City of Coffeyville

09/15/2026

Mark your calendars, Coffeyville!

There are lots of great events happening around our community over the next few months.

Check out this roundup from Visit Coffeyville and save the dates for some of the fun happening right here in Coffeyville!

09/15/2026

TRAVEL BACK IN TIME | Can You Guess the Year?

We found this gem from the Coffeyville Journal archives, and we’re putting your Coffeyville history knowledge to the test!

This vintage Wal-Mart Discount City advertisement features women’s shoes for just $5.47, $6.87 and $7.47. Those prices tell us we’re traveling pretty far back in time!

But the year is staying a secret...for now.

Can you guess what year this ad appeared in the Coffeyville Journal?

Drop your best guess in the comments. We’ll reveal the answer later!

We love looking back at the businesses, places and memories that helped shape Coffeyville. Who remembers shopping at Wal-Mart Discount City?

09/14/2026

YOUR OPPORTUNITY STARTS HERE

New properties. New possibilities. Another opportunity to invest in Coffeyville.

The Coffeyville Land Bank is officially accepting sealed bids on 33 properties throughout our community!

Whether you're looking to build a home, expand an adjoining property, invest in redevelopment or help return vacant property to productive use, there may be an opportunity waiting for you.

- East Side — 13 Properties
- Northwest Side — 5 Properties
- South Side — 15 Properties

We've made it easy to start exploring. Property locations, photos, minimum bid amounts, sale requirements and sealed bid materials are available online.

📅 Sealed bids are due October 14, 2026.

Check out our website for more info:
https://www.coffeyville.com/634/2026-Land-Bank-Property-Sale

09/14/2026

Learning, Growing & Bringing New Ideas Home to Coffeyville

Last week, our Communications Manager/PIO, Ashley Tatman, had the opportunity to represent the City of Coffeyville at the 3CMA Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado.

The conference brought together Communications Directors, Managers and Public Information Officers from communities across the country — all with one thing in common: a passion for the communities they serve.

Over several days of learning, conversations and probably more walking than expected, Ashley connected with communicators from across the country, caught up with fellow Kansas communicators and learned new ways communities are building trust, telling their stories, connecting with residents and communicating when it matters most.

And now, those ideas are coming home to Coffeyville.

We believe there is always something new to learn and always another way we can improve how we communicate with our community. Opportunities like this aren’t just about attending a conference — they’re about bringing knowledge, inspiration and new ideas back home and putting them to work for the people we serve.

And Ashley may have come home with one BIG goal for next year…

Bring a 3CMA Savvy Award home to Coffeyville!

Because we may be a small town in Southeast Kansas, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream big, work hard and do some pretty great things.

We are proud of Coffeyville. We are proud to tell its story. And we’re excited about what’s ahead. 💙

09/12/2026

Today, we’re proud to share this special recognition from the Coffeyville Police Department honoring the incredible women who serve our community.

On National Women in Law Enforcement Day, we celebrate their dedication, courage and commitment to keeping Coffeyville safe. We are grateful for the difference they make each day — both in uniform and in our community.

Thank you for your service and for all you do for Coffeyville! 💙

Today, we proudly recognize the women in Law Enforcement, past and present, on National Women in Law Enforcement Day.

These officers represent the professionalism, courage, resilience, and dedication that define the law enforcement profession. Every day they answer the call to serve our community, respond when people need help, face difficult and unpredictable circumstances, and carry the responsibility of protecting others with strength and resolve.

Their resilience is evident not only in the challenges they encounter, but also in their ability to adapt to adversity, move forward, and remain committed to serving others. They bring compassion, determination, and professionalism to a profession that demands all three.

We are greatful for the commitment each of you brings to this department and to the citizens of Coffeyville. Your service makes a difference, your example matters, and the impact you make on our community will become part of this departments legacy.

Thank you for answering the call to serve and for representing our department with courage, strength, compassion, and dedication.

Front Row, L to R: Ofc. A. Toubeaux, Ofc. T. Johnson, Ofc. K. Stanton, Ofc. L. Rios

Back Row, L to R: LT. S. Randall, Ofc. J. Whitson, LT. E. Relph

09/11/2026

25 Years Later — We Remember.

Twenty-five years ago today, our nation experienced a tragedy that changed us forever.

On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 lives were taken far too soon. Families lost loved ones. Communities grieved. First responders ran toward unimaginable danger. And across our country, people watched with broken hearts as a day we would never forget unfolded before us.

Today is about remembering them.

We remember the lives lost that morning. We remember the firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency personnel and everyday people who showed extraordinary courage and selflessness. We remember those who answered the call to serve in the years that followed, and we remember the families who have carried the weight of that day for the past 25 years.

A quarter of a century has passed, but the significance of September 11 has not.

May we continue to tell the story. May we continue to honor the sacrifice. May we remember the courage, compassion and unity shown in the darkest of moments.

Today, the City of Coffeyville joins our nation in paying tribute to all those whose lives were forever changed on September 11, 2001.

Twenty-five years later, we remember. We honor. We will never forget.

09/11/2026

📂 CASE FILE OPENED
GARY S. PAXTON– The Man Behind the Hits

Every great community has people whose stories reach far beyond its borders. This week's investigation takes us behind the scenes of the recording industry—and to a Coffeyville-born musician whose work helped create some unforgettable moments in American popular music.

🔍 Upon Our Investigation...
We discovered that Gary S. Paxton was born in Coffeyville, Kansas, in 1939. Born Larry Wayne Stevens, Paxton went on to build an unusually varied career as a singer, songwriter and record producer.

His fingerprints appear on some of the era's most recognizable novelty records. Paxton produced the No. 1 hit “Alley Oop” by the Hollywood Argyles and later produced Bobby “Boris” Pickett's “Monster Mash,” another No. 1 Billboard hit.

His career eventually moved into gospel music, where he found another kind of success.

💡 Did You Know?
In 1977, Paxton won a Grammy for Best Inspirational Performance for The Astonishing, Outrageous, Amazing, Incredible, Unbelievable, Different World of Gary S. Paxton.

From pop and novelty records to country and gospel, Paxton wasn't easily defined by a single musical style.

📍 Why This Case Matters
Gary S. Paxton's story adds another surprising chapter to Coffeyville's musical history. Born here before building a career that crossed genres and decades, his work demonstrates that sometimes the person making music history isn't the person standing at center stage.

📎 Add to the Case: Did you know Gary Paxton was born in Coffeyville—or recognize one of the songs he helped bring to life? Share what you know in the comments!

☕ Legends & Lattes is a partnership between the City of Coffeyville and Visit Coffeyville, uncovering the people behind Coffeyville's history—one legend at a time. Visit Coffeyville

09/10/2026

⚠️ REMINDER | STORM SIREN TEST TODAY AT 12 pm

The City of Coffeyville will manually test our outdoor storm sirens today at 12 p.m.

Because the sirens are being activated manually, they will sound for approximately three minutes, which is longer than our normal monthly test.

This is only a test — no action is needed.

Thank you for your understanding as City staff continues to test and prepare our emergency systems.

09/10/2026

💙 COFFEYVILLE PROUD | RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER

Our Coffeyville Proud community volunteer day, originally planned for September 18, is being rescheduled for October!

We want Coffeyville Proud to be a day where our volunteers can roll up their sleeves, work together and make a meaningful difference in our community. With fewer projects submitted for September than we had hoped, we’re giving ourselves a little more time to gather projects and make this day the best it can be.

And this is where we need YOU! If you have a project idea that could use a little Coffeyville Proud love, please send it to Amber Dean, Director of Community Development, at [email protected]. No idea is too small — sometimes the little things can make a big difference!

A new October date will be announced soon, so be on the lookout!

Thank you to everyone who continues to step up, volunteer and help make Coffeyville a community we are proud to call home. 💙

Same community. Stronger together.

09/09/2026

PRESS RELEASE
City of Coffeyville to Conduct Manual Storm Siren Test September 10

COFFEYVILLE, Kan. — The City of Coffeyville will conduct a manual test of our outdoor storm sirens on Thursday, September 10, at 12 p.m., as we continue working to ensure we are prepared to respond when our community needs us.

A few weeks ago, we shared that a computer system issue was preventing the storm sirens from being activated through the normal system. While we continue working to repair the issue, the sirens are operational, and City staff can manually activate them in an emergency.

A technician has been contacted to repair the computer system; however, due to scheduling and availability, it will take several weeks for the technician to get here for the repair. In the meantime, we want to make sure our staff is comfortable and prepared to use the manual process if needed.

During Thursday’s test, the sirens will sound for approximately three minutes. This is longer than our normal 30-second test because manually activating the sirens requires completing the full three-minute cycle. We want residents to know ahead of time, so they don't worry unnecessarily when they hear them.

This is only a test, and residents do not need to take any action.

While outdoor storm sirens are an important tool, we also encourage everyone to have more than one way to receive emergency and severe weather information. Weather radios, local radio and television, trusted weather apps, and emergency alerts can all help keep you and your family informed.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work on this issue. Most importantly, we want our community to know that we continue to prepare, test, and ensure we are ready should an emergency occur.