Ark Valley News - Looking Back

Looking Back
Last Updated: April 30, 2015

50 years ago

Robert and Shirley Webster of Valley Center announced the birth of an 8-pound son, Steven Marc, at St. Francis Hospital. They have two other sons, David Michael, 5, and Jeffery David, 3.

Mr. and Mrs. James Basore of Denver announced the birth of a 6-pound, 2-ounce son, Chris Kent.

45 years ago

Mrs. Lillian Pennington was a recent luncheon guest of Mrs. Ada Chester in honor of her birthday. Other guests were Mrs. Frank Jacobs, Mrs. Mildred Scott and Mrs. Edna Davis.

Mrs. Bonnie Byerley, Mrs. Lillian Pennington and Mrs. Hazel Hinds attended the Festival of Gospel Quartets at Convention Hall in Hutchinson.

40 years ago

The Rev. and Mrs. David Cordell of Valley Center announced the engagement of their daughter, Melvonia, to Steve Ahart, son of Mr. and Mrs. Byrum Ahart of Newport, Ark. Miss Cordell was a senior at Valley Center High School. Mr. Ahart is a 1970 graduate of Newport High School and was employed by Revere Industries. Miss Cordell is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Cordell of Newport and of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Dobbs of Walnut Ridge, Ark.

Mr. and Mrs. Larry W. Schroeder announced the birth of a boy, Jacob Wayne. He was born April 21 and weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces. He was welcomed home by his sister, Aeron Renea. Paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Carl E. Schroeder of Wichita and maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. George Bradshaw of Valley Center.

35 years ago

Bethel Clinic of Newton planned to open a branch clinic in Valley Center this summer at the previous location of the Valley Center Church of Christ. The church's lease was not renewed and Bethel Clinic took possession of the building. Robert L. Barnes, administrator of the Newton clinic, said that a branch clinic in Park City was to close a few days prior to the opening of the Bethel Clinic of Valley Center.

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Scott accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Milton Fowler, Troy, Jeff and Sheryl to Yukon, Okla., where they attended the wedding of the Scotts' granddaughter, Cynthia Coffman to Louis Bruring.

30 years ago

Repercussions from a fatal car/sand truck accident last summer at 53rd North and Ridge Road continued to resound through the lives of the victims and families involved. Walt and Kay Honer, Wichita, whose son, Chris, was critically injured in the accident, filed suit against Sedgwick County, Mike Hobson, Miles Sand Co. and the estate of Shawn Dunning.

Mr. and Mrs. C.W. "Corky" Armstrong announced the engagement of their daughter, Andrea Luann, to Darrell Anthony Kleinsorge, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Kleinsorge of Goodland. The bride-elect is a 1974 graduate of Valley Center High School. She was employed at Wesley Medical Center. Her fiancé was a firefighter for the city of Wichita.

25 years ago

Plans for a new public safety building hit another snag. As council members prepared to consider revised bids for mechanical, electrical and general construction work, city engineer Mike Schomaker told the council that he had discovered a problem — the building site near Fifth and Emporia was in the flood plain, according to maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Mr. and Mrs. Dellinger, Valley Center, announced the engagement of their daughter, Jolene, to Rob Willis, son of Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Willis of West Memphis, Ark. The bride-elect was a physical science teacher at Wichita High School South. The prospective groom was employed by Wichita Pump and Supply Co.

20 years ago

A policy requiring Valley Center public safety employees to call 911 if people needing medical attention were brought to the Public Safety Building was adopted by the Valley Center City Council. The action was taken after a Valley Center resident drove to the Public Safety Building several weeks ago and expected Valley Center EMS personnel to provide on-site emergency care to his spouse, who was experiencing chest pains.

Army Pvt. Chad L. Downs completed basic training at Fort Leonard E. Wood, Waynesville, Mo. The son of Jerald L. Downs of Wichita, he is a 1994 graduate of Valley Center High School. His wife, Michelle, is the daughter of William H. Lappan of Potwin and Vicki Lappan of Valley Center.

15 years ago

Brian Buss received a bonus when he underwent a kidney transplant last year. Along with his new kidney came a new attitude. "I have a better attitude toward life," he said, reflecting on the changes he has experienced the past year. "I don't let things bother me quite as bad. I have an ‘Oh, well' attitude now: ‘Oh, well. It'll work out.'" His wife, Katrina, 37, donated a kidney to him one year ago. Brian, 39, has polycystic kidney disease. At first, he was reluctant to have his wife donate her kidney.

Kari Edwards and Ken Carstens, both of Reno, Nev., announced their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Mary and Larry Edwards of Valley Center. She was employed at Morris & Brown Architects. The groom is the son of Beverly and Bob Carstens of Alturas, Calf. He worked at AAA Fire Sprinkler.

10 years ago

Valley Center school administrators have chosen a new head boys' basketball coach for the high school. The U.S.D. 262 Board of Education was to have approved Brett Flory's employment as a high school English teacher and basketball coach during its next meeting.

Billy Joe and Wilma Brisco of Valley Center celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple married in Bergman, Ark., and moved to Valley Center two months later. He was retired after 45 years of service as a mechanic at Don Hattan Chevrolet. She was employed at Drs. Crum & Todd, Valley Center. The couple has two sons and daughters-in-law, Brad and Mischele Brisco and Marty and Christine Brisco, all of Wichita; a daughter and son-in-law, Stacey and Ryan Anderson of Lawrence; and six grandchildren, Joshua, Nathan, Caleb, Hannah, Ashlee and Abigail.

5 years ago

A housing development on the west side of Valley Center took a hit when the city council denied a request to waive some of the project's utility fees. But developers said it won't stop them from moving ahead with the development. "We'll pay it and go forward," said Mahlong Alexander, one of the principals with Isham-Alexander LLC.

Eldon Miller, community development director for the City of Valley Center, attended the 23rd annual Heartland Economic Development Course at the Adams Pointe Conference Center in Blue Springs, Mo. The course allowed participants to gain a better understanding of the full range of economic development strategies.