Category Archives: News
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.
City of Emporia announces leadership changes for pair of city departments
The City of Emporia has announced changes in leadership for two departments. According to a news release from City Communications Manager Christine Torrens, Brian Silcott has been appointed as the int...
Jan 02, 2026 City of Emporia logo.
Newman Regional Health welcomes first baby of 2026 on New Year's Day
Under normal circumstances, Newman Regional Health's first baby of the year enters the world at any time in the first week of January. The 2026 baby didn't wait. Sylas Velazquez was born on New Year's...
Jan 02, 2026 Parents Yulisa Velazquez and Jose Lopez with their newborn son, and first Newman born child of 2026, Sylas Velazquez. Photo by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News.
Lyon County Commission holds first meeting of 2026 Friday
Workers' compensation was the main focus of Lyon County Commissioners when they convened for their first meeting of 2026 Friday. As part of their agenda, commissioners approved an invoice from KWORCC ...
Jan 02, 2026 Photo by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News.
Kansas State Nurses Association gives NRH's Aylward Nursing Administrator of Year honor
Newman Regional Health Chief Nursing Officer Heather Aylward has received a top honor from the Kansas State Nurses Association. Aylward was recently named as the Nurse Administrator of the Year. Newma...
Jan 02, 2026 Heather Aylward. Newman Regional Health photo.
Community Foundation looking to build on banner 30th anniversary year
Coming off a big-time anniversary year, Emporia Community Foundation CEO Linda Kehres-Schmidt says she is looking for more ways to engage area residents. More information about the Community Foundatio...
Jan 02, 2026 Emporia Community Foundation Board Chair Paul Dean (from left), Match Day Committee member Ruth Wheeler and Community Foundation CEO Linda Kehres-Schmidt reveal the total from the 2025 Match Day fundraiser during the annual check presentation at Flinthills Mall. Chuck Samples/KVOE News.
