Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

Dog killed after biting toddler in face
A family dog has been euthanized after it bit a 16-month-old Ramona girl in the face last week. A deputy was dispatchedMarch 18 to the location of the dog, a home in the 300 block of N. E St. but the child already had been taken to St. Luke Hospital, Marion, by Tampa ambulance before deputies arrived, Undersheriff Larry Starkey said.
Wildfires give no rest to fire crews
A spike in small, fast-moving fires, many tied to controlled burns, kept area departments busy last week. Grass fires, brush fires, and burn-related flare-ups made up a steady stream of calls across Marion County. They often required multi-department responses.
Gasoline-filled garage a total loss
A detached garage in Peabody was destroyed Thursday after flames spread from a small outdoor burn and ignited gasoline stored inside. Firefighters were called out about 6:40 p.m. Thursday to the fire in the 800 block of N. Maple St., Peabody fire chief Colton Glenn said.
Rising insurance cost questioned by accepted
Marion County will keep its employee health insurance plan unchanged even after rising costs prompted a lengthy discussion Monday. Claims have climbed sharply over the past year, with more high-cost cases and increased prescription use driving expenses, Blue Cross and Blue Shield adviser Claudio Faundez told commissioners.
How stigma hides sexual assault
Sexual assault continues to affect residents across central Kansas, but in small communities it often goes unseen. This is not because it isn’t happening but because people don’t feel safe speaking out. That silence is exactly why conversations during Sexual Assault Awareness Month matter, Safehope community engagement coordinator Heather Murrow said.
Hillsboro to present interactive show
Hillsboro High School will present its spring play, “This Murder Was Staged,” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The murder mystery / comedy, written by Patrick Greene and Jason Pizzarello, opens at the climax of a play within a play, just as the killer is about to be revealed, before the director collapses on stage. The show then shifts into an interactive investigation, with the audience treated as suspects.
Youth exhibit hopes to connect community
Marion Historical Museum is turning to its youngest patrons to help tell the story of the community and, in the process, draw new families through its doors. A youth art exhibition and sale planned for this summer will invite students to create pieces inspired by people, places, and experiences that have shaped them or reflect what makes their community meaningful.

DEATHS

Barbara McMinn
Graveside services for Barbara McMinn, 54, who died March 18 at her home, were Tuesday at Haven of Rest Cemetery, rural Hillsboro. Born June 14, 1971, to Larence and Jeanette McMinn, she worked for many years in housekeeping at Salem Home in Hillsboro.
IN MEMORIAM:
Clarice Hammer

FOR THE RECORD

OPINION

Are we making America grating again?
Now that the knights of the semi-circular dais in the southeast corner of our Camelot courthouse have slain the data center dragon, what’s next? From comments at Monday’s meeting, the next myth our cadre of commissioners seems to want to inflate into a cause célèbre is the totally debunked notion that health care for undocumented migrants is pushing insurance premiums up and rural hospitals’ profit margins down.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
Spring Break
AMERICA AT 250:
Civility, humility marked Washington's vital leadership
LETTERS:
Blowing it on wind

PEOPLE

Scholarship available
Graduating seniors from Marion County high schools interested in careers related to aging may apply for a $500 scholarship from Senior Citizens of Marion County Inc. The award is designed to encourage young people pursuing degrees in medicine, nursing, social work, therapies, or gerontology.
Corn group picks Belton
Derek Belton of Marion has been elected to represent District V on the Kansas Corn Commission. Commodity commissions are grower-led organizations that oversee how checkoff money is invested in market development, education, promotion, and research.
Work anniversary celebrated
Kurt Fistler, a highway maintenance worker from Peabody, will celebrate 10 years with Kansas Department of Transportation in April.
Senior Center menus
MEMORIES:
10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 110, 150 years ago

UPCOMING

Cowboy poet to perform at Peabody Library
A mix of humor, storytelling, and Western tradition will take center stage April 18 as cowboy poet Ron Wilson performs on the lawn of Peabody Township Library. The free program, presented by Sunflower Theatre and the Peabody Township Library, will begin at 7 p.m. on the library’s front lawn at 214 N. Walnut St.
Free food to be distributed
Free food will be distributed April 15 to 18 to families with monthly income no greater than $2,461 plus $876 for each additional household member after the first. Commodities from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be available by community on a first come, first served basis at these times and locations: APRIL 15

APRIL 16
APRIL 18
Blood drives planned
Four blood drives are planned in coming weeks in Marion County. Appointments are being accepted at RedCrossBlood.org for these dates:
Musical bike ride planned
A musical bike ride through Marion County countryside is planned for 10 a.m. April 4. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. at Flint Hills Counterpoint, 1660 90th Rd. Cost, including a box lunch, will be $40 and may be paid at registration.

MORE…

HOVER OVER IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT

A girl in Florence decorates her porch with colorful chalk spelling out the colors name she uses.

Spring is bringing turkey vultures back to their perch overseeing carrion in heavily wooded areas of Marion Central Park and along Luta Creek.

Aulne Bible Church members prepare for Beast Feast as temperatures hover around 90 degrees Saturday. The annual event raised $8,600 for Marion County Food Bank. Dennis Riggs is prepared to serve a choice of meats to Wanda Williams.

April Suderman poses over murder victim as Hillboro High School rehearse for this weekend's Hillboro High School play.

Marion County RECORD

A spike in small, fast-moving fires, many tied to controlled burns, kept area departments busy last week. Grass fires, brush fires, and burn-related flare-ups made up a steady stream of calls across Marion County. They often required multi-department responses.

A detached garage in Peabody was destroyed Thursday after flames spread from a small outdoor burn and ignited gasoline stored inside. Firefighters were called out about 6:40 p.m. Thursday to the fire in the 800 block of N. Maple St., Peabody fire chief Colton Glenn said.

Graveside services for Barbara McMinn, 54, who died March 18 at her home, were Tuesday at Haven of Rest Cemetery, rural Hillsboro. Born June 14, 1971, to Larence and Jeanette McMinn, she worked for many years in housekeeping at Salem Home in Hillsboro.

IN MEMORIAM:

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

AMERICA AT 250:

LETTERS:

Graduating seniors from Marion County high schools interested in careers related to aging may apply for a $500 scholarship from Senior Citizens of Marion County Inc. The award is designed to encourage young people pursuing degrees in medicine, nursing, social work, therapies, or gerontology.

Derek Belton of Marion has been elected to represent District V on the Kansas Corn Commission. Commodity commissions are grower-led organizations that oversee how checkoff money is invested in market development, education, promotion, and research.

Kurt Fistler, a highway maintenance worker from Peabody, will celebrate 10 years with Kansas Department of Transportation in April.

MEMORIES:

Four blood drives are planned in coming weeks in Marion County. Appointments are being accepted at RedCrossBlood.org for these dates:

A musical bike ride through Marion County countryside is planned for 10 a.m. April 4. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. at Flint Hills Counterpoint, 1660 90th Rd. Cost, including a box lunch, will be $40 and may be paid at registration.