A 24-year-old Chanute woman suffered suspected serious injuries in a two-vehicle crash just before 9 a.m. Monday, on Highway 169 near Chanute. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Maryanne Kepley was driving a UTV east on 160th Road when she failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck on the passenger side by a northbound Ford Explorer whose driver attempted to avoid the collision. Kepley was ejected and taken to KU Medical for treatment, while the Explorer’s occupants, a 33-year-old woman and a 7-year-old girl, were uninjured.
Iola homeowner Kim Folk is seeking $700,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding to restore the historic 1902 house at 302 East St., which was nearly destroyed by fire in May. Iola City Council members voted 7-0 Monday to approve paperwork allowing the city to serve as a financial conduit for the grant, with no financial risk or obligation to the city. According to Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission representative Susan Galemore, architects and engineers must evaluate the structure before renovation plans are finalized. Construction could begin next spring or early summer.
The Toronto Booster Club will host “Spook-tacular Night on Main Street” on Saturday, in Toronto, with trunk-or-treating from 6 to 8 p.m., chili dogs, hot chocolate and a prize for the best-decorated trunk. The Toronto Library will show the 1995 movie “Casper” outdoors on Main Street at dark, with popcorn and hot chocolate available.
U.S. 54 through downtown Iola is now expected to reopen in mid-November, with construction running roughly one month behind schedule, Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock said. Curbs should be completed by this week, and sidewalk replacement is scheduled to begin next week. Electrical work for replacement stoplights is also expected to start this week. Crews are coordinating sidewalk work with downtown businesses to limit disruptions.
Allen County commissioners postponed a decision on a proposed emergency notification system, seeking more information about its capabilities, use by other counties and the cost of the county’s existing security system. Emergent Three’s proposal would cost $5,900 for the first year and allow employees to alert colleagues and first responders to emergencies, report their safety status and identify unsafe areas inside county buildings. Emergency Management Director Jason Trego plans to gather additional details, consult with Sheriff Anthony Maness and request an extension of a setup discount that expires October 31.
Halloween festivities are planned for this evening in Burlington and LeRoy, with both communities hosting family-friendly trick-or-treating events. Burlington’s Trick or Treat Downtown will run from 3 to 5 p.m., while LeRoy’s Trunk or Treat takes place from 5 to 6:30 at LeRoy City Park. The LeRoy event will feature free hot dogs, a hay dig, a performance by Stories Dance Company and a costume contest beginning at 5:45 at the basketball courts.
Iola City Council members are considering increases to electric rates and meter fees to generate about $1 million annually for the city’s electric fund as infrastructure costs rise. Most members favor phasing in increases, with options including a half-cent-per-kilowatt-hour hike in each of the next two years, although no final plan has been approved. City Administrator Matt Rehder plans to present options targeting a January start, along with annual cost-of-living adjustments to help revenues keep pace with inflation.
Allen Community College will host its annual Halloween Madness event this evening in the Allen Gym, with table-or-treat activities at 6:30 p.m. followed by a basketball showcase at 7 p.m. The evening will introduce the men’s and women’s basketball teams and feature a 3-point contest, dunk contest and special competitions for children. Admission is free, and community members are encouraged to wear costumes.
The Iola High School Mustang Regiment performed its “Stranger Things” field show for the USD 257 Board of Education outside the district office Monday evening. Band instructor Brandi Holt said the group earned top ratings at the Kansas State Fair and received two ratings at competitions in Baker University and Eudora during a fall season that also included regional parades and football games. The band’s show features music from the 1980s, and the regiment will wrap up its season Saturday at the Neewollah festival in Independence.
The Southeast Kansas Childcare Conference will take place Wednesday, November 18th, from 10 to 3 at the Impact Center in Chanute, focusing on the importance of quality childcare, employee benefits and economic growth. The event will feature guest speaker Brent Lewis, executive director of oneCommunity, with registration costing $40, including lunch. Child Care Aware of Kansas will provide a $25 gift card to the first 40 people who register online at bit.ly/ChildcareConference.
