Marion County RECORD

'Gourdzilla' devours flower bed

It devoured an entire flowerbed, part of a lawn, and spawned 196 gourds at the home of Amy and Tim Richmond in the otherwise sleepy town of Marion. Although one may wonder if an enormous snarl of ornamental gourd plants dubbed “Gourdzilla” is the result of an atomic experiment gone wrong, the source of this monstrous growth was something far less sinister.

Marion dreams big

Boutique shops and restaurants downtown, open well into the evenings. Expanded recreation facilities for youth and adults, including an 18-hole public golf course. New industry at Batt Industrial Park. “Green” transportation. High-speed Internet architecture. New houses and new subdivisions in, old dilapidated houses out. All of these while retaining Marion’s “small town charm” and appeal to families. Marion in the year 2029 could look like this, and more, based on discussions Monday at a three-and-a-half hour city council work session designed to start building a shared vision for future town development.

Dragons and hedgehogs and snakes - oh my!

Though there were no lions or tigers or bears in attendance, there were some “oh my” moments when an educator with the Sedgwick County Zoo visited Head Start students from Marion and Hillsboro Thursday at Marion Elementary School. Environmental educator Jan Brock showed a room full of fidgeting big-eyed students a bearded dragon, a hedgehog, and a Honduran milk snake, after reading “Edward the Emu,” a story about an emu who was sick of the zoo.

Hillsboro residents fret over Wal-Mart

Two Hillsboro men took Hillsboro City Council to task Tuesday for what they alleged were inconsistencies between zoning regulations and the implementation of the proposed Wal-Mart, as well as issues they had with the conduct of the council. Mark Pankratz touted his experience as a zoning official in Kansas City as he delved point by point into discrepancies he said existed between Hillsboro zoning regulation and the execution of the Wal-Mart land sale. Saying he preferred the answers to his questions in writing by Friday, Pankratz rushed through his critique as the council largely listened.

Don't mess with Marion County

Despite an impassioned appeal from Marion resident Wayne Johnston, the edict from the county remained the same: Clean up your mess, or else. Johnston’s property at 20 Prairie Lane at Marion County Lake has been the target of complaints from area residents, and the county imposed a deadline of Oct. 31 upon Johnston to clean up his property.

After delay, ruling allows counties to print ballots

A ruling handed down by the Shawnee County District Court has allowed for county offices statewide to submit finished election ballots for printing, for which the normal deadline is Sept. 15. “We’ve been waiting quite a while for this ruling to come out,” Marion County Clerk Tina Spencer said.

Swamp Fox on hold as Jones seeks new building

With the youth center receiving an influx of volunteers, the social club that was temporarily occupying the building is seeking a new place to call home. Owner Terry Jones said the project is on hold for now, but he’s looking for other options in the area to house the business.

Chili cook-off serves up engagement

A large crowd at the Marion County Park and Lake chili cook-off Saturday kept Travis Schafer of Marion busy dishing out servings of his father Karl’s first-place chili, but he took a break from the serving line to surprise his girlfriend by dropping to a knee and offering a marriage proposal. “That’s the last thing I was thinking of,” Nicky May said, who accepted. “I was thinking how hot my mouth was from that chili I just ate. It was a complete surprise. I knew he had it in him, but I had no idea it would be today.”

Activists hit the road for pro-life cause

Local motorists accustomed to seeing a solitary billboard as they round the curve on US-56 at the Hillsboro Cove turnoff at Marion Reservoir had 40 more signs to look at Sunday. Pro-life Marion and Hillsboro church members gathered at the corner to form what pro-life activist group Kansans for Life calls a “Life Chain.” Teen-agers, middle-agers, and senior citizens stood along the shoulder waving placards with pro-life messages at each car and truck that drove past.

Annual toy run will be held on Nov. 1

In effort to benefit county underprivileged children, the 21st annual Marion County Toy Run will begin at 1 p.m. Nov. 1 at Sher Bowl Lanes in Marion. Participants are asked to bring one new toy as an entry fee. After the run, toys will be collected for distribution at Hillsboro State Bank in Hillsboro.

Attendance down at Lincolnville Octoberfest

A day that started out with a temperature in the upper 30s warmed to near 80 Saturday at Lincolnville’s Octoberfest celebration. According to mayor Barb Kaiser, attendance was down from previous years, but those who were there had a good time.

Kamikaze hawk doesn't deter officer

It had just gotten dark when Hillsboro police officer Brad Richards responded to a domestic disturbance call on Sept. 24 and a rogue hawk slammed into the driver’s side of his police SUV near mile 292 close to Hillsboro. “I had my lights and sirens on and I was just getting up to speed,” Richards said. “I saw its wing span out of the corner of my eye before the hawk hit me.”

Delores Kerbs

Deloris May Kerbs, 83, of Salina, passed away Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014. She was born Oct. 23, 1930, to Ed J. and Alvina (Beisel) Bartel in Marion, Kansas. Deloris graduated from Tampa High School. She enjoyed painting, gardening and reading.

Dolores Ottensmeier

Dolores M. Ottensmeier, 84, formerly of Marion, died Sept. 30 at Asbury Park in Newton. Graveside services were to be held Friday at Marion Cemetery.

Larry Funk

Former Funks Supply co-owner Larry Allen Funk, 68, died Sept. 29 at Asbury Park in Newton. He was born Feb. 5, 1946, to Allen J. and Leona (Wiens) Funk in Hillsboro. In addition to the supply business, he was an electronics and heating and air conditioning technician. He was predeceased by a brother, Delbert.

Darlene Unruh

Darlene L. Unruh, 86, died Sunday at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. She was born Sept. 29, 1928, to Alfred and Susie (Jantz) Redger at Tampa.

Thomas Meade

Thomas Francis Meade, 81, died Saturday at Pine Village in Moundridge. A funeral service will be Dec. 13 in Virginia.

Civil division

County jail

Criminal division

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Police reports

Traffic division

It's the best of times for cattle producers

The law of gravity dictates that “what goes up must come down.” Whether it applies to the cattle industry is the question of the day. Cattlemen experience good times and bad times. Sometimes they lose money and sometimes they make money.

Record beef prices a boon for farmers, bane for shoppers

Jerry Hess has been working behind the meat counter at Carlsons’ Grocery Store for nearly 25 years, and he can’t recall seeing beef prices like the ones customers have seen in recent months. “Within the last year or two it’s really raised,” Hess said. “It’s kind of leveled out for now.”

Showing livestock a way of life for Geis

The daily goat run began shortly after 7 a.m. Lisa Geis would take her four goats, Slick, Spot, Sid, and Stela, down to the mailbox posted just beside the “Geis Farm” sign that stood over the mud and rock of 300th Rd. in the northwest reaches of Marion County. The four goats, who knew what all this meant — food — would be released from the ATV they had been loaded onto.

County 4-Hers to celebrate 4-H Week

Members of Marion County 4-H clubs will come together Sunday at the fairgrounds in Hillsboro to paint fences and clean up the grounds. It is their collective way of celebrating 4-H Week, an event that marks the beginning of a new 4-H year. Extension agent Ricky Roberts said, judging by the numbers, 4-H has a “healthy” presence in the county. He said about 200 young people were enrolled in county 4-H clubs in the 2013-14 year. He expects that number to remain steady.

What about child care?

I’ve never imagined that a classified ad for a sale could tug at my heart, but the unimaginable happened this week. “Daycare closing sale,” the ad said. As someone who spent 28 years as a working with and for children and families in the child care and early childhood education field, those three words are some of the saddest words I’ve seen since being back in Marion.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

A DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

Dorcas Society meets

Our Savior Lutheran Church Dorcas Society met Oct. 1 for its monthly meeting. In honor of Martin Luther’s birthday, the women answered roll call with facts about the reformer’s life and watched a film about Luther.

MHS class of 1964 holds reunion

Twenty-one of the 42 surviving members of the Marion High School Class of 1964 gathered for their 50-year class reunion on Old Settlers’ Day. They rode in the parade and visited with old and new friends in the park. Class members later got together at Country Dreams Bed and Breakfast.

Chat and Dine to host wiener roast

Marion County Lake Chat and Dine will host a wiener roast and hay ride Saturday, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the east shelter. Attendees should bring wieners, roasting sticks, and chocolate bars for s’mores. Other supplies will be provided.

Reception planned for Cecilia Gayle

Family and friends of Cecilia Gayle of Florence will celebrate her 80th birthday Saturday with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. at Carriage Manor in Florence. The family requests no gifts, but guests are encouraged to bring cards to the reception.

MARION SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

Smith leads Centre 8th grade at Halstead

Continuing a record of finishing at or next to the top, Jordan Smith finished first Thursday at the Halstead invitational cross-country meet, with a run of 13 minutes, 8 seconds. She is an eighth-grader at Centre Middle School. Smith’s brother, Taylor, a sixth-grader, also medaled by finishing 11th in the seventh-grade boys’ division, at 6:34. Ryan August finished 23rd among eighth-grade boys, at 14:37.

Centre girls' golf finishes 2nd at Minneapolis invite

The Centre girls’ golf team had a strong showing Monday at a meet in Minneapolis. They finished second, one shot behind Concordia, with a score of 224. Hannah Peterson was the top medalist. She finished in first place, with a nine-hole score of 45. Ally Basore finished fourth, with a 56, and Rebecca Reneau finished seventh at 59.

Marion runners medal in bad weather

Marion runners may have gotten to know each other a little better as they huddled together to stay out of the rain and keep warm while they waited for their chance to run Thursday at the cross country meet in Halstead. “The wind was cold and the rain made everything miserable,” coach Rebecca Hofer said. “Thankfully, however, the rain stopped quickly and the sun tried its best to shine.”

Warriors dominate Bulldogs in 50-12 win

Before the game kicked off, the game within the game had already begun. Players from Chase County, an old Cottonwood Valley rival of Marion High School’s, poured onto the field and the whole team gathered at the 50 yard-line, hooping and hollering to hype themselves up. The Marion Warriors came out seconds later and had to congregate elsewhere, somewhere around the 35.

Centre wins its 1st district game 56-34

The Centre Cougars defeated Burrton Friday at home, 56-34. It was the first district game of the season. Victory was not secured until the fourth quarter. Both teams were tied, 34-34, at the beginning of the quarter, but from then on, Centre dominated, scoring three unanswered touchdowns.

Marion volleyball goes 4-1 at Belle Plaine

Continuing a season-long trend of successful tournaments, the Marion High School volleyball team went 4-1 at the Belle Plaine tournament on Saturday. Marion started the tournament with a close win over Attica 25-18, 25-22. Its next two matches were easy wins over Belle Plaine (25-19, 25-14) and Medicine Lodge (25-15, 25-9).

Centre splits at home

The Centre volleyball team got off to a good start Sept. 30 in a triangular with Little River and Rural Vista at home. They played three close games against Little River, winning the first set, 28-26, losing the second one, 27-29, and winning the third set, 25-22.

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