35 years ago

august 1, 1979

Workmen for Givens Construction Co. are making progress on completion of the Marion flood control project. The levee will be completed and a 24-inch pipe with a floodgate installed in the Luta Creek channel.

Grant Avery, 24-year-old chief teller of Peabody State Bank, was shot to death after an extortion attempt and kidnapping Sunday night at Peabody. Marion County Sheriff June Jost found Avery’s body Monday, 19 hours after his abductors forced Avery into his car and drove away from his home.

Julie Hett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Hett of rural Marion was crowned Junior Miss 1979 Wednesday night at the Tri-County Free Fair in Herington. She will advance to the Kansas Junior Miss competition at Belleville in November. Second and third runners-up, respectively, were Theresa Kroupa, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Kroupa, and Linda Schaffer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Schaffer.

Marion-Florence FFA officers who attended leadership camp last week included Brad Vannocker, Brian Bowers, Ron Wineinger, Trudy Ratzloff, Donna Berg, and Rod Just.

Bea Martinez grew an 8 pound 16 inch zucchini in her garden at 220 West Santa Fe. Her zucchini is the largest entry to date in the annual Marion County Record produce derby.