Marion County RECORD

Highway director talks roundabout, Pilsen

Kansas Secretary of Transportation Mike King spoke to Marion Chamber of Commerce members and answered questions Friday. Gene Winkler, who circulated a petition in 2012 requesting construction of a roundabout at the junction of U.S. 56/77 and K-150, asked about the progress of plans for a roundabout. King said bid letting for the project would be in April 2015.

Yellow water only looks bad, city says

Two weeks ago some Marion residents may noticed city crews draining water lines through flush out city water lines. The reason behind the flushing was a resident complaining of yellow water coming from his city lines. “In many parts of the city, the 6-inch water lines are not used enough, allowing unused water to build up,” interim city administrator Roger Holter said. “The ½-inch and ¾-inch piping going into the houses allow for way more capacity verses usage. The water is not stagnant and it poses no health risk, but it’s unsightly.”

Scams increase during holidays

Norma Kline thought it was unusual when a friend called asking for advice on whether to send money to a man saying her computer would blow up in 48 hours unless she sent him $140. “I don’t know what made her stop and call me, as she was convinced it was something she needed to do,” Kline said. “She is older and needs help navigating life, especially the financial stuff, so I suppose she thought she should ask me before driving to Vogt’s Supermarket in Hillsboro to send a $140 wire transfer to the scam artists.”

Deer hunters' work starts well before Dec. 4

Firearms season for deer hunting is Dec. 4-15 this year in Kansas, but preparation for hunting started back in spring. Craig Dodd of Chisholm Trail Outfitters in Hillsboro said many hunters would have planted food plots near creeks in spring and summer.

Engler shares love of horses

To enter the world of Engler Farms is to entire a world a plethora of animals call home. Guests to the farm will be greeted by ducks, kittens, goats, two farm dogs, and an overly fluffy Pomeranian named Alexander. To owner Belinda Engler, the horses and ponies that call the farm home are the true treasures. “I was one of those kids that live and breathed horses since I was born,” Engler said. “I had a wooden spring horse growing up and wore it out because it was my favorite toy.”

Monday is busy for community center

Monday will be a busy day at the Marion Community Center, with events at lunch and dinner times. Sen. Moran to have 1,000th town hall meeting in Marion

Courthouse closings set for 2014

Marion County Courthouse will be closed in 2014 on Jan. 1, Jan. 20, Feb. 17, May 26, July 4, Sept. 1, Nov. 11, Nov. 27 and 28, and Dec. 25 and 26. Additionally, the judicial offices will be closed Oct. 13 for Columbus Day.

One-handed pianist to perform Sunday

Pianist Brian Arnold will return to share not only his music but also his story with patrons free of charge at 7 p.m. Sunday at the USD 408 Performing Arts Center, as part of the Marion Ministerial Alliance Community Thanksgiving Services. “He came at Chingawassa Days and did so well that we wanted to have him back,” Marion Christian Church pastor Carl Helm said Monday. “It was hard to believe anyone could play piano with one hand, but he was phenomenal.”

Commission resets Florence motel price

After rescinding two proposals Monday, county commissioners voted again to auction a former Florence motel at $5,000. Commissioners agreed with Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman’s sentiment preferring to keep the former Holiday Motel as a motel, but wanting to postpone the building’s sale no longer.

Donation dinner will honor former co-owner

After hosting a free-will donation holiday dinner last Christmas, Cindy Taylor and her brother, the late Loren Goddard, decided to make the event annual, hosting another dinner Nov. 28 at Cindy’s Cafe on Thanksgiving. Taylor said she decided to host for the dinner because there had been no public dinner in town last year.

Winkler retires from EMS after 41 years

Marion ambulance volunteer Gene Winkler has retired from Marion County Emergency Medical Service as of Nov. 1 after 41 years of serving the community. “I got into to doing this in August of 1972,” Winkler said. “It’s just time to let some of the younger kids do it.”

Jex sewer project behind schedule

Andrew Brunner of EBH Engineering updated Marion City Council members on the progress of the Jex Addition project sewer last week. Brunner reported to the council that the project was slightly behind schedule because crews have been unable to test the lift station.

Alcorn grows facial hair to support men's health

Though there is no shortage of bearded men in Marion County, this year during the month of “Movember,” Billy Alcorn is one more furry face, and his is a beard with a purpose. For those who don’t know, “Movember” is the name of a global charity event in which participants help promote awareness and raises funds to combat prostate and testicular cancer by encouraging men to grow a mustache for the 30 days of November.

Baker pleased with bierock variation

Rachel Schmidt of Norel Farms Bakery in Hillsboro recently received a special order for bierocks made with sausage instead of ground beef, to be served at Marion’s Christmas Celebration on Dec. 1. In 15 years of making bierocks, she had never tried them with sausage, but she is always interested in trying new flavor combinations. So on Friday she set to filling the special order, as well as making others for regular customers.

Mennonite Central Committee responds to typhoon

Several local Mennonite churches including First Mennonite Church and Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church are raising funds for Mennonite Central Committee to aid victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Those wishing to donate can go to http://www.mcc.org/typhoon or contact the MCC Central States office in Newton at (316) 283-2720.

Don't leave the leaves

The once pretty fall leaves are now brown and falling into yards and streets everywhere. Last month Marion City Council made a push to encourage people to keep leaves out of streets, but the wind has other plans. Short of chopping down all the trees to get rid of leaves, there are several options for residents looking to remove the pesky plant droppings from their yards and streets alike.

Homestead closing pushed to after Thanksgiving

Final paperwork for Homestead Affordable Housing’s projects in Marion has been delayed somewhat because a lawyer involved in the contracts had a death in the family, Todd Heitschmidt told Marion Economic Development Inc. board members Tuesday morning. The paperwork was to be finished this week, but now it may be delayed until the week after Thanksgiving, he said. After that is completed, work on renovating September 1 apartments and construction of nine duplexes can begin.

After 51 years, Riffels travel back to Greece

In 1960, H. Edwin Riffel, his wife Carol, and their son David left Marion for life on the island of Crete of the coast of Greece. Ed, a 1958 Herington High School graduate, was on active duty for the Air Force at the time, and the family spent two years overseas. Before their second child, daughter Chris, was born, the Riffels moved back to Kansas, keeping in contact with Greek friends through letters.

Open gym scheduled in Hillsboro

Hillsboro Recreation Commission is sponsoring open gym from 7 to 9 p.m. today and Nov. 27 and 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Hillsboro High School gym. Open gym is for youth and adult basketball players to play in pickup games or practice shooting. HRC requests players have dedicated basketball shoes to wear on the gym floor. Players should provide their own basketballs.

Margaret Edwardson

Margaret “Peg” Edwardson, 88, died Sunday at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence. She was born Nov. 20, 1924, near Atchison. She married Ralph Edwardson on Jan. 18, 1947, in Kansas City, Mo. She was a homemaker and a retired registered nurse. She was a member of Holy Family Parish, St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Marion.

Dora Holub

Dora M. Holub, 89, of Marion died Nov. 12, 2013, at St. Luke Living Center. She was born March 21, 1924, to Earl and Alma (Hotze) Thomas in Amorita, Okla. She married Theo Holub on Jan. 12, 1948. She was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter, Mary Sue; two siblings, Harold and Joe Thomas and Delores Sysak; and two grandchildren.

Jerry Olsen

Jerry J. Olsen, 78, died Sunday at St. Luke Hospital in Marion. He was born March 2, 1935, at Marion to Clyde and Clara Druse Olsen. He was a lifetime resident of Marion County and a graduate of Marion High School. He served two years in the U.S. Army in the late 1950s. He was a farmer and truck driver and worked for Aulne Grain for 26 years.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil division cases

County Jail arrests and bookings

Criminal division cases

Deeds records

Emergency dispatches

Marriage licenses issued

Offenses reported

Police incident reports

Traffic division cases

Comedian to renovate Marion apartments

Things are looking up at 102 W. Santa Fe St. in Marion. Felicia Dye has purchased the Santa Fe Apartments and is having them renovated. Dye is a comedian living in Los Angeles, so the question comes to mind, how did she come to own property in Marion?

Not all home improvement projects are equal

Homeowners undertake all sorts of projects expecting to add to the value of their home when it is time to sell, but different projects can have dramatically different returns on investment, according to local real estate agents. At the most basic level, making sure a house is clean and in good condition will provide excellent returns on the time and money spent, Lori Heerey of Heerey Real Estate in Marion said.

Protect your home from break-ins

It is getting to be the holiday season, and not everyone is looking to spread holiday cheer. The holidays are a prime time for thieves to target houses to steal Christmas gifts and holiday cheer. Hillsboro Police Chief Daniel Kinning said the season presents an opportunity for criminals to take advantage of distracted homeowners and shoppers.

Simple steps can cut heating bills dramatically

With the first arctic blast of cold, homeowners begin thinking, “How do I keep the cold out and the heat in?” The most common solutions are caulk around windows, insulate more, and turn the thermostat up. Those fixes do the job, but they can be expensive. Other cost-reducing things can be done around the home to decrease heating bills and cost pennies on the dollar.

All politics is local'

It’s been said many times, most famously by Tip O’Neill, that all politics is local. People care about the things they see every day in their own neighborhoods — streets and other local services. So why is it that local elections typically have the lowest voter turnout? The Marion City Council election in 2012 had voter turnout of 306. That was just 25 percent of registered voters. Three out of four registered voters in Marion stayed home that day, not to mention all of the people eligible to vote who aren’t registered. And that was in a contested election with five candidates for two positions. An incumbent, Steve Smith, was voted out of office with 25 percent voter turnout!

How history sneaks up on you

This past weekend I was happy to celebrate my 67th birthday. I know that seems older than dirt to many of you youngsters who receive the newspaper every week in your home or classroom. I usually don’t feel that old. I know I am, but most days it just doesn’t seem like it. A couple of events besides my birthday brought it home to me during the weekend, however. There were specials on television and a review in the Sunday

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

Timm to receive nursing degree

Jordan Timm, a 2007 graduate of Marion High School, is a candidate to receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Washburn University in Topeka. Timm will receive his degree during commencement at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 in Lee Arena, Petro Allied Health Center. There will also be a pinning ceremony at 3:30 p.m. the same day at White Concert Hall.

Bank coordinates gifts for elderly

Emprise Bank in Hillsboro will have a Silver Angel Tree this Christmas season to recognize elderly residents. The project will arrange gift-givers with elderly residents in need of Christmas cheer. Nomination forms are available from the bank and are due Dec. 2. Beginning Dec. 6, angels will be posted on the tree with anonymous gift suggestions.

Centre alumna to marry Dec. 7

Victoria Nickel and Coty Miller will marry on Dec. 7 in Herington. The bride-elect is a 2011 graduate of Centre High School. She is studying nursing at Northwestern Oklahoma State University and works at Share Medical center in Alva, Okla.

Kiwanis hears about local TV

Gene Winkler and Michael Powers spoke about MCTV Channel 20 and “The Corner” at Tuesday’s Marion Kiwanis meeting. MCTV airs Marion City Council meetings and Marion High School sports and events. “The Corner” is the channel’s newest addition, focusing on new businesses, Chamber of Commerce members, and local residents.

Tabor Christmas concert is Sunday

The Tabor College Chamber Strings and Symphonic Band will present their annual Christmas instrumental performance at 4 p.m. Sunday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. This year’s theme is “Snapshots of Christmas.” The Chamber Strings will begin the concert with “Rhythmic Snapshots of Christmas,” and all the selections will provide musical snapshots of the Christmas message.

Cadettes plan gift-giving

Girl Scout Cadette Troop 30113 is sponsoring a Silver Tree for elderly Marion residents who need help this Christmas. The troop is sponsoring the project to support elderly residents on fixed income who don’t have family nearby to celebrate with. Gift suggestions will be placed on a tree at Tampa State Bank, and people can pick up a star, buy the gift, and return it to the bank with the star, wrapped or unwrapped, until Dec. 7.

Group celebrates World Community Day

World Community Day was celebrated with a soup luncheon Nov. 1 at Marion Presbyterian Church. World Community Day began in 1943 for the study of peace by church women. It is sponsored by Church Women United. This year’s theme was “Walking Through the Door of Opportunity.” Sue Clough led songs with accompaniment on piano by Shirley Bowers. Connie Fisher read scripture, pastor Jeremiah Lange and Jackie Volbrecht spoke about ministries and relationships locally that they participate in.

Svoboda gets volleyball honors

Centre High School senior Bryanna Svoboda was named to the Kansas Volleyball Association all-state team for Class 1A Division 1. Svoboda was an outside hitter on the team, and she was named to the honorable mention.

Hospital auxiliary hears from doctor

St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary met Nov. 8 with 27 members present. Dr. Paige Hatcher gave the program, outlining her educational and practice experience that led her to Marion. Lenore Dieter, Gloria Ash, Judy Reno, Feebie Holdeman, Lois Johnson, and Lucy Helmer were the hostess committee for the month.

Hamms married in 1953

Clayton and Wanda Hamm will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary Friday. They married on Nov. 22, 1953, in Claflin. They have lived in Marion for the majority of their life. They have two children, Shirley Riffel and her husband, John, of Newton and Dennis and his wife, Grace, of Sioux Falls, S.D.

Centre blood drive is Monday

Centre FFA will sponsor a Red Cross blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday in the main gym at the school. No appointment is needed to donate.

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