Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

Give that teacher a 'kindness coin'
Spend an hour with Karen Nickel, and there’s no doubt she has a passion for teaching. Following her around her kindergarten classroom at Centre Elementary School is like watching a butterfly flit from one flower to another.
Delinquent taxes soar 31.5%
Hit by recession, Marion County’s delinquent tax list has swelled by 31.5 percent this year. A total of $366,198 in property taxes were unpaid July 31, the deadline for avoiding inclusion on the list. Last year, $278,432 was unpaid by that time.
Zoning director put on unpaid leave
Marion County Commission placed Planning and Zoning and Environmental Health Director Bobbi Strait on leave without pay for two weeks Monday. Commissioners made the decision after meeting in closed session for 25 minutes, including 15 with Strait.
Youth center faces questions
Marion City Council supports a youth center, but some members want to make sure the center will be successful before committing to owning the building that will house it. “I want to see someone else spearhead this instead of you,” Mayor Mary Olson told City Economic Development Director Doug Kjellin at Monday’s meeting.
Native returns to courtroom
It had been a long time since Amy (Brunner) Hanley was in Marion County’s courtroom. Fifteen years ago, she visited the courtroom for a 4-H meeting. Now she is back, helping convict Robert Smyser of aggravated criminal sodomy in a child abuse case.
Two new employees join Record staff
Amanda Ayers and Debbie Steele are the newest staff members at the Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star-Journal, and Peabody Gazette-Bulletin. Ayers, a copy editor and page designer, came to Marion from the Kansas City area.
Old Florence nursing home to become hotel
Progress continues to be made at a former nursing home in Florence. The building, formerly Florence Health Care, had been vacant for seven years until David Weseloh of Midland, Texas, purchased it last month.
Military band to perform at county lake
Fort Riley Band will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at the beach area, Marion County Lake. The event will recognize veterans, firefighters, law enforcement personnel, emergency medical services, and American Legion Riders.
Legion has new home in Marion
James William Miesse American Legion Post 22 has a new home, 424 E. Main St. in Marion. The site is a former optometrist’s office between Shelter Insurance and G&J Video.

DOCKET

DEATHS

Victor Backhus
Victor W. Backhus, 87, of Herington, died Aug. 8 at Salina Regional Medical Center. Born Nov. 29, 1921, on a farm near Tampa, he was the oldest son of William and Martha (Meyer) Backhus.
Raymond Buller
wton, died Aug. 8, at Asbury Park Health Care, Newton. He was born Jan. 19, 1923, in Marion County, to David D. and Lydia (Schmidt) Buller.
Adela Byer
Adela T. Byer, 94, died Aug. 3 at Charter House in Rochester, Minn. Born Feb. 10, 1915, in Chino, Calif., she was the eldest of five daughters of Arthur E. and Lucy (Williams) Tissot. She graduated from Chino High School in 1932, Upland College in 1934, and Huntington Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1939.
Ethel Helmer
Ethel Helmer, 85, died Thursday at Memorial Home, Moundridge. Born Aug. 25, 1923, at Moundridge, to C.H. and Lydia (Flickner) Kaufman, she graduated from Bethel College in 1945 and taught at Bunker Hill.
'Bill' Huggins
Carrol D. “Bill” Huggins, 83, Herington, died July 30 at Medicalodges, Herington. Born Feb. 25, 1926, to Leo and Emma Huggins on a farm northwest of Wamego, he was the youngest of five children.
Fred Podszus
Fred Podszus, 94, passed away on Aug. 5, 2009, at St. Luke Living Center in Marion. He was born Dec. 8, 1914, in Enid, Okla., son of the Rev. Franz and Helen (Albrecht) Podszus.
Dennis Youk
Dennis D. Youk, a lifelong resident of Marion County, passed away Aug. 6, 2009. Dennis was born Dec. 24, 1930, to Jonathan and Nina (Jones) Youk.

GOVERNMENT

County lake revenue up 35%
Marion County Park and Lake has earned about a third more in the first half of 2009 than in the first half of 2008, director Steve Hudson said Monday. Permit sales through June 30 were $63,924, compared to $47,208 for the same period last year. The biggest increase was in camping permits, up about $13,000.
Marion council hears complaints
Changing the configuration of parking on the east side of South Second Street from diagonal to parallel has upset Bill Rosiere, owner of Marion Laundry and Dry Cleaning. Four parking stalls have been eliminated.
Marion's taxes won't rise
Marion City Council approved a mill levy Monday evening of 61.180, a slight decrease from 2009. Mayor Mary Olson said she had a list of project she wanted included in the city’s new budget. Among them were a sidewalk program.
Tampa leaves tax rate unchanged
A budget hearing Aug. 3 left Tampa’s tax rate for next year unchanged. The town’s budget will total $35,445. The council also heard details Aug. 3 about approval of an $82,500 grant for sewer improvements and county plans to complete an asphalt-and-gravel resurfacing of Limestone Road south to 290th Road by Sept. 15.
Lincolnville levy remains steady
Lincolnville’s 2010 budget, as approved Aug. 3 by the city council, is set at 58.682 mills, the same as in 2009, despite a drop in valuation from $829,952 in 2009 to $810,186. The new budget assumes a rollover of $13,000 from this year and sets the maximum spending authority at $187,217.

OPINION

Same story, new era
When reporter Adam Stewart was given the assignment of talking with local teens, we didn’t know what their responses would be. What is interesting about the story, which quoted two teens saying they probably wouldn’t hang out in a proposed new youth center, is that everyone quoted, including the two teens, said they thought the center was a good idea.
COLUMNS:
Another Day in the Country, Random Thoughts
LETTERS:
Travelers appreciative, Theft disturbs resident

PEOPLE

Popps to celebrate 60th anniversary
The family of Ralph and Luella Popp will celebrate the couple’s 60th wedding anniversary Aug. 19. Ralph Popp and Luella Regier were married Aug. 19, 1949, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Marion.
Helmer, Boudreaux announce engagement
Amy Helmer and Randy Boudreaux of Marion announce their engagement and approaching marriage. The bride-elect is a daughter of Ladd and Luci Helmer of rural Marion and granddaughter of Pauline Allender of Harper, Eldena Helmer of Marion and the late David Helmer, and Norman and Phyllis Spencer of Hallet, Okla. She is an owner of the Big Scoop in Marion.
Brandenberger gets double master's degree
Ryan Brandenberger has graduated with a double master’s degree in systematic theology and Biblical studies from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill. He has accepted a position as youth director at First Baptist Church, Storm Lake, Iowa.
Family requests card shower for Gertrude Ray
Vicki Jackson and Cheryl Ray request a card shower for their mother, Gertrude Ray, in celebration of her 86th birthday Aug. 25. Cards can be sent to her at 315 S Cedar, Marion KS 66861.
Reservoir hosts maintain campsite
French Creek Cove at Marion Reservoir is a Class C campsite. It has no hookups other than electricity, no showers, and no dump station. There are no gatekeepers, and reservations are unavailable. However, at $10 a night ($5 for senior passes), it’s cheap, and it’s peaceful, according to camp hosts Bill and Suzy Maple.
BIRTHS:
Adalia Jane Brazil, Siena Catherine Ensz
CORRESPONDENTS:
Tampa, Senior Center, Burdick
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 35, 50, 60, 100

SCHOOL

USD 408 drug policy will stay the same
Is USD 408’s drug and alcohol policy fair? School board members tried to answer that question Monday evening when the policy was reviewed for the coming school year.
No tax increase in USD 408
With a decrease in bond and interest payments and a mill levy holding steady, USD 408 will not increase taxes for the coming school year. The district will use $1 million of its local option budget, which has a $1.5 million cap. Last year the board approved $900,000 from the budget.
Centre taxes to rise slightly
After a brief hearing before Monday’s meeting, the Centre USD 397 Board of Education approved its 2009-10 budget as published. The budget calls for a tax levy of 45.47 mills, including 20 mills for the general fund, 17.308 mills for the supplemental general fund, 4 mills for capital outlay, and 4.162 mills for bond and interest. The tax rate for 2008-09 was 45.399.
Menu: Marion Schools

SPORTS

Half-marathon exceeds expectations
Mothers of Preschoolers of Marion’s half-marathon fundraiser greatly exceeded expectations, organizer Bethany Carlson said. The event included a 13.1-mile half-marathon, a two-person relay-half marathon, and a two-mile “fun run” and walk. A total of 128 people participated in fundraiser. Runners came from as far as Oklahoma and Nebraska.
Club soccer registration is open
Fall registration for Marion County United Soccer Club teams for children in kindergarten and older has begun. The season runs from mid-September through the end of October. The first games will be Sept. 26.
Old Settlers' to include 5k, mile runs
Runners have a chance to show their talent Sept. 26 at Old Settlers’ Day Run. A five-kilometer (3.1-mile) run will begin at 8 a.m. at Marion County Park and Lake. A one-mile “fun run” will follow.
CVL All-stars eliminated from regional tourney
The state-champion Cottonwood Valley League 13-year-old All-Stars were eliminated Monday afternoon at the Midwest Plains regional tournament in Burlington, Iowa. The All-Stars were off to a promising start Saturday evening against the Nebraska champs, defeating them 17-9.

Marion County RECORD

Spend an hour with Karen Nickel, and there’s no doubt she has a passion for teaching. Following her around her kindergarten classroom at Centre Elementary School is like watching a butterfly flit from one flower to another.

Hit by recession, Marion County’s delinquent tax list has swelled by 31.5 percent this year. A total of $366,198 in property taxes were unpaid July 31, the deadline for avoiding inclusion on the list. Last year, $278,432 was unpaid by that time.

Marion County Commission placed Planning and Zoning and Environmental Health Director Bobbi Strait on leave without pay for two weeks Monday. Commissioners made the decision after meeting in closed session for 25 minutes, including 15 with Strait.

It had been a long time since Amy (Brunner) Hanley was in Marion County’s courtroom. Fifteen years ago, she visited the courtroom for a 4-H meeting. Now she is back, helping convict Robert Smyser of aggravated criminal sodomy in a child abuse case.

Amanda Ayers and Debbie Steele are the newest staff members at the Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star-Journal, and Peabody Gazette-Bulletin. Ayers, a copy editor and page designer, came to Marion from the Kansas City area.

Progress continues to be made at a former nursing home in Florence. The building, formerly Florence Health Care, had been vacant for seven years until David Weseloh of Midland, Texas, purchased it last month.

Fort Riley Band will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at the beach area, Marion County Lake. The event will recognize veterans, firefighters, law enforcement personnel, emergency medical services, and American Legion Riders.

James William Miesse American Legion Post 22 has a new home, 424 E. Main St. in Marion. The site is a former optometrist’s office between Shelter Insurance and G&J Video.

Victor W. Backhus, 87, of Herington, died Aug. 8 at Salina Regional Medical Center. Born Nov. 29, 1921, on a farm near Tampa, he was the oldest son of William and Martha (Meyer) Backhus.

wton, died Aug. 8, at Asbury Park Health Care, Newton. He was born Jan. 19, 1923, in Marion County, to David D. and Lydia (Schmidt) Buller.

Ethel Helmer, 85, died Thursday at Memorial Home, Moundridge. Born Aug. 25, 1923, at Moundridge, to C.H. and Lydia (Flickner) Kaufman, she graduated from Bethel College in 1945 and taught at Bunker Hill.

Carrol D. “Bill” Huggins, 83, Herington, died July 30 at Medicalodges, Herington. Born Feb. 25, 1926, to Leo and Emma Huggins on a farm northwest of Wamego, he was the youngest of five children.

Fred Podszus, 94, passed away on Aug. 5, 2009, at St. Luke Living Center in Marion. He was born Dec. 8, 1914, in Enid, Okla., son of the Rev. Franz and Helen (Albrecht) Podszus.

Dennis D. Youk, a lifelong resident of Marion County, passed away Aug. 6, 2009. Dennis was born Dec. 24, 1930, to Jonathan and Nina (Jones) Youk.

Changing the configuration of parking on the east side of South Second Street from diagonal to parallel has upset Bill Rosiere, owner of Marion Laundry and Dry Cleaning. Four parking stalls have been eliminated.

Marion City Council approved a mill levy Monday evening of 61.180, a slight decrease from 2009. Mayor Mary Olson said she had a list of project she wanted included in the city’s new budget. Among them were a sidewalk program.

Lincolnville’s 2010 budget, as approved Aug. 3 by the city council, is set at 58.682 mills, the same as in 2009, despite a drop in valuation from $829,952 in 2009 to $810,186. The new budget assumes a rollover of $13,000 from this year and sets the maximum spending authority at $187,217.

COLUMNS:

LETTERS:

The family of Ralph and Luella Popp will celebrate the couple’s 60th wedding anniversary Aug. 19. Ralph Popp and Luella Regier were married Aug. 19, 1949, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Marion.

Ryan Brandenberger has graduated with a double master’s degree in systematic theology and Biblical studies from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill. He has accepted a position as youth director at First Baptist Church, Storm Lake, Iowa.

Vicki Jackson and Cheryl Ray request a card shower for their mother, Gertrude Ray, in celebration of her 86th birthday Aug. 25. Cards can be sent to her at 315 S Cedar, Marion KS 66861.

BIRTHS:

CORRESPONDENTS:

MEMORIES:

Is USD 408’s drug and alcohol policy fair? School board members tried to answer that question Monday evening when the policy was reviewed for the coming school year.

With a decrease in bond and interest payments and a mill levy holding steady, USD 408 will not increase taxes for the coming school year. The district will use $1 million of its local option budget, which has a $1.5 million cap. Last year the board approved $900,000 from the budget.

Fall registration for Marion County United Soccer Club teams for children in kindergarten and older has begun. The season runs from mid-September through the end of October. The first games will be Sept. 26.

Runners have a chance to show their talent Sept. 26 at Old Settlers’ Day Run. A five-kilometer (3.1-mile) run will begin at 8 a.m. at Marion County Park and Lake. A one-mile “fun run” will follow.

The state-champion Cottonwood Valley League 13-year-old All-Stars were eliminated Monday afternoon at the Midwest Plains regional tournament in Burlington, Iowa. The All-Stars were off to a promising start Saturday evening against the Nebraska champs, defeating them 17-9.