Lightning flashed and thunder roared Monday evening as several storms moved across northern Marion County. Bob and Carol Makovec’s farm at 3232 Quail Creek Road was hard hit, with damage done to their home and crops by hail.

A balloon launched this past November by Marion Elementary School students has been found in Scotland, South Dakota. Robert and Sally Baker found the balloon tag recently while working a field near Yankton, S.D., about 350 miles north of Marion. The Bakers have promised to send a handmade book rack to teacher Marj Sandberg, whose class launched the balloon.

Koby Wayde Hett, who was born April 4, is this month’s
Beary Special Baby at St. Luke Hospital.

A troupe of acrobats based in Beijing, China, will perform June 1 during Chingawassa Days. Plans are for a short performance on Main Street immediately after the bed races.

Junior Megan Moore, daughter of Mike and Gail Moore of Florence, and senior Braxton Skiles, son of Bruce and Belinda Skiles have been named students of the month at Marion High School.

Centre Junior High students Joseph Stroda, Clayton Garnica, Krista Heiser, and Katie Kohman served as pages for Rep. Don Dahl April 12 in the Kansas House of Representatives.