Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

Mr. Moran goes to Marion -- and almost gets a speeding ticket
The tall, slender man wearing a white dress shirt and bold green tie looked out of place among the Saturday morning crowd at Casey’s General Store in Marion, but he acted like he fit right in. Spying a customer wearing a University of Kansas hat, he asked, “Are you rooting for the Jayhawks tomorrow?”
Stolen truck leads to gun, drug bust
A search warrant issued to recover a pickup stolen from Marion resulted in the arrest Saturday of a Peabody couple on charges of criminal possession of firearms, methamphetamines, and drug paraphernalia. David Orcutt, 61, and his wife Debbie Orcutt, 62, were arrested late Saturday afternoon at their home at 907 N. Locust St. in Peabody.
Fixing ambulance could cost $10,000 plus
Diesel fuel leaking into its radiator will sideline Florence’s ambulance for at least two weeks. Marion’s reserve ambulance has been repositioned there in the interim. An annual inspection by Midway Motors revealed damage in the radiator, EMS director Brandy McCarty told commissioners Monday.
Whistling warrior: Statue visually and audibly honors Indians
Treasure lies hidden in the remote hills that rise and swell near the northwestern border of Marion County. Although there is no “X” that marks the spot, you’d definitely know it if you saw it or heard its song.
Spraying firm prepares for liftoff
If all goes according to plan, Central Ag Air, an ag spraying service and Marion’s newest business, could take flight as early as next week. Owner and pilot Matt Orth said his goal is to open April 1.
Pit to become recreational pond
As dirt pads are packed in and leveled off for two new businesses, Dollar General and Central Ag Air, there is another new development taking shape in Marion’s industrial park — a community pond. City Administrator Roger Holter said that pond would eventually become a public use area for the citizens.
Commission votes not to close road
What two weeks ago seemed a foregone conclusion was voted down Monday, as commissioners elected not to close the northern half mile of Chisholm Trail Rd. between 300th and 310th Rds. Commissioners were leaning the other way two weeks ago when Gayland Martens dropped by in advance of a public hearing to voice his desire to see it closed.

OTHER HEADLINES

Wind farm minutes disputed
Doyle Creek wind farm opponents Bob Gayle and Tom Britain objected Monday to minutes of a previous county commission meeting. They objected to how the commission vote on a resolution to zoning regulations was reported in the minutes.
Voting available
Early in-person voting for the April 7 general election is available until noon April 6. uring regular hours at the clerk’s office in the Marion County Courthouse.
Democratic women to meet
Marion County Democratic Women will meet Friday at noon at Marion Senior Center. Members are being asked to bring tuna for Marion Food Bank.
Tradition prepares grandson to continue in family business
With the help of his grandfather, Paul Backhus, Jason Backhus, 31, of Tampa is carrying on a business that was started in 1919 by his great-grandfather, William Backhus, and E.G. Meyer. Jason Backhus relies on his grandfather’s expertise to help him in various drilling situations. The older Backhus’ many years of experience taught him what to expect when they begin to drill a well. He knows whether they will encounter sand, flint rock, shale, clay, or limestone, and he often can determine how deep the well will be and how much water it will have.

DEATHS

Wesley Reimer
Wesley Alan Reimer, 56, of Ashland, whose wife is a former Marion resident, died March 16 at Minneola District Hospital in Minneola. Born April 16, 1958, to Isaac T. and Anna L. (Kroeker) Reimer in Fowler, he married Karen Regier of Marion on Aug. 27, 1983.
JoAnn Wall
JoAnn Wall, 63, of Hillsboro died March 16 at Galichia Heart Hospital in Wichita. Born Sept. 27, 1951, to Raymond and Celia (Lugbill) Hein in Kalamazoo, Michigan, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Wall, and a brother, Alan Hein.
IN MEMORIAM:
Rosemary Garrard, Robert Moffett

DOCKET

OPINION

Where there's smoke . . .
Smoke plumes aplenty smudged the skies of Marion County this weekend, as flames reduced prairie grass and timber piles to blackened ash. Spring cleaning for the Kansas plains. It’s wondrous and beautiful to many, including me. Others decry the malodorous stench that lingers in the air and on clothes. Smoke drives some with respiratory conditions inside, where they hope to be safe from airborne particulates that threaten their lungs.
Track time
I am my father’s son when spring comes around. In the Colburn household, it was just as likely to be called track and field season. In the late 1960s, a group of men branded themselves the Marion Warrior Wolfpack. Membership didn’t depend on having a kid in high school; they were guys who just loved sports and took supporting local teams seriously enough that they bought red windbreakers with the name across the back. I still have Dad’s.
Calendar of Events
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
Escaping that couped-up feeling

PEOPLE

4 days of jazz planned for students Grades 1 to 12
Musical act Metta Quintet will perform a variety of popular and historic jazz numbers accompanied by live narration and multimedia presentations over a four-day program for students Monday through April 2 at McPherson Opera House. First and second grades can experience the interactive program “Hangin’ with the Giants,” which features animated likenesses of jazz greats Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, and Dizzy Gillespie.
Couple honored at wedding shower
Greg Clothier and Denise Wharton received a variety of gifts at a come-and-go wedding shower Sunday at Marion Christian Church. Mixed nuts, punch, and cupcakes were served. Mary Almaguer, Tressie Kelsey, Diane Sams, Betty Sanders, Sarah Spencer, Marge Summervill, and Margaret Tice were. Spencer made the cupcakes, which were displayed on a three-tiered holder.
P.E.O. installs officers
Co-hostesses July Mills, Elora Robinson and Marlene Utech served dessert to 15 members of P.E.O. Chapter DB when officers were installed March 16 at Marion Presbyterian Church. The meeting concluded with members sharing their hobbies as children and now. The next meeting will be April 20 at the church. Mary Almaguer, Myrta Billings and Janis Maggard will be co-hostesses.
Card shower for centenarian Mary Travis
The family of Mary Travis, who will be 100 years old April 1, is sponsoring a card shower for her birthday. Cards may be be sent to Travis at 535 S Freeborn St, Room 507, Marion KS 66861.
4-H club notes
Lincolnville Wide-Awake Eleven members answered roll by listing their favorite Dr. Seuss book when Lincolnville Wide-Awake 4-H Club met March 1. Five guests, three parents, and a leader also attended.
Bowling resultgs
MARION SENIOR CENTER:
Seniors celebrate St. Patrick's Day, Senior center menu
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 35, 50, 60, 100, 125 years ago

SCHOOL

Students to perform sequel
In a stage production that mirrors the hopes and fears of small towns everywhere, 14 Marion High School students will perform “Southern Hospitality,” the comic sequel to last spring’s performance of “Dearly Beloved.”
3 Centre girls named to all-league team
Junior Lotti Benning, sophomore Shelby Pankratz, and senior Shelby Makovec were named to the all-Wheat State League team this season. Lotti Benning was the team’s leading rebounder with 10.6 rebounds per game. She contributed 3.4 blocks per game to tie a school record of 139 total blocks by a team. She was second on the team in assists with 1.5 per game.
Centre to sponsor golf benefit
Centre High School will sponsor a benefit golf tournament April 25 at Herington Country Club Golf Course. The event will be limited to 22 four-person teams. The entry fee will be $45 per person or $180 per team, includeing green fees and lunch. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place teams in each flight. Individuals will be recognized for longest drive, closest to the pin, and longest putt. Mulligans will be available.
School menus
School honor rolls

Marion County RECORD

Diesel fuel leaking into its radiator will sideline Florence’s ambulance for at least two weeks. Marion’s reserve ambulance has been repositioned there in the interim. An annual inspection by Midway Motors revealed damage in the radiator, EMS director Brandy McCarty told commissioners Monday.

Treasure lies hidden in the remote hills that rise and swell near the northwestern border of Marion County. Although there is no “X” that marks the spot, you’d definitely know it if you saw it or heard its song.

If all goes according to plan, Central Ag Air, an ag spraying service and Marion’s newest business, could take flight as early as next week. Owner and pilot Matt Orth said his goal is to open April 1.

Doyle Creek wind farm opponents Bob Gayle and Tom Britain objected Monday to minutes of a previous county commission meeting. They objected to how the commission vote on a resolution to zoning regulations was reported in the minutes.

Early in-person voting for the April 7 general election is available until noon April 6. uring regular hours at the clerk’s office in the Marion County Courthouse.

Marion County Democratic Women will meet Friday at noon at Marion Senior Center. Members are being asked to bring tuna for Marion Food Bank.

Wesley Alan Reimer, 56, of Ashland, whose wife is a former Marion resident, died March 16 at Minneola District Hospital in Minneola. Born April 16, 1958, to Isaac T. and Anna L. (Kroeker) Reimer in Fowler, he married Karen Regier of Marion on Aug. 27, 1983.

JoAnn Wall, 63, of Hillsboro died March 16 at Galichia Heart Hospital in Wichita. Born Sept. 27, 1951, to Raymond and Celia (Lugbill) Hein in Kalamazoo, Michigan, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Wall, and a brother, Alan Hein.

IN MEMORIAM:

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

The family of Mary Travis, who will be 100 years old April 1, is sponsoring a card shower for her birthday. Cards may be be sent to Travis at 535 S Freeborn St, Room 507, Marion KS 66861.

Lincolnville Wide-Awake Eleven members answered roll by listing their favorite Dr. Seuss book when Lincolnville Wide-Awake 4-H Club met March 1. Five guests, three parents, and a leader also attended.

MARION SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

In a stage production that mirrors the hopes and fears of small towns everywhere, 14 Marion High School students will perform “Southern Hospitality,” the comic sequel to last spring’s performance of “Dearly Beloved.”

CENTRE:

GOESSEL:

HILLSBORO:

MARION:

PEABODY: