Vol. 2: No. 11 Thursday, October 27, 2016 USPS (17818) $1.25 Mail Label FRESH PRODUCTS TOO! PRODUC CTS TOO www.harveycountynow.com - Newton, KS It’s hard to have a debate by yourself, but Tim Hodge tried. The residents of Kidron Bethel Village packed the cafeteria of the facility to hear a debate between State House District 72 Candidate Tim Hodge and Incumbent Marc Rhoades. Two microphones were set up. The crowd waited as Hodge walked around, shaking hands and working the room. But with no Rhoades appearing, finally the mod- erator, Helen Nachtigal, after some confusion, decided the show must go on. “We reaffirmed with him a day ago by e-mail,” she later said. “I don't know what happened.” Rhoades stated later, via e-mail, that he informed the facility the day prior he wasn't coming. The miscommunication later turned into the social media chatter between the two candidates. “It's unfortunate that our opponent, Rep. Rhoades, de- cided that he couldn't explain his record and chose not to attend,” Hodge's campaign page posted. Rhoades' campaign then shared the Hodge post and responded, “I e-mailed K-B the day before that a time- Online barbs thrown after non-debate ■ Hodge speaks to crowd at Kidron Bethel without Rhoades after candidate bows out of scheduled debate. Both have exchange online afterward. BY ADAM STRUNK NEWTON NOW STAFF [email protected]See DEBATE / 8 PHOTOS BY WENDY NUGENT/NEWTON NOW Gail Stucky, center, co-director of libraries at Bethel College in North Newton, talks to Newton High School students Sarai Stamps, left, and Guilherme Berbel about one of the busts in Mantz Library that scares people. The opening scene of the origi- nal 1984 “Ghostbusters” movie features a haunted library. And while there's no ecto- plasm flowing about in the cata- combs of Mantz Library at Bethel College, students have suggested that it, too, is haunted. Gail Stucky, co-director of li- braries, said former student Sam Gaeddert told her he had a weird experience in the new sec- tion of the library when he was closing one evening. He told her he felt cold and smelled heavy Who ya gonna call? SEVERAL PARANORMAL ACTIVITIES REPORTED IN NEWTON AREA BY WENDY NUGENT NEWTON NOW STAFF [email protected]Usually it’s businesses, or organizations that pony up the cost to hand out candy to 1,500 or so children who swarm downtown for the Hal- loween Safe Walk. But of the 38 that have signed up this year, there will be one individual handing out candy on her own with her husband. Her name is Robin Stukey. She's not promoting anything. She's doesn't have an agenda. She's simply doing it to honor her dad, Jim Goddard— a man who loved Halloween. “Every year I do something for his birthday or Father’s Day, and I thought this year, 'Why not do this,'” she said. Stukey said her dad loved the holiday and making as many children as he could happy. “My dad, when he was alive, he died in 2012, he would dress as a clown and collect stuffed animals for the whole year and then hand them out for neighborhood kids,” she said. Growing up, Stukey said Halloween candy will have special meaning for one person SUBMITTED PHOTO Jim Goddard posses with his family. Daughter Robin Stukey plans on handing out candy this Halloween to honor the holiday her dad loved. BY ADAM STRUNK NEWTON NOW STAFF [email protected]See CANDY / 8 This home in the southwest part of Newton is said to have been haunted. See GHOSTS / 8 See NEWTON / 10 WENDY NUGENT/NEWTON NOW Amanda Knowles, case manager/social worker at Newton Medical Center, right, and Heather Porter, associate chief clinical officer population health, talk about the paramedicine program. Most people only need an ambu- lance one or two times in their life- time, but there are some people who make that three-digit call more than 20 times a year. Those folks are called supe- rusers, said Newton Fire/EMS Chief Scott Metzler. “There are people in our commu- nity who aren't getting their needs met,” Metzler said. “So they call an ambulance to get their needs met.” From this problem of having su- perusers call them often, a solu- tion was formed. Instead of always needing to have a pound of cure, the local Fire/EMS Department and Newton Medical Center got to- gether on an ounce of prevention and started Community Paramedi- cine. “It occurred to us if we keep sending an ambulance and a crew to the same problem, we don't feel like we're being very efficient or ef- fective,” Metzler said. “They keep calling for help, and we keep EMS teams up with Newton Medical Center on paramedicine program BY WENDY NUGENT NEWTON NOW STAFF [email protected]See PROGRAM / 8 Chapel getting facelift with restored stained glass - Page 3 Railers heading to state with No. 1 seed - Page 13 When you have ground that a city wants, it's a seller's market. The city commission approved buying 1.4 acres of land on the west side of Orscheln Farm and Home, 321 Windward Drive, for $210,000 plus $25,000 of credit to be paid toward city bills. That comes out to a total fi- nancial benefit package of $167,857 an acre. “It's not an outrageous price to pay for that,” City Manager Bob Myers explained. “We've gotten hurt worse than that on other situations. You just try to ne- gotiate and get the best deal that you can. We always have to weigh it. What are our chances; do we take it through the whole condemnation process? I've been through enough of those; I've seen how they come out.” Basically, Myers said the city needed that ground in part to connect the proposed Prairie Fire Apartment Complex to an existing road. He added that negotiations to buy the ground was going on even before the develop- ment as the city looked into creating a road in the area Newton shells out six figures for 1.4 acres BY ADAM STRUNK NEWTON NOW STAFF [email protected]
It’s hard to have a debate by yourself, but Tim Hodgetried.
The residents of Kidron Bethel Village packed thecafeteria of the facility to hear a debate between StateHouse District 72 Candidate Tim Hodge and IncumbentMarc Rhoades.
Two microphones were set up. The crowd waited asHodge walked around, shaking hands and working theroom. But with no Rhoades appearing, finally the mod-erator, Helen Nachtigal, after some confusion, decidedthe show must go on.
“We reaffirmed with him a day ago by e-mail,” shelater said. “I don't know what happened.”
Rhoades stated later, via e-mail, that he informed thefacility the day prior he wasn't coming.
The miscommunication later turned into the socialmedia chatter between the two candidates.
“It's unfortunate that our opponent, Rep. Rhoades, de-cided that he couldn't explain his record and chose notto attend,” Hodge's campaign page posted.
Rhoades' campaign then shared the Hodge post andresponded, “I e-mailed K-B the day before that a time-
Online barbsthrown afternon-debate� Hodge speaks to crowd at Kidron Bethel withoutRhoades after candidate bows out of scheduled debate. Both have exchange online afterward.
PHOTOS BY WENDY NUGENT/NEWTON NOWGail Stucky, center, co-director of libraries at Bethel College in North Newton, talks to Newton High School students Sarai Stamps,left, and Guilherme Berbel about one of the busts in Mantz Library that scares people.
The opening scene of the origi-nal 1984 “Ghostbusters” moviefeatures a haunted library.
And while there's no ecto-plasm flowing about in the cata-combs of Mantz Library atBethel College, students havesuggested that it, too, ishaunted.
Gail Stucky, co-director of li-braries, said former studentSam Gaeddert told her he had aweird experience in the new sec-tion of the library when he wasclosing one evening. He told herhe felt cold and smelled heavy
Who ya gonna call?
SEVERAL PARANORMAL ACTIVITIES REPORTED IN NEWTON AREA
Usually it’s businesses, ororganizations that pony upthe cost to hand out candy to1,500 or so children whoswarm downtown for the Hal-loween Safe Walk.
But of the 38 that havesigned up this year, there willbe one individual handing outcandy on her own with herhusband.
Her name is Robin Stukey.She's not promoting anything.She's doesn't have an agenda.
She's simply doing it to
honor her dad, Jim Goddard—a man who loved Halloween.
“Every year I do somethingfor his birthday or Father’sDay, and I thought this year,'Why not do this,'” she said.
Stukey said her dad lovedthe holiday and making asmany children as he couldhappy.
“My dad, when he wasalive, he died in 2012, hewould dress as a clown andcollect stuffed animals for thewhole year and then handthem out for neighborhoodkids,” she said.
Growing up, Stukey said
Halloween candy will have special meaning for one person
SUBMITTED PHOTOJim Goddard posses with his family. DaughterRobin Stukey plans on handing out candy thisHalloween to honor the holiday her dad loved.
This home in the southwest part of Newton is said to have been haunted.See GHOSTS / 8
See NEWTON / 10
WENDY NUGENT/NEWTON NOWAmanda Knowles, case manager/social worker at Newton Medical Center,right, and Heather Porter, associate chief clinical officer population health, talkabout the paramedicine program.
Most people only need an ambu-lance one or two times in their life-time, but there are some peoplewho make that three-digit callmore than 20 times a year.
Those folks are called supe-rusers, said Newton Fire/EMSChief Scott Metzler.
“There are people in our commu-nity who aren't getting their needsmet,” Metzler said. “So they call anambulance to get their needs met.”
From this problem of having su-perusers call them often, a solu-tion was formed. Instead of alwaysneeding to have a pound of cure,the local Fire/EMS Departmentand Newton Medical Center got to-gether on an ounce of preventionand started Community Paramedi-cine.
“It occurred to us if we keepsending an ambulance and a crewto the same problem, we don't feellike we're being very efficient or ef-fective,” Metzler said. “They keepcalling for help, and we keep
EMS teams up with Newton MedicalCenter on paramedicine program
When you have ground that a city wants, it's a seller'smarket.
The city commission approved buying 1.4 acres ofland on the west side of Orscheln Farm and Home, 321Windward Drive, for $210,000 plus $25,000 of credit tobe paid toward city bills. That comes out to a total fi-nancial benefit package of $167,857 an acre.
“It's not an outrageous price to pay for that,” CityManager Bob Myers explained. “We've gotten hurtworse than that on other situations. You just try to ne-gotiate and get the best deal that you can. We alwayshave to weigh it. What are our chances; do we take itthrough the whole condemnation process? I've beenthrough enough of those; I've seen how they come out.”
Basically, Myers said the city needed that ground inpart to connect the proposed Prairie Fire ApartmentComplex to an existing road. He added that negotiationsto buy the ground was going on even before the develop-ment as the city looked into creating a road in the area
The Seventh-AnnualHaunt Fest HalloweenCelebration for the Com-munity will be from 5:30to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct.29, at Bethel CollegeAcademy of PerformingArts, 400 S. Main St. inNewton. Bring yourfriends, family and littleghoulies for some spook-takular fun for all ages.Activities include games,a cake walk, costume con-test with prizes, danceperformances and a PG-rated haunted house.
Schedule of activities:
5:30 p.m.—Games,crafts, refreshments start
5:45 p.m.—Little Pump-kin Story Time (youngchild activity), Dance Stu-dio
6 p.m.—Open the CakeWalk -$2 every four turns,Music Room
6:15 p.m.—First danceperformance (AdventureDance and Stages DanceCompanies), Dance Studio
6:30 p.m.—Costume
Contest with prizes,Music Room
7:50 p.m.—Seconddance performance, DanceStudio
7 to 8 p.m.—HauntedHouse (for kids 9 yearsand older), $3 a trip perperson, Upstairs
Admission is free, withsome activities for mini-mal cost to help defray ex-penses.
A Harvey County manwas arrested for having alittle more than a poundof marijuana in his pos-session Oct. 16.
Newton Police Lt. ScottPowell said the depart-ment arrested LloydSmith, 47, on charges ofdistribution of marijuana,criminal use of a weaponand possession of para-phernalia.
Powell said the policedepartment recognized
Smithas hehadout-stand-ingwar-rants,stop-pedhimandfound 472 ounces or 1.04pounds of marijuana onhim as well as parapher-nalia and a rifle.
—Newton Now staff
Swap meetraises money
for charityMembers of an online
auction group organizedin a physical sense Sat-urday, gathering foodand raising $330 thisweekend for those inneed.
Stephanie Phelps gottogether members of theNewton Online AuctionFacebook group to hold aswap meet in the parkinglot next to Casey's on thecorner of First and
Meridian Streets. Thegroup charged $10 forbooths and collectedcanned goods for AgapeResource Center andNew Jerusalem Missions.
"We have plenty; mostof us have plenty in New-ton Online Auction,"Phelps said. "So why notshare?”
Thirty-three vendorsshowed up selling allsorts of goods, from fur-niture to bread to jewelryto belt buckles.
The vendor fees will beused to buy Christmaspresents for children inneed.
—Adam Strunk
It doesn’t matter howmuch I love freshlybaked desserts,
there’s just somethingabout packaged snackcakes that I love.
I wasn’t one of thosepeople who freaked out afew years ago when theworld thought theTwinkie would be goneforever, but I can’t say Iwouldn’t be more than alittle upset if a few of myother favorites disap-peared from store shelves.
Thank goodness,though, after this week Idon’t have to worry ifsomeone announces thatthe oatmeal cream pie isbeing discontinued, be-cause I have that one cov-ered.
If you want to make agood copycat of the fa-mous snack cake at home,
and you’d like to have agigantic version (whowouldn’t?), I have just therecipe for you. It comesfrom the blog “Sally’sBaking Addiction.” You
can find the original athttp://sallysbakingaddic-tion.com/2014/02/03/1-giant-oatmeal-creme-pie/.I doubled the cinnamonand vanilla.
Giant OatmealCreme Pie
Cookie:1/4 cup butter, softened1/2 cup brown sugar1 egg1 teaspoon vanilla1/2 tablespoon flour1/2 cup quick oats1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8
teaspoon baking soda1/2 rounded teaspoon
cinnamon
Creme:3 tablespoons butter,
softened2/3 cup powdered sugar1 tablespoon milk or
cream1/2 teaspoon vanillapinch of salt
DirectionsPreheat the oven to 350
degrees.
Beat the butter andbrown sugar for about twominutes. Add the egg andvanilla and beat for an-other two minutes.
Add in the flour, oats,soda and cinnamon andmix to fully combine.
Divide the dough intotwo parts and place intwo, rounded mounds onopposite sides of a cookiesheet so they have roomto spread.
Bake for about 20 min-utes or until the cookiesare browned on the edges.
While the cookies bake,beat together all of the in-gredients for the cremefilling until the mixture issmooth. If it’s too runny,add a little more pow-dered sugar. If it’s toothick, add a little moremilk.
Once the cookies are
cooled, spread the fillingbetween them and sand-wich them into one giantoatmeal creme pie.
This is a perfect dessertto share, and it makesyou feel a little less guiltyabout eating a snackcake, since you know ex-actly what ingredientswent into it.
It’s not a dead-ringerfor the Little Debbie ver-sion, but it’s close enoughthat I’m willing to forgothe plastic-wrapped cakeand make my own.
Now if I can just figureout how to make my ownDing-Dongs, I’ll be set.
Lindsey Young is co-owner of Newton Now and
is a Bethel College graduate.
Page 2 www.harveycountynow.com Newton Now October 27, 2016NEWS
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TO ADVERTISE: Newton Now offers retail and classified advertising. We also offer advertising in any newspaper in the statealong with a host of other marketing products. We can build an ad campaign that can fit your budget and reach our loyalreadership. Please contact Bruce Behymer at [email protected] or 316-617-1095. The advertising deadlineis 5 p.m. on Monday for run of the paper ads and Noon on Monday for classified ads.
TO SUBSCRIBE: Subscription requests/renewals may be mailed to P.O. Box 825, Newton, KS, 67114. Your newspaper willbe delivered to your mailbox each Thursday if you live in county and as soon as the post office can get it to you if you live outof county. Single copy price, $1.25; subscription price per year is $50 (includes tax) in Kansas, and $65 out of state. No re-funds on cancellations.
CORRECTIONS POLICY: Newton Now strives to produce an accurate news report each week and will publish correctionswhen needed. To report corrections or clarifications, contact Adam Strunk at [email protected].
POSTMASTER: Send change of address to: Newton Now, P.O. Box 825, Newton, KS, 67114 -- Newton Now periodicalpostage paid at Newton, Kan.
NEWTON NOW • USPS Publication No. (17818) • (316) 281-7899 Published weekly by Kansas Publishing Ventures, PO Box 825, Newton, Kansas 67114
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Sandwich this recipe into your weekend plans
LINDSEY YOUNG/NEWTON NOWThis giant oatmeal crème pie tastes a lot like the Little Debbie versionwithout all of the processed ingredients.
Smith
ADAM STRUNK/NEWTON NOWCustomers mill around shopping Saturday afternoon at a swap meet setup by the Newton Online Auction Facebook group for charity.
NEWS BRIEFS
As the craftsman com-pleted his work, he askedthat the lights be turnedoff and a short hush fellover the group gathered towatch.
In the room, two stainedglass windows glowed withthe morning sun, depictingthe Virgin Mary. A fittingdepiction for a soon-to-becompleted chapel in aschool named Saint Mary.The chapel is part of a$30,000 to $40,000 re-model at the NewtonCatholic School that willresult in a new conferenceroom and the chapel, con-verted from an old bath-room. The chapel willserve as a place for staffand students to meditate,pray and contemplate.
“We all experience Godthrough different facul-ties,” said Sharon Stutey,wife of school principalPhilip Stutey.
And helping with thatexperience should be thestained glass windows cre-ated by Scott Hoefer.
He estimated his com-pany, Hoefer CustomStained Glass, spent 40hours apiece on the win-dows.
The process includes cre-ating sketches, piecing to-gether different pieces ofglass, painting them, firingthem and holding them to-gether with lead.
Hoefer, who does proj-
ects like this across thestate and country out ofhis office in SouthHutchinson, said he goesthrough hundreds andhundreds of pounds of leada year.
The final products oftenfill churches, representingan old art form that stillfinds relevance today with
both people who appreciatethe artistic beauty as wellas the faithful who findmeaning in the scenes theydepict.
Sharon, who was onhand to watch the installa-tion process, explainedthat the Virgin Mary holdsspecial importance in theCatholic faith as she is the
mother of Christ andsomeone to ask to inter-cede and bring prayers toGod.
“Who's closer to youthan your mom?” Philipexplained, jumping in.
Stained glass images
have been used bychurches for centuries tohelp teach stories of theBible or articles of faith.
Sharon said the imagesin the soon-to-be chapelare no different, pointingout the stained glass win-
dows represent differentstories of the appearanceof Mary.
The chapel, once com-pleted, will have chairs,kneelers an altar and willbe consecrated.
The altar and much ofthe woodwork inside of thechapel was made by aschool employee, SteveHolub, who also built thealtar in the main church.
The project was madepossible through an auc-tion fundraiser.
There's no scheduleddate for the opening of thechapel yet.
October 27, 2016 Newton Now www.harveycountynow.com Page 3NEWS
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Chapel taking shape at St. Mary Catholic School BY ADAM STRUNKNEWTON NOW [email protected]
WENDY NUGENT/NEWTON NOWSt. Mary Catholic School Principal Philip Stutey, left, carries one of the stained-glass windows from a van to the school, as does Scott Hoefer,right, with Hoefer Custom Stained Glass.
WENDY NUGENT/NEWTON NOWScott Hoefer installs one of thestained-glass windows on Friday.
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran(R-Kan.) met with fivestudents from the Newtonarea who applied for ad-mission to a United StatesService Academy.
They are Conner Eker-berg, Landon Moore andLogan Treaster of Newtonand Patrick Porch of Hal-stead and Kitt Reiger ofHesston.
Interviews took place atthe Dwight D. EisenhowerPresidential Library inAbilene. Sen. Moran’sService Academy Selec-tion Board consideredmore than 40 youngKansans interested in at-tending the U.S. MilitaryAcademy, U.S. NavalAcademy, U.S. Air ForceAcademy or the U.S. Mer-
chant Marine Academy. “Meeting with bright
young Kansans who hopeto serve our country issomething I look forwardto every year,” Sen. Moransaid. “I applaud the hardwork and preparation ofthese students and hopeto see them succeed foryears to come.”
—For Newton Now
Moran meets with local students
Page 4 www.harveycountynow.com Newton Now October 27, 2016NEWS
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Barrick’s Bench dedicated at gallery
When he was alive, artpieces of sunrises andsunsets hung on the wallsin Barrick Wilson's livingroom, and now a benchdedicated on Thursdaynight has a similar imageof the sun on the horizon,done in a mosaic designon bench's seat.
“This evening, we areremembering Barrickwith the dedication of aspecial bench,” said Mer-rill Raber, board vice pres-ident at the CarriageFactory Art Gallery inNewton, to a crowd.“What could be more sym-bolic?”
Gallery Assistant Direc-tor Mary Lee McDonalddid the mosaic design onthe organ bench, whichwas commissioned by Wil-son's family, and thebench was donated by Sh-eryl and Brady Krueger.
“I was talking to Susan[Koehn, board president]one day, and they werelooking for a bench, and Isaid I have a bench I'd bemore than happy to do-nate,” Sheryl Kruegersaid. “It had been in ourfamily for 50-some years.”
Bryan Wilson, one ofWilson's sons, said hetalked to the director ofthe gallery, Cindy Snider,about commissioning astatic art piece that wouldbe permanently on displayin the gallery. Wilson saidMcDonald stepped up todo the art, and the familyseemed impressed withthe work.
An image of the sun ap-pears to be rising overpiano keys in the design,and on each black key, aword describing Wilson iswritten. Some of thewords, which were sug-gested by people whoknew him well, included“connected,” “advocate,”“love,” “patient,” “thank-ful” and “playful.”
“We hereby dedicatethis bench, which will becalled Barrick's Bench,”Raber said. “It will be per-
manently located here inthe gallery as a continu-ing reminder of the inspi-ration of Barrick Wilson,who supported the gallerywith his knowledge,music, finances and en-couragement.”
Barrick Wilson servedon the gallery's board andplayed piano there.
“He especially enjoyedplaying our high-tech digi-tal piano and was an ac-complished pianist, oftenplaying for galleryevents,” Raber said.
Bryan Wilson alsospoke during the event.He was there with hiswife, Ursula, and kidsKassidy and Gavin Wil-son.
“The bench in and of it-self—it's where he sat tomake his dad proud whenhe was little,” Wilson said,speaking in front of thegroup. “It's where he satto entertain two boys
growing up, and later on,it's where he sat for ther-apy. I'm glad it's going tolive here forever.”
Another son, JeffreyWilson of California, wasnot at the event.
“We saw it the first timetonight,” Bryan Wilsonsaid.
The Newton UkuleleTune Society, a group towhich Barrick Wilson be-longed, provided musicthat evening. One of thesongs they played was“Bad, Bad Leroy Brown”by Jim Croce, which wasone of Barrick Wilson'slate wife, Kristi's, favoriteCroce songs.
In bands Barrick Wil-son performed in through-out his life, he alwaysmade sure they played aCroce song for his wife.
“It was always some-thing that got played be-cause he knew she lovedit,” Bryan Wilson said.
WENDY NUGENT/NEWTON NOWMembers of Barrick Wilson's family, from left, son Bryan Wilson,granddaughter Kassidy Wilson, daughter-in-law Ursula Wilson andgrandson Gavin Wilson look over Barrick's Bench on Thursday night fol-lowing the dedication ceremony.
WENDY NUGENT/NEWTON NOW
LEFT: Membersof the NewtonUkulele Tune So-ciety entertainduring the dedi-cation while Bar-rick's Bench is inthe foreground.
October 27, 2016 Newton Now www.harveycountynow.com Page 5NEWS
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Published in the Newton Now on October 13, 20, and 26, 2016
Homeless shelter to change name, location
They're calling it NewHope.
The Harvey CountyHomeless Shelter willchange both its name andits practices at the start ofnext year.
Director James Wilsonmade the announcementduring a presentation atthe Rec Center. The shel-ter will go by the nameNew Hope Shelter, Inc.and also expand servicesfor cold weather shelter-ing as well as long-termlife restoration programs.
“We want to go higher,reach further and helpothers be stronger individ-ually,” Wilson said to thecrowd gathered.
The name change stemsout of two reasons, Wilsonsaid. In one case, it re-moves the word homeless,which Wilson said unnec-essarily attaches stereo-types to the people whouse the facility.
“Everybody has astereotype in their head,”he said. “That's not at allwhat we deal with. Wedeal with a lot of rural orsituational homelessness.”
Wilson said, with a 17percent poverty rate inNewton, the need for suchservices is large.
“That's 3,324 people
who could become home-less with one missed pay-check, one healthemergency or one majorvehicle repair,” he said.
To serve such a need—the shelter had 294 in-takes last year and is upto 230 this year—it takesfundraising.
Wilson said he thinksthe name change will helpthose fundraising effortsfor the Christian-basedshelter. The name wouldhelp squelch the beliefthat the shelter is govern-ment funded or limitedsolely to Harvey County.
“We take no govern-ment funding as we wantto hold Christ central,”Wilson said.
Instead, the group re-lies on individuals,churches and businessesfor financial help.
With the name changecomes updates to the shel-ter's policies.
In the winter months,from Nov. 1 to March 31,it will offer 24-hour in-takes to all of those inneed of emergency shel-ter, and excluding onlyregistered violent offend-ers, sex offenders andthose under the influenceof a substance.
No one is allowed tostay at the shelter if theyare using substances.
“We have so many peo-ple trying to move aheadthat one hiccup could sendripples,” Wilson said.
The shelter will offer aseven-day shelter pro-gram, and then a longer,90-day life restorationprogram for those whoapply which will includeclasses in Bible study, life
skills, job skills, moneymanagement, and parent-ing skills.
Mandatory savingsfrom jobs will be required,and those unemployedwill continue to have to do12 hours of volunteerwork a week plus submitat least seven job applica-tions.
Wilson also said theshelter is working to de-fine its intake area to theHarvey, Marion andMcPherson Counties.
In other shelter-relatednews, Wilson said hehopes to add on additionalstaff and set a fundraisinggoal of $300,000 for thisyear.
The permanent locationof the shelter still remainsup in the air as well, asEmberHope has been try-ing to sell the campus theshelter is located on at900 West Broadway.
Wilson said that hedoesn't know if the shelterwill stay on the propertyor eventually move toproperty it owns acrossfrom the Health Min-istries Clinic at 215 SPine St.
Wilson said the movewould involve building anew building, and whilenothing is moving forwardat the moment on thoseplans, they are looking atwhat a new shelter andconstruction would costand look like.
Sunset PTO spruces up the yard
Cleanliness is next togodliness. At least, that'show the saying goes. It'snot certain that's whymembers of the SunsetElementary School Par-ent/Teacher Organizationwere out cleaning up thelawn around the schoolThursday night, but thePTO president gave otherreasons.
“We just like to keepout school looking nice,”PTO president SarahHensiek said. “We like forSunset to be a commu-nity—a place of belong-ing.”
She said if the buildinglooks good, it helps stu-dents have a sense of be-longing to the school.
On Thursday night, atleast four members of thePTO—Hensiek, her hus-band Matt Hensiek,Libby Schrag and MissyGreen—pulled weeds andtrimmed bushes at theschool's entrance.
Upon pulling up to theschool, one could hear thehedge trimmer Matt Hen-siek used to tame thebushes.
“Just doing a fallcleanup,” Hensiek said.“Sprucing up the flowerbeds, trimming bushes,pulling weeds.”
Later, they had
planned to weed eat.“This is something the
PTO likes to do everyyear,” Hensiek said.
Hensiek said they put acall out on their Facebookpage to anybody whowanted to help and thatthey could bring tools andgloves.
Schrag even had a cou-ple of her children work-ing, including youngRuby Oswald, whoseshirt read, “I'm a hardhard worker.”
The PTO scheduled thecleaning time during aparent/teacher conferencenight, hoping some par-ents would pitch in beforeand after their confer-ences.
“Our hope was parentswould come to confer-ences and then help usout,” Hensiek said.
PTO members did thison a volunteer basis.
“We're trying to reallyget our parents involvedthis year,” Hensiek said.
One example is theyhad more than 150 kidsand parents in the home-coming parade this year,and some of the kidshelped make a simple en-gineering design for thefloat.
“Every grade had somepart in the float,” Hen-siek said. “So, every kidhad a part of it.”
In addition, in Novem-ber, the PTO will have itsfirst bingo night for kidsand parents.
WENDY NUGENT/NEWTON NOWOn Thursday, Missy Green uses a rake to help clean up the front area of Sunset Elementary School in New-ton.
ADAM STRUNK/NEWTON NOWHarvey County Homeless Shelter Director James Wilson discusses up-coming changes.
The Newton Police De-partment arrested awoman for attempting torun over a police officerearly Sunday morning.
Lt. Scott Powell saidthe Newton Police Officewas called out to a do-mestic dispute at anapartment complex in the1200 Block of East Broad-way around 1 a.m.
Police began investigat-
ing the incidentand noticed awoman, whomthey believed tobe involved, driveby the apartmentin a 2000 DodgeDurango
“An officer goesout and tries totell her to stop,”Powell said. “Shethen tried to run over oneof our officers.”
Powell said a chase fol-
lowed and contin-ued into SedgwickCounty, wherespike strips weredeployed to stopthe vehicle.
Police arrestedthe driver, TiffanyTafoya, 35, for ag-gravated assaultof a law enforce-ment officer and
use of a deadly weaponfor trying to run over anofficer with her vehicle.
She was also chargedwith a DUI as well asfleeing and eluding lawenforcement.
Law enforcement alsoarrested Troy Ferguson,35, at the apartment com-plex for initially commit-ting domestic batteryagainst Tafoya.
“We normally don'tchase victims,” Powellsaid. “But at the time itstarted, we don't knowvictim from suspect.”
Woman arrested for trying to run over police officerNEWTON NOW STAFF
Tafoya
Page 6 www.harveycountynow.com Newton Now October 27, 2016OPINION
One of my least favoritethings to do on this paperis saying no.
I like to get as much informa-tion as I can in the paper. I liketo get as many views as possiblein the paper.
But in certain cases I have tosay no. Sometimes it has to dowith space, geography, quality, ora lack of general interest.
But often it has to do with un-supported claims or falsehoods.
The election season highlightsthis process.
Since running this paper, I'vereceived a number of letters tothe editor I've declined to pub-lish.
Most of the letters have a com-mon denominator: they make ac-cusations against a person,usually someone running for of-fice.
For example “So-and-so is a liarand said that he hates Americaand I know he's funding anti-American activities.”
We don't make baseless accusa-tions when writing news articles.If we say something, there aresupporting facts to back that up.
So, in the case of such a letter,I try to get in contact and ask ifthey have proof to back up theirclaim.
I have published a few lettersafter that follow up call when thewriters have shown me informa-tion to back up their assertions.
But mostly, the proof doesn'tappear and that leaves me in asituation I don't particularly care
for. Sometimes the people I'm deal-
ing with are gracious and saythat they disagree with me andleave it at that.
Other times I have to deal withan unhappy person on the otherend of the phone. The term cen-sorship gets thrown around.
It doesn't matter that the news-paper is a privately owned busi-ness that has the right to publishor refuse to publish what wewant.
It doesn't matter that I explainto them that if the table wereturned they wouldn't want mepublishing unfounded lettersabout their candidate.
They just know I'm not provid-ing them a free way to further anagenda.
Here's the deal: our newspaperisn't Facebook. While people canpost any made up junk they comeup with on social media, we lookat and edit over what we put inthe paper. To be honest, todaythe proliferation of utter false-
hoods and crap we see thatpasses as information or truthstems in large part from the de-cline in this gate keeping process.
The paper should never be a ve-hicle for misinformation. Whileour opinion page looks at issuesfrom various perspectives, we tryto limit outright falsehoods.
It's my responsibility to lookout for our readers and makesure we are providing them withthe best most accurate contentpossible. I fall short sometimes,but I strive for that goal.
It's my responsibility to protectour publication in regard to legalissues and issues of reputation.It's my job to ensure that we donot falsely assault the reputationof others.
And so that's why I make thephone calls and send the e-mails.And that's why I sometimes sayno.
What other publications chooseto do is their business. But ourbusiness relies on being factual.In terms of letter submissions,there are some people on the leftwho don't like that. There aresome people on the right whodon't like that.
So, in that small fact, here's tobipartisanship. I'll try to pleaseas many people as I can, but Iknow you can't make everyonehappy.
Adam Strunk is the managingeditor of Newton Now. He can be
This past week, I've beentalking to people who haveexperienced some form of
paranormal activity in theirhomes or at work.
Yes, in this paper you're hold-ing, there is an article about al-leged hauntings in the Newtonarea. For the past two Halloweenseasons, I've written such articlesfor Newton Now. Finding peoplewho have had such experiencesisn't always very difficult. Find-ing folks who will speak on therecord for fear of what othersthink can be more challenging,however.
This time around, I found a fewpeople willing to share their sto-ries. One is Suzette Gray, wholives in Arizona with her hus-band. They have five children andlived in a house in southwestNewton where they heard bang-ing, something running aroundupstairs and what sounded likesomeone walking down the stairsat their rental home in Newtonabout 20 years ago.
Now, I really don't want to sayI believe in ghosts for fear of oth-ers thinking I'm loony, but I'vehad some interesting things hap-pen to me I can't explain. I like tothink of some of these things asproof of life after death. Yes, I'ma Christian, and I believe inheaven.
Most of my experiences havedealt with sounds. My first expe-rience was after my GrandpaCullers died around 1983. Onenight, when I was between thatawake and asleep time, I heardsomeone whisper in my ear, “Youdon't have to worry.” I didn't onlyhear the whisper, I felt it, likeyou do when someone whispers inyour ear. I like to think it was mygrandpa coming back with a mes-sage for me. He was a great guy.
I didn't experience anythinguntil we moved into a duplex inNewton. We named our allegedspook Emma, and things hap-pened there we couldn't explain.Again, I heard on a couple of oc-casions someone whispering inmy ear, in maybe another lan-
guage. One night, it was just me,my youngest son (he probablywas a teen at the time) and thecat in the house. From a deadsleep, I awakened to hear thebathroom door between me andmy son's bedroom rattle loudly. Igot up to check out what hadcaused it, looking into my son'sroom. He and the cat were soundasleep on his bed. The bedroomswere on the second floor of theduplex, and I didn't hear anyonego down the stairs.
On a couple of other occasions,my two oldest sons saw, sepa-rately, some gray shape movingaround the house. My oldest saidthe figure was in the kitchen,looking inside a high cupboardand was “trying to act spooky.”
I believe he was sleeping in theliving room, and one could see in-side the kitchen from there.
One of the last times I heardsomething, I was lying on thecouch reading a book, and I heardsomething rub against the end ofthe couch by the floor. I couldn'tsee it. I thought the cat was rub-bing against the couch. Later, Iheard something rub the back ofthe couch as if it was standing onthe steamer trunk up against theback of the couch. And then I hadthe thought, “The cat is outside,”which she was. I have no ideawhat that was—only a guess.
So, I said to perhaps nothingthere, “You're dead. Cross over.You're freaking us out.”
After that, I only had one otherexperience, and then thingsstopped. That experience was in
my sons' bedroom. It was around10:30 at night, and I was dressedin PJ bottoms and a regular top.Not sure why. Anyway, I went inthe room and stopped partway inthe room. Then, I heard someonebreathe very loudly in my ear.There was no one in the house atthe time except me.
For some reason, I suspected itmight've been a duplex neighborhiding in the attic, so thatfreaked me out. I'm not sure whyI thought that, because thebreath was directly in my ear,and no one was standing there. Iran out of the house, jumped inmy vehicle and drove to my son'sbusiness in North Newton. Icalmed down, told them whathappened, and perhaps one of mysons went back to investigate thehouse with me. We found noth-ing. I'm more afraid of humansthan ghosts, if that's what it was.A ghost has never hurt me.
What could those things be?This time of year, and othertimes, with all the ghost-huntingTV shows so popular now, we liketo call them ghosts.
I lived in that duplex for about21 years. I've moved now, and Ihave heard new weird noises lateat night in my new place. Notsure what they are or what'smaking them, but they're notwhispering in my ear.
If any of you have stories of theparanormal, I'd love to hearthem. Feel free to stop me—onthe street, in the grocery store orwherever—or call the officeat 316-281-7899.
Happy Halloween, y'all!P.S. If you want to see some
spooky Halloween decorations,drive by my son’s house on MainStreet in Newton. It’s on thewestside of the street. He hasspooky projections on his frontwindow.
Wendy Nugent is the featureseditor at Newton Now. She can bereached at the above phone num-
Sedgwick's broke, and its administrator left the city,as did its EMS chief and the mayor.
Halstead's administrator got arrested in front of thecity office on charges of perjury.
If it wasn't for some reporting by the HesstonRecord, the City of Hesston would have skated by scotfree with a shady deal to sell and clear out a trailerpark.
Newton lost or removed two assistant city adminis-trators as well as an administrator in a five-month pe-riod.
The county is dealing with ire of a very vocal groupfor trying to sell a park.
Walton and Burrton, we assume, are doing fine?Long story short, people are excited about the up-
coming presidential election. It's a big deal. That's how it goes every four years. But there's a lot to watch over and keep an eye on
with our local governments in Harvey County. Thesegovernments set a lot of our taxes, and their actionsaffect our lives quite heavily.
Elected officials are steering such governments.We don't have a whole lot of these very local races to
vote on right now. Those will come next year. But we'd be remiss if we still didn't rant a bit about
the importance of down ballot races. Such races are ones where we still have a bit more
say or access.Don't think down ballot races are important?Look at the current mess the State of Kansas is in. People like to blame the governor for that. The gov-
ernor can approve laws. He can try to set the budget,but it's the House and Senate who votes on them.
In part, Kansas got the way it did because notenough people put enough work into these down ballotraces.
Currently, we have the chance in Newton to vote ona House seat and a Senate seat for the State ofKansas.
The House seat appears to be competitive. There's also a sheriff's race that continues to be
heated. Even if Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton make you
sick to your stomach, there's still plenty of reasons toget educated and go out and vote.
The big races might seem more important, but it'sthe local races that touch our lives the most.
—Newton Now Editorial Board
Vote for Chad Gay for sheriffWhat makes Chad Gay the best candidate for sheriff?
One must first answer the question, what makes a greatleader? An individual can have much education andtraining, having all the skill sets, but make a terribleleader.
Look it up…qualities of a great leader include hon-esty, personable, communication, confidence, commit-ment, positive attitude, humble, approachable,integrity, and patience.
Anyone who knows Chad will tell you he has each ofthese qualities. When you look at his life, one does notbuild so many relationships without these qualities.Chad has not only built great relationships with ourcommunity, but he has built a great working relation-ship with his fellow law enforcement family. Here again,the majority of law enforcement supports Chad. Charac-ter and integrity are apparent when working side byside with someone, and their support for Chad makesthat obvious.
In addition to the sheriff needing to have relationalabilities, a key component to serving and protecting, heis to protect our Constitutional rights, which are quicklyslipping away. We must have a sheriff we can trust toprotect those rights regardless what is happening in ourcountry. Chad is that individual without a doubt. Hehas not silenced anyone who didn’t agree with him onsocial media or in person (comments in support of Chadhave been removed from Bryan’s social media outlets,admitted to by Bryan at the Halstead forum, whichleads me to question how he perceives our First Amend-ment).
The best candidate for sheriff: Chad Gay.
Stephanie KurtzNewton
Representatives should respect constituents I found the tone and content of Rep. Marc Rhoades’
recent letter (raise taxes or we’re doomed) to be offen-sive. I consider myself an active and informed citizen,but felt I was being lectured and belittled because I holdviews that differ from his.
In addition, I found little data or information in hisletter to convince me of his position. As in a previousletter, in which he implied that his opponent was be-hind a private investigation of his personal life, Rhodesrelied on vague statements and innuendo to advance hiscandidacy.
I believe that our representative in the legislatureshould respect his constituents and communicate in anopen and reasoned manner, even when there are differ-ences of opinion in politics and policy. For this reason, Iwill be voting for Tim Hodge to represent House District72.
Marian StubbsNewton
Hall’s experience qualifies him to be sheriff The office of sheriff demands law enforcement lead-
ers must be competent and proficient in order to en-sure we receive the best law enforcement available.Bryan Hall meets these qualifications.
Bryan Hall’s years of experience as a supervisorwith the Newton Police Department qualify him tolead the 40 members of the sheriff’s office and managea multi-million dollar budget.
His vision for the community is demonstratedthrough his forming of the non-profit “The Friends ofHarvey County ERT.” This organization was formed tonot only provide for the emergency response team’sneeds but to assist other emergency service agenciesin Harvey County.
He is progressive and forward thinking and wouldbe a credit to not only the sheriff’s office but to all ofHarvey County.
I encourage you to vote for Bryan Hall in the upcom-ing election.
Mike WatkinsHarvey County undersheriff (Ret.)
STRUNK IN PUBLIC
ADAM STRUNK
WENDY’S WORDS
WENDY NUGENT
October 27, 2016 Newton Now www.harveycountynow.com Page 7OPINION
On a clear fall morning inBella Vista, Ark., my fa-ther-in-law, grandson and I
launched our boat on a mission ofepic proportion—to find the ever-elusive fish that would mark ourgrandson’s place as an angler.
It wasn’t for the faint of heart.After all, the attention span of afour-year-old rivals that of apuppy.
Between questions about waves,whether there were snakes in thelake and if he might see a whale,we pulled along a shoreline. And,after a lengthy debate about whyit wasn’t in anyone’s best interestfor Grandson Keaton to cast a linewith a hook attached, I dropped itover the side a few feet from theboat in hopes of landing a“keeper.”
“Grandpa, where’s my bobber?”asked Keaton from a perch in themiddle of the boat.
I pointed to the red and whiteglobe bouncing among the waves,then turned to make sure he waslooking. He was…staring over theside of the boat from a seat that hedecided to stand on. In anticipa-tion of that exact issue, we alreadysuited him in a life jacket.
I reminded him that we alwayssit down in the boat, and hehopped down, grabbing the fishingpole and jiggling the line, reeling itcloser to the back of the boat andthen dunking the end of the poleinto the water.
“There are leaves all over thewater,” he said as he swirled themaround with the fishing pole’s end.“Leaves are everywhere.”
I advised that fish preferredfishermen who were quiet, so wemoved to a new spot and triedagain.
It was shortly after I cast in thenew place when I heard Keatonmoving around behind me again.He was standing up and pullingleaves from a tree we were tied
against. “I have green, brown and red,”
he shouted—apparently for thebenefit of anyone within that halfof the lake. “I need yellow.Grandpa, can you get me a yellowleaf? There’s some up higher.”
After another discussion aboutsitting down, I turned around, justas the bobber popped back to thesurface.
I yanked on the pole—perhaps alittle aggressively—and the line,bobber, worm and hook landedsquarely in the hull of the boat. Nofish, anywhere.
“What was that?” Keaton asked,as he sat pulling apart leaves.
I told him we almost had a “bigone” as I recovered the line thencast it, again.
“Where are all the fish?” heasked. “Grandpa, do you thinkthere are fish under the water,here?”
Actually, my belief was wan-ing—only one fish had bitten on aworm in the hour we spent on thelake. Maybe there were no fish“under the water…”
My father-in-law—Keaton’sgreat grandpa—decided to try onemore spot, a secluded cove awayfrom the breeze where the waterwas glass-like.
We tied to another tree, onewith yellow leaves, much toKeaton’s excitement when hestood up and pulled a few loose.
I cast the line near a large treestump that sat half in the waterand waited…maybe 30 seconds.
Suddenly, the bobber moved,then disappeared. I tugged—easierthan the first time—and set thehook.
Then, I summoned Keaton. “I think you might have a fish,” I
said, handing him the pole. “Startreeling in and see.”
I grabbed my phone andvideoed, while he giggled andcranked the handle as fast as hishand would allow. When he gotthe fish to the side of the boat, helifted it up, shouting with glee atthe small bass hanging from theline.
“Yeah! Yeah! I got a fish,” heproclaimed. He eased it onto theboat where his great-grandpagrabbed the line so I could grab afew photos.
That was where the excitementclimaxed. Still holding the pole,but standing as far away as possi-ble, Keaton decided there may notbe enough room on the boat forboth him and the fish.
“I don’t want to touch the fish,”he cried.
After making certain hewouldn’t jump ship, I unhookedthe fish and tossed it into the lake.
The ensuing conversation andone more fish on the line even up-staged the beautiful collection ofleaves Keaton had stuck into myjacket pocket for safe keeping. Andthat made it all worthwhile…
Photos—check. Video footage—check. And, for his great grandpaand me, who were lucky enough toshare in one of the rites of child-hood, it was priceless—even if wedidn’t get a whale…
Ken Knepper, who may havebeen just as giddy as Keaton over
Grandpa fishing an act of pleasure, patience Guest Editorial
Weigh in
Weigh in
Kansas voters can paveway for a healthy Kansas
Elections always matter; pay-ing attention to the candi-dates you are voting for is
important.A good example of this is the city
commission. The last election sev-eral people were elected to the com-mission on a promise of fiscalresponsibility and reining in thecity. It seemed the City of Newtonhad an “us vs. them” attitude. Any-one who didn’t agree with the viewof city management was instantlylooked down upon with disdain andfound a more difficult environmentto get business done. We also had amanager who was difficult to find attimes.
After much deliberation by thecommission, then reorganization atthe top, I feel the city has become amuch more user-friendly institu-tion. The rank and file has alwaysbeen good people, willing to go theextra mile for the citizens, now themanagement seems to have thatculture as well. It is a good casestudy of how a few unhappy or neg-ative people in an organization canspread their discontent to the entirestaff and make an unpleasant workplace. I have noticed a very positivechange in the city lately and amvery glad to see it.
The same can be said for anylevel of government. We have racesfor state positions where there is aclear contrast between the positiveattitude of the Republican candi-dates and the doom and gloom atti-tude of the Democratcandidates. There is a lot goingright with the state and admittedly
some going wrong. The budgetshortfalls and raiding of the high-way funds is a good example ofwhat is going wrong. This stems notexclusively from any small taxbreaks given to small businessmenbut also to the lack of will power tocut spending at the state level tomore sustainable levels. Much moregood is done with the economy ifpeople get to keep more of their ownmoney than if a government agencythrows it at another program de-signed to help. When more servicesare provided, more are expected;eventually people quit doing forthemselves and look to the govern-ment for everything. This is a dan-gerous place to be—a governmentthat provides all can easily take allaway!
You always hear of how moremoney is needed, but it never seemsanyone in that crowd will say theyhave enough. I suppose every lastdollar in your pocket will nevereven be enough.
I firmly believe that you are thebest person to spend your money,not someone in Newton, Harvey
County, Topeka or Washington. Re-publican candidates tend to believeyou are smart enough to handleyour own finances and lifeaffairs. You don’t need them to tellyou how to live every minute ofyour life.
A good example of how more gov-ernment control in your life is notalways a good thing is Oba-macare. It was passed under 100percent Democrat support, no Re-publican support, with the promiseof many things, including lower pre-miums. To date, I pay almost threetimes as much for my policy as I didwhen it passed six years ago. I getno additional benefits beyond whatwas provided back then, just a pre-mium larger than a payment for avery nice new house! I also get theadded benefit of a penalty if I don’tbuy into the government’s scheme.
Examples of grand intentionsgone wrong are everywhere, butthey all started as a political ideathat a big government politicianmade come true. Your votematters! You need to listen to therhetoric of candidates and weed outthe ones who want more control ofyour life and vote for someone whoknows who makes the best deci-sions, you!
Stop by the Republican campaignheadquarters at 423 N. Main from10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. onweek days to get literature andsigns for your favorite candidates!
Jason Mitchell is a local landlordand chair of the Harvey County
Republican Party.
Pay attention to the candidates this election season
CONVERSATION PIECE
KEN KNEPPER
MY VIEWS
JASON MITCHELL
We continue to gain momentum in our efforts to build ahealthy Kansas. The series of victories by challengersover incumbents in the August primaries gives hope tomany, including 150,000 hardworking Kansans who willgain access to more affordable health care if our stateleaders commit to expanding KanCare.
By returning to the polls on Nov. 8, I am confident wecan continue on the path to a bright and healthy futurefor Kansas. As president and chief executive officer ofNewton Medical Center, a not-for-profit hospital in New-ton, Kan., my responsibilities include protecting and de-fending my community’s health and well-being. Likemany providers throughout the state, we have a vestedinterest in the pa-tients we serve, butthere comes a pointwhen it is no longerfeasible to continueproviding care thatis not reimbursed ad-equately.
Think about thenumber of healthcare providers thatare affected by re-cent and ongoing re-imbursement cutsand how it is affecting access for Kansans. Just lastmonth we learned the president of the Kansas Dental As-sociation (an Olathe dentist) stopped accepting patientscovered by two of the three KanCare insurance compa-nies. When asked what prompted this decision, he citedthe strain of the four percent reimbursement cuts enactedby Gov. Sam Brownback and his legislature.
Access to health care is shrinking in other areas ofKansas as well. Stormont Vail Health in Topeka recentlycited similar reasons for closing one of its clinics. And let’snot forget about the most notable closing of late: MercyHospital in Independence, which closed its doors last yearfor a variety of reasons, including declining reimburse-ments. The loss of Mercy Hospital affected nearly 10,000residents and 200 hospital employees, not to mentionlocal business leaders who understand that health careand health education are key quality-of-life and productiv-ity issues for rural communities.
Declining reimbursement is one issue—uncompensatedcare is another, and both are becoming an increasinglyworrisome burden on Kansas hospitals and taxpayersalike. According to the 2015 Hospital Strength INDEXfrom iVantage Health Analytics, of the 107 rural hospitalsin Kansas, 31 are classified as vulnerable and “at risk ofclosure.” More than 36 percent of Kansans—roughly onein three—are supported by these “at risk” rural hospitals.Keeping hospitals financially healthy is an urgent matterfor all of us, but so far, Kansas legislators have failed toaddress it.
One way to help Kansas hospitals reduce the high costof uncompensated care is to insure more patients. Fortu-nately, there is hope for a brighter future, especially if weturn out to vote on Nov. 8. By electing candidates in favorof a healthy Kansas, we can increase access to health carefor hardworking Kansans at no additional cost to statetaxpayers. Through the use of federal funds already ear-marked for expanding Medicaid, we can ensure our low-income neighbors receive affordable care to achieve andmaintain better health. Closing the coverage gap enablesmore Kansans to seek regular, preventive care, and wewill see fewer uninsured Kansans seeking care in theemergency room—the most expensive place to go forhealth care.
Building a healthy Kansas also means we would build astronger, more vibrant state economy. The economic stim-ulus lost to Kansas is $1.9 million every day we wait. Todate, our state legislators have already forfeited morethan $1.4 billion dollars in federal funds designated forhealth care in Kansas. If we elect officials who are willingto pass legislation to achieve better health across thestate, we would bring millions in federal tax dollars backto Kansas, foster new jobs and businesses, and ultimatelyproduce a net financial gain for our state.
Expanding KanCare is not on the ballot for Kansas vot-ers, but come November, each of us has the power to setthings in the right direction by electing leaders who willmove the measure forward. Your vote is your voice, andthis year’s ballot is your chance to speak up for vulnera-ble, low-income Kansans and the hospitals that serve usall. I am eager to see this vision become reality, and Ihope you will join me by showing your support on Nov. 8.
Vallerie L. Gleason, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, is the presi-dent and CEO of Newton Medical Center, a 103-bed hospi-tal in Newton. Prior to her current role, Gleason served as
the hospital’s chief clinical integration officer and vicepresident of physician services.
CEO, PRESIDENT NEWTON MEDICAL CENTER
VALLERIE GLEASON
Gay like a younger T. WaltonI have been supporting Chad Gay for sheriff from day
one. Chad has been a life-long Harvey County resident.He graduated high school and decided to serve his coun-try by joining the Marine Corps. His love of his home-town brought him and his family back to Newton.
A college education isn't necessary to be a good sher-iff. I know many people who did not have the opportu-nity to go to college, yet these people are veryintelligent. Chad is intelligent, genuine, caring, humble,and he is able to relate to people of all walks of life.
As wife of Sheriff T. Walton, I can assure you that Tcould not manage every aspect of the job by himself.That is why he has a good team surrounding him, andthat same team will be there to support Chad.
The sheriff needs to deal with the public and be ableto take criticism without taking it personal. I haveknown Chad for 21 years and watched him work andgrow in law enforcement. Chad’s character and leader-ship skills remind me of a younger T. Walton. I encour-age you to ask those individuals who have worked sideby side with both candidates who is the better leader.
Vote Chad Gay in the coming election.Karen Walton
Newton
Sheriff needs to be morethan a nice guy
Living in rural HarveyCounty, I think the sheriffwe select is extremely im-portant to the county resi-dents.
The towns in HarveyCounty have a police de-partment for their serv-ices, but we in HarveyCounty have to rely on oursheriff department. Somesay education does notmatter, just being a nice
guy is all we need. If theproblems at the Newtonschool are the result ofbeing a nice guy, I reallydo not think this is whatthe residents of the countyneed. We need someonewith leadership skills, ex-
perience and education.It's not always about beinga nice guy. This is why weshould select Bryan Hallfor our next sheriff. Hehas the education, train-ing and experience to dothe job. Also, as far as see-
ing the candidates out inthe country, Bryan Hall isthe only one who has per-sonally stopped at myhouse to talk.
I have always said ruralHarvey County is in theshadows of Newton. It is
Harvey County, not New-ton County. So please,when you vote, thinkabout what is good for thewhole county, not justNewton.
Pat WendlingHalstead
Page 8 www.harveycountynow.com Newton Now October 27, 2016FROM PAGE ONE
sensitive project came in and I couldn'tattend,” it stated. “That you wouldcharacterize it otherwise is intention-ally fabricating a false narrative andbeneath you.”
The Hodge campaign shot back.“The people of the 72nd deserve a
representative who is willing to taketime from their busy day to attend totheir needs.”
That was the closest to an actual de-bate anyone got.
With no opponent, Thursday morningturned into a stump speech for Hodge,hitting on his education, taxes andMedicare expansion stances and linkingthe absent Rhoades to Gov. SamBrownback.
On taxes, he questioned the fairnessof tax code allowing business owners tonot pay income tax as the state strug-gles to find funding for education andservices.
“They use roads, they use schools,they expect the fire department to showup,” Hodge said. “If my opponent washere, he'd try to justify that. But he'snot here, and there's no justification.”
On education, he argued that theamount of funding for children growssmaller as the state tries and fails topay employee pension commitments.Hodge, a school board member, saidchildren need to be invested in evenmore in Kansas, because public schoolswere often the only avenue low-incomeand at-risk children would have at get-ting a fair shake in life.
“If you think education is expensive,well, yes it is. But you know what'smore expensive? Try ignorance,” hesaid.
The crowd of elderly applauded aftervarious points, but it was during dis-cussion of the state’s cuts to Medicaidand the expansion of Kancare that thecrowd grew especially friendly.
Forty-five percent of Kidron Bethelresidents rely on Medicaid to pay theirmedical bills at the facility.
Recently, to try to balance state budg-ets in Kansas' continuing financial
quagmire, the governor put forth a 4.4percent cut in Medicare payments.
At Kidron Bethel, director JamesKrehbiel said that has meant for an$85,000 decrease in what it has re-ceived from the state since the cuts tookplace in July. For its facility up theroad in Hesston, the cut has cost them$200,000.
“It's huge for us,” Krehbiel said of thecut.
“You're putting every director in atight spot every time you ratchet thatdown,” Hodge said to the crowd, ex-plaining Krehbiel's plight.
Hodge's answer to the Medicaid cutsand state funding issue was to returnfunding by revising the Kansas tax codeby repealing the Brownback tax cuts.That answer has served as a panaceaby many candidates this election cycleas a balm for all the state's hurts,though at this point how long a movewould take to accomplish and how effec-tive it would be.
Hodge went on to then argue thatMedicare expansion needs to happen,saying that Kansas has missed out on$1.4 billion by not expanding Medicareand such payments would help resi-dents as well as area hospitals likeNewton Medical Center.
Hodge, with no one to argue with, di-rected those present to visit MarcRhoades’ website to read his views.Hodge then argued against them.
Finally, Hodge took questions fromthe crowd, discussing voting to retainKansas' Supreme Court justices, whichhe favors. He defended that decision,saying it was a power play by the cur-rent administration to stack the courtto reverse school funding decisions. Healso answered a question about thedeath penalty, saying he opposed itboth fiscally and morally.
Hodge finished to a round of ap-plause.
A few people could be heard question-ing where the other candidate was.
Don Penner was one of those atten-dees who said he wished he could haveseen a debate, but he was happy withhis morning none the less.
“I'm just glad I came to hear him[Hodge] talk,” he said.
DEBATEFrom Page 1
sending the wrong help.”He said the system is built to provide
emergency medical care, and they havea lot of people who call repeatedly withproblems—but they're not always emer-gency problems. These could be eco-nomic problems, like when they firstwere sick and didn't have transporta-tion to see a doctor, so they got worseand later called an ambulance.
“EMS is the 'agency of last resort,'”Metzler said. “When people don't knowwhat to do, they call 911 and request anambulance.”
Discussions about Community Para-medicine started about one and one-half years before it launched, whichwas in January this year.
In 2014, Metzler and then-NewtonFire/EMS Chief Mark Willis had con-versations with administrators at New-ton Medical Center.
“Our superusers, we thought, werethe same as theirs,” Metzler said, butthey found out the two superusersgroups had some overlapping, but notall folks were in both groups.
Metzler said, through discussions,they knew who those people were.
“We didn't know how to connect themwith the help they needed,” he added.
A core group consisting of Metzler,Willis, Newton Medical Center Presi-dent and CEO Vallerie Gleason, Dr.Charles Craig and Dr. Paul Bogner dis-cussed these matters, and there alsowas a team of fire/EMS people workingon the matter. Gleason had the ideathey needed a social worker, so she ded-icated a full-time staff member for this.Metzler said that one thing Gleasonsaid that struck him was a good thing isEMS workers are in people's homesevery day, so they can tell who is in dis-tress now and who will be at risk of notgetting their medical needs met.
The next step was Willis and Metzlerbrought that conversation back to thefire/EMS team. One member did asearch of all the superusers and foundthey had 13 characteristics in common.They took those characteristics and dida scoring matrix, Metzler said. Crewswere trained how to use it, and now, ifthey think someone might be at risk,crews can check off characteristics onthe Predictive Superuser ScreeningTool.
“If the numbers add up to a certainthreshold and we get the person's per-mission, then we refer them to the casemanager who is assigned to the supe-ruser project,” Metzler said.
Next, the case manager assesses thepatient for risk and connects the personwith the help they need.
“It's been really effective,” Metzlersaid. “We often come across folks whostruggle with meeting the needs ofdaily living.”
It doesn't take much of an illness toput these people in crisis, and most ofthose people don't have a safety net ofpeople surrounding them. Metzler saidthey found several of those folkswanted to be in a nursing home, butthey didn't know how to get in one. So,with the new program, the partners atNMC found places for them to go andmade arrangements to get them there.
“To date, they have helped 17 peopleget in a managed-care home,” Metzlersaid. “They live in a safe place and getthree meals a day.”
They also get medication oversight,nutrition and transportation to doctor'soffices.
“The thing that I like to remind peo-
ple is this is something we do with peo-ple and for people,” Metzler said,adding the objective is not to get peopleout of their homes, but if they do wantout, the objective is to meet thoseneeds.
Of the folks who do stay in theirhomes, NMC partners have helped peo-ple get walkers, wheelchairs, hospitalbeds and a host of supportive care, suchas psychological and social.
This all was Phase One of the project.Phase Two deals with helping peoplenot fall in their homes. Metlzer saidthey found a large percentage of theircall volume was for people who fell.
“So we designed an in-home fall pre-vention program,” Metzler said.
Community Paramedicine team mem-bers make appointments with certainpeople, go into their homes and do riskassessments for falls. With this, they'vepartnered with the Wichita State Uni-versity Regional Institute on Aging.Metzler said fall risk factors includeage, strength, balance, mobility, vision,small pets and trip hazards.
If the problem easily can be fixed,Metzler said their folks offer to help,like rearranging furniture or movingelectrical cords. In addition, communitystakeholders assist with structuralmodifications, like adding a ramp. Ofthis patient population, some requireseveral follow ups, which are done withnursing students at Bethel College.Metzler said they've reached out tocommunity partners, because they can'tdo it all on their own.
“We're not sure what Phase Three isgoing to be,” Metzler said.
Through this new program, they'veseen results. The calls from superusersare down markedly, and the overall callvolume is flat compared to last year,from October to October.
“I think that Community Paramedi-cine is a big piece of containing a risingcall volume,” Metzler said. “The mainthing, I think, is we have improved thequality of life of our citizens, and wehave relieved stress from many of ourcommunity systems.”
There are similar programs in othercommunities.
“They're all a little different, becauseeach community has a different set ofproblems,” Metzler said.
WENDY NUGENT/NEWTON NOWAmanda Knowles, at Newton Medical Center,spends time on the phone trying to get help for peo-ple as part of the Community Paramedicine pro-gram.
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Goddard, who worked as a police officerin Peabody before retiring to Newton,would often dress up himself or workthe haunted house fundraisers her highschool class put on.
So to honor her love of the holiday,she's spent the lead up to it individuallywrapping all of the bags.
Wal-Mart donated $25 of candy toher, and Wendy’s donated 300 frostycoupons.
The Halloween Safe Walk, put on bythe Newton Lions Club, is in its 22ndyear.
Erin McDaniel, who helps organize it,said participation is about the same as
last year. The event will take place from5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, on MainStreet, from Fifth to Seventh Streets.
“To me it’s a good event, because inmy neighborhood, not everyone partici-pates in Halloween,” she said. “When Iwas a kid, everyone gave out candy.Halloween has changed a bit. Noteveryone is home to give candy orwants to. This consolidates this intoone area. It's safe, and the streets areclosed.”
McDaniel recommended parents re-main calm and take a few deep breathswhen taking their ghouls and goblinsdown to the event.
“Be patient,” she said. “The trafficcan get a little clogged up along MainStreet. It's supposed to be fun, so trynot to stress about it.”
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perfume. Another former studentworker, Kate Larson, had a similar expe-rience, Stucky said.
Gaeddert, now a Bethel grad who livesin California, said he believes he was ajunior at the time and was the studentlibrarian who often had the night shift.One of his duties was to close the libraryand lock up before leaving.
“On the third floor to the left of the el-evator, as you walk out, are rows ofbooks with an aisle running through themiddle of the shelves,” Gaeddert said,adding it's a short walk from the eleva-tor, down that middle aisle and to a doorat the end with stair access to the secondfloor. When he closed up, he had to walkto that door to lock it and then backthrough that same space.
“One night, just like any other night, Iwalked down the pitch-dark aisle to lockthe door, noticing nothing out of the ordi-nary,” Gaeddert said. “On my walk back,about halfway down the aisle, I walkthrough a cloud of incredibly strong per-fume that was clearly not there 30 sec-onds ago. A bit freaked out, I jogged therest of the way to the elevator andheaded downstairs.”
He said later that night back at thedorm, someone talked about the ghost inthe library, and then a friend of his,quite unprompted, described a similarsituation that happened to this person.Gaeddert said this person had never toldhim this experienceuntil then.
Stucky said she has-n't had any paranormalexperiences at the li-brary, however.
“I'm also not aroundhere at closing time,generally, which ismidnight,” Stucky said.“There are some stu-dents who are comfort-able in this buildinglate at night and somewho aren't.”
Stucky also saidnone of the regular li-brary staff has experi-enced anything, either.The library, at onetime, did have a patronwho wore heavycologne, which lin-gered, and this personstill is alive, Stuckysaid.
Stucky said that in-stead of a ghost, themost common thingpeople jump at in thelibrary are some life-sized busts in thebuilding.
They startle folks because of their re-semblance to the human form, Stuckysaid.
Across town on southwest ThirdStreet, it was a much fouler smell thancologne that scared Suzette Gray.
Gray, who eventually left the locationwith her family, now resides in Arizona.
In 1997, she moved into the two-storyhome with her husband and their fivechildren under a six-month lease. Therewere three bedrooms upstairs; they putall the three boys in one bedroom andthe two daughters in another. One wouldhave to go through one of the kids' bed-rooms to get to the other.
The first month they lived there,everything was fine, Gray said.
“And then things started getting badreal quick,” she said, adding they moveda bunk bed downstairs, and everyoneslept on the first floor eventually. “Thekids refused to sleep upstairs anymore.”
There were times it sounded likesomeone was running around upstairs
when no human was up there, and afterthe kids had cleaned up their toys,they'd be all messed up again, Gray said.
“It started off slow like that,” Graysaid.
Then things escalated. When upstairs,Gray said the kids said it felt like some-one was pulling on their blankets. Theircat had five kittens, which all were deadthe day after they were born. A daughtersaw shadow people and a black figurethat was “wavy,” like it was being seenthrough fire. In addition, no matter whattime of year, the upstairs always seemedto be cold.
“All the noises always seemed to becoming from the kids' room,” Gray said.
When they all were sleeping down-stairs, they'd hear creaks on the stairs,like someone was walking down thestairs, and then a bang on the stair door.
“That's when it started gettingcreepy,” Gray said. “It started soundinglike it wanted to come downstairs be-cause the kids weren't up there any-more.”
Also creeping them out was the smellof rotting flesh, and they never couldfind the cause. They even ripped out thecarpet upstairs. The sounds upstairsalso got louder, like there were reallyloud neighbors up there banging about.Gray said her husband said, “That's it,”and they left after the lease was up,moving into her parents' house in New-ton.
“It was horrible,” Gray said.Now, it seems Gray isn't certain if the
house was haunted or if an entity wasattached to an object the military family
had.“Ever since we moved
in that house, over theyears, we've had issues,”Gray said, adding thatwherever they moved,they've had paranormalexperiences, and thatended when they purgedmany of their belongings.
Other experiences inother homes included thekids seeing shadow fig-ures and electronic toysstarting up by them-selves when they were inthe “off” position.
Current owner JasonMitchell said he hasn'thad any problems withthe property, though hedidn't know its entire his-tory before owning it.
According to the Har-vey County Register ofDeeds it appears the cur-rent building was con-structed sometime afterJohanna Stahl bought
the property in 1921 and sold it in 1938to A. M Biggerstaff in 1938.
Eventually, the property fell into thehands of Arlen Anderson in 1971. Ander-son could not recall the property or any-thing out of the ordinary with it.
In March 2015, Gray said she was intown and drove by the house, takingsome photos with her phone. In at leastone of the photos, Gray said there aretwo faces in the top right upstairs win-dow, and the house was vacant at thetime. To see this photo, visit harveycoun-tynow.com.
Current residents in that Newtonhome, Terra Scott and Chris Mickle, saidthey haven't had anything spooky hap-pen to them there, besides their catslooking at something that didn't seem tobe there. Scott said the cats did that attheir previous home, too, however.
Scott thought maybe she and Mickledidn't have any activity because sheburns sage there, which is said to get ridof spirits.
“I do a lot of energetic cleansing,” Scottsaid about the home.
WENDY NUGENT/NEWTON NOWGail Stucky, co-director of libraries at Bethel College, said a student told her a story about possible para-normal activity that happened late at night in Mantz Library.
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“That's when itstarted gettingcreepy. It startedsounding like itwanted to comedownstairs because the kidsweren't up thereanymore.”
