Author Archives: Chuck Samples
CORONAVIRUS: Denim and Diamonds Gala canceled
Newman Regional Health's Denim and Diamonds gala fundraiser is now off the community calendar. The hospital announced it was canceling the event set for Friday with an increase in COVID-positive cases...
Aug 03, 2021 Newman Regional Health logo.
Trio of road, bridge projects adjusting nearby traffic
Downtown Emporia traffic has one hindrance in place this week. The railroad crossing at Merchant Street is now closed for crossing repairs. The street could be closed through Friday. Detour signs are ...
Aug 03, 2021 KVOE News file photo.
Air quality rivals Flint Hills burn season with smoke from western wildfires now overhead
The cold front that pushed through last weekend and gave us uncommonly mild temperatures to start the week brought something else with it. The InciWeb Incident Information System website is tracking l...
Aug 03, 2021 Air quality started Tuesday as unhealthy for sensitive groups due to smoke from western wildfires. AirNow.gov graphic
UPDATE: Motorhome destroyed by fire; tractor falls to US-75 after wreck near BETO Junction
A motorhome was destroyed after a crash and resulting fire in northern Coffey County on Monday. Sheriff Thomas Johnson says deputies received numerous calls for a vehicle fire on Interstate 35 near th...
Aug 02, 2021 Coffey County deputies are investigating after a camper caught fire near BETO Junction on Monday. Kimberly Beth Splawn photo.
Hearing delayed in Hartford animal cruelty case
One woman accused of animal cruelty at her home in Hartford had her pretrial hearing delayed Monday. Rhonda Staggs will now have a hearing Sept. 20 after defense attorneys requested more time to revie...
Aug 02, 2021 Rhonda Staggs. Lyon County Jail photo.
Emporia man arrested on suspicion of flee and elude, aggravated battery after alleged pursuit leads to injury wreck in Newton
An Emporia man is currently being held in the Harvey County Jail after an alleged incident late Sunday night in Newton. Newton authorities say 24-year-old Devin Downs is awaiting formal charges from t...
Aug 02, 2021 Devin Downs. Lyon County Jail photo.
Emporia FreedomFest Committee to take over Care Packages for Troops Drive
Change is coming to the Care Packages for the Troops Drive. Longtime organizer Diane Tebbetts says there will be a new entity organizing the drive after she retires in a few days. Tebbetts, a veteran,...
Aug 02, 2021 Diane Tebbetts loads boxes gathered during the Care Packages for the Troops Drive. Tebbetts is retiring from the effort, so her drive will fold into a drive organized by the Emporia FreedomFest Committee. Submitted by Diane Tebbetts.
CORONAVIRUS: 8 new cases in Lyon County Monday
It's a single-digit increase in new COVID-19 cases for Lyon County. The county's Public Health Department announced eight new cases through the past weekend in its report Monday morning. There were se...
Aug 02, 2021 Lyon County Public Health graphic
Want to testify in the state's redistricting process? Email, call -- or travel
Area residents wanting to give their input on the state's upcoming redistricting process will need to email or call the Kansas Legislative Research Department or travel. Late last week, the state anno...
Aug 02, 2021 KVOE News file photo.
Grace United Methodist serves area through school-related giveaways
Several hundred area residents needing school supplies had their minds put more at ease through the work of Grace United Methodist Church this past weekend. The church held its now-annual Kicks for Ki...
Aug 02, 2021 Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
