HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Zoning board strikes new radio tower

The Marion Board of Zoning Appeals on Thursday revoked a July administrative decision giving the county the go-ahead to construct an emergency communications tower at the new jail. The board concluded that City Administrator Doug Kjellin exceeded his authority by unilaterally approving the alteration of the conditional use permit. The board did not discuss the matter in open public session, restricting their deliberations to two executive sessions. As a quasi-judicial entity, the board is exempt from the Kansas Open Meetings Act, according to Kansas statute.

Trombonist plays in memory of 9/11

The low murmur of approximately 200 voices stilled as someone whistled for attention, and a palpable wave of admiration, respect, and awe swept through the crowd of teachers and students Tuesday morning. All eyes were on Larry Cushenbery, retired Wichita Fire Department Honor Guard bugler as he marched crisply into place near the half-mast U.S. flag in front of the Hillsboro High School. With precise movements, Cushenbery brought a gleaming bronze trombone to his lips. It was a moment in time, a time to remember, a ceremony to memorialize the day 11 years ago that thousands of American citizens lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 9/11. In the silence, Cushenbery took several deep breaths and began to play the somber melodious notes that sent shivers deep into the souls of those listening.

Businesses expand in space, services

Three businesses in Hillsboro saw change in recent months, change that revolved around meeting customers’ needs by expanding, adding new products, or moving into new space. Owners and managers at Wright Motors, Carquest, and Supreme Floor Company have more in common than they realize — they are all out to please customers and thus ensure survival, even success, in a weak economy.

Dumping in country is eyesore

Marion County Sheriff Robert Craft does not think trash dumping in the county is a problem. However, considering it took more than three weeks to get information from a reported illegal trash-dumping incident reported by a property owner at Eagle Road and 170th, that is not surprising. On Aug. 20, Marion County property owner Daniel Tucker of Junction City reported that someone dumped a load of trash on his property southwest of Hillsboro.

Circles of Hope grad gives back with music

If life were a song, Sherie Klassen formerly of rural Goessel, would have no trouble reading the notes and making beautiful music. The talented 34-year-old musician has been doing that since she was old enough to walk, often performing flute and piano pieces at church and social functions. Life is not a song to be played however, and two years ago Klassen found herself struggling to deal with a disability, overburdened with debt, and alone. Circles of Hope of Harvey County gave her a way up and out of the cycle of poverty that had become her constant companion.

Old principles used to relieve back pain

The fourth day of deer hunting season last fall was good to Don Vinduska of Lincolnville and his hunting partners. “For some reason, everybody shot a deer that evening,” Vinduska said.

Marvin Paul Bezdek

Marvin Paul Bezdek, 63, Ponca City, Okla., passed away Tuesday, August 14, 2012, at the V.A. Care Facility in Clinton, Okla. He was born Dec. 30, 1948, in Marion, Kan., the son of Valerian “Jerry” Bezdek and Margaret (Pientka) Bezdek. They preceded him in death. Marvin served in the U.S. Navy from May 20, 1968, until his honorable discharge on July 2, 1975, aboard the submarine USS Will Rogers SSBN 659 as a missile technician. His decorations and medals included the National Defense Service Medal and First Good Conduct Award for period ending April 21, 1975.

James A. Goddard

James A. “Jim” Goddard, son of Otto O. and Irene (Poland) Goddard, was born May 21, 1945, in Marion, Kan. He passed from his earthly life on Saturday Sept. 1, 2012, at the age of 67 in the Via Christi St. Francis Hospital Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice Inpatient Unit. in Wichita, Kan. He married Belita A. Winchester on Nov. 15, 1964, in Maize, Kan. Jim was a retired police officer for the city of Peabody, Kan.

Gerald Hurt

Gerald Hurt, 80, of Florence died Monday at his home. He was born Nov. 1, 1931, in Council Grove to Harold and Mamie Smith Hurt. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and a retired electrical engineer. He had lived in Florence since 1992.

F. Glenn Phinney

F. Glenn Phinney, 83, of Overland Park died Sept. 4 in Merriam. He was born Nov. 23, 1928, in Belleville to Eugene and Beulah (Stephens) Phinney. Glenn graduated from Hutchinson High School. He worked for Kansas Department of Transportation for more than 50 years at Hutchinson, Salina, Marion, and Olathe. He was the longest-tenured employee in the history of the state of Kansas at the time of his retirement in 1994.

Mary Carolyn Wheeler Schuh

Mary Carolyn Wheeler Schuh, 77, of Tucson, Ariz., known to most as Mary Schuh, a well-known “Watch Dog” on public spending of taxes passed away on Aug. 25, 2012. Her death has been a shock to a wide circle of friends and the community she was so active and interested in. Mary C. Wheeler was born Aug. 30, 1934, in Newton, the daughter to Dr. James Albert and Elizabeth Maxson Wheeler. Mary was raised with her brother James in the Newton area where she became an accomplished horse rider and competitive expert marksman with the .22 rifle.

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More to pottery than imagined

When most people think of making pottery, the first thing they think of is a potter’s wheel, but there is so much more to it than that. “I like working with the clay itself, but the throwing is just a tiny fraction of what I do,” said potter Paula Barta of rural Marion.

Artist turns clay into castles

Ideally, Lynn Unruh would spend all day, every day in her home studio, turning clay into creative castles, fairy houses, or toad abodes. As it is, she is grateful for just a few hours here and there to spend crafting, time stolen away from running errands and taking care of the guest house she and husband Charlie operate near the north shore of Marion Reservoir. “I love gardening too,” Unruh said. “But I needed some garden art to fill the weak spots. I started making toad houses, then moved into fairy houses, and eventually castles.”

Artist polishes passion for jewelry

Painting watercolors and sewing have been lifelong pursuits for Emma Ehart of Hillsboro. “I’ve always done art most of my life,” she said Sunday.

Class reunions revitalize Old Settlers' Day

This year’s Old Settlers’ Day, Sept. 29 in Marion, will be the 101st iteration of the event. Any event with that long of a life has times when it waxes and wanes, and Casey Case of Marion Kiwanis — organizers of Old Setters’ Day — remembers a time when Old Settlers’ Day got an infusion of new energy. Case estimated it was in the 1980s. Old Settlers’ Day wasn’t yet the day when all of the Marion High School graduating classes had their reunions; there were usually just a couple of class reunions that weekend. But then a push began to have all classes have reunions the weekend of Old Settlers’ Day. Case said the person most responsible for that push was Bill Meyer, longtime editor of the Marion County Record.

Big events take hard work

Events as large as Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair don’t just happen overnight. Part-time workers have put in between 300 and 400 hours throughout the year in preparation for this year’s fair, director Penni Schroeder said. Another 100 hours will be put in by volunteers Friday and Saturday, not including help from Hillsboro High School music students who clean up trash all day and 4-H volunteers who help clean up after the fair, Schroeder said.

City receives $250K grant for school routes

The City of Hillsboro will receive $250,000 of Phase II Safe Routes to School funding. The grant is for sidewalk improvement and construction, pavement markings, and signs along streets to schools. The grant is provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Durham council sells bank building

At its Sept. 4 meeting, the Durham City Council approved selling the old bank building to David and Mona Hein. Acting mayor Gary Unruh asked for authority to order more gravel without prior approval from the council whenever it is needed. Unruh uses the gravel to repair chuckholes in city streets. The request was approved.

Survey begins for roundabout

Kansas Department of Transportation will begin conducting surveys around the intersection of U.S. 77, U.S. 56, and K-150 today to gather information needed for the detailed design of a proposed roundabout. Bill Haverkamp of Topeka will head the survey crew, of about four people, which will measure both roadways and the surrounding topography to find out if earth needs to be added or subtracted for the truck lanes planned around the roundabout. Utilities and residences will also be recorded and included in the detailed drawings to be sent to engineers, KDOT engineer Joe Palic said. Palic added that the crew will conduct a complete survey for the highways about a mile in each direction.

Commission learns of FACT grant

Families and Communities Together Director Ashlee Gann and former director Linda Ogden informed Marion County Commission on Monday that the organization is going to receive a large federal grant. FACT will receive a Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Grant for $28,773 a year for five years. The grant comes from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration. It will be used to start Students Against Destructive Decision groups, go to other Marion County organizations designed to curb underage drinking, and pay for FACT’s administrative costs, Ogden said.

Minority farmers encouraged to register

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency invites minority farmers and ranchers in Marion County and across the nation to voluntarily join the USDA Minority Farm Register to receive information about opportunities from USDA agencies. The Minority Farm Register is an outreach tool designed to connect with underserved farmers and ranchers who are not currently enrolled in USDA loan, farm, or conservation programs. The register is a shared list that will help USDA, community-based organizations, and minority serving educational institutions to communicate with minority farmers and ranchers.

MCC ride is Saturday

The Mennonite Central Committee will have its 16th Flatlander Bike Ride on Saturday in North Newton. There will be 8-, 16-, 35-, 45-, and 65-mile rides, all starting at the MCC Warehouse off K-15 near 30th Street in North Newton. Registration will be 7 to 8 a.m. Saturday with a mass start at 8. Participants should bring a bicycle, helmet, extra tire tube, and water bottle. Helmets are mandatory. The terrain is mostly flat with some rolling hills.

Group warns of grandparent scam

The Better Business Bureau of Kansas alerts consumers about the grandparent scam. The scam involves a person calling an elderly person, posing as their grandchild, and asking for financial assistance to get out of some kind of trouble. The grandparent is asked to wire money to the supposed grandchild, usually in a foreign country or outside a particular state.

BBB tells of prize scam

After a Peabody woman was nearly swindled out of $2,000 by someone falsely claiming she won a prize, the Better Business Bureau of Kansas offered several warning signs that a “prize” might be a scam. Roberta Namee, director of media and investigations for the Better Business Bureau, said legitimate sweepstakes companies don’t call out of the blue, and they never require payment to give someone a prize they’ve won.

Alpaca Farm Day is Saturday

The Kansas Alpaca Association will have its annual Alpaca Farm Day Saturday at the Marion County Fairgrounds 4-H Building, 213 West D St. in Hillsboro. Exhibits will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature live Alpacas and many kinds of Alpaca products. Owners will demonstrate carding and spinning the animal fleece.

Hillsboro Public Library begins story time

The fall session of preschool storytime begins Sept. 19 at Hillsboro Public Library. It is offered for children age 3 to kindergarten. Classes are 10:15 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and are limited to 15 children. Delora Kaufman, children’s librarian, will lead the children in stories, activities, and crafts. There is a $4 registration fee for the entire session.

Marion family visits Ethiopia

Sarah Tolessa of Marion took her two sons, Hap and Anderson Waddell, to Ethiopia for a month during the summer. To hear Hap and Anderson talk about the trip, it sounds like one big safari. But Tolessa had other reasons for making the trip. How many elementary school teachers get a chance to present in front of an international audience? It was her third trip to Ethiopia in a little over a year. She went to the country in eastern Africa in the summer of 2011, at the invitation of a friend, to volunteer with Ethiopia Reads, a charity that trains librarians, teachers, and school administrators on how to get more use from books in schools.

Sheriff talks to senior citizens about scams

The board of directors of Senior Citizens of Marion County met Aug. 17 in Marion. Marion County Sheriff Robert Craft spoke to the board about seniors being the target of scams.

Round the town

Clyde and Pam Mohn of Denver, Colo., John and Jeanie LaFronzo of San Jose, Calif., visited Macella Mohn. They came to attend the Mohn family reunion Sept. 1. Those who helped Gus Hamm celebrate his birthday on Aug. 27 were Gaylord and Valera Hamm and Ken Pankratz of Durham, Jim and Merna Hamm and Morgan of Tampa, Marcella Mohn, Arlene Pankratz, and Tim and Donna Diener of Hillsboro.

Tampa

Many people from the Tampa community attended the wedding of Jessica Deines and Andrew Hajek on Sept. 1 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Herington, followed by a dinner and dance. The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League met Sept. 5 at the church with Joyce Medley as hostess. Others present were Kathy Davis, Janet Bielefeld, Adeline Bernhardt, Leona Kleiber, Edna Backhus, and Betty Mueller.

School board OKs student trips

Hillsboro USD 410 Board of Education approved out-of-state trips for four student organizations during the board’s meeting Monday. Technology Student Association sponsor Creigh Bell told the board that the organization plans to attend National TSA Conference in Orlando, Fla., and a robotics competition in Ponca City, Okla. This year the group has 19 students who want to compete in robotics, compared to 10 in 2011-12.

TEEN to meet Sept. 19

Technology Excellence in Education Network will hold its regular meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 19 via phone conference. The meeting will originate at the Marion-Florence USD 408 office at 101 N. Thorp, Marion.

HHS gets variety of contributions in victory

Versatility and diversity were keys in the Hillsboro High School football team’s 28-6 win over Sterling on Friday in Hillsboro. Both were in evidence on defense. The Trojans held Sterling to 208 yards of offense, 161 on the ground. Sterling quarterback Riley Galyon had 117 yards on his own, but accumulated most of those yards on misdirection plays. Hillsboro played the Black Bears motion-sweep option play much more effectively from the second quarter on.

Volleyball team responds to loss with work

How do you respond? That was the question Hillsboro High School head volleyball coach posed to her team Thursday night and Friday in practice. “How are you going to respond when you don’t play well?” Arnold asked. “How are you going to respond when you don’t get the calls?”

Sechrist wins 1st race of season

Hillsboro High School runner Emily Sechrist won the Wamego Invitational on Saturday. She finished the race with a time of 15 minutes, 45.15 seconds, edging Heather Ruder of Hays-Thomas More Prep, 15:52.84.

Tennis runs into tough competition

The Hillsboro High School girls’ tennis team placed eighth out of eight teams at the Smoky Valley High School Tennis Invitational on Thursday in Lindsborg, although the competition included much larger schools such as McPherson and Abilene. The tournament wasn’t divided into No. 1 and No. 2 brackets. Allison Weber placed fifth out of 15 singles players, beginning with an 8-1 victory against Rachel Sutter of Chapman. She dropped her next match to Breanna Schartz of Central Plains, 8-7 in an 8-4 tiebreaker. She finished with victories over Madison Hoffman of McPherson, 8-7 in a 7-2 tiebreaker, and Annie Reinert of Smoky Valley, 8-2.

Goessel volleyball goes 6-1

The Wheat State League volleyball season began Sept. 4 and Goessel High School posted two wins to get the league season started. The Bluebirds traveled to Centre where they faced Elyria. The Bluebirds fell behind 5-1 and eventually tied the game at 11. With a combination of Bluebird attacks and Eagle errors, Goessel scored 14 consecutive points to win the first game, 25-11. Game two was in the bag early, as Goessel jumped ahead 7-1 and went on to win 25-11.

Turnovers costly in Bluebird loss

On a gorgeous evening for football, Goessel High School fans were entertained with an offensive performance by both teams that kept the scoreboard busy. But Goessel never led in the contest that ended with a final score of Canton-Galva winning 76-56. Both teams exchanged punts on their first possessions as the defenses held and players on both sides were victims of dropped passes. Goessel gained ground on the second possession second when the Eagles successfully punched the ball loose and recovered a fumble. Canton-Galva got into the end zone with 6 minutes, 21 seconds remaining in the first quarter, but the Bluebirds answered quickly with a long pass to Nic Buller to get down field and a 20 yard pass to Zac Showalter for the Bluebirds first score.

GHS runners improve times

The Goessel High School Bluebirds cross-country team participated at the Swather Special on Thursday in Hesston. Each grade ran a separate race as they maneuvered the route at the Hesston Golf Park. Highlighting the race results for the Bluebird girls were Ali Buller’s 18 minute, 11 second race in the senior division and Kylee Unruh’s 19:01 time in the freshman division. For the boys, Heath Goertzen led the team with a ninth-place finish at 18:47 in the junior division. Ben Wiens finished at 20:55, also in the junior division.

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