Halstead Dam Dries Up

By Jared Janzen

HALSTEAD—If you drove your Chevy to the levy in the past week, you would have found that the levy was dry.

The hot, dry summer has decreased the height of the Little Arkansas River to the point where water stopped flowing over the dam at Riverside Park more than a week ago. It’s an unusual situation for a river that’s more known for its flooding.

Sound The Trumpets: High School Marching Band Numbers Grow

By Wendy Nugent

NEWTON—It was cool enough outside for people to wear a light jacket on Thursday morning as the Newton High School marching band did more “marching” than “band” in their name since they were working on footing and where to go.

One of the students kept time with a drumstick and what appeared to be a wood block walking with other students in various formations to a tune from “Star Wars.”

Zaaki Food Truck To Be A Regular In Burrton

By Jared Janzen

BURRTON—Ayman Al-Barakat is working on turning Burrton into a regional destination for delicious Middle Eastern food.

The Jordanian American has been cooking lunch specials a couple times a month at The Barn for the past two years. Now he’s serving cuisine like butter chicken and shawarma out of a food truck, as well.

Wind Energy Rep Says Proposed Regulations Would Kill Project

By Blake Spurney

After more than 40 people got their say, the Harvey County Planning Commission approved 18 pages of regulations governing wind turbines and other alternative forms of renewable energy during a Sept. 14 meeting at the Meridian Center.

More than 200 people attended the meeting, and a majority of those who spoke asked for more stringent requirements than those that were approved. A handful of others expressed support for NextEra Energy’s proposal to develop a wind farm in the county, but that project appears dead on arrival based on the 1,500-foot setbacks that were approved.

Library Fundraising Nears Goal, As Goalposts Move

By Adam Strunk

The good news – the community of Newton is on track to hit its $2.7 million fundraising goal for a new library by October, as planned. 

The not-so-good news – the increased cost of construction, and soil findings, mean at least $455,000 of additional funding will be needed to complete the project. 

Stanley Black And Decker Gives Update On Hesston Plans

By Adam Strunk

Hesston will play an important role in manufacturing growth for Stanley Black and Decker.

That was the message of Stanley representatives who spoke to the Hesston Chamber Thursday. 

Stanley purchased Excel Industries of Hesston for $375 million in November of 2021. Since then the company has been in the process of transitioning Excel into the vast family of brands Stanley, valued at $15.6 billion now owns. 

Organizations Combine To Give Free Fitness Classes

By Wendy Nugent

NEWTON—Arms, hands and faces reached to the gray sky Saturday morning in Military Park as a little fewer than 20 people took advantage of the cool air to attend the pop-up outdoor yoga class put on by the Newton YMCA, Health Harvey Coalition and Newton Public Library.

This was the first of several wellness pop-up classes the three organizations are sponsoring on Saturdays through Oct. 15 at that location.