39-602: The Newton Kansan is an American newspaper published three days per week (excluding major holidays) in Newton, Kansas . It is owned by CherryRoad Media The paper covers Harvey County , including the cities of Newton, Burrton , Halstead , Hesston , North Newton and Sedgwick . The paper was founded as a weekly in 1872 and converted to a daily circulation in 1886. In 1952, it changed its name from The Evening Kansan-Republican to The Newton Kansan . The newspaper's electronic version began in 1996. Stauffer Communications bought
78-752: A Glock 22 semi-automatic pistol . At least 150 people were inside the plant at the time of the shooting. Three people were killed and fourteen others injured in the shooting spree. The slain victims were identified as Renee Benjamin, 30; Joshua Higbee, 31; and Brian Sadowsky, 44. All of them died inside the Excel plant. Six of the injured were hospitalized in Ascension Via Christi St. Francis ( Wichita ), four in Wesley Medical Center (Wichita), and four in Newton Medical Center. Five of
117-449: A bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 21.5% of the population. 24.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 106.8 males. The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that
156-400: A large industrial taxpayer although its impact as an employer has decreased in the past decade. On February 25, 2016, Newton was the site of the first of several related shooting incidents, which culminated in a mass shooting at an Excel Industries building in nearby Hesston that left three people dead and twelve others injured. The shooter, identified as Excel employee Cedric Larry Ford,
195-518: A nearby ditch, after which he got out, shot and injured the other driver in the leg, and stole that victim's vehicle. According to conversations with law officials, they believe the shootings in Newton were to distract officials of what was about to happen at Excel Industries. Ford then arrived at Excel Industries, a manufacturer of lawnmowers, in Hesston, injured an elderly woman in the parking lot, went inside
234-528: A second time. The second order was given to him on around 3:30 p.m. on the day of the shootings and may have been what sparked the event. On June 8, an autopsy on Ford's body indicated high levels of methamphetamine and alcohol in his system. He had "more than 135 times the standard dose" of meth at the time of his death. According to an expert, "[t]he combination of meth and alcohol can produce psychosis, delusions and an increased likelihood of acting on one's impulses". The Federal Bureau of Investigation ,
273-679: Is included in the Wichita metropolitan statistical area (MSA). It is located in Harvey County which is an agricultural and small manufacturing county with 34,361 people. Harvey County Kansas is part of a 5 county Metro Area with 650,000 people, the largest anchored in the state of Kansas. The major city in this metro area is Wichita, Kansas , 20 miles (20 minutes) to the South via I-135. The 2020 United States census counted 18,602 people, 7,501 households, and 4,798 families in Newton. The population density
312-632: Is known as "Main Street." U.S. Highway 50 runs past the White House in Washington, DC through Newton, Kansas and continues on to Sacramento, California . The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Newton has a humid subtropical climate , abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. Newton
351-510: Is located 2 miles east of Newton. Its 7,002-foot (2,134 m) runway is one of only 11 runways in Kansas 7,000-foot (2,100 m) or longer. It has ILS and GPS approach. Hesston shootings On February 25, 2016, three people were killed and fourteen others injured in a series of shootings in Newton and Hesston, Kansas , including in and outside an Excel Industries building. The shooter, identified as Excel employee Cedric Larry Ford,
390-444: Is located at 414 N Main St. Bus service is provided daily towards Wichita and Salina by BeeLine Express (subcontractor of Greyhound Lines ). While there is no local fixed-route transit service, Harvey Interurban provides dial-a-ride transit service to the community. Major roads that pass through Newton are I-135 , US-50 , US-81 , K-15 . Newton City/County Airport , FAA:EWK,
429-576: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives , and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation were all called in for assistance in the investigation. On February 26, Ford's 28-year-old ex-girlfriend Sarah Jo Hopkins was arrested for illegally providing him with the firearms used in the shootings. She was charged with one count of knowingly transferring a firearm to a convicted felon. According to court documents, Hopkins had police assist her in retrieving
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#1732905703419468-415: The county seat of Harvey County , Kansas , United States. As of the 2020 census , the population of the city was 18,602. Newton is located 25 miles (40 km) north of Wichita . The city of North Newton is located immediately north and exists as a separate political entity. Newton is located at the intersection of Interstate 135 , U.S. Route 50 , and U.S. Route 81 highways. For millennia,
507-554: The age of 18 and 9.4% of those ages 65 or over. As of the census of 2010, there were 19,132 people, 7,584 households, and 5,045 families living in the city. The population density was 1,518.4 inhabitants per square mile (586.3/km ). There were 8,237 housing units at an average density of 653.7 per square mile (252.4/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 88.4% White , 2.2% African American , 0.9% Native American , 0.8% Asian , 4.7% from other races , and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.3% of
546-403: The average family size was 2.99. In the city, the population had 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 38,236, and
585-422: The building, and fired randomly at the assembly lines, shooting several employees. According to one person who was shot but survived, Ford seemed to hesitate before firing. He then shot at Hesston Police Chief Doug Schroeder, the first officer to respond to the scene, and Schroeder fired back. Ford was struck by bullets and died at 5:23 p.m. Ford was armed with a Zastava Arms AK-47-style semi-automatic rifle and
624-416: The city. The population density was 1,794.0 inhabitants per square mile (692.7/km ). There were 7,277 housing units at an average density of 759.5 per square mile (293.2/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 86.73% White, 2.30% African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander , 6.84% from other races , and 2.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.73% of
663-419: The effectiveness of a Kansas law that allowed private businesses to restrict firearms on their property. On May 25, three months after the shootings, several people gathered along U.S. Route 81 for a "spontaneous memorial" dedicated to the victims and those affected. A ceremony was also held to recognize the first responders involved in the shootings, along with support personnel, volunteers, and others. During
702-505: The firearms after she broke up with Ford, but later gave them back to him after he allegedly threatened her. Hopkins pleaded guilty to not alerting authorities that a convicted felon unlawfully possessed firearms and was sentenced to a year on supervised release. It was originally reported that a standoff had occurred at Ford's residence when a roommate refused police entry. A Newton Police Department spokesman later stated that no such standoff had occurred, and that SWAT officers were securing
741-501: The house as a precaution while a search warrant was obtained. The standoff ended later that night when officers breached the property and found no one inside. Nearby Hesston College , Hesston Public schools (which are within 100 yards of the plant), and Newton Medical Center were temporarily placed on lockdown . Immediately after the shooting, the Excel Industries factory was closed down. It reopened on March 10, two weeks after
780-483: The injured were in critical condition. Two helicopters and fifteen ambulances were used to transport victims. Cedric Larry Ford ( c. 1978 – February 25, 2016), a painter for Excel, was identified as the shooter. A native of Miami , Florida , he was on probation for a series of convictions in Miami and living in Newton at the time of the shootings. Ford had a criminal record stretching back to October 1996, when he
819-741: The land now known as Kansas was inhabited by Native Americans . In 1803, most of modern Kansas was secured by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase . In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state . In 1872, Harvey County was founded. In 1871, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway extended a main line from Emporia westward to Newton by July 1871. The town soon became an important railroad shipping point of Texas cattle. The city
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#1732905703419858-734: The main runway was extended to over 7,000 feet (2,100 m). Newton served as the Middle Division dispatching headquarters for the "Santa Fe" until the mid-1980s, when all dispatching for the Chicago to Los Angeles system was centralized in the Chicago area. In 1995, the Santa Fe merged with the Burlington Northern Railroad , and is now known as the BNSF Railway . The BNSF continues to be
897-421: The median household income was $ 56,729 (with a margin of error of +/- $ 2,501) and the median family income was $ 66,806 (+/- $ 5,072). Males had a median income of $ 41,413 (+/- $ 3,677) versus $ 29,782 (+/- $ 3,872) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $ 35,192 (+/- $ 2,644). Approximately, 6.7% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 12.7% of those under
936-516: The median income for a family was $ 45,703. Males had a median income of $ 32,308 versus $ 21,906 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 18,529. About 5.1% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line , including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over. The community is served by Newton USD 373 public school district. Newton public schools consist of: Newton has two K-8 private schools: The Newton Kansan ( GateHouse Media ) serves Newton and
975-551: The newspaper in 1953. Morris Communications bought Stauffer in 1994, and sold the Kansan to GateHouse Media in October 2007. In 2021, the Kansan was purchased by New Jersey–based CherryRoad Media along with several other Kansas newspapers. This article about a Kansas newspaper is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Newton, Kansas Newton is a city in and
1014-406: The population. There were 6,851 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and
1053-442: The population. There were 7,584 households, of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.5% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
1092-438: The response of police officers during the shootings, and expressed his pride towards the law enforcement community of Hesston. Paul Mullet, the president and chief executive officer of Excel Industries, said in a statement, "We're really saddened by this horrific event. Our heart goes out to all of our employees and all of the families whose loved ones got injured and killed." On March 1, State Senator Forrest Knox questioned
1131-438: The shooting. U.S. President Barack Obama spoke by phone to Hesston Mayor David Kauffman to give his condolences to the victims and his thanks to the first responders. Kansas Governor Sam Brownback issued a statement in a Twitter post, offering condolences to the victims. He later urged all residents in Kansas to pray for the victims and their families, and pledged his support for the investigation. Brownback later lauded
1170-414: The shootings, on February 5, Ford's girlfriend accused him of assault and domestic violence, and issued a restraining order against him. The order was given to him on February 12, during which he "acted annoyed but not out of the ordinary", according to the police sergeant who served him the papers. However, because a sheriff's deputy failed to return the document on time, the order had to be served to Ford
1209-704: The surrounding area as the daily local newspaper. It is not published on Sundays or Mondays. The Wichita Eagle is the major newspaper for the region. Harvey County Now newspaper is also based in Newton and covers Harvey County. Newton is served by over-the-air ATSC digital TV of the Wichita - Hutchinson viewing market area, cable TV by Cox Communications , and satellite TV . See Media in Wichita, Kansas . BNSF Railway passes through Newton for transportation and shipping. Amtrak 's Southwest Chief stops in Newton twice each day and provides passenger rail service towards Los Angeles and Chicago . The Amtrak station
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1248-568: The western terminal for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and the railhead for the Chisholm Trail were established here. Shortly after incorporation of the city in 1872, the Newton city council passed an ordinance prohibiting the running at large of buffalo and other wild animals. During World War II , the Newton airport was taken over by the US Navy as a secondary Naval Air Station , and
1287-513: Was 1,276.4 per square mile (492.8/km ). There were 8,256 housing units at an average density of 566.5 per square mile (218.7/km ). The racial makeup was 78.79% (14,657) white or European American (73.12% non-Hispanic white ), 2.53% (471) black or African-American , 1.01% (188) Native American or Alaska Native , 0.88% (164) Asian , 0.02% (4) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian , 6.72% (1,250) from other races , and 10.04% (1,868) from two or more races . Hispanic or Latino of any race
1326-429: Was 17.77% (3,306) of the population. Of the 7,501 households, 29.4% had children under the age of 18; 47.2% were married couples living together; 27.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 31.1% of households consisted of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.0. The percent of those with
1365-433: Was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age in the city was 36.8 years. 26.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 15.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 17,190 people, 6,851 households, and 4,610 families living in
1404-469: Was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm at the age of 18. In Harvey County, Kansas , Ford was arrested for drug possession, theft, and parole violation. Ford also had a misdemeanor conviction in relation to a brawl that occurred in 2008, as well as several traffic violations in 2014 and 2015. He was also arrested in Broward County, Florida for resisting arrest, battery, and grand theft. Prior to
1443-416: Was founded in 1871 and named after Newton, Massachusetts , home of some of the Santa Fe stockholders. In August 1871, there was a Gunfight at Hide Park , in which a total of eight men were killed. The incident began with an argument between two local lawmen, Billy Bailey and Mike McCluskie . Because of this incident, Newton became known as "bloody and lawless—the wickedest city in the west.". In 1872,
1482-586: Was then killed by a responding police officer. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 12.60 square miles (32.63 km ), all of it land. The city is in the central portion of the continental United States. U.S. Highway 81 , also known as the Meridian Highway , stretches from Winnipeg , Manitoba , Canada to Mexico City , Mexico through Central and South America . It passes through Newton, Kansas and
1521-455: Was then killed by a responding police officer. The shootings began at around 4:57 p.m. at a street intersection in Newton, where Ford shot at two vehicles in a drive-by shooting. The first motorist suffered a non-fatal gunshot wound to the shoulder, while the second motorist escaped unscathed after a bullet pierced the car's windshield. Ford then drove down Old U.S. Route 81 and fired at oncoming traffic. His vehicle and another one crashed in
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