***** Update 5:27 p.m. *****

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

  KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

BUTLER               CHAUTAUQUA          CHEROKEE
COWLEY               CRAWFORD            ELK
GREENWOOD            LABETTE             MONTGOMERY
NEOSHO               WILSON

    OKLAHOMA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ADAIR                CHEROKEE            CRAIG
DELAWARE             MAYES               NOWATA
OSAGE                OTTAWA              PAWNEE
ROGERS               TULSA               WAGONER
WASHINGTON

***** Origianl Story *****

Severe weather is possible this weekend for the four-state area.

For Saturday, the best chances for severe weather will be south of Tulsa, with all modes of severe weather possible. Much of the KGGF listening area, including southeast Kansas, has at least a “slight” risk of severe weather. The strongest storms are mainly possible between 4 p.m. and midnight, with timing expected a little later for northeast Oklahoma.

For Sunday, there is a greater chance of severe weather for Kansas, although the forecast remains highly dependent on the timing of the weather and the condition of the atmosphere tomorrow afternoon. Storms are expected to develop over western Kansas and track northeast, with timing mainly expected after dark. Stay tuned to KGGF for additional updates and severe weather coverage if needed.

Today is all about spreading kindness and fostering community in Independence.

The annual Love Independence Day provides an excuse to give back and help others in the community.

Independence Chamber President Lisa Wilson says no act of kindness is too small.

Wilson says ideas for today include leaving a note for a coworker or neighbor, paying for someone's coffee or meal, holding the door open, picking up litter, or just sharing a compliment. While there will be several organized projects in Independence, Wilson hopes that people in other cities will be inspired to spread kindness today as well.

Changes are coming to a local newspaper.

Coming up next Saturday, the Wilson County Citizen building will be sold along with its contents, but the paper will continue operation.

Sun Group Auctioneer Keith Beaumont will be performing the auction and says there are a lot of antiques in the sale.

Beaumont says there will be a familiar car as part of the auction.

According to the Citizen, the paper's number will remain the same and publication will continue as normal. Employees will be working out of their homes instead of the office. The sale will be Saturday, May 2^nd at 9 a.m. at 406 N 7^th in Fredonia. A link to the sale bill is available HERE.  The Citizen has been in operation for 156 years.

The Coffeyville Police Department steps up police presence in the search for impaired drivers.

Officers increased patrols on Monday night, with a special emphasis on finding drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Between 8pm and midnight on Monday, Coffeyville Police made a total of 33 traffic stops. No impaired drivers were found, though officers did issue 30 traffic warnings and 6 traffic citations. Officers arrested 6 individuals for possession of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, outstanding warrants, driving without a license, and driving while suspended or revoked.

The program was funded by a grant awarded to the Coffeyville Police Department by the Kansas Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in an effort to keep impaired drivers off of Kansas streets and highways.

Residents of Enid are cleaning up after a tornado injures at least 10 and causes damage at Vance Air Force Base.

An Enid Resident tells FOX 25 in Oklahoma City what he saw when the storm started to form.

A relief center volunteer says there's been a lot of damage from the storm.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Still says he's spoken with Enid's local leaders and will continue working with them as they assess the damage and identify needs. A tornado emergency was issued yesterday as the storm came through town.

The Independence City Commission considers a change to city policy on sidewalks.

At Thursday night's meeting, commissioners discussed a citizen complaint about a broken sidewalk in the 400 block of South Penn Avenue. The complaint came from a resident who uses a motorized scooter and had an accident while driving on the sidewalk, claiming that the route was not in compliance with the American s with Disabilities Act. City policy has long been that homeowners are responsible for the repair of the sidewalk in front of their homes. However, the City recommended the condemnation of non-compliant sidewalks with the City providing a cost-share initiative in which the City would cover 50% of the cost. Commissioner Scott Smith says he has no problem with changing the city's policy.

Mayor Dean Hayse says the City should proceed with caution due to the issue of unforeseen consequences.

The commission tabled the issue until the May 14^th meeting.

The Neodesha City Commission discusses the issue of late-arriving City utility bills.

At this week's meeting, Mayor Devin Johnson raised the issue of city utility customers receiving their bills late, sometimes after the past due date. Commissioner Duane Banzet says he's had similar issues.

Commissioners held a lengthy discussion on the matter. Part of the problem was identified as the way the U.S. Postal Service handles postcard billing and where mail from Neodesha is sorted. Neodesha's mail is transported to Kansas City for sorting instead of Wichita, which can extend the time it takes to arrive at its destination. The City has also recently switched billing software and is still working out the kinks in the new system. Banzet says the City may need to pursue other options in the near future.

In the meantime, any citizens who receive their bills late should contact the City.

The Kansas Department of Transportation announces an extension of the project on the railroad overpass in Coffeyville.

KDOT says the work schedule for repairing and improving the South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad bridge over 11^th Street in Coffeyville has been extended for up to two more weeks. The completion date is now set for mid-May, weather permitting. Work will continue to take place on the weekends, with a detour in place. 11^th Street will remain open during the week.

The crash of a small airplne near Chanute leaves two people injured.

The accident that injured the pilot and a passenger in a fixed wing single engine aircraft occurred just before 3pm on Thursday. The pilot – identified as 43-year-old John Von Fange of South Carolina – lost engine function while in the air just southwest of Chanute and attempted an emergency landing at the Chanute Airport. Due to cloud cover, Von Fange missed his approach and opted to land in a nearby field instead. The aircraft went into a nose dive as it crossed US-169 north of the City and flipped, landing on its top. The plane slid as it hit the ground, causing the plane to flip again into an upright position.

A passing motorist witnessed the crash and drove through a fence, into the field, using his vehicle to stop the plane. The aircraft then flipped a third time before coming to rest in a line of trees near the intersection of US-169 and 240^th Road.

Von Fange and his passenger were both treated for minor injuries at Neosho Memorial Hospital. The driver of the car was uninjured.

Thunderstorms yesterday caused at least one confirmed tornado northwest of Emporia, bringing damage to the area.

The National Weather Service plans to survey damage tracks today. KVOE Radio in Emporia reports that a cluster of storms crossed over Lake Kahola early in the evening, dropping a tornado that damaged at least 13 units, damaged an Airbnb, demolished four garages and flipped four boats. No injuries were reported.

Tornado touchdowns were also reported near Dunlap and Bushong. It is too early to say whether those were the same tornado or different ones.

Storms also brought heavy rain and was responsible for egg to baseball-size hail in Marion County.

Photo: Chase County Sheriff's Office

Two students at the Coffeyville Community College Technical Campus earn top honors at a recent state competition.

The students competed at the Kansas SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference. Rylan Allen of Neodesha took first place and a gold medal in the individual carpentry competition. Fellow student Isaiah Webster of Caney Valley High School earned second place and a silver medal. Both are students in CCC's Construction Technology program.

The individual carpentry contest challenged students to build a framed structure based on plans provided shortly before the competition began. Competitors were evaluated on measurements, accuracy, craftsmanship, safety, and a written knowledge assessment.

Allen’s first-place finish qualifies him to represent Kansas at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference that will take place in early June in Atlanta, Georgia.

In addition to the student honors, Coffeyville Community College also received the SkillsUSA Quality Chapter Award, earning bronze recognition for growth and increased participation in SkillsUSA activities.

Photo Construction Technology program instructor Clint West (l) and Rylan Allen (r)

The Kansas Department of Labor announces it will begin sending out notices of benefit overpayment as part of a modernization of the Unemployment Insurance system.

Overpayment occurs when individuals receive more unemployment benefits than they are eligible to receive.  State officials say this can be caused by a variety of reasons, including changes in eligibility, reporting discrepancies, or claim adjustments. Many of these overpayments are tied to historic claims, including benefits issued during pandemic-era programs or due to limitations in the previous system.  Recipients receiving notices from the state have previously been notified of the overpayment through a manual process.

Those who receive a notice of overpayment have several options, including paying the balance in full, establishing a repayment plan, or requesting a waiver. Anyone in need of assistance with overpayments should contact the KDOL.

For assistance with overpayments, contact KDOL at (785) 296-3609, visit dol.ks.gov/unemployment/overpayments, or email KDOL.repayagree@ks.gov.

###

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for Bourbon County RWD #2C.

The original advisory was issued on April 15^th because of possible contamination due to a water line break. Laboratory testing of the Bourbon County RWD #2C water supply showed no contamination and the K-D-H-E has determined that all conditions that placed the system at risk have been resolved.

The Boil Water Advisory is still in effect for the City of Uniontown public water supply system.

The Caney City Council is looking for a new member.

The Council is currently looking to fill a vacant seat for Ward 2. To be considered for the seat, individuals must be a Ward 2 registered voter. Interested parties should contact Caney Mayor Josh Elliott as soon as possible.

A Pittsburg man is seriously injured after being struck by a train.

The accident occurred Wednesday morning just before 4am when 33-year-old Dorian Rossback was struck by a train from the Canadian Pacific Kansas City railroad line near Jefferson and Stillwell Streets in Pittsburg. Rossback received severe injuries during the accident, and was taken to Joplin's Freeman Hospital for treatment. He was listed in stable condition and is expected to recover.

There were no other injuries reported.

Wilson County Rural Fire responds to a call of an ATV in flames.

Fire crews were called to the scene just north of Fredonia around 1:15 Wednesday morning. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze. The ATV was a total loss, but no injuries were reported.

Photo courtesy Wilson County Rural Fire

The 43^rd Annual William Inge Theatre Festival continues today in Independence.

Today's events include a Director's Cut performance at ICC and the Inge Lecture at the ICC Library at Noon. New Play Lab Readings will take place at noon and 2:30. The highlight of the evening will be a performance of the play Living Dead in Denmark at 7pm at the Inge Theater. The play is an action-horror sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet, where a zombified King returns to reclaim his throne five years later.

All events are free to attend. The Inge Festival concludes tomorrow.

Area farmers' markets will get underway soon.

Most area markets start for the season next weekend, but today, there will be an early edition of the Fredonia Farmer's Market from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at 402 N 8^th St.

Current and potential vendors are encouraged to set up at the market, and new vendors will receive an information packet. Only homemade or value-added products within a 50-mile radius of Fredonia are allowed.

The Coffeyville Police Department is hosting a drug take back event this weekend.

Police Chief Kwin Bromley says unused medication can be dropped off at the station.  Bromley says people may not realize how many unused medications the or someone they know might have.

The event is tomorrow from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

Independence residents are also able to drop off old medicines in the lobby of the Independence Police Department. Enter through the doors on the south side of City Hall.

***** Update 10 p.m. *****

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the four-state area through 4 a.m.

IN ARKANSAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 4 COUNTIES

IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

BENTON                CARROLL               MADISON              
WASHINGTON AR         

IN OKLAHOMA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 15 COUNTIES

IN EAST CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

CHEROKEE              MUSKOGEE              OKFUSKEE             

IN NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA

ADAIR                 CRAIG                 CREEK                
DELAWARE              MAYES                 NOWATA               
OKMULGEE              OTTAWA                ROGERS               
TULSA                 WAGONER               WASHINGTON OK        

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BARTLESVILLE, BENTONVILLE, 
BERRYVILLE, CLAREMORE, EUREKA SPRINGS, FAYETTEVILLE, GROVE, 
HUNTSVILLE, JAY, MIAMI, MUSKOGEE, NOWATA, OKEMAH, OKMULGEE, 
PRYOR, ROGERS, SAPULPA, SPRINGDALE, STILWELL, TAHLEQUAH, TULSA, 
VINITA, AND WAGONER.

***** Update 9 p.m. *****

The tornado watch for southeast Kansas has now been extended until 11 p.m. for the following counties:

Butler, Cowley, Allen, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Wilson, Woodson.

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ANDOVER, ARKANSAS CITY, AUGUSTA,
CEDAR VALE, EL DORADO, EUREKA, FREDONIA, GRENOLA, HOWARD,
HUMBOLDT, IOLA, LONGTON, MADISON, MOLINE, NEODESHA, ROSE HILL,
SEDAN, WINFIELD, AND YATES CENTER.

***** Update 6 p.m. *****

A tornado watch is now in effect for Osage county in Oklahoma and areas to the west through 11 p.m.

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

After a break in the weather, severe storm chances are once again possible for the area tonight.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch through 9 p.m. for counties in Kansas along the state line, including Chautauqua and areas to the north and west.  Wilson County is also included in the watch, although Montgomery County is not. 

Storms are expected to develop between 4 p.m. and 2 a.m., with timing for southeast Kansas largely expected between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m.  Up to 2 inch hail, 60-70 mph winds and a few tornadoes are all possible.  Stay tuned to KGGF for additional severe weather updates if needed.

The suspect in a Monday morning shooting in Dewey makes his first court appearance.

20-year-old Stephan Tre Powell, of Dewey, made an appearance in Washington County District Court in Bartlesville on Wednesday afternoon. Powell was arrested on Monday after reportedly shooting 20-year-old Chance Smith.

Powell has a bond set in the amount of $200,000 and will possibly face felony charges in the case during his next court appearance on Friday.

A convicted sex offender is facing additional felony charges in Oklahoma.

48-year-old Bradley Fluegel, of Sedan, was charged yesterday (on Wednesday) in Washington County with failing to register as a sex offender and entering a safety zone around a park as a sex offender.

According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Fluegel was allegedly residing in a tent near a park area. Authorities approached Fluegel and discovered he was registered in Kansas as a level three aggravated sex offender in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Fluegel was allegedly not registered in Oklahoma.

Fluegel will appear in court again on May 1^st. His bond is set at $50,000.

A Washington County jury awards a woman more than $2.7 million in damages after she fell from a stage during a ceremony at a Bartlesville hotel.

Plaintiff Tina Greer was inducted into the Bartlesville Sports Commission Hall of Fame during an event at Hilton Garden Inn in 2022. While Greer was being inducted along with her teammates from the 1982 College High School softball team, she reportedly stepped backward and fell off the stage. The fall resulted in a complex leg fracture just above Greer's ankle.

Attorneys representing Greer filed a lawsuit in 2024 alleging negligence against the Bartlesville Sports Commission, the Hilton Garden Inn and a vendor who installed the stage and back curtain. The sports commission and the vendor were later dropped from the lawsuit.

Following a March 2026 trial, jurors found the hotel was negligent, resulting in a $2.6 million award for actual damages  and $150,000 in punitive damages. The case had been sealed from public view until recently. The damage award is the largest tort judgment in Washington County history.

Attorneys representing the Hilton Garden Inn filed a motion this week, requesting a new trial. They claim Greer's attorneys made prejudicial statements, which tainted the case. They also claim jury misconduct, as one of the jurors may have personally known Greer.

The court has not yet ruled on granting a new trial, a move that would vacate the damage award.

The proposed sports betting bill in the Oklahoma legislature fails to pass the Senate.

The proposed bill failed to pass on Wednesday by a 27-21 vote. House Bill 1047, proposed by Representative Ken Lutrell and Senator Bill Coleman, would have authorized in-person wagering at tribal casinos and created a framework for legal sports betting in Oklahoma. The measure has gained support from state universities, a supermajority of tribes with the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The bill needs just four more votes to pass legislation. The bills' authors Lutrell and Coleman have announced a plan to move forward with a new version of the bill. Senator Coleman has captured the bill, meaning he has three days to reconsider the vote.

Oklahoma is one of 11 states without mobile or in-person sports betting.

The Sedan City Council chooses a new bank for certificates of deposit held by the City.

At this week's meeting council members had offers from two area banks. Mayor Kathy Miller opens the bids and shares the rates during the open meeting.

Council member Angela Evans says the decision is easy to make.

The council voted unanimously to move all seven of the City's CDs to Howard State Bank for the next year.

In other business, the council approved an agreement with the Sedan Fire Department to allow for the filling of their water trucks from City hydrants and tabled a motion regarding the fish feeders at the City lakes until the May 5^th meeting.

The Coffeyville Police Department will be taking part in the 30^th Annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday.

This nation-wide event allows citizens to dispose of both prescription and over-the-counter tablets, capsules and patches. Coffeyville Chamber President Candi Westbrook says it's the best way to get rid of old medicine.

This free event allows for the disposal of medications safely and anonymously. Westbrook says, if you can't make it this weekend, you can still safely get rid of medications.

Medications can be dropped off at the Coffeyville Police Department on Saturday from 10am to 2pm. For other collections sites, visit DEATakeBack.com

The Independence City Commission will hear the results of a recent community survey at tonight's regular meeting.

Mackey Smith with Vickrey Leadership Solutions will attend tonight's meeting virtually to review feedback from focus groups and the recent citizen survey as part of the preparation for the City's Community-Based Strategic Plan. Commissioners will also discuss the approval of a 20 minute parking stall in the 300 block of East Main and will consider an ADA complaint related to accessibility access regarding a sidewalk on South Penn. The City will also administer the swearing in of two new police officers.

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

A Galena man is arrested and faces charges of possessing child pornography.

According to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, on April 15^th deputies received a tip from another law enforcement agency that a child in Cherokee County was being solicited by an adult male. During the investigations of the allegations, detectives identified a 20-year-old suspect and obatinaed a search warrant for a Galena residence in relation to the case. The suspect – Jason Curtis Long of Galena – was arrested and faces charges of Indecent Solicitation of a Child, Exploitation of a Child, and Internet Trading of Child Pornography.

Long is currently being held in the Cherokee County Jail in Columbus, where he awaits formal charging in the case.

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

Up for discussion at this afternoon's meeting will be the appointment of a 31^st Judicial Representative, the hours of operation of the City Pool, a proclamation for National Volunteer Fire Week and the yard abatement. Today's meeting begins at 4pm in the Commission Room at the Neodesha City Hall. The public is invited to attend.

UPDATE: According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the driver of the semi - 43-year-old Eleni Tenaya of Hurst, TX - failed to obey a traffic sign for no through traffic and drove off the roadway to the right. Tenaya then overcorrected and overturned the semi, blocking both the northbound and southbound lanes of K-7. Tenaya and a passenger in her truck both sustained minor injuries and were treated at a Girard hospital.

The Crawford County Sheriff's Office reports a semi truck has overturned on K-7 just north of Girard.

The incident occurred around 7am this morning. Emergency crews are on the scene and the road currently appears to be closed. Drivers should find an alternate route.

Authorities have not yet released any information on the status of the driver.

Photo courtesy Crawford County Sheriff's Office