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TEG FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2016 V V V PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1895 V V V MINI TRAIN, READY TO RUN By Cathryne Scharton [email protected] Wednesday the Sertoma club ran the miniature train on the tracks for the first time of the season.  The Sertoma club has been working to repair the Sertoma miniature train after a car bumped into the train leaving the engine with minor cosmetic damages last season.  “We knew we needed a lot of track work,” said Bud Stapp, Sertoma member. “We also knew we needed to fix the damage on the engine.” Thurston’s Plus Auto Body and Repair volunteered to do some of the maintenance on the engine after they found small problems with the engine while repairing the cosmetic damage. “He’s really done a great job of going through it and fixing some of the little quirky things that’s wrong with the old equipment,” said Stapp. Repairs were also done on the track. “We knew we had a lot of ties that were hollowed out and getting bad,” said Stapp. “We knew we needed a lot of maintenance so we recruited some help. Some of the recruits came from unusual places that I never would have guessed. One of them is Jerry Cooper, who worked for the railroad on the lines for years.” Stapp said Cooper has been working on the railroad tracks almost everyday for about a month. When the repair project began the group planned to replace about 100 ties, but since then the volunteers have replaced closer Please see Train, Page 3 Good Evening VVV Who’s ready for a train ride? WWW.EMPORIAGAZETTE.COM BECAUSE YOU ASKED WHY DOESN’T LCAT RUN ON SUNDAY? By Cathryne Scharton [email protected] Readers have expressed interest in LCAT running on Sunday to transport people to religious services and stores.  Why doesn’t LCAT run on Sunday? “The ‘Monday through Saturday’ was set by the prior administration through the grant,” said Janice Arb, transportation manager of LCAT. Q A Q A What would the process be to change the days or times the transportation runs? “What we would have to do is we would have to show a demand for Sunday public transportation and if that demand was shown, as far as the need goes, we would have to get approval from KDOT as well as from the county commissioners,” said Arb. Q COURTESY PHOTO KENDRA JOHNSON/GAZETTE SHEPHERD SCHOLARS HONORED By Cathryne Scharton [email protected] Thursday afternoon 12 distinguished students received recognition for receiving the Shepherd Scholar award. Recipients received a plaque in addition to a $1,200 scholarship. The Shepherd Scholarship was established by Emporians R. Hershel and Augusta Shepherd in 1994. Today the Shepherd Scholars program is one of the premier scholarship programs at Emporia State. “I feel very honored to have received the Shepherd Scholarship,” said Mikala Sharlow. “This family’s gift has truly touched so many individual’s lives, including mine. My professors inspire me by making an open atmosphere where relationships are made as well as receiving quality instruction. My professors CATHRYNE SCHARTON/GAZETTE  have pushed me in academics while also supporting me. My goals in- Erik Yang, chair and associate professor of biological sciences, gives a speech on Christopher clude graduating from ESU, attest- Alderman, Shepherd Scholar.  ing graduate school, and eventually working in Higher Education Student Affairs. This scholarship has given me encouragement to continue to strive to be the best I can be and reach these goals. The scholars are selected through a competitive application process led by ESU’s distinguished Roe R. Cross professors. Since the program began, more than 250 students have received the plaques and scholarships that accompany the achievement. According to a press release from Emporia State, eligible students will have maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 and meet, at a minimum, the traditional definition of “junior” classification by having completed at least 60 credit hours at the time of application, and have at least two semesters’ worth of coursework remaining Please see Scholars, Page 3 CATHRYNE SCHARTON/GAZETTE  VOL. 124, NO. 246 Award receipients and guests gather at the Sauder Alumni Center for the Shepherd Scholar program presentation. Twelve students were selected to be Shepherd Scholars.  How many people would have to express interest for LCAT to consider making the change? “We are currently conducting a survey and we would like anyone to participate in the survey,” said Arb. “They can obtain it by calling our office 3434207 and we can either send them a survey or we can do it with them over the phone. They can also come to the office, 402 Commercial, to get one or they can get them from the bus drivers.” A Q A How long will LCAT conduct the surveys? “Constantly,” said Arb. “We like to know where the need is and how we can best serve our customers.” Q A How long would it take for the service days and times to be changed? “That would depend on how long it would take to get the approval,” said Arb.   COUNTY COMMISSION SEEKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON AMERICUS ROAD By John Robinson [email protected] The Lyon County Commission met for an action session on Thursday. The commission continued to ask for public comment for the truck traffic on Americus Road, received an update on road expenses and heard from community corrections. The section for public comment was once again bare as commissioners stressed the importance of public comment before taking action with the issue of truck traffic on Americus Road. “We set a pattern,” said Commissioner Rollie Martin, “When we first did it with the Burlingame Road, representatives came in and Please see 6