Musicians with Montgomery County connections will be inducted into the Kansas Musical Hall of Fame on March 7.

Independence native Jim Halsey, a country music manager, will be inducted into the hall. Halsey now lives in Oklahoma and maintains contact with many of his acts, including the Oak Ridge Boys.

Bobby Poe and the Poe-Kats, a rock and roll band that got its start in Coffeyville in the mid-1950s, also will be inducted into the hall. Members of that group include Bobby Poe, Vernon Sandusky, and Big Al Downing.

More details of the hall induction will be printed in the March 5 edition of the Montgomery County Chronicle.

The Feb. 26 edition of the Montgomery County Chronicle is now available at local newsstands. Be sure to buy a copy. Here are a few things you’ll find in that issue . . .

• Ross Williams, the Claremore, Okla., man who is accused of robbing the Bank of America branch in Coffeyville and fatally wounding a bystander on Feb. 17, appears in U.S. District Court in Wichita today. We have a story about the hearing on page 1.

• Speaking of that bank robbery, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department will receive an additional 10 high-powered rifles to bolster their arsenal. County commissioners approved the request for additional firepower on Monday. Read about it on page 1.

• This week is Mardi Gras week, which culminates with a day of food and revelry on Fat Tuesday. One Montgomery County man takes Mardi Gras to heart . . . and to the stomach. He’s Jerry Marquette, the chief executive officer of Coffeyville Regional Medical Center and also a true-blue Cajun. For several years, Marquette has donated his culinary talents to Coffeyville Regional Medical Center’s annual Fat Tuesday luncheon. Preparing a luncheon for 1,000 people is a daunting process, taking several days of food preparation. However, Cajuns like Marquette enjoy each savory moment in the kitchen. Look for this feature story on page 1.

• High school basketball will have an exciting week with the start of area sub-state tournaments. Go to page 7 to see where Caney Valley and Cherryvale teams will play when those tournaments start next Monday and Tuesday.

• State wrestling tournaments will be held this weekend, and Caney Valley and Cherryvale schools are sending delegations to the state mats. Look for the story on page 6 to see how will represent the local schools on the state stage.

• Four Montgomery County 4-H youths attended the Citizenship In Action program in Topeka on Feb. 15-17 and got a first-hand look how state government works. You’ll enjoy their story on page 10.

• If you nearly starved and need a heavy meal to hold down your tummy, then you’ll like Doris Coats’ recipe column this week. Pick of the week: Toasted Angel Food Cake Sandwich. Better enroll in a Weight Watchers class after you eat this delicacy!

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If you do not presently subscribe to the Montgomery County Chronicle, give me a call (620) 879-2156 or (620) 336-2100 to place your subscription order. The local subscription rate (with sales tax) is $32.40 per year. Sounds like a a great deal . . . one that is easy on your wallet during tough times.

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As always, I’m interested to know about your news tips and story ideas. Drop me a line by e-mail (check for my address below) or call me on my cell phone at (620) 331-9178. Let’s chat! And, if you wish, pass this e-mail along to your e-mail lists (school secretaries: pass this along to your faculty e-mail lists). Let me know of others who might be interested in receiving a weekly preview of the Montgomery County Chronicle.

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The Feb. 26 edition has more stories of interest to all Montgomery County residents. Be sure to pick up a copy today at the following locations:

Caney: Floyds Town and Country, Gunny Sack Phillips 66, Gunny Sack Shell, Casey’s General Store and the Montgomery County Chronicle.

Cherryvale: Jump Start, Casey’s General Store, Friendly’s Food and Fuel, G&W Foods, Cherryvale Pharmacy, Cherry Hill Express, and the Montgomery County Chronicle

Tyro: J’s Corner Store

Independence: Daylight Doughnuts

Coffeyville: Kabredlo’s Convenience Store

Ross A. Williams, 39, Claremore, Okla., has been charged with a Feb. 17, 2007, bank robbery in Coffeyville in which a man was killed, Acting U.S. Attorney Marietta Parker said late Thursday.

A three-count federal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Wichita on Thursday accuses Williams of firing the shot that killed Willie Neal, Jr., of Georgia. Williams is charged with one count of bank robbery, one count of killing Neal while attempting to escape arrest for the bank robbery, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of his attempt to escape arrest.

According to court documents, at about 4:55 p.m. Feb. 17 Williams entered the Bank of America at 1401 W. Eighth Street in Coffeyville. Brandishing a knife, he demanded money. He took money from a teller and left the bank riding a bicycle. A witness who followed him saw Williams put the bike in the back of an SUV and drive away.

Starting in the 1200 block of West 10th Street, Williams led police on a high speed chase that ended when his vehicle struck a tree. As Williams abandoned the car carrying an assault rifle, he fired multiple shots at police and they returned fire. He fled into a wooded area.

None of the officers was injured during the exchange of gunfire, but a bystander identified as Willie Neal, Jr., was shot in the upper thigh
and died from the wounds. An autopsy recovered a bullet that ballistics examiners identified as consistent with the type of ammunition fired from an assault rifle.

About three and a half hours later, police found
Williams crossing an open field and took him into custody without further incident. He was wearing body armor and carrying a pistol when he was arrested.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following
penalties:

• Bank robbery: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.

• Causing a death while attempting to avoid arrest for a bank robbery:

A maximum penalty of death or life in prison and a fine up to $250,000.

The United States Attorney General’s Review Committee on Capital Cases will be responsible for reviewing the case and making a recommendation to United States Attorney General Eric Holder on whether to seek the death penalty.

• Using a firearm in furtherance of avoiding arrest for a bank robbery:

A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

As in any criminal case, a person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments filed merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

INDEPENDENCE — The Montgomery County Conservation District is hosting its 62nd Annual Dinner and Awards Meeting beginning at 6 p.m., Saturday Feb. 21, at the First United Methodist Church Wesley Center at 200 S. Penn, Independence.

Jay M. Price, a professor at Wichita State University, will be the guest speaker.

There is no fee to attend this event but due to limited space, reservations are required. Contact David Stephen, Conservation District Manager, at 620-331-4860 extension 35, for reservation information.

The dinner will be provided courtesy of the Kansas Agriculture Bankers Association. A short business meeting will be held regarding the district’s business in 2008 and award presentations will be made to those in Montgomery County who have made an effort to make soil and water conservation a top priority in their operations.

Preparations have been made to accept donations toward the district’s educational programs, as well as donations to the Clyde Clubine Memorial fund. These donations support the efforts of the district to bring conservation and agriculture related programs and contests to local schools. The district has established a college scholarship for area high school students and all donations to the Clyde Clubine Memorial fund will go to support that.

Price directs the Public History Program at Wichita State University, where he is an assistant professor of history. In addition to public history courses, he teaches classes on popular culture, social history, religion in America, and the 20th century West.

A native of Santa Fe, New Mexico, he received his doctorate from Arizona State University in the fields of public history and American history. Price is interested in how communities remember their past, both officially in the form of monuments, and unofficially through their everyday buildings, signs, and sites. Now, as a member of the Kansas Humanities Council Speakers Bureau since 2000, he is helping Kansans to discover the hidden history lessons that they encounter every day.

BY ANDY TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

CHERRYVALE — Six days after Cherryvale’s lone storm siren was sounded to alert of an approaching tornadic storm, city officials discussed the city’s storm response.

City councilors on Tuesday discussed the city’s storm response following the severe thunderstorm that spawned the potential for a tornado on Feb. 10.

City administrator Trey Cocking was serving as a volunteer dispatcher at the Cherryvale Fire-EMS Department when the siren was sounded. He said he was alarmed by the volume of telephone calls made by citizens to the fire-EMS department when the tornado began to wail.

He said people wanted to know more details about the storm, which, he said, was largely unavailable at that time.
Cocking said the National Weather Service in Wichita had not issued a tornado warning for Cherryvale. Instead, the fire-EMS department and police department were alerted by storm spotters of a threat of tornadic conditions stretching from Bolton to Coffeyville and moving toward Cherryvale.

“People were asking me which way the storm was moving, and the only thing I could tell them was to take cover,” he said.

Among the biggest concerns expressed at Tuesday’s meeting was the apparent ineffectiveness of the city’s storm siren to alert the entire community. The siren, which sits atop the Cherryvale City Hall, was inaudible in the western part of the community. Even councilor Randy Wagoner, whose home is three blocks away north of the siren, said he could not hear the siren from within his house.

Discussion about the storm siren came on the same night when councilors approved the city’s portion of the Montgomery County Mitigation Plan, which was developed following the 2007 summer floods. The plan was approved by state and federal officials two weeks ago.

The plan calls for the City of Cherryvale to enhance its storm siren capabilities to include more sirens in other areas of the community.

Wagoner said another alternative was to develop a telephone calling system, similar to an automated dial system used by USD 447 to inform parents and students of school closures or other information.

However, councilor Jerry Wallace said the automated telephone system would have drawbacks, such as persons who use cellular phones or change telephone numbers.

“The telephone system might be a good system, but I wouldn’t want to put my eggs in that basket,” said Wallace.

Councilor Chad Wickham said the council should study having more sirens while also exploring the possibility of an automated telephone alert system.

Former city councilor Ben Bellmore, who was present at Tuesday’s meeting, urged councilors to obtain funding for more storm sirens.

“The current siren is only about 50 percent effective,” he said. “Do your best to get a couple of more sirens up. We owe it to the citizens.”

CANEY — A fan favorite in the NASACR circuit will be making an appearance at the Caney Valley Speedway on Friday, March 13.

Kenny Wallace, best known among NASCAR fans as the Hermanator, will be at the speedway as part of the USMTS National Tour. Wallace will be making 13 apperances on the USMTS National Tour in 2009 with Caney being his first stop. He’ll appear at the Humbold Speedway in Humboldt, Kan., the following night.

“This is a big deal to have a pofessional racer come to Caney,” said Kerry Gorby, Caney Valley Speedway manager and promoter. “To the best of my knowledge, a professional racer has never come to Caney to compete. So, this is good for the speedway and for the community.”

Wallace won the first race he ever entered in 1982, and the youngest member of the racing Wallace family, was a longtime mechanic and crew member for his brothers Rusty and Mike. Kenny’s win in that race — the Illinois Street Stock State Championship — would be the first of many in his racing career.
He would enter the NASCAR world in 1988 and was crowned Rookie fo the year in 1989, where he finished in sixth place in driver point standings.

Wallace’s Busch Series accomplishments include nine wins, 10 poles, and eight seasons in the top-10 in driver points. In fact, Wallace has finished in the top-10 in every full Busch Series season he has ever run, including a second-place run in 1991 that ended just 74 points shy of the championship in what is still one of the closest points battles in series history.

Wallace drove the #78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series in 2007, and was voted by fans to compete in the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May.

More details about Wallace’s visit to Caney will be posted at the Caney Valley Speedway website at www.caneyvalleyspeedway.net.

e Feb. 19 edition of the Montgomery County Chronicle is now available at local newsstands. Be sure to buy a copy. Here are a few things you’ll find in that issue . . .

• The Montgomery County Conservation District will hold its annual awards banquet on Saturday evening in Independence. Among the honorees at this year’s banquet are Eric and Jackie Chandler of rural Sycamore, Carol Knisley of rural Cherryvale, Robert and Elaine Cowan of rural Dearing, and Harold and Charlene Swearingen of rural Independence. This edition of the Chronicle salutes those honorees as well as the work of the Montgomery County Conservation District and the Natural Resource Conservation Service. You’ll see four pages of information about the conservation district in the B section of the Feb. 19 issue.

• A Claremore, Okla., man will be charged with bank robbery and possibly murder following a bank robbery and shootout with Coffeyville police on Tuesday. Ross Williams is in custody following the bank robbery at the Bank of America branch at Eighth and Buckeye streets. William fled the scene and was followed by police to a remote area north of Coffeyville, where he fired a semi-automatic rifle at the police. One of the bullets strayed from Williams’ rifle and killed a bystander, Willie Neal, a Georgia man who had just moved to Coffeyville. We’ll have details on page A1.

• Cherryvale city councilors on Tuesday discussed the effectiveness of the city’s lone storm siren, which sounded an alarm during a severe thunderstorm on Feb. 10. One problem though: half the town didn’t hear it. Councilors are discussing ways to improve the storm siren alert system. Look for this story on page A1.

• The City of Caney will soon build a new fire station, thanks to a $299,000 state grant. The station will be built at Third and Spring streets. The Kan-Step grant program will provide state funds to purchase construction materials provided that volunteer and in-kind labor will be used to erect the building. Look for this story on page A1.

• Kenny Wallace, also known as the Hermanator in the NASCAR circuit, will be making a visit to the Caney Valley Speedway in March. We’ve got a story on page A1 about Wallace’s visit and competition at the Caney race track.

• High school basketball is drawing to a close, but it’s turning up some excitement. The Caney Valley Lady Bullpups have won seven straight games and sit alone in second place in the Tri-Valley League. Meanwhile, the Cherryvale High School women’s basketball team, which was picked to win the Tri-Valley League, has sputtered in recent games, falling in defeat three consective times. The Cherryvale High School men’s team has won three straight games and is preparing for Friday’s big clash with Caney Valley.

• The Montgomery County 4-H Days, held last Saturday, displayed the talents of dozens of county 4-H youths. We’ve got complete results on page A10.

• Be sure to look for information in this edition from the Caney Valley and Cherryvale FFA Chapters as they celebrate National FFA Week. Each chapter will have several activities — including work day sales — to benefit their local chapters.

• And, we’ve got Doris Coats’ recipe column in this edition. Look for her tasty recipe for Chocolate Snack Cake. Making your mouth water yet?

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If you do not presently subscribe to the Montgomery County Chronicle, give me a call (620) 879-2156 or (620) 336-2100 to place your subscription order. The local subscription rate (with sales tax) is $32.40 per year. Sounds like a a great deal . . . one that is easy on your wallet during tough times.

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As always, I’m interested to know about your news tips and story ideas. Drop me a line by e-mail (check for my address below) or call me on my cell phone at (620) 331-9178. Let’s chat! And, if you wish, pass this e-mail along to your e-mail lists (school secretaries: pass this along to your faculty e-mail lists). Let me know of others who might be interested in receiving a weekly preview of the Montgomery County Chronicle.

* * * *

The Feb. 19 edition has more stories of interest to all Montgomery County residents. Be sure to pick up a copy today at the following locations:

Caney: Floyds Town and Country, Gunny Sack Phillips 66, Gunny Sack Shell, Casey’s General Store and the Montgomery County Chronicle.

Cherryvale: Jump Start, Casey’s General Store, Friendly’s Food and Fuel, G&W Foods, Cherryvale Pharmacy, Cherry Hill Express, and the Montgomery County Chronicle

Tyro: J’s Corner Store

Independence: Daylight Doughnuts

Coffeyville: Kabredlo’s Convenience Store

COFFEYVILLE — An innocent bystander was killed by gunfire in a bank robbery gone wrong late Tuesday afternoon in Coffeyville.

Commander Mike Brown of the Coffeyville Police Department identified the deceased person as Willie Neal, a Georgia man who was in Coffeyville to visit friends and family.
Neal was killed by a stray bullet fired by Ross A. Williams, 39, of Claremore, Okla., who was firing a rifle at officers on North Grant Street. Williams was being pursued by Coffeyville police after he became a suspect in a bank robbery at the Bank of America branch at 1401 W. Eighth shortly before 5 p.m., Tuesday.

After Williams allegedly held up the Bank of America branch, a citizen followed Williams to a vehicle at the Country Mart parking lot. The citizen called Coffeyville police, who then began a pursuit of Williams that ended on North Grant Street.

Brown said Williams jumped from his vehicle in the 500 block of North Grant and began firing multiple rounds of ammunition at two Coffeyville police cars. That’s when one of the bullets hit Neal, who was observing the chase and subsequent gunfire.

Williams then was last seen fleeing into a heavily wooded area near the Coffeyville Resources refinery. He finally surrendered to law enforcement authorities at about 8 p.m., Tuesday and was taken to Coffeyville Regional Medical Center for treatment of hypothermia and minor injuries.

Williams is expected to appear in 14th Judicial District Court for a first appearance hearing, Brown said.

Assisting with the apprehension of Williams were the Coffeyville, Caney and Independence police departments; sheriff’s departments from Montgomery, Labette and Nowata counties; the Kansas Highway Patrol; Coffeyville Fire Department; and Coffeyville EMS Department.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Coffeyville Police Department are continuing their investigation into the bank robbery.

BY ANDY TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

INDEPENDENCE — County commissioners on Monday were presented a plan detailing the priorities for the public works department for 2009.

The plan was prepared by Robert Bever, public works director, who noted that the 2009 work program can be altered at any time to meet unforeseen events.

However, he noted that the plan should serve as a guideline for the county in meeting various road and infrastructure matters throughout the year.

Among the priorities listed in the 2009 work program:

• Flood repairs: Damage from the 2007 floods continue to be repaired. At the beginning of 2008, the public works department had 371 individual road and bridge sites to repair. This year, the list has been whittled down to four.

• Special bridge program: Two bridges on rural roads are set to be replaced in 2009 as part of the county’s five-year bridge plan. The bridges are located south of Independence and northwest of Caney over Cheyenne Creek.

• Road asphalt and chip/seal application: The public works department is planning on applying asphalt to 12.75 miles of hard-surfaced roads in 2009 and chip/seal mixture on 25 miles of roads. While a private contractor was hired in 2008 to handle the chip/seal application, the public works department will handle the work in 2009. The projected cost for the paving materials is $1.7 million.

• Ditching: Some 80 miles of ditches along county roads are targeted for enhancements during 2009.

• Equipment replacement: Ongoing replacement of various pieces of equipment — from an office copier to heavy equipment. The Road and Bridge Capital Outlay Fun for 2009 has a budget authority of $384,000.

• Noxious weed department: Bill Racy has been hired to supervise the noxious weed department due to the departure of Fred Long, who became a road supervisor in 2008. The department will continue to eradicate noxious weeds along county right of ways and provide herbicides to private landowners on a cost-share basis (25 percent county, 75 percent landowner).

• Household hazardous waste: Ten collection days have been set for the collection of household hazardous wastes in Caney, Cherryvale and Coffeyville The household hazardous waste facility in Independence remains open each week for collections. A mobile trailer also will be taken to towns in Elk, Wilson and Labette counties. Those counties will then reimburse Montgomery County for the transport and disposal of the household hazardous wastes.

• Building maintenance: A handicapped accessibility study for the Montgomery County Courthouse was conducted in 2008 with the final report due to be released in the near future.

In other building issues, a list of upgrades to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and jail will be studied for 2009. The list of upgrades and repairs ranges from plumbing issues in the jail cells to reducing the main lobby area due to office needs.

Some light cosmetic repairs are being considered for the sheriff’s department to reduce noise levels and create more privacy.

And, in the main courthouse building, a stairwell leading from the first floor to the basement area will be targeted for repairs. Light cosmetic work all will done in various areas of the courthouse.

• Geographic Information System (GIS): As part of the county’s ongoing effort to build its GIS program, the public works department will provide information to a GIS coordinator to use in creating multiple layer maps in that system.

• Montgomery County Sewer District #2: A Community Development Block Grant was obtained in 2008 for sewer rehabilitation efforts in Montgomery County Sewer District #2. The project is set to begin within the next month by seeking contract bids.

County roads projected to receive asphalt overlay in ’09:

Coffeyville area:

Oakwood and Hilltoop (1/4 mile)

County road 1675, miles 13-16 (2 1/2 miles)

County road 3300, miles 2-3 (1 1/8 miles)

County road 3325, miles 1-2 (1 1/8 miles)

County road 1400, mile 20 (1/4 mile)

Independence area:

Brookside Drive (1/2 mile)

Fruitland Drive (3/4 mile)

Taylor Road (1 mile)

Other areas:

Elk City Lake area, county road 5050, miles 8-10 (2 1/4 miles)

Sycamore, county road 5800, miles 12-14 (3 miles)

County roads projected to receive a chip/seal sealant in 2009:

10th Street Road, or county road 3900, miles 1-14 (14 miles)

West of Elk City, or county roads 5250, mile 3; county road 5100, mile 21; and county road 5200 (2 1/2 miles)

Elk City Quarry area, or county road 4800, miles 3-4 (1 mile)

Cessna area, or county road 3300, miles 12-13; county road 3400, miles 12-14; county road 3600, mile 11 (7 1/2 miles)