Each Friday, The Gazette salutes those who make Emporia and the surrounding area a better place to live and work. Give these folks a pat on the back ....
GARY SMITH, who started as Emporia’s new police chief. Mike Lopez has been the interim chief for more than a year.
- Westar Energy, which is nearing completion of its peaking power plant northeast of Emporia. The project started a year ago and cost $333 million.
- George and Diane Wells, who have opened a new restaurant called U.P.’ers. The business serves pasties — meat and vegetable pies.
- Sadie Moore, Isabel Calderon, Ashten Scheller, Elizabeth Unruh, Lacie Schumann, Andrew Rader, Rachel Downs and Grace Walker, who were winners in the 2007 Friends of the Emporia Public Library’s Bookmark Design Contest.
- The Flint Hills Community Health Center, which is making plans to expand its dental facilities. The project is made possible by a grant from the Jones Trust.
- American Legion Post 5, which has $9,000 to award in scholarships. The scholarships can be used at community colleges, universities or vocational-technical colleges.
- Gary Reiman and Holly Cutting, who have demolished the Wendy’s at 701 W. Sixth Ave. to make way for a brand new restaurant.
Christopher White Walker
Editor & Publisher