TEG
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
V V V
T O
PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING
P R O T E C T
FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1895
A N D
V V V
Good Evening
VVV
Thank you for
your service.
WWW.EMPORIAGAZETTE.COM
S E R V E
PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVE STORMONT PHOTOGRAPHY
LOCAL POLICE STRIVE
TO EASE TENSIONS
COMMUNITY THANKS LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
By Mary Ann Redeker
By Jessie Wagoner
Deadly gunfire erupted
in Dallas last week after
videos showing two African-American men, shot
by police in Louisiana and
Minnesota, spurred protests and debate over police use of force across the
country.
Five police officers were
killed and seven others
were wounded in the ambush, the deadliest single
incident for U.S. law enforcement since September
11, 2001.
The Emporia Police
Department offered their
sympathy to the Dallas Police Department and their
families.
“While we recognize
tragic incidents can occur
anywhere, we feel blessed
to live in a community that
supports and respects law
enforcement,” Police Chief
Scott Cronk said. “Our
officers will continue to
provide quality service to
When news broke about
the attack on Dallas law enforcement officers, people
in the Emporia community
sprung into action.
While they couldn’t help
law enforcement in Dallas,
Emporians made efforts to
show their appreciation to
local law enforcement.
[email protected][email protected]
By early afternoon Friday, the Emporia Police
Department was flooded
with letters, notes, cookies
and other special treats for
officers. Gerri Briggs was
one Emporian who delivered cookies and a heartfelt
thanks.
“I woke up and saw the
news and was just so sad,”
Briggs said. “It was my
birthday and it was just such
a sad day and I decided I
needed to get some cookies
and go tell them thank you.
It’s important to respect the
men in blue.”
When Briggs arrived
to deliver her cookies, she
realized others were there
to deliver items as well.
Throughout the day Friday,
a steady stream of visitors
Please see Thanks, Page 16
COURTESY PHOTO
Sheriff Heath Samuels, Undersheriff John Koelsch
and Narcotics Investigator Dominick Vortherms wait
tables at a recent Tip-A-Cop event. Members of local
law enforcement teamed up to raise money for Special
Olympics.
the citizens and visitors of
Dallas tragedy
Emporia. Working together
with the community, our
felt in Emporia
goal is to reduce crime and
Emporia Narcotics Inkeep our neighborhoods
vestigator
Dominick Vorthsafe.”
Please see Local, Page 16
COURTESY PHOTO
Gerri Briggs meets with Emporia Police Department officers to deliver cookies and
her thanks for their service.
DAVIS REFLECTS ON FIRST YEAR AS DIRECTOR OF MUNICIPAL BAND
president of the Friends of the
Emporia Municipal Band, there
were five possible directors the
For the final time this summer, board had to choose from to pick
the Emporia Municipal Band will up the director’s baton. Winter
fill the area of Fremont Park with said Davis’ history with the band
music as it performs its final con- helped give him the edge.
“Out of five possible directors
cert at 8 p.m. tonight.
It marks the end of James Da- we chose James,” Winter said.
vis’ first year as director of the “As he was Gary’s ‘main man’ for
setup and player
band after long“... I try to balance
fill-ins.”
time director Gary
Wi n t e r a l s o
McCarty retired
entertainment of our
noted the fact Daafter 23 years.
audience, playing good,
vis lives in Salina
“After consulting with several quality music, maintaining wasn’t an issue as
multiple candifriends, I decided
the community band
dates resided out
to apply and let
the audition pro- traditions and keeping our of town, although
Davis — a former
cess work,” Davis
musicians challenged.”
Emporian — was
said.
the only candiA graduate of
JAMES DAVIS,
date who resides
the music educaEmporia Municipal Band director
out of the county.
tion program from
The Gazette conEmporia State,
Davis holds additional certifica- firmed, however, that the other
tions from Kansas State Univer- four candidates are Emporians.
“We also elected Matt Esau to
sity, Friends University and Baker
takeover James’ old job,” Winter
University.
According to Dick Winter, said. “And to become James’ assistant in case he was not able to
make it any week.”
By John Robinson
[email protected]
VOL. 125, NO. 11
Please see Davis, Page 5
JOHN ROBINSON/GAZETTE
James Davis leads the Emporia Municipal Band. Davis, an Emporia native who resides in Salina, took
over as director after the retirement of Gary McCarty.