EMS open house draws crowd
Staff writer
An open house for Marion’s new Emergency Medical Services station Saturday drew more than 100 people despite torrential rain.
With water seeping under the south bay doors and reaching halfway to the north end of the building, a constant flow of people came to see the building, listen to speeches and eat a lunch of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and roast brisket.
Commissioners Randy Dallke and Kent Becker each took a turn speaking to guests. Becker offered words of welcome while Dallke gave a short history of the county EMS department and the building.
As Dallke spoke, a lightning strike about a mile north of the building could be seen through the open north bay door and the loud thunderclap made Dallke jump. Turning to look through the door, Dallke said, “I didn’t lie! I didn’t lie!”
Dallke said the county is working to get an EMS station in Hillsboro but isn’t sure when that will take place.
Longtime department member Joanne Knack was recognized for her 47 years of service to EMS and Lincolnville feedlot owner Mike Beneke for having purchased the building with an eye toward developing it as an EMS station.