Category: Local News

HAYSVILLE, KS – After almost two years of proudly serving the Haysville community, Marco’s Pizza is inviting residents to its Anniversary Celebration THIS Sunday, June 26th. Festivities begin at 1:00 PM at 521 W. Grand Avenue, next Family Video. The event will feature music, food and activities including Slip & Slide races, Balloon Tosses, Face Painting, and Balloon Animals.

Community outreach is at the core of Marco’s Pizza’s business and sets them apart. The Haysville location has participated in numerous fundraisers, collecting over $1500 for local charities. Their efforts also support Round It Up for Lymphoma. This annual cancer research fundraiser has raised over $5.85 million in the past five years. In conjunction with Family Video, students and teachers are awarded FREE pizza during the annual Report Card A program. Employees have also dedicated time outside the workplace for volunteering.

“Family Video & Marco’s Pizza are proud to be a part of the Haysville community,” said Family Video & Marco’s Pizza District Manager, Rebecca Willis. “Our Anniversary Celebration is the opportunity to welcome back our oldest customers and introduce new ones to our delicious food. This weekend is the perfect kick-off to summer and Family Video and Marco’s Pizza look forward to continuing this tasty partnership in Haysville.”

Hoogland Foods, dba Marco’s Pizza is owned by Highland Ventures Ltd, parent company to Family Video. This location is one of over 130 locations open next to a Family Video since June of 2012 – making it the largest franchisee of Marco’s Pizza. The company plans to welcome another 50 locations nationwide in the next 4-8 months.

Marco’s Pizza offers both carryout and delivery services. The proximity to the Family Video store gives customers the unique ability to pick up their movies and dinner without having to make multiple stops. The authentic Italian pizza chain has an order window inside most Family Video locations for easy carryout service. Families can also order a movie for delivery with their pizza, by going on-line at marcos.com and placing their order for both pizza and a movie.

Family Video and Marco’s Pizza both pride themselves on the exceptional experiences and value offered to their customers. Marco’s Pizza’s menu features the company’s Ah!thentic Italian pizza, Cheezybread, chicken wings, fresh-baked subs, meatballs, handmade salads, soft drinks and more. Marco’s was founded in 1978 by Italian born, Pasquale (“Pat”) Giammarco and is committed to making Italian Pizza with fresh, never frozen cheese or dough.

“This exciting partnership has transformed Family Video into a ‘one-stop shop’ for dinner and entertainment, while maximizing the potential of our locations” said Keith Hoogland, President of Highland Ventures, Ltd. “Reaching this milestone signifies a bright future as we continue to revolutionize the movie rental industry with the backing of the nation’s fastest growing pizza franchise.”

About Highland Ventures, Ltd..
Highland Ventures, Ltd. is parent company to five national brands including; Family Video (769 locations), Marco’s Pizza (130 locations), Stay Fit 24 (11 locations), Digital Doc (33 locations), Highland Pure Water & Ice (3 locations) and Legacy Commercial Properties. Highland Ventures Ltd.’s vision is to grow and leverage our national portfolio of premium commercial properties. Mr. Hoogland stated “at Highland Ventures Ltd. it is always about our people. We are committed to hiring people who share our core values and who will thrive in our entrepreneurial system. Fun, friendly, motivated people who provide exceptional customer service are the foundation of all our successful businesses.

We will continue to own and operate retail oriented businesses and offer prime retail space to hundreds of other tenants. This strategy allows for the acquisition of additional commercial properties and enables the expansion of innovative retail, restaurant, and service operations.” To learn more about Highland Ventures LTD. visit our website www.highlandventuresltd.com

This past Tuesday 60 + people along with Mayor Armstrong took to Haysville’s bike path for a leisurely ride. Following the ride a bicycle and many prizes were given away.

Haysville has been recognized for 16 years of participation in the Tree City USA program. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters and encourages cities to make the planting and care of trees a priority. Approximately 100 cities in Kansas participate in the program.
Haysville achieves Tree City USA recognition each year by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
As part of the recognition program, the Haysville Park Board received a special flag commemorating 16 years of participation. It flies below the Kansas state flag at PRIDE Park.
Although Arbor Day is nationally recognized on the last Friday in April, Haysville’s Arbor Day ceremonies occur on or around May 3rd, in honor of the anniversary of the 1999 tornado that devastated the city. The Haysville Park Board has planted 21 trees during Arbor Day ceremonies over the last 15 years.
This year’s Arbor Day celebration will take place at the W. W. Hays Historic Village, where three trees will be planted on Tuesday, May 3rd at 5:15 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Haysville, KS (March 4, 2016) The Haysville Police Department has developed a “Safe Spot”, where citizens can conduct a variety of “exchanges” in a safe, secure, well-lit environment. Two parking stalls in front of the Haysville Police Department have had signage installed, designating them as the “Safe Spot.” They are available for use by citizens 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“The two parking stalls we’ve selected were chosen because they are thoroughly lighted and easily visible on our security cameras. This makes them safe both day and night,” explains Haysville’s Police Chief, Jeff Whitfield. “Odds are, if someone is unwilling to meet in a public place, they probably don’t have the best of intentions.”
Creating a safe place for people to conduct online want ad transactions is an idea taking hold in communities across the country. Police departments in Boca Raton, Florida, East Chicago, Illinois and everywhere in between are taking steps to prevent the victimization of citizens during these exchanges by creating this type of safe zone. One of the more well-known online want ad sights, Craigslist.com, suggests public exchanges – especially with high value items – to reduce the odds of becoming victimized.
The Haysville Safe Spot’s purpose extends beyond sale transactions, though. “Not only can people exchange goods and cash in a secure manner,” says Whitfield, “they can use the Safe Spot for child custody swaps as well.” Many family law practitioners suggest using a public place for child custody swaps in order to reduce the chances of a dispute.
Haysville’s Safe Spot became operational on March 3, 2016.
For

In October the path along North Main was extended to the bridge over the Wichita-Valley Center Floodway.

In November a connecting path South of Karla and East of the railroad tracks was finished.

Julie is a former counselor in the Haysville school district.

On August 11th, Julie Dombo was injured by gunshots at an AT&T Wireless store in Derby, Kansas during an attempted robbery. As a school counselor for many years, Julie had been victim to the very type of person she had always strived to reach and help. As she fights for her life at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS (under the very best care possible) – we are anticipating the resources required for her forthcoming recovery and would ask your help in offsetting those costs.

Click here to donate.

On July 18, 2015, six young men were rewarded for a lot of hard work. Persevering through 90 degree heat and 107 degree heat index, this group took first place in the under 14 boys division at the Sporting Kansas City 3v3 Tournament held in Shawnee, Kansas. The team came from the local American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) branch at 47th Street South and Meridian. The open tournament included some of the best players from multiple states. Needing four wins to become champions, they succeeded with victories of 7 – 4, 6 – 5 (winning goal scored with two seconds left), 9 – 5, and 7 – 4.

Beginning in June, visitors to four of Haysville’s most popular parks will have free Wi-Fi access, courtesy of the City of Haysville. Riggs Park, Dewey Gunzelman Memorial Swimming Pool, W.W. Hays Village Historic Park and PlagensCarpenter Sports Complex will all be connected to the City’s wireless network. Plans to offer Wi-Fi in Haysville’s other parks are also underway.
Based on citizen response, The City of Haysville is focusing resources on the improvement of its parks and recreation facilities. “Citizens have made it clear that quality of life matters” said Mayor Bruce Armstrong. “We’ve received very supportive feedback about the recent upgrades to our parks, our plans for extending the Hike & Bike Path and the plan to relocate the Activity Center to the center of town. Offering Wi-Fi in our parks just seemed like the next logical amenity to offer to improve on what we’ve done so far.”
Patrons can access the City’s free network on their phone, laptop or tablet by opening a web browser, such as Chrome or Internet Explorer, agreeing to the terms and conditions, and clicking accept. The wireless service is available every day from 5:00 a.m. to Midnight.

Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland has awarded the Juliette Gordon Low Achievement Award – the council’s highest honor – to a lifetime Girl Scout member who began volunteering in 1960 as a Brownie troop leader.

Rosemary Smith of Haysville received the distinguished award for demonstrating unique and significant contributions across the council. The Juliette Gordon Low Achievement Award, introduced by Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland in 2012 and named after the founder of Girl Scouts of the USA, also recognizes those who have a continued impact and embody the values in the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Since becoming a troop leader in 1960, Smith has volunteered in every capacity of Girl Scouting: adviser, trainer, committee member, camp director, board member, national delegate and more. She always had her hand up to help. Smith served on the council’s outdoor program committee for 11 years and as committee chair for five years. She also served on the council’s property committee for 13 years, the Wichita Area Board of Directors for six years, and on the Festival of Giving committee for 33 years, including seven as committee chair. She attended nine National Girl Scout Conventions and has served on the executive board of Girl Scout Alumni & Friends for eight years, currently serving as co-chair of the council’s historical collection.

Smith’s legacy can also be demonstrated by the accomplishments of the girls she mentored: six girls earned the First Class rank; five girls earned the Gold Award; one girl became a Girl Scout staff member; and 17 girls became Girl Scout troop leaders themselves.

Longtime volunteer Shirley Mosher of Wichita, who earned the award in 2014, said Smith “exemplifies what Juliette Gordon Low wanted adult leaders to be!”

“Our dedicated volunteers encourage girls to raise their hands, make a difference in their community, and set their sights on the stars,” said Liz Workman, CEO of Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland. “They prepare girls to lead successful lives and play a key part in our mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.”

Other area Girl Scout volunteers who received awards from Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland include:
Appreciation Pin – For excellent service in delivering the Girl Scout mission to one or more geographic areas

· Jennifer Fawcett, Leader of Troop 40555, Goddard

· Mardith Hammond, Leader of Troop 40345, Wichita

· Dr. Elaine Harrington, Council Trainer, Wichita

· Amy Harris, Leader of Troop 40012, Maize

· Christina House, Leader of Troop 40408, Valley Center

· Janet O’Donnell, Leader of Troops 40831 and 40008, Valley Center

· Samantha Stueven, Leader of Troops 40948 and 40326, Augusta

Thanks Badge – For having a measureable impact on meeting the priorities of the entire council

· Wayne Chambers, Council Board Member, Wichita – Thanks Badge

· Susan Martin, Leader of Troop 40069, Wichita – Thanks Badge

· Carol Ruff, Service Unit Manager, Derby – Thanks Badge II

Treasured Time Award – For making a significant impact on Girl Scouting with their time, talent and treasure

· Robin Armfield, Leader of Troop 40132, Sedgwick

· Fred Gassert, Co-leader of Troop 40616, Wichita

Volunteer of Excellence Award – For outstanding service working with girls or supporting the council’s mission

· Jill Collins, Leader of Troop 40107, Wichita

· Jennifer Curtis, Leader of Troop 40107, Wichita

· Krista Davis, Leader of Troop 40503, Wichita

· Danielle Dodds, Leader of 40310, Andover

· Kelly Dumler, Leader of Troops 40323 and 40182, Wichita

· Tanya Honton Leddy, Leader of Troop 40451, Bel Aire

· Laura Hubbard, Wichita Northwest Service Unit Treasurer

· Robert Lee, Council Trainer/Troop Committee Member, Wichita

· Phyllis Makle, Leader of Troop 40144, Wichita

· Shelley McClure, Leader of Troop 40037, Wichita

· Patricia Munk, Co-leader of Troop 40007, Wichita

· Stephanie Nicks, Leader of Troops 40588 and 40948, Augusta

· Kristy Plotner, Leader of Troop 40656, Wichita

· Michelle Smith, Co-leader of Troops 40831 and 40020, Valley Center

· Melinda Stephenson, Cookie Program volunteer, Sedgwick

· Amanda Treadwell, Leader of Troop 40963, Derby

· Cindy Turner, Co-leader of Troop 40588, Andover

· Andrea Vincent, Leader of Troop 40616, Wichita

President’s Award – For making a significant impact in reaching council goals by supporting Girl Scouts

· Sedgwick West Service Unit, serving West Wichita, Goddard, Cheney, Garden Plain, Andale, Colwich and Schulte