Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

Trash station may hike taxes, raid road fund
Which will county voters hate least: a new sales tax or borrowing money set aside for resurfacing paved roads? Or are they even convinced the county needs what either would pay for: a new waste transfer station, total cost of which could swell to $2.5 million, almost as much as the county paid for its jail?
Family, friends rally to help flood victims
GoFundMe account raises money for Florence area family who lost everything By ALEXANDER SIMONE Staff writer When July 4 flooding destroyed Loretta Looney’s home the community rallied around her.
Commission gets windy - again
What seemed to be a rare moment of agreement among county commissioners over wind farms proved as fickle as a flittering breeze Monday. A week after commissioner Randy Dallke raised concerns about how to proceed with future wind farms, commissioner Dianne Novak used the opportunity to heap sometimes saccharine praise on him.
Wait list limits effectiveness of opportunity zone
Applicants to a state program that helps pay off student loan debt may be in for a wait of up to seven years. The Rural Opportunity Zone program is meant to encourage young people to move to rural counties by collaborating with the state to help pay down college debt, said Patty Clark, deputy secretary for Kansas Department of Commerce.

OTHER NEWS

Bait shop could be a boon
Since 2017, when former county lake superintendent Steve Hudson resigned his position, the lake has had no bait shop. Anglers have had to go elsewhere. A bait vending machine installed in 2018 sits empty.
Residents given no warning of impending flood
Two homeowners who had to be rescued from their roof by their son and one who sat out high water overnight in his SUV were unaware that a decision to release water from Marion Reservoir would force them to grab what they could run. County residents received no warning about the move by the Army Corps of Engineers other than a post on the county clerk’s Facebook page.
Chief nurse draws inspiration from experience
Jessica Turner knew she wanted to be a nurse was when she went into labor with her first child. “I was so impressed with my nurse,” she said. “She made me feel like I was the only person in the world who mattered and gave me such amazing care.”
New vaccines required
State regulations require two new vaccines for school-age children enrolling for the 2019-2020 school year. Students entering kindergarten and first grade need two doses of hepatitis A vaccine.
Burdick Labor Day plans shaping up
Mutton Bustin’ will be back for the 47th annual Burdick Labor Day Celebration Sept 1 and 2. “For God and Country” will be the theme. Jack and Nancy Riggin will be honored as grand marshals of Monday’s parade.

COUNTY

Wind farm case dismissed; construction not begun
Only a week after 70 opponents of a wind farm filed a lawsuit against Marion County Planning Commission over approving a conditional use permit, they dismissed the case. The plaintiffs dismissed the suit July 17 before the planning commission filed an answer.
County sends $157,583 a year to area agencies
Marion County spends $157,583 a year supporting organizations that serve people in multiple counties. In some cases, the amount the county pays aligns with the number of county residents served.
More accidents happen on paved county roads
Marion County doesn’t salt treat its paved roads during winter, a practice that may boost the accident rate on routes where more people drive and speed limits are higher. Indigo Rd. from US-50 to 160th Rd. has seen the highest number of accidents over the last two years.

AUTO

Man sees red when picking prized vehicles
Wayne Ollenburger, 82, of Hillsboro has added another bright red car to his collection of antique vehicles. He owns a 1971 Chevy Cheyenne half-ton pickup and a 1980 Corvette.
Safety is a concern for car dealerships
Car dealerships have their own priorities before a used vehicle rolls off the lot, said Randy Hagen, co-owner and office manager at Hillsboro Ford. “Most customers are fairly knowledgeable, but we just don’t want to see them have any problems,” he said. “There’s always something with the possibility of happening.”
Classic cars, trucks to be on display
Classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles will make the monthly trek Sunday for the Peabody Cruise from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. along Walnut St. Businesses and points of interest will include Grab-N-Go Hotdogs, Porcupine Tea Company and Mercantile, Peabody American Legion, and the Peabody Historical Museum.

DEATHS

Walden Duerksen
Services for retired farmer and Hesston Corp. worker WaldenDuerksen, 91, who died Thursday at Bethesda Home in Goessel, were to have been this morning at Tabor Mennonite Church, rural Newton. Born Jan. 21, 1928, at Goessel to Gustav and Emma (Schmidt) Duerksen, he married Susan Schmidt on Oct. 24, 1950, at the church.
Alice Funk
Services for Alice Ruby (Goerzen) Funk, who died July 17 at Bethesda Home in Goessel, will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Tabor Mennonite Church, rural Newton. Visitation will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church.
Virginia Heerey
Services for Virginia Heerey, 84, who died Monday, will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church, Marion. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Yazel-Megli-Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.
Lloyd Ratzloff
Services for Lloyd Ray Ratzloff, 68, who died Sunday at his residence in Lehigh, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Hillsboro United Methodist Church. Born Jan. 2, 1951, in Florence to Perry and Irene (Ducommun) Ratzloff, he married Debbie Friesen on Nov. 24, 1979, in Hillsboro.
Tony Schafers
Mass for Tony Schafers, 89, who died Monday, will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Mark Catholic Church / Holy Family Parish, Marion. Rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Yazel-Megli-Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion. A complete life sketch will be published next week.
IM MEMORIAM:
Roger Frans
IM MEMORIAM:
'Pops' Riebold
IM MEMORIAM:
Gary Strotkamp
IM MEMORIAM:
Millicent Vinduska

DOCKET

OPINION

Contracting a disease of indifference
Marion’s city hall appears to have much in common with KU’s football stadium. A main concern of people who work in either place appears to be how much they can get from their employer once they’re fired. For KU football coaches, it’s understandable. The team’s 0-0 record so far this season is its best winning percentage in a decade. But chants of “We’re undefeated!” most assuredly won’t be echoing around the Campanile for very long after the season actually begins.
In hindsight
Forget those “MN” stickers on license plates. They’re no longer needed when trying to identify cars from Marion County — especially the northern part of the county, where lots of fresh, dusty rock has been splayed out on county roads by the Diamond Vista wind farm project. Now that debate over the county’s other wind project, Expedition Wind in the southern part of the county, has settled down a bit, it’s time to assess winners and losers in the deliberation.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
The car that talks too much
LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Is the city helping?

PEOPLE

Park ranger intern has her dream job
“Hello. I’m Ranger Kristin.” Kristin Vinduska of rural Lincolnville always greets visitors to Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, with a smile.
Farm work combines with art
The name of Sarah Krispense’s craft business is inspired by her dual callings as a feed mill employee and a farm wife. She was working in a feed mill in Ohio when she connected with her future husband, Konrad Krispense, a young Marion farmer, through an agriculturally related social media site.
Woman celebrates 105 years
When Edna Marie Mason was interviewed 17 years ago, she lived on Roosevelt St. in Marion. She later moved to Marion Assisted Living until a hip problem resulted in her move to Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. She celebrated her 105th birthday Friday.
Summervills gather for reunion
Three dozen members of the Summervill family gathered for a reunion July 7 in Hillsboro. Those attending from the area included Marge Summervill and Jeanne Summerville Maki of Marion and Diana Jost and James and Rachel Jost, Jackson and Willak, of Burdick.
Senator to visit county
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) will be in Marion County from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday for a town hall meeting at Hillsboro American Legion Post 366. The first 30 minutes will cover events in Congress, followed by 30 minutes for audience questions.
SENIOR CENTER:
Cakes are surprise gift; volunteers needed, Menu
CALENDAR:
Upcoming events
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 40, 55, 70, 100, 140 years ago
MEMORIES IN FOCUS:
Why Elm St. might better be called Thorp St.

SCHOOL/SPORTS

Work continues on new HVAC system for schools
Replacement work on heating, ventilation and air conditioning replacements for Marion High school has been going strong since June. Michael Porch, president of Dean E. Norris, a company subcontracting work on the project, said planners are hoping to have it finished by Aug. 9.

Marion County RECORD

GoFundMe account raises money for Florence area family who lost everything By ALEXANDER SIMONE Staff writer When July 4 flooding destroyed Loretta Looney’s home the community rallied around her.

Since 2017, when former county lake superintendent Steve Hudson resigned his position, the lake has had no bait shop. Anglers have had to go elsewhere. A bait vending machine installed in 2018 sits empty.

Jessica Turner knew she wanted to be a nurse was when she went into labor with her first child. “I was so impressed with my nurse,” she said. “She made me feel like I was the only person in the world who mattered and gave me such amazing care.”

State regulations require two new vaccines for school-age children enrolling for the 2019-2020 school year. Students entering kindergarten and first grade need two doses of hepatitis A vaccine.

Mutton Bustin’ will be back for the 47th annual Burdick Labor Day Celebration Sept 1 and 2. “For God and Country” will be the theme. Jack and Nancy Riggin will be honored as grand marshals of Monday’s parade.

Only a week after 70 opponents of a wind farm filed a lawsuit against Marion County Planning Commission over approving a conditional use permit, they dismissed the case. The plaintiffs dismissed the suit July 17 before the planning commission filed an answer.

Marion County spends $157,583 a year supporting organizations that serve people in multiple counties. In some cases, the amount the county pays aligns with the number of county residents served.

Marion County doesn’t salt treat its paved roads during winter, a practice that may boost the accident rate on routes where more people drive and speed limits are higher. Indigo Rd. from US-50 to 160th Rd. has seen the highest number of accidents over the last two years.

Wayne Ollenburger, 82, of Hillsboro has added another bright red car to his collection of antique vehicles. He owns a 1971 Chevy Cheyenne half-ton pickup and a 1980 Corvette.

Classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles will make the monthly trek Sunday for the Peabody Cruise from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. along Walnut St. Businesses and points of interest will include Grab-N-Go Hotdogs, Porcupine Tea Company and Mercantile, Peabody American Legion, and the Peabody Historical Museum.

Services for Alice Ruby (Goerzen) Funk, who died July 17 at Bethesda Home in Goessel, will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Tabor Mennonite Church, rural Newton. Visitation will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church.

Services for Virginia Heerey, 84, who died Monday, will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church, Marion. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Yazel-Megli-Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.

Services for Lloyd Ray Ratzloff, 68, who died Sunday at his residence in Lehigh, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Hillsboro United Methodist Church. Born Jan. 2, 1951, in Florence to Perry and Irene (Ducommun) Ratzloff, he married Debbie Friesen on Nov. 24, 1979, in Hillsboro.

IM MEMORIAM:

IM MEMORIAM:

IM MEMORIAM:

IM MEMORIAM:

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

“Hello. I’m Ranger Kristin.” Kristin Vinduska of rural Lincolnville always greets visitors to Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, with a smile.

The name of Sarah Krispense’s craft business is inspired by her dual callings as a feed mill employee and a farm wife. She was working in a feed mill in Ohio when she connected with her future husband, Konrad Krispense, a young Marion farmer, through an agriculturally related social media site.

When Edna Marie Mason was interviewed 17 years ago, she lived on Roosevelt St. in Marion. She later moved to Marion Assisted Living until a hip problem resulted in her move to Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. She celebrated her 105th birthday Friday.

Three dozen members of the Summervill family gathered for a reunion July 7 in Hillsboro. Those attending from the area included Marge Summervill and Jeanne Summerville Maki of Marion and Diana Jost and James and Rachel Jost, Jackson and Willak, of Burdick.

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) will be in Marion County from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday for a town hall meeting at Hillsboro American Legion Post 366. The first 30 minutes will cover events in Congress, followed by 30 minutes for audience questions.

SENIOR CENTER:

CALENDAR:

MEMORIES:

MEMORIES IN FOCUS:

Replacement work on heating, ventilation and air conditioning replacements for Marion High school has been going strong since June. Michael Porch, president of Dean E. Norris, a company subcontracting work on the project, said planners are hoping to have it finished by Aug. 9.