Author Archives: Chuck Samples
KVOE's Thomas honored by Rotary Club with Paul Harris Plus One honor
KVOE General Manager Ron Thomas got special recognition from the Rotary Club of Emporia on Tuesday. Club members bestowed the Paul Harris Fellowship -- "plus one" -- as part of their regular meeting. ...
Apr 21, 2026 KVOE General Manager Ron Thomas and Rotary Club of Emporia Immediate Past President Jacque Wellnitz pose after Wellnitz presented Thomas with the Paul Harris Fellowship Plus One on Tuesday. Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Lyon County kidnapping defendant set for pretrial May 28
One of two defendants in a Lyon County aggravated kidnapping case is moving forward in the court process. Michael Allen Baldridge currently faces single counts of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated bat...
Apr 21, 2026 KVOE News photo.
Court process underway in Lyon County chase case
Court proceedings have started for a man accused of leading a pursuit and other counts. Leon Caldwell is now set for a preliminary hearing May 5 in Lyon County District Court. Besides flee and elude, ...
Apr 21, 2026 Wave.video graphic.
Informal meeting Saturday involves NRC representatives discussing Wolf Creek's 2025 performance
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has a special informal meeting to discuss Wolf Creek's safety performance this weekend. NRC staff will be available to answer questions about Wolf Creek's safety perf...
Apr 21, 2026 KVOE News file photo.
KDOT begins road improvements near Melvern
Central and south Osage County now have three notable construction processes underway through the Kansas Department of Transportation. KDOT is starting a mill-and-overlay project on US Highway 75 from...
Apr 21, 2026 Kandrive.gov map.
EF-1 tornado confirmed through Olivet
The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado damaged parts of Olivet as part of severe weather that affected the area Friday afternoon. The Weather Service says an EF-1 developed just southwest of...
Apr 20, 2026 Laurie Kurzen.
Tentative decision on Logan Avenue future ahead Wednesday
USD 253 Emporia could well take a significant step towards completing its cost containment goal with its meeting this week. Wednesday is the evening when board members will likely vote on a resolution...
Apr 20, 2026 Mary Herbert Education Center's main conference room was nearly full for the April 15 special board meeting to gain public input on the possible end of school operations at Logan Avenue Elementary. Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Rec Commission Board with several updates at monthly meeting Monday
The Emporia Recreation Commission will field updates during its regular board meeting Monday. Board members will discuss upcoming renovations to the DeBauge Family Sports Complex scheduled for this su...
Apr 20, 2026 KVOE News file photo.
The Longest Table coming Saturday to First Congregational
You're invited to spend time at Emporia's version of The Longest Table this weekend. The meal is from 12-2 pm Saturday outside First Congregational Church, 326 West 12th, and organizers say it's a way...
Apr 20, 2026 The Longest Table graphic.
Work Zone Awareness Week begins
National Work Zone Awareness week is underway, and the Kansas Department of Transportation is urging drivers to do their part as they go through construction zones this year. KDOT engineer Dustin Hard...
Apr 20, 2026 National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse graphic.
