Marion County RECORD

Mermiss takes over as police chief

On Jan. 4, Tyler Mermis finished his stay at Camp Lemmonnier military base in Djibouti, Africa. On Jan. 9, back in the U.S. but at an Indiana base, Mermis learned he would be moving up one position in the Marion Police Department hierarchy to Chief of Police. He had already been Assistant Chief.

Auxiliary completes pledge

The St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary’s annual Dinner was Jan. 19 at Eastmoor United Methodist Church. The evening began with Keith Allison playing piano as people arrived. Auxiliary President Elora Robinson gave the welcome. After dinner, St. Luke Hospital CEO Jeremy Armstrong presented information on the completed remodeling project and an update on physician recruitment and the hiring of Jaynette Miller, ARNP, who has joined Melissa Batterton, ARNP, at St. Luke Physicians Clinic. St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary presented a check for $39,000 to Armstrong and St. Luke Foundation President Judy Reno. This completed their pledge of $125,000 for the hospital building and remodeling fund.

330th a sore spot near Tampa

Tampa residents have had a lot to complain about with 330th Road connecting the town with K-15 for about four years. Marion County tore up the blacktop road that was in place but in deteriorating condition, and resurfaced it with rock to give the road time to get a good compacted base.

Dinner to benefit Schmidt baby

Strassburg Baptist Church is sponsoring a benefit meal for Troy and Eileen Schmidt related to their daughter’s medical condition. Ruby Schmidt has spent 15 percent of her 15 month life at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

Passion drives mechanic shop partners

For Rick LeShure and Andrew Strauser, their passion for motors does not cease when they close their shop doors at 5:30 p.m. To the east of their shop, Power Pros on the west end of Main Street in Marion, is a small garage where LeShure keeps a Chevrolet Camaro. He is rebuilding a cruiser engine to place in the vehicle, the third such engine he will place under the hood.

Full service survives in Hillsboro

Full-service gas stations are few and far between in a hurried society facilitated by gas cards, quick stops, and super-size options. But on the southeast corner of Ash and D streets in Hillsboro, Lowell Jost quietly goes about his business of listening to people as he pumps gas into their vehicles, cleans their windshields, checks oil, and puts air in tires, just as he has for the past 40 years at Jost Service. “I guess I’ve always felt it was important to take care of people,” Jost said. “I’ve worked here at the same spot since high school. It’s what I’ve believed in doing all my life.”

First car was special

I was 15 years old in the summer of 1999 when I got my first car, a 1977 Pontiac Catalina. I’ll never forget that car. It wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing car. It had quintessential 1970s style, a gold paint job with a cream-colored top, and only three hubcaps.

Arlie's shop goes green

Starting Thursday, every color of paint used at Arlie’s Paint, Body, and Glass auto body shop in Marion will be tinted ‘green,’ as the shop has converted to using environmentally-friendly water-based paints. “We’re going green,” owner Arlie Overton said. “It’s not required yet in Kansas, but we want to stay on that leading edge.”

Martha V. Brown

Martha V. Brown, 88, died Jan. 25, 2012, at Salem Home in Hillsboro. She was born Sept. 25, 1923, in Elk to Carl and Emma (Mau) Mauderly. She did domestic work.

Fern Rene Korbe

Fern Rene Korbe, 51, of McPherson, died Jan. 28, 2012, at Cedars Health Care Center in McPherson. She was born Jan. 25, 1961, to Marilyn Fern (Bruce) and Gerald Lee Winslow in McPherson.

Audrey Kukuk

Audrey Elizabeth Kukuk, 74, of Perry, Okla., died Jan. 13 at Perry Memorial Hospital. She was born May, 24, 1937, in Perry, to Chris and Anna Mae (Neureburg) Schieffer.

Clifford M. 'Bud' Lucas

Clifford M. “Bud” Lucas, 87, died Jan. 26, 2012, at the Kansas City Presbyterian Manor, Kansas City. He was born Aug. 8, 1924, in Marion to Stuart and Beulah Bueford Lucas. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Don Mize

Don Mize, 95, died Jan. 27, 2012, at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. He was born Feb. 23, 1916, to Paul and Mable (Mulkey) Mize in Topeka. He was a watchmaker and jeweler and was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hillsboro.

Vincent Wayne Ochs

Vincent Wayne Ochs, 78, died Jan. 25, 2012, at his home in Newton. He was born Nov. 4, 1933, to Phillip Ochs and Verna Morgan Scheurman in Timken. He married Gloria Schope on June 1, 1954, in Albert. He was the owner and operator of Ochs Cleaners in Newton from 1974 to 1997.

Gary V. Riedy

Gary V. Riedy, 62 of rural Chapman was born April 9, 1949, in Abilene, the son of Edwin V. and Beatrice “Betty” M. (Silhan) Riedy. He passed away Jan. 29, 2012, at Memorial Hospital in Abilene. After completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in industrial arts at Fort Hays State University, Gary began his teaching career at Junction City Junior High School. His career changed from teaching general shop to teaching technology at the school’s new technology lab, all the while coaching junior high/middle school football, basketball and track. He retired from teaching in May 2004.

Accidents

Civil cases

County jail

Criminial cases

Deeds

Hillsboro police

Peabody police

Officials see jail progress

Marion County Commission took a break Tuesday from its regular business meeting to tour the new construction at the jail site. Commissioners Dan Holub and Randy Dallke walked through the jail with project superintendent Jared Beets of contractor Loyd Builders Inc. of Ottawa, who updated them on construction activity.

Leaders attend PRIDE

Marion County Director of Economic Development, Teresa Huffman, extended an invitation to Marion PRIDE members to attend the Kansas Main Street programs Quarterly Training Conference held Jan. 12 in El Dorado. The conference was conducted by a speaker from the United States Main Street Program, which is sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Three PRIDE volunteers, Pam Bowers, Jeanic Thomas, and Margaret Wilson, were able to attend the all-day session and came away excited and challenged.

USDA food available Feb. 9

U.S. Department of Agriculture food commodities will be available at the senior centers in Marion County on Feb. 9. Each senior center will distribute them according to its own schedule. The commodities are available to individuals and families who are income eligible and should be picked up from their local distribution site.

Small business consulting available

A small business consultant from Emporia State University Small Business Development Center will be in Marion from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 15 for one-on-one consultations. The consultations will be at Butler Community College-Marion Campus, 412 N. Second St., Marion.

Energy applications available

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking to assist to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill.

Farm program signup continues

Producers are reminded that enrollment for the 2012 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program and the average Crop Revenue Election program began on Jan. 23 and continues through June 1. Sign up into either program is to be done on an annual basis during the targeted enrollment period. Enrollment is performed on a contract identified as form CCC-509. The DCP provides two types of benefits to eligible producers. “Direct” payments are guaranteed and calculated using 85 percent of FSA crop base acres times payment yields established for each farm. Eligible producers receive direct payments at rates established by statute regardless of market prices. Farm Bill provisions percent the issuance of advanced payments for 2012. All DCP payment earnings will be provided as a single disbursement after Oct. 1.

Have you ever set a record?

Odds are, there aren’t a lot of people in Marion County who have set a world record. I know I haven’t. When I was in grade school, I tried a few times at different records, but something always got in the way. I didn’t have the endurance, or the attention span, or the time, or the organizational skills.

Bad roads create good memories

Bad roads have been with humans since the beginning of time … only then folks called them deer trails, rabbit paths, or wagon ruts. More than likely, even if all the bad roads currently classified as such in Marion County were fixed, more would deteriorate to take their place on the never-ending list. I have lived in Marion County pretty much all my life and cannot really say the roads are any better or worse than they ever have been. The funny thing about bad roads is that they are a lot more memorable than good ones. When I think about what makes growing up and living in Marion County special, well, bad road moments make the list.

Brookens examines governor's proposal

In the last two weeks I have written about tax issues. I said in my column last week I would emphasize this week what I’m for, so here goes. In a policy statement on “The Brownback Pro-Growth Plan,” Gov. Sam Brownback mentions 5 principles guiding his proposals:

Another Day in the Country

When I was a child, staying at my grandma’s house across from Lewis Cemetery, I was deathly afraid of the outhouse. Had to use it! Had to go there! Desperation drove me to go inside, perch precariously on a hole that opened into Hell, do my business and then run away. Sometimes I ran faster than others. I made the best time after dark. While I loved being with Gram, there was another fearsome thing: butchering. When they butchered beef (I only remember it happening once when I was present), Gram made me stay inside (even when she had to go out) and Aunt Verna tried to distract me by playing games; but I knew that something fearsome was happening out by the shed.

MHS graduate part of performing ensemble

Full-time touring vocal ensemble Six Appeal will visit Marion and Hillsboro schools before performing a concert Feb. 11 at USD 408 Performing Arts Center in Marion. Marion High School alumnus Michael Brookens of Minneapolis, Minn., sings tenor, works on composition, and leads educational efforts for Six Appeal. The group was founded in 2006 and performs a capella — without accompaniment.

Foster care classes offered

Saint Francis Community Services will offer a free, 10-week course: Partnering for Safety and Permanence — The Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting for individuals interested in becoming foster parents. Saint Francis Community Services is a provider of foster care, adoption, and family preservation services. The course begins March 1 and will be held Thursdays for 10 weeks from 6 to 9 p.m. The training will be held at Saint Francis Community Services, 423 S.E. 10th Street, Newton.

Retirement series moves to Fridays

The Learning in Retirement lecture series at Tabor College will move to Friday beginning this semester. “It is with much consideration that we have decided to make this change to our historic meeting day,” LiR director Connie Isaac said. “By moving to Friday mornings, it will offer a much more relaxed atmosphere in the cafeteria.” Lunch is $4 for LiR participants.

Schmidts celebrate 50 years

Robert and Bonnie (Lucas) Schmidt are celebrating 50 years of marriage. They were married on Feb. 10, 1962, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Marion. They both grew up in the Marion area. Robert Schmidt worked for the City of Marion in the electric department for 38 years. Bonnie Schmidt worked for the Marion County Road and Bridge Department for 23½ years.

Armstrong elected to regents council

Jeremy Armstrong, chief executive officer at St. Luke Hospital and Living Center in Marion, has been appointed to the Council of Regents, the legislative body of the American College of Healthcare Executives. The Council of Regents serves as the link between the American College of Healthcare Executives and affiliates by approving governance and membership regulations as well as promoting ACHE programs, services, and activities within their respective areas.

CORRESPONDENTS:

MEMORIES:

WEDDINGS:

Tabor announces Steel Magnolia cast

Tabor College will be performing “Steel Magnolias” during Family Weekend, Feb. 17 through 19, and an additional performance is planned for Feb. 24. The group of loveable and spunky characters are played by Becky Steketee, Hillsboro; Alisa Lynn, Olathe; Hannah Vogt, Newton; Hannah Evans, Wichita; Sydney Coughlin, Visalia, Calif; and Sarah Wyckoff, Blackwell, Okla.

Marion scholars' team has fun

As night faded to dawn the Saturday following the winter homecoming dance, most Marion High School students slept soundly, welcome respite from a week of studies. Others did not. Cars began arriving in the high school parking lot around 7 a.m., with students shaking off the mental fog of morning, preparing to match their intellects against others in a rare Saturday scholars’ bowl competition Jan. 6 in Council Grove.

K-State lists county honorees

Marion County was well-represented on Kansas State University’s semester honor roll. To qualify for semester honors, a student must earn a grade point average of 3.75 or better with at least 12 hours of graded course work. Honorees Durham: Julianne Renee Chisholm. Florence: Danielle Elizabeth Cope and Jaclyn Elizabeth Deforest. Hillsboro: Lance Elliot Kliewer. Lehigh: David Ratzloff. Marion: Adam Svoboda, Derek Michael Stuchlik, Eric William Vogel, Julia Marie Zeiner, Louis John Scott Holt, Patrick John Hodson, Tonya Hodson, and Travis Shockley. Peabody: Shelby Renee’ Elliott and Joshua Allen Klarman. Shelby Renee’ Elliott was not included in a previous story about the semester honor roll because, while she has a Peabody address, her residence is in Harvey County.

Hiebert and Evans make McPherson honor roll

Two students from Marion County are on McPherson College’s honor roll for the fall 2011 semester. To qualify for the honor roll, a student must earn a grade point average of 3.55 or higher as a full-time student. Senior Kory Hiebert of Goessel and sophomore Ashley Evans of Marion were among the students on the honor roll.

Lady Warriors lose

Two last-second shots. One made Council Grove’s Michaela Peterson a hero, and handed the Marion High School Lady Warriors a 33-32 loss Thursday at USD 408 Sports and Aquatics Center. With 19 seconds left in the game, Erin Meierhoff hit the front end of a 1-and-1 to give the Lady Warrirors a 32-30 lead.

MHS boys pummel Council Grove

When is a quarter greater than a half? The Marion High School boys’ basketball team answered that question Thursday against Council Grove, when the Warriors scored 27 points in the third quarter, 4 more than in the first half, en route to a 62-39 win over the Braves at USD 408 Sports and Aquatics Center.

Centre boys defeat Wakefield

After trailing by as much as 12 points Friday against the Wakefield Bombers, the Centre High School boys’ basketball team staged a turnaround that resulted in a 75-62 victory. Playing at home, they trailed 5-15 after the first quarter. They trailed, 8-20, in the second quarter, but good shooting by Trevor Hageberg, Kordell Harding, Ty Simons, and Kyle Methvin narrowed the gap to 7 points, 25-32, by halftime.

Warrior wrestlers take 2nd

The Marion High School wrestling team placed second as a team Friday in the Hoisington Cardinal Classic. Seven Warrior wrestlers finished in the top three in their respective weight classes in the tournament.

Lady Cougars victorious

After defeating the top-seeded Wakefield Lady Bombers a week earlier in the invitational tournament at Centre, the Lady Cougars basketball team defeated them again Friday, 29-24. Field goals by Shelby Makovec and Beka Basore and two 3-point shots by Cacey Simons gave Centre a 10-4 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Centre junior high teams fall

Both the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams at Centre Junior High School lost in the first round Thursday of the Wheat State League tournament. The girls’ team played Little River. They fell behind, 6-13, in the first quarter, but picked up their play in the second quarter, to lead, 14-13, at halftime.

Knights of Colombus sponsor contest

All boys and girls ages 10 to 14 are invited to participate in the local competition for the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship. The competition will be Sunday at the Marion Middle School gym on South Lincoln Street (next to the performing arts center.) Registration will be from 12:30 to 1 p.m., and the contest will begin at 1 p.m.

Marion hosts junior wrestling

The Marion Rhino Rumble tournament, hosted by Marion Junior Wrestling, drew 140 wrestlers younger than age 12 from Hillsboro, Andover, Newton, Lyons, Hesston, Herington, and elsewhere Sunday to compete at USD 408 Sports and Aquatics Center. Tournament director Allison Shults said the tournament was the culmination of past efforts of Marion Junior Wrestling Club founder Rob Rahe, as well as past sponsors Jon and Brandi Lewman, and Mike and Diane Jeffrey.

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