Chuck Samples

1 week ago | kvoe.com | Tagan Trahoon |Chuck Samples

Engineers continue to assess the full scope of damage — and the potential repair plan — to a major bridge in far west Emporia following a vehicle accident that has led to questions regarding the structure’s integrity. According to Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch, a lowboy semi was hauling a piece of equipment, later confirmed by the Kansas Highway Patrol as an articulating boom, in the 4200 block of West US Highway 50 in front of Flying J.

1 week ago | kvoe.com | Chuck Samples

An Emporia Police officer is getting statewide recognition for his lifesaving work. Officer Martin Orozco has received the Silver Award from the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police. The award, one of the organization’s highest honors, goes to officers whose “exceptional actions have directly resulted in saving a life.”Police Capt. Ray Mattas says Orozco was actually involved in two lifesaving incidents last year, one involving a baby and another involving an adult.

1 week ago | kvoe.com | Chuck Samples

A preliminary hearing date is ahead after a man was arrested this week in Emporia on suspicion of raping a teenager. Luis Jalpa-Sena, age 26, was arrested Monday and charged Thursday with single counts of rape, aggravated criminal sodomy and and aggravated sexual battery. Jalpa-Sena was also charged with two counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor. The rape, battery and sodomy charges all have alternate counts listed as the same primary count.

1 week ago | kvoe.com | Chuck Samples

Right now it looks like a “road closed” sign. But the end is now in sight for the 24th and Prairie Waterline Replacement Project. Work has been underway for close to a year, and Emporia City Engineer Jim Ubert — a guest on KVOE’s Morning Show on Thursday — says work could be done by the end of May. Short-term, Ubert says the 15th and Prairie intersection will open up next week, although that means the closure of the 12th and Prairie intersection as work continues.

1 week ago | kvoe.com | Chuck Samples

Moderate drought continues to push eastward across Kansas. Last week, moderate drought went generally along and west of a line from Manhattan to Neosho Rapids to Madison. This week’s report from the US Drought Monitor has moderate drought along and west of a line from Osage City to Beto Junction to Virgil. The report comes as area residents got less than a quarter-inch of rainfall early Thursday. Rain has been hard to come by all year.