paint a mural on the stadium wall, depicting the Logan fountain that stands in front of the shelter house. FORPAZ will cover the costs of the painting and upkeep of the mural, which will be commissioned in memory of Mark Johnson.

The next meeting of the Independence City Commission will be on March 27.

Coffeyville residents who are interested in running for a seat on the City Commission will have a chance to run for election.

The City of Coffeyville says there are three seats on the City Commission that will be up for election in the Fall of 2025. Anyone interested in running for a commission seat is encouraged to file to run for office. Candidates must be registered to vote and live within the city limits of Coffeyville. They must also file with the Montgomery County Clerk in order to run. The filing deadline is Noon on Monday, June 2^nd. There is a $70 filing fee.

Anyone with questions can contact the Montgomery County Clerk's Office at 620-330-1200.

For more information, follow this link.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking for a Wichita man wanted on charges of drug trafficking.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Aron Garcia-Campa. The suspect is wanted on charges of drug conspiracy methamphetamine, possession of meth with intent to distribute, and use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking crime. A federal warrant was issued for his arrest on December 17, 2024.

Anyone with information on Campa's whereabouts should contact the FBI's toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI

Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Arts Commission announce the recipients of the 2025 Kansas Governor's Arts Awards.

Among the recipients was The Artificers Gallery in Bourbon County. The Artificers was recognized for Excellence in the Arts in Business. The Fort Scott gallery aims to provide a warm and inviting place to host artistic diversity in Bourbon County. This was one of seventeen awards given out on Thursday at a ceremony held at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center.

The prestigious Governor's Award was also given out at the ceremony. That award went to Grammy and Oscar Award winning musician and Leavenworth native Melissa Etheridge.

Nominations for each award are reviewed and chosen by a selection committee while the Governor's Award is chosen by Governor Kelly.

This year’s award categories and recipients are:

• Excellence in Artistic Achievement in Media Arts: Kiki Bush, Gypsum
• Excellence in Artistic Achievement in Music: Bob McWilliams, Lawrence
• Excellence in Artistic Achievement in Visual Arts: Shin-hee Chin, McPherson
• Arts Advocacy: Brenda Meder, Hays
• Arts Patron of the Year: Paul Dorrell, Roeland Park
• Excellence in Arts Education: Tyler Dallis, Pratt
• Excellence in the Arts in Business: The Artificers, Fort Scott
• Emerging Arts Leader of the Year: Lacey Connell, Overland Park
• Emerging Arts Organization of the Year: LV Arts, Leavenworth
• Rural Arts Community of the Year: Clay Center
• Urban Arts Community of the Year: NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, Topeka
• Arts Leader of the Year: Katy Guthrie, Garden City
• Arts Organization of the Year: Theatre in the Park, Overland Park
• Arts Legacy Award: Constance “Connie” Bonfy, Wichita
• Arts Legacy Award: Cecil Riney, Wichita
• Arts Legacy Award: NedRa Bonds, Kansas City
• The Governor’s Award: Melissa Etheridge, Leavenworth

To learn more about the Kansas Arts Commission, their programs or art resources, visit this link.

The City of Coffeyville is looking for an individual interested in serving a four-year-term on the Coffeyville Public Library Board.

The term would begin on April 30 and run through April 30, 2029. The purpose of the Library Board is to make and adopt rules and regulations regarding the administration of the Coffeyville Public Library.

Anyone interested in joining the library board should submit an application that includes basic information and reasons for interest in serving on the board. Board members must reside on the City of Coffeyville.

For an application, follow this link.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is investigating a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday in Lawton.

The incident began around 8:30pm when Lawton Police responded to a report of the unauthorized use of a vehicle related to a domestic incident that occurred on Tuesday. When officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the suspect fled. Officers pursued the vehicle and brought the car to a stop on I-44 between Lawton and Medicine Park. The suspect then fled on foot with a weapon. When officers caught up to the suspect they discovered that the man was suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The suspect was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injuries. No police officers fired their weapons during the incident and no other injuries were reported.

The OSBI continues to investigate the incident.

Independence will be getting in to the spirit of St. Patrick's Day this weekend.

Chamber President Lisa Wilson says downtown Indy will be green and ready for fun.

Pub Crawl Passports can be purchased at any participating downtown businesses. All of the money collected will be given away at the end of the night. In order to be eligible for the drawing, participants must turn in their passport by 10pm at Uncle Jack's. Festivities begin at 6pm tomorrow in downtown Independence.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment confirms the first case of measles in the state.

KDHE and the Stevens County Health Department says there has been a positive case of measles in the southwest county of Stevens. This is the first confirmed case of the illness in Kansas since 2018. Measles is a highly contagious illness that includes symptoms of runny nose, a cough, high fever, and red, watery eyes. A red rash appears on the face and body within one to four days of the first symptoms appearing.

Individuals are protected from measles if they have had at least one dose of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella or MMR vaccine, were born before 1957, or have evidence of immunity from a blood test.

Measles rarely occurs in Kansas and the illness is usually associated with international travel.

One person is injured after a car crashes through the front of an O'Reilly Auto Parts Store in Neosho.

The incident occurred around 11:30 yesterday morning, prompting emergency calls to 9-1-1. Neosho Police say the injured person was a customer who was standing at the counter when the car crashed into the store. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital but there has been no update on the individual's condition or the extent of their injuries. No one in the vehicle was injured.

The store is now closed until repairs can be made and the building secured

A Kansas man is arrested in Joplin on an outstanding warrant for attempted murder following a brief standoff with police.

39-year-old Joshua Ferguson was taken into custody yesterday at a Joplin hotel stemming from an incident in May 2023. During that incident, police say Ferguson shot at a family member several times. The victim in the case was unharmed.

Ferguson had been on the run since violating a condition of his bond. He is currently being held in the Jasper County Jail where he awaits extradition back to Cherokee County in Kansas.

***** Update 5:50 a.m. 3-14 *****

Today's high wind warning has now been expanded to include most of eastern Kansas.  The red flag warning in place today has been upgraded to a Particularly Dangerous Situation for south central and southeast Kansas.  The area where dry thunderstorms could develop still includes the four-state area, but has also expanded to the west.

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

A powerful storm system is expected to bring very high winds to the four-state area Friday.

National Weather Service forecasters are now calling for near-historic grassland fire spread rates for southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma of nearly 400 feet per minute.  Wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph will be common tomorrow during the midday and afternoon hours, with the strongest gusts expected along and north of I-44, where isolated gusts up to 70 mph could occur.  A red flag warning will be in place tomorrow for the entire KGGF four-state listening area, and a high wind warning has been issued for Butler, Greenwood, Woodson, Allen, Cowley, Elk, Wilson, Neosho, Chautauqua, Montgomery and Labette Counties in southeast Kansas, all counties in northeast Oklahoma and Benton and Washington Counties in Arkansas.  The warnings will be in place tomorrow from 10 a.m. through 8 p.m.

In addition, low humidity and favorable fuel conditions will pose an extreme to catastrophic threat across all of southeast Kansas and much of northeast Oklahoma, roughly west of U.S. 69 and north of I-40, although the potential for rapid fire spread will be present across the entire four-state area by the afternoon. 

There is also the chance for the development of some isolated thunderstorms in eastern Kansas, northeast Oklahoma, western Missouri and far northwest Arkansas tomorrow.  Little rain is expected from these storms if they form, but lightning has the potential to ignite some fires.

Throughout Friday, winds are expected to be from the southwest.  After sunset in southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma, winds are expected to shift to the west/northwest as the cold front is expected to move into Elk and Chautauqua Counties around 10 p.m.

Rapidly spreading fires, downed power lines from wind and potential structure damage are all a possibility.  Properly disposing cigarettes, keeping vehicles off dry grass, avoiding power equipment that makes sparks and any activities with open flames will be crucial for preventing fires.

Stay tuned for further updates and listen to expanded weather coverage Friday morning at 7:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. and throughout the day on The Mighty 690.

An Independence man is arrested on multiple warrants after a traffic stop.

Tuesday at around 2:30pm, Independence Police officers responded to a tip regarding the location of Damone T. Hatch, who had multiple felony warrants issued by the Montgomery County District Court. Officers spotted a vehicle and saw a man fitting the description of Hatch entering the driver's seat.

During a traffic stop, officers asked for identification, Hatch refused to comply. He was detained and his identity was confirmed. Hatch was arrested and booked into the Montgomery County Department of Corrections for numerous warrants. Additional charges include interference with law enforcement and driving while suspended.

A Bartlesville woman is facing felony charges after threatening someone with a knife and falsely writing checks.

35-year-old Ashlea McManigle was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and delivery of a forged check. According to the Bartlesville Police Department, on March 4^th, McManigle got into an argument with the victim and pulled a knife. She made verbal threats to the victim and made overhead stabbing motions. McManigle fled the scene on a bicycle after the incident.

She also faces a felony charge of delivery of a forged instrument after writing checks to herself under someone else's name. According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, McManigle cashed seven checks from July to August totaling over $3,500.

The Osage County Sheriff's Office has caught the two suspects wanted in connection to a break-in at McCord Public Schools.

One of the suspects is a juvenile and has been turned over to the State of Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs. Jakari Tvon Campbell has been booked into the Osage County Jail. Both suspects are being charged with second-degree burglary. 

The Osage County Sheriff's Office is looking for assistance in locating two suspect who broke into McCord Schools on Tuesday morning.

Three of the four buildings were vandalized. Most of the damage includes materials, supplies, furniture and broken technology. Anyone with information can contact the Osage County Sheriff's Office at (918)287-3131.

***** Update *****

Reports indicate the line is a residential gas line and has a small leak.  One lane of traffic is being shut down in the area to allow crews to work in the area.

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

Emergency crews from Coffeyville are responding to reports of a ruptured gas line just east of Caney.

Crews responded to the intersection of County Road 1425 and County Road 1550. Drivers are advised to avoid the area until further notice.

This is a breaking story and KGGF will have more details as they become available.

Residents in the town of Terlton, OK, located west of Tulsa, are evacuated due to the threat of a nearby wildfire.

The threat came on Tuesday night as the flames began to threaten homes in the city. Firefighters and Pawnee County Emergency Management officials say the fire remains active, though officials are allowing local residents back into the area. Additional fire crews have been called in to help battle the blaze.

Non-residents are asked to avoid the area to allow first responders to continue their work.

The City of Sedan is awarded a state grant to fund the construction of a new library.

Sedan has received a Community Development Block Grant from the State of Kansas for $145,000. Director of the Sedan Public Library Kayla Ford traveled to Topeka this week to accept the funds on behalf of the city. The City of Sedan also thanked the grant writer Stephanie Marsh and architect Miranda Bruening for their help in securing the funds.

CDBG grants come through the Kansas Department of Commerce to provide funding for project that help low to moderate income rural communities thrive.

 Assistance is coming to aid the city of Caney move forward with water projects.

 A one million dollar Community Development Block Grant was awarded to the city to further water stability projects.

 City Administrator Andrea Sibley credits everyone involved in the process, from the mayor to city staff and the city council, for grant approval.

 Sibley says two major components to the connection to Coffeyville are checked off the list, with the environmental and cultural studies now complete.

 With weather and construction work needing to be done, Sibley says a realistic goal for a complete switchover to the Coffeyville water system should be sometime in 2027.

The Cherokee Nation is building new housing in South Coffeyville.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. says land has been purchased for the South Coffeyville Housing, Community, and Public Health & Wellness Reserve.

During his recent appearance on KGGF Hoskin said the lack of housing can be considered a public health crisis and is not unique to the Cherokee Nation.

District 11 Tribal Councilor Kendra McGeady, Cherokee Nation leaders, Board members of Native American Fellowship, Inc., and the representatives of City of South Coffeyville will be on hand this afternoon as Chief Hoskin signs legislation designating the new project.

The signing will take place today, March 13th, at 5:30 p.m. in South Coffeyville at 904 Willow, The signing will be aired Live on the Cherokee Nation Facebook page. More information will also be shared about this project during “Frybread Journeys” with host Kris Crane here on KGGF at 9:10 a.m. on Monday morning.

As the high winds and dry weather increase across Kansas and the four-state area, fire departments warn of the risk of dangerous fires.

Fire crews in Ark City were called out for two house fires yesterday. The first occurred at a vacant home that was also the site of a fire on March 3. A person of interest has been taken into custody in connection to that fire.

Just a few hours later, Ark City Fire was called to a different location to battle another house fire. A mutual aid call was issued to bring in additional firefighters to extinguish the blaze. All occupants of the house were able to escape safely and no injuries were reported.

Area residents are advised to be extremely careful with anything that might cause a fire for the next week and to avoid any outdoor burning during this time of high fire risk.

(Photo courtesy Arkansas City FIre/EMS)

Coffeyville residents will have a new bulk trash pick up routine as the city switches trash providers from Republic to Waste Connections.

The City of Coffeyville has announced the new bulk item pick up procedures will begin on April 1. The city will now be divided into two sections, the northwest and the southeast. The northwest section - or section 1 - pick up day for bulk items will be the first Friday of each month, while the southeast section – or section 2 - will be picked up on the third Friday of each month.

Residents wishing to have bulk items picked up must schedule ahead of time with Waste Connections.

How to Schedule Bulk Item Pick-Up:

To ensure timely and efficient collection, residents must schedule a bulk item pick-up with Waste Connections prior to their designated pick-up day. Waste Connections will have dedicated staff familiar with Coffeyville’s pick-up areas, ensuring that residents receive personalized, localized service rather than calling into a large call center.

• Deadline for requests: All bulk item pick-up requests must be submitted by 4:00 PM the Thursday before the scheduled pick-up day for each section.
• Required Information: When scheduling, residents must provide their name, address, and a description of the bulk items they wish to have collected.
• Item Limit: Households can request up to 4 items per month for collection.

How to Contact Waste Connections for Bulk Item Pick-Up Requests:

• Call: 877-336-3161 – Waste Connections staff familiar with the Coffeyville area will assist you.
• Email: CUSTOMERSERVICE5029@WasteConnections.com

A bill known as Lauria and Ashley's Law passes in the Oklahoma House.

The measure would add accessory to murder in the first or second degree to the list of crimes that would require an offender to serve 85% of their prison sentence before being eligible for consideration for parole. Those convicted also would not be eligible to earn any type of credits that would reduce the sentence to below 85% of what was imposed. The bill is named after 16-year-olds Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman, both of Welch, who were kidnapped, assaulted and murdered on New Year's Eve 1999.  It is presumed their bodies were dumped in a Pitcher mine pit, but their remains have not been recovered. Ashley's parents, Danny and Kathy Freeman, were shot to death in the crime. Their remains were found in their mobile home that had been set on fire.

The legislation addresses the reduced prison sentence of a man charged with accessory to felony murder in the case. In 2020, Ronnie Busick received a 10-year prison sentencefor his part in the crime, but because of good-behavior while incarcerated as well as time credited while in a county jail, Busick was released after just three years. He was released back into the community where the crimes were committed, close to where family members of the victims still live.

A similar bill passed the House last year with an overwhelming majority, but the bill was not considered on the Senate floor. This version of the bill now moves on to the Oklahoma Senate.

The City of Independence is expected to vote to begin the demolition of condemned structures around the city.

At tonight's Independence City Commission meeting, a vote is expected to award a demolition contract for the destruction of twenty-one structures across the city that have been deemed unsafe. The City has been in the process of determining which abandoned and unsafe homes in the city should be demolished for nearly a year. Three structures on the original list of 24 houses will be saved from demolition after the homeowners agreed to make improvements to the properties. The contract for the demolition is expected to be awarded to G & G Dozer of Caney for just over $107,000.

Commissioners are also expected to approve a request from Friends of Riverside Park and Zoo to paint a mural of Logan fountain on the wall of the stadium in memory of Mark Johnson. Funding for the project would be paid for by FORPAZ.

Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 in the Commission Room at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public and is also available for viewing via the City's website.

Authorities in Cherokee County discover the body of a deceased man near the Kansas/Oklahoma state line.

The body was found in a wooded area near the intersection of US-69 and Southeast Star Road. Cherokee County Sheriff Brian Henderson says the man was located in a truck parking area where the Department of Transportation inspections used to occur. Henderson says foul play is not currently suspected, but his office will continue to investigate as they await the results of an autopsy.

The victim has been identified but his name has not yet been released pending notification of the next of kin.

A 44-year-old man from Moran, Kansas, is struck and killed while he lay on a highway following a car accident.

The incident occurred last night around 8pm when Scott Welch of Moran was hauling a hay bale along US-54 just east of the City of Moran. The hay bale obstructed the view of the tail lights on Welch's F-250. When his vehicle was approached from behind by a Chevy Silverado driven by 84-year-old Raymond Street of Fort Scott, Streeter did not see Welch's truck and struck the vehicle. The impact caused Streeter's vehicle to spin and overturn, coming to rest on its wheels in the ditch.

Welch, however, was ejected from his vehicle and landed in the westbound lane of US-54. As he lay seriously injured on the highway, Welch was struck and killed by a third vehicle driven by 22-year-old James Bridger of Gainesville, Texas. Welch was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Neither Streeter nor Bridger were injured in the accident.

The dry weather combined with low humidity and high winds prompt area cities and counties to discourage burning, especially during the next few days.

The Nowata Fire Department has banned outdoor burning including open flames for cooking until further notice. Authorities in Elk County and in Labette County have issued county-wide burn bans in effect until further notice, while Montgomery County Emergency Management strongly urges all residents to restrict outdoor burning for the next week.

The National Weather Service in Wichita has listed the risk for fire in southeast Kansas for Friday as either Extreme or Catastrophic.