30 years ago

june 12, 1996

At Monday’s meeting of the city commission, archeologist Donna Roper reported on Phase III of a survey just completed of early-day Indian pits on land at the south edge of Marion that will be in the path of new sewer lines.

Also discussed was whether insurance would cover damage from a power surge in Marion several weeks ago when lines were crossed during a windstorm.

Marion Chamber of Commerce ambassadors Brenda McGinness, Diane Hett, and Violet Richmond presented “first dollar of profit” plaques to Flint Hills Clayworks owner Paula Miller and her daughter and to Linda Meier, who opened the drive-in café, Wagon Wheel Express, May 3.

The pioneer spirit will return to Marion County from June 17 to 19 as the Santa Fe Trail celebrates its 125th year. The Cottonwood Crossing Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association is commemorating the occasion with a tour of the trail, including stopping places at Lost Springs, Durham, and in western Marion County.

Nature needed most of a century to create stately trees that shade Central Park. Thursday morning, it needed only an instant to destroy two of the park’s most sturdy landmarks. Since then, city crews have had to spend more than 240 worker-hours cleaning up debris.

Sixty-two pints of blood were donated at a recent drive in Marion. Donors receiving pins were Lisa Donahue, two gallons; Dorothy Conyers, six gallons; Larry Olsen, seven gallons; and Linda Peterson, eight gallons.