By Jessie Wagoner jessie @ emporia . com

P H O T O S B Y J a n B u c k m a n

For 25 years , the National Teachers Hall of Fame has been recognizing outstanding educators .

Thursday evening the Class of 2016 — comprised of Kimberly Bearden , Debra Hurst , June Teisan , Wade Whitehead and Jennifer Williams — was inducted .

There are now 125 members of the National Teachers Hall of Fame . Many past inductees attended the 25th induction . Anna Alfiero , from the Class of 1992 , offered a warm welcome to the new inductees and Shirley Naples , also from the Class of 1992 , addressed the group as well .

“ We come here tonight to celebrate our new inductees and to see familiar faces ,” Alfiero said before having all past inductees rise for recognition .

Lindy Whetzel , chair of the National Teachers Hall of Fame

Please see NTHF , Page 3

Blake Flanders , Kansas State Board of Regents , gave opening remarks for the induction of new members to the Teachers Hall of Fame .

Ralph Hipp , WIBW news anchor , was host for the induction ceremony of five new members of the Teachers Hall of Fame .

By Mary Ann Redeker maryann @ emporia . com

The quarterly meeting of the Lyon County Republicans was held Thursday evening in the Lyon County Annex Meeting Room .

A prayer opened the meeting and four veterans who were in attendance led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance .

The main topic of discussion was the planning of the Republican party summer picnic .

Carl Antes gave the report and stated Rep . Peggy Mast , who was helping with the planning , was currently in Washington , D . C . Antes said the picnic will be potluck and was scheduled for 4 to 7 p . m ., July 24 , at the Emporia Senior Center .

Lyon County Republican Chairman Charles Steffes said the picnic was a great opportunity to get everyone out and about , and to learn more about the Republican party .

“ We get a lot of legislators and elected officials from the county level to the national level coming in ,” Steffes said . “ It ’ s a great way to get them in Emporia , let them meet and greet the public and politic . Everyone is invited . Last year we had about 50 people

VOL . 124 , NO . 293

Republican

Summer Picnic

When Sunday , July

24 4 to 7 p . m .

Where Emporia

Senior Center

Everyone is invited to come learn more about the Republican party .

in attendance , but are expecting that number to double this year .”

Antes also gave a report on the progress of finding a headquarters location for 2016 .

“ We ’ ve been looking for a good building to rent for our headquarters office ,” he said . “ We will need it for September , October and November for a number of events . Right now we are thinking the Emporia Senior Center would be a good option since it ’ s roomy and reasonably priced . We will need a lot of good people to step up and help man the office during that time period .”

The group also discussed having a booth at the Lyon County Fair . It was decided to change the location of the booth from the Bowyer Community Building — where it was last year — to a booth outside because of the lack of traffic .

“ Our headquarters , summer picnic and booth at the fair are all great activities to get everyone out and about ,” Steffes said . “ We encourage everyone to come and bring a friend . It will be a busy summer .”

During the legislative update , Tara Pearson gave a speech for her uncle Steve Pearson , who entered the 60th District House race .

Mark Schreiber also introduced himself and stated he was also running for the 60th District House seat .

Steffes said he wanted to

Mary Ann Redeker / Gazette

Charles Steffes , Lyon County Republican chair , discusses upcoming events as election time nears . The group finalized plans for their election headquarters , fair booth and summer picnic .

thank Representatives Mast and Don Hill for their service to the legislature .

“ They will be two legislators who will be sorely missed next year ,” he said . “ They are both awesome and have done so much for us . One of the legislators once told me , ‘ It doesn ’ t matter how you vote , there ’ s always going to be opposition .’ They are put in a very tough spot and they can ’ t please everybody . They are doing their jobs the best they can . They fought for children ’ s rights , for education , for jobs , medical , health care . That ’ s a pretty broad spectrum they cover . They did a great , great job for us . I hope the next elected officials do as well as they did .”

By John Robinson john @ emporia . com

A request to approve a $ 19.3 million bond issue for Newman Regional Health is currently on the agenda for the Lyon County Commission for Thursday .

The NRH Board of Trustees held a special meeting on Monday to discuss securing the bonds for a replacement to the emergency room .

According to Chief Operating Officer Bob Wright , the hospital has seen an increase in the amount of patient volume during the last three years and code requirements for room sizes in regards to equipment and patient needs have changed since the emergency room was originally constructed .

“ We are currently at 5,600 square feet in that emergency room ,” Wright said on Monday . “ As opposed to the replacement emergency room being about 15,000 square feet . Doubling it would replace the 10 existing rooms . The strategic plan calls for adding four additional rooms .”

Lyon County Commissioner Scott Briggs said the hospital will draw on the county ’ s experience and bond ratings .

“ They ’ re not asking for funding from the county ,” Briggs said . “ It ’ s the hospital board ’ s decision , we just pass the resolution to let them access the ( Public Building Commission .)”

Please see County , Page 3