The U.S. Postal Service is proposing the permanent closure of the Longton Post Office.

Postal services at the location have been suspended since November 2020. The Postal Service says the building has safety and health concerns that cannot be repaired. In-person retail services will remain available at the Independence Main Office Post Office.

A virtual community meeting is scheduled for Tuesday from 2:00pm to 2:30pm. Residents will be able to ask questions and provide comments. People can also listen by calling 1-855-860-4313 and entering meeting ID 165-483-8012. Telephone participants will not be able to submit questions during the meeting. The letter sent to Longton Residents with website information for the meeting can be seen here.

Work is underway on a water system improvement project in South Coffeyville.

Crews have started open trenching for a new 10-inch waterline along Willow Street. Work will eventually move north from 5^th and Willow Streets. Crews will also work west from 3^rd and Willow Streets toward Delaware Street. The project includes nearly 4,000 feet of new waterline, improvements to a booster pump station and repairs to the valve vault below the city’s 250,000-gallon water tower.

The improvements are expected to reduce water loss, improve water pressure and help the system meet peak demand. Drivers are asked to use caution in the construction areas.

A garage fire in Coffeyville is under investigation.

Firefighters responded to the 1200 block of Stark Street shortly before 2:00am this morning. Crews arrived to find a detached garage with heavy fire on all sides. The fire was quickly brought under control and extinguished without incident.

The Dearing and South Coffeyville fire departments provided additional manpower. The Coffeyville Police Department and Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause.

Coffeyville Community College's move in and welcome event is next weekend.

Organizer Donna Chambers says this year's event is called Aloha Welcome Weekend.  Chambers says they are looking for volunteers to help move the students into the dorms.

Chambers says for those that want to volunteer to contact here at (918)808-2018. Move in will from around 9:00am to 2:00pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The City of Sedan considers changes to city water rates.

At this week's city council meeting, Jim Koger of the Kansas Rural Water Association discussed a possible increase in water rates for Sedan water customers. Council member Crystal Wade says raising rates only on high quantity users won't improve the problem.

Council member Wellington Butler says spreading the increase among all users would reduce the impact of rising rates.

No decision was made at this week's meeting. Council members will continue to consider the issue as they work through the 2027 budget over the coming weeks.

Demolition has started on the former Coffeyville Fire station in downtown Coffeyville ahead of a planned housing development.

Earlier this year, the Coffeyville City Commission approved a housing redevelopment incentive package with MTI Commercial Construction of Springdale, Arkansas.

The company plans to build 30 condominiums in downtown, with a $20,000 incentive paid per unit, split upon completion and occupancy. According to minutes from the Coffeyville Planning and Zoning Commission, the buildings north of the Terminal building at 709 and 711 S Walnut will be combined to house the 30 units. MTI told the City earlier this year they were hoping to at least save part of the tower structure of the station to incorporate into the new design, but also notes additional parking will be needed for the units.

The former fire station at 7^th and Walnut was built in the 1950s and served the city for decades before being eventually replaced the the Emergency Services building on 11^th.

Students across the four-state area are getting ready to head back to class and drivers are urged to take extra care.

Drivers should be on the lookout for students walking and biking to and from school as students head back to class, and remember that it is against the law to pass a school bus that is loading or unloading children. Pay careful attention near bus stops and crosswalks, obey speed limits in school zones, and avoid distractions while driving to make sure students can safely travel to and from school.

Students in Howard, Caney, and Cedarvale-Dexter all head back to class next week.

Fans of the spooky, the unusual and the paranormal will have a chance to experience panels, presentations, workshops, and vendors at the Bordertown ParaCon coming up in Caney.

The 8th Annual Bordertown ParaCon is a full day dedicated to ghosts, cryptids, UFOs, high strangeness, and other mysteries. The event is held annually by the SEK Bordertown Paranormal Society. Organizer Pam Earnest says there will be lots of information and activities.
 

Earnest says the one-day event is coming up on Saturday.

Admission is free.

The City of Parsons continues an ongoing discussion over the construction of a micro data center in the Tolan Creek Industrial Park.

At this week's meeting of the Parsons City Commission, during the public comment portion of the meeting, a resident presented a petition with dozens of signatures in favor of a temporary moratorium on the construction of data center facilities. At issue is a proposed micro data center from the company HyperDataGrid. Director of Economic Development Jim Zaleski says the proposed facility would generate a great deal of income for the City.

Commissioner Verlyn Boulanger stated that he had concerns with promises from HyperDataGrid that have not been put in writing. Boulanger says that's a major problem for him and spars with Zaleski over the issue.

A major part of the concern over data centers is over water usage. Commissioner Eric Strait says a lot of that concern stems from much larger structures than what Parsons is considering.

After a lengthy discussion, the commission voted 4 to 1 in favor of accepting a six month option to buy 20 acres of land in the Tolan Creek Industrial Park as a future site for a data center, with Commissioner Boulanger voting no.

To view the data center discussion during this week's meeting, follow this link. The discussion begins at the 13:20 mark. To view a previous commission work session on the issue, go here.

Coffeyville's Community Elementary School announces new guidelines for parents picking up and dropping off their students in the upcoming school year.

School officials have updated the traffic map and ask that parents review the new map before the beginning of the new school year. The changes have been made to keep students safe while ensuring that traffic moves freely and efficiently during both mornings and afternoons. Parents who would like to walk their children into the building are asked to park in the parking lot located near the soccer fields.

The first day of classes for USD 445 Coffeyville students is August 17^th.

The suspect in a fatal shooting in Parsons is charged with First Degree Murder.

27-year-old Billy Ray Duncan has been charged with one count of intentional and premeditated first degree murder in the shooting death of 35-year-old Gabriel Kane Duncan. The incident occurred yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon around 1:30 when Parsons Police were called to a residence in the 1200 block of Southwest 10^th Street. There they found one individual who was deceased. Billy Ray Duncan was arrested without incident. In addition to the murder charge, Duncan is also charged with criminal possession of a weapon.

The case remains under investigation.

Local fire departments respond to a garage fire in Coffeyville.

Early this morning around 2 a.m., firefighters from Coffeyville, Dearing and South Coffeyville Fire Departments responded to the 1200 block of Stark Street near the Public Services Department to a report of a fully-involved structure fire.

Firefighters were able to control the fire. There's currently no word on any injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Parsons Police arrest a man following a fatal shooting.

PPD officers responded shortly before 1:30pm this afternoon to the 1200 block of Southwest 10^th Street. Police identified and detained 27-year-old Billy Ray Duncan on suspicion of homicide. The victim, 35-year-old Gabriel Kaine Duncan, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Labette County deputy coroner. Police say both men lived at the residence.

Detectives continue to process the scene, conduct interviews and gather evidence. The Labette County Attorney’s Office will determine formal charges after reviewing the completed investigation.

The City of Caney continues to look at the budget for the upcoming year after voting to raise the mill ceiling by 10 mills.

City Administrator Andrea Sibley says they are working to determine the needs of the City.  Sibley says there will be a budget workshop on August 17^th and the Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing will be on September 7^th.

Coffeyville is just a few days away from the 2026 Interstate Fair and Rodeo.  Exhibits Organizer Shanna Motl says there is one big change to the inside exhibits for this year.

Check in for food projects is from 8:00am to 10:00am and all other inside exhibits check in is from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Registration is available online but exhibits can be registered during check in as well. Motl says judging of the inside exhibits if from 1:00pm to 5:00pm on Monday.

Grandstand entertainment at the ISFR starts and Tuesday and will run through Saturday with the carnival running on the same days. The swine show is on Tuesday, the poultry, rabbit, sheep and goat shows are on Wednesday, the market steer and bucket calf shows are on Thursday and the Junior Livestock Sale is on Friday.

Firefighters from two Montgomery County departments respond to a grass and hay bale fire northeast of Tyro.

The Dearing Fire Department says Brush 23 and Tanker 27 were called to assist Tyro Rural Fire at around 11:20am this morning. Crews worked together to bring the fire under control quickly. The fire damaged several hay bales and surrounding grass.

The cause of the fire has not been released.

The intersection of 8th and Buckeye in Coffeyville is closed due to a natural gas leak.

The incident was first reported this morning around 10:30. According the the Coffeyville Fire Department, crews are currently on scene with Atmos Energy at an active natural gas leak near the intersection of 8th Street & Buckeye.

The intersection and surrounding area will be closed to traffic for the next few hours while crews work to safely control the leak.

For everyone’s safety, please avoid the area and use alternate routes. Several neighboring businesses have also been asked to close for the remainder of the day as a precaution.

The Wilson County Commission meets and hears updates on road projects around the county.

At the commission's most recent meeting, Road & Bridge Supervisor Kary Tatum gave an update on repairs on a asphalt roadway and culvert work currently underway near the City of New Albany. Tatum also presented a right-of-way request on Gove Road and presented a repair estimate on a county Freightliner for $9,000.

In other business, County Coordinator Kris Marple presented an agreement with the company Vertical Bridge for a 9-1-1 repeater near the City of Buffalo as well as a quote of nearly $5,000 for sprinkler heads for the Law Enforcement Center. Both were approved by commissioners. Also approved was a pay increase for three corrections officers.

The Wilson County Commission will meet today at 9am with details of the 2027 budget on the agenda. The meeting will be held at the courthouse in Fredonia. The public is invited to attend.

In-person central enrollment continues today for students in the USD 446-Independence public schools.

All families with children who will attend public school in Independence for the 2026-27 school year must attend central enrollment. Students in 6^th through 12^th grades will be able to have their school photos taken and sports physicals and immunizations will also be available. Fees will also be due during enrollment.

USD-446 enrollment runs from 9am to 6pm today at Independence High School.

The City of Independence is looking to fill a vacant seat on the City's Economic Advisory Board.

The selected individual would fill an unexpired term that will end on January 1, 2028. The Board meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 3:30pm. Its is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations concerning the City’s economic development policies, strategies, incentives, and other economic development matters requested by the City Commission.

Applications must be submitted by noon on Tuesday, August 18.

For more information, go here.

To apply, follow this link.

A representative from the human resources group that conducted the recent wage study for county employees will be at Monday's Montgomery County Commission meeting to field questions from the public.

Phil Hayes with the Arnold Group will be at Monday morning's meeting to answer questions regarding the compensation study that was conducted for Montgomery County employees. Members of the public are invited to attend and to submit questions that Hayes will address during a Q & A session. The County is asking that questions be submitted prior to the meeting. They can be submitted via email to hr@mgcountyks.org.

Monday's Montgomery County Commission meeting will be held at 9am at the Judicial Center in Independence.

An Independence running group receives a microgrant from the Community Foundation for Independence.

The Foundation has announced that Run 4 Fun Indy will receive $500 to assist with the purchase of running shoes and other essential supplies. Run 4 Fun Indy is a group that encourages local youth to build confidence, stay active, and develop lifelong healthy habits through its after-school running program for students in kindergarten through 6th grade. The program sponsors programs like the annual Saturday In The Park 5K, Fun Run, and Tot Trot. The group works to create opportunities for families, runners, and volunteers of all ages to celebrate fitness together.

The Community Foundation for Independence connects donors and organizations to support projects to improve the quality of life in Independence and other surrounding communities.

Photo courtesy Community Foundation for Independence

Chuck Voelker defeats Rick Whitson in a close race for District 1 Commissioner in Montgomery County.

Voelker edged past Whitson in yesterday's election to defeat the former County Emergency Management Director by a 40 vote margin. Voelker's unofficial final tally was 690 to Whitson's 650. Leroy “Rusty” Duke finished third in the race with 238 total votes.

In last night's other local race, the Coffeyville half cent sales tax was approved by voters on a vote of 703 to 359. The proceeds from the tax will be split 50-50 between the city and Coffeyville Regional Medical Center for first-response and EMS services. This tax replaces an existing sales tax that is set to expire.

Kansas voters reject a constitutional amendment that would have allowed the direct election of state Supreme Court Justices.

This means that the status quo will remain, leaving Kansas as the only state in the country that allows the governor to appoint supreme court justices from a list created by a nine-member commission.

Proponents of the measure argued that Kansans should have more say in picking supreme court justices, while opponents argued that the decision should be in the hands of legal experts and could result in more pro-life justices being placed on the court.

The candidates for the Kansas Governor's Race appear to be set.

According to unoffical results, Ty Masterson has won the Republican Primary for Kansas Governor, with Cindy Holscher named the winner among the Democrats.

Masterson defeated six other Republican candidates including Charlotte O’Hara, Nick Reinecker, Philip Sarnecki, Scott Schwab, Stacy Rogers and Vicki Schmidt.

Holscher had a closer race between Ethan Corson and Curt Skoog with a more distant third.

Both will face off during the general election in November.