Cottonwood Falls, KS

Morris County deputies have arrested a Council Grove man on suspicion of drug distribution and explosives use. Sheriff Jay Simecka says deputies noted a suspicious vehicle on US Highway 77 early Thursday morning, conducted a traffic stop and allegedly found illegal drugs inside the vehicle. The driver, 53-year-old Thomas Fleeker,...

A Reading man was killed in a wreck near Neosho Rapids on Thursday evening. Lyon County Deputy Collin Brozek says deputies, Emporia-Lyon County EMS and Hartford-Neosho Rapids Fire all responded to a reported injury crash in the 2000 block of Road 170, about three miles north of Neosho Rapids, around 7 pm. Douglas Cunningham, age 42, was driving a car eastbound when he left the road for unknown reasons. Cunningham’s car hit a concrete culvert before stopping.

With fireworks in abundance this week and the Fourth of July coming Monday, complaint numbers are sure to pick up. Emporia Police officers Jaffar Agha and JT Klaurens brought the J and J Morning Show segment to KVOE listeners Thursday. Fireworks complaints have been low so far this week, but they typically increase the day or two before the holiday. Agha explained the department’s general approach towards fireworks complaints.

It’s one thing to shoot off fireworks legally. It’s another thing to dispose of them safely. Emporia firefighters say a metal trash can at Peter Pan Park went up in flames Thursday night, because someone put spent fireworks inside it. A crew was called to put out the...

NEOSHO RAPIDS — A Reading man died Thursday night when his car went off a road about one mile north of Neosho Rapids. A statement from the Sheriff’s Office said Douglas Cunningham, 42, was driving east on Road 170. For reasons still unknown, he went across the road between Road W and Road X and hit a concrete culvert.

Several Lyon County fire departments were dispatched to a pair of structure fires reported almost simultaneously, but there was no actual fire at either location. Firefighters from Emporia, Americus and Olpe were first toned out to 1025 State just before 4:40 pm. Emporia Fire says there was a smoking firework, but there was no actual fire.

If you’re heading to one of the Emporia area’s most popular lakes to mark the holiday weekend, beware of the algae. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment put Melvern Lake on an blue-green algae watch Thursday. It’s one of six lakes and pools in the statewide on the watch list, along with 10 under an algae warning.

The last few days may have felt like a halftime break, in terms of rough weather. But the break ends Friday afternoon. The National Weather Service expects at least one inch of rain will fall on the Emporia area by Saturday evening. The amount could approach two inches in northern Lyon County, with flash flooding possible.

The 2022 Tornado Trot and Trail raised $1,000 for Handlebars of Hope, organizers announced Friday. They presented a check to Stephanie and Matt Brown this week as they worked at High Gear Cyclery, refurbishing 45 bikes going to Oklahoma City for Afghan refugees. Handlebars of Hope is a nonprofit bicycle...

Emporia Fire put out a dumpster fire late Thursday night. Firefighters were called to 624 West Randolph, just north of Peter Pan Park, shortly after 10:30 pm. The dumpster was fully involved in flames when crews arrived. Crews put the fire out quickly. A cause is undetermined.

Another day, another water main break in Emporia. It isn’t actually that way, but Emporia’s recent spate of waterline issues continued Friday with a break on a 12-inch line underneath West 12th near Lawrence. The break was reported around 6:30 pm. Emporia Public Works is assessing the situation...

LYON CO., Kan. (WIBW) - A Reading man has died in a single vehicle crash outside of Neosho Rapids. KVOE Radio reports Douglas Cunningham, 42, of Reading was driving a car eastbound in the 2000 block of Road 170 when he crashed into a concrete culvert. The accident happened around...

COUNCIL GROVE, Kan. (WIBW) - A Council Grove man is behind bars for criminal use of explosives after drugs were allegedly found in his vehicle early Thursday morning. Just after 1:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 30, the Morris Co. Sheriff’s Office says deputies stopped a suspicious vehicle near mile marker 142 along U.S. Highway 77.

STRONG CITY — Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve has announced historic horse-drawn haying and raking demonstrations with teams of draft horses from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, July 9, weather permitting. Fun with historic kid's games of hoop-and-stick, jump rope, and more are from 1:30 - 3 p.m. in...

CrossWinds Counseling & Wellness is another step closer to a successful capital campaign, thanks to a large donation from Stormont Vail Health. According to a Friday release, Stormont Vail Health donated $25,000 in support of CrossWinds’s ongoing capital campaign, “Breaking Stigma, Breaking Ground.” The donation came as part of a gift totaling $31,000, with the remaining $6,000 supporting the general operations of the agency.

Probation is ahead for an Emporia man who accepted a no contest plea instead of facing trial on rape charges. Brice Obermeyer was sentenced Tuesday to 12 months of probation with Lyon County Court Services. Obermeyer also cannot have any contact with the victim in the case and must undergo alcohol monitoring for a year.

MORRIS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges after an early morning traffic stop. Just before 2a.m. Thursday, deputies stopped a suspicious vehicle near U.S. 77 at mile marker 142, according to a media release. Deputies found illegal drugs in the vehicle and arrested 56-year-old Thomas...

Former Emporia Police officer Justin Hill is officially with a different law enforcement agency. Hill recently completed training with the Kansas Highway Patrol’s 63rd class. The Wichita native has been assigned to Lyon County. Hill served 14 years with Emporia Police before starting the 10-week training process with the...

The City of Emporia’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show is coming to the Emporia State University campus Sunday evening. The show is scheduled to begin between 9:45 and 10 pm with the display set to be shot from the soccer fields north of Interstate 35. The soccer pitch on the north end of campus will be closed to the public, but the practice fields on the north side of campus and Welch Stadium will be open and are considered the best viewing points for the show.