Marion County RECORD

Tragic death leaves young daughter on her own

While waiting in Peabody United Methodist Church for her daughter to finish choir practice Friday evening, Michelle Cubbage, 49, died instantly of what was assumed to be a massive heart attack. CPR was administered as choir members awaited an ambulance and gathered around Cubbage’s 14-year-old daughter, Amber.

Courtroom outburst draws harsh penalties

It is possible Brady Logan-Hannen, 19, of Peabody, learned a costly and perhaps painful lesson about attitude when he appeared in Peabody Municipal Court on Nov. 9. He was in court for a hearing, charged in a Sept. 5 incident with furnishing alcohol to minors and for hosting minors consuming alcohol.

Leiker submits resignation

After 13 years at the helm, USD 408 Superintendent Lee Leiker submitted his resignation, effective June 30, to the board of education Monday evening. Leiker said the decision was made simply to start a new chapter in his life, whatever or wherever it is. Leiker said he and his wife, Diane, probably will move from Marion.

Homebrewer seeks to craft perfect beer

At 35, Marion County transfer station truck driver and equipment operator Martin Combs of Lincolnville is attempting to perfect an ancient craft that can raise one’s spirits in the comfort of home. “I’m a homebrewer,” Combs said. “It’s simple but it’s not.”

Firefighters get chili reception

It was the public’s turn to respond to the aid of Marion firefighters Sunday, packing the basement of Marion Community Center for a chili dinner to raise funds for new protective gear. “We had to add more tables,” firefighter and dinner organizer Preston Williams said. “I think we had 10 crock pots, and I think there are only one or two left.”

New overtime rules to affect county workers

The county commission room was quiet Monday when department heads were told what changes in federal fair labor standards will mean for them. A new rule, which goes into effect Dec. 1, means employees paid less than $47,476 per year must be paid overtime or given compensatory time at a rate of one-and-a-half hours per extra hour worked.

Barn movie gets Marion sneak-peek preview

Filmmaker Kelly Rundle admits that when he talks to people about his current film project, their reaction is anything but enthusiastic. “When you talk to people about the movie, it kind of puts them to sleep because it’s not very sexy,” Rundle said. “But once they’ve seen it, it’s different.”

Title company sponsors barbecue

A free barbecue meal was spread out for emergency responders, civic workers, and others last Wednesday to thank them for what they do for the community. Wichita-based Security 1st Title and Hannaford Abstract worked together to provide the meal to anyone who came to the Marion Community Center.

Christmas PRIDE with a bow

Marion will take on an added festive air this holiday season through the efforts of Marion PRIDE committee. Holiday-themed decorations for downtown planters will include evergreens and hedge apple ornaments, committee chair Pam Byer said. Natural hedge apples will be complemented by ones painted white, red, and silver.

Beef jerky recall issued

Four kinds of beef jerky produced by Kansas City area producer Flavor Trade have been recalled because they were produced and distributed without federal inspection. Sealed 3-ounce packs of “Craft Beer Jerky: Created with Wheat,” “Craft Beer Jerky: Created with Porter,” “E3 Meat Co. Paleo Beef Jerky Sweet,” and “E3 Meat Co. Paleo Beef Jerky Spicy” produced between May 18 and Oct. 26 are included in the recall.

College student faces multiple drug charges

A Tabor College student was arrested Sunday in Hillsboro on suspicion of multiple drug charges including unlawful manufacture of THC, distribution of THC, and unlawful distribution of THC oil. At 1:33 a.m., officer John Huebert said he noticed a vehicle blocking traffic in a no parking zone in the 500 block of E. D St.

Woman arrested on meth and gun charges

Tiffany Roberts, 27, Wichita, was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamines and criminal in possession of firearm Sunday at 315 N. Washington St. in Hillsboro. Hillsboro police had previously investigated the home Friday in reference to a report of child endangerment and illicit drug use and sales.

Democrats determined despite low numbers

A meeting of county Democrats would have happened Saturday regardless of the outcome of the election; the group’s bylaws called for one. Instead of celebrating the election of Hillary Clinton, the dozen Dems assembled at Marion City Library found themselves reflecting on the campaign, Donald Trump, and the next campaign.

Lost Springs native named district court judge

Amy Hanley’s parents, Kent and Jean Brunner of rural Lost Springs, say she always liked to debate things, so they weren’t surprised when she decided to go into law. “As a child, she was inquisitive,” Jean Brunner said. “She asked a lot of questions and thought long and hard about things. As she grew older, she knew what she thought.”

Collin Bailey

Collin P. Bailey, 57, of Ramona, passed away Thursday at Enterprise Estates Nursing Home in Enterprise. He was born Nov. 24, 1958, to Nathan and Virleen (Barrett) Bailey in Florence. He graduated from Centre High School at Lost Springs and attended Butler County Community College.

Marta Frye

Marta Ann Frye 72, of Peabody, died Nov. 6 at Salem Home in Hillsboro. She was born April 6, 1944, to Robertand Elizabeth (VanAusdall) Lorber in Ft. Madison, Iowa. She married Stephen R. Frye on Jan. 5, 1964, in Biggsville, Illinois.

Allen Hiebert

Former Tabor College professor Allen G. Hiebert, 75, died Monday at Comfort Care Homes in Newton. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. Family will receive guests from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Hearth Room at the church.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

County jail

Criminal division

Deeds reported

Emergency dispatches

Fish and game division

Municipal court

Offenses reported

Police reports

Traffic division

A leisurely farewell

Although Superintendent Lee Leiker announced his impending resignation Monday, he won’t be leaving Marion-Florence USD 408 until the end of his contract in June. That’s a good thing for both him and us. Leiker said the district in good shape, so it’s a good time to transition to new leadership. While we agree with his assessment, we’re also coming off a tumultuous year in Topeka relative to school finance, and the dust hasn’t completely settled.

Who's politically incorrect now?

Still, he won – fair and square. Just like the Kansas Jayhawks last Friday and Saturday and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Hillary Clinton – not exactly a great candidate herself – lost. The game was played. The rules were understood and followed. It’s time for everyone to get over it and move on.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

COMMENTARY:

Kassebaum reminisces about growing up with Dad

Any conversation with Nancy Landon Kassebaum inevitably leads to politics. Kassebaum, who lives at Burdick, was immersed in politics her whole life. Her father, Alf Landon, was elected Kansas governor in 1932, the same year that she was born. She was four years old when the Republican party nominated him for president. He lost the election to Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Open house to honor Bowers anniversary

Don and Janet Bowers of Marion will celebrate 50 years of marriage with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 26 at Marion County Park and Lake Hall, 1 Office Dr., Marion. The Bowerses were married Nov. 25, 1966, at Florence Methodist Church in Florence.

Neo-Century meets at Hilltop Manor

Neo-Century Club met at Hilltop Manor on Nov. 7. Suzanne Thole, president, called the meeting to order with 16 members present.

KSU program targets declining farm income

Farmers struggling to cope with the effects of low commodity and livestock prices can learn tips for dealing with working capital, debt, maintenance, and expenses by attending an upcoming Kansas State University workshop. “Top 10 Considerations to Navigate a Struggling Farm Economy” is designed to help producers think critically about how their farms might withstand tough times. Each topic will provide a framework to evaluate options and opportunities.

PEO learns about college heritage

P.E.O. Chapter DB welcomed 19 members to a luncheon meeting Nov. 7 at Marion Presbyterian Church. Barb Longhofer of Olathe Chapter GR presented “Building Kansas’ Cottey Heritage,” a program about the relationship between Kansas chapters and P.E.O. Sisterhood-owned Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri.

MEMORIES:

SENIOR CENTER:

Patriotic fervor held sway at Centre

The parking lot at Centre was jam-packed Friday as many community members and students came together to honor veterans in an assembly in the school gym. Bruce Hedstrom of Lost Springs was among the 30 or so veterans who introduced themselves and named their branch of service. He was in the Army Reserves.

School board passes funding resolution

Sherri Pankratz fills Centre board vacancy

After a six-month vacancy, Lincolnville will once again have a representative on the Centre Board of Education. At its Monday meeting, the board voted 4-2 to appoint Sherri Pankatz to serve out the term of Clay Simons, who resigned in April.

Oborny named district master sentinel

Officer teams in the South Central FFA district competed Friday in Arkansas City in presenting opening and closing rituals. Centre placed seventh, and its sentinel, Greg Oborny, placed first, making him the district master ritual sentinel. In opening ceremonies, Oborny was the first to explain his position: “by the door.”

Warriors get league football honors

Twelve members of the Heart of America League champion Marion Warriors football team were tabbed for all-league season honors released last week. Senior Cade Harms landed dual first-team honors at offensive and defensive line.

Student visits KU Medical Center

Centre’s Kate Basore was one of 18 Kansas junior and senior high school girls selected to participate in a “Women in Health Care: The Next Generation” program at Kansas University Medical Center. She spent Nov. 2 through 4 touring medical center facilities and visiting the various departments.

Area school menus

And today's special is an 'emergency meal'

Marion Senior Center recently delivered its own version of an MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) to participants of the North-Central Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging Friendship Meals Program. “They’re kinda cute,” senior center manager Janet Bryant said. “Each person got one. We plan to deliver another in the spring.”

Veterans feted with special meal

Five resident veterans and one military wife were treated to a special meal at St. Luke Living Center last week in observance of Veterans Day. The group was taken into the kitchen, where they sat at festively decorated tables so they could order what they chose for lunch.

County senior citizens to meet Friday

Senior Citizens of Marion County will hold a board of directors meeting at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Peabody Senior Center. Peabody seniors will be serving lunch and need reservations today. To make a reservation, phone LouAnn Bowlin at (620) 983-2226 or the Department on Aging at (620) 382-3580. People needing transportation should call the Dept. on Aging by Thursday.

Calendar of Events

Scouts to collect food donations Saturday

Members of Cub Scout/Boy Scout Troop 102 will be combing Marion on Saturday for donations to benefit Marion County Resource Center and Food Bank. Nonperishable food donations should be placed in bags previously distributed by the Scouts and placed on front porches for pickup prior to 11 a.m.

Return to current issue