The recent rains have caused flooding in all of the usual places around the city of Independence, but one place where flood waters rose in a different way is the new Central Park Sports Complex.

 The low lying areas on Park street where the city's baseball and softball fields are located has long been an area prone to flooding. While residents may have seen waters rise in that area again after the recent heavy rains, Sports Complex Project Manager Lacey Lies says there is an important difference.

Lies says the changes to elevation of the fields as well as new water retention areas and storm sewer enhancements mean flood waters were successfully kept off off the fields and away from the concessions area. Work continues on the Sports Complex and city officials say the ball fields will be ready for play this summer.

 Authorities in Cherokee County arrest a Scammon woman for possessing methamphetamine.

 Just after 10am yesterday morning, investigators from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office conducted a search of a home in Scammon.

After finding narcotics in the house, deputies arrested 43 year old Stacy Benedict. Benedict was taken into custody and transported to the Cherokee County Jail. She faces charges of Possessing Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possessing Methamphetamine, and Possessing Drug Paraphernalia.

 A donation of $300,000 has been made by Phillips 66 to support ongoing tornado relief efforts across the state and in the Bartlesville area.

 The company will give $250,000 to the American Red Cross and $50,000 to the Salvation Army. These funds will provide direct assistance to communities that are in need and have been affected by the recent tornadoes. The money will provide meals, supplies, health services, and shelters to affected residents.

Phillips 66 is one of the largest employers in the Bartlesville area. 

 A 21 year old Bartlesville man faces multiple charges in Washington County, Oklahoma, after leading police on a chase through Bartlesville.

 Chase Morgan was pulled over on April 30^th for erratic driving and was suspected of driving while intoxicated. Morgan denied drinking at the first inquiry from officers, but later admitted he’d indulged and also had an open container in the vehicle. Morgan then sped away while officers were still speaking with him.

Morgan sped through the Frank Phillips Blvd and Silver Lake Rd intersection and reached speeds of 85-90 MPH before eventually crashing into a tree. Morgan then fled the scene and was able to evade officers.

He was eventually picked up on multiple warrants last Tuesday. Morgan was already out on bound on a DUI charge from 2023 but had missed a court date causing another warrant to be issued. Altogether, he was given a $180,000 bond and his next court date is set for May 31st.

 Osage and Pontotoc counties have been added to the major disaster declaration for Oklahomans who sustained damage from severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began April 25.

 Residents of these counties may be eligible for disaster assistance under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. Eligible applicants may qualify for rental assistance, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other eligible expenses related to storm damage.

Survivors living in Carter, Hughes, Love, Murray and Okmulgee counties may also be eligible for disaster assistance. Additional counties may be added later.

 Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signs a bipartisan Good Samaritan bill into law.

 The legislation provides legal protections for those that attempt to provide medical assistance to a person suffering a medical emergency related to drug use. The new law will prevent those suffering a drug overdose and bystanders who seek the help of emergency services from being prosecuted for drug possession or use, providing another important tool in the fight to save Kansans from overdoses from fentanyl and controlled substances.

Lawmakers say the new law will allow friends and relatives to be able to call for assistance in an overdose situation without fear of prosecution or arrest.

 An Oklahoma judge is indicted on charges related to a drive-by shooting.

 A Multi-County Grand Jury handed down charges yesterday against Garfield County Associate District Judge Brian Lovell related to a February 2023 drive-by shooting near the town of Bison.

The indictment alleges that on Feb. 12, 2023, Lovell fired a gun at the residence of his brother-in-law in Bison, Oklahoma. Two days after the shooting, Lovell reported that a firearm was stolen from his vehicle.

He faces one count of use of a vehicle to facilitate the discharge of a firearm and an alternative count of discharging a firearm into a dwelling. Both are felonies.

The 59 year old Lovell also faces eight felony counts of deadly conduct for a similar incident in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 11, 2023. Investigators allege he used the same gun, a Glock 23 .40-caliber, in both the Texas and Oklahoma shootings.

Tomorrow is the 24^th annual National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

All are encouraged to bag healthy, non-perishable food items and place them near your mailbox tomorrow. Area cities participating this year include Coffeyville, Independence, Parsons and Caney. Donations in Coffeyville will go to Genesis and the Salvation Army.  Independence Rural Carrier Katie Uncapher says you can start leaving food at or in your mailbox today.

Organizers say more than 44 million Americans are unsure where their next meal will come from, and the timing of this drive is critical as many food pantries are usually depleted this time of year after their Thanksgiving and Christmas donations. Over the years, letter carriers have collected well over 1.9 billion pounds of food across the USPS Network.

A Cherryvale High School student's artwork is selected by a U.S. Congressman.

Junior Morgan Lasco learned that one of her paintings will soon be hanging in Representative Jake LaTurner's office in Washington, D.C. Lasco submitted her painting, which she titled “Freedom and Rebirth,” in a congressional art competition sponsored by the Congressional Institute. Each U.S. congress member is allowed to sponsor an art competition featuring high school artists from their home districts.

LaTurner picked four exhibits to be placed in his office as a display of Kansas-grown talent. Lasco’s painting won first place in the Creativity division in LaTurner’s district. 

Three Field Kindley High School seniors receive scholarships from the Coffeyville Recreation Commission.

CRC awarded those scholarships to FKHS Seniors Zac Becker, Drake Leeds and Greg Frazier. CRC says all three have excelled at academics and sports all while being great CRC employees. Frazier received a $500 scholarship while Becker and Leeds both received $250 scholarships.

CRC thanks all three for their dedication to CRC and helping them “Build Community Through Recreation”.

The Cherryvale Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a potential suspect.

The man is a person of interest in a theft that occurred in Cherryvale early yesterday evening. Cherryvale PD is asking anyone who recognizes him to contact them at (620)336-2400 and reference Cherryvale Case number 24-134.

Cherryvale PD says anyone can also message their Facebook page but it is not monitored 24/7. 

Photos can be seen below.

An Independence man is arrested after failing to comply with an eviction notice.

Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies arrived at a residence at 501 South 8^th Street in Independence with a court order and writ of assistance to evict Daniel Brault. When deputies informed Brault of the eviction he slammed the door shut and locked it. Despite attempts to communicate through the window, Brault refused to exit.

After Brault failed to comply, deputies entered the home and found him barricaded in a bedroom. After multiple failed attempts to get him to surrender, deputies forced open the bedroom door. They deployed a less-lethal Noise Flash Diversionary Device and took Brault into custody without any injuries.

 CCC EMT and paramedic students receive insight into the medevac operations of the Kansas National Guard earlier today, as the Guard landed a Black Hawk helicopter on the green space north of the student union.

 The event was open to CCC EMT and paramedic students, as well as local emergency services personnel, to gain an understanding of the crucial role played by medevac teams in emergency medical services, as well as the career paths available to those interested in the field.

 Ryan McCune, Vice President for Student Services and Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Coffeyville Community College, says the presentation was both informative and beneficial for those considering a career in emergency medical services.

*Photos courtesy of Andrew Elrod, Digital Commmunications Specialist at CCC

 Schools in Miami, OK, now have an interim superintendent.

 The Miami Public Schools have hired Keni Iverson to serve as as superintendent while the search for their next superintendent gets underway.

Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, Keni Iverson stated, “I’m excited to get back to the Wardog Way and do what’s best for our students by working collaboratively with our admin and community so we can build a strong foundation for the next superintendent.”

Iverson has previously served as an assistant superintendent and is expected to help the district continue to pursue academic excellence.

The Miami Public Schools Board of Education is confident that Keni Iverson’s leadership will continue to propel the district forward on its path of success. Chuck McKibben, board president said, “I’m extremely proud of the board and how we handled the process of appointing an interim. The collaboration, discussions, and passion are motivated by our desire to do what is best for our students and to provide support for our district employees.” 

Iverson fills the position after the abrupt resignation by Nick Highsmith last week.

The district will officially begin the search for a new superintendent on July 1.

 Parsons USD 503 recognizes the accomplishments of the Class of 2024 at their Senior Recognition Banquet.

 159 scholarships totaling more than two hundred thousand dollars were awarded to 53 Parsons High School serniors.

Awards were also handed out for Kansas Scholars Curriculum graduates, Kansas State Scholars, and President's Education Excellence.

The 2024 Kansas Scholars Curriculum Graduates included Timmy Chen, Davis Clark, Braylee Cramer, Maryssa Drummond, Amelia Hetlinger, DeAva Holman, Adian Marshall, Jayce Quirin, Isabella Ramsey, Autumn Shields, Sydney Webb and Landon Wheat. The Scholars Curriculum consists of completing four years of English; four years of math; three years of science; three years of social studies, and two years of world (foreign) language.

Of those, students named 2024 Kansas State Scholars were Davis Clark, Amelia Hetlinger, DeAva Holman, Adian Marshall, and Isabella Ramsey, based on ACT composite scores and grade point average.

The 2024 President’s Education Excellence Award winners were Davis Clark, Amelia Hetlinger, Adian Marshall, Carter Swanson and Jayce Quirin. The President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence recognizes students who have achieved academic. President's Excellence requires a grade point average of 3.5 or above and score of 85 percentile or above on either the reading or math sections of the ACT.

Clark was also the recipient of the 2024 Certificate for Exceptional Academic Performance for earning a composite score of 32 or above on the ACT.

 The Sedan City Council meets and approves the purchase of some necessary items for the city.

 At this week's meeting City Superintendent John Miller told council members that his crews needed new safety equipment. Miller says it's time for the city to replace some worn-out basic items.

The council voted unanimously to approve the purchase for Miller's department. Police Chief Kirk Richardson also asked for approval to purchase some much-needed supplies.

The City council gave the go-ahead to spend sixteen hundred and sixty dollars for ammunition.

 An Oklahoma family thanks a Kansas woman for saving the life of their child.

 The family was eating breakfast at a Ponca City restaurant last August when their 2 year old child picked up a quarter and put it in her mouth. The child immediately began to choke on the coin.

Fortunately, seated at a nearby table was the director of the Ark City, Kansas, Fire & EMS Director Jeri Wheatley, who was having breakfast with her husband. Wheatley noticed the child was choking and sprang into action. She grabbed the small child, told the parents that she was a paramedic, and then performed the Heimlich Maneuver on the toddler. Wheatley said the child threw up on her, but the quarter came out.

The child's family – who are members of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma – recently traveled to Ark City to thank Wheatley and present her with the gift of a tribal blanket.

 A Wichita man is sentenced for making threats against the President.

 28 year old Cody McCormick was sentenced yesterday to serve one year and nine months in prison for threatening to kill President Joe Biden.

McCormick pleaded guilty in the case after he sent a Facebook message to a Wichita TV station in April 2023. In that message, he detailed his plans regarding the President. The U.S. Secret Service interviewed McCormick and he told them he would kidnap President Biden and force him to resign from office if McCormick did not get the help he needed.

The US Secret Service and the Wichita Police Department investigated the case.

 A Miami firefighter braves the flood waters of the Neosho River to rescue a homeless man.

 Late last week, a call came into Miami 9-1-1 with reports of a man clinging to a tree in the flood waters near the Neosho River Bridge on Highway 69.

Miami Police used a drone with thermal imaging to locate the man who had been hanging onto the tree for almost two days. The man had been living near the location in a wooded area and awoke when the area flooded, leaving him unable to reach dry land.

The man and his five dogs are reported to now be safe and in good condition.

The Miami Police Department, Miami Fire Department, GRDA, and BIA, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, and Integris EMS all aided in the rescue operation.

 More severe weather hits the four-state area.

 Yesterday afternoon, after severe thunderstorms moved through the Miami area in northeast Oklahoma. Miami's tornado sirens were activated as rotation was spotted in the storm system. There was substantial damage to some houses in southern Ottawa county but no injuries were reported in this latest round of severe weather.

 A Wellington woman is seriously injured after her motorcycle strikes a deer near Winfield.

 53 year old Salena Dennis was injured yesterday morning when a deer attempted to cross US-160 in front of her. Dennis was unable to stop her Harley-Davidson F-L-H series motorcycle and struck the animal.

The accident occurred just after 5am about 5 miles west of Winfield. Dennis was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

 A Bartlesville woman is in stable condition following a single vehicle crash.

 Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that just after 8pm last night, a 2020 Ford Edge, driven by 62 year old Debra Sipes of Bartlesville was westbound on US-64 approximately 4 mile east of Bixby when her vehicle departed roadway to the left coming to rest on its top in a creek bed.

Sipes was taken to St. Francis Tulsa by Bixby Fire/EMS and admitted in stable condition with head, trunk internal injuries and arm injuries.

OHP reports the driver was sleepy and inattentive at the time of the crash.

 A Skiatook man is dead following a traffic collision Wednesday near Hominy.

  The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says 72-year-old Harvey Jones of Skiatook was driving a 1997 Chevrolet pickup on State Highway 20 about 7 miles east of Hominy, when it collided with a 2006 Kenworth semi driven by 44-year-old Earl McDoulett of Claremore just after 11a.m. yesterday morning.

 Jones was pronounced deceased at the scene by Hominy Fire. McDoulett was treated and released at the scene.

 OHP is investigating the cause of the crash.

The National Weather Service in Tulsa has completed its damage survey of the tornado that hit Barnsdall and Bartlesville.

The EF-4 tornado developed Monday southeast of Hominy, and crossed Highway 20, causing significant tree damage and snapping numerous metal power poles. The tornado hit Barnsdall and caused severe damage to the wax plant on the southeast side of town, then damaged and destroyed numerous homes on the east side of town. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 175 miles per hour, which is within the EF-4 category.

The tornado moved across the southern portion of Bartlesville, then across the eastern side of town, damaging homes and businesses. A squall line merged with the tornadic supercell and finally ended the tornado process on the northeast side of Bartlesville. The tornado lasted about 45 minutes and covered almost 40 miles and had a maximum width of at least 1,500 yards.

Photo: NWS Tulsa

 The City of Parsons honors a city employee for years of public service.

 At this week's Parsons City Commission meeting, the city announced a special celebration to honor City Manager Debbie Lamb. Mayor Eric Strait makes the pronouncement.

Lamb was first hired by the city on May 6, 1974 and has served in 10 different roles in her fifty years of employment.

In other business, hay bids were awarded for various city properties, a five year subscription was renewed for records management for the police department, and a discussion of vehicles being used for living purposes.