The deadline to sumbit intent for the revenue neutral rate is approaching in Wilson County.

Forms of intent must be filed to the County Clerk, who then has a deadline in August to report to the state. Wilson County Clerk Kayla Busch says she is still waiting on one form to be filed.

Additional items of business at this week's meeting was an accepted invitation to the Wilson County Historical Society and Museum on October 29th, from Museum Board Secretary LeAnne Githens, for the commission to view rennovations and remodeling.

The commission will meet again next Wednesday at 9 a.m. in Room 101 of the county courthouse in Fredonia. The public is invited to attend.

The Cherokee Nation celebrates the grand opening of its new Childhood Development Center and Head Start in the MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor.  Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr says its a great day when they can celebrate a milestone that means something for the young people of this reservation.

The brand new 38,000-square-foot childcare facility will serve 150 children across 15 classrooms. The facility has amenities such as a FEMA-rated safe room, secure entrances, age-appropriate classrooms, two kitchens along with other designs with safety and functionality in mind.

Coffeyville's Junior Advisory Council's Triathlon is this weekend.

Organizer Erin Lee says anyone ages seven and up can participate.  Lee says the money raised will go to support Coffeyville's JAC program.

Lee says if there is a business or community event that needs help to contact Lee through the Coffeyville Area Community Foundation. The triathlon starts Saturday at 8:00am at Pfister Park.

National Night Out is coming up next week in several communities across the area.

Coffeyville Police Officer Abby Jones says this is an annual event held across the nation on the first Tuesday of August.  Officer Jones says it won't just be CPD at the pool for this event.

KGGF will have a booth set up during this coming Tuesday's National Night Out.

Storms made their way through the KGGF listening area last night and early this morning.  Some storms along the Kansas-Oklahoma line were severe and brought heavy rain at times, and caused some tree damage.  Here are some totals from area gauges:

KGGF Coffeyville Studios: 0.45”

Independence: 0.94

Havana: 1.55"

Cherryvale: 0.41"

Sedan: 2.75”

Howard: 0.80”

Altoona: 2.52”

Parsons: 0.48”

Columbus: 0.04”

Erie: 1.49”

Foraker: 1.07”

Copan: 1.09”

Bartesville: 0.46"

Nowata: 0.53”

Vinita: 0.24”

Miami: 0.02”

Due to tree damage from the storm last night in Elk County, the Howard brush dump will be open through the weekend.

Only trees and brush from property within the City of Howard are allowed as the dump is financed by taxes paid by those property owners.

The Sedan Brush Dump will also be open today and tomorrow.

No lumber or other trash can be in the brush dump or the City can be fined by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Photo: City of Howard

 The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is asking for the public’s help in locating 17-year-old Adrienna Bussey, who has been missing since July 17.

 Adrienna was last seen leaving her home in Carthage, Missouri. Her mother says home surveillance footage shows Adrienna leaving the home around 10 p.m. with no belongings. It is unknown if Bussey left to meet someone.

 The Bussey family says this is unusual behavior from Adrienna, and their concern for her safety grows every day.

 Adrienna is described as 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighs 160 pounds, and has brown eyes and brown hair with blonde highlights. She was last seen wearing a white shirt and red and black pajama pants. Authorities believe the teen may still be in the Carthage, Missouri, area or may have traveled to surrounding cities.

 If you have any information about Adrienna or her disappearance, please contact NCMEC at 1-800-843-5678 or the Carthage Police Department 417-237-7200.

 A search is underway after a man escaped from the Dick Connor Correctional Facility yesterday morning.

 45-year-old Ponca Green, who also escaped from a penal institution in 2009, is a 6-1 Native American male weighing 200 pounds. He has noticeable tattoos on his face and neck area.

 Green should be considered dangerous.

 If you see someone matching Green's description, don't approach. Instead, call the Osage County Sheriff's Office at 918-287-3131.

 Dividing up surplus funding was a topic of conversation at the latest Osage County Commissioners meeting.

 During the meeting, Osage County Assessor Ed Quinton Jr. informed the board of a surplus fund. With those funds, he suggested giving each district $75,000 for the commissioners to use as they see fit. Quinton added that he would like to see this happen going forward with each district.

 District One Commissioner Anthony Hudson says the funding should be distributed by district size instead of being divided equally.

 District Two Commissioner Steve Talburt, who represents the smallest of the three districts in Osage County, disagrees.

 Talburt made a motion to approve the $75,000 in funding for each district. District Three Commissioner Charlie Cartwright made a second on the motion, with Hudson voting no.

 A Noel woman pleads not guilty to abuse of her disabled adopted son.

 54-year-old Catiga Arnett was charged with abuse of an elderly, disabled, or vulnerable person after the March 7^th incident.

 Freeman Hospital EMTs responded to the victim's home on March 7^th in Noel. An investigator with the Department of Health and Senior Services says the victim was on his bedroom floor wearing only an adult diaper, with no bedding, and was missing necessary medical equipment. He also showed signs of severe neglect, including extreme bedsores. Due to the severity of the bed sores, the victim's legs required amputation.

 The victim suffers from Spina Bifida, which renders him paraplegic. Authorities say that he is developmentally delayed.

 Arnett's next court appearance is scheduled for August 13.

The Crawford County Fair continues this week in Girard.

Today, the swine and horse shows will start at 8 followed by the goat show this afternoon at 4.

Rodeo action continues tonight starting at 8 p.m. with bounce houses available from 6 to 11 tonight through Saturday. Live music will also be available tonight on the Midway from 8 to 11 p.m.

A man newly hired as a schoolteacher in Arkansas is arrested in connection with the killings of a couple in front of their children at Devil’s Den State Park in northwest Arkansas.

Arkansas State Police arrested 28-year-old Andrew James McGann at a Springdale barbershop yesterday on two counts of capital murder. Police would not discuss a motive. Authorities had pleaded with the public to look through their photos from weekend visits to the park to help find the attacker. Clinton David Brink and Cristen Amanda Brink were found dead Saturday on a walking trail at Devil’s Den. The Springdale district said the man was hired for the upcoming school year and had not yet met any families or students at the school.

The Elk County Free Fair is on the way this weekend.

Today, exhibits will be checked in between 5 and 7:30 p.m. Tomorrow, judging will take place in the morning, followed by turtle races at 2 p.m. followed by kids' races. There will be entertainment at 5:30 and a free BBQ at 6. The food auction will be tomorrow at 7 followed by bingo.

The fair parade will be Saturday at 10:30 along with the watermelon feed at 6 p.m.

All events take place in Longton.

With the month of July coming to an end tomorrow is Independence's First Friday event for the month of August.

Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Wilson says they have some great speakers lined up including Lindsay Caldwell from Live Healthy Montgomery County.

Wilson says there will also be three speakers from Independence Public Schools.  USD 446 is the sponsor of the August First Friday. The event is open to the public and goes from 7:30am to 9:00am at the Civic Center.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Neosho County Sherriff’s Office arrest an Erie man for child sex crimes.

KBI agents and Neosho County Sheriff deputies arrested 42-year-old registered sex offender Peter Hawkinson. He was arrested for 24 counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of violating the Kansas offender registration.

The KBI Child Victims Unit began investigating after a cyber-tip was received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in May. Following the arrest, Hawkinson was booked into the Neosho County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.

As summer continues, wasps become more active.

Kansas State University Entomologist Jeff Whitworth says there are two different types of wasps in Kansas and the differ from where their nests are built.

Whitworth says timing is important for effectively getting rid of a wasp nest.  Whitworth says cicada killers, yellow jackets and paper wasps are some of the most common ones found in Kansas.

 A Kay County commissioner turns himself in after being indicted on 10 felony charges from the Multi-County Grand Jury.

 36-year-old Shane Douglas Jones is charged with one count of larceny of livestock and nine counts of branding with intent to defraud.

 Investigators say Jones was hired by a cattle auction facility to transport livestock between January 1 and February 12. The indictment states that Jones took at least nine cows and branded them as his own.

 If convicted, Jones faces 3-10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $500,000 for one count of larceny of livestock. The other nine counts of branding with intent to defraud are punishable with 3-10 years in prison or a fine of $500-$1,000 for each count.

 A Galena man has been charged in Newton County, Missouri, with child sex crimes.

 25-year-old Chance Watkins is being held without bond on charges of child kidnapping and enticement of a child.

 Court records say Watkins messaged a 13-year-old girl through Snapchat in March, and the two exchanged explicit messages. Investigators say Watkins picked the girl up at her house, took her to Cunningham Park in Joplin, and allegedly sexually assaulted her. Court documents also say Watkins only stopped when the victim's mother began trying to contact him via Snapchat. Watkins then took her home and dropped her at the end of the driveway.

 The victim's mother stated she was woken up by her older daughter, informing her that the victim was missing. Her mother says they searched for her for a couple of hours before she arrived back home with her clothes inside out and backwards.

 Missouri Highway Patrol troopers say speed may have led to a deadly motorcycle accident in Newton County that killed the operator.

 The crash happened after 11:30 Monday morning at the intersection of Marten and Aspen Roads near Diamond.

 Troopers say the motorcycle was traveling east on Aspen Road at a high rate of speed and tried to turn north onto Marten Road. Because of the high speed, the motorcyclist lost control and skidded into a field.

 The motorcycle operator died at the scene. Their name has not been released, per protocol by the MSHP.

 A Tulsa man with a lengthy criminal history faces another felony grand larceny charge.

 Drew Whipple is accused of going into an area business and stealing a dolly and tote.

 The affidavit states Whipple was seen on video walking into the store, taking the dolly and tote, and walking out of the store. The tote and stolen merchandise worth over $1,300 has been recovered.

 Whipple, who has felony cases out of Tulsa County dating back to 2004, saw his bond set at $50,000. His next Washington County court date was set for August 8th.

 A Bartlesville man is arrested on multiple charges, including his sixth felony DUI charge.

 48-year-old Daniel Baginski also faces charges of transporting an open container, driving with a canceled or suspended license and failure to maintain security or insurance after the July 25^th incident.

 According to the affidavit, officers observed Baginski swerve into the westbound lanes of Tuxedo Blvd. The ensuing traffic stop led to deputies observing Baginski with red and watery eyes. He didn't have a valid driver's license, and his insurance was showing "advisory."

 Baginski allegedly fell asleep in the driver's seat during the stop and performed poorly on standard field sobriety tests. A vehicle search led to the discovery of open and unopened vodka shooters.

 Baginski's bond was set at $50,000, and was ordered to have no alcohol or go to an establishment that serves alcohol. If Baginski makes his bond, he is to have an interlock device installed.

 Baginski's next court date is scheduled for August 8th.

The Crawford County Fair gets started today with a full weekend of activities on the horizon.

Today, poultry and rabbit shows will occupy the morning hours at 9 a.m., followed by Barnyard Olympics at 2 and the sheep show tonight at 5.

Evening entertainment includes the Coal Miners Rodeo tonight and tomorrow starting at 8 p.m. nightly, featuring special performances by PRCA Comedy Act of the Year Bert Davis and the Ozarks' Renegade Trick Riders.

Bull riding will be Friday followed by the demo derby on Saturday. It's all happening at the Crawford County Fairgrounds in Girard.

One more hot day continues ahead of an expected cool-down starting tomorrow.

Coffeyville could finally break 100 degrees today with a heat index of 107. A heat advisory will be in place for the entire four-state area today. A cold front will move through tomorrow, which will drop temperatures to the mid-80s tomorrow and lower 80s by Friday and Saturday. A 20-30% chance of rain will also be possible starting tonight through Friday. Overnight lows will also make it back down to the mid-60s, which will drop the animal comfort index out of heat danger and caution into the “comfortable” category for the next couple of days.

Tomorrow is your last chance to buy discounted Fun Passes for the Inter-State Fair and Rodeo.

Coffeyville Tourism Director Wyatt Starnes says the current rate of $40 is still a big savings to get in on all the grandstand events.

Events start Tuesday, August 12^th with the LJ Jenkins bull riding, followed by two nights on PRCA rodeo, the tractor pull is making a return this year on Friday, and the Demo Derby will be Saturday.

Tickets can be purchased online at fairandrodeo.com or at the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce.

The Osage County Fair board is seeking additional funding.

At this week's Osage County Commission Meeting, Free Fair Board member Dee Chambers asked Commissioners for additional funding earlier this year.

Chambers says with the free fair being so close to the start of the fiscal year, it's difficult to order trophies and ribbons if they don't have the necessary funds. Chambers says an additional $10,000 is needed this year after items in storage were damaged.

No action was taken at Monday's meeting as the Excise Board will examine this issue tomorrow.

The Little House on the Prairie Museum is hosting the 8^th Annual Little Carrie on the Prairie Birthday Celebration this weekend. Independence Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Wilson says it is a two day event happening on Saturday and Sunday.

There will be a book talk and signing with author Michelle Underwood at 11:00am and 2:00pm on Saturday. This year marks the 155^th birthday of Carrie Ingalls, born on the very land where the museum now stands. 

One is dead after a two vehicle crash in Mayes County.

The crash happened at around 1:00pm yesterday afternoon on Highway 28, about eight miles east of Adair. The collision involved a 2023 Coach RV driven by 68-year-old Ronald Lindstrom of Palm Desert, California, and a 2011 Ford F-150 driven by 54-year-old Gregory Peacock of Vinita.

Lindstrom was airlifted to St. John Tulsa in stable condition with head and torso injuries. Peacock was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital. Two juvenile passengers in the F-150, a 10-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy, both of Vinita, were not injured. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

A registered offender is arrested and facing charges for multiple registration violations in Parsons.

49-year-old Matthew Carlin appeared in Labette County District Court following his arrest for multiple violations of the Kansas Offender Registration Act. Carlin is a lifetime-registered sex offender due to a conviction for sexual assault of a child in Texas. He was charged with five counts of violation of offender registration. In June, Carlin failed to complete his mandatory quarterly registration. A compliance check on July 14^th at Carlin’s registered address revealed that the residence was abandoned and secured with a realtor’s lock.

Carlin had been evicted from the residence in late Apri and had ended employment at a local business in May. Carlin failed to report both changes within the legally required three business days and subsequently missed his June quarterly registration, which are all violations of his sex offender registration. Carlin was later located and arrested in Taney County, Missouri, where he was taken into custody.

When the Carile family cat slipped out an open door in their RV six years ago, the family was certain they would never see him again.

But thanks to the kindness of another family and a microchip, the family has been reunited with the fleeing feline. The Cariles had been living in the Little Rock area when the cat named Beau disappeared. When they relocated to Springfield, Missouri, they were certain they would never see Beau again.

When a stray cat recently showed up on the doorstep of Charlene Ward in Little Rock, she knew she needed to take him to a vet and have him checked for a microchip. Clinic staff quickly got to work trying to locate Beau's family. The Cariles were shocked when they got the call, but were immediately ready to make the trip to Little Rock to reunite with their pet. After six long years, Beau is back with his family. Beau's tale emphasizes the importance of having pets microchipped and registered with current information.

Two Arkansas medical students are killed in a weekend car accident in Oklahoma.

31-year-old Hannah Ford of Osborn, Missouri, and 39-year-old Megan Herrold of Fort Smith, Arkansas, died in a two-vehicle accident on the Muskogee Turnpike in Muskogee County. Both were students at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in Fort Smith.

The driver of the second vehicle, a 2013 Ford Expedition, along with five children who were passengers in the SUV were taken to an area hospital with unknown injuries. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the children included a 6-year-old girl, three 2-year-old boys, and a 1-year-old boy.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Crews from the Hutchinson Fire Department rescue three people from the waters of the Arkansas River.

Around 2:30 yesterday afternoon, emergency crews were called to a city park in Hutchinson for reports of people in the Arkansas River. When they arrived on the scene, crews found three people holding on to a tree in the river. The water had risen significantly, trapping the people in the water, and the swift current prevented them from being able to escape on their own.

The victims were pulled from the water without incident and treated by EMS. No other injuries were reported.

Authorities in northwest Arkansas continue their search for a suspect in a weekend double homicide.

The Arkansas State Police have released a composite sketch of a man seen leaving Devil's Den State Park on Saturday afternoon shortly after the crime occurred. The victims have been identified as 43-year-old Clinton David Brink and his wife, 41-year-old Cristen Amanda Brink. The couple was walking along a hiking trail with their two young daughters when they were attacked by an unknown assailant. The two girls were uninjured in the incident and are now being cared for by family members.

The suspect is described as a white male of medium build who was last seen wearing a long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up, dark pants, a dark ball cap, and sunglasses. Authorities are asking anyone who visited the park on Saturday afternoon to check cell phone photos and videos for possible images of the suspect. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Arkansas State Police at 479-751-6663

Cristen and Clinton Brink

At yesterday's Osage County Commission meeting, commissioners heard an update on the courthouse annex project from the man overseeing the construction.

Dalton Higgins says there have been a few minor setbacks and that has forced the original September substantial completion date back to an October substantial completion date. Higgins says he expects offices to be fully functional and operational in early to mid-November. 

Higgins says that from a budgetary perspective, everything looks like it did when the commission first approved the scope of work. He said there had to be a few changes, but it fit within the contingency items of the budget.

An Ochelata man faces charges in Washington County after allegedly spitting on a sheriff's deputy.

40-year-old Robert Valentine appeared in a Washington County courtroom on Monday where he is charged with two felony counts of throwing or dropping an object on a vehicle and placing bodily fluids on a Government employee. Valentine was taken into custody following reports that he had broken the rear window of his neighbor's SUV before threatening to throw a rock at the vehicle. During his arrest, officers say Valentine spit on a sheriff's deputy and then called the arresting officers derogatory names.

Valentine's bond is set at $50,000. His next court date is August 8^th.

Montgomery County agrees to repairs to the intersection of South Buckeye Street and James School Road in Coffeyville.

At this week's county commission meeting, Public Works Director Brandon Beurskins advised commissioners of several options following an engineering report to repair the intersection after a pipe collapse. Beurskins suggested that commissioners opt for a slightly more expensive repair that would install new pipe beneath the intersection, stating that it would yield better results. Another option offered by the engineering analysis would be to remove the curve and turn the intersection into a T-junction with a turn lane. Beurskins says that would be the more expensive alternative.

Beurskins says the better option would be to leave the curve in place while changing the signage to improve driver safety.

Commissioners accepted Beurskins' recommendation. No date was given as to when the project would begin, but the project is expected to take 2 to 3 days to complete.

The Parsons Police Department launches a new app aimed at enhancing community engagement.

The new app seeks to provide citizens with a faster, easier, and more convenient way to stay connected to P-P-D. The app will allow citizens to access press releases, alerts, crime updates, and contact options via their smartphones. Police Chief Robert Spinks says the new app will help his efforts to improve transparency and community-oriented policing.

The app is available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play by searching for the keywords “Parsons Police Department.”

The City of Coffeyville’s Community Development Department seeks public input on a new green space planned near City Hall, next to the Senior Center.

This open area is a blank slate, and the City wants to hear ideas from residents on how it should be developed. A short online survey is currently available to allow citizens to make their voices heard. Participants will be entered to win a $100 gift card as a thank-you for their feedback. The survey will be open through August 8. Those with questions should contact the City's Community Development Department by calling 620-252-6129 or 620-252-6119.

To take the survey, follow this link.

The 9^th Annual Vaude in the Ville is coming up soon.

The fundraiser for the Midland Theater's Operations fund will once again feature local talent in a vaudeville-style setting.

Midland Board Member Darrel Harbaugh says this year's show will be hosted by Lindsay Oiler Goldapp and Bradley Gray and will feature lots of returning favorites.

Vaude in the Ville is Saturday, August 9^th at 7 p.m. at the Spencer/Rounds Theatre on the campus of Coffeyville Community College. Tickets for the fundraiser are $30 and can be purchased at the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce, through any Midland board member or through THIS LINK.  Tickets are also good for the after party at the Midland which will start at 9 p.m. Anyone with questions can call 620-515-0579.

The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association announces a new president at their annual convention in Norman.

sage County Rancher Ford Drummond says its a great honor and privilege to be in this role.  Drummond says his first rule in taking over this position is to not screw things up.

Drummond is the OCA's 40^th president and will serve a two year term. Listen to the full conversation between Ron Hayes and Drummond here.

Independence Community College invites families and community members to join them for Pirates in the Park.

The event is Friday, August 16^th, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Riverside Park. It is a free event and open to the public. It will feature games, rides and snacks. Guests will have the opportunity to meet ICC’s student-athletes before they kick off the fall season and connect with college faculty and staff.

ICC President Dr. Jonathan Sadhoo says this is their way of giving back to the community and celebrating the amazing support they receive each year. He says as they celebrate their 100th year, it’s important for them to honor their legacy and the community that has helped shape it.

A traffic stop on Highway 75 near Bartlesville leads to a drug arrest.

This week a Bartlesville K9 officer made a traffic stop on a Honda Sedan. The Sedan was seen traveling 78mph in a posted 70mph zone. Officers made contact with the driver and while one officer spoke to the driver, the K9 was deployed.

After a positive alert was given by the K9, Officer began searching the vehicle. Seven one pound bags of what officers believe to be methamphetamine were located inside the vehicle. An eighth bag was found with the others that contained two ounces of what is believed to be cocaine. The driver was arrested on drug charges.

City crews in Independence work to pick up brush in the city.

According to City Engineer John Garris, the Independence Street Department averages about one thousand brush pick-ups every year. However, Garris says they've already reached that number for 2025.

City Commissioner Tim Emert says the City needs to do a better job of informing residents about the process for having their brush piles taken care of.

Independence residents who have brush to pick up must contact the city to make arrangements. Brush must be placed near the curb and at least 4 feet away from any utility meter, cover, pole, or guy wire. Brush should be stacked neatly and compactly with all branches facing the same direction. If the brush pile contains lumber or trash, city crews will not take it.

To schedule a brush pick-up, call 332-2507 or fill out an online request.

The Montgomery County Fair in Independence gives area 4-Hers the chance to show off the results of their hard work and have some fun at the same time.
 

Members of the Fawn Creek 4-H Club from Caney and Tyro toured the fair exhibits on Saturday to see what their fellow club members have been working on throughout the year.
 

One member, Silas, says he had both indoor and outdoor exhibits.
 

Another Fawn Creek 4-Her named Piper was there to show swine. Piper says it takes a bit of practice to show a pig in the ring.
 

All of the 4-Hers were there to enjoy the fun and memories of the fair. Each one says they have a favorite part of the Montgomery County Fair.
 

Parents and adult leaders are also a common sight at the fair. Fawn Creek Community Leader and Fair Board Member Sharon Ward says 4-H is really a family effort.

T he Montgomery County 4-H Fair wraps up tonight with the Buyers' Supper at 5:30 followed by the Presentation of Awards and the Livestock Premium Sale at Riverside Park in Independence.

A Georgia hunting show host is permanently banned from hunting and fishing in the State of Kansas after illegally killing two deer in 2022.

35-year-old Matt Jennings who hosts a hunting show called “The Game” received 5 year probation and a lifetime hunting ban in the state. The first incident occurred don November 11, 2022, when Jennings killed an antlered deer near the City of Florence. His tag at the time did not allow him to take a deer in that part of the state. Jennings then drove into Oklahoma and registered the kill in that state using an Oklahoma electronic tag. On November 19, Jennings then shot another antlered deer near WaKeeney. Kansas has a limit of one antlered deer per season. He then featured both kills on his hunting show.

Jennings entered a guilty plea in federal court to two counts of illegal taking of a white tail deer in interstate commerce. He was also ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, plus a $10,000 fine and to forfeit the antlers of the deer he illegally killed.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks investigated the case, with assistance provided by the U.S. Secret Service, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Missouri Department of Conservation, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.

The human remains discovered last week in Cowley County have been identified as those of a missing Sumner County woman.

39-year-old Emilie Porterfield-Hill of Geuda Springs was reported missing on July 16. Her remains were found on July 23 by a landowner near a private pond in southwestern Cowley County. Cowley County Sheriff David Falletti says early indications do not show any signs of acute injuries, but that the investigation into Hill’s death remains ongoing.

Authorities in northwest Arkansas are looking for a suspect in a double homicide that occurred at Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday afternoon. The Arkansas State Police say 43-year-old Clinton David Brink and his wife, 41-year-old Cristen Amanda Brink were found deceased on a walking trail in the park located in Washington County, or about 27 miles north of Fort Smith. The couple's children – ages 7 and 9 – were with the couple when the incident occurred but were uninjured. The children are safe and in the custody of relatives.

A-S-P has identified the suspect in the case as an unknown white male who was last seen wearing dark shorts, a long sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and weight-lifting type gloves. He was spotted exiting the park in a dark, four-door sedan that may be a Mazda with duct tape or electrical tape covering the license plate.

The deceased individuals have been taken to the Arkansas State Crime Lab in  Little Rock to determine the cause and manner of death.

The City of Cherryvale reminds residents with ATV permits that the stickers will expire on Thursday.

Those wanting to renew permits required to operate ATVs on city streets should do so at City Hall. Registrants will need proof of insurance and a valid driver's license. The ATV permit fee is $30, and it is valid through July 31, 2026.

The permit allows for the legal operation of ATVs Sunday through Thursday from 6am to 11pm and Friday and Saturday from 6am to midnight. Drivers must have a valid license and, for those operating after dark, vehicles must have headlights, taillights, and turn signals. The Cherryvale City Hall is located at 123 West Main in Cherryvale.

The City of Miami honors a nationally known country musician with ties to northeastern Oklahoma.

On Saturday, Miami honored Joe Don Rooney of the band Rascal Flatts and celebrated his induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Rooney was on hand at Saturday's event. He says he was honored to receive the accolades from the area where he grew up.

The 49-year-old Rooney was born in Baxter Springs and grew up in the City of Picher. He attended Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College in Miami. Rooney was honored at the Miami Heritage Days over the weekend, where the City Council and Mayor Bless Parker proclaimed Saturday as Joe Don Rooney Day in Miami.

Rooney becomes the 149th Oklahoman to be inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reminds all drivers that, by law, all vehicles in use on Oklahoma roads must be in good working order.

The reminder comes after a pickup truck involved in a recent accident in the Oklahoma City area was found to have been using vise-grips attached to the steering column instead of a steering wheel. The two-ton vehicle was involved in a multi-vehicle accident on an interstate. Fortunately, no one was injured in the crash.

O-H-P reminds all drivers that operating a vehicle known to be in such an unsafe condition as to endanger any person is a misdemeanor.

Photos courtesy Oklahoma Highway Patrol

The Montgomery County Commission is set to meet today as they address a brief agenda.

Public Works Director Brandon Beurskins will appear before the commission to update the commission on the intersection of County Road 4700 and County Road 1450, locally known as South Buckeye and James School Road in Coffeyville. Beurskins will also give his quarterly report. Commissioners will also hear quarterly reports from County Clerk Ami Standridge and about Community Corrections from Dennis Webb. In other business, commissioners are also expected to sign a letter of support for the Southeast Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center’s proposed addition of secure care beds to its facility in Girard.

Today’s meeting begins at 9am in the Commission Room on the lower level of the Judicial Center in Independence. The public is invited to attend in person or to view the meeting online via the County’s website.

A heat advisory is in place across the four-state area through Wednesday.

Warm weather is expected to continue through mid-week, with a heat index up to 109 across the area. Montgomery County will see highs approach 100 today with a heat index of 107. The National Weather Service reminds all in the area to drink plenty of fluids, limit time outside if possible and check on relatives and neighbors.

Some relief is expected soon as a cold front is expected to move through mid-week, which will drop temperatures into the mid-80s by Thursday.

Coffeyville's Salvation Army sees another successful Christmas in July in their 10^th year of doing the event.

Coordinator Joe Brooks says they raised just shy of $1500 in just a few hours of bell ringing.  Brooks says the money raised will be used in a variety of ways to provide assistance to those who need it.

Brooks says Coffeyville is a giving community and he is thankful to be apart of it.

Fire destroys a mobile home in Wilson County.

According to Wilson County Rural Fire, Saturday around 11:50 p.m., units responded to a structure fire northwest of Fredonia. Upon arrival, the mobile home was fully engulfed and already collapsed. The department says no one lived in the home and no one was injured.

Photo: Wilson County Rural Fire

Independence Community College announces it's new partnership with Kansas City University. President Dr. Jonathan Sadhoo says this is designed to fast-track students from rural, medically underserved areas into careers in the medical field.

Students will spend their first year at ICC, then transfer to Pittsburg State University or Missouri Southern State University for undergraduate coursework. Qualified students are eligible for early admission interviews with KCU during their second year of undergraduate study. Dr. Sadhoo says this doesn't just benefit the students or colleges but also rural communities.

To qualify, students must graduate from a high school in a rural, medically underserved county and meet specific GPA and ACT score requirements. Dr. Sadhoo says this initiative reinforces ICC’s commitment to expanding educational access and opportunity, especially for students in rural Kansas.

A car is hit by a train south of Dearing.

Sunday morning around 8:30 a.m., the Dearing Fire Department, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and Coffeyville Regional Medical Center EMS responded to a single-vehicle accident at the train crossing on County Road 3900 just south of Dearing.

The woman driving the Jeep Patriot was able to get out of the vehicle and had no physical injuries.

Photo: Frank Shedden, SnapWild Photography

The first of two night of rodeo get underway tonight at the Chautauqua County Fair and Rodeo. Sedan Rodeo Round Club's Cody Bracken says they'll start both nights at 8:00pm.

Bracken says tickets are $10 at the gate for each night. The rodeo will also have 50/50 raffle drawing each night right before the bull riding. Tickets will be $1 each, $5 for six tickets or $20 for an arms length.

The City of Independence releases a statement on possible mountain lion sightings that have been reported in town.

After multiple social media posts about a possible sighting on a video doorbell camera, City officials have worked with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to conclude that the animal captured on video was not a mountain lion but likely a domesticated cat. Assistant City Manager David Cowan says after thorough investigation into the suspected mountain lion sighting, there appears to be no cause for alarm or concern.

Related questions also have been circulating about the location of the mountain lion at the Ralph Mitchell Zoo. Park & Zoo Director Scott Patton has confirmed that it is safe and secure in the zoo enclosure and has not left the zoo. Coincidentally, it is temporarily off public exhibit due to damage to the outdoor enclosure fencing caused by a fallen tree.

The Coffeyville Fire Department Hazmat team responds to Independence for a spill at the FedEx warehouse.

At around 8:00am this morning, the Independence Fire Department responded to a hazardous materials incident at the FedEx warehouse. Upon arrival, units found a 2’ x 2’ package leaking and off-gassing an unknown substance. Out of caution and prior to the chemical being identified, CFD’s Hazardous Materials Team was requested for assistance.

Coffeyville Hazmat responded and identified the chemical as nitric acid. The team isolated the spill and neutralized the acid, converting it into a non-hazardous base. FedEx has contracted a private environmental cleanup company to complete the decontamination and disposal process. No injuries were reported.

The boil water advisory for Neosho County RWD 4 has been rescinded. The advisory was issued because of a waterline break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system.

RWD 3 is still under an advisory pending laboratory results. Anyone is District 3 should continue to boil water for one minute prior to drinking.

The Parsons First Baptist church will host an ADA Celebration today.

The event will feature a keynote speaker, plus free food, music, and prizes. Today's event runs from 11am to 2pm at the Parsons First Baptist Church, located at 1621 Main Street.

Humboldt Police Chief Shannon Moore is named Law Enforcement Administrator of the Year by the Kansas Juvenile Officers Association.

Moore is a graduate of Wichita State University and has served the Humboldt Police Department for the past seven years, including her role as chief, which she began in 2018. Moore has also served as Woodson County Sheriff and as Undersheriff in Allen County.

The Independence City Commission approves a major expenditure to improve the cooling system at Memorial Hall.

At Thursday's meeting, commissioners voted to spend $425,000 to replace the chiller cooling system at Memorial Hall. That is the system that cools the main part of the building. Another option was to also replace the air conditioning unit that cools the stage area. The option to not replace that unit would save the city money, but City Engineer John Garris says that system is also barely keeping up.

The approved funds would cover the costs to replace both systems. Commissioners also gave the go-ahead to install power generators for use in the basement of the historic building. Again, commissioners had more than one option to choose from. Mayor Scott Smith says he supported the less expensive choice that would still provide emergency power.

Commissioners approved the expenditure of an additional $37,000 that would allow the basement of Memorial Hall to be used as a shelter in of a winter power outage.

Authorities in Scott City in western Kansas are investigating the death of a public works employee last week.

25-year-old Chase Cupp was found dead at the city's water tower by another city employee on July 18. Cupp was a long-time employee of the City. He began working part-time while he was still in high school and moved into a full-time role after graduation.

While foul play is not suspected, authorities are investigating the incident.

The City of Independence agrees to a meeting with USD 446 to negotiate the terms of the school district's use of city ballparks.

Up for discussion at the work session will be USD 446's use of the baseball and softball fields at the Central Park Sports Complex on Park Boulevard. Construction on the brand new, $11 million facility is still underway, though many of the new fields are open for use. Independence City Manager Kelly Passauer says many groups came together to fund the new ballparks.

The City initially asked the school district to contribute $2 million for the project, a number that was then lowered to $1 million. However, Passauer says the City has decided to forego that option and to offer the district a 15-year, long-term usage plan.

Passauer says the agreement would allow the district to pay for the use of the fields while also giving school teams priority.

The City Commission voted to attend the work session on August 20^th at Memorial Hall. The two groups will then be able to discuss the issue together to find a solution that satisfies both parties.

A Pittsburg woman faces theft charges after allegedly stealing items from a Casey's location in Crawford County.

Authorities have charged 43-year-old Crystal R. Stevens with theft of property or services and interference with law enforcement after an incident at a Casey's convenience store in Pittsburg. Officers from the Pittsburg Police Department were notified that a female suspect had stolen several items from the store and then made threats to employees who were working there. Officers then located Stevens nearby and made contact with her. She refused to comply, and officers deployed a taser in order to make the arrest.

Stevens will appear in a Crawford County courtroom on August 14 to face her charges.

The school year is just around the corner and one non-profit organization is looking for host families for exchange students.

High school students from all over the world travel to the United States each year to experience anywhere from a few months to an entire year of living in the U.S. The Oregon-based non-profit Pan Atlantic Foundation is currently looking for host families for the upcoming school year. Volunteer Janie Aita says they are still looking for families in southeast Kansas.

Aita says those interested in hosting a student need to pass a background check and meet a few requirements.

Anyone who would like to learn more about hosting a student can contact Aita at 620-717-5279 or via email at janieaita28@gmail.com.  You can also visit the Pan Atlantic Foundation website.

A building catches fire in downtown Howard.

Early this morning just before 1 a.m., tankers from the Elk County Rural Fire Department were called to assist the Howard and Moline Fire Departments with support for a structure fire in downtown Howard. The fire was reported in the back of C&O Custom Woodworking. Upon arrival, heavy flames were present in the back of the building and the structure was deemed unsafe, so a defensive position was taken. The fire was contained to the building of origin, however, adjacent buildings suffered light to heavy smoke and water damage. There are no reported injuries at this time.

The street is expected to be blocked off for several hours this morning and crews continue to work.

Photo: Elk County Rural Fire Department

If you're a fan of county fairs, this is your weekend.

At the Labette County Fair, bull riding kicks off tonight with gates open at 7 and bull riding at 8. The Bill and Shirley McKinzie Memorial Livestock Sale will also be this afternoon at 4 p.m. The Demo Derby is coming up tomorrow with a $13,500 payout. Gates open at 6 p.m. in Oswego.

At the Wilson County Fair, the sheep show is tonight at 7 p.m., which will be followed by the Brian Knowles concert at 9. Tomorrow will start with a pancake feed at 8:30 and the Farm Bureau Pedal Pull at 11:30, plus the watermelon feed at 1 in Fredonia.

The rodeo starts tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m. at the Chautauqua County Fair, and the parade will take place tomorrow around 10 a.m. in Sedan.

The Neosho County Fair continues all weekend in Erie, with a market goat show tonight at 5 and several livestock shows tomorrow.

Setup and judging take place today for the Montgomery County Fair, followed by the 4-H food auction tonight at 6, followed by the swine show at 8 in Independence.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Scott Police Department arrest a Fort Scott man for child sex crimes.

Yesterday afternoon, KBI agents and the Fort Scott Police Department arrested 24-year-old Micheal Olkowski for sexual exploitation of a child and aggravated internet trading in child pornography. The KBI Child Victims Unit began investigating after multiple cyber tips were received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in July.

Following the arrest, Olkowski was booked into the Bourbon County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.

The Dewey Fire Department stops a fire before it can fully spread to other structures.

Dewey FD says the fire started just before 4:00am this morning. Firefighters arrived at the scene and found a camper fully engulfed in flames and getting near the house.

They were able to extinguish the camper fire, but there was some damage to a portion of the home's roof. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

With school around the corner, supplies are being gathered for those in need.

This Saturday, a school bus will be available at the Independence Farmer's Market at the corner of Chestnut and 8^th St. to fill with back-to-school items.

Independence Chamber of Commerce President says there's a great need for school supplies during the entire year.

Wilson says organizer Andy Taylor will be on hand to collect individual items, and cash donations are always helpful to allow them to buy items in bulk.

The event starts at 7:30 a.m. Anyone who needs more information can call Taylor at 620-331-9178.

Activities and events at the 2025 Wilson County Fair continue up through Sunday.

Following booth set up and check in yesterday, judging of all 4-H and open class entries commences today, with swine, rabbit, and poultry shows on the docket as well.

Seven-year old Danton says he's been working hard for the goat show as well.

Dairy and bucket calf shows, along with the sheep show and barnyard olympics headline Friday's activities at the fairgrounds in Fredonia. Eight-year old Daxton, who was named a reserve champion for modeling, says it's something he really enjoys.

There will be a live concert with Bryan Knowles tomorrow night after the goat show, a pancake feed on Saturday morning, with the fair wrapping up Sunday evening. 

Wilson County is being required to add oil insurance for upcoming asphalt road oil projects.

Coastal Energy, who supplies the road and bridge department with the asphalt road oil for road repair projects, is asking the county to add them to certificate of insurance for the duration of the project.

Road and Bridge Director Kary Tatum says this was a situation that developed pretty quickly.

No action was taken during the meeting regarding the matter, and County Coordinator Kris Marple met with county insurance representatives today.

Additional items of business at this week's meeting was an update from County Clerk Kayla Busch, and the commissioners approving the alumni dance to be held in the courthouse parking lot.

The Independence Chamber of Commerce has opened applications for the latest round of one of their yearly development programs, Leadership Independence.

Chamber President Lisa Wilson says the application process is very easy.

The purpose of the program is to provide future leaders with the skills necessary for solving the issues that face the community and to encourage networking with other class members. Wilson says employers are often willing to cover the cost of the class for participants.

Leadership Independence consists of eight sessions from September through April. Participants must be able to attend all sessions. The course begins on September 11. Anyone with questions can contact the Chamber at 620-331-1890

Authorities in Cowley County are investigating after human remains are discovered.

Just before 3pm Wednesday, Cowley County Sheriff's deputies were called to a residence in the southwestern part of the county after reports that a homeowner had possibly found a body near a pond. When deputies arrived on the scene, the homeowner directed them to the location on private property. The Ark City Fire Department was then called in to assist investigators in retrieving the remains.

The identity of the individual has not yet been confirmed, but authorities in nearby Sumner County have reported an active missing person case and are attempting to learn if the remains might be those of the missing individual.

An autopsy will be performed at the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center in Wichita to determine the cause of death and conform the identity.

Joplin police standoff ends in the arrest of two suspects.

A traffic stop in Joplin Wednesday afternoon escalated into a standoff in a bank parking lot. Around 1pm, a police officer spotted 30-year-old Mark Trease of Carthage in the Lowe’s parking lot near 24th and Range Line Road. The officer recognized Trease as having multiple active warrants. When the officer tried to make contact, Trease fled and pulled into a parking lot of a nearby bank, where he and his passenger refused to exit the vehicle.

Police evacuated nearby bank customers and called in SWAT due to the passenger, identified as a 32-year-old from Webb City, being armed and refusing to cooperate in a crowded area. The standoff ended after SWAT used an armored vehicle to pin the pickup, allowing both men to be taken into custody.

Trease faces several charges, including resisting arrest and multiple warrants, while the passenger may face charges for resisting and for possession of a loaded 9mm handgun that was found in the vehicle.

The Independence City Commission will meet tonight with baseball fields and municipal bonds among items up for discussion.

Commissioners will consider a proposed meeting with USD 446 to discuss the joint use of baseball and softball fields at the Central Park Sports Complex. There has been some recent disagreement between the city and the school district regarding the terms of use. Initially, the City requested $2 million from the district to help with the construction costs of the sports complex. That number was then reduced to $1 million. To date, USD 446 has made no financial contributions to the construction of the facility, and the City has now changed its request to a long-term use agreement over the span of 15 years. The proposed meeting between the district and the City would be an attempt to work out the details of the agreement that would satisfy both parties.

Also on tonight's agenda is the issuance of general obligation bonds to cover costs associated with the long-term facilities needs of the city.

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

An Independence man is facing a felony charge in Oklahoma after allegedly eluding police.

29-year-old Lance Cheshier was charged on Monday with endangering others while eluding police, driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, transporting an open container of an intoxicating beverage and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, on July 20, the Caney Police Department was in pursuit of a southbound vehicle on US-75 near the intersection with West 600 Road in Washington County, or about 5 miles south of the state line.

Cheshier then stopped in Dewey where police say he admitted that he had been drinking. Officers recovered multiple alcoholic containers from his vehicle as well as a metal pipe containing black residue.

Cheshier will make his next court appearance on Friday. His bond is set at $25,000.

Two people are injured in a crash in rural Bourbon County.

38-year-old Seth Uttinger and 41-year-old April Edwards, both of Fort Scott, were seriously injured yesterday (Wednesday) evening in an accident on a gravel road northwest of Fort Scott. Uttinger was driving a 2005 Chevy Aveo and Edwards was his passenger when the two approached a stop sign at a T-junction at the intersection of 205^th Street and Osage Road. Uttinger attempted to make a left turn onto southbound 205^th Street when his car was struck in the intersection by a Dodge Ram pickup. The driver of the pickup – identified as 20-year-old Charles B. Smith of Paulden, Arizona – was not hurt in the accident, but both Uttinger and Edwards suffered serious injuries. They were both taken to Joplin's Freeman Hospital for treatment.

The Chautauqua County fair is getting underway.

Today, KGGF staff will broadcast live from the fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to noon on US 98. The rabbit and poultry show will take place today at 11, with the free BBQ and bean feed tonight at 5:30. The bucket calf show will be tonight at 6 and the beef show will be at 7. Rides also be available starting tonight through Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. All events take place at the fairgrounds in Sedan.

The Wilson County fair also continues today with exhibit judging, plus a rabbit and poultry show at 2 and the swine show at 7.

At the Labette County Fair, the horse show will be today at 7 p.m. with bull riding coming up tomorrow starting at 8 p.m. in Oswego.

Livestock entries and weigh-ins will be tonight from 7:30 to 9 for the Montgomery County fair in Independence.

Finally, the Neosho County Fair begins today with the opening ceremony and royalty coronation at 11 and the sheep show tonight at 7 in Erie.

Today's broadcast is brought to you by the Bank of Sedan, Buck's BBQ, Caney Valley Electric, T-Bar Mercantile and Economy Manufacturing.

It was another successful year for KGGF during the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Awards.

The station took first in Station Excellence for the second straight year. In the commercial category KGGF won first with a commercial for Phil's Paint and Body and also finished first in the Diversity Equity and Inclusion category for Fry Bread Journey's with Kris Crane.

In addition to the three first place finishes. KGGF also finished second in three categories and were honorable mention in five. The station will receive their awards during the KAB Convention in October.

Those attending the Wilson County Fair on Friday night might hear a familiar sound.

Local Musician Bryan Knowles will be performing that night at around 9:00pm, going on after the goat show. He says Fredonia was one of the places he got his start as a musician.

Knowles says the atmosphere while playing at a fair is different from his typical venues.  Knowles says to follow his Facebook page to keep up with where he will be playing next. He says he may even be back to Southeast Kansas before the end of the year.

The City of Coffeyville will begin its annual chlorine flushing program at the start of next month.

The routine maintenance, overseen by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, helps clear build-up from the city’s water system. Starting Friday, August 1^st, the City will switch to free chlorine as the primary disinfectant, with hydrant flushing set to begin Monday, August 4^th. The process may last up to four weeks.

Residents may notice cloudy water, unusual taste or odor or lower water pressure, but officials say the water remains safe to drink. For questions, call the Water Treatment Plant at (620)252-6150.

An opportunity to meet Fredonia's new police chief is coming up tomorrow.

The City of Fredonia is hosting a meet and greet with new police chief Tyler Decker. The event will be an informal evening with light snacks and the chance for the public to ask questions and get to know Decker.

The event will be tomorrow, July 24th, at VFW Durham Hall at 10283 Harper Road in Fredonia from 6 to 8 p.m.

Part of K-99 in Greenwood County has been reduced to one lane this morning.

Crews from the Kansas Department of Transportation are working in the area about a mile south of the City of Climax to repair damage done to the roadway following an accident in the area last week. Drivers can expect some brief delays while traveling through the work zone. 

A deputy for the Roger County, Oklahoma, Sheriff's Department is arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated.

Justin Book was arrested while operating his patrol vehicle near his home in Claremore on Monday morning. Claremore Police responded after receiving a complaint from a citizen about a damaged street sign. Upon investigation, officers learned Book had struck the sign and had also driven over his own mailbox. Book admitted that he had taken an Ambien and had also consumed a beverage containing rum.

Book has been charged with DUI and failure to stop at a stop sign. He has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

A state senator from Johnson County announces his bid to be the Democrat candidate for Kansas Governor.

Ethan Corson has thrown his hat into the ring for the race to be Kansas' next governor. Corson is a native Kansan who grew up in Shawnee Mission and played baseball for Garden City Community College. A lawyer by trade, Corson was first elected to the state senate in 2020 and currently represents Senate District 7 in the Kansas City Metro area.

He becomes the second Democrat to announce his candidacy, joining fellow state senator Cindy Holscher in vying for their party's nomination. Eight Republicans have also entered the race, including Senate President Ty Masterson who announced his candidacy last weekend.

Several members of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office compete in a statewide law enforcement shooting competition. 

Three deputies traveled to Wellington last weekend to take part in the Statewide Law Enforcement Shooting Match sponsored by the Kansas Peace Officers Association. Deputy Chris Bishop, Corporal Steve Gass and Deputy Ralph Jones competed against other law enforcement officers from across the state of Kansas in their use of both pistols and rifles. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office reports that the trio did not do as well as they had hoped in the pistol division, but they excelled in the rifle category and were strong contenders for top honors. The group also gained experience and are planning to attend next year's competition as well.

The three deputies spent many off-duty, non-work hours preparing for the competition. This was the first time the Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputies participated in the event.

**UPDATE: Due to issues with Zoom at the July 9 meeting, today's meeting will NOT be recorded on Zoom. The City of Neodesha says it is attempting to address the issue and hope to solve the problem soon.

Dangerous structures and water project funding are in the agenda for today's Neodesha City Commission meeting.

Commissioners will discuss elements of the final funding phase of several water projects in the city that will include the redemption of just over $1 million in general obligation temporary notes. Commissioners will also hold a public hearing for a structure in the city deemed dangerous and unsafe while also discussing a payment for the fence installation for power generators. Mayor Devin Johnson is also expected to issue a proclamation declaring August 5^th as National Night Out for drug and violence prevention.

Today's meeting begins at 4pm at City Hall and is open to the public. The meeting can also be viewed online via the City of Neodesha Facebook page.

The Attorney's General from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma join with 23 other states and US territories in urging the NCAA to restore the records, titles, awards and recognitions of female athletes that were denied because of biological males competing in women’s sports.

The group has sent a letter to NCAA President Charles Baker asking the association that governs college athletics to develop a plan to restore the recognition. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach signed onto the letter along with Gentner Drummond of Oklahoma, Tim Griffin of Arkansas, and Andrew Bailey of Missouri.

The letter asks for the change, stating that the NCAA has the opportunity and privilege to impact the lives of student athletes in a positive or negative way and that recent events have denied deserving woman the recognition they have earned.

More than 500,000 college athletes from approximately 1,100 schools in all 50 states compete in the NCAA. 

To read the letter, follow this link.

The Wilson County Commission is set to meet today and address a brief agenda.

At today's meeting, commissioners will hear a report from County Coordinator Kris Marple. Also expected are updates from Road and Bridge Director Kary Tatum and Wilson County Sheriff Pete Kuhn.

Today's meeting is open to the public and begins at 9am in room 101 at the County Courthouse in Fredonia.

The Kansas Department for Children and Families has awarded three major contracts to launch its new Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System.

The changes are aimed at modernizing outdated systems used by child welfare and adult protective services. The $100 million project will also consolidate multiple existing systems into a single platform, in an attempt to improve data sharing, streamline processes, and enhance services across agencies. RedMane Technology LLC was awarded a $44 million contract for system design, development, and implementation, while two other companies will provide independent verification and validation and quality assurance.

The overhaul will roll out over the next four years using both state and federal funding. Officials expect it to enhance collaboration among state partners and improve service delivery to Kansas families. DCF Secretary Laura Howard emphasized the transformative impact of the new system, stating that it will replace outdated technology with a modern infrastructure designed to better serve children and families across the state.

Setup continues for county fairs around the area.

Today, KGGF staff will broadcast live from the Wilson County Fair with a remote on US 98 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Setup and check-in of exhibits will take place most of the day today, with livestock weigh-in tonight starting at 7 in Fredonia.

Exhibits will be checked in today at the Chautauqua County Fair, and we'll have another remote tomorrow from 10 to noon in Sedan. Setup also starts today at the Montgomery County Fair in Independence.

The rodeo continues tonight at the Labette County Fair with gates open at 7 and the rodeo at 8. The exhibit building will also be open today from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Oswego.

Today's broadcast is a service of Larry Marshal Auction, Porter Drug, Neodesha Housing, Blessed Blossoms, New York Live, State Farm, The Rail Yard, Billy's Bar & Grill and Koehn Construction.

Changes could be coming to how Code Enforcement operates in the City of Coffeyville.

City Manager Ben Brubaker says they are in the process of evaluating how Coffeyville Code Enforcement operates.  Brubaker says a change that has happened with Code Enforcement is the addition of animal control.

Brubaker says, with the exception of grass, Code Enforcement and Animal Control are primarily complaint based and they are looking at ways to be more proactive.

The Coffeyville Police Department is hosting National Night Out next month at the Big Hill Splash Aquatic Center.

Coffeyville Communications Manager Ashley Tatman says this is a community event that CPD puts on every year.  The event is free to attend and is from 5:30pm to 8:00pm on Tuesday, August 5^th.

A tip from a Parsons' resident leads to the arrest of a multi-time felon.

A concerned citizen contacted the Parsons Police Department after observing an individual acting suspicious in the 1400 block of Belmont Avenue. The suspicious person was on a bicycle with an attached cart, and according to the report was snooping around a vacant house. A PPD officer attempted to make contact with the individual and he immediately fled on foot and entered a nearby residence.

The officer went after the suspect and entered the residence, where he located and apprehended the individual, later identified as 45-year-old Neil Avery. During the encounter, Avery resisted arrest and fought with officers. He was taken into custody and initially booked on charges of interference with law enforcement and battery on a law enforcement officer.

The Montgomery County Cyber Security Seminar is coming up at the end of this week.

Director of Emergency Management and Event Organizer Rick Whitson says the seminar is for all ages.  Whitson says they have some great keynote speakers lined up for the event.  Whitson says one of the key focuses of the seminar will be password security.

The event starts at 8:00am on Friday at Memorial Hall in Independence. There is no registration required and the seminar is free to attend.

A man is dead after attempting to save a woman from drowning in southwest Missouri.

Authorities in Noel, Missouri, say the incident occurred on Sunday in the Elk River just west of the City, when a 26-year-old female kayaker went over the low-head dam and was caught in a rolling current. At that time, a 55-year-old man entered the water in an attempt to save the woman and was caught in the current as well. The woman managed to escape the current on her own and was pulled from the water by Fire and Rescue crews from the City of Noel.

A bystander pulled the man out of the water and began CPR. However, he remained unresponsive and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

No names have yet been released.

The Osage County Commission discusses improvements at the fairgrounds.

At this week's meeting, commissioners moved to advertise for bids so that power washing and painting can take place at the grandstands of the Osage County Fairgrounds. The Pawhuska Cavalcade took place this past week at the fairgrounds and Commissioner Steve Talburt says things looked really good.

In other business, an agreement was signed between Shidler Public Schools and the Osage County Sheriff's Office so that the sheriff's office will provide the school district with a school resource officer. That contract was in the amount of just over $45,000 and is the ninth school the Osage County Sheriff's Office has made such an agreement with. 

The Nowata County Commissioners met on Monday morning at the Nowata County Annex.

At this week's meeting, the board approved a move to become board conduit issuers. Jeff Raley with the Floyd Law Firm in Norman says the move will allow the board to issue municipal bonds on behalf of another entity.

The board will oversee bond payments that will cover improvements to Nowata schools, including the replacement of the roof of the elementary school, remodeling the entryways, and adding a safe room facility to the middle school, high school, and elementary schools. The bond also helps build a new agricultural barn, practice fields for Nowata baseball and softball, and new LED lighting for the baseball, softball, and football fields.

The commissioners approved a motion to stay with the current alcohol and drug testing agreement for employees after the measure had been tabled for the last two weeks.

The Dewey City Council honors two police officers for their on-duty efforts.

The recognition came during the city council meeting at Dewey City Hall on Monday night. Officers Christian Walsh and Josh McCully were honored for their response to a rollover accident that occurred on July 4. Fire Chief Terry Young says the two officers showed excellence in the performance of their duties.

Police Chief Jimmy Gray says the two officers deserved the recognition.

Gray also recognized the efforts of Officer McCully's wife Stormy McCully for her work with resheltering animals.

Montgomery County prepares for upcoming projects to improve county roads.

Public Works Director Brandon Beurskins appeared before the commission Monday and addressed several upcoming projects. Beurskins says there will be several chip seal projects starting next Monday.

Beurskins added that the chip seal projects to take about a week to complete, while the work on County Road 3900 between Independence and Coffeyville will take about three weeks to complete. All projects will have flaggers and a pilot car to guide motorists through the single lane work zones.

Commissioners also approved $138,000 for the design of an upcoming project to replace a bridge and widen the shoulders on Peter Pan Road. That project is slated to begin some time in 2027 at a cost of $2.1 million dollars. KDOT will pay for most of the cost for the work, with Montgomery County covering about $400,000 of the total cost.

A weekend traffic stop in Labette County leads to the seizure of five pounds of methamphetamine.

The traffic stop occurred on Sunday when a Labette County sheriff's Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a driver for speeding in Chetopa. The deputy deployed a K-9 officer for an open-air sniff of the vehicle and the dog alerted to the presence of illegal drugs. A search of the vehicle revealed the presence of a large quantity of meth in the trunk of the car.

62-year-old Paul Ray Stevens was arrested and faces charges of Distribution of a Narcotic, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Paraphernalia with the intent to Manufacture a Controlled Substance.

Also taken into custody was 25-year-old Krista Holland for outstanding warrants in Labette and Montgomery Counties. Both are being held in the Labette County Jail.

Photo: Stevens and Holland

A June 30 traffic stop by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper leads to a drug arrest.

The traffic stop began when the Oklahoma Trooper spotted a maroon SUV with a defective windshield and a driver who was not wearing a seat belt. When the trooper attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver fled onto a rural county road. The trooper then used a tactical vehicle intervention to bring the pursuit to an end.

The driver – identified as Brandi York of Pineville, Missouri – was discovered to be driving on a suspended license. When asked why she fled, York told the trooper it was because she didn't want her vehicle to be towed.

York was booked into the Ottawa County Jail in Miami, where she faces multiple charges including fleeing law enforcement, driving under suspension, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Authorities later learned that York had also fled from law enforcement in McDonald County, Missouri. She successfully evaded capture at that time, but Missouri officials have since filed charges related to that incident.

A Bartlesville man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly breaking into a residence and threatening to stab another individual.

33-year-old Germaine Good was charged yesterday with assault with a dangerous weapon, attempted first-degree burglary, first-degree burglary and assault and battery.

According to the Bartlesville Police Department, Good allegedly got into an argument with the victim at the victim's residence. During an altercation, Good is accused of shoving the victim and then threatening the victim with a knife.

Good will make his next court appearance on Friday. His bond was set at $150,000.

Cherryvale Police dispatch services are consolidated in Independence.

On July 7^th, the City of Independence began dispatching the Cherryvale Police Department in addition to Fire and EMS.

Independence Mayor Scott Smith spoke before the Cherryvale City Council last night and says the collaboration has been a success.

In other businesses at last night's meeting, the council discussed a property donation to build an electric vehicle charging station at 7^th and Liberty to take advantage of a grant that would reimburse all costs of the project except concrete work. Council Member Norman Johnson made a motion to accept the donation and proceed with the project, but no second was made, and the motion died.

A yearly ordinance was also passed to levy the city's cost of mowing and demolishing structures towards county taxes for individual property owners who don't pay the city, which totaled nearly $8,500.

The council also approved an easement for Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline and a street closure for the Cherryvale Public Library's Back to School Bash on August 8^th that will close part of Main and Montgomery Streets for 2-3 hours.

County fairs continue around southeast Kansas this week.

At the Labette County fair in Oswego, there will be a poultry show this morning at 9 a.m. followed by the bucket calf show tonight at 5 and the beef show at 6. The ACRA/IPRA and Open Rodeo will take place tonight and tomorrow with gates open at 7 followed by the muttin bustin' at 7:30 and the rodeo at 8.

No events are scheduled today for the Chautauqua County Fair or Wilson County Fairs today, but check-in of entries will take place in both counties tomorrow.

King and Queen Coronation will take place tonight for the Montgomery County Fair followed by the public style revue and dance. Events tonight take place in the Wesley Center at 111 E Maple in Independence.

Stay tuned for more fair events as they approach.

Independence Community College pulls out of consolidation with Coffeyville Community College.

The announcement came during last night's (Monday's) ICC Board of Trustee's Meeting. Board President Dr. Cynthia Sherwood read the official statement following an executive session to discuss the issue. Sherwood says the consolidation will be postponed indefinitely.
 

Sherwood says this decision does not rule out consolidation completely.

The schools had agreed to begin talks earlier this year with the understanding that either side could back out. During that time, ICC has continued to focus on expanding its course offerings and recruiting efforts at area high schools in order to attract more students.

Also at last night's meeting, Trustees voted to publish the school's budget for the upcoming year, noting that next year's budget is about $1.1 million less than for the current year.

An upcoming open house in Chautauqua County will discuss potential routing network options from Evergy that would run through a large portion of the county.

Evergy is reviewing potential routes for a new transmission line that would strengthen the regional power grid. County Commissioiner Rodney Shaw says Evergy has contacted those that are directly impacted by the plans.

The proposed transmission line project would run from Buffalo Flats, which is in Sedgwick County west of Wichita, to Delaware in Southeast Chautauqua County. The line would also run through parts of Sumner and Cowley counties.

Shaw says this line could potentially also help people in Northeast Oklahoma.

The open house is next Wednesday, July 30th, at Sedan High School, where Evergy is sending 20 representatives to answer questions and provide more information on the plans. The transmission line map can be found HERE.

 The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the Neosho County RWD 3 and RWD 4 public water supply systems located in Neosho County.

 KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a waterline break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system.  Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination. 

 Customers should boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water. Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic ice maker. If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.

 Water used for bathing does not need to be boiled, but supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested.

 The advisory will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. Only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

 An Oklahoma City man has been accused of damaging the weather radar of Oklahoma City TV station KWTV Channel 9.

 According to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, 39-year-old Anthony Tyler Mitchell allegedly vandalized the power supply of News 9’s NextGen live radar. He is charged with malicious injury or destruction of property, and damage to equipment in a critical infrastructure facility. Both are felonies. In addition, Mitchell faces a misdemeanor of entering with the intent to commit a felony.

 Drummond says the crime places public safety in peril, adding that radar technology is vitally important and saves the lives of countless Oklahomans every year. He says his office is committed to protecting critical infrastructure and holding accountable anyone who willfully damages it.

 Drummond reminds citizens that all arrested are presumed innocent unless and/or until convicted in a court of law.

The Coffeyville City Commission will meet tomorrow with several new items of business on the agenda.

At tonight's meeting, commissioners will discuss a resolution to approve the re-plat of several lots in the Cline's Westwood Addition and a resolution to authorize City Manager Ben Brubaker to execute a sales order agreement with Edmunds GovTech for new financial and accounting software. Commissioners are also expected to authorize an agreement with the State Department of Commerce for a Community Development Block Grant for a Sewer Infrastructure Project.

Tuesday's meeting begins at 6:30 at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public and is available for online viewing via the City's YouTube channel.

Multiple people are injured, including four children under the age of 10, following a Sunday afternoon car accident.

The accident occurred near the southern junction of US-160 and US-169 at around 12:15pm. A 1992 Nissan Pickup driven by 59-year-old Deloris Pomeroy of Independence was traveling southbound on US-169 when she attempted to make a left turn onto US-160. Her vehicle collided with a 2011 Kia Forte driven by 34-year-old Melissa Schmitt of Kansas City. Schmitt was uninjured, but five passengers in her vehicle received injuries, including 40-year-old Calista Durchett-Dickson and two minor children, who were all seriously injured. Two other children suffered minor injuries. Pomeroy was also seriously injured in the crash.

All of the victims were taken to Coffeyville Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment adds the Thayer Old City Lake to the most recent blue-green algae watch list.

The Thayer Old City Lake was added to the “Watch Status” list on Friday. This means that a harmful algae bloom is possible and may be present in the water. The harmful algae may look like foam, scum or paint floating in the water and may be blue, bright green, brown, or red in color. Those using the Thayer Old City Lake are advised to avoid areas of algae accumulation and swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged. Boating and fishing remain safe, but direct contact with the water should be avoided. Any fish caught should be cleaned thoroughly with potable water, and the fillet portion only should be eaten.

Symptoms of exposure to blue-green algae may include rash, vomiting, fever, sore throat, and headache.

The City of Coffeyville is set to begin a mill and overlay project today near CRMC.

Construction will take place on 4^th Street between Buckeye and the bridge on South Edgewood. While the project is underway, 4^th Street will be closed to through traffic during working hours. Those who normally commute through the area will need to find an alternate route during construction.

CRMC patients with appointments, scheduled procedures, or admission are asked to use the main west entrance to the hospital. Emergency services will not be affected by the work.

The City has given no estimated timeline for completion of the project.

The weather is heating up as we approach the dog days of summer, and, as the mercury climbs, it’s important to remember our four-legged friends.

Becky Barnhart with Coffeyville Friends of Animals says make sure your outdoor pets have plenty of fresh water to drink.

Other tips to keep your pets safe during the hottest part of summer include providing shaded areas where they can get out of the sun, using cooling aids like cooling pads, elevated beds, and even wading pools for dogs. Take your dog for walks in the early morning or late evening to avoid the hottest parts of the day and stick to grassy areas so they don’t burn their paws on hot asphalt and sidewalks.

The Kansas Legislature may not currently be in session, but lawmakers are continuing to work during the summer months.

State Representative Ron Bryce has been busy this summer. Part of his official duties have included attending meetings of the Medicaid Oversight Committee. Many Kansans who have concerns about cuts in the program were also in attendance and told lawmakers about their concerns regarding cuts to benefits for disabled children. Bryce says there are no plans to cut benefits for these recipients.

Bryce says lawmakers are trying to root out fraudsters who are misusing the program.

Bryce adds that Medicaid in Kansas makes up a large part of the state budget, coming in at around $5 billion a year. The state covers around 40% of the total cost with the remaining amount covered by the federal budget.

A Webb City woman is in custody and facing multiple charges following a police chase late last week.

On Thursday afternoon, authorities received reports of a suspicious vehicle in a rural area of Jasper County, just east of Carthage. Sheriff’s deputies located the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver fled. The pursuit then continued through the county for an additional 25 miles. Law enforcement says, during the pursuit, the driver called 9-1-1 and falsely reported a shooting at an address in the County. The suspect also repeatedly drove on the wrong side of the road and into the yards of nearby residences, causing multiple instances of property damage.

After getting stuck in the mud for a brief period, the driver was eventually stopped after driving into a yard and around a house, where the car collided with a patrol vehicle. 36-year-old Helen K. Stark was arrested on two felony failure to appear warrants and also faces additional charges including DWI and misuse of 9-1-1. She is being held in the Jasper County Detention Center in Carthage, where she awaits formal charging.

Another Cherryvale City Council Meeting is coming up tonight.

The upcoming agenda includes a discussion on the recent police dispatch transition presented by the Independence Mayor and City Manager.

A street closing application for the Cherryvale Library Back to School Bash will also be heard in addition to an easement agreement for Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline.

The Council is also expected to approve a donation for an electric vehicle station in addition to an ordinance assessing the cost of mowing, cutting noxious weeds and demolitions.

Tonight's meeting starts at 6 p.m. at city hall and the public is welcome to attend.

A Fort Scott man is injured in a motorcycle accident in Bourbon County.

23-year-old Caleb Morris was seriously injured Friday evening when he lost control of his 2025 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle while traveling on Maple Road just west of the City of Fort Scott. Morris was taken to Mercy Hospital in Joplin for medical treatment.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident.

The Allen County Sheriff's Office says to any area businesses that receive calls seeking advertisements in a 2026 department calendar, the calls are NOT a scam.

The Allen County Sheriff's Office has partnered with a group called Law Enforcement Partners of Bowling Green, Kentucky, in an effort to seek advertisers for the calendar. The group is making calls to area businesses in collaboration with local law enforcement. Anyone with questions about the collaboration or anyone who has concerns about whether a call is legitimate can contact the Allen County Sheriff’s Office at 620-365-1400.

The heat wave continues this week, with heat index values up to 110 degrees possible.

Most of eastern Kansas including southeast Kansas remains under an extreme heat warning through 7 p.m. Wednesday.

In Oklahoma, Washington, Nowata and Craig Counties and areas to the south are also included in an extreme heat warning through 8 tonight.

All of southern Missouri remains under an extreme heat warning through 7 p.m. Thursday.

The rest of the area not included in the extreme heat warning is under a heat advisory today.

Anyone working outside should take frequent breaks, drink water every 20 minutes and watch for any signs of heat-related illness.

One person is dead and three others are injured following a weekend car accident in Douglas County.

The accident occurred around 12:45 on Friday afternoon on US-40 near Lawrence. A 2012 Ford Focus driven by 29-year-old Zachary Odom of Tecumseh, Kansas, was traveling in the westbound lanes of US-40 when the vehicle veered into the oncoming eastbound lanes. 54-year-old Kieron Nicholson of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving in the eastbound lane and attempted to avoid a collision with Odom’s vehicle by driving into the ditch. However, his car was struck on the rear driver’s side. Nicholson received minor injuries.

Odom’s car continued driving the wrong way in the eastbound lanes where it collided head-on with a Ford pickup truck. The driver of the truck, 51-year-old Leonard Schupp of Oskaloosa, Kansas, died at the scene. A 15-year-old female passenger in the truck suffered serious injuries. Odom was also seriously injured in the crash.

The Allen County Sheriff’s Office is urging motorists to buckle up and drive safely.

Recent traffic accident statistics released by the Kansas Highway Patrol show a concerning rise in the number of fatal traffic accidents on Kansas highways in 2025. So far this year, 207 people have lost their lives on Kansas roads, a 30% increase from 2024. The A-C-S-O reminds drivers to maintain a proper following distance between cars at highway speeds, obey speed limits, and adjust for road conditions. Minimize distractions when driving, be aware of your surroundings, and always signal turns and lane changes. Drive sober and make sure everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seatbelt.

Law enforcement also reminds drivers that farm implements are common on Kansas highways this time of year as farmers move equipment to and from fields. Should you encounter a tractor or other piece of equipment on the highway, use caution. Drivers on tractors can’t always hear the approach of other vehicles and, when they move off the road to the right, it can mean they are preparing to make a left turn.

The Independence Community College Board of Trustees is set to meet tonight and will discuss possible action on the consolidation agreement with CCC.

The agenda item for tonight’s meeting is listed as an executive session due to attorney/client privilege. It is unclear what action, if any, may be taken. Other items of business up for discussion at tonight’s meeting include a request for the publication of the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, and a review of dental and vision plans for employee insurance. The Board will also consider a request $16,000 for the Fab Lab to purchase a new laser engraving and cutting tool from Depco Enterprises of Pittsburg and a five-year contract with Adidas to purchase athletic equipment and supplies.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 5:30 in Room 104 in the Fab Lab building on the ICC main campus. The public is invited to attend.

 Three items are on the agenda for tonight's Caney City Council meeting.

 There will be an update on the water project From Ben Coltrain of Midwest Engineering. There will also be an update from Councilperson Lori Patterson concerning the zoning committee, with a motion to approve an amendment on Article 4 of Chapter 8 of the city code on timelines and procedures for dangerous or unsafe structures.

 The council is also expected to approve the tresasury report for the 2^nd quarter of 2025.

 The Caney City Council meets tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the east entrance of City Hall, located at 100 West 4^th Avenue in Caney.

The Montgomery County Commission is set to meet today as they address a brief agenda.

Public Works Director Brandon Beurskins will appear before the commission to review the design engineering proposal from Cook, Flatt & Strobel Engineers of Topeka for an upcoming project on Peter Pan Road in Independence. The design will cost an estimated $138,000 and will cover engineering services for the project that will replace a bridge and include lane and shoulder widening between County Road 4600 and County Road 4800.  The commission will also consider appointments to the Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board and hear an update about the County’s partnership with Merchant McIntyre regarding federal funding. An executive session will also be held to discuss non-elected personnel.

Today’s meeting begins at 9am in the Commission Room on the lower level of the Judicial Center in Independence. The public is invited to attend in person or to view the meeting online via the County’s website.

An extreme heat warning remains in effect through 7 p.m. Wednesday for all of eastern Kansas and 7 p.m. Thursday for southern Missouri.

Heat index values up to 110 are possible, with temperatures across the area in the upper 90s.

The National Weather Service says to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room if possible, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.  Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles, as car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

Map: Experimental heat risk for Sunday

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Moran public water supply system located in Allen County.

The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure in the distribution system due to a power outage. Laboratory testing of drinking water samples collected from the City of Moran indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

Three teens are in custody following a Wednesday morning shooting in Garden City that has left one of the victims dead.

Police were called to the scene of a Garden City apartment complex around 5:30 on Wednesday morning, where they found a 19-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound. The man was taken to the local hospital, where emergency room staff later reported that two more victims – a 23-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy – were dropped off at the hospital in a private vehicle.

The 23-year-old - later identified as Brayden Becker – died from his injuries. The other two victims remain in serious condition.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection to the shooting. 19-year-old Michael Lara, along with two juveniles, were taken into custody yesterday and are currently being held in juvenile and adult facilities.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The Mirza Shriners will be holding a free orthopedic screening clinic for area children in Pittsburg on Monday.

Children with bone, muscle or joint problems will be evaluated to see if their conditions are treatable at the Shriner's Children's hospital in St. Louis. The screening clinic will be held from 9am to noon on Monday at the Mirza Shrine Center, located at 110 West 5^th Street in Pittsburg. Appointments can be made by calling 620-231-4180.

Shriners Children's Hospitals provide comprehensive medical care for children up to age 21 with orthopedic conditions regardless of their family's ability to pay. Shriners Hospitals for Children are nonprofit organizations that rely on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

To learn more, visit shrinerschildrens.org

A mandatory boil water advisory has been issued for two rural water districts in Rogers County, Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has issued a mandatory order for Rogers County Rural Water District #3. The order applies to those customers who are supplied by water from the District's consecutive connection to the City of Tulsa, covering an area east of Owasso and bounded on the north by Highway 120. Rogers County Rural Water District #12 is under the same order since they receive their water from RWD #3.

The order was issued after E. coli bacteria was found in the drinking water.

Customers should bring water to a full, rolling boil for at least one minute prior to consumption or use bottled water instead.

The order is in effect until further notice.

Here is a map of the affected area:

A Pittsburg man faces multiple charges after leading police on a brief chase earlier this week.

36-year-old Lakedric Williams was arrested on Wednesday morning following a police chase that began when Pittsburg Police officers responded to the scene of a reported domestic disturbance. When they arrived, officers saw Williams get into a silver Nissan Sentra and drive away. A chase ensued that ended when Williams lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a fence. He was taken into custody after a brief struggle with officers.

Williams was formally charged yesterday morning in a Crawford County courtroom. Charges include Possession of an opiate, Felony Fleeing and eluding, Criminal threat, Interference with Law Enforcement, Criminal Damage to Property, Battery, and Operating a vehicle without a license.

USD 461 Neodesha announces that the district will participate in the Community Eligibility Program for the upcoming school year.

Neodesha's participation in the program means that all students enrolled in the district will receive a free breakfast and a free lunch on school days during the 2025-26 school year. CEP is part of the National School Lunch Program from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. The program allows schools to offer free meals to all students without collecting individual applications. To be eligible for the program, a school district must show that at least 25% of their students are identified as eligible for free meals through direct certification through programs like SNAP or other means-tested programs.

The district's participation means that all students will have access to nutritious meals to help them stay focused on learning.

The City of Chetopa is asking residents for help in raising money to either repair or replace the Chetopa Swimming Pool.

According to the City, the pool is in need of some urgent repairs, and money for the repairs is not currently in the City budget. In light of the lack of funds, the City is asking the community to help raise the money to repair the existing pool or build a new splash pad.

The current fundraising goal is $300,000. Donations of any amount are welcome, with donors who contribute $100 or more receiving a Thank You certificate for the Bronze Level Donation. The Silver Level of $1000 or more will have their names listed on the Community Donor Wall, while Gold Sponsors contributing $5,000 or more will have their names or logo on a sign at the pool and will also receive a special plaque.

Donations will help save the Chetopa City Pool and keep a fun, safe, supervised recreation space for the community's kids. Donations can be made in person at the Chetopa City Office or at the Bank of Commerce in Chetopa.

Donations can also be mailed to:

Bank of Commerce

PO Box 226

Chetopa, KS, 67336

Memo: City of Chetopa Pool Fund

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Moran public water supply in Allen County.

The order was issued due to a loss of pressure in the system caused by a power outage yesterday. Customers of the City of Moran public water supply should boil water for a full minute prior to consumption or use bottled water instead. Dispose of ice cubes from trays and automatic ice makers and disinfect dishes and food preparation surfaces. The water is safe for bathing.

This advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly joins with the governors of 17 other states in demanding the U.S. Department of Education release $6.8 billion in federal education funding.

States were scheduled to receive the Congressionally-appropriated funds starting on July 1. However, on June 30, the federal Department of Education informed states that it would not issue the money due to an internal review.

Kelly called the administration's decision one that would directly harm Kansas schools and students, resulting in a loss of nearly $43 million targeted for K through 12 funding across the state. In a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, the group of governors stated that the refusal to release the funds is causing widespread disruption to planning and operations, potentially forcing program cuts, hiring delays, and service reductions for students most in need.

In addition to Governor Kelly, governors from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin all signed onto the letter.

To read the letter, follow this link.

It's a big weekend for county fairs around the area.

The Elk County Fair parade will take place tomorrow at 11 a.m. followed by turtle races at noon and a bean and watermelon feed starting at 5:30 in Howard.

Livestock events continue at the Cherokee County Fair with the premium sale coming up tomorrow at 7 p.m.

Pre-fair activities continue at the Labette County Fair ahead of next week's events with the 4-H Horse Show tomorrow at 8 a.m. and the dog show at 5 p.m. in Oswego.

The Wilson County Fair will also take place all next week, with the 4-H horse show coming up tomorrow at 8 a.m. in Fredonia.

Clothing judging will take place tomorrow at 9 a.m. in Cedar Vale ahead of main fair activities next week for the Chautauqua County Fair.

KGGF staff will broadcast live updates from the Wilson and Chautauqua County fairs next week.

Multiple departments respond to a structure fire in Montgomery County.

Yesterday afternoon around 12:20, Wilson County Rural Fire and Neodesha Fire and Rescue were paged for mutual aid on a structure fire in northern Montgomery County. Upon arrival, units found heavy smoke coming out of the house. Neodesha fire made an interior attack and a dog was located. Firefighters removed the dog and gave it oxygen. It was later transported to a vet and is reported in good condition. No one was home at the time of the fire.

Photo: Wilson County Rural Fire

The City of Parsons plans to use a free chlorine residual starting Monday.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends that public water supplies that utilize a combined chlorine residual perform an annual cleaning of the water distribution system. The cleaning starts at 6:00am and run for about three weeks. During that period of time, residents may notice some chlorine tastes and odors in the water.

The City says there is no cause for alarm and this is being done purely as a precautionary measure, and as part of their ongoing efforts to provide the people of Parsons with the safest possible drinking water. For questions regarding this process, contact Director of Utilities Derek Clevenger (620)421-7020.

A Labette County Sheriff’s K9 will receive a donation of body armor.

K9 Champ will receive a bullet and stab protective vest from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s. The organization's mission is to provide these vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The vests are made in the U.S., custom-fitted and National Institute of Justice certified.

The program is open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old, actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. The vest is expected to be delivered in the next ten weeks.

The state of Kansas is among the nation's leaders in overall measles cases.

That's the latest from Wilson County Health Department Director Amy Lell, who spoke with the county commission this week regarding the latest measle case report.

Lell says active cases have gone up, but they remain mostly on the other side of the state.

Kansas is currently among the top states in the country in terms of total measle cases. Lell says that Kansas, along with Oklahoma, are both in the Top 5.

Common symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and rash.

County EMS services and ways to improve them was once again the main topic at this week's Wilson County Commission meeting.

Neodesha City Administrator Brogan Jones was present for the second consecutive meeting, to speak on behalf of the city and their financial difficulties maintaining EMS service. He says one idea is to invest in a transfer service.

County commissioners asked Jones, along with Wilson Medical Center CEO Tom Hood, and Fredonia EMS Director Todd Ballard, to brainstrom potential collaboration efforts that would benefit all parties involved. Commission Chair Casey Lair says it's important to do the necessary research before making a big decision.

No action was taken on the matter, and both Jones and Ballard will have a meeting with County Coordinator Kris Marple next week. Additional items of business at this week's meeting was the purchase of a tractor for the Road and Bridge Department, as well as setting September 10th as the date for the budget and revenue neutral rate hearing.

There are reports of significant flooding in multiple roadways in Independence.

The Independence Police Department has advised of flooding at the 300 block of South Wald, the 800 block of North Penn, the intersection of Sycamore and 14th, the intersection of Cottonwood and 11th, and the intersection of Taylor and 10th.

City Engineer John Garris says the flooding is minor, but to still take the proper precautions.

IPD will have the street department in those areas to put up necessary flood warnings. They advise drivers to be cautious when on the roadways, and to never drive into standing water.

KGGF will provide updates to this story as it becomes available.

Police in Garden City are investigating the shooting of three people yesterday morning.

Officers responded to a call to a local apartment complex around 5:30 yesterday morning where they found one individual suffering from a gunshot wound. That person was taken to St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City for medical care. A short time later, two more gunshot victims were dropped off via a personal vehicle at the hospital's emergency room. At that time, the hospital was placed on lockdown for a brief time to ensure the safety of patients and staff. Police are currently investigating to determine if the three victims were part of the same incident.

All three shooting victims were later transferred to Wichita hospitals to receive a higher level of care.

The investigation remains ongoing.

The recent attempted appointment of a Sedan man to an open City Council seat meets with pushback from some council members.

At this week's Sedan City Council meeting, Mayor Brian Blankenship appointed Wellington Butler to fill an open seat on the council. Council member Kathy Miller objected to Butler's appointment. Miller says she thinks it give Butler an unfair advantage because he is currently running for election to the open seat.

Miller then made a motion to approve the appointment for the purpose of voting against the measure. She was joined in her vote by Council members Janice Fine and Angela Evans, while Adam Clark abstained. City Clerk Lana Robinson says state statute requires the council to give reasons for voting down the Mayor's appointment.

Blankenship stated that under the law the only requirement is that the individual be a registered voter and reside within the city limits of Sedan. Butler, who was at the meeting, stated during public comment that he met both of those requirements.

Dewey police have a new way for residents to contact them for minor crimes or to file reports.

Dewey Police Chief Jimmy Gray says a new email reporting system is active and ready for residents of Dewey to use.

Gray says anything sent to the email stays with police leadership.

Gray says in addition to the email address, a new form is also available on the city's website. He says it is his hope the program will allow for better communication for Dewey residents and will provide better opportunity for the department's officers to be more proactive.

The new email address for Dewey Police is reporting@cityofdewey.com.

The world's largest amateur rodeo is underway this week in Pawhuska.

The Pawhuska Cavalcade and Rodeo takes place this week. Last night was the first day of the rodeo events and there is a lot to be seen and done on the Osage County fairgrounds in Pawhuska. Osage County Sheriff Bart Perrier is no stranger to the yearly event. Perrier has been to all but two Cavalcades in his life and even participated in the rodeo into his early 20s. Now that he is sheriff of Osage County, Perrier says his job is to keep everyone safe.

The Cavalcade began in 1947, making this the 78^th year for the amateur rodeo. More than 10,000 people are expected to enjoy the event this year. The Cavalcade and Rodeo run through Sunday in Pawhuska.

The Neodesha Fire Department responds to a fire at a Neodesha Apartment complex on Tuesday night.

Fire crews were called to the 600 block of Ohio Street around 10:40pm on Tuesday, where they discovered a kitchen fire in one of the units with smoke visible. Neodesha Fire was able to quickly bring the blaze under control. Neodesha EMS also responded to the call and transported one person to Wilson Medical Center to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Neodesha Police and Fredonia EMS also assisted on the call.

Also on Tuesday, fire crews were dispatched to 6480 County Road 4700 for reports of a tractor on fire in Montgomery County, about 4 miles southeast of Neodesha. The fire was quickly extinguished, but the tractor was a total loss. The operator was uninjured.

Photos courtesy Neodesha Fire

A former Missouri teacher and coach is sentenced to 30 years in prison on six counts related to exploitation and sexual abuse of an Oklahoma child.

57-year-old Ronald Dale Sanders of Belton, Missouri, received the 360-month prison sentence yesterday in a federal court. He will also be required to submit to lifetime supervision and will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Sanders admitted to driving from Missouri to Oklahoma to engage in inappropriate acts with a 14-year-old on several occasions in 2023. Court records show that Sanders' employment career included teaching special education, middle school education, and coaching boys’ and girls’ teams. He was apprehended during a traffic stop in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, where it was discovered that he was in possession of thousands of messages with a minor that contained explicit material.

The FBI, the Miami Police Department, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol investigated the case. Miami Public Schools played a significant role in the investigation.

Sanders will remain in custody pending his transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

A Pittsburg man is in custody after a police chase yesterday morning.

Pittsburg Police were called to a local residence around 9am yesterday for reports of a domestic disturbance. When officers arrived, they observed a man from the suspected address get into a car and flee. Police gave chase, but the man quickly lost control of his vehicle and crashed. The driver was arrested following a brief struggle with officers.

A search of the vehicle revealed illegal drugs. After interviewing bystanders at the scene of the original call, officers received reports that the man had allegedly attacked and threatened two women at the residence.

After treatment at nearby hospital for injuries he sustained in the crash, the suspect was arrested and faces multiple charges, including Felony Fleeing, Domestic Battery, Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, and Possession of Narcotics.

The suspect is currently being held without bond. Police have not yet released the name of the accused man.

A bicyclist who was struck by a car last week near Independence dies from his injuries.

53-year-old John Tim of Bradford, Pennsylvania, received serious injuries to his head and neck in an accident that occurred last Thursday night on US-160 . Tim was air-lifted to Ascension St John's Medical Center in Tulsa, where he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday night.

Tim was bicycling along the highway just east of Independence around 9:15 that night when he was struck from behind by a 2016 Ford Fusion. The driver of the car was uninjured in the accident.

County fair season is underway, and here's a look at events going on today around the area.

At the Elk County Fair in Howard, the livestock skillathon takes place this afternoon at 12:30 followed by the 4-H sheep show at 5 and the goat show at 6.

Judging for food preservation, sewing, shopping and fashion took place earlier this week for the Labette County Fair. The next events are scheduled for Saturday with the horse and dog shows.

Sewing and shopping judging has also taken place for the Montgomery County fair, which kicks off next Tuesday in Independence.

In Wilson County, 4-H clothing and style revue judging will take place on Friday, followed by the horse show Saturday morning at the fairgrounds.

For the Cherokee County Fair, the meat goat show takes place this morning at 9 a.m. followed by the beef show tonight at 5 in Columbus.

KGGF staff will bring you live coverage of the Wilson and Chautauqua County fairs next Wednesday and Thursday.

Three are arrested in Chanute after officers respond to two separate domestic disturbances.

Yesterday, Chanute Police Officers responded to a reported fight on Santa Fe Avenue. Officers arrested 23-year-old Marisa Vanhouden for domestic battery and 20-year-old Aryan Ditterline for domestic battery and criminal restraint.

Also, yesterday, Chanute officers responded to the 1200 block of West Mulberry Street for a disturbance. Officers arrested 28-year-old Rachel McCarty for domestic battery.  This makes four arrests for domestic incidents in Chanute this week.

A Downtown Revitalization Grant is helping a potential new bakery make improvements to the outside of their building.

Andy and Lisa Krenz bought the location at 119 West 8^th Street in 2022 and have been working on getting a bakery open since. Krenz says she's been baking out of her home for the last ten years and after the first few she knew she wanted to move into a storefront.

The grant was for $7,125 and will help make improvements to the building's facade. Krenz says they are excited to be in Coffeyville.  The Bakeshop on 8^th plans to be open at the end of 2026.

A 17-year-old girl is uninjured after a train strikes her vehicle.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the incident happened yesterday around 6:15 p.m. on East 515th Avenue southeast of Pittsburg. KHP says the teen was heading west and attempted to drive through an activated railroad crossing arm. A southbound train collided with her Ford Escape.

The teen was wearing a seat belt and had no apparent injury.

A suspected rabies case is identified in a feral cat in Marion County.

The stray cat was discovered last week in a residential area at Marion County Lake. The animal was exhibiting suspicious behavior, including aggression, confusion, and stilted movement. The Marion County Health Department says the animal was likely rabid, even though it was unable to be tested. The cat has since been destroyed.

The public is encouraged to keep pets up to date on vaccinations and avoid contact with wild or feral animals. Rabies is a serious disease that can be transmitted to humans from infected animals through scratches or bites.

Two employees of the Arkansas Department of Corrections have reportedly been fired in the aftermath of the escape of convicted murderer Grant Hardin in May.

The two employees were terminated for violating facility policies. One reportedly allowed Hardin to walk outside of a building unsupervised while the other allowed the convict to walk through prison gates in a makeshift guard uniform without verifying his identity.

Hardin walked out of the North Central Unit in Calico Rock and was on the run for 12 days before he was recaptured. Hardin is currently being held in the Varner Supermax Unit in Gould, Arkansas.

Police in Pittsburg are investigating the death of a woman found on Monday evening in a city park.

Police were called to a park in the northeast part of the city on Monday evening after an unresponsive woman was discovered in the area. Upon arrival, officers began life-saving measures on a 48-year-old woman. Those efforts were unsuccessful, and the woman was pronounced deceased. Officers say a bicycle was found nearby and they believe the woman suffered a medical episode, which led to her wrecking her bicycle. Police do not suspect foul play in the woman's death, but an autopsy is pending.

The woman's identity has not yet been released until her next of kin can be notified. The investigation remains ongoing.

A Grove, Oklahoma, man is sentenced in federal court on child pornography charges.

24-year-old Dakota Austin Clark was sentenced to 20 years in prison this week for possession and production of child pornography in Indian County. As a part of his sentence, Clark will also be subject to 15 years of supervised release and be required to register as a sex offender.

Clark's conviction stems from 2023 when prosecutors say he began communicating via social media with a 14-year-old girl. During the investigation, authorities learned that Clark had coerced the girl to produce explicit photos and that he was also in possession of hundreds of similar, illegal images.

The case was investigated by the Grove Police Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Several local groups are awarded funding from the Kansas Arts Commission.

Three southeast Kansas groups will share part of $1 million in total funding to be invested in the arts programs of non-profit organizations, local governments, and colleges and universities across the state. The Inge Festival Foundation in Independence and the Fredonia Arts Council have each been granted $10,000 through the Arts Everywhere Program. This program provides funding for educational institutions, arts organizations, and community service non-profits to use the arts to increase student success, foster creative thinking, develop critical job skills, enhance community development, and increase participation in the arts across Kansas. The City of Coffeyville will also receive a $10,000 grant for public arts and murals.

In return, these organizations are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar investment match.  The funding reinforces K-A-C’s role as a catalyst for economic development and community vitality. The state’s vibrant arts and culture industry supported nearly 50,000 Kansas jobs and contributed $5.47 billion to the state economy.

A candidate for Kansas governor will make a campaign stop in Sedan on Monday.

Cindy Holscher will speak about her vision for the state and answer questions at the Sedan Senior Center on Monday afternoon. Holscher is vying to be the Democratic candidate for Governor in 2026. At Monday's event, Holscher will introduce her campaign priorities that include investing in public education, protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and providing tax relief for working-class Kansas families.

The Overland Park Democrat was first elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2016 and then moved on to the State Senate in 2020, where she currently serves as the Senate Minority Whip.

Monday's event will take place from 3 to 5pm at the Sedan Senior Center, located at 124 East Main Street in Sedan.

Two Independence juveniles face felony charges stemming from a Monday night incident.

Independence Police were called to a location in the 100 block of West Main Street just before 7pm on Monday evening after receiving reports of a burglary. Following an investigation, two 15-year-old males were identified as suspects in the case. Both boys were located and arrested. Each face charges of Burglary, Felony Interference with Law Enforcement, Criminal Damage, and Criminal Trespass. They were processed and released.

Later that evening, one of the suspects was arrested again in the 600 block of South Penn for allegedly shooting a BB gun at other people. That suspect faces additional charges of Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault, and Child Endangerment.

The suspects have not been named due to their age.

Renovations may soon be coming to Shulthis Stadium, the home of IHS and ICC football, among other events.

The stadium has not had any field work done since it opened more than a decade ago, not including annual cleaning and inspections. USD 446 Superintendent Jason McAfee says the turf gets a lot of usage from many activities.

At the end of each summer, a test is performed on the field to analyze the safety and integrity of the turf for competition and use. McAfee says although they haven't failed a test, signs of wear are beginning to show.

A turf replacement for a football field can cost anywhere from $650,000 to upwards of one million, based on the type of turf and other details. The district currently has $600,000 put aside for any potential renovation.

No action was taken at the most recent school board meeting, and all sports and events at Shulthis Stadium are expected to continue uninterrupted.

A Chanute teenager is arrested in a domestic disturbance incident.

Yesterday, Chanute Police officers met with someone at the police department in reference to a domestic disturbance.

Officers spoke to those involved and later arrested 19-year-old Trenton Green for aggravated domestic battery.

Improvements to the Nowata County Courthouse continues to be a main topic of discussion for the Nowata County Commission. Commissioner Troy Friddle says air conditioning is a yearly struggle.

In other business, the Commission approved a lease renewal with Kirby Smith Machinery for the 2025-2026 fiscal year that will cost around $3,000 per month. The commissioners also accepted a $500 donation to Emergency Management, opened bids for polypropylene pipe and appointed a deputy.

The middle of July means County Fair time in Southeast Kansas, and the Labette County Fair gets things started this weekend.

Fair Board Member Kyle McKinzie says their livestock shows get started on Saturday.  McKinzie says all the 4H and FFA events are open to the public.

This is the 114^th year of the Labette County Fair. All of the events take place at the fairgrounds located on Wisconsin Street at Woodcliffe Drive in Oswego. For more information, visit labettecountyfair.com.

Drivers who take what is locally known as the Sedan shortcut will need to find a new route starting next week.

On Monday, the County will begin a project involving a culvert replacement on County Road 4000 just east of County Road 1900.  Montgomery County Public Works Director Brandon Beurskins says a recent examination of the culvert showed a replacement was needed.

During repairs, both lanes of CR 4000 at the construction site will be completely closed. No through traffic will be allowed during the project, but a detour will be posted. Construction will begin Monday and the work is expected to last 90 days, weather permitting.

Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact the Montgomery County Public Works Office at (620)330-1170.

This year's winter wheat harvest is wrapping up across the area.

According to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Kansas wheat harvest is 93 percent complete, near 96 percent complete last year, but ahead of the 88 percent average.

Overall yields for the 2025 crop ranged from slightly below average to excellent, depending on region and weather impacts. While many areas reported strong test weights and good protein levels, rain during harvest lowered grain quality in some locations, leading to yield losses and occasional field abandonment.

MKC Executive Vice President Erik Lange tells the Kansas Wheat Commission that in Sumner, Harper and Cowley counties, test weights have dropped after rains on the ripe wheat, but the region is averaging 58 pounds per bushel. Protein is averaging 11%, and yields are varied by location. Wheat streak mosaic and related viruses caused yield and quality loss. Early-season drought and stand issues also affected yields. Locations are still taking grain in south central and central Kansas and hope to be finished by mid-week.

In Labette and Neosho counties, Lange says both hard and soft wheat yields were average to below average and quality suffered from rain during harvest, with some wheat lying down. Test weights have been challenged by the rain on mature wheat, and there is some abandonment. Winter wheat harvested in southeast Kansas is listed at 92%.

A K-9 locates a missing woman in Montgomery County.

Yesterday at around 1:00pm, a Kansas Game Warden and his K9 Kai were requested by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office to help locate a missing elderly woman, who had wandered off into a remote section of property.

With the heat index exceeding 90 degrees, Kai was deployed in the area and within minutes began tracking. A few moments later Kai was able to locate the missing woman. She was given water and released to EMS. Kai was rewarded with his favorite toy and a nap in the air conditioning.

The USD 446 school board was restructured during this month's meeting, with a new president and vice president elected.

Scott Hines had been serving as board president, with Greg Hennen serving as vice president. In his final act as board president, Hines made the motion to appoint new leadership.

Other items of business at the July board meeting was a presentation regarding the building needs report from Superintendent Jason McAfee, as well as reports on the current technology and facility status in the district.

The board also discussed a potential baseball field solution for IHS this upcoming season, with no action taken, and a joint meeting with the city proposed for the future.

Steps are being taken in Chautauqua County to prepare for the annual budget proposal to be used for the next fiscal year.

County Auditor April Swartz was present at this week's commission meeting to provide an update regarding the current outlook on the revenue neutral rate. She says the county is above where they were a year ago.

Additionally, the commission spoke regarding the six county school districts, and their planned intentions for the budget this upcoming year. County Clerk Niki Collier says although impossible to know for sure at this time, there is a common trend with the districts.

The next meeting of the Chautauqua County commission will be July 21st at 8:30 a.m. CT, with the meeting taking place on the second floor of the courthouse in Sedan, and streamed live on Facebook.

The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin a resurfacing project next week on US-59 in Allen County.

The project will cover 21 miles of US-59 through Allen County from the Neosho line to the Anderson County line. During work, traffic will be restricted and guided by flaggers and a pilot car. Motorists should be prepared to slow or stop and expect delays of up to 15 minutes. KDOT urges motorists to stay alert and follow posted signs in all work zones. The contract for the work was awarded to Bettis Construction of Topeka for $2.5 million.

Weather permitting, the project is expected to be complete by late September. The work is set to begin on Monday.

Osage County, Oklahoma, has $3.9 million in excess County Bridge and Road Improvement funds that they have been saving for a rainy day.

At this week's Osage County Commission meeting, commissioners discussed how those funds could be used. Commissioner Steve Talburt says he thinks the time is now to use that money to make road improvements.

Commissioner Charlie Cartwright says he has a project for which the funds could be used.

Commissioners then approved a measure to allow each district to use $200,000 in an effort to improve Osage County roads. In other business, commissioners signed the treasurer's annual S-A & I report and the treasurer's yearly financial statement.

The Osage County Commission will have its next regularly scheduled meeting at 10am next Monday at the fairgrounds in Pawhuska.

The Coffeyville Regional Medical Center Foundation Care N Share fund is raffling off a handmade quilt to raise funds for the care of local cancer patients.

The quilt has been donated by quilter Joyce Edwards of Longton and is currently on display in the west entrance of CRMC. It measures 80” X 89”. Raffle tickets are $1 each, 6 tickets for $5 or 15 tickets for $10. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the front desk in the west entrance or at the CRMC Foundation office. Tickets can also be purchased online. The raffle drawing will take place, and the winner will be announced on July 31.

All proceeds from the raffle will benefit CRMC’s Care N Share Fund, which provides gas cards, medicine co-pays and treatment related supplies to cancer patients in need.

Donations are accepted year-round to support the CRMC Care N Share Fund. Donations can be mailed to the CRMC Foundation, 1400 West 4^th Street in Coffeyville. Donations can also be made online. 

Kansas Works will be hosting a virtual job fair tomorrow.

The job fair will occur online from 8am to 5pm and will be accessible through any digital device. Those seeking employment 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. For more information or to register, go here.

An Oklahoma man is sentenced to life in prison for the 2024 murder of a Carl Junction man.

31-year-old Scott Burleson of Wyandotte, OK, was sentenced this week for his role in the March 2024 stabbing death of Seth Langford. Burleson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in May for his role in the crime. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors agreed to drop additional charges of first-degree robbery and armed criminal action.

A second suspect charged in Langford's death was Paul Phillips of Seneca, MO. Phillips also accepted a plea deal by pleading guilty to a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to ten years in prison, but that penalty was later suspended to five years of supervised probation.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the killing of several dogs near Liberty.

The five dogs were found shot to death near McTaggert's Dam northwest of the City of Liberty last Wednesday. Montgomery County Sheriff Ron Wade has condemned the act as “pure evil,” stating that the senseless killing of innocent animals is not only unacceptable but also a violation of everything the community stands for. Several county residents have offered reward money for information leading to an arrest in the case. The total reward offered is now $1,600. Anyone with information on the case should contact the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office by calling (620) 330-1000 or messaging the Sheriff's Office on Facebook. Tips may be submitted anonymously.

Fort Scott is awarded a Safe Routes to School Planning and Programming grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

The grant will allow the community to create a plan that will analyze existing conditions, examine public outreach, and recommend solutions to help more children in Fort Scott walk, bike, and roll to school. The final plans are due to the state in May 2026 and will make the community eligible for construction and implementation grants through KDOT's Transportation Alternatives Program.

The City of Sedan in Chautauqua County received the same grant last year. Safe Routes to School is a comprehensive program aimed at getting more kids walking and biking to school.

A Parsons woman is injured in a single-vehicle crash in rural Wilson County.

The accident occurred around 12:30 Monday afternoon when 44-year-old Lerin Hickerson was traveling eastbound on County Road 2400 near the junction with US-75, or about 12 miles west of Chanute. Hickerson's 2022 GMC van veered off the road to the right, overcorrected, then left the roadway to the left. The vehicle rolled and came to rest on its side. Hickerson was taken to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita with serious injuries.

Photo: Neodesha Fire Department

Some slight changes to the student handbook are on the way in South Coffeyville.

At last night's meeting, the school board approved the attendance policy in the upcoming handbook. Superintendent Daryl Pruter says there's no distinction between an excused and unexcused absence as far as the state is concerned. He says the new policy will do a better job of keeping track of absences.

Pruter says there will be a committee to examine absences if a child exceeds the limit to determine if alt-ed days are needed. The board also discussed changing the hat policy but decided to leave the policy in place, meaning students will still not be allowed to wear hats during school.

The board also discussed potential new requirements at the state level, including the elimination of processed foods in school lunches and Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters' plan to require public school districts to pay for lunch for all students. School staff say that directive would cost South Coffeyville $11,000 a month. More guidance is expected from the state on these issues.

A Bartlesville car dealership is expanding into Craig County.

Bill Knight Ford Principal Dealer Bill Knight says he intends to purchase Green Country Ford in Vinita.  Knight says having four dealerships that are all family-owned will be a great asset.

The acquisition of the Ford dealership in Vinita comes just nine months after Knight purchased the Doenges Ford franchise in Bartlesville.

Coffeyville Public Schools is making a change to the length of the school day and the start of the school year.

Assistant Superintendent Michael Speer says the school year will start on August 19^th and each school day is 10 minutes longer.  Adding 10 minutes each day decreases the number of days students are in school from 172.5 to 169.5.

Superintendent Dr. Craig Correll says several things went into the decision to make this change.  In other business, the board also approved a $1000 increase to the base pay of teachers, raising it up to $46,900. The base pay for first-year hourly workers was also raised to $15.30.

The passenger in a crash in Nowata County is dead, almost a month after the crash.

The accident happened on June 4^th in Nowata County. 75-year-old Michael Ray Melton, Sr. of Nowata, was the passenger in a 2015 Infiniti driven by 78-year-old Sherry Melton. After the crash, Michael was admitted to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition with chest injuries. He died earlier this month from injuries sustained in the crash.

A 2013 Ford F-150, driven by 40-year-old Derick Schondel of Talala, was involved in the crash. Schondel was taken to Jane Phillips Hospital, where he was treated and released. Sherry was transported to St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, where she was also treated and released.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

The Coffeyville Salvation Army's Christmas in July is this weekend. Coordinator Joe Brooks says they'll be set up at two locations on Saturday.

Brooks says they wouldn't be able to do what they do if it weren't for volunteers.  This is the 10^th year for Christmas in July in Coffeyville.

Shoplifting leads to a drug arrest in Chanute.

On Saturday, Chanute Police officers responded to the 2700 block of South Santa Fe Avenue for a report of shoplifting.

Officers spoke to those involved and arrested 22-year-old Angelina Keidel, of Humboldt, for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia and driving while suspended.

 The Montgomery County Commission votes to raise the limit for the revenue neutral rate.

 The vote came at today’s meeting following a request from County Administrator Jonathan Booe. Booe says the request comes because of several ongoing budgetary issues that have been left unaddressed over the course of several years.

 Booe added that his request doesn’t mean the rate will increase but that it will simply set the limit higher. Recent work on the county budget has seen significant cuts, and Booe says there may need to be more to remain revenue neutral.

 Booe says that an additional $2 million in cuts may be needed.

 In other business, commissioners approved the purchase of a $3,000 compactor for Public Works and the purchase of 10 A-R rifles for the Sheriff’s Department at a total cost of $26,000.

The USD 446 School Board is set to meet this evening while entertaining a light agenda.

Up for discussion at this evening's meeting is the resignation of three district employees while board members are also expected to approve the hiring of eleven new people in a variety of support staff positions. Members will also select a new president and vice-president of the school board while also choosing new representatives for the Tri-County Special Education Cooperative and the Kansas Association of School Boards.

Tonight's meeting begins at 6pm in the library at Independence High School. The public is invited to attend.

The USD 447 Cherryvale-Thayer School Board is expected to announce plans to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for the coming year at tonight's regular meeting.

[In Kansas, the "revenue neutral rate" (RNR) is the property tax mill levy rate that would generate the same total property tax revenue as the previous year, based on the current year's assessed property values. This rate ensures that a taxing entity—such as a city, county, or school district—collects the same dollar amount in property taxes, regardless of changes in property valuations. If a jurisdiction plans to exceed the revenue-neutral rate, it means they intend to collect more property tax revenue in the upcoming budget year than they did in the prior year.]

Also on tonight's agenda will be a discussion of dates, times, and locations for board meetings during the upcoming school year.

Tonight's meeting begins at 7pm in the library at Cherryvale High School. It is open to the public.

The Altamont City Council is considering a new city website with a new service provider.

At the most recent meeting, City Administrator LeeAnn Myers asked council members for their thoughts on switching to a new provider that would revamp the existing city website. Myers says part of the reason for a possible change is an increase in cost.

Myers added that an examination of the City of Parsons website and the Labette County website could provide a pathway for Altamont. Three areas for consideration include the overall cost, the possibility of better formatting of city data to make it more user-friendly, and the addition of custom city forms. However, Council member Lyle Sykes says he's not certain that a change is actually needed.

The decision on the issue was tabled until the July 24^th meeting. In other business, council members also discussed a possible fundraising project to be funded by donations through the Parsons Area Community Foundation Fund and the reimbursement of money to a contractor that had worked on city sidewalks. Both issues were also tabled until the next meeting.

Several area fire agencies respond to a weekend blaze in Coffeyville.

Crews from the Coffeyville Fire Department and Dearing Fire responded to reports of a structure fire in the area on East 6^th and Pine Streets in Coffeyville around 1am on Sunday morning. When crews arrived on the scene, they found a structure fully engulfed in flames. The fire was brought under control and extinguished with Coffeyville Truck 1 deploying its aerial apparatus for the first time outside of training.

The structure was vacant at the time and was destroyed in the fire. There were no injuries reported. Coffeyville Police, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, and CRMC-EMS assisted on the call.

Photo courtesy Snap Wild Photography

An Independence man faces charges of burglary.

On July 9^th, around 7:40pm, Independence Police were called to the 1100 block of East Main Street for reports of a suspected trespasser. After arriving on the scene and conducting an investigation into the incident, 49-year-old Samuel Wood of Independence was taken into custody. Wood faces charges of burglary, possession of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, and criminal trespass.

He is currently being held in the Montgomery County Jail.

The Kansas Department of Transportation announces the latest round of bids awarded for projects on roadways in southeast Kansas.

KDOT has approved a grading and resurfacing project on US-160 from its junction with US-169, headed east to a point approximately two miles from the Labette County line. The project will affect 2.7 miles of roadway. The funds were awarded to Wildcat Construction of Wichita for $8.7 million.

Also approved was a bridge replacement in Bourbon County on K-3 over the Little Osage River, located about 2 miles south of the Bourbon/Linn county line. That project was awarded to Bridges, Inc, of Newton, KS, for $4.1 million.

A boil order issued on Saturday for the City of Bartlesville water system has been removed, effective immediately.

The order was issued by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality following a positive test for E. coli at one of the City’s 40 sampling sites. Bartlesville Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen says flushing of the system took place, and samples were collected across the system.

Subsequent test results for the bacteria were negative. That order was lifted at approximately 8:15 p.m. last night.

The City of Howard has plans to restart their city-wide recycling program next week.

The original Elk County Recycling program was discontinued after issues with unacceptable items were being placed in the recycling containers. City officials along with those from Elk County hope that clarifying the rules on what items will be acceptable will help keep the new program on the right track. The new program will accept clean #1 and #2 plastics as well as paper, newspapers, magazines, and office paper. Corrugated cardboard must be clean and flattened. Aluminum and tin cans are also accepted along with clear, green, and brown glass.

There are several different categories of plastic recycling. In Elk County, only clean #1 and #2 plastics are accepted. Residents are advised to check the bottom of containers for a small triangle with the number 1 or 2 inside. This includes clear plastics such as water and soda bottles, colored plastics like detergent bottles, and milk cartons. Some plastic containers are not recyclable in Elk County, so it is important to confirm the presence of the appropriate number.

Bottles should be emptied directly into the recycling bin, rather than placed in plastic bags. Non-recyclable items can contaminate entire loads of recyclables. When recyclables are left in plastic bags, they may not make it through the recycling process. Similarly, recyclable materials placed in garbage containers are transported to landfills and cannot be recovered, contributing to roadside litter and filling local landfills. This can also lead to increased garbage collection and landfill costs.

Elk County also recycles paper, newspapers, magazines, and office paper. However, empty cement bags or paper contaminated with paint, grease, or soda are not accepted. Improper recycling can contaminate entire batches, rendering them unsuitable for processing and resulting in their disposal in landfills.

Corrugated cardboard is recyclable if flattened to conserve space. It must be clean and free of paint, grease, and sticky substances. Since pizza boxes are often stained with grease, they should generally not be recycled. Food and liquids must be kept out of recycling materials. Paperboard items such as paper towel rolls or tissue boxes are not recyclable in Elk County.

Aluminum and tin cans are accepted, as well as clear, green, and brown glass. However, aluminum foil, mirrors, lightbulbs, and windows are not recyclable in the county.

The recycling program in Howard will begin on July 25.

A 29-year-old Pittsburg man is killed in a motorcycle accident in southwest Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Christuffer Roeder was killed last Thursday evening when the motorcycle he was riding rear-ended a Toyota pickup truck at highway speeds. Roeder was traveling on US-43 near the intersection with Kafir Road just north of Webb City. When the truck slowed to make a turn, the two vehicles collided. The 77-year-old driver of the truck sustained minor injuries and was treated at a nearby hospital.

Fort Scott announces the name of its brand-new baseball team: The Fort Scott Dragoons.

The new team will be a part of the Mid-America League and becomes the seventh franchise to join the collegiate summer baseball league. The team name, the Dragoons, was submitted by a fan and was publicly revealed during a ceremony at a “Summer Series” game held over the weekend in Fort Scott between two other Mid-America League teams, the Texarkana Rhinos and the Joplin Outlaws. The name pays tribute to Fort Scott’s military history, dating back to the 1840s and the mounted soldiers who served in the area.

The Dragoons will begin play next summer at the LaRoche Baseball Complex in Fort Scott. Other teams in the league include Fort Smith, Arkansas, and teams from Abilene, Sherman, and White Oak, Texas. Another new team based in Beaumont, Texas, will also join the league for the 2026 season.

Two people are dead following two separate accidents in Marion County on Saturday.

The first accident happened just before 1am on Saturday when 22-year-old Justin Williamson of Weiser, Idaho, attempted to pass another vehicle while traveling northbound on U-77 just north of the City of Florence. He struck a 2019 Toyota Camry head-on in the southbound lane. Williamson was fatally injured in the crash while the driver of the Camry, identified as 19-year-old Tina Ho of Wichita, received minor injuries.

The second fatal injury occurred just after 6 on Saturday night at the intersection of US-50 and Nighthawk Road in Peabody. A 2022 Lincoln Nautilus driven by 92-year-old Ronald Ludwig of Florence failed to yield at a stop sign at the intersection and was struck by a semi. Ludwig sustained a minor injury while the passenger in his SUV, 92-year-old Dorothy Conyers of Marion, was killed. The driver of the semi truck was not injured.

The USD 445 Coffeyville School Board will meet this afternoon and is expected to announce it will exceed the revenue-neutral rate for the coming school year.

In Kansas, the term "revenue-neutral rate" (RNR) refers to the property tax mill levy rate that would generate the exact same amount of property tax revenue as the prior year, based on the current year's assessed valuation. Essentially, it's a way to calculate the tax rate that would keep the total dollar amount of property taxes collected by a taxing jurisdiction -- such as a city, county, or school district -- unchanged from one year to the next, even if property values have shifted. To exceed the revenue-neutral rate in Kansas means that a taxing jurisdiction plans to collect more property tax revenue in the upcoming budget year than it did in the previous year.

Also on the agenda for tonight's meeting is a discussion to increase salaries for administration, directors, support staff and classified staff in the district.

Today's meeting begins at 4pm at the District Office, located at 615 Ellis Street in Coffeyville. The meeting is open to the public.

A motorcyclist is killed after striking a vehicle making a left turn off the highway in Finney County.

50-year-old Jeff Bogner of Cimarron died Friday after he struck a pickup truck making a left turn from US-400 just east of Garden City. The accident occurred around 6:30 on Friday night. Bogner’s motorcycle collided with the Ford F-150 on the passenger side where the bed and cab meet. The driver of the truck, 28-year-old Alondra Felix of Garden City, was uninjured in the crash.

A two-vehicle accident in western Kansas on Friday morning leaves one person dead and two others with serious injuries.

The accident occurred around 9:15 Friday morning at the intersection of Southwest 50th Street and Southwest 20th Avenue or about 5 miles south of the City of Pratt. The crash involved a 2015 Buick Encore driven by 21-year-old Riley Prosser and a 1962 Chevy truck driven by 35-year-old Christopher Sanders. Both vehicles entered the intersection of the roads at the same time and collided. Prosser sustained fatal injuries while Sanders was taken to Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita with serious injuries. A passenger in Sanders’ truck, 18-year-old Jordan House, also received serious injuries. He was taken to the Pratt Regional Medical Center for treatment. All three victims were residents of Pratt. None were wearing seat belts.

Another Summer Celebration is in the books.

Despite a few showers on Saturday, this year's event attracted large crowds and a record 121 vendors. The day included a 5k and 1-mile run, cornhole tournament, poker run, a car show and more. Car show organizer Curtis Foster says they had 84 cars show up and 78 entries. Foster says red cars were popular, winning most awards including the people's choice.

The entire event, including the largest fireworks show in southeast Kansas, runs entirely off donations, and the event was even bigger this year thanks to help from Dearing and South Coffeyville. Organizer Gail Smith thanked his team of volunteers at the end of the night and says he plans to continue the event for as long as possible.

Next year's Summer Celebration in scheduled for Saturday, July 11^th.

The 31st Coffeyville Regional Medical Center Foundation Bill Read Golf Classic is coming up in September.

Chamber of Commerce President Candi Westbrook says proceeds from this event benefit the CRMC Foundation.  Westbrook says the foundation helps out CRMC with several different projects.

The event is Saturday, September 27^th at the Coffeyville Country Club. Registration for teams is now open.

The Montgomery County Commission is set to schedule the Revenue Neutral Rate hearing for 2025. The Commission will meet this morning at 9:00am in the lower level of the Judicial Center in Independence.

Items on the agenda include approval to purchase a replacement compactor for Special Bridge, a rifle proposal from the Sheriff's Office and then giving notice of the RNR hearing.

There are also two executive sessions on the agenda, one for the acquisition of property and the other for non-elected personnel.

A local flag football team is raising money and looking to expand their roster.

Team Prolific is an 8U flag football team in Coffeyville. Manager Danielle Logan says right now they're looking for any seven to nine year old kids who might want to play.

Logan says the current team will be playing in a tournament in Texas.  More information, including how to donate to the team, can be found at the team's Facebook page.

Police in El Dorado are searching for the suspect in a bank robbery that occurred yesterday morning.

Police say the robbery occurred around 9:40 yesterday morning at the West Central location of Community National Bank in El Dorado. Witnesses say the male suspect entered the building, placed a bag on the counter, and demanded money before fleeing the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect is described at a white male, about 6'1”, who was wearing a blue hoodie, jeans, and tan shoes. Anyone with information on the robbery or the suspect is asked to contact the El Dorado Police.

Venomous snake bites may be on the rise in the four-state area.

The recent rain and flooding have been cited as a major reason that snakes like copperheads are becoming more active and venturing into places where they are more likely to come into contact with humans like backyards and even homes. Area medical facilities have reported an increase in bites, including one incident in Winfield in which a woman says her 7-year-old grandchild was bitten while playing in the front yard of her home.

Wildlife experts say the best way to avoidn snake bites is to be aware of your surroundings and avoid places where snakes might be hiding, such as tall grass, rocky areas, or wood piles. Protective clothing, such as long pants and boots, while hiking or working outdoors, will also help. If you do encounter a snake, avoid it by giving the animal plenty of space or waiting for it to move, and never attempt to catch or pick up a snake, even if you think it's dead.

In case of snake bite, stay calm and seek medical attention. Do not cut the wound or attempt to suck out the venom. Avoid using ice or a tourniquet, but do try to keep the bitten area below the level of your heart.

All are urged to be vigilant and knowledgeable about snake safety.

The City of Girard announces a new Assistant Chief of Police.

Derik Burke has been hired to take over as the new Assistant Police Chief. Burke comes to the job after serving 11 years with the Fort Scott Police Department. Burke is a native of Missouri, but relocated to Kansas when he began his career in law enforcement. The Girard Police Department welcomed Burke to his new leadership role, stating that his appreciation for small-town values and strong community ties made him a good fit for the department and that they look forward to Burke helping shape the future of the department as he serves the citizens of Girard.

The Independence City Commission approves the purchase of the former FedEx facility for use as a unified Public Works facility.

The move came at Thursday's meeting, where commissioners unanimously approved $1.7 million to obtain the 23,000 square foot facility. City Manager Kelly Passauer says the purchase will allow the City to address aging infrastructure issues.

The property will enable the City to consolidate three departments: Water Distribution/Sewer Collection, Street, and Sanitation. City Engineer John Garris says the acquisition has many benefits without increasing the burden on Independence taxpayers.

[Garris told the commission that the $1.7 million price tag will cost the city much less than new construction. Commissioners Tim Emert and Dean Hayse agreed that the move is a good deal for the City.

The sale is expected to close in late August. In other business, commissioners heard an update from April Nutt on housing improvements across the city and from Police Chief Dustin Stafford on I-P-D's move to assume dispatching duties fro the Cherryvale Police Department.

A Pennsylvania man is seriously injured after being struck by a car while bicycling near Independence.

53-year-old John Tim of Bradford, Pennsylvania, was seriously injured in an accident that occurred around 9:15 last night on US-160 about three miles east of Independence. Tim was traveling eastbound on the highway when he was struck from behind by a 2016 Ford Fusion driven by 36-year-old Cynthia Lowry of Cherryvale. Tim was taken to Ascension St John's Medical Center in Tulsa. Lowry was uninjured.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment rescinds the boil water advisory for the City of Chautauqua in Chautauqua County.

The original advisory was issued on June 11 following a loss of pressure in the water system due to a water line break. The advisory was issued as a precaution because the pressure loss could lead to bacterial contamination. Laboratory testing of drinking water samples collected from the City of Chautauqua showed no evidence of bacterial contamination. This and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by K-D-H-E officials to be resolved.

Oklahoma lawmakers are expressing their concern after the Oklahoma Highway Patrol announced it will no longer provide law enforcement coverage on interstate highways in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

Last week, O-H-P announced that, starting on November 1, enforcement in the state's two largest metro areas would be left to local law enforcement agencies. The law enforcement agency cited the need to refocus resources on areas with a smaller police presence that show a greater need for law enforcement efforts. State lawmakers say plans are underway to examine state statutes regarding the Patrol's areas of responsibility and whether the Department of Public Safety has exceeded its authority in redistributing Patrol resources.

O-H-P has been responsible for patrolling state roads and highways since 1937. In addition to enforcing laws, troopers respond to accidents and natural disasters, as well as assisting motorists in need of help. Local police departments have traditionally responded to incidents located in their own municipalities.

***** Update 9:30 p.m. *****

Severe storms have developed across portions of the KGGF listening area this evening.  Chances of severe weather are on the decrease this evening.  Rain and thunderstorms are still in the forecast for the early morning hours tomorrow.  There is expected to be a break in the rain during the afternoon hours, then rain chances will increase up to around 27% percent in the evening.

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

Rain is in the forecast this weekend as Coffeyville gears up for several outdoor events.

Rain should hold off for tonight's outdoor movie at the Midland Theater, as chances won't ramp up until after 10 p.m. If storms develop tonight, they're expected to be isolated.

For the Summer Celebration forecast, rain chances will increase to about 60% by 6 a.m. tomorrow and continue through around 7 p.m., dropping off to 25% through midnight.

Stay tuned to KGGF for additional forecasts as weekend events approach.

The Independence City Commission approves the purchase of the former FedEx building in the Independence Industrial park for use as a unified Public Works facility.

A new and unique business opens its doors in Coffeyville. Monkey Business Nit Pickers is a head lice removal clinic and Owner Sara-beth Morgan says part of what she wants to do with the business is remove the stigma around head lice.

Morgan says she chose Coffeyville because it is a centralized location and she hopes to bring people in from surrounding communities so they don't have to travel to Tulsa or Kansas City.  Morgan says someone could have lice and not even know they have it.

Morgan says the motivation behind the name of the business comes from monkeys picking out of love and compassion and that is how she feels about what they are doing with this business. She says in addition to the removal, they are also offering education about head lice and head lice treatment.

Another year of the Cherryvale Youth Fair is underway at Logan Park in Cherryvale.

The Youth Fair offers a variety of ways to participate, from showing livestock to baking and woodworking. Exhibitor Coy Harris says he has both outdoor and indoor exhibits.

Former Exhibitor Hannah Graybill says the Youth Fair made such an impact on her that she comes back and helps out as an adult.  Graybill says this fair is unique because it's a youth fair and not a 4-H fair.

The judging of the indoor exhibits started at noon today and the live auction for the youth baked goods is at 7:30pm tonight. The silent auction for the adult bake-off is from 2:00pm to 8:00pm tomorrow and the livestock show starts at 6:00pm tomorrow night.