Marion County RECORD

Subway could open in Marion by early spring

There is a lot of work left to be done, but a Subway restaurant will open in Marion this spring. The fast food chain would occupy the former Marion Auto Mart building next to Carlsons’ Grocery. Carlsons’ co-owner Greg Carlson said his family has owned the building for about seven years.

Marion resident asks city to address yellow water

Victor Buckner addressed Marion City Council members and asked if they wanted a drink from his tap water. He held up a jar of yellow water he said came out of his guest bathroom faucet. “I am just the spokesman for a group of individuals who have been affected by yellow water coming from our taps,” Buckner said.

Wintery blast blankets Marion County

Classes were canceled for students in all Marion county school districts on Tuesday because of a wintery blast that accumulated approximately nine inches of snowfall by 7:30 p.m. Accordingly, school districts canceled Tuesday night basketball.

Woman reuses broken china as material for mosaics

Others call them beautiful, even if Peggi Wilson is too modest to. “The cross is absolutely beautiful,” Phoebe Janzen said about a mosaic cross Wilson gave her earlier this year.

Council discusses 'personnel problems' for an hour

Marion City Council met in a series of closed sessions totaling 1 hour, 5 minutes Monday to discuss what Mayor Mary Olson called personnel problems. The council met with city attorney Susan Robson for 35 minutes before taking a short break. After the break, the council met with city office workers Tiffany Jeffrey and Becky Makovec for 10 minutes.

Horse lover's art to be featured at state fair

Tristan Williams of the Happy Hustlers 4-H club has always loved animals and plans on becoming a vet someday. It was because of this love, especially for horses, that inspired her to become involved in 4-H and more recently to win a statewide competition. “Just for fun,” Tristan entered a statewide logo-design contest for the Kansas 4-H Horse Panorama in Manhattan, and won first place.

Theft attempts and suspicious behavior surprise Peabody

“I was more than just little surprised that it happened right downtown,” Frank Davis said of a late night attempt to hot-wire his Ford van. “I was shocked that someone tried it out in the open, under the street lights and all.” Davis is one of three people in the two-block business district who had their vehicles damaged Jan. 28 and 29 in an attempt to get them started. Peabody Police Chief Bruce Burke said he thought the attempts were aimed at stealing the vehicles rather than stealing anything that was in them.

Cub Scouts prepare for pinewood derby this weekend

Pinewood derby races can be fun for everyone to watch, but they are even more fun for the Cub Scouts who race them. Two young Marion Cub Scout members have been working on cars modeled after extreme speed racers to race Feb 9.

Police to emphasize seatbelt enforcement at Marion High School

Marion Police will conduct extra seatbelt control Feb. 24 through March 7 around the high school in an effort to promote seatbelt safety. The increase is in conjunction with a statewide effort to increase seatbelt use among teenagers.

6th-generation Marion residents buys 1st stone house

The little old stone house sitting along the north bank of the original Cottonwood River channel in west Marion has a new owner. John Wheeler of Marion purchased the house and accompanying acreage on Oct. 1. Located south of the 100 block of W. Main Street, the house was built in 1869 by W.H. Billings, one of the three original settlers and their families who founded Marion Centre in 1860. It is believed to be the first stone building erected in Marion.

Post office moves mailbox during road construction

Marion Post Office has temporarily moved the blue drive-through mailbox from its driveway to the vacant lot across the street from Central Park where the Big Scoop used to be. Postmaster Lori Kelsey said the relocation should last until construction project is complete and drivers can again use the one-way road that exits onto 4th St.

Emler's senate replacement is campaigning for insurance commissioner

Republican Precinct Committee members from the 35th Senate District elected Clark Shultz to replace Jay Emler in the state senate on Thursday in McPherson. Before being selected to fill the vacancy left by Emler’s appointment to the Kansas Corporation Commission, Shultz was the representative for the 73rd House District, which includes most of McPherson County. He has been in the state legislature since 1997.

Road work affects courthouse parking

County commissioners decided Friday to re-organize parking designations at the courthouse during road construction on 4th and Williams Sts. Until roadwork is completed, commissioners designated the entire west parking area at the courthouse for public use. Courthouse employees are to use the south lot or parking used by the sheriff’s department.

Rachel Epp

Rachel Epp, 91, died Thursday at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. She was born Jan. 29, 1923, to George and Lena Koch. She attended school in Ramona, then received an associate’s degree from Tabor College in 1949. After college, she worked as a mail reader at Back to the Bible Broadcast in Lincoln, Neb.

Lowell Goering

Lowell Jay Goering, 75, died Monday at Showalter Villa in Hesston. He was born March 28, 1938, in Newton to Paul P. and Lydia Kaufman Goering. He graduated from Moundridge High School and attended Bethel College. He worked as a mechanical engineer for Hillsboro Industries for 30 years and at Hesston Corporation for 15 years. After retirement, he worked at the Et Cetera Shop in Hillsboro.

Rosie Shaw

Rosie Mable Shaw, 81, died Sunday at Peabody Care Center. She was a retired beautician and longtime resident of Florence. She was born June 21, 1932, in Eads, Colo., to Dean F. and Letha Cunningham Morgan. She had lived in Florence since 1960.

Willard Hett

Willard W. Hett, 74, died Monday at St. Luke Living Center in Marion. Services are pending with Zeiner Funeral Home of Marion.

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Accidents reported

Civil division cases

County Jail arrests and bookings

Criminal division cases

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Marriage licenses issued

Peabody municipal court

Police incident reports

Traffic division cases

Top priorities for refunds, pay debts, save for retirement

The Internal Revenue Service began processing income tax returns at the end of January, and some people may get substantial tax refunds. As far as financial adviser Tom Kimbrel of Marion is concerned, people receiving refunds should prioritize debt and savings. Kimbrel said people’s top priority should be paying off high-interest debts like credit cards.

Woman does taxes to help others

Taxes can be tricky, but Barbara Smith makes it easier for seniors and low-income Marion County residents to file. Smith began working on taxes after working at H&R Block.

Mail shouldn't be run like a business

The only thing more certain than death and taxes is the U.S. Postal Service asking for yet another rate increase. It’s high time Washington put a stamp of disapproval on our mail system’s continual whining and perhaps even rethink the whole idea of making the Postal Service “run like a business.” In this case, of course, the “business” would go broke in less time that it takes for a letter to get from Marion to Hillsboro. In fact, founding postmaster general Ben Franklin, not exactly a bashful type, would be red-faced with embarrassment to see how poorly his old post office has delivered on its promises and how miserably it has failed to heed one of his favorite adages: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

3 blood drives in Marion County this month

The American Red Cross will have three blood drives in the county in a span of less than a week later this month. The first blood drive will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 19 at Centre High School. There will be two blood drives Feb. 24 — one from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hillsboro High School and another from 2 to 6 p.m. at Goessel Mennonite Church.

Knitting classes start Feb. 17

Beginning Feb. 17, aspiring needle workers will have the chance to learn the basics of knitting through a series of classes in the Hillsboro city building. Hillsboro Recreation Commission and Treena Lucero developed the knitting 101 class for beginning knitters or those who have learned, but lost their skills. The class will be weekly from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays. Registration is $60 and the class limit is 10. Registration deadline is Feb. 12. Supplies will be provided for the first class, but participants will have to purchase their own supplies for the remainder of the class.

4-H club honors seniors

Lincolnville Wide Awake 4-H Club met Jan. 11, having a senior citizens’ soup lunch and painting wooden snowmen to give to senior citizens. There were nine members, one leader, and three parents present. For roll call, members said what their favorite soups were.

Hymn sing is Sunday

A monthly community hymn sing will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, 300 Prairie Pointe. The evening will include singing, scripture reading, and prayer. People attending will be able to select favorite hymns to sing.

Kiwanis hears from city administrator

City administrator Roger Holter spoke to Marion Kiwanis on Tuesday. He said he tries to put the focus of city staff on customer service and civic engagement. He noted that the different generations of residents prefer different ways to be notified about city issues, such as a change in garbage collection caused by Tuesday’s snowfall. The city used email, its web site, Facebook, and phone alerts to let people know, he said.

MARION SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

Warriors lose on homecoming night

After Taylor Heidebrecht scored the game’s first points Thursday against Council Grove, the Warriors never led again. After a minute of game time had elapsed, Council Grove’s Aaron Bachura made a 3-pointer that put the Braves ahead. He scored 13 of the team’s 15 first-quarter points on the way to 25 total on 6-of-9 shooting from the outside.

8 students attend Kansas State Honor Band Clinic

Last weekend eight students from Marion High School band students joined 630 others from across the state to participate in the Kansas State University Honor Band Clinic. Students auditioned for a place in one of six honor bands with 100 members apiece. Two, John Lind and Caitlyn Maloney, made it into the top band.

Five wrestlers triumph in two tournaments

Marion wrestlers won five first places after logging two tournaments this weekend. Luke Steele and Kyle Palic both placed first on Friday in Hoisington, while A.J. Cogdill, Remington Putter, and Zac Dvorak all took first Saturday at a junior varsity tournament in Marion.

Tabor student wins theater competition

Tabor College junior Cheyenne Derksen won the National Critics Institute Region 5 competition part of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Derksen competed against seven students from across the Midwest. Each competitor participated Jan. 20 to 24 in Lincoln Neb., in theater activities including playwriting, acting, criticism, directing, and designing.

Last-second shot gives Marion girls loss against Council Grove

After leading a state-ranked, 11-2 Council Grove High School team for the majority of the second half Thursday, the Marion Lady Warriors could not hold on for the win. Leading by one with less than five seconds left, the Braves made a putback after missing the initial game-winning shot.

Centre girls get 2 easy victories

The Centre girls’ basketball team added two more victories last week. After defeating Wakefield on Friday, they had a record of 10-2. Wakefield didn’t present much of a challenge. Centre quickly advanced to a 15-3 lead in the first quarter. Makenzie Deines, Amy Makovec, Cacey Simons, and Bryanna Svoboda all scored.

Elementary school Fine Arts Day is Friday

Marion elementary students will have the chance to experience different music, art, and drama Friday during the school’s annual Fine Arts Day. Local guest musician Mark Wilcox, a violinmaker by hobby, will begin the day with a concert. He will then teach music classes the rest of the day.

Contest encourages college students to create new businesses

Wichita State University’s Center or Entrepreneurship is launching a statewide competition geared toward college students looking to create a new business. More than $25,000 is up for grabs for students who create the winning business plan with an increased chance for students looking to start the business their plan outlines.

VFW contest winners announced

Marion VFW Post 6958 and its Ladies Auxiliary will present awards to the winners of the Patriots’ Pen and Voice of Democracy scholarship essay and speech contests at 3 p.m. Feb. 16 at the post home, 420 W. Santa Fe St., Marion. The Patriots’ Pen essay was divided into two divisions, sponsored by the post and auxiliary. Devin Hamm won first in the post’s division, followed by Payton Harms and Caleb Hett. Larry Zieammermann placed first in the auxiliary’s division, followed by Antone Vinduska and Madison Coleman. Zieammermann also placed third at the district level.

Comeback too little, too late for Cougars

The Centre Cougars dug themselves into a big hole Friday against Wakefield at home. They trailed by 22 points, 51-29, at the end of the third quarter. However, a more aggressive defense in the final quarter slowed down the hard-hitting offense of the Bombers, as Centre outscored them, 30-18. The Cougars fought back to within seven points before losing by 10, 69-59.

College News in brief

Deines gets civic leadership scholarship from K-State Centre High School senior Makenzie Deines of Ramona received a $500 competitive scholarship from Kansas State University as one of 12 finalists for the university’s Civic Leadership Scholarship.

Marion students make history in Elks award

Marion High School students Lauren McLinden, Amanda Stuchlik, Nicholas Meyer, and Zachary Robson were selected by judges from the Elks National Foundation to compete for scholarship awards at the national level in the Most Valuable Student competition. “The judge who contacted me said this was the first time that all four national representatives from our state have been from the same high school,” counselor Mark Felvus said.

Centre FFA competes in ag communications and interview

Centre FFA members participated Friday in South Central District ag communications and job interview events in Arkansas City. Kevin Lewis placed sixth and Ty Simons placed eighth overall in ag communications. Nellie Kassebaum also was a member of the team, which placed fourth overall in the senior division. They participated in a knowledge quiz and editing exercise, and then wrote a feature story, wrote a blog, and designed a flyer based on information from a live press conference.

Couple to have 70th Valentine's Day

Several of Kermit Ratzlaff’s grandchildren have asked him for advice before their weddings. They have good reason to ask him, as Ratzlaff and his wife, Ruth, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary in August. “We both went to Tabor, and that’s where we met,” Kermit said.

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