Author Archives: Chuck Samples
Martin charged with drug distribution within 1,000 feet of school, aggravated battery after Friday chase
An alleged pursuit in Emporia late last week isn't the only legal concern Mariel Martin now has in Lyon County District Court. Martin, age 40 of Emporia, has been charged with separate counts of distr...
Feb 10, 2026 Mariel Martin. Kansas Department of Corrections photo.
KCPD: Brooks found safe
After a week-long active investigation, Monique Brooks has been found and is safe. The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department says it received a missing persons report Feb. 2 and started an investig...
Feb 10, 2026 Monique Brooks. Social media photo.
Americus City Council votes to disband police department
No official date was mentioned and there are still some things to finalize, but the main decision has been made. The Americus City Council voted 4-0 to discontinue the town's police department Tuesday...
Feb 10, 2026 The Americus City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to end operations for the city's police department. Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Schrockbier Old Smokehouse changing name, moving to former Billy Sims BBQ space
The menu is changing, although barbecue is still the focus at 737 West Sixth. Billy Sims BBQ hasn't announced a reason, but it is vacating that address after coming to Emporia in 2018. Phone calls to ...
Feb 10, 2026 Billy Sims BBQ is vacating its space at 737 West Sixth. Schrockbier Old Smokehouse is moving in before the end of February and will change its name to The Smokehouse. Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Mitchell-Markowitz Construction to receive FHTC's fourth Prairie Fire Award
The Flint Hills Technical College Foundation has a busy period ahead between now and the end of the spring semester. On the list of events is the fourth annual Prairie Fire Award celebration. On KVOE'...
Feb 10, 2026 Flint Hills Technical College photo.
Cooler conditions, high fire danger Tuesday ahead of weekend rain chances areawide
Record high temperatures are no longer in our forecast -- at least for the foreseeable future. Above-normal temperatures are. Monday's high of 79 degrees broke a 50-year-old record for Emporia. The pr...
Feb 10, 2026 National Weather Service graphic.
USD 251 with more conversations ahead Wednesday about potential new facilities
USD 251 North Lyon County's ongoing discussions about new facilities will add another layer Wednesday. Board members will discuss the process for having a construction manager at-risk as part of the o...
Feb 10, 2026 USD 251 North Lyon County logo.
Wildfire Awareness Week underway in Kansas
Grass fire season is unofficially underway across Kansas, and the state is marking Wildfire Awareness Week this week. The Kansas Forest Service says more than 90 percent of wildfires across the state ...
Feb 10, 2026 Kansas Forest Service graphic.
Hostess resumes some production after Monday's flash fire
Production has resumed to a degree after Monday's fire inside Emporia's hostess plant. JM Smucker Director of External Communications Frank Cirillo hasn't offered specifics, but he says some productio...
Feb 09, 2026 Emporia Fire says a heating oil incident caused Monday's fire at Hostess. Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News.
Zoo birds still doing well as avian influenza outbreak continues
Avian influenza is still affecting operations at the David Traylor Zoo, but it's not affecting any of the birds. A month ago, the zoo moved its trumpeter swans, nene geese, Cape Barren goose, snow gee...
Feb 09, 2026 Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
