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Thursday March 15, 2018 Volume 12, No. 11
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Folks go hog wild for pet pigs By Sam Jack
Haysville Sun-Times sjack@tsnews.com
A recent discussion on the Haysville Happenings Facebook group showed that quite a few Haysville area residents keep pot-bellied pigs as pets. Ten people replied with photos of their pigs. Stacey Storlie, who owns a pig named Essie, started the discussion thread after seeing a bumper sticker in Haysville: “I love my pig.” She said she was surprised by the amount of local response. “Surprised for Haysville, yes, but in general, no. I am in multiple groups on Facebook for pig parents and groups of rescues to find homes for others,” she said. Local pig owners compared their pets to dogs, noting that the animals can be playful and affectionate. If anything, they said, pigs are smarter than dogs, and are often more emotionally complex. They also can apparently hold a grudge, in a way dogs generally don’t. Lori Thompson’s pig, Miss Piggie, is about 18 months old and is fully house-trained. But when Thompson and her husband Christopher left town for a weekend, they came back to a sullen swine. “When we came back, she was so mad that she looked us straight in
the eye and peed on our floor. She was retaliating on us for leaving her,” Thompson said. Among other forms of mischief, Miss Piggie also enjoys getting into the trashcan, knocking over chairs and stealing the straws out of people’s drinks. But despite rambunctious behavior at times, Thompson said she gets a lot out of having a pig. “She runs through our house, just like a dog, and she actually plays with our dogs,” she said. Miss Piggie is strongly attached to the Thompson family. She lives inside most of the time and even shares a bed with the humans on occasion. “If she doesn’t see us and interact with us every day... pigs can actually die of a broken heart,” Thompson said. “They’re like dogs, but way more emotional, and way smarter. If somebody were to just take her from us and have her live outside, she would be very depressed.” Tabatha Fitzsimmons also lets her pigs, Oreo and Puumba, sleep in her bed and hog the couch. “They’re pretty spoiled,” Fitzsimmons said. “Just like a 2-year-old, they can throw fits if they don’t get their way. But they’re pretty used to us.”
See PIGS, Page 7
Contributed photo
Miss Piggie, pictured, is very attached to her owner, Lori Thompson. Pigs are highly emotional animals, several owners said, and they can have complex personalities.
March Madness hits Wichita Staff report
Haysville Sun-Times
Wichita will get a fair amount of national attention this week as a first- and second-round host city for the NCAA Tournament. Two sessions will be held in Thursday’s first round at INTRUST Bank Arena. The first session will feature No. 1 seed Kansas vs No. 16
Pennsylvania at 1 p.m., followed by No. 8 Seton Hall vs. No. 9 North Carolina State. The second session will have No. 6 Houston (a conference foe of Wichita State) vs. No. 11 San Diego State at 6:20 p.m., followed by No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 14 Montana. Two second-round games will be
See MADNESS, Page 7
Going to the game? If you’re going to any of the NCAA games this week at INTRUST Bank Arena, snap a selfie and share it with us! Email photos to news@tsnews.com, or share it with us on our Facebook page or Twitter feed. We’ll publish the best of your photos in next week’s paper.
Dale Stelz/Haysville Sun-Times
INTRUST Bank Arena will host first- and second-round games in this year’s NCAA Basketball Tournament. The tournament is trying additional local interest because the Kansas Jayhawks are playing in Wichita. The Wichita State Shockers will play in San Diego, while the Kansas State Wildcats are off to Charlotte, N.C. The Jayhawks play Thursday, and the Shockers and Wildcats will play Friday.
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Woof!
Dog park coming to Haysville By Nancy D. Borst
Haysville Sun-Times
Spring is in the air and so are improvements to two Haysville parks. On Monday, council members approved construction of a new dog park in the Randal L. Dorner Park Complex. The threeacre dog park will include a patio area, shade structure, drinking fountains for dogs and their people, eight benches and four dog waste stations. Public works director Tony Martinez said the dog park will include separate areas for large and small breeds. Also planned in the park complex is completion of eight soccer fields, construction of an access road and parking. Funding for the Dorner Park work will not exceed $205,508.58 and will come from street sales tax revenue, park sales tax and capital improvement funds. The city also approved a bid to remodel the band shelter located in Riggs Park. Repairs will include replacing siding, trim and any damaged sheathing and wall studs. The project
This week’s Newspapers In Our Schools is sponsored by Weckworth Manufacturing. See Page 2 for details.
also will include new steel doors and handrails and fresh paint on all new siding and trim. Martinez said these repairs will be the most extensive work done to the structure since it was rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in 1996. Only one bid was received for the work, in the amount of $18,615 from Quality Builders Construction LLC. In other business, the council accepted a low bid from Flint Hills Materials for Phase 1 paving and drainage improvements in the Country Lakes 2nd addition. A total of five bids were received but Flint Hills’ bid of $280,423 won the job. That was well below the engineer’s estimate of more than $400,000. Spring is coming but summer and swimming season are not far behind and the council approved new proposed pricing for the city’s swimming pool. The pool is scheduled to open Saturday, May 26 and close on Sunday, Aug. 12. Recreation director Georgie Carter proposed
See CITY, Page 7
Transitions/Community
2 | March 15, 2018 Haysville Sun-Times
Obituaries
Crossword
ACROSS 1. Unpleasant substance 5. Oil group 10. One-time Yankees rookie sensation 14. Ireland 15. Less easily found 16. Southeast Nigeria people 17. Bridgeline Digital stock designation 18. Play loudly 19. Elegantly fashionable 20. Open sore 22. Frozen water 23. Sacred Islamic site 24. “Kokomo” rockers 27. Follows sigma 30. Cease to exist 31. Cool 32. Doctors’ group 35. Less attractive 37. Swiss river 38. Greek sophist 39. Grandmothers 40. Afflict 41. Russian pancake of buckwheat flour and yeast 42. Actress __ Rachel Wood 43. Not bright 44. Western Asia peninsula 45. Baseball speedster Gordon 46. Golf score 47. Transmits genetic information from DNA to the cytoplasm 48. Diego, Francisco, Anselmo 49. Songs to one’s lover 52. Cattle’s mammary gland 55. Having ten 56. Fencing sword 60. Scarlett’s home 61. Hold valuables 63. Italian Seaport 64. Cain and __ 65. Bad places to live 66. Large, wading bird 67. Witches 68. Cover with drops 69. Props up the head
DOWN 1. Philippine province 2. Shallow channel 3. Type of acid 4. Cygnus’ brightest star 5. One who buys and sells securities (abbr.) 6. Ill will 7. Plant of the goosefoot family 8. Intellectual 9. Mineral 10. Shiny silicate minerals 11. Ottoman civilian title 12. What you wear when eating BBQ (2 words) 13. Soul and calypso song 21. Advises 23. “The Spanish Tragedy” playwright 25. Surrounds the earth 26. Paddle 27. Adjusted 28. Succulent plant 29. Forearm bones 32. Belonging to Egyptian ascetic Apollo’s colleague 33. Type of mental illness 34. One from Asia 36. 007’s creator 37. Direct toward 38. Pie _ __ mode 40. Large terrier 41. Hillsides 43. Patriotic women (abbr.) 44. Connects words 46. For each 47. Flower cluster 49. Closes a deal 50. Arabian desert 51. Vaccine against poliomyelitis 52. American state 53. Religion practiced in China 54. Type of sediment 57. Hall of Famer Ruth 58. “Layla” singer Clapton 59. Gamble 61. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.) 62. Midway between south and southwest
DeEtta Mae Balman
Tony Warren
DeEtta Mae Balman, 77, of Haysville, died Saturday, March 10, 2018. Graveside service will be 2 p.m, Thursday, March 15, at Greenwood Cemetery, 6231 W. 47th St. South Wichita. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Brenda Klein; and brother, Charles Kasterke. DeEtta is survived by her husband, Gary Balman; children, Alan Aipperspach (Gaylee) and Terrie Parson; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Dwain (Roberta) Kasterke, Marilee (Kenneth) Erbert, Frances (Leslie) Helm, and Betty (Glenn) Pearson. Memorial contributions may be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market St., Wichita, KS 67202. Online condolences may be left at www.SmithFamilyMortuaries.com.
Anthony Dale “Tony” Warren, age 44, of Haysville, died Sunday, March 11, 2018. Visitation will be 1-8 p.m. Thursday, March 15, with family receiving friends 5-7 p.m., and funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, March 16, both at Smith Mortuary, 7031 S. Broadway. Tony is preceded in death by his grandparents, Dale and Betty Warren and Rex and Pauline McCollough. Survivors include his daughters, Kaitlin and Julia Warren; stepson, Christopher Corbin; parents, Rick and Paulette “Cookie” Warren; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. A memorial has been established with Lifeline Animal Placement and Protection, Inc., 310 W. 45th St. N., Wichita, KS 67204. View tributes at smithfamilymortuaries.com.
Great Things Are Happening In Haysville March 15 Wild West Spring Break Camp, K-5th Graders, Registration Deadline Tae Kwon Do, 5:30-7 p.m., Haysville Activity Center Bedtime Storytime, 7 p.m., Haysville Community Library March 16 Spring Slim Down-Level I & II Registration Deadline Friday Night FPS, 5:30-8 p.m., Haysville Community Library Paint The Night Wine & Paint Party, 7-8:30 p.m., Haysville Activity Center March 17
Blast Ball, 6:00 or 6:30 p.m., Haysville Activity Center (Indoor) Wild West Spring Break Camp K-5th Graders, 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Haysville Activity Center Spring Slim Down-Level I, 6:307:30 p.m., Haysville Activity Center, through April 30th Spring Slim Down-Level II, 7:308:30 p.m., Haysville Activity Center, through April 30th March 20 Wild West Spring Break Camp K-5th Graders, 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Haysville Activity Center Tae Kwon Do, 5:30-7 p.m., Haysville Activity Center
Breakfast @ VFW Pot in Haysville
Historic District meeting, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Haysville City Hall
Red Cross Blood Drive, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Haysville Community Library
March 21
March 19 Monday Evening Movie “Wonder Woman”, 6 p.m., Haysville Community Library
Wild West Spring Break Camp K-5th Graders, 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Haysville Activity Center Haysville Fall Festival meeting, 6:307:30 p.m., Haysville Community Bldg.
March 22 Wild West Spring Break Camp K-5th Graders, 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Haysville Activity Center Tae Kwon Do, 5:30-7 p.m., Haysville Activity Center March 23 Wild West Spring Break Camp, K-5th Graders, 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Haysville Activity Center March 24 Meeple Mayhem, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Haysville Activity Center Haysville PRIDE Bierocks pickup, 12-2 p.m., Haysville Middle School Kitchen Mother/Son Nerf Wars, K-6th, 5-7 p.m., Haysville Activity Center Chamber of Commerce Gold Star Banquet, 6-10 p..m., St. Cecilia Church March 25 Easter Egg Hunt, 3 p.m., Haysville Activity Center For additions, please contact Cathy Hurley at 316-522-8149.
See Puzzle Answers on Page 9
Friendship Meals and Meals on Wheels menu
Following is next week’s menu for Friendship Meals and Meals on Wheels. Monday: Chicken pot pie, pickled beets, apple juice, apricots, oatmeal cookie, and milk.
Tuesday: Cheeseburger soup, crackers, corn relish salad, blushing pears, chocolate pudding, and milk. Wednesday: Turkey roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli, peaches,
wheat roll, and milk. Thursday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, calico salad, pineapple, gelatin, garlic bread and milk. Friday: Cheesy potato and egg bake, tomato salad, grape juice, blue-
berry swirl coffee cake, and milk. Meals are served at the Haysville Senior Center, 160 E. Karla. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. To register for a meal, call 316-529-5903.
Politicians worry trade war could hurt Kansas By Stephen Koranda Kansas News Service
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Kansas politicians are closely watching developing trade policies with an eye to whether they could start a trade war that might hurt industries in the state that rely on exports. President Donald Trump’s administration has been in talks with Canada and Mexico to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. “NAFTA is the worst trade deal maybe ever signed anywhere,” Trump said while campaigning for office, “but certainly ever signed in this country,” Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer said he supports the negotiations. Yet Colyer and industry trade groups asked Trump in a letter last week not to scrap the deal because
that could hurt major Kansas export industries such as agriculture and aviation. “We want to make sure that Kansas industries continue to thrive and grow,” the governor said. “We’re a very competitive state.” Canada and Mexico are key destinations for Kansas farm commodities, said Josh Roe, the deputy secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture. “There have certainly been years where Mexico and Canada are number one and number two,” Roe said last year. Roe said that in 2016, agriculture and aviation accounted for more than half the dollar value of the state’s exports. Trump also announced tariffs on steel and aluminum last week — critical supplies for Kansas manu-
facturing. “A strong steel and aluminum industry are vital to our national security, absolutely vital,” Trump said at a ceremony announcing the tariffs. State Rep. Jim Ward, the top Democrat in the Kansas House, said he’s concerned Trump’s actions could spark retaliatory tariffs, which could impact industries beyond manufacturing. “Agriculture would be devastated by tariffs or a trade war,” Ward said The south central part of Kansas is highly focused on manufacturing, specifically aviation. At a recent stop at Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Republican U.S.
Think:
Sen. Jerry Moran pointed to an airplane fuselage as an item that could be impacted by aluminum tariffs. “The fuselage that we’re celebrating here at Spirit is 100 percent aluminum,” Moran said. “(A tariff) has a consequence in the price.” Aerospace Industries Association CEO Eric Fanning said commercial aviation relies on imported aluminum and steel. President Trump’s tariff on the metals was softened, though, by excluding Canada and Mexico. Canada has been the top source of imported aluminum in the U.S. in recent years, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Crum makes dean’s list at RIT Dawsen Crum, who is in the biomedical engineering program, made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Rochester Institute of Technology. Degree-seeking undergraduate students are eli-
gible for dean’s list if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.400; they do not have any grades of “Incomplete”, “D” or “F”; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours.
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Community
March 15, 2018 | 3
Haysville Sun-Times
City seeks citizen feedback on annual survey By Sam Jack
Haysville Sun-Times sjack@tsnews.com
The City of Haysville wants residents’ opinions and feedback. The annual community survey is now available. The survey lets people rate and comment on municipal services like police, recreation and administrative services. It also solicits input on future projects
and likes and dislikes about Haysville. One special query seeks to get a sense of how many people would be interested in patio homes, with safe rooms for tornados. Such homes are generally low-maintenance and do not have steps, making them appealing for elderly people and aging Baby Boomers. “We know there’s a demand for it, we’re just trying
to get it on paper what that demand is, and what the price point looks like,” said Zach McHatton, economic development director for the city. “When you’re downsizing, you want to move to a home where you can stay as long as you can. We don’t have any developers set on that yet, but we’re in talks with some people.” Another question asks whether people would be interested in wireless in-
ternet (WiFi) offered as a public utility. Cities across the country have turned themselves into big WiFi hotspots. In Kansas, Coffeyville offers “Coffeyville Connection” – citywide WiFi that costs $10 to $40 per month, depending on the desired top speed. “The results we’ve got so far show there would be a demand for it,” McHatton said. “As we put WiFi in the parks, we started stumbling
on the possibilities of being able to offer this. ... People want options, and in the true spirit of capitalism, I think options are great.” If the survey continues to show strong interest, the city might consider hiring a consultant to determine whether the idea is feasible, McHatton said. The survey is available online at https://www. surveymonkey.com/r/GGT7Y9D.
Those who do not use the Internet or would prefer to fill out a paper survey can do so at the Haysville Activity Center, City Hall or the Haysville Community Library; stations will be set up by the end of the week. McHatton said city staff members are also planning to visit the senior center and other community gathering places to solicit responses.
News Briefs
Investigation continues after Haysville man’s death Six weeks after Haysville resident Ryan Bolen was found dead, the Sedgwick County Sheriff ’s Office says it is still investigating. A spokesperson said the agency has no new information to release regarding analysis of forensic evidence, and it has no suspects or persons of interest to name. Bolen, 26, was found dead in a rural ditch near Haysville on Jan. 29. Officers later found the car Bolen had been driving, in a field about a quarter mile from the Hydraulic and 81st Street ditch where his body was found, and around a mile from his home. Anyone with information on Bolen’s death should contact the sheriff ’s office at 316-660-5300.
GEM 5K early deadline Friday
Contributed photo
This petroglyph, believed to be more than 150 years old, recently was vandalized at Kanapolis State Park. Authorities are seeking information on who might be responsible for the irreversible damage.
Ancient rock art vandalized
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Kanopolis Lake recently discovered vandalism to an ancient petroglyph and is seeking information from the public. Petroglyphs are images and designs made by engraving, carving or scratching away the dark layer of rock varnish on the surface to reveal the lighter rock underneath. At Kanopolis Lake, these petroglyphs are believed to be more than 150 years
old and created by Native Americans. Now, visitors see two names that have been added over a bison. The damage is irreversible. “It is very sad someone would think to destroy something so important and valued by so many,” said Tim Meade, archaeologist for the Corps of Engineers. “Petroglyphs are considered to have important spiritual meaning to Native Americans represent-
ing the works of their ancient ancestors. These have been enjoyed by thousands of visitors to Kanopolis Lake over the years.” The Corps is seeking information concerning the defacement of this petroglyph. “Resources at Kanopolis Lake are managed for the benefit of the American public and the Corps staff works hard to ensure these resources are available for future
generations,” said Ryan Williams, Kanopolis Lake park manager. “The assistance of the public in a case like this is critical.” Violators may be prosecuted under Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations and the Archaeological Resources Protections Act of 1979. To provide information on this vandalism, contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Kanopolis Lake directly at 785-5462294.
Spring break events at museum
The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum will host several spring break events next week. On Tuesday, “Cowboy Up” will explore the lives of early settlers and the cowboys who drove cattle from Texas to Kansas. The event, from 1 to 3 p.m., includes a tour, activities and refreshments. On Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m., celebrate Wichita with a tour of special exhibits, activities and refreshments.
On Thursday, attendees can tour the seven-room Victorian cottage and see up-close how life was lived 125 years ago. Vintage refreshments will be served. A handwriting class will be taught all three days
by museum educators who will guide students in cursive letter formation and its use. Attend one day or all three. The class is 3-4 p.m. each day and open to all ages. Regular admission is $5
for adults and $2 for children under 12. Children under 6 are free. The museum is located at 204 S. Main in Wichita. For more information call 316-265-9314 or visit www.wichitahistory.org.
The GEM 5K race will be held Saturday, April 7, at Colt Stadium in Haysville. The 5-kilometer race was established in 2014 to benefit someone in the Haysville community. “GEM” stands for Gary Engels Memorial, a former Campus High School English teacher who waged a two-year battle with cancer before succumbing to the disease. This year’s beneficiary is Kim Hall, 64, a first-grade teacher at Nelson Elementary who is fighting liver cancer. She has been a teacher in Haysville schools for 38 years. Registration is now underway. A registration form is available online at www.facebook.com/ GEM5K2014 and can be sent to Campus High, or sign up in the CHS main office. Mail registration to Campus High School Student Council, 2100 W. 55th St. S., Wichita, KS 67217. Friday is the early registration deadline. Early registration is $20, and must by done by this Friday. After Friday, registration will be $25 and shirt sizes are not guaranteed. For more information, email Brooklyn Plogger at brooklynplpgger82@gmail.com. Follow the GEM 5K on Twitter, @ColtStrongRun.
Sheriff ’s deputy arrested on suspicion of domestic battery
On Monday evening, March 12, Sedgwick County Sheriff ’s deputy Vincent Folston was arrested at his home by officers of the Wichita Police Department. Folston was later booked into jail on suspicion of domestic battery. The arrest occurred after Wichita officers investigated a disturbance at his residence. The Wichita Police Department will conduct a criminal investigation, and the Professional Standards Unit of the Sheriff ’s Office will also investigate. Folston is on administrative leave pending the result of the internal investigation. “Deputies are not above the law, and the Sheriff ’s Office will always investigate any crime with the due diligence that the public entrusts in us,” Sheriff ’s Lt. Tim Myers said.
Home & Garden
4 | March 15, 2018 Haysville Sun-Times
Home improvement projects ramp up when the weather warms up, as homeowners channel the rejuvenating feelings of spring and tackle their home to-do lists. Large-scale renovations can greatly affect a home, but smaller projects can yield impressive results and be completed over the course of a single weekend. If time is of the essence, these weekend or one-day projects may satisfy homeowners’ desires to fix up their homes. • Create an accent wall. Painting a focal wall in a home can create a serious impact. The bonus is it will not take as long or require as many materials as painting an entire room. Accent walls frequently feature a bold color, so decide on placement and tackle this project in less than a day. • Install stair runners. Dress up hardwood stairs with decorative carpet runners. Runners come in elongated pieces of carpeting or individual pieces that can be placed on each step. If carpeting doesn’t fit with the home’s design, painting individual stair treads
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also can create visual appeal. • Dress up the entryway. An entryway is a guest’s first impression of a home. Many entryways can use a minor overhaul, both inside and outside. Paint the front door a different color so it pops from the curb. Install a new mailbox or decorative house numbers. A new welcome mat can change the look as well. Inside, consider laying a new floor. Resilient vinyl tiles come in many different patterns and can mimic the look of wood, travertine or marble. Installing a floor can take a day or two. • Install a new faucet. Instantly improve a
kitchen or a bathroom with new fixtures. New faucets can provide aesthetic appeal and low-flow faucets can help conserve water. • Create a gallery on the staircase. Gather and arrange framed photos, artwork or wall accents so that they ascend the wall of a staircase. This creates a designer touch and can dress up an often barren area of wall space. • Install a fresh light fixture. Improve drab spaces with a little illumination. Better Homes & Gardens suggests replacing an existing fixture with something new and vibrant. If hanging a new fixture is not within one’s skill set, free-standing table or floor
lamps also can cast a new glow on a space. • Add molding. Molding can add instant aesthetic appeal to a room. Molding is appropriate near the floor, at the top of walls where they meet the ceiling, or even mid-wall as a chair rail. Some homeowners like to create framed molding on walls in formal living spaces. • Update kitchen or bathroom hardware. Replacing hardware is a fast and easy project, but one that can have immediate impact. Home renovations do not need to take weeks or months. Many projects can be completed over the course of a weekend.
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The best kept secret in paint sales
Integrity Coatings is one of the few remaining family-owned paint stores in the Wichita area. And at Integrity Coatings, solving customers’ problems is a daily occurrence. Located at 1446 South 135th Street West, Integrity Coatings has become recognized as a leader in quality paint and stain products. “What we’ve discovered is that many people find us because someone else could not help them,” said Monte Thompson, who started the business in 2005. “We get recommended by many of our competitors because we can typically solve a customer’s problem.” Monte Thompson spent most of his adult life as a salesman for several large paint companies. Originally from Chanute, he and his wife, Diana, who now owns and operates the Integrity Coatings store, moved to Wichita in 1984. Diana had been working in the insurance industry, but joined Monte at Integrity Coatings soon after the business opened. Now, she owns and operates the location with manager Curt O’Rear, who managed Grey Seal for 16 years before joining Integrity Coatings. Monte provides technical support and lends a helping hand in the store. “Together, the three of us have more than 50 years of experience total working with paints and stains,” said Diana. “When you come in the store, you’re talking with someone who can really help you.” Integrity Coatings handles multiple lines of paints and stains, far beyond what other paint stores are able to offer. Because of that, Integrity Coatings can find the best product for each customer. “It’s a paint store that carries hardware,” said Diana. “We’re stocked with almost
anything you would need for your painting project.” The store features many coatings for residential, commercial and industrial applications, including floors, decks, fences, barns, concrete and roofs. “We have many career painters stop in and tell us, ‘This is what a paint store should look like,’” said Diana. Integrity Coatings specializes in custom matching for paints and stains. Customers can bring in a sample of an existing paint or stain, or any kind of accent color that needs to be matched. “But we don’t match pets,” Monte said with a laugh. “You’d be surprised what customers have asked us to match.” For more information about Integrity Coatings, call 316-721-1068, or stop by the store at 1446 S. 135th Street West. More information also can be found at www.integritycoatingsllc.com.
Integrity Coatings owner Diana Thompson and her husband, Monte, inside their store in West Wichita.
Your Wichita Paint Experts! Wichita’s leading location for paint & stain products with 50+ years of combined experience! We carry a full line of Richard’s Paint products, along with many other lines. One-stop shopping for all of your deck finishes. Complete custom matching services for paints and stains! Come in and see what personal service can mean to you! 1446 S. 135th W., Wichita, KS 67235 316-721-1068 | www.integritycoatingsllc.com
Home & Garden
March 15, 2018 | 5
Haysville Sun-Times
Some tips for hanging art with ease
Personal touches turn a house into a home. Hanging pictures, whether they’re personal photographs or artwork, can really change the character of a room. Unfortunately, some people may not know the proper ways to display pictures on a wall. Design maven Martha Stewart advises that the first step is to gather all of the pictures that are in consideration for hanging. This will enable a person to see what is available and edit their selection based on the space available, theme or color scheme. Having the artwork there enables a person to move it around like a puzzle until the placement feels just right. Next, plan on hanging artwork at 57 inches on center, according to the renovation experts at Apartment Therapy. “On center” means the middle of the photograph or painting will always be at 57 inches, as this measurement represents the average human eye height. This height is regularly used as a standard in many galleries and museums. When the goal is to hang multiple pictures, treat the entire grouping
as a single unit. This means creating the layout and finding the center of the middle piece of the grouping. To make picture grouping easier, use paper templates with arrows to indicate whether the artwork will be hung horizontally or vertically. These templates can then be easily taped to the wall and rearranged until the grouping is ideal. There are no hard and fast rules concerning frames, meaning they do not all have to match.
But placing framed artwork side by side can give a person a feel for whether the images and the frames work together in the space. Some people like to use frames of similar colors and sizes Others want the eclectic mix-and-match appeal. It’s ultimately up to the homeowner. Measuring is key to hanging a picture correctly on the wall. Take into consideration the type of attachment, whether it’s D-rings, sawtooth hangers, wire, or other fasteners on the
back. Measure from the top of the frame to the hanger. Measure the wall to achieve the 57 inches on center location, and then calculate where this falls within the height of the artwork and frame top. Adjust accordingly and mark. Then measure the distance from the frame top to the hanger location on the wall. Be sure to take the weight of the picture into consideration when selecting hanging hardware. Wall anchors may be needed if measurements determine a wall stud will not help secure the artwork, to keep the frame sturdy in the drywall. Home improvement resource Today’s Homeowner also suggests using self-adhesive rubber bumpers to the bottom corners on the back of the frame before hanging so that the picture will not damage the wall and will help it hang level. It can take a few at-
tempts to hang pictures correctly, but with practice it should come with greater ease. The good news is there are new products con-
stantly being evolved to make picture hanging easier, including those that enable removal and relocation of artwork without damaging walls.
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Kitchen Tune-Up brings homeowners’ creativity to life
When Bob and Gayla Banes moved to Wichita a few years ago, everything just fell into place. Well, almost everything. Bob and Gayla moved here to be near family, and they found a home they loved on the east side of Wichita. The only drawback was the kitchen, which proved to be an irritation until just this past year. That’s when the homeowners brought in the experts from Kitchen Tune-Up, and the result was a striking transformation that proved to be fun for everyone involved. “I wasn’t happy with the kitchen and I knew that something needed to be done,” said Gayla. Just what that “something” was still needed to be determined. So, the homeowners started attending the Wichita Home Show. For three years in a row, they visited with the kitchen redesign experts at Kitchen Tune-Up. “We felt really comfortable with them,” Gayla said of Kitchen Tune-Up owners Adam and Rachel Phillips. “We wanted someone who primarily does kitchens, and they really represented their product well.” For this project, Kitchen Tune-Up took out the cabinets and soffit that separated the kitchen from the living room. From there, the redesign included a “pony” wall with cubbies that defined the kitchen and living room spaces, but left a wide-open feel to the space. “This was the homeowners idea, and it worked out great,” said Rachel Phillips, who works directly with clients on designing their dream kitchen spaces. “This was a super fun project. I really liked Gayla’s ideas, and we worked well together. “This was a project where the homeowners’ creativity meshed with our skills to get the job done,” said Rachel. Kitchen Tune-Up completed the project with all-new cabinetry that featured a grey stain, and the tops of the cabinets provide showcases for family heirlooms. A new quartz countertop features hints of sea glass, which is a hot color right now. Another special feature was handmade Moroccan tile that was used in the cubbies and backsplash. Instead of an island, the new kitchen layout was completed with a Bombay chest in the center of the kitchen. It provided an additional
antique accent to the kitchen, and meshed well with the rest of the redesign. “We’re ecstatic with how our kitchen turned out,” said Gayla. And you can be ecstatic, too, if you turn your kitchen project over to the experts at Kitchen Tune-Up. And right now is the perfect time to visit with Kitchen Tune-Up and get on their schedule for 2018. The experts at Wichita’s Kitchen Tune-Up can provide customers with finished projects ranging from easy and inexpensive to breathtaking and cutting edge. Kitchen Tune-Up has remodeled hundreds of kitchens since the local franchise was launched in 2005. The company’s services range from OneDay Restoration or “Tune-Up” of cabinets or any interior wood surfaces, to cabinet refacing projects to complete custom kitchens. “Everything we do is about providing balance between budget and design for our projects, and getting the best results for our clients,” said Rachel. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call Kitchen Tune-Up at 316558-8888. You also can find
more information at www.kitchentuneup.com. Be sure to check out the company’s extensive BEFORE/AFTER portfolio on Facebook! When you visit the local Kitchen Tune-Up Facebook page, be sure to ‘LIKE’ Kitchen Tune-Up, Wichita.
This revamped kitchen in east Wichita gave the homeowners something to smile about. The kitchen was opened up to the living room. Added details included cubbies for kitchen items, showcase cabinets for family heirlooms, and a Bombay chest in the center of the kitchen that meshes well with the rest of the redesign.
Home & Garden
6 | March 15, 2018 Haysville Sun-Times
Remodel for a healthier home
Some good lighting, ventilation foster wellness in a house
Home renovation projects are done for several different reasons, whether to update styles, repair damaged or broken items or to achieve more living space. More than ever before, homeowners are choosing improvement projects geared toward making their homes healthier. Establishing a healthy home means different things to different people. For example, to an environmentalist, a healthy home may incorporate eco-friendly or green products. To those with young children or mobility-impaired seniors, a
healthy home may be one free from potential hazards. Others may view a healthy home as one that alleviates allergies. The World Health Organizations says inadequate housing conditions, such as poor ventilation, radon, urban pollution, and moisture issues, can contribute to many preventable diseases and injuries, especially respiratory problems, nervous system disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Furthermore, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ranks indoor air quality as a top five environmental risk to public health. EPA studies have found that indoor air pollution levels were roughly two to five times greater than outdoor pollution levels. People interested in mak-
ing their homes healthier can embrace these renovations and lifestyle changes. • Be aware of furniture materials. Toxic PBDEs, which are chemicals used as flame retardants on furniture fabrics produced prior to 2006, can send toxins into the air. Some manufacturers may still use these flame retardants in new forms, but with similar risks. Before purchasing furniture, ask if a product is treated, and select naturally fire-resistant materials like wool and cotton. • Lighten up. Lighting is often underappreciated but can have a dramatic impact on whether a home feels inviting, warm and/ or uplifting. Experiment with different types of bulbs and lighting fixtures to turn drab
and dreary environments into brighter places. Lighting may improve mood and productivity. • Let the sun shine in. Modify window treatments to let more sunlight into the house. There is evidence that the sun, particularly UV light, is a potent bactericide. The Sunlight Institute advises that there’s no harm in letting natural sunlight do its work, as bacteria within eight feet of low-intensity UV light can be killed in 10 minutes. • Inspect and service wood-burning appliances. A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology has found regular inhalation of wood smoke limits immune activity and function, and anyone who burns wood indoors should be
Tech transforms a bathroom
Technology is infiltrating every room of the house. Many new home buyers are millennials, and this tech-savvy demographic covets technological innovations. A recent survey by Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate indicates 77 percent of Generation X and Y home buyers want their homes equipped with the tech capabilities they have grown accustomed to. Many of these involve smart innovations, including those that can transform one of the most private rooms in the house – the bathroom. Automated home theater rooms and Wi-Fi-enabled home security systems have become the norm, but what tech improvements are available to make the powder room more in touch with today’s digital lifestyle? According to the home improvement resource The Spruce, bathrooms have the most potential of any rooms to be improved with technology. The following are just some of the bathroom gadgets and gizmos no one should resist before giving a try. • Automatic faucets: Infrared sensors have been helping keep public restrooms more hygienic for years. The same technology can be used in home bathrooms to curtail water waste and keep faucets and sinks from becoming infested with germs. In addition, faucets with built-in timers can be programmed to set tasks for brushing teeth or washing
your face. • Musical shower: Instead of having to blast the volume on the portable speaker you use in the bathroom, a wireless speaker is built into some showerheads. This enables those who like to sing in the shower or listen to podcasts while washing up to enjoy this luxury effortlessly. • Smarter weight management: Bathroom scales have gone high-tech as well, with various options enabling users to measure weight, BMI and body fat percentage before sending the data wirelessly to a phone, tablet or computer. This can put you in greater control of fitness goals. • High-tech toilets: Borrowing ideas from bidets and trends around the world, modern toilets do not require hands or paper. These toilets
have temperature-controlled water, spritzing wands and air dryers to clean and sanitize. Self-cleaning toilets help busy professionals save time and are ideal for those who always want their bowls as clean as possible. And if you desire extra comfort, toilet seat warmers are available, while LED lights can make nighttime restroom visits easier. • Soaking tubs: As fast as standalone showers were introduced to the modern bathroom, tubless designs have been replaced with streamlined soaking tubs. Tubs come with different features, including chromatherapy, which employs colored lights to enhance mood. Air baths are controlled electronically and provide different levels of sensation for those who are skipping the hot tub.
Prepare HVAC systems for warmer days ahead The arrival of a new season can be an exciting time. Homeowners may have renewed vigor to start home renovation projects or even tackle some cleaning and organization tasks. Before the weather starts to warm up too much, homeowners may want to evaluate their home cooling needs and ensure that all equipment is in good working order. Spring air conditioning inspections and tuneups are essential steps in system performance.
Homeowners should not take for granted that a system that performed optimally last year will do so this year when temperatures climb. Various factors, including weather damage, dust and grime, mechanical wear and tear, and even rodent or insect infestations, can compromise HVAC systems. Since HVAC systems have so many moving parts, a thorough inspection of such systems can save headaches and money down the road. According to Heating
Ontario, the extreme weather conditions that come along with fall and winter can be especially taxing on homes and the systems that keep them comfortable. During a spring visit, an HVAC technician will perform maintenance on the air conditioner and make sure it is ready for the heat of summertime. This maintenance may include cleaning the unit, checking controls, calibrating the thermostat, lubricating moving parts, checking refrigerant lev-
els, tightening electrical connections, and clearing any clogs. Homeowners are urged to also change the filter at the start of the cooling season. Correcting any issues in the HVAC system well in advance of the arrival of warm weather can help ensure comfort when air conditioning is needed. As an added advantage, homeowners should install programmable thermostats if they do not already have them to keep cooling as cost- and energy-efficient as possible.
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Accomplishing a doit-yourself home repair or renovation can elicit feelings of pride. DIY projects can be cost-effective and completed on homeowners’ unique time schedules. Although people can do many repairs themselves, using the wrong tools or equipment, or having insufficient knowledge of the task at hand can increase the risk of injury. The home security resource A Secure Life says that more than 18,000 Americans die every year from injuries that take place in the home. Unintentional injuries can be traced to many factors, but making repairs around the house can contribute to accident risk. Falls, electrical shocks, broken glass, carpentry tools, and carrying overly heavy loads repeatedly result in injury, says The Home Depot. Recognizing these potential hazards and always employing safe tactics can help keep DIYers stay healthy. • Ladder safety: A fall from even a few feet can cause severe injuries and even death. Ladders should always be put on a level, stable surface. Individuals should not climb higher than the second rung on a step ladder or the third rung on an extension ladder. • Tools: Every tool has the potential to cause injury. This injury risk increases
when tools are not used properly. Before a tool is used, it’s important to read the instructions. • Wear protective gloves. Gloves can help protect against burns, electrocution, slippery grip, and even deep cuts or finger amputation when using sharp tools. Gloves also are essential when handling broken glass. • Power tools: Power tools have momentum and torque behind them to make fast work of various jobs. If using power tools, DIYers should ensure they are the right tools for the job, not something that is handy or a quick fix. Power tools should only be used if a person can devote attention to the task and stay focused. That means never consuming alcohol, drugs or medications that can impair function when using power tools.
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aware of these potential health risks. • Ensuring proper ventilation of smoke and routinely cleaning the chimney can help cut down on particulate matter. • Turn to nontoxic cleaning products, pesticides and insecticides. Always opt for nontoxic, natural products when cleaning in and around the house. • Declutter the home. A cluttered, hectic space can affect emotions and mental state, never mind attracting dust and making a home harder to clean. Spending time in spaces that do not elicit stressful feelings is healthier and can help residents to rest and recharge. Making a home healthier can be on the list of this year’s renovation plans.
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Community
March 15, 2018 | 7
Haysville Sun-Times
Contributed photos
LEFT: Oreo, left, took on a maternal role when Tabatha Fitzsimmons got Puumba five months ago. ABOVE: Lisa Levin’s pig Normando shares a playful moment with dog Ginger.
Pigs From Page 1 Oreo is about four years old. When Fitzsimmons got Puumba, five months ago, Oreo took on a maternal role. “She keeps an eye out for him and puts him in his place when he gets in trouble,” Fitzsimmons said. Pigs, which after all are more commonly associated with the barnyard, do not have to live indoors to thrive as pets. Several locals said they keep their pets outdoors year-round, providing warm bedding in the winter, and filling baby pools or mud pud-
Madness From Page 1 played Saturday, although times are not set. Be prepared for lots of traffic, parking challenges and long restaurant lines in Wichita’s downtown and Old Town areas. Tickets for games were sold out a long time ago but can be purchased on the secondary market. To avoid problems, it is recommended that you use the NCAA Ticket
dles in the winter to keep their pigs cool. That’s the approach Kathy Metheny took with her pig, Logan. Metheny has fond memories of a pet pig she kept as a girl and wanted to give her granddaughter, Paige Mashak, the same experience. “We built a shed with a bunch of hay in there for him, and my granddaughter goes out there to feed and water him twice a day,” Metheny said. “He runs around and chases the dogs back and forth, and when he wants his food, he will try to stand up on his hind legs, like a dog would.” All the pig owners, Metheny included, had
Exchange, www.ncaa. com/exchange, which is the official resale site for tickets. If you try to buy tickets on another website, use a reputable one such as Stub Hub. Buyers are advised to use a credit card rather than a debit card or other payment means, as a credit card normally provides a higher level of protection against fraud. Scalpers are not allowed to resell tickets on arena property. To sell tickets off property, you must have a ticket broker/ scalper license from the
the same advice for those considering a pet pig: Do your research. Pet pigs can weigh up to 250 pounds and still be considered “miniature.” (Other breeds of pigs can weigh as much as 800 pounds.) Pigs also need a particular diet, and they are not as weather-resistant as many dogs. Cindy Russell’s pig, Piggie, started out as a house pig. “I would take her in the house and feed her, and then she would nap with me. She got a little bigger, and I couldn’t hold her anymore,” Russell said. “Finally, she just got too big, and I’m like, ‘Piggie, I can’t do this. You’ve got to go outside.’”
City of Wichita, which will run you $200. Capt. Mark Pierce of the Sedgwick County Sheriff ’s Office told KMUW Radio that fans should be vigilant. “My biggest concern is any time you buy a ticket for any event, especially one as big as the tournament, is to know who you are buying it from,” he said. “It’s always best to buy from the actual vendor. “It always makes me nervous when people start buying tickets from other places.”
Fortunately, Piggie is an outdoorsy sort of animal. “She loves the summertime. I’ll spray her down with water and make her a little mud bath, and the next time you go out there, she’s clean as can be, because she doesn’t like being dirty,” Russell said. Pig owners that can’t manage an indoor pig and don’t have outdoor space for one often end up needing to surrender the animal. That’s where rescues like Norman’s Place, located in Peck, come in. Lisa Levin runs Norman’s Place, where she currently hosts 11 pigs, along with a menagerie of other animals. “People see in the
City From Page 1 increasing the price of swimming lessons from $25 to $30 per session to help offset costs. The fee to rent the pool will be $150 for 1.5 hours and will include use of the blue slide. Single season passes will increase from $45 to $50. Family season passes will increase as follows: from $80 to $85 for family of two; from $115 to $120 for family of three; from $150 to $155 for family of four,
media, ‘mini,’ ‘teacup,’ ‘small.’ There’s no such thing,” Levin said. “People do get pigs that are smaller, but generally, they start out very cute, and then they grow. They keep growing for up to five years. And they can be destructive. ... I have a few that I’ve rescued, and it’s probably a good thing I did, because they’re huge. I have a farm space here, so they’re fine, but if they’re confined to an indoor space, it’s not going to work. “But on the flip side,” Levin added, “they’re so much fun. They’re affectionate and funny. When they love you, they love you, and they trust you.”
and from $185 to $190 for family of five. Ticket books of 20 tickets will remain priced at $50. The pool also will have $1 admission for everyone every day from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Children must be with an adult or family member age 18 or older. Council members approved giving Mayor Bruce Armstrong the authority to reappoint three members of the city’s planning commission: Joe Holub, Ward 1; Clay Randel, Ward II; and Richard Meyer, Ward IV. Each will serve a new threeyear term.
Opinions
8 | March 15, 2018 Haysville Sun-Times
Haysville Sun-Times
Paul Rhodes..................................Editor & Publisher prhodes@tsnews.com
Travis Mounts.................................Managing Editor news@tsnews.com
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Reporter..................Sam Jack - sjack@tsnews.com
Published by Times-Sentinel Newspapers, LLC • 125 N. Main • P.O. Box 544 • Cheney, KS 67025 • (316) 540-0500
Let’s open the bidding at...
I’ve been to a lot of auctions in my life, but this was a totally new experience: A very high-end art and art glass auction. The auction was held a couple of weeks ago, and featured artists I was familiar with. And, with the incredible selection of art glass, antiques and other items that were on the auction block that day, I decided this was something that Kim and I should attend…even if everything was way out of our league. The answer to that question came soon after Kim and I got registered at the auction, and got our bidding paddle. Lesson one: keep the bidding paddle down or tucked in your pocket until you know exactly what you’re doing. Okay, first let’s set the scene for this auction, which by my estimate sold at least $2 million worth of fine art and art glass in a single day. The auction was held in an unassuming location, out away from Wichita, and many of the attendees looked like farmers and ranchers who had stopped by thinking this was an equipment sale. It couldn’t have been farther from that description. Some of these “good old boys” were bidding thousands of dollars on tiny little vases and other decorative items. True, this glass came with high-brow names like Tiffany and value estimates to warrant the bidding wars that were going on, but still…this was pretty wild. I had ventured out to the sale to see what kind of prices the auction would fetch for several Birger Sandzen lithographs and paintings. I actually did some bidding on a few of the lithographs by this famous Kansas artist, but they all fetched prices that went well beyond my comfort level. And, I also put in the opening bid on one of the Sandzen oil paintings… without really realizing what I was doing. This painting came up for sale while Kim and I were up walking around looking at other items, and I was sort of paying
From the Editor’s Files
Paul Rhodes | Publisher & Editor
attention as the auctioneer kept dropping the price down in an attempt to get an opening bid. When we heard him ask for “50” Kim nudged me and I threw my paddle in the air. “And we have an opening bid of $50,000,” the auctioneer cried out. Stunned, I looked at Kim, and she watched as all the color drained out of my face. True, I knew this painting was likely to go for a hefty price. But my brain just hadn’t wrapped itself around the fact that the auctioneer was talking thousands of dollars…not just dollars. Before I could collapse into a pile of embarrassment on the floor, the bidding on this painting rocketed up past $100,000. And then past $150,000. The final sale price for this incredible painting was $160,000. At that point, several unique points of interest were running through my head. First, I had just watched as an obvious Sandzen collector shelled out nearly as much money as my house is worth for a single painting. Second, I had gotten schooled in a matter of seconds on the fine art of bidding – and paying attention – at a high-end auction. And third, I had actually logged the opening bid for an expensive piece of art. The painting was valued at more than $300,000, and for a moment I was actually proud of myself for getting the bidding started. Of course, if I had won the painting at my opening bid, my first phone call would have been to my banker, explaining why I needed to borrow $50,000 on a Saturday afternoon. And with my luck, he wouldn’t have answered the phone.
What’s on your mind? The Haysville Sun-Times welcomes letters to the editor from our readers and on local topics. Please email news@tsnews.com or mail to the Sun-Times at P.O. Box 544, Cheney, KS 67025. Letters should be limited to 300 words. Letters may be edited for length, clarity and libelous content. All letters must contain the writer’s name and hometown for publication, and a daytime phone number for verification.
Member 2017
Everyone is talking about transparency In recent years, the buzzword in politics has been “transparency.” Just about everyone has jumped on the transparency bandwagon. Our legislators certainly have been talking about it. Only a month ago, our new governor signed a number of executive orders demanding more transparency from the state agencies that report to him. Candidates for office are promising, if elected of course, more of it as well. March 11-17 is Sunshine Week in the United States, a time set aside each year to remind citizens how important transparency and open government are to our participatory democracy. With all this talk about transparency, you
Guest Column Doug Anstaett Kansas Press Association
would think we Americans would have the kind of information we need to make rational decisions. However, at times it seems we are all drowning in a sea of misinformation, alternative facts and fake news. None of us is quite sure what, or who, to believe any more. Our response to this overabundance of information, unfortunately, has been to narrow our sources to just those cable news outlets, websites, newspapers and networks that reinforce our previously held beliefs. Almost all of us do that. We retweet only those comments that conform to our agenda. We share memes on Facebook that demonize those who think
differently. Sometimes, it seems like there is just too much to absorb, so we do what we can to silence all the chatter. We simply tune out. In his mid-19th century book “Democracy in America,” Alexis de Tocqueville marveled at how Americans relied on each other, rather than royalty, to chart the course for our nation. Our system of self-government is rather unique in the world, but it places a premium on an informed citizenry to make it work properly. This is becoming more difficult all the time. Frankly, we can’t even agree on a common set of facts about many subjects, which makes it difficult to sit down, discuss issues and come to decisions that reflect the common good. Why is “sunshine” important? “Publicity,” said Su-
preme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, “is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants, electric light the most efficient policeman.” If we are to remain a free nation and able to compete with the rest of the world in the 21st century, citizens must be well-informed. One way to help is for government to be open and transparent. But we as citizens must play our part as well. We must be willing to widen the horizons of what we read, listen to those who have different opinions and make sure all voices become part of the discussion. That is true transparency. Editor’s Note: Doug Anstaett is executive director of the Kansas Press Association.
School finance study still questionable
When the Kansas Legislature passed the midpoint of the current session, it was nowhere near resolving its biggest challenge. Last fall, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled the state’s most recent plan to fund K-12 public schools failed to provide a constitutionally adequate and equitable education for all Kansas schoolchildren. The Legislature has an April 30 deadline to report how it plans to respond to the ruling. State lawmakers struggling for answers amid a budget crunch opted to pursue an indepth study of the cost of providing consti-
Guest Editorial
Garden City Telegram
tutional school funding. While the idea sounded reasonable, the motives were questionable. Senate President Susan Wagle made it clear what she wanted. “We’re focused on finding experts who can help show the court that funding is adequate,” the Wichita Republican said before consultants were hired. That meant the Senate president had no interest in seeing the state provide additional money for K-12 public schools, which was no surprise, considering the consistent anti-public education
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stand of her ultraconservative side. Prior work of an expert eventually selected to conduct the study also was questionable. Lori Taylor, a professor at Texas A&M University, was contracted along with WestEd, a nonprofit education consultancy, to do the work for Kansas. In a 2005 school finance case in Texas, a judge indicated Taylor’s research for the Texas Legislature was “not credible” and “seriously flawed.” And now in Kansas, there’s reason to question what the state will receive for the $245,000 it forked over in taxpayer dollars for the study. During a recent presentation by Taylor to members of the House and
Senate, far-right control of the exchange put limits on lawmakers’ questions and blocked follow-up questions. A goal of the study is to evaluate costs needed to ensure favorable student outcomes. Details of benchmarks needed to better understand the study’s eventual recommendations weren’t made clear, however. Ideally, findings of the study to be received by March 15 will provide useful information. Legislators face a tight deadline to deliver a plan. But considering how the process unfolded, the study must be viewed with a wary eye by lawmakers and all others in the state.
March 15, 2018 | 9
Haysville Sun-Times
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Call (316) 540-0500 Email: classifieds@tsnews.com Payment is required in advance on all Classified advertising. For Rent
FOR RENT
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Help Wanted
Needed: Kitchen Cook/Kitchen Help. Spring View Manor, 412 S. 8th Street, Conway Springs, KS. 620-456-2285. Apply in person or online at www.springviewmanor.org. The City of Garden Plain is currently taking applications for the position of full-time Maintenance Worker. This person will maintain, monitor, and repair the City of Garden Plain’s utilities, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Must have excellent mechanical skills, possess a strong work ethic, demonstrate dependability and be willing to learn. Candidate must possess or be willing to obtain Wastewater and Water
Classifieds DEADLINE IS NOON MONDAY
Certification, crossconnection/ backflow prevention certification, and training in the use of gas system operation and maintenance. Heavy lifting, ability to run heavy equipment and CDL License is also required. One to three years of similar or related experience is required. Please submit resume and references to City Clerk, P.O. Box 336, Garden Plain, KS 67050. Notices
NOTICES
Flea Market March 24th, 7:30a.m.-2 p.m. at the Fence Post: Hwy 160 and K42 intersection of Harper, KS. Indoor and outdoor booths available! Call 620-896-2204 or 620-5078868 to reserve your space!
GARAGE SALES
Garage Sales
Safe schools hotline available to public In light of current events across the nation and in the state, the Kansas Highway Patrol reminds the public of the Kansas Safe Schools Hotline, which is a joint effort between the Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas State Department of Education. “A growing trend across the nation involves threats
and actual attacks on our schools,” said Patrol superintendent Col. Mark Bruce. “Unfortunately, Kansas is not immune to its schools being threatened with acts of violence. This is a serious issue that demands assistance from the public. Please treat any threat you are made aware of, as real and report it to law enforcement authorities immediately.” The toll-free number is 877-626-8203. The Kansas Safe Schools Hotline is a toll-free number established in 1999, and is available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year
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to give students, parents, and community members the opportunity to report any impending school violence. KHP dispatchers answer these calls, collect the information, and forward it on to the local police or sheriff ’s office, as well as the superintendent of the affected school. This hotline gives people the opportunity to anonymously report potential violence. Bruce said the Patrol is aware that community members may sometimes question if they should call the hotline. He said it is important to know that
people are encouraged to use this hotline. This allows the authorities to look into the validity of the threat and sort through the details, he said, adding that is what the hotline was created for.
Kansas Safe Schools Hotline 877-626-8203
PUBLIC NOTICE
First published in the Haysville Sun-Times March 15, 2018 (3t)
IN THE EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT DISTRICT COURT, SEDGWICK COUNTY, KANSAS CIVIL DEPARTMENT IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF ALEX MARCUS RICKE, TO CHANGE NAME ALEX MARCUS GOODBEAR. CASE NO. 18 CV 478
ESTATE SALE Antique-Flea Market & Café Close-Out at Clonmel, KS. 7 miles SW of Wichita Cessna Plant on HWY K42. March 22nd-24th, Thurs. & Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m, Sat. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Antique & midcentury furniture, Farmhouse décor, Glassware, Café furnishings, 50’s chrome tables, Glass front refrigerator, Garden décor, Barn door, Shelves & Cabinets, Old windows & much more.
Pursant to K.S.A. Ch. 60 NOTICE OF SUIT THE STATE OF KANSAS TO ALL WHO ARE OR MAY BE CONCERNED: You are hereby notified that the Petitioner has filed in the Eighteenth Judicial District a Petition to Change Name from Alex Marcus Ricke to Alex Marcus Goodbear and that said Petition will be heard or assigned by Judge Warren M. Wilbert on the 9th Floor of the Sedgwick County Courthouse, Wichita, Kansas, on the 12th day of April, 2018. If you have any objection to the requested name changed, your are required to file a responsive pleading or appear at the hearing and object to the requested name change. If you fail to act, judgement and decree may be entered in due course upon said Petition.
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Petitioner: /s/ Alex Ricke Address: 2204 S. Michelle St. City, State, Zip: Wichita, KS 67207
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10 | March 15, 2018 Haysville Sun-Times
Cuba trip filled with education, adventures By Paul Rhodes Star-Argosy prhodes@tsnews.com
My second trip to Cuba, which was completed just a few weeks ago, was filled with all-new adventures…and a great deal of education. This trip had been in the making for a year. From the day my girlfriend Kim Swansen and I returned from Cuba last February, we had set our sights on this return expedition. Somehow, we both knew there was so much more to see, so much more to do, and so much more to learn. And we were so correct. On this adventure, we were joined by our friends Dave and Charlene Kaup, who live in Kansas City. Dave and I have been friends since high school, and both of us have spent our adult lives involved with journalism. Dave worked for several newspapers around the state, and has been a freelance photographer for many years. Travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens still requires some type of declaration of the “exemption” under which you are traveling. Our crew traveled as working journalists (no surprise there), but we still could have traveled as individual tourists…and others can, too. We learned that from a reporter at the Havana Bureau for Reuters, the international news agency that Dave works for as a freelancer. She has reported on the supposed ban by the U.S. government on individual travel to Cuba, and noted that while the “people to people” travel exemption has been dropped in an effort to limit travel to organized tourist groups, individuals can still use the “in support of the Cuban people” exemption. While that didn’t impact our travels around Cuba, I want to note that anyone who wants to go to Cuba as a tourist, and prefers to travel on their own, can still accomplish that. Just plan your visit so it puts you in connection with the people of Cuba – stay in a private hotel or Airbnb apartment, eat at locally-owned restaurants, shop at local markets, and immerse yourself in experiences that are hosted by local residents. That’s just how we spent our time in Cuba this visit, and it gave us a broadened view of the country and its people. A day on the farm One of our best experiences this visit was a day we spent with a Cuban farm family. We booked it through Airbnb, just like our apartment in a Cuban neighborhood in Old Havana. Our host, Jorge, is a young Cuban in his mid-20s who lives in Havana and grew up about an hour outside of the city. He organizes tours in Havana, and with his parents and their neighboring farmer. The drive there, alone, was worth the price of admission. We ran out of gas, and in classic style waited for more fuel to arrive. At the home of Jorge Sr. and Maria, we were served coffee they had grown, and talked a little politics. Jorge Sr. was no fan of Fidel Castro or Che Guevara, and says the story of the revolution has been idolized. He believes life, at least for Cuban farmers, was better under President Batista before he was overthrown. “Yes, it was corrupt, but we could start our own businesses, do our own agricultural trade, and aspire to something like the ‘American Dream,’” said Jorge Sr. “Fidel spoke in terms that made people dream, but then it never happened.” Alexander, a neighboring farmer, showed us his crops of coffee, bananas and malanga, and told us how he processes coffee beans. The Cuban government got him started with his farm, and in return he sells 90 percent of his coffee crop to the government at a set price. By working within the government’s rules, Alexander can expand his crops, and sell some things on his own. Through the day, we were exposed to a new view of Cuban life outside the city of Havana. We helped cook lunch, shared coffee, rum and cigars, and played dominoes. And, we learned that many Cuban families have to find a way to make money outside the confines of just working for the government. That’s the dream Jorge, our host, has with his tours. While those business ventures are heavily taxed by the government, he hopes to carve out a way of life for himself and his family. A city tour…and more education Another young Cuban, a classic car driver named Moses, also gave us an expanded view of life in Cuba. He drives a classic 1958 Thunderbird that supposedly was in the Batista family and had been found in a barn. Now, Moses – who like Jorge has a university degree but chose to not work for the government – is carving out his own path. Unlike many Cubans who aspire to leave Cuba, Moses says he wants to stay and make a life for himself in his home country. “Cubans who live in the country just want to get to Havana,” said Moses. “And Cubans who live in Havana just want to get to Miami.” It was an oversimplification, he said, but largely true. On our tour in the glorious comfort of the Thunderbird that Moses drives for his boss, we saw sights both in Havana, and across the bay in Casablanca. While he drove and talked about Havana landmarks in perfect English (he was an English major in college), Moses also noted that he likely will never leave Cuba because he believes he could never obtain a visa. By comparison, Jorge, our farm host, has visited friends in Miami. The government was convinced he would return because of family ties back home, and he did. Our other exposure to Cuban culture and life was equally enlightening. We shopped local markets, and took in experiences in the city that were both entertaining and educational: museums, art galleries, a modern dance performance, nights filled with live music and dancing, and food that satisfied our stomachs…and our souls. It was a return trip to Cuba that filled all the gaps Kim and I still had after our first visit. And, it was an incredible adventure for two new visitors to this intriguing country just minutes away from Florida.
Clockwise from top: A view of the Gran Teatro de la Habana (Havana Opera House), Old Havana and the ocean. A neighborhood vendor sells homemade crackers. A Cuban band plays at a bar in Old Havana. The Cuban flag flies between buildings. Moses, a young Cuban, explains that he can make more money working as a classic car driver, rather than using his English degree and working for the government. A view down a bustling street in an older Havana neighborhood. On a farm tour, host Jorge, left, and neighboring farmer Alexander look over some of his crops. Dave Kaup/Star-Argosy