Marion County RECORD

State wants exemption bid denied

TransCanada Keystone Pipeline LP filed an application Nov. 1 for a property tax exemption with Kansas Court of Tax Appeals. The exemption has been a point of contention for the six Kansas counties that will miss millions of dollars of tax revenue if the exemption is approved.

Sewer rates to increase in Marion

Even though Marion City Council didn’t have any other option Monday evening than to increase sewer usage fees, Councilman Bill Holdeman didn’t want to do it. The council had already accepted a grant and approved a bond issue months ago to pay for the dredging of the city’s wastewater lagoons. To pay the bond, the council knew then that sewer rates would have to increase. However, at Monday’s meeting, Holdeman said he wanted to leave everything as it was.

Teen critically injured in car crash

A Marion High School senior was critically injured early Saturday morning in a one-vehicle crash. Adam Joseph Palic, 17, 819 E. Birch St., Marion, was southbound on Sunrise Road in a 1987 Honda passenger car at 3:15 a.m. Saturday when it left the road, entered an east ditch, and struck a tree. The driver was alone at the time and was trapped in the vehicle.

Seminary classmate remembers Kapaun

While Bishop Michael Jackels, of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, presided over the mass, the special guest at the annual mass to honor Fr. Emil Kapaun Thursday at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pilsen was Monsignor Jerry Sommer. Sommer attended Kenrick Seminary with Kapaun from 1936 through 1940. They were ordained on the same date, June 9, 1940, but in different cities — Kapaun in Wichita and Sommer in his native St. Louis. After they left the seminary, they never saw each other again.

Heirlooms important to family

Nearly every parent has them — special ornaments and decorations made by their children in school or church that are saved and displayed every year on the family tree. Andy and Staci Hansen, 1842 Quail Creek Road, Marion, are no different. In the guest suite, a family tree stands with ornaments made by their daughters, Kirsten and Kourtney.

Marion City auditorium nearly finished

Improvements to Marion City Auditorium are ahead of schedule. Marion Advancement Campaign Chairman Todd Heitschmidt told Marion City Council Monday evening that carpet would be installed this week.

Defense attorney withdraws from rape trial

The defense attorney for Terry Bowen withdrew from the case Nov. 9 at a motion hearing at the Marion County Courthouse. Dan Baldwin was representing Bowen despite his prior experience as the prosecuting attorney on Bowen’s previous sexual crimes case.

Lorena Kelsey

Lorena June (Janzen) Kelsey, of Wichita, former owner and founder of Lorena’s Nutrition Inn, died Nov. 15, 2010, at Reflection Living in Wichita, at the age of 87. Lorena was born Nov. 1, 1923, in rural Canada, the daughter of Frank Kasper and Katherine (Martens) Janzen.

Don Mickels

Don Mickels, 79, of Hesston, died Nov. 8 in Hesston. Born Jan. 24, 1931, in Madrid, Neb., to Ray J. and Nettie (Clark) Mickels, he was a farmer and stockman.

Betty Ann Oursler

Betty Ann Oursler, 84, of Marion, died Nov. 15. Services will be announced by Zeiner Funeral Home of Marion.

Accidents

County jail

Civil division

Criminal division

Deeds recorded

Domestic division

Small claims

Sheriff's report

Hillsboro police report

Marion police report

Flu season begins

Cases of influenza have been confirmed in Kansas, Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced recently. Marion County Health Department Director Diedre Serene has not heard of any confirmed cases locally, but that doesn’t mean the flu isn’t out there. Many people who contract influenza don’t see a doctor, Serene said.

Amulance calls increase

Marion County Emergency Medical Service responded to 100 calls for ambulances in October. That is approximately a 37 percent increase from October 2009. Through 10 months, ambulances have responded 879 times, compared with 942 at the same time in 2009.

Marion officers arrest Frias

Marion police arrested Joseph Frias, 26, before dawn Oct. 30 at 900½ E. Main St., Marion, on suspicion of domestic battery and resisting arrest. Allegedly under the influence of alcohol, Police say Frias attempted to choke his girlfriend and refused to let her leave the residence. Frias ran from the residence when Police Chief JoshWhitwell arrived. With the help of officer Clinton Jeffrey and Marion County Sheriff Deputy Michael Ottensmeier, Whitwell searched for the suspect from 3:30 to 5 a.m. in Marion.

There's nothing cool about smoking

The Great American Smokeout, a day when tobacco users are encouraged to stop using, will be Thursday. Tobacco has come a long way. I remember as a child — I’m really showing my age — when store clerks and professional people would smoke on the job. It wasn’t unusual for the person taking your money at a grocery store to have a cigarette in their mouth.

Another Day in the Country

Nothing could ruin the atmosphere at the dinner table quicker than the discussion of politics or religion amongst my relatives. That’s probably why it was pretty much banned from the table. In a world that was dominated by Republicans and Lutherans, we talked about the weather, which we could neither choose nor vote on. It was part of minding our manners. The world in which I grew up had newspapers and radio. Most folks considered them both pretty reliable sources of information. My father was a firm follower of Newsweek while my grandfather devoured the Saturday Evening Post. We were an opinionated lot, discussion abounded, and I remember as a child being proud of the fact that, according to my father, I could argue a point just like my grandpa (on my mother’s side, of course). Dad hadn’t meant it as a compliment.

Hope in the Heartland

Jesus is coming again. When many people see or hear a declaration like this one, they roll their eyes and their mind goes neutral.

LETTERS:

Auxiliary is looking for more help

St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary met Nov. 4 with 33 members in attendance. Pharmacist Marlin Buchholz presented information about the benefits and dosages of over-the-counter vitamins including calcium, Omega 3 fish oil, and vitamin D.

Auxiliary receives award, meets pledge

Elora Robinson, president of St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary, and chief financial officer Jeremy Armstrong accept the gold award. The annual Hospital Auxiliary of Kansas convention was Nov. 10 through 12 in Topeka.

Burns seniors host potluck dinner

Twenty-four seniors and friends had a potluck dinner Nov. 9 at the Burns Community Center. Doni Rogers gave the blessing and the group recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

'Messiah" to be performed

Following a tradition of more than 40 years, Tabor College concert choir and women’s chorale will perform Handel’s “Messiah,” at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, 300 Prairie Pointe, Hillsboro. Student soloists will include sopranos Clarissa Berglund, Hanna Bishop, and Corina Neufeld; alto Lauren Just; tenor David Vogel, and basses Darren Enns, Justin Moore, and Aaron Stepanek.

Warren Fike celebrates 85th birthday

The family of Warren Fike hosted a birthday party Nov. 7 at Ramona Parish Hall in honor of Warren’s 85th birthday. Those in attendance were Fike and his wife, Paula; Ernest Peterson and Iris Pauly, Sage, and Reece of Wichita; Rod and Krista Peterson of Valley Center; Dan and Linda Peterson of Burdick; Steve and Sandra Deines of Lawrence.

CWF appoints officers

The Christian Women’s Fellowship of the Christian church met Nov. 10 in the fellowship room. Members had a meal of soups and desserts prepared by the Hannah Group. Donna Hayen welcomed members and led a thanksgiving prayer Following the meal, there was a business meeting.

BIRTHS:

CORRESPONDENTS:

MEMORIES:

Play goes on at MHS

For the first time in years, Janet Killough watched the Marion High School musical as a spectator rather than director Friday. Killough led the cast of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” in rehearsals before having gall bladder surgery on Oct. 23. She expected to recover in time to return to work Oct. 25, but doctors discovered she needed heart surgery.

Principal treats group to pizza

Marion Pizza Hut has had to stock their lunch buffet in preparation for hungry Marion Middle Schoolers two weeks in a row. MMS principal Tod Gordon treated new middle school students in a group — Nicholas Stuchlik, Tyler Neufeld, Miran Stephenson, Kayle Stapleford, Layne Nienstedt, Katie Frye, and Connor Embre — to a free pizza lunch the week of Nov 1.

Deputy Duane McCarty addresses MES students

Marion County Sheriff Deputy Duane McCarty stood in front of the Marion Elementary School sixth-graders to teach a Decision making, responsibility, assertiveness, goals, needs, ethics, and trustworthiness class Nov. 9 in the MES gym. He was dressed in full uniform — a light blue shirt with his badge placed above his left shirt pocket and a fully equipped belt: a club, handgun, handcuffs, and a stun gun.

Centre USD 398 board meets

Centre USD 397 board of education communicated with technology coordinator Dusty Wiegert via Skype on Nov. 8 to discuss installation of wireless Internet technology at Centre schools. Wiegert has been doing preliminary work on the project. He estimated it will cost about $20,000. He is communicating with Aruba and Cisco to get bids for the project.

Marion woman remembers father's college triumph

Margie Bennett, of Marion, and her seven living siblings will soon be returning to the site of their father’s greatest athletic triumph. They are attending the Notre Dame vs. Army football game Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

Six MHS warriors make all-league football team

Six Marion High School football players were named to the Heart of America All-League team. Senior Connor Thierolf made first team for offensive line and linebacker. As a linebacker, Thierolf had 70 first-hit tackles and assisted on 52 tackles. He completed three tackles for a loss. The next closest Warriors in tackles were Adam Cope with 48 first-hit tackles and Brody Carroll with 25 assisted tackles.

Wheat State announces all-league players

Several local football and volleyball players were named to the 2010 Wheat State All-League teams. First team football members are Centre High School seniors Tanner Brunner, Rustyn Kerbs, Casey Kristek, and Cole Svoboda; Peabody-Burns High School seniors Storm Pickens, Spencer Moffett, and Derek Price; and Goessel High School senior John Berkholz.

Centre wins district FFA contest

At least 16 schools attended the South-Central District FFA leadership and creed-speaking competition Thursday at Centre High School. Tanner Brunner, Cole Svoboda, Theo Kassebaum, Brian Burhoop, Carrie Carlson, and Bryanna Svoboda scored high in the parliamentary test, earning the Centre FFA chapter a first-place finish. They will represent Centre at the state convention in May.

MHS places at FFA conference

Officers for the Marion/Florence FFA chapter participated in the South Central District FFA Leadership Conference Nov. 11 at Centre High School. The conference included three competitions in parliamentary procedure, FFA information, and ritual.

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