The Coffey County Republican

09/29/2026

Lawson joins Burlington police force
The Burlington Police Department is pleased to introduce Officer Christopher Lawson, a lifelong member of the Burlington community who is serving his community as its newest officer.
Lawson grew up in Burlington and has lived in the area his entire life. Outside of work, he enjoys working on vehicles, spending time outdoors and playing video games. His interest in law enforcement began at an early age, influenced in part by his family. “Most of my family has a career in law enforcement, so it felt natural that I would as well,” Lawson said.
Before beginning his law enforcement career, Lawson attended school to become an automotive technician and earned his associate degree. While he continues to enjoy working on vehicles, he ultimately decided it was better suited as a hobby than a career.
Lawson has now been in law enforcement for four years and has been a certified officer for a little over three years. Before joining the Burlington Police Department, he worked for the Coffey County Sheriff’s Office, where he also served as a member of the department’s drone team.
For Lawson, the most rewarding part of law enforcement is having the opportunity to help people and make a meaningful difference in their lives. He also enjoys the variety that comes with the profession.
“Each day brings a new challenge and I never know what is going to happen,” Lawson said.
Coming to the Burlington Police Department was a natural fit for Lawson. His father worked for the department for much of his law enforcement career, and Lawson said he has enjoyed being part of the Burlington community and wanted to remain local.
As he begins this new chapter with the BPD, Lawson is particularly looking forward to working in a smaller jurisdiction and developing stronger relationships with the residents he serves.
One quality Lawson considers especially important in law enforcement is humility. He believes officers should hold themselves to a high standard while also holding themselves and others accountable for their actions. At the same time, he recognizes that officers are members of the same community they serve.
“At the end of the day, I am just a person no different than anyone else,” Lawson said.
One of Lawson's greatest influences has been his father, whom he considers his biggest role model both personally and as he has developed his own career in law enforcement.
As he looks ahead, Lawson has set high standards for himself. Personally, he strives to be the best version of himself he can be. Professionally, he aims to hold himself to a standard even higher than what is required of him.
For a lifelong Burlington resident, joining the Burlington Police Department represents more than simply beginning a new assignment. It is an opportunity for Lawson to continue serving the community he grew up in while building relationships with the people who call Burlington home.
If you see Officer Lawson out in the community, be sure to say hello and give him a warm welcome!

09/16/2026

SHARE THE ROAD — IT’S A SAFETY ISSUE, AND IT’S A KINDNESS

We’ve recently heard from several runners, pedestrians, and bicyclists who have had vehicles pass by without giving them much room. We want to take a moment to remind everyone that the road is shared by more than just motor vehicles.

Whether you’re driving, running, walking, or riding a bicycle, everyone deserves to get where they’re going safely.

Drivers, please:
• Slow down when approaching runners, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
• Give them as much space as safely possible when passing.
• Be patient — waiting a few extra seconds could prevent a serious injury.
• Stay alert, especially around curves, hills, intersections, and areas with limited visibility.
• Remember that a person on foot or on a bicycle has far less protection than someone inside a vehicle.

Runners, walkers, and bicyclists — please do your part, too. Stay aware of traffic, follow applicable traffic rules, and make yourself as visible as possible. Wear bright or reflective clothing, carry a flashlight or use a headlamp in low-light conditions, walk facing traffic when there is no sidewalk, and stay alert to vehicles around you.

We understand that Kansas law may not specifically require motorists to “move over” for every runner or pedestrian the way it does for certain emergency or stopped vehicles. But safety doesn't always have to be about what the law requires. Sometimes it’s simply about doing the right thing.

Slow down. Give space. Be patient. Share the road. A few seconds of courtesy could make all the difference.

Please share this post to help us spread the word and keep everyone in our community safe.

09/10/2026

09/06/2026

The Coffey County Sheriff's Office, assisted by the Kansas Highway Patrol, investigated a severe injury accident that occurred today, Saturday, September 5th, 2026 at just after 5:35 p.m. on Fauna Road, just north of 13th Road, or about 3 miles south of Jacob's Creek.

It appears that a Jeep SUV, driven by an adult male was north bound and came up behind a northbound horse-drawn buggy that was occupied by a mother and father and their 4 children. The driver of the Jeep apparently did not see the buggy and hit the buggy from behind at highway speed.

The mother was transported by helicopter to an unknown hospital for traumatic injuries. All 4 children and the father were transported to nearby hospitals by Osage, Coffey and Lyon County medical teams. The driver of the Jeep was also transported by ambulance to nearby hospital.

The severity of injuries for all occupants is unknown at the time of this report. The horse was injured beyond care and unfortunately had to be euthanized by officers on the scene at the direction of family members.

Fire crews from Burlington, Gridley, New Strawn, and Jacobs Creek responded to assist with the accident scene.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation. EDITED to correct the number of children involved from 5 to 4.

08/29/2026

Lebo woman killed in I-35 crash
COFFEY COUNTY — An 80-year-old Lebo woman was killed Friday night in a head-on collision after her vehicle was traveling south in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Anita M. Morgan, 80, of Lebo, was driving a 2015 Toyota Highlander southbound in the northbound lanes of I-35 when her vehicle collided head-on with a northbound semi tractor.
The crash occurred at 8:32 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, near the U.S. 75 interchange at I-35 mile marker 155.
Morgan suffered fatal injuries and was taken to Frontier Forensics. The KHP report indicated she was wearing a safety restraint.
The second vehicle, a 2024 Freightliner semi tractor driven by Wilfred O. Orenge, 42, of New Hope, Minnesota, was traveling northbound on I-35. Orenge had no apparent injuries and was wearing a safety restraint.
The Freightliner was pulling a 2020 Hyundai trailer.
According to the KHP crash narrative, Morgan's vehicle came to rest in the northbound lanes. The semi came to rest on its side, blocking both southbound lanes.
Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Williams Towing.

08/19/2026

PAVEMENT PATCHING WILL START AUG. 20 ON U.S. 75 IN COFFEY COUNTY
A concrete pavement patching project will start Thursday, Aug. 20, on U.S. 75 between Burlington and the I-35 interchange, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.
The patching on U.S. 75 will require flaggers and a pilot vehicle to guide one-lane traffic through sections of the active work zone as the project progresses. Travelers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes. The work should be done by mid-September, conditions permitting.
This patching work precedes a mill and overlay project on the same route that will start later this summer or early fall. The overlay project boundaries start on the north side of Burlington and end near the Osage County line on U.S. 75. This project also will add center and shoulder rumble strips, as well as updated pavement marking.
Bettis Asphalt Construction Inc., of Topeka, has the contract for the $3.4 million patching and overlay project.
Bettis has five other overlay projects in the coming months on U.S. 169, U.S. 69 and K-279 in Miami County and K-31 in Coffey and Osage counties before overlay work starts on U.S. 75.
KDOT urges motorists to stay alert, follow posted signs and refrain from hand-held mobile device use in all active work zones. For current road conditions, visit kandrive.gov or call 511. For updates on construction projects in southeast Kansas, visit ksdot.gov/projects/southeast-kansas-projects.

08/14/2026

If you're waiting for a break from the heat, Sunday and Monday are the days you can look forward to! Until then, we still have to contend with heat indices between 100-110 degrees. Today and Saturday also bring chances for scattered storms in the evening hours, a few of which could produce strong winds.

08/14/2026

K-31 east of Waverly to close Aug. 19 for culvert replacement

K-31 east of Waverly will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 19, so a Kansas Department of Transportation crew can replace a drainage pipe under the highway.

KDOT will close K-31 from South Pearson Avenue/Trefoil Road to Underwood Road to through traffic for the day, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., conditions permitting. The drainage pipe to be replaced is about a quarter of a mile west of Underwood Road on K-31. Motorists should find an appropriate alternative route during this time.

KDOT urges motorists to stay alert, follow posted signs and refrain from hand-held mobile device use in all active work zones. For current road conditions, visit kandrive.gov or call 511. For updates on construction projects in southeast Kansas, visit ksdot.gov/projects/southeast-kansas-projects.

08/14/2026

Ottawa city commissioners now face a deadline after a citizen-led data center ballot petition gained enough signatures.

The petition includes a proposed ordinance to ban data centers that use more than 25 megawatts of power within Ottawa city limits.

KSHB 41's Lily O'Shea Becker reports. ⬇️