TEG
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2015
V V V
PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING
FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1895
V V V
Good Evening
VVV
WWW.EMPORIAGAZETTE.COM
THE
SALVATION
ARMY
EXCEEDS
KETTLE GOAL
GROUNDBREAKING HELD FOR BAZAAR CATTLE PENS
KENDRA JOHNSON/GAZETTE
By Jesse Murphy
[email protected]
A groundbreaking was held for
the planned cattle pens exit near Bazaar on Friday afternoon.
The finished product is slated
to have on and off ramps for traffic
heading both directions on the turnpike, along with a viewing area for
the pens.
It is located about 15 miles southwest of Emporia, and is a popular location to stop and enjoy a sunset in
the Flint Hills. Adding the outlook
will allow for a better venue, officials
said.
Representative Mark Hutton,
chairman of the Kansas Turnpike
Authority Board, added that the
project embodies the KTA’s goals of
safety and service.
“The ramps that will be approved
as part of this project will provide
safer access for the trucks that deliver and pick up cattle in these
fields and safer travels for all of our
turnpike customers,” Hutton said.
“At the same time, the KTA will con-
struct a scenic outlook to provide
an opportunity for those traveling
through to pull off and enjoy what
so many of us get to experience every day.”
Hutton said that on average, five
million people pass through that
stretch of the Flint Hills each year,
and many frequently stop to watch
the cattle being moved.
Bill Haw is the Chase County
landowner that the KTA purchased
the area from, and he said that he is
happy to have the land available to
tourists and locals.
“It is, in my mind, one of the most
beautiful places in the world,” Haw
said. “The Nature Conservancy is
doing a tremendous amount of productive efforts in getting conservation easements here so that people
can enjoy it forever.
“Hopefully we can keep the Flint
Hills the way that they are, and I
hope everybody enjoys it more with
this facility.”
The site will also feature informational kiosks about the Flint Hills,
with the intent of making them non-
KENDRA JOHNSON/GAZETTE
Governor Sam Brownback speaks about the plans for the
improvements to the bazaar cattle pens during the groundbreaking
ceremony on Friday.
invasive and not to detract from the for the traveling public and they’re
for our citizens as well.”
scenery.
Governor Sam Brownback was
“These roads that we build are
not just for us,” Secretary of Transportation Mike King said. “They’re
Please see Pens, Page 3
S A N T A
By Brandy Nance
[email protected]
The Salvation Army exceeded
its Red Kettle goal of $50,000 on
Saturday, with several days still
left to donate. Bells will continue
to ring until 3 p.m. Christmas Eve.
Last year’s goal was $49,000
and the kettles raised $54,000.
This year is on track to be well
above the goal as well. On Sunday,
Lt. Lynn Lopez of The Salvation
Army said they had exceeded their
goal.
“We are at $50,456 with four
days to ring in over the top,” Lopez
said. “I never cease to be amazed
as each year we not only meet our
goal but go over it. I’m blessed beyond anything I’ve ever known to
be the Corps officer here in Emporia. The gracious love for others in
this community is real and I have
the privilege of witnessing it year
after year.”
The funds raised are used for a
variety of community needs, especially families in need for Christmas.
“We use the funds that we collect to serve families in need for
Please see Red Kettle, Page 3
M A N I A
MONIQUE-A-WISH
MAKES CHRISTMAS BRIGHT
FOR AREA FAMILIES
By Jessie Wagoner
[email protected]
KENDRA JOHNSON/GAZETTE
From left: Lucas Goodyear, Police Detective Dominick
Vortherms, Eric Goodyear, Jessica Goodyear, Kinsley
Goodyear, Morgan Goodyear, officer Jason Webb and
officer Billie Schulz.
POLICE BENEFIT
ASSOCIATION SPREADS
CHRISTMAS CHEER
By Jessie Wagoner
[email protected]
Christmas came early
for the Goodyear family.
Presents, food and plenty
of Christmas spirit arrived
at their house on Saturday.
They weren’t paid a visit
by Santa but instead by the
Emporia Police Department
Benefit Association.
The Benefit Association
partners with the Department for Children and Families to find a local family
each year that could use a
VOL. 124, NO. 147
little extra encouragement
and cheer during the holiday season. The Goodyears
are in a time of transition,
experiencing great difficulties with their current
landlord and facing an upcoming move. The family of
five, Eric and Jessica Goodyear and children Lucas,11,
Morgan,10, and Kinsley,10
months, were thrilled by the
generosity.
“This is amazing,” Jessica Goodyear said. “The
Please see Police, Page 3
The holiday spirit was
plentiful at the MoniqueA-Wish Christmas party on
Sunday evening. MoniqueA-Wish is a local organization formed by John Scott
after his daughter Monique
died at birth. He has turned
his grief into generous giving for local families.
This year Monique
would have been 17 years
old, something that is hard
for Scott to wrap his mind
around. As time has passed
since her death, his commitment to giving back has
only increased.
“This all started with
my daughter, Monique,”
said Scott. “And we are just
focused on giving back.”
This year the MoniqueA-Wish organization hosted Christmas for 15 local
families and a total of 41
children. As the families
filled the banquet room at
Guest House Inn, smiles
and excitement filled the
room. The children were
shocked to see the large
amount of presents and
KENDRA JOHNSON/GAZETTE
People enjoy soup and chili at the Hartford
community Christmas celebrationon Sunday.
KENDRA JOHNSON/GAZETTE
Layne Noonan smiles
after telling Santa what he
wants for Christmas at the
Monique-A-Wish Christmas
party on Sunday.
listened intently as Scott
welcomed them.