Marion County RECORD

St. Luke CEO taking job in Mitchell County

St. Luke Hospital and Living Center CEO Jeremy Armstrong has accepted a job as CEO of Mitchell County Hospital and Health Systems in Beloit. He said the move is to get closer to his wife, Tammy’s, parents so the Armstrongs and their children can visit more often. His last day at St. Luke will be June 6, and he will start June 16 in Beloit.

City discusses roundabout for Main St.

For the past two years Marion has applied for a grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation to remove the bump form a former railroad crossing on Main St. The grant has been denied. At Monday’s City Council meeting, city administrator Roger Holter presented other options to redo the intersection of First and Main Sts. and fix the bump left from the railroad. “The new possibility would be to create a modified roundabout or change the approach,” Holter said.

Garage sales are Saturday

Marion and Peabody will have citywide garage sales Saturday, with 22 planned in Marion and 16 planned in Peabody. Summaries and maps of the sales can be found on page 11 of this newspaper. Free maps will be available Friday at local businesses.

Family remodeling former hospital into their home

After decades of sitting empty, the second floor of the CB Wheeler building — otherwise known as the old hospital — is bustling with activity. About two years ago, Randy and Rachel Collett purchased the space from Bruce Skiles, and they recently started remodeling it to serve as their residence in retirement.

Artist designs for clients worldwide

Local graphic artist Amanda (Ewert) Dameron has found a way to do something she loves and make a living from it all from the comfort of her own home in Marion. “I am a contract artist for a company in Utah called Pinpros,” Dameron said. “Working from home is nice. I like it a lot.”

New council members discuss goals, learn about position

An informal orientation helped new Marion council members get their bearings on their new job April 23. After being buried under a mountain of paperwork and city code, new council members Melissa Mermis and Chad Adkins asked questions of administrator Roger Holter and shared their thoughts of how the council would work moving forward.

Film maker returns to Florence

Residents of Florence can expect to see Steve Lerner once again wandering the streets with his camera. Lerner is creating another documentary of the area, but this time focusing on water sources in the area. “Talkin’ About Water” will center around Florence, Marion County, and Chase County and their water sources. It will be his second documentary to feature the area. The first was created in 2012, titled “Florence, Kansas.”

Group may be last to graduate from current Butler building

It was a bittersweet moment for Amy Kjellin, director of Butler Community College of Marion, as she handed certificates and tokens of appreciation to three students graduating this semester. For future students, Butler of Marion might have a different look, but will still offer the same services, Kjellin said.

Planning board Oks wind farm expansion

With the approval by the county planning commission to allow expansion of Windborne Energy’s planned wind farm between Aulne, Peabody, and Florence, there was opposition Thursday. Those in opposition still voiced their opinion against the wind farm as a whole.

USDA food commodities available next week

Commodities from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will arrive at county senior centers May 7, with distribution beginning May 8. Sites may not distribute commodities on the same day. Patrons are encouraged to contact their local site for scheduling.

Drunk driver's family suffered, too

Jared Estes had every right to be angry after a drunk driver, 45-year-old Louis Kebert, driving a Porsche on Kellogg Ave. in Wichita, rammed into the back of his car, killing his wife of six months, Paige. The car exploded upon impact, leaving Estes with severe burns on his upper body and head after a stranger pulled him from the burning vehicle. Two other women in the car also were severely injured. The accident happened in March 2005, and in June 2006, Kebert, who had two previous DUI convictions, was sentenced to 23 years in prison.

Enforcement up, so are cases for Marion PD

Marion Police officers have been busy this quarter racking up 423 cases ranging from criminal cases to traffic stops from January to the end of April. This total is nearly double the number of cases from 2013 at 285. Police Chief Tyler Mermis said the increased total is not because there is more crime; it is because officers are being more proactive. He estimates that a third of the cases are of criminal nature.

Pastor calls for more churches to work with food bank

For the past few years parishioners of Marion Presbyterian Church have brought food to church once a month in a special donation called “Shared Sunday” to Marion County Emergency Food Bank. Pastor Jeremiah Lange said the event stocks the food bank for at least one week a month, but more is needed.

County may add IT position

Commissioners did not take any action at the regular county meeting Monday, instead having a work session to meet with the head of each county department. Most meetings centered on the status of each department and what they may need going forward.

Volkswagen has been in family for 3 decades

You could say their marriage began in a Beetle. When Brad and Jeannie Wildin married, they drove away from the church in Brad’s 1971 Beetle. “My father drove a VW bus for work in the 60s and it was where I first learned how to drive,” Brad said. “So in 1973 I found the 71 and got it. I enjoyed it, it was the best vehicle I’ve ever had in the snow.”

Local agents add dependability to car insurance

Car owners are bombarded continually by radio and TV commercials, mail circulars, Internet advertisements, and other means, from companies that claim to offer cheap car insurance. It may be cheaper, but cheaper isn’t necessarily better. Why? Because when a person has a claim, there’s no agent to help with the process.

Car shows start in summer

Marion County will be the place for car enthusiasts to be early this summer with a pair of car shows. The Burns car show will be all day May 24 in downtown Burns. No other information was available before deadline.

Judy Jones

Judy Jones, 73, died Thursday at St. Luke Hospital in Marion. She was born Nov. 17, 1940, in Seagraves, Texas, to Lamont and Evelyn (Hajney) Rowland. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert J. Jones.

Arnold Regier

Arnold W. Regier, 83, died Friday at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. He was born Oct. 8, 1930, to Henry and Tena (Rempel) Regier in Hillsboro. He married Edith Vogt on Aug. 2, 1957, in Enid, Okla.

John Schlesener

John Lewis “Johnny” Schlesener, 78, of Herington died April 23 at Herington Municipal Hospital. He was born May 28, 1935, in Boise City, Okla., to Norman C. and Helen R. (Johnson) Schlesener. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. He graduated from Hope High School in 1953 and attended Kansas State University. He was a commercial fisherman, working off the coast of Oregon. He returned to Herington in 2000 and worked at Clark Lumber Company.

Kenneth Schmidt

Kenneth W. Schmidt, 79, died April 22 at his home in Newton. He was born Oct. 14, 1934, to Henry B. Jr. and Esther (Klassen) Schmidt in Newton. He married Elsie Flamming on May 6, 1960, in Goessel.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil division cases

County Jail arrests and bookings

Criminal division cases

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Peabody municipal court

Police incident reports

Traffic division cases

A steady hand and clear vision

When I recently heard a rumor that St. Luke CEO Jeremy Armstrong was going to leave the hospital, I hoped it was exactly that, a rumor that could be dismissed as soon as I could ask Armstrong about the situation. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a rumor; it was accurate, and Marion will be losing an excellent community member in June. The past eight years have been a tumultuous time for the health care field, especially for rural hospitals. Add into that the worst recession since the 1930s and for a rural hospital just to keep its head above water would be an accomplishment. What St. Luke got instead was a monumental building project, expansion, and renovation that improved the hospital while also bringing it more in line with the realities of modern medicine where fewer inpatients are staying in rural hospitals but more rehabilitation services are sought.

Work from home

This week’s paper includes a story about Amanda Dameron, who works for a company with customers worldwide from the peace of her home in Marion. She isn’t the only person telecommuting from Marion. That’s a good thing, and we should encourage more of it. As high-speed Internet becomes more broadly available, the portion of careers that can be done from a home office continues to expand. Some businesses, like retail sales, will probably never be practical for telecommuting, but Marion should be able to attract people who can work from home.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

P.E.O. elects officers

Officers were voted on during P.E.O.’s meeting April 21 at Eastmoor United Methodist Church. A president’s gavel was presented to Belinda Skiles, who was elected chapter president.

Smart driving class offered

Smart driving classes, which allow drivers to receive an insurance premium reduction, will be available at the Marion Senior Center May 12 and 13. Classes will be from 1 to 5 p.m. each day. No actual driving is required, but participants are required to attend both sessions in order to receive the discount.

Lifeguard classes will be offered in May

An American Red Cross lifeguarding class will be offered from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 26 through May 29 at USD 408 Sports and Aquatic Center in Marion. Those attending will learn first aid, CPR /AED, teamwork, rescue and surveillance techniques, as well as other skills necessary to become a lifeguard.

Local groups to present at May Friendship Day

“Through God our hands can serve,” is the theme several local groups, including Circles of Marion County, Girl Scouts, Marion County Emergency Food Bank, and St. Luke Auxiliary Shop will speak about for Friendship Day at 3 p.m. Friday at Valley United Methodist Church. A gathering of pennies for the Fellowship of the Least Coin will also be held.

Dinner will help with adoption

There will be a dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Marion Christian Church to assist Doug and Sarah Spencer with the international adoption of their son, Grant. Friends of the Spencers are organizing the meal, which will include sloppy joes, side dishes, and desserts.

Tabor concert is Sunday

The Tabor College Symphonic Band and Chamber Strings will perform a home concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church at 300 Prairie Pointe. The theme of the concert is “Bright Shining as the Sun,” based on lyrics from “Amazing Grace.”

Kiwanis hears about school finance

USD 408 Superintendent Lee Leiker spoke at Marion Kiwanis on Tuesday about school finance in the wake of a Kansas Supreme Court ruling and legislation passed on the issue. What the court ruled and the legislature passed was for the state to fully fund equalization payments to all but the wealthiest school districts.

Disaster volunteers needed

Marion County Emergency Management Department is looking for volunteers to assist during times of emergency. Volunteers will receive training though the Federal Emergency Management Agency to perform specific tasks during a disaster, emergency director Randy Frank said.

Farmers market to be held in Tampa

A farmers’ market will be held in Tampa on the first Wednesday evening every month until September, beginning at 6 p.m. at the senior center. A meal will be served. All vendors are welcome.

Club honors Steve Hanschu

Steve Hanschu received the Service to Mankind award from the Sertoma Club of Emporia. It is the highest award given to a non-club member. Hanschu graduated from Centre High School. His parents are Ted and Aileen Hanschu.

Democratic Women honor past member

Marion County Democratic Women gave a gift to the Robert B. Docking Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of Betty Norman at their meeting Friday at Marion Senior Center. Plans were finalized for the group to host the First District Democratic Women’s meeting on May 26.

MARION SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

56 honor students recognized

Marion High School honor students were recognized for keeping a 3.5 grade point average the first three quarters of the school year at the annual Kiwanis Honor Banquet Monday evening; 56 students were awarded certificates of recognition. Between the meal and the presentation of awards, forensics team members Nick Meyer, Zach Robson, and Justin Terrel presented performances they will compete with at the state forensics meet on Saturday. Honor students Seniors Megan Davies, Alyssa Edwards, Katey Ehrlich, Kaitlyn Frese, Jared Hague, Taylor Heidebrecht, Kelli Hess, Cheyenne Jeffrey, James Jones, Jordan Laurin, Alicia Maloney, Caitlyn Maloney, Lauren McLinden, Nicholas Meyer, Rachel Neil, Megan Richmond, Zach Robson, Amanda Stuchlik, and Kaelyn Thierolf. Juniors Sheridyn Arterburn, Jacob Baldwin, Samantha Davies, Breanna Doyle, Julia Hall, Shayla Kline, Raleigh Kroupa, Bret Voth, and Kaylie Waner. Sophomores Sydnee Baldwin, Alli Boyd, Reann Hamm, Kirsten Hansen, Kristen Herzet, Erika Hess, Elizabeth Meyer, McKenzee Remmers, Bailey Robson, Emily Schneider, Nicholas Stuchlik, Raul Vilaplana, Courtney Williams, and Timo Zech. Freshmen Garrett Alleven, Tyler Arocha, Nathan Baldwin, Aiden Cairns, Katelyn Christensen, Shelby Felvus, Emily Hague, Cade Harms, Marissa Jacobson, Paige May, Taylor May, Shonda Ratzloff, Devin Regnier, and Seth Savage.

Marion musicians get high marks at state

The Marion High School music department received high ratings Saturday at the 3A State Music Festival at Southeast of Saline High School. Scores were based on a scale of 1 to 5, a “1” being the highest. The Marion High Singers and Marion Men’s Chorus both received “1” ratings, as well as Caitlyn Maloney for her solo on alto saxophone.

Centre FFA members earn proficiency awards

The Centre FFA chapter earned recognition as a Superior National Chapter April 21 at the South Central District FFA Banquet at Buhler High School. Chad Mueller and Karl Riffel both earned district proficiency awards — Mueller’s in the area of dairy production and Riffel’s in goat production entrepreneurship. Mueller’s entry placed second at the state level.

Centre banquet is May 13

Centre High School’s annual academic-athletic banquet will be at 6:30 p.m. May 13 in the gymnasium. A potluck supper will be served. Those with last names A to M will bring a meat dish and dessert, and those with last names N to Z will bring a meat dish and salad. The drink, rolls, and butter will be furnished. Attendees will bring their own table service.

Deines recognized for essay

Centre High School student Makenzie Deines was an honorable mention recipient in the national Stossel in the Classroom essay contest. Deines wrote an essay opposing government restriction on food choices after watching a television special by John Stossel about the issue.

Animals are a hit on senior project night

A ferret, two large dogs, and a goat were among the senior projects presented Thursday and Friday at Centre High School by students in Jennifer Montgomery’s senior English class. Karl Riffel presented facts about producing goats and showed how he prepares a goat for show.

Centre board hires tech coordinator, teacher

The Centre school board made several personnel decisions for the next school year April 23 in a special meeting. Andrew Linville was hired as technology coordinator beginning June 9. He will receive $18.27 an hour.

Centre girls finish 3rd at Burrton quint

Cacey Simons helped the Centre girls to a third-place finish April 22 at the Burrton track meet in Haven with a first-place finish in triple jump at 32 feet, 2 inches. She cleared the bar at 4 feet, 6 inches to finish second in high jump. Cassidy Hill placed second in discus at 79 feet, 1 inch and javelin at 84-7.

Centre boys place 3rd in 1A power lifting

Conner Montgomery swept the competition in his weight range Saturday at the 1A state power lifting event at Claflin. He placed first in bench, squat, and clean, finishing first overall in his weight division. The team finished in third place.

Middle school athletes break records

Marion Middle School track and field athletes Jack Schneider and Corbin Wheeler combined to break four school records Thursday at a home meet. Schneider broke his own record in long jump with a leap of 18 feet, 11 inches. He also broke the school record in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.34 seconds and in the 400-meter dash with a time of 54.61. Both sprinting records had stood for more than 30 years.

Golf scores hold steady

Warrior golfers scored 468 as a team after playing 18 holes at the Remington Invitational tournament Thursday in Newton. “Although we didn’t do as good as before, the guys still held their own,” coach Jim Pohlman said. “Our individual scores were about the same as before.”

Teams idle, but baseball ranking up

The Marion baseball and softball teams were idle this week. No games were scheduled for Friday, and games scheduled for Tuesday at Ell-Saline were rained out. The baseball team did climb to No. 2 in the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches 3A rankings. The Warriors are 11-1 after splitting a road doubleheader April 22 against the previous No. 2 team, Sedgwick.

Despite injuries, Warriors fare well at Halstead

The Marion girls’ track and field team tied for fourth place and the boys finished in fifth place out of 13 teams Friday at Halstead, despite several athletes sitting out to heal. “We kept some of our athletes out of the meet to try and heal up some nagging injuries, and we look forward to getting them back this week,” coach Grant Thierolf said.

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