Turnpike body identified as former pro wrestler

An Emporia man was injured late Wednesday when he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed north of Admire. A statement from the Lyon County Sheriff's Office said Santiago Hernandez, 25, became drowsy while traveling south on K-99 around 4:50 p.m. He went off the road and flipped his car once near Road 390.

Gladys Joann (Stuttle) Toso, age 85, died on Friday, August 5, 2022 in Emporia, Kansas. Gladys Stuttle was born on April 14, 1937 to Harold Loyson and Hilda E. (Joregenson) Stuttle in Emporia. Gladys grew up and attended school in Olpe, Kansas graduating in 1955. Following graduation, she worked at Falls City Creamery and the Crawford Manufacturing. In 1970 she joined Iowa Beef Packing (IBP), now Tyson Corporation. She held several positions while at IBP during her 30 plus year career and retired as a QC in 2003.

It's time again for the Emporia area's version of a midsummer classic. Not with bats and balls, but blood in bags. This year's “Battle of the Badges” blood drive begins Wednesday afternoon. Donors will be able to designate the public safety group of their choice for three days.

Richard Todd Wright, 62, of Emporia, Kansas died Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Newman Regional Health in Emporia. Todd was born November 9, 1959 in Emporia the son of Richard Warren and Betty Lou (Christiansen) Wright. He graduated from ESU with a degree in accounting. While at ESU, he was a member of the debate team. Todd was the CFO for TFI Family Services. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Todd loved coaching his kids in sports when they were younger. He enjoyed playing golf, reading, his dogs, traveling and he was a people person and enjoyed watching KC Royals baseball, KC Chiefs football and KU basketball.

Rex H. Johnson, 78, rural Emporia, Kansas, has passed away. Rex Henry Johnson was born on July 29, 1944 in Lamar, Colorado, the son of Jack Virgil and Ruby June (Robbins) Johnson. Rex and Linda Darlene Dunkin were married in Dallas, Texas on October 20, 1965. She survives of the home. He is also survived by his daughters, Billie Leanore Johnson and Roxana Holly Johnson, Emporia. He also leaves a close friend from his time in the United States Navy, George Redford, Boise, Idaho. His parents; a sister, Kandy; and his grandparents died earlier.

North Lyon County schools may follow the flight plan of Southern Lyon County. As in starting Honor Flights. Superintendent Robert Blair discussed his preliminary work on developing an Honor Flight program with the USD 251 school board Wednesday night. Getting it off the ground is a lengthy process.

A man who dropped a cigarette wound up being struck by a train south of downtown Emporia. First responders were called to the BASF tracks near Third and Merchant Streets around 5:25 p.m. Sunday. The man's injuries are minor. First responders were called to the area of Third and Merchant...

A main rail crossing at the Lyon-Chase County line was blocked Thursday by a train parked on the tracks. For the fourth day in a row. “The train is tied down” near U.S 50 and Road A, a social media post from the Lyon County Emergency Communications Center said on social media.

The last thing people want on a hot summer day is news that electric service is being cut off. But scammers are making calls in the Emporia area threatening that. The Lyon County Emergency Communications Center warns someone claiming to be with Evergy is telling customers to pay their bill within 30 minutes, or face disconnection. The key phrase there is, “claiming to be.”

Morning joggers and walkers have some extra inspiration to get outside right now. The weather is relatively cool for mid-August. The Thursday morning low at Emporia Municipal Airport was 57 degrees. It was the coolest morning since Thursday, June 9.

USD 253 is set to consider a bid for the Maynard Building from Simmons Pet Food at its upcoming meeting Wednesday evening. According to the bid proposal, Simmons plans to use the property to open a child care center for its employees in the community, stating that the company would “renovate it to meet the needs and requirements of an early education child care center - and partner with a world class childcare provider (like KinderCare) to operate this facility for our team members who live and work in the Emporia community.”

The late Olivia Newton-John sang in the movies about "summer days, drifting away." Right now, mid-summer in the Emporia area isn't as bad as it could be. The high at Emporia Municipal Airport Monday dropped to 84 degrees, ending three days in a row of 100 or higher. That reading was seven degrees below normal.

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.

The Lyon County Commission voted to republish the 2023 budget at its meeting Thursday morning. The budget needed to be republished to correct a vendor error with the ad valorem property tax notices that was discovered earlier this week. On Tuesday, the city and county released a joint statement saying the notices contained “incorrect calculations.”

With more than 420 people in attendance and over 70 event sponsors, Newman Regional Health celebrated its 13th Annual Denim & Diamonds by bringing in a record-breaking total net revenue of approximately $203,681. The event was held on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022 at Emporia State University’s Memorial Union Webb Hall.