Author Archives: Chuck Samples
Ignite Emporia pauses strategic plan effort
Ignite Emporia had started on a strategic planning effort earlier this year. That is now on hold, and the pause is understandable, according to Director Michelle Margeson -- especially given the recen...
Aug 06, 2025 Ignite Emporia Logo.
USD 253 encouraging parents to finish student enrollment process with classes starting later this month
Classes are just two weeks away for USD 253 Emporia Public Schools. As the district continues its late-summer preparations, it's also encouraging parents who haven't enrolled students to do so as soon...
Aug 06, 2025 USD 253 Emporia graphic.
Rocky Ford Bridge mussel survey among Lyon County Commission business Thursday
Lyon County commissioners have several bids, bills and quotes to handle as part of their action session Thursday. County Engineer Wayne Scritchfield will present a mussel survey quote from BioSurvey G...
Aug 06, 2025 KVOE News file photo.
Gufler Mansion set to have new ownership
There aren't a lot of specifics being announced yet, but Gufler Mansion has announced new ownership is finalizing for the bed and breakfast. The facility's social media says Dr Benjamin and Deborah Ko...
Aug 06, 2025 Dr Benjamin and Deborah Kohl are poised to own the Gufler Mansion. Gufler Mansion photo.
Aggravated burglary, drug distribution, weapons cases all moving forward against one person in Coffey County
A jury trial has been scheduled in a Coffey County burglary case. James Edward Mann, age 54, will have a pretrial hearing Sept. 4 before trial Oct. 20-21. Mann is charged with aggravated residential b...
Aug 06, 2025 Clipart Library graphic.
Rec Commission Steering Committee plans public engagement sessions early next year, tentatively seeking new facility vote in November 2026
A year ago, the Emporia Recreation Commission was starting community engagement sessions with the goal of building a new public recreation center. Following Tyson Foods' decision to end its local oper...
Aug 05, 2025 Emporia Recreation Commission graphic.
Lieurance accepts Colorado plea, will spend up to 45 years in prison for deaths of Amy Ford and Linda Estrada
Depending on circumstances, Phillip Lieurance could be in his 80s before he is a free man. On Tuesday, Lieurance's defense team and Colorado prosecutors finalized a plea agreement culminating with Lie...
Aug 05, 2025 Phillip Lieurance. Kansas Department of Corrections photo.
Pretrial ahead in Lyon County aggravated arson case
A pretrial hearing has been added to the Lyon County docket as an aggravated arson case is in the early stages. On Tuesday, Mitchell Lindsey waived his preliminary hearing. Judge Jeff Larson then set ...
Aug 05, 2025 KVOE News file photo.
City Commission to look at Cedarbrook Meadows preliminary PUD
Emporia city commissioners will have an update on plans for a major housing development as part of their business Wednesday. Commissioners will discuss approval of a preliminary Planned Unit Developme...
Aug 05, 2025 PEC rendering.
Construction continues at Little Lyons Childcare
Little Lyons Childcare continues work towards its overall goal of 24-7 service for local families. On KVOE's Morning Show Newsmaker segment Tuesday, Ignite Emporia Director Michelle Margeson says the ...
Aug 05, 2025 The south end of Little Lyons is now seeing notable construction work. Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
