MONTGOMERY COUNTY THURSDAY ALWAYS DEC. 10, 2020 CLEAN AND 19 PAGES NEWSY! $1.00 PER ISSUE INSIDE THIS ISSUE Local police investigate shootings BY ANDY TAYLOR [email protected] COFFEYVILLE — The Coffeyville Po- CHARGERS WIN lice Department continues to investigate a Cherryvale Lady Chargers string of shooting incidents that began Nov. rebound from halftime 26 and have continued through Dec. 3. deficit to beat Riverton. Police have been hampered in their in- See page 10 vestigation through delayed reporting by homeowners and individuals who may have been targeted by gunfire. In some cases, BONUSES OK’D victims have awaited more than 12 hours to report the shooting to local police, said Montgomery County rural police chief Kwin Bromley. firefighters to be given The most recent events happened on end-of-year bonus. Thursday, Dec. 3. There were two reports See page xx of shootings: one occurring at Several incidents 1 a.m., at var- of gunfire since ious areas of the community, Nov. 26 are being which, Brom- The conservatory in the Brown Mansion, which is anchored by a turn-of-the-century piano, is filled with ley said, made holiday splendor and decorated trees for the 2020 candelight tours. ANDY TAYLOR / MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHRONICLE investigated it difficult for responding offi- in Coffeyville cers to pinpoint an exact location of the shooting scene. Additionally, no one Christmas spirit remains called law enforcement to report any inju- ries or damage to property as a result of the VACCINE ROLLOUT gunfire. The second report occurred at 12:45 Gov. Laura Kelly unveils bright at Brown Mansion p.m., that same day, when a resident in plan for first round of the 400 block of East 6th Street reported a COVID-19 vaccinations. BY ANDY TAYLOR house had been hit by gunfire. During the [email protected] See page 6 initial investigation, officers collected spent COFFEYVILLE — There will be fewer Christ- shell casings at the scene. The officers also mas trees on display, but the historic Brown determined the shooting incident occurred THE GIFT OF LIFE Mansion in Coffeyville will be filled with consid- shortly after midnight. However, the home- erable merriment and delight during the annual Local towns to hold blood owner waited until the afternoon to report Christmas Candlelight Tours, which begin Satur- drives in December. the incident. day, Dec. 12. See page 18 Police officers continue to investigate For the 12th straight year, the mansion has shootings that occurred on Wednesday opened its doors for organizations, businesses Dec. 2. One of the reports of gunfire oc- and families to decorate Christmas trees in a curred in the 1500 block of West 7th Street show of holiday festiveness. COVID-19 has low- shortly before 10:30 p.m. A dark colored ered the number of decorated trees this year — vehicle was reported seen leaving the area from a high of 150 trees in 2019 to 130 trees this east toward Buckeye Street at a high rate year. However, the spirit of Christmas is just as of speed. During the investigation, it was evident as always. learned that several occupied residences in “Obviously, we’re aware that COVID-19 will the 1300 block of West 7th Street and 1500 likely lower the number of attendees, but we are block of West 7th Street had been struck by looking at this year’s candlelight tours as a gift to gunfire. No injuries were reported, but bul- the people,” said Darla Thornburg, tour orga- let damage was sustained to several homes. nizer. “There have been a lot of cancellations Officers located numerous spent shell of events and family gatherings because of the casings in the 1600 block of West 7th Street FLORIDA JOURNEY coronavirus. So, we’re hoping people will attend and in the 1500 block of West 7th Street. It the tours so that they can escape the world for a Field Kindley dance team is believed this shooting incident is related few minutes and enjoy a festive event.” seniors take part in to the previous shooting incidents that have Throughout the three levels of the mansion performance to Florida. recently occurred. will be 130 individual Christmas trees — each See page 7 Police also are continuing to investigate decorated with a specific theme. And, the trees two shooting incidents that occurred in Cof- are placed throughout a mansion that is a throw- feyville on Nov. 26, including the aforemen- STORE PROGRESS back to the era when opulence and grandeur tioned home in the 400 block of East 6th prevailed in the design of grand-style homes. Refrigeration, freezer Street. Another report of gunfire was made The Brown Mansion exterior is decorated and outlined • See MANSION, page 3 in lights in anticipation of the candlelight tours. units arrive at Caney Mar- • See SHOOTINGS, page 18 ket; interview begins for store manager. See page 8 Winter sports games to POSTAGE COUNTS Cherryvale nuisance have limited attendance violators to be notified through first-class letter. KSHSAA board of on the COVID-19 conditions at See page 5 that time. directors votes to allow Winter sports participants include athletes, coaches, and INSIDE THIS ISSUE up to two parents or managers/trainers, as well Obituaries ............Pages 4-5 as cheerleaders, dance team guardians of winter members, student journalists/ Opinions ....................... Page 2 sports participants to photographers and videogra- Sports .................Pages 10-15 phers, and pep band mem- Public notices ...........Page 17 attend games bers. Classified ads .... Page 16-17 On Nov. 24, the KSHSAA executive board initially vot- BY ANDY TAYLOR [email protected] ed to prohibit fan attendance WANT TO until Jan. 28 as a mitigation SUBSCRIBE TO TOPEKA — Up to two par- effort against the spread of ents or guardians of partici- THE CHRONICLE? the coronavirus. However, the pants in winter sports activi- KSHSAA appeals board voted See ad on page 14 ties will be allowed to attend last week to have the execu- those events beginning Dec. tive board revisit that issue 10 under a decision made by based on the number of con- the Kansas State High School cerns and complaints filed by Today’s Activities Association execu- students, athletes and parents tive board on Tuesday after- across Kansas. Chuckle noon. The KSHAA executive FunnierU.com The 78-member KSHSAA board’s decision on Tues- executive board, which is day also allows local school Joe Biden says the composed of representatives Democrats have ig- boards and county health de- of leagues and conferences partments to have fewer num- nored rural America across Kansas, voted 54-24 ber of spectators if COVID-19 and promises to fly Little Mr./Miss Caney Christmas winners named to allow up to two parents or conditions warrant. However, over it more often. guardians of winter sports the decision does not allow The Little Mr./Miss Caney Christmas competition sponsored by the Can-Kan Dreambuilders participants to attend events organization generated more than $1,400 in proceeds. Announcement of the Little Mr./Miss local boards or county health beginning Dec. 10 through departments to increase the Caney Christmas winners came prior to the Dec. 3 Caney Christmas Parade. The Little Mr./ Jan. 28. After Jan. 28, the de- number of spectators. Miss Christmas winners were (back row, left to right) Oakley Wren and Bree Kirchner. Sec- cision to allow more specta- Masks will be required for ond-place winners were (front row, left to right) Beckett Egan and Hadley Buckley. ANDY TAYLOR tors will be a determination of those in attendance. / MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHRONICLE each school or league, based Page 2 Montgomery County Chronicle Thursday, December 10, 2020 Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government OPINIONS — FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION for a redress of grievance. Driving through area towns is a holiday treat on its own We took a shortcut through Owasso last Hey, our research project is fun, and we’re Sunday and saw a happy sight — dozens of enjoying our tour. pickup trucks lined up along both sides of * * * the street, and even more parked in a nearby A drive-through display of lights can be vacant pasture. found at Oswego in their Riverside Park — a Maybe an auction? delightful place anytime of the year. No, it was a Christmas tree farm, and lots of During this season, individual folks and families were seen fanning out across organizations decorate trees in the the landscape to choose and cut their RUDY park, and there are others installed by own tree. TAYLOR the City and local organizations. Just like in a Hallmark movie, the Dazzling. process included a hot cocoa stand and * * * the air was filled with holiday music. If you haven’t done so already, be All across the country, such real sure to check Jenny Diveley’s Facebook tree farms are doing big business, Page for a video tour of their home with apparently a sweet spot in the stay-at- its beautiful Christmas decorations. In home blues caused by the pandemic. normal years, Jenny, Landon, Trent * * * and Ethan host lots of neighbors to Kathy and I have volunteered to come and share their decorated home. do “one more big project” which is OFF This year, everybody gets the tour via raising funds, researching and buy the internet. new Christmas pole decorations for the Pour your own hot cocoa and enjoy OUR THOUGHTS our hometown. Our goal will be to see six minutes of beauty.