Category Archives: News
DATA CENTER: With second Emporia petition in validation process, effort now moves to Americus and other small Lyon County towns
The verification process is underway for Emporia's data center petition effort -- again -- while a related process is now underway in Americus. On Tuesday, Emporia Neighbors United submitted over 1,80...
Jul 14, 2026 Members of Emporia Neighbors await their chance to speak to the Americus City Council about a proposed ordinance designed to ban high-impact data centers and battery energy storage systems Tuesday. Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Advanced voting for August 4th primary begins Wednesday
This is an important week for the August primary election with two important dates. The first is the close of voter registration Tuesday, followed by the start of advance voting, both in-person and by...
Jul 14, 2026 Courtesy graphic.
Local first responders ready for 2026 Battle of the Badges Blood Drive as need for blood reaches critical levels
It's time for battle. The 2026 Battle of the Badges Blood Drive gets underway on Thursday at its longtime home of 12th Avenue Baptist Church. The drive sees local first responders on hand throughout t...
Jul 14, 2026 Emporia Fire Marshall Stephen Beemer proudly holds the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive traveling trophy after Emporia Fire/EMS is announced as the top vote getter for the second consecutive year. Photo by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News.
Evergy meets with landowners about potential solar energy facility near Emporia Energy Center
Evergy confirms it has started conversations with landowners near the Emporia Energy Center about the prospect of solar energy. Senior Communications Manager of Media Matt Lucht says the utility met w...
Jul 14, 2026 Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Lunar Ride coming Saturday, Hot Laps cycling event Aug 1
The Flint Hills Lunar Ride is coming this weekend. Riders will depart from the event's lead organizer and sponsor, Merchant Cycles, 716 Commercial, starting around 6:30 pm. Riders can go 30 or 50 mile...
Jul 14, 2026 Flint Hills Lunar Ride logo.
Charges pending after Sunday chase in Emporia
Charges are now pending after an incident ending with an arrest in central Emporia on Sunday. Emporia Police Capt Ray Mattas says officers were dispatched to central Emporia for a reported hit-and-run...
Jul 13, 2026 KVOE News file photo.
USD 417 Morris County sets quartet of community meetings as district looks to develop second facility bond issue following bond failure in March
USD 417 Morris County is currently proceeding toward the development of a new bond issue following a failed effort earlier this year. According to Superintendent Tyson Esslinger, the district has rece...
Jul 13, 2026 USD 417 Morris County logo.
Listed as 'unrepairable' after July 4 storm, Hartford City Hall designated for demolition: 'You...have to learn to let it go'
Hartford is now in the market for a new City Hall, at least on a temporary basis. Mayor Kenny Hamman tells KVOE News: Hamman doesn't see any long-term plan to stay in the new Community Center. 0:09 - ...
Jul 13, 2026 Hartford City Hall, a structure built in the 1880s, before it was demolished earlier this month after wind-related damage July 4. Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
Attempted murder case begins in Emporia; man arrested in separate drug distribution case
Lyon County District Court has a preliminary hearing later this month as part of an attempted murder case. Shane Eldrige Hulet was arrested last week on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder afte...
Jul 13, 2026 KVOE News photo.
As K-99 work begins in south Emporia, Overlander Road work nears end -- with DeBauge Sports Complex and downtown storm sewer repairs ahead
Now that work is getting underway to widen Kansas Highway 99 or Commercial Street between Kansas Avenue and Soden Road over the next 5 months, City Engineer Jim Ubert has his eyes on several projects ...
Jul 13, 2026 Work to renovate and modernize Overlander Road may end early this fall. Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
