Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

Veteran soared on long-delayed honor flight
Going on an Honor Flight for veterans gave Stan Harms of Marion something he didn’t get when he returned from the war in Vietnam: Appreciation and respect. The group of 56 veterans, escorts, and Honor Flight organizers was applauded at St. Louis when they changed planes, at receptions, and upon return to Wichita. At Wichita, all other passengers left the plane first, then the Honor Flight passengers deplaned together. A bagpiper, applause, gifts, and salutes were waiting for them.
Economic docs must be simpler
County commissioners sent their economic development committee back to the drawing board Monday, rejecting a list of charter principles presented by the committee as too complex for average people to understand. Last week, three members of the committee presented a letter to commissioners outlining the county’s top 10 development challenges and its proposed charter principles.
From horses to horsepower
The longtime, stoic image of a cowboy galloping upon horseback may just need to be retooled a tick to more accurately portray how some area ranchers often drive cattle. Just ask county rancher Chuck McLinden. Between what he owns and manages for other landowners, he tends a rather sizeable operation of approximately 5,000 head of cattle that roam about 18,000 acres of pasture.
Commission eyes Straub building
County commissioners directed county attorney Susan Robson to get bids for inspection of the former Straub International building in Marion, but say they aren’t ready to disclose why the county is eyeing the property. Commissioners toured the building last week.
Phone scam reportedly has Marion number
A possible telephone credit card fraud scheme could be using the City of Marion as its cover identity, city officials said last week. “We had a person call and say that he received a phone call and didn’t realize it was a credit card scam,” Tiffany Jeffrey said. “On his caller ID, it came up as ‘Marion, City of,’ and the phone number was a 382 number.”
Elliott recovering from scary head injury
Peabody-Burns football player Chance Elliott came home Monday to continue recovering from a brain injury in Friday’s game that caused him to be airlifted to Wesley Medical Center. Elliott collapsed after a play near the end of the first quarter, although he was away from the action, USD 398 Superintendent Ron Traxson said.
Fire ignites in Florence home
A house fire ignited Sunday causing some damage to 413 Doyle St. in Florence. The residents were likely outside the house when the fire started, according to Florence Fire Chief Mark Slater.
Time stands still in county
The hands of the clock in the courthouse spire froze in place for some hours early this week. County clerk Tina Spencer said the clock, installed in 1908 by the E. Howard Clock Co. of Boston, Maryland, was purchased with donations from citizens.

OTHER HEADLINES

Fifth's Disease crops up in county
A case of Fifth’s Disease recently was confirmed at Peabody-Burns Elementary School, according to principal Ron Traxson, who sent out a notice to parents of PBES students as a public safety reminder. Fifth’s Disease is a mild rash illness spread by respiratory secretions, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fifth’s disease is usually mild for children and adults who are otherwise healthy, and may sometimes go unnoticed.
East Park contractor penalized by city
A company working on improvements to East Park will lose $9,000 for delays in getting the work done. Marion city council on Tuesday voted to enforce a clause in its contract with Trinium, Inc., of Manhattan, that the company would lose $1,000 for each day they were late getting the job completed. Six days were permitted for weather delays. Trinium finished work 15 days late, resulting in the $9,000 dockage.
School bus stop signs mean stop
Marion police investigated reports of vehicles passing school buses while the stop sign arm was outstretched in September. Assistant Chief Clinton Jeffrey said there is a common misconception about school bus stop signs.
Electrical problem amuses students
Centre students had just arrived at school last Wednesday and were preparing for their first class when something odd occurred. Some classrooms had light while others didn’t. Some electrical outlets worked and others didn’t.

DEATHS

David Smith
David Duane Smith, 56, died Friday at his home in Newton. He was born Jan. 8, 1960, to Lloyd D. and Mary (Humphrey) Smith in Newton.
IN MEMORIAM:
Betty Beneke
IN MEMORIAM:
Vivian Conyers

DOCKET

FARM

Life-threatening disease, area cattle part of state test
Veterinarians in Marion County are helping with a statewide study aimed at determining prevalence and risk factors of a life-threatening cattle disease. The Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has asked vets to test for anaplasmosis while working with cattle herds.
Grain is busting out all over
If American farmers have been given the task of feeding the world, they seem to be doing a good job of producing the grain to do it. “Two back to back good harvest years are putting a strain on storage all over the country,” Cooperative Grain and Supply grain coordinator Dean Tippin said.
Hooves vs. wheels
It might not quite be a question as old as time, but several area cowboys and ranchers recently weighed in on benefits and drawbacks of driving cattle with horses vs. all-terrain vehicles or 4-wheelers. Cowboy and longtime horseman Eric Soyez has ridden both enough to have a preference.
Weather impacting harvest
With all of the rain the county has been receiving, harvest has been complicated for some farmers. “Everything right now has been slow,” Marion extension office manager Ricky Roberts said. “We’re slow to get the wheat in, slow to get the corn off, slow to get the beans off, and it’s just slow and why that is is because cause of all the dang wet weather.”
Honey bees not on endangered species list
Headlines across the globe recently proclaimed bees have become an endangered species. However, of the 20,000 species of bees in the world, just seven were placed on the list. None of them were honey bees.

OPINION

Is it really elementary?
See county commissioners read. Read, commissioners, read. Do you see commissioners read? Read, read, read. Hear commissioners talk. Talk, commissioners, talk. Talk, talk, talk.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
How was work?

PEOPLE

County native escapes rat race
Which is better, living in rural America or living in the city? John Seibel and his wife, Connie, of Hillsboro have experienced both, and in the end, they chose to return to their roots. After living in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, for 15 years, they moved back to Kansas last spring.
20th Century Club learns about entrepreneur's Trade of Hope
Fifteen members of the 20th Century Club answered roll call Oct. 3rd in the Santa Fe Room of the Marion City Library by saying what their favorite thing about fall was. Compassionate entrepreneur Jamie Driggers talked about Trades of Hope, a program that creates jobs for women around the world who were once desperate for an income, and now create products such as jewelry, scarves, and accessories.
Reception to honor Holtsclaw 60th
Bennie and Marie (Pierce) Holtsclaw of Cedar Point will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with an anniversary cake reception from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 6 at the community building in Swope Park in Cottonwood Falls. The Holtsclaws were married Dec. 20, 1956, in Florence.
Moran seeks spring interns
College students interested in public service and government can work in the nation’s capital by applying for spring internships in the office of U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran. The intern program is open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students, with preference given to Kansas residents. Interns work with Senate staff as they develop knowledge and professional skills. Full-time interns are compensated for their work.
Democrats meet Sunday
Marion County Democrats will meet at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Santa Fe Room at Marion City Library. All county Democrats are encouraged to attend.
Voter registration deadline draws nigh
Deadline for voter registration, or to change voter name or address for the Nov. 8 election, is Tuesday. County clerk Tina Spencer said for first-time registration voters need to bring proof of citizenship. For name or address changes, they need to come to the courthouse and fill in an application.
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 35, 50, 60, 100, 125 years ago
SENIOR CENTER:
Menu to change, Senior menu

SCHOOL

Supreme Court judges do justice to Marion visit
What do Kansas Supreme Court justices do when they need a break from contentious school finance hearings and other tedious cases facing the state’s highest judiciary? For Chief Justice Lawton Nuss and fellow Justice Marla Luckert, the answer Thursday was to go to school in Marion.
MES playground itches toward reality
A new playground at Marion Elementary School is moving closer to reality after the school board voted Monday to order playground equipment. Elementary principal Justin Wasmuth told the board the estimated cost of equipment, including shipping, is $59,000. So far, $20,000 has been raised.
Centre school board vacillates on board vacancy
Centre board members debated Monday on whether or how to replace a vacancy left on the board after Lincolnville representative Clay Simons resigned in April. Three people sent letters to the board volunteering to serve. The board could vote to choose a replacement or wait until one would be elected next spring, when Simons’ term will be up.
Meyer chosen for KSU honorary
Marion High School graduate Elizabeth Meyer, a Kansas State University student studying agricultural education, was one of 37 students to be selected for Quest, a freshman honorary group. Quest is a student organization that works to develop leaders though campus involvement. Members of Quest upon selection are paired with mentors from senior honor society Blue Key.
Area school menus

SPORTS

Warriors topple Trinity to win league championship
Marion roared back from a slow start for a convincing 38-6 win over Trinity Catholic of Hutchinson on Friday that clinched the Heart of America League championship. Trinity asserted itself early, opening the game with a relentless 71-yard, 14-play touchdown drive capped off by a 12-yard run by Greg Bird.
Deines leads Centre to homecoming victory
Playing quarterback for the first time this year, Dylan Deines guided Centre to a 50-36 victory over Onaga Friday at Bud Peterson Field, the Cougars’ second win of the season. “I am very happy with our performance,” coach Matt Warta said. “We made a quarterback change, and that seems to be working out. We ran the ball well and threw the ball well.”
Hague, Williams top 10 at Eureka
Emily Hague and Colin Williams led Warriors placing in the top 10 at a sunless and breezy cross-country meet in Eureka on Oct. 4. Hague placed fifth with a personal record in a varsity girls’ 5K, finishing in 21 minutes, 52 seconds.
Basore medals at Burrton
Centre junior varsity runner Kate Basore medaled Thursday at Burrton with a seventh-place finish. Tanner Wiggans finished 16th. Varsity runner CJ Thompson finished 11th.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Calendar of Events
Disability group meets Monday
A public forum will begin the monthly meeting of Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization at 4 p.m. Monday at 500 N. Main St., Suite 204, Newton. Director of the Harvey County Special Education Cooperative Reagan Siedl and Principal of Cooper Early Education Center Sarah Livesay will be guests at the meeting.
Library to host special events
Marion City Library will hold two events in October, one for adults and the other for children. Adults can color unique designs while sharing conversation and cookies from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday. Coloring pages and pencils will be provided.
Commodities available Oct. 19
Government surplus commodities will arrive at Marion County senior centers Oct. 19. Marion Senior Center will distribute commodities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 19 . no commodities be distributed Oct. 20. Distribution begins again from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 21.

Marion County RECORD

County commissioners directed county attorney Susan Robson to get bids for inspection of the former Straub International building in Marion, but say they aren’t ready to disclose why the county is eyeing the property. Commissioners toured the building last week.

A house fire ignited Sunday causing some damage to 413 Doyle St. in Florence. The residents were likely outside the house when the fire started, according to Florence Fire Chief Mark Slater.

The hands of the clock in the courthouse spire froze in place for some hours early this week. County clerk Tina Spencer said the clock, installed in 1908 by the E. Howard Clock Co. of Boston, Maryland, was purchased with donations from citizens.

Marion police investigated reports of vehicles passing school buses while the stop sign arm was outstretched in September. Assistant Chief Clinton Jeffrey said there is a common misconception about school bus stop signs.

Centre students had just arrived at school last Wednesday and were preparing for their first class when something odd occurred. Some classrooms had light while others didn’t. Some electrical outlets worked and others didn’t.

David Duane Smith, 56, died Friday at his home in Newton. He was born Jan. 8, 1960, to Lloyd D. and Mary (Humphrey) Smith in Newton.

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

Veterinarians in Marion County are helping with a statewide study aimed at determining prevalence and risk factors of a life-threatening cattle disease. The Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has asked vets to test for anaplasmosis while working with cattle herds.

If American farmers have been given the task of feeding the world, they seem to be doing a good job of producing the grain to do it. “Two back to back good harvest years are putting a strain on storage all over the country,” Cooperative Grain and Supply grain coordinator Dean Tippin said.

It might not quite be a question as old as time, but several area cowboys and ranchers recently weighed in on benefits and drawbacks of driving cattle with horses vs. all-terrain vehicles or 4-wheelers. Cowboy and longtime horseman Eric Soyez has ridden both enough to have a preference.

Headlines across the globe recently proclaimed bees have become an endangered species. However, of the 20,000 species of bees in the world, just seven were placed on the list. None of them were honey bees.

See county commissioners read. Read, commissioners, read. Do you see commissioners read? Read, read, read. Hear commissioners talk. Talk, commissioners, talk. Talk, talk, talk.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

Which is better, living in rural America or living in the city? John Seibel and his wife, Connie, of Hillsboro have experienced both, and in the end, they chose to return to their roots. After living in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, for 15 years, they moved back to Kansas last spring.

Bennie and Marie (Pierce) Holtsclaw of Cedar Point will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with an anniversary cake reception from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 6 at the community building in Swope Park in Cottonwood Falls. The Holtsclaws were married Dec. 20, 1956, in Florence.

Marion County Democrats will meet at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Santa Fe Room at Marion City Library. All county Democrats are encouraged to attend.

Deadline for voter registration, or to change voter name or address for the Nov. 8 election, is Tuesday. County clerk Tina Spencer said for first-time registration voters need to bring proof of citizenship. For name or address changes, they need to come to the courthouse and fill in an application.

MEMORIES:

SENIOR CENTER:

What do Kansas Supreme Court justices do when they need a break from contentious school finance hearings and other tedious cases facing the state’s highest judiciary? For Chief Justice Lawton Nuss and fellow Justice Marla Luckert, the answer Thursday was to go to school in Marion.

A new playground at Marion Elementary School is moving closer to reality after the school board voted Monday to order playground equipment. Elementary principal Justin Wasmuth told the board the estimated cost of equipment, including shipping, is $59,000. So far, $20,000 has been raised.

Emily Hague and Colin Williams led Warriors placing in the top 10 at a sunless and breezy cross-country meet in Eureka on Oct. 4. Hague placed fifth with a personal record in a varsity girls’ 5K, finishing in 21 minutes, 52 seconds.

Centre junior varsity runner Kate Basore medaled Thursday at Burrton with a seventh-place finish. Tanner Wiggans finished 16th. Varsity runner CJ Thompson finished 11th.

Marion City Library will hold two events in October, one for adults and the other for children. Adults can color unique designs while sharing conversation and cookies from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday. Coloring pages and pencils will be provided.

Government surplus commodities will arrive at Marion County senior centers Oct. 19. Marion Senior Center will distribute commodities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 19 . no commodities be distributed Oct. 20. Distribution begins again from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 21.