Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

H1N1 vaccine should be available to everyone soon
Marion County Health Department personnel continue to administer H1N1 vaccines to residents in the “high priority” category. Students in the Marion County school districts have received or will receive, in the coming the weeks, a second dose as required.
Man charged in case of missing Lehigh teen
Marion County Attorney Susan Robson filed a charge against Rojelio “Roy” Cruz Hernandez Friday in connection to the October disappearance of a Lehigh teenager. Hernandez is charged with one count of misdemeanor battery. He appeared in court Monday morning.
Living center residents recall Christmases past
Residents of St. Luke Living Center were recently asked to think back in time and recall memorable moments from past Christmas holidays. Midnight Mass made Christmas special for 103-year-old Amelia Vinduska, formerly of Pilsen. “That made Christmas,” she said.
Marion County Toy Run surpasses $100,000 donations
Marion County Toy Run raised $12,300 for local charities to distribute toys and food to needy families this year, bringing the total raised since it began in 1994 to more than $100,000, organizers said Saturday as donations were distributed at Hillsboro State Bank. The event also garnered about 170 toys during the Nov. 7 toy run from Marion to Hillsboro.
Purest form of sustainable agriculture: Tampa turkey farmer offers healthy alternative
Thanksgiving Day has come and gone and families prepare for Christmas feasts. Most of us don’t think too much about what kind of turkey we serve.
Hospital renovation project passes protest period
Marion County Hospital District No. 1 has jumped through the first hurdle in obtaining bonds for a hospital renovation project. The period for constituents to protest the district’s bond application has passed, giving the board of directors clearance to move to the next step — obtaining a bond rating.
Hospital employees bust fundraising goal
Employees of St. Luke Hospital and Living Center have raised more than $108,000 during November to help fund a $6 million hospital expansion project. Nearly 95 percent of hospital employees donated money during a pledge drive organized by an employee development council.

DOCKET

Accidents
Civil division
County jail
Criminal division
Deeds recorded
Domestic
Peabody police report
Sheriff Report
An individual reported that someone had removed a license tag from a vehicle sometime between Aug. 17 and Nov. 30. The vehicle was parked at a residence in the 200 block of North Jefferson Street, Hillsboro. The loss was estimated at $5.

DEATHS

Lauren Brunner
Lauren W. Brunner, 86, of Ramona, died Dec. 3 at Via Christi Medial Center, Wichita. Born July 10, 1923, northwest of Ramona to Alex and Leah (Riffel) Brunner, he was married June 3, 1945, to Anna Orvell Long near Hope.
Thaine May
Thaine R. “Bud” May, 87, of Marion, died Dec. 3, in Wichita. Born Jan. 2, 1922, in Elk, to Raymond L. and Maude (Rider) May, he grew up in Emporia.
Marcia Funk
Marcia Darleen Funk, 86, died Dec. 2 at Lakepoint Care Home in Wichita. Born Nov. 3, 1923, in Hillsboro to Henry and Susie (Koop) Esau, she was married July 1, 1946, to Lloyd F. Funk in Wichita, who preceded her in death.
Alexander Paper, Bethanie Paper, Collin Paper, Daphany Paper
Alexander A., Bethanie B., Collin C., and Daphany D. Paper died Dec. 5 at Newton Medical Center, Newton. Born Dec. 5, 2009, in Newton, David A. and Krystal S. (Hamm) Paper of Hillsboro are their parents.
Timothy Tajchman
Timothy R. Tajchman, 47, died Nov. 19, in Seattle, after a yearlong battle with cancer. Born March 12, 1962, in Denver to Edwin and Peggy (Tillotson) Tajchman, he graduated from the University of Colorado in 1985 with a degree in Electrical Engineering.
Esther Unruh
Esther Unruh, 81, died Dec. 2 at Bethesda Home in Goessel. Born Aug. 8, 1928, in rural Newton to David and Mary (Flaming) Voth, she was married in 1958 to C. Howard Unruh, who preceded her in death.
Marcene Herbel
Marcene “LaVaughn” (Willhof) Herbel, better known as Aunt Dolly, passed away Dec. 6, 2009, in Topeka. LaVaughn was born April 4, 1925, in Clay County near Oakhill, to Otto A. and H. Izora (Duck) Willhof. She married Francis S. Herbel on Aug. 29, 1952, at Durham Baptist Church.

GOVERNMENT

Levies vary greatly around the county
Property taxes due Dec. 21 By ADAM STEWART Staff writer The first half of 2009 property taxes are due Dec. 21, and taxpayers may wonder how their taxes compare with residents elsewhere in the county.
City election filing deadline is Jan. 26
Two Marion City Council seats will be up for election April 6, as will the office of mayor. The deadline to file for candidacy is noon, Jan. 26. Council members Stacey Collett and Gene Winkler currently occupy the council positions. Mary Olson is mayor.
Tax exemption only lasts fraction of pipeline's expected lifespan
Jim Prescott of TransCanada — the company constructing the Keystone oil pipeline — said Monday that the pipeline could function for 100 years with normal maintenance. He made the comment in a meeting with Marion County Commission regarding road crossing permits. Prescott said there are pipelines operating now that are 50 to 60 years old, responding to Harry Bennett, of rural Marion, asking the expected lifespan of the pipeline.
Community corrections agency to hold public meeting Monday in Marion
A special meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday in the courthouse courtroom regarding establishment of a Community Resource Panel for Marion County. The Eighth Judicial District Community Corrections agency is creating the new program to allow community members to help address concerns with offenders sentenced to probation by the district court.
Proposed heating, cooling system efficient, long-lasting
A heat-pump system proposed to replace Marion County Courthouse’s aging heating and cooling system could save the county 50 percent on heating and cooling costs. Similar systems in place since the 1960s still work well, engineer James Scalora, of Orazem & Scalora Engineering, told commissioners Monday via speakerphone. The system in a Southeast of Saline school building was installed in the 1960s and is still in good operating condition, he said. A similar system at the Riley County Courthouse built in the 1970s is ready for a replacement cooling tower, but is otherwise fine.

OPINION

Kudos to mYac
They did it! Skeptics said it would never happen but it did. Organizers of a Marion youth center have a building. Because of the generosity of Central National Bank in donating the former Mike’s Service Center building on East Main Street, Marion Youth Advancement Committee can now use donations for improvements and programs.
Answering a call of the wild
I was at it again — on the hunt. The call came in late Monday afternoon from our friends, the Heidebrechts — “There’s a doe near the creek bed north of Main Street, behind the former Craft Cottage.”
LETTERS:
mYac says 'thank you', Food bank is grateful
COLUMNS:
Random Thoughts, Another Day in the Country

PEOPLE

Hope in the Heartland
Remember that shorthaired woman that would appear on TV holding her head and yelling, “Stop the insanity”? Well, most people feel the same way inside. We want to escape in order to find some relief from inner chaos. We want peace in the midst of the mess.
WEDDINGS:
Davis-Wilson, Vogel-Albrecht
CORRESPONDENTS:
Burdick, Ramona, Senior Center
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 35, 50, 60, 100, 125 years ago

SCHOOL

Marion league helps players and businesses
On Saturday, the Marion Recreation Commission Basketball League started. The league is made up of 39 teams from southeast Kansas and includes several teams from the third through sixth grades at Marion Elementary School. Teams from as far away as Newton and McPherson are participating in the league that has regular season games Saturday through Jan. 30. The teams play in the middle school and elementary school gyms.
The art of competitive arguing
High school debates can be just as contentious and fiery as any political war of words. Last year, Beth Nesser and Taylor Harms, who form one of two Marion High School debate teams for the 2009-10 season, had their moral views questioned. When Harms answered truthfully, slightly contradicting her argument, the other team won the debate.
Guetersloh, Leiker earn honors in district band
Marion High School musicians Sarah Guetersloh and Landon Leiker played with South Central Kansas Music Educators Association Honor Band Saturday in Wichita. They auditioned, along with 616 other students from the region, for the band. Guetersloh was selected as first-chair trombone and Leiker was selected as first-chair trumpet.

SPORTS

Lady Warriors pummel Eureka 59-33
The Marion High School girls basketball team defeated Eureka, 59-33, Monday in the first round game of the Marion Classic. The game was a tale of two halves. The Warriors were only leading 27-17 at halftime.
Warriors defeat Eureka 61-27
One play epitomized the night for the Marion High School boys basketball team on Monday. Isaac Hett received the ball on a fast break in the middle of the Eureka lane. He looked poised to go up strong for a layup and take on the Eureka defender, his knees already bending for flight, but he instead dished the ball to a slashing Jordan Versch who finished with a layup for an uncontested basket.
MMS boys dominate with defense
With wins over Halstead and Remington on Dec. 1 and 3 in Marion, all three Wildcat squads bring their records to at least 5-2. Defense was the key factor in every victory. Marion Middle School boys head coach Kelly Robson said the pressure defense of both the A and B teams directly led to wins.
Centre girls lose to Southeast of Saline
Facing a 3A team Friday in their first game of the season, the Centre Lady Cougars were defeated, 54-35. The Lady Trojans of Southeast of Saline led 20-11 at the end of the first quarter and continued to build their lead as the game progressed.
Southeast of Saline sneaks by Centre, 54-51
It wasn’t for lack of effort that the Cougars fell to 3A Southeast of Saline Friday. They were defeated 54-51 in the first game of the season, played on the home court. As coach Greg Wyatt put it, “we won for 31 minutes, but lost it in the last one.”

PREVIEW

MARION:
Warrior boys have tough test ahead of them
After going 5-16 in the 2008-09 season, the Marion High School boys basketball team is looking to rebound this year. Second-year head coach Jeff McMillin believes that the Warriors should be a disciplined and more controlled group in the second year of his system.
MHS girls hope to build on successful season
The Warriors should be a deep and experienced team going into the 2009-10 basketball season. Third-year head coach Randy Savage has the opportunity to fill his starting lineup with seniors and still have two senior letter-winners off the bench.
MHS wrestling team could have state contenders
Two years ago, Dillon Wildin placed sixth in the 145-pound class at the state wrestling tournament. Last year, Cody Wildin one-upped his brother and came in second in the 135-pound weight class at state.
Wrestling for redemption after a yearlong suspension
Dillon Wildin pinned his first two opponents of 2009-10 season less than two minutes into each match on Thursday in Lyons. It seemed even quicker than that. The referee backed away from the two wrestlers in each case and suddenly Wildin had slammed his competitor to the floor and was lying on top of his opponent’s shoulders.
CENTRE:
Boys anticipate a good season
It should not be too difficult for the Centre High School boys basketball team to show improvement over the previous year. With a record of eight wins and 13 losses in the Dwight D. Eisenhower League, they are sure to make some gains. In fact, coach Greg Wyatt expects much more than that.
Lady Cougars have experience, new coach
Of the 17 female athletes who are out for basketball this year at Centre High School, eight are returning letter-winners. Coach Alan Stahlecker is counting on that fact for his team to be competitive this year. They hope to improve on last year’s 9-13 record. “We are not big, but we do have a good amount of experience,” Stahlecker said. “We are fairly quick and handle the ball well. We should be competitive.”
GOESSEL:
Confidence in 'ability to achieve' will lead Goessel boys
After winning the first five games then losing the next five, last year’s Bluebird team then won 15 straight games to make it into the final four in the 1A state tournament. Goessel finished fourth at the 2009 state tournament, and many of this year’s team received playing time on the “big stage.” The Bluebirds will compete as a 2A school this year, and will play for the last time in the Heart of America League.
Girls begin season with experience, desire
“These girls have improved so much since last season,” an upbeat Goessel High School girls basketball coach Ryan Hoopes said. “The girls worked hard in the summer with good success.” After last year’s season going 1-10 in the tough Heart of America League, what would turn the season around?
HILLSBORO:
Speed, quickness, early maturing keys for Trojans
After 20 successful seasons at the Trojans helm, Hillsboro High School boys basketball coach Darrel Knoll generally has a pretty good idea what to expect with the approach of each season. And usually, he never fails to field a competitive team.
Lady Trojans looking to carry this season further
The 49-38 score probably remains etched in third-year Lady Trojan basketball coach Nathan Hiebert’s memory. At the same time, Hillsboro’s first-round loss in the 2009 Class 3A state girls tournament to eventual champion Southwestern Heights should give the Lady Trojans a boost of confidence heading into this season.
Trojan grapplers short on experience, big on potential
If there’s a coach that has a good grip on knowing what it’s like to start from the ground and work up, it is Trojan wrestling coach Scott O’Hare. With seven seniors gone, including four Class 3-2-1A state qualifiers, and a team that’s short on experience and thin in numbers, O’Hare is facing just such a a start as he begins his seventh season.
PEABODY-BURNS:
Starters have history together
Experience and chemistry are the hallmark words used to describe the Peabody-Burns High School Warrior basketball team this season. Many of the athletes on the team have played together since grade school and three of the five starters return from the starting lineup last year.
Warriors start season with win
PBHS Warrior basketball grabbed a big victory Friday at home in the first game of the season, defeating the Chase County Bulldogs, 53-24. The next test will be the Marion Classic Tournament with a game against Oxford on Tuesday.
Lady Warriors look to improve
The Peabody-Burns High School Lady Warriors have one mission this season — to improve. The team was 2-19 overall last year and 1-10 in league play. They opened at home against Chase County Friday and will compete this week in the Marion Classic Tournament.
Lady Warriors lose home opener against Chase County
Peabody-Burns Lady Warriors opened the season at home Friday against Chase County and lost to the Lady Bulldogs, 46-29. The team will next compete in the Marion Classic Tournament at Marion.

Marion County RECORD

Marion County Health Department personnel continue to administer H1N1 vaccines to residents in the “high priority” category. Students in the Marion County school districts have received or will receive, in the coming the weeks, a second dose as required.

Marion County Attorney Susan Robson filed a charge against Rojelio “Roy” Cruz Hernandez Friday in connection to the October disappearance of a Lehigh teenager. Hernandez is charged with one count of misdemeanor battery. He appeared in court Monday morning.

Residents of St. Luke Living Center were recently asked to think back in time and recall memorable moments from past Christmas holidays. Midnight Mass made Christmas special for 103-year-old Amelia Vinduska, formerly of Pilsen. “That made Christmas,” she said.

Thanksgiving Day has come and gone and families prepare for Christmas feasts. Most of us don’t think too much about what kind of turkey we serve.

Employees of St. Luke Hospital and Living Center have raised more than $108,000 during November to help fund a $6 million hospital expansion project. Nearly 95 percent of hospital employees donated money during a pledge drive organized by an employee development council.

An individual reported that someone had removed a license tag from a vehicle sometime between Aug. 17 and Nov. 30. The vehicle was parked at a residence in the 200 block of North Jefferson Street, Hillsboro. The loss was estimated at $5.

Lauren W. Brunner, 86, of Ramona, died Dec. 3 at Via Christi Medial Center, Wichita. Born July 10, 1923, northwest of Ramona to Alex and Leah (Riffel) Brunner, he was married June 3, 1945, to Anna Orvell Long near Hope.

Thaine R. “Bud” May, 87, of Marion, died Dec. 3, in Wichita. Born Jan. 2, 1922, in Elk, to Raymond L. and Maude (Rider) May, he grew up in Emporia.

Marcia Darleen Funk, 86, died Dec. 2 at Lakepoint Care Home in Wichita. Born Nov. 3, 1923, in Hillsboro to Henry and Susie (Koop) Esau, she was married July 1, 1946, to Lloyd F. Funk in Wichita, who preceded her in death.

Alexander A., Bethanie B., Collin C., and Daphany D. Paper died Dec. 5 at Newton Medical Center, Newton. Born Dec. 5, 2009, in Newton, David A. and Krystal S. (Hamm) Paper of Hillsboro are their parents.

Timothy R. Tajchman, 47, died Nov. 19, in Seattle, after a yearlong battle with cancer. Born March 12, 1962, in Denver to Edwin and Peggy (Tillotson) Tajchman, he graduated from the University of Colorado in 1985 with a degree in Electrical Engineering.

Esther Unruh, 81, died Dec. 2 at Bethesda Home in Goessel. Born Aug. 8, 1928, in rural Newton to David and Mary (Flaming) Voth, she was married in 1958 to C. Howard Unruh, who preceded her in death.

Marcene “LaVaughn” (Willhof) Herbel, better known as Aunt Dolly, passed away Dec. 6, 2009, in Topeka. LaVaughn was born April 4, 1925, in Clay County near Oakhill, to Otto A. and H. Izora (Duck) Willhof. She married Francis S. Herbel on Aug. 29, 1952, at Durham Baptist Church.

Property taxes due Dec. 21 By ADAM STEWART Staff writer The first half of 2009 property taxes are due Dec. 21, and taxpayers may wonder how their taxes compare with residents elsewhere in the county.

Two Marion City Council seats will be up for election April 6, as will the office of mayor. The deadline to file for candidacy is noon, Jan. 26. Council members Stacey Collett and Gene Winkler currently occupy the council positions. Mary Olson is mayor.

I was at it again — on the hunt. The call came in late Monday afternoon from our friends, the Heidebrechts — “There’s a doe near the creek bed north of Main Street, behind the former Craft Cottage.”

LETTERS:

COLUMNS:

Remember that shorthaired woman that would appear on TV holding her head and yelling, “Stop the insanity”? Well, most people feel the same way inside. We want to escape in order to find some relief from inner chaos. We want peace in the midst of the mess.

WEDDINGS:

CORRESPONDENTS:

MEMORIES:

The Marion High School girls basketball team defeated Eureka, 59-33, Monday in the first round game of the Marion Classic. The game was a tale of two halves. The Warriors were only leading 27-17 at halftime.

With wins over Halstead and Remington on Dec. 1 and 3 in Marion, all three Wildcat squads bring their records to at least 5-2. Defense was the key factor in every victory. Marion Middle School boys head coach Kelly Robson said the pressure defense of both the A and B teams directly led to wins.

Facing a 3A team Friday in their first game of the season, the Centre Lady Cougars were defeated, 54-35. The Lady Trojans of Southeast of Saline led 20-11 at the end of the first quarter and continued to build their lead as the game progressed.

It wasn’t for lack of effort that the Cougars fell to 3A Southeast of Saline Friday. They were defeated 54-51 in the first game of the season, played on the home court. As coach Greg Wyatt put it, “we won for 31 minutes, but lost it in the last one.”

After going 5-16 in the 2008-09 season, the Marion High School boys basketball team is looking to rebound this year. Second-year head coach Jeff McMillin believes that the Warriors should be a disciplined and more controlled group in the second year of his system.

The Warriors should be a deep and experienced team going into the 2009-10 basketball season. Third-year head coach Randy Savage has the opportunity to fill his starting lineup with seniors and still have two senior letter-winners off the bench.

Two years ago, Dillon Wildin placed sixth in the 145-pound class at the state wrestling tournament. Last year, Cody Wildin one-upped his brother and came in second in the 135-pound weight class at state.

It should not be too difficult for the Centre High School boys basketball team to show improvement over the previous year. With a record of eight wins and 13 losses in the Dwight D. Eisenhower League, they are sure to make some gains. In fact, coach Greg Wyatt expects much more than that.

After 20 successful seasons at the Trojans helm, Hillsboro High School boys basketball coach Darrel Knoll generally has a pretty good idea what to expect with the approach of each season. And usually, he never fails to field a competitive team.

Experience and chemistry are the hallmark words used to describe the Peabody-Burns High School Warrior basketball team this season. Many of the athletes on the team have played together since grade school and three of the five starters return from the starting lineup last year.

PBHS Warrior basketball grabbed a big victory Friday at home in the first game of the season, defeating the Chase County Bulldogs, 53-24. The next test will be the Marion Classic Tournament with a game against Oxford on Tuesday.

The Peabody-Burns High School Lady Warriors have one mission this season — to improve. The team was 2-19 overall last year and 1-10 in league play. They opened at home against Chase County Friday and will compete this week in the Marion Classic Tournament.

Peabody-Burns Lady Warriors opened the season at home Friday against Chase County and lost to the Lady Bulldogs, 46-29. The team will next compete in the Marion Classic Tournament at Marion.