Marion County RECORD

2nd resignation leaves confusion in Peabody

The sudden resignation of city councilmember Julia Ensminger has thrown Peabody government into procedural confusion and raised questions about how the city legally can conduct meetings after dropping below its normal council quorum. The city sought guidance from the League of Kansas Municipalities after Ensminger’s resignation, Mayor Bailey Penner said.

Collett quits in Marion

Zach Collett resigned Monday from the Marion City Council, saying his family is moving from Marion after his wife, Keri, accepted a job in another small town. Collett, who has lived in Marion more than six years, called the decision “one of the hardest” his family had made and said serving on the Marion City Council had been “an incredible honor and a truly rewarding experience.”

Hillsboro moves clerk to top job

Hillsboro City Council offered city clerk Danielle Bartel the position of city administrator after two executive sessions totaling around 40 minutes Tuesday. “It is my pleasure to announce that we are extending an offer to Danielle Bartel to be our next city administrator,” Mayor Lou Thurston said. “We couldn’t be more excited.”

Young entrepreneur plants business in Marion

At an age when many of her peers are still deciding what comes after high school, 20-year-old Emilee Remmers of Lincolnville already is preparing to open her own storefront in downtown Marion. Remmers plans to open Em’s Sprouts and Stems in the old County Seat building at 2nd and Main Sts. The store will offer houseplants, floral arrangements, décor, workshops, and plant-related events. She hopes to open toward the end of the month.

Conservation money approved despite concerns

Marion County commissioners unanimously approved Marion County Conservation District’s $42,000 county allocation for 2027 Monday after a lengthy discussion about whether county taxpayers should help support conservation programs connected to millions of dollars in state and federal assistance. The district requested the same county allocation it received for 2026. District representatives said the money helped pay for one full-time and one part-time employee while supporting conservation and education efforts throughout the county.

Few have filed for election

Less than two weeks before filing deadline, Marion County residents have failed to file for 130 elected positions that will be on the ballot in August or November. No Democrats or Republicans have filed for the 1st District county commissioner seat now occupied by Kent Becker.

Peabody plans busy holiday weekend

A series of events are planned for Memorial Day weekend in Peabody. Peabody Historical Society will serve a fried chicken meal by donation from 11 a.m. until meals are sold out Saturday.

Marion extends truck loan 2 years

Marion City Council members discussed tens of thousands of dollars in unbudgeted or partially budgeted expenses Monday while agreeing to stretch lease-purchase payments for a new electric bucket truck from three years to five. The change lowers monthly payments from $8,526.72 to $5,355.70 but increases total interest costs by about $14,000.

Demolition timing, airport costs reviewed

City Administrator Brian Wells updated council members Monday on the condition of 202 E. Main St., a downtown building previously proposed for redevelopment into a restaurant. He said recent rain appeared to have accelerated deterioration of a rear addition scheduled for demolition.

Trees invading grasslands to be discussed

Experts will discuss the “green glacier” woody invasion of Flint Hills grasslands at a free program from 2 to 4 p.m. June 6 at Pioneer Bluffs, a mile north of Matfield Green on K-177. Speakers will include Greenwood County conservationist Luke Westerman; rancher Jackson Lindamood, who researched the issue for a thesis at Kansas State University; and Katie Schmidt, who researched the issue at Dyck Arboretum.

Cemetery cleanup scheduled

Temporary Memorial Day decorations other than flowers in permanent vases at Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Peabody will be discarded if not removed by June 1. Additional information is available from the cemetery office at (620) 381-0814,

Elaine Backhus

Services for Elaine Ann Backhus, 81, who died May 12 at Good Samaritan Society in Hays, will be 1 p.m. Friday at St John’s Lutheran Church, Tampa. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, Herington.

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil Division cases

County jail arrests and bookings

Criminal Division cases

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Police activity reports

Offenses reported

Traffic Division cases

Part of the problem or part of the solution?

And Marion seems to be setting close to the same pace with spending — begging for even more money while overlooking what should be healthy surpluses in other areas of its budget. The only common thread appears to be that both towns are doing their best impersonations of Washington, D.C., where a lot less luster than bluster emerges these days.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

LETTERS:

AMERICA AT 250:

Blood drives planned across the county

Three blood drives are planned for Marion County between now and the end of June:

College degrees and honors

Senior Center menus

MEMORIES:

Trojan softball is lone victor at regionals

Postponing Hillsboro’s home softball against Yates Center from Monday to Tuesday because of weather didn’t kill momentum the Trojans were feeling. They won 12-2 in six innings via run-rule. The county’s only victorious team in regional play this past week will travel today to Uniontown for the second round of tournament play.

Goessel girls win league title

Regional competition will begin this week for county track and field teams. Goessel

Centre golfer wins sub-state

Centre’s lone golfer, Easton Glessner, walked away as the 1A sub-state champion Tuesday at a weather-delayed meet at Hanover. Glessner will travel Tuesday to McPherson for a two-day Class 1A state tournament.

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