Author Archives: Chuck Samples
Emporia Church of Nazarene not holding live nativity
Emporia First Church of the Nazarene will not have a live nativity as part of its holiday festivities. The church has used the nativity, including buildings volunteers and live animals, for the past s...
Dec 17, 2025 Photo by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
Lyon County Crime Stoppers seeking tips for Emporia Police theft investigation
Emporia Police officers are using Lyon County Crime Stoppers as a way to help generate tips for an active theft investigation. Crime Stoppers has posted a photo of a man at a local store and is asking...
Dec 17, 2025 Lyon County Crime Stoppers photo.
Lyon County Commission with busy agenda ahead
Lyon County's firing range and Emergency Communications facility could take a procedural step forward at the County Commission action meeting Thursday. Zoning and Floodplain Administrator Sam Seeley w...
Dec 17, 2025 Pictured left to right: Lyon County Commissioners Chris Bartel, Ken Duft and Doug Peck. Photo by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News.
Numerous items ahead for Emporia City Commission meeting
Emporia city commissioners are not having a study session Wednesday, but they have a lot of work to handle in their action meeting. A public hearing and related ordinance for a budget amendment essent...
Dec 17, 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.
Emporian charged with felony child abuse
An Emporia man has been charged with abusing a child. Thomas Gene Hinz, age 33, faces one count of felony child abuse after an alleged physical contact incident with an eight-year-old child last week....
Dec 17, 2025 Thomas Hinz. Lyon County Jail photo.
Flint Hills Optimists Christmas tree lot fundraiser set to end Wednesday
If you're planning to get a Christmas tree from the Flint Hills Optimists, you're officially running out of time. Spokesman Bob Burenheide says there were about 20 trees as of 9 am Tuesday, along with...
Dec 16, 2025 Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Several homes evacuated after Tuesday gas leak in southeast Emporia
Nobody was hurt after a confirmed gas leak in southeast Emporia on Tuesday. Emporia Fire was first dispatched to the 400 block of West Second shortly after 10 am, followed soon after by Kansas Gas. Fi...
Dec 16, 2025 Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Wall That Heals among finalists for $2,500 Pay it Forward grant
Emporia's effort to bring The Wall That Heals to town this past summer has made the organization eligible for a financial grant, thanks to DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers and TV-13. Organizers of The Wa...
Dec 16, 2025 Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Symphony in Flint Hills board donates remaining funds to quartet of organizations, announces historical preservation partners
It appears the decision to make the 20th Symphony in the Flint Hills concert the final one was the next-to-last chapter for the Symphony in the Flint Hills as an organization. The final chapter appare...
Dec 16, 2025 Symphony in the Flint Hills photo.
Small fire reported near Sixth and Woodland
A bedroom suffered some damage because of a fire in Emporia on Monday. Emporia Fire was dispatched to 626 Woodland, finding a small fire inside the house and light smoke coming out of the eaves. The f...
Dec 15, 2025 Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
