Author Archives: Chuck Samples
Lyon County Commission to consider emergency text notification program, AI software package, new Anderson Building tables as part of Thursday meeting
Lyon County commissioners are looking at purchase agreements as a key part of their action meeting Thursday. Commissioners will get a presentation from Emergency Communications Director Roxanne Van Gu...
May 21, 2025 KVOE News file photo.
Fire destroys vehicle on Kansas Turnpike northeast of Emporia
A cause has not been announced after a destructive vehicle fire near Emporia on Monday. Around 5:30 pm, Emporia Fire was dispatched to Kansas Turnpike mile marker 132 southbound, or approaching the Em...
May 20, 2025 KVOE News file photo.
Champions Landing transient guest tax agreement ahead for Emporia City Commission approval Wednesday
Emporia city commissioners will discuss a potential agreement between the city and Champions Landing, and they could also approve the agreement during their meetings Wednesday. As part of their action...
May 20, 2025 Pictured left to right: Emporia City Commissioners Jamie Sauder, Erren Harter, Susan Brinkman, Becky Smith and Tyler Curtis. Photo by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News.
Defense motions yet to resolve before sentencing in Lyon County drug distribution case
Sentencing will be delayed in a Lyon County drug distribution case. Rafael Garcia was originally charged with selling methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of Walnut Elementary as part of two allegedly se...
May 20, 2025 KVOE News file photo.
Pioneer Bluffs seeking new operations director
Pioneer Bluffs is seeking a new operations director. Sammy Jo Happy, named this past July as the agency's leader, has resigned her post so she can take on a larger role in her family's ranching operat...
May 19, 2025 Sammy Jo Happy. Pioneer Bluffs photo.
NTHF announces 2025 induction class on CBS Mornings
The National Teachers Hall of Fame went to New York City to formally unveil this year's induction class. The traditional surprise announcements still took place earlier this year, but the results were...
May 19, 2025 National Teachers Hall of Fame photo.
Handful of Lyon County roads closed near Emporia after second straight night of moderate to heavy rainfall; Wabaunsee County reports two small tornadoes
Heavy rainfall this week has closed a few Lyon County roads. Lyon County Emergency Communications reports isolated road closures near Emporia as the result of rainfall: *Road 150 between Roads D and E...
May 19, 2025 KVOE News file photo.
Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission meetings ahead Tuesday
The Lyon County Board of Zoning Appeals and the Emporia-Lyon County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission have topics to address as part of a monthly meeting Tuesday. The Board of Zoning Appeals will ...
May 19, 2025 Photo by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News.
Status hearing in June for Pitler in Johnson County exploitation case
A status hearing is coming next month in the Johnson County case against Howard Pitler, a former Emporia State professor accused of sexually exploiting a child. The upshot of a hearing last week was s...
May 19, 2025 Howard Pitler. Johnson County Jail photo.
'We're all moving forward:' EHS celebrates Class of 2025
Emporia High School Principal Dathan Fischer says Sunday's commencement exercises for this year's seniors is "the start of a journey and the best is just beginning." Fischer addressed the nearly 320 g...
May 18, 2025 Emporia High Principal Dathan Fischer greets his daughter, Chloe, as part of commencement activities Sunday as USD 253 board members Lillian Lingenfelter and Jami Reever observe. Dylan Sherwood/KVOE News.
