Ark Valley News - Looking Back

Looking Back
Last Updated: April 02, 2015

50 years ago

Mr. and Mrs. Laurel Jones of Valley Center announced the engagement of their daughter, Joyce Arlene, to John Henry Ward, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Ward of Wichita. Miss Jones is a 1963 graduate of Valley Center High School and attended the Air Capital Business College, Wichita. She was employed at the Hiway Inn Motel in Wichita. Mr. Ward is a graduate of Wichita East High School and was employed in the Aerospace Division of Beech Inc. of Wichita. He was a member of the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Reserve Patrol.

Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Pickens of Burrton and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Botts were invited guests of the Independent Meat Packers Association annual meeting and dinner in Emporia.

45 years ago

Mrs. Paul Sharples returned home after a six-week stay in Lynwood, Calif., at the home of her son, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Harrington and Mrs. Lucene Harrington. She had back surgery and was in the hospital five weeks. Mrs. Sharples visited her sisters, Mrs. Mary Littlejohn of Redondo Beach, Calif., and Mrs. Nell Astrada of Normosa Beach, Calif.

Mrs. Anna Barnes of Kansas City, Mo., returned home after a visit with her nieces, Mrs. Blanche Norrup, Mrs. George White and Mrs. Bernice Lehman.

40 years ago

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Carl M. Porter of Sedgwick honored their parents with an open house to celebrate their parents' silver wedding anniversary. Carl M. Porter and Reba L. Prince were married April 6, 1950, in Pampa, Texas. Children of the couple were Mr. Michael Porter of Hutchinson, Mrs. Robert (Lila) Taylor of Hoisington, Mrs. Brian (Sharon) Bethke of Hays, and Martin and Myron Porter of the home. Mr. Porter was employed by Boeing Company of Wichita, and Mrs. Porter was employed by Halstead Hospital.

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Bushell of Valley Center announced the birth of a girl, Jennifer Renee', March 27. Jennifer weighed in at 8 pound.

35 years ago

Teacher-school board negotiations advanced a step when both sides presented proposals for teacher pay increases for the 1980-81 contract year. The teachers' proposal, including fringe benefits, was estimated at approximately a 25 percent contract increase over this year's contact. The salary increase alone was estimated at slightly more than 18 percent.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Eilert and Sheri visited the Ed Eilerts in Overland Park.

30 years ago

Valley Center voters elected Merle Galyon, Scott Fraser and Corky Amstrong to four-year terms on the City Council. The closest race was in Ward 1, where former mayor and councilman Galyon beat incumbent Dick Dunn, 57-45.

Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Didlake and Mary Scott announced the engagement of their children, Teresa Didlake and Greg Scott. The groom-to-be was an employee of Barsol Chemicals and his fiancé was a student at Vernon's School of Cosmetology.

25 years ago

A 27-year-old Valley Center man was booked into Sedgwick County Jail this week for aggravated kidnap and rape after being apprehended by Valley Center police officers. The man was taken into custody at his home by Wichita police officers after the alleged abduction in south Wichita.

Jon and Kim Nelson announced the birth of a daughter, Leah June, March 31. She weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces. Grandparents are Gene and Miriam Nelson, Ken and Paula Kent, and Jack and Beverly Lee. Great-grandparents are Rosemary Lee, Ilah Taylor and Dorothy Kent.

20 years ago

A 3 1/2-year-old Valley Center girl underwent reconstructive surgery after being attacked by two large dogs. Samantha M. Luther was transported to St. Francis Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, accprdomg to Sgt. Barbara Byerly of the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office.

Dennis and Charlene Lubbers of Kingman announced the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Stephanie, to Keith Stowell, son of Leonard and Connie Stowell of Benton. The bride-elect is a 1992 graduate of Kingman High School and was employed part time at C&D Dairy. The prospective groom was employed by the City of Valley Center.

15 years ago

The Valley Center City Council moved forward with its plans to expand City Hall. Council members voted unanimously to buy approximately an acre of land just east of City Hall on Meridian for $69,900. Gary and Joan Smith and John P. Leeker sold the property to the city.

Barty and Debbie Chappell of Newcastle, Okla., announced the engagement of their daughter, Juliane, to Sean Morgan, son of DeWayne and Erlene Morgan of Valley Center. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Jim and Naoma Ketner of Newcastle, Betty Chappell of Minco, Okla., and the late Barty Chappell Sr. She is a 1995 graduate of Newcastle High School and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1999. She was a prevention specialist for Eagle Ridge Institute. The prospective groom is the grandson of Floyd and Greta Morgan of Ponca City, Okla., Dorothy Gentle of Idaho and the late Earl Gentle. He is a 1993 graduate of Blackwell High School and earned a master's in business administration from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1999. He was assistant office manager for Mathis Brothers Furniture.

10 years ago

Lonnie Ruth, Richard Harris and Bart Balthazor won seats on the Valley Center school board. Ruth, the only incumbent who filed for office, received the most votes of the six school board candidates. Balthazor and Harris will replace Tim Lipke and Mike Logue, who did not seek re-election.

Al and Betty Pitts of Wichita, formerly of Valley Center, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their children and grandchildren.

5 years ago

Ayla Gard has good days and bad days. April 2 was a good one. Ayla scaled the steps to the top platform of the playground equipment at West Elementary and without hesitation slid down the pole to the ground below. She jogged to a nearby swingset and after a push to get started, kicked her legs with ease, going higher and higher. Since Ayla, a kindergartner at West in Valley Center, was told she had leukemia last summer, she has been in and out of the hospital.

Five area students were honored at Wichita State University's annual Presidential Scholars Day. They were Claire Bathazor, Taylor Manfull, Jesse Newman and Dylan Tracy of Valley Center High School, along with George Swartsendruber of Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire. Each student was presented with a certificate and a special gift on behalf of the university. In addition, if attending students meet appropriate deadlines, they will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to attend WSU.