Marion County RECORD

30% of MES students miss with illness

More than 70 students missed school on Monday at Marion Elementary School because of illness — the highest absenteeism for a single day in at least four years. Many of the children experienced flu-like symptoms, with high fevers, headaches, vomiting, coughing, sore throats and general malaise, said Jane King, USD 408 school nurse. Some students also have tested positive for influenza virus A, King said.

Woman convicted of sex offenses faces charges here, too

A 24-year-old Dodge City woman, who pleaded guilty recently to five of 23 original counts of sexual exploitation in Ford County, was booked into Marion County Jail last week on charges of rape, sodomy and sexual exploitation of a child that allegedly involve taking inappropriate photographs of a child here. While declining to provide details of the case, county attorney Susan Robson said the incident that was alleged to have happened in Marion County came to light while sheriff’s deputies were assisting Ford County authorities with an investigation.

McCarty settles in to new job as MPD officer

Duane McCarty started work last week as Marion’s newest police officer, but two weeks prior, his new colleagues had already prepared a welcome surprise for him. When the 56-year-old former sheriff’s deputy stopped by the department office the first week of January, they had a makeshift nameplate waiting for him: “Old Man McCarty.”

Lost gravestone returns home

After more than 60 years, the mystery of a solitary gravestone in a pasture south of Marion has been solved, and the stone has been returned to its rightful home at Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Cemetery. Jerry Dieter brought the grave marker to the attention of Marion Cemetery Board in 2013. The lettering on the marker was chiseled in old German, and appeared to belong to Wilhelmina Stelting.

Gymnastics facility owner seeks $2,000 in rent credit from city

Don Carter, the owner of Skywalkers Trampoline and Tumbling Academy, says the city should reimburse his business $2,000 in rent because the city did not fulfill its promise to properly heat his gym. The insufficient heating drove away business, said Carter, who leases a city building at 828 N. Roosevelt St. in Marion. At last week’s city council meeting, officials decided to postpone a decision on whether to grant a $2,000 rent credit to Carter. Cold weather in late 2013 forced Carter to close the gym because it was too cold to use, and Carter wants the $2,000 credit to make up for charging half-price to clients to make up for canceled sessions.

Chamber dinner draws 165

Marion Community Center was packed Monday for the fourth annual Marion-Hillsboro Chambers of Commerce dinner. Marion Chamber of Commerce Secretary Margo Yates said 165 people attended, representing business, education, and government.

Golf and gardening next for Florence city retirees

Two recently retired Florence city employees have plans to hit the links and tackle projects at home. The city council honored Phil Baldwin and Larry Scriven last week with a reception, and each received an engraved pen, said Mayor Mary Shipman.

County schedules roads workshop

County Road and Bridge Department personnel will be meeting with commissioners Monday to discuss strategy for the upcoming year. Road and Bridge Superintendent Randy Crawford was not at Monday’s commission meeting, but commissioners planned with Jesse Hamm, of the road and bridge department, to hold the workshop.

Modern worship band to play in Marion

National modern worship act The Jordan Howerton Band will play from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at USD 408 Performing Arts Center in Marion to help raise money for local children. Chris Ensley, youth minster at Marion Christian Church, is organizing the event.

Marijuana charges pending against 2 teens

Charges are pending against two teenage boys after Hillsboro Police seized about 5 grams of marijuana and a plethora of paraphernalia Thursday from a recreational vehicle parked at a Hillsboro residence. Assistant Chief of Police Jessey Hiebert responded to the scene that afternoon after receiving a complaint of possible drug activity that morning.

CDDO board to meet

The Board of Directors for the Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization will meet at 4 p.m. Monday at 500 N. Main St. Suite 204, in Newton. There will be a public forum at the beginning of the meeting. For questions, call (316) 283-7997.

Lunch 'n' Learn ... to decorate cakes

Rachel Olsen and Heidi Thurston will share baking and decorating secrets from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 4 at Marion City Library. Hints and tips about cupcake and cookie decorating also will be shared.

Some mailing prices may go up in April

International mail, postcards, and letters heavier than an ounce may cost more to send if a new postal service proposal is approved. “Forever Stamps” would remain 49 cents each. Letters weighing more than one ounce would increase from 21 to 22 cents per additional ounce, letters to all international destinations would rise from $1.15 to $1.20, and postcard prices would go up from 34 to 35 cents per card.

Hooking up with the right vehicle

Fred Epperson liked the two-toned pickup right away. He saw it on the Ford dealership lot in Hillsboro five years ago. A farmer in Clay Center had traded it in for a Ford Ranger. Epperson stopped in and made an offer. A week later, Epperson bought the 1994 F-150 for $5,500 and happily sold the white pickup he had been driving.

County bus handy, but isn't used much

No limousine services operate within the limits of Marion County. That doesn’t mean community groups can’t ride in style — as long as a 25-year-old converted school bus fits their definition of stylish. A bus owned by the county sits collecting dust most of the year, but can be used by groups in search of a way to transport several people at once. Community-oriented groups don’t have to pay anything beyond the cost of gas and paying the driver, said County Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil division

County jail

Criminal division

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Offenses reported

Peabody court

Police reports

Traffic division

Pedaling in high gear

Change is in the air here in Marion. Maybe it’s the ludicrously nice weather, which tells me winter is gone for good no matter what common sense may indicate. Maybe it’s the power of all those New Year’s Resolutions coming to fruition at once. Or heck, maybe I’ve just been here for a while.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

Hett, Overton set May wedding

David and Diane Hett announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily D. Hett, to Alan E. Overton, son of Arlie and Gina Overton, all of Marion. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Delvin and Mary O’Dell of Peabody and the late Larry Vantuyl and Jerry and Peggy Hett.

Helm, Green plan to marry in May

Carl and JoAnn Helm of Marion announce the engagement of their son, Jerred Helm, to Megan Green, daughter of Darrell Green and Linda and Ron Moore of LaPlata, Missouri. Their wedding is planned for May 23 in LaPlata.

Salina singer to perform at Eastmoor for Kansas Day

Singer Ann Zimmerman of Salina will perform after a dinner Thursday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church in honor of Kansas Day. Zimmerman has sung in venues across the country, from New York to Texas to Seattle. She put on more than 120 concerts last year, and has won contests statewide and beyond.

MHS students present products to 20th Century club

Marion High School applied business students presented Better Butter Body Butter, Honey Lips, and Country Candles to 20th Century Club members Jan. 12 at Marion City Library. Students explained how they made and marketed products, drew up business plans, and procured business loans from local banks under the instruction of teacher Megan Thomas.

Kiwanians give project reports

Marion Kiwanis Club met noon Tuesday to sing songs and give committee reports. Members chatted and shared “happy bucks” before committee reports were presented, providing various updates on projects.

Masons to honor 50-year members

The Masons of Advance Lodge 114, Florence, will recognize Gary Carroll, formerly of Florence, for 50 years of membership with a dinner at 6 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Florentine Masonic Center. Carroll, who currently lives in Rockwall, Texas, will be present for the event.

BIRTHS:

MARION SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

Exotic animal enthusiast and tortoise team up to educate preschoolers

Fidgeting in anticipation of a creature they had heard about but never seen, preschoolers were a cacophony of “cool and eww” as Archie Bumper extended his neck to examine their fascinated faces. Archie is a red-footed tortoise. His Jan. 21 visit to Marion Elementary School was part of a hands-on learning presentation chaperoned by exotic animal enthusiast Steve Unruh who is also known as the “snake guy, lizard guy, frog guy, and turtle guy,” among students.

Families grateful for Parents as Teachers

Erica and Jeffrey Richmond needed to make one of the more difficult transitions as parents: Moving their infant son from their bed to his own bed to sleep. The transition was successful. Noah now sleeps in his own bed, and the Richmonds credit Parents as Teachers and the PAT representative who visits their home every month.

Government officials impressed by Centre's Farm-to-School program

Bob Gorman from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Barb Depew, a child nutrition consultant with the Kansas State Department of Education visited Centre schools Thursday to view school gardens and learn about Centre’s Farm to School program. Centre received a pilot grant for the project last spring.

Free screening will be Feb. 10

Free developmental screenings for children birth through 5 years will be offered 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 10 in Peabody. Learning, motor, language, and social development will be checked.

Marion High School honor roll

Honor roll for Centre schools

MHS boys' 2nd rally comes up short vs. Hillsboro

The Marion boys were up to the task of erasing a 10-point deficit Tuesday against Hillsboro, but a 14-point Trojans lead in the fourth quarter was too much to overcome, as the Warriors lost 45-37 in Marion. The Warriors had a tough time getting on track offensively in the first quarter. Jack Schenider started in place of an ailing Peyton Heidebrecht, and he scored the Warriors’ first points on a 12-foot jumper. Two free throws by Bret Voth would be the only other points scored by Marion in the period.

Lady Warriors fall to Lady Trojans 54-30

The Marion Lady Warriors hung tough in the first quarter Tuesday against Hillsboro, but a 19-3 run by the Trojans in the second quarter left the Warriors playing catch up. Marion kept close in the first quarter, taking advantage of an over-aggressive Hillsboro defense that sent a steady stream of Warriors to the foul line. Marion found it tougher scoring from the field, and trailed 10-15 at the end of the quarter.

Centre girls win Cougar Classic

The axiom “it’s not how you start but how you finish” applied to the Lady Cougars Saturday in the Cougar Classic championship game. After a slow start, the Lady Cougars defeated Elyria 40-35 to claim the championship.

Cougars top Heat again at Cougar Classic

After defeating Rural Vista a week earlier in regular season play, the Centre boys’ basketball team defeated the Heat again Friday in the Cougar Classic tournament. They were playing in a consolation game after losing to Sacred Heart in the first round.

Wrestlers take 6th despite depleted roster

Marion High School took sixth place as a team with 107 points at a Saturday wrestling tournament in Eureka despite a diminished roster. “We were a little off this weekend,” coach Chad Adkins said Monday. “We came out flat and lost some matches we shouldn’t have.”

Lady Warriors take 3rd at Cougar Classic

The first 80 points were ugly. The last 1, sweet. Saturday’s third-place contest between the Marion Lady Warriors and the Rural Vista Heat had two ties:one at 0-0, the other — with under a minute left — at 40-40.

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