Maize

by Denise Hnytka (WICHITA, Kan) A public meeting was held Tuesday about a construction project planned for Maize Road. It affects people who drive on Maize from Kellogg south to Pawnee. That area is mainly residential, and during the day, traffic appears to flow just fine. But it is during the before and after work hours that people who live here say this two-lane road can get very congested. Rachel Neil lives near Maize and Pawnee, where a four-million dollar road project is about to begin.

If you've driven by 21st and Maize Road this week, you've probably seen the new yellow barriers jutting out of the roadway along Maize Road. They're there to prevent left turns that have been stopping up traffic in that area. The city says those barriers will be in place for at least 30 days.  “The simulated median will help the City test the impact of traffic changes being considered for construction next year,” says Paul Gunzelman, Traffic Engineer for the City of Wichita in a press release.

An 18 year-old High School Senior is in jail, accused of emailing a bomb threat to his principal. Authorities evacuated Maize South High School Wednesday - no bomb was found.  Investigators won't say what led them to the student, but we do know technology like this is traceable. "I was in my class, study hall, studying, and then all of a sudden everyone had to start walking down to the middle school," recounted Maize South Senior Jason Alvarez.  "And I was like, what's going on?"

(MAIZE, Kan.) It was hardly your typical Saturday at Vermillion Elementary and it wasn't your typical fundraiser. "I think, as parents, it's our responsibility to really do something about it and I think this is a perfect example of how powerful parents can be within the school," explains Vermillion PTO Chairperson, Rachel Miller. The problem they're trying to fix is budget cuts. The way they're trying to fix it is by raising money on their own in the spirit of the holidays.

What they were selling is not illegal, but what they were calling it could get them suspended. Officials for the Maize school district says that some fifth grade students at Pray Woodman Elementary School were selling baggies filled with sugar and Kool-Aid and calling it "happy crack. " Karen Duling, the school's principal, sent an email (see below) to parents informing them about the incident. "It was a good teachable moment for us to talk about drugs," said Suzan Hickey, who's son goes to Pray Woodman.

A teary eyed teenager begs a judge for probation after admitting to sex crimes against six teenage girls.  18-year-old Evan Allen was in court Friday for sentencing.  The former Maize South basketball player pleaded guilty to six counts including aggravated sexual battery, lewd and lascivious behavior and unlawful voluntary sexual relations. The courtroom was packed with supporters including coaches, friends and family.  Several took the stand and told the judge they thought probation and therapy would be the best option for Allen.  He's been in jail for a year and a half and his attorney says that's been punishment enough . He says while in jail Allen has realized what he did was wrong and suffered greatly for his actions by missing his senior year of high school.  Allen told the judge he was sorry and he wanted a chance to start his life over.

A Maize High School teacher made his first appearance in court Friday.  Prosecutors charged James Stiverson with one count of making a criminal threat. He accused of making threats against a school administrator during a Maize High School soccer game. According to the complaint, he unlawfully threatened to commit violence and communicated with the intent to place fear towards the assistant principal of Maize High.  The court complaint doesn't give any specific information.

More than six months of construction will keep one of Wichita's busiest intersections bottled up. Work crews are adding dual left-turn lanes to all four approaches at the 21st and Maize intersection. They will also add a raised median on Maize Road to improve traffic flow turning into the area's retail locations. Construction is scheduled to be completed by Thanksgiving. Right now, workers are ripping up pavement in the northeast corner of the intersection. It will take workers six weeks per corner to instalL the turn lanes.

The Maize school district will reverse course on the issue of random drug testing next fall. Students who take part in sports and other extra curricular activities will no longer be required to submit to random testing. Maize High senior Lucas Schauer's routine was brifely interrupted Tuesday.  He was called into the office to give a urine sample. "I just went in and gave them my sample and then went back to class," he said. Schauer tells Eyewitness News he's never had a problem with the district's policy.  He thinks staying drug-free is part of the privilege of participating in school activities.  But Schauer knows many of his peers found the testing too invasive.

The intersection of N. Maize Road and 53rd Street North is now open in all directions. The intersection has been widened to five lanes, including a turn lane. However, the work is not completely done. Workers are still putting up traffic lights. The city hopes to have the lights up and running by Thanksgiving. Until then, it's a four-way stop for drivers. There is still only one-way traffic southbound along Maize Road from Albert Street to 45th North. It's expected to open up to two-way traffic before Thanksgiving.