Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

Task force earns recognition
Marion County’s Wildland Task Force is gaining statewide attention, but paying for their radios remains problematic. Wildland Task Force was deployed to Ulysses April 9 when the fire risk for the far-southwest Kansas area was extreme, Lincolnville fire chief Les Kaiser told county commissioners Monday.
Public hearing on wind farm delayed
A public hearing on a proposed wind farm, originally scheduled for tonight, will be delayed until after the company working to develop it submits a new conditional use permit application. National Renewable Solutions, Wayzata, Minnesota, originally submitted a CUP application to the county planning and zoning department March 28. That application is comprised of a 1½-inch thick notebook containing the application and a 3-inch thick notebook with supporting information.
Florence city council curbs public comments
Florence city council announced Monday that people who want to comment at future public meetings must first fill out a form detailing their request. “I’m not having any more council meetings that are out of control,” mayor Bob Gayle said. “There is no provision in Kansas state law for city councils to hear anything from the public. The public’s right is to come and see, and hear what’s happening, and witness what’s happening.”
New assistant police chief 'old' to Marion
Marion’s new assistant police chief is new to the department but not new to the community. Steven Janzen, 36, grew up in Marion, where his parents both worked for the school district. He graduated Marion High School in 2001.
Local resident gets surprise Easter delivery
Saturday was a clear day full of Easter egg hunts for many around Marion County, but for Sunflower Rd. resident Dawn Hett, the day came with the surprising sound of hail and a low-flying plane. Hett said when she stepped outside the house she found that family friend Matt Orth had unloaded a plane-full of plastic eggs in the yard.

OTHER NEWS

Street work progresses east
Work needed to repair damaged pavement in the 100 block of S. 3rd St. required a traffic detour this week as streetscape remodeling continued along the south side of Main St. Pavement just south of the intersection of Main and 3rd Sts. started crumbling during efforts to remodel Main St. at that intersection. A shallow pothole grew deeper and wider.
Federal tax lien filed against Hillsboro Free Press
A federal tax lien alleging non-payment of $113,765.87 in withholding and unemployment tax, penalties, and interest has been filed against Kansas Publishing Ventures, publisher of Hillsboro Free Press. The firm also owns Newton Now, the Clarion in Andale, Hesston Record, Harvey County Independent, and McPherson News-Ledger.
Historic buildings not exempt from codes
Historic buildings will no longer be exempt from inspection and permit modifications after city council members voted Monday to amend city building codes. “This takes away the exemption for historic buildings, which we feel is the safe thing for everyone,” city administrator Roger Holter told council members as they considered the ordinance change.
Counties recycling slated to be taken to Fort Riley
The possibility of once again being paid a rebate for recyclable materials has led county commissioners to send the county’s recyclables to Fort Riley. A recycle center in South Hutchinson, which the county has been using for years, stopped paying for materials, based on the prices they get for materials.
USDA increases loan limits for farmers
Higher limits are now available for borrowers interested in USDA’s farm loans. The 2018 Farm Bill increased the amount producers can borrow through direct and guaranteed loans available through USDA’s Farm Service Agency and made changes to other loans, such as microloans and emergency loans.
Students' work on display at Bethel
Sarah Booth, of Goessel, and Anna Lubbers and McKenzie Young, both of Peabody, are among 62 Bethel College student artists whose work will be on display through Friday in the Regier Gallery of the Luyken Fine Arts Center on the Bethel campus. The annual Student Art Exhibit showcases work from all art students.
Brass Choir to perform
McPherson Community Brass Choir will present a spring concert at 3 p.m. Saturday at McPherson Church of the Brethren. Admission is free and the concert will feature trumpets, trombones, and French horns. Music will include battle hymns, marches, traditional Scottish pieces, and a theme and variations for tuba.

AUTO

Peabody Cruise rolls on into fourth year
The Peabody Cruise marks four years Sunday and members of the Dreamers club say they are building on a four-year investment. The event has been an important way to bring people into Peabody, said Linda Martinez, a Dreamers club board member.
Tips for staying safe with keyless systems
Auto manufacturers have long embraced technology that can streamline the automotive experience for drivers. For example, several years ago keyless entry and ignition systems were introduced, initially on high-end vehicles before they became standard on many other models. Keyless entry systems require a fob, which sends a signal to the receiver inside the vehicle. The fob transmits a low-frequency code to the car’s internal computer system, which engages the locks and will allow the driver to push a button on the dashboard or console to start the vehicles. The fob can be stashed away in a pocket or purse and still send the signal, which makes it convenient for drivers. Drivers with arthritis or hand injuries also may find keyless systems an asset.
Driving safely in severe weather
With severe weather season arriving, AAA released a report Monday with tips to help Kansas drivers stay safe on the roads. Since heavy downpours can make it difficult to see while driving, AAA recommends regularly changing windshield wiper blades to keep visibility as clear as possible.

DEATHS

Phyllis Chavez
Phyllis Chavez, 84, died Monday at the Kansas Christian Home in Newton. Rosary will be 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, and visitation will begin 1 p.m. Thursday. She was born July 10, 1934, in Florence, the daughter of Francisco and Juana Gomez.
Summer Hamilton
Services for Summer Rain Hamilton, 22, of Marion, who died April 12, were Friday at Bentley Senior Center, Bentley. She was the daughter Earl L. Hamilton and Dee Lintner.
IN MEMORIAM:
Tammy S. Slifer

DOCKET

OPINION

The tricky business of reporting the truth
It’s true confessions time. We’ve been struggling all week to figure out what to do with a news tip we received and later were able to verify. We often get tips and really appreciate them. Unfortunately, they sometimes are about things that, to the people involved, aren’t good news.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
Who wore the bunny suit?
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
Reduce consumption
CALENDAR:
Calendar of events

PEOPLE

Marion Senior Center cook quits
Resignations of both cooks left Marion Senior Center with no one to prepare meals April 17 for 25 Meals on Wheels recipients and 50 seniors who visit the center for lunch, site manager Janet Bryant said. “We sent frozen meals out,” she said. “It wasn’t the best thing, but it was all we could do.”
PEO plays Bunko at meeting
Sixteen members and one guest of Chapter DB, PEO, gathered April 1 for a game of Bunko at Marion Eastmoor Church. An array of snacks were served and prizes were awarded. Joni Crofoot, Diane Richmond, Susan Robson, Jona Neufeld, Vicki Hoffer and Karen Williams, of the social committee were hosts.
Physician Randy Whitely speaks to hospital auxiliary
St. Luke Hospital Auxilliary meeting was April 4. Physician Randy Whitely gave a talk on the signs, symptoms, and causes of strokes. He encouraged everyone to have an annual exam after turning 50.
Mennonite filmmaker to speak at annual dinner
Tabor alumnus Burton Buller of Massanutten, Virginia, describes himself as “a Mennonite interested in film production at a time when no one was even considering such possibilities.” The native Nebraskan will be the guest speaker at the annual spring dinner of the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies at 6:30 p.m. May 4 in the Franz Heritage Room at Shari Flaming Center for the Arts.
Visitors from Strong City brighten a day
Thursday guests of John and Denise Long and Lang and Johnny were Jessica, Dustin, Maddox and Dana and Daxton from Strong City. Their grandchildren Dana and Daxton spent Thursday and Friday night with John, Denise and Johnny. Jessica and Dustin visited Saturday and Dana and Daxton returned home with them.
SENIOR CENTER:
Center endures week filled with crises, Marion Senior Center menu
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 40, 55, 70, 110, 140 years ago
MEMORIES IN FOCUS:
Marion lawyer was at center of Populist movement

SCHOOL AND SPORTS

Marion student's scholarship is an 'answered prayer'
Marion senior Drew Helmer chose Wichita State University as her college more than a year ago, but had no idea how she was going to pay for college. That question was answered Thursday, when she was awarded a 4-year, $85,000 scholarship to attend Wichita State University by the Rudd Foundation.
Marion teams post 2-2 week
The holiday break brought mixed results for the Marion baseball and softball teams. The Warriors’ baseball team swept the Braves 18-3 and 10-4 on April 16 at Council Grove.
Centre wins 2 golds
Centre track finished with four top three medals despite having only eight athletes Thursday at the Council Grove Invitational. Athletes Xavier Espinoza and Jensen Riffel had strong performances for the boys, with each taking first in one event and placing in a second. Those results earned them a seventh place finish overall out of 10 teams, with 28 points.
Marion jumpers, runners excel at Halstead
Marion track and field is excelling at jumping events this year. The Warriors showed their worth again Thursday at the Halstead Invitational, with four athletes placing top-three in jumping events. Anne Baliel added another top finish in pole vault, with Michaela Regnier followed in third. The duo has placed first, second, or third in three meets.
Centre and Marion school menus

Marion County RECORD

Marion’s new assistant police chief is new to the department but not new to the community. Steven Janzen, 36, grew up in Marion, where his parents both worked for the school district. He graduated Marion High School in 2001.

Higher limits are now available for borrowers interested in USDA’s farm loans. The 2018 Farm Bill increased the amount producers can borrow through direct and guaranteed loans available through USDA’s Farm Service Agency and made changes to other loans, such as microloans and emergency loans.

The Peabody Cruise marks four years Sunday and members of the Dreamers club say they are building on a four-year investment. The event has been an important way to bring people into Peabody, said Linda Martinez, a Dreamers club board member.

With severe weather season arriving, AAA released a report Monday with tips to help Kansas drivers stay safe on the roads. Since heavy downpours can make it difficult to see while driving, AAA recommends regularly changing windshield wiper blades to keep visibility as clear as possible.

Phyllis Chavez, 84, died Monday at the Kansas Christian Home in Newton. Rosary will be 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, and visitation will begin 1 p.m. Thursday. She was born July 10, 1934, in Florence, the daughter of Francisco and Juana Gomez.

Services for Summer Rain Hamilton, 22, of Marion, who died April 12, were Friday at Bentley Senior Center, Bentley. She was the daughter Earl L. Hamilton and Dee Lintner.

IN MEMORIAM:

It’s true confessions time. We’ve been struggling all week to figure out what to do with a news tip we received and later were able to verify. We often get tips and really appreciate them. Unfortunately, they sometimes are about things that, to the people involved, aren’t good news.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

CALENDAR:

Sixteen members and one guest of Chapter DB, PEO, gathered April 1 for a game of Bunko at Marion Eastmoor Church. An array of snacks were served and prizes were awarded. Joni Crofoot, Diane Richmond, Susan Robson, Jona Neufeld, Vicki Hoffer and Karen Williams, of the social committee were hosts.

St. Luke Hospital Auxilliary meeting was April 4. Physician Randy Whitely gave a talk on the signs, symptoms, and causes of strokes. He encouraged everyone to have an annual exam after turning 50.

SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

MEMORIES IN FOCUS:

Marion senior Drew Helmer chose Wichita State University as her college more than a year ago, but had no idea how she was going to pay for college. That question was answered Thursday, when she was awarded a 4-year, $85,000 scholarship to attend Wichita State University by the Rudd Foundation.

The holiday break brought mixed results for the Marion baseball and softball teams. The Warriors’ baseball team swept the Braves 18-3 and 10-4 on April 16 at Council Grove.