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VVV I ’ ve seen fire and I ’ ve seen rain .

T E G

Good Evening

VVV I ’ ve seen fire and I ’ ve seen rain .

THURSDAY , JUNE 16 , 2016
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PETTIGREW GUILTY OF VEHICULAR HOMICIDE

By Jessie Wagoner jessie @ emporia . com
Tyler Pettigrew was found guilty of vehicular homicide . The verdict came shortly before noon Wednesday .
Pettigrew was originally charged with reckless involuntary manslaughter , reckless aggravated battery and several traffic violations related to an automobile accident which occurred on Oct . 16 ,
2012 , in which Mark Harrison , 59 , of Madison died . Jason Harrison and Pettigrew were both seriously injured in the accident .
Pettigrew Wednesday ,
jurors filed into the packed courtroom with eyes downcast , making little contact with Pettigrew or those filling the courtroom . After Eighth Judicial District Judge Steven Hornbaker reviewed the verdict , Pettigrew stood to be delivered his fate .
“ We the jury find the defendant not guilty of count one , involuntary manslaughter ,” the court clerk said . “ We the jury find the defendant guilty of count one , vehicular homicide . We the jury find the defendant not guilty of count two , aggravated battery .”
Judge Hornbaker then heard from Gregory Benefiel , prosecutor with the Attorney General ’ s office and Monte Miller , defense attorney , in regards to the traffic violations before making his ruling of guilt or innocence .
Hornbaker did find Pettigrew not guilty of driving left of center . He did find him guilty of speeding
Please see Pettigrew , Page 5

COMMISSION APPROVES CID FOR EMPORIA PAVILION PROJECT

S U M M E R T I M E W E A T H E R
By Zach Hacker zach @ emporia . com
WEATHER ALERT

HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT

Special to the Gazette
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the area until 7 a . m . Friday . Heat index ratings will peak from 103 to 109 degrees .
Excessive heat and high humidity can lead to cramps , stress and stroke . Remain hydrated and take frequent breaks from outdoor activity .
The Salvation Army at 209 West Fourth Avenue in Emporia is open for heat relief from 10 a . m . - 6 p . m .
Air conditioning , cold water and a small snack are available for up to 30 people , as needed . No smoking , alcohol or firearms allowed . WiFi is not available to the public . Fans are also available . For more information or an appointment for a fan , call 342-3093 .
STEPHEN COLEMAN / GAZETTE

STORM CAUSES WIDESPREAD BLACKOUTS

By John Robinson and Zach Hacker news @ emporia . com
The Corky statue outside of the HPER building on the campus of Emporia State University is lit up by lightning Wednesday night . The storms that rolled through Emporia and the surrounding area were blamed for a blackout on the north side of town extending north . According to Westar Energy , more than 2,600 customers were affected .
A total of seven power outages affecting 2,684 Westar Energy customers in Emporia and the surrounding area were reported between 8:44 p . m . and 9:45 p . m . Wednesday night .
The outages were blamed on the inclement weather that rolled through the area .
The sum of the blackouts spanned almost the entire city from 11th Avenue going north as far as Road 210 outside of Emporia . The outages also impacted homes and businesses as far west as Graphic Arts Road .
Newman Regional Health was one of the customers that experienced outages , Julia Pyle , chief operating officer for the hospital , said . The hospital operated on emergency power while the electricity was out .
“ We ’ ve fluctuated off and on and have been on emergency power for about 35 minutes ,” Pyle said at around 10:45 p . m . Wednesday . While the hospital is on emergency power , all the “ essential services ” are covered , she added .
At 9:30 p . m . an explosion and flames were reported at the power station located at the intersection of 30th Avenue and Prairie Street on the northern edge of Emporia .
According to Westar Energy , power was expected to be restored by midnight or 12:30 a . m . Thursday .
A representative from Westar said those experiencing outages are encouraged to call 1-800-544-4857 .
The Emporia City Commission approved an ordinance to create the Community Improvement District ( CID ) for the Emporia Pavilion Project Wednesday at its weekly meeting .
The ordinance will result in a 1 percent sales tax increase within the district — located on a 39-acre parcel at the northeast corner of Industrial Road and 24th Avenue — beginning April 1 , 2017 . The increase will apply only to retail or services within the district .
CID sales tax revenue will help cover a $ 6,069,235 portion of the Emporia Pavilion Project , which is estimated to cost a total of $ 36,836,951 . The project will consist of the construction of a large commercial development on the 39.07-acre area within the CID .
“ It will be a mixed use of big box stores , restaurants and smaller businesses mostly on the north side of 24th Avenue ,” Emporia Mayor Rob Gilligan said .
Please see City , Page 5
This Instagram account was created and is considered an act of cyber bullying . After sharing pictures of Emporia youth and declaring them ugly the account was reported and taken down .

CYBERBULLYING IN EMPORIA

LAYING IT ON THE LINE : DANCERS 4 CANCER

Burlesque troupe Dancers 4 Cancer make their Emporia debut at the Emporia Granada Theatre at 8 p . m . Saturday , June 25 .
What began as a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of founder Daniel Fowler ’ s father has now become a money-making machine for cancer research and cancer patients in financial distress .
“ I lost my dad three years ago ,” Fowler said . “ When he was going through the process and we had a lot of help with medical expenses ,
VOL . 124 , NO . 298
By Regina Murphy regina @ emporia . com
were going to a lot of fundraisers and different types of things . And when he passed I started noticing all these other stories and these people we would come across and meet . And they were getting help from organizations with the things they needed , they had a support system . And others were raising money for cancer patients and their families . The next thing you know , we ’ re putting together this event .”
Fowler was looking for resources .
COURTESY PHOTO
By Jessie Wagoner jessie @ emporia . com
School is out for the summer but bullying among Emporia Middle School students continues .
On Monday , an Instagram account , ems _ ugly _ list , began to garner attention of students and parents . The creator of the account , who is yet unknown , began sharing photos of EMS students .
“ My daughter received a message that she had been put on the list ,” one mother , who wished to remain anonymous said . “ Then she received a message with the link to the account so she could see she was on it .”
Concerned parents and community members began reporting the account to Instagram and it was eventually shut down ear-
Please see Dancers , Page 5
Dancers 4 Cancer rehearse at the gym . Please see Bullying , Page 5