Newton schools have at least a half dozen foreign languages represented among their enrollments. The USD-373 Board of Education recently approved a three-year contract with Propio LS for translation services to meet the needs of those who might not be fluent in English. The service provides translation of more than 200 languages and the district will be billed based on monthly usage. When the need arises for a teacher or other staff member to communicate with a parent, Propio LS will translate via telephone.
Source: Harvey County Now

New Hesston Police Chief Chris Eilert was studying business at Butler Community College when he rode along with a friend who had joined the Wichita Police Department. He said he caught the bug of public service. “Just the whole aspect of helping people,” he said. “I like to help people when I can. This job makes it very easy to do that.” Eilert changed his major to administration of justice and graduated from Wichita State University in 1995. He first got on with Hesston in March 1999. He had been working in Hoisington and wanted to be closer to home. The 1990 Remington High School graduate also wanted to work for Curt Ford, who was police chief at the time.
Source: Harvey County Now

A couple dozen people joined local historian Jim Loyd for a walking tour through downtown Sedgwick last Saturday afternoon to hear tales of the city’s early days. Loyd detailed the history of many of the buildings in downtown Sedgwick, sharing some interesting anecdotes along the way. Loyd said OY Hart had a general store on the west side of the 500 block of Commercial in 1872. Hart served as the city’s second postmaster, but a few months into his appointment, he was fired. “The town was outraged,” Loyd said. “They liked OY Hart. What’s going on? Why? No reason was ever given.”
Source: Harvey County Now