Marion County RECORD

Council to consider increasing electrical rates

City Administrator Roger Holter is preparing proposals to present to Marion City Council members Monday to raise electric rates. Holter is presenting four plans to council that would raise rates from the current base of $6 for residential and $7 for commercial and 10.7 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Commission votes on health benefits

After receiving options for county employee health rates Monday from BlueCross BlueShield, commissioners discussed different methods for the county to help pay for benefits. The commission first voted to step up the county’s portion of its $606 family plan to pay $50 per month per employee, with the option to increase that amount to $100 in 2016. Commissioners also approved paying a $470 monthly option covering single employees.

Newspapers win 17 state awards

Hoch Publishing Company, publisher of the Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star-Journal, and Peabody Gazette-Bulletin, has won 17 awards in the Kansas Press Association 2013 Awards of Excellence. “We don’t write the newspaper to win awards,” news editor Adam Stewart said. “We do it for our readers, but getting this recognition is a nice bonus.”

Legislator meeting is Saturday

Marion Chamber of Commerce will have its annual legislative coffee at 9 a.m. Saturday in the community center ballroom. State Rep. John Barker and State Sen. Clark Shultz will attend to speak with constituents and answer questions.

Family seeks homes for dumped puppies

Florence resident Natasha Craig loves animals of all types. She and her family have several cats, horses, and a German Sheppard, Mercedes, to call their own, but recently seven more four-legged friends have called her house, home. The story of Annie, the stray little black dog began a week ago outside Cedar Point when an elderly man and his wife found the puppy running wild outside their home.

Farmer flown to hospital after semi rollover

Several Marion County emergency responders rushed to the scene of a farm semi-truck rollover Wednesday off Nighthawk Rd. south of 190th Rd. The driver, Linferd Funk of Hillsboro, had to be life watched to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Funk was the only one in the semi as it rolled once into the east ditch of the road spilling most of its load of soybeans into the ditch.

Woman opening bait and tackle store near reservoir

Rachael Naerebout is taking her love for fishing and turning it into a bait and tackle store to open sometime mid-April near Marion Reservoir. The store will be on her property 2 miles north of the reservoir on 230th Rd. She hopes to offer a full range of hunting and fishing supplies.

Doctor tells ways to reduce heart disease risk

Heart disease is the number one killer for women, greater than all other cancers combined, Dr. Paige Hatcher said Monday at St. Luke Hospital’s Lunch and Learn presentation. “Even changing one little thing to reduce your risk, can make a big difference,” she said.

11th annual charity auction is Sunday

The Holy Family Parish will have its 11th annual charity auction Sunday at the Pilsen Community Center. In the past decade, the event has grown in size but changed its focus to benefit local people who are in need. “It started as a bake sale to raise money for overseas missions,” event committee member Sam Oborny said. “Over the years, it expanded to a live and silent auction, and now almost all the money raised stays in Marion County.”

Candidate forum is Sunday

A forum and question-and-answer session for candidates in the Marion city elections will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in the community center auditorium, sponsored by the Marion County Record. Topics will include what the city’s role should be in economic development, the appropriate relationship between city council, the mayor, and the city administrator, and recycling. There will be an opportunity for audience members to ask questions.

Huelskamp staff to have local office hours

Rep. Tim Huelskamp will have local office hours from 2 to 3 p.m. March 6 at the Hillsboro Community Room. During that time a representative of Huelskamp’s staff will listen to constituent concerns. For more information or to schedule an appointment call (620) 225-0172.

Library addition provides new area for gatherings

Years of planning and months of construction ended Thursday as Marion City Library had an open house introducing its newest addition, the Santa Fe room. “It turned out nice,” librarian Janet Marler said. “It’s like we envisioned, and everything works. It’ll be a great addition for the library to have.”

Tabor launches campaign for arts center

Around 300 Tabor College donors, faculty, staff, and students attended the annual donor appreciation dinner Friday evening at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, during which Tabor President Jules Glanzer announced the school’s goal to build a new Center for the Arts on campus. “We are excited to elevate Tabor College to the next level when it comes to the fine arts,” Glanzer said. “We want our students to be able to learn, grow, and perform in this brand new 50,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility. This will finally give us a place for our students to come and worship under one roof, all together.”

Hillsboro grocery to reopen Friday

Since Vogt’s Hometown Market closed Feb. 2 and Heartland Foods moved into the building, the Heartland brass has had to wait a little longer than expected to begin business. The grocery chain, which also has a store in Herington, wanted to begin business Feb. 17 in Hillsboro, but paperwork issues pushed the opening date to Friday.

Development screenings offered

Free screenings for children birth through 5 years old will be March 11 at the Marion Presbyterian Church. The screenings will check development in learning, motor, language, and social areas as well as vision and hearing.

Smart driver course offered

A smart driver safety course will be offered from 8 a.m. to noon March 10 and 11 at the Hillsboro City Building. The class is for all licensed drivers and will meet in the city building meeting room for two four-hour classes. No driving is required to complete the course.

Chris Jost

Christ Jost, 52, died Feb. 17 at Hillsboro Community Hospital. He was born Feb. 20, 1961 in Breckenridge, Minn., to Lawrence and Bonnie (Fritts) Jost.

Margaret May

Margaret May, 93, died Feb. 18 in Hillsboro. She was born March 31, 1920, in Emporia to Joseph Corey and Dora Van Gorden. She married Lawrence May on Aug. 14, 1938, in Emporia.

Accidents reported

Civil division cases

County Jail arrests and bookings

Criminal division cases

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Marriage licenses issued

Offense reports

Police incident reports

Traffic division cases

Marion couple slowly transforms house

When they purchased the house at 308 Miller St. in Marion in 1975, Terry and Pam Chizek were undaunted by the knowledge that it was built in 1924 and had seen floodwater several times. Throughout the ensuing years, they have made it into their own unique creation. In addition to replacing plaster and making other changes to the interior, they added a lot of rock to the house and yard, including a backyard with a limestone wall on two sides and a waterfall and pond constructed of rock.

It is never too early to prep gardens for spring

While many may have taken advantage of the springlike weather to take care of outside work, Serenity Gardens owner Jana Dalke said it’s best to wait until mid-April before planting anything in the garden. “If it was up to me I would wait,” she said. “The weather is still too unpredictable and there’s still a chance of cold weather killing plants.”

More moving toward hard-surface floors

When Jeannie Wildin of The County Seat got into the flooring business in the 1970s, carpet was king. Everyone wanted carpet in their homes. In recent years, though, the trend has been toward hardwoods, ceramic tiles, and stone. “Way more hard surface,” Wildin said.

Hope to see you Sunday

This weekend will be a busy one for people active in local and state politics. Marion Chamber of Commerce will have its annual legislative coffee at 9 a.m. Saturday with our state representative and senator present to hear from constituents. And at 3 p.m. Sunday, the I’ve said as much before, but getting involved in politics is the surest way to get your complaints addressed, and local politics are where a single person can influence the most. You get one vote out of more than 100 million in a presidential election, one out of hundreds of thousands in a House of Representatives election, and one out of about 300 in a Marion city election. That’s right, the latest city election in 2012, with a tightly contested council race, drew 306 voters to the polls.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

Leadership group visits ranch, capital

Leadership Marion County members conducted their February classes at Morning Star Ranch in Florence and at the state capital. Kerry Maag organized the event and Teresa Huffman facilitated “The Egg,” a description of working, thinking, and learning styles.

Library to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday

Marion City Library will have a Dr. Seuss birthday story time for children ages 3-10 from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Saturday. The Happy Hustlers 4-H Reading Group will be reading Seuss stories and the children will make Seuss snacks and crafts. No registration is required. For more information, call (620) 382-2442.

Neosho Basin Advisory Committee to meet in Marion

The Kansas Water Office’s Neosho Basin Advisory Committee will meet at 1 p.m. March 6 at the Marion Community Center. The meeting will discuss main water priorities for the Neosho Basin in reference to the Kansas Water Plan.

Democratic Women to meet

Marion County Democratic Women will meet at noon Thursday at Marion Senior Center. Members are asked to bring crackers for Marion County Emergency Food Bank.

Eppersons married 60 years ago

Fred and Bertha Epperson of Marion will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on March 5. They married on March 5, 1954, in Frankfort. They have three children, Harold Epperson and wife, Kim, of Newton, David Epperson and wife, Susan, of Fall River, and Charlotte Coleman and husband, Chris, of Marion. They have 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Kiwanis plans events, interclub meetings

Marion Kiwanis met Tuesday with 20 members and one guest present for committee reports. Roger Hannaford reported that the club is recruiting some younger members.

Pontious to marry in June

Alycia Pontious and Timothy Turner, both of Emporia, announce their engagement. The bride-elect is a graduate of Marion High School and Flint Hills Technical College. She works for Lyon County Sheriff’s Department as a cook. Sheila Williams of Marion and Benny Pontious of Ponca City, Okla., are her parents.

P.E.O. celebrates Mardi Gras

Twenty-three members of P.E.O. Chapter DB celebrated Mardi Gras with a meal with flavors of the bayou Feb. 17 at the Presbyterian Church. Janice Case won a drawing for the king’s cake.

Lifelong Learning to take musical journey down Congo

Jill Schroeder-Dorn will take guests of the semester’s first Lifelong Learning session to the Congo at 9:45 a.m. Friday in Wohlgemuth Music Education Center. Her presentation “Church Music in the Congo” will feature video and audio recordings and discuss the development of Mennonite-evangelical music in the Congo.

MCC conforter blitz begins March 10

The Kansas Friends of Mennonite Central Committee will sponsor a comforter blitz again March 10 and 11 at the Journey at Yoder campus one mile north of Yoder. Participants will tie comforters to be sent overseas. Hand quilting also will be offered.

Holy Land trip planned for Tabor students in 2015

Tabor College is again sponsoring a trip to the Holy Land Jan. 2 to 23. The trip will be led by Tabor Bible professor Dr. Douglas Miller, and will include 24 biblical sites, including Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem, the Jordan River (baptismal site), Sea of Galilee (boat ride), Jericho, ancient ruins, Dead Sea Scrolls, Masada, Mount Nebo, Petra, and several museums.

WRAPS offers no-till and cover crop incentives

Marion Reservoir Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy is beginning an incentive pay program to promote the use of no-till and cover crops in watershed areas. A workshop to learn more about the program will be from 11:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. March 11 at Lincolnville Community Center.

World Day of Prayer to be celebrated

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,” will be the theme for World Day of Prayer at 7 p.m. March 7 at Marion Presbyterian Church. A program will feature presentation by three women who go to school at Flint Hills Job Corps Center near Manhattan. Program is sponsored by Marion Church Women United.

BIRTHS:

MARION SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

Centre scholars' bowl finishes season at state

The Centre varsity scholars’ bowl team finished 1-4 in pool play February 16 at the state 1A Division 1 meet in Satanta. The team’s leader for the season was Kevin Lewis with 490 points, followed by Nellie Kassebaum, 345 points, and Tim Vinduska, 285 points. Other team members were Brenna Shields, Grant Srajer, and Ty Simons.

8th grade scholars' bowl takes 3rd

The Marion Middle School eighth-grade scholars’ bowl team posted a 3-2 record to capture third place Monday at Sedgwick. Marion defeated Halstead 110-20, Berean Academy 90-40, and Remington 50-40, while losing to Moundridge 80-30 and Sedgwick 80-60.

Martin makes honor roll

Cara Noel Martin has been listed on the 2013 fall Dean’s Honor Roll at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence. She completed the semester with a 3.8 GPA.

Looper receives nursing pin

Marion High School graduate Katherine Looper was among 18 students receiving a nursing pin for graduation from the Hutchinson Community College in McPherson practical nursing part-time program in December. The program teaches students basic skills needed for care in any nursing or care setting. After passing a licensing examination, graduates can practice as licensed practical nurses.

County students sweep competition at engineering expo

At the University of Kansas Engineering Expo Thursday in Lawrence, area students competed and earned recognition for their skills. Friday, elementary students competed in the Mindstorms robot challenge. The Goessel elementary team of Logan Sterk, Logan Webster, and Caiden Duerksen placed first, followed by Macy Sigel of Marion in second. The Goessel team of Alyssa Boden and Annalise Miller placed third.

4-H members share experience, demonstrate talents

A troop of 4-H members gathered to perform, compete, and test their knowledge during the Marion County 4-H Club Day on Saturday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro. Events included talks and presentations about 4-H projects, readings related to 4-H topics, and an impromptu topic contest, as well as performance and talent based categories that included skits, dance, singing, and instrumental sections.

Marion girls win JV tournament despite having no subs

The Marion junior varsity girls’ basketball team took first place in the Marion JV tournament Saturday. The team played two games without subs after splitting the team into two teams because another team canceled.

Shields is head coach for a day

Kim Shannon Shields, assistant girls’ basketball coach at Centre High School, was the active coach Friday at Chase County. Coach Alan Stahlecker was not able to be there because of a death in the family. Shields said afterward that she wasn’t very comfortable in the role of head coach.

Centre boys lose to Chase County

The Centre Cougars got off to a 15-10 first-quarter start Friday at Chase County. Dakota Stimpson made a three-point shot, Conner Montgomery made two free throws, Kyle Methvin made a layup and free throw, and Ty Simons made two field goals and three free throws. Chase County caught up and tied the game four minutes into the second quarter. After another tie at 24, Centre led 27-26 at halftime.

Wrestling team is regional champion

Marion wrestling team put up a big fight to win its regional tournament Saturday at Douglass. Apart from top team honors, nine individual wrestlers out of the 12 that attended the meet qualified for the state tournament this weekend in Hays.

Girls stumble at Trinity

The Marion High School girls’ basketball team lost on the road Tuesday at Trinity Catholic of Hutchinson, 45-36. The Warriors were competitive in the game and held a 23-17 lead at halftime.

Boys secure home playoff game

The Marion High School boys’ basketball team defeated Trinity Catholic of Hutchinson 54-40 Tuesday night to secure a home game in the first round of the sub-state tournament. Marion will be the location of the semifinals and finals of sub-state, but the first round is played at the home of the higher-seeded team. The win Tuesday assured Marion of a top-four seed in the tournament.

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