BREAKING NEWS
UPDATED AFTER PRINT DEADLINE
“Ignore Westboro Baptist Church and they won’t come back” was the message sent by law enforcement Wednesday evening at a town hall meeting, drawing more than 200 people. Protesters from Westboro Baptist Church are coming to Marion Sunday, and local law enforcement wants residents to go about their routines.
No one can relate to exactly what Ryan Newell has been through. There are those who can relate to some of his experiences — those who also served in the military in a war far from home. The decorated, wounded U.S. Army veteran, Newell, 26, of Marion, was charged Thursday in Sedgwick County on a felony charge of conspiracy to commit aggravated battery and five misdemeanors — stalking, three counts of criminal use of weapons, and false impersonation. Newell reportedly stalked members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka while they were in Mulvane for a protest.
Marion Christian Church pastor, the Rev. Carl Helm, knows what it’s like to deal with the controversial Westboro Baptist Church and wants residents to know how to deal with the members. Church members are scheduled to picket at five Marion churches — St. Mark’s Catholic Church-Holy Family Parish, 8 to 8:30 a.m., Marion Presbyterian Church, 9 to 9:30 a.m., Emmanuel Baptist Church and Valley United Methodist Church, 10:10 to 10:40 a.m., and Eastmoor United Methodist Church, 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Marion County’s unemployment rate in October was 4.8 percent, according to statistics released by Kansas Department of Labor. That is a decrease from 5.1 percent in October 2009. The only neighboring county with lower unemployment was McPherson County at 4.6 percent. Other neighboring counties’ unemployment rates were:
If a group of siblings have their way, four rental cabins will be open at Marion County Park and Lake in time for Memorial Day. Heather Holub spoke on behalf of herself and siblings Chris, Molly, and Tamra during a County Commission meeting Monday. The siblings want to build cabins in the area near the heated fishing dock.
Marion County Commission wants ideas for using about $26,000 of community enhancement funds the county received from TransCanada. Commissioner Dan Holub said he wanted it to do good beyond just paying a bill once and disappearing. He said he thought two groups of people could benefit the most: senior citizens and young people.
Why would a man from New York fly over 1,000 miles to Kansas? Why would he spend $400 on a hunting license?
It is not often someone’s job description involves cuddling. “Some just need somebody to snuggle with,” Hazel Hoffner said. “At this age they can take all the individual attention they can get.”
Philip S. Crawford, 65, died Nov. 18, at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. He was born Nov. 30, 1944, in Wichita, to Carson Eugene and Elizabeth Ellen (Childs) Crawford.
Rodney Lee Maxwell, 54, Cedar Point, died Dec. 3, in Newton, after a lengthy illness. Born in Emporia, he graduated in 1974 from Northern Heights High School. He was a farmer rancher, and retired rural postal carrier.
Michael Dale Ragland, 58, Marion, a professional truck driver, died Nov. 30. He was born Aug. 20, 1952, in Nashville, Tenn., to Marshall and Mary Jean (Clymer) Ragland.
Wanda K. Backhus Schmidt, 53, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away Nov. 30, 2010, at the John Petersmith Hospital in Fort Worth. Wanda was born June 14, 1957, at Abilene, to Wilbert and Donna Backhus. She was baptized on July 7, 1957, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Tampa, and confirmed April 4, 1971.
Patricia Ann Swafford, 68, of Hillsboro, died Dec. 6 in Hillsboro. She was born March 7, 1942, in Hutchinson, to Frank Orville and Francis (Yates) Swafford.
Agnes J. Terry, 78, of Newton died Dec. 1 at her home. She was born Nov. 29, 1932, in Newton, to Norvie and Eva (Eberly) McClure.
Many in our community know what it’s like to be in the military and be a part of combat in a war. Few of us could possibly understand the devastation of being so critically wounded that our lives are changed — forever.
Remember those signs — there are some still out there — that read, “Don’t curse the farmer with your mouth full?” The agriculture community reminded consumers that if it weren’t for local farmers and ranchers, there wouldn’t be the quality of food available for us to eat. Freedom of speech is a powerful privilege. We appreciate being able to speak — and print — our minds without fear of retaliation.
While my husband, Paul Thomas, was on the bench of the 18th Judicial District, he heard a case, which I have thought of often in the past few days. We were leaving the Sedgwick County Courthouse for lunch when a clerk caught Paul in the hall. The small claims docket had just been called and a litigant demanded a “real judge, not one of them temporary fellahs.” The facts of the case are immaterial, except to say the plaintiff felt he had not received value for his money and had been poorly treated. The representative of the vast company he had sued was amused, pointing out that the law was undoubtedly on the defendant’s side.
(Editor’s Note: Marion Elementary School students were given the assignment of writing a persuasive letter to Duckwall-AlCO Corporation in Abilene in an attempt to keep the Marion Duckwall store open. Following are four of the letters.) Dear Duckwalls, I think Duckwalls should stay open because it brings in good business. It also has affordable paper, school supplies, and holiday decorations. Whenever I need a quick birthday present, I always go there. The nearest Walmart is 30 minutes away and Duckwalls provides items people need. It’s got a lot of good fishing supplies and candy, and supplies for housecleaning, parties, school, batteries, baby clothes, and holiday decorations. It also provides people jobs like high schoolers and adults. That’s the only place where kids can buy Christmas presents for their friends and family. They also sell cheap toys for kids to buy. I hope it stays open! Sincerely,
Tori Shults
MES Fourth Grade Dear Duckwalls,
(Editor’s note: This is the second part of a four-part series, leading to Christmas.) By LARRY TIMM Pastor, Gracepoint church Later, Joseph awoke, his heart pounding. Jumping to his feet, his mind replayed the angel’s message as he charged out the door. Tears ran down his cheeks as he approached the home of Mary’s parents, calling his loved one’s name louder with each step, “Mary! Mary!”
LETTERS:
A test of faith with Freddie and the Fanatics
Marion County Sheriff and Peabody Fire Department were the first on the scene of a rollover accident Friday north of the Harvey/Marion County line. Christina Axtman, 28, of Assaria was northbound on Indigo Road when, for reasons unknown by investigating Harvey County Chief Deputy Mark Hardtarfer, she veered her 2010 Ford Focus off the right side of the road and hit a culvert, launching the vehicle.
Travis Parmley has been named Fireman of the Year at Great Bend. The 1998 Marion High School graduate received the award at a firefighter’s ball Nov. 20 sponsored by the Great Bend Fire Department.
Next year is a notable year in Marion. It is the 150th anniversary of Marion becoming a city, the 100th anniversary of Old Settlers’ Day, a hospital has been in Marion for a century, and Marion Historical Museum has been in operation for half a century. Community organizers have been meeting for more than six months in preparation of Marion’s sesquicentennial with events every month in 2011.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is an example of an attempted scam. The names have been changed to protect identities.) Georgia, a 73-year-old woman living in Marion, had been home a few days after a stay in the hospital when she received a strange phone call.
Where Marion County performed at startlingly low levels for 2009’s Kids Count Data, the county improved the most in the 2010 data. Kansas Kids Count is a combined effort by the Annie Casey Foundation, Kansas Action for Children, and Families and Communities Together. It is a statistical snapshot of the health and vitality of Kansas children, and how they compare on a county-by-county basis.
Marion Elementary School teacher Ginger Becker reviewed U.S. geography with students Friday morning, but they weren’t her students and school hadn’t started. Becker began hosting Geo Club before school Nov. 29. The daily meetings are intended to prepare participants for the school geography bee. The qualifiers will compete in the school bee at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the cafeteria. However, some of the students have asked Becker about continuing the club after the bee, perhaps as a weekly meeting.
A team from Marion High School received the second place trophy in the 3A classification at Quest Super Saturday on Dec. 4 at Washburn University, Topeka. They were one of 58 teams that competed.
Centre FFA participated in and hosted the South Central District Leadership School on Nov. 11. Fifteen schools participated, with Centre placing second in the senior division par-law contest. The team had the highest written exam score. Team members were Tanner Brunner, Brian Burhoop, Cole Svoboda, Theo Kassebaum, Carrie Carlson, and Bryanna Svoboda. The team qualified to compete at the state competition in June during the Kansas FFA Convention.
The Marion High School boys basketball team defeated Peabody-Burns, 37-27, Tuesday in the first round of the Marion Classic Tournament in Marion. Sophomore point guard Jordan Hett poured in 19 points for the Warriors on 6-for-13 shooting.
The Marion High School girls basketball defeated Peabody-Burns, 35-29, Tuesday in the first round of the Marion Classic Tournament in Marion. The Warriors won the game with stifling defense that created 13 steals and forced 26 turnovers. Senior Emily Hett was the leading thief for the Warriors with four steals. In one particular play, Hett gripped the ball while it was still controlled by a Peabody guard at half court and ripped the ball from her hands.
The Marion High School boys basketball team jumped out to a 12-6 lead Friday over Hutchinson Trinity on the road. The Warriors were attacking the basket with seniors Jordan Versch and Dillon Richmond scoring layups off drives. Marion also put pressure on Trinity guards with a 2-2-1 press.
Marion High School 6-foot-2 junior forward Whitney Gordon was set for a different role this season. Against Hutchinson Trinity Friday, she scored 19 points; 15 points were scored on 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. She only went to the free-throw line once after being fouled on a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.
The Marion High School wrestling team finished sixth as a team Saturday at the Mission Valley Wrestling Invitational. Junior Colten Johnson won the 152-pound weight class. Coach Chad Adkins said Johnson was dominant, winning all but one of his matches by pin fall. He pinned his opponent in the final to take the first-place medal.
CENTRE:
Cougars fall to SES in first game of the season,
Centre girls are defeated by SES, 54-28
For the first time during his four-year tenure, Lady Trojans basketball coach Nathan Hiebert will be without Dakota Kaufman — Hillsboro’s do-it-all three-sport standout, helping the Trojans to back-to-back state tournament appearances in both volleyball and basketball — who took her act to Kansas State University for volleyball. Losing more than half his offense, rebounding, and a 6-foot-1 presence on defense could be enough to leave Hiebert concerned about this year.
Any team planning to take advantage of a depleted Marion High School wrestling team may be in store for an unpleasant surprise. “We have the potential to be just as good (as last year),” coach Chad Adkins said.
After losing its top three scorers from the 2009-10 season, the Marion High School boys basketball team will be a different squad this season. The Warriors offense revolved around undersized senior post players Eric Vogel and Isaac Hett last season. Hett’s midrange shot and Vogel’s tough drives were keys to the Warrior offense. Fellow senior Wil Case added long distance shooting to spike offensive production.
Last year, even though the team returned after losing to Hays-Marian Thomas Moore Prep in the championship game, the Marion High School girls basketball team was greeted by 250 fans as the team bus slowly drove down Main Street. Past normal business hours, Country Lakes Café opened its doors and greeted the team with a fresh batch of cookies.
For the majority of 21 years, Trojans boys basketball coach Darrel Knoll has arguably enjoyed the best of times. During his tenure, Hillsboro transformed into a town known for basketball success.
In seven astounding seasons of leading the Trojan wrestling team, some of the things coach Scott O’Hare has usually been able to count on are depth, talent, and experience. Part of the reason for his success has been a big roster, which makes practice more challenging.
The 1A Centre High School boys basketball team went undefeated in the last year of the Dwight D. Eisenhower League. They hope to repeat that record in the first year of the Wheat State League. In 2009-10, Centre finished 6-0 in the league and was regional runner-up. The team’s record was 12-9 overall.
Alan Stahlecker, head coach of the Centre High School girls basketball team, is concerned about the lack of experience in his varsity team. “We are very, very young and inexperienced at the varsity level this season,” he said.
Peabody-Burns High School Warrior basketball will have a new look this year with all new starters on the floor. The team has five seniors that that will be trying to get into the game plan.
The Lady Warriors at Peabody-Burns High School will look different this season. Seven letter-winners return to the team for the 2010-11 season. With only one returning starter, the team will be fresh to a varsity system. Senior Michaela Methvin is the 2009-10 starter returning for the team. She is a 5-foot-11 post player.
The Bluebird basketball team will be quick and fast — going deep in the guard and forward positions. A lack of experience in the post position may make for a steep learning curve for someone to assume that role. Braden Unruh, a 6-foot junior who averaged 8.8 points per game as a sophomore, will start the season as the leading point-producer from last year’s team. Senior Neal Brubaker brings the most assists per game at 2.6 from last season. Sophomore Trey Schmidt was also a starter last year. All three of these players could take the point guard position. Corey Buller, a 6-foot-2 senior, lettered last year and brings a scoring punch of 5.6 points per game to the team.
Goessel High School girls basketball head coach Ryan Hoopes is not sure what to expect this year. Four starters graduated last year and they accounted for more than half of the scoring.