Strong City, KS

Cashless tolling preparations continue for the Kansas Turnpike Authority, and some of that work will be taking place in Lyon County next year. Last week, the Turnpike Authority announced several sets of cashless toll work zones as part of a better than $4 million construction contract. Three of those zones are in Lyon County. One is at mile marker 131.1 southbound, just south of the Emporia service exit and about four miles northeast of the Emporia tollgate. Another is at mile marker 146 northbound, a mile southwest of the Admire-Council Grove exit, with a third zone at mile marker 150.6, between the Admire exit and the Lyon-Wabaunsee county line.

Hostess employees in Emporia are enjoying surprise bonuses. The company recently handed out bonuses of up to $1,000 for each of its nearly 2,000 bakery and warehouse employees across its operations, including the bakery near 15th and Industrial. Chief People Officer Rob Weber says the bonus reflects the employees’ hard work and dedication over the past several months, especially as supply chain issues have forced employees to change their schedules in order to keep plants operating.

Persistence paid off for Bryan Jones, the winner of the 2022 KVOE Hide and Seek promotion. On KVOE’s Morning Show on Thursday, Jones said he had zeroed in on a “big group of bushes” on the west side of Peter Pan Park, but he turned his attention to another set of bushes nearby. He also said his searching intensified over the past 10 days, and he was in it for the long haul Wednesday.

The Emporia Lady Spartans placed second in the 11-12th grade Division 2 of the MAYB Girls National Tournament in Oklahoma City, Okla. over the weekend. MAYB does a girls national tournament in Oklahoma City every summer (the boys have a tournament in Wichita) and about 700 teams play in various age groups, from first grade all the way through high school. There were 44 teams in the 11-12th grade age group. With teams coming from Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas.

An Emporia man suffered injuries after a crash about 20 miles north of the city Wednesday. Lyon County Deputy Jody Meyers says the wreck in the 3900 block of Kansas Highway 99 was reported shortly after 4:50 pm. The driver of the car involved, 25-year-old Santiago Hernandez, was southbound when Hernandez fell asleep at the wheel. The car went into a ditch and overturned.

Downtown Emporia may still have a hotel and convention center at the former Lowther North school building at some point down the road. For now, though, that concept is on hold with the current ownership group deciding to sell the building. Emporia Main Street Director Casey Woods tells KVOE News...

Members of the Emporia High girls basketball team had a successful weekend at the MAYB Nationals last weekend in Oklahoma City. The team went 5-1 and lost in the Division II championship game against Certified Ballerz, 53-35. In bracket play, the Lady Spartans defeated SSA Gameball 2023 Ingram, 37-28 and...

They don't award ribbons for weather at the Lyon County Fair. But right now, it's in the running for top-level purple. A 90-degree day Tuesday, as measured at Emporia Municipal Airport, was right at the norm for early August. Rain was not an issue for anyone. And afternoon humidity levels below 60% meant no noticeable heat index.

It was day two for the Emporia State football team. Coach Garin Higgins called it a mixed day. The success the offense will have will depend a lot on the offensive line. The Hornets return 4 starters on the offensive line led by senior Conner Lierz who was named 2nd team All-MIAA at guard last year.

EMPORIA, Kan. (WIBW) - A brand new year is about to begin for Emporia State, but it’s certainly going to be different. The Hornets lost one of their own in redshirt sophomore Brexten Green, who passed away in a cliff diving accident earlier this summer. The Hornets held a...

It's a bit like opening the package and finding twice the icing atop your CupCake. Hostess brands is giving bonuses of as much as $1,000 to all its employees, including the approximately 625 employees at the Emporia plant. The company calls it a “Surprise Thank You.”

EMPORIA (KSNT)- Emporia State football had its first practice of the season Tuesday. “Day one is what everybody thinks about the entire offseason,” redshirt junior Case Cochran said. “Being able to get back out here with all your guys, and in our case your family, there’s really nothing better.” Topeka native Dalton Cowan will play, […]

Felony arraignment is next for a Milford man accused of wounding an Emporia man during a shooting incident on a Chase County highway earlier this year. Eric McClure, age 38, allegedly shot Erik Reyes as one SUV passed another on Kansas Highway 150 west of Elmdale on May 13. Reyes was treated at Newman Regional Health and released. Reyes testified at a preliminary hearing earlier this month.

Emporia’s latest street improvement project will begin in two weeks. According to City Communications Manager Christine Johnson, the city’s contractor will begin resurfacing work on Sixth Ave. from Prairie Street to Neosho Street beginning Aug. 22. Ahead of the official start of the project, the city will hold a public information meeting ahead at White Auditorium in Room 1AB at 6:30 pm next Tuesday.

EMPORIA, Kan. (WIBW) - A man escaped serious injury Sunday evening when he was struck by a train in the south part of downtown Emporia, according to KVOE Radio. The incident was reported around 6 p.m. Sunday at a railroad crossing near the 300 block of Merchant Street. Emporia police...

EMPORIA (KSNT) – If you’ve been to Peter Pan Park in Emporia you’ve seen Monkey Island, but to learn the history behind the New Deal project you’ll have to attend “Celebrating Monkey Island” on Sat., Aug. 13 at 10:30 a.m., at the historic Red Rocks State Historic Site, 927 Exchange St. Roger Heineken will present […]

Home sales on a year-to-year basis dropped in Emporia, based on the latest data from Sunflower Association of Realtors. July’s total for the city limits was 42 sales, down from 65 in July 2021 and also from 60 this past June. Active listings, 58 for last month, were also below July 2021. However, the supply increased and is currently at 1.3 months, above the 1.1 months from this past June.

EMPORIA (KSNT)- Emporia State football lost a loved one over the offseason. Redshirt freshman Brexten Green passed away in a cliff-diving accident in July. Although he didn’t play last season, he still made a notable impact on the ESU football community. When the Hornets took the field for their first official practice of the season […]