Montgomery County Chronicle

05/28/2026

READ ABOUT IT ONLY IN THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHRONICLE: A Coffeyville native was on the race team that captured the Indianapolis 500 last Sunday. Read about Kylee Jarman's unique job in the May 28 issue of the Montgomery County Chronicle.

05/28/2026

UPDATE: MORE CANDIDATES FILE FOR LOCAL, COUNTY, STATE, FEDERAL OFFICES

Next Monday, June 1 at noon marks the deadline for candidates to file for local, county, state and federal offices, according to the Kansas Secretary of State.

Candidacy paperwork for local or county races must be filled out at the office of the Montgomery County Clerk in Independence. Candidates for state or federal office will sign up a the office of the Kansas Secretary of State in Topeka.

A primary election will be held Tuesday, Aug. 4; a general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3.

WHAT OFFICES WILL BE DECIDED?

On the election ballot for the 2026 election cycle will be:

• City of Caney: 4 council positions (non-partisan).

• Precinct committeeman and committeewoman (each precinct in Montgomery County; these positions will be decided in the primary election).

• Montgomery County Commission: 1st District.

• 14th Judicial District court judgeships: 1st, 2nd and 4th divisions.

• Township clerk (for each of the 11 townships)

• State representative: 11th and 12th districts

• Kansas State Board of Education: 9th District.

• Governor/Lt. Governor.

• Kansas Secretary of State.

• Kansas Attorney General.

• Kansas State Treasurer.

• Kansas Commissioner of Insurance.

• U.S. Senate.

• U.S. House of Representatives: 2nd District.

WHO HAS FILED FOR OFFICE?

As of noon Thursday (May 28) the following persons had placed their names in the hat for the 2026 election cycle.

• Caney City Council (four council positions): Becky Dye; Jeff Culver, 501 N. Bradley; Debora Wood, 109 S. Main; and Elizabeth Burch, 208 S. Spring.

• 14th Judicial District Court judgeships, 1st Division: (Republican) F. William Cullins, Caney; Robert W. Lattin, Independence; (Democrats) None.

• 14th Judicial District Court judgeships, 2nd Division: (Republican) Jeffrey Gossard, Coffeyville.

• 14th Judicial District Court judgeships, 4th Division: (Republican) Daniel M. Reynolds, Independence.

• Montgomery County Commission, 1st District: (Republican) Leroy Rusty Duke of Cherryvale, Chuck Voelker of Sycamore; Rick Whitson, Independence.

• U.S. Senate: (Republican) Roger Marshall, Great Bend, Kan.; Pond Naramore, Lawrence, Kan. (Democrat) Damon Anderson, Shawnee, Kan.; Jason Hart, Wichita, Kan.; Kevin Latz, Mission Hills, Kan.; Sandy Spidel Neumann, Mission, Kan; Michael “Mike” Soetaert, Wellington, Kan.

• U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd District: (Republican) Derek Schmidt, Topeka, Kan.; Chad E. Young, Lawrence, Kan. (Democrat): Don Coover, Galesburg, Kan.

• Governor/Lt. Governor: (Republican) Stacy L. Rogers/Michael W. Smith; Charlotte O’Hara/MichelleDombrosky; (Democrat): Cindy Holscher/KC Ohaebosim, Ethan Carson/Renee Duxler.

• Kansas Secretary of State: (Republican) Pat Proctor, Leavenworth, Kan.; Ken Rahjes, Agra, Kan. (Democrat) Jennifer Day, Overland Park, Kan.; Samuel Lane, Shawnee, Kan.

• Kansas Attorney General: (Republican) Kris Kobach; (Democrat) Chris Mann.

• Kansas State Treasurer: (Republican) Steven Johnson, Assaria, Kan. (Democrat) None.

• Kansas Commissioner of Insurance: (Republican) Daniel Hawkins, Abilene, Kan. (Democrat): Dinah Sykes, Lenexa, Kan.

• Kansas State Board of Education: (Republican) Destry Brown, Renee Slinkard.

• Kansas House of Representatives, 11th District: (Republican) Ron Bryce. (Democrat): None.

• Kansas House of Representatives, 12th District: (Republican) Marci Laffen, Sedan; (Democrat) Pete Ferrell, Beaumont, Kan.

05/28/2026

MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING STABBING INCIDENT IN CANEY

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Department is investing an altercation at the American Legion Post in Caney that led to a stabbing injury early Saturday morning.

Sheriff Ron Wade said deputies responded to the Ernest Brown American Legion, located at 1607 Highway 75 in Caney, Kansas, just north of the U.S. Highway 166 and U.S. Highway 75 junction, in reference to a disturbance involving a fight and a possible stabbing.

Sheriff's detectives were notified and responded to assist with the investigation. Upon arrival, detectives began gathering information from multiple witnesses at the scene. During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that at least one individual sustained injuries consistent with being cut by a sharp object. The injured individual was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

It has been brought to the attention of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department that false information regarding this investigation is being circulated on social media. The department also is aware of allegations involving City of Caney employees allegedly being present at the location that evening.

At this time, the investigation remains active and ongoing and is being conducted solely by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Division. The Caney Police Department is not involved in this investigation.

“We ask the public to refrain from spreading false information regarding this investigation and allow detectives the opportunity to complete a thorough and impartial investigation. This remains an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time," said Wade.

05/26/2026

BOIL WATER ADVISORY RESCINDED FOR CITY OF THAYER

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Tuesday (KDHE) rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Thayer public water supply system located in Neosho County.

The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure.

05/25/2026

Scenes from the Memorial Day Service at Veterans Freedom Square in Independence.

05/25/2026

MONTGOMERY COUNTY MAN DIES OF INJURIES FROM TWO-VEHICLE COLLISION; THREE OTHERS SUSTAIN INJURIES

CHERRYVALE — A two-vehicle collision at U .S. 169 highway and county road 4800 near Cherryvale last Friday has claimed the life of an Independence man.

Sheriff Ron Wade identified the deceased person as Herschel Miller of Independence.

Sustaining injuries were Dana Smith of Elmore, Okla., and Sharon Miller of Independence.

Wade said the wreck happened around 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of the county road and the highway.

He said a 2017 Buick Enclave driven westbound by Herschel Miller was stopped at the county road, awaiting to turn onto the highway.

A northbound 2013 Ford Expedition driven by Dana Smith struck the Miller vehicle as Miller pulled onto the highway.

Both vehicles came to rest in the west ditch of U.S. 169 highway.

Herschel and Sharon Miller were airlifted to an area trauma center for critical injuries. Smith and one of the three juveniles in her vehicle were transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment of injuries.

Wade said Herschel Miller later died of injuries.

“We want to extend our thoughts and prayers to the Miller family. It is never easy to lose a loved one, especially so suddenly in a motor vehicle accident,” Wade said. “We also ask the public to keep both the Miller and Smith families in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Wade also advised the public to refrain from spreading unverified information on social media and to respect the privacy of both families as they grieve.

The collision remains under investigation.

No additional information will be released at this time.

05/24/2026

During World War II, hundreds of young air cadets received their basic aviation knowledge at military posts in Montgomery County. Those posts were the Coffeyville Army Air Field and the Independence Army Air Field.

These cadets would find their way into the air corps, where they served as fighter pilots, bomber pilots, ferry pilots or trooper carrier pilots across the world.

Yet, a small amount of those cadets never made it past Coffeyville or Independence. In fact, they would die in airplane crashes as they tested their skills with limited flight time in a hastily-taught system.

There is nothing to honor their memories.

While other pilots who died in battle are recognized in some noble way at city parks and cemeteries across the nation, those who died in basic training are not remembered.

No plaques. No memorials. No stories to remember their upstart dedication toward serving their nation.

On the week of Memorial Day, the Montgomery County Chronicle’s Andy Taylor has delved into records and archives to locate the names of the young pilots who tragically died within weeks of their arrival at the two air bases in Montgomery County.

And for the first time since World War II, their memories will be remembered.

Read about them in the May 28 issue of the Montgomery County Chronicle.

(About the photo: the color image comes from the National Archives in Washington, D.C. It shows the Vultee BT-13 airplanes lined up on the tarmac at the Coffeyville Army Air Field. The BT-13 airplanes were single-engine airplanes that were the custom training aircraft for aviation cadets.)

05/23/2026

05/23/2026

U.S. SENATOR JERRY MORAN TO DELIVER KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT DEDICATION OF GOLD STAR FAMILY MEMORIAL IN INDEPENDENCE ON MEMORIAL DAY

INDEPENDENCE — U.S. Senator Jerry Moran will deliver the keynote address during the dedication ceremony for the new Gold Star Family Memorial in Independence on Memorial Day at 11 a.m.

The event will be held at the Veterans Freedom Square Memorial at Riverside Park.

Some seating will be available, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs.

05/21/2026

ICC NAMES COLLEGE ADMINISTRATOR FROM MISSOURI AS NEXT PRESIDENT

INDEPENDENCE — The Independence Community College Board of Trustees on Thursday announced the hiring of James P. Arnold as the institution’s next president.

Arnold will begin duties on July 1.

Arnold brings more than two decades of higher education leadership experience with a strong background in enrollment management, student development, athletics administration, and community engagement.

He currently serves as Vice President of Enrollment Management, Marketing, and Athletics at Columbia College in Columbia, Mo., where he oversees enrollment initiatives, marketing operations, athletics, student success efforts, financial aid, recruiting, military and community relations, and campus operations across the country.

Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for innovative leadership, strategic enrollment growth, collaborative campus culture, and strong community partnerships. He has helped lead initiatives that strengthened retention efforts, expanded graduate offerings, enhanced military-affiliated student benefits, improved the student experience, and increased tuition revenue across multiple campuses nationwide.

Board of Trustees President John Eubanks said the Board was impressed not only by Arnold’s professional experience, but also by his vision for student success and community connection.
“James Arnold is highly motivated and has a strong belief that institutions are at their best when every student is known, every faculty and staff member is empowered, and every member of the campus community has the support and opportunity to thrive,” said Eubanks. “We look forward to the energy and presence he will bring both on campus and throughout our broader community.”

Eubanks also expressed appreciation to those who participated throughout the presidential search process.

“The Board also wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to our community members, administrators, faculty, and staff for their time, dedication, and thoughtful participation in this process,” said Eubanks. “Your investment in the future of this institution is deeply appreciated.” ��

Arnold’s background includes leadership in enrollment management, athletics administration, residential life, student affairs, and institutional operations. He has overseen multimillion-dollar budgets, supervised large teams across multiple departments, and played a key role in launching new academic offerings and strategic growth initiatives.

Throughout his career, Arnold has emphasized relationship-building, collaboration, and creating environments where students feel connected both on campus and within the surrounding community.

"I am incredibly honored and excited to join Independence Community College as its next president," said Arnold. "I truly appreciate the faith and confidence Chair Eubanks and the members of the Board of Trustees and the search committee have placed in me. ICC has a strong tradition of serving students and communities across Southeast Kansas, and I am inspired by the passion and pride I've already seen throughout the campus and community. I believe community colleges play a transformational role in changing lives, strengthening local economies, and building meaningful partnerships. I look forward to working alongside faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members to continue moving ICC forward while honoring the college's proud history and traditions."

Arnold’s career in higher education spans leadership roles at community colleges, NAIA institutions, and NCAA institutions across Missouri and Kansas. His experience includes positions at Highland Community College, Central Methodist University, Southeast Missouri State University, Westminster College, and Columbia College.

Arnold is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Adult Education and Leadership at William Woods University and holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from Benedictine College.

The college will announce additional details regarding Arnold’s official start date and transition activities in the coming weeks.