Hi Neighbor to Alberta Brack, Tonya Kircher, John Yanda, Pearl Reed, Helen Harmon, Clayton Karst, Jan Carroll, Rhonda Templing, Jackie Grubb, Carrol Owen and Keith Lindsay who stopped by this week. Hi Neighbor! to everyone attending Hoisington’s 114th Labor Day Celebration. Have fun and stay safe!

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Library Closed
A benefit concert for Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer will start at 7;30 p.m. Friday at St. John’s Catholic Church, Hoisington.
“Thundering Judgment, Whispering Grace” with organist, Craig Jaynes and violist, Dr. David Lowe. Free-will donation will be accepted.
Garage Sales
The Hoisington Chamber of Commerce has a list with a map of many of the garage sales that are taking place this week. You can also check the Dispatch Classified section this week for lots of great sales.
Chamber Coffee
The Sept. 9 Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Cheyenne Hardware at Cheyenne Hardware at 9:30 a.m.
Class of 1950
GREAT BEND -- The Class of 1950 will be holding their 60th Reunion at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4 at the Highland Hotel in Great Bend. You are welcome to stop by and visit after 7:30 p.m.

Hoisington Dispatch hdispatch@ruraltel.net

Updated 9/3/10

Murder Investigation Continues
Suspect held on bond on felony charges

ADAM LONGORIA

By Jim Misunas
GREAT BEND -- A suspect arrested Aug. 27 is being held on $150,000 bond after felony charges of vehicular burglary and theft of property were filed in Barton County District Court Monday.
Adam Joseph Longoria, 36, of Great Bend had been identified as a person-of-interest in a murder investigation after he allegedly stole a vehicle where he worked and fled Barton County.
The case has drawn national attention because the Nancy Grace Show on CNN profiled the murder investigation during the past week.
Longoria was identified as a person-of-interest Aug. 27 in the investigation into the death of a 14-year-old Great Bend girl, according to the Kansas Attorney General. The body of Alicia DeBolt, 14, was discovered Aug. 24.
“It is a horrendous tragedy when a 14-year-old is taken from the community,” Six said.
The victim’s family has received plenty of public support, with more than 1,000 people attending a vigil in downtown Great Bend Sunday evening.
DeBolt’s memorial service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Friday.
Six reported Aug. 26 that Alicia DeBolt was positively identified as a murder victim. Longoria’s residence in Great Bend was searched Aug. 26.
Longoria was apprehended at noon Aug. 27 by the Kansas Highway Patrol off of Interstate 70, mile marker 233 west of Salina. Longoria was driving a 2002 white Ford Explorer that had been stolen Aug. 27 from the offices of the Venture Corporation south of Great Bend.
Media outlets report Longoria has a lengthy criminal record dating back to 1991.
Attorney General Steve Six said further criminal charges are expected to be filed at an appropriate time.
“We will make charges in the case in the not-to-distant future,” he said. “The investigation continues. It is proceeding in an orderly fashion.”
Six said leads will be pursued to insure justice is served.
He said initial evidence indicates the murder was committed by someone DeBolt knew.
“Based on preliminary work, we don’t believe this is a random act of violence,” Six said.
Six said DeBolt’s badly-burned body was found Aug. 24 by a worker behind a rock pile at an asphalt construction materials storage yard near Great Bend.
Forensics experts from the Sedgwick County Regional Forensics lab were required to identify the body.
Six said family members reported that DeBolt left her home Aug. 21 with an acquaintance in a dark SUV with silver trim and chrome wheels.
DeBolt’s mother Tammy Conrad asked for help from the police Aug. 22 after the daughter never returned home or called.
Six said the investigation work has been performed by the Great Bend police department, the Barton County sheriff’s department and Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents.
Six said law enforcement personnel welcome any reliable information that might be tied to the case.
If you have any information, contact investigators at the Great Bend Police (620) 793-4120; Great Bend Crime Stoppers (620) 792-1300; or the KBI at 1-800-KS CRIME.

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Emergency director praised for service

Joyce Elaine Pace used her passion for helping others as the director of the Hoisington Emergency/Ambulance Services. Her services were conducted this week at the Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.

By Mike Gilmore
It has been said that the measure of a person is often made by those it takes to walk in her footsteps.
Such is the case of Joyce Elaine Pace, who for the past three decades had served as the guardian over the lives of the Hoisington community with Hoisington Emergency/Ambulance Services.
Pace, who lost a two-year battle with cancer Aug. 27, was characterized as a mother figure not only to the community, but also to the city EMS department which she directed, during her funeral service Tuesday morning at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral home.
“I heard it said, from someone after the service, that it would take three people to replace her,” said Hoisington City Clerk Donita Crutcher Tuesday afternoon.
Crutcher remembers Pace’s efficient, caring service during the time of the 2001 tornado, when “there were ambulances parked one after another down the street. The EMTs were out there bringing people back. We are going to miss her expertise and dedication,” Crutcher said.
“She was a very beneficial lady, at the EMS and at the hospital,” Crutcher said.
Among those who remembered Pace at the Tuesday service was former EMT and former co-director John Whistler, who said that replacing a person like her would be difficult. He and EMT Shane Andereck, who also spoke at the service, likened her to a mother of the EMT family.
“With her as a director, the EMT department became a family,” said Don Fisher, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Hoisington, who officiated at the Tuesday service. “She would watch over them and remind them of things like: ‘remember, the saw does have a blade,’” Fisher said.
When she was on duty, she often followed injured persons into the hospital and then check on them afterward.
“A lot of the kids at school she watched growing up, and she kept track of everyone,” Fisher said.
She was a familiar face at USD 431 sporting events. She was always interested in community events, even though her condition was weakening; she appeared at a meeting of the Hoisington City Council Aug. 9.
Joyce’s obituary

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Hoisington stop a welcome relief

By Mike Gilmore
Rich Vertigan has wanted to bike across the United States ever since the Bikecentennial in 1976. But instead of a group of 4,000 cyclists, he is going solo.
“It’s kind of a bucket list thing,” said the Rotterdam, N.Y. native, who stopped at the Lodge Micro-Motel Monday evening to rest up from the day’s work. He passed through Kansas and eastern Colorado., looking for a place to stop.
He picked Hoisington “because it’s the best-looking little town I’ve run into from parts West,” he said. “I rolled down the Main Street and thought it’s a good place to stop.”
Vertigan started his trek by flying out to Portland, Ore., and shipped his bike to Seaside, where it was assembled in time for his solitary sojourn.

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Updated 8/27/10

Artificial turf installed

A Ramturf artificial surface was laid this week at Elton Brown Stadium. Ground-up rubber still must be laid and some exterior work still must be completed. (Photo by Kristi Lovett)

By Jim Misunas
“Let There Be Turf!”
That should have been the rallying cry for Hoisington High football coach Lonnie Irvin, who doubles as athletic director.
Irvin’s Cardinals have not practiced on the Ramturf multipurpose field.
The turf had arrived a while back, but wasn’t laid until this week.
Bill Lowry, USD 431 superintendent, said everyone has showed patience while the turf has been installed.
“The patrons want it done fast -- but it will be worth it once it’s done,” he said.
Lowry said he’s confident the field will be ready by Sept. 2, the middle school opener.
Ground-up rubber still must be laid over the turf.
Finishing work includes installing yard lines and hash marks, which are glued into place.

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HHS graduate to help Kans for Kids benefit

Hoisington High graduate Craig Jaynes will donate his talent to the Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation benefit Sept. 3 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 5th and Main

A Hoisington High graduate will lend his musical skills to a local fund-raising effort to benefit Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation.
Organist Craig Jaynes, a Hoisington High graduate, will join violinist David Lowe of Lindsborg for a benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 5th and Main, Hoisington.
Jaynes of Jamestown, Ohio and Lowe will combine their musical abilities in the concert “Thundering Judgment, Whispering Grace.” Admission is a free-will donation to benefit Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation.
“We are very grateful and very blessed to have these two outstanding musicians donate their time and remarkable abilities to Kans for Kids,” said Debbie Reif, Kans for Kids director,. “It is a rare and unique opportunity for central Kansas to have the opportunity to enjoy an evening of this quality of music. We encourage everyone to come to the concert.”

Violinist David Lowe of Lindsborg will join a benefit concert Sept. 3.

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Seven of the eight new faculty members in Hoisington USD 431 are present: (from let) Patricia Long, Hoisington High School and Hoisington Middle School Spanish; Matt Koelsch, HHS social science; Marcia Williams, HHS math; Tim Woodcock, HHS English 1 and 2, video production; Denise Schneider, Lincoln Elementary fourth-grade; Jennifer Steinert, Roosevelt 4-year-old paraprofessional; Amber Stiner, Roosevelt para. Not pictured: Susan Lowry, MS title reading.
(Photo by Kristi Lovett)

New USD 431 teachers start 2010 school year

By Kristi Lovett
The annual Chamber/Faculty Breakfast was held at the Hoisington Activity Center on Monday morning.
Superintendent Bill Lowry started off the meeting by thankinag all of the Chamber members who served a nice continental breakfast to all the teachers of USD 431. He went on to express his excitement over the upcoming school year and mentioned that enrollment was up this year, especially in the pre-school program which has record numbers this fall.
Meg Wilson was introduced as the new principal at the high school this year, replacing Ben Jacobs who took a new position as superintendent at Ellinwood USD 355 last spring after four years as the high school principal.

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Updated 8/20/10

History grant will benefit HMS

By Jim Misunas
Three Hoisington Middle School teachers will benefit from the TAH (Teaching American History) grant awarded to ESSDACK in Hutchinson.
Hoisington Middle School teachers Leslie Klug, Joe Cotten and Andrea Dolezal were accepted in the program that will aim to improve the quality of teaching American history in our nation’s schools.
Cotten said he is anxious to learn innovative strategies.
“I am always looking for new and innovative opportunities to implement technology in the classroom,” Cotten said. “Being a participant in this exciting history grant through ESSDACK is going to challenge me to be a better teacher. At the same time it allows me to put on the hat of a lifelong learner which is something everyone in education needs to do from time-to-time.”
ESSDACK received a grant for $943,418. Only 40 Kansas teachers will be part of the program. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan awarded $115.3 million to 124 school districts nationally.
Bill Lowry, USD 431 superintendent, said a teacher’s skill can be developed though professional development. The district’s partnership with ESSDACK proved valuable. Most districts only had one teacher accepted.

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Garage fire!

Hoisington firefighters respond to a garage fire Saturday in the alley behind 205 E. 3rd. The residents of the home were not present at the time of the fire. Investigators believe that the fire likely was caused by a short in the electrical wiring. (Photos by Tina Rose)

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Clara Barton P.A. earns state award

(Front row) Ashley Durham joins Debra Brockel, the 2010 Medical Advisor of the Year, Mike Gatton, her husband; and (back row) Dr. Josh Durham and Jim Blackwell during the KEMSA conference.

WICHITA -- Debra Brockel, physician’s assistant at Clara Barton Hospital and Clinic earned the 2010 Medical Advisor of the Year Award from the Kansas Emergency Medical Service Association.
Brockel accepted the award during the KEMSA annual conference Saturday..
Brockel has worked for Clara Barton Hospital since September 2006 and has served as a volunteer on Barton County’s EMS Quality Improvement Committee since January of 2008.
“This is such an honor to receive this award as a PA,” she said. “Never in my 19 years of practice did I dream that this would happen. This is very special to me and I’m honored that people I work with day-in and day-out felt I was worthy of such an award.”
Brockel acts as the designated agent of Dr. Josh Durham to provide medical direction to the ambulance services of Barton County including Ellinwood EMS, Claflin fire and EMS, Hoisington EMS and the Great Bend fire department.

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HMSI banquet set for Aug. 26

Hoisington Main Street, Inc. will hold its annual meeting and volunteer recognition banquet at 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Hoisington Knights of Columbus.
The theme for the 2010 banquet is “Under Construction -- A Smooth Road to the Future.”
“This celebration of volunteer efforts is a great way to thank all of the people that make HMSI successful,” said Denise Schreiber, HMSI director. “Without the volunteers who devoted their time, energy and money to the organization, it wouldn’t be possible.
The highlights of the evening will be recognition of major donors, community partners, committee chairs and projects, building improvements, new businesses to Main Street and then the special awards, one of which is the HMSI Volunteer of the Year Award.
Anyone is welcome to attend.

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Updated 8/13/10

Elton Brown turf down to wire

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English cyclists enjoy their Midwest stop

Leon Steiner, owner of the Hoisington Dairy Queen, joins Richard Olsen (left) and Paul Ruff during a break on a 100-degree day on the way to Lindsborg. (Photo by Kristi Lovett)

By Kristi Lovett
Living a life-long dream of an iconic, road trip cycling across America from sea-to-shining sea, Richard Olsen, along with his brother-in-law, Paul Ruff, both of England, stopped for a pit stop at the Hoisington Dairy Queen Wednesday afternoon.
Ruff and Olsen started their journey July 28 at the Santa Monica Pier in California where Ruff grabbed a stone from the Pacific ocean with the plan of throwing it in the Atlantic once they arrived at their destination of Battery Park in Manhattan, New York City. When finished they will have completed about 3,000 miles of cycling in just a month.

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Chris Schneweis is a typical 5-year-old despite his ailments.

Fund-raisers to help youngster

GREAT BEND -- In most ways Christopher is a typical youngster with distinct likes and dislikes.
He has a laid-back personality and doesn’t get too rattled about anything except loud noises. Yet he spent much of his time in a wheelchair and gets around through it and the use of a specially designed three wheeler called an Amtryke. Christopher has hydrocephauls and cerebral palsy. He has seizures and gets most of his nutrition through a feeding tube.
A specialty clinic in Germany holds a chance that much of this could change for Christopher. He may never run a marathon, but he could very well feed himself, stand and walk unassisted and talk in complete sentences.
The clinic offers a procedure that will use Christopher’s own stem cells to regenerate and replace some of his damaged brain stem cells to allow all these things to happen.
“Christopher’s doctors and the Cerebral Palsy clinic staff in Wichita believe this procedure is great and can’t wait to hear how it goes and what the results are,” Beth said.
This procedure is not yet offered in the United States. It involves extracting and treating patients with their own autologous adult stem cells.
The stem cells are taken from the patient’s hip, cleaned and checked for viability. These cells are then injected into the cerebral fluid of the brain where they take hold to form new brain stem cells. It’s all generally done on an outpatient basis and the patient leaves Germany within a week.
SEE HELP, Page 3
All this means that Christopher and Beth will need to travel to Dusseldorf, Germany for the procedure.
To date the clinic has performed more than 3000 of these procedures with an improvement rate of 30 to 90 percent.
A 3-year-old Salina boy had the procedure done in 2009. When Christopher’s mom called the family to talk to them, the youngster answered the phone.
Beth and Mike Schneweis must raise $25,000 by Oct. 1 for an Oct. 22 date. If not, the procedure will be put off until April, 2011.
The first fund-raiser will be a Pizza Hut Benefit on Sunday, Aug. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Great Bend Pizza Hut, 2006 Main Street.
Dine-in and carry-out only. Tips left on the table go to the servers. A jar will be at the cash register for donations for Christopher.
Christopher will be available for a Meet and Greet from 5:30 to 6 p.m.
The second fundraiser will be a free-will donation at the Living Joy Community Church Pancake and Sausage Feed in Hoisington from 7-9 a.m. on Labor Day.
A spaghetti dinner will be sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Ellinwood Sept. 14. The time and place will be announced. Volunteers are needed to make desserts. Items can be donated for a silent auction.
Any person or business who would like to donate an item or service for the auction should contact Beth at (620) 639-1999.
Donations to the medical fund are being accepted to the Christopher Schneweis Medical Fund, C/O First Kansas Bank, 4001 10th St, Great Bend, KS,. 67530.
Checks need to be payable to either Christopher or Elizabeth Schneweis.

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Health forum set Tuesday

Clara Barton Hospital is inviting the public to a Health Care Reform for Employers Webinar from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at the Hospital’s Safe Room. A light lunch will be provided.
Speakers will be Ken Mason and Julia Vander Weele with the law firm of Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP. Both are members of the firm’s employee benefits group and have extensive experience in working with employer health plans.
The webinar is provided by the Kansas Hospital Association.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act have made significant changes to employer-sponsored group health plans.
Some of the changes are already effective, and many more will become effective for calendar-year plans as of Jan.1, 2011.
Please call Doris Meyeres (620) 653-2114 to reserve a spot.
Chamber Coffee
Central Kansas Thread-Benders Quilt Guild will meet on August 20 at First Presbyterian Church at 24th and Washington, Great Bend, Kansas. There will be a bag workshop at 9 -12 AM and at 1 PM, the speaker will be Sheila Dewald of Otis, giving a trunk show on “The New Kansas City Star Quilts”.
Chamber Coffee
The Hoisington Class of 1947 will meet September 4th at the Highland Hotel, Gt. Bend at Noon for lunch & visiting.
Chamber Coffee

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Updated 8/6/10

USD 431 seeks ‘turf donations’

So far, Hoisington USD 431 is more than halfway home for a goal of raising $200,000 in donations for a new artificial turf field at Elton Brown Stadium.
“We are currently going through some very exciting times at HHS as we are renovating our high school football field to a new Ramturf multipurpose field,” said Bill Lowry, USD 431 superintentendent.
ATG Sports Industries of Andover is installing the turf.
The project is estimated to cost $509,480 paid partially through capital outlay funding. USD 431 has raised $120,000 of $200,000 Lowry wants to provide with donations.
The project is expected to be finished by Aug. 15.
With the construction of the Ramturf multipurpose field, Lowry said USD 431 has made a commitment to raise funds for a facility that the entire community can use, enjoy and be proud of.
“We are seeking community support from USD 431 friends and corporate sponsors,” he said. “We hope to have you become a part of the excitement of Cardinals Field of Dreams!”
Lowry said USD 431 is dedicated to developing and maintaining programs and facilities that will meet the needs of our students and the entire community.
Who will be using the facility?
• P.E. classes
• All levels of football
• Hoisington Recreation soccer
• Band practices and performances
• Labor Day activities
• Youth Federated Football
• Hoisington recreation activities
• All track levels
• Community use
USD 431 Friends can assist with this project in any of the following ways:
• $1 to $99 donations will receive web site recognition for their contribution.
• $100 Yard Club -- Recognition on the Yard Club Sponsor Board at Elton Brown Stadium Donors may purchase up to nine yards.
• Bronze Level Donors $1,000 to $4,999 -- For the next two years, Bronze donors will receive, four Cardinal Passes each good for admission to all Hoisington sponsored regular season activities and recognition on the district web site and at Elton Brown Stadium.
• Silver Level Donors $5,000 to- $9,999 -- Silver donors will receive four Cardinal Passes and recognition on the district web site and at Elton Brown Stadium for five years.
• Gold Level Donors $10,000 -- Donors will earn four lifetime Cardinal Passes good for admission to all Hoisington-sponsored regular season activities; reserved parking for one vehicle at for five years; and recognition on the web site, at Elton Brown Stadium and in game programs for five years.
For information, please contact the district office at (620) 653-4134.

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No right turn will be permitted onto a one-way street in front of Roosevelt Elementary School in Hoisington. (Photo by Tina Rose)

One way streets will help

By Tina Rose
The signs are up and a little confusion is expected.
However, plans are underway to give a little added assistance to those parents who drop their children off at a Hoisington school.
Parents will discover what might have been their usual route in the past, cannot be used any longer due to the new one-way streets that can be found in front of the main entrances of Lincoln and Roosevelt Elementary School and Hoisington Middle School.
The one-way streets were added to allow for easier drop off and pick up of students at the affected locations.

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USD 431 rehires administrators

By Tina Rose
Hoisington USD 431 school board members approved contracts, during Monday night’s school board meeting, to rehire superintendent, Bill Lowry and elementary school principal, Alan Charles.
In an effort to save the school system money on their wages, both Lowry and Charles officially retired with KPERS benefits at the end of the 2009-2010 school year.
After a required 60 day separation from their respective positions, the former school administrators were rehired but at a lower pay scale.
Retiring and taking a 60-day hiatus enabled them to be rehired at a lower pay scale because their retirement checks more than make up the difference.
“We make a little more money this way,” explained Lowry.
Lowry will receive a two-year contract with a salary of $75,000. A two-year contact for Charles was approved with a salary of $62,500.
The school system saves on the reduced salaries contributing to the five percent reduction in administrative expenses.
Other school employees were given a three percent raise.

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updated 7/30/10

Firefighters show off new gear

Hoisington firefighters Everitt Hoeffner (left), with 16 years of service and Gary Yahne, with seven years of service, attended Monday night’s council meeting to show the difference between the old bunker gear and the new gear puchased with a grant. (Photo by Tina Rose)

By Tina Rose
Two Hoisington volunteer firefighters attended Monday night's City Council meeting to showcase new bunker gear that was purchased with the help of a grant.
One was wearing the bunker gear that firefighters have been using, and the other wearing the new gear purchased.
In describing the old gear, words like worn out and shot were used.
Looking at the old gear next to the new gear, anyone would have to agree that those words were complete understatements.
The old gear no longer kept water nor heat out, the two things that firefighters deal with on a constant basis.
"Some of our stuff was 21 years old." said Jim Sekevec, who is the chief of Hoisington's volunteer fire department, as well as a city council member.
For men who volunteer to respond to a complete array of emergencies at all hours of the day and night, safety has to be a priority.

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Cardinal Pharmacy staff stays busy

By Jim Misunas
Cardinal Pharmacy co-owners Gene and Marla Jo Mooney, parents of four children, are busy from dawn-to-dusk.
Starting a home-owned local pharmacy has been a challenge since the pharmacy opened July 1.
“We’ve been pretty busy pretty much every day,” said Gene Mooney, who serves as business manager. “People are thankful that Hoisington has a local pharmacy again. We really appreciate the local support we’ve received.”
Gene is responsible for insurance, payroll and payments. One of his final pieces of business to open the pharmacy was making sure computers and software worked smoothly.
“It’s a new system, but very user-friendly,” he said.
Gene said dozens of patients have transferred their accounts. Pharmacist Marla Jo Mooney has been busy transferring patient prescriptions from other businesses.
“Doing transfers takes a bit of time and only a pharmacist can do that work,” Gene said. “She is busy doing that work whenever she gets a few minutes.”

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Ellinwood mayor files for commission seat

Frank Koelsch

By Jim Misunas
ELLINWOOD -- Ellinwood Mayor Koelsch has filed an application for 4th District Barton County Commissioner. He is unopposed in the Aug. 3 Democratic primary.
Koelsch has served eight years as the city of Ellinwood mayor and six additional years on the Ellinwood city council. He works as an associate with John Jaco Financial Services and Realty.
He had thought about running for county commission for several years.
“The county commission has done a good job keeping taxes down and they’ve got a decent cash reserve,” he said. “I want to make sure the county commission is making progress and working together.”
The 4th District comprises the cities of Ellinwood and Claflin. The general election is scheduled Nov. 2. He’ll run against either Republican challenger Catherine Strecker or Don Cates.
“I’ve got experience dealing with budgets and I know the roles of state and federal government,” Koelsch said. “Local government should run like a business.”

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Biker enjoys town

Meaghan Minogue stopped for a break from her journey. (Photo by Kristi Lovett)

By Tina Rose
Midway through a solo ride across America, cyclist Meaghan Minogue stopped in Hoisington to take advantage the Hoisington pool and park on Wednesday. She began her adventure on June 1 in Seattle, Wash. and is on her way to her hometown of Mystic, Conn.
Minogue is journeying through 20 states and nearly 5,000 miles to earn money for three of her favorite charities that promote “Peace, change and sustainability,” as well as share with others her love of yoga. She got inspiration for the ride from some friends of hers who last year did a 1,000 bike ride for charity.

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Updated 7/16/10

Shooting Victim Dies Suspect arrested for shooting

A residence at 723 E. 4th in Hoiisngton sustained interior and esxterior damage Saturday. Hoisington and Claflin officers, Barton County deputies, Kansas Highway patrolmen, Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents and fire department personnel from Claflin, Hoisington and Great Bend responded to the emergency call. (Photo by Tina Rose)

A Hoisington suspect will face first-degree murder charges after a shooting victim died in Wichita Tuesday.
Steven Calderwood, who was shot Saturday in rural Barton County, died Tuesday at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, hospital officials confirmed.
Calderwood, and his sister-in-law Sarah Ney, were allegedly shot by Ney’s estranged husband, Shawn Ney, according to a crime report released by the Barton County sheriff’s department.
Shawn Ney, 32, of Hoisington is being held in the Barton County jail on suspicion of two counts of attempted first-degree murder and child endangerment. That charge was amended to one count of first-degree murder.
Sarah Ney is recovering at Wichita’s Via Christi Hospital-St. Francis and is reported in fair condition.
Barton County Attorney Doug Matthews has not filed official criminal charges in Barton County District Court. Mathhews, who has deferred comment about the case, declined to return several phone messages to a Hoisington Dispatch reporter.
Barton County sheriff’s reports indicate that Ney was suspected of using drugs and carrying a shotgun, when he forced his way into the home of Calderwood, located at 48 Northeast 20 Road, north of Great Bend.
According to the police report, Ney allegedly shot his wife, Sarah, and Calderwood in front of several children at the Calderwood home at 11:39 a.m. Saturday. Both victims were airlifted to Wichita with critical injuries.
According to a published report, witnesses said Calderwood attempted to shield Sarah Ney when Shawn Ney pointed a gun at her, and both were wounded.
Calderwood is a hero in Sarah’s eyes.
“Thank you for being my friend, my happiness and my hero.” Sarah stated on Calderwood’s Facebook wall on Tuesday, just a short time after word started getting out that Calderwood had died from the injuries he had sustained during Saturday’s altercation.
Law enforcement personnel tracked down Shawn Ney to Hoisington, where he barricaded himself at 723 E. 4th and threatened to shoot anyone who tried to enter the house, according to a published report attributed to Barton County Sheriff Greg Armstrong.
Several police agencies were on scene including Hoisington and Claflin Police, Barton County Sheriff, Kansas Highway Patrol, and the County Response Team.
During the standoff, Shawn Ney allegedly ignited fuel at the residence. Firefighters from Claflin, Hoisington and Great Bend fought the fire. Windows were knocked out by fire personnel.
According to the sheriff’s report, the suspect allegedly managed to fire a shot from the shotgun in his possession.
Firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it spread to other homes.
Police officers successfully gained entry to the home and subdued the suspect,
He was taken to Great Bend Hospital and then later processed into the Barton County Jail.

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Hoisington Couple Welcome home Baby Samantha!

(Left) Baby Samantha Renee Lovett is welcomed home by her parents, Toni and Paul Lovett of Hoisington. Samantha (right) was the first baby born via a water birth at the Great Bend Regional Hospital July 9. (Photos by Kristi Lovett)

By Kristi Lovett
The birth of a child is always a treasured moment for any couple, but in this case, it was memorable for the hospital as well.
Samantha Renee Lovett, the fourth daughter of Hoisington residents, Paul and Toni Lovett, was delivered by water birth.
It marked the first-ever watrer birth for Great Bend Region Hospital and for OBGYN, Dr. Roger Marshall.
Samantha Renee was born Friday morning, July 9, 2010 at a healthy 8 pounds 4 ounces.
And other than a slight case of jaundice that kept mom and baby over an extra night, everything went very smoothly.
Toni reported very little discomfort from labor and delivery.
“The warm water definitely helped with keeping me relaxed and focused. And then [the deliver] happened so fast that Paul actually got to deliver her.”
Dr. Marshall stood nearby giving Paul direction and encouragement.
“It was a very relaxed and easy birth,” said Dr. Marshall. “I have always believed that having babies should be a positive experience. It is not a sickness, it is all a natural process, so I think that water births are a great alternative for women.”

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Updated 7/9/10

Lost Since 2001 Tornado
Owner receives Vietnam dog tag

By Jim Misunas
Elton Steinert of Hoisington never imagined he’d ever find his long-lost Vietnam War dog tags.
Steinert’s dog tags were lost during the April 21, 2001 tornado that destroyed their home on 266 West 7th.
Actually, the Steinerts considered themselves lucky.
They were traveling back from Fort Morgan, Colo. on that fateful evening when they received a call from their sister-in-law Jane Steinert.
“She warned us to be careful because everything south of 281 had been destroyed by a tornado,” said Kay Steinert, Elton’s wife.

Kay Steinert and Elton Steinert see the pond where Elton’s Vietnam dog tag was discovered by a visitor from New Jersey. It was the first time the Steinerts had visited the pond north of Hoisington where Elton’s dog tag was found in 2001. (Photo by Kristi Lovett)

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High-Speed Internet Service
H&B lands $4.5M telecom grant

By Jim Misunas
HOLYROOD -- Residents in Claflin and Ellinwood will enjoy future access to high-speed broadband, telecommunications and video services.
H&B Communications of Holyrood had a grant/loan application approved for the RUS Broadband Initiatives Program on July 2.
The package involves a $4.5 million grant, a $1.9 million loan and $1.6 million of private investment by H&B. This fiber-to-the-home project will deliver high speed broadband, telecommunications and video services to the underserved rural communities surrounding Claflin and Ellinwood.

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Updated 7/2/10

Cardinal Pharmacy
Pharmacy owners on fast track

Cardinal Pharmacy co-owners Gene and Marla Jo Mooney join their children Braden, 7, Mallory, 4; Leyton, 21 months, and Zander, 4 months, for a family photo. (Photo by Kelly Reddig)

By Jim Misunas
Gene and Marla Jo Mooney had a general idea what it would require to open a home-owned pharmacy.
They figured it would take a lot of time and patience and involve varying degrees of stress. They were right on all counts.
Did we mention that Marla Jo was pregnant for nine months of that journey?
“I’ve read that three of the most stressful life-changing events are having a baby, moving and starting a new job,’ Marla Jo said. “I think that’s right because we’ve gone through all three in the past year. It’s been pretty stressful at times.”
Marla Jo said they always started a new week with a fairly lengthy check list. As they checked tasks off the list, several more would be added to the list.

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Farmer harvests 60th wheat crop

Hoisington’s John Christens, 83, and his nephew Jerrell Jones of Newton harvested the 60th wheat crop for Christens recently. They used a vintage Gleaner C2 combine and spent three days harvesting the 55 acres on the north edge of Barton County. (Photo by Dan Witt)

By Jim Misunas
Hoisington farmer John Christens, 83, recently celebrated his 60th year harvesting wheat in Barton County.
“I retired from my full-time job, but I can’t retire from farming,” Christens said.
His nephew Jerrell Jones of Newton helped Christens harvest the 55 acres on the north edge of Barton County. Jerrell’s mother, Ellea (Christen) Jones, was John’s sister.
Christens considers anything around 40 bushels per acre a good year.
“It wasn’t a good year this time,” he said. “Some joint grass and cheatgrass cut the yield.”
Christens started harvesting wheat in northwest Barton County in 1951.
At one time, he tended to 480 acres of land owned by Leo Weber in Beaver Township. He raised wheat and milo and sold calves.
“It was a heavy load, but I didn’t want to part with it,” he said. “I always enjoyed farming, especially when we had a good year.”
He was farming full-time, but a few hailed -out crops convinced him to find a steadier job.

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Updated 6/25/10

2001 Hoisington Tornado
Citizens share their storm stories

(Above) Destruction was everywhere during the 2001 Hoisington tornado.
(Photo by Tom Leopold)

(Below) Stacey Bressler, Hoisington Chamber director, talks during Monday’s meeting guided by Judy Walden. (Photo by Kristi Lovett)

By Kristi Lovett
“I’ve never heard anything so loud!”
“...and that’s when I started praying the Hail Marys...”
“It brought people together.”
“I used to walk by those Salvation Army bins, but not anymore!”
“You had to have humor. If you weren’t laughing, you were crying.”
These were just a few of the sentiments shared Monday evening about the 2001 Hoisington tornado at the Scenic Byway Local Awareness Campaign Story Telling meeting hosted by the Chamber and guided by Judy Walden.
It was agreed that it was the first time since the immediate aftermath that a cross section of Hoisington citizens were able to get together just to talk about the tornado and share their stories.

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Groundbreaking conducted for USD 431 artificial field

(Top) Representatives of Hoisington USD 431 and the school board are (from left) Lee VanScyoc, Bill Lowry, Reverend Steve Little, Pat Reinhardt, Mike Kaiser, Kevin Stetler and Troy Bressler.

By Kristi Lovett
Members from Hoisington USD 431, the city of Hoisington and the Chamber of Commerce showed their support of the new artificial turf football field as they broke ground to start the project.
Steven Young, ATG Sports Industries representative, met with the group and shared some of his excitement about the quality and appeal of the new artificial turf field at Elton Brown Stadium.
Young said ATG Sports Industries of Andover is currently installing a field at Barton County Community College as well as a new practice field at Oklahoma University.
The project is estimated to cost $509,480 paid partially through capital outlay funding. However the school district isn’t going to bare the expense themselves. Several donations and commitments of donations totaling more than $100,000 have been received.
Plans are underway to start installing the turf within the next week. The entire project is expected to take 45 to 50 days.

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This deer in rural Barton County has one last chance to roam before wheat harvest.
(Photo by Susan Shank)

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Barton County harvest rolling

By Jim Misunas
The way things were going, Rick Snell wasn’t sure what to expect from the 2010 Barton County wheat harvest.
The Extension agent for Barton County has been pleasantly surprised by what he’s witnessed.
He’s seeing better than expected yields with variables such as disease and freeze minimal. He’s seen most fields yielding between 40 and 75 bushels per acre with a high of 80-bushel wheat that was sprayed for disease control west of Great Bend.
“Wheat is better than I thought and might approach 2003 record levels,” Snell said. “It’s well above and beyond what we’d hoped for.”

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Updated 6/18/10

Sandzen’s artwork nets $172K

Autumn Colors by Birger Sandzen recently sold at auction for $55,000.

(Above) “Autumn Colors,” a Kansas landscape at twilight, brought $55,000 from a Seattle bidder. (Below) “Wild Horse Creek,” a landscape inspired by the scenery around Hill City, sold for $107,500 June 6 to a Salina bidder.

Wild Horse Creek by Birger Sandzen sold for $107,500 at auction to fund scholarships for graduating Hoisington High Seniors.

LONE JACK, Mo. – A oil painting dedicated by the Hoisington High Class of 1946 delivered $107,500 in a recent auction.
The HHS Class of 1946, chose to dedicate the painting “Wild Horse Creek,” a 30-by-40 inch oil on panel by Birger Sandzen to their fallen classmates Charles Harper and Jack Cox. Each senior class left a gift to the school, according to an article in The Hoisington Dispatch.
"Wild Horse Creek," was purchased from Birger Sandzen for $250. "Wild Horse Creek," a landscape inspired by the scenery around Hill City, sold for $107,500 June 6 to a Salina bidder.
The two oil paintings and one watercolor had come to Hoisington from Sandzen, director of the art school at Bethany College in Lindsbourg from 1894 to 1946.
The three winning bids brought $172,000, which will be used to fund scholarships for graduating Hoisington High seniors.
"We were absolutely happy with those bids," said Pat Reinhardt, interim Hoisington superintendent.

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Hoisington woman helps Camp Hope

GLORIA COLLIER

By Jim Misunas
To say it simply, Gloria Collier enjoys helping others.
Collier has worked for Hoisington USD 431 in food service the past nine years. She’s also taught Vacation Bible School for more than 20 years.
During her summers, she spends a week volunteering at Camp Hope, a free summer camp for children and teenagers who are battling cancer. She is excited about attending Camp Hope June 19 to 26 and helping children. Camp Hope, located in Barton County north of K-156, is four miles from Claflin and nine miles from Ellinwood.
Collier started her first year replacing two kitchen workers who were unable to work. Gail Moeder invited her to attend.
“I worked two days that first year and was hooked,” she said. “I fell in love with the concept, the volunteers and most of all, the kids. What I enjoy the most is seeing the kids have fun even if they’re sick.”

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Brickwork by HWA-Davis of Newton is progressing quite nicely in downtown Hoisington. (Photo by Tina Rose)

Brickwork is progressing

By Tina Rose
Just take a quick drive down Hoisington’s Main Street. and you will see that the construction is moving right along. The concrete is all poured, set and sealed. Bricks are being carefully laid to match up with the concrete for a smooth drive. Even with the torrential rains and severe storms of the past couple of weeks, crews still expect to have the street construction done by the end of June.
Intersections are now being opened one at a time as the construction allows. Bricks have to be placed a block ahead of each intersection to be opened or the weight of the vehicles crossing them will cause them to shift out of place.
The intersection at Railroad Ave. was opened last week and crews are expecting to open the intersection at Broadway and Main by the end of this week.
Josh Smith, Klaver Construction, reports brick work should be done in another week.
Double yellow traffic stripes and wheelchair assessable ramp still must be completed.
“We’ll be done about two weeks ahead of schedule,” Smith said. “We did the work faster because traffic flowed on both sides of the street.”

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Updated 6/11/10

Logan Trust helps turf project

Lee Van Scyoc (right) trustee of the Enola Logan Trust, presents a $10,000 check to Mike Kaiser, Hoisington USD 431 board president, and Pat Reinhardt, USD 431 interim superintendent, to help fund the new turf for the football field. Photos by Kristi Lovett)

By Kristi Lovett
Donations for the proposed artificial turf field for Hoisington High School received a big boost Wednesday.
Lee Van Scyoc, trustee of the Enola Logan Trust, presented a $10,000 check to the Hoisington USD 431 school district. More than $100,000 has been raised so far.
The artificial turf at Elton Brown Stadium project was approved by the school board at their Monday meeting.
“Since 2001, the year Enola Logan passed away at the age of 96, the intent of the Logan bequest has always been to provide the most common good for the most people in the Hoisington community,” Van Scyoc said. “This is a great project and the Logan Trust is pleased to be a part of it. It will greatly benefit the school district, the recreation commission, and others.”
Prior to her passing, Mrs. Logan donated funds to build the tennis courts and tennis court rest rooms, the walking trail and bridges at Bicentennial Park, the Scout House, and purchased and donated the land on which the activity center now occupies.

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Claflin owner runs for office

Don Cates

By Jim Misunas
CLAFLIN -- Running a local business and longtime work in the aviation industry has helped prepare Don Cates for his next goal.
The owner of The 94 Store in Claflin has filed an application for 4th District Barton County Commissioner.
He’ll run in the Republican primary Aug. 3 against Catherine Strecker. Commissioner Kirby Krier has not filed for re-election.
The 4th District comprises the cities of Ellinwood and Claflin. The general election is scheduled Nov. 2.
Cates said he has always respected people who serve in local government.
“I figured it was time for my public service,” he said. “A number of people asked me to do this.”

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The irrigation system at Elton Brown Stadium has been removed to prepare for artificial turf. (Photo by Tina Rose)

USD 431 approves $509,480 turf field

By Tina Rose
Hoisington school board members voted 5 to 1 in favor of artificial turf at Elton Brown Stadium during Monday’s meeting.
After much thought, studying and discussion, board members felt it was time to upgrade to the new turf.
“We don’t have a good quality field now.” said board member Mike Kaiser.
Board members were advised that the current natural field is expensive and labor intensive to maintain. The board was told that savings with maintenance is estimated at more than $100,000 over the next nine years.
The project is estimated to cost $509,480 paid partially through capital outlay funding. However the school district isn’t going to bare the expense themselves. Several donations and commitments of donations totaling more than $100,000 have been received.
“We are expecting more donations and will be doing fund-raising” said Pat Reinhardt, interim superintendent.

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Updated 6/4/10

Hoisington Memorial Day 2010

Hoisington Kansas celebrates Memorial Day with flags flying high lining the drive at the cemetary 21-gun salute winds down the ceremony

(Left) Flags fly high on Memorial Day in Hoisington. Rev. Gary Dassow. delivered the Memorial Day address. (Right) A 21-gun salute winds down the Memorial Day ceremony. (Photos by Dan Witt and Tina Rose)

The Claflin Memorial Day Service address was delivered by Kyle Radenberg. (Photo by Jacque Isern)

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Class of 2010 prepares for next ride

Hoisington High School 2010 Valedictorian Luke Warnken

LUKE WARNKEN

Luke Warnken delivered one of the valedictorian addresses for the Hoisington High Class of 2010.

By Luke Warnken

HHS Valedictorian

First I would like to thank everybody for coming and spending this special time with us. If it was not for you giving us guidance and supporting us as we went through this last year, we would not be where we are at today.
High school can be hard to describe. It has its ups and downs, its twists and its turns. It is hard to know what is coming up around the next corner. High school is similar to an amusement park.
Walking through the doors of an amusement park is just like high school, a mix of nervous excitement. For some of us, we watched older siblings or friends go through high school. We dreamt of being like them, participating in sports, being able to drive and stay out late. We watched them go off not really understanding where they went but knowing they come back a little wiser and sometimes a little wider.
For others, we are setting the example to our siblings. We are showing them that graduating is an attainable goal. For some of our little brothers and sisters, they will watch many of us go away. To those who look up to us know that we still care.
In walking through an amusement park we can now venture to whichever ride we want without having to have our parents guiding us around. We all know parents can be embarrassing.
The question we faced as we entered high school was always where we will go next?
Where will each ride take us or each game lost teach us?
For the past four years we have grown up, well some of us; and we have learned from our mistakes.
Now we face our next ride, a ride called the “real world.” We look at each other now, knowing that this may be the last time we see each other for awhile or even forever. Soon, it will be time for each of us to travel on to our new path, but the memories at Hoisington High School will never fade.

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Clara Barton event scheduled June 18

Great auction items, tasty chicken and beef kabob meal, and a night of mingling at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 114 N Main in Hoisington are all on tap for the 17th Annual Benefit Dinner and Auction to benefit the Clara Barton Foundation.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Friday, June 18 for silent auction items. Dinner is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. with the live auction starting at 8 p.m.

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Weather photos sought

The secondary theme for Hoisington is weather for The Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway.
Stacey Bressler, Hoisington Chamber of Commerce, will be the contact person for weather-related stories and photos.
Bressler said photos related to the 2001 Hoisington tornado, flooding, hail and lightning are welcome.
If you have stories or photos, event information or authentic Hoisington area weather experiences to share for this project, contact Bressler at (620) 653-4311 or e-mail information to hoisingtoncofc@embarqmail.com
All information must be collected by June 21.
The Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway identified its overarching theme of motion and change as a result of work done through a Scenic Byway interpretive grant.
Secondary themes for the Byway were identified during this process and each Byway community uniquely represents these themes. Rallying the communities around common themes was a strongly recommended tactic of the North Star experts. A thematic framework will allow each community to connect directly to Byway stories and move visitors from community to community.

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Updated 5/28/10

Inaugural Hoisington Mud Run

(Left) Children ages seven to 12 chug through the mud giving a unique meaning to the term Mud Run at Hoisington’s inaugural Mud Run. (Right) An ATV entrant slings mud as he attempts to keep moving forward. See more photos, page 16. (Photos by Tina Rose)

Initial Mud Run declared a ‘success’

By Tina Rose
The engines roared, the mud was flying, and yes, once or twice the smoke rolled.
Hoisington's First Annual Mud Run took off like many of the participating mud runners, fast and with a purpose. With more than 100 entries, the mud flew well into the night.
Participants from all over Kansas showed up in Hoisington on Saturday morning to race through the sticky goo which was made stickier from recent rains. However, that didn't deter them from putting on an entertaining show for more than 1,000 people who attended the event.
But it wasn't all large motors and larger tires, children were given the chance to do a little mud running of their own. Two events of the day that brought the spectators out of their seats were the childrens’ foot races through the ATV mud pits.
They may be smaller, with smaller engines, but they definitely stirred up and slung just as much mud as the big trucks did.
Officiated by Kansas Mud Run Organization out of Lyons, several different classes of events were offered including two ATV classes.
Many participants were able to enter more than one class.
Hosted by the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce along with the Hoisington Ministerial Association, with the help from lots of volunteers the event was deemed a “success,” and plans are underway for Hoisington's Second Mud Run, according to Stacey Bressler of the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce.

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Class of 2010 has plenty to celebrate

Jayci Wyant delivered one of the valedictorian addresses for the Hoisington High Class of 2010.

By Jayci Wyant
HHS Valedictorian
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, teachers and administrators. We gather here today to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2010 senior class of Hoisington High School.
It’s been a very long and daunting road. We’ve hit our dips and ditches and made our way over the bridges. I stand here today; proud to say I am graduating with this group of my peers.
We all overcame the mountains of homework, the stacks of readings that seemed to continue to get bigger, and the ominous tests our teachers so lovingly threw at us. I hope each and every one of you can move on from this day and continue striving on.
Whether you choose college or work; I wish you all the best of luck. When things get rough, think back and remember the times you had here, the group of friends who supported you and the parents who picked you back up and set you on your way.
As for our parents, you stood by us and helped us along our journey. You watched over us, letting us make our own mistakes and then taught us how to learn from them. Our parents are more proud of us than we know, and we, the senior class, are grateful. To all of our parents out there, I thank you for being there for us then and being here now.
Our teachers are the missing piece that fits our puzzle together. Without them, we would be nowhere. They taught us everything we know, helping us through those tough times and preparing us for the real world, even if we didn’t think they were. I want to thank you for teaching us the basic tools we need for our future.
Next, I want to congratulate all my peers. We have finally made it to graduation. We are now young adults, ready to head out into the world and forge our own paths in life.
Look to your right and to your left, each and every single one of us has challenged the person you just saw, to become a better student, to become a better athlete, to become a better leader, and to be a stronger person overall.
Our class has met some very challenging situations, but we all came together as a unified family when we needed each other’s support. We have learned, laughed, loved, gotten into trouble, and most of all matured together.
In the Class of 2010, we have some amazing athletes who excelled through our sports. For football, we were 9-2 being regional runner-up. We have Jacob Basye going on to play football at Southwestern and Jacob Owen going on to play at Garden City. Brittany Hughes is signed on with Barton to play volleyball. Dustin Matter is going to Friends University to play baseball and Jessica Trower is going to Pratt for softball.
We showed leadership in debate and forensics with Karisa Kaiser placing seventh in Prose and 11th in Poetry at state competition. Hope Chubb with her partner finished 5th in Improvised Duet Acting. Macy Stambaugh received a I rating for Poetry at State Festival.
Our class has shown we are diverse yet exceptionally talented. I’m very proud of them. The Class of 2010 has also tried to set a good example for the underclassmen but I’m not sure how well that went.
There are just a few more people I want to recognize. I would like to thank Jason Steinert, Cody Bradley and Shawn Orr. They are going to leaving soon for the Marines. I want to also thank Levi Rios for his commitment to the Navy. I honor all of you for making the choice to serve our country. Please take care of yourselves.
We have formed many friendships that will last a lifetime. These friendships have helped shape us into the young adults we are today. Our community, our teachers, and our parents have set us up with the best possible tools to take on the difficult obstacles we will face. With these tools we should be able to solve problems to succeed in life.
What do we want to do with our lives?
What are we going to do from this point on?
Those are a few questions that we have to ask ourselves.
When we leave here today, we will be starting the next chapter in our lives. Celebrate what you have accomplished but also look forward to what you can and will be accomplishing in the next few years.
Never be afraid to try.
Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
Each and every one of us has the ability to make a difference in the world if we set our minds to it.
Life will present us with many obstacles. Don’t let these obstacles stand in the way of your dreams. Learn and grow from these challenges because they will make you a stronger person. Remember to love what you do and do what you love. Happiness is an essential part to a successful life.
Congratulations Class of 2010, we made it.

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Updated 5/21/10

(Top) The Class of 2010 proceeds to the stage for ceremonies. (Below) Members of the school’s chorale group featured several 2010 graduates who enjoyed the opportunity to sing their last song under the instruction by Hoisington music director Debra Lewis. The music of life goes on, and these graduating senior singers will write the next chapter in their lives in the future.
(Photos by Tina Rose and David Barger)

HHS Class of 2010 celebrated

By David Barger
And the winners are -- the 51 members of the 2010 Hoisington Cardinal graduating class.
The curtain was raised for the first Academy Awards on May 16, 1929, and the Oscar in the form of a golden statuette as a tribute of merit, was given to those worthy of the honor “for above and beyond performance.”
Now, 81 years later, on this same May 16th day ... another golden statuette was given out, in the form of a graduation certificate to the Hoisington Senior Class of 2010 -- “for going above and beyond performance.”
A proud community of Hoisington, Kansas well- wishers looked on.
To a near-capacity house, the Hoisington Activity Center was the welcoming point for all the friends, sisters and brothers, satisfied parents and grandparents to gather, honor and congratulate these award winning students.
Myself, a rarely new resident of the city of Hoisington moving here from Great Bend last August, did not come here, today, as a parent of one of these fine students.
Though I do have two grandchildren in the Hoisington USD 431 district; both, at the middle school level (and, now as any proud grandparent, I have to acknowledge their 15 minutes of fame) with them being: sixh-grader Kylie Crawford and fifth-grader, Dylan Carrier.
But, faithfully, I gladly will wait for their future graduation time.
Seriously, I came to this tribute session as an act of friendship to four of these graduating class seniors.
How else does a friend show friendship, then to be part of an important program that pays tribute and honor to their friend’s accomplishments, especially as these bright students walk this day... into their future?
As an artist, journalist, freelance-writer and photographer, I learned along time ago; that, if I write well and maintain good readership, followers, and keep the publisher and editor happy; then, I get the rare privilege to personally thank those people -- who, I feel excelled or somehow merit this special moment or acknowledgement in my writings.
So, I watched sincerely the actions of four special students, as their names were called, and they walked that special stage walk.
I observed their facial expressions as they received their certificates in hand -- their “Oscar,” and they each walked off of stage independently, yet so gallantly. I wanted to show them, along with the pride and happiness of their parents and other family members, this day, that .... “We, were proud of them.”
That tribute from me, goes to Katelan Crawford, Kiley Demel, Hope Chubb and Caitlyn Morris; because, they went out of their way to show friendship by allowing me to observe their talent and kindness, recently, during their performances as cast members of the HHS Drama Club comedy melodrama stage show. It was directed by drama teacher Mr. Jared McGuire.
“Bravo” -- my friends.”
As the curtain of life is now raised as a moving projector showing a fine performance, for the lives of these students, today, so has the curtain closed to the past that they have lead, yesterday.
These students, our children that have grown-up in this community; some living here a couple years, many from childhood, others from their full 17 to 18 years of life, have truly blossomed this day into their travels of adulthood.
Now, that one of their stages of life is set, each independently, and their curtain lowered on today -- a new day tomorrow ... begins.
These learned students have met the call, accepted the challenge of their new tomorrow, as they have grown-up before our very eyes, this day.
Also, a standing ovation and applause from the house, our community, was given to long-time Hoisington High speech and debate forensics teacher Randy Willis, who was the graduation speaker. Mr. Willis is retiring at the end of this year after 39 years of teaching excellence.
His speech was well received by this graduating class.
He said, “Each student graduating this day, was unique and one of a kind -- important in their own, individuality and no one else, was like them in the world.”
Today is an end, and a new beginning. These students have grown, from the path of our parental guidance, and they have “traveled, well, the road of learning” with our help and friendship, They have each “met the call - of time.”
Though they will always be our siblings and our children, this group of the graduating class of 2010, will no doubt “answer the call of a future audience, as new horizons await them.
“Thank God” through our parenting, friendship, and love, “they will, keep us in their hearts, their minds, and call us” and, as every good parent and friend hopes, “they will remember us and come home to visit us,” from their future endeavors.
Indeed, we have passed this day into a new tomorrow, and we will never pass this way again.
One thing, out of this May 16th day, is certain: Whether the curtain closes or rises for these young teenagers, during this early stage of life, as they travel into adulthood - they will forever be called the Hoisington, Kansas graduating Class of 2010.
As the curtain was raised in 1929 for a fine performance and “Oscar,” so has the curtain closed in 2010 for a performance well done -- and never again will these students, our children, be completely ours -- Golden Time is theirs.
The curtain falls on this day, the Oscar was given, as a certificate in hand... a chapter in this book of life complete - their tomorrow begins.

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Outstanding girl, boy chosen

Sarah Kaiser and Michael Richards were chosen as Outstanding Senior Girl and Boy of the Hoisington Class of 2010. Scholastic achievement and extracurricular activities were considered for the honor.

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Clara Barton Hospital awards scholarships

The Clara Barton Foundation awards four scholarships annually to local applicants interested in the pursuit of Education in a Medical field of study through Endowments that have been established over the years.
The Verda Lane Nursing Scholarship was established at the request of her family to assist students in their academic pursuit to become a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
The scholarship was awarded to Kacey Demel of Hoisington. Demel is working on becoming a Registered Nurse through Barton County Community College.
The Jonathan Witt Scholarship, renamed in memory of Jonathan Witt, son of Dr. Dan and Sandi Witt, scholarship has been continually awarded since the formation of the organization in the 1950s. The scholarship was awarded to Ryan Bieberle of Claflin. Bieberle will attend the University of Kansas and aspires to become a licensed diagnostic radiologist.
The Sadie Stalcup Scholarship was established in more recent years to honor Sadie Stalcup, a long-time nurse at Clara Barton Hospital. The scholarship was awarded to Rebecca Wasson of Claflin. Wasson will further her education at the University of Kansas in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program.
The Dr. Robert Moore Scholarship was established at the request of the late Dr. Moore’s family to assist employees of Clara Barton Hospital with their continuing education. This year the scholarship was awarded to Rebecca Mauler of Great Bend. Rebecca is a Radiology Technologist at Clara Barton Hospital. Mauler received an associate’s of science in radiologic technology and a Bachelor’s of science in medical diagnostic imaging in 2009. Mauler is working on becoming a registered ultrasound technologist through Fort Hays State University. The Dr. Robert Moore scholarship will assist Rebecca in receiving specialized education in the area of ultrasound and will benefit Clara Barton Hospital by providing our patients with in-house ultrasound technician.
If you would be interested in making a contribution to any one of these endowments or to the Clara Barton Foundation itself please contact Michelle Moshier at (620) 653-5012 or mail your tax deductible contribution to P.O. Box 25, Hoisington, KS, 67544.

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Updated 5/14/10

The Working Faces of Hoisington

(Left) Photographer Nate Bressler has chosen Hoisington and rural Barton County residents to be featured in a photo pictorial book profiling local people and their occupations. (Left) Trapper Calvin Calps (Above) Hoisington policemen Josh Nickerson and Gary Norton; (Right) Wildlife photographer Dr. Dan Witt, also a urologist. (Photos by Nate Bressler)

(Right) Professional photographer Nate Bressler, a 1995 Hoisington High graduate, has chosen Hoisington and rural Barton County residents to be featured in a photo pictorial book profiling local people and their occupations. Others featured are (left) veterinary doctor Dave McMillon; and (middle) farmer John Bogner. (Photos by Nate Bressler)

Hoisington grad plans ‘living history’

By Jim Misunas
Hoisington High graduate Nate Bressler has shot photographs for speciality publications in New York and California.
But the professional photographer has never forgotten his roots, nor his hometown since graduating from Hoisington High in 1995.
That’s why he’s spending vacation time in Hoisington preparing a pictorial book of local citizens in their work environment. The book will be sold and displayed during the Labor Day Celebration. Proceeds will be donated to the city of Hoisington and the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce.
“I wanted to give something back to the community,” he said.
The Faces of Hoisington will be what Bressler says will be a “living history,” of Hoisington and nearby Barton County.
“I’ve had this project in mind since last winter, but I wanted to wait until spring arrived and people were coming out into their work environment,” Bressler said. “Spring has worked out perfect for me.”
He said he has been interested in art, archeology and history. When he’s been in town, he’s photographed the Labor Day Celebration, demolition derbies and other local events.
“Hoisington is a town with proud people happy with where they live,” he said. “I wanted to capture some of that spirit. That’s why I’m doing this. I wanted to tell the story of what the people do.”
Bressler shoots the portraits in black and white with an austere background to best capture their working spirit.
“I wanted to capture their character and separate them from their working environment,” he said. “Every person I have photographed is a little bit different.”
He’s photographed more than 50 workers and plans to paint portraits of 80 to 90 local citizens. He’s made some contacts through people he’s known and people his parents know about.
“I’ve enjoyed meeting with all of the people and seeing their differences,” he said. “I wanted to shoot people who work in the city. But I also wanted to shoot photos of people from outside the city.”
Bressler, who resides in Venice, Calif., has shot numerous photos of professional surfers and skateboarders. His work has been featured in ESPN publications and the Los Angeles Times magazine.
His favorite project was a photo shoot of Vietnam War Veterans who are incarcerated in San Quintin State Prison in California.
“In 25 years, I was the first photographer allowed that type of access,” he said.
Nate is the son of Troy Bressler, who is married to Chamber president Stacey Bressler.

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Hoisington speech squad celebrates

(From left) Hoisington High’s state medalists were fifth-place finishers Olivia Lowry and Hope Chubb, Improvised Duet Acting; state runner-up Jordan Klima, Humorous Solo; and state runner-up Ashley McHenry, Serious Solo. (Photo by Jacque Isern)

WICHITA -- Hoisington High’s forensics team earned two runner-up medals and advanced eight entries into the semifinals in the Class 3A State Speech Championships.
Junior Jordan Klima earned a second-place medal in Humorous Solo Acting and a sixth-place medal in Serious Solo Acting after advancing into the final six of both events. Nate Carey of Remington edged Klima for the state championship.
Junior Ashley McHenry earned a second-place medal in her Serious Solo after reaching the championship round. Finishing first was Sterling’s Micah Leake.
Freshman Olivia Lowry and senior Hope Chubb advanced to the final round of Improvised Duet Acting and earned fifth-place medals.
Hoisington placed fifth.
“Our students performed very well, and I was very proud of them,’ said Hoisington High coach Randy Willis.
Other semifinal entries were senior Karisa Kaiser in Prose Interp and Poetry Interp; and Ashley McHenry in Extemp Speaking, Kaiser placed seventh in Prose among a field of 59 entries and 11th in Poetry among a field of 50 entries.
Senior Macy Stambaugh received a I rating for her Poetry Interp at the State Festival, and received a medal for her efforts.
Others contributing to the fifth-place finish were senior Caitlyn Morris and juniors Ryan Friedly, junior Talisha Hesher.
Hoisington High qualified three entries in Serious Solo Acting and Humorous Solo Acting; two entries in Oral Interpretation of Prose and Extemporaneous Speech and one in Oral Interpretation of Poetry, Improvised Duet Acting and Duet Acting.

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Updated 5/7/10

Breaking Cheyenne Ground

(Above) City employee Mark Crawford operates the backhoe at the groundbreaking Friday for the Cheyenne Hotel Inn & Suites. (Below) Grandmother Patty Horton watches the daughters of Michael and Shawna Petersilie (from left) Kassy, Hailey and Lexus. (Photos by Jim Misunas)

By Jim Misunas
From Lee Van Scyoc of Hoisington National Bank to owner Phil Griffin, everyone talked about a team effort.
That’s what it took to break ground April 30 for the Cheyenne Bottoms Inn & Suites nine years after the Red Wing Motel was destroyed in the 2001 Hoisington tornado. The family of Hoisington Mayor Clayton Williamson founded the Red Wing Motel.
Dignitaries included Mayor Clayton Williamson; Duane Reif, Chamber president; Barton Commissioner Kenny Schremmer; Ron McVey, Decker Construction president; Irv Mitchell, Wilson State Bank president; Linda Lanterman, Kansas Wildlife and Parks; and Rachel Robben, from Jerry Moran’s office.
Phil Griffin, High Plains Management and Development owner, was first approached in 2004 about building a hotel in Hoisington.
By the time, 2009 rolled around, the timing was right. Funding is being keyed by Recovery Zone bonds and more than $450,000 in local investment.
When Van Scyoc approached Griffin, it was an easy decision thanks to the help of Jonathan Mitchell, Hoisington city manager.
“Lee sparked it and Jonathan Mitchell took it from there,” Griffin said. “The people in town have been very helpful and it made for a very productive agreement.”
The 30-room hotel will be built for $1.8 million. The bond financing, similar to industrial revenue bonds, provide an exemption on interest, which saves some money.
“Bringing another hotel is a very significant stop, one of many steps to economic development,” Mitchell said.
The continued interest in Cheyenne Bottoms as a tourist stop will help the local economy too. Most of these travelers have had to stay in other places.
“Cheyenne Bottoms ia great resource and we’d like to capture some of those travelers,” Mitchell said. “I know the local investors will encourage their friends and relatives to stay in the hotel.”
VanScyoc said it required a mix of everyone working together to get things done.
“How we got here in a small community takes a lot of people and various entities that share the same vision and passion for a project to be successful,” said Van Scyoc. “Those individuals and groups formulate a plan to accomplish their goals. All of those components have come together to dedicate the Cheyenne Bottoms Inn & Suites.”
VanScyoc said it required the assistance of the federal government, city, county, investors, banks, builders and the management company working together.
He said the local hotel will eventually contribute to the local economy with property tax and sales tax revenue, utility usage and guest taxes.

(Above) Phil Griffin, High Plains Management and Development owner, makes a pledge.

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Hoisington earns runner-up medals

WICHITA -- Hoisington High’s forensics team earned two runner-up medals and advanced eight entries into the semifinals in the Class 3A State Speech Championships.
Junior Jordan Klima earned a second-place medal in Humorous Solo Acting and a sixth-place medal in Serious Solo Acting after advancing into the final six of both events. Nate Carey of Remington edged Klima for the state championship.
Junior Ashley McHenry earned a second-place medal in her Serious Solo after reaching the championship round. Finishing first was Sterling’s Micah Leake.
Freshman Olivia Lowry and senior Hope Chubb advanced to the final round of Improvised Duet Acting and earned fifth-place medals.
Hoisington placed fifth among a field of 46 teams, one place higher than last year.
“Our students performed very well, and I was very proud of them,’ said Hoisington High coach Randy Willis.
Other semifinal entries were senior Karisa Kaiser in Prose Interp and Poetry Interp; and Ashley McHenry in Extemp Speaking, Kaiser placed seventh in Prose among a field of 59 entries and 11th in Poetry among a field of 50 entries.
Senior Macy Stambaugh received a I rating for her Poetry Interp at the State Festival, and received a medal for her efforts.
Others contributing to the fifth-place finish were senior Caitlyn Morris and juniors Ryan Friedly, junior Talisha Hesher.
Hoisington High qualified three entries in Serious Solo Acting and Humorous Solo Acting; two entries in Oral Interpretation of Prose and Extemporaneous Speech and one in Oral Interpretation of Poetry, Improvised Duet Acting and Duet Acting.

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A benefit dance was held for Tanner Blackwell, 11, cancer patient of Hoisington, and the Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation Saturday at the Hoisington Activity Center. Volunteers featured (front row) Bailey Linsner and Haleigh Potter; (back row) Dani Brown, Rylie Linsner and organizer Megan Brown.

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Updated 4/23/10

Wetlanders Festival celebrated

(Left) Faith Beck, 7, the daughter of Chad and Angie Beck, tries out the archery exhibit during the Wetlanders Festival. (Right) Storyteller Vicky Town emphasizes a point during a presentation Saturday. (Below) A balloon is plenty of entertainment for Laeya Beck, 6 months, held by her grandfather Allan Beck. Laeya is the daughter of Chad and Angie Beck. More photos, page 10. (Photos by Kristi Lovett and Jim Misunas)

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Area duck-caller showcases skill

Brady Stoppel

Brady Stoppel of Russell said hunting at smaller ponds is more effective than larger gatherings that scare the ducks away.

By Jim Misunas
With subtle adjustments, Brady Stoppel showed the differences in duck calls during the Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlanders Festival.
Calls can be interpreted as “Come Back,” “Where Are You Going?” “Feeding,” or “Bounce Back.”
He said the key to quality sound is expressing sound from your diaphragm rather than your throat.
“You have to learn to get your air right to get a quality sound,” Stoppel said. “The diaphragm produces a deeper, richer tone. If it’s not from your diaphragm, it sounds like a laughing duck.”
Stoppel illustrated good techniques in duck calling for youth hunters and tips on selecting a good duck call.
Stoppel said calls are tailored for a female (mallard) sound since females do most of the talking. Short, quick sounds are effective.
“Ducks are smart,” he said. “A simple sound will often work well.”
He is an avid duck hunter who will shoot several hundred birds in a season.
“I am out there as often as I can be out there when the time is right,” he said.
When hunting in a group, it’s better to use one main caller so there isn’t excessive noise.
Stoppel, a senior at Russell High School, is a two-time world champion. He won the 2005 Junior World Duck Calling Champion and the 2007 Intermediate World Duck Calling Champion.
He has competed throughout the U.S. in duck-calling contests.
He said competition calling is a 90-second performance that is judged on various factors.
“You want control of your call,” he said. “The competition call is louder and more pronounced. The judges can’t see you, so everything is judged on little details and transition between sounds.”
Stoppel will major in construction technology at Salina Area Technical College.
The Fifth Annual Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlanders Festival is sponsored by Hoisington Main Street Inc.promotion committee.

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Cheyenne Bottoms Inn & Suites
Groundbreaking will be April 30

The Chamber of Commerce and the city of Hoisington are working together to plan a ceremonial groundbreaking for Cheyenne Bottoms Inn & Suites.
This event will take place on Friday, April 30 over the noon hour at the hotel site (57 W. Hwy 4) near the Pizza Hut.
“The groundbreaking on the Cheyenne Bottoms Inn & Suites is fast approaching and it is truly a cause for celebration,” said Jonathan Mitchell, city of Hoisington city manager. “I am so pleased that the efforts and commitment of so many people are helping to bring a hotel to Hoisington.”
Among the guests will be the Hoisington mayor, the Chamber president, the lending partners, Phil Griffin of High Plains Management and Development and Ron McVey of Decker Construction.
Griffin, a developer with High Plains Management of Overland Park, will construct a 30-room hotel that will cost $1.8 million.
Griffin has helped construct similar hotels in Lyons, Hillsboro and Coffeyville.
Decker Construction of Coffeyville is among the companies doing work on the property.
Local financial incentives include donated land and extension of utilities from the city of Hoisington. More than $400,000 of local investment has been secured for the project.
Mitchell said the community is invited to attend the event as the contributions of a large group of people are recognized. The event will also feature lunch and drinks for anyone that can attend and will be open to the community.
“We hope to get a lot of the investors and people behind this project on the stage, and have a backhoe take the first scoop of dirt,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said a good- sized gathering is expected with great speakers, good food and lots of fellowship to welcome in the hotel and to prepare for the actual groundbreaking on the project which should commence in May.

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Updated 4/16/10

Displays of artwork by local and area citizens is one of the many features at the annual Wetlandrs Festival in downtown Hoiisington Saturday. Activities start Saturday morning and will finish with a concert by the Blake Younger Band.

Westlanders Festival Saturday

There will be something for all ages and interests during the 5th Annual Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlanders Festival Saturday on downtown Hoisington.
The festival is sponsored by the Hoisington Main Street, Inc. promotion committee.
There will be tours to Cheyenne Bottoms, experts talking about the Bottoms and contests for kids and adults.
The morning events start at 7:30 a.m. with a 5K run. At 9:30 a.m. the early morning Cheyenne Bottoms/Wetlands Education Center tour will start. Travel will be by bus through the Nature Conservancy/Cheyenne Bottoms wildlife area and the Wetlands Education Center.
And that is only the start of the fun.

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Atwood principal hired by USD 431

Megan Wilson

By Jim Misunas
Hoisington High’s new high school principal is familiar with the district because of past meetings with Bill Lowry, USD 431 superintendent.
Megan Wilson, currently the principal at Rawlins County Junior/High School in Atwood, has known Lowry from past professional development seminars.
“I was familiar with Mr. Lowry and have been impressed with his vision and professionalism for his district,” Wilson said. “We agree on setting a common goal for your school district.”
She wanted to move closer to Manhattan, where her son, Braden, is a business major and the starting fullback for Kansas State University’s football team.
“This opportunity was part personal and part professional,” Wilson said. “This moves us closer to some to our family and I’ll be working at a larger high school.”
The family plans to move to Hoisington and has started research on housing opportunities.
“Our goal is to live in the community,’ she said.
Wilson has served the past two years as principal in Atwood while driving to the family’s home in Smith Center. Her husband, Chuck, works as the vice president of Peoples Bank of Smith Center.
“I’m looking forward to the great opportunities involved with serving as the Hoisington High School principal as well as becoming an active member of the community,” she said.

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Hoisington High play April 9-10

(Top) Hoisington High actors Ashley McHenry, Ryan Friedly, Katie Crawford, Katie Willis, read their script. (Bottom) Morgan Ward, Katie Crawford, Katie Willis, Ryan Friedly, Katie Barrett, Hope Chubb work a scene. The Hoisington High School Drama Club and FCCLA will present “Dogsbreath Devereaux, the Dastardly Doctor,” ... or ... “Nurses! Foiled Again!” on April 9 and 10. This melodrama, written by Billy St. John, features ridiculous comedy, heart-slowing action, and a little romance thrown in for good measure. Dessert will be served at 6 p.m. on both nights for tickets purchased before March 26. To purchase an advance ticket for $5, contact the high school (620) 653-2141, ext. 1105, or e-mail jmguire@usd431.net. Shows start at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door. (Photos by Kristi Lovett)

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Health-care directory published

By Jim Misunas
Hoisington citizens have access to a health-care directory for Barton County.
The comprehensive 92-page directory provides information about health-care providers in Hoisington and Barton County,
The publication was passed out at the final scheduled meeting of the Hoisington Kansas Rural Health Works group. One hundred copies will be made available locally. Future printing may be financed through advertising support.
The publication is also on-line on the KWHW web site at:
krhw.net/assets/docs/Current%20Community/Hoisington/Hoisington%20Directory%20Final.pdf.

Michelle Moshier, Clara Barton Hospital Foundation director, emphasizes a point during
Wednesday’s health-care meeting that established several future goals.

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City council running unopposed

Four Hoisington city council candidates are running unopposed in Tuesday’s election.
Running unopposed are Don Doerschlag, Ward 1; James Sekavec, Ward 2; Karen Van Brimmer, Ward 3; and Don Gordon, Ward 4.
Voters in Claflin USD 354 and Lorraine USD 328 will vote on school consolidation.
Shall the following be adopted?
“Shall school districts United School District No. 328, Ellsworth County, state of Kansas, and Unified School District 354, Barton County, state of Kansas, from a consolidated unified school district?
Voters will vote either“Yes” or “No.”
The districts would be unaffected during the first year of consolidation.
Advance ballots for Tuesday’s city general election, Ellinwood Hospital and Claflin USD 354 election are available until noon Friday in the Barton County Clerk’s Office.
Any registered voter may contact the county election officer either by mail, by phone or in person for an application for an advanced voting ballot. Signed applications may be delivered or mailed to the county clerk, or faxed to (620) 793-1990.
Upon receipt of such completed and signed application, the county election officer shall provide said elector with an advanced ballot for the general election. An elector can vote in the office of the Barton County Clerk until noon on the day preceding said election.
The advance ballots will not be counted until election day.

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Updated 3/26/10

(Top) Hoisington Fire Chief Jim Sekavec and City Manager Jonathan Mitchell prepare some dishes for Friendship Meals for the Mayors For Meals campaign at the Masonic Lodge. (Below) Hoisington Mayor Clayton Williamson gets some sound advice from volunteer Donna Rehak, who showed the men how to properly load the trays. The March For Meals program helps raise awareness of the meal service, increase meal participation and recruit new volunteers. Meals are $3 for seniors 65 and over and $5 for others. (Photos by Kristi Lovett)

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City: Clean bill of health

Ike Walter (right) illustrates a point to John Leatherman from Kansas State University Tuesday at the Activity Center.

By Jim Misunas
Health-care providers in the city of Hoisington and Clara Barton Hospital received a clean bill of health from the Kansas Rural Health Works survey.
Interviews indicated that 96 percent of the respondents were satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their care at Clara Barton Hospital. Results of a health care survey were revealed Wednesday afternoon.
Facilitator John Leatherman of Kansas State University said local health care providers received a high grade.
“If they used Hoisington’s health-care system, people were generally satisfied with the services and graded it high quality,” he said. “I would encourage the local citizens to give the local providers a try.”
Of the people who used a hospital, 61 percent went to Clara Barton and 26 percent traveled to Great Bend.
“I was pleased with the results and the response of the community,” said Chuck Waters, Clara Barton president and CEO. “A health care survey had not been done for some time.”
Fort Hays University students tabulated more than 200 responses from more than 500 interviews of Barton County residents about health care. The people were called through phone listings with 139 responses from Hoisington, 56 from Claflin and 10 from Olmitz.

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City to save on power sooner than expected

By Jim Misunas
A contract with an Oklahoma firm will save the city of Hoisington several hundred thousand dollars sooner than expected. The Hoisington city council has approved a resolution to purchase 2 megawatt (MW) of base-load power from the Grand River Dam Authority, which generates electricity from hydroelectric and coal-generated power in Oklahoma. The resolution will allow the city to start acquiring cheaper power as soon as June of 2010 rather than 2013. The Grand River Dam Authority would deliver 2 MW of power at a cheaper rate than Hoisington has been able to acquire.

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Wellness Clinic helps teachers too!

Sydnie Bilbrey demonstrates cardiopulmonary resuscitation during the USD 431 Wellness Committee Health Fair.

By Jim Misunas
USD 431 teachers were given top priority during a workshop during the USD 431 Wellness Committee Health Fair.
Darrel Lang, Kansas Department of Health and Environment consultant, advised teachers how they can maintain their health and well being in a stressful job.
He said teachers are often so giving of their time and energy to their students, they forget about their own health.
“They tend to take on every else’s emotions and issues,” Lang said. “They are mom, dad and preacher to everyone.”

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City council approves brick repair

By Jim Misunas
After a presentation by Paul Zecha, the Hoisington city council voted Monday to approve a plan to repair brick streets with “brick,” only on Main Street.
City streets have been traditionally been patched with concrete instead of brick.
Zecha discussed the additional cost for patching the streets with brick along with the soundness of the patching.
Other brick streets will be repaired with a concrete mix.
Jonathan Mitchell, Hoisington city manager, said the discussion was lively concerning the repair of bricks.
“I know some people feel strongly about preserving the bricks we have in Hoisington. There was a lot discussion, but the council made a commitment to keep brick in the parking areas on Main Street,” Mitchell said. “It costs extra time and labor for brick. Concrete repair is not as pleasing aesthetically.”
Mitchell said every city with bricks treats the situation differently.
“We have contacted other cities about this issue and have found that there is not a general rule in dealing with this,” he said. “ Communities need to decide on their own what the best course of action is. Most of the communities do replace the bricks, but many do it different ways and some only repair designated zones or areas.”
Mitchell said the majority of the cities that do not replace the bricks, site the increased expenses and time requirements associated with patching the streets. They also question the integrity of brick repairs.
Mitchell said some cities repair with stamped concrete and others have different approaches based on the size (length and width) of the patch or repair.

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Consultant Provides Input
‘Claflin should keep high school’

By Jim Misunas
CLAFLIN -- A retired Kansas State University professor who serves as a consultant has recommended that Claflin 354 and Lorraine USD 328 approve their proposed consolidation.
Kent Stewart, a retired Kansas State education professor, recommended that Claflin be the site of a combined high school because of larger facilities than Quivira Heights High School. He did a study of school buildings in both districts.
Claflin has capacity for 252 students and features larger industrial and vocational agricultural shops. Stewart said the performing arts auditorium and high school gym are adequate.

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Updated 2/27/10

Raccoon image is ‘perfect timing’

“Yikes!” is a precious photo of a lost raccoon, who made a wrong turn and climbed a fence post to look for his family. Photographer Dan Witt will receive a special print of the photo. (Photo by Dan Witt)

By Jim Misunas
Nature photographer Dan Witt of Hoisington appreciates being in the right place at the right time.
His photo “Yikes!” of a lost raccoon at the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge was a first-place winner in the Great Outdoors Photo Contest sponsored by The Wichita Eagle.
Witt was driving the wildlife drive at Quivira when a raccoon family (two adults, three juveniles) ran out of the marsh on to the road. Both adults and two of the kids ran back in the marsh.
“This little guy ran off the road in the wrong direction, and when he got to the fence -- he stopped and climbed the post to look for his family,” Witt said.
Witt said he and Jim Glynn were 10 yards from the raccoon who was very unhappy with the situation.
“He was facing the sun so the lighting was perfect, and he was a great model,” Witt said. “It was just one of those “perfect timing” events that turned out to be special.”
Witt felt fortunate to be ranked in the final 15 out of 450 photos submitted.
“I was amazed to win the event. I was grateful,” Witt said. “Mike Pierce is the outdoor editor for The Eagle, and he was very complimentary and good to me.”
Witt said Karl Grover and Rob Penner at the Cheyenne Bottoms and Nature Conservancy and Hoisington Main Street have supported his hobby. He has shot photos for newspapers, The Friends of the Cheyenne Bottoms, KWEC, the Scenic Byway and the Visitors/Convention Bureau in Great Bend.
“I will try to keep getting better and get better shots of our wonderful wetlands for these organizations,” Witt said. “I thoroughly enjoy getting images that can be useful in promoting our area. I have a lot of fun!”

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Austin office targeted
Hoisington grad works in IRS office

By Jim Misunas
Hoisington had a local connection with the recent plane crash into an office building in Austin, Texas.
A pilot distraught with the Internal Revenue Service crashed his small plane into an Austin, Texas, office building where nearly 200 federal tax employees work on Feb. 18. It ignited a raging fire that sent massive plumes of thick, black smoke rising from the seven-story structure.
The FBI identified the pilot as Joseph Stack, a 53-year-old software engineer. Before the crash, Stack wrote an anti-government Internet post blaming government and the IRS for his financial problems.
Michael Woydziak, who works as an IRS agent in Austin, is a 1970 Hoisington High graduate.

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Wilson State Bank invests locally

By Jim Misunas
Wilson State Bank officials are quickly moving to invest heavily in Hoisington and Barton County.
The Wilson State Bank board of directors approved investment in Cheyenne Bottoms Inn and Suites.
Wilson is 27 miles from Hoisington in Ellsworth County. The bank also operates a bank in Russell.
“We’re definitely excited about the hotel project in Hoisington and are very excited to be a part of that,” said Irv Mitchell, Wilson State Bank president. “We’re excited about the opportunities in Hoisington. There are a lot of positive things happening in Hoisington.”

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Updated 2/19/10

Members of the Hoisington Community attend a Kansas Rural Health Works meeting

Community members attend a recent Kansas Rural health Works meeting at the Activity Center. The next meeting is Feb. 24 at 11:45 a.m. Anyone from the community is welcome to attend. (Photos by Jacque Isern)

Screen Projection of Program Objective

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Health-care Input
Telephone survey to start March 1

On behalf of the Hoisington Area Rural Health Works Steering Committee, callers from Fort Hays State University Docking Institute will conduct a Hoisington area telephone survey beginning the evening of March 1. The 10-minute survey will ask questions regarding residents’ experiences with the local health care system and identify health care needs that may exist in the greater Hoisington area. Survey respondents will be randomly selected and individual answers will remain confidential.

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City manager learns on the job

Jonathan Mitchell, Hoisington city manager, works a shift for the
city of Hoisington’s trash service.

Jonathan Mitchell, Hoisington city manager, learned on the job with the city’s trash department recently. Mitchell worked a full shift Feb. 12 to continue seeing how other city departments operate.
“This gives me great perspective about what other city employees do on a daily basis,” Mitchell said. “These jobs are always more detailed than you can imagine.” Mitchell said it’s always interesting to walk in someone else’s shoes and try and do their job.

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Cheyenne Inn investors meet

By Jim Misunas
It’s full speed ahead for the Cheyenne Bottoms Inn and Suites. The entities involved -- High Plains Management and Development, Hoisington National Bank, Wilson State Bank, the city of Hoisington, bond counsel Gilmore and Bell and Great Plains Development of Dodge City -- all gathered last week to discuss financing details of the $1.8 million project.

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Updated 2/12/10

Hoisington Citizen of the Year
Volunteer appreciates award

Karen VanBrimmer receives the Hoisington Citizen of the Year Volunteer appreciation award
Jim Misunas, editor of The Hoisington Dispatch (left) awards the plaque for Hoisington Citizen of the Year to Karen Van Brimmer. She is a long-time volunteer and city council member who works part-time at Cheyenne Hardware and Hoisington National Bank.

Karen Van Brimmer was honored as Hoisington Citizen of the Year during Saturday’s annual Chamber banquet.
Van Brimmer was appreciative for the honor, bestowed by The Hoisington Dispatch since 1963.

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HMS science teacher achieves goal

HMS science students learn valuable lessons

HMS science students

(Top) Jeremy Breit, Anna Barrett, Emma Haynie and Kristina Byers show off their roller coaster Wild Beast. Austin Strandburg, Sam Stone, Brandon Watkins, Michael McMahon and Brintain Noah display Ghost Rider. The science teacher is Andrea Dolezal. (Photos by Jim Misunas)

HMS science students check out the Lock of Doom

Ben Snyder, McKenzie Moore and Tre Hinds present the Lock of Doom before an attentive audience.

By Jim Misunas
The goal for randomly chosen fifth-grade groups was to learn a valuable science lesson.
Andrea Dolezal, a Hoisington Middle School teacher, wanted the groups to construct a roller coaster so they could visualize potential energy changing to kinetic energy and how a marble’s velocity would be changed by accelerating and changing direction.

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Updated 1/29/10

Pharmacy right on schedule

Hosington Kansas New Pharmacy under construction

By Jim Misunas

With a Kansas Rural Health Works workshop beginning Wednesday, work continues on schedule for Cardinal Pharmacy. The city of Hoisington donated the land at K-4 and Main Street. The city has been without a local pharmacy for three years. “The pharmacy work is moving full speed ahead,” said Jonathan Mitchell, Hoisington city manager. “It’s a huge deal for the Hoisington community. They are doing a great job. The work is right on schedule.”

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USD 354, 328 approve merger plan

By Jim Misunas

HOLYROOD -- The Lorraine USD 328 and Claflin USD 354 school boards approved an agreement to consolidate their school districts effective July 1. The agreement will be forwarded to the Kansas State Board of Education, which must approve the agreement Feb. 9-10.

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Hoisington High Debators 2010

Hoisington High debaters (from left) Xavier Carey, J.R. Cloutier, Ashley McHenry, Montana Spires and Jayci Wyant qualified for Two Speaker State Debate at Goddard. Not pictured is Ryan Friedly. Cloutier and Carey had a 3-3 record. Friedly and McHenry had a 3-3. Neither team advanced to the out-rounds. “We were disappointed, but not defeated, and look forward to competing as seniors next year,” said Hoisington coach Randy Willis.

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City work project awarded to Klaver

By Jim Misunas

Klaver Construction of Kingman was the apparent low bidder for repaving on Hoisington’s Main Street. Jonathan Mitchell, Hoisington city manager, said the city is waiting on Kansas Department of Transporation
approval before proceeding.

Updated 1/15/10

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H1N1 available

GREAT BEND -- Barton County Health Department has provided doses of H1N1 vaccine to local health care providers to immunize anyone over 6 months of age throughout Barton County.
Second dose school clinics for children under age 10 have been completed in Claflin and Hoisington.
Health care partners in Barton County are working together to provide H1N1 vaccines for the public. All county hospitals are participating in the immunizations and will provide the vaccine at no cost. Administration fees may be charged or billed to insurance by providers. Vaccine and consent forms are available at all of the hospitals and additional physician’s offices and clinics.
H1N1 vaccine is available at the following locations and times:
Central Kansas Medical Center, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m.
Clara Barton Hospital, M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ellinwood District Hospital, M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Great Bend Regional Hospital, M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Barton County Health Department will continue to provide H1N1 immunizations at no charge on a walk-in basis during regular business hours and has received its final shipment of seasonal flu vaccine.
The number of current cases in the current wave of H1N1 has decreased, some believe there will be a third wave of H1N1 disease.
in the United States within the next several months. Anyone who wants a seasonal flu shot is encouraged to do so soon. Cost for Seasonal Flu shots is $20.00 and they will also be given during regular business hours on a walk in basis. Seasonal Flu Vaccine is also available at no charge in the Vaccine for Children (VFC) program at the health department for all children whose families qualify financially. Seasonal flu historically reaches a peak during February and March in Kansas so there is still time to protect yourself and family members from this illness.
Community members who plan to receive immunizations at any local provider’s are encouraged to wear short sleeved t-shirts under additional layers if needed so that nurses will be able to reach the upper arm muscle at the top of the shoulder. As of January 1, Barton County Health Department has given approximately 4,753 H1N1 immunizations for all age groups and types of vaccines with approximately 15% of the population protected from this disease. For more information, contact the Barton County Health Department at 620-793-1902. Barton County Health Department 620-793-1902
1300 Kansas Avenue FAX 620-793-1903
Great Bend, KS 67530

Updated 1/8/10

Sunrise in Kansas
A recent sunrise offers a picturesque start. Record cold temperatures are forecast Thursday and Friday. (Photo by Jim Misunas)

Pawnee County’s officials
continue agreement work

KHI News Service
LARNED — Local officials continue to work on an agreement with Hays Medical Center, which has said it will take over management of the town’s hospital on March 1.
Details of the agreement are still under wraps.
“We are still in the process of finalizing our agreement with Pawnee County,” said Jodi Schmidt, a spokesperson for Hays Medical Center. “We needed to wait to determine where they ended up with (Catholic Health Initiatives.) We now have our attorneys working on it, and we hope to have details to release in the next couple weeks.”
St. Joseph Memorial Hospital is currently owned by Central Kansas Medical Center (CKMC) of Great Bend, which is part of the Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives chain.
In August, CKMC officials announced they would close St. Joseph by Sept. 30, 2009, saying the hospital had lost money for several years.
The Pawnee County Community Health Organization (CHO) opposed the closing, saying it would put residents at risk. In late August, CHO and Attorney General Steve Six sued CKMC, accusing the Great Bend hospital of attempting to abandon a valuable charitable asset.

One-way streets to be discussed

By Jim Misunas
Hoisington citizens will have input about developing one-way streets near three USD 431 schools during Monday’s 7:30 p.m. city council meeting.
Bill Lowry, USD 431 superintendent, has requested to the city council for designation of one-way streets in front of Roosevelt and Lincoln Elementary Schools and in front of the middle school as part of the Safe Routes to Schools grant and study. The school board adopted a resolution in support of the request to the city for one-way traffic designation.
Lowry said the Safe Routes to School committee cited narrow streets and safety concerns in recommending that Vine Street (Roosevelt); Pine Street (Lincoln); and 11th Street (HMS) be changed into one-way routes.
Roosevelt is Lowry’s chief concern with students in kindergarten through second grade. More parents transport children to school at Roosevelt because of their young age. The middle school several home-owners on 11th Street, who would be affected by the change.
“Students sometimes have to cross two lanes of traffic, plus there are parking concerns,” Lowry said. “This is a safety measure that can be adopted that provides a safer environment.
One-way traffic would allow for students to be dropped off at the curb rather than cross traffic.

Fund Raiser
Lori Richter, family and consumer science teacher at Hoisington Middle School, is surrounded by eighth-grade students making homemade cinnamon rolls. (Right) Richter is assisted by Lucas Flagor and Jessica Starky in putting cinnamon rolls in delivery boxes for the customers who placed orders during the fund-raiser. This is the fourth year for the fund- raiser that provides hands-on experience for 79 students enrolled in the Life Skills class, which is part of the Family and Consumer Science curriculum. Proceeds are used towards replacing class supplies. (Photos by Jacque Isern)

1/1/10

Settlement reached Larned Hospital will retain critical access designation

LARNED — A lawsuit aimed at blocking the closing of St. Joseph Memorial Hospital had been settled out of court.
The settlement calls for Central Kansas Medical Center (CKMC) of Great Bend, transferring St. Joseph Memorial Hospital on or before March 1 to a party designated by the city of Larned and Pawnee County.
The Larned hospital is owned by CKMC, which is owned by the Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives chain. Several years ago SJMH was acquired by CKMC indirectly as a result of a gift from a community group which had owned the hospital since it had been built more than 50 years ago.
The agreement is subject to further negotiations and approval by city, county, state and hospital officials, according to Steve Six, Kansas Attorney General.
Importantly, for the benefit of the future viability of the hospital, SJMH will retain its federal designation as a critical access facility and that designation will be transferred along with all other assets of the facility.
The designation allows hospitals to bill Medicare for 101 percent of their outpatient, inpatient, laboratory, physical therapy, and post-acute care costs. It is meant to keep small town hospitals economically viable and to ensure that people in rural areas have access to emergency and primary care.
Earlier, CKMC and Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) officials had refused to transfer the designation to the community, saying it was assigned to the building and would expire when the hospital closed.

Timing right for postal employee

Post Office Employee By Jim Misunas
Paul Grauer is celebrating his 63rd birthday by retiring.
The postal employee has worked 22 years in the Hoisington office.
The Wilson High School graduate earned a degree in math from Fort Hays State University when he enlisted in U.S. officer training at Fort Belvoir, Va.
He spent 1971 and 1972 in Da Nang, Vietnam serving as a First Lt. military advisor. He provided expertise in radio communications and occasionally traveled on a helicopter for repair work.

Presents
Hoisington Gambinos employees (from left) Debbie Schuckman, Michelle Knight and Teresa Strickland are loaded down with gifts garnered from employees donating $550 of their tip money to a deserving local family. Clothes, Christmas gifts and other items helped a local family enjoy happy holidays.

Murder Investigation Continues Suspect held on bond on felony charges

Emergency director praised for service

Hoisington stop a welcome relief

Artificial turf installed

HHS graduate to help Kans for Kids benefit

New USD 431 teachers start 2010 school year

History grant will benefit HMS

Garage fire!

Clara Barton P.A. earns state award

HMSI banquet set for Aug. 26

Elton Brown turf down to wire

English cyclists enjoy their Midwest stop

Fund-raisers to help youngster

Health forum set Tuesday

USD 431 seeks ‘turf donations’

One way streets will help

USD 431 rehires administrators

Firefighters show off new gear

Cardinal Pharmacy staff stays busy

Ellinwood mayor files for commission seat

Biker enjoys town

Shooting Victim Dies Suspect arrested for shooting

Hoisington Couple Welcome home Baby Samantha!

Lost Since 2001 Tornado Owner receives Vietnam dog tag

High-Speed Internet Service H&B lands $4.5M telecom grant

Cardinal Pharmacy Pharmacy owners on fast track

Farmer harvests 60th wheat crop

2001 Hoisington Tornado Citizens share their storm stories

Groundbreaking conducted for USD 431 artificial field

Barton County harvest rolling

Sandzen’s artwork nets $172K

Hoisington woman helps Camp Hope

Brickwork is progressing

Logan Trust helps turf project

Claflin owner runs for office

USD 431 approves $509,480 turf field

Hoisington Memorial Day 2010

Class of 2010 prepares for next ride

HHS Valedictorian

Clara Barton event scheduled June 18

Weather photos sought

Inaugural Hoisington Mud Run

Initial Mud Run declared a ‘success’

Class of 2010 has plenty to celebrate

HHS Class of 2010 celebrated

Outstanding girl, boy chosen

Clara Barton Hospital awards scholarships

The Working Faces of Hoisington

Hoisington grad plans ‘living history’

Hoisington speech squad celebrates

Breaking Cheyenne Ground

Hoisington earns runner-up medals

Wetlanders Festival celebrated

Area duck-caller showcases skill

Cheyenne Bottoms Inn & Suites Groundbreaking will be April 30

Westlanders Festival Saturday

Atwood principal hired by USD 431

Hoisington High play April 9-10

Health-care directory published

City council running unopposed

City: Clean bill of health

City to save on power sooner than expected

Wellness Clinic helps teachers too!

City council approves brick repair

Consultant Provides Input ‘Claflin should keep high school’

Raccoon image is ‘perfect timing’

Austin office targeted Hoisington grad works in IRS office

Wilson State Bank invests locally

Health-care Input Telephone survey to start March 1

City manager learns on the job

Cheyenne Inn investors meet

Hoisington Citizen of the Year Volunteer appreciates award

HMS science teacher achieves goal

Pharmacy right on schedule

USD 354, 328 approve merger plan

City work project awarded to Klaver

H1N1 available

Pawnee County’s officials continue agreement work

One-way streets to be discussed

Settlement reached Larned Hospital will retain critical access designation

Murder Investigation Continues
Suspect held on bond on felony charges

Lost Since 2001 Tornado
Owner receives Vietnam dog tag

High-Speed Internet Service
H&B lands $4.5M telecom grant

Cardinal Pharmacy
Pharmacy owners on fast track

2001 Hoisington Tornado
Citizens share their storm stories

Cheyenne Bottoms Inn & Suites
Groundbreaking will be April 30

Consultant Provides Input
‘Claflin should keep high school’

Austin office targeted
Hoisington grad works in IRS office

Health-care Input
Telephone survey to start March 1

Hoisington Citizen of the Year
Volunteer appreciates award

Pawnee County’s officials
continue agreement work