Category: Local News

By Barb Walters
The Haysville Times

When How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying opens early next month, four of Haysville’s young people will be among the cast members. Music Theater for Young People selected Austin Falley to play the lead role of “Finch” in the production. Falley attended Haysville Schools until he reached high school and was accepted into the International Baccalaureate program at Wichita East High School. Three Campus Juniors, Amanda Denning, Cassis Ledrun, and Miles Mattal (above) also have prominent roles.
The story, based in the 1960’s, involves Finch as a window washer who has read the book How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. He breaks into corporate America in a most unusual way in this musical comedy that pokes fun at big business.
Executive Director of Music Theater for Young People Karen Gale felt the roles were educational for the youthful actors to be involved in. “It is a very good learning experience to see that all women in the business world were secretaries in the 60’s,” she explained. “This was what the world was like when their moms were young and their grandmas were career age.”
The show opens March 3rd at 7pm at the Teall Theater at Century II. Additional performances will be on March 4th at 2:30 and 7:30 and on March 5th at 2:30. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 each for groups of ten or more. Seats are reserved, so Gale encourages theater-goers to purchase tickets early by calling 262-MTYP (262-6897).

By Angie Gumm
The Haysville Times

Domestic violence claimed the life of another Haysville woman on Sunday morning. The police received a call at 4:25 to the home of Jack and Tonya Dudley at lot 311 in the Peachwood Manor Mobile Home Park on 6895 S. Broadway.
When police arrived at the scene five minutes later, Tonya, 43, was already dead from apparent stab wounds. Jack, 47, also had apparent stab wounds and the couple’s three-year-old nephew who was also in the home, suffered from lacerations. Both were taken to Via Christi St. Francis Hospital on a code rode.
The Dudley’s 25-year-old son Aaron was arrested at the scene. On Wednesday afternoon Aaron appeared before a judge via video camera from prison. The judge set his bond at $500,000.
The hospital couldn’t comment on the condition of the survivors, but Georgia Cole, of the District Attorney’s Office, said prosecutors must be fairly certain of their recovery to begin prosecution.
Tonya was a native of Wellington and worked for F&E Foods, a food supplier in Wichita. Understandably, her family did not want to talk to the paper at this point. Her half-sister Amy Eagle, of Wellington, did state that Tonya “was a fun-loving outgoing person.” Services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at Smith Family Mortuary.
It was last year in early February, when Haysville residents Matthew Samuels killed his wife Sheri and himself in a domestic violence tragedy.

By Angie Gumm
The Haysville Times

Calling all creative people! Haysville Pride has a chance for you to express yourself and make a nice pile of cash.
Following the advice a community assessor offered Haysville about a year and a half ago, the City has decided to get itself a motto.
Haysville Pride is spearheading the search for the new slogan, and everyone is welcome to participate. “I would encourage all levels, all areas, all representative to enter the contest,” said Paige Crum, of Pride.
Once all entries are received, Pride will take them to a professional design and marketing team at Newman University, who will narrow the choices down to three.
Pride will vote for the winning entry, and the winner will receive a check for $200 at a City Council meeting.
Crum pointed out that while Haysville used to be known as the Peach Capital of the World, it hasn’t had a motto since then. The assessor recommended Haysville go with a western image, and Commissioner Tim Norton said that the city should tout its image as a “bedroom community.”
Pride, though, is open to any ideas. “There are no preconceived notions, except that it should be positive” said Crum, who said that everyone who enters should focus on what makes them proud about Haysville. “Certainly I know what I am personally proud of, but I could be the only one in Haysville. You could pick anything. We could have ‘The Best Sonic in the World,’ for example.”
The motto should be a brief phrase that could be used for the community and marketing purposes “in the spirit of establishing a proud image for Haysville.”
Entries are due by April 30. The contest is open to anyone, and entries must be sent on hard copy and on a floppy disk to Haysville Pride, PO Box 53, Haysville, KS 67060. Call Tom Gibson at 524-7636 for more information.

By Angie Gumm
The Haysville Times

A two-year-old boy who almost drowned Saturday in a bathtub in the 1900 block of E. 84th Street is “improving day by day,” according to Sedgwick County Lieutenant Mike Oliver. Apparently, his mother had put the boy in an empty tub to get him cleaned up. She left the room, and when she came back there was water in the tub and the baby was face down in the water, not breathing. Possibly another child turned the faucet. Oliver had last talked with the family on Tuesday and said the boy “was resilient, hung in there, and was progressing.”

By Patricia Barkley
The Haysville Times

At 4:40 pm on Tuesday, January 31, the Sedgwick County Fire Department responded to a call in Haysville. A fire had started between the houses at 1119 and 1123 4th St. near a small shed. The firefighters worked on the fire for over an hour before they had it down to a manageable burn, and they continued to put out flames and monitor the properties until 10 pm that night.
“We’re listing the cause of the fire as undetermined, with the possibility of [careless] smoking,” said Tim Millspaugh, Sedgwick County Fire Department.
Millspaugh also stated that the dry and windy weather that day had contributed to the fire and helped it grow. There was $160,000 worth of damage done altogether.

By Barb Walters
The Haysville Times

Photo Credit: Barb Walters

Thanks to a partnership between Wichita State University, the Educational Services and Staff Development Association of Central Kansas and the Boeing Charitable Trust, a robot has enrolled in the Haysville Schools.
Mandi Bennett, a teacher at the Early Childhood Center, is the recipient of the Roamer Robot 2006 Grant. Bennett reports that the students were very excited to hear about their new classmate. This robot will be able to go forward, backwards, turn at specific angles, sing and draw. The students will push buttons to program the robot to do various operations once they learn and understand the command buttons.
“This experience with the robot will give students hands-on experience, enhance their problem solving skills, and provide a visual to help understand some concepts,” explained Bennett. “Plus, I will be able to incorporate the robot into the curriculum and make it more meaningful to the students.”
The preschoolers sat in rapt attention earlier this week as their new pal drew neat shapes in specific sizes as programmed. When it came time to decide on a name, the highly popular choice of “Mrs. Bennett” was quickly vetoed by the teacher. Of the other names proposed by students, Robbie the Robot had overwhelming support.
In the days ahead, students will continue to explore Robbie’s capabilities. “This opportunity will give the kids a chance to learn more about technology and how we can use technology in our life to enhance our learning,” explained Bennett.

By Angie Gumm
The Haysville Times
Posted on January 19, 2:32 PM

Photo Credit: Angie Gumm

Haysville students got a taste of the political world last Friday when the 45-foot long, bright yellow C-SPAN bus stopped off at the middle school to teach the kids a little about government.
C-SPAN, the non-partisan political channel of public record, is trekking across the country on a ten-community tour in six states to promote C-SPAN in the Classroom. The local Cox Communications organized the Kansas stop. The Haysville Middle School was the only school in the state to be visited.
“You guys are doing an awesome job,” eighth grade Kansas History Teacher Michelle Powers told C-SPAN’s Heath Neiderer.
Neiderer and his colleague Stephanie Green gave several presentations to a total of about 80 students on the bus.
The two showed students how they can interview politicians like Bill Clinton in the bus, and make it look like an office by hanging a photo and restricting the camera angle. In fact, George Bush, Senior, had once been a passenger in the bus that came to Haysville.
Students were asked about current events and reminded why it’s important to stay informed about government activities.
“You guys are a few years away,” said Green. “But when you’re old enough to vote, and when you’re paying taxes you need to know what is going on.”
Powers thought the trip was worthwhile for the local students. “The students are engaged; it’s very good,” she said.

By Barb Walters
The Haysville Times

Photo Credit: Barb Walters

The Campus High School music department has yet another accolade to add to its already impressive list of accomplishments. According to Director of Bands, Becky Hughes, over 500 musicians from fifty area high schools took part in auditions last October for the South Central District Honor Band and Orchestra. Three Colts distinguished themselves from the herd. Mike Campbell was named to the Honor Orchestra as the top tuba player in the South Central District. Marshall Berube on euphonium and Justin Whitmer playing the baritone sax were named to the Honor Band.
Because the three won District titles, they qualified to participate in auditions earlier this month in Salina for the Kansas State Honor Band. Campbell, a senior at Campus, made the cut and will be among those who will perform in February at the Kansas Music Educators Association Conference which will be held this year at Century II in Wichita.
Campbell is thrilled to be selected to represent Campus at the State level. He expects to receive the music that will be played at the Conference soon. He will meet with the other orchestra members from all over the state the day before their performance for an all-day rehearsal. Campbell plans to continue studying music in hopes of one day becoming a high school band director and a member of a local symphony orchestra.
“In addition to playing the tuba, Mike also plays euphonium and trombone in our bands,” said Hughes. “He plans on majoring in music in college and is currently undecided about which college he will attend. Mike ran cross country this past fall and is currently on the swim team. He’s a great kid and I’m going to miss him and his musicality next year.”

By Barb Walters
The Haysville Times

Thousands of people have entered Clark Hardware Store over the years. Some came in for supplies to fix a leaky faucet or repair a broken gate, but all left having made a friend. For fifty years, Bob Clark presided over his store, handing out advice, hugs, warmth and, always, Juicy Fruit gum.
A hole was left in the heart of this community when Clark passed away on December 13, 2005. In addition to his duties in the hardware store, Clark was a loving husband and father, devoted grandfather and great-grandfather and a community servant. Most of all, he is remembered for his devotion to God. Continue reading “Bob Clark: Leaving a Legacy”

By Patricia Barkley
The Haysville Times

There was a big change for the Haysville Activity Center during the transition from 2005 to 2006. On December 31, 2005, HAC Director, and head of the City’s Recreation Department, Wendy Wilkinson left her job with the City to pursue a different career.
Wilkinson had been with the City for seven years, since shortly before the HAC opened up. Her replacement, Georgie Root, was hired shortly after that.
On December 29, at the City Council’s last meeting of the year, Wilkinson was presented with a service plaque in honor of her years with the City. She had already been preparing Root to take over the position of Recreation Director.
“We expect it to be a smooth transition,” said Carol Neugent, director of governmental services for the City.
Root agrees, although she admits that her new position does involve “more responsibilities, different responsibilities.” For now, the HAC will be one staff member short, but Root says they will probably not consider anyone new for a few months.
In the meantime, Wilkinson has moved on to a career in real estate and property management. She is now selling houses in the Haysville area and managing rental properties.
“I was ready for some new challenges and new adventures,” said Wilkinson. “It was time.”
Wilkinson will be working on growing her new business but says she will be “more than happy to help” if Root needs any more advice or assistance while she’s getting the hang of her new job. Wilkinson thinks Root will do fine, though, and she still has interest in what happens with the Recreation Department, including her hope that the City will build a new HAC.
“It was an experience, helping to bring the Recreation Department from nothing to where it is today,” she said.