Author Archives: Chuck Samples
Specifics pending, but Pimple expects positive results from Rural Transformation Grant program
How the Rural Transformation Grant program will lead to improved patient care locally remains to be seen, but Newman Regional Health CEO Cathy Pimple is excited for what may be coming. No "big check" ...
Jan 06, 2026 KVOE News file photo.
Emporia Police investigating after apparent unlawful discharge of firearm incident Saturday
Emporia Police is investigating after an incident in northeast Emporia on Saturday afternoon. Sgt. Marcial Hernandez says officers were called to Terra Park Apartments, 1201 Triplett Building B, aroun...
Jan 03, 2026 Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Emporia's new city commissioners join Talk of Emporia ahead of first official meeting
The Emporia City Commission has its first meeting of the year this upcoming Wednesday, and the trio of new members say they are ready for their new leadership roles. KVOE's Talk of Emporia this past F...
Jan 03, 2026 (From left): Tammi Ogle, Kurt Steinkuhler and Monica Duncan. Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Debut of Maker First Friday well-attended
There's no official word yet on whether Emporia First Friday will have a summertime Maker Art Walk -- but if it happens, the first-ever Winter Maker Art Walk is a big reason why. Instead of connecting...
Jan 03, 2026 Emporia First Friday organizers are pleased with the turnout from the first-ever Maker First Friday event on Jan. 2. Kat Dorcas/Emporia First Friday.
With Maduro indicted, Trump says US will 'run' Venezuela; Marshall says capture makes America 'safer at home'
Kansas lawmakers in Congress are starting to make their thoughts known about the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on Friday night. Senator Roger Marshall says: "President Trump made a pr...
Jan 03, 2026 Google Maps image.
CDC increases Kansas flu traffic activity from low to high
Tracking with recent comments made on KVOE's airwaves by Lyon County Health Officer Dr Ladun Oyenuga about increased flu activity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have upgraded the Kans...
Jan 03, 2026 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention map.
Kansas collects over $1 billion in December revenues -- missing both December 2024 and budget projections
Typically, when Kansas collects over $1 billion in tax revenues for a given month, it's a good month when compared to the prior year or to budget expectations. That wasn't the case in December. The st...
Jan 03, 2026 KVOE News file photo.
Isolated to widely-scattered slick spots noted Saturday morning
A brief period of wintry precipitation overnight has caused occasionally slick sidewalks and parking lots for much of the early-Saturday period, along with isolated slick streets shortly before sunris...
Jan 03, 2026 Seen from the Commercial Street intersection, East Sixth is wet as of 5 am Saturday. Isolated slick spots developed in Emporia after this photo was taken. Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Arrangements announced for longtime ESU professor, former Deputy Lyon County Clerk
Area residents are mourning the passing of two people with distinctive careers in different pathways. Former Emporia State professor Dick Keller passed away Dec. 7 at the age of 82. After growing up i...
Jan 03, 2026 (From left): Richard Keller, Lanny Linebarger. Photos courtesy Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home.
Services pending for Evora Wheeler, 94: 'We can only hope we can be as good a community member as Evora'
When a city or town discusses having a high quality of life, they need people to make everything happen. Evora Wheeler, who passed away Friday at age 94, was that kind of person. Wheeler was well-know...
Jan 02, 2026 KVOE General Manager Ron Thomas poses with Evora Wheeler after fundraisers benefiting Ron's Ride for Special Olympics in 2021. John Koelsch.
