Independence Community College Cosmetology invites the community to an evening of holiday treats and beauty services.

Jingle & Mingle is Thursday, December 3rd, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Salon West, 2615 West Main Street in Independence. The event features blowouts, hair tinsel and feathers, mini facials, custom lip gloss and press-on nails. Lip gloss and press-on nails are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Local vendors include The Proverbs Cup and Pop Cakez, with dirty sodas, snacks and cake pops available. Admission is free, with additional charges for vendor purchases.

Credit card processing fees are changing for some City of Coffeyville payments.

Beginning Friday, November 20, credit card payments for Municipal Court and miscellaneous City services will carry a 4.25% processing fee, with a minimum charge of $2.50 per transaction. Those miscellaneous payments include City facility and building rentals. The City says the fee change follows a platform transition by its payment processing provider.

Residents can avoid the processing fee by paying with cash or check. The change does not affect City utility bill payments or their existing fees. For more information, contact City Hall at (620)252-6100.

A structure fire is reported at the Garden Walk Apartments in Independence.

The Independence Fire Department was initially dispatched to the apartment complex just north of Independence High School this afternoon just before 1 p.m.

An eyewitness tells KGGF News as of 1:20, smoke could be seen from an upper floor of one of the units on the north side of the complex. A second alarm has been called and mutual aid has been requested from the Dearing Fire Department.

It is currently unknown if there are any injuries, although an initial report indicates that there were no occupants inside the involved apartment. This is a developing story, more information will be released as it becomes available.

Photo: Don Moore

The Humanities Project from Coffeyville Community College  welcomes acclaimed storyteller and singer-songwriter Claudia Nygaard to the Spencer Rounds Theater .
 

Drawing from her experience as a Nashville Music Row songwriter, Nygaard brings a unique perspective to the stage, blending folk and Americana music with stories drawn from life and the human experience. She has performed at more than 250 fairs and festivals across 48 states and 10 countries and has been named the winner of the Kerrville Folk Festival Songwriting Competition and a 2022 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist . Nygaard’s CCC performance will feature folk, Americana, storytelling, humor, and heartfelt songwriting.

Nygaard will perform Tuesday night in the Spencer Rounds Theater on the CCC campus. The concert begins at 6:30. Admission is free.

A winner is finally declared in the race for Kansas governor.

Democrat Cindy Holscher will be the next governor of Kansas. The announcement comes more than a week after election day in a close race against Republican Ty Masterson. Holscher edged out Masterson in the final vote tally by about 7,000 votes.

Masterson conceded the race on Thursday night. He plans to return to the Kansas Senate in January.

A resident of Kansas City, Holscher will succeed two-term Democrat Governor Laura Kelly. It is the first time in state history that a Democrat governor has been replaced by another Democrat.

Holscher will be sworn into office as the state's 49^th governor on January 11, 2027 in Topeka.

Coffeyville residents have an opportunity to get more involved in their community.

The City is accepting applications for six volunteer positions on three city boards.

There are two openings on the Planning Commission, three on the Park Advisory Board, and one on the Juvenile Community Corrections Board.

City officials say serving on a board is a chance to share ideas and help shape decisions affecting the community.

Applications are due by 5p.m. Wednesday, November 25th. Applications are available online or at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 102 West Seventh Street.

Emergency Crews from Oklahoma and Kansas respond to an early morning semi accident on US-169

The call came in around 3:15 this morning as Coffeyville and Nowata EMS were called to a report of a semi truck on fire on US-169 near the intersection with East-West 8 Road or about 3 miles north of Lenepah. The fire occurred after the truck collided with an SUV

Early reports indicated one person was possibly injured and required removal from the vehicle.

No other details are available.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for a portion of the City of Galena public water supply in Cherokee County.

The original advisory was issued on November 10^th  because of possible contamination due to loss of pressure caused by a broken fire hydrant. Laboratory testing of the City of Galena 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 Neodesha City Commission approve the passage of an ordinance concerning the City’s Transient Guest Tax.

The measure concerns the tax applied to short term stays, such as hotels and motels, Air BnBs, and other short-term rental properties. City Administrator Brogan Jones says the measure actually isn’t a new tax.

The measure was originally approved in 2017, when Commissioner Ed Truelove was the City Administrator. However, the measure fell through the cracks. The new ordinance clarifies the City’s intention. Jones says there was a minor change to the measure to set it apart from the 2017 ordinance.

The funds raised by the tax will now go to the City instead of to Wilson County.

The Coffeyville Area Community Foundation's Match Day brings in more than $600,000 to the community.

As of this morning, more than $613,000 has been raised between 37 different non-profit organizations. Leading the list is the Field Kindley Charlesworth Swimming Pool Fund, which currently sits at just over $425,000. The Midland Theater Foundation is in second with just under $31,000 raised and the Coffeyville Regional Medical Center Foundation has received nearly $18,000 for the surgery department.

The total raised will likely grow as CACF will still accept donations that were postmarked by yesterday. With the $100,000 match figured in, just over $729,000 was raised last year. To see a breakdown of the money raised yesterday, click HERE.

A major new economic opportunity is coming to downtown Independence.

At Thursday’s city commission meeting, the commission announced the approval of Project Fun Town. This project will bring a major new business to the community. Director of the Montgomery County Action Council Melissa Johnson says the I-T company Provalus is coming to Independence.

MCAC, along with the City of Independence and Montgomery County have been working on this project for three years. Johnson says Provalus representatives were impressed with the City.

This is the economic development project that the County Commission changed its incentive deal for about three weeks ago. Johnson says the City of Independence has still given the company economic incentives.

Johnson adds that the company will be required to meet certain employment goals.

There will also be wage requirements based on the averages wages in Montgomery County, which is around $19 to $23 per hour. The company will be located in downtown Independence at 301 North Penn Avenue, in the former Club 301/Westco building. The timeline for the building is for renovations to begin as soon as possible in the first quarter of 2027.

Independence Mayor Dean Hayse says the project is a major investment in the community.

Commissioner Scott Smith says he has been impressed by the company’s willingness to be a part of the community.

The purchase agreement for the future location of the company is expected to close on December 1st.

The Coffeyville Area Community Foundation's Match Day continues now through 11:59 tonight, and organizers are pleased with the results so far.

CACF Executive Director Sam Kudrick says as of 1 p.m., they're closing in on $150,000 raised.

This year, there are 37 different organizations to give to, and $100,000 in matching funds available that will be added into the total.

Donations can be brought to the Perkins Building, which is the Historic Condon Bank in Downtown Coffeyville today until 5:30. They can also be mailed to CACF, P.O. Box 635 in Coffeyville if postmarked by today, or online at givematchgrow.com.

Two people are injured in a car accident in Crawford County on Wednesday morning.

The accident occurred around 9:30am at the intersection of US-400 and South 190^th Street or about 4 miles east of the City of Cherokee.

A 2008 Toyota Corolla driven by 79-year-old Zee Murphy of Burlington was eastbound on US-400 when a Dodge Dakota pick up pulled into the intersection. Murphy's vehicle struck the pickup on its passenger side, causing both vehicles to overturn.

Both Murphy and her passenger 80-year-old Zane Daly of Yates Center were taken to a Pittsburg hospital with serious injuries.

The driver of the Dakota 85-year-old Richard Grotheer of Weir was uninjured. All three were wearing their seat belts when the crash occurred.

The Nowata Cemetery Board is organizing a volunteer clean up day for the cemetery on Monday.

Those interest in helping are asked to join in on Monday morning to help in caring for and maintaining the memorial grounds. Volunteers will be working to remove decoration items that need to be cleared from the grounds. Decorative benches will not be affected by the cleanup. The City says this is an opportunity for community members to come together in a common cause.

Volunteers will meet on the west side of the cemetery and the cleanup will begin at 10am.

Community members interested in helping can contact the Cemetery Board or simply join the group on Monday morning.

Montgomery County reopens a low water crossing bridge on a county road located north of Cherryvale.

Public Works Director Brandon Beurskins says the crossing reopened last week.

The bridge caused some controversy for the county in 2024 when it was closed after being deemed structurally unsound. Residents from the area said the closure posed a hardship as it forced them into a lengthy detour in order to access US-400 and US-169. They then lobbied the county commission to keep the crossing open. In response, commissioners worked to find a solution that would cover the costs of the repairs without placing an undue burden on the county budget.

Beurskins says the residents in the area were pleased to see the project complete.

The reopening restores a more convenient route for area residents and brings an end to a two-year effort to find a solution to the bridge closure.

The Independence City Commission has a full agenda for its regular meeting tonight, including public hearings on eleven properties being considered for condemnation as dangerous and unsafe.

The properties are located throughout the city, including several on South Sixth, South 13th and South 16th streets, as well as North 14th and North 17th streets.

Commissioners will also consider replacing a 2018 Ford Transit ambulance, accepting KDOT grants for improvements to Main Street between Second Street and the eastern city limits, and approving change orders for transportation and sanitary sewer projects. Other items include a proposed 2027 meeting schedule and a five-year agreement with Independence Community College for use of FirstOak Field for its softball program.

The meeting begins at 5:30 tonight in the Commission Room at City Hall. It can also be viewed online via the City of Independence website.

Visitors to the Ralph Mitchell Zoo in Riverside Park in Independence may see an unusual emergency response at the zoo today.

Zoo staff will conduct an animal escape drill while the zoo is open to the public. The exercise is designed to practice what staff would do if an animal were to get out of its enclosure.

Guests can still visit the zoo as normal, but officials say visitors may be temporarily “evacuated” for a few minutes while the drill is conducted.

Zoo officials emphasize that this is only a drill, and all animals will remain safely inside their habitats.

The exercise is intended to help staff prepare for a potential emergency and keep visitors and animals safe.

The Caney community is rallying around the Caney High School Bullpup football team as they enter the quarterfinal round of the 2-A state playoffs tomorrow night.

USD 436 will host the Rally in the Valley before tomorrow night's game to celebrate the Bullpups and get the home crowd ready for the game as Caney hosts the Sabetha Blue Jays. Pregame activities include live music, bounce houses, popcorn and hot cocoa starting at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon. The festivities continue through 5:30 with a Bullpup Walk welcome at 4:45 as the players enter the stadium.

Kick off for tomorrow night's game is at 6pm. All USD 436 students can attend the game for free.

For those who can't attend in person, tomorrow night's game will also be broadcast live starting at 5:30 with Prescott Deckinger on US-98

The U.S. House of Representatives passes the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act on Veterans Day.

The House approved the comprehensive, 500-page legislative package yesterday (on Wednesday), clearing the way for the legislation to move on to the U.S. Senate. The bill which was co-authored by Kansas Senator Jerry Moran and Illinois Republican Mike Bost, aims at at reforming and expanding Department of Veterans Affairs health care, disability benefits, caregiver programs, and survivor services. Moran spoke about the measure on Veterans Day on the Senate floor. He says those who have served our country have been waiting for these changes.

Moran says the bill would allow veterans access to mental health and substance abuse care closer to home.

The legislation now moves on to the Senate for consideration.

Coffeyville's biggest single-day giving event happens today.

Match Day continues now through 11:59 tonight, and there are 37 different organizations to give to.

The event is organized by the Coffeyville Area Community Foundation. Director Sam Kudrick says there is $100,000 in matching funds available once again this year.

Donations can be brought to the Perkins Building, which is the Historic Condon Bank in Downtown Coffeyville today from 7:30 to 5:30. They can also be mailed to CACF, P.O. Box 635 in Coffeyville or online at givematchgrow.com.

Stay tuned to KGGF this morning for interview from participating non-profit organizations in addition to donation updates.

An offer of $1,800 in grocery assistance prompts a scam warning from Parsons Police Department.

A Facebook advertisement under the name Senior American Community claims the City has approved an emergency food relief program. PPD says that claim is false, and the City has no involvement.  The advertisement uses government-style imagery and a deadline to encourage people to apply. Police Chief Robert Spinks says residents could be persuaded to share sensitive information that could be used for identity theft or financial fraud.

Police urge residents to avoid the Apply Now button and verify assistance programs directly with government agencies. Anyone who has shared banking information should contact their bank immediately. Suspected identity theft or financial losses should also be reported to local law enforcement.

A free workshop helps Montgomery County residents prepare for their next garden.

Montgomery County LHEAT is hosting a seed workshop this from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Organizer Valeria Suddock says the class helps gardeners get ready for spring planting.  Topics include navigating seed catalogs, harvesting seeds and seed starting. The workshop is offered at Genesis Food Bank at 1312 West Eighth Street in Coffeyville and the Montgomery County Extension Office at 712 West Myrtle Street in Independence.

Lunch is provided, and door prizes will be available. Reservations are encouraged for the lunch count but are not required. To reserve a spot, text (620)515-6230 for Coffeyville or (620)330-2548 for Independence.

More entries are needed for Coffeyville’s Christmas parade.

Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce President Candi Westbrook says registration remains open.  This year’s theme is “A Very Merry Christmas: Christmas Through the Decades.” First, second and third place prizes will be awarded for parade floats. Westbrook says getting registrations in early helps organizers prepare the lineup.

The parade begins at 6:00pm Friday, December 4th, in downtown Coffeyville.

Veterans Day will be capped off with a special concert tonight in Independence.

The Mid-Continent Community Band will perform this evening with a special concert in honor of those who have served in the U.S. military.

Tonight's concert begins at 7pm in the Performing Arts Center at Independence High School. Admission is free.

Following the November 3rd general election, Nowata County Election Board Secretary Dave Neely updated the county commissioners on voter turnout.
 

Neely gave the update during a meeting of the Nowata County Commission on Monday morning. He says approximately half of registered Nowata County voters cast a ballot in the last week's general election.
 

Last week's totals follow up near record turnout during the period for early voting. Between 400 and 500 votes were recorded during the early voting period in the days leading up to Election Day last Tuesday.

Less than 3,000 total votes were recorded in the race for Associate District Judge in Nowata County between James Pfeffer and Linda Branstetter.

The Coffeyville Police Department says a recent saturation patrol targeting impaired drivers resulted in no DUI arrests during the enforcement period.

Officers conducted the special patrol Friday, October 30th, from 6pm until midnight, focusing on drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. During that six-hour period, officers made 20 traffic stops, issued 16 warnings and four citations, and arrested one person on an outstanding warrant.

While no impaired drivers were identified during the saturation patrol, police say two additional DUI arrests were made elsewhere in Coffeyville over the weekend by officers working regular patrol shifts.

The special enforcement effort was funded through grants from the Kansas Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Montgomery County is showing its support for those who have served on this Veterans Day by participating in Operation Green Light.

Interim County Administrator Kori White says the County Courthouse in Independence will be lit green this week in support of vets.

Residents and business owners are also encouraged to participate by placing a green light bulb at their home or workplace.

A head-on collision involving a semi in western Kansas leaves a New Mexico man dead and another man seriously injured.

86-year-old Bruce Greenfield of Las Cruces was traveling eastbound on US-54 near the City of Haviland in Kiowa County around 6:30 last night (Tuesday night). His 2018 Toyota RAV 4 crossed the center line into the westbound lanes and into the path of an oncoming semi. The driver of the semi 39-year-old Adriaan Hanekom of Greensburg, Kansas, attempted to avoid hitting the smaller vehicle but was unable to do so.

The two vehicles collided head-on, killing Greenfield and causing serious injuries to Hanekom.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

A head-on crash on I-70 near Junction City leaves both drivers dead.

The accident occurred around 11:15 on Tuesday morning when a 2026 Ford Explorer driven by 42-year-old Michela Brown of Abilene crossed the interstate median and struck a 2026 Hyundai Kona head-on.

Both Brown and the driver of the Hyundai 65-year-old Rex Gile of Calhan, Colorado, were fatally injured.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for a portion of Rural Water District #10 public water supply system located in Allen County.

Customers located south of Arkansas Road 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 November 10^th because of a loss of pressure due to a maintenance issues.

 The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.