Community Corner

🌱 Why a major Emporia meth case just got delayed again

Be sure to catch Emporia Livestock Sales on the Emporia Patch calendar

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Tuesday December 16th Patch AM
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Hey there, Emporia! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why a major Emporia meth case just got delayed again
  • How three new projects could reshape shopping and travel in Emporia
  • Emporia remembers longtime caregiver and meat plant worker Dahlma Miles

Also on today's calendar: Community National Bank Presents Horse Drawn Carriage Rides at Emporia Main Street - Dec 18th and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Emporiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Emporia? Post it to Emporia photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Emporiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 53 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 54, low: 39.
  • Thursday: Very windy; cooler, with a high of 47 and low of 22 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Another delay in federal drug distribution case involving two Emporians (kvoe.com) — Two Emporia residents tied to an alleged meth distribution ring are facing yet another delay in their federal case, with a key hearing now pushed to January 23. The case involves trips between Mexico and Emporia and multiple co-defendants, keeping a major local drug investigation unresolved for now.
   

2. West Emporia travel plaza nearing vertical construction; QuikTrip has work on utilities, tank installation underway (kvoe.com) — Major commercial growth is taking shape in west Emporia, with the One9 travel plaza aiming to open by spring 2026 and a new QuikTrip progressing toward a planned summer 2026 debut. Both projects are nearing vertical construction, pending weather and site work. Walmart is also preparing a small expansion at its Emporia store, which will require reworking the pickup area.
   

3. Dahlma G. Miles (atchisonglobenow.com) — Longtime Emporia worker and caregiver Dahlma G. Miles, 92, has passed away after years of employment at the Iowa Beef Processing plant and providing home care in Emporia. Her family remembers her deep faith, love of cooking and crafts, and devotion to games and reading. She is survived by four children and a large extended family; cremation is planned with no services scheduled yet.
   

4. Headlines for Monday, December 15, 2025 (kansaspublicradio.org) — Emporia is in the mix for a next-generation TerraPower nuclear plant, alongside several other Kansas communities, a move that could eventually affect local jobs and energy policy. Emporia State University also has a new president, Matthew Baker, who promises to guide ESU through rapid changes in higher education and workforce demands.
   

5. Kansas man gets 15 years for exploiting Arkansas minor he met through ... (neatowncourier.com) — An Emporia resident has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to producing child sexual abuse material involving a minor he met through an online game. The case, prosecuted in Arkansas, highlights federal efforts to combat online child exploitation and reminds local parents to closely monitor their children’s digital activity.
   

📸 Around Emporia

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Vincit Group posted a job opening for Sanitation Team Member - Kansas Locations in Emporia. Apply here.
  • Healthcare Services Group posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Emporia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Emporia here.

Ok Emporia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
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