Marion County RECORD

Dollar General interested in Marion

Dollar General has expressed interest in opening a store along the south side of US-56 in Marion next year. Economic Development Director Terry Jones announced at Monday’s city council meeting that Dollar General wants to be located at the corner of Industrial Road and US-56.

City's utility rates could rise $300 a year

The city council will vote on increasing utility rates by more than $25 a month and $300 a year for the average Marion household at its Dec. 22 meeting. City council members will vote on a measure raising the residential base electrical rate by $4 to $12 and the commercial base rate to $14, plus a 1.6-cent increase per kilowatt-hour.

Van demolished, man unscathed

When Mitchell Unruh jerked awake after his van went into a ditch, what he experienced was worse than any nightmare — his world, his van, was literally spinning out of control. Police said Unruh reportedly fell asleep at the wheel of his 2008 Dodge Caravan at 10:15 p.m. on Dec. l. Driving west on 330th Rd. east of Durham near Tampa, he drifted across the road into the south ditch, struck an embankment, then hit a utility pole, flipped end over end, rolled one time, and landed right side up.

County's gravel roads swallowed by mud

Residents around the county awoke Monday to find gravel roads swallowed whole by mud pits, and, in many places, only an inch of rain responsible for it. While some took to social media to voice concerns, rural Florence resident John Siebert approached the county commission Monday with concerns regarding the upkeep of Yarrow Rd., where he lives.

Tunnel of Lights to glow despite no official date

In what would have been the Tunnel of Light’s tenth annual year at Marion County Lake, no official date will be set for patrons to visit and partake in free holiday refreshments. “This year is a sabbatical,” lake resident and one of the event organizers Margie Schwartz said. “There was just a lot going on in the neighborhood, including two deaths, and we just couldn’t find a date that worked for everyone.”

Buchholzes sell Health Mart Pharmacy

After 36 years, Marlin and Debbie Buchholz are selling their pharmacy to the next generation, longtime pharmacist Traci Lanning. The change in ownership will become official Jan. 1, with remodeling inside the Health Mart Pharmacy beginning soon after the sale.

Huntress, looking for big buck, bags a bobcat

Shawna Johnson couldn’t fight the urges any longer — she had to go out to the blind. Studying nursing at Wichita State, she initially wanted to wait until her finals ended in December to go hunting, but the anticipation proved too much.

Businesses sponsor holiday lighting contest

Seven nominations made the list for 2014 Marion County Holiday Lighting Contest. The winner will receive a gift certificate. Readers can cast their vote by filling out the form in the Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star-Journal, and Peabody Gazette-Bulletin or vote by calling (620) 382-2165.

Health Department will move to St. Luke

After an executive session “to discuss trade secrets” at Monday’s county commission meeting, commissioners agreed to pursue a deal with St. Luke Hospital to move the Health Department from the historic Bowron Building on Main St. to a clinic adjacent to the hospital. Initially, Dan Holub was on board with pursuing a relocation agreement, while Randy Dallke vehemently disagreed, citing the need for concrete progress toward building another office space in the courthouse square.

Disaster loans for small businesses available

Marion County small, nonfarm businesses have until Jan. 7 to apply for federal disaster loans to offset economic losses from the 2014 drought. Low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) from the U.S. Small Business Administration are for small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations. Loans of up to $2million help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.

Acoustic anomaly: Band room harbors 'the weird spot'

Freshman Grant Leffler didn’t know what to expect as he shuffled toward the center of Marion High School’s band room to fish for what peers call “the weird spot.” He was told the so-called weirdness can’t be seen, touched, smelt or felt — as an acoustic anomaly, it can only be heard.

Accompanist encourages excellence in life

It doesn’t take long when speaking with Karla Telganova of Hillsboro to realize that she is a strong woman and speaks freely of the things that are nearest and dearest to her heart. Telganova is the accompanist for music students in Marion Middle and Senior High Schools. She also is involved in musicals and other performances requiring a pianist. Audiences take note of how her fingers float lightly and easily over the keys and bring out pleasing melodies from even the most complex pieces.

Grocer guru anoints family, friends with nicknames

The art of nicknaming is an extension of the Greg Carlson experience. “It goes on forever,” Greg said with a faraway look in his eye, pondering a legacy of nicknames he bestowed upon friends, family, acquaintances, and Carlson’s Grocery employees.

Alco building for sale

The Alco building in Hillsboro is up for sale, but as of Tuesday no buyers have stepped forward, said Hillsboro’s economic development director Clint Seibel. Walmart representatives took a tour of the Alco building recently, but Seibel added, “They decided to build their own building.”

Burns woman faces drug, child endangerment charges

Amber Bass, 28, was arrested and her three children placed in protective custody Dec. 3 after sheriff’s officers allegedly found marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and prescription medications at her residence in Burns. “We responded to a welfare check on some children and found the parent in the home,” Sheriff Robert Craft said. “The mother was still asleep when we arrived.”

Park pavilion fundraising close in on goal

Erna E. Bisby

Erna E. Bisby, 90, of Herington, died Dec. 2 at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. She was born March 7, 1924, at Ramona to Reinhart and Emma (Kuether) Beisel.

Merle M. Douglas

Merle M. Douglas, 81, died Saturday at Marion. He was born Jan. 19, 1933, to Dale and Gladys Harmon Douglas at Yates Center. He was married to Emma Coldin on Sept. 14, 1953, at Iola.

Irene V. Kinsey

Irene V. Kinsey, 98, died Sunday at St. Luke Living Center. Viewing will be at noon Friday, with a memorial service at 1 p.m. at Zeiner Funeral Home. Interment will be in Marion Cemetery.

Gary A. Riggs

Gary A. Riggs, 63, of Marion died Monday at St. Luke Hospital. He was born July 31, 1951, to Robert E. and Elsie Riggs in Placerville, California. He and his wife, Kim, were married in 2007. He worked in a variety of jobs, and liked rebuilding cars and touring on his motorcycle.

Accidents reported

Civil division

County jail

Criminal division

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Marriage licenses

Offenses reported

Peabody court

Police reports

Traffic division

Honey holds health benefits

The healing qualities of honey are well known, and no one knows better than the beekeepers themselves. “I take my share, five spoonfuls every morning,” said Norman Ensz, a beekeeper outside Hillsboro since 1973.

Health professionals work together to provide quality care

Marion County is fortunate to have a group of physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists who are willing to work together to provide the best care they can for patients. They see themselves as complementing each other rather than competing. Health professionals have their own areas of expertise, and often a combination of therapies is needed to obtain optimal results.

It's not too late to vaccinate

Marion County Health Department has provided 120 flu mists, 260-high dose vaccinations, and 312 multi-dose vaccinations so far this season. The vaccines will continue to be available on Wednesdays into the spring. Walk-in hours are 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

TOPS members brace for holiday feasts

The word “jolly” doesn’t really have a connotation of being skinny. ‘Tis the season, however. With sweets and feasts abundant this time of year, those looking to control their weight must take effort to strategize, said Lucille Bitner, founder and leader of a Taking Off Pounds Sensibly group in Marion. “Whenever you want to go eat or are going to somebody’s house, you’ve just got to have the mindset that you’re not going to eat,” she said. “Make it smaller portions. Especially when there’s chocolate and cookies and stuff like that, you need to have the mindset to know you can’t do all that. You have to be conscious of it.”

Focusing the vision

What will Marion look like in 2030? It’s really kind of neat that this was a question the city council decided it wanted to figure out. For those who aren’t aware, Marion officials have been soliciting feedback and input from various groups around town in a quest to form the beginnings of a town vision. This town vision would be as comprehensive as practically possible and put the city government on a path with a metaphorical destination, instead of inching along one city council decision at a time.

Nuts for ruts

If you’re going to turn lemons into lemonade, you should have a recipe. Could the Santa Fe Trail, that historical gem that runs through Marion County, be a recipe for future prosperity? The signature feature of the trail is ruts. Old, old ruts in the ground, etched by wagon wheels of rugged, brave pioneers. Even though they’re hard to see and few and far between, people come from all across the country to see those ruts. It really is a genuine tourist treasure.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

Children make their wishes to Santa at library

The children began arriving at 10 a.m. at the library Saturday. A smiling Santa Claus welcomed the kids next to a decorated Christmas tree. “What do you want for Christmas?” asked Santa.

Dodge ball anyone?

Marion Rec Board wants to add dodge ball to its schedule of events, but would like to find out if people prefer a league, tournament, or both. However, before any balls are actually dodged, the board would like to see how much interest there is within Marion and the rest of the county.

20th Century Club has Christmas party

Feebie Holdeman, Lala Lovelady, Helen Reznicek, and Paula Ash hosted the 20th Century Club Christmas party Monday at Valley United Methodist Church, with 20 members present. Hostesses served a variety of finger foods and hot cider. Mary Jeffrey provided a Christmas village display.

Dorcas society has Christmas party

Our Savior Lutheran Dorcas Society met Dec. 2 for its annual Christmas party in the parish hall of the Lutheran church in Marion. Members and their invited guests snacked on Christmas treats and hot apple cider, then played games led by Sharon Kelsey.

Neo-Century Club enjoys style show

TEEN to meet via phone

Technology Excellence in Education Network (TEEN) will hold its December meeting via phone conference at 6 p.m. Dec. 17.The conference call will initiate from the USD 410 central office in Hillsboro. For questions or more information, please call Lena Kleiner at(620) 877-0237.

Democratic Women to meet Friday

Marion County Democratic Women will convene their holiday meeting at noon Friday at Hilltop Manor. Bring soup for Marion County Food Bank and gifts purchased at thrift shops ($5 worth) for a gift exchange.

MARION SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

USD 408 will move 6th grade to middle school

At its December meeting Monday, the USD 408 Board of Education approved the transition of sixth grade from the elementary school to the middle school for next school year. “Our curriculum fits grades six through eight well,” Superintendent Lee Leiker said. “There’s some advantages certainly of students seeing middle school before jumping into all those activities, and middle school fits the mindset of sixth graders better than elementary school.”

Centre board approves baseball agreement with Marion

Several Centre High School athletes will be joining Marion High School athletes for the spring baseball season. The board of education approved Monday a cooperative program with Marion for the 2014-15 school year. The Marion board approved the agreement two months ago.

Schools to give Christmas concerts

Choirs and bands of Hillsboro Middle School and Hillsboro High School have Christmas concerts scheduled next week at USD 410 Auditorium. Middle school ensembles will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Tabor receives extra million for arts center

The “Hallelujah Chorus” at Tabor College’s Sunday performance of Handel’s “Messiah” was fitting punctuation for the announcement of an upcoming $1 million donation from an Oklahoma foundation for the college’s planned Center for the Arts. Tabor President Jules Glanzer confirmed nearly 1,000 donors have contributed $8 million to the arts center campaign, the amount required to receive $1 million from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Shooting, press lead SES over MHS boys

In its first game of the season, the Marion Warriors boys’ basketball team received a formidable test from league rival Southeast of Saline. After a first half in which the Warriors battled and induced fouls to stay in the game, the Spartans’ constant ball pressure, hot shooting touch, and considerable size advantage put the game away in the second half. The Warriors ultimately lost the game 59-31, thanks to a 30-10 advantage for SES over the final two quarters.

MHS girls falter in middle quarters, drop opener

The Marion girls’ basketball team scored 3 points over the middle two quarters and lost to Southeast of Saline 48-25 after leading 15-10 through the first quarter. “We just can’t have that,” head coach Kelly Robson said of the low point production in the second and third. “Maybe unfortunately for us, we got a few shots to go in in the first quarter, and then we started thinking we could make everything from out there, and we didn’t even try to get it inside anymore.”

Warrior wrestlers win first meet, tiebreak decision

Cougar dual results in 73-61 CHS loss

The Centre Cougars fell to the Central Christian Cougars Friday, 73-61, in the opening game of the season at home. Several underclassmen saw varsity playing time for the first time and contributed points.

Lady Cougars open season with a win

Centre defeated Central Christian, 57-34, at home Friday in the first game of the season. Senior Shelby Makovec scored 10 points in the first quarter, including a half-court shot as time ran out. Sophomore Shelby Pankratz and seniors Brenna Shields and Callie Riffel added two points each.

Janzen, Palic garner All-State honors

Running back Adam Janzen and linebacker Kyle Palic were honored as All-State selections for class 2A. Both players were seniors.

Thierolf named All-Academic at Emporia State

In his second season with the Emporia State University football team, Connor Thierolf, son of Grant and Deanna Thierolf of Marion, was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll for maintaining a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher in the previous two semesters at the school. Thierolf was one of 18 Emporia State football players to receive an all-academic distinction.

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