BREAKING NEWS
UPDATED AFTER PRINT DEADLINE
Sarah J. Hopkins, 28, Newton, a preschool parent advocate for USD 410 Lehigh-Hillsboro-Durham, was charged in federal court Friday with knowingly supplying an assault rifle and handgun to convicted felon Cedric Ford, the gunman who killed three people and injured 14 in a shooting rampage Thursday in Hesston.
U.S. Attorney for Kansas Barry Grissom’s office announced Friday afternoon one charge of knowingly transferring a firearm to a convicted felon had been filed against Hopkins.
Longstanding animosities between cities and with the county were in the crosshairs at an economic development meeting Thursday as attendees emphasized that working together is the path to prosperity.
About 50 business people and local and county officials attended the county-sponsored meeting at Marion Community Center.
Marion County has acquired yet another empty building to add to its collection of tax-delinquent properties, and it’s a big one.
An auction for the abandoned Florence Memorial High School building took place Tuesday, lasting not even one minute.
It took only a few seconds for Fred Puttroff’s life to be changed forever.
Riding a bike down US 77 last August, Puttroff didn’t even see it coming when a car traveling south in the same lane swiped his recumbent bike, causing him serious injuries. The road to recovery has been arduous.
USD 408 band teacher Chris Barlow has tendered his resignation effective at the end of the current school year.
His wife, Kate, will also be resigning her position at Marion County Special Education Cooperative, where she is a speech pathologist.
Before Monday, Wanda Daniel of Marion had never clearly seen the face of her friend and roommate Phyllis Zorn.
Following cataract removal in one eye, she exalted in her newfound eyesight after being almost totally blind for seven years.
County Republicans and Democrats will weigh in with their preferences for presidential candidates at party caucuses March 5, but will do so in markedly different fashion.
Of the two, the Democratic caucus is the most unusual, and perhaps the most fun, district vice-chair Shelley Dunham said.
Kansas military retirees are being warned to protect their assets against financial predators.
Financial exploitation of seniors is a growing problem, according to Kansas Securities Commissioner Josh Ney. Ney warns that military retirees in particular are being targeted by con artists pushing fraudulent investment schemes.
Elma Warkentin, 96, died Feb. 17 at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro.
Services were Saturday at First Mennonite Church, Hillsboro.
IN MEMORIAM:
Sarah StikaIN MEMORIAM:
James SlaterIN MEMORIAM:
Robert Sextro
With spring right around the corner, gardeners can begin planning for successful harvest.
Rickey Roberts, agriculture and natural resources extension agent for Marion County, said the first step in planning is to give thought to the garden’s layout.
County residents are investing in more homegrown fruits, vegetables, and chickens, according to three local business officials.
Jon Hefley of The Lumberyard in Hillsboro has noticed more people have started to grow potatoes, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and other common foodstuffs instead of purchasing them at grocery stores.
Above-average temperatures for this time of year have some gardeners itching to get a head start on spring planting. An early spring may be on the way, and lettuce, peas, and other early crops soon can be planted.
According to weather.com, long-range forecast models are “unusually consistent” in their message for spring and early summer.
Don’s Heating and Air will open in Hillsboro on Tuesday, located at 603 N. Ash St.
Owner Tom Storrer said he has always loved Hillsboro and the surrounding area and has wanted to set up business here for several years.
A welcome recurring theme at Thursday’s economic development forum in Marion was the need to bury once and for all the rivalries between neighbors that have divided the county for much of its history.
A second theme complemented that one: doing everything we can to keep or bring back our young adults by creating economic opportunities they will find enticing and rewarding.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
Government and EcoDevoANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
Beloved Gadgets and GizmosCORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS:
Menu items,
Gas
Sixteen members attended PEO DB’s regular business meeting Feb. 1 at Marion Presbyterian Church. Hostesses were Betty Williams, Laura Williams, and Diane Leiker.
Belinda Skiles presented the Founder’s Day program. After the program, PEO president Lois Smith shared a seven-question survey for members to find out which founding member they are most like. One name was proposed for membership and an invitation of transfer was made.
MEMORIES:
10,
25,
35,
50,
60,
100,
125 years agoSENIOR CENTER:
Forrey brings Valentine cookies,
Senior menu
Marion/Florence FFA members will be up for auction to the community Thursday for the annual FFA Alumni work auction.
Successful bids for student workers will help support chapter activities, including chapter trips, awards for FFA members, and two alumni scholarships.
With a total of only 18 students expected in first and second grades, Centre will combine the two under a single teacher and a full-time aide this fall.
“You have to be creative to have a viable school district,” Superintendent Susan Beeson said. “I would say consolidation is right around the corner if we don’t implement some positive practices.”
A Centre ag sales team of Grace Knepp, Kristin Vinduska, Carissa Shields, and Zach Barney placed third overall Thursday in a south central district career development event.
Vinduska finished in first place and Shields finished ninth.
The Warriors were a juggernaut Friday and Saturday at the 321A regional tournament in Marion, winning the team championship and qualifying seven wrestlers for state.
Marion harvested a whopping 165 points cutting down opponents from 24 other teams to finish 67.5 points ahead of the more than distant runner-up Chase County.
Playing on the road Friday in non-league games against Chase County, Centre girls were defeated 47-27 and the boys lost 68-46.
The girls were scoreless in the first quarter. A 3-pointer by Shelby Pankratz put the Lady Cougars on the board, but after Pankratz made 5 more points and Whitney Gutsch made a basket, they trailed 23-10 at halftime.
At any given sporting event, there’s usually at least one person who feels compelled to heckle officials with blunt queries like “Hey, ref! What are you, blind?” or “Hey, ref! How much is the other team paying you for that hatchet job?” or “Hey, ref! [Insert a preferred unsportsmanlike comment here].”
The list goes on.
Marion defeated Hillsboro and Halstead to win a girls’ junior varsity tournament Saturday in Marion.
Marion got off to a hot start against Hillsboro with five 3-point shots in the first quarter to take a lead which it never relinquished. Led 21-10 at halftime, and won 34-21.
Stiefel Theatre recently announced two shows coming to the theatre in the next few months.
Ron “Tater Salad” White will be performing at 7 p.m. May 6. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a tour stop at 7 p.m. June 2.
Three different Kansas legislative representatives will be visiting Marion County on Saturday to discuss what issues are important to the community.
District 74 Representative Don Schroeder will be visiting Hillsboro at 9 a.m. Saturday in the city building east room. Doughnuts and coffee will be provided.
Community churches will observe World Prayer Day at 7 p.m. March 4 at Valley United Methodist Church.
The theme, “Receive Children, Receive Me,” was written by a woman from Cuba.