Marion County RECORD

2-alarm fire prompts county to ban burning

A pile of intentionally burning rubbish that almost instantly flashed into an out-of-control two-alarm fire, in seconds consuming one building and threatening another, was the final straw Monday for weather-weary fire chiefs and emergency workers. As chiefs of three of the four volunteer fire departments that responded to the blaze, 2½ miles west of Lincolnville at Timber and 290th roads, paused to wipe their brows amid still smoldering debris, conversation quickly turned to how it was well past time to make an emergency plea to county residents.

Terms of burn ban

The county’s burn ban technically was a proclamation of a local emergency, as provided for under state statue K.S.A. 48-932. The statute allows the chairman of the county commission in any county with a disaster plan to issue a seven-day proclamation, which cannot be renewed except with the consent of a majority of the full county commission.

Florence restricts water use; reservoir imperiled

The Florence City Council issued a water emergency Tuesday under the guidance of water manager Larry Scriven. Council member Trayce Warner said the warning instructs residents to curtail water usage but does not mandate usage amounts. Warner asked residents to be prudent — by limiting lawn watering, for example.

Algae warning remains at county lake

Marion County Park and Lake was waiting for test results Tuesday from Kansas Department of Health and Environment regarding concentrations of toxic blue-green algae. The county closed the lake to watersports last week at KDHE’s recommendation after tests showed potentially dangerous concentrations of algae. The lake remained under a blue-green algae warning while waiting for results. KDHE tests a lake under a warning once a week.

Day care moves to Marion

For more than 20 years, Debbie Regier has been caring for children in her rural Marion home. Earlier this month, she moved her business to Marion at 203 S. Third St., in the former Head Start building.

Florence police struggle with large number of crimes

Florence Police Chief Michael Stone says the small town police department has been inundated with crimes this summer. Florence police are currently investigating 61 open cases, a substantial number for the two-man police force.

County banks buy all temporary jail bonds

Five banks in Marion County bought $1 million in temporary bonds to finance jail construction until bidding is completed and long-term bonds are issued, bond counsel David Arteberry of George K. Baum & Co. told Marion County Commission on Monday. Banks actually requested triple the amount of bonds that were for sale, he said.

Durwood Fiedler

Durwood D. Fiedler, 78, died July 12 at Asbury Park, Newton. He was born June 23, 1933, in Peabody, to Fred W. and Olive (Gaede) Fiedler.

Pauline Meysing

Dorothy Pauline Meysing, 80, of Ramona, died July 11 at Salina Regional Health Center, Salina. She was born Feb. 15, 1931, in Newton, to Ed and Geneva (Scherer) Waner.

Beverly Richmond

Beverly Nadine Richmond was born Dec. 29, 1937, and passed away July 23, 2011, at the age of 73. A private family graveside service was held at Lincolnville Cemetery, led by Pastor Mike Eurit.

Janice Utter

On July 14, 2011, God called his angel, Janice A. Utter home from Newton Medical Center. Janice was born in Penn Yan, N.Y., on Oct. 19, 1951, to Percy and Audrey Hudson. Janice was married to Dale S. Utter on April 12, 1980, in Hammondsport, N.Y. They were married for 31 years and he survives of the home. Janice was a certified nurse’s aide and activity director with Kidron Bethel in Newton and Westview Manor in Peabody. Janice was known as “Ma” to many but especially to her three grandsons, Ashton, Kaiden, and Logan. They will deeply miss her love and attention, as will all of those whose lives she touched through the years.

Accidents

Civil division

County jail

Criminal division

Crimes reported

Deeds recorded

Domestic division

Emergency dispatches

Hillsboro police department

Peabody police department

Small claims

Traffic division

Riffels learn showmanship, life lessons

When Karl Riffel, 15, of Tampa prepares to show a pig at the Marion County Fair, a bevy of techniques race through his brain. He has to tap the pig sternly, not too forcefully or timidly, to get the animal moving to parade in front of the judge for showmanship. The animal must obey him, stand and move when requested. He has to keep distance between the judge and the pig.

4-H remains stable in county

At a time when 4-H membership has been declining elsewhere in the state, the organization in Marion County has been stable. The four H’s are “head, heart, hands, and health.” Countywide membership this year is 202, said Nancy Pihl, Kansas State University Research and Extension agent and 4-H co-coordinator. That has been steady over the past decade.

4-H judging begins Thursday

Marion County Fair events begin Thursday and conclude July 30. The theme of the fair is “Cows and Luaus.” The 4-H clothing contest, construction judging, and style revue judging will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Mutton busting remains popular at rodeo

On July 27 and 28, children under age 6 will be able to take their turn in the rodeo arena at the Marion County Fairgrounds to compete in mutton busting (sheep riding). “There are some little bitty kids doing it,” rodeo chairman Larry Heiser said.

Tholes are partners for life

Farm wives are often the unsung workers in agricultural operations. They not only help to plant and harvest the crop that feeds the livestock, they also are the ones who cook and serve the meat on the family dinner table, maintain the home, and care for the children.

Miesse cattle business spans four decades

Buying and selling cattle is in J.B. Miesse’s blood. Orville and Clara Miesse made their home west of Marion. Orville worked at sale barns in Marion and Florence and bought and sold cattle for customers.

No-till farming gaining popularity

Jerry Rziha of rural Tampa has been farming at least part-time his entire life and full-time since 1976. His farm has been 100 percent no-till since 2002. “It’s worked very well for me,” Rziha said. “I farm better now than I ever did when I did tillage.”

Failed crops must be reported to FSA

Producers are to notify Marion County Farm Service Agency of any destruction of crops that may have been affected by weather conditions such as excessive heat, drought, or other natural disaster and the crop could not be re-planted. Producers should file reports with the county office, describing the cause of loss and what use they will make of the crop. Producers who have crop insurance and have already notified their crop insurance agent of loss will still need to contact FSA to ensure planting history is protected.

Stockmen struggle with heat to keep their livestock going

Not only are crops wilting in the heat of the day in this heat wave; livestock, also, are struggling. Diepenbrock Farms of Lincolnville has a feedlot where calves are grown and fattened for sale to meat packers.

Simons hired at Centre USD 397

At a special meeting Thursday, the Centre Board of Education hired Sharon Simons of Lincolnville as the head kindergarten through 12th-grade secretary. She is replacing Dawn Luna, who resigned at the end of the 2010-11 school year. In addition to secretarial duties, Simons will be responsible for providing reports on Medicaid reimbursements and will serve as deputy clerk.

USD 408 to lose tax revenue

USD 408 Superintendent Lee Leiker told the board of education Thursday that the district will collect less money in property taxes in 2011 than in 2010. The difference will affect the district’s budget, which Leiker is currently figuring for the 2011-12 school year.

USD 408 raises fees for 2011

The USD 408 Board of Education raised fees for the 2011 school year Thursday. Breakfast prices increased from $1.25 to $1.35 for kindergarten through sixth grade, $1.50 to $1.60 for seventh through twelfth grade, and $1.90 to $2 for adults.

Tampa road plans have changed

Tampa City Council learned July 11 that some obstacles stand in the way of having four miles of road resurfaced between Tampa and K-15 as previously planned. County commissioner Dan Holub explained that an engineer had looked at K-15 and determined more than six inches of asphalt were needed.

Scammers are at it ... again

Thieves must spend an incredible amount of energy to figure out how to bilk people out of money. Such was the case when we received an e-mail Monday at the Record office supposedly from someone in the community.

Seeds of Something Fine

Summer is my season. My whole being leans toward it all through the rest of the year. I feel I have to squeeze in enough of the good life in these brief hot months to last me the other three quarters of the year. Some of that is the heat. I know I’m weird but I love the heat. The sticky wall of hot air that hits me when I leave an air-conditioned building is like welcoming arms.

Another Day in the Country

In all the years of their childhood, my girls stayed for a week with their grandparents in Oregon — without me! At the end of that jaunt, my girls said, “Don’t you ever leave us here again!” My mother said, “Never again! I don’t know how you do it!”

Colorado couple visits Hannafords

John and Caroline Newcomer of Littleton, Colo., recently visited Bud and Lavonne Hannaford. They spent an evening at the Hannaford lake cabin with friends. Others present included Bob and Mary Exline of Salina; Claire and Susie Garrison of Emporia; Bob and Ilene Runke of Wichita; and Dorothy Youk of Marion.

John Smith hosts gathering

John Smith hosted a gathering May 28 at his home in Herington. Guests included Rob and Sharon Rutz, Dixie Kracke, Arlene Ingrum, Linda Cheaver, Evan Kindren, and Kent and Diane Krider, Kiley and Keenan of Abilene; Timothy and Darla Matz and Alexis and Olivia Rush of Junction City; Rob and Jessica Rein, Jenna and Avre of Maize; Jean and Audrey Lardenois, Larry and Yvette Ebright and Lindsey, and Terri and Trey Jackson of Enterprise; Gary Cheaver of Topeka; and David Smith, Lenora Smith, and Mark Smith of Marion.

Card shower requested for Edith Warneke

The daughters of Edith Warneke of Marion request a card shower in honor of her 85th birthday Aug. 1. Edith and husband, Harlow, have three daughters, Connie Warneke of Topeka, Pat Elling of Lebanon, Tenn., and Gerry Lundy of McPherson; two grandsons; and four great-granddaughters.

Pets get second look from police

It’s one of those incidents in life that may be embarrassing at the time but is funny later. Linda Sardou told diners at Marion Senior Center on July 13 about her exotic pets — two sugar gliders, Choco and Sam.

Antique business grew out of a labor of love

The inspiration for Marion’s fourth antique business was utility, not opportunity, but its two owners have both grown to love the business. Jennifer Sawyer, 41, went to her mother, Nyla Sawyer, this past year to ask the antique collector of almost 50 years to open an antique store.

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New resident reviving Florence ballfield

When Aaron Craig moved to Florence with his family in June 2010, he was happy to see the city had a softball field. He coaches softball and has three daughters who he wants to teach to play softball, and the field presents a good opportunity for that. But he isn’t happy about the condition of the field.

Carlson, Noller among best in golf tourneys

Nineteen teams from seven cities competed in the 19th annual cross-fire Couple’s Invitational Tournament on July 17 at Marion Country Club. Local finishers included: Championship: 2. Don and Judy Noller, Marion, 72; 3. Tim Young , Marion, and Leslee Sanborn, Wichita, 74. First flight: 3. Dusty and Misty Hett, Marion, 81. Second flight: 1. Bernie and Kristin Waner, Marion, 83; 2. Bryan Hess and Angela Albin, Marion, 84; 3. Jerry and Lois Smith, Marion, 89. Twenty-four men participated July 6 in the senior golf tournament at Marion Country Club. Local finishers included: Ages 50 -54: 1. Greg Carlson, Marion, 78; 2. Tim Christensen, Marion, 81. 55-59: 1. Pat Moore, Marion, 84. 60-64: 1. Bernie Waner, Marion, 80. 65-69: 2. Jerry Smith, Marion, 82; 3. Bill Goentzel, Marion, 85.

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