Author Archives: Chuck Samples
Lyon County Highway Department closes handful of roads near Emporia after heavy rain Thursday
Heavy rain in central Lyon County from late Thursday afternoon and early evening have closed a short list of roads. The Lyon County Highway Department has placed barricades at these locations: *Road 1...
Apr 24, 2025 Drivers are reminded it is illegal to drive around barricades on roads and are asked not to drive through flooded roadways if they come across them. KVOE News file photo.
Temporary shoring to start repair process for KTA bridge damaged by over-height load last week
It appears traffic rearrangements due to a wreck causing significant bridge damage last week will take "several months" to finish. The Kansas Turnpike Authority says repair plans are in progress after...
Apr 24, 2025 Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
CareArc Community Health urging proactive approach to measles with southwest Kansas outbreak ongoing
CareArc's Community Health department is asking residents to be proactive in preventing measles as the disease continues to spread. CareArc Marketing Manager Justin Ogleby says measles is highly conta...
Apr 24, 2025 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention graphic.
Town hall highlights ongoing facility planning for USD 251
Long-discussed plans for facility needs at USD 251 North Lyon County had more discussions Wednesday night. There was a good crowd of patrons at the NLC Elementary gymnasium as residents learned more a...
Apr 24, 2025 USD 251 North Lyon County Superintendent Bob Blair discusses potential facility projects as part of a town hall meeting Wednesday. Dylan Sherwood/KVOE News.
Walmart confirms plans to build convenience store, gas station as early work begins
A new convenience store is coming to northwest Emporia. Walmart has started construction on a new convenience store and gas station in the northeast corner of its parking lot. With early preparations ...
Apr 24, 2025 Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Trial set to begin Monday in rape case against Patterson
Trial is the next step in a Lyon County rape case. And it's coming soon. Barring a last-minute schedule adjustment, jury selection is set to begin Monday in the case against Russell Paul Patterson Jr,...
Apr 24, 2025 Russell Patterson Jr. Lyon County Jail photo.
Unpaid toll scam numbers again spiking
Fraudulent text messages about unpaid tolls are on the rise again. The Kansas Department of Transportation says it seeing an increase in smishing, where residents get messages saying they owe money an...
Apr 24, 2025 Kansas Department of Transportation graphic.
Following hard rain and isolated large hail Wednesday, another round of severe weather possible Thursday
Large hail and heavy rain were features of thunderstorm activity Wednesday evening. Much of Osage County was under a flash flood warning after 2-plus inches of rainfall. At this time, the only confirm...
Apr 24, 2025 Nickel-sized hail was reported in central Lyon County from storms Wednesday evening. Larger hail was reported near Osage City. Randy Heins.
Greenwood County rape case underway; DeWitt removed from daily operations and management at MT Networks
Court proceedings have started in a Greenwood County rape case. Following a first appearance in Eureka on Tuesday, Nathaniel Stephen Dewitt was set for a preliminary hearing May 23. Dewitt faces singl...
Apr 23, 2025 Greenwood County Courthouse. 13th Judicial District photo.
Take Back the Night coming Thursday
One of the big events on the SOS community calendar is taking place Thursday. Take Back the Night is on the Emporia State University campus, courtesy of SOS and ESU THRIVE. On KVOE's Newsmaker segment...
Apr 23, 2025 SOS graphic.
