30 years ago

may 22, 1996

Ranger Neal Whitaker is pictured as he waits to assist a couple in a Texas float plane en route to Alaska. The plane was forced to splash-down Monday on wind-chopped Marion Reservoir. No one was hurt in the unscheduled landing, caused by a lack of fuel.

Ethan Good was named valedictorian Sunday at Marion High School commencement. He also was named outstanding senior boy for his citizenship and involvement in activities. Jenny Groening was named salutatorian. Jodi Thomas was named outstanding senior girl.

It was incredibly windy Friday when the Olympic torch passed through Kansas. John Moore of Marion carried the torch from Topeka to Eskridge on the back of his bicycle before howling prairie winds forced the scheduling team to use motorcycles for most of the rest of the route.

Ty Siebert, son of Jerry and Micki Siebert of Cedar Point, has joined the Coast Guard and is stationed at Cape May, New Jersey.

Centre High School science instructor Robert Kleinschmidt has retired from teaching after 32 years. He began teaching at Centre High School in 1968.

Kleinschmidt and three other longtime Centre teachers will be honored May 24 at an open house at Centre High School. Others and their tenure are Mary Olson, 36 years; Dale Wingerd, 26; and Judy Abbott, 22.

Mitch Merrill, head professional at Sioux City (Iowa) Country Club and grandson of Gail Merrill of Marion, has been selected as the 181st member of the Professional Golfers Association to be named a “master professional.”