Author Archives: Chuck Samples
Lyon County jury sides with former professor in religious discrimination lawsuit against ESU
The jury hearing the religious discrimination lawsuit against Emporia State University has sided with the plaintiff. The jury says Dusti Howell's "religious exercise" was "substantially burdened" by E...
Jan 22, 2026 KVOE News file photo.
Olivarez fires defense attorney, delaying sentence in case involving pleas for indecent liberties, assault and kidnapping
Daniel Olivarez will return to Lyon County District Court in March to be sentenced on charges of aggravated indecent liberties, aggravated assault and aggravated kidnapping. Sentencing was supposed to...
Jan 22, 2026 Daniel Olivarez.
Lyon County Jail photo.
Emporia Community Foundation, Rotary Club announce latest grant recipients
Several grants of note have been announced locally this week. The Emporia Community Foundation has announced over $27,000 in total grants for a variety of projects: *Emporia Child Care: $4,000 to repl...
Jan 22, 2026 House of Morrow photo.
Lyon County BZA approves pair of variance requests
Lyon County's Board of Zoning Appeals approved a pair of decisions on variance requests at their monthly meeting this week. Board members approved a variance submitted by administrators of the Brownst...
Jan 22, 2026 City of Emporia logo.
Local automotive experts offer advice to residents to ensure vehicles are still operational with incoming cold and snow with entire listening area under winter storm warnings through upcoming weekend
With biting cold and moderate snowfall in the forecast over the coming weekend, local automotive experts are encouraging residents to make sure their vehicles are prepared to stand up to the harsh con...
Jan 22, 2026 National Weather Service graphic.
WARMING SHELTER information through Jan. 26, 2026
Given the forecast of subzero wind chills, the city of Emporia has announced several warming shelters: *Emporia Police Department, 518 Mechanic. The entryway is open 24/7 to those in need of shelter f...
Jan 22, 2026 KVOE News graphic.
Small grass fires handled near Hartford
Hartford-Neosho Rapids firefighters handled small grass fires near Hartford on Wednesday. Fire Chief Greg Zumbrunn says crews were toned out to a fire in the 2200 block of Road 105 shortly before 3 pm...
Jan 21, 2026 Hartford-Neosho Rapids Fire Department photo.
Meyer excited to lead Stormont Vail Emporia clinic as $45 million facility nears construction
The director of Stormont Vail's clinic in west Emporia says she is honored to lead the way as construction looms ahead later this year. Kelsey Meyer was named as clinic director earlier this month wit...
Jan 21, 2026 Kelsey Meyer. Stormont Vail Health photo.
Lyon, most surrounding counties now in winter storm watches with up to 7 inches of snowfall possible; Emporia details snow treatment/removal plans
The weekend is going to be cold. And it could be snowier than earlier projections had indicated. Most of the KVOE listening area is now in winter storm watches. Lyon, Coffey and Osage counties are cur...
Jan 21, 2026 National Weather Service graphic.
LIEAP application window now open
Applications are now being accepted for the state's Low Income Energy Assistance Program. LIEAP offers one-time benefits to help certain households pay winter heating costs. Last year the average bene...
Jan 21, 2026 KVOE News file photo.
