Marion County RECORD

Flint Hills Market and Bakery closes

About seven months after opening for business, Flint Hills Market and Bakery emptied its shelves of its inventory Thursday and closed its doors in downtown Florence. Business owner Jenny Lee cited “personal reasons” for the closure, and stated the choice was not a “financial decision.”

Neighbor's chickens ruffle feathers: Mayor agrees to review ordinance

Marion property that annoys neighbors was once again the topic of discussion when city council members heard from a resident of the 700 block of S. Roosevelt during Monday’s meeting. Nickolas Hett and his wife, Ann Hett, showed photos of Alan and Jennifer Stapleford’s property at 716 S. Roosevelt, where the Hetts claimed there are 20 chickens, four dogs often running at large, a cluttered yard not cleaned often enough, and both odor and debris from the chickens blowing into neighboring yards along with smoke from a fire pit.

St. Luke Hospital signs physician for July arrival

Marion will welcome a new physician in early July when Scott Akers is expected to join the medical staff at St. Luke Hospital, CEO Jeremy Ensey announced Tuesday. “I feel very blessed for a search to go so smoothly and to find someone as quick as we did,” Ensey said.

Flush, not frack, for county well

An oil company that uses a saltwater disposal well about four miles northwest of Peabody has filed a request with the Kansas Corporation Commission asking to be allowed to increase the daily volume of saltwater disposed there. Trek AEC LLC, headquartered in Wichita, is asking to be allowed to increase the volume from its current volume of 3,000 barrels to 5,000 barrels per day at 250 pounds per square inch.

Candidates speak at forum

Five candidates for Marion city council spoke to voters Monday night at a forum sponsored by the Marion County Record. Chris Costello, Jerry Dieter, Melissa Mermis, Michel Soyez, and John Wheeler have tossed their hats into the ring for two positions that will be on the ballot. Additionally, one seated council member plans to resign at the end of the school year and will have to be replaced, moderator David Colburn, Marion County Record news editor, told attendees.

Polling place locations

Advance votes for Burns, Hillsboro and Marion city elections can be cast at the county clerk’s office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this week, and until noon Monday. On April 5, city election votes can be cast from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Marion Community Center, Hillsboro United Methodist Church, and Burns Community Center.

Smoke chokes county, draws responders

Smoke from a 15 square mile blaze near Burrton intertwined with smoke from a massive 75-mile wildfire along the Kansas/Oklahoma border near Medicine Lodge, and followed a weather front up through Goessel, inundating large portions of the county with fog-like vapors March 23. Particulate ash was seen falling in many parts of the county. The sun took on an ominous red glow and disappeared altogether in western portions of the county.

Imperiled baby bunnies saved by caring cattleman

Prospective future “Easter bunnies” have a county rancher to thank for saving them from possible slavering jaws of death. Mark Harms was clearing an area for a construction project in the family’s backyard March 16 near Lincolnville when he discovered four fuzzy cottontail babies nestled inside a fluff ball nest under a tin sheet.

Jared 'Pete' Gile to play Chingawassa

Midwest country music singer-songwriter Jared “Pete” Gile returns June 4 for a second year to open for headliner Phil Vassar at Chingawassa Days in Marion. Gile’s sound ranges from slow country to a faster paced rocking country feel.

Dollar General doing well

Marion’s Dollar General store has done well in the three months since the doors opened, according to a company spokeswoman. The store opened in December and held its grand opening in early January.

TC's procures the unusual

The eye-catching green and silver shop at Theresa Carroll opened TC’s What Not Shop nine years ago. On the day she opened the doors, most of the booth spaces were already filled with renters eager to have a place to show their wares. All told, there are 18 vendors who rent booth space to display their offerings.

Agribusiness workshop presents new ideas

Bread marketer Norm Oeding, of Newton, learned a few things he didn’t know at an agribusiness development workshop in Marion Thursday. Bob Fettke, regional project manager from the Wichita office of Kansas Department of Commerce, talked to attendees about a utilities sales tax exemption for agriculture and other specific industries.

New sign-up period for conservation programs

April 11 through May 13 will be a new sign-up period for soil and water conservation cost-share programs. Funding will be available in July from Kansas Department of Agriculture. The water resources program provides cost-share assistance to landowners for terraces, diversions, new or restoration of grass waterways, livestock water systems, and grass seedings.

Bank gets new VP

Ryan Edmundson is now vice president at Marion National Bank. Edmundson began his duties on March 21. Previously he was vice president and branch manager at Farmers Bank and Trust in Brewster.

Janet Smith

Janet D. “Jan” Smith, 66, died March 24 at St. Luke Living Center. A funeral service was Tuesday at Burdick United Methodist Church, with interment following in Lincolnville Cemetery.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

County jail

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Fish and game division

Police reports

Traffic division

Marion matters

There’s little I’m embarrassed about more than admitting that my once zealous political fervor when elections come around has curdled beyond sour. Once upon a time, I was the sort of political junkie that copiously scribbled notes while shouting at the television during presidential debates. Intransigent, mean-spirited, shallow politicians, their equally rigid supporters, and ineffective, circus-like national and state legislatures have sapped the passion out of me. Just the thought of watching a five-minute clip of a debate sends me in search of antacid and something bubbly to drink.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

Man challenges memory, brain makes new pathways

Almost 21 years after undergoing surgery to remove a tangled cluster of blood vessels from deep within a frontal lobe of his brain, Marcus Carlson, a farmer-stockman from Lincolnville, continues to deal with challenges associated with it. The surgery left him with damaged short-term memory but was necessary to prevent a recurrence of a brain hemorrhage in April 1995 that left him in a coma for five days. He was hospitalized 23 days including 15 in intensive care.

PEO holds election of officers

Eighteen members attended the PEO Chapter DB election and installed officers for the 2016-17 year at a March 7 meeting at the home of Debbie Darrow. President Lois Smith read the proposed amendments to the standing rules of the PEO Sisterhood for chapter meetings and resolutions, which the chapter acted upon.

St. Luke employees attend training

St. Luke Hospital employees Frank Breugem and J.R. Ewing attended the Health Care Leadership for All-Hazards Incidents training course at Anniston, Alabama, March 13-19. At the training they learned about decision-making during a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive disaster with mass casualties.

WWII to be topic at Lifelong Learning

Peggy Goertzen of Tabor College will speak about a World War II German prisoner of war camp that was located in the town of Peabody at Lifelong Learning at 9:45 a.m. Friday in the Wohlgemuth Music Education Building. Registration at the door is $5 and attendees may eat lunch in the Tabor Cafeteria for $4.

MEMORIES:

SENIOR CENTER:

Veteran teachers fill in at USD 408

Two retired teachers were brought back to teach vocal music and band at USD 408 because of the early departure of Chris Barlow. Mike Connell was hired to teach band for the rest of the school year, and Anita Hancock will teach K-2 vocal music and high school guitar.

Women's choir to perform April 10

Tabor College’s women’s choir, Concerto Bella Voce, will perform their home concert at 4 p.m. April 10 at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. The concert is titled “The Tale of the Three Trees” and will be dedicated to former member Jenessa Hlad, who died suddenly last July. The event is open to the public.

Art professor to give Tabor faculty lecture

Internationally recognized fiber artist and Tabor College professor Shin-hee Chin has been announced as Dr. Richard G. Kyle Faculty Lecture presenter. The event, which is open to the public, will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Wohlgemuth Music Education Center.

Free child screenings in Lincolnville

Children ages 5 and younger can receive free developmental screenings April 12 in Lincolnville. Appointments, which are required, will be available from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Area school menus

Track program for youth starts April 18

A free youth track for kindergarten through 6th grade students will start April 18 and run through May 16 at Warrior Stadium. Marion track coach Grant Thierolf and the high school track team will be helping students learn track techniques along with track meet opportunities.

Bowling results

Marion blends experience and youth

With a girls’ team that features three returning state placers and a bevy of quality athletes, Marion High coach Grant Thierolf has plenty to be enthusiastic about as track season approaches. But he’s equally enthusiastic about a senior whose wins haven’t been on the track; rather, they’ve been in the hearts of her teammates and coaches.

Hillsboro returns several state competitors

If you’re putting together a track team, having a returning state-champion pole vaulter is a good place to start. Marah Franz cleared 10 feet 6 inches last year to win the 3A girls’ vaulting crown. With the Trojans dropping to 2A competition this season, Franz goes into the season as the favorite, having soared higher than any of the returning 2A state competitors.

Peabody down in numbers, not spirit

Peabody-Burns track may be down from having roughly 20 members to only eight, but head coach Kim Topham said that she is not worried about numbers. “Track’s such an individual sport,” Topham said. “You can set your own goals, and with the numbers we have, we’ll have individual goals more this year than team goals.”

State-level talent leads Goessel

Goessel’s track teams will be anchored this season by two returning state medalists and four state qualifiers. Brittney Hiebert, fourth in the 800 meters and fifth in the 1600 at last year’s state meet, will be joined by state qualifiers Olivia Duerksen, Jennifer Meysing, Julia Nightengale, and Lauren Rymill.

Throwers to dominate Centre team

Of the 18 athletes out for track at Centre, 11 will be competing in throwing events. Coach Alan Stahlecker said that would limit Centre’s ability to compete in running and jumping events.

Good gloves, fleet feet part of formula for MHS baseball

Marion High baseball coach Roger Schroeder hopes young is the new old this season, at least in terms of experience. “It’s going to be similar to last year in that we’re extremely young, but we should be more experienced based on the fact that we had so many young guys forced into the lineup last year,” he said. “I think that will help us. We played so much better the second half of the season. I’m hoping that positive momentum carries over.”

PBHS additions double size of Hillsboro baseball roster

Hillsboro High School baseball coach Doug Dick has a welcome problem this season: What is he going to do with all of the players he has? In a deal worked out earlier this year, an influx of 12 players from Peabody-Burns High School to complement Hillsboro’s 11 gives Dick a wealth of options and enough players to field a junior varsity squad.

Upperclassmen set tone for Marion softball

If softball riches are to be found in numbers, then count Marion High softball coach Jennifer Felvus among the rich. Twenty-seven players have been on the practice field vying for varsity playing time, with experience coming to the fore as competition nears.

Sinclair putting pieces together for Hillsboro softball

Hillsboro High softball coach Stephanie Sinclair had a wealth of riches last year with a core group of six talented, experienced seniors who drove a state championship run that came up just short. This year, it’s back to the drawing board.

Enthusiasm increases Marion golf roster

Marion High baseball coach Roger Schroeder hopes young is the new old this season, at least in terms of experience. “It’s going to be similar to last year in that we’re extremely young, but we should be more experienced based on the fact that we had so many young guys forced into the lineup last year,” he said. “I think that will help us. We played so much better the second half of the season. I’m hoping that positive momentum carries over.”

Consistency key to Trojans golf

With five on the roster, three returning Trojans will serve as the heart of Hillsboro’s golf team. “I’m hoping we’ll be able to use all five guys for varsity this year,” coach O’Hare said. “But there are three young guys returning from last year that will be our core.”

Goessel looks to fill varsity golf slots

Goessel golf coach Chad Lindeman is on the hunt for varsity golfers, and if the past is any indication, he’ll find a combination that has a good chance of returning to state. “We’re pretty young and inexperienced at the varisity level this year,” he said.

Centre golf to focus on individual performance

With just one letter winner returning and four athletes out for spring golf at Centre, the emphasis will be on individual achievement. Senior Nathaniel Engler competed in the state meet last year and is hoping for a return trip. His lowest career score has been a 92.

Trojan tennis makes sophomore effort

A trio of Hillsboro sophomores are about to get their tennis game on. Jacob Isaac, Dakota Klein, and Dylan Wiens return for a second season.

Calendar of Events

Citywide garage sale is April 30

Marion’s citywide garage sale will be April 30. Deadline to get listed on the map is 5 p.m. Friday, April 22. Look for entry forms at Marion County Record office and at local banks and city offices. The annual event is sponsored by this newspaper.

Chef Rob to hold grilling class

Chef Rob and Hillsboro Recreation Commission will hold a grilling class from 6 to 8 p.m. April 11 at Parkside Duplex number 10 in Hillsboro. The class will cover different ways to use marinades, rubs, and brining, and also will include grilling beef kabobs, bacon-wrapped drumsticks and grilled vegetables.

Essential oils class is April 18

Jill Utecht and Hillsboro Recreation Commission will be holding a Spring Cleaning with Essential Oils Make & Take Night class at 7 p.m. April 18 at Hillsboro City Hall. The class will focus on how to use essential oils to make natural cleaners that are simple, effective, and safe, and will include practical instructional time covering the best oils to use for cleaning, protocols for using oils in cleaning, and recipes for making cleaning supplies.

Waste Authority to hold meeting

Central Kansas Regional Solid Waste Authority will hold a quarterly meeting at 7 p.m. April 20 at McPherson County Transfer Station at 1431 17th Ave.

Cold weather rule to end Thursday

Kansas Cold Weather Rule will end on Thursday. Kansans who are behind on electric and natural gas utility bills will be subject to disconnection of service unless they contact their utility company to make payment arrangements.

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