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Wedded Bliss Engagements, Weddings and Anniversaries Grapes & Grains Page 5 Dirty Drinks for Dirty Kanza Page 8 EGW THIS LAND IS OUR LAND? MAY 28 AND 29, 2016 V V V PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1895 LANGLEY PROPERTY RD F ADJACENT HOME V V V WWW.EMPORIAGAZETTE.COM HWY 50 PROPERTIES AFFECTED By Cathryne Scharton [email protected] Manford and Jeanell Langley purchased 27 acres of land in the 1700 block of Road F in the early 1980s. Roughly 10 years later, the Kansas Department of Transportation took about a quarter of an acre. In a letter sent to the Langleys, KDOT stated: “The selected highway location places special emphasis on a highway facility which will adequately meet the present and future needs of you, your neighbor, and each citizen of Kansas, as well as those who visit our state, with minimum adverse effects on private property.” The letter led the Langleys to believe they would never again lose land through the eminent domain process, however in August of 2012, the Langleys received a letter that KDOT would survey their property. It wasn’t until February of this year the Langleys received another letter from KDOT indicating a four-lane expressway will be constructed, which will require acquisition of additional land owned by the Langleys. The proposed land acquisition is 136 feet by 30 feet. Not a great impact, but the cut in the property will destroy the Langley’s fruit trees and one end of their horseshoeshaped driveway. EMINENT DOMAIN ACQUISITION While some may say the Langleys could just replant their fruit trees, it’s not that simple. The Langleys are both in their 80s and, according to starkbros.com, apple and peach trees take two to four years to produce fruit; pear trees take four to six years. The time it takes to grow the trees aside, planting trees is not easy work for elderly individuals. The Langleys produce all of their own fruit. They share the fruit with their family. Taking the fruit trees away wouldn’t just be a loss of landscaping, it would cut into their food supply. CATHRINE SCHARTON/GAZETTE A surveyor’s stake stands in the Langley’s property along west U.S. Highway 50. Please see Land, Page 3 Mural showcases ‘Endurance’ OFFICERS CARRY TORCH FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS John Robinson [email protected] “Veterans Day.” “Flowers.”  “Buffalo.”  “Family.”  “Home.” When asked to come up with ways to describe Emporia, these are some the words students at Village Elementary School chose. The Emporia Mural Project provided an answer, displayed on the back of Mulready’s Pub in the form of the mural “Endurance.” “‘Endurance’ was a theme that we sort of started with,” Stephanie Lanter, an assistant professor in the art department at Emporia State University said. “How Emporia — its past, present and future — how it’s survived and it’s thriving.” According to Lanter, the project is a year in the making and was lead by muralist Dave Loewenstein, filmmaker Nicholas Ward and ESU student Itzel LopezVargas. Loewenstein held community meeting where community members, and those involved with the project, had a chance to share their ideas for the mural. “When Dave got here we started the project team meetings,” Lanter said. “... For the Please see Mural, Page 3 GAZETTE/FILE PHOTO Local law enforcement officers and Special Olympians walk and ride down Commerical Street last year during the annual Torch Run. Members of the Emporia Police Department and Lyon County Sheriff’s Department will assist with carrying the “Flame of Hope” torch on its way to Wichita for the games June 3 - 5. By Mary Ann Redeker [email protected] JOHN ROBINSON/GAZETTE Itzel Lopez-Vargas, Rick Becker and Stephanie Lanter pose in front of the mural ‘Endurance.’ Good Evening Local law enforcement officers will be carrying the “Flame of Hope” for Special Olympics once again on Wednesday, June 1, as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Officers from Emporia Police approximately 4:30 to 5 p.m. next Department and the Lyon County Wednesday. Lyon County Undersheriff John Sheriff’s office will receive the torch around 2 p.m. at BETO Junc- Koelsch said the local agencies tion and will run it via Old Highway 50, ending in front of EPD at Please see Torch, Page 3 VOL. 124, NO. 283 Plums and peaches or pavement?