Trudi Nelsen poses with son, Micah. Photo by Mark Taylor/The Gardner News
Amy Cunningham
acunningham@gardnernews.com
This weekend many mothers will celebrate Mother’s Day with their children, but for Trudi Nelsen of Gardner, every day with her son is cause for celebration.
Nelsen’s 13-year-old son Micah was born with a congenital heart defect and Down syndrome, so she rejoices in every milestone he meets, every small victory and every accomplishment.
Nelsen, a single mom divorced from Micah’s father since the boy was one, first learned of her son’s heart condition on the day of his birth. The official diagnosis of Down syndrome came a few days later after blood tests confirmed doctor’s suspicions.
Gardner Edgerton School District patrons can expect a bond issue election in February, 2010.
Bill Gilhaus, superintendent, and Eric Hansen, business director, told The Gardner News the district’s growth is prompting the need for an estimated $54 million in new facilities over the next few years.
If approved by voters, bonds would be issued for a new middle school, a new elementary school, capital improvements to existing facilities and technology replacement.
Debbie Webster has been chasing a dream, and on April 21 the Gardner woman caught up to it in Boston as a runner in the 108th Boston Marathon.
Webster was bitten by the running bug after marrying husband Larry Webster in 1998. She accompanied her new husband to his home state of Indiana to watch him and a friend compete in the OneAmerica 500 Mini-Marathon.
Johnson County Commissioners voted 6-1 on May 2 to approve a re-zoning request and preliminary development plan for a proposed 2.2 million square-foot warehouse development east of New Century AirCenter.
LS Commercial plans to develop Midwest Commerce Center, an industrial complex made up of four large distribution centers, on 151acres between U.S. 56 Highway and 167th Street.
The speculative concrete buildings would range in size from 382,500 to 540,000 square feet.
Spring Hill Police in conjunction with the Paola Police Department and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department arrested two Paola residents after a five month investigation into thefts that included a series of automobile break-ins at the AGC Flat Glass Plant.
A question on the Aug. 5 ballot will ask Johnson County voters to extend a quarter cent sales tax that will sunset at the end of 2008 and re-dedicate the funds to public safety.
The current tax was adopted by voters in 2002 and initiated in 2003. At the time, commissioners told voters it was necessary to make up for state-level shortfalls in school funding. The tax was billed as an economic development grant that would be divvied to public schools in Johnson County. Voters agreed to renew the tax in 2006 for the same purpose.
Now, some members of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners and Sherriff Frank Denning are making a pitch to make the tax permanent and to dedicate the funds to public safety. Commissioner Doug Wood and Denning spoke to the Spring Hill city council asking them to adopt a resolution in support of the sales tax extension on Thursday evening. Earlier this month, Denning made a similar pitch to Gardner City Council members during a work session.
Students at Prairie Creek Elementary School participated in the 18th Annual Kindest Kansas Citian Contest as they learned their Character Key of Respect as part of their guidance and counseling program.
More than 5,500 essays from the entire Kansas City area were submitted to this year’s contest, sponsored by Synergy Services’ to support the agency’s STOP Violence program.
The Allen Group says its KC Logistics Hub development would have a minimal impact on the Gardner Edgerton School District’s population growth.
The school board, however, disagrees.
School officials say the new development — which is poised to receive an 85 percent tax abatement from the city — would draw thousands of workers to the school district and create the need for additional classroom space and teachers.
At the request of City Councilman John Shepherd, Mayor Carol Lehman said she will invite the two sides together in an attempt to unveil the true growth numbers.
Classic rides and rat rods fill WMS lot during annual car show
The Wheatridge Middle School parking lot was filled with hundreds of custom rods and classic cars during the Old Highway 56 Car Show on April 26. The show featured everything from unfinished "rat rods" to late model custom creations. Hundreds of spectators strolled the grounds and took in the views as DJ Candyman played tunes. Prize drawings were held throughout the day. The car show is an annual fund-raiser for the Gardner community. Proceeds stay in the community and benefit local individuals and non-profit organizations. Photos by Mark Taylor/The Gardner News
