Fireworks can now be sold and shot off in Coffeyville.

City Clerk Melissa Carter says fireworks can be sold and shot off from 8:00am to midnight through July 4^th.  There are five stands that have been approved to sell fireworks in Coffeyville.

Bellino Fireworks – 1000 Hall

First Assembly of God – 1504 W 8th

Frese Fireworks – 710 NE Street

Jake's Fireworks – 714 W 11th

Sizzboom Fireworks – 801 W 11th

Public Service Company of Oklahoma customers will see higher electric bills.

Beginning today, the utility company implemented interim rates while state regulators continue reviewing its request for a permanent rate increase. The interim rates will increase the average residential customer's monthly bill by about $11, based on usage of 1,100 kilowatt-hours per month. The increase comes as the Oklahoma Corporation Commission considers PSO's request for a larger rate hike. Regulators could approve the company's request, set a lower permanent rate or establish a rate below the interim amount now taking effect.

If the commission ultimately approves a rate lower than the interim rate, PSO says it will refund customers the difference. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has not announced when it expects to issue a final decision on the utility's rate request.

Data centers are showing interest in Coffeyville.  City Manager Ben Brubaker says because the City owns and operates its own municipal electric utility they are in a unique position.  Brubaker says he wants any potential conversations with data centers to be completely transparent.

Brubaker says any proposal that the City would consider would need to protect the reliability of the electric system, ensure that existing customers aren't subsidizing development and provide long term value to the City. He says these standards are what have pushed developers away over the last two years.

Brubaker says he believes that if structured correctly having a data center come to Coffeyville would represent a significant opportunity. Brubaker says in the next 30 to 45 days they are going to be putting a public forum together where they can discuss the benefits and hear concerns about data centers from the community. He says he believes in the next 30 days they'll have proposals from two data centers.

County fair season is here, and now is the time for exhibitors to make sure they're prepared. Before heading to the fair, carefully read your county fair book for important entry requirements, project rules, deadlines, and the correct age divisions and exhibit categories.

Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent Clayton Lester says if you're showing livestock, don't forget to keep your animals well-watered, especially during the summer heat, and continue providing proper daily care.

Horticulture Agent Kenny Dodson also says the fair is about more than earning a ribbon.

The fair is an opportunity to showcase months of hard work, gain valuable feedback, learn new skills, and grow through the experience.

A Parsons man is in custody and faces charges of aggravated assault and battery.

In the early hours of Tuesday, June 30, officers from the Parsons Police Department responded to reports of an armed assault involving a firearm at the Mendota Creek Apartment Complex on South 25^th Street. Upon arrival, officers learned that an adult male victim had been threatened with multiple firearms during a confrontation outside an apartment. A second victim reported being struck in the head with the shotgun, causing visible injury. Following the confrontation, the suspect allegedly returned to the area and damaged the victim's vehicle and personal property before again fleeing the scene.

The suspect was identified as 27-year-old Daiquarrius "Tre" Higgins of Parsons. Law enforcement was able obtain a search warrant for Higgins' apartment, but he was not found inside.

Higgins later arrived voluntarily at the Parsons Police Station and agreed to an interview with investigators. He was then taken into custody without incident. Higgins was booked into the Parsons Police Department Holding Facility on the following requested charges Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Burglary, Criminal Damage to Property and Criminal Threat. Additional charges remain under review as the investigation continues.

Tomato cracking remains a common issue in home gardens as fruit nears maturity.  Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent Clayton Lester says tomato cracking develops when rapid growth creates internal pressure in the fruit, often after inconsistent watering or sudden changes in moisture.

While cracking affects the tomato's appearance, it does not reduce its eating quality. Lester also says maintaining consistent soil moisture through deep watering and mulch helps minimize cracking. 

Gardeners can also reduce the risk by selecting crack-resistant varieties, including Jetstar, Mountain Fresh, Mountain Pride, Floralina, and Sun Leaper.

The Fourth of July is coming up on Saturday and Triple-A Kansas says the holiday weekend is shaping up as a busy time for travel.

More than 70 million Americans are expected to travel more than fifty miles from home to celebrate America's 250^th birthday this weekend. Shawn Steward with Triple-A Kansas says that includes around 690,000 Kansans.

For those looking to avoid the busiest travel days, Steward says, because the holiday falls on a weekend, roads may be consistently busy.

For drivers, gas prices in Kansas are averaging $3.51 a gallon, which is 60 cents higher than a year ago. However, Steward says prices in the Sunflower State are down nearly 40 cents per gallon over the last month.

Steward adds that one of the most important things to remember as you head out for the holiday is to avoid alcohol and always wear your seat belt.

The Fort Scott National Historic Site will put the boom in the Fourth of July this Saturday.

The public is invited to the Fort Scott fort for the Sights and Sounds of American Independence. Attendees can celebrate American independence with the sounds of cannon fire and immersion in America’s history while honoring the men and women who have defended the United States through the growth of our nation.

The Fort will conduct artillery demonstrations at 10am, 11am, 2pm and 3pm on Saturday. At 1pm, there will also be a ranger-guided tour of the historic fort.

Fort Scott National Historic Site is a part of the National Park Service and is open to the public Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 to 4:30 . Park grounds are open daily from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. For more information or to learn how to get involved, call 620-223-0310 or visit the National Park Service online at www.nps.gov/fosc.

Electric rates for customers across the State of Oklahoma are set to rise today, though not as much as originally expected.

Oklahoma electric rates will increase by on percent beginning today after State Attorney General Gentner Drummond's Office reached a settlement agreement with the Public Service Company of Oklahoma. The settlement reduced the P-S-O's original request for a 15 percent increase, a rise that would have seen the average customer's utility bill increase by around $15 per month. Instead, the settlement that was announced on Tuesday will see the average residential customer's monthly bill increase by about $2.45.

The settlement agreement will still need to be approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

A Winfield teen is in the hospital after falling from a moving vehicle on Monday night.

Winfield Police say the accident occurred around 11pm on Monday at Winfield City Lake in Cowley County. The 16-year-old boy was taken to a Wichita hospital after being treated at the scene by first responders. His condition has not been released. An investigation into the incident indicates that the boy fell from the back of a moving vehicle that was being driven by an 18-year-old Winfield woman. The fall caused the boy's head to strike the roadway, causing him to lose consciousness.

The incident remains under investigation and the case has been forwarded to the Cowley County Attorney's Office for possible charges.

A former Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputy is sentenced to 18 years in prison in a child sex abuse case.

25-year-old Garrett Gayoso of Baxter Springs was sentenced on Monday to 222 months in prison for enticing a minor to create and send him child sexual abuse materials. Court documents indicate that Gayoso entered a guilty plea to one count of producing child pornogrpahy.

Between August 2024 and April 2025, the Kansas bureau of Investigation says Gayoso exchanged text messages with a 16-year-old minor that he met online. Evidence in the case showed the victim was quickly forthcoming with Gayoso about her age and that Gayoso groomed and convinced the victim to engage in explicit activity, produce visual depictions of the conduct, and then send him the images via text messages. At the time, Gayoso was serving as a detective in the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office and was assigned to investigate online crimes against children.

Gayoso resigned as a deputy in May 2025 and was indicted by a grand jury the following December with one count of producing child pornography. He entered a guilty plea in the case in federal court in April.

The City of Cherryvale has canceled the Talk With the Chief event scheduled for tonight at City Hall.

This was to be the second event to allow the public to engage in an open forum with Interim Police Chief Joshua Shields. Shields took over as Interim Chief following the resignation of former Chief Jimmy Holt in early May. The City gave no reason for the cancellation of tonight's event and there has been no word as to whether or not the Talk With the Chief forum will be rescheduled.

Four southeast Kansas organizations are among twenty-four Kansas non-profits that will share in $4.13 million in Community Service Program Tax Credits through the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Under this program, the state authorizes nonprofit organizations to offer tax credits to donors who make contributions toward approved projects. Organizations in rural areas with populations less than 15,000 can receive a 70% credit. Among the groups receiving $182,000 in credits are Labette Health in Parsons for the purchase of a new mammography machine; St. Paul Alumni & Friends Association for ADA compliance at Miles Field in Saint Paul, and the Community Health Center of SEK to construct two quality, energy-efficient homes in Columbus. The Elk County Preservation Society in Howard will receive $125,000 in credits for creating a multi-use community space in the vacant Howard National Bank building.

The Community Service Tax Credit Program provides an opportunity for non-profit organizations and public health entities to improve their ability to undertake major capital campaigns. The Community Service Program Tax Credits program was first implemented in 1994.

Wilson County Firefighters respond to a structure fire.

According to Wilson County Rural Fire, last night around 7:45, county units were called to a structure fire in the northeast part of the county. Upon arrival, Chanute Fire was requested for mutual aid. Despite the efforts of the departments, the structure was a total loss. No injuries were reported.

Photo: Wilson County Rural Fire

A new food truck is now open in Coffeyville.

Chamber of Commerce President Candi Westbrook says the food truck is in the parking lot of the Wilcox Bargain Outlet.  Yum Yum Cuisine opened up last Thursday and the Chamber will host a ribbon cutting for the new food truck tomorrow at 10:00am.