News
Emporia man pleads no contest to aggravated battery after initial charge of rape in Douglas County case
Sentencing is ahead for an Emporia man originally accused of rape in Douglas County almost 18 months ago. On Monday, Romeo D Martinez accepted a no-contest plea agreement on one count of aggravated battery as part of a sexually motivated incident, following an amended legal complaint filed in Douglas County on May 1. M...
1h ago
Man who received diversion after alleged 2022 chase in Emporia now listed as fugitive after alleged Missouri pursuit
A man who had a diversion agreement after a law enforcement pursuit in Emporia nearly two years ago is now going through the court process for an allegedly separate incident. Vontrez Williams is currently listed in Lyon County as a fugitive from justice after allegedly fleeing law enforcement in Johnson County, Missour...
1h ago
Brick rehab project near downtown Emporia set for public meeting later this month
Construction season is fully underway, and residents are encouraged to learn more about a street rehab project near downtown Emporia. The city has scheduled a Street Rehab Brick Street public meeting at 6 pm May 29 at White Auditorium City Conference Room 1AB. This will involve an overview of the schedule for work on E...
2h ago
WEATHER: Light to moderate rain areawide; head-on crash in Emporia sends one driver to NRH
Light rain was common across the KVOE listening area to start the week. At the KVOE studios, the total was 0.15 inches. Other totals: *Emporia Municipal Airport: 0.15 inches *Country Club Heights: 0.17 inches *10th and Weaver: 0.25 inches *1100 block Constitution: 0.20 inches *Allen: 0.35 inches *Reading: 0.40 inches M...
3h ago
2023 Emporia robbery case sees third defendant receive probation after plea agreement
Now three of four defendants in an Emporia robbery case originating this past summer have been sentenced to probation. The latest to be sentenced was Calvin Cruse, who got 24 months probation after pleading no contest to single counts of aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery. Co-defendants Elss...
4h ago
Narcotics search warrant in Osage City leads to arrest
An Osage City woman was arrested on suspicion of illegal drug activity after a warrant search late last week. Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells says the search was in the 1200 block of Laing Street in Osage City around 9 am Friday. The search led to the arrest of 41-year-old Shawna M Valentine on suspicion of distributi...
4h ago
Emporia City Commission has strategic plan, infrastructure projects, Animal Shelter proposals as agenda items Wednesday
Besides a conversation on Emporia's potential new skate park, there is a lot on the Emporia City Commission agenda for its meetings Wednesday. The action meeting involves possible approval of the city's 2024-2026 strategic plan as well as recommended action on two infrastructure projects, including proposed street and ...
4h ago
USD 253 rolls out community survey on 2025-2026 academic calendar options
Last week, KVOE News told you the Emporia School District had a split opinion on how to proceed with its 2025-2026 academic calendar. The district is now asking for public input. The district is choosing between two options. The first option closely resembles the current calendar, meaning no changes to the classroom sc...
4h ago
Regional Development Association looking into 'indirect economic development' opportunity by partnering with Indiana based MakeMyMove
A new venture with significant economic benefits is in the early stages of discussion for the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas. The venture in question is MakeMyMove, a company based out of Indianapolis, Indiana which promotes communities looking to grow their populations to remote or work-from-a...
17h ago
Law Enforcement Torch Run, Ron's Ride set for later this month to benefit Special Olympic Athletes
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is set for May 29 and 30. Local law enforcement will pick up the torch from the Lyon-Coffey County line on the 29th, bring it to Emporia, and head south toward Greenwood County. Emporia is one stop for the torch heading towards Wichita for the Kansas Special Olympic Games being held that w...
21h ago
Kansas Department of Commerce announces ROOMS grant for upper-story development
A recently-announced grant program for upper-story development got at least some of its inspiration from Emporia's work in this economic development field, according to Emporia Main Street Director Casey Woods: The Kansas Department of Commerce recently announced funding through the Residential Opportunities on Main St...
May 13, 2024
'My heart is in helping people:' Argabright details run for Kansas Senate
Mike Argabright is looking to change direction with his community service. Argabright announced a run for the Kansas Senate 17th District last week after retiring last summer from USD 252 Southern Lyon County. He tells KVOE News "my heart is in helping people." Argabright is currently the only announced candi...
May 13, 2024
Gufler Mansion owners join KVOE Morning Show to discuss business evolution, ongoing sale of property and path forward
What has it meant for Brad and Susan Cochennet to run the Gufler Mansion since 2016? The couple came on KVOE's Morning Show on Monday to discuss their time running the mansion, the evolution of the business, their recent announcement of selling the property and their path forward once the mansion is sold. The Cochennet...
May 13, 2024
Revised skate park plans unveiled ahead of Emporia City Commission discussion
Revised plans for Emporia's new skate park in Whittier Park will be presented to the Emporia City Commission this week. Renderings from American Ramp Company have been posted to the city of Emporia's social media page and also at KVOE.com's social media. This follows work by American Ramp and the city Skate Park Adviso...
May 13, 2024
Pretrial hearing set for late May in Lyon County vehicular murder case
A pretrial hearing is coming later this month in a Lyon County vehicular murder case. On Friday, Judge Jeff Larson set a hearing date for May 28 in the case against Travis Edwards, accused in the traffic deaths of two people. Edwards, a semi driver, is charged will killing 29-year-old Ryan Miller of Independence, Misso...
May 13, 2024