Harvey County Now

01/16/2025

Exchange student experiences snow for the first time.

By Wendy Nugent, Harvey County Now NEWTON—Emilio Ormaza has found a palate for things in America—from food to more freedom in school. "He likes onion rings—Sonic," his exchange dad, Rod Kreie, said. "Oh, yeah," Ormaza responded with a big grin. He enjoys them by themselves with no ketchup. "H

01/15/2025

Dewayne Pauls remembered as caring about Newton downtown, having sense of humor.

By Wendy Nugent, Harvey County Now NEWTON—Community was important to Dewayne Pauls. That's according to local real-estate broker and businessman Stan Brodhagen. "He wanted to make downtown Newton a place he and everyone could be proud of," Brodhagen said. "Not everything went well in the early

01/15/2025

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: I call this simply "Snow Trees." I love the beautiful starkness of winter, but I'm also ready for spring--for the world to wake up! I heard a bird chirping outside of my window today and it felt like spring (except for the white stuff on the ground). Love the corn stalks on the ground. I shot this near Centennial Park when it was snowing a while back. Until next week, please be safe out there! Wendy Nugent, out!

01/09/2025

NMC Health professionals advise how to not fall in ice and snow.

By Wendy Nugent, Harvey County Now NEWTON—Falling on the ice and snow can happen at any age, but it can affect older people with more dire consequences. A broken hip is a No. 1 precursor to death for people ages 65 and older, said NMC Health Director of Outpatient Services Tad Parsons. It's not

01/08/2025

People show much interest in running club.

By Wendy Nugent, Harvey County Now NEWTON—It can be difficult for young adults to make friends with others, especially when one's age group is busy with work, children and spouses. That's according to Newton resident Jesus Ramirez, who decided to start a running group to build community. He sai

01/08/2025

Kent Dove remembered by friends, colleagues.

By Wendy Nugent, Harvey County Now NEWTON—Kent Dove exemplified a "life well lived." That's what his friend of 70 years, Mike Farrell, said. "We grew up together in the First Baptist Church here in Newton," Farrell said. "We went through junior high and high school as classmates. We stayed in

01/08/2025

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Wendy Nugent here again. One of my sons stopped by on Monday, and I got him to take me around to snap some ice and snow photos. I shot this near Wendy's in Newton. Please be safe out there! Wendy Nugent, out!

01/08/2025

Travis Harms keeps on sweepin'.

By Wendy Nugent, Harvey County Now NEWTON—The street cleaner Travis Harms drives has a maximum speed of 26.2 miles an hour, but he usually goes a blistering 3 to 6 mph for the tasks he does for the City of Newton. "It's like running a vacuum," he said. It works better when going slower. "It's

01/08/2025

People with Newton ties recall meeting Jimmy Carter.

By Wendy Nugent, Harvey County Now NEWTON—Doug Anstaett was a young reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal in 1976 when he was assigned to cover a Saturday morning press conference for Jimmy Carter. Carter was running for president, and Anstaett said his first response was, "Who?" Anstaett

01/05/2025

Newton to be in blizzard warning.

By Wendy Nugent, Harvey County Now NEWTON—A lone brown UPS truck led a small contingent of vehicles north on Main Street in Newton around 3:45 p.m. Saturday, as very few cars were on the road. From around 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Saturday, roads became icier as time went by and rain clung to tree branc

01/01/2025

Sedgwick vintage store stirs the heart.

Editor’s note: This is one of several articles Harvey County Now has done on business owners in Harvey County. By Wendy Nugent, Harvey County Now SEDGWICK—It's not unusual for Joy Willson of Sedgwick to have several sets of eyes staring at her in her store, called Take Me Home Vintage, in Sedg

01/01/2025

Newton High School students take a bite out of learning about cooking.

By Wendy Nugent, Harvey County Now NEWTON—Lemon cheesecake was the most difficult thing for Xaydi Valdivia to make in either cooking class she's taking at Newton High School. The Newton High School junior is in the baking and pastry, as well as the culinary essentials, classes. Having to be so

12/31/2024

Arboretum gift shop in Hesston helps grow interest in Kansas plants.

By Wendy Nugent, Harvey County Now HESSTON—Former Dyck Arboretum Director James H. Locklear has come full circle, in a way, with the Hesston attraction. He wrote a book called "In the Country of the Kaw," which was published by the University of Press of Kansas. The book, along with many other i

12/31/2024

Mennonites have history of New Year's Cookies.

By Wendy Nugent, Harvey County Now Kris Schmucker recalled that when she was growing up, New Year's Day wasn't a big deal in the Mennonite community where she grew up. "We'd go to church in the evening, and we'd have a slideshow reviewing the year, and we ate New Year's Cookies," Schmucker said

12/31/2024

Senior center talks about restarting Trivia Night, raising money for lift chair to have games in the basement.

By Wendy Nugent, Harvey County Now NEWTON—The Newton Senior Center is looking forward to various things in the new year, including reviving trivia night, having intergenerational activities, a possible Christmas in July, and fundraising for a new chairlift so they can have games in the basement.

12/31/2024

Don Moody remembered by friends as helpful, having a sense of humor.

By Wendy Nugent, Harvey County Now NEWTON—The Veterans of Foreign Wars was quite important to Don Moody. That's according to Bill Ryan, who served as the Newton VFW commander when Moody was the post quartermaster, which is the post secretary. Ryan knew Moody, who passed away on Dec. 12, for 15

12/31/2024

Nurse and CNAs volunteer handwork at NMC Health.

By Wendy Nugent, Harvey County Now NEWTON—NMC Health emergency room Charge Nurse Michelle Lehman goes above and beyond in making children feel safe when they visit. "We ran out of stuffed animals, so I made a bunch of stuffed animals," she said, taking a break from work. Those stuffed animals a