The Nowata Police Department is adding two new patrol trucks to its fleet thanks to a donation.

The department announced the purchase of two new patrol vehicles, made possible through funding provided by the A.E. and Juanita Richardson Charitable Foundation. According to the department, the foundation donated 100% of the funding needed to purchase both vehicles, allowing the department to expand its fleet without using local funds for the purchase.

The new trucks will help officers continue serving the Nowata community safely and efficiently. Nowata PD says the appreciate the Richardson Foundation for its generosity and continued support of local law enforcement and the community.

The Coffeyville Regional Medical Center Auxiliary is offering a chance to win a handcrafted plant hanger.

The CRMC Auxiliary is holding a raffle for a decorative iron plant hanger designed and donated by local craftsman Wayne Joplin of Joplin Blacksmithing and Ironworks. The plant hanger is similar to one currently on display in the CRMC Healing Garden. Raffle tickets are available for $5 each or five tickets for $20.

Tickets can be purchased online and are also available from CRMC Auxiliary members or at the hospital's Foundation Office. The winning ticket will be drawn on Wednesday, December 23rd, at noon.

Halloween might not yet be here but that doesn't mean it's too early for the Salvation Army to be looking for bell ringers. Montgomery County Coordinator Joe Brooks says he's already started recruiting them.

Brooks says he encourages any individual or group looking for community service hours to sign up to ring the bells. In addition to the bell ringers at King Food Saver and Walmart, they will also have counter kettles at stores around town.

Even though there is still over a week until Halloween, trick-or-treating is available tomorrow in Coffeyville. Chamber of Commerce President Candi Westbrook says there are two events that were rescheduled from last week.

Coffeyville Community College's Hometown Halloween is from 5:30pm to 7:00pm on the main campus. Westbrook says for those not attending Spooktacular to avoid the downtown area, because it will be packed with over 1,000 people hunting for their tricks and treats.

**UPDATE** 11:30am

The Montgomery County Commission will hold a special meeting tomorrow morning.

On the agenda is a discussion to rescind the resolution that establishes an Economic Development Incentive Policy for the County. This is a move that the commission has been considering over the course of the past few regular commission meetings.

An executive session is also planned to discuss a prospective economic development project. That session will include Interim County Administrator Kori White, County appraiser Melody Kikkert and Director of the Montgomery County Action Council Melissa Johnson.

 Tomorrow's meeting will begin at 9am in the Commission Room on the lower level of the Judicial Center in Independence. The meeting will be live-streamed on the county's website.

A Nowata man is facing a felony charge for allegedly driving a stolen U-Haul truck in Washington County.

41-year-old Robert Valentine was charged on Monday with possession of a stolen vehicle.

According to the Bartlesville Police Department, Valentine allegedly told authorities he rented the truck and was due to return it October 13, warning the rental company would report it stolen if he failed to do so. He reportedly promised the company he would return it the next day but did not. Authorities approached Valentine on October 15 after the vehicle was reported stolen. Police say he did not have a rental agreement.

Valentine was previously given a suspended sentence for a 2025 convitcion. The State of Oklahoma has filed a motion to revoke that sentence due to the new felony charge.

Valentine will appear in court again on October 30. His bond is set at $10,000.

Students from the Neodesha High School FFA program are in Indianapolis this week to compete at the National FFA convention.

Students Delaney Bradford, Sophia Ecton, Harlie Keller, and Jenna Meseraull will compete in Ag Communications. The quartet won the state competition in May and will represent Kansas in the national competition today. They studied exam materials and terminology, worked on their communications plan, and explored National FFA Brand Center resources to use in their practicums. The team should learn the results of the their efforts tomorrow.

The National FFA convention brings together over 70,000 FFA members, advisors and agricultural leaders from across the nation. The convention runs through Saturday.

Photo courtesy Neodesha High School FFA

Nowata County Commissioners discuss disaster relief at their most recent meeting.

On Monday, commissioners heard from County Emergency Manager Laurie Summers regarding state assistance for storm damage from 2025. Summers says she needs a dollar amount for the damage.

In other business, the board approved a transcript from the Treasurer's Office on the sale of county property and a reimbursement claim from the Election Board. Commissioners also approved an estimate of needs for the previous fiscal year and approved a financial statement of the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Commissioners also tabled the county certification map and county action report. The item must be approved by October 31^st. Action is expected to be taken on the item in next week's meeting.

Independence Community College will keep tuition rates steady for Kansas residents and high school students for the 2027-28 academic year.

The ICC Board of Trustees approved the plan at Monday night's meeting. In-district students will continue to pay 76 dollars per credit hour, while other Kansas residents will pay 82 dollars. The high school rate remains 50 dollars per credit hour.

ICC also offers scholarships that can cover tuition, fees, and textbooks for eligible students. The Presidential Scholarship application priority deadline is February first.

The college reports enrollment growth in fall 2026, along with improved student retention.

While tuition stays the same, the academic fee will increase six dollars per credit hour, and the facilities fee will go up two dollars.

Textbooks will continue to be provided on loan at no additional cost.

The Parsons City Commission holds a public discussion on the City's flood plain map.

At this week's meeting, commissioners discussed expected changes to the map and held a public hearing to allow citizens to comment on the matter. Parsons Public Works Director Darrell Moyer says the update is a recurring requirement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

City Attorney Ross Albertini says FEMA requires municipalities to update floodplain maps to reflect changing physical conditions, new development, and climate impacts.

. Accurate maps ensure proper building codes, set fair flood insurance rates under the National Flood Insurance Program , and help protect communities from unexpected disaster losses. Communities must maintain up-to-date Flood Insurance Rate Maps to legally enforce local floodplain ordinances and keep residents eligible for federal flood insurance.

The Wilson County Commission gets updates on projects in Neodesha and Fredonia.

At the commission's most recent meeting, Road & Bridge Supervisor Kary Tatum presented right-of-way permits for the City of Fredonia's water system project through the Us Department of Agriculture. Tatum also told commissioners that, due to the recent cooler temperatures, that the asphalt road repair project was likely done for 2026.

Commissioners also heard an update on Neodesha's Granby Street project from Garrett Nordstrom, a consultant with Governmental Assistance Services. Nordstrom told the commission that he was in the process of sending out requests for qualifications to engineering firms interested in designing the project according to KDOT requirements.

In other business, County Coordinator Kris Marple discussed a request from Starbuck Trucking for an $4,000 per month in their contract for fuel costs adjustments until prices decrease to average levels. Commissioners approved the request.

County Clerk Kayla Busch also reported that in-person advance voting for the general election was underway and that mail ballots had been sent to voters who requested them.

The Wilson County Commission will meet again today at 9am at the courthouse in Fredonia. The public is invited to attend.

Emergency crews respond to a two vehicle accident on US-166 east of Tyro.

The accident occurred just before 6pm on Tuesday night near the intersection with County Road 3700. Coffeyville Police, EMS, Dearing Fire and Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene of a rollover accident with possible injuries reported. One patient was cleared by EMS at the scene and refused further treatment.

No other injuries have been reported.

This is the second accident at that location in less than a week.

Medical Assistants Recognition Week is underway at Coffeyville Community College.

The event celebrates the health care professionals who help keep medical offices running and patients cared for.

The national observance runs October 19th through the 23rd, recognizing the contributions medical assistants make to patients, health care teams, and communities.

This year’s theme is “Educated, Equipped, Empowered.” Medical assistants support doctors and other health care professionals by helping patients, performing clinical tasks, and handling administrative duties.

The week also recognizes the educators, employers, and volunteers who help train and support current and future medical assistants.

Organizers say medical assistants play an important role in delivering quality patient care and creating positive health care experiences.

Medical Assistants Recognition Week encourages medical assistants, students, and supporters to celebrate the profession and raise awareness of its value in today’s health care system.

The bridge over the Verdigris River on US-75 in Neodesha reopens.

The Kansas Department of Transportation says the bridge is now open to two-lane traffic.

Work began in June 2025 to patch and resurface the bridge deck and replace a drainage culvert. According to KDOT, some work remains for the project to be completely finished, but it should have limited impact on traffic. The project $4.6 million project was done by Bridges Inc., of Newton.

KDOT reminds all drivers  to stay alert, follow posted signs and refrain from hand-held mobile device use in all active work zones.

The City of Coffeyville is offering several opportunities for residents to dispose of unwanted items this week during Coffeyville Clean-Up Week.

Bulk trash disposal is available at the City Tree Dump at First and Union. Hours are 10am to 6pm Monday through Friday, and 8am to 3pm on Saturday.

Household hazardous waste collection is this Friday, October 23^rd, from 8am to 2pm at the lot north of Pete’s Convenience Store on West Eleventh Street. Residents can safely dispose of accepted household chemicals, paint, used oil and more.

Then, on Saturday, October 24^th, the Coffeyville Police Department will host National Drug Take Back Day from 10am to 2pm, giving residents a safe way to dispose of unused or expired medications.

Autumn has just began and it’s almost Halloween, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start thinking about Christmas.

Several Toy Runs have been scheduled for November to collected gifts to ensure that area kids have a nice Christmas.  The first toy run is coming up on November 7th in Cherryvale. Coffeyville’s toy run is slated for November 21st while the Independence event will be held on November 28th. Area bikers are invited to participate by bringing a new unwrapped toy or gift for the event.

More details will be provided on each toy run as the date gets closer.

Improvements to Neodesha’s historic Brown Hotel continue.

Work continues to transform the building in downtown Neodesha into a restaurant, entertainment venue, office spaces, and apartments. City Administrator Brogan Jones says the renovation is coming along nicely.

The project is funded by a Community Development Block grant that was awarded to the City in 2025 through the Kansas Department of Commerce. Neodesha City Commissioner Ed Truelove says that means the project is not being paid for by taxpayers.

The Brown Hotel was originally built in 1886 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

The City of Coffeyville signs an agreement to move forward on a study of available electric power in the City.

The City of Coffeyville has submitted an application to the Southwest Power Pool to conduct an electric transmission feasibility study for potential data center developments in the city. The evaluation assesses regional electric capacity, transmission infrastructure requirements, routes, and potential interconnection needs. City Manager Ben Brubaker says the agreement only applies to the study.

Taxpayers will not foot the bill. The City has received funding from the developers to cover the cost of the transmission study, and the study application has been submitted. Brubaker says the study is expected to take around five or six months to complete.

The City officials say the City remains in the evaluation stage, gathering information to determine whether these proposals can benefit Coffeyville while protecting the City’s electric utility and ratepayers.

The Altamont Police Department is investigating an alleged aggravated battery that led to a multi-agency search for a suspect later found deceased in Oklahoma.

Police say the incident occurred October 10^th at a residence in the seven-hundred block of South Wells in Altamont. The victim was later located in Parsons and received treatment at Labette Health.

Following an interview with the victim, investigators identified Jack Melton as the suspect and determined there was probable cause for multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated kidnapping and domestic battery.

Authorities searched for Melton, who was eventually reported to be in Grove, Oklahoma.

On October 11^th, officers were notified that Melton was deceased and had taken his own life. Altamont police later confirmed his identity while coordinating with Oklahoma authorities.

The Grand River Dam Authority is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Melton's death.

Kansas Works will be hosting a virtual job fair this weekend.

The job fair will occur online from 8am on Friday to 5pm on Sunday and will be accessible through any digital device. The event is designed for jobseekers who are unable to attend in-person job fairs during the standard work week. Those seeking employment will be able to fill out applications, chat live, and interview virtually with participating employers. Training videos, a list of participating employers, and channels for attendees to register and log in are also available through the job fair online portal. Participants are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers may request to engage in a video interview.

Registration is required even for those who have participated before. For more information or to register, follow this link.

KGGF Radio is recognized by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters as the 2026 Medium Market Station of the Year.

KGGF took home top honors with the Station of the Year award, which recognizes overall excellence, achievement, and cumulative performance across the K-A-B competition categories. Voice of the K-State Wildcats Wyatt Thompson announces the award.

KGGF placed first for complete newscast for KGGF News at Noon and also for Station Promotion Announcement for the Spring Severe Weather Promo. The station took second in that category as well.

KGGF garnered another 2^nd place award for Excellence I Diversity for Frybread Journeys, and for Spot News for coverage of the Kiwanis Buck Out, while taking home Honorable Mention for Best Morning Show.

KGGF thanks all of our listeners and supporting businesses for their support. To see a full list of this year's winners, go here.

A 24-year-old Parsons man is under arrest following an alleged machete attack on his roommate early Thursday morning.

Parsons police say officers were called to a residence just after midnight on October 17^th, in the twenty-three-hundred block (2300) of Belmont Avenue, following reports of a disturbance.

Investigators say an argument between the two individuals escalated when the suspect, identified as Rodolfo Mazariegos Gomez, allegedly attacked the other man with a machete.

According to police, the victim tried to flee but fell to the ground. Gomez allegedly caught up with him and struck his hand with the weapon.

The victim was later located at Labette Health, where he was receiving treatment for his injuries.

Officers reportedly found a machete with what appeared to be blood on the blade, along with suspected blood evidence along Belmont Avenue.

Gomez was taken into custody at approximately twelve-thirty-three A-M without further incident.

Police detectives have obtained a search warrant to collect additional evidence as the investigation continues.

Gomez was arrested in connection with the incident and taken to the Labette County Jail where he faces charges of Attempted 2nd degree Murder, Domestic Battery and Aggravated Assault.

Advance voting for the 2026 general election is underway across Kansas.

Kansas allows voters to advance vote in person at county election offices or satellite voting locations and by mail up to 20 days before an election.

For this election, the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office reports that just over 90,000 ballots have been mailed to Kansas voters with 943 returned as of Friday afternoon. More than 6,000 Kansans have also cast their votes in person.

Those who wish to vote early in Montgomery County can do so at the county courthouse in Independence, Monday through Friday until November 2nd between 8:15am and 4:45pm. The courthouse and in-person voting will close early on October 30th at 1:45 for the Neewollah Kiddie Parade.

In Labette County, voters may cast advance ballots at the County Election Office in Oswego weekdays from 8 to 5 until noon on November 2nd.

For voters in Wilson County, advance in-person voting begins today at the Wilson County Courthouse in Fredonia from 8 to 5 Monday through Friday.

Voters in Chautauqua County can advance vote at the Chautauqua County Courthouse in Sedan Monday through Friday from 8:30 to Noon and from 1 to 3:30 in the county clerk’s office.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd.

It was standing room only with overflow into the hallway as the Cherryvale City Council meeting room met maximum capacity. Six residents were on the agenda for public comments with data centers the main topic of focus.

Cherryvale Residents say they are split on their feelings when it comes to data centers.  Residents, despite disagreeing on data centers, say they all want to see Cherryvale thrive and grow.

In other business, Councilor Norman Johnson announced next meeting would be his last as he is moving. The council approved a bid for HVAC at the fire department and approved street closures on October 31^st for the Library's Book or Treat Event and on December 5^th for the Christmas Parade.

The next meeting will be on Monday November 2^nd at 6:00pm with the location of the meeting moved from City Hall to the Logan Park Building.

Montgomery County is still looking for volunteers willing to serve on the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations steering committee.

Interim County Administrator Kori White says the committee will help guide new county planning and zoning regulations, including discussions about data centers.

White says there is no travel involved, but that it will require a few hours per month.

Commissioners are currently in search of people who are either in favor of data centers or are neutral on the topic. Interested individuals should contact their commissioner. 

  District 1 Commissioner Robert Bever

District 2 Commissioner Phil Clubine

   District 3 Commissioner Mike Cordray

In other business at this week's county commission meeting, Jeff Culver was named at Director of Facilities Maintenance following the retirement of Jeff Phelps.