HEADLINES

  • Baker's cupcakes add flair to events

    Since a young age, friends and family of Rachael Thurston have found her in the kitchen baking. “My mom makes cakes so I learned from her,” Thurston said. “I’ve been baking since I was old enough to help mom.”

  • City code to see many changes

    In an attempt to end a three-year project to merge city, state, and regional regulations into one document, Marion City Council members met Monday to discuss changes to city laws. The changes lie in a 312-page document, which will be available online after the council votes on the final draft, which may come as quickly as the next council meeting on Monday.

  • Residents invited to paint like Tom Sawyer

    In an event far from the punishment of Tom Sawyer, the city of Marion is hosting a “Tom Sawyer” painting party to help restore the mural in Liberty Park. “It’s a community minded way to repaint the mural and keep a unique thing going in our town,” city administrator Roger Holter said.

  • Sixth pilgrimage to Pilsen honors Father Emil Kapaun

    About 140 people from the Catholic Diocese of Wichita embarked Friday on the sixth annual Father Kapaun Pilgrimage, walking from Wichita to Pilsen, birthplace and home of Kapaun. The participants took part in the pilgrimage to raise awareness for the beatification of Father Emil Kapaun by the Catholic Church. It took the walkers three days, two nights, and 60 miles of walking to reach their destination. The trip included daily Mass and confession.

  • Childcare provider makes fans as the story lady

    Child care provider Debbie Regier has worked at Kountry Kids Childcare in Marion for 26 years but last year she started traveling to other daycares around the county to help teach children how to read and earned herself the nickname the story lady. “It’s a work in progress,” Regier said. “I go around once a month to whoever wants me to stop by and we do a different story each time.”

  • Work begins on Remington Rd.

    Work began this week on Remington Rd. between U.S. 56 and 290th Rd. County crews are preparing the road for double chip-sealing. Double chip-sealing is putting down a layer of oil on a gravel road, spreading fine gravel on top of that, then repeating the process with another layer each of oil and gravel. It binds the road surface together and reduces dust compared to a gravel road, but it isn’t as smooth or sturdy as an asphalt overlay.

  • 3 generations mold family business

    When Ron Goodwin started Goodwin Industries in Burns in 1981, his intention was to have his son, Larry Goodwin, work with him. Now 30 years later three generations of Goodwins work side by side to create various items out of metal. The business has come a long way from building hydraulic hay beds. Now product lines include contract work, header sweeps, a round load shoot for cattle, and their top seller, wood and charcoal grills and smokers. Each person involved in the business is key in the decision making, which is why when Ron’s grandson, Zac Goodwin, wanted to make farm toys they all got to work.

  • Contractor remodels historic house

    General contractor for BG Builders Bryan Grosse has needed to use a number of creative ideas while remodeling a once derelict property at the corner of Washington and Walnut Sts. in Marion, which many people know as “Queenie’s house.” “Sometimes I think this is a nightmare I got myself into but I’m helping beautify the block,” Grosse said. “I just saw potential where others didn’t.”

  • Senior center keeps eye on beef prices

    Sue Clough is keeping a watchful eye on beef prices. She isn’t just worried about the price of her meals — she is worried about the price of meals for senior centers in 18 counties. Clough is a board member of the North Central Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging, as well as president of Marion Senior Center. Shortages of feed for cattle last year led to a decline in the beef supply, which shoppers are now seeing in increased prices for ground beef, roasts, and steaks at grocery stores. So far the agency and senior centers it serves have been insulated from the price increase, but that may change soon as the agency considers changing food vendors. The current vendor was recently bought by Sysco.

MORE HEADLINES

  • Former MLB player to speak at service

    Former Major League Baseball pitcher and motivational speaker Brian Holman will speak at the performing arts center at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in Marion as part of the Chingawassa Days worship service sponsored by Marion Ministerial Alliance. “He was one out away from throwing a perfect game,” Marion Christian Church pastor Carl Helm said. “He starts out his talks by showing a video of the ninth inning of that game. He’s just a really, really good motivational speaker.”

  • County prepares for 2008-09 tax sale

    County commissioners approved a request from County Attorney Susan Robson on Friday to begin work toward a tax sale for overdue 2008 and 2009 property taxes. More than $70,000 is still owed on back taxes for those two years, she wrote in her request. Many properties on the overdue tax list are for small amounts. Commissioner Randy Dallke estimated there were between 15 and 20 that owed less than $20, and the list of overdue taxes is long.

  • Legislator visits Kiwanis

    Marion Kiwanis Club’s meeting Tuesday was packed to capacity with 21 club members and six guests. State Rep. John E. Barker and Judge Steven Hornbaker visited the club. Barker gave legislative newsletters to the club and answered a few questions.

  • Residents invited to forum on violence issues

    A community dialogue for residents of McPherson and Marion counties about sexual assault and domestic violence will be from 9 to 11 a.m. June 24 at the McPherson Bank of America Building fifth floor. The event will allow residents to learn more about the local referral system and ways to improve local crisis intervention programs, as well as to speak about concerns.

  • Music festival is Sunday near Hillsboro

    Those who attend the annual outdoor Songs on the Lawn mini-music festival Sunday at WillowSpring Downs in rural Hillsboro will have a day of music and food. Six local music groups including The Bethesda Band, Book of JEBB, Five Times Harder, Country Jamboree, and Cottonwood River Band will play from 5 to 8 p.m.

  • Food truck to debut

    Residents and visitors in Marion for Chingawassa Days can satisfy their hotdog cravings at the opening of Marion County’s first food truck, Jake’s Dog House, this weekend outside HRK. After months of hard work, Jake and Andrea Schadel have finished the final touches of the hotdog characters adorning the white and yellow truck, have everything installed, and recipes perfected for their debut. Residents will be greeted with a smile and possibly someone wearing a hot dog hat while they place orders.

  • 3 fish left in county lake derby

    Marion County Park and Lake’s fishing derby started with a quick catch on May 20 and will continue until May 31, 2015. Robert Mueller of Wichita won $70 in the derby for catching a bluegill, one of four tagged fish of legal size.

  • Intersection closed for street work

    The intersection of Denver and Coble Sts. will be closed for the next two weeks, weather permitting, while Vogts-Parga completes work for the street project.

  • Car show is June 14 in Goessel

    The Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum will have its seventh annual antique and classic car and truck show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 14 in the museum parking lot in Goessel. Vehicles manufactured between 1900 and 1980 in any condition are welcome. There is a $10 exhibitor’s entry fee, which include the option of a self-guided tour of the museum. There is no admission fee for visitors.

  • No one files for commission seat

    The District 1 county commission seat, which includes Hillsboro, Durham, and Lehigh. County Clerk Tina Spencer said no one filed by the noon deadline Monday.

DEATHS

  • Bernice Chaput

    Bernice B. Chaput, 94, of Marion died Friday at St. Luke Hospital in Marion. She was born Feb. 13, 1920, in Clyde to Frank and Minnie (Chartier) Begnoche. She grew up in Cloud County and attended Tabor Grade School. She married Alcid Chaput on Feb. 21, 1939. They farmed in the Miltonvale and Aurora communities before moving to Junction City in 1961. They later moved to Lecompton, Desoto, and Topeka.

DOCKET

EXPLORE MARION COUNTY

  • Art stroll features many sights, sounds

    Art and music enthusiasts from as far away as Kansas City and Salina wandered from booth to booth and shop to shop on Main St. along with a number of county residents Sunday afternoon in downtown Marion. “The people from Kansas City said they were amazed with the quality of artists and musicians that we had,” event organizer Jan Davis said. “They couldn’t believe that a small town could have such talent.”

  • Chingawassa Days filled with events for young and old

    People from all over will flock to Marion this weekend for Chingawassa Days. More than 1,400 volunteer hours go into planning, setting up, working, and cleaning up from the event with 30 volunteers assisting Thursday and Friday to set everything up.

  • Lake is a getaway for visitors

    As the weather gets warmer, more visitors begin spending their time at Marion County Lake. “It’s nice just being away from the city,” said Grant Morton, a Wichita resident. “We come out here every week.”

  • County museums are places for learning and fun

    For those interested in history, Marion County has several interesting sites that will fascinate and teach about times past. Marion County Museum The Marion County Museum is housed in the former Baptist Church building built in 1887. It overlooks Central Park and features the history and genealogy of the county.

  • Lakes offer many opportunities for tubing, wakeboarding, skiing

    Cousins Gavin Smith of Olathe, Drew Sullivan of Topeka, and Kaleb Sullivan of Hutchinson gathered with their extended family this weekend at Marion Reservoir for a weekend of camping and boating fun. The family has two or three get-togethers a year in May, June, or July at the reservoir. Ben Smith, Gavin’s father, said the reservoir is a good meeting point because it is in between all of the families.

  • Cliff swallows make home under bridge

    A colony of cliff swallows have gathered and built an intricate cluster of mud nests underneath the arched bridge that spans Clear Creek north of Marion near U.S. 56. Marion resident and ornithology enthusiast Lloyd Davies actively seeks out birds in the area and always keeps an eye out for new flying friends.

  • Learning doesn't stop in summer

    The school year may be over, but some people still are finding time for the classroom. Three classes are being offered this summer at Butler of Marion. A certified nurses aide training class of 10 students met Monday for the first time. They will meet from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. four days a week and will complete the course by mid-July. The hands-on portion of the course will be done at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro.

  • Fourth Fest is right around the corner

    Peabody’s annual Fourth Fest, in its 93rd year, will be exploding around us in four short weeks. Events for the day are similar to years past. A complete schedule with times and contact numbers will be printed in the next edition of “Explore.”

  • Summer schedule of events

    Summer is a busy time in Marion County, with more than a dozen major events between Memorial Day and Labor Day, spread between all corners of the county. June

OPINION

  • Lack of interest in election is concerning

    The filing deadline for the Aug. 5 primary passed at noon Monday with nobody running for the county commission seat representing Hillsboro, Durham, Lehigh, and the rural areas in between — not a Republican, not a Democrat, not a Libertarian, not even a Whig. Roger Fleming decided not to run for re-election, which is a shame. He has been a powerful voice of reason on the commission for the past four years, and when the commissioners start ribbing each other he gives as good as he gets. This is a bigger issue than any single candidate, though. It isn’t unusual for township boards, cemetery boards, or even city councils in some of the smaller towns to not have enough candidates to fill all their positions — although some small towns, such as Ramona, often have tremendous candidate turnout. A county commission seat with no candidates is another matter. Since 2008 when I arrived in the county, only one commission race has been uncontested, Randy Dallke’s 2012 re-election campaign, and none have had no candidates on the ballot.

  • Pay attention, parents

    It seems that a summertime rite of passage for me is the moment I come within inches of hitting some child on a bicycle — and I mean within inches! It happened to me again on Monday. As I drove up Walnut St. in Peabody toward home to eat lunch, a young boy about 8 or 9 years old came flying west on Third St. and crossed Walnut St. right in front of me. When driving in town my speed rarely climbs to the posted limit. Monday I was crawling along at my regular old lady pace when the young man scooted out in front of me. He never slowed down — much less stopped — at the stop sign at the crossing, he never looked in either direction before entering the intersection, and he would never have know how close I was to him if I hadn’t punched the horn a time or two. He was oblivious — never even glanced in my direction until he heard my horn.

  • Should this be Shin Ka Wa Sa weekend?

    Most people know that this weekend’s Chingawassa Days traces its name to a much heralded but briefly lived resort and mineral bath called Chingawasa Springs (one S instead of two), 4½ miles northeast of Marion. Until the Panic of 1893, which led to a seven-year depression almost as severe as the Great Depression four decades later, Chingawasa Springs was a thriving hotel, restaurant and sanatorium, built in 1888 and linked to Marion by a municipally financed railway that opened July 29, 1889, according to the magazine Railway Preservation News.

  • Add your cellphone to the no-call list

    The do-not-call list is not perfect, but it helps reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive. Legitimate telemarketers will respect it — which meant that the ones who continue to call your listed numbers are breaking the law, and you should have no hesitation in just hanging up on them. Kansans with their landline telephones on the no-call list have had improved privacy for more than a decade, and our office has helped protect that privacy by vigorously enforcing the No-Call Act. Last year alone, we obtained judgments against 16 telemarketers who violated the No-Call Act with total penalties of $3.4 million.

PEOPLE

  • Schwartz sees grandson commissioned in Marines

    Benjamin McKenzie Griffith was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps recently on the deck of the USS Wisconsin Battleship Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia, making him the third generation in a row from his family commissioned as an officer in the Marines. His father, retired Col. Rayburn G. Griffith of Chesapeake, Virginia, was the commissioning officer, and his grandfather, retired Col. Dick Schwartz of Marion, was present to pin the new rank insignia — two shiny gold bars — to his grandson’s uniform tunic.

  • Vacation Bible school scheduled for July

    Children 4 years old through eighth grade can attend Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. to noon July 22 through 25 at Eastmoor United Methodist Church. Theme is “Wilderness Escape: Where God Guides and Provides.” To register call (620) 382-3121.

  • 157 attend Florence alumni banquet

    More than a hundred alumni gathered at the 118th Florence alumni banquet on May 24. The 157 attendees represented classes from 1943 through 2014 with special recognition of classes from 1944, 1949, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, and 1989.

  • Classical guitarist to sing at library

    The melodies of classical guitarist and singer-songwriter Mary Kleinsorge will fill Marion City Library at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Santa Fe room. She performs family friendly music that’s a mix of covers and original work including a song titled 1894 about her grandma who rode the orphan train from New York City to Missouri where she was adopted.

  • Couple to celebrate 80th birthdays together

    Jim and Peggy Cather of Lincoln, Nebraska, will celebrate their 80th birthdays on June 14 and 15. Peggy is a graduate of Marion High School, and Jim lived in Marion as a young adult, working at Cather Floor Covering. They returned to Marion to take care of their parents and were members of Our Savior Lutheran Church. They moved to Lincoln around 2007.

  • Three blood drives set for June

    Three blood drives will be held in June across the county. Residents can donate blood from 2 to 6 p.m. on June 20 at Lincolnville Community Center, from 1 to 6 p.m. on June 26 at Trinity Mennonite Church in Hillsboro, and from 2 to 6 p.m. on June 27 at Goessel Mennonite Church.

  • Couple to celebrate 40th anniversary

    Keith and Peggy Wattson will celebrate their 40th anniversary on June 14. The celebration will also be for the birthday of their oldest daughter, who was born exactly 14 years later. The Wattsons have three children, Heather, Rachel, and Cameo; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

  • PEO plans poolside social

    PEO Chapter DB met May 19 at the home of Ginger Becker. Becker, Michele Lundy, and Belinda Skiles were co-hostesses and served desserts to 22 members present. The chapter awarded the 2014 PEO Scholarship to Kaelyn Thierolf.

  • MARION SENIOR CENTER:

    Patrons sing 'Home on the Range'
  • MEMORIES:

    10, 25, 35, 50, 60, 100, 125 years ago

SCHOOL

  • Middle school announces awards

    Marion Middle School recently announced award recipients for the 2013-14 school year. Academic excellence awards Megan Bailey, Kourtney Hansen, Allison Hett, Austin Neufeld, Samantha Richmond, Lindsey Sigel, Carley Stapleford, Zachary Stuchlik, Logan Waner, Corbin Wheeler, and Colin Williams. Art awards Alli Molleker, Alli Hett, Corbin Wheeler, Zach Stuchlik, Colin Williams, Logan Waner, Carley Stapleford, Austin Neufeld, Kourtney Hansen, and Sam Richmond. Top artist: Neufeld. Band Awards Emmy Hess and Samantha Kelsey. English awards Eighth-grade lexile: Carley Stapleford; seventh-grade lexile: Michaela Regnier; MMS spelling bee: Kylee Dixon, Evan Calhoun, and Devin Ham; Marion County spelling bee: Kylee Dixon, third place. Physical fitness awards Eighth grade: Megan Bailey, Kourtney Hansen, Courtney Herzet, Jessi Lewman, Alli Molleker, Sam Richmond, Emily Schafers, Whitney Rudolph, Carley Stapleford, Kolton Brewer, Riley Hake, Garrett Hoffner, Austin Neufeld, Tyler Palic, Jack Schneider, Nevin Shields, Zach Stuchlik, Jacob Vondenkamp, Logan Waner, Corbin Wheeler, and Colin Williams. Seventh grade: Destiny Boudreaux, Corrina Crabb, Emmy Hess, Luisa Junqueira, Michaela Regnier, Elizabeth Schafer, Tori Shults, Maria Stuchlik, Ethan Darnall, Eli Hett, Noah Kukuk, and Chase Stringer. President’s award for
    educational excellence Megan Bailey, Devin Hamm, Kourtney Hansen, Courtney Herzet, Alli Hett, Austin Neufeld, Kyle Pierce, Jack Schneider, Lindsey Sigel, Carley Stapleford, Zach Stuchlik, Logan Waner, Corbin Wheeler, and Colin Williams. Pride awards Kourtney Hansen, Corbin Wheeler, Lindsey Sigel, Colin Williams, Courtney Herzet, Tori Shults, Samantha Kelsey, Evann Heidebrecht, and Ethan Darnall. Scholars’ bowl awards Evan Calhoun, Devin Hamm, Riley Hake, Austin Neufeld, Tyler Palic, Jack Schneider, Nevin Shields, Zach Stuchlik, Logan Waner, Corbin Wheeler, and Colin Williams. Top scorers: Colin Williams and Larry Zieammermann. Valedictorians Kourtney Hansen, Corbin Wheeler, and Colin Williams. VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay Winners Eighth grade: Devin Hamm, Payton Harms, and Caleb Hett; seventh grade: Larry Zieammermann, Antone Vinduska, and Madison Coleman. Vocal Awards Emily Schafers, Corbin Wheeler, Elizabeth Schaefer, Samantha Kelsey, Evann Heidebrecht, Jacob Crabb, Logan Waner, Colin Williams, Megan Bailey, Lindsey Sigel, Carley Stapleford, Destiny Boudreaux, and Emmy Hess.

  • Marion Middle School honor roll

  • Tampa Triple T's to meet

    The next meeting of the Tampa Triple T’s 4-H Club will be at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Tampa Senior Center. The Geis and Paula Morgan families will be hosts for the meeting. Roll call will be “Your favorite thing about your dad.”

  • Nick Meyer elected state FFA sentinel

    The Marion-Florence FFA chapter now has one of its own serving as a state officer. Nick Meyer was elected May 30 at the state FFA convention to serve as the 2014-15 state sentinel. He was among 20 candidates running for a state officer position. As state FFA sentinel, Meyer and the other five officers will travel across the state sharing their passion for agriculture, leadership, and service. They will present workshops and conferences and challenge FFA members to serve their communities and the agriculture industry.

  • FFA members compete at state

    Many local FFA members competed in various events last week at the State FFA Convention at Kansas State University. Some members walked away with several awards and scholarships. Carrie Carlson of Center was honored as she finished her term as the state FFA vice president. Chorus

  • Tabor students make dean's list

    Tabor College released the 2014 spring semester Dean’s list with 193 students on it, 29 of which who are from Marion County. In order to make the Dean’s list a student must earn between a 3.5 and 4.0 grade point average.

  • Centre teachers get $665 pay raise

    At a special meeting May 27, the Centre school board approved a 2 percent pay raise for teachers for the 2014-15 school year, an increase of $665 per teacher. The increase sets the base salary at $33,950 and the top salary at $47,010.

  • Intern from Japan visits Tabor

    Yoshio Fujii visited Tabor College and Hillsboro on May 23 after being selected as the Mennonite Brethren Historical Commission’s intern. He is spending five weeks visiting Mennonite Brethren archival centers in North America. He spend the week of May 23 to Sunday working with Peggy Goertzen, director of the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies at Tabor.

SPORTS

  • Warriors win 10 medals in 13 events

    The Marion High School track and field team has three state champions after the state meet Friday and Saturday in Wichita. Alicia Maloney won pole vault, Marissa Jacobson won triple jump, and the team of Jacobson, Katey Ehrlich, Kelli Hess, and Marshelle Mermis won the 4x400-meter relay. The 4x400 relay team defeated second-place Cheney by almost a full second, setting a school record on the way with a time of 4 minutes, 6.27 seconds in the final event of the meet.

  • Centre may expand sports programs

    Centre USD 397 Superintendent Brian Smith told board members at their May meeting that conversations with Marion High School are ongoing to allow Centre athletes to participate in Marion’s baseball program in 2014-15. Marion athletic director Grant Thierolf said the discussion is in the initial stages, and nothing has been put down on paper.

  • Baseball season ends at state

    The Marion baseball team had a historic season this spring with 22 victories, a share of the Heart of America League championship, and a second consecutive regional championship, but the season ended too early with a loss to Silver Lake in the state quarterfinals on Thursday in Topeka. Marion took control of the game early with perfect innings defensively and the first and second while the offense staked the team to a 5-0 lead. Dylan Seacat and Caleb Williams turned first-inning walks into runs when Jacob Baldwin and Luke Steele hit singles to the outfield.

  • Baseball, softball players get league honors

    Members of the Marion High School baseball and softball teams were recognized by Heart of America League coaches with selections to the all-league teams, announced this week. Baseball

  • Shields medals at state in javelin

    Brenna Shields, coming off her junior year at Centre High School, brought home a medal from the state track meet. She placed seventh in the 1A girls’ javelin throw. Shields set a new personal record on her last throw in the preliminaries, which qualified her for the finals by two inches. She set a second personal best in the finals with a throw of 115 feet, 6 inches. That throw was more than five feet farther than her previous personal record.

  • Matz named a baseball scholar athlete

    The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has named Adam Matz of Lincolnville a 2014 Daktronics-NAIA scholar athlete. Matz is one of 15 scholar athletes from the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference who received the honor. He will be a senior at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. He has been a pitcher for the baseball team for all of his three years at KWU.

MORE…

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