A Hutchinson Police officer who shot and killed a woman armed with a pellet gun in March is cleared of any wrong doing in the incident.

Reno County District Attorney Thomas Stanton released the findings of the investigation yesterday.

According to the Hutchinson Police Department, on March 29^th officers were dispatched to a residential neighborhood near North Adams Street and West 28th. Reports indicated a woman in the area pointing a rifle at nearby residences. Four H-P-D officers arrived to find 50-year-old Cassandra Scott of Hutchinson in the street and armed with a rifle.

Shortly after officers made contact with suspect, she pointed the rifle at officers, prompting one to fire multiple shots, striking Scott. EMS was called to the scene and transported the woman to the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was later transferred to a Wichita hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation was called in to investigate the shooting. According to yesterday's statement, the investigation established that Cassandra Scott had made several threatening statements about shooting people. Scott pointed the gun at numerous officers and refused lawful commands to drop her weapon. Officers attempted to reason with Scott for over two minutes to drop the gun and talk to the officers.

Staton stated, "The Hutchinson Police Officer involved in this incident reacted based on both an objective and subjective reasonable belief that the use of lethal force was necessary to protect themselves and other citizens from great bodily injury or death. The Hutchinson Police Officer’s actions were legally justified. It is my conclusion that the officer is absolved from any wrongdoing."

The Kansas Highway Patrol takes part in an international initiative to improve safety and compliance among commercial vehicles.

The K-H-P took part this week in the International Roadcheck, a three day event in which inspectors  compliance, enforcement and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle and driver safety. Through commercial vehicle inspections and compliance enforcement, state troopers worked to ensure commercial vehicles operate safely on Kansas roadways.

Since its inception in 1988, roadside inspections conducted during International Roadcheck have numbered more than 1.8 million. International Roadcheck also provides an opportunity to educate industry and the general public about the importance of safe commercial motor vehicle operations and the roadside inspection program.

Photo courtesy Kansas Highway Patrol

Three people are hurt following a two vehicle accident near the state line in Crawford County.

The accident happened Thursday afternoon on K-171 at the intersection of South 260^th Street or just southwest of Opolis. The adult female driver of one of the vehicles was taken to Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg while the male driver of the second auto was taken via MedFlight to Joplin. A female passenger was also transported via ambulance to Mercy Pittsburg. First responders were on scene for nearly two hours before the accident was cleared.

The Kansas Highway Patrol, Crawford County Sheriff's Department, Cherokee County Sheriff's Department, as well as Fire Departments from Galena, Crawford County, and Cherokee Township, and KDOT responded to the scene.

Photo courtesy Crawford County Fire District No. 1

Property acquisition and downtown renovations take center stage at this week's Independence City Commission meeting.

At the very end of Thursday's meeting commissioners voted on the purchase of a plot of land by the City. Mayor Dean Hayse makes the motion.

The commission also approved the establishment of a Reinvestment Housing Investment District and also agreed to the issuance of industrial revenue bonds with the provision of a tax abatement for the Professional Building in downtown Independence. Finance and Bond Attorney Mitch Walter with Gilmore & Bell says the bonds will help finance the planned renovations to turn the historic building into apartments.

Commissioner Scott Smith says the plan with help extend the life of the Independence landmark.

In other business, commissioners heard a report from Ginger Hill with Four County Mental Health on substance abuse and the use of funding from the City's alcohol tax.

The 60^th Oklahoma Legislature officially adjourns to end this legislative session.

The state lawmaking body completed its work earlier than the constitutionally mandated date of May 29^th and agreed to end the session early. A large part of the reason for the early completion of the session was an early agreement between the House, Senate, and Governor Kevin Stitt on the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget.

The 2027 budget made significant investments in education.  In total, the Legislature committed $232 million in new money to common education this year, triggering a 7-day increase in the school year to a minimum of 173 days. The budget also increased funding for the Department of Mental Health, while making some changes to the SNAP program as well as to child care teacher recruitment and retention.

Another major education bill that was passed into law was the  "Bell to Bell no Cell" bill that requires school districts to permanently adopt a policy prohibiting students from using cell phones on campus during the school day.

Lawmakers concluded the session at 5pm on Thursday, May 14^th with some discussion regarding a potential special session for remaining, dormant bills. A decision on whether or not there will be a special session will be left to Governor Stitt.

Deep Fission holds another public meeting in Parsons to answer questions and address the public's concerns about its underground reactor.

Representatives from the California-based company along with nuclear engineering experts were on a panel earlier this week at the Parsons Municipal Building. The group gave a brief presentation followed by a question and answer session. One of the panel members was the Director of the Nuclear Engineering Program at Kansas State University Amir Bhahadori. Bhahadori addressed issues of safety concerning nuclear reactors. He says federal regulators keep a close eye on all reactors and that regulation strongly outweighs the risks.

Chief Operating Officer of Deep Fission Mike Brasel  was also on the panel. He says the technology used for the underground reactor is similar to that used in oil drilling.

He adds that the equipment involved uses the latest technology.

The panel also told the audience that waste from the reactor will be handled by the federal government and that 28 states are currently seeking authorization to be dedicated sites for waste storage.

Deep Fission uses a small modular pressurized water reactor placed in a 1-mile-deep borehole, aiming to enhance safety through underground containment. The facility is currently being built at the Great Plains Industrial Park in Parsons.

Photo: COO Mike Brasel addresses the audience

Local fire crews respond to a fire at an abandoned house in Dearing.

Early Thursday morning around 12:30, the Dearing and Coffeyville Fire Departments responded to the 300 block of Walnut Street to a report of a structure fire.

Upon arrival, Firefighters started attacking a fully engulfed abandoned house that was in the process of being torn down. The fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported.

Crews later responded back in the late morning hours after the fire rekindled.

Photo: Dearing Fire Department

More area high schools are graduating this weekend around southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma.

Tonight, students at South Coffevyille will graduate at 7 p.m., and Oklahoma Union's ceremony will be at 7:30.

Tomorrow, students in Coffeyville, Caney and Labette County High School will graduate at 10 a.m. The Field Kindley ceremony will be broadcast on The Mighty 690, Caney on Sonshine 98.9 and LCHS will be on US 98.

On Sunday, Independence High School Graduation will be on Sonshine 98.9 at 1 p.m.

Area graduation broadcasts are brought to you by Bartlett Coop, TLC Outdoor Power and Muller Construction, in addition to Dave's Body Shop and Wrecker and Skyward Credit Union.

A Dewey High School senior is taken into custody after officers recovered a handgun in a vehicle on campus.

School Resource Officer Josh McCully received a call at around 9:50am this morning regarding a student in possession of a handgun on the Dewey High School campus. Police Chief Jimmy Gray says he and officers responded to the school.

Police identified the student as Dewey High School Senior Gavin Bohannan.

Auditions are coming up for Coffeyville Community College’s Children’s Summer Theater.

This summer’s production is “15 Reasons Not to Be in a Play”, which is a fast-paced comedy. Auditions are open to ages six to 18, including students who graduated, and features a variety of monologues and ensemble roles for all experience levels.

A parent information meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 26^th at 5:30pm, with auditions to follow from 6:00pm to 7:30pm and again on Wednesday May27th from 6:00pm to 7:30pm at the Spencer-Rounds Theater. Rehearsals run June 1^st through June 18^th, with performances set for June 19^th and June 20^th. Admission is free and open to the public.

Two Coffeyville Recreation Commission employees are being recognized with scholarships.

Field Kindley Highs School Senior Chloe Vail received a $600 scholarship. She’s worked in the concessions department since 2022 and currently serves as concessions manager. FKHS Senior Ryley Robson was awarded a $500 scholarship. Robson has worked as an umpire and on the summer field crew since 2022.

Both seniors received their scholarships during this week's CRC board meeting. CRC officials thanked both students for their contributions to the community and wished them well after graduation.

The annual Cherry Blossom Festival is this weekend in Cherryvale.

Events start tonight with the queen coronation at 6 p.m. in Logan Park. On Friday, events begin with a parade at 5:30 in downtown, dinner in the park at 6 along with music from the band “Straight Away.” There will also be an evening glow run 5k at 8:30.

Saturday will bring an big lineup of events with the car show starting at 8 a.m. Craft vendors and food trucks will open at 9 a.m. With music by “Big Country” at 9:30. A cake walk will start at 10 a.m. at the Chamber office in addition to performances by Stage Art and R&S Dance Studio. There will also be Bingo at the Chamber office at 1 p.m. KGGF staff will broadcast live updates between 10 a.m. and noon on Classic Hits 104.1, courtesy of KC 24 Hour Truck Repair, Sale Brothers Seed, Discount Delights and the City of Cherryvale.

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

Customers should boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water instead. Dispose of ice cubes from trays and automatic ice makers. If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears. Water used for bathing does not need to be boiled, but supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested.

KDHE officials issued the advisory on May 14^th because of a loss of pressure due to two water line breaks. In addition, the city cannot currently maintain the minimum required chlorine residual due to equipment failure.

 The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

Two people are arrested following a recent traffic stop in Barnsdall.

The original incident occurred on Sunday, May 3^rd, just before midnight after a Barnsdall police officer stopped a red Ford F-150 when a the truck failed to yield to traffic after nearly colliding with the officer's patrol car.

The driver of the vehicle identified himself as Chance Peircen of Avant. The officer recognized the passenger in the truck as Candace Roberts, who had an active warrant in Osage County. Roberts was taken into custody based on that warrant.

Officers attempted to identify the driver after no valid returns for a Chance Peircen. The driver consented to a search of the passenger side of the vehicle advising he did not know what was left by his passenger. Narcotics were located in multiple areas along with paraphernalia allowing for further search of the vehicle. Officers discovered a wallet with an Oklahoma drivers license identifying the driver as Lance Peters. Peters was then arrested and told officers he lied about his identity due to an active warrant in Rogers County.

Both were taken to the Osage County Jail in Pawhuska to face their outstanding warrants. During booking, a bag of a crystal like substance was located in Peters sock. He now faces an additional charge of introducing contraband into a jail.

Photo: Lance Peters (l), Candace Roberts (r)

A shift in the political landscape at the county level continues in Bourbon County.

Bourbon County commissioner Samuel Tran is facing a recall election after allegations surfaced suggesting that Tran violated Kansas law by failing to pass an appropriate budget in 2025. The recall petition against Tran claims, that action means the commissioner failed to perform his required duties as an elected official. The Bourbon County Attorney has confirmed that the recall is in order and can proceed. This comes after another recall effort has begun to recall County Clerk Susan Walker over a ballot printing error during the most recent election.

The Kansas Department of Transportation and Drive Safe Kansas reports good news for drivers in the Sunflower State.

According to recent crash data from the Kansas Highway Patrol, the number of fatal accidents on Kansas highways continues to fall. As of May 12, 2026, the state has recorded 104 traffic fatalities. That number is a 25% decrease from the same time period last year. This continues the trend from the beginning of 2026 that has seen a substantial drop off in fatal traffic accidents.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reminds drivers to avoid distractions, follow the posted speed limit, always buckle up, and never drive impaired.

A single vehicle accident on I-70 near Abilene leaves one person dead and another with serious injures.

The crash occurred just before 2pm on Wednesday in Dickinson County. 85-year-old Robert Huff of Clarksburg, West Virginia, was traveling eastbound in a 2023 Honda CR-V when his vehicle left the roadway for an unknown reason. The vehicle struck and embankment and rolled multiple times. Huff suffered serious injuries and was taken to Wichita's Wesley Medical Center. A passenger in his vehicle 81-year-old Bonnie Huff was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was killed in the accident.

The Altamont City Council will meet tonight for its regular bi-weekly meeting.

On the agenda is a list of appointments for City Offices. Council members will also hear details on the opening of the City swimming pool for the season, about the Kids Fishing Derby coming up in June and about the City's annual Flag Day celebration. There will also be a discussion of the condemnation of a property on South Wells Avenue.

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

The Independence City Commission will meet tonight with several action items and an executive session on the the agenda.

At tonight's meeting, commissioners will hold public hearings regarding proposed renovations at the Professional Building on Penn Avenue. They are also expected to approve and Downtown Independence Building grant for the Booth Hotel. Commissioners will also consider cosponsoring a Biking Across Kansas event at Memorial Hall in June.

The City's new Assistant Police Chief Jimmy Holt will also be sworn into office. Commissioners will then hold an executive session to discuss land acquisition.

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

One man is dead after a head on collision in northeast Kansas.

The accident occurred around 9:30 on Wednesday morning on US-36 in Washington County, Kansas, or about 50 miles north of Manhattan.

A 2023 Toyota Highlander driven by 75-year-old Marvin Ost of Menifee, California, was traveling eastbound when he crossed the center line and collided with an oncoming semi. The crash caused the semi to partially overturn in the roadway. Ost suffered fatal injuries in the crash. The driver of the semi 40-year-old Brian Lueking of Superior, Pennsylvania, sustained minor injuries and was treated at a nearby hospital.

While Libraries are often known to be quiet places, the Coffeyville public library has a new offering for those needing a quiet and private space.

Library Director Rachel Koszalka says their new “talk boxes” are now available for the public to use. Koszalka says the boxes are great for multiple uses including studying.

Koszalka says the talk boxes have already been popular with library patrons.

Talk boxes can be reserved in one-hour blocks. For more information, just ask the Coffeyville Public Library staff.

A box truck hits the underpass on 12^th Street near Walnut Street.

At around 3:30pm, Coffeyville Police received a report of a Ryder box truck hitting the underpass, but by the time officers arrived on scene the truck was gone. Officers were able to locate the vehicle headed west and made a stop near Fresno Street.

The roof of the box truck was damaged.

The Caney Police Department is investigating a series of burglaries and thefts.

Caney PD says the incidents involved two businesses in Caney and happened on or around the night of May 8^th. An investigation followed, including multiple tips from the public and the execution of two search warrants at residences on the east side of town.

As a result, four people have been arrested. Michael Sotta faces charges of burglary and criminal damage. Justice Sotta, Tawnee Marie Albee and Kade Wheat are each facing multiple drug-related charges, including possession of hallucinogenic drugs, marijuana, stimulants and drug paraphernalia.

The investigation remains ongoing.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation identifies the suspect in an officer-involved shooting.

Authorities say 47-year-old George White III, of Pittsburg, was arrested after being released from a hospital. He was taken into custody on a Crawford County warrant that includes charges of aggravated assault, theft of more than one hundred thousand dollars, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement and misdemeanor theft. He was later booked into the Jackson County Detention Center in Missouri.

The incident began late Thursday, May 7^th, when deputies responded to a report of a stolen semi-truck traveling north from Pittsburg and driving into oncoming traffic. Deputies pursued the vehicle as it continued the wrong way on Highway 69 into Bourbon County. During the pursuit, two deputies fired their guns, striking the suspect and the vehicle. The suspect was taken into custody after losing control near Highway 69 and Indian Road. No officers were injured. The KBI says the investigation remains ongoing.

Drivers in Coffeyville can expect lane closures on 11^th Street.

City officials say Vance Brothers will be applying a seal coat between Elm and Walnut tomorrow and Friday, weather permitting. The project is part of routine street maintenance aimed at extending the life of the roadway and improving driving conditions.

Traffic will be reduced in the area to accommodate the work and allow time for the surface to properly cure. Motorists should plan for possible delays, slow down in the work zone and remain alert for workers and equipment.

During this week’s Wilson County Commission meeting, Road and Bridge Supervisor Kary Tatum announced that a new low-water bridge should be completed soon.

The bridge, located west of Chanute on K-39 between Wichita Road and Yale Road, was closed in early April due to flooding.

Tatum expects to lay concrete to complete the bridge this week. Wilson County estimates the project will cost $20,000.

In other news, Wilson County has begun working on its new budget. Kris Marple states mock-ups will be made for potential increases in county minimum wage, up to $14 and $15 per hour.

During this week’s school board meeting, Independence made three recognitions for recent achievements throughout the school district.

First, IHS had five powerlifters finish as state finalists, including Camden Pearson, who is a back-to-back state champion in girls’ bench press and power clean.

The board acknowledged IHS Theatre for winning Outstanding Overall Production at this year’s Wichita Jester Awards.

Also, kindergarten teacher Mary Swearingen was recognized as one of three semifinalists for the Region Two Teacher of the Year. Swearingen read from her speech about her passion for her work.

In other business, the Independence School Board approved the purchase of a 10-passenger, super duty van from Quality Motors of Independence for $61,612.

The Board also approved re-upping their membership in Schools for Fair Funding for the 2026-27 year.

Photo Courtesy: IndySchools Website

The City of Sedan is currently in the process of installing new grant-funded public seating.

City crews have begun the assembly and installation of new picnic tables and benches paid for by a Waste Tire Grant through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The City was awarded the $4,639 grant in March through the program that assists local governments in purchasing products made from recycled tires, such as playground surfacing, rubber mulch, or park benches. The grants are funded by revenue collected through the tire excise tax, a 25 cent per vehicle tire fee.

Photo courtesy City of Sedan

The City of Bartlesville will soon have a new Police Chief.

Deputy Police Chief Andrew Ward will become Bartlesville's new police chief when Kevin Ickleberry officially steps down from the role on July 2. Ward was offered the position following an internal application process that closed last month.

Ward began his law enforcement career working for the Kay County Detention Center in 2010. He joined the Bartlesville Police Department in 2012 where he served as a K-9 officer until 2022. Ward earned the rank of Corporal in 2018 and Sergeant in 2020. Ward was named Captain in 2022 before being promoted to Deputy Chief in 2024.

Chief Ickleberry has been on leave since December due to medical reasons, when Acting Police Chief Troy Newell stepped into the temporary role. Newell will continue as Acting Chief until Ward takes over in July.

The President of the Coffeyville Area Chamber of Commerce is selected to lead a multi-state organization.

Coffeyville Chamber President Candi Westbrook has been chosen as the incoming Board Chair of the Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma or MAKO Chamber Conference. The move came at the group's 2026 annual conference held in April in Branson. The regional organization works to bring togther chamber professionals from the four participating states to assist in the advancement of economic and community development goals.

In her new role as Chair, Westbrook will focus on increasing participation across the four-state region, strengthening partnerships with organization sponsors, and maintaining high-quality programming for members.

Westbrook has served as President and CEO of the Coffeyville Area Chamber of Commerce since 2017, where she focuses on business growth, community development, and strengthening Coffeyville’s economic vitality.

To learn more about the Coffeyville Chamber, follow this link