Republican precinct committee members voted Friday to nominate Verden Harms of Hillsboro to be appointed interim Marion County Treasurer. If confirmed by the governor, Harms will take over the remainder of the term of Kathryn Schimpf of Marion, who has retired.

Jayson Hanschu of Ramona has been named “Outstanding Junior Man” at Friends University in Wichita. His parents, Junior and Jeanetta Hanschu, and his wife, Jan, were present for the awards ceremony when the honor was announced.

Vera Highsmith of Marion is featured in this week’s “Organist Series.” Highsmith, an Elmdale native, started playing as a 12-year-old at Emmanuel Lutheran church west of Elmdale. The Elmdale and Marion congregations were joined in the 1940s and the Elmdale church was moved to Marion where it was used to enlarge the Marion sanctuary. Highsmith has received help from other organists during the years but remains the main music maker on Sundays.

Centre School District will lose its two-person librarian team this spring, due to retirement. Librarian Beth Pagenkopf and her aide, Adeline Bernhardt, will call it quits after many years of working for USD 397.

Presbyterians broke ground Easter morning for their new education annex, which will be built on the site of the church’s demolished Timothy Hill House. The new building, to be completed in October, will include a meeting room, kitchen, classrooms, and offices.