Author Archives: Chuck Samples
Emporia Fire handles late-night, early-morning fire calls
Emporia Fire had a busy Wednesday night. Fire crews were called to two reported structure fires, although there was no fire with either incident. Battalion Chief Ryan Conley says the first call was to...
Jun 05, 2025 Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Lyon County Commission begins 2026 budget conversations; Commissioners and county staff anticipating 'tight budget' due to inflation and tariff impacts
The 2026 budgeting cycle has begun for Lyon County commissioners. Commissioners heard budget requests from eight departments and allocation agencies as part of a study meeting on Wednesday: *Elmendaro...
Jun 05, 2025 Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
FLOODS: Chase County Sheriff's Office responds to fourth water rescue in two days Thursday afternoon; Kansas Highway 177 reopens to traffic
Travel adjustments are still in place for many roadways and water rescues have been occurring frequently across portions of the KVOE listening area since torrential rainfall led to significant floodin...
Jun 05, 2025 Chase County Sheriff's Office photo.
FLOODS: Two water rescues in Strong City; portions of K-99 and K-177 remain closed
River-based flooding continues to impact much of the KVOE listening area after heavy rainfall Tuesday. Emporia Fire was called to a water rescue on Road C north of US Highway 50 on Wednesday morning. ...
Jun 04, 2025 Firefighters bring one person from a Strong City residence through a flood zone to safety Wednesday. Jenny Wagers.
Development agreement with Stormont Vail ahead for Emporia City Commission on Wednesday
Emporia city commissioners could take a significant step towards a new medical facility in town as part of their meeting slate Wednesday. Leading off their action meeting is discussion and possible ap...
Jun 03, 2025 Stormont Vail Health logo.
Groundbreaking for Freestate Middle Mile network June 18 at ESU
A new broadband initiative is taking shape in Kansas, and the groundbreaking ceremony will be held in Emporia later this month. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has announced the Freestate Middle Mile netw...
Jun 03, 2025 Kansas Freestate Network graphic.
WEATHER ALERTS through June 11, 2025
The National Weather Service has issued weather alerts for area counties. *The Neosho River at Neosho Rapids is in a flood warning until late Wednesday night as minor flooding is underway. The river i...
Jun 03, 2025 KVOE News graphic.
Emporia woman hurt in truck-deer crash Monday night
One person was hurt and hospitalized after a truck-deer crash in far northeast Lyon County on Monday night. The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash happened around 9 pm at Kansas Turnpike mile marker...
Jun 03, 2025 KVOE News file photo.
May tax revenues on par with 2024, well above projections
Most of the state tax collection categories went well above estimates in the May report, but the totals were largely similar to where they were last year. The state had almost $658 million in tax reve...
Jun 03, 2025 Kansas Great Seal.
Schmidt: 'One Big Beautiful Bill' important component of Trump agenda
Kansas Second District Congressman Derek Schmidt says President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" is a positive step forward for the country. Schmidt recently joined KVOE's Morning Show to discu...
Jun 03, 2025 Kansas Congressman Derek Schmidt. Official portrait.
