Feathered Friends: Sorensen Book Published About Hens, Rooster

By Wendy Nugent

NORTH NEWTON—Diane Sorensen used to make up stories when her now 28-year-old daughter was growing up—stories that would make her laugh when she was little, stories that were sweet, she said.

Sorensen also read those same kinds of stories to her daughter.

Now, others can read stories Sorensen made up in her new book, “The Tales of Mr. Ken Rooster and the Six Sassy Hens,” which has a release date of Oct. 4. The publisher of the 48-page paperback book is Mascot Kids!, and it’s for children ages 4 through 8.

Aquatics International Splashes Award On Newton Municipal Pool

By William Crow

NEWTON–The Newton Pool’s design has made a big enough splash to be recognized by an aquatic magazine.

Aquatics International placed a spotlight on the Newton municipal pool for its bright color exterior and the city’s ability to wisely use its budget in the recent “2022 Dream Designs” issue.

The architectural design of the pool was worked on by Lamp Rynerson and was submitted to the magazine by project manager Kyle McCawley.

Halstead Police Officer Recognized For Saving Infant’s Life

By Jared Janzen

HALSTEAD—Some quick thinking—and quick driving—by Halstead Police Officer Logan Miller saved the life of a three-day-old infant, recently.

“Officer Miller’s immediate, decisive actions on March 27 resulted in the saving of this infant’s life, and because of him, the family is thriving and the family is whole today,” Police Chief Josh Orem said.

County Tables Wind Energy Moratorium

By Blake Spurney

Before a full house, including proponents of wind energy, the Board of Harvey County Commissioners tabled its plan to adopt a temporary moratorium on wind farms Tuesday.

Commissioners voiced unanimous support a week earlier for giving the Harvey County Planning Commission more time to update county regulations. The county also is in the process of updating its comprehensive plan, which is due to arrive this coming Monday.

Commissioner Randy Hague was the first to break ranks after Fiona Bagwell, with NextEra Energy, said a moratorium would have a negative impact on her company’s ability to secure leases from landowners.

Newton Track Belongs To Skunks For Time Being

By Adam Strunk

A Newton man recently ran a high-stakes race at the Newton High School track. 

His prize? No medal but simply avoiding being sprayed by the skunk that was charging him. 

The incident helped prompt USD-373 to ask the community on July 25 to avoid the track after finding eight to 10 of the furry critters had made the facility home.

Gurty’s Remembers Five Years Of Burger Goodness

By William Crow

NEWTON–Gurty’s Burgers and Shakes celebrated its fifth anniversary while staff continues to look forward to a future full of people and the next tasty burger concoction.

Monday, July 18, marked five years of serving burgers to the community starting in 2017. Gurty’s owner Murray Anderson started getting into the restaurant business as the restaurant’s location changed from Dicky’s barbecue into the Gurty’s of today.

“I looked around to see what’s missing in Newton,” Anderson said. “There was really no good hamburger.”

Soft And Majestic: Stucky Starts Playing Organ At Church 60 Years Ago

By Wendy Nugent

NORTH NEWTON—North Newton resident Donna Stucky thinks of the West Zion Mennonite Church in Moundridge’s pipe organ as kind of a family musical instrument.

Stucky’s dad was on the committee to get a new organ at that church, and it was installed in 1980, although her dad passed away before that.

“Because of that connection there, it just felt like my family organ,” Stucky said about the Dobson Tracker Organ. “It’s not, obviously.”