Marion County RECORD

Officials quiet on LGBT flag

“Graffiti.” That is what Chuck Seifert, of rural Marion, called a rainbow flag painted on a parking stall at Marion High School when speaking to the Marion-Florence school board Monday.

Marion alum plans gift to promote diversity

A donation for Marion High School to incorporate activities for students focused on cultural diversity is being finalized from a family with county educational roots stretching back more than a century. Jeffrey Longhofer, a 1973 MHS graduate who is a Rutgers University School of Social Work professor and a practicing clinical social worker, is coordinating a $1,500 gift given in part to honor his grandfather, James A. Ray, who was superintendent of Marion County schools from 1905 to 1935.

A diamond in the rough

A new fitness center in Marion will be finished just in time for New Years’ resolutions. Burt and Amy Harshman are building a 50x100 fitness center at 1222 E. Main St. with a plan to open at the start of January.

New development board put on hold

On the night a new board was to be sworn in for Marion County Community Economic Development Corporation, all five proposed board members declined to be sworn in, saying they wanted another week to think about it. County appointees David Mueller, Chris Hernandez, and Chase Gann, as well as Peabody appointees Mark Whitney and Hannah Bourbon, sat through words of welcome and remarks on the occasion from interim chairman Russell Groves, through a motion to approve the transition to a new board, and listened to interim board member Tammy Ensey review a policy book and informational packet.

Hard labor: Inmate released for childbirth

A woman in county jail was released on her own recognizance Monday, but instead of getting to go home, she ended up taken to St. Luke Hospital instead. An ambulance was summoned to the lobby of the sheriff’s office because Daisyanna Latisha Mitchell’s labor contractions were four minutes apart.

County may limit airstrip use to club

Membership in a private club could be required for model airplane enthusiasts to use a paved airstrip on public property at Marion County Lake. County counselor Susan Robson recommended Monday that commissioners require membership in the Academy of Model Aeronautics instead of imposing other regulations. While on public property, the airstrip is near private homes and the county airport.

Eco fiasco

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water .... After almost a year of planning and development, after months of recruiting Marion, Hillsboro, and Peabody into the fold, Tuesday was to be the day Marion County Community Economic Development Corporation was to take off with a new nine-member board leading the way.

Inmate sues over jail treatment

Jail inmate Jonathan L. Mangold has filed a hand-written lawsuit petition seeking $1 million from the county, claiming his treatment in the county jail is “cruel and unusual punishment.” Mangold on Oct. 2 — the same day he was convicted and sentenced on a handful of criminal charges — filed what he called a “Motion of civil lawsuit violation of 14th amendment rights, as well as mistreatment of a confined person, cruel and unusual punishment and treating others with favortism. Being prejudice.”

Cook-off, cars call to crowd

Between chili tasting, a car show and a cornhole tournament, Marion County Park and Lake was hopping Saturday. Chili cooks hawked their culinary skills to eager tasters.

Deer are fall traffic hazard

Drivers should take special care to watch for deer on the roadway during fall, especially from dusk until morning. Kansas Highway Patrol recorded 125 deer-related accidents in Marion County last year, three of which caused injury to occupants of the car.

Storm damages shed, downs power line

While Dave and Effie Smith were sleeping Friday night, a swirling wind or small twister lifted a portion of a roof and some rafters from a pole shed on their homestead at 2331 Pawnee Rd. “We heard a big boom, but we didn’t know what had happened until morning,” Effie Smith said.

Pritzes named grand marshals for Lincolnville Octoberfest

Maurice Pritz, 82, and his wife, Twila, of rural Lost Springs were grand marshals Saturday in the Lincolnville Octoberfest parade. Pritz is a lifelong resident of the area and has worn many hats including farmer, business owner, technician, and musician.

Burglar targets valuables in vehicles

Reports of theft from automobiles have made their way to social media and Marion police as several townspeople have had their belongings taken in a string of burglaries. “Some things were taken out of some vehicles, like purses and wallets,” Police Chief Tyler Mermis said. “We’re still investigating. We actually have a couple leads.”

Out-of-town swim team wants to use Marion pool

The Sports and Aquatics Center may soon host practices for another school’s swimmers, Marion-Florence superintendent Aaron Homburg told the school board Monday. “I have been contacted by another school, to be nameless, that has a swim team interested in the possibility of using our pool for their practice,” Homburg said.

Police mum on early morning chase

An early-morning pursuit Tuesday involving Marion Police Chief Tyler Mermis ended with the chased vehicle crashing about eight miles south of town and the fleeing driver escaping on foot. Mermis confirmed that he was on duty and involved in the chase, but declined to provide any rationale for the out-of-town pursuit, saying the case was still under investigation.

Hillsboro Chamber seeks new home as building listed for sale

The future of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce office is uncertain because the building that houses the office is up for sale. Hillsboro mayor Delores Dalke said the building, owned by Russell and Jeanne Groves, was listed for sale with her agency, Real Estate Center, on Sept. 26 and the asking price is $65,000.

Peabody council OKs letter requesting donations for playground repairs

Peabody residents will soon get a letter in their water bill asking customers to make a monthly donation for repair and replacement of City Park playground equipment. In June, the city’s insurance company, EMC Insurance, recommended several pieces of playground equipment be removed.

Aulne church auction to benefit missions

Youth recreation, emergency housing, and overseas missions will benefit from “The Big Give,” a dinner and auction Saturday at Aulne United Methodist Church. A 5:30 p.m. pulled pork meal will be followed by a live auction at 6:30 p.m.

Vernon Jones

Services for Vernon H. Jones, Herington, were this morning at St. John Catholic Church in Herington. He died Oct. 4 at the age of 99. Jones was born July 30, 1918 at Herington. He was a farmer.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

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Traffic division cases

Beef travels a long road to get to the table

How long does it take to produce the meat that consumers buy and eat mostly every day in this country? It’s a long road, taking over two years from the time a cow is bred to when a beef calf is fattened and ready for the packing plant. It also takes a lot of feed, a lot of expense, and a lot of work.

New wheat variety is available this fall

Farmers have begun sowing wheat, but recent rains have slowed it down. According to Jeff Youk, an agronomist for Cooperative Grain and Supply, producers have six varieties to choose from, including a new variety called Zenda.

Gardens, chickens, and chores complete school days

Tossing handfuls of grain, collecting eggs, and eating fresh tomatoes are just a few of the many “chores” performed by Hillsboro Elementary students at the end of school days. Principal Evan Yoder leads kindergarten through fifth grade students to the back of the school, where tubs of recyclable waste collected throughout the day are dumped in bins. Chickens are fed, and their eggs collected by students who harvest fresh garden vegetables before their parents pick them up to go home.

Sunflowers a choice for some area farmers

Sunflowers aren’t the most popular crop choice among area farmers, but the state flower does have devoted growers. Jeff Naysmith, agronomist for Cooperative Grain and Supply, said the co-op sells seeds, but demand for them is far lower than demand for wheat and corn.

The sound of silence

I wasn’t at the Marion-Florence school board meeting Monday, but from what I’m told by my reporter who was there, the rainbow flag parking spot at the high school was an agenda item. Note that I said agenda item. It was scheduled as a public presentation, and a member of the public was there to express his views on the subject.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

Bredemeier family has reunion

The 64th annual Bredemeier family reunion was Oct. 1 in the Santa Fe room at Marion City Library. The youngest family member in attendance was Emma Quinones, and the oldest was Carol Peirce.

Panzer, Crofoot to wed

RobertandSherri Charbonneauof Clyde announce the engagement of their daughter, Kodi Panzer, to Brian Crofoot, son of Dave Crofoot of Marion and Cindy Pierce of Mico, Texas. Panzer is a graduate of Kansas State University and Palmer College of Chiropractic, and owner of Panzer Chiropractic in Hillsboro. Crofoot is the thirdgeneration to work for family-owned Western Associates, Inc. of Marion.

Neo Century Club learns about Oasis

Neo Century Club met Oct. 2 at Hilltop Manor to hear Mitch Neuenchwander, Oasis administrator, give a presentation on how Oasis operates. Eleven members answered roll call, and Karen Ehrlich gave devotions.

Card shower requested

The family of Wanda Carr is requesting a card shower for her 94th birthday Oct. 18. Cards may be sent to her at 215 N. Fourth St., Marion KS 66861.

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Stingy defense leads Warriors to victory against Hutch Trinity

One of the first things Marion High School Warriors (5-1) did after defeating the Trinity Catholic Celtics (4-2) on Friday was get head football coach Grant Thierolf on speakerphone to celebrate with them. While Thierolf attended to a family emergency, Shaun Craft and the rest of the assistants kept the Warriors on task.

Cougars roll over Onaga, win by mercy rule

By the time the first quarter ended Friday in a football game at Onaga, Centre led 34-0. Onaga scored all of its 14 points in the second quarter, while Centre added 16.

Williams sets personal best in last race before postseason

Marion High School runners had a quick turnaround from setting personal records on a Thursday to racing on a Tuesday in their last meet before league.

Centre homecoming is Friday

Fall homecoming royalty will be crowned at 6 p.m. Friday at Centre’s Bud Peterson Field. Queen candidates will be Kate Basore, daughter of Rick and Angela Basore, Burdick; Grace Peterson, parents of Troy and Cristina Peterson, Lincolnville; and Rebecca Casey, daughter of Larry and Deb Casey, Lincolnville.

KU program to honor 15 county students

Fifteen students from Marion County will be among more than 3,600 students recognized this fall at Kansas Honors Program regional ceremonies in Emporia, Wichita, and Salina for their academic excellence and achievement. They are Katrina Basore, Cole Srajer, and Max Svoboda of Centre; Eden Hiebert and Emily Meier of Goessel; Sarah Jost, Callie Meisinger, Samantha Moss, Chloe Pankratz, and Abigail Sechrist of Hillsboro; Bailey Baker, Devin Hamm, Corbin Wheeler, and Colin Williams of Marion; and Bailey Penner of Peabody-Burns.

Centre superintendent wants to focus on education big picture

After attending a regional meeting of Kansas Association of School Boards last week, Centre superintendent Susan Beeson shared a new vision for education with board members Monday that she said would require more administration to fulfill. She said the vision requires moving beyond state testing to focusing on individual success. An individual plan of study would be developed for every student entering ninth grade, and their progress would be tracked through graduation and post-secondary education to ensure success.

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Chat and Dine to have potluck

The October Chat and Dine meeting and potluck meal will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Marion County Lake Hall. Participants are asked to bring a dish to share, table service, and a white elephant item as a prize for bingo winners.

Church concert to feature junkyard percussion

Egg cartons, flip flops, flower vases, even aerosol sprays can be musical instruments of love and hope, as singer-songwriter Mitch McVicker will show in a concert at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Christian Church of Florence. McVicker began his career collaborating with the late Rich Mullins, a contemporary Christian artist well-known for his worship songs. McVicker is a Dove Award-winning artist who has recorded 11 CDs, played himself in the movie “Ragamuffin,” and performed more than 1,800 concerts in the United States and abroad.

Historical society will meet Tuesday

Marion County Historical Society will hold its quarterly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Santa Fe Room at Marion City Library. Members will set priorities, discuss ways to promote membership, and conduct general business.

Tabor to have a Spirit Day for Junior Jays

Hillsboro Recreation Commission will sponsor Tabor College Spirit Days Oct. 20 and 21. The event is meant to attract children 4 years and older to join Tabor College cheerleaders in cheering on the Bluejays.

Disabilities board to meet Monday

A board of directors meeting of Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization will be at 4 p.m. Monday in the meeting room at 500 N. Main St., Suite 204, Newton. A public forum will be at the beginning of the meeting.

Water meeting scheduled Thursday

TEEN to meet Oct. 18

A regular monthly meeting of Technology Excellence in Education Network will be at 6 p.m Oct. 18 at USD 408 District Office, 101 N. Thorp St., Marion.

Calendar of events

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