The first day of classes at Nowata Public Schools could be pushed back because of ongoing construction.

The district is proposing a revised start date of Wednesday, August 19^th, pending approval from the Nowata Board of Education. Superintendent Dr. Mindy Englett says the additional time would allow construction crews and district employees to complete essential work and make sure school buildings are safe, secure and ready for students and staff.

District officials acknowledge the change could create an inconvenience for families and employees, but say safety remains their highest priority. The Board of Education will consider the revised calendar at an upcoming meeting. If approved, the complete school calendar will be posted and shared with families and staff.

Data centers continue to be a topic of discussion in Montgomery County from the County level to Coffeyville and Cherryvale.

Action Council Director Melissa Johnson says there are several reasons data centers would be interested in the county.  Johnson says there are a number of guardrails in place when any business is looking at coming into the county.

Johnson says when it comes to data centers people are most concerned with energy and water usage.  A moratorium on data centers was recently brought before the Montgomery County Commission but the motion failed without a second.

USD 445 is moving forward with a proposed mill levy increase for the upcoming budget year.

The USD 445 Board of Education authorizes the district to publish a levy of up to 1.8 mills above the Revenue Neutral Rate. The published figure serves as a ceiling, meaning the board may approve a lower levy when it adopts the budget in September. District officials say the increase would fund employee raises, textbook purchases and the Local Option Budget. A drop in state aid means the district would need to raise the levy by nearly seven-tenths of a mill just to generate the same LOB funding as last year.

The full 1.8-mill increase would add about $29 per year to the property tax bill on a $140,000 home. A public hearing on exceeding the RNR is scheduled for September 14^th at 4:00pm, followed by the district’s budget hearing at 4:15pm.

Netflix debuts another series featuring the Southeast Kansas area.

The first season of Little House on the Prairie came out earlier this month and is eight episodes long. Independence Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Wilson says it is neat to have another show talk about this area.  Wilson says you can enjoy the new show as they lead up to Carrie Days at the start of August.

The event celebrates the birth of Carrie Ingalls, who was born on August 3^rd, 1870. The Little House on the Prairie Museum is located at 2507 County Road 3000 in Independence and is open seven days a week from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Kansas farmers had 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week, according to the USDA's latest Crop Progress and Condition report.

Corn and soybean conditions remain strong, with 64 percent of corn and 72 percent of soybeans rated good to excellent. Corn silking and soybean pod setting are near or ahead of the five-year average, while sorghum development is also running ahead of normal.

Pasture and range conditions are rated 57 percent good to excellent, although about one-third of the state's topsoil and subsoil moisture remains short to very short.

The 115th Annual Labette County Fair continues today in Oswego with a busy day of livestock competition and rodeo action.

The day begins with the Poultry Show at 9 a.m., followed by the Meat Goat and Sheep Show at 4 p.m.

This evening wraps up with the first night of the ACRA/IPRA/Open Rodeo at the fairgrounds. Mutton Bustin' begins at 7:30 p.m., followed by the rodeo at 8 p.m.

The Labette County Fair continues through Saturday with additional livestock shows, the Danger Zone Bull Riding event, the Bill and Shirley McKinzie Memorial Livestock Sale, and the Demo Derby.

More details are released concerning the weekend drowning death of an Arkansas police officer.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 24-year-old Fred Marsh was canoeing on the Elk River near Noel on Saturday night. Marsh was part of a group that included his fiancee and other friends. The Rogers, Arkansas, Police Officer noticed a swimmer in the water who appeared to be in distress. Marsh entered the water in an attempt to help the other individual. During the rescued attempt around 6pm, Marsh became exhausted, went under the water, and did not resurface.

Emergency crews were called to assist in the search, but that search was called off around 10pm. Marsh was recovered from the water around 10pm on Sunday morning.

Rescue crews from the M-S-H-P along with Noel Fire and the McDonald County Sheriff's Water Patrol assisted with the recovery effort.

Fred Marsh was in his first year as a police officer with the Rogers Police Department.

The Chautauqua County Fair continues this week with four days of activities beginning Wednesday.

Open-class entries and 4-H judging take place Wednesday, followed by livestock shows, a free barbecue and bean feed, inflatables, rides and a talent show Thursday.

Extension Agent Emily Hen says the community should come out and support the fair and its participants.

Friday’s schedule includes the Barnyard Olympics, bingo and an 8 p.m. rodeo. Saturday features a parade, kids’ pedal pull, barbecue and pie contests, a livestock premium sale and another rodeo. The fair concludes Saturday night with a free dance and live music from Out of Touch.

We will have a live broadcast from 10:00am to noon.

Montgomery County Public Works will begin a box culvert replacement on a county road north of Cherryvale today.

County Road 6200 will be closed between County Roads 5300 and 5375 starting today to allow the project to be completed. The closure is located about a half mile north of US-400, and 2 miles west of the US-169 junction. County Road 6200 will be closed at that location for the next six to eight weeks, until the culvert replacement is complete.

Drivers are asked to plan alternate routes and allow extra time for travel during construction.

Temperatures across the four-state region have spiked in the past few days, with highs in the triple digits.

When temperatures rise, the risk of serious heat-related illness increases. Whether you are working or playing outside, Dr. Brett Gray says there are some precautions to take if you are going to be outside for an extended period of time.

 Dr. Gray says if you are spending a lot of time outside this week, be on the lookout for signs of heat exhaustion. 
 

Heat exhaustion can quickly escalate into heatstroke, which is a life-threatening medical emergency. If an individual becomes disoriented or confused, stops sweating, or faints, seek medical attention and call 9-1-1.

Officers from the Coffeyville Police Department will be taking part in a training exercise today and tomorrow on the campus of Coffeyville Community College.

C-P-D wants the public to be aware that there will be an increased police presence on the campus today and tomorrow while training occurs. Both faculty and staff at the school are aware of the event and nearby residents should not be alarmed by the presence of law enforcement. There is no emergency. The training will conclude on Wednesday.

A measure to place a moratorium on data centers, wind and solar farms, and battery storage facilities fails at Monday’s Montgomery County Commission meeting.

The contentious issue has been a topic of discussion by the Commission for several weeks. At Monday’s meeting, County Administrator Jonathan Booe presented commissioners with some pros and cons of allowing the construction of data centers in the county. Booe says data centers may be bring positive economic impacts to the community because they say they want to be good neighbors.

He cited the City of Pryor, Oklahoma, in which a data center company purchased a much needed new fire engine for the City. However, Booe also outlined the negative impacts. He says one of those is stress on the power grid. 

Another issue is water use. Booe says the state’s current largest consumer of water is just north, in Burlington.

Commissioner Phil Clubine says he is not necessarily against data centers, but he does support a temporary moratorium.

However, Commissioner Robert Bever says he wants to hear proposals from the company before he would support a moratorium.

During the public comment period, more than ten Montgomery County citizens spoke, with most of them in favor of the moratorium. The motion is made by Commissioner Phil Clubine and put up for the vote by Chairman Mike Cordray.

The failure of the measure to pass does not mean that the issue is closed. Commissioner Robert Bever is retiring at the end of this term, which means there will be a new member of the Commission in January. That commission could take up the issue again at that time. Until then, however, it appears there will be no data center moratorium in Montgomery County.

Kansas voters will have the opportunity to cast their votes in the August 4th primary election and then again in the November general election.

An important part of any election is the poll workers. Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab says civic-minded people across the state are need to help.

Volunteers must complete training, be registered to vote - if they are of voting age-, be an American citizen, at least 16 years old and willing to take an oath of office. In addition, volunteers get compensation for their time. If volunteers are unable to work an entire day, they are encouraged to take a part-time shift or split the day with a friend, family member or colleague. Schwab says even younger teens can volunteer.

Individuals can get started by calling the Secretary of State’s office at 1-800-262-VOTE , by contacting your local election office (Montgomery County residents go here) or by filling out an online application.

An extreme heat warning is in place today from noon to 8 across southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma.

Temperatures across the area are expected between 100 and 103, with a heat index up to 115 possible.

Those working outside should take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. It's also a good idea to check on the elderly and those without air conditioning.

Data Centers were once again a topic of discussion at last night's Cherryvale City Council Meeting.

According to Mayor Gary Minnich, HyperDatagrid has contacted the city regarding a potential data center in Cherryvale. An agreement with the company fell through earlier this year. Minnich says that the city has not responded to the company at this time, and that the council would like to gather more information on the technology before moving forward with any similar project.

In other business, work continues on the budget, with a workshop planned for July 30^th at 5 p.m. City Clerk Karen Davis says the city has made the declaration to the county to raise the mill levy up to 10 mills if a tax increase is needed, but no changes in the budget have been voted on, and there will need to be a public forum if the revenue-neutral rate needs to be exceeded.

The council also approved special assessments from last fall that will be added to the tax roles for mowing and cleanup on private properties in addition to approving a mower purchase not to exceed $36,000 for the smelter property and opened the bid process for HVAC for the fire department.

The Montgomery County Action Council Celebrates community leaders at its annual meeting and awards ceremony

Around 90 community members attended the event held over the weekend at the Coffeyville County Club.

Executive Director Melissa Johnson opened the meeting with a report focused on calls to action for an economic development approach that puts the well-being and long-term success of Montgomery County citizens first.

The evening also recognized outstanding individuals and organizations whose contributions have made a lasting impact on Montgomery County. This year's award-winners include Lew Forman winning the Rob Gill Community Spirit Award and April Nutt, who won the Curtis Lavine Entrepreneurship Award. VSE Aviation was awarded the Pear Schmidt Golden Shovel Award, and the Jim Kelley Lifetime Service Award was given to Tim Emert.

Today is the final day for summer meals pickup at USD 445, although dine in breakfast and lunch will continue through Friday.

Today, students pickup meals will receive enough food to cover meals this Wednesday through Friday, so there will be no Friday curbside pickup.

Pickup is available today at 606 Cherokee from 11:30 to 12:30 in Coffeyville, at the Caney Valley Food Pantry in Caney from 11:00 to 12:30 and at Dearing Park from 11:30 to noon.

Dine in meals will continue through Friday at Community Elementary at 102 S Cline in Coffeyville from 7:30 to 8:30 and 11:20 to 12:30.

A moratorium against large tech projects including data centers in Montgomery County fails after the motion dies.

It was standing room only at Monday's Montgomery County Commission Meeting, where a large number of citizens spoke on the issue, most of whom were against data centers coming into the county. Montgomery County Action Council Executive Director Melissa Johnson as well as Tim Wilson spoke spoke against a potential moratorium.

Commissioner Phil Clubine made the motion for a six-month moratorium against large tech projects, but the motion died without a second, so the motion failed, meaning there is no moratorium at this time.

Large tech projects could include data centers in addition to wind farms, battery storage systems and solar farms.  Any potential moratorium approved by the county would not affect what happens within any city limits.  The commission could still vote on a potential moratorium in the future.

The 115th Annual Labette County Fair continues Monday in Oswego with the Swine Show.

The show begins at 6 p.m., giving 4-H and FFA exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their hog projects after months of hard work and preparation.

The fair continues throughout the week with livestock shows, rodeos, the Bill and Shirley McKinzie Memorial Livestock Sale, the Danger Zone Bull Riding event, and the Demo Derby before wrapping up Saturday, July 25.

The Rogers, Arkansas, Police Department announces the passing of one of its officers in a weekend drowning incident.

According to the Rogers Police Department, 24-year-old Fred Marsh died in a drowning incident on Saturday, July 18, on the Elk River while canoeing with his fiancee and friends. Marsh was in his first year of service as a police officer.

Out of regard for the privacy of the officer's family, no additional details about the accident have been released.

The pond at Neodesha's Riverwalk Park remains under a blue-green algae watch.

According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, watch status means that a harmful algae bloom is possible and may be present in the water. Contact with the water in the pond is discouraged and should not be ingested by humans or animals.

For more information, go here.

The Mid-Continent Community Band's weekly performance in Independence will move inside tomorrow night due to the forecast hot weather.

With temperatures tomorrow forecast to be around 100 degrees, the weekly band concert scheduled for Riverside Park will move indoors. Attendees are invited to enjoy the band's music in the cool comfort of the William Inge Theater on the main cmapus of Independence Community College.

Tomorrow night's concert begins at 8pm. Admission is free.

Independence will soon have new pickleball courts.

The plans for the proposed Oakes Pickleball Courts are included in the upcoming Phase Three of the Central Park Sports Complex through a Land and Water conservation Fund grant through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Plans are underway to construct the four pickleball-dedicated courts near the existing dog park. The courts will be available for use by all levels of pickleball players.

No timeline has yet been given for construction.

The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference announces its 2025-2026 KJCCC All-Academic Award winners with 126 student athletes from Coffeyville Community College on the list.

The Conference made the announcement last week, honor those student-athletes who finished the academic year with at least a 3.5 overall GPA. CCC finished second-highest of the twenty schools in the conference with only Barton County totaling more, with 131.

CCC was one of only seven conference schools that  had at least 100 student-athletes from their school recognized with the award.

The recognition highlights Coffeyville Community College's continued commitment to excellence both in the classroom and in athletic competition.

The Kansas Primary Election is coming up on Tuesday, August 4th and the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office wants to help with trusted election information.

Votekansas.gov is the official website of the Secretary of State’s Office and can help voters find their polling location and see a sample ballot. Kansans can also see a candidate list for legislative and statewide offices and a list of county election offices. Advance voting data and locations are also available, plus vot6ers can learn more about the process and steps for Kansas elections.

The Kansas Secretary of State is responsible for administering elections, collecting certain records of Kansas businesses and publishing the official publications for the State of Kansas. The Secretary of State is one of four state offices authorized by the Kansas Constitution.

For voter information, visit votekansas.gov

Residents in Nowata will mark the significant anniversary of a local business tomorrow.

Nowata City Drug will receive a State of Oklahoma Commendation during a presentation tomorrow that will honor the business’ 130 years of operation. A State of Oklahoma Commendation is a formal commendation or proclamation issued by the Office of the Oklahoma Governor to recognize the achievements, dedication, or civic contributions of citizens, businesses, or non-profits. Following the presentation, attendees are invited to stay and celebrate this milestone with refreshments, fellowship, and a look back at the legacy of one of Oklahoma's oldest locally owned pharmacies.

Tomorrow’s presentation takes place at 11am at 128 East Cherokee Avenue in Nowata.

The Caney City Council will meet tonight and discuss a time extension for a community housing grant.

At tonight’s meeting, council members will consider the extension of a Community Development Block Grant and along with a Memo of Agreement with Copperhead Controls, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office regarding renovations at 219 West Fourth Avenue.

The council will also discuss the elimination of water deposit requirements for customers starting a new city water account. They will also consider changes to the City’s Code of Conduct.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 6:30 at the Caney City Hall. Those wishing to attend the meeting in person are asked to enter City Hall on the east end of the building.

The 2026 Cherryvale High School All School Reunion is coming up in September.

The event is open to all graduates of Cherryvale High School. This year’s reunion will feature an alumni dinner on September 19 at the St. Francis-Xavier Community Center. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased through the Cherryvale Historical Museum. The registration deadline is August 25th.

To purchase tickets, go here.

Questions: call 620-336-2488

A 66-year-old Pittsburg woman is seriously injured in a weekend accident with a semi truck.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Donna R. Miner was traveling southbound on US-69 on the northwest side of Pittsburg just after 3pm on Friday afternoon. Miner attempted a left turn onto West 20th Street when her vehicle was struck by an oncoming Freightliner. Miner was taken to Pittsburg’s Mercy Hospital. The driver of the semi 50-year-old Michael Moody of Joplin was uninjured.

The Montgomery County Commission will hold their regular weekly meeting today and discuss a possible moratorium on data centers.

At today’s meeting commissioners will discuss a moratorium on the controversial data centers as well as on wind farms, battery storage systems and solar farms in Montgomery County. The issue was placed on today’s agenda last week after many county residents attended last week’s meeting in hopes of commissioners voting on the moratorium. The issue was not on last week’s agenda, but many in attendance spoke out against data centers during the public comment period. Residents are encouraged to attend today’s meeting to make their voices heard.

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 Cherryvale City Council will meet for its regularly scheduled meeting tonight.

The council is expected to approve special assessments for property owners liable for the cost and expense of mowing and demolitions. Currently, 36 properties are on the list.

In other business, the council will consider the purchase of a boom mower for the smelter property, approve big opening process for H-V-A-C at the fire department, hear the first and second quarter treasurer's report and set and time and date for a budget workshop.

Tonight's meeting begins at 6 p.m. in City Hall and the public is welcome to attend.

The Montgomery County Republican Party and the Republican Women of Montgomery County host a candiate forum Saturday morning in Independence.

CLICK HERE to listen to the program as broadcast on The Mighty 690, courtesy of Taylor Crane and Rigging.

(Note: The beginning of the recording was unfortunatley cut off, our apologies for the error)

The Wilson County Fair returns to Fredonia July 17-26 with more than a week of livestock shows, 4-H and open class exhibits, competitions, and family activities.

The fair opens July 17 with the 4-H Clothing and Style Revue, followed by several days of judging, exhibit check-in, and the 4-H Horse Show. Livestock events begin Thursday with the Rabbit and Poultry Show and Swine Show.

Friday features the 4-H and Open Class Dairy Cattle, Dairy Goat, and Bucket Calf Show, followed by the Market Goat and Sheep Shows. Saturday includes a Pancake Feed, Farm Bureau Pedal Pull, Watermelon Feed, Critter Parade, and the Beef Show.

The fair concludes Sunday with Round Robin Showmanship, trophy presentations, and the annual 4-H/FFA Livestock Sale, celebrating the hard work and achievements of Wilson County youth.

The final two days of the 153rd Annual Erie Old Soldiers & Sailors Reunion are packed with food, entertainment, and longtime traditions.

Today features the Ki Delta Psi Sorority breakfast, the annual Free Bean Feed, live music in downtown Erie, free inflatables, fireworks at 9:30 p.m., and a street dance to close the evening.

Tomorrow begins with a community breakfast, followed by the Reunion Run, car and truck show, arts and crafts, and the annual Big Parade at 10:30 a.m. The celebration concludes with a barbecue contest, cornhole tournament, and the 10th Annual Let the Mini's Buck Youth Rodeo.

Organizers invite residents and visitors alike to celebrate the final days of Reunion Week in Erie.

KGGF will have a live remote 6-8 p.m. on 104.1 FM

The Montgomery County Commission will address the issue of data centers at Monday's meeting.

On the agenda will be a possible moratorium on technical facilities such as data centers and wind farms. Commissioner Robert Bever says he wants to hold off on a moratorium until he hears both sides of the issue.

Plans are currently underway on a strategic plan that would allow for county-wide zoning. Commissioner Phil Clubine says any potential moratorium approved by the commission would only affect properties in the county.

Commissioners say they want to hear from citizens to get their input on the issue. The public is invited to attend Monday's meeting to take part in the discussion. Monday's meeting begins at 9am on the lower level of the Judicial Center in Independence.

Summer months can often be a busy time for medical personnel across the country due to extreme heat facing Americans.

During Pawhuska's city council meeting on Tuesday evening, City Manager Carol Jones talked about how busy Pawhuska's life-saving units have been in the last month.

Jones went on to compliment everyone who worked the Fourth of July weekend. Pawhuska's fireworks show was able to go on as planned after the storm moved through on that Saturday.

The Osage Nation Health System has received an accreditation for its primary residential treatment center serving Native American communities.

The Osage Nation has been  accredited for several years. CEO of the Osage Nation Health System Mark Rogers says it means a great deal to be recognized again.

Rogers says many criteria must be met in order to be accredited. 

Rogers says one of the most difficult things is holding on to that accreditation status for the next three years before they re-apply again. 

A Pittsburg police officer will not face charges in a June 3^rd shooting under the Kansas self-defense law.

Crawford County Attorney Reina Probert announcedon Thursday, July 16, that the officer who shot and killed 29-year-old Jalen Green during a June 3^rd altercation was justified in the use of force. According to reports, police encountered Green sitting beside the roadway around 10pm on the night of the shooting. Green later began running alongside a marked patrol car and throwing items at the officer. When the officer exited his vehicle, Green removed his pants and underwear and assumed a fighting stance. A struggle ensued. During the altercation, Green used the officer's metal flashlight to strike him in the head, causing an injury. The officer then drew his weapon and shot Green.

The County Attorney's Office concluded that the officer was justified in his use of force against Green as he approached again with the flashlight raised. No charges will be filed against the officer.

The City of Independence is working to catch up on mowing and grass maintenance at Mount Hope Cemetery.

City crews are working hard to catch up after the recent rainy weather. The City has received complaints about the height of the grass at the cemetery and around grave markers. Crews usually require a full work week to complete one full mow of the cemetery due to its size. Standing water caused by the recent rainfall has placed mowing on hold until the grounds can dry. Staffing shortages in the park department has also added to the challenge.

City officials ask for patience as work continues.

The Elk County Free Fair continues Friday in Longton with a full day of livestock shows, family activities, and entertainment.

The day begins with the Star-Spangled Banner at 8:15 a.m., followed by the 4-H Swine Show at 8:30. Kids and Turtle Races start at 2 p.m., with the Farm Bureau Pedal Tractor Pull beginning at 5 p.m. after registration at 4:30.

A free community barbecue with live music by David Oakleaf also begins at 5 p.m. The 4-H Beef Show starts at 6 p.m., followed by VIP Showmanship. The Food Auction is at 7 p.m., with barrel race expos at 7 and the NBHA Barrel Race at 8 p.m.

The evening wraps up with Bingo and free waterslides for kids, offering fun for the whole family.

The Montgomery County Treasurer's Office announces that credit cards will now be accepted as payment at the Auto Tag Office.

The move was made due to popular demand by taxpayers to allow for a more convenient payment option. Beginning immediately, customers may use a credit card when paying for vehicle registration, tag renewals, and other eligible transactions at the Montgomery County Auto Tag Office. All credit card transactions will be subject to a 2.5% processing fee, which is the same fee charged for online credit card payments.

The Treasurer' s Office also invites citizens to take advantage of State of Kansas iKan online services. Users can renew auto tags, apply for a replacement title, and complete disabled parking placard re-certification.

One person is injured in a two-vehicle accident in Bourbon County.

The accident occurred early on the morning of Thursday, July 17, on US-54 just east of the City of Bronson, or about twenty miles west of Fort Scott. 56-year-old Timothy Anderson of Auburn, Kansas, was traveling eastbound on US-54 when his 2013 Ford Edge drifted off the roadway to the right. Anderson over corrected and came back onto the highway, before driving into the ditch. In an effort to gain control of the vehicle, Anderson came back onto the highway once again and struck the second vehicle – a 2022 Chevy Trailblazer driven by 33-year-old Caitlin Nading of Fort Scott – head on.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident. Anderson received minor injuries, while Nading was unhurt.

The City of Coffeyville is one of four Kansas communities to receive a Safe Routes to School or S-R-T-S planning grant to help increase safety for children as they walk, bike, and roll to school.

The grant funding comes through the Kansas Department of Transportation and will help Coffeyville establish a community plan to make travel to school safer and easier for Coffeyville students. Instead of paying for a costly traffic engineer, the City will receive free technical assistance from KDOT-approved experts. Work to develop S-R-T-S plans will begin in August. Plans include analyzing existing conditions, reviewing public outreach results and recommending infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions. That information will then be used to create a written document outlining specific ways to fix safety issues, which can then be used to secure further funding.

Coffeyville is joined by the communities of Garden City, Liberal and Newton in receiving the Safe Routes To School grant.

The Montgomery County Republican Party and the Republican Women of Montgomery County are hosting a Republican Candidate Forum this weekend.

Candidates for Kansas governor, US Senate, US and State House, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Board of Education, District Court and County Commission have all been invited to attend. 

Kansas State Senator Virgil Peck they have confirmed governor candidates Ty Masterson, Charlotte O'Hara, Stacy Rogers and Scott Schwab's running mate.

Montgomery County District 1 commission candidates Chuck Voelker and Rick Whitson have also been confirmed.

The forum is tomorrow, July 18th from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the Civic Center located at 410 North Penn Avenue in Independence. For those who can't make it, the forum will be broadcast live on The Mighty 690, courtesy of Taylor Crane and Rigging, and will be available to listen to later at kggfradio.com. The event is free to attend.

A limited ammonia release occurs at the CVR Energy Nitrogen Plant in Coffeyville.

According to a statement from CVR Energy, yesterday just before 11 a.m., a limited release of ammonia occurred at the Coffeyville Resources Nitrogen Fertilizers plant. Contract personnel who reported detecting an odor were evaluated by on-site medical personnel. Out of an abundance of caution, several individuals were transported to Coffeyville Regional Medical Center for further evaluation and observation. All individuals have since been released and are expected to return to work today.

CRNF says they take the health and well-being of its employees and contractors seriously and are committed to thoroughly investigating what happened and taking appropriate steps to help prevent a recurrence. There was no danger to the public during the incident yesterday.

Another Coffeyville Summer Celebration is in the books after hundreds showed up to watch the largest fireworks show in the area.

Organizer Gail Smith says he's overwhelmed at the support.  Smith says he is thankful for the support of the cities of Coffeyville, South Coffeyville and Dearing as well as every business that help make this event possible.

The Miami Police Department provides an update to the shots fired incident at the Chisholm Trail Apartments.

MPD officers were called to the apartment complex around 7:30pm last night. Police initially reported that a suspect had been taken into custody and that no injuries were reported. In an update today, police say officers located and detained a woman at a nearby residence while investigators secured the scene and interviewed witnesses. The investigation determined that the disturbance involved roommates. During the altercation, another person who was present fired a handgun into the air.

MPD detectives are submitting misdemeanor charges to the District Attorney’s Office for review. Police say the incident was isolated and there is no ongoing threat to the public. The identities of those involved are not being released because the incident involves domestic violence and a juvenile.

The Nowata Fire Department is promoting a longtime firefighter to assistant chief.

Fire Chief Brandon Jarvis presented Hewitt with the promotion and honored him for 28 years of service to the department and the citizens of Nowata. Jarvis says Hewitt has demonstrated dedication, professionalism and a commitment to serving the community throughout his career.

He says Hewitt’s experience and leadership have earned the respect of the firefighters he serves alongside and the citizens he has helped protect. Jarvis says he is confident Hewitt will continue leading by example and helping guide the department in his new role.

Nowata Public Schools is warning of a potential scam targeting local businesses.

School officials say businesses have received phone calls asking them to sponsor Nowata Basketball T-shirts. The district says its basketball programs are not selling T-shirts or requesting sponsorships over the phone at this time.

Any calls asking businesses to purchase basketball apparel or sponsor shirts are not affiliated with Nowata Public Schools or the Nowata Basketball programs.

Kansas is launching a new statewide system for law enforcement agencies to report traffic crashes.

The Kansas Department of Transportation and Kansas Highway Patrol say the Kansas Crash Data System will replace crash report forms currently available through the Kansas Law Enforcement Reporting system. Officials say the new platform includes automated verification designed to improve accuracy and provide faster access to statewide safety data.

Law enforcement agencies have until September 1^st to either integrate their records systems with the new platform or use its web-based reporting form.

The 115th Annual Labette County Fair gets underway Saturday, July 18, in Oswego, bringing a full week of livestock shows, rodeos, entertainment, and family activities. Labette County Fair Board Member Kyle McKinzie says the fair opens with many 4-H and FFA events.

Livestock shows begin Monday with the Swine Show and continue throughout the week with poultry, sheep, goats, rabbits, beef, dairy, and bucket calf competitions.

The ACRA/IPRA Rodeo takes place Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, while Friday features the Danger Zone Bull Riding event and the Bill and Shirley McKinzie Memorial Livestock Sale.

The fair wraps up Saturday, July 25, with the annual Demo Derby, featuring a $22,000 payout and classes ranging from Hot Wheels Derby to youth and street stock divisions.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is launching a new program to help small and mid-sized beef processors grow and expand.

The USDA Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, Richard Fordyce, says the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) program is designed to give cattle producers more places to process and market their livestock.

In southeast Kansas, Real Kansas Meats in Fredonia is one example of a local processor that has benefited from previous USDA funding to expand its operations.

USDA says the new program is another step toward creating more opportunities for ranchers and strengthening the beef industry.

Thursday's schedule at the Elk County Free Fair in Longton features a full day of livestock competition and family fun.

Activities begin with the Star Spangled Banner at 8:45 a.m., followed by the 4-H Sheep Show and Open Class Sheep Show at 9 a.m. Open Class judging starts at 10 a.m., with the fair barn closed during judging, and the 4-H Goat Show begins at 10:30 a.m.

Judging of 4-H and Open Class poultry and rabbits follows later in the day. Kids' races begin at 2 p.m., followed by the Barnyard Olympics at 6:30 p.m. The evening wraps up with free bingo and waterslides for kids

.

The Elk County Free Fair continues through Saturday with additional livestock shows, contests, entertainment, and the annual fair parade.

Police in Miami respond to a report of gunshots at an apartment complex.

At around 7:30 last night, Miami Police were called to the Chisholm Trail Apartments. A suspect was taken into custody at the scene and no injuries were reported. M-P-D has not yet released to identity of the suspect and the investigation remains ongoing.

An Erie man is charged in federal court on charges of attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity.

63-year-old Richard V. Mitchell was charged on Monday, July 13, with one count of attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and committing that offense as a registered sex offender. The charges were announced by the U.S Attorney's Office of the Western District of Missouri. According to court documents, Mitchell is accused of requesting a minor child be transported from the Western District of Missouri to Erie to engage in sexual activity with Mitchell. Mitchell is a registered sex offender in the State of Kansas.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett and Kelly Collins. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

The Montgomery County Commission has plans to discuss data centers at Monday's meeting.

This week's meeting contained a lengthy public comment section in which many residents spoke about a proposed tax increase for 2027. However, about a third of the speakers were at the meeting for another issue: data centers. The issue was briefly raised at the end of the previous week's meeting, leading many to believe it would appear on this week's agenda. Many residents were upset when the issue did not appear on the agenda. However, the issue was discussed during public comment. Commissioner Robert Bever says he does not support a moratorium on data centers until both sides of the issue have had a chance to make their case.

Bever says he want to know more about the issue first. However, Commissioner Phil Clubine says he would prefer to issue a moratorium first and then get the details.

All three Montgomery County commissioners did agree that data centers will be on the agenda for the July 20^th meeting.

The Independence Community College Mobile Fab Lab will be at the Independence Science and Technology Center this Saturday afternoon.

Visitors and their families are welcome to stop by and explore all that the Mobile Fab Lab has to offer. From T-Robot kits to snap circuits and Arduino workstations, the ICC Mobile Fab Lab is the opportunity for in-person, hands-on learning.

The public is invited to attend this Saturday from 1:30 to 3pm at 125 South Penn Avenue in Independence. The Mobile Fab Lab event is free to attend.

Firefighters from the Columbus Fire Department are called to a report of a structure fire.

Just before midnight on July 15, Columbus firefighters responded to a call of an active house fire on the north end of the city. Fire crews arrived quickly on scene and encountered heavy smoke coming from a single-story residence. Firefighters immediately conducted a primary search of the home to ensure no occupants were inside before beginning an interior fire attack. The fire was successfully contained to a single bedroom, preventing it from spreading to the remainder of the residence. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Photo courtesy Columbus Fire Rescue

Coffeyville residents will have the opportunity to get rid of bulky household garbage this Saturday.

The Free Summer Community Dumpster Program happens this Saturday morning. Bulk trash items can be dropped off a 1^st and Union Streets starting at 8am. Residents will be able to use the drop-off site until noon or until the dumpsters are full. Service will be on a first-come, first-served basis and residents will be responsible for unloading their own items. Coffeyville residents wanting to unload trash need to bring an ID or a current utility bill.

A Wichita man is injured in a small plane crash in rural Cowley County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, 76-year-old Melvin James received minor injuries Wednesday afternoon when the North Wing Maverick 2RT ultralight plane he was flying began to experience power loss to the engine. James attempted to land the plane and crashed in a field about 10 miles north of Winfield. James was taken to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita for treatment for his injuries.

Two men suffer minor injuries in a semi truck accident on Wednesday near Iola.

The three-vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of US-169 and North Dakota Road just north of Iola around 7:45 Wednesday morning. A 2008 Ford Mustang driven by 28-year-old Matthew Brungardt of Galesburg was stopped at a stop sign, waiting to make a left turn onto US-169. His vehicle was struck from behind by a 2011 Ford Taurus driven by 18-year-old Rylan Miller of Fort Scott. The collision pushed Brungardt's vehicle into the intersection, where it was struck on the driver's side by a Peterbuilt truck driven by 54-year-old Michael Endicott of Moran.

Both Brungardt and Miller sustained minor injuries and were taken to the Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola. Endicott was uninjured.

The 153rd Annual Erie Old Soldiers & Sailors Reunion continues today with a full day of family-friendly activities.

Events begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Pulled Pork Sandwiches Hot Dog Meal at City Park, followed by American Legion children's games at 6 p.m. and Dinosaur Park children's events at 7 p.m. The evening wraps up with Kids Night Swim at the Erie Pool from 7 to 10 p.m., with separate swim times for children 12 and under and ages 13 and older.

Organizers encourage families to come out and enjoy an evening of food, games, and summer fun as Reunion Week continues.

The Coffeyville Public Library is bringing back their Bob Ross Painting Workshop.

Library Director Rachel Koszalka says they have lowered the price for this year.  Koszalka says this is a ticketed event with limited spots. Tickets can be purchased at the library. The event is on Saturday, July 25^th from 10:00am to 1:00pm.

The Independence First United Methodist Church is holding it 6^th Annual Desserts and More Auction this weekend.

Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Wilson says the doors open at 5:30pm on Saturday.  Wilson says the event is held at the Wesley Center located at 111 East Maple Street in Independence.

There is just over two weeks left for Kansas' Sunflower Summer.

Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce President Candi Westbrook says the program runs until August 2^nd.  Other area cities with attractions participating in Sunflower Summer include Independence, Oswego, Parsons, West Mineral and Howard.

The Parsons Police Department arrests four runaway juveniles following an attempted burglary.

At around 12:45am this morning, PPD responded to a report of a possible burglary in progress after a citizen observed several individuals attempting to force entry into a local vape shop. Officers arrived within minutes and discovered evidence confirming an attempted entry into the business. As officers canvassed the surrounding area, they saw four individuals fleeing south. With assistance from the Labette County Sheriff's Office, officers established a perimeter extending from 24^th Street and Grand Avenue back toward Main Street and began a coordinated search of the area.

During the search, officers located and took two of the juvenile suspects into custody. The remaining two juveniles were later located after returning to the Youth Crisis Center, where they were taken into custody. The investigation determined that all four suspects were runaway juveniles from the Youth Crisis Center. All four juveniles were transported to the Southeast Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center, where they are being held pending charges of attempted burglary, criminal damage to property and interference with law enforcement.

The City of Coffeyville assures citizens of transparency when it comes to possible data centers.

City Manager Ben Brubaker took to FaceBook on Wednesday to promise residents that they will be a part of any discussion when it comes to possible data centers in the City. Brubaker first raised the issue at a June city commission meeting, which led to a great deal of online discussion on social media. In a Tuesday interview on KGGF, Brubaker stated that multiple data center companies have expressed interest in the City. He says there are many reasons why Coffeyville is an attractive site.

Brubaker says any talks about a data center are in the very preliminary stages and that his priority is what will be best for Coffeyville.

Brubaker says there are many questions that need to be considered.

Brubaker encouraged any citizens with questions to reach out to the City.

The Elk County Free Fair gets underway Wednesday, July 15, at the fairgrounds in Longton with a full day of exhibits, livestock check-in, and judging.

The day begins with check-in for 4-H indoor exhibits, poultry, and rabbits from 8 to 10 a.m., followed by judging of 4-H exhibits at 10 a.m. The fair building will be closed during judging.

Open Class exhibit check-in, including photography contest entries and hay bale decorating entries, runs from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Livestock activities continue with 4-H animal weigh-in from 6 to 7:45 p.m. and 4-H breeding beef check-in from 7:45 to 8 p.m.

The Elk County Free Fair continues through Saturday with livestock shows, family activities, entertainment, and the annual fair parade.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly denies a request for clemency from convicted murderers Johnathan and Reginald Carr.

The two brothers were convicted for the December 2000 murders of five people during a week-long crime spree in Wichita and were sentenced to death for the crimes. Both had requested the commutation of their death sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

On Tuesday, July 14, Kelly denied that request. Kelly stated: “I have long supported the repeal of the death penalty, believing it an impractical, expensive burden on the state. And, because it mandates multiple opportunities for appeal, it drastically delays closure for the families of the victims. A sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole makes much more sense for all concerned.

“However, the death penalty is current law in Kansas and, if ever there were a situation in which the death penalty is justified, it is that of the unspeakably heinous acts of torture and murder committed by Reginald and Jonathan Carr.

“Because of the horrific nature of their crimes and because it appears that their punishment was meted out after thoughtful consideration by a jury of their peers, I am denying the death sentence commutation requests of both Reginald Carr and Jonathan Carr.

“I hope that this denial provides some comfort for those who still grieve their loved ones 26 years later.”

The victims of the Carr brothers' crime spree. (Top) Ann Walenta, Heather Muller, Brad Heyka. (Bottom) Aaron Sander, Jason Befort

Photo: Johnathan Carr (l), Reginald Carr (r)

A 3-year-old Kansas girl is dead following a drowning incident in southwest Missouri.

The incident occurred on Saturday night, July 11, in the Elk River near the Las Garzas campground located northeast of Noel. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was called to the scene just before midnight to investigate the drowning. The accident report states that the child was unable to swim and not wearing a life jacket when she entered the river.

The M-S-H-P says this is the 6^th drowning of 2026 and urges those near the water to use caution and maintain supervision of children.

The City of Coffeyville announces its plans to keep citizens informed on discussions regarding data centers.

The issue came to light in Coffeyville after City Manager Ben Brubaker raised the subject at a June city commission meeting. Brubaker also spoke about the issue during the public comment section of this week's Montgomery County Commission meeting. He says his plan is to be completely transparent with the public.

Brubaker also talked about the issue yesterday morning on KGGF. He says he's heard from dozens of data center companies during his two years as City Manager.

Brubaker added that no decisions have been made at this time. The City plans to hold a public information session in the first week of August. A further statement on the issue is expected from the City later today.

Work begins today in Neodesha to replace a drinking fountain at Barney's Field.

The City Public Works Department will begin work to replace the aging drinking fountain at the ball fields located across from Neodesha High School. During the installation, the area around the fountain will be excavated and temporarily closed while crews complete the necessary utility connections and concrete work. The City asks everyone using the park to please use caution, respect any barricades or signage, and avoid the work area so City crews can complete the project safely and efficiently.

Three Neodesha City employees are recognized for completing a Public Administration Program through Wichita State University.

City Clerk Stephanie Fyfe, Assistant City Clerk Rhonda Howell, and City Treasurer Tanna Denney were recently presented certificates of completion for the Mini Master of Public Administration program at WSU. Director of WSU's Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs Stephanie Newbold says the focus of the program is to improve the skills of municipal employees.
 

The MiniMPA program provides local government professionals with advanced training in public administration, leadership, budgeting, strategic planning, and organizational management. The three were recognized for their achievement at the recent Neodesha City Commission meeting.

Photo: (Left to Right) City Clerk Stephanie Fyfe, Commissioner Duane Banzet, Director of WSU's Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs Stephanie Newbold, City Manager Brogan Jones, Assistant City Clerk Rhonda Howell, WSU Assistant Teaching Professor Merci Umeri, Mayor Devin Johnson, Commissioner Ed Truelove. Inset: City Treasurer Tanna Denney

The Wilson County Commission will meet today and hear an update from the County Health Department.

Health Coordinator for the Wilson County Health Department Amy Lell will appear before the commission today to give her regular report. Commissioners will also consider 2027 budget requests from Rural Fire and the Wilson County Conservation District. Road & Bridge Supervisor Kary Tatum will also give an update on projects around the county. Today's meeting of the Wilson County Commission begins at 9am at the courthouse in Fredonia. The public is invited to attend.

The 153rd Annual Erie Old Soldiers & Sailors Reunion continues today and tomorrow with one of the week's signature events, the American Legion IPRA World Championship Rodeo.

The rodeo continues tonight at the American Legion Arena, featuring events including bull riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, team roping, steer wrestling, and mutton busting.

Organizers say event draws top rodeo competitors from across the region and remains one of the biggest attractions of Reunion week. Gates open at 6 p.m., with tickets available in advance and at the gate.

photo credit: International Professional Rodeo Association 

Net fishing is now no longer allowed at Leclere Lake in Coffeyville.

City Clerk Melissa Carter says this was brought to the commission because of concerns raised by citizens about the use of nets on the lake.  Carter says the proposed amendment would prohibit all forms of net fishing on Leclere Lake.

The Coffeyville City Commission unanimously approved both the first and second reading of the ordinance amending the rules for fishing on Leclere Lake.

The Midland Theater's Annual Vaude in the Ville is coming up later this month. Coffeyville's Reawkening's Denise York says tickets are $30.

York says this event is the operational fundraiser for the Midland Theater. A link to buy the tickets can be found here. The event is on Saturday, July 25^th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

The Nowata mayor appears at the weekly Save Our Hospital meeting.

Ascension St. John has submitted an application to reclassify Ascension St. John Nowata from a Critical Access Hospital to a Rural Emergency Hospital. The change would eliminate in-patient services, requiring patients in Nowata to seek treatment in either Bartlesville or Owasso.  Mayor Garry Gibson says a possible avenue could be the Cherokee Nation to keep in-patient services in Nowata.

Gibson says that Hillcrest has shown interest in putting a hospital in Nowata. During the meeting, the discussion shifted to Medicaid and the percentages that the federal government and state governments cover. Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government is responsible for 90% of costs and the state pays 10%. Gibson says there is a potential shift in federal and state coverage.

After Sunday's Save Our Hospital event, members of the group have called for county unity. Gibson says the community needs to fight.  The Save Our Hospital group meets Monday evenings at 6:00pm at the Clark Event Center, located at 220 North Maple Street. The group will not meet next Monday, July 20^th, but will have a meeting in two weeks on July 27^th.

A Parsons man is arrested in a stolen vehicle investigation.

The Parsons Police Department was notified by the Augusta Police Department that a vehicle stolen around 7:50am yesterday morning was believed to be headed toward Parsons. Officers familiar with the suspect used the department's Flock Safety camera system to track the vehicle's movement and began monitoring areas where it was expected to travel.

Around 10:50am, an officer spotted the stolen vehicle near the 2300 block of Appleton Avenue as it traveled through alleyways. The officer maintained visual contact and safely took 42-year-old Tylor Abshere into custody without incident. Abshere was arrested on behalf of the Augusta Police Department on a felony motor vehicle theft warrant. PPD says he will also face a local charge of driving while suspended.

Southeast Kansas farmers are making progress in the fields as summer crops continue developing across the region. According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Kansas had 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week.

Winter wheat harvest is nearing completion statewide, with 97% of the crop now harvested. In southeast Kansas, 95% of the wheat crop has been harvested.

Corn development continues to move along, with 94% of southeast Kansas corn now silking and 65% reaching the dough stage. Soybean fields are also progressing, with 95% of the state’s crop emerged and 69% rated good to excellent.

Pasture and range conditions remain steady, with 57% of Kansas pastures rated good to excellent as producers continue watching moisture conditions during the summer growing season.

The Coffeyville City Commission will meet tonight and entertain a light agenda.

At tonight's meeting, commissioners will consider adopting changes to regulations regarding net fishing at the lake at LeClere Park. There will be a second reading of the proposed changes. Commissioners will also consider a resolution of intent to amend the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan and set a Public Hearing on the proposal. City Manager Ben Brubaker will also speak about the issue of data centers during his report. No action will be taken on the discussion.

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

Ralph Mitchell Zoo in Independence announces that the zoo's cougar has passed away.

Zoo officials say the 16-year-old cougar named Tink was humanely euthanized earlier this month after suffering from kidney failure. Tink arrived at the Independence Zoo in 2011 on loan from the Tulsa Zoo. The animal first showed a decline in kidney function in 2023 after routine bloodwork indicated an issue. Tink was put on medication to combat the effects but her health continued to decline. Tink was pulled off exhibit at the zoo last winter after suffering a seizure. She was given medical attention, but continued to suffer until zoo staff made the difficult decision to euthanize the animal.

Cougars are solitary animals that are native to the Americas, ranging from thr Canadian Yukon to the Southern Andes. Life expectancy in the wild is 8 to 13 years, though in captivity they can live for more than 20.

The Kansas Department of Transportation is reminding citizens that political signs and billboards are not allowed to be placed on the state highway right-of-way.

By law, all right of way on state highways is exclusively for public highway purposes. Only regulatory, guide signs and warning signs placed by KDOT are allowed on the 9,500-mile state highway system. KDOT has jurisdiction over all interstate, Kansas and U.S. routes. Any political signs found in the right-of-way by KDOT maintenance crews will be removed without notice and taken to the closest KDOT office. If the signs are not claimed they will be disposed of after the election.

State law does allow for the  placement of campaign signs on city- or county-owned right of way. Those with questions should contact the local jurisdiction. Political campaigns signs are allowed on private property adjacent to state right-of-ways.

Firefighters in Wilson County respond to a vehicle fire near Benedict.

Wilson County Rural Fire was dispatched to a location on K-39 near the turn off to the City of Benedict around 4pm on Monday, July 13. The driver was unaware that the truck was on fire and this caused several small spot fires along the roadway. These roadsides flames caused heavy smoke along the highway prompting visibility issues on K-39. Firefighters were able to safely extinguish both the vehicle fire and the spot fires with no injuries reported.

The Oklahoma Attorney General announces a $44 million settlement in the state's 21-year lawsuit against six companies over poultry litter pollution.

The announcement came on Monday, July 13, from Oklahoma A-G Gentner Drummond. The original lawsuit was filed in 2005 against Tyson Foods, Cargill, George's, Peterson Farms, Cal-Maine and Simmons Foods over poultry litter pollution in the Illinois River Watershed. Under the settlement, the defendants will pay $41.67 million into an Environmental Relief Fund for watershed stewardship and litigation costs, and another $420,000 in penalties to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Revolving Fund. They also agreed to progressively reduce the amount of poultry litter land-applied within the watershed over the next seven years.

A federal judge had found the companies liable in December 2025, but then rejected a narrower settlement with four of the six companies last spring. Under the new settlement, the State will move to set aside the December 2025 court judgment and close out the lawsuit once the settlement is finalized.

“This agreement allows us to turn the page on a dispute that has gone on for far too long,” Drummond said. “It protects Oklahoma’s water, provides certainty for our poultry industry, and shows that difficult problems can be solved through persistence and good-faith negotiation. When the court asked us to strengthen the agreement, we went back to work and reached a better result. Every company has now made enforceable commitments with clear deadlines, creating a balanced solution that protects our natural resources while supporting one of Oklahoma’s most important industries.” 

The Wilson County Commission approves a permit application for a new cell tower in the northeast part of the county.

Commissioners held a Public Hearing on the permit at their last meeting. No members of the public came forth with a comment, so the hearing was closed and the permit was approved. The approved site is located near Rest, or about 8 miles north of Altoona.

In other business, commissioners approved a contract with the County Health Department for School Nurse services for Altoona-Midway schools for just over $20,000. They also approved pay increases for several county employees who completed their introductory periods. Road & Bridge Supervisor Kary Tatum updated the commission on continued road and culvert repairs due to recent washouts and discussed upcoming asphalt overlay work that will take place in the coming months.

A new storm shelter for South Coffeyville Public Schools is almost ready to use.

After last night's South Coffeyville School Board meeting, board members toured the new shelter which is under construction south of the elementary school. Superintendent Daryl Pruter says the shelter's max capacity will be 300 people, and the shelter will be available after school hours for community use. The shelter should be ready for use in the next few weeks.

In other business, the board approved the revisions to the student handbook, which include clear backpacks as a requirement as recommended by the state. The board also approved a lease-purchase agreement of $36,000 for an aluminum livestock trailer and stock box for the ag program. Ag teacher Jeff McGlathery says this will be a big benefit for the program.

The district will put $6,000 down and pay the rest in the coming years from the ag budget and the general fund.

The board also hired Twilia Lundy as junior high and high school biology and physical science teacher for the coming school year.

The Montgomery County Commission discusses a 14% tax increase for 2027 and hears citizen comments on the issue.

At this week’s meeting, the County followed its legal obligation to notify the County Clerk of  the intent to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate for next year’s budget. The current mill levy is 39.948 but will be increased to 46 mills. County Administrator Jonathan Booe says the final increase will likely be less than 46.

The 2027 budget as it currently stands would be 44.676 or a 14% increase in property taxes. According to Booe, the County began work on the 2027 budget at 52 mills. He says commissioners have already made several cuts.

Commissioner Robert Bever stated that a lot of the budget is taken up by items required by the state such as court services and the housing of inmates at the County Jail. Bever says the budget can be lower, but that would mean a cut in services such as road repair.

Many Montgomery County  citizens attended this week’s meeting and spoke against the tax increase during a ninety-minute long public comment session.

To view this commission meeting, follow this link.

Booe’s discussion with commissioners begins around 11:00 mark and lasts around 30 minutes

Public comments begin at approximately the 54:45 mark and last about 90 minutes. Several public comments are about data centers, which the Commission plans to discuss at next week’s meeting.

Residents in Nowata should prepare for a planned water outage.

City officials say the town's water supply will be shut off shortly after 9:00am tomorrow morning to allow crews to complete critical water line repairs. Water service is expected to be interrupted while the work is underway. There is currently no estimated time for when repairs will be completed or when water service will be restored.

The City of Nowata says it will provide updates to residents and businesses through the MyNowata Community Alert System and the city's social media pages as work progresses. Residents can sign up for alerts through the city's website.

The Montgomery County Commission discusses a 14% tax increase for 2027 and hears citizen comments on the issue.

At this morning’s meeting, the County followed its legal obligation to notify the County Clerk of the intent to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate for next year’s budget. The current mill levy is 39.948 but will be increased to 46 mills. Commissioners say they began budget talks for 2027 at 52 mills but have cut $3 million from that budget to arrive at what currently would be a 14% tax increase.

They say that they will continue to search for costs that can be cut. A Public Hearing for the budget was set for August 31^st. For full details on today’s meeting, tune into to KGGF News at 7:00am tomorrow.

The Osage County Commission signs a disaster declaration. The declaration is for the storms that happened over the 4^th of July holiday weekend.

Commissioner Steve Talburt says the damage in the county might not have been that bad, but by signing the declaration they will be able to get all the help they can.  The Commission unanimously passed the proclamation.

Many concerned Nowata citizens gather in the Nowata Middle School Gym to learn about Ascension St. John's proposal to transition their hospital to a Rural Emergency Hospital. Those that gathered heard from three different speakers and had an opportunity to have their questions answered regarding the proposed change.

Nowata Citizen Will Maddux says they deserve to understand the change.  The biggest change with the transition proposed by Ascension to the Oklahoma Department of Health is the drop of inpatient services, which includes the elimination of swing beds. Nowata Family Medicine Dr. David Caughell says swing beds are designed to switch patients from acute inpatient care to skilled nursing.

Those admitted to an REH would only be allowed to stay for up to 24 hours before being transported to another location. According to Ascension, patients in Nowata would be sent to either Bartlesville or Owasso's Ascension hospitals. As a result of the proposed change, a petition of over 1,000 signatures will be sent to state and federal officials in hopes of modifying the REH program. Nowata Citizen Kim Owen called for unity and says people need to sign the petition.

Ascension St. John released a statement once the proposed reclassification was submitted. The OSDH has not made a decision on the application.

The Nowata County Commission declare an emergency for the severe storms that have impacted the county.

Emergency Management Director Laurie Summers says they can only receive funding for the roads the county is responsible for.  The time period that the disaster declaration covers is from June 10^th to June 28^th, along with the storms on July 4^th.

Labette County discusses the opening of a position in the appraisers office. The opening would be for the GIS and Mapping position after the current employee left for a job in the private sector.

County Appraiser Melody Kikkert says it may save the county some money to hire a contractor instead of filling the position.  Kikkert says for a job like this it is hard to compete with the private sector who can offer double what the county is paying.

Commissioners discussed getting a contract with this former employee to do the job she was doing for the county. The conversation ended in an executive session for discussion of nonelected personnel.

The 153rd Annual Old Soldiers & Sailors Reunion is underway this week in Erie. This year's theme, "America, 250 Years of Freedom," celebrates the nation's 250th anniversary with six days of family-friendly events.

The celebration includes the 46th Annual American Legion IPRA World Championship Rodeo on Tuesday and Wednesday, children's activities, a free bean feed, live music, inflatables, a beer garden, and a community barbecue.

The reunion concludes Saturday with a pancake breakfast, the Reunion River Run, a car and truck show, arts and crafts vendors, a youth rodeo, and the annual Big Parade at 10:30 a.m. down Main Street.

The Old Soldiers & Sailors Reunion has been a tradition in Erie since 1873 and continues to bring together residents and visitors from across the region for a week of community celebration.

The American Red Cross is asking for the public's help after declaring an emergency blood shortage across the country. Blood donations dropped nearly 25 percent in June, creating a growing gap between the blood supply and patient needs.

The shortage is especially critical for platelet donations and blood types O positive and B negative. According to the Red Cross, hospitals are using about 3,500 more units of blood each week than expected during the busy summer trauma season.

Several blood drives are scheduled across southeast Kansas, including July 14 and 15 at First Baptist Church in Coffeyville, July 22 at Sun Graphics in Parsons, July 27 at Parsons State Hospital, and multiple drives in Chanute throughout July.

Those who donate between July 13 and July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email, while supplies last.

To schedule an appointment or learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Hot summer weather can increase the risk of blue-green algae in ponds, lakes, and other slow-moving bodies of water. Residents need to be cautious around water that appears bright green, blue-green, or has a thick, paint-like scum on the surface.

Wildcat Extension Agent Adaven Rohling says Blue-green algae can produce harmful toxins that are dangerous to people, livestock, pets, and wildlife.

If you suspect blue-green algae is present, keep people and animals out of the water and provide livestock and pets with a clean source of drinking water.

Hot summer temperatures can be hard on bats, especially those living in attics, barns, or other enclosed spaces. If you see a bat on the ground during the day, it may be suffering from heat stress or dehydration.

Wildcat Extension Agent Adaven Rohling says to avoid handling bats with your bare hands.

Providing a birdbath or other shallow source of fresh water can help bats and other wildlife stay hydrated during hot, dry weather. Taking a few simple steps to support wildlife can help bats stay healthy and continue providing important benefits, like controlling insect populations.

Emergency crews from Independence and Sycamore respond to a two vehicle accident north of Independence.

The initial call came in around 7:30pm last night for reports of a car accident involving a vehicle and a horse trailer on US-75 near the intersection with County Road 5000, or near the Elk River Bridge. EMS treated two patients at the scene. However, both of those individuals refused transport to a medical facility. Witnesses to the crash say that there may have been some injuries to the horses in the trailer, but those reports have not been confirmed.

The City of Altamont makes a change to its burn policy during the months of July and August.

Previously, burning was completely prohibited in the City of Altamont during the months of July and August due to hot, dry conditions. However, over the past few years, the City has received significant rainfall during those months. Mayor Richard Hayward says he thinks a change is in order.

Currently, Altamont residents who wish to burn during other months must get a permit from the City. Council member Lyle Sykes says, that wouldn’t change.

Council members approved changing the City ordinance to allow burning in July and August on a case-by-case basis with the approval of the Altamont Fire Chief.

The Neodesha City Commission announces its plan to remain revenue neutral for the 2027 budget.

At the most recent commission meeting, City Administrator Brogan Jones asked commissioners their thoughts on raising the mill levy for the upcoming year. Mayor Devin Johnson and Commissioner Ed Truelove agree that the mill levy will likely remain at 63.839.

Johnson says it’s important to show taxpayers the positive changes in the City’s finances.

The next step in the budget process will be to set a public hearing. That will likely happen sometime in August or September before the final approval of the 2027 budget.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports a significant drop in fatal car accidents on Kansas roadways so far in 2026.

K-H-P reports a preliminary total of 161 traffic fatalities as of July 7, 2026. That number is significantly lower than the same period last year, when the total number of traffic deaths stood at 196. K-H-P also states that these numbers are preliminary and may change based on trauma and investigation outcomes.

The Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Department of Transportation, and Kansas Drive to Zero remind drivers to avoid distractions, follow posted speed limits, and never drive impaired.

The Cherokee County Fair kicks off tomorrow in Columbus.

Check-in for 4-H, FFA, and HYA indoor exhibits happens today from 8am to 10am, with Clothing Construction at the Extension Office at 10am and the Rabbit and Poultry exhibit check-in from 6 to 8:30 tonight. As area youth prepare to compete, K-State Wildcat Extension Horticulture Agent Kenny Dodson says, what kids learn is the important part of the fair.

Tomorrow’s Cherokee County Fair activities begin at with the Poultry Show at 8:30am and the Rabbit Show at 9am. The canines will be featured tomorrow as well, with Dog Showmanship and Obedience at 1pm and Dog Rally and Agility at 7pm. There will be a Pedal Tractor Pull at 5:30pm. The evening will be capped off with a musical performance by Nick Sarwinski at 8:30. The carnival midway will also be open.

It all happens this week in Columbus.

For more information, go here and here.

The Parsons Police Department announces a change to its policy of allowing comments on social media posts announcing the arrest of suspects.

A recent discussion at a meeting of the Parsons Public Safety Advisory Board resulted in the Department adopting a trial policy to turn off comments on Facebook posts involving press releases that include booking photos. The change comes following the posting of inappropriate, shaming, and threatening comments. While PPD does have the legal authority to remove such comments, the department says it does not always have the staff available to do so. The trial period will run through September when it will be reviewed once again.

To read the social media policy of the Parsons Police Department, follow this link.

The USD 445-Coffeyville School Board changes the date for its July meeting.

The meeting was originally scheduled to be held tonight, but, due to scheduling conflicts, the meeting date has been changed to next Monday, July 20th. The district has not yet posted an agenda as to what business will be discussed. Online registration for the upcoming school year begins on Wednesday.

Next week’s USD School Board meeting will be held at the district office at 615 Ellis. The meeting is open to the public and will begin at 9am.

The USD 446-Independence Board of Education will meet tonight to handle a variety of business items.

On the agenda for tonight’s meeting, will be the reorganization of the Board as members select a President and Vice-President, roles that are currently filled by Charles Barker and Marty Reichenberger. The School Board will also choose representatives for the Tri-County Special Education cooperative and the Kansas Association of School Boards Governmental Relations Network.

In other business, the USD 446 School Board will consider requests for early graduation from seven students and will also discuss student cell phone storage and a policy for cell phone and social media use by staff.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 6pm in the library at Independence High School. The meeting is open to the public.

An Arkansas man is dead following a crash on US-400 in Kiowa County.

The accident happened around 12:45 on Friday afternoon just west of the City of Greensburg. 82-year-old Richard Whybark of Clarksville, Arkansas, was stopped at a stop sign on US-183 at the junction with US-400. As Whybark attempted a left turn onto the other highway, he was struck by a semi truck driven by 50-year-old Bradley Starks of Kingston, Oklahoma. Starks was uninjured in the crash but Whybark was taken to a nearby hospital where he died from his injuries.

The Montgomery County Commission will discuss plans to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate for 2027.

On the agenda for today's meeting is County Administrator Jonathan Booe. Booe will request the approval of a notice of intent to the County Clerk to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate for the coming year. According to county documents, the mill levy would increase from the current 39.948 to 46.0 mills. This would increase tax revenue by about $3 million, from $16.8 million to $20.1 million. A date for a public hearing on the increase would be set for August 31^st at 9am.

The county had planned a similar increase last year, but, due to a procedural error were forced to remain revenue neutral for 2026. Commissioners then cut an additional $3 million from this year's budget.

The Public Works Department is also on today's agenda to continue last week's proposal to move the center line on West Oak Street in Independence.

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.

Another Summer Celebration is in the books, marking 10 years of the event at Walter Jonson Park in Coffeyville.

Organizer Brady Smith says the total count came in at 32 food vendors and 90 merchandise vendors, which be believes is a new record.

The day started out with a 5K that was won by Bennett Thompson, who says it was well attended.

Curtis Foster says the car show saw good attendance at around 100 total cars, trucks and bikes.  Curtis announces the winner of the Best of Show.

Denise York and Debbie Carter organized the kiddie car show and say over 20 children participated.  All entrants also earned awards and "gas money," although the top prizes were also announced.

A cornhole tournament organized by South Coffeyville residents also drew in 16 teams.  A Blackstone grill was also given away to a ticket holder present during the band concert.

Organizer Gail smith says he was happy with how the day turned out.

The event wrapped up with a large fireworks display that took a crew of 11 a total of four days to set up according to Smith.  While the event is always free to attend, it was made possible by the generous support of local businesses and organizations.

Update 8:20 p.m.

Thunderstorms are developing in northeast Oklahoma, but according to the latest from the National Weather Service, Coffeyville is expected to stay dry for Summer Celebration.

While storms remain possible, the expection is for the majority of storm coverage to greatly decrease by 10 pm.  KGGF will continue to monitor the situation during the evening.

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

Severe thunderstorms are possible across the KGGF listening area this evening, mainly for northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect through 10 p.m. for the following counties:

.    OKLAHOMA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

BLAINE               CADDO               CANADIAN
CLEVELAND            CREEK               CUSTER
GARFIELD             GRADY               GRANT
KAY                  KINGFISHER          LINCOLN
LOGAN                MAYES               MCCLAIN
NOBLE                NOWATA              OKFUSKEE
OKLAHOMA             OKMULGEE            OSAGE
PAWNEE               PAYNE               POTTAWATOMIE
ROGERS               SEMINOLE            TULSA
WAGONER              WASHINGTON          WASHITA

Summer celebration is this Saturday, July 11th at Walter Johnson Park in Coffeyville.

Below is a schedule of some of the main events. All times are approximate:

7:00 am  - 1K/5K Run/Walk registration
7:30 am  - race starts
8:00 am  - car show registration opens
8:00 am  - kiddie car show registration opens (Ron Stevenson Building)
11:00 am - corn hole registration
12:30 pm - uncle sam at Ron Stevenson Building
1:00 pm  - cornhole tournament starts
1:30 pm  - kiddie car show
2:00 pm  - car show awards
3-4 pm   - poker run starts (after car show awards)
5-6 pm   - Backroads Band and Retro Rockerz start
9:45 pm  - largest fireworks show in SEK! (music broadcast on US 98.1 FM)

Other all-day events: daytime DJ, water slides, food/merch vendors, swap meet

For LIVE coverage, tune to The Mighty 690 during Open Line from 9-11 and through the day, then tune to US 98.1 from 6-8 p.m. and around 9:45 for the official fireworks soundtrack!

The Montgomery County Republican Party and the Republican Women of Montgomery County are hosting a Republican Candidate Forum next weekend.

Kansas State Senator Virgil Peck says they will have candidates from the state wide races including governor.  Peck says there will also be candidates there from local races.

Peck says he encourages all registered republicans to attend and get a chance to hear from the candidates. The forum is Saturday, July 18^th from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the Civic Center located at 410 North Penn Avenue in Independence. The event is free to attend.

Three Parsons High School students are bringing home a national title.

Parsons FCCLA Students Sadie Ray, Cadence Manners and Lauren Forbes took first place in the nation in the FCCLA Repurpose Redesign Level 3 competition.  School officials say the team represented Parsons High School, Kansas, and the community on the national stage, earning the championship through their creativity and hard work.

The community is invited to help welcome the national champions home. If flights remain on schedule, a police escort will bring the team back to Parsons this evening. Residents are encouraged to gather at Parsons High School by 8:30pm or line up along 32^nd Street leading to the school to cheer on the champions as they arrive home.

The City of Coffeyville provides an update on the 8^th Street project.

Deputy Director of Public Works Thomas Osborn says the project is on time to finish in September.  Osborn says the current 8^th Street pavement project is out to bid.

The City began the project at the end of March.

Hot weather can be dangerous for rabbits and chickens during county fair season. Wildcat Extension Agent Adaven Rohling reminds exhibitors to take steps to prevent heat stress.

Make sure your animals always have fresh, cool water and keep cages in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Frozen water bottles or cooling tiles can help keep rabbits cool, and fans can improve airflow around both rabbits and poultry.

Do not overcrowd cages, and watch for signs of heat stress. Chickens may pant or hold their wings away from their bodies. Rabbits may lie stretched out, become sluggish, or stop eating.

Taking these simple steps will help keep your animals healthy, comfortable, and ready for the show ring.

Wilson County Rural Fire and the Neodesha Fire Department responds to several small fires.

The fires were all reported on the roadside along US-400 between Neodesha and Fredonia on Thursday. The fires were all quickly extinguished with no damage or injuries reported.

Firefighters remind residents and drivers alike that the recent hot weather has allowed brush and grasses to dry along roadways making spot fires more likely. Drivers are asked to make sure vehicle are not dragging chains or tie straps that might spark a fire and that all motorists avoid throwing lit cigarettes out of windows.

Elk County Rural Fire receives a donation of drinking water from Anheuser-Busch.

Earlier this week, the company presented the Rural Fire Department with a pallet of canned water. The total donation consisted of more than 2,000 cans of drinking water and was made possible through the National Volunteer Fire Council and Demo Distributors.

Each year, Anheuser-Busch pauses beer production to produce emergency drinking water, and in partnership with National Volunteer Fire Council, ensures volunteer firefighters have the critical hydration they need during extreme heat.

Elk County Rural Fire was one of the roughly 600 departments nationally to receive this donation to help keep firefighters hydrated during wildfires and extended responses.

Pictured L to R: Travis Tennyson, Demo Director of Sales; Capt. Nick Miller; Chief Todd Winscher and Brad Demo, Demo Sales. Courtesy Elk County Rural FIre

The Quapaw Nation Marshal Service will conduct a D-U-I checkpoint near Picher on Saturday, July 18^th.

The checkpoint will be conducted by Quapaw Nation deputies along with officers from the Miami Nation Police Department on US-69, just south of East 20^th Road in Picher. Officers will be looking for impaired drivers while encouraging safe driving habits.

Law enforcement encourages all drivers to make responsible choices by avoiding alcohol and wearing a seat belt. Drivers should also ensure they have have their driver's license, vehicle registration, and current insurance while following all traffic laws.

The Independence Mid-Continent Band has plans to entertain the youngest music lovers at next week's concert.

On Tuesday night, the community band will hold a children's concert at Riverside Park. The concert will feature music from the Disney movie Frozen along with other childhood favorites. The music will feature songs popular with the young and the young at heart. There will also be popsicles and face painting. The concert and activities are free to enjoy.

The Mid-Continent Band's Children Concert will happen on Tuesday night at 8pm at the Hille Band Shell at Riverside Park in Independence.

The City of Independence continues to make dangerous and unsafe properties a priority.

That was the word at last night's Independence City Commission meeting. Assistant City Manager David Cowan says the City's Code enforcement staff continues to address the issue.
 

At last night's meeting, commissioners voted to set a date for Public Hearings on twelve properties across the City. The plan is to continue to prioritize nuisance abatement, environmental code enforcement, and the removal of dangerous and unsafe structures to advance neighborhood revitalization and to protect public health and safety. Director of the Independence Housing Authority April Nutt also addressed the Commission about housing needs. She says new home construction in Independence is progressing.
 

Like many communities in southeast Kansas, Independence has seen a need to increase housing availability. City officials say a continued focus on new home construction and the revitalization of existing houses will help address that need.

The 10^th Annual Coffeyville Summer Celebration is tomorrow and there is some rain in the forecast.

Organizer Gail Smith says they aren't worried about a little rain.  There is about a 70% chance of rain for tomorrow.

Events include a 5K, car show, poker run, cornhole tournament, kiddie car parade and the fireworks show to cap off the event plus vendors setup in the park.

Some Coffeyville residents will be without power for several hours tomorrow as city crews replace a damaged utility pole.

Coffeyville Municipal Light and Power says the planned outage will begin around 8:00am and is expected to last until about 2:00pm. The work will take place in the alley between the 700 blocks of West 9^th Street and West 10^th Street. The utility pole was damaged in a vehicle accident and must be replaced to return the electric system to its normal configuration.

Electric service in the affected area will be temporarily interrupted while crews replace the pole and related equipment. City officials say the planned outage is necessary so crews can safely complete the repairs and help maintain the long-term reliability of Coffeyville's electric system.

Crawford County firefighters respond to a structure fire southwest of Pittsburg.

Yesterday at around 5:00pm, crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear of the home. Crawford County Sheriff's deputies reached the scene first and confirmed no one was inside the structure. Firefighters also located a dog that was initially believed to be trapped inside.

Fire District 1 received assistance from Crawford County Fire Districts 2 and 3, the Pittsburg Fire Department, Crawford County EMS and the Crawford County Sheriff's Office. CCFD says the hot and humid conditions took a toll on crews, with one firefighter treated at the scene for heat-related stress. Firefighters remained on scene for about two hours.

Parsons Police arrest a man after reports of a disturbance involving a possible handgun at Oakwood Cemetery.

Officers responded to the cemetery after landscaping employees reported a shirtless man had threatened workers with what they believed was a handgun. Police say one employee fled the area while another stayed behind and notified supervisors. Officers located the suspect, identified as Mackenzie Cory Eugene Gamblian, still on the cemetery grounds. Police say Gamblian initially refused commands, tried to walk away, and resisted officers before being taken into custody after a brief struggle.

Investigators later determined the weapon was a realistic-looking replica pistol with an orange safety tip. Police say Gamblian continued to resist and attempted to escape after being handcuffed. Gamblian was booked into the Labette County Jail on requested charges of aggravated assault, interference with law enforcement and aggravated escape from custody. According to the Kansas Department of Corrections, he completed his state supervision in April.

The 2026 Cherryvale Youth Fair is underway at Logan Park in Cherryvale. Students can participate in events ranging from baking, photography, showing livestock and so much more. Exhibitor Hadley Fields says this fair is a great first time fair.

Organizer Hannah Graybill, who has gone from fair participant to fair worker, says it's been great to see the generations of exhibitors come through the fair over the years.  Graybill says for anyone curious about the Cherryvale Youth Fair, 4H or FFA to just give something a try at the fair.

The auction of youth exhibitor baked goods is tonight at 7:00pm. The silent auction for the adult bakeoff items is from 2:00pm to 8:00pm tomorrow. The livestock shows start at 6:00pm tomorrow night starting with the bucket calf show. A full list of events can be found on the Cherryvale Youth Fair Facebook page.

An Arkansas City man is in custody after police say he attemepted to strangle his own mother.

Ark City Police arrested 42-year-old Kody Wayne Nuss early Monday morning (July 6) after receiving a 9-1-1 call from his 61-year-old mother. Reports indicate the victim fled from her home where the alleged assault occurred to a neighbor's home, where she then contacted police. An investigation revealed that the woman's glasses were broken and her cellphone, medication, and vehicle were taken. The suspect had fled the scene by the time officers arrived.

Nuss was later taken into custody after witnesses reported a stolen vehicle driving erratically. Police say the suspect resisted arrest and attempted to grab an officer's weapon while he was in handcuffs.

Nuss was taken to the Cowley County Jail in Winfield where he faces charges of aggravated domestic battery, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, interference with law enforcement, theft, criminal damage to property, possession of a depressant, and driving under the influence. His bond has been set at $52,000.

The State of Oklahoma is preparing for the November 3^rd general election by allowing the political parties to draw for ballot position.

A public drawing was heldon Wednesday, July 8, to determine the ballot order for political parties and independent candidates for the November ballot. The Republican Party drew to top slot followed by the Democratic Party and the Libertarian Party. Recognized political party candidates appear on the ballot in lot order. Independent candidates are placed on the ballot in lot order following the candidates of recognized political parties.

Wednesday's drawing was held in accordance with Oklahoma law at the State Capitol Building in Oklahoma City.

To learn more about the upcoming election in Oklahoma, follow this link.

Two local communities are awarded Public Health and Wellness Partners grant from the Cherokee Nation.

Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner announced the $1.87 million dollars in funding yesterday (on Wednesday, July 8,) to more than 30 awardees across the the Cherokee Nation Reservation. Among the recipients are the Coffeyville Fire Department, which will receive just over $44,000 to replace a self-contained breathing apparatus and to install an on-site fill station at the Fire Department. The South Coffeyville Schools were also awarded $55,000 to expand a community courtyard.

The grant program is funded under the tribe's Public Health and Wellness Fund Act, legislation proposed by Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner and enacted by the Council in 2021. 

To see a full list of grant recipients and projects, follow this link.

A Parsons woman suffers serious injuries following a dirt bike accident near Columbus.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, around 9:15 last night (Wednesday night) 38-year-old Lacey Harrington was riding a dirt bike along Northwest Coalfield Road, west of K7 or about six miles north of Columbus. At some point, Harrington lost control of the bike and was ejected. Harrington was not wearing a helmet when the accident occurred. She was taken to Mercy Hospital in Joplin for treatment.

The Altamont City Council will meet tonight with several items of new business to come before the group.

On tonight's agenda will be a review of the City's burn policy along with a discussion on City storm procedures. Council members will also consider a proposal for software for the municipal court as well as ordinance violations for a property on South Wabash avenue.

Tonight's meeting begins at 7pm at the Altamont City Hall. The public is invited to attend in person or to view the meeting online via the City of Altamont Facebook page.

The Independence City Commission will meet tonight and hear updates on City goals.

City Manager Kelly Passaeur will give her report to the commission on the goals of the City administration for the coming year. April Nutt with the Independence Housing Authority will also appear to provide advice on housing goals for the City.

Commissioners will also hear presentations from Live Healthy Montgomery County regarding the use of opioid funding and from the Independence Chamber regarding recent events held in the City. There will also be the consideration of dates for public hearings for twelve properties deemed dangerous and unsafe.

Tonight's meeting of the Independence City Commission 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's website.

KGGF/KUSN/KQQF will once again provide the soundtrack for this year's summer celebration.

The 10^th annual event happens this Saturday at Walter Johnson Park in Coffeyville with a full day of vendors and activities culminating in the area's largest fireworks show after dark.

During the evening leading up to live bands and the fireworks, KGGF staff will broadcast live US 98 between 6 and 8 p.m.

This year, the soundtrack for the fireworks will again be heard beyond the range of the speakers near the stage as the music will also be carried live on US 98, which will start shortly before the fireworks are set off. So don't forget to tune in to 98.1 FM in your car, or bring a radio with you to listen in the park while the fireworks light up the sky.

The Caney City Council votes to raise the ceiling mill levy for 2027 by 10.

Caney City Clerk Adam Lanter says the original mill levy for 2027 was 53.084.  Mayor Josh Elliot and Council Members Elizabeth Burch and Jeff Culver discuss that just because the ceiling was raised to 10 doesn't mean the mill levy will be raised by 10.

Mayor Elliot encouraged residents to attend budget work sessions. A budget hearing was set for September 7^th.

A boil water advisory is issued for parts of the Wilson County Rural Water Districts.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for portions of Wilson County Rural Water Districts 10 and 11 following a waterline break. The advisory affects customers of Rural Water District 10 who live along Highway 75 north of 1800 Road and customers of Rural Water District 11 who live along Highway 75 north of the city of Buffalo. Residents should boil water for at least one minute before drinking or preparing food, or use bottled water instead. Customers should also discard ice made with tap water, avoid using automatic ice makers, and flush water lines if the water appears dirty.

The advisory was issued after a loss of water pressure in the distribution system, which can reduce chlorine levels and increase the risk of bacterial contamination. The advisory will remain in place until testing confirms the water is safe to use again.

The Coffeyville Public Library is at the halfway mark of their 6,000 book goal for the summer reading program.

Library Director Rachel Koszalka says they were less than 100 books shy of 3,000 for the month of June.  Koszalka says every book read counts, even children's books read multiple times.

Koszalka says for every book a teen or adult reads, they will get an entry into the summer reading grand prize, which is a Garmin health monitor.

The Community Crisis Team of Independence is looking for people to sponsor families for their Christmas in July Adopt-a-Family.

Independence Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Wilson says there are two ways to help.  Wilson says this event supports the youth of Independence by getting them ready to go back to school with a new outfit and a pair of shoes.

The Coffeyville Fire Department is still looking for volunteers needing community service hours to help with fire hydrant painting. Chamber of Commerce President Candi Westbrook says there are over 600 fire hydrants in Coffeyville.

Transportation is not required, it is recommended. Anyone interested in participating, or those who know someone in need of community service hours, can contact CFD by calling (620)252-6148.

Authorities in Ellis County are investigating a string of suspicious fire that have occurred over the past several weeks.

The latest incident occurred in the City of Russell on Saturday night. The Russell Fire Department was dispatched to a local park for a report of a trash can fire. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they discovered that the object on fire was not a trash can, but was instead a portable restroom that had been placed near the City baseball fields for the recreational season. When crews attempted to extinguish the blaze, it reacted violently with water, indicating that an accelerant was likely used.

Fire officials say this latest fire fourth such fire reported and is likely part of a pattern of portable restrooms being set ablaze over the past several weeks.

Authorities continue to investigate the fires.

Photo courtesy Russell Fire Department

An Independence woman suffers serious injuries in a single vehicle car crash near McCune.

20-year-old Mazie Schultheiss was driving a 2011 Toyota Camry eastbound on 510 Avenue about 4 miles east of the City of McCune around 10pm on Tuesday. Schultheiss failed to negotiate the T intersection with South 90^th Street and struck a ditch embankment. She was transported to Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg to be treated for her injuries.

Schultheiss was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.

A 73-year-old woman is seriously injured in a Tuesday afternoon crash in Yates Center.

Katherine Warren was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 20-year-old Cavan Warren that was involved in a two-vehicle accident that occurred at the intersection of East Bell and North Main Street just before 2pm on Tuesday. The accident occurred when the Warren vehicle was struck while it was going through the intersection by a 2011 Chevy Silverado driven by a 14-year-old driver.

No one else was hurt in the accident.

The Neodesha City Commission will meet today and entertain a light agenda.

At today's meeting, commissioners will consider a resolution to add an individual to the City's bank authorizations. This measure will ensure that the City's financial institutions have the appropriate documentation and authorized personnel on file to process transactions. Representatives from Wichita State University will also be on hand to present certificates to three City employees for recently completing the Mini-MPA program.

Commissioners are also expected to set a date and time for a work session to begin finalizing the 2027 budget.

Today's meeting begins at 4pm in the Commission Room at the Neodesha City Hall. The meeting is open to the public and will also be recorded for later viewing on the City's Facebook page.

Three people are injured, two seriously, in an accident just south of Fort Scott.

On Tuesday afternoon, July 7, just before 5pm, 18-year-old Mackinzie Larrabee was driving a 2013 Ford Fusion eastbound on Indian Road. Larrabee failed to yield at a stop sign at the intersection of US-69. Her vehicle was struck on the driver's side by a semi truck driven by 57-year-old Charles Shupp of Purcell, Missouri. Larrabee and a passenger in her vehicle 19-year-old Genuine Juarez Adams were both seriously injured and taken to Joplin's Freeman Hospital for treatment. The driver of the semi also suffered minor injuries in the accident.

The Kansas Highway Patrol releases its Fourth of July Holiday Activity Report.

 The Kansas Highway Patrol worked five non-DUI related fatal crashes which resulted in a total of five fatalities. The fatal crashes occurred in Allen, Russell, Shawnee, and Pratt counties. KHP trooper also issued 752 speeding citations and assisted 614 motorists.

The reporting period for the holiday ran from 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2026, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2026.

 There were 27 DUI arrests over the reporting period, up from 25 in 2025, and up from 16 in 2024.

To read the full report, follow this link.

The Wilson County Commission will meet today for their regular weekly meeting.

Commissioners will hear updates from County Coordinator Kris Marple and County Clerk Kayla Busch. Road & Bridge Supervisor Kary Tatum will also provide his weekly report. Commissioners will also discuss details of a county zoning case. Today's meeting begins at 9am in Room 101 of the Wilson County Courthouse in Fredonia. The meeting is open to the public.

Tax receipts for the State of Kansas in June come in above estimates.

The total tax receipts for June 2026 came in at $1.07 billion. That number is about 3.2% or nearly $34 million above estimates. Receipts were also 1% higher than June 2025. Both individual income and corporate taxes rose in June, driving the higher-than-projected numbers. Individual taxes were $490 million or 5.4% above expectations while corporate taxes also increased. Those receipts were $185 million or 4% above estimates. However, those numbers were 11% lower than a year ago.

The full report can be seen at this link.

The Cherryvale Youth Fair continues today with entry check-ins.

Campers are now allowed in the park, and rabbit and poultry are being checked in this morning. Inside exhibit entry will also take place tonight from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Eighth-grader Cheroke Whinery is planning to enter in fiber arts, visual arts, forestry and baking. She says she enjoys the new experiences at the fair.

Fourth-grader Adam Hagood is planning to enter inside exhibits as well.

There will be an exhibitor cookout meal tonight from 7 to 8 sponsored by Montgomery County Farm Bureau, with livestock entry tomorrow plus a live remote on US 98 from 10 to noon. All events take place at Logan Park in Cherryvale.

Coffeyville Regional Medical Center is hosting a open house for their new Primary Care Clinic.

Director of Foundation and Guest Relations Amy Taylor says the event is tomorrow from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.  Taylor says she encourages those who attend the event or who visit the care clinic to take a look at all the photography on the walls.

The new Primary Care Clinic is located at 1400 West 4^th Street across the street from CRMC.

The Osage County Commission discuss data center.

The main topic of discussion was the commission approving Assessor Ed Quinton putting his signature on the Project Spring data center tax incentive agreement. This is something Quinton didn't want the commissioners to do. He says by signing this, the county would be losing out on tax dollars.

Quinton says the people in charge of Project Spring don't need help with the county at the moment, but that could potentially change. District Two Commissioner Steve Talburt says there is due to an ongoing lawsuit because the area the potential project sits on is being disputed if it really belongs to the City of Sand Springs.

Quinton says the data center is able to skirt by without having to pay a tax bill.  Talburt says he is strongly against having anything to do with the tax incentive project.  The commissioners decided against having Quinton's signature on the Project Spring data center tax incentive agreement.

The Nowata County Commission asses storm damage following the 4^th of July weekend storms.

Nowata County is currently in a declared emergency following flooding and additional severe weather last month. Emergency Management Director Laurie Summers says she will get information on if Saturday's storms will be part of the current emergency timeline.

The threshold of damage costs the county must meet to receive additional funding is $45,294. The commissioners also approved a damage statement for district one for federal emergency relief with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

The Montgomery County Young Professionals are hosting a pickleball meet up this Sunday in Coffeyville. Tourism Director Wyatt Starnes says this is open to anyone in the county.

This event was originally scheduled in June but was rained out and rescheduled to this Sunday at 7:00pm at the Clarence Stricklan Courts. The group encourages those who are planning to come to bring their own pickleball gear but some extras will be available.

Coffeyville's Reawakening and Carter Auto Parts are partnering together to host the Kiddie Car Parade for the second straight year. Carter Auto Parts Mikaela Trim says this year's theme is red, white and blue.

Power wheels can be dropped off at the Ron Stevenson Building on Saturday morning and that is also were the parade will start. After the parade a best decorated power wheel will be chosen.

A Parsons man is arrested after an investigation into a stolen package.

Parsons Police officers responded yesterday morning to a reported package theft in the 300 block of North Central Avenue. The victim provided home security video, and the investigating officer identified the suspect as Shane Kloog based on previous law enforcement contacts. Police spent the day searching for Kloog before the victim reported seeing him back in the neighborhood around 4:50pm yesterday afternoon. Officers responded and took Kloog into custody after police say he initially refused commands to stop. Kloog was arrested on requested charges of theft and interference with law enforcement. PPD says he is currently serving a term of probation through Labette County District Court.

This morning, a citizen reported finding a bicycle and a package in a yard. Officers determined the package belonged to the victim and returned it. The bicycle was taken to the police department impound, and anyone missing a bicycle is encouraged to contact the department's evidence custodian.  The investigation remains ongoing.

The Kansas wheat harvest is nearly complete. The latest USDA Crop Progress report shows harvest is 91 percent complete, well ahead of last year's 78 percent and the five-year average of 74 percent.

Farmers made good progress over the holiday weekend as hot, dry weather allowed combines to return to the fields after weeks of rain delays.

In southeast Kansas, Beachner Grain President and CEO Gary Beachner says June's wet weather took a toll on the crop.

The Parsons City Commission discusses a purchase option for 20 acres of land for a possible data center.

At Monday's meeting, it was standing room only as Parsons citizens attended to voice their thoughts on the purchase and the proposed data center. The land purchase would be in the Tolan Creek Industrial Park north of the City and would give the Texas-based firm Hyperdatagrid up to a year to study the feasibility of installing a micro data center. Some in attendance spoke in favor of the center.

Others, however, were against the facility.

Others said the people of Parsons should decide.

Members of the Parsons City Commission spoke in favor of the contract.

Commissioner Leland Crooks says the City has historically set the pace for the use of technology.

The data center would possibly bring in as much as $300,000 a year in new revenue. Commissioner Eric Strait says the City government has an obligation to consider the economics of the issue.

A major issue for those concerned about the data center is water usage. Commissioner Verlyn Boulanger says the Parsons Water plant usually runs at less than half capacity.

In the end, commissioners were asked to make a decision on the land purchase contract. Commissioner Eric Strait makes the motion.

The vote gives Hyperdatagrid six months to study utility availability, review land use, and perform survey work.

One man is dead and another seriously injured in a single vehicle crash near Garden City.

19-year-old Adan Gonzalez and 21-year-old Anthony Abete, both of Garden City, were traveling eastbound on Burnside Drive near the intersection with US-83 just south of Garden City around 8:15 last night (on Monday night). Gonzalez was driving the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse when he crossed the center line. He corrected, but then went left of center again and the vehicle started to slide on the roadway. The vehicle then overturned.

Gonzalez suffered serious injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. Abete was killed in the crash. Neither man was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.

A Marion man is dead after ahead on collision with a semi truck in Harvey County.

49-year-old Gerardo Mendoza was traveling eastbound around 6pm Monday night on US-50 near East Lake Road or about 30 miles north of El Dorado. His 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 crossed the center line for an unknown reason and crossed into the path of an oncoming semi driven by 59-year-old Charles Murphy of Rochester, Minnesota. Murphy attempted an evasive maneuver but was unable to avoid the collision and the two vehicles struck head on.

Mendoza was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The City of Coffeyville is asking residents to make their opinions known by taking part in a community survey.

The City's Community Development Team seeks input on ideas to make the community more convenient for getting around town, whether its biking, walking, or other means of travel. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete, and input will help guide future improvements throughout Coffeyville.

To take the survey, follow this link.

The City of Neodesha is advising residents to avoid contact with water at the City’s Riverwalk Park due to the presence of blue-green algae.

Blue-green algae can produce toxins that may be harmful to both people and animals. Even brief exposure or ingestion can cause illness, with pets being especially vulnerable. Due to this, the City advises that citizens not enter the water and that pet owners keep their animals from drinking or having contact with the water.

The City is monitoring the situation and will provide updates as conditions change.

Two students from Caney High School are selected to take part in a national conference on Artificial Intelligence Policy.

Samantha Roberts Dildine and Kinlee Littleford, have been selected to represent Kansas at the Student Senate on A-I Policy in Boston later this month. The two will represent USD 436 at America’s Youth A-I Festival as a group of 250 students, educators, school leaders, and partners gather to focus on A-I literacy, civic engagement, student leadership, and the future of learning.

Dildine and Littleford will learn about the legislative process, and take part in a first-of-its-kind debate on national A-I policy for K-12 schools at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.

The student-authored policy will be shared with School Superintendent’s Association’s nationwide network of more than 10,000 district leaders, giving our students a real opportunity to influence how A-I is used in classrooms across the country.

Photo: Dildine (l) and Littleford (r). Courtesy USD 436 Caney

The Sedan City Council will meet tonight with several issues of business from the last council meeting on the agenda.

At tonight’s meeting, council members will discuss the audit of the City’s 2025 finances and its impact on the upcoming budget talks for 2027. There will also be a continued discussion regarding the increase of rates for water customers and for solid waste rates. Council members will also hear reports from the City’s department heads.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 5:30 in the Council Room at the Sedan City Hall. The meeting can also be viewed online via the City’s Facebook page.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has begun a resurfacing project on US-75 in Neodesha.

Work on the project is officially underway and will continue until the project is completed. Drivers along US-75 or Main Street in Neodesha can expect temporary lane closures, flaggers and other traffic control devices, as well as minor delays while construction is underway.

KDOT and the City of Neodesha remind drivers to slow down in the work zone and allow extra time for travel throughout the course of the project as state contractors work to make improvements to the state highway.

Students in South Coffeyville will need to change their backpacks for the upcoming school year.

Starting this fall, all students in South Coffeyville schools from Pre-K through 12th grade will be required to use clear backpacks. The district is implementing the change in an effort to increase student safety. Schools implement clear backpack policies primarily to deter students from concealing weapons, drugs, or other unauthorized contraband. By making the contents of bags instantly visible, these policies speed up security checkpoints, aim to create a safer environment, and eliminate ambiguity about what students are carrying. Students and parents are advised that any logos or pictures on the backpack should be smaller than 3 inches, and the backpack needs to be clear all the way around. Personal care items may be carried in a pencil-sized pouch for privacy.

Fall enrollment for South Coffeyville School takes place on August 3^rd and 4^th.

Montgomery County considers the issue of changing the center line on West Oak Street.

At this week’s commission meeting, Independence City Engineer John Garris addressed commissioners on the issue of adjusting the center line on Oak Street west of Independence High School. Earlier this year, the Independence City Commission was told that when school buses were forced to cross the center line due to parking on the south side of the street, the vehicles were violating the law. Garris says this raised several other issues for the City.

The decision was made to move the center line of the street to the north to allow for both two-way traffic and parking. Because the City and Montgomery County jointly own that stretch of Oak Street, the County Commission would need to approve of the measure. Commissioner Robert Bever says he would like to take a closer look at the route before making a final decision.

The commission voted to table the issue until next week before making a decision.

Cherryvale's New police chief is sworn into office.

At Monday's meeting, Nigel Flenar was sworn in by acting City Clerk Karen Davis.

Flenar and his wife moved to the area in 2021 from northwest Indiana. He started his career in 1996 in a Chicago suburb and has been working in Montgomery County with both the Sheriff's Office and Code Enforcement in Caney.

Flenar says there are several items he wants to work on.

Several citizens asked Flenar about the “Talk with the Chief” program, and he says he plans on continuing it.

While Flenar is an Independence resident, the Council decided to waive the three-mile residency requirement with hopes that he will consider moving to Cherryvale.

Setup is underway for this year's Cherryvale Youth Fair.

Last night, volunteers filled Logan Park, setting up the indoor space for exhibits and livestock pens outside, followed by a swim party.

Event organizer Jackie Chandler says there's still time to get involved with the fair for all youth ages 7 to 18.

The Peewee division is also available for youth ages 3 to 7. Chandler says they're expecting more exhibits this year based on pre-entry numbers. In addition, Chandler says everything will be ready for the public starting on Thursday.

Seventh-grader Juliet Thompson is showing rabbits and art and says the hard work pays off.

Sixth-grader Noah Hagood is exhibiting foods, photography, project boards and stained glass. He says he enjoys meeting new people at the fair.

This Thursday, KGGF staff will broadcast live from the fair with a remote on US 98 from 10 to noon. The full event schedule can be seen below:

A proposed property tax increase may be less than expected for Caney Residents.

A packed crowd filled the meeting room at Monday night's Caney City Council Meeting after a discussion to increase the upcoming 2027 budget by 22 mills was apparently placed in error as an action item on the agenda.

A change to the agenda moves the discussion to a workshop following the regular council meeting. During the workshop, Caney Mayor Joshua Elliott says current projections show this year's budget could fall approximately $215,000 short of covering salaries if current trends continue. The projected shortfall prompts a discussion among council members about the factors contributing to the deficit.

Council members agreed that there needs to be a breakdown of all salaries from each department to find out where the discrepancy is coming from. Council members also agreed that a 22 mill increase would not be asked of Caney residents. Instead, an increase of 10 mil will be voted on Wednesday night at 6:30 at the council chambers.

If approved, the increase has to be sent to the county to exceed the revenue-neutral rate. If passed, the city of Caney would not be able to exceed revenue neutral by more than 10 mills.

A mill levy is the property tax rate applied to a property’s assessed value. It is expressed in "mills," where one mill equals $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed value.

Kansas farmers continue to make strong progress with this year's crops. The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service reports winter wheat harvest is 91 percent complete statewide, well ahead of both last year and the five-year average.

In Southeast Kansas, wheat harvest is 90 percent finished, while corn is further along than much of the state, with 90 percent of the crop now silking and 30 percent reaching the dough stage. Soybeans are also developing on schedule, and most corn, soybean, and sorghum fields are rated in good to excellent condition as adequate soil moisture continues to support crop growth.

The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin repairs today on a bridge located south of Humboldt.

The repair work will cause some minor disruptions to traffic on US-169 as KDOT works to repair both lanes, including the exit and on-ramps to the Delaware Road Bridge, located about a mile southeast of Humboldt. The repairs will be done in two phases, with the first taking place on the westbound lanes and ramps.

Detour signs will route traffic through the work zone. Traffic across the bridge will be reduced to one lane and guided by traffic signals. The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph in the work zone. Travelers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

The project is expected to be completed by December.

The Caney City Council will meet tonight with the topic of dangerous and unsafe structures on the agenda.

At tonight’s meeting, council members will consider resolutions to declare five structures in the City as dangerous and unsafe. There will also be a discussion on the sale of two Land Bank properties located at 1201 and 1207 North Wood. Council members will also vote on changes to an ordinance regarding the duration of stays for tenants at Caney RV Parks.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 6:30 at the Caney City Hall. Those who wish to attend the meeting in person are asked to enter the building through the doors on the east end.

Coffeyville's 10^th annual Summer Celebration is Saturday at Walter Johnson Park.

Organizer Cathy Smith says the event gets started with the 5K and One Mile Fun Run at 7:30am.  Smith says the car show starts at 8:00am with awards at 2:00pm.

Smith says other events include the cornhole tournament, live music and a presentation on the history of Montgomery County. There will also be vendors throughout the park. Smith says the night will end with one of the largest firework shows in the area.

The Parsons City Commission will meet tonight and a major topic of discussion will be a contract for the option to purchase 20 acres of land in the Tolan Creek Industrial Park as a possible site for a micro data center. The Texas-based company HyperDatagrid is proposing to develop the property for the new facility. If approved by the commission, the purchase option agreement would be active for six months, with the option to extend the deal for an additional six months. During that time, a development team would study utility availability, review land use, and perform survey work.

One of the major issues of concern is water usage. The commission is considering two proposals: The first has a very minimum amount of water usage and the second is projecting usage to be 50,000 gallons a day or less as the project grows. 

The Parsons Water Plant currently has three million gallons a day capacity but usually produces much lass than that amount. Peak production occurs during the summer months when usage increases. During that time, the plant still only produces about 1.5 million gallons a day.

City officials say the project would place little additional requirements on city utilities while increasing revenue. Depending on which water use option is considered, the City could see as much as $150,000 annually in additional water sales as well as additional utilities franchise fees also potentially reaching $150,000 annually during peak usage times.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 6pm in the Commission Room located in the Parsons Municipal Building. The public is invited to attend tonight’s meeting to give input on the issue. The meeting can also be viewed online at this link.

Crews from several area fire departments respond to a barn fire southwest of Tyro.

The original call came in just after midnight on Saturday night. Dearing Fire was called to the scene in a rural area about two miles southwest of Tyro. The blaze was contained to the barn. The structure was damaged in the fire along with a vehicle that was stored in the barn. However, no injuries were reported.

Dearing Fire received aid on the call by Tyro Rural Fire, Caney Rural Fire, and Coffeyville Fire.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing girl.

16-year-old Makenzie Kepka of Scammon was last seen on Friday night after being spotted at the Casey’s General Store location in Columbus. Kepka disappeared from her home in Scammon around 4pm on Friday.

She is described as a white female, 5’4” with blond hair and blue eyes and weighing about 130 pounds. She was last seen wearing a red tank top, white shorts or skirt, black hat, black hoodie, and black & white shoes.

Anyone with information on Kepka’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 620-429-3992 or call 9-1-1 if you have information on her current location.

Four separate car accidents on Independence Day leave four people dead.

Just after midnight on Saturday morning, four young people were traveling on a gravel road in rural Russell County, about 30 miles north of Great Bend. A passenger in the Ford F-150 21-year-old Aiden Moyer lost his hat out of the truck’s window. The 16-year-old driver pulled to the side of the road to allow Moyer to retrieve his hat. The driver then reversed the vehicle and struck Moyer, who sustained fatal injuries.

Later that morning around 5:15, two semi-trucks collided on US-54. Just west of the City of Cullison. The accident occurred when the semi driven by James Glover Jr., of Wichita, crossed the center line and struck a second big rig driven by 51-year-old Timothy Fox of Cypress, Texas. Glover was not wearing a seat belt and was fatally injured.

A third fatal accident occurred on Saturday morning just before 8am in Shawnee County when a Ford F-150 driven by 36-year-old Zachary Obrock of Topeka crossed the center line on US-24 and collided head-on with a Honda Civic driven by 85-year-old Robert Kidd of Wamego. Obrock was seriously injured and Kidd was killed in the crash.

At around 3:30 on the afternoon of July 4th, motorcyclist 29-year-old Austin Clifton of Pratt was killed when he was rear ended by a pickup truck while traveling on US-54 about 10 miles west of the City of Pratt.

One person is dead and another seriously injured following a single-vehicle car accident near Chanute.

Just before 8am on Friday morning, a 2001 Chevy Tahoe driven by 80-year-old Lorren Green of Chanute was traveling northbound on the 1150th Street ramp onto US-169 about 5 miles north of the City of Chanute. The vehicle left the roadway to the left and then overturned, coming to rest on its top. Green suffered serious injuries and was taken to KU Medical Center for treatment. A passenger in his vehicle 76-year-old Thalia Green sustained fatal injuries in the accident and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Montgomery County Commission will hold their regular weekly meeting today and discuss an agreement on a street realignment with the City of Independence.

At today's meeting. Public Works Director Brandon Beurskins will appear before the commission to discuss an agreement with the City of Independence to move the center line on Oak Street between 13^th and 21^st Streets, just west of Independence High School. The change would allow for parking on the south side of the street and was approved by the Independence City Commission at its June 23^rd meeting. The change must also be approved by the County before it can go into effect. Beurskins will also present the results of bidding for paint striping to the commission.

Also on today's agenda will be County Administrator Jonathan Booe who will discuss the review and approval of a payroll company as well as a revised contract for the Comprehensive and Zoning Plan. 

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

A new police chief will be sworn in at tonight's Cherryvale City Council meeting.

On tonight's agenda is the swearing on of new Cherryvale Police Chief Nigel Flenar, who's previous experience includes service with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and code enforcement with the City of Caney.

In other business, the council is expected to approve a recent audit invoice for just under $10,000 and set the time and date for a budget workshop.

Tonight's meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Cherryvale city hall and is open to the public.

Firefighters respond to a structure fire in Independence.

Early Sunday morning just before 1:30 a.m., Independence Fire-EMS was dispatched to a structure Fire at 412 S. Wald.  Upon arrival, a single story structure with heavy fire involvement of the rear of the structure was found. The structure was unoccupied and vacant.

Cherryvale Fire-EMS and Dearing Fire assisted Independence on this fire. The fire is under investigation by the Independence Police Dept and Fire-EMS.  No injuries were reported.

Photo: Independence Fire-EMS

A line of storms moves through northeast Oklahoma and causes widespread power outages.

According to Public Service Company of Oklahoma, as of 8:30 p.m., around 14,000 customers were reported without power, with the most reporting in Bartlesville and Tulsa.  Already this evening, an 80 mph wind gust was reported in Copan, with several reports of 60 mph wind gusts.  Thunderstorm tree damage was also reported in Lenapah.

For an updated map or to report an outage, click here.

***** Update 4:40 p.m *****

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued until midnight for the following counties in the KGGF listening area:

.    KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

BARBER               CHAUTAUQUA          COWLEY
ELK                  HARPER              LABETTE
MONTGOMERY           NEOSHO              SUMNER
WILSON

.    OKLAHOMA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ADAIR                ALFALFA             BECKHAM
BLAINE               CADDO               CANADIAN
CHEROKEE             CLEVELAND           CRAIG
CREEK                CUSTER              DELAWARE
DEWEY                ELLIS               GARFIELD
GRADY                GRANT               HARPER
HUGHES               KAY                 KINGFISHER
LINCOLN              LOGAN               MAJOR
MAYES                MCCLAIN             MCINTOSH
MUSKOGEE             NOBLE               NOWATA
OKFUSKEE             OKLAHOMA            OKMULGEE
OSAGE                OTTAWA              PAWNEE
PAYNE                POTTAWATOMIE        ROGERS
ROGER MILLS          SEMINOLE            SEQUOYAH
TULSA                WAGONER             WASHINGTON
WASHITA              WOODS               WOODWARD

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

After a round of severe thunderstorms in parts of central and southeast Kansas this morning, another round is possible this afternoon and evening.

Thunderstorms are expected to develop later this afternoon and become more numerous during the evening.  Some of the storms will become severe, capable of large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall with possible localized flooding.  A few brief tornadoes are also possible before 11 PM.

The main threat will be along the state line in southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma.  Confidence on storm timing is high, but uncertainty remains on where storms will develop.  Currently, much of southeast Kansas has a 65% chance of storms.  KGGF will provide severe weather coverage this evening if needed.

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, agriculture continues to be recognized as a foundation of the nation's growth and economy. Retired Smithsonian Institution curator Peter Liebhold says farming has been central to American commerce and enterprise since the country's earliest days.

Liebhold says one of the country's earliest debates centered on whether the United States should remain an agricultural nation or shift toward an industrial economy. While industry expanded over time, agriculture continued to play a critical role by supplying food, supporting trade, and driving economic growth. Today, both agriculture and industry remain essential to the nation's economy, reflecting the balance that developed over more than two centuries.

Residents of Cherryvale gather to celebrate Independence Day and America's 250th.

Last night, Logan Park was the center of activity with free swimming, live music and food vendors.  Cherryvale Mayor Gary Minnich says they moved the celebration back to Logan Park from Lake Tanko based on feedback received from citizens.

Minnich says $10,000 was raised for the fireworks show between money from the Cherryvale Chamber of Commerce, tourism funds from the city and private donations.  Cherryvale Fire/EMS was also on hand last night in addition to members of the Coffeyville Amateur Radio Club, who made contacts using their communications trailer with stations on both the east and west coasts from the park.

Some upcoming Independence Day events in the area include the Independence Fireworks display tonight in Riverside Park with a backup date of Sunday, July 5th at 9:30 in case of rain.  Altoona, Fredonia and Pittsburg, Bartlesville and Miami are among other towns planning large displays.  Neodesha will also celebrate the 4th on Sunday the 5th.  KGGF staff will broadcast live from the Independence and Neodesha events from 6 to 8 on US 98.  Coffeyville will mark the holiday next Saturday on July 11th during Summer Celebration in Walter Johnson Park.

South Coffeyville's newest restaurant and travel center is hosting a celebration for America's 250^th.

TA Express and Golden Chick is hosting the TA Top Rod Car Show and Independence Day celebration tomorrow from 10:00am to 3:00pm. The event will feature classic vehicles, prize drawings, family activities and a live broadcast on KUSN. The car show includes cash awards for the top three entries, with first place receiving $100, second place $75 and third place $50. Visitors can also vote for the People's Choice Award. Winners will be announced at 2:30pm tomorrow afternoon.

Families can enjoy free face painting from 12:00pm to 3:00pm, balloons for kids and prize giveaways throughout the day. Prize drawings include fireworks bundles, coolers, gift cards, T-shirts, hats, koozies, charging docks and other items. The first 150 visitors will also receive a free 16-ounce fountain drink, and every $10 spent inside TA Express or Golden Chick earns an another entry into the prize drawings. The celebration begins with the National Anthem at 10:00am.

Event organizers want to thank the title sponsors for helping make the celebration possible, including L & L Fireworks of South Coffeyville, DC Juntiques of South Coffeyville, Anheuser-Busch, Red Bull, Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Coke and Miller Lite. They also thank the businesses that donated prizes, including Big Dawg Food Truck and Messy Mutts Grooming.

A 12-year-old child in Tulsa loses a hand in a fireworks accident on Wednesday night.

According to Tulsa Police, the child was handling a mortar-style firework when one exploded unexpectedly. The child was taken to an Oklahoma City Hospital after the explosive destroyed most of his hand. The victim also sustained facial injures and an 11-year-old child was also hurt in the accident.

Tulsa Police continue to investigate the incident. They also caution parents that fireworks can be unpredictable, advising that children should be supervised around the explosive devices.

For those planning to travel by car this holiday weekend, Triple-A Kansas says, make sure your car is ready for the trip.

Shawn Steward with Triple-A Kansas says his organization is asked to help many motorists this time of year

Steward says a little prevention before you begin your trip can go a long way.

Triple-A expects more than 61 million people will be traveling by car this weekend, with nearly a half million Kansans hitting the road.

Triple-A reminds all drivers during the holiday weekend to always wear a seat belt and never drive after consuming alcohol.

An Erie man is sentenced to three years in jail for sexual exploitation of a child.

42-year-old Peter Hawkinson was sentenced earlier this week to serve 36 months of community corrections on the charge after he entered a plea of “no contest” in April. Hawkinson agreed to enter the plea to one count of exploitation in exchange for an additional 23 charges to be dropped.

Hawkinson was arrested in July of last year at his home in rural Neosho County. The Neosho County Sheriff's Office along with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation served a search warrant on Hawkinson's residence following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The charges stemmed from incidents that occurred in March 2025.

Coffeyville Regional Medical Center will host an open house event next week at the facility's new Primary Clinic.

The event will provide community members, donors, partners and friends of CRMC an opportunity to tour the new facility, meet providers and staff, and see how the building is providing access to primary care medicine for families throughout the region. CRMC staff will give guided tours of the facility, where the public can learn more about the type of primary care services available from the CRMC Medical Group.

The new Primary Care Clinic was made possible through a combination of grant funding and generous community donations and the open house will feature a Donor Recognition ceremony at 4pm.

The open house will be held on Thursday, July 9^th, from 4 to 6pm, at the new clinic, located at 1400 West 4th Street, in Coffeyville. The public is invited to attend.

Smoking meat is a popular cooking method during the summer, but proper food safety practices are essential to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. USDA food safety expert Meredith Carothers says raw meat should always be kept separate from cooked food by using different plates, utensils, and cutting boards to prevent cross-contamination.

She also stresses the importance of using a food thermometer to verify that meat has reached a safe internal temperature before serving. Following these simple steps can help ensure smoked meats are both safe and enjoyable.

The summer is nearly halfway over and that means it's time to start thinking about back-to-school time.

USD 445-Coffeyville announces that online registration for the 2026-2027 school year will open on July 15^th. Returning families will need the username and password that they used last year to register their child. Those who are new to Coffeyville schools this year will need to contact the district to set up their account.

For registration username and password, send an email to campus@cvilleschools.com

Click here for a step-bystep how-to video guide

Follow this link for forms and other registration information.

Independence Day festivities get underway tonight in Cherryvale.

The Fireworks 250^th Celebration takes place at Logan Park. There will be food trucks open from 5 to 9 and live music from the classic rock/country music band Cross Eyed Lilly. Attendees can also enjoy a free swim at the Cherryvale City Pool between 6 and 9pm. The Coffeyville Amateur Radio Club will be broadcasting from 4 to 6.

Fireworks will begin at dark. It all happens tonight in Cherryvale.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks opens the application period for Kansas Special Hunts.

Special Hunts are limited-entry, application-only opportunities that allow hunters to access areas not normally open to unrestricted hunting such as state parks, wildlife areas, and wildlife refuges. Participation is limited, so these hunts offer a unique hunting experience at different locations across Kansas.

Applications are now open for Fall 2026 and Winter 2027. Interested hunters must apply by July 31^st and the drawing will be held in August. Special Hunts provide access only. All licenses, permits, tags, stamps, and Hunter Education are still required. Resident-only hunts requires all hunters to be Kansas residents. Non resident deer hunters must have drawn a deer permit for the Deer Management Unit where the hunt is located in the April lottery to be eligible. 

For more information or to apply, folllow this link.

One man is dead following a single-vehicle accident southwest of the City of La Cygne.

41-year-old Edward Schultz of Centerville was killed yesterday (on Thursday) in a crash that occurred just after midnight on a rural road in Linn County. Schultz was driving a 2012 Hyundai Electra when the vehicle left the roadway for an unknown reason and struck an embankment. This caused the vehicle to overturn and come to rest on its top.

Schultz was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The Coffeyville Police Department is reminding residents to be careful with fireworks as we head into the July 4^th weekend.

Coffeyville Police Officer Mike Burroughs says it's especially important to supervise children around fireworks.

Already this year, a 12-year-old child in Tulsa lost most of his hand in an accident involving a mortar shell.

Coffeyville Police Chief Kwin Bromley says it's also important to clean up.

Fireworks can only be discharged on private property between the hours of 8 and midnight through the fourth.

A Parsons man is back in custody after the Parsons Police Department says he was caught with stolen property following a vehicle burglary.

PPD says officers were called just before 12:45pm today to the 1200 block of Grand Avenue after a citizen reported seeing a man inside a vehicle removing items. Officers, detectives and a Labette County Sheriff's deputy responded and quickly located the suspect nearby. Police identified the suspect as 50-year-old Kevin Bellamy. Officers say Bellamy was found in possession of property stolen from the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident.

Bellamy was booked into the Labette County Jail on charges of burglary and theft. According to court bond documents, Bellamy had been released from custody on Monday following a February arrest on charges of criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, interference with law enforcement and possession of a controlled substance. Police say he was out on bond at the time of today's arrest.

A Cherryvale man is arrested following a two day search by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

Tuesday at around 10:00pm, a Montgomery County Sheriff's deputy attempted to stop Jeremiah McKenzie in Dearing while he was driving an ATV that had been reported stolen in Cherryvale. The Sheriff's Office says McKenzie refused to stop and fled, with deputies eventually losing sight of him. Another deputy spotted McKenzie north of Tyro operating the same ATV. Deputies say he again fled, drove onto private property, abandoned the ATV and ran into a nearby cornfield and wooded area. Deputies, assisted by a Kansas Highway Patrol drone, searched for several hours before suspending the search.  The search resumed yesterday morning after deputies received information that McKenzie had been spotted southwest of Independence. While responding, deputies also learned he may have stolen a side-by-side utility vehicle from a nearby residence. Deputies located McKenzie at another residence in the area and took him into custody without incident. Investigators later determined the side-by-side had been stolen from a nearby property.

McKenzie was booked into the Montgomery County Department of Corrections on charges including two counts of felony fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, burglary, two counts of felony theft, three counts of possession of stolen property, driving while suspended, and multiple traffic violations.

The time around the 4^th of July can be a stressful time for pets.

Coffeyville Friends of Animals Becky Barnhart says the best thing a pet owner can do is to keep their dog or cat inside.  Barnhart says for the pets that are inside create a safe space for them.

Barnhart says it is also recommend to take the dog for a walk earlier in the evening before the fireworks have started.

The hospital in Nowata is applying to reclassify and a group of citizens are trying to keep the hospital they have.

Ascension St. John has submitted an application to the Oklahoma State Department of Health to reclassify from a Critical Access Hospital to a Rural Emergency Hospital. A group of Nowata citizens have started the “Save our Hospital” movement. Group Memeber Mike Dye says this will change what is available to residents through the hospital.

Ascension St. John says patients who need to be transported to a hospital will be stabilized in Nowata before being transferred to Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville or St. John Owasso. Group Member Cheryl Reid says this not only affects the patients who would have been admitted into the hospital but also their families.

The Save our Hospital group will be holding a community event and meeting on Sunday, July 12^th at Nowata High School. There will be live music and free food from 1:00pm to 2:00pm and the community meeting will start at 2:00pm.

The Coffeyville Fire Department responds to a vehicle fire.

Just after 2:00pm this afternoon, CFD responded to a vehicle fire in the Medicine Shop parking lot.  The vehicle was parked away from the shop building and the fire looks to be contained to just the vehicle.

More information will be given as it becomes available.

Walnut caterpillars and fall webworms are becoming more active across the area this summer.

Walnut caterpillars feed in large groups and can quickly strip leaves from walnut, pecan, and hickory trees, while fall webworms build large webs at the ends of branches as they feed. Most healthy trees will recover from the damage, but repeated defoliation can weaken them over time.  Wildcat Extension District Horticulture Agent Kenny Dodson says homeowners should check trees early for signs of damage and shares a few simple ways to get rid of the pests before they become a bigger problem.

Regular monitoring can help prevent more serious tree stress later in the summer.

Communities across southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma are preparing to celebrate America's 250th birthday with festivals, parades, family activities, and fireworks displays throughout late June and July. Below is a list of celebrations happening across the area to help you plan your holiday weekend.

If your community is hosting a Fourth of July or America 250 celebration that isn't included on our list, we'd love to hear from you. Email the event details to news@kggfradio.com.

July 3 – Altamont, KS

• Independence Day Celebration

• Location: South side of Harrison Auditorium

July 3–4 – Altoona, KS

• Fourth of July Celebration

• Location: Altoona City Park

July 3 – Cherryvale, KS

• Cherryvale Fireworks 250th Celebration

• Festivities begin at 4 p.m.

July 4 – Independence, KS

• Independence Day Celebration

• Location: Riverside Park

• KGGF 104.1 live broadcast 6-8 p.m

July 4 – Fredonia, KS

• Community Celebration

• Location: Rotary Park

July 4 – Pittsburg, KS

• Pittsburg's 4th of July Celebration

• Location: Pittsburg

• 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

July 4 – Bartlesville, OK

• FreedomFest

• Location: Sooner Park

July 4 – Miami, OK

• City of Miami Fireworks Show

• Location: Buffalo Run Casino & Resort

• Activities begin at 7 p.m.

July 5 – Neodesha, KS

• Independence Day Festivities

• Location: Riverwalk Park

• KGGF 104.1 live broadcast 6-8 p.m

July 11 – Coffeyville, KS

• Summer Celebration

• Location: Walter Johnson Park

• KUSN 98.1 live broadcast 6-8 p.m

July 11 – Quapaw, OK

• Quapaw 250 Years of Freedom Celebration

• Location: Quapaw Schools

• Gates open at 6:30 p.m.

Montgomery County Republicans will hold a Republican candidate forum next weekend in Independence.

Candidates for state offices such as Governor, the US Senate and House, State Attorney General, the Kansas House, and the Montgomery County Commission have been invited to appear. The public is invited to attend and hear the candidates speak before the august 4^th primary election. The forum will be held on July 18^th from 10 to Noon at the Civic Center at Memorial Hall in Independence.

Coffeyville Firefighters rescue a dog from the Verdigris River.

Emergency crews were called to the scene on River Road below the City's Water Treatment Plant around 8pm last night (July 1). Firefighters deployed the department’s rescue boat and located the dog approximately 50 yards downstream, where it was clinging to the riverbank. During the rescue, the frightened dog bit one of the firefighters, causing minor superficial injuries. Despite the bite, crews were able to safely bring the dog aboard the rescue boat. Firefighters turned the animal over to the Coffeyville Police, who then took it to Coffeyville Friends of Animals where it will be cared for.

Photo courtesy Coffeyville Fire Department

Police in Arkansas City are investigating after a body is discovered inside a residence on Tuesday.

Officers were called to the scene after a property manager working at the home noticed a foul odor coming from the residence. When police arrived, they discovered an individual deceased inside the home. The individual was taken to the Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center in Wichita for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

The person who called 9-1-1 said they originally thought the odor was caused by a dead animal, but discovered what they described as the body of a male who appeared to be in their 20s or 30s stuck in the attic of the house.

Police have not yet determined the identity of the deceased man and ask that anyone who may be able to help to contact the Arkansas City Police Department Investigations Unit at (620) 441-4547.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Wednesday afternoon July 1 in Kansas City, Kansas.

K-C-K Police responded to a residence on North 84^th Place around 4pm after a 9-1-1 caller reported that a family member was making threats. When officers arrived on the scene, they found the caller suffering from minor injuries inflicted by the suspect, identified as 24-year-old Bruce Charles Thomas. When officers attempted to place Thomas under arrest, he fled into the residence. He then emerged from a room armed with a knife and advanced toward officers. One K-C-K officer fired his service weapon at Thomas and struck him.

Life saving measures were taken, but Thomas was pronounced deceased at the scene. KBI agents were called in to conduct the investigation into the shooting. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be presented to the Wyandotte County District Attorney for review.

It's Fourth of July week and that means cook outs, fireworks, and patriotic music.

The Independence Mid-Continent community band will provide the last one on that list at an America 250 concert on Saturday night. The band will perform at 8pm at the Hille Band Shell at Riverside Park, under the director of conductor Dr. A.J. Beau.

The public is invited to enjoy the concert before the July 4^th fireworks on Saturday.

One person is dead and another seriously injured following a head-on collision near Topeka.

The accident occurred just after 4pm on Wednesday, July 1, on US-24 between Topeka and Silver Lake. A 2025 Dodge Ram pickup driven by 50-year-old James Ulmer of Leavenworth was traveling east bound and was attempting to pass other vehicles. An eastbound Kia Soul driven by 28-year-old Dakota Bacon of Topeka attempted to avoid a collision with the pickup truck, but was unsuccessful. The two vehicle struck head-on. Bacon suffered fatal injuries in the crash while a passenger in his vehicle 28-year-old William C. Robertson the Third was seriously injured. The driver of the pickup also sustained minor injuries in the accident.

Driver's are urged to use patience on roadways as increased traffic is expected this week due to the Independence Day holiday.

Rural hospitals across the State of Kansas are set to receive additional funding following the announcement by Governor Laura Kelly of the approval of Kansas’ Health Care Access Improvement Program  or H-C-A-I-P preprint by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services  or C-M-S.

The approved plan allows Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs) to receive higher Medicaid payments through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, bringing an estimated $83 million to these health care facilities.

Governor Kelly called the move an opportunity to ensure critical funding is allocated to areas where it is most needed: To rural hospitals and to providers serving Medicaid patients across the state.

H-C-A-I-P was created in 2005 to help improve access to health care by using a provider assessment and reimbursement program. State law requires certain hospitals to pay an annual assessment on specific services, with those funds used to increase Medicaid payments and expand access to care for low-income Kansans.