Marion County RECORD

Are people paying too much for city water?

Check your monthly Marion utility bill. If your water readings past and present are the same, there’s a chance you’ll be overbilled in a subsequent month. The Record discovered the problem with the city’s electronic billing system and brought it to the attention of city administrator Roger Holter, who after more than a week of study agreed overcharges could happen and policy revisions should be considered.

Solid waste meets solid resistance

A county proposal to move the transfer station and hazardous waste facility to the former Straub International location drew criticism from Marion residents at Thursday evening’s city planning commission meeting. “I don’t know of anybody who thinks that’s a good idea,” planning commission member John Wheeler said.

Elgin gets $90,000 renovation grant

The Historic Elgin Hotel has been awarded a $90,000 Heritage Trust Fund grant for repairing windows and working on its dining hall. Tammy Ensey, co-owner of the Elgin, said as part of the application process, she went to Topeka last Friday to present her plans for the project.

Retail closure creates countywide impact

Hillsboro quilt shop owner Marie Kessler of Kessler Kreations recently announced that she will be closing the fabric and retail portion of her business by the end of March, and the decision likely has countywide implications. “It’s been nuts,” Kessler said. “I’ve been fielding a lot of calls. Out of respect, I already sent out my newsletter. I’ve had to back out of future events, and right now, I’m just trying to absorb it all.”

Lalouette's Republican replacement draws nigh

Outgoing commissioner Lori Lalouette’s days are numbered, and Republicans in her district are poised to pick her replacement next week. Precinct committeewomen and committeemen will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Scout House in Hillsboro to consider nominees and elect one to recommend for appointment by Gov. Sam Brownback.

Seniors to vogue at Valentine's Day fashion show

Trendsetters and fashionistas alike, prepare to be dazzled. A troupe of volunteer models will don stylish outfits for a Valentine’s Day fashion show at noon Tuesday at Hillsboro Senior Center. Event organizer and clothing aficionado Rubena Suderman, 92, has always wanted to put on a fashion show, but said she had trouble rallying people until she sparked a chic idea.

Superintendent search ends, Homburg hired

Aaron Homburg, superintendent at USD 399 Paradise-Natoma-Waldo, will be the next superintendent of Marion-Florence USD 408, effective July 1. Already familiar with the district through his brother Andrew, a former music teacher here from 1998-2000, Homburg said USD 408’s reputation drew him to apply.

A new beginning for old friends

The strains of the hymn “It is Well with My Soul” was a fitting end for the recent wedding ceremony of Richard Meisinger and Feebie Holdeman of Marion. Both believe God led them to be together after the deaths of their previous spouses. Although the couple has known one another for years, Richard, 75, was married to the former Janet Patton, who died May 20, 2015.

County buys used grader

County commissioners voted Monday to purchase a road grader despite the fact that road and bridge superintendent Jesse Hamm said a week ago his department is in need of dump trucks. When Hamm brought the idea of purchasing a used road grader to commissioners last week, he said he wants to focus on purchasing dump trucks in 2017, but wanted commissioners to know a used 2013 Caterpillar grader was available. Commissioners at that time gave Hamm permission to investigate further.

Ray Cook

Ray P. Cook, 67, died Feb. 5 at Newton Medical Center. Cremation has taken place. A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Peabody United Methodist Church.

Jim Flaming

Hillsboro plumber Jim Flaming, 84, died Feb. 1 at Newton Medical Center. Flaming was born March 12, 1932, to Samuel and Agnes (Hiebert) Flaming of rural Goessel. He married Eulalia Regier in Hillsboro, where he owned Jim’s Plumbing.

Gloria Hanschu

Gloria Verna Hanschu, 90, of Ramona, died Sunday at Herington Municipal Hospital. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Ramona. Burial will follow at Lewis Cemetery.

Jason Johnson

Jason T. Johnson, 51,died Jan. 30 from injuries sustained in an auto accident near Lincolnville. A memorial service is at 12 p.m. today at Day Star Church of God, Rogers, Arkansas. Interment will be in Walnut Hill Cemetery, Garfield, Arkansas. A prayer service and visitation were Monday in Marion.

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil division

County jail

Deeds reported

Emergency dispatches

Police reports

Traffic division

Rotational grazing increases herd capacity

Grazing cattle year-round is a goal that David Rziha of Tampa sets for his cattle operation every year. Rotational grazing gives him the chance to run more cattle on fewer acres. Rziha and his wife, Catarina, sold a pharmacy in Atchison to return to his hometown in 2010. He helped his father, Gerald, on the farm and leased some grassland from him to start a cowherd.

Farmer talks conservation after winning award

County residents Chasen and Ashlee Gann seem to have a deep appreciation for their land and have taken steps to insure its health for future generations. “We just try to leave the ground better than we found it for the next generation, because if you take care of the ground it will take care of you,” Chasen Gann said.

Donahue trailer business booming in California

“Go west, young man” is a slogan that brought many pioneers to Kansas, and now Doug Kjellin has taken up the call in search of new markets for Donahue Manufacturing. With depressed agricultural markets making it hard to maintain sales of Donahue’s regular inventory, the trail to growth is change.

Kansas Corn Corps taking applications

Kansas Corn Commission and Kansas Corn Growers Association are sponsoring a second class of Kansas Corn Corps, a program for young farmers. The 16-month program provides learning and networking opportunities for young corn farmers. It is focused on providing participants the opportunity to learn new techniques, strategies, and information.

Living on the edge

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Card shower to mark Hein's 98th

The family of longtime county resident Catherine Hein of Marion requests a card shower for her 98th birthday Feb. 21. Cards may be sent to St. Luke Living Center, 535 S. Freeborn St., Marion KS 66861.

Kiwanians meet

Marion Kiwanis met with 21 in attendance Tuesday at Cazadores Mexican Restaurant. Roger Schroeder introduced guests Alex Brooks and Matt Vermillion, physical therapists at St. Luke Hospital.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS:

MEMORIES:

SENIOR CENTER:

Vinduska wins photo contest, donates prize to Centre FFA

A photo taken last fall at Marion County Lake by Kristin Vinduska of rural Lincolnville was selected by TCT employees to appear on the cover of the new TCT telephone directory that will be published this spring. Vinduska donated the $100 prize to Centre FFA. A freshman at Kansas State University, Vinduska has a photography business named O’Snap Photography. One of her photographs appeared in the winter issue of Kansas Magazine. John and Gerry Vinduska are her parents.

MHS forensics takes 4th at Emporia

College honors degrees, grads

Tampa Triple T's 4-H notes

Tampa Triple T’s Tampa Triple T’s monthly meeting was Jan. 8, with 11 members, seven parents, and two leaders present. Roll call was “What was your favorite Christmas present received?”

Area school menu

Marion drops double bill at Sterling

Sterling wasn’t the place or opponent for Marion High basketball teams to bounce back Friday from double-digit losses to Council Grove, as the Black Bears beat the girls’ team 51-39 and dominated the boys’ contest 65-38. “Winning the battle but losing the war” was a repetitive theme for the Lady Warriors, who wanted to get off to a fast start after a lackluster opening against Council Grove.

Cougars squeak by Goessel, 65-61

A game that looked to be a sure Centre victory turned into a nail-biter late in the fourth quarter Friday at Goessel. After an opening 2-2 tie, Goessel trailed the rest of the way, with double-digit deficits much of the time.

Wrestlers take 2nd at Onaga

Calendar of events

Seniors to meet Feb. 17

The Senior Citizens of Marion County board of directors will meet at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 17 at Durham Community Building. Durham seniors will serve morning refreshments, but not lunch.

Strength-training classes to begin Feb. 20

People 50 and older can shape up with eight weeks of strength training in a class offered by county extension agent Renae Riedy. Twice-weekly hour-long classes will be at Hilltop Manor Activity Center at 1:30 p.m. every Monday beginning Feb. 20 and 10:30 a.m. every Thursday, ending April 13.

Free child development screening will be Feb. 21

Arboretum specialist to speak

Native plantings in the landscape will be the topic for Lunch n Learn at noon Feb. 15 at Marion City Library. Brad Guhr of Dyck Arboretum in Hesston will present the program. Cost is $5. Reservations are due by Friday and can be made by calling the library at (620) 382-2442.

Workshops offer help with chronic health conditions

New state transport map available

A 2017-2018 Kansas official state transportation map, published by Kansas Department of Transportation, now is available. It highlights numerous tourist and scenic locations across the state, includes city and county indexes, and has a distance map.

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