BREAKING NEWS
UPDATED AFTER PRINT DEADLINE
All toxic algae warnings and advisories for Marion Reservoir were lifted Thursday for only the second week this summer. The only other week since May 31 when neither an advisory nor a more serious warning was in effect was June 21 through 28.
Pasture fires came in threes this past week as seven Marion County fire departments battled blazes sparked by lightning, whipped by wind, and fueled by cow pies. When Burns Fire Department Chief Barry Black and his crew arrived July 25 at Northwest 150th Road and U.S. 77 in northern Butler County, the skies were thick with smoke from two more grass fires to the east.
It has been a disturbing network of events for Frelna Crawford, an ongoing saga that has taken place outside of her home. She never saw who did it, only caught fleeting glimpses. An old discolored pickup truck has been one regular visitor. A succession of vehicles speeding off into the distance all had something in common. They left cats, unwanted burdens, at the city limits of Marion.
Corn has started flowing to Marion County elevators, but the drought has forced a difficult decision on soybean farmers: cut their losses by baling now to use for feeding livestock, or hang on hoping for the rain that could lead to harvestable cash crops. “We’re in the middle of a wreck right now,” extension agent Rickey Roberts said. “A few weeks ago I thought we were in slightly better shape than last year. It’s done nothing but get hotter and drier. It’s not looking good for anything right now.”
Kansas cattle ranchers gained access Thursday to state lakes and federal reservoirs for emergency water supplies, but for now Marion Reservoir, which remains under a blue-green algae advisory, is off-limits to Marion County producers. “Our blue-green algae status is the No. 1 status we would consider,” Corps of Engineers lead ranger Emily Coffin said. “We don’t want livestock drinking contaminated water.”
Financial disclosure statements released Monday by the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission portray very different images of the two candidates for 70th District state representative in Tuesday’s Republican primary. Largely because of contributions from outside the district, John Barker of Abilene has raised nearly one-third more than has Doug Lindahl of Enterprise.
Under the Kansas Secure and Fair Elections Act that went into effect last year, each voter must bring a photo ID when casting his or her ballot in Tuesday’s primary election. Among the IDs acceptable are a driver’s license, a concealed- carry handgun license, a U.S. passport, and identification cards issued to government employees, members of the military, students at Kansas colleges, public assistance recipients, and members of Indian tribes.
Marion County Commission proposed a 1.5 percent tax increase Tuesday, an increase of $9.78 on property taxes for a typical $85,000 home. The 2013 budget will be published and then residents will have an opportunity to voice opinions at a public hearing Aug. 20.
Retired schoolteacher Nuna Lee Friesen Parks, 83, died Friday at Salem Home, Hillsboro. Services were Monday. Jost Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Born Sept. 7, 1928, in Newton to Mart and Agnes (Groening) Friesen, she married Edward Parks Sr. last Nov. 19 in Eureka Springs, Ark.
Former Hillsboro businessman Arthur Wilhelm Schultz, 77, died July 25 at McPherson Care Center. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Aug. 18 at Stockham Family Funeral Home, McPherson. The Rev. Tom Mayse will officiate. There will be no visitation.
IN MEMORIAM:
Glenda Bernhardt
It started out as a themed tribute to the “oldies,” but the Sock Hop last week at the Marion County Fair turned into a rain dance and an opportunity for young and old to have fun. “This is the first time I have ever seen people run out to dance in the rain,” said disc jockey Brian Finchof Bennett, Neb. “The kids here are just super awesome,” he said. “I even noticed “Aunt” Mary [Olson] dancing.
There were plenty of animals, photography entries, cooking projects, and other exhibits to view at the Marion County Fair this year. But there were not as many people to appreciate them. “I believe the heat does affect fair crowds,” extension agent Rickey Roberts said. “We just don’t have a facility that people can go into to cool off, like some other counties do, so some people just stay away altogether.”
Hillsboro residents may have noticed the Waldron family at events like Hillsboro High School and Tabor basketball games. The young couple, complete with an energetic 2-year-old in tow, is hard to miss, especially if daughter Lydia is dressed in her fuzzy Bluejay outfit. Those same residents may have wondered how the Waldrons ended up in Central Kansas.
For four years, Marion Manufacturing floor manager Dave Richmond went through the same agonizing routine. He would bring in hardworking employees for three months during the company’s busy period and then send them back to unemployment when business slowed. Like most businesses, Marion Manufacturing was struck by the floundering economy.
A common horror story is told about Medicare in campaign commercials. It’s scarier than “Friday the 13th” or “Nightmare on Elm Street.” It’s also non-fiction. “Nobody wants to have a senior who is choosing between rent, a grocery bill, or medicine,” Karen Mayse said.
Last week we accused them of a childish tantrum, resorting to political trickery to get a radio tower approved. This week we’re going to praise them for one of the most mature, adult political decisions in recent memory. Amid an environment in which politicians seem to be tripping over each other to be the first to cut taxes the most, the County Commission deserves considerable praise for demonstrating mature and much needed leadership in proposing a tax increase to pay for repairs to the county’s dreadful roads.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
God, the devil, and all that stuffCOMMENTARY:
Time to keep things civil
More than 30 years ago, Greg Topham’s father gave him advice that shaped his career. “My dad was working for the post office, and he encouraged me to take the test,” Topham said.
Two Marion County natives are among 14 students being admitted to the University of Kansas Medical School this year under a program designed to encourage rural students interested in working as physicians in underserved areas. Benjamin Heyen from Hillsboro and JuliAnne (Chisholm) Rathbun from Durham were formally welcomed into medical school at a white coat ceremony Friday in Kansas City.
Marion City Library will have a reception from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 14 to celebrate the Santa Fe depot’s 100th birthday and 10 years of the library being in the depot. Refreshments will be served. Displays will include Santa Fe memorabilia donated by Mark Hall, a model train display by Jerry Bruce, and pictures of the depot before it was converted into a library.
Delays of up to 15 minutes are likely on U.S. 50 from the Marion County line to near Walton this month. Workers will be sealing cracks on an 8½-mile stretch of the highway throughout the month of August, the Kansas Department of Transportation said Monday.
Lorenzo Hurde, owner of Lorenzo’s Barbecue, didn’t set out to make a business of barbecuing when he started in 1962 in Larned. He barbecued as a hobby, often providing meals at church. Then he started catering part time. At the time, he was an engineer for the State of Kansas, but it wasn’t long before he realized he was making more money with barbecue than with engineering.
Friends and relatives of Elmer “Bob” Delk will celebrate his 90th birthday at a dessert reception on Aug. 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church, 1498 Kanza Rd., Hillsboro. Delk will be joined by his wife, Dorothy; daughters Donna Dalke, Barb Koontz, and Shirley Delk; and son Robert Delk.
Four generations of the descendants of Daniel and Sara (Heller) Higgins were represented by 73 attendees at the 82nd annual reunion of the Heller-Higgins family July 22 at the Marion County Lake Hall. The family had a pot luck dinner and an afternoon of visiting.
Marion County Democratic Women observed National Day of the Cowboy at their lunch meeting Friday at Marion Senior Center. Sue Clough, Neysa Eberhard, Marilyn Cox, Estelle McCarty, and Connie Fisher read cowboy poetry.
The children of Roger and Cheryl Steward of Florence are requesting a card shower for their parents’ 50th wedding anniversary Monday. Cards may be sent to 103 E. 3rd St., Florence KS 66851.
ANNIVERSARIES:
Stuckliks to celebrate golden anniversary,
Penners celebrate 50 yearsCORRESPONDENTS:
Senior Center,
TampaENGAGEMENT:
Jeffrey-ChristensenMEMORIES:
10,
25,
35,
50,
60,
100,
125 years ago
The original 1958 Centre High School gymnasium is undergoing major renovation this summer. Anyone entering the gym during daylight hours is sure to notice how much brighter it is even without lights.