Emporia

The former owner of radio stations KVOE-AM and KFFX-FM in Emporia has died. Edward J. McKernan III died Tuesday in his sleep at his home in Admire. McKernan's father bought KVOE-AM in the late 1950s. McKernan joined his father at the station after graduating from Washburn University. They later added an FM station that became KFFX. The stations were sold in 1984. McKernan was often seen at track meets where he served as an official. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, June 28, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Emporia.

The Flying J was more than just a truck stop Saturday night.  Emporia Police Chief Gary Smith says an accused pimp from Wichita used it as a business venture.  He says Lamonte Brown took a break from a road trip to Kansas City, to earn some extra cash. Brown was travelling with two women and a teenager. "Once we figured out that there was a 16 year old involved, we were a little concerned,” Smith said. According to a police report, officers found a stolen van at the truck stop with the two women and teen nearby.  But before they could question Brown, he ran off into the woods.

An unusual vandal does more than $10,000 in damage to an Emporia jewelry store.  Officials say a deer wandered into the store over the weekend.  They say the deer was one of many seen in the area on Saturday. The deer activated the store's automatic door entry.  Once inside, it spotted itself in a mirror and got scared.  Police say the deer then trashed the store, breaking an expensive china display, along with glassware and the mirror. Police say the animal died of shock and stress to the heart before police could remove it. Surveillance Video: Deer breaks into Emporia jewelry store Courtesy: Stanley Jewelry Store

City commissioners in Emporia approve a plan to put four limestone welcome signs at entrances to town. The signs would cost $100,000 each. They will be paid for through the city's hotel tax. The approval comes despite some opposition from residents who did not want it funded with tax money. Supporters say it will be a unique way for people to remember the city. One commissioners suggested asking for donations to put "thank you for coming" messages on the back of the rocks.

The people who make your bread and snacks say they will not bake until their message is heard. Over the weekend, workers in the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, or BCTGM, went on strike at Hostess-owned plants in several states. The strike includes workers at the Dolly Madison plant in Emporia. Hostess has been trying to come out of bankruptcy. Union employees in Emporia say in August of last year the company stopped giving them their pension earning.

As his days at Richard Childress Racing wind to a close, Kansas native Clint Bowyer won for the second straight fall at Talladega. It's Childress' 100th win in NASCAR and comes as Bowyer will leave RCR at the end of the season for Michael Waltrip racing. "It means a lot for me to get my team back to victory lane before we cap this thing off," said Bowyer. "I wanted to stay up front. On the restart we got bunched up. I was really worried about the 14 car and the Red Bull cars were hooked up. I didn't think it would end up like that.

An Emporia man is flown to a Wichita hospital after he is shot early Saturday morning. Wichita police say the 21 year old man was shot twice in the back while attending an party in Emporia. The victim was flown to a Wesley Medical Center in critical condition. The Wichita Police Department was asked to assist in the investigation by law enforcement in Lyon County.

Police are investigating why a man was stabbed in the stomach near 17th and Emporia this evening. The man is in critical condition. Police say he was walking down the street when another man drove by, jumped out, and stabbed him. The victim underwent surgery at a Wichita hospital.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued an Emergency Order of Suspension against a Day Care Home in Emporia. KDHE says the home is on 8th Avenue in Emporia and is operated by Pamela J. Gile. According to the emergency order document, the licensee used prohibited punishment on children in her care including corporal punishment such as spanking or slapping, verbal abuse, derogatory remarks and threats. Read the Emergency Order of Suspension No other details were released.

They went on strike, then the company shut down; now hundreds of workers in Emporia and Lenexa try to take the next step after the closing of Hostess Brands. A bankruptcy court approved Hostess' request to liquidate after a national strike by Baker's Union members. The liquidation left 700 Kansas workers unemployed. Now state and local agencies are teaming up to help them move forward. A series of sessions hosted by the Southeast Kansas Works organization started Monday in Emporia.

Emporia police are investigating an attack involving a pencil sharpener. It happened at Emporia Middle School on Tuesday. A school administrator told the Emporia Gazette that one of the students took a pencil sharpener apart, and tried to use the blade to cut another student. Police said the victim suffered a minor scratch. It is unknown whether the student will be punished or face charges.

Employees who lost their jobs after a snack company declared bankruptcy may soon be returning to work in Emporia. Hostess Brands announced Thursday plans to relaunch its Emporia bakery as a new company and under new ownership. The facility will resume operations this summer, producing iconic Hostess snacks, including Twinkies, Cup Cakes, HoHos and Ding Dongs. Apollo Global Management, LLC and Metropoulos & Co., purchased selected Hostess assets out of bankruptcy in April 2013.

Emporia Police are investigating a shooting that injured two people. Officers responded to the scene in the 600 block of Washington St. Around 4:40 a.m. Saturday. Police found two people suffering from gunshot wounds. Michael Koy, 22, was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for a gunshot wound to the leg. The second victim, Adrian Peralta, 25, was shot twice in the torso. He remains hospitalized in stable condition at a Wichita hospital. Police did not say whether they are looking for a shooter.

Police officers in Emporia prepare for a school shooting. After mass casualties around the country, officers say it could happen anywhere. Officers learn to go towards the threat, never knowing what is around each corner. "If we start hearing shots your mind kind of starts going in different places. You just prepare yourself really well and you learn to control your breathing. You just try to stay as calm as possible," said Emporia Police Officer Danny Delgadillo. Emporia Police want to be ready if they ever have to face an active shooter.

A mother holds on to hope that someday she will get her only daughter back. Bixiang Huang says, "I sent my daughter lively to this country and now this is what I get. " Last Fall, Yali Huang left China for a better education. She made good grades at Emporia State, enjoyed her classes and found lots of friends. But on November 1, 2012 a walk across the street almost ended her life. She was struck by a car. Translator for the family Christina Su says, "Someone called them back home in China and mom received the phone call.

An unusual vandal does more than $10,000 in damage to an Emporia jewelry store.  Officials say a deer wandered into the store over the weekend.  They say the deer was one of many seen in the area on Saturday. The deer activated the store's automatic door entry.  Once inside, it spotted itself in a mirror and got scared.  Police say the deer then trashed the store, breaking an expensive china display, along with glassware and the mirror. Police say the animal died of shock and stress to the heart before police could remove it. Surveillance Video: Deer breaks into Emporia jewelry store Courtesy: Stanley Jewelry Store

School security officers walked the halls armed for the first time at Emporia schools Friday.  The change comes after the Emporia school district approved the measure for the high school and middle school last month. The board hopes to increase safety and prevent a tragedy similar to Sandy Hook elementary in December. One guard at each school must now carry a side arm as well as monitor everyday routines. "It puts another tool in the tool box," said Jeff Illk, school security officer.

In the wake of the massacre at an elementary school in Connecticut, the Emporia School District has approved placing armed guards in schools. The proposal was first introduced in October. Emporia has 11 schools. There are already full and part-time officers at middle and high school. Both are retired police officers who are licensed and trained to use guns. Board members say arming security guards is just one part a larger security plan. The measure was approved by a 6-0 vote.

Fort Hays State erased a 10-point deficit in the last 3:30 of regulation and went on to win 79-76 in overtime to move to 9-3 overall and 3-1 in the MIAA. Ben Congiusta buried a 3-point field goal with just over two seconds remaining to force the extra period. It was the second straight year the Tigers won in overtime in Emporia. The run began with a pair of Craig Nicholson to cut the lead to eight with 2:39 remaining, then Congiusta hit a 3-pointer with 1:17 remaining to cut the lead to ESU lead to five.

They went on strike, then the company shut down; now hundreds of workers in Emporia and Lenexa try to take the next step after the closing of Hostess Brands. A bankruptcy court approved Hostess' request to liquidate after a national strike by Baker's Union members. The liquidation left 700 Kansas workers unemployed. Now state and local agencies are teaming up to help them move forward. A series of sessions hosted by the Southeast Kansas Works organization started Monday in Emporia.