The City of Commerce, Oklahoma, remains under a boil water order as its water tower is plagued by mechanical issues caused by the recent cold weather.

The City has also decided to temporarily shut down the water tower in order to allow it to refill and stabilize the water pressure. The cycle of water use in the city has made it difficult to build pressure in the system because water is being used faster than it can be supplied to the tower.

City officials say there is currently no time line for when pressure will be fully restored. The City will remain under the boil order until further notice.

A Nowata man is sentenced to federal prison after being found guilty by a jury for sexually abusing two teenage girls.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge John D. Russell ordered 34-year-old Kaleb Scott Smith to serve 19 years in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release. Upon his release, Smith will also be required to register as a sex offender.

In November 2025, jurors convicted Smith of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country and two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact with a Minor in Indian Country. Court records show that Smith sexually abused two teenage girls, who were only 13 and 14 years old.

Smith is a member of the Osage Nation and was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshal Service at trial. He will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

The Bartlesville Police Department and the FBI investigated the case.

Students from Neodesha High School get a unique learning experience in crime scene investigation techniques at Greenbush.

Five students attended the Greenbush:The Science Behind the Crime yesterday in Girard. The event was an opportunity for students to engage with industry professionals, college recruiters, and university students majoring in criminal justice. Students were able to learn about fingerprinting, blood typing, footwear impressions, bullet trajectory and decomposition.

The event allowed more than 100 students from around the area to explore possible future careers in law enforcement.

Photo courtesy USD 461

After several days of below freezing temperatures, area cities are encouraging residents to take a few minutes and check around their homes for water leaks.

Pipes freezing and rethawing can lead to cracks and water line breaks, which can result in high water usage and higher water bills. They can also cause other issues such as basement flooding and slick exterior surfaces. Leaks also increase the risk of electrical issues and short circuits, which can lead to a risk of fire.

If you think you have a water leak, contact your city or public water supplier.

One man is dead following a single-vehicle accident in northeast Kansas.

32-year-old Dustin Saunders of Troy, KS, died Thursday in a late night accident in Atchison County. Saunders was traveling northbound on K-7 near the Atchison State Fishing Lake around 10:30 last night when his 2001 Ford F-150 left the roadway for an unknown reason. The truck the collided with a tree.

He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Neodesha City Commission approves a new electric rate structure for City utilities.

At this week's meeting, commissioners approved a measure that will lower electric rates slightly per kilowatt hour for both 2026 and 2027. The Regulatory & Rates Manager for the Kansas Municipal Energy agency was on hand with a presentation for commissioners. Commissioner Ed Truelove says recent rates studies by KMEA helped the City determine the new rates

The purpose of the change is to provide for better cost control while lessening the reliance on electric funds for other services. Truelove says it was a matter of balancing city finances with the needs of rate payers.

The new rates will go into effect on February utility bills, which will have a March payment due date.

 2026 Electric Rates

Residential = 16 meter | $0.1050 / kWh

Commercial = $25 meter | $0.1050 / kWh

Large Volume Customers = $100 meter

• First 125,000 kWh — $0.098

• 125,000–400,000 kWh — $0.073

• 400,000+ kWh — $0.070

________________________________________

2027 Electric Rates

Residential = $16 meter | $0.1150 / kWh

Commercial = $25 meter | $0.1150 / kWh

Large Volume Customers = $100 meter

• First 125,000 kWh — $0.108

• 125,000–400,000 kWh — $0.075

• 400,000+ kWh — $0.070

The Kansas Department of Children and Families announces $10 million in funding for a housing support program for those at risk of homelessness.

D-C-F has awarded the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation or K-H-R-C a $10 million housing support grant to assist low-income Kansas families at risk of or experiencing homelessness across all 105 Kansas counties. The program is funded annually with $5 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families dollars over two years. It will begin on July 1, 2026, and run through June 30, 2028, with two one-year renewal options.

K-H-R-C, together with the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition, City of Topeka, United Way of the Plains, and Metro Lutheran Ministry, will help eligible families secure and maintain stable housing as part of the organization's mission to expand access to safe, affordable housing statewide.

“Quality, affordable homes enable families and communities to thrive,” said Doug Wallace, KHRC's Emergency Solutions Grant Manager, who will oversee the program. “Stably housed Kansans experience better health and safety outcomes, achieve greater educational and professional success, and enjoy increased economic prosperity. Thanks to this partnership, more Kansans will experience the life-changing benefits of a safe and stable home.”

The Kansas Legislature passes a bathroom bill that requires individuals to use bathrooms that align with their birth sex while in government buildings.

The bill passed the Kansas House on an 87 to 36 vote following a nearly six-hour debate on the House floor. Shortly after the House vote, the bill also passed the Kansas Senate 30 to 9. the requirements of the bill will apply to all restrooms, changing rooms, and loc ker rooms owned by the State of Kansas, including local governments, public K through 12 schools, colleges and universities. Government entities that fail to clearly designate restrooms as either male or female could face a $25,000 fine for the first offense and a $125,000 for each subsequent offense.

The bill now heads to the desk of Governor Laura Kelly.

The City of Commerce, Oklahoma, has issued a boil water order for all customers of the city water supply.

Until further notice, customers should boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water instead. Dispose of ice cubes from trays and automatic ice makers and disinfect dishes and food preparation surfaces. 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 order was issued due to mechanical issues affecting the city water tower as a result of the recent cold weather.

The City of Independence is clarifying its involvement in a national program after questions following a recent press release.

Finance Director Lacey Lies says the City was selected to participate in Welcoming America’s Rural Welcoming Initiative, but emphasizes the program is not a settlement, relocation or recruitment effort. It does not place or encourage immigrants or refugees to move into participating communities. Instead, the initiative provides technical assistance and peer learning opportunities to help strengthen civic engagement, leadership development and community connections for all residents.

Lies says the effort is not political and not about changing the character of the community. She says the focus is on strengthening neighborly connections, celebrating what makes Independence unique and supporting residents’ ability to participate fully in civic, social and economic life. 

City of Independence Q&A regarding the initiative:  https://www.independenceks.gov/m/faq?cat=23

Welcoming America – Rural Welcoming Initiative overview:  https://welcomingamerica.org/initiatives/rural-welcoming-initiative/

A simple item that many toss aside is helping make a difference for families right in Montgomery County.

The Montgomery County Farm Bureau is once again partnering with the Local Health Equity Action Team on a container garden project designed to support low-income families and deserving individuals across the county.

The project uses empty protein tubs as planters, giving participants an easy way to grow fresh produce, even without access to traditional garden space. Community members can help by donating clean, empty protein containers. Drop-off locations include Beachner Grain in Independence and Coffeyville Feed and Farm.

A water main break is reported in Fredonia.

According to the city, a water main has broken between Adams Street and 4th and 5th Street. The break was reported today just after 8 a.m. This situation may result in an interruption of water services from Washington to Madison on both 4th and 5th Streets.

City crews are currently working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Two locations in southeast Kansas are raided for illegal gambling activities.

Deputies from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office and Special Agents from the Kansas Gaming and Racing Commission served search warrants yesterday at two Galaxy Food Mart locations. Officers raided locations at 202 East Main Street in Weir and at 100 South E Avenue in Columbus. The warrants were part of an ongoing investigation into illegal gambling operations in southeast Kansas.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office says evidence was seized in connection to iiegal gambling activities taking place at both locations. The findings will be submitted to the Cherokee County Attorney's Office.

Top: 100 South E Avenue, Columbus

Bottom: 202 East Main Street, Weir

Photos courtesy Cherokee County Sheriff's Department

The Science and Technology Center in Independence will hold a Kansas Day event on Saturday.

There will be a free presentation by Amanda Allen. Allen in an Independence native who teaches history and social studies at Independence Middle School and creates social media content on Kansas history as ThatKSHistoryNerd. Allen's presentation will focus on interesting historical travel destinations in Kansas. The public is invited to attend her presentation at 2pm on Saturday at the Science and Technology Center, located at 125 South Penn avenue.

An Oklahoma state representative resigns her seat after pleading guilty to ethics charges.

State Representative Ayshia “Ajay” Pittman pleaded guilty this week to felony charges related to submitting a forged check to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. According to the charges, Pittman directed the creation of a falsified check, which was then submitted to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission in an attempt to avoid repayment of funds to her campaign account. The scheme involved altering and creating a false $2,500 check and using a computer network to  transmit the fraudulent document to state officials while representing it as genuine.

Pittman appeared before a judgeWednesday morning and pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, Forgery in the Second Degree, and Violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act.

As part of her sentence, Pittman agreed to resign from her elected position in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where she represented the 99^th District in Oklahoma City. Besides resigning from her position as a state representative, Pittman will receive a seven-year deferred sentence. She will also pay full restitution for the misused campaign funds to a charitable organization, with both parties agreeing which organization will receive the funds.

The Elk City Masonic Lodge is hosting a sausage and waffle feed.

The 61^st Annual Whole Hog Sausage and Waffle Supper is coming up on Saturday, February 7^th in Elk City. The all-you-can-eat dinner begins at 5pm. Suggested donations for the meal are $8 for adults and $5 for kids under 12.

The event takes place at the Masonic Lodge Building in Elk City.

Independence firefighters respond to a house fire.

Around 5:30 Wednesday evening, crews from the Independence Fire Department were dispatched to reports of a structure fire in the 1000 block of West Beech Street. When they arrived on the scene, firefighters found a home with heavy smoke coming from the eaves and roof. Responders attacked the fire aggressively as they entered the home and found heavy flames in the kitchen, living room and dining room.

Officers from the Independence Police Department rescued two dogs from the backyard of the home, while firefighters removed a third dog from inside the house. That dog received oxygen using a canine oxygen mask to help the animal recover from smoke exposure. All other occupants of the home were able to escape without injury. There was significant damage to the structure.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

In addition to Independence Fire & EMS and Independence Police, crews from Independence Rural Fire, Dearing Fire, and Cherryvale Fire assisted on the call.

Photo courtesy Independence Fire/EMS

A gas leak is reported at an apartment complex in Chetopa.

According to the Chetopa Police Department, last night police were called to the Bellmore Apartments near the alley after reports of a strong gas odor . Officers responded immediately and coordinated with the Fire Department to assess the situation.

After the initial assessment, the Police Department contacted Atmos Energy along with building management. Atmos sent a representative to the scene who conducted testing. Later in the evening, the issue was diagnosed as a Grade 1 gas leak.

Atmos immediately called out a repair crew, who began digging and working on the gas line last night. Crews will continue working through the morning until the leak is fully repaired and the area is safe.

Live music will be coming to downtown Coffyville tomorrow night.

Local bands from the refinery will be playing at Coffeyville's Reawakening at 115 W 9^th. Organizer Polina Zamalin says these bands will feature a variety of genres.

Zamalin came to Coffeyville from California about a year ago during a turnaround at CVR Energy and decided to stay. She says her love of music led her to organize this event.

The concert will start tomorrow night at 7 p.m., with a suggested donation of $5-10 that will go directly to the bands. All ages will be welcome at the concert. The entrance will be on the back side of the building, with parking in the lot behind the Pete's gas station.

A Dewey pet salon employee’s misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals in July has been upgraded to a felony.

36-year-old Loree Bright, of Bartlesville, was charged in Washington County District Court. According to the Dewey Police Department, multiple videos at the pet salon showed Bright and another suspect, identified as Angela Aldana, placing a restraint around a dog’s neck. According to authorities, the video shows Aldana and Bright laughing at and mocking a dog and Bright using a high-pressure blow dryer in the dog’s face.

Aldana was charged in July with a misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals. Bright will appear in court again on February 20^th at 9:00am. Her bond is set at $10,000.

A local effort to support families facing food insecurity is getting a boost thanks to new community support.

Parsons High School social worker Kristina Mayhue receives a $500 grant for the Viking Food Bank from the Parsons Area Community Foundation, presented by Executive Director Becky Dantic.

The funding will help the food bank purchase items that aren't always available through donations, including certain perishable foods and baby formula. These items are often in high demand for families in need. Even though the food bank is at the high school, it serves families across USD 503 and is open to any district student and their family who may need assistance.

The Kansas Department of Commerce announces the launch of a new program to help establish small businesses in small towns.

The Downtown Revive & Thrive: Rehabilitation for Innovation and Incubator Spaces program. The program provides grants for Kansas communities with populations of 5,000 or less for projects that result in functional business incubator spaces or facilities designed for temporary retail or restaurant operations.

The program is designed to support projects that repurpose existing downtown infrastructure to create spaces and provide equipment for pop-up retail and restaurants that drive economic growth in small communities. Applications will be accepted through March 10^th with grant awards to be announced in April.

For those interested in applying for funding, a virtual webinar about the specifics of the program is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Thursday, January 29. Registration is required and a Zoom link will be provided once registration is complete. To register, click here. The Office of Rural Prosperity will host office hours from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. every Thursday, January 29 through March 5. To sign up, visit here.

For additional information about the Downtown Revive & Thrive program, click here.

The Independence Historical Museum and Art Center announces its spring choir rehearsal schedule.

The IHMAC Community Choir returns for another season this spring. The choir is open to people of all ages and talent levels. No pre-registration is required – just show up and sing. Rehearsals begin on February 23^rd and will be every Monday night from 6 to 7:30 through April 20^th at the museum. The spring concert will be held on April 22^nd.

The choir will be directed by Independence Middle & High School Choir Director Christopher Kurt.

A southwest Missouri woman faces charges of supplying her underage daughters with marijuana.

Prosecutors in Newton County, Missouri, have charged Patricia Cotten of Seneca with delivery of 25 grams or less of marijuana to a person under 17 years of age and two years younger. Court documents in the case indicate that a man told Seneca police that his daughters, ages 13 and 15, had been on probation and then tested positive for THC during a routine drug test. The man told police he believed they had gotten the drug from their mother, identified as Cotten.

Police then allegedly found photo evidence on the girls' phones that included large amounts of what appeared to be marijuana.

The investigation into the allegations remains ongoing.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol releases traffic response statistics following last weekend's winter storm.

OHP says troopers responded to 52 injury collisions on state highways and 485 motorist assistance calls since Friday. There were 290 non-injury crashes and 32 calls for the Statewide Motorist Assistance Resource Team or SMART program with the National Guard to assist with stranded motorists.

The Highway Patrol reports no fatalities on state highways during the winter storm.

A 15-year-old Grenola girl reported missing on Monday has been found safe.

Serenity Bahr was reported missing after leaving her home at 3:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon. She was later reportedly seen in Cowley County near the City of Atlanta. Authorities in Elk County say Bahr has been located, is uninjured and is in no danger.

The Neodesha City Commission will meet today with several items of business up for consideration.

On the agenda for today's meeting is an ordinance to adjust the City's utility rates. The new rates would be set to go into effect at the end of March. Commissioners will also discuss a solid waste disposal agreement with Wilson County regarding the transfer station near Altoona and the possible purchase or lease of a skid steer for the Public Works Department

Today's meeting is open to the public and begins at 4pm in the Commission Room at the City Hall in Neodesha.

Columbus firefighters respond to two structure fires.

The first call came in around 10:15 Tuesday night when emergency crews were dispatched to assist the Lola Township Fire Department with a structure fire near the Cherokee/Labette County line. Crews were on the scene for nearly two hours but were able to successfully battle blaze.

Firefighters were called out once again just before midnight to assist the Galena Fire Department with a second house fire in Crestline, or about 7 miles east of Columbus. Columbus fire responded to that call with four units and 10 fire personnel.

Both homes were a total loss, but no injuries were reported.

Photo courtesy Columbus Fire Department

The City of Independence is asking residents to help City sanitation crews by making sure dumpsters and polycarts are free of snow and ice.

With the recent winter storm and the following melting and freezing, ice and piles of snow around dumpsters and polycarts make it difficult for sanitation crews to do their jobs. In order to ensure prompt and efficient trash pick up, the City is asking residents to make sure their dumpsters and carts are easy to access.

City crews have been working hard and are fully staffed in an attempt to ensure routes are running on schedule.

Parade Specialties Owner Jim Dittmer is recognized as the Independence Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year.

At last night's Independence Chamber of Commerce 111^th Annual Banquet and Fundraiser, Dittmer was recognized for his years of service to the community.

Independence Chamber Director Lisa Wilson says Dittmer is a big part of the success of the city's many parades.

While Dittmer was unable to accept the award due to ongoing cancer treatments, a video of the crowd congratulating him was recorded and will be sent his way. Over 300 people packed the Civic Center in Independence for the event last night.

The Coffeyville City Commission approves a resolution for the start of a water line relocation project on 8^th Street from Lewark to Elm Street.

Director of Public Works Jim Wright says there will be disruptions for businesses and residence in that area during the project.  Wright says he does not expect the project to have any affect on travel on 8^th Street.  Wright says this project will be ugly and messy.

There is no official start date for the project as of right now but they expect it to start sometime in March.

The Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce and the City of Coffeyville are working together to advocate for the continued presence of Sherwin-Williams in the community.

Sherwin-Williams has deep roots in Coffeyville, dating back to 1906, when the company opened a smelting and manufacturing facility that helped shape the city’s early industrial growth. That legacy still lives on today through Sherwin-Williams Park, a popular community gathering space. Recently, the company has announced plans to close its Coffeyville store as part of a broader corporate review. City and Chamber leaders say the possible closure is especially difficult given the store’s importance to local contractors, businesses and the surrounding region.

The City and Chamber have formally reached out to corporate leadership to highlight the store’s regional value, the company’s long-standing ties to Coffeyville and to explore possible partnerships or incentives to keep the location open. Community members are also being encouraged to share letters with Sherwin-Williams corporate offices explaining why the Coffeyville store matters. Anyone interested in supporting the effort is asked to contact the Coffeyville Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Board of Osage County Commissioners have scheduled a special meeting at the fairgrounds on Thursday morning.

This comes after they were unable to meet on Monday due to the weather. The board will consider approving REAP community development project contracts from INCOG. These include the purchase of a tanker truck for the Rock Fire Department, a brush truck for Pershing Fire, bunker gear for the Blackdog Fire Department, replacement of a waterline for Hulah's rural water district number 20, upgrades for Osage Hills Fire and a drill tower for Green Country Fire.

The commission will acknowlede the State Auditor and Inspector Osage County financial report audit for fiscal year's 2022, 2023 and 2024. Thursday’s meeting begins at 10:00am.

**UPDATE: She has been found safe.

Authorities in Elk County are looking for a missing Grenola girl.

Police say 15-year-old Serenity Bahr was last seen leaving her home around 3:30 on Monday afternoon. Authorities believe she was able to secure a ride to the City of Atlanta in Cowley County. Police in that county received a report of a young girl walking along a road north of Atlanta who was then seen getting into an older, green Ford pickup truck.

Serenity Bahr has blonde hair and was last seen wearing camouflage overalls with a pink Under Armor t-shirt, a dark gray Berne coat, and black muck boots.

Anyone with information on Bahr should contact the Elk County sheriff's Office at 620-374-2108

The Garden City Police Department is looking for help from the public in hopes of finding a missing woman.

Authorities say 42-year-old Emilia Brown was reported missing on January 21^st and has not been seen or heard from since that day. Her family says she left Garden City on January 14^th on a trip to Salina, but never arrived at her destination. Police have exhausted all leads in Brown's disappearance and hope the public can help locate her. Brown in described as 5'7”, weighing 190 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes. A picture of Emilia Brown can be seen in the online version of this story at kggfradio.com.

Anyone with information on Brown's location or disappearance is asked to contact the Garden City Police Department at (620) 276-1300.

An Arkansas State Trooper is rear-ended in his patrol car on the Interstate during the recent snow storm.

The accident occurred on I-40 just north of Fort Smith. The trooper was assisting with another accident when his cruiser was struck by an 18-wheeler. The trooper had exited his vehicle when the accident occurred and was uninjured in the accident. His patrol vehicle was totaled.

Officials say the accident is a reminder for drivers to use caution when road conditions are poor.

The City of Independence receives a KDOT grant to improve visibility at high-risk intersections.

The High Risk Urban Road grant will provide the city with new stop signs, stop ahead signs, reflective sheeting for posts, and thermoplastic stop bars. City Engineer John Garris says the puirpose is to improve traffic safety.

The total cost of the project is around $5,000, but the City is only responsible for installation and upkeep. Garris says, the expensive part will be covered by KDOT.

The signs will be installed at seven intersections: at 10^th and Taylor; 20^th and Sycamore; Penn and Poplar, and 21^st and West Oak. They will also be located at the intersections of Laurel and 13^th, 17^th, and 19^th Streets.

With the recent winter storm and cold weather comes the risk of illness and accidents.

 This type of weather can bring falls, slips, broken bones, head injuries, sprains, and strains and can send people to the emergency room. United Healthcare's Dr. Ravi Johar says it can also bring an increased risk of heart attacks.
 

Johar says the cold weather combined with strenuous exercise can cause problems.
 

Johar adds that those with elderly relatives or neighbors should check in with those people during bad weather to make sure they are okay. If you should happen to find a person who has fallen and is injured, don’t try to move them. Instead, find a way to keep them warm and call 9-1-1.

The recent cold weather prompts local fire departments to remind residents to practice heater safety.

Fire officials urge caution in using small space heaters, which can pose a fire risk. Space heaters should be kept at least 3 feet away from curtains, furniture, and other flammable objects. They should also be plugged directly into wall outlets and not into an extension cord. Space heaters should never be left unattended.

Other tips for safe and effective heater use include setting ceiling fans to reverse in order to pull heat down from the ceiling and to make sure your home has a working carbon monoxide detector. Never use an oven for heat.

Following these simple guidelines can help reduce the risk of fire and other hazards during cold weather.

The Coffeyville City Commission is set to meet tonight and discuss several proposed resolutions.

Agenda items include a proposed water line relocation project on 8^th Street from Lewark to Elm and a grant application to provide funding for hanger apron rehabilitation at the Municipal Airport. Commissioners are also expected to select and approve artists for the Electrical Box Mural Project through the Kansas Department of Commerce Transformation Art for Public Spaces program.

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

Two Independence women are honored for their work in the community through the Buddy Ball Program.

The women were recognized by the Independence Chamber of Commerce and the Independence Diversity Task Force at the recent Martin Luther King Day celebration in Independence. Chamber President Lisa Wilson makes the announcement.

Gloria Price is well known in the Independence community for her volunteer work and also for her work at the City swimming pool where she supervises swim lessons in the summer. Samantha Allen is the head softball coach at Independence Community College. Both women volunteer their time with the Independence Buddy Ball Program. Wilson says Price was instrumental in bring the program to the City.

Buddy Ball creates a welcoming space for children of all abilities to experience the joy of sports. The program emphasizes inclusion over competition, ensuring that every player has a buddy by their side, offering encouragement, assistance, and friendship.

Photo courtesy Independence Community College. Left Gloria Price> Right Samantha Allen.

The Humanities Project concert featuring Americana singer and musician Pi Jacobs set for tonight is canceled due to inclement weather..
 

Jacobs was scheduled to be the first performance for the spring semester, but the weekend's winter snow storm prompted college officials to cancel classes for the day and cancel tonight's performance as well.

The Humanities Project will kick off next Tuesday evening instead. Next week's performance will feature storyteller Flavia Everman. Everman will peform on February 3rd in the Spencer Rounds Theater on the CCC campus. Admission is free.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a scam involving callers impersonating deputies.

Officials say scammers are using fake phone numbers and urgent threats to pressure people into acting quickly often claiming there’s a warrant, fine or legal issue that must be handled immediately. The Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that real deputies will never ask for money, gift cards, cryptocurrency or personal information over the phone. Demands for immediate payment or threats of arrest are clear red flags.

Anyone who receives a suspicious call, hang up and verify the number directly with the agency. Officials say if it feels wrong, it probably is and it’s always okay to hang up. 

The Nowata County Commission discusses a issue with a frozen pipe at the courthouse.

Commission Chairman Paul Crupper says he may have a way to fix it.  Emergency Management Director Laurie Summers gave an update on conditions after the winter storm. She says it wasn't as bad as they were expecting.

There were parts of Lenapah that were without power for around eight hours over the weekend.

The Montgomery County Commission thanks county road crews for their snow response.

Commission Chair Mike Cordray opened today’s meeting with words of appreciation for county workers following the weekend’s winter storm. He says everyone did an excellent job.

Montgomery County received between five and eight inches of snow over the weekend and county road crews have been busy for the past few days plowing and sanding the roads.

A missing Emporia woman is found deceased.

Police in Emporia say 28-year-old Rebecca Rauber was found on Sunday just yards away from where she was last seen alive.

The elementary school teacher was last seen leaving the Town Royal Bar on Emporia's West 4^th Avenue just before midnight on Friday night. She was found in a wooded area about 300 yards south of that location. Police say, at this time, it's likely that Rauber succumbed to hypothermia soon after she disappeared and that she was not found earlier because she was covered by snow.

The investigation into Rauber's death remains ongoing.

The City of Altamont is moving forward on a major public works project.

The $1.5 million project would install a sidewalk to connect Labette County High School to a local retail food establishment. The project is fully funded by a grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation. The City of Altamont is responsible for the relocation of utilities and for right-of-way acquisition. At last week’s meeting of the Altamont City Council, City Administrator LeaAnn Myers updated council members on the progress. She says easement work is underway.

The City has also set aside funds to move gas meters impacted by the project.

In other business, City Attorney Robert Myers had a lengthy discussion with property owners who had been notified via a phone call that their property would be up for determination of a public hearing due to safety concerns with the structure. The council then voted to set a public hearing date of March 12th for three properties, excluding the one that had been discussed.

Mayor and Assistant Fire Chief Richard Hayward also gave a yearly report from the Fire Department.

The Parsons City Commission discusses a recent increase in animal bites in the City.

At the most recent meeting, Commissioner Tom Shaw noted that there had been four reports of animal bites in Parsons during December. He stated that the total number for the year was 22, making the December reports a concerning increase. Police Chief Robert Spinks says only one of the December incidents was serious in nature.

Spinks added that the incidents involving dogs did not involve a vicious animal, but that the dog appeared to be frightened instead.

In other business, the date of the February 2nd meeting was changed to February 3rd due to several commissioners being out of town on official business on the 2nd.

The City of Coffeyville is set to receive federal and state grant funding for a road safety audit and traffic engineering study.

The total cost of the study is $200,000, with the City paying only 5% of the total cost. The rest of the funding will come through the state's Build Kansas Fund and federal Safe Streets and Roads for All Program.

The Coffeyville project is one of fourteen projects across the state that will share in $45 million in targeted infrastructure grants, The announcement was made late last week by Governor Laura Kelly.

State Department of Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed called the program an example of working together to bring critical resources to Kansas communities and deliver projects that have a lasting impact.

This weekend's winter storm brings several inches of snow to the four-state area.

According to data compiled by state Mesonets, southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma saw a wide range of snow amounts, ranging from 5 to 11 inches.  Between 5 and 8 inches of snow was reported locally for the Montgomery County area.  Some drifts in the area were of course much deeper.

There’s some good news for Kansas to start the new year.

So far in 2026, the total number of fatal traffic accidents is down 35% from last year. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, 13 people have lost their lives in traffic crashes so far in 2026 as compared to 17 deaths during the same period in 2025. K-H-P reminds Kansans to buckle up, drive sober, obey posted speed limits and avoid distractions when behind the wheel.

The Kansas Drive To Zero campaign is a statewide initiative that aims to eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes on all public roads in Kansas.

Parsons firefighters respond to reports of a Saturday house fire.

Emergency crews were called to a residence near the intersection of Appleton and 23rd Streets on Saturday afternoon. Despite the below-freezing temperatures and snowy conditions, fire crews were able to extinguish the fire and safely remove the occupants from the home. No injuries were reported.

Parsons Police and EMS assisted on the call.

The City of Independence announces it has been selected as one of ten communities across the nation to take part in the Welcoming America’s Rural Welcoming Initiative for 2026.

The Rural Welcoming Initiative is a program designed to support and encourage immigrant and refugee settlement in rural and small-town areas of the United States. Through the Rural Welcoming Initiative, the City of Independence will partner with Independence Main Street and the Independence Chamber of Commerce’s Diversity Task Force, along with other local organizations, to learn best practices for engaging diverse populations and strengthening community connections.

Participation in the program will provide access to technical assistance and coaching, a free Welcoming America membership, ongoing learning opportunities, and an invitation to attend the Rural Welcoming Gathering in April in Emporia, Kansas, where communities will convene to share strategies and experiences related to rural inclusion.

For more information about the program, contact the Independence City Hall at 620-332-2500.

The Montgomery County Commission will meet today and hear quarterly reports from Emergency Management and Environmental and Zoning.

At today’s meeting, County Emergency Management Director Rick Whitson and Environmental and Zoning Director Matt Debo will each appear before the commission to give updates on their respective departments. Sheriff Ron Wade will also address commissioners regarding internet at the Mongomery County Jail for an R-F-I-D system. Director of Information Technology Jason Clubine is also expected to be on hand to discuss network improvement and cybersecurity grants.

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.

The City of Coffeyville announces the recipients of the 2026 Downtown Revitalization Grant Program.

A total of seven businesses were selected to receive a portion of $119,000 in funding. Businesses receiving $20,000 grants are Gary Eisele, Hersh's, The Yoke Bar and Grill, Michelle McGuirk, and Larry Bartkoski. Michael Hassenplug received $10,557.18 and RoDeYo Holdings was awarded an $8,172.00 grant.

The Downtown Revitalization Grant Program provides financial assistance for eligible exterior improvements, building rehabilitation, and other qualifying projects that enhance the long-term vitality of downtown Coffeyville. The program is funded through a voter-approved ½ cent sales tax. Businesses must apply to receive funding. Projects are selected based on project readiness, community impact, and consistency with downtown revitalization goals.

Snowfall is wrapping up for the four-state area, with some reports in of at least 6 inches of snow in the Coffeyville area.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, most major roadways in southeast Kansas are completely covered with snow.  Roads in the rest of the four-state area remain in similar shape.  

Officials urge residents to stay home if travel is not necessary while crews work to clear streets.  The winter storm warning for Montgomery County has now been canceled, but a cold weather advisory remains in place through Monday morning, with wind chills expected to be around -13 on Monday morning.  

CLICK HERE for the latest closings, warming shelter info and links to road conditions for your state.

Photo: KDOT

Residents in Copan are being asked to lower their thermostats to help conserve gas amid an issue with the system.

According to the Town of Copan, the issue with gas pressure has been going on throughout the day and employees are working diligently to resolve the problem.  They are asking all community members to lower their thermostat to help ensure gas is available for everyone.

In addition, the school has opened its doors for anyone who needs a warm place to stay. If you have lost gas and do not have transportation to the school, please call 539-231-2411 to arrange a ride.

Fire crews respond to a structure fire in Howard.

According to the Elk County Rural Fire Department, around 6:30 Saturday morning, the Howard Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 200 block of south Pine in Howard.  

Upon arrival, smoke was observed coming from the attic vents and also in the house. The fire was located in the attic over the living room. It was contained to the one room and put out. Part of the ceiling had to be removed with moderate smoke and water damage. The outside temperature during the response was 4 degrees with a wind chill of 15 below zero.  Crews believe the cause of the fire was electrical due to an overloaded circuit from space heaters.  Local fire departments are reminding residents to be careful with space heaters during this extreme cold.

Photo: Elk County Rural Fire

Coffeyville Community College has been named the Business of the Year by the Coffeyville Area Chamber of Commerce.  The recognition was awarded Friday night at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet.  The college was voted Business of the Year by Chamber members.  

The Chamber also presented awards to Green Acres Florist as Small Business of the Year, Nutritionville was recognized with the Rising Star Award, Linda Follet with the Historical Society and Genesis received the Citizen of the Year Award and Lisa Scheck with the Midland Theater Board and Thompson Brothers Welding Supply received the Volunteer of the Year Award.

A record, sold out crowd attended Friday night’s banquet held in Nellis Hall East on the CCC campus while the threat of a massive winter storm did not deter attendance.

Local businesses are busy ahead of the coming winter storm.

Coffeyville Feed and Farm Owner Dewayne Rosson says he's seen a big increase in sales.

Rosson says straw has been one of the more popular items.

Rosson says they plan to be open their normal hours today and tomorrow despite the expected snow.

Other stores, including Nichols Hitching Post in downtown Coffeyville, say they've seen a big increase in food sales ahead of the expected weather.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issues a state of disaster emergency proclamation ahead of today's expected winter storm.

The declaration allows resources to be used to provide state assistance , specifically the waiver of hours of service for transportation, fuel, hours of service and propane providers.

Kelly urged all Kansans to be prepared ahead of the winter storm, which is forecast to drop 8 to 12 inches of snow in southeast Kansas with extremely low temperatures and wind chills. The governor encouraged residents to stay inside and avoid travel if possible.

The Independence City Commission continues its work in combating dangerous and unsafe structures in the city.

At last night's meeting, commissioners held public hearings for ten properties and voted to condemn five of those. The other five had shown progress in improving the property and were adjourned until May to allow for further work to be completed. One of those properties on West Chestnut Street will soon see its second life. Lisa Drumeller with Hannah's House Ministries says the location will soon be transformed into a new facility.

Condemnation proceedings were also set in motion for two additional properties, including a house on North 10^th Street that was heavily damaged in a fire earlier this month.

In other business, c ommissioners also approved a permit to allow a dog kennel on South 25^th Street.

Road crews for the City of Coffeyville are preparing ahead of today's expected winter storm.

Deputy Director of Public Works Thomas Osborn has been getting his department ready to treat the roads this week. He says Public Works trucks will be out treating City streets with a special mix to improve traction.

Forecasts predict between 8 and 12 inches of snow for Coffeyville in the next few days. Residents are urged to stay off the streets if possible. Those who must travel during the winter storm are urged to give themselves extra time and to proceed slowly with caution.

The City of Caney continues to make progress on its connection to the Coffeyville water system.

At this week's council meeting, council members approved two payments to Midwest Engineering for their work on the water project. One payment was for $45,000 and another for $181,000. Mayor Josh Elliott says the bills have been outstanding for two years.

Elliott says funding has been coming in as collaboration with Coffeyville continues.

The next meeting of the Caney City Council will be February 2^nd.

As winter weather bears down on the region, law enforcement agencies are advising drivers to use caution for those who must travel.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Justin Ewing says it's best to stay home during the snow storm. For those who must be on the roads, Ewing says to make sure you have emergency supplies in your vehicle.

Drivers should be ready for the unexpected. Ewing says, if you do get stranded in your car during the storm, don't panic.

The Coffeyville area is expected to receive between 8 and 12 inches of snow this weekend.

The City of Yates Center holds two meetings this week.

In the first meeting on Tuesday night, the City Council voted to disband the Yates Center Police Department, citing a lack of funding as the primary reason. Those supporting the move argued that the Woodson County Sheriff's Department would be able to take over law enforcement duties for the town of 1,300 people. The outcry from Yates Center residents followed shortly after.

The City Council then called a special meeting for Wednesday evening and voted to reverse the decision. The vote means that Yates Center will keep its police department for now. City leaders say they will continue to work to find a way to ensure adequate law enforcement in the City while balancing the City's financial needs.

A Miami man is arrested on charges of possessing child pornography.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cybertip regarding the apparent illegal material. That information was then provided to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Unit for further investigation. The results of the investigation led agents to locate and arrest 20-year-old Ethan Roher. Roher was taken into custody Thursday by O-S-B-I and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Predatory Crime Unit. He was booked into the Ottawa County Jail on charges of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Distribution of Child Pornography, and Violation of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act.

The Miami Police Department, Miami Nation, Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, and Wyandotte Nation assisted with the investigation. The review of the case remains ongoing.

***** Update 6 p.m. 1-24 *****

Additional snowfall is expected through Sunday morning, with snow expected to wrap up by noon for southeast Kanas and northeast Oklahoma.

The Coffeyville area could see an additional 6 to 8 inches of snow by the time the storm is done.  Visibility could also drop under a mile at times.  Wind chills Sunday and Monday morning are expected to be between 10 and 15 degrees below zero.

View the latest weather-related closings here.

***** Update 8 a.m. 1-24 *****

Storm total estimates have now been decreased for much of Kansas, with some parts of south central and central Kansas now expected to receive 4 to 6 inches of snow.  Areas along the Oklahoma line including Coffeyville could still see 7 to 11 inches of snow.  In northeast Oklahoma, estimates are down to around 8 inches.

Snow will continue today and is expected to shift more to southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma, ending between 8 a.m. and Noon on Sunday morning.

***** Update 4:50 p.m. *****

Tonight's winter storm is now exptected slightly earlier than previously anticipated, while snowfall expectations have been slightly decreased.

As of around 4 p.m., snow was already falling in central Kansas, with snow expected to start for southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma between 7 and 11 p.m.  The first round is expected to continue through tomorrow morning, while the second round will start Saturday night and continue through Sunday morning.   The second round of snow could possibly shift southward further into Oklahoma.  Snow totals for southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma are now expected between 7 and 11 inches.

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

A winter storm arrives tonight for the four-state area.

A winter storm warning will go into effect this afternoon for the entire KGGF listening area through Sunday. Snow is still expected to start between 8 p.m. and midnight tonight. Two rounds of snow are expected, with the first this afternoon through tomorrow morning, and the second round Saturday evening through Sunday morning. Snow will wrap up between 8 a.m. and noon on Sunday. Mainly snow is expected for the four-state area, while areas south of I-40 could see more of a mix of sleet and snow.

Expected snowfall for the four-state area is now between 8 and 12 inches. Extreme cold warnings and cold weather advisories are also in place, with the coldest temperatures expected Saturday morning, where it could feel as cold as 14 below zero in Coffeyville. Air temperatures Sunday night are expected to drop to 6 below zero.

KGGF will provide updates all weekend long in addition to closing information.

More closings for southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma are coming in for Tuesday:

CLICK HERE for the latest weather-related closings.

Stay tuned to the latest winter weather coverage on KGGF 690, KGGF 104.1, KUSN 98.9 and KQQF 98.9

Bell ringing in Coffeyville this last Holiday raises almost $12,000.

Montgomery County Coordinator Joe Brooks says the money raised will be used for those in need in the area.  Brooks says they are also looking for donations for their new paper pantry.

Brooks says they working on building up their paper pantry after closing their food pantry last year. Donations can be dropped off at 102 West 12^th Street in Coffeyville.

Freezing temperatures and snow is in the forecast for this weekend.

Coffeyville Police Chief Kwin Bromley says his recommendation is to just stay home.  Chief Bromley says there tends to be two real challenges for the police department when it comes to this kind of weather.

Chief Bromley says the weather impacts how fast they can respond to calls, so some response times may be longer than normal.

This weekend's weather forecast include dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills.

Those in Independence who need a place to stay warm or know someone with that need, the First United Methodist Church will open the Wesley Center starting at 7:30 Thursday. The Wesley Center is located just east of the Church at Penn and Maple.

The Independence City Hall will also be open. Citizens may enter through the police department lobby through the south entrance to the building.

No pets are allowed at either location.

The weather looks to turn cold for the weekend and that means four-state area residents will be looking for ways to stay warm.

Coffeyville Friends of Animals Becky Barnhart says, while you're keeping warm, don't forget about your pets.

She also says to make sure outdoor dogs have adequate shelter from the weather.

If possible, bring pets inside during the extreme cold.

With a major winter storm forecast to hit the entire Midwest tomorrow, the City of Coffeyville is getting ready to keep the streets clear.

Deputy Director of Public Works Thomas Osborn says his department is ready for whatever the weather brings.

Osborn says the first priority will be to ensure emergency services can keep running.

The current forecast calls for between 6 and 10 inches of snow possible for Coffeyville.

A Bartlesville man is facing felony charges after allegedly stealing multiple items from a Bartlesville residence.

33-year-old Zachary Kight was charged on Tuesday with second-degree burglary and grand larceny stemming from a September 2023 incident in which Kight is accused of stealing several musical instruments, magician paraphernalia, and a shotgun. The total value of the merchandise was over $2,000. A warrant for Kight's arrest was issued in October 2023. His next court appearance is set for February 6. He was released on a $25,000 bond

The Sedan City Council discusses ownership and responsibility of a building at the fairgrounds.

At this week's meeting, council members appointed four individuals to the Chautauqua County Fair Board. Several board members were in attendance at the meeting with questions about a January 6^th Council discussion on granting a local retailer temporary use of one of the buildings at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds. Fair Board Secretary Joni Hubert says the Board would have liked to have been part of that discussion.

Council member Angela Evans says the City Council had plans to consult the Fair Board before making a final decision on the matter.

It was decided that a committee would be formed at the February 3^rd council meeting.

In other business, council members voted to release of C-D-B-G grants funds for the Sedan Public Library, to K-W Contractors of Chanute. The contract to repair the roof of the Sedan City Hall building was also approved for a total of just over $16,000 to Ram's Head Roofing of Sedan.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office announces it has resumed VIN checks.

As of Wednesday afternoon, those needing VIN checks for their vehicles were once again able to obtain them from the Sheriff's Office. Those services were suspended last week due to an ongoing, unspecified system-wide outage. Last week's outage was the second this month. Officials stated that the issue was being addressed by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Sheriff's Office officials say the issue has been resolved and VIN inspections have resumed.

The Independence City Commission continues its work in combating dangerous and unsafe structures in the city.

At tonight's meeting, public hearings will be held on ten more properties deemed dangerous and unsafe. Structures include a former office building on West Chestnut Street that has fallen into disrepair and a house on North 2^nd Street that incurred heavy damage in a fire last spring. Additionally, two more properties will have public hearings set for March 26^th. Commissioners will also consider a conditional use permit for a boarding kennel on South 25^th Street.

Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 in the Commission Room at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public and can also be viewed online via the City of Independence website.

***** Thursday Evening Update *****

Expected snowfall totals have now increased, with 7 to 12 inches of snow now possible for Montgomery County and the surrounding area.  Snow is expected to fall in two rounds.  The first will start Friday night between 8 p.m. and midnight for southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma, and go through Saturday morning, while the second will start Saturday evening and continue through Sunday morning.  Extreme cold wind chills are still expected, as low as 11 below zero for the Coffeyville area Saturday and Sunday morning.

***** Update *****

The winter storm warning has been extended into southeast, south central and portions of central Kansas and begins at noon on Friday.

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

The much-anticipated winter storm is on the way this weekend for the four-state area.

Dangerously cold wind chills could reach 15 degrees below zero for the region, while accumulating snowfall is expected across the area. The winter storm watch has now been extended north to include much of the state of Kansas, while a cold weather advisory has been issued for Kansas and Missouri, and an extreme cold watch for Oklahoma and Arkansas. Storm impacts are expected to be greater along the Kansas-Oklahoma line. A winter storm warning has now been issued ahead of the storm for

central Oklahoma, while a winter storm watch remains in effect for the four-state area.

Snow is expected to start between 8 p.m. and midnight tomorrow, and end between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Sunday. While snowfall forecasts continue to change, the latest estimates show the immediate four-state area including Coffeyville could see between 6 and 10 inches of snow, while slightly less is expected to the east of Montgomery County.

Starting tonight, temperatures are expected to stay below freezing through at least Tuesday, with the coldest wind chills around 13 below on Saturday morning for the Coffeyville area.

Moderate impacts to daily life are expected, including hazardous driving conditions. Take action now to prepare for the winter weather and protect vulnerable plumbing from freezing. KGGF will continue to provide updates all weekend in addition to closings and cancellations as needed.

Temperatures aren't forecast to get above freezing until either Monday or Tuesday, which means a chance for pipes to freeze.

Mason's Plumbing Eddie Mason says the best bet is to be proactive.  Mason says if a pipe has broken turn off the water at the main shutoff valve, which is usually at the water meter or where the main line enters the house.

For long term prevention, add insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in those areas. And to prevent drafts, seal cracks and openings around windows, doors and at sill plates, where the house rests on its foundation.

Adelaide Jones is the winner of the Cherryvale Middle School Spelling Bee. Jones's winning word was lye.

Jones won a certificate, Hershey's candy bar and a Sonic gift card. She will represent Cherryvale at the Montgomery County Spelling Bee on February 20^th. If she can't compete then second place, Jet Tracy, will take her place. Tracy lost on the word ensemble.

Plans are underway to replace a critical water line that has failed in Cherryvale.

At last night's City Council meeting, council members and city staff reviewed two bids to boar under the railroad at 6^th Street. This new line would replace the broken main that failed recently. Fire Chief Joe Rexwinkle says this is one of the more important water connections in Cherryvale from a firefighting point of view.

The Council approved the low bid of just over $55,600 from Tom's Ditching and Backhoe out of Caney. City Manager Michael Hall still needs to get the needed permits from the railroad to move forward with the project.

In other business, the Council approved the purchase of a road grader not to exceed $17,000, heard the 4^th Quarter treasurer's report and discussed appointing a member of the community to represent the city on a hiring subcommittee for the search for a new president of Independence Community College.

Authorities in Fort Smith, Arkansas, are searching for a suspect in a bank robbery.

Fort Smith Police have issued an arrest warrant for 31-year-old Aljon Smith of Oklahoma City in connection to the robbery of the First National Bank of Fort Smith on Tuesday afternoon. Smith is described as a black male driving a gray Kia Forte with Oklahoma tag number R-I-X-0-1-7. He is believed to be armed and dangerous.

Anyone who thinks they have seen the suspect or who knows of his whereabouts should contact Fort Smith Police at 479-709-5000.

There are some changes to office hours coming to the Osage County Court Clerk's Office.

That was the latest announcement at this week's Osage County Commission meeting. That department will now be closed for lunch from noon to one daily. Court Clerk Lavender Carroll says the change was made when the new building opened.

Also at this week's meeting, commissioners once again tabled the acceptance of nearly $65,000 in emergency REAP funding for the Frontier Shores Fire Department. A vote on the issue has been postponed until commissioners can get an explanation as to why the funds are needed.

Independence Community College continues its search for a new president.

The ICC Board of Trustees met last night for the first time in 2026 and one of the main goals for the new year is to find a new school president. Board Chair John Eubanks says the school has been looking at a large number of applicants for the position.

The college has been searching for a new president intermittently since the resignation of Dr. Vincent Bowhay in 2024. At that time, Dr. Jonathan Sadhoo was appointed as Interim President. He remained in that role for a year before being appointed as permanent president in May 2025 to lead the school through consolidation with Coffeyville Community College. When ICC pulled out of that process, Sadhoo then resigned in October. Vice President of Academic Affairs Taylor Crawshaw was then selected as Interim President. Eubanks says the hiring committee will form soon.

In other business at last night's meeting, Eubanks and Isaias McCaffery were sworn in as new members. Eubanks was then selected to serve as Board Chair with Patricia Snyder chosen as Vice-Chair.

ICC's Kris Ferguson, John Eubanks, and Isaias McCaffrey

The Humanities Project from Coffeyville Community College welcomes Americana singer and musician Pi Jacobs to the Spencer Rounds Theater .

 

Jacobs brings her roots-rock swagger and storytelling soul to her live performances. The Los Angeles-based musician combines vivid storytelling with an outlaw sound, weaving topics like divorce, whiskey, cheaters, and lies into her performances. Jacobs' music has been compared to Tom Waits, Dolly Parton, and Lucinda Williams. She has performed in such notable venues like the Americana Fest in Nashville and at Austin's SXSW.

Jacobs will perform Tuesday night at 6:30 in the Spencer Rounds Theater on the CCC campus. Admission is free.

The City of Neodesha is looking for input from residents on Riverwalk Park.

Riverwalk Park on the City's west side features a large pond, a fountain, seating areas, and an RV park. The City of Neodesha has listened in the past to determine the features the community wants to see at and to add to the park. Now, the City is asking residents to take a brief survey about what amenities they would like to see added. The purpose is to make the park more welcoming, accessible, and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.

All residents who complete the survey will be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift card.

Go here to take the survey.

The Kansas Department for Children and Families has announced that applications are now being accepted for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program.

The program provides a one-time per year benefit to help qualifying households pay winter heating costs, whether the home is heated with electricity, natural gas, propane, or other home heating fuels. To qualify, households must have an adult at the address responsible for the home's heating costs. Applicants must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. D-C-F is planning in-person events to help Kansans submit their applications.

Last year, more than 43,000 Kansas households received an average benefit of about $680. The application period runs through March 31.

2026 Income Eligibility Guidelines

Learn more about LIEAP? in Kansas, including frequently asked questions, other community resources, and the complete schedule of LIEAP application events at lieap.dcf.ks.gov. 

Applications can be accessed online at dcf.ks.gov? by clicking the “Apply for Services” button on the top right side of the website.

DCF is planning in-person events to help Kansans submit their LIEAP applications. For a schedule of in-person LIEAP application events, visit lieap.dcf.ks.gov and click on “Where are the in-person LIEAP application events being held this year” in the drop-down menu.

When applying for LIEAP, Kansans should have their identification, proof of income for all adult household members, copies of heating utility bills (gas, electric, propane, etc.), and a copy of their rental agreement if they are living in subsidized housing.

Montgomery County solidifies plans to move forward with an application for a federal grant to cover the costs of a major road project planned near the Bartlett soybean plant.

At Monday's County Commission meeting, County Administrator Jonathan Booe informed commissioners about the process for reapplying for a Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development or BUILD grant.  The project would pave the current gravel roads near the soybean crushing facility, connect County Roads 4400 and 5300, and create truck entrances along US-160 and County Road 4400. Montgomery County applied for the grant in 2025 but did not receive the funds. Booe says the amount the county will apply for has increased due to inflation and other rising costs.

On the last application, Montgomery County would have had to cover around $170,000 of the total cost of the project. However, Booe says this time, the county could apply for a grant to pay the entire $18 million.

Booe adds that, if the county could match $360,000 in the 2027 budget, it would improve the chances of receiving the grant money.

The county expects to know sometime this spring if the application is approved.

Five people are in custody following a drug bust in Cherryvale.

On Saturday, deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office served a search warrant on a residence in the 600 block of East 9^th Street in Cherryvale. During the search, deputies discovered 172 grams of methamphetamine and 280 grams of marijuana, along with various drug paraphernalia. The owner of the home 37-year-old Rae Rash was taken into custody along with 42-year-old Brandy Barnett, 41-year-old Brandi Welch, 33-year-old Clayton Harper, and 36-year-old Jeffrey Mayberry. A juvenile was also found in the home and placed in protective custody.

All five were taken to the Montgomery County Jail and booked on multiple charges including possession and distrubution of methamphetamine and marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia, and aggravated endangerment of a child.

The case has been sent to the Montgomery County Attorney's Office for formal charging. All suspects are presumed innocent.

Pictured (clockwise starting at top left): Brandy Barnett, Rae Rash, Brandi Welch, Clayton Harper, Jeffrey Mayberry

A winter storm watch will be in effect for the four-state area from Friday afternoon through Saturday night.

Cold wind chills between 10 and 20 degrees below zero are possible, especially for Saturday and Sunday mornings. Accumulating snowfall will also affect much of the region, with southern Kansas and Missouri and northern Oklahoma and Arkansas seeing the best chance for higher snowfall amounts.

The latest estimates from the National Weather Service put the Coffeyville area at a 51% chance of seeing four inches of snow or more. Snow is expected to start late Friday afternoon or Friday evening and continue through Saturday night. Arctic air will linger through Sunday. Stay tuned for additional forecasts as the weekend approaches. KGGF will also provide closing information on air and online if needed.

Labette Community College announces its next president, beginning with the upcoming academic year.

Dr. Jason Sharp will succeed longtime president Dr. Mark Watkins, who will retire in July after 14 years of service to the college. Dr. Sharp has been part of the LCC community for 17 years and currently serves as Vice President of Academic Affairs. During his time at LCC, he has held several leadership and instructional roles, including Dean of Instruction and adjunct instructor.

Before joining the college, Sharp served as Chief of Police for the City of Parsons and worked as a law enforcement coordinator and instructor for Missouri Southern State University and the University of Missouri. Dr. Sharp says he looks forward to building on LCC’s strong legacy through collaboration, innovation and a continued commitment to student success. LCC says say they expect a smooth leadership transition and look forward to continuing their mission of providing accessible, high-quality education.

With temperatures this weekend forecast to be below freezing, Touch of Life Ministries is preparing to host those without a warm place to stay.

Operator Alicia Melton says they are in need of many items but somethings more than others.  A full list of needed items can be found at the Touch of Life Ministries Facebook page. Melton says donations can be brought to the Warming Center.  Melton says with the weather in the forecast the Warming Center will be open all weekend.

Melton says they are open to anyone who needs a warm place to stay including anyone whose power or heat has gone out. Warm meals and showers are also made available during stays at the Warming Center.

The Nowata County Commission receives an update on the radio towers in the county. Commission Chairman Paul Crupper says there was an issue with the power at the New Alluwe tower.

In other business, the commission awarded a bid for polypropelene pipe and approved a quote agreement from Cintas for Zoll Plus AEDs. The board approved adding an AED to the courthouse.

The Cherryvale City Council will meet tonight due to the Martin Luther King holiday yesterday.

On tonight's agenda is the expected purchase of a road grader, a look at quotes to boar under a rail crossing for a water line, compensation for officers and city employees, the 4th quarter treasurer's report and appointments to the Kansas Rural Water Association.

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

Students at Coffeyville's Rossevelt Middle School and Field Kindley High School get an unexpected extra day off from school.

Heating issues on the campus of the two school buildings today have prompted USD 445 to cancel classes at RMS and FKHS today.

Classes are expected to resume as normal tomorrow.

Police in Owasso are continuing their investigation into the cause of a fatal car accident on US-169 on Saturday night.

The accident claimed the lives of Nowata man Terry Hindman and his 18-year-old son Jaxon. Witnesses told investigators that the pickup truck containing the two men began driving erratically and swerving on the roadway shortly before the accident occurred. The vehicle struck and sign and rolled as many as eight times before coming to a rest. Both men were ejected from the truck. Officers say there were no signs of drugs or alcohol at the scene, but that toxicology reports have been ordered to make the final determination.

The accident caused a partial shutdown of US-169 north of Owasso. As police were on the scene, a vehicle drove around the barricades and drove toward the accident scene. The driver of the vehicle was identified as 70-year-old Melinda Coshatt of Oologah. Coshatt admitted to officers that she had been drinking before the incident and had not realized she had driver through a barricade. She was taken into custody and faces a charge of aggravated driving under the influence.

Firefighters in northeast Oklahoma are called to battle a large hay bale fire.

On Sunday, miltiple fire departments responded to reports of a large fire invovling hay bales in Delaware County. When fire crews arrived on scene, they found more than 300 round hay bales in flames. The fire was eventually brought under control though firefighters remained on the scene as the hay continued to smolder.

The cause of the blaze remains unknown.

Fire departments from Ottawa, Craig, and Delaware counties assisted on the call. No injuries were reported.

Fire crews from multiple department respond to a structure fire in Buffalo.

The call came in around 5:30 Monday night. When emergency crews arrived on the scene, they found a garage fully engulfed in flames with heavy fire extension to a nearby home. The house was occupied at the time the fire broke out, but all were able to safely escape the blaze. Fire fighters on the scene were able to quickly bring the flames under control and extinguish the fire in spite of temperatures in the low 20s.

Wilson County Rural Fire responded to the call along with units from Fredonia and Neodesha. Wilson County noted that another 30 volunteer firefighters also assisted with the call.

Photo courtesy Wilson County Rural Fire

Another meeting of the Johnson-O'Malley Parent Committee and the Title VI Indian Education Parent Committee is coming up.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 11^th in the Field Kindley High School Library. The J-O-M meeting will take place at 6 p.m., followed by the Title VI parent meeting at 6:30.

The mission of Indian Education is to support the efforts of local educational agencies, Indian tribes and organizations and other entities to meet the unique education and culturally-related academic needs of American Indians. Program Director Erin Lee says one of the most important components of both programs is parental involvement. For more information, contact Lee at 620-252-6420.

The Sedan City Council will meet tonight and one item up for consideration will be bids for a roof repair project for City Hall.

City officials have been in the process of confirming bids for the roof projects from early last year to ensure that the quoted prices are still current. A decision on the bids may come at tonight's meeting. Also on the agenda, is the awarding of a C-D-B-G grant for the public library and a contract for the administration of a similar grant for a sewer project.

Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 at the Sedan City Hall. The public is invited to attend in person or to view the meeting online via the City's Facebook page.

The Wilson County Commission meets to tackle some routine policy changes and updates.

At the commission's most recent meting, County Coordinator Kris Marple presented a revised agreement with the Kansas Setoff Program. The program is a state government debt-collection mechanism that helps local governments recover delinquent debts by intercepting or “setting off” certain state payments or refunds that would otherwise be paid to an individual or business. Marple also presented the Federal Civil Rights Title VI Policy & Complaint form from the Kansas Department of Emergency Management for approval. Both were approved by the commission. Commissioners also approved the expenditure of just over $1,000 to add seven alarm buttons to the courthouse security system.

The next meeting of the Wilson County Commission will be Wednesday, January 21, at 9am at the courthouse in Fredonia.

The Caney City Council will meet tonight with several items of business on the agenda.

At tonight's meeting, council members will hear a presentation from the Caney Public Library, discuss updating solid waste pickup rates, and get an update on the water project funding.

Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 on the east end of the CityHall Building. The public is invited to attend on person or to view the meeting online via the KGGF Facebook page.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks invites Kansans to celebrate America's 250^th birthday by taking part in the Kansas Outdoor Recreation Challenge.

The challenge asks participants to log 10 outdoor activities between now and July 4^th. Completing the challenge will earn participants a certificate of completion for the K-D-W-P while enjoying fun outdoor activities across the state and making great memories in the process.

Possible activities include hiking a trail at a state park, visiting a Kansas historical site, camping under the stars, or many more.

To register to take part in the Kansas Outdoor Recreation Challenge, follow this link.

Photo courtesy Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

Extreme cold temperatures are on the way for the four-state area.

According to the latest from the National Weather Service, the potential for dangerously cold wind chills is likely to impact the four-state area from Friday through Saturday as arctic air spreads southward across the region. Temperatures Friday and Saturday night could be in the single digits, with daytime highs Saturday in the teens.

Snowfall is also possible with this storm, with the best chances being in northeast Oklahoma, although southern Kansas and Missouri and northwest Arkansas will also see the possibility of a winter storm. Confidence continues to increase in the potential for minor to moderate winter weather for portions of northeast Oklahoma. Snowfall amounts and duration of the cold temperatures extending into Monday remain uncertain at this time. Stay tuned for additional updates as the weekend approaches.

The Montgomery County Commission will meet today and hear an update on a federal BUILD grant.

The BUILD or Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grant would come through the U.S. Department of Transportation and would be used to upgrade county roads near the Bartlett soybean plant. The project would pave the current gravel roads, connect County Roads 4400 and 5300, and create truck entrances along US-160 and County Road 4400. Montgomery County applied for the grant in 2025 but did not receive the funds. County Administrator Jonathan Booe will update commissioners on plans to reapply for the grant this year.

Other business at today’s meeting includes a public hearing for the Amended 2026 Budget for the Rural Fire Department and the review of two service agreements for county departments.

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.

The Nowata Chamber of Commerce is hosting a State of the State Preview advocacy event on Friday morning.

The event features state and tribal representatives speaking on issues that impact both the community and the state. The event is at the Nowata Boys and Girls Club from 8:00am to 9:00am. Doors will open at 7:30am for breakfast and coffee.

The cost is $10 for chamber members and $20 for non-chamber members.

Income tax season starts next week and that can mean scam season.

University of Missouri Extension Andrew Zumwalt says this a big time of the year for identity thieves and scammers.  Zumwalt says there are some things to watch for to prevent having your identity stolen or falling victim to a scam.

The IRS recommends keeping tax documents for between three to seven years and then shredding those documents once they are no longer needed.

 The USD-436 receives a report concerning the mineralogy of the historic football stadium during the most recent Board of Education meeting.

 Testing being done on the structure will help determine how much life is left in the seating and ticket area and if renovations are possible.

 Superintendent Blake Vargas says core samples taken revealed some interesting information.

 Vargas says nothing has been ruled out, including renovation of the 86-year-old historic stadium.

 The biggest obstacle USD-436 officials are having is finding out an approximate timeline on how much longer the stadium will be structurally sound. Vargas says the district remains committed to finding the best solution for the stadium, both financially and historically.

Nowata Public Schools hold a ground-breaking ceremony for a new agriculture building.

The new building will be constructed on south side of the city and is part of a $16.8 million bond that was approved by voters last spring. Nowata School Board President Kurt Bashford says the new facilities will help expand learning opportunities for ag students.

The Nowata School district also broke ground last week on new facilities for Nowata High School baseball and softball teams. Superintendent Mindy Englett says the work on both the athletic facilities and new ag building will benefit all of Nowata.

The new agriculture building is expected to be completed by April.

Independence residents come together to celebrate community and civil rights.

Community members gathered at Independence High School Sunday to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The ceremonies were marked by musical performances and featured guest speakers. USD 446 Superintendent Jason McAfee welcomed attendees to the ceremony. He says education is key in bringing people together.

The featured speaker at Sunday's event was Charles Edward Watson. Watson is a graduate of the University of Kansas and Georgetown University. He is a practicing attorney in Wichita and also serves as the pastor of the St. James Church of God and Christ in Arkansas City. Watson's theme was community. He says living together was Dr. King's goal.

Watson says communities are built through the hard work of appreciating our differences.

More than 100 people attended the celebration.

Photo: Charles Watson speaks at Sunday's ceremony

A father and son from northeast Oklahoma are dead following a Saturday night accident near Owasso.

Owasso Police and EMS responded to the scene of the single-vehicle accident around 11pm Saturday night on US-169. A pickup truck was found off the road on its side after apparently rolling multiple times. 43-year-old Terry Hindman of Nowata and his son 18-year-old Jaxon Hindman of Copan were both ejected from the vehicle during the crash. Both men were taken to Tulsa hospitals where they later died from their injuries.

Witnesses to the crash say the vehicle was driving erratically and swerving on the road before the accident.

The investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.

Authorities in Arkansas say a Cuban woman has entered a guilty plea to three charges of perjury and one count of violating voter eligibility.

59-year-old Cecillia Castellanos was arrested in September and pled to the charges last week in Rogers, Arkansas. Arkansas officials stated in October that she had previously voted in a general election. Castellanos was sentenced to serve 5 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections with an additional 16 years suspended. She has also been ordered not to register or attempt to register for any future elections at any level.

Arkansas State Attorney General Tim Griffin also stated that Castellanos has had a removal order since 1999.

An arrest is made in connection to a string of break-ins at small town post offices in Cherokee County.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has arrested 54-year-old Jackie Wimp of Oswego in connection to the string of three burglaries that occurred at the Post Offices in West Mineral, Scammon, and Weir in December. Cherokee County Detectives investigated the case and sought assistance from the public in identifying the suspect. Authorities say charges of Burglary and Criminal Damage to Property have been submitted to the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office. Wimp is also suspected of committing similar crimes elsewhere in Kansas and in Missouri and Oklahoma.

She was booked into the Cherokee County Jail in a $10,000 bond.

An Allen County man is sentenced to 17 years in prison on second degree murder charge.

46-year-old Casey McDonald Dye was sentenced last week in Allen County District Court to 206 months in prison for the December 2022 shooting death of 45-year-old Ryan Holcomb of Chanute. Dye entered a guilty plea in November to second-degree murder, aggravated burglary, and interfering with law enforcement in the case.

Investigators in the case say Dye killed Holcomb at a rural property in Allen County and then moved his body to a vehicle inside an automotive glass shop on K-39 in Chanute.

The Kansas Department of Transportation announces the completion of a project on US-400 through Greenwood County.

The purpose of the project was to seal cracks in the asphalt along US-400 from the Wilson County line to the east junction of K-99 at Severy. Work on the project began in the fall of 2025 and was completed last week by Pavement Pros, LLC, of McPherson. The contract for the project was just over $350,000.

According to KDOT, a guardrail project on the same stretch of the highway is still in progress on the right-of-way, but that work is not impacting traffic.

A two-person debate from Independence High School finishes 4th at this weekend’s Kansas 4A State Debate Championships held at Community Elementary in Coffeyville.

The team of Peyton Connors and Audrey Kaiser advanced to the quarterfinal round of the tournament where they fell to the Parsons team of Chei Tsinnahjinnie and Payton Corbett. Connors and Kaiser finished 4th overall with a tournament record of 5wins and 2 losses. Their performance marks the highest state placing for an IHS debate team in the past 15 years.

Also representing IHS at this weekend’s State tournament were Sophie Ballew and Isabella Martinez, who went 3-3 and finished 11th overall.

The City of Moline is hosting a free Elk County Community Dinner coming up this weekend.

The community is invited to attend the event and take the opportunity to get to know their neighbors. There will be soup and desserts on the menu. All in the Moline area are invited to attend. The community dinner takes place this Sunday, January 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 or while supplies last at the Moline Community Center.

One person is dead and two others are injured after a weekend accident in Crawford County.

The two-vehicle accident happened around 4:30 Saturday afternoon on K-126 just west of the junction with US-69 near Pittsburg. 37-year-old Craig Silvey was driving a 1995 Ford F-150 and attempted to pass multiple vehicles at a high rate of speed when he encountered a 2023 Chevy Malibu in the oncoming lane. The 16-year-old driver of the Malibu attempted to avoid the collision, but the two vehicles struck head-on.

The collision caused Silvey’s truck to leave the roadway and roll. Silvey was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger in the Malibu – 48-year-old Heather Burgess of Girard – suffered serious injuries and was taken to Pittsburg’s Mercy Hospital. The juvenile driver sustained minor injuries.

A Parsons man is dead following a collision with a semi truck near the Coffeyville industrial park.

The accident occurred around 3:40am on Saturday, when a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by 34-year-old Dakota Hinman failed to yield at the intersection of County Road 2800 and US-169, just north of the Coffeyville industrial park. Hinman’s vehicle was struck on the driver’s side by an 18-wheeler traveling northbound on US-169. The driver of the semi was identified as 43-year-old Said Bouchelarm of Lenexa.

Local fire departments have been busy over the past few days with grass fires.

On Saturday around 1 p.m., the Dearing Fire Department was dispatched to assist Montgomery County Rural Fire Dist. 1 with a large grass fire northeast of Elk City Lake.

Multiple agencies from around the county responded to assist with the fire. The total acreage impacted by the fire is not known at this time. While grassland fire danger is less severe this week with the exception of tomorrow, residents are still discouraged from burning or anything that may cause a spark.

Photo: Frank Shedden, SnapWild Photography

Montgomery County Fire Crews are battling an early morning structure fire northeast of the Coffeyville Country Club.

Around 7 this morning, the Dearing Fire Department was dispatched to a house on CR 4300 northeast of the Coffeyville Country Club.

Additional units from South Coffeyville, Coffeyville Resources, Liberty and Tyro were also requested.  Coffeyville Regional Medical Center EMS was also on scene.

The structure was occupied at the time, and the owner reports that all occupants were out of the home.  As of this morning, crews are still actively working on the scene.

Photo: Frank Shedden, SnapWild Photography

The date to register for the OKAN Cattle Conference has been extended to Monday. The conference is on Friday, January 23^rd at the Ron Stevenson Building at the Coffeyville Fairgrounds.

K-State Extension Livestock Production Agent Wendie Powell says this is a yearly event.  Powell says they will cover a wide range of topics that are currently being talked about in the cattle industry including virtual fencing.

Those wishing to attend can call the Labette County Extension office at (620)784-5337. A link to register online can be found here.

 The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that 46% of car seats currently being used are being used incorrectly. As of today, there are four car seat models manufactured in the last two years that are facing recall notices.

 That's why the Caney Police Department is offering free car seat safety checks tomorrow night.

 Caney Police Chief Ike Dye says the check is being done for many reasons.

 The car seat safety checks are being offered free of charge, and no appointment is necessary. Ask for Officer Blake Sanchez.

An anonymous donor wipes out breakfast and lunch debt for Winfield students.

USD 465 in Winfield announced Thursday that the district had received an unexpected donation of just over $15,000 to eliminate outstanding debt for student meal accounts. More than half of the student population in USD 465 qualify for free or reduced meals and about 450 students had a negative balance on their meal accounts. The donation will allow all students in the Winfield district to begin the spring semester with no debt on their accounts.

Independence will be honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend.

Kathy Shepard with the Independence Diversity Task Force says the day will be full of music, speakers, and community.

The free luncheon begins at 2pm Sunday in the Community Room at Independence High School with official ceremonies to begin at 3 in the IHS Performaing Arts Center. Attendees are asked to bring a donation of canned food for the Food Bank.

The Independence City Commission says good-bye to a long time commissioner.

Like most board and commissions, the new year brought reorganization to the Independence City Commission. The first meeting of the year was the last meeting for Commissioner Tim Emert, who did not run for re-election last fall. Mayor Scott Smith presented Emert with a plaque and says it was an honor to serve on the commission with him.

Emert says he has been giving a lot of thought to his time on the City commission.

Scott Smith and Tim White were sworn in for the new Commission. Dean Hayse was selected to serve as Mayor for 2026.

Photo courtesy City of Independence

Labette County issues a county-wide burn ban.

Due to high winds and dry conditions, the burn ban was issued Thursday. Precipitation totals have been below average for the past month leading to dry conditions and winds are forecast Friday around 20mph with gusts as high as 40 mph. These conditions can lead quickly to out of control fires.

Outdoor burning is prohibited in Labette County until further notice.

The City of Coffeyville and Montgomery County are set to receive $500,000 in federal funding to pay for a study in flood risk management.

The funding is part of more than $29 million is federal investments by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Thursday by Senator Jerry Moran. The federal resources were included in the FY2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, which passed the Senate as part of a three-bill appropriations package.

Moran, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, stated that the funding will help improve and modernize critical water infrastructure projects across the state, and will help keep Kansans safe for generations to come.

The legislation now moves on to President Ttrump's desk to be signed into law.

Windy weather today could cause hazardous travel conditions in Kansas and a danger of wildfires.

High winds return to southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma today as another cold front moves across the region. In the Coffeyville area today, we can expect 15 to 22 mph winds with gusts reaching nearly 40mph. Gusts in northeast Oklahoma are forecast to reach 30mph.

Windy conditions will worsen moving west across the state with western parts of the state seeing sustained winds of 35 to 40 and gusts of 60 mph. These winds can lead to blowing dust, reducing visiblity on roadways. High winds in northwest Kansas prompeted the closure of eastbound I-70 for more than two hours overnight as a semi truck overturned on the Interstate between Goodland and Colby.

The windy conditions alse mean an increased chance of wildfires. Area fire departments strongly advise against any kind of outdoor burning as dry conditions and high winds persist.

The Coffeyville FFA Chapter is holding a chili fundraiser now through early next month.

Chapter President Bennett Thompson says students will be around town selling tickets for $12.

Chili pickup on February 5^th will be in the Ag Room in the CCC Tech Campus building just west of the high school. Anyone who would like to purchase can also text 620-252-9870. The fundraiser will benefit the chapter and part of the proceeds will be donated to Coffeyville Friends of Animals.

The Nowata Volunteer Fire Department is hosting two benefit events this Saturday with all proceeds going to support the volunteer fire department.

The Chili Cook-Off runs from noon until 3:00pm Saturday afternoon at the Nowata Fire Department, located at 425 South Cedar Street. Competitors can enter their chili for a $20 fee, with awards given in two categories. one for the public and one for inter-department entries. For those who just want to sample the chili, an eight-dollar ticket includes a bowl of chili with fixings, a drink and dessert.

The department is also holding “The Big Raffle,” with the drawing taking place Saturday. Tickets are available from any Nowata firefighter for $10 each or three for $20. Prizes include a $1,000 voucher to Guns & Gals, two loads of rock delivered within Nowata County and a one-year fire and EMS subscription.

Nowata Public Schools breaks ground on a new practice facility and dressing room.

The project is part of a $16.8 million bond that was passed by voters on April 1^st. Superintendent Mindy Englett says athletics plays an important role in education.  The upgrades are part of a district-wide effort to upgrade athletic facilities in Nowata. Other parts of the upgrade passed by the bond are new lighting and scoreboards. Board of Education President Kurt Bashford says this was a community effort.

The practice facility and dressing rooms are expected to be completed by the summer.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issues a verbal state of disaster emergency due to critical fire weather conditions across much of the state.

The declaration was made in response to Red Flag warnings and an increased risk of wildland fires. Kansas Forest Service Chip Redmond says over the next few days there is a high potential for wild land fires.

The emergency proclamation allows the state to mobilize resources and provide assistance to local agencies if needed. Governor Kelly says weather conditions over the next several days pose a serious wildfire threat and is urging Kansans to avoid burning and follow all local burn bans and regulations.

A suspect is under arrest following a stabbing at the Jay, Oklahoma, Casey's location.

The incident happened around 10pm on Tuesday night when Jay Police responded to an emergency call from the Casey's convenience store on South Main Street. Officers arrived on the scene to find an adult male inside the store with an apparent stab wound.

The suspect in the stabbing was identified as Kreedom Summerfield. He was taken into custody and booked into the Delaware County Jail.

The victim was airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Officials in Osage County, Oklahoma, celebrate the recent improvements to the county courthouse in Pawhuska.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Monday at the Osage County Courthouse, signaling the unofficial opening of the three-story administration building next door. The building will house the offices of the district attorney, county clerk, county assessor and county treasurer's office.

Commissioner Steve Talburt says this will help make things easier for Osage County residents.

Osage County District Attorney Mike Fisher was one of several speakers at the ribbon cutting event. Fisher has been an advocate of giving the courthouse a face lift getting a new administration building for many years. Fisher is pleased with how things worked out, as this is being paid for through use tax money. Fisher says this is one reason why Osage County citizens aren't seeing an increase in taxes.

Principal Chief of the Osage Nation Geoffrey Standing Bear also attended the ribbon cutting. Standing Bear says he respects the business that county leaders are conducting and appreciates their cooperation.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd and Attorney General Gentner Drummond. Drummond had to leave prior to the ribbon cutting due to a prior conflict.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office says VIN inspections have been temporarily suspended once again due to an ongoing system outage.

According to the M-C-S-O, the system has been intermittantly operational but it is currently non-functioning. This means that VIN inspections cannot currently be conducted. A similar outage forced the county to suspend inspections last week as well.

The issue is out of the control of local authorities and is not due to issues in Montgomery County. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is currently working to address the problem.

Those with questions can contact the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office at 620-330-1000

The Caney Police Department is offering free car seat safety checks on Saturday.

Officers will check for correct installation while ensuring a correct harness fit and seat angle. Parents and caregivers can also get equipment check for recall and expiration notices and get some winter travel safety tips as well. Safety checks will be available from 6 to 9:30pm Saturday at the Caney Police Department.

Ask for Officer Sanchez.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly delivers her final State of the State address to a joint session of the Kansas Legislature.

Kelly delivered her eighth and final address in Topeka on Tuesday night. During her remarks, the Governor called on leaders to demonstrate civility and to work to gether for the good of all Kansans. Kelly says the state recently saw the effects of such collaboration in efforts to bring the Kansas City Chiefs to Kansas.

Kelly also highlighted the achievements of her administration over the past seven years, including decreasing crime rates to a twenty-year low and increased economic development to the state, specifically citing the Barlett Plant near Cherryvale as an example. Kelly also re-emphasized her policy goals for the coming year, including education and water resources. The Governor says the mental health of the state's children is also a priority.

Kelly concluded her address with another call for civility and collaboration among lawmakers. The 2026 legislative session began Monday.

The State of Kansas becomes part of a nationwide initiative to improve education and training opportunities for individuals with records of arrest, conviction, or incarceration.

The Kansas Department of Corrections has joined the inaugural group of Jobs for the Future’s or J-F-F's Fair Chance to Advance State Action Networks. The program is designed to expand educational and workforce training for individuals with histories of incarceration. Kansas will work with J-F-F’s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement to address barriers such as discriminatory hiring practices and legal restrictions that limit economic opportunity for the more than 70 million people nationwide with arrest, conviction, or incarceration records.

Kansas was chosen from more than 30 applicants based on its ongoing efforts to expand economic mobility, cross-agency collaboration, and a clear plan for using the group to drive long-term change. As part of the program, Kansas will set up clearer ways for state leaders to work together, improve how reentry success is measured, and involve more employers as job opportunities grow across the state.

Governor Laura Kelly called the state's participation in the program a chance to connect returning citizens to training, education, and employment opportunities that will set them up for success upon their release

The USD 447 Cherryvale-Thayer School Board passes the latest policy recommendations from the Kansas Association of School Boards.

At this week's board meeting, the changes passed unanimously with only a few amendments. One change was to graduation standards, with the board opting to include several standards that are specific to USD 447. Superintendent Travis Githens says the board will also wait to approve the policy regarding artificial intelligence.

Githens adds that he would also like to wait to approve part of the bullying policy.

Also at this month's meeting, the board elected Gina Booe to serve as president for the coming year while selecting Robert John as vice-president.

The Independence Diversity Task Force will present a Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Community celebration this Sunday afternoon.

USD 446 School Board President and event organizer Charles Barker says he appreciates the support the City of Independence has given the event.

Before Sunday's ceremony, there will be a free soup luncheon at 2pm in the Community Room at Independence High School. Kathy Shepard with the Independence Diversity Task Force says the entire community is invited to take part.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Ceremony will features speakers and musical performances honoring the legacy of Dr. King. The event begins at 3pm Sunday in the Performing Arts Center at Independence High School.

The Coffeyville City Commission meets for the first time in 2026. Two new commissioners joined the commission for the first time. City Clerk Melissa Carter swore in Micheal Golden and William Kendall for the start of their first terms as commissioners.

Deborah Maples was also sworn in during last nights meeting after being reelected in the fall. Maples served the last year as mayor. The commission also reorganized for the new year. Commissioner Jim Faulkner will serve as mayor and Commissioner Maples as vice mayor.

The Parsons Police Department is investigating a shots-fired incident.

PPD officers were called to the 2600 to 2700 block of Stevens Avenue after multiple reports of gunfire. Callers reported a silver Buick leaving the area immediately after the shots were fired. Officers located a vehicle matching that description a short time later in the 200 block of South Central Avenue and conducted a traffic stop. Police say firearms were visible inside the vehicle and there were signs the weapons had recently been fired.

The driver, Steven Knapper, and a passenger, Traeton Ginder, were taken into custody. A search of the vehicle uncovered multiple rifles and handguns, including one reported stolen, along with ammunition, a spent rifle casing, suspected marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms packaged in a way consistent with distribution. The vehicle was seized.

Investigators later found multiple shell casings at a home on Stevens Avenue, confirming rounds were fired near a residence. Police say the gunfire was exchanged between the vehicle and people at the home and stemmed from a dispute over a twenty-dollar marijuana payment. No injuries were reported.

The Nowata School Board discusses the vacant head football coach position during a regular meeting on Monday evening.

Superintendent Mindy Englett says a process is in place as to how the search will be conducted.

Former head football coach Chance Juby was dismissed by the board on Dec. 29, 2025, after felony charges were filed against him in Rogers County. Juby had been the head coach of the Ironmen since 2022.

Superintendent Englett reported approximately 10 applicants have shown interest in the position.

Englett says the district is looking for a coach with certain quallities.

The interview process will begin next week. The board hopes to have a candidate selected by the end of January or the start of February.

The Independence Historical Museum and Arts Center is looking for actors.

The museum will be holding auditions for the play Laura Ingalls Wilder: Voice of the Prairie. The performance will feature roles for two men and two women with the character age range from 20 to 40 years of age. No audition preparation is needed. Performances will take place during the first week of March.

Auditions will be this Saturday at 2pm at the museum, located at 123 North 8^th Street in Independence.

Parsons Police investigate an overnight incident.

The Parsons Police Department report visible police activity early this morning in the area of 26^th and Stevens Streets. Officials say officers were processing and active crime scene in the area and that two individuals were taken into custody.

More details on the incident are expected later today.

A juvenile suspect faces multiple charges in a weekend shooting in Crawford County.

Formal chages of first-degree murder have been filed against a 17-year-old male suspect in the weekend shooting in a Pittsburg park that claimed the life of a Girard High School senior. The teen has also been charged with four counts of aggravated endangering of a child and one count of criminla use of a weapon.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred in Pittsburg's Schlanger Park. 18-year-old Adam Basauri was shot and killed on Friday night following what police say was an altercation between the victim and suspect.

The juvenile suspect's name has not been released.

A Bartlesville woman faces felony charges after allegedly attempting to stab a sleeping man.

51-year-old Rebecca Blankenship was charged on Monday in a Washington County courtroom with attempt to kill. The victim in the case says he was sleeping in the early morning hours of January 10^th when awoke to Blankenship stabbing him in the neck. During a struggle for the knife, Blankenship allegedly stabbed the victim multiple times.

Authorities allegedly located a large kitchen knife covered in blood in a bathroom in the residence, and a second knife underneath a pillow. Blood was allegedly located in almost every room. The mattress and bedding were allegedly covered in blood.

According to the Bartlesville Police Department, Blankenship stated that the victim did not make any previous threats nor did he physically assault her. She allegedly told police that she waited for the victim to go to sleep and picked out a knife that would not bend.

Blankenship is being held on a $500,000 bond.

Turkey season in Kansas is coming up in April and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is encouraging hunters to apply for the limited permits during the annual lottery application period.

Kansas is divided into six turkey management units. Hunting in all units except for Unit 4 are open to Kansas residents and qualifying non-residents through over-the-counter permit sales. Non-residents must apply through a lottery draw, with a non-refundable application fee of $12.50 for each application. Those who win the draw will be charged an additional $75. Permits to hunt in Turkey Management Unit 4 in southwest Kansas are available exclusively through a lottery draw only to Kansas residents and nonresident landowners and tenants.

Nonresident hunters, except nonresident tenants, must obtain a permit through the lottery draw to hunt in Turkey Management Units 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6. Each application requires a non-refundable $12.50 application fee. Applicants who are successfully drawn will then also be charged the $75 turkey permit fee for a total cost of $87.50. A total of 9,700 spring turkey permits will be drawn for nonresident hunters in these units.

To apply:

1. Visit gooutdoorskansas.gov between Jan. 13 and Feb. 13, 2026.
2. Select “Purchase Licenses, Permits & Tags.”
3. Create a new account or log in to an existing account.
4. Select “Limited Draw Applications.”
5. Follow the prompts to submit the application.

Applicants will be notified by email of their draw status in early March. Successful applicants will be charged the permit fee, while unsuccessful applicants will receive a preference point for future drawings. Applicants also may choose to purchase a preference point only during the application period rather than entering a draw.

The 2026 spring turkey archery season runs April 6–14, 2026, and the regular season runs April 15–May 31, 2026. Starting March 10, Kansas residents and qualifying nonresident tenants may purchase spring turkey permits for Units 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 over the counter or online.

For more on turkey hunting in Kansas — including season dates, management units and electronic permitting — visit ksoutdoors.gov/turkey.

Photo courtesy Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

The Dearing Fire Department responds to a brush fire southwest of Dearing.

Yesterday around 4:45, crews from Dearing were dispatched to a rural property where they determined the fire originated from a controlled burn that had been left unattended. As wind conditions increased, the fire jumped the roadway and spread into a neighboring field.

Fire crews worked quickly to contain and extinguish the fire, preventing further spread and protecting nearby property. No injuries were reported.

Dearing Fire Chief Jarrod Powers says this incident is a reminder of how quickly conditions can change, especially with wind. He adds that controlled burns must be monitored at all times until they are completely out. Leaving a fire unattended can have serious consequences for neighboring properties and responding crews.

Fire officials also remind residents that controlled burns must be called in to your local dispatch non-emergency number. Those in the southern part of Montgomery County must contact the Coffeyville Police Department prior to conducting any controlled burns. This notification helps ensure emergency services are aware of the burn and can respond quickly if conditions deteriorate.

Photo: Dearing, KS Fire Department

Coffeyville Public Schools looks to bolster agricultural education across the district.

At Monday's USD 445 Board of Education meeting, USD 445 Child Nutrition Director Cassandra Worden gave a presentation on the Farm to School program at this district. Worden says this is a student-centered initiative that integrates sustainable agriculture into the school community. The program uses a hydroponic container farm and on-site greenhouse to produce fresh produce that is directly incorporated into school meals.

Board Member LaKisha Johnson says Worden's work with the Child Nutrition Program has been recognized across the region.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways Grant Coordinator Marci Roberts with Live Healthy Montgomery County says the $25,000 grant will benefit the entire district.

In other business, the board heard a report on the Career and Technical Education Program from Travis Stalford, received the 2025 audit report.

An incoming Coffeyville City Commissioner is suing the City of Coffeyville over a pledge of up to $600,000 towards FKHS Natatorium.

William Kendall, who will be sworn in at tonight's City Commission meeting, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, January 6^th in Montgomery County District Court against the City of Coffeyville, the Coffeyville City Commission and City Manager Ben Brubaker in his official capacity over the Letter of Commitment of up to $600,000 towards the Charlesworth Swimming Pool Project.

Brubaker addressed the issue at Tuesday's commission meeting. He says, so far, no official agreement has been made.

Brubaker adds that the money has not been spent.

In regards to Kendall's lawsuit, Brubaker says that, as of the January 13 Commission meeting, he has not been officially notified.

Kendall alleges that Kansas law does not allow cities to commit funds to a non-existent legal entity, saying that the group's LLC status did not exist until December 15^th, 2025, according to the Kansas Secretary of State's office.

The commitment of money came from “Fund 180”, which is an economic development fund. At the November 25^th meeting when the action was approved, Brubaker said this was the only fund the city has that could be appropriated towards a loan of this nature.

The lawsuit alleges violations to the Kansas Open Meetings Act, including communications outside of public meeting regarding the issue.

Kendall is asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order to prevent any money from being dispersed to the pool group, in addition to any loan agreements from being executed.

The $600,000 would add to the $1 million raised by the Friends of the Charlesworth Pool group in an effort to repair the pool facility. The Coffeyville School Board recently voted to get bid information on potential demolition as talks continue with the group on a partnership to save the facility. A decision on the pool could happen as early as the February School Board meeting.  The Coffeyville City Commission will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. to swear in and go over training with new commissioners.

The text of the lawsuit can be seen HERE.

As the Spring 2026 semester begins, Coffeyville Community College is coming off a strong Fall 2025.

The college recorded the highest enrollment growth of any community college in Kansas, with an 11.4 percent increase, whichc is its largest one-year jump in more than a decade. CCC also expanded workforce training, including the launch of its new Powersports Technology Program at the Columbus Technical Campus, created through a partnership with Jay Hatfield Motorsports to provide direct pathways to employment.

The college’s CDL program continued to grow with federal support, highlighted by a visit from U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, who has helped secure funding for career and technical education. CCC strengthened ties with regional high schools and earned national recognition as one of the Aspen Institute’s Top 200 community colleges. College officials say the focus moving forward remains on workforce programs, partnerships and student success.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Weir public water supply systems located in Cherokee County.

Customers should boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water instead. Dispose of ice cubes from trays and automatic ice makers. 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.

KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a loss of pressure due to a water line break.

 The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

A Salina woman is in custody following the death of an infant.

Salina Police arrested 21-year-old Adyson Burr on Monday, January 12, after emergency crews were called to her residence for a disturbance. Law enforcement and EMS arrived on the scene and found a 5-month-old male infant unresponsive in his crib. Burr and another adult occupant of the home were both interviewed at the scene before Burr was taken into custody. She faces charges of first-degree homicide and child abuse.

The infant was taken to Kansas City where an autopsy is pending. The case remains under investigation.

The Nowata County Commission discusses courthouse improvements at its most recent meeting.

At Monday's meeting, commissioners discussed improvements to the Nowata County Courthouse. Chairman Paul Crupper talked about maintenance to a generator. He says it's a matter of safety

The board also heard an update regarding options for an enhancement project for Northeast Oklahoma transmission enhancement.

The commissioners tabled discussion on a road use agreement and a discussion regarding Authorities Having Jurisdictions (AHJ) in Nowata County.

The Nowata County Commissioners will meet on Tuesday next week due to Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

The Nowata County Commission hears a presentation on a proposed electric transmission line.

During Monday's meeting commissioners heard from representatives from American Electric Power or A-E-P regarding the proposed project in northeastern Oklahoma. A-E-P Senior Public Involvement Specialist Lauren Canales says the proposed line will help transport much needed electricity.

This line would connect to a similar project in Kansas. A-E-P says the project will not affect potential rate increases from the Public Service Company of Oklahoma. A-E-P will hold a public meeting on the matter on January 29 at the Nowata County Fair Building.

The project is expected to begin construction in 2028 and completed in the summer of 2030.

Progress continues on the installation of docks at the Sedan Old and New City Lakes.

That was the word from Sedan Public Works Superintendent Caleb Ironsyde. Ironsyde says a lot of the work has been completed

Ironsyde says progress is also underway on the work that remains.

In other business, council members discussed a trade with the City of Caney that would exchange the use of a Sedan city truck for assistance in repairing the truck’s water pump. Members also discussed the possible short-term rental of the fairgrounds building to a local online retailer while giving approval to move forward with a waste tire grant application to provide benches and picnic tables for downtown.

Newly elected council members Crystal Wade and Wellington Butler were also sworn in as council members.

An 18-year-old Girard High School student is killed in a weekend shooting in Pittsburg.

Police say 18-year-old Adam Basauri was shot and killed in an incident in Pittsburg's Schlanger Park around 9pm on Friday night. Officers arrived on the scene to find Basauri suffering from a gunshot wound. First-aid measures were taken but, the Girard High School senior was pronounced deceas3ed at the scene.

Police have arrested a 17-year-old Pittsburg boy as a suspect in the case. The juvenile was located in Arma shortly after the shooting and taken into custody. Authorities say the shooting occurred after a brief altercation between the suspect and victim.

The 17-year-old suspect was taken to the Southeast Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Girard where he has been charged with second degree murder in the case.

A jury finds the defendant in a 2022 double murder in Baxter Springs guilty on all charges.

On Friday, a Cherokee County jury found 44-year-old Kyle Butts of Independence, MO, guilty on two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, and one count of interference with a law enforcement officer.

The charges stemmed from an incident on November 28, 2022, that left 47-year-old Jeremy Murphy and 59-year-old Craig Guinn dead. Another victim 27-year-old Seth Guinn suffered serious injuries in the attack. The jury deliberated for about five hours before returning the verdict.

The crime was jointly investigated by the Baxter Springs Police Department, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

A Cherryvale man is dead following a single-vehicle crash Friday night on the Creek Turnpike in Tulsa County.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says 18-year-old Sean Allen was traveling at a high rate of speed westbound on the turnpike, just east of US-75. Troopers say Allen nearly struck another vehicle, swerved right and lost control of his vehicle before striking a tree.

Allen was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Montgomery County Commission handles a light agenda with a focus on board reorganization and employee health insurance.

At Monday’s meeting, Montgomery County Commissioners spent the majority of the meeting listening with little action taken. Representatives from the Kansas City-based Bukaty Company detailed employee health insurance benefits and costs for the coming year.

Commissioners also heard from a Tallahassee, Florida, man who has been looking for support from commissions across the country for a project he is working on. Scott Wheeler appeared via Zoom call and says he is looking for a letter of support from commissioners.

Commissioners agreed to consider Wheeler’s request during a work session, but otherwise took no action.

In other business, commissioners approved a cereal malt beverage license for the Caney Golf Club. Commissioner Mike Cordray was also chosen to serve as Board chair for a second year.

The Altamont City Council recognizes the efforts of the Labette County High School football team.

At last week’s city council meeting, coaching staff and members of the Labette County High School football team were in attendance and had their historic season recognized by the City. Mayor Richard Hayward says Altamont is very proud of their winning season and their first ever appearance in a state semi-final game.

In other business, the council received an update from City Manager LeeAnn Myer on the State Revolving Fund Loan Application for sewer system repairs that was approved by the council in October. Police Chief Michael Shields also reported on his officers’ work. Shields says one of his officers helped keep a recent fire from getting out of control.

The Altamont City Council meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday each month.

The Wilson County Commission reorganizes for 2026.

At its first meeting of 2026, the Wilson County Commission selected Casey Lair to serve as Commission Chair and Andrew Miller to fill the role of Vice-Chair. The heads of various county departments were also re-appointed to continue serving in their respective roles.

County Coordinator Kris Marple presented a resolution to increase the construction and demolition landfill fee from $30 to $40 per ton. He also presented a quote from A-1 Computers for a replacement exterior security camera for the courthouse and a new replacement radio. Commissioners approved the expenditure of $716 for both.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Kary Tatum presented right-of-way permits for Evergy, which were also approved by the commission.

The next Wilson County Commission meeting will be held tomorrow at 9am at the courthouse in Fredonia.

A recent traffic stop in Independence leads to the arrest of two individuals on drug charges.

On Thursday, January 8^th, officers from the Independence Police Department conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of West Poplar. Following an investigation, officers arrested the driver 20-year-old Ethan Kahle and his passenger 29-year-old Starla Henderson. Both face multiple charges including possession of an opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant and possession of drug paraphernalia, Kahle also faces several moving violations in connection to the original traffic stop.

Both suspects were booked into the Montgomery County Jail.

Photo: Ethan Kahle, Starla Henderson

The makeup of the Cherryvale City Council is staying the same.

After an election error in November that resulted in Norman Johnson winning two seats, the council was able to rectify the issue by vacating the seat held by Steve Strickland.

At last night's special meeting, Strickland was appointed to fill the seat he vacated.

Both Johnson and Strickland were sworn in for their new four-year terms.

Photo: Left: Johnson, Right: Strickland

The City of Independence awards the contract for a major project to improve pedestrian safety on West Main Street.

At the most recent meeting of the Independence City Commission, commissioners approved the award of a bid for the installation of a multi-use path along West Main. City Engineer John Garris says the project will install a paved walkway where no sidewalks currently exist.

Garris says the path is needed because many pedestrians and bicyclists travel in the area.

The $1.37 million project was awarded to J. Graham Construction of Coffeyville and will be paid for by federal fudning through the Kansas Department of Transportation. The City of Independence will provide an addition $258,000 in matching funds.

The school board for the Independence Public Schools will hold their first meeting of 2026 tonight.

The USD 446 Board is expected to entertain a light agenda with tonight's business focused on policy updates from the Kansas Association of School Boards, a review of district technology, and a discussion of school calendars.

Before tonight's meeting there will be a Board appreciation dinner in the Community Room at Independence High School. The board meeting will begin at 7pm in the IHS library, The meeting is open to the public.

The USD 445 Coffeyville School Board will meet tonight and reorganize for the new year.

This afternoon's meeting is set to begin with the swearing in of newly elected board member Delia Northup. The board will then elect a new president and vice-president to serve for 2025. Other action items for this month's meeting include the expected approval of a $24,000 service agreement with the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center.

Today's meeting begins at 4pm at the District Office. The public is invited to attend.

The City of Moline announces a pair of upcoming events.

This Friday, there will be a card party happening at the Moline Community Building. The event begins at 6pm. Next Monday, January 19th, the Moline Chamber of Commerce will hold its January meeting at noon.

Both events take place at the Moline Community Building located at 107 North Main Street.

The City of Howard announces it will conduct hydrant flushing this week.

The work will be done on Wednesday. During that time, residents in Howard may experience low water pressure and brief discoloration in the water. This is due to the hydrant flushing and the water will still be safe for consumption.

The Columbus Public Library is offering a free Kids Create Class this month to make winter-themed clay pinch pots.

The classes will be come-and-go sessions and will allow kids to make their own clay pot. The first class will be the sculpting session and will be on Tuesday, January 20, from 3:30 to 5:45. The painting session will be the following Monday at the same time.

Columbus area kids are invited to take part at the Columbus Library at 205 North Kansas Street.

The City of Cherryvale is addressing resident questions and concern regarding the new city bill paying website.

The new customer portal was recently launched by the City and has experienced a few bumps in the road since its launch earlier this month. City officials advise that anyone who has already signed up for A-C-H for payments do not need to submit any changes in order to continue that service. Signing up for the new portal will allow the addition of water bill via email or text.

Those who sign up for the new portal will also continue to receive paper bills in the mail unless you specifically request to go paperless. There is also a slight fee to use the new portal similar to using P-S-N or the credit card machine in City Hall. Those wanting to use the new service can register at  www.cherryvaleusa.com.

Anyone with questions can call the Cherryvale City Hall at 620-336-2776.

A Linn County man is injured in a single vehicle accident north of Fort Scott.

On Friday afternoon, 30-year-old Josiah Shoemaker of Prescott was eastbound on 300 Road in Linn County, just west of US-69. The tires of Shoemaker’s 1992 Chevy pickup dropped off the roadway, causing him to overcorrect. His truck then left the road again and entered the ditch, where he then went through a barbed wire fence before striking the side of a steep ditch.

Shoemaker was taken to KU Medical Center with serious injuries. He was not wearing a seat belt when the accident occurred.

Local anglers can now enjoy some winter trout fishing at Coffeyville’s LeClere Lake.

Trout season in Kansas began on December 1. LeClere Lake in Coffeyville was stocked with Rainbow Trout at that time. Last week, thanks to a grant from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, the lake was once again stocked with fish. 277 rainbow trout were added to the waters of LeClere Lake last week.

According to Wildlife and Parks, all anglers fishing in LeCLere Lake must have a trout permit during trout season. Youth 15 and Under must have a Youth Trout Permit while all residents ages 16 through 74 and all non-residents 16 and older must have a current fishing license in addition to their trout stamp.

Other area fishing lakes stocked for the season include Lake Tanko near Cherryvale and Fern Lake in Fort Scott. Trout season runs through March 31.

To learn more about trout fishing in Kansas, visit the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

Photo courtesy City of Coffeyville

The Kansas Department of Transportation is starting a concrete repair project north of Cherryvale.

The project affects US-400 starting at the US-169 on-ramp and continue west for about a half miles. During repairs, US-400 will be reduced to one lane of traffic. Traffic in the area will be guided through the work zone with a traffic signal. Motorists should add extra time to their travel schedules and can expect delays of up to five minutes.

The project is expected to be completed in four weeks, weather permitting.

A California woman is dead following a head-on collision in Ellsworth County.

54-year-old Stephanie Stevens of Rio Vista, California, was traveling southbound on K-14 about 30 miles west of Salina on Friday afternoon when her 2018 Chevy Equinox began to spin. This caused her vehicle to cross into oncoming traffic where it collided head-on with an F350.  Stevens was fatally injured in the crash while the other driver – 47-year-old Mark Huseman of Ellsworth – suffered minor injuries.

2026 is America’s 250th birthday and the City of Independence has plans to join in the festivities.

The Chairperson of Independence 250 Theresa Mitchell spoke last week at First Friday in Independence. Mitchell says the founders of the City named the town after the idea of the founding of the country.

Mitchell added that the group has planned and organized some fun events for the coming year, including a community wide picnic in June and a big celebration for July 4th. Activities kicked off this past weekend with an American History Quiz Bowl at the Civic Center.

Photo courtesy Independence America 250

The Montgomery County Commission will meet today and officially reorganize for 2026.

At today’s meeting, a new chairman will be selected for the Board of Commissioners and commissioners will also announce the appointment of the County Newspaper for the new year, a position which rotates between the Independence Daily Reporter and the Montgomery County Chronicle. Re-appointments to several area and regional boards will also be made.

The County Register of Deeds will also appear before the commission to present the quarterly report for the last three months of 2025. Commissioners will also convene a 25-minute executive session related to 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.

The Kansas Legislature is back in session today in Topeka.

State Senator Virgil Peck says there are a number of priorities he thinks will be tackled this session. Peck says while there's been a lot of talk about redistricting, he doesn't think there is any chance of that happening.

Peck says he continues to get a lot of feedback on property taxes. One proposed plan is to cap property valuation increases at 3 or 4 percent by law or by changing the Kansas Constitution.

Some surrounding states, including Oklahoma, have banned cell phone use during the school day. Peck says that a bill for Kansas is in the works.

As the session gets started, Governor Laura Kelly will deliver the State of the State address tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.

Early next month, KGGF will broadcast live from the statehouse during SEK Day on the Hill.

A stolen vehicle is recovered following a multi-agency investigation that crossed state lines.

The Caney Police Department says officers responded to a reported vehicle theft from a business's parking lot. Surveillance footage showed the suspect entering the vehicle and driving away. The vehicle was entered into national and regional alert systems, including NCIC and Flock Safety. With assistance from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and out-of-state agencies, the vehicle was tracked into Oklahoma.

Later that evening, the Kay County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle and arrested 33-year-old Alexander Landrum of Galveston, Texas. The vehicle was recovered, and additional felony theft charges are being recommended.

A series of recent arrests in Montgomery County leads to a large amount of drugs being seized. Five people have been arrested in three separate incidents in Cherryvale, Independence and the Sycamore area.

On December 24^th, deputies recovered a stolen vehicle at a residence in Cherryvale, where more than three grams of meth were found. Rachel McKenzie of Cherryvale was arrested. Then on January 3^rd, deputies made two separate traffic stops in Independence and near Sycamore. In those stops, deputies seized more than fifteen grams of methamphetamine, along with cocaine, marijuana, pills and more than six grams of suspected carfentanil. Breeanna Conard was arrested in Independence and Heather Leach, Tyler Norton and Noah Daniel were all arrested near Sycamore. All five were arrested on multiple drug-related charges, including distribution of fentanyl.

In total, deputies seized methamphetamine, fentanyl-related substances, carfentanil, cocaine, marijuana, pills and paraphernalia. Sheriff Ron Wade says carfentanil poses an extraordinary public safety risk. The synthetic opioid is estimated to be 100 times more potent than fentanyl and up to 10,000 times stronger than morphine. Officials say as little as 20 micrograms can be lethal, meaning the amount seized could potentially contain hundreds of thousands of fatal doses.

 The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Chautauqua public water supply system located in Chautauqua County. The advisory was issued because of two waterline breaks 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.

 Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind notice following testing at a certified laboratory.

 Laboratory testing of drinking water samples collected from the City of Chautauqua 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.

 The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help to find two individuals suspected of causing damage to the county courts building in Joplin.

 The incident happened December 16^th when two suspects used electric scooters to ram the support columns on the building, causing significant damage to the metal at the base of the columns.

 The suspects and their vehicle was parked at the Liberty parking garage, just east of the building.

 Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 417-358-8177.

 The Labette County Sheriff’s Office warns residents about a phone scam involving inmates being be released early from jail in exchange for immediate payment.

 LCSO says several people have received the calls from unknown individuals, but that those calls are fraudulent.

 Sheriff’s officials remind everyone that bonds have to be set by a judge before an inmate can be released. They also stress that the jail does not accept Walmart gift cards, prepaid cards or other non-cash equivalents as bond payment. When a bond is legitimately set, inmates typically contact a licensed bail bondsman or a family member to make arrangements.

 Anyone who receives these calls should not provide money or personal information and should immediately contact the Labette County Sheriff’s Office.

 Bartlesville residents will have several opportunities in January and early February to learn more about three funding measures that will appear on the February 10th ballot.

 The city will host a series of informal election presentations designed to give voters clear, accessible information and answer questions about the proposals.

 Evening meetings will be held starting Tuesday, with meetings also set for January 27^th and February 3rd at the Bartlesville Public Library. Each session will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room A on the second floor of the library, 600 S. Johnstone Ave.

 The meetings are open to everyone; additional presentations are being scheduled with civic groups, employers and community organizations.

 The Oklahoma State Treasurer’s Office released the December 2025 State Tax Revenue Report yesterday, showing increases not only for December, but the year as well.

 Total monthly collections reached $1.53 billion, up 22.0% from November and 8.5% higher than December 2024. Over the past 12 months, Oklahoma collected $17.2 billion, an increase of $326.4 million, or 1.9%, compared to the prior year.

 The state’s 12-month revenue trend has strengthened steadily over the past four months, with incremental gains each month and a notable acceleration in December. The 0.70% increase in the rolling 12-month total represents the strongest growth since February 2023, pointing to renewed momentum heading into the new year.

 Income Tax collections were up by 51.7%, driven by year-end filings and seasonal income patterns. Gross Production Taxes are up 231.6%. Motor Vehicle Taxes were up 19.9%. The only decline was in the Sales & Use Tax; down 2.7%, but 5.1% of almost $30 million higher than last December.

 Oklahoma's Unemployment rate was 3.2%, compared to 4.6% nationally.

 The complete December 2025 Tax Revenue Report is available here.

Five suspects are arrested in connection with a homicide in northwest Arkansas.

In mid-November of last year, police officers in Van Buren, Arkansas, recovered the body of a man later identified as 30-year-old Derek Marshall from the Arkansas River. The cause of death was determined to be homicide from multiple gunshot wounds.

During the investigation, OSBI special agents learned that Marshall was killed on November 5, 2025, in Muldrow, Oklahoma. Based on the information and evidence gathered, five suspects were identified.

Law enforcement arrested 59-year-old Danny Goad, who was charged with First-Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm After a Felony Conviction. Goad was already booked into the Muskogee County Jail on unrelated charges.

46-year-old Jason Quick, 56-year-old Jerry Pratt, and 56-year-old Rhonda Jeremiah were also arrested and booked into the Sequoyah County Jail on charges of Accessory After the Fact.

56-year-old Nathern England, was also arrested and booked into the Sequoyah County Jail on charges of Obstructing an Officer.

The Van Buren Police Department, Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office, and the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service assisted the OSBI with the investigation.

A Dewey woman faces a felony charge after allegedly stealing merchandise from the Bartlesville Walmart.

19-year-old Hannah Everly was charged with larceny of merchandise from a retailer. According to the Bartlesville Police Department, Everly stole over $1,000 worth of merchandise at the Bartlesville Walmart with another individual, identified as Jimmy Wayne Eutsler.

According to BPD, Everly admitted to stealing the items. She was convicted in October with second-degree burglary, a felony. Everly will appear in court again on January 23^rd at 9:00am and er bond is set at $5,000.

Caney Police Department announces a change to what information will be shared on social media.

Police Chief Ike Dye says the department will no longer post arrest information or mugshots on its official Facebook page. The decision follows recent questions and public feedback regarding the posting of arrest records online.

Chief Dye says that for a short period, mugshots were not posted due to his absence while on vacation, as he personally manages the department’s social media accounts. During that time, the department received mixed feedback both supporting and opposing the public posting of arrest information. While arrest records remain public information, Chief Dye says the ongoing debate over social media posts was becoming a distraction from the department’s primary mission.

According to the department, the focus will remain on proactive policing, reducing crime, and addressing issues that directly improve public safety and quality of life in the community. Caney PD says its Facebook page will remain active and will continue to be used for official press releases, public safety alerts and community updates.

A Bartlesville man is now in custody after FBI agents and Bartlesville Police Department officers execute a warrant.

According to Bartlesville Police Chief Troy Newell, Willis Gray was arrested after being identified as a suspect in the shooting of another man in the Woodland Park area on December 22^nd. Chief Newell says BPD continues to work closely with their federal partners to ensure a thorough and lawful investigation. He says while this remains an active case, their priority is public safety and bringing resolution to this incident.

The investigation remains ongoing and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Thunderstorm re-development is possible this afternoon in southeast Kansas.

After a round of storms and high winds that hit Independence hard, storms could develop across portions of south central and southeast Kansas this afternoon.  If storms can develop, a few strong to marginally severe storms will be possible with small hail and gusty winds up to 60mph.  Stay tuned to KGGF for severe weather coverage if needed.

Neodesha Electric crews are working to restore power to customers impacted by storm damage.

According to the City, crews are currently repairing two 50-foot utility poles that were damaged during the storm.

As of just after 1 p.m., crews anticipate that southwest part of town affected may be without power for approximately 4–5 more hours while repairs are safely completed and service is restored.

Photos: City of Neodesha

High winds topping 80 mph are measured in the Independence area bring damage to the area.

This morning around 9:35, high winds entered the Independence area with an 81 mph wind gust measured at the airport.  Damage was reported through town, downing trees and snapping power lines.  Part of the roof was also torn off the Hub Church on West Main.

The strong winds then shifted to the north towards Sycamore and Neodesha where some large limbs were reported down just southeast of Altoona.

Earlier in the morning, a tornado warning was also issued for Washington and Nowata Counties.  Some rotation was observed in the Bartlesville area, but no tornados were confirmed by spotters.

Photo: Kyle Johnson

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the following counties in the KGGF listening area through noon.  Stay tuned to The Mighty 690 for severe weather updates.

    ARKANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

   BENTON               WASHINGTON          

  

   .    MISSOURI COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

   MCDONALD             NEWTON              


   OK 
   .    OKLAHOMA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

   ADAIR                CHEROKEE            CRAIG               
   DELAWARE             HASKELL             MAYES               
   MCINTOSH             MUSKOGEE            NOWATA              
   OKMULGEE             OTTAWA              ROGERS              
   SEQUOYAH             TULSA               WAGONER             
   WASHINGTON           

 A Parsons man is arrested on kidnapping and sexual assault charges.

 The incident began November 3, 2025 when Joplin Police responded to a report of a sexual assault of a sixteen-year-old female. The victim was walking near the intersection of 7^th and Moffet Avenue when a male driving a black SUV offered her a ride. When the victim declined, the driver showed a handgun and ordered her into the car.

 The victim was taken to the Schifferdecker Park area, where she was able to avoid the attack by faking a medical emergency and asking for an ambulance. The suspect then drove the victim from the park to the area of 7th and Connor Avenue and dropped her off.

 The investigation led to the arrest of 37-year-old Joshua J. Price, of Parsons. Charges from the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office include 1^st degree kidnapping, 2 counts of armed criminal action, 1^st degree sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation of a minor.

Price was arrested Tuesday in the 1700 block of Range Line in Joplin after being found by Webb City Police. He is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond.

 A Dewey man was arrested Tuesday on charges of speeding and attempting to elude.

 Dewey PD says 19-year-old Atlas Williams was observed reaching speeds close to 100 miles per hour northbound on Highway 75 Tuesday. Officers say he made an abrupt turn east on County Road 1300, which led to the traffic stop.

 Williams initially failed to comply with officers order to exit the vehicle. Once out of the vehicle, Williams allegedly shouted for police to shoot and kill him. He made the same request while being transported to the Washington County Detention Center.

 Williams is being held on $75,000 bond, with the reasoning of Williams being a danger to himself. His next scheduled court appearance is set for Friday, February 6^th.

 The Kansas Highway Patrol releases its New Year’s Holiday Activity Report. The reporting period for the holiday ran from 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

 The Kansas Highway Patrol worked two non-DUI related fatal crashes which resulted in two non-DUI related fatalities. The fatal crashes occurred in Jefferson and Ford counties.

 There were 25 DUI arrests over the reporting period, up from 12 in 2025, but down from 29 in 2024.

The full report is available here.