Marion County RECORD

1 arrested in grade school 'lockdown'

Marion Elementary School entered into a precautionary lockdown Monday after a man allegedly threatened a courthouse employee that has children attending the school. “Some threats were made to an individual who happened to have kids in Marion schools, so for that reason the school was notified,” Sheriff Robert Craft said. “The threat wasn’t at the school, but as part of the whole situation, they were notified.”

Salon owner kicked out; landowner cites poor work ethic

New salon owner Tiffany Westney wanted to give back to her community. She wound up giving her business back to her landlord. Citing what he said was a poor work ethic, building owner Dave Yates said Westney didn’t have what it takes to run a salon. So he carefully packed her belongings, and told her to get out of his building.

Sheriff's granddaughter makes 'wanted' poster for lost dogs

“We were just coloring together and she drew it all on her own,” Craft said. “It was better than the picture I was coloring.” Though he didn’t put out an all points bulletin out on the dogs, Craft hung a picture on a notice board in the sheriffs’ department and asked deputies to keep an eye out while performing normal duties.

Tannerite makes for 'explosive' sales item

Almost every weekend, Colby Hett of Marion gets together with friends to practice shooting rifles, and they have a blast. Literally. A few of the rounds they squeeze off are aimed at exploding targets made of a mixture of aluminum powder and ammonium nitrate, sold under the brand name Tannerite.

Utility fees may hit young families hardest

New residents — especially young families coming from apartments — are increasingly likely to have to fork over up to $125 before hooking up to municipal utilities here. The fees, which have little to do with the cost of connecting services, go beyond merely guaranteeing payment. Deposits did that. The new fees aren’t returned, as they used to be, once a customer has established a record of paying utility bills on time for 12 months.

Utility shutoff ban doesn't apply to Marion

A Kansas Corporation Commission rule that would prohibit turning utilities off when forecasts are below 35 degrees doesn’t apply to Marion, so the city will likely choose not to follow it. Administrator Roger Holter informed Marion City Council members at Monday’s meeting of the KCC’s “Cold Weather Rule,” a policy that would add extra measures — including notifying residents over-the-phone or in-person the day before disconnection — before turning off residents’ utilities during cold-weather months.

Librarian Marler makes career of getting creative

When Janet Marler took a part-time job at Marion City Library in 1974, it wasn’t because she loved books. She wanted a job, and the library position was there to be had. But the love of literature grew on her, and Monday, Marion Mayor Todd Heitschmidt honored the head librarian’s years of service by proclaiming Friday to be Janet Marler Day.

Man donates foot of hair for charity

Self-proclaimed old-time rock-and-roller Rich Fine of Marion sports a full head of black and silver hair, cutting it every two years or so. Friday was cutting day, but this time Fine donated 12 inches to Locks of Love after a visit to Miles by Design. Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides wigs to financially disadvantaged people under the age of 21 within the United States and Canada suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.

County to reimburse driver for do-it-yourself road repairs

Gary Diepenbrock wasn’t going to wait for the county to get around to fixing his road. He took the matter into his own hands. “Sometimes you just have to help yourself,” he said. “That’s where we were at. We needed to help ourselves.”

'Rover' Fleming exits county commission

Commission Chairman Roger Fleming pounded the gavel, adjourning his last meeting as a county commissioner, with a smile on his face. A meeting filled with fond remembrances and tributes also shined a light on the county’s future obstacles as it transitions to new leadership with Dan Holub taking over as chairman and Lori Lalouette-Crawford replacing Fleming as District One commissioner.

Donation of $6,000 to help fund disc golf course at lake

An anonymous donation of $6,000 will fund most of the construction of an 18-hole disc golf course at Marion County Park and Lake that could be operational by midsummer. “Just hearing from people through email and general conversation, there’s been a lot of interest in it, a lot of talk about it,” Hudson said.

Kapaun honored in South Korea

A new monument honoring Father Emil Kapuan of Pilsen was unveiled Dec. 17 in Seoul, S.K, much to the delight of Catholic parishioners and the Wichita Diocese. Rosemary Neuwirth of Lincolnville said she didn’t know about it until someone shared a Facebook post of a news article in Stars and Stripes, an Army publication. Father John Hotze of the Wichita Diocese said the Army sent the article to him. It was published Dec. 31.

Register early for at-risk workshop

Discounted registrations for the Adventure with Youth at Risk workshop Feb. 9 to 11 at Prairie View in Newton are due tomorrow. Early registration will qualify individuals for a $30 reduced fee. Registrations will be accepted after Thursday at full cost.

St. Luke recognized for safety initiative participation

Kansas Healthcare Collaborative and Kansas Hospital Association recently recognized St. Luke Hospital for its participation in Hospital Engagement Network. The three-year national initiative is designed to improve patient safety and reduce such things adverse drug events, pressure ulcers, and surgical site infections.

Anna Hanson

Former nurse’s aide at Peabody Nursing Home Anna Marie Hanson, 84, died Dec. 29 at her Peabody home. She was born June 1, 1930 to Alfred and Eunice (Dowell) Hanson in Peabody.

Linda Jantz

Linda M. Jantz, 90, died Monday at Parkside Home in Hillsboro. Family will receive guests from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Jost Funeral Home, Hillsboro. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Mennonite Church in Hillsboro.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil division

County jail

Criminal division

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Offenses reported

Police reports

Traffic division

Avoid excessive debt, bankers tell families

Bankers might make their living off loaning money to consumers, but local bankers said they don’t like to see their customers get in financial trouble. Tampa State Bank president Chris Costello advises young families to avoid revolving credit.

Navigating the Medicare maze

The simplest thing to be said about Medicare is that when people turn 65, they qualify for it. But it’s far from simple to understand what they qualify for, what other coverage they need, or what that extra coverage will cost.

Bible translators to speak in Hillsboro

Lutheran Bible Translators Paul Federwitz and family, who are on furlough from Ghana, will give a presentation about the work they perform abroad at 6 p.m. Tuesday following a soup supper at Zion Lutheran Church in Hillsboro. The public is invited to attend the event, which is hosted by Richard and Marilyn Riemer.

Hetts celebrate Christmas

The family of Jackie Hett had its annual Christmas celebration Dec. 26 at a motel near Wichita. Those who attended were Ron and Erica DeMerritt, Kai, Ari, and Indi, of Roswell, Georgia; Emily and Noah Carter and Liv of Wichita; Ken and Melinda Helmer of Wichita; Lauren and Tim Hartland and Adeline of Wichita; Maddie O’Sullivan of Durham, North Carolina; Ryan O’Sullivan of Oklahoma City; Tim and Melissa O’Sullivan of Tulsa; Jared and Kathy Ensey, Julia, Aaron, and Elise, of Kechi; Joel Ensey of Liberal; and Leslie Helmer of Leawood.

MARION SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

Ramona student to spend semester in Ireland

Anna Weber of rural Ramona, a junior at Bethany College in Lindsborg, will study biology at the University of Limerick in Ireland during the spring semester. Weber said she and a college friend will live in a townhome on the university campus with six Irish students.

Lincolnville 4-H'ers meet

The Lincolnville Wide Awake 4-H club celebrated Emilee Remmers’ birthday at its meeting Sunday with refreshments, a game of “red rover,” and a rendition of “Happy Birthday.” The roll-call question was “What is your favorite place to go sledding?”

Tampa Triple T's meet Sunday

Callie, Kailyn, and Jensen Riffel, and Cassidy Hill will give presentations during the next Tampa Triple T’s meeting, which starts at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Tampa Senior Center. The roll-call question will be “Did you stay up till midnight on New Year’s Eve?”

Free child screenings available

Children ages birth through 5 years may receive a free developmental screening from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesday. Locations will be disclosed individually with each appointment. Screenings will check development in learning, language, motor, and social skills, as well as vision and hearing. The process takes about an hour. Screenings are offered monthly during the school year and once during the summer.

Marion boys cruise by Canton-Galva

In its first game in nearly three weeks, the Marion High School boys’ basketball team secured a win Tuesday over league foe Canton-Galva, 44-30. Senior Bret Voth led the Warriors with 15 points. Sophomore Mason Pedersen added 12. Marion had control for most of the game and never trailed after a Pedersen 3-pointer put the Warriors up, 10-8, in the first quarter.

MHS girls ride late rally to victory

Head coach Kelly Robson knew his team needed to match the opposition’s intensity or it would lose Tuesday. After leading most of the way, Marion fell behind, 33-39, with a minute left in the third.

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