Marion County RECORD

Couple remove 140-year-old mud insulation

When Shane Marler started taking down old plaster walls in a home he and his wife, Morgan, were renovating between Hillsboro and Peabody, they were surprised at what they found behind the plaster. At first he thought it was the biggest mud-dauber nest he’d ever seen, but he quickly realized that the dirt behind the plaster was insulation. The original builders made bricks of mud and straw to use as insulation when the house was built in 1874.

Dog is returned to owner after 9 month 150 mile trip

It is hard to find something more heartwarming than a little girl reunited with her best four-legged friend. That is exactly what took place Tuesday at the home of Judy Dannenfelser near Marion County Lake as she helped return Titan the Great Dane to his owner, 3-year-old Kiera DeJaynes. The story began nine months ago in Easton, nearly 150 miles away from Marion. Patricia DeJaynes had let Titan and the other family dog out to play outside their country house. Because Great Danes are shorthaired dogs, Titan slept inside but enjoyed playtime outside during the day.

2 nabbed in all-night manhunt

An intense manhunt by police and deputies, aided by a Highway Patrol helicopter with an infrared camera, scoured southwest Marion County all night Monday and into the day Tuesday in search of what was thought to be a ring of car thieves. The manhunt began with a citizen’s hunch about suspicious individuals at a convenience store in Hillsboro and didn’t end until a second tip from another resident who spotted a suspicious individual walking along a county road the following morning.

New city clerk selected

Sheila Makovec is likely to become Marion’s new city clerk. At a special meeting Monday, council members gave administrator Roger Holter permission to offer Makovec the job.

Marion High School spring play gets reinstated

Twenty-six students, alumni, parents, and teachers successfully lobbied the Marion school board Monday to reinstate a spring play cut from the budget. Senior Amanda Stuchlik said her involvement in theater had helped her with confidence, teamwork, public speaking, and time management. She said many people, some of them strangers, have told her how much they enjoy productions and how proud they are of the students involved.

Cafe's remodeling is a family, community effort

Town and Country Café in Florence has been a staple for travelers and Marion County residents for generations. For the next few weeks, the café will be getting a facelift and possible preparations for a new owner. Carolyn Spencer and her husband, Edmond, have owned the café for 18 years. This is their first complete remodel, right down to the wall sockets. The dining room was redone two years ago.

Songwriting brings happiness

Singer-songwriter Annie Wilson of Elmdale will be among 20 musicians performing Sunday at Emma Chase Music Hall in Cottonwood Falls for the CD release of “Kansas Cowboy.” Wilson contributed a solo track as well as a track performed with her Tallgrass Express String Band, for the compilation album being released by the Kansas Chapter of the Western Music Association. She and her band are members.

County commissioners exchange roles

County commissioners did not have much business to tend to Monday but made a small change of their own, rotating responsibilities. Roger Fleming became the new chairman and Dan Holub became the vice chairman. “I felt no pressure today,” former chairman Randy Dallke joked. “I’m a no-nothing commissioner now.”

Youthful vandalism? No, it's constructive

Residents of September I Apartments say they are OK with extra noise they have had to deal with over the past week. Lucas King’s USD 408 building trades class has began demolition in 14 unoccupied apartments in preparation for complete renovation.

Dog makes 1st bust

Marion’s 10-month-old police dog, Legion, who joined the force just before Christmas, made his first bust on New Year’s Eve. Around 2 a.m., after Officer Mike Stone stopped James Kiel II, 35, of Emporia, for allegedly speeding on U.S. 56 within the city limits. Stone reportedly became suspicious after Kiel made inconsistent statements.

Grocery chain to buy Vogt's

A long-rumored sale of Vogt’s Hometown Market in Hillsboro is in the works. Heartland Foods, a seven-store chain with a store in Herington, is seeking to buy Vogt’s, Heartland Foods co-owner Paul Barnes said Monday. He said the parties agree in principle but the sale isn’t final.

Cafe in need of owner

Barb and Larry Smith shut the doors to Country Lakes Café for the last time this January to begin retirement and to deal with health issues plaguing the two. “It’s not that we wanted to shut down the restaurant,” Barb said, “but because of health reasons, it was something we needed to do. Between us, we have bad knees and a bad shoulder. We want to take some time to recover and spend time with grandkids.”

Like Marion, Strong City to renovate depot

Like Marion before it, Strong City is getting ready to renovate its century-old railroad depot, the completion of a goal set more than a decade ago. City Clerk Shari DeWitt was aware of Marion’s success renovating its depot into a library in 2002 but said Strong City had been trying unsuccessfully to acquire its depot from BNSF Railway Company for some time before that.

Photographer's work featured in Pratt

If you were to take a road trip to Pratt Community College to visit the Delmar Riney Art Gallery and meander back roads along the way, you might better understand Marion resident Jennifer Hess’s method of photography. Many of her photographs, taken during family outings and now on display at the gallery, celebrate the seasonal beauty of the Flint Hills and the unique architecture of historic buildings that pepper the region.

Juanita Stovall

Juanita Jo (Ford) Stovall, 79, of Marion died Friday at her home. She was born Jan. 3, 1935, in Antelope to Howard E. and Bernice A. (Utting) Ford. Juanita attended Marion public schools and graduated in 1952.

Nevaeh Winsor

Nevaeh Faye Winsor was stillborn Jan. 2. Her parents are Carlee Wentworth and Fred Winsor of Peabody. Monica Farrar of Peabody and Earl and Arlene Winsor of Burns are her grandparents.

Accidents reported

Civil division cases

Criminal division cases

Emergency dispatches

Incident reports

Jail arrests and bookings

Marriage licenses issued

Traffic division cases

Residents take radon warning seriously

Marion County is in an area prone to high levels of harmful radon gas, Dr. Paige Hatcher of St. Luke Physician Clinic said. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is radioactive, colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Prolonged exposure is the second biggest factor in lung cancer behind tobacco smoke, Hatcher said. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates radon is responsible for about 20,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the U.S.

Flu season is in full sneeze

It’s flu season again, and like many heath care providers across America, Marion Family Physicians has been treating a lot of influenza cases. Kansas is one of 35 states with wide-spread influenza activity according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Indoor track great for rehabilitation

Many people are using the walking track at USD 408 Sports and Aquatic Center for rehabilitation and health maintenance. Charles Heerey, now 81, had a heart attack in 1988 and angioplasty. Eight years later, he underwent bypass surgery. His doctor put him on a walking regimen. He visits the gym seven days a week and walks 1½ miles or 18 laps.

Martial arts class benefits kids, adults

During his first few years living in Hillsboro, Mervin Lare pondered beginning a martial arts class but was unsure of how to do so. Lare began taking classes in 2006 at UFM Community Learning Center in Manhattan, and moved up the ranks.

Gym, weight room available to adults

Peabody-Burns Recreation Commission makes the PBHS Brown Gymnasium and weight room available to adults from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sundays through March 5. Adults in the school district can participate in pickup basketball games or work on the weights during that time.

A few words on words

Spelling is more than one of those old-fashioned subjects schools try to teach in between sports events and concerts. Sometimes it makes a difference, as when County Commissioner Randy Dallke, stepping down as chairman, refers to himself as becoming a “no-nothing commissioner,” still asserting he’s in the know. If you could have read all of our unedited news stories this week, you would have learned how spelling bee contestants impressed their “piers” (yes, we were all wet on that one), how a fancy dead end has been transformed into a “cult sack” (something we’ve suspected goes on in suburban areas) and how one governmental group wants to convene a “bond council” (presumably to debate the merits of its thin “mil” levy).

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

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Lovelesses celebrate 60th anniversary

Ervin “Mike” Loveless and LaVona (Weathers) Loveless are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this week with a card shower requested by their children. Mike is a retired farmer and oilfield worker. LaVona is a retired licensed practical nurse. Most of their life, they farmed and raised sheep in Antelope, never missing a Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival.

Bowers family gathers on New Year's Eve

Shirley Bowers’ family gathered on New Year’s Day at Eastmoor United Methodist Church. Attending were Luke Bowers and friend Becca from Lawrence; Kevin and Bev Jennison, Stilwell; Rick and Mary Lou Just, Mulvane; Todd and Melissa Just, Owen and Aubryn, Salina; Eric and Andrea Just, Brayden and Addison, Silver Lake; Kyle and Molly Just, Wilmore, Kentucky.

Reservations needed for Kansas Day

Marion’s Kansas Day Celebration will be at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Eastmoor United Methodist Church. Tallgrass Express String Band will perform music of the Flint Hills, featuring songwriter Annie Wilson, who was named “Flint Hills Balladeer” by Gov. Sam Brownback.

Canadian bluesman to play at McPherson

McPherson Opera House will be filled with melodies of Canadian bluesman Matt Anderson at 7 p.m. Saturday. Anderson won the 2013 Euro Blues Award for best solo/acoustic act and the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

Brian Stucky to speak at museum

Area historian Brian Stucky will speak at Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum’s annual meeting at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, rural Goessel. After a business meeting, Stucky will reflect on “Why the Stories are Important.”

Pride wants input

Marion Pride Committee will meet at noon Thursday at the library to discuss options for a downtown streetscape project to be proposed in a grant application. The committee wants public input and is encouraging anyone wishing to present an idea or join the discussion to attend.

Chambers to have joint event

The Hillsboro and Marion Chambers of Commerce will hold their annual joint meeting Jan. 27 at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. with a silent auction. Dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m.

Florence seniors sign get-well card

Sixteen members of Florentine Seniors met at noon Friday at a Florence café for the group’s monthly meeting. Members signed a get-well card for Bert Zogelman and recognized Eileen Hallowell’s 74th birthday, which was that day. Jean Shipman won the door prize.

Auxiliary to meet Thursday

St. Luke Auxiliary’s annual meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Eastmoor Church. Cost is $12.50 payable at the door. For more information, call Eileen Sieger at (620) 382-2032.

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Lady Cougars defeat Rural Vista

Centre’s game against Rural Vista Friday at White City proved to be another easy victory for the Lady Cougars. Cold shooting by Rural Vista in the first half resulted in a Centre halftime lead of 28-6.

Comeback too little, too late for Centre

Centre’s shooting in the first half of its game with Rural Vista Friday at White City was as cold as the snow that began falling outside and the ice that formed in its wake. The Cougars lost, 66-37. They dug a hole so deep that a 24-22 scoring advantage in the second half couldn’t get them out.

6th graders to join junior high sports

Students in next year’s sixth-grade class at Centre Elementary School will be eligible to participate in junior high sports except for football. The Centre school board approved their eligibility Monday based on a lack of students expected in junior high next year. This year’s sixth-grade class has only 11 students. When they advance to seventh grade, there may be too few students to play sports.

MES students honored for attendance

Twenty-one students had perfect attendance for the fall semester at Marion Elementary School. Principal Justin Wasmuth said he was proud of those students for being at school every day despite many illnesses during the semester.

Turmoil' decides MES spelling bee

After seven rounds of nail-biting competition, Cassie Meyer correctly spelled “turmoil,” in front of an audience of peers, teachers, and parents, to be declared spelling bee champion Friday at Marion Elementary School. Cassie, a sixth grader, out-spelled 17 other MES contestants from Grades 4 through 6. She will compete at a county spelling bee Feb. 5 at Hillsboro Middle School along with MES student Chloe Burkholder, who spelled “disarray” to be named runner-up.

Marion gets another sports uniform donation

The Marion school board accepted a $1,500 donation Monday from Jake and Christi Sigel to pay for new high school softball uniforms. The uniforms should be ready before the season begins this spring. This is the third time in 14 months that the district has received a donation for sports uniforms. In November 2012, Tylor Neil donated wrestling uniforms. In September, Kelly and Susan Robson donated uniforms for high school girls’ basketball.

Volleyball coach resigns

Deanna Thierolf’s resignation as Marion High School volleyball coach was accepted Monday. “I have truly enjoyed it, but with two of our children in college athletics it is difficult for this mom to be where I need to be on a Saturday,” she wrote in a letter dated Dec. 28.

Centre student signs cheerleading letter of intent

Warriors lose Berean rematch

When the Marion boys played Berean early in basketball season, they fell behind early but came back to win 44-42. The second meeting between the teams began the same, but ended differently. Marion scored first after Tim Knolla drove the lane for a layup, but Marion did not score again until Berean had scored nine of its own. Marion fought back trailing 12-8 at the end of the first quarter.

Lady Warriors fall in double OT

A slow start turned to a longer ending for the Marion girls Tuesday night against Berean Academy. The Lady Warriors trailed 17-12 at halftime, but raised the defensive pressure in the second half to keep the score within one possession.

Marion wrestlers split Smoky Valley duals

After shutting out Wichita Trinity 72-0, Marion Warrior wrestlers lost 56-15 to Smoky Valley to split their duals Thursday at Smoky Valley in Lindsborg. “We wrestled OK,” coach Chad Adkins said. “Smoky Valley was just flat better than us. We don’t match up well with them.”

Middle school teams seeing success

Midway through their seasons, basketball teams at Marion Middle School have earned winning records. Boys’ coach Gary Hett said his players were great hustlers, worked hard, and were fun to coach.

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