HILLSBORO Star-Journal

HEADLINES

'Our Town' has hometown angle
Tabor College Theater Department will present the play “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder as part of homecoming festivities. “Our Town” paints a picture of small-town life — the good, the bad, the humorous, and the beautiful.
County emergency groups practice school shooting response
“Hillsboro ambulance, Hillsboro rescue, Hillsboro fire, we need you to stage at the Lutheran church at North Lincoln and Grand for reports of shots fired at Hillsboro High School.” That call from the Marion County dispatcher Saturday morning set in motion a grim simulation of two gunmen roaming the halls of the schools, killing one person and seriously wounding seven others.
Dodd responds to theft of signs
Craig Dodd, a write-in candidate for Marion County commissioner, recently reported to law enforcement officials that 14 of his yard signs in Hillsboro were stolen. Also stolen were five large banner signs on T posts in rural areas. When asked about the thefts, Dodd said, “I’m not going to point a finger at anybody. I know it wasn’t kids. It’s not something I would do. Everybody can do what they want, but it’s childish.”
County can't pay `going rate' for EMS director
Marion County either can’t afford a qualified EMS director, or it hasn’t found the right one. Few of the applicants, there were upward of 20, meet the level of qualifications the county seeks. One qualified candidate offered to take the position for a salary that was approximately $25,000 more than the previous full-time EMS director, Steve Smith. “At this point we don’t feel like we can afford what we’d like to have. That’s what’s making the search difficult for us,” Commission Chairman Roger Fleming said.
Whooping cough alert
The Marion County Health Department is investigating an increased number of whooping cough cases in the county. County health nurse Diedre Serene said the cases are “more than usual,” and the public needs to be aware.
Small business workshop scheduled
Dean Claycamp of the Kansas Small Business Development Center will be at the Hill Building in Marion from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 29 to give free help to those thinking of starting a small business. The workshop will examine feasibility and financial strategy. At least, that’s the plan.
Harms Plainview Ranch ranks ninth in state
Harms Plainview Ranch of Lincolnville ranks ninth on the American Angus Association’s list of the state’s largest Angus beef cattle producers, but owner Mark Harms isn’t as concerned about size as he is meeting the needs of his buyers. “I don’t care where we rank so much,” Harms said. “We keep the number of animals we feel will serve their purpose in the industry. Last year we marketed 240 bulls, and that would be a record high for us. It’s been growing from Year One.”

AUTO

Kroupas restore 1926 Model T truck
The late Theodore Kroupa of Tampa was 20 years old when he purchased a 1926 Model T farm truck from his uncle. It was 14 years old. The truck was used primarily to haul wheat to market. It was passed down to his son, Kenneth, when Theodore died in 2006.
Drivers should prepare for winter
As winter weather descends upon Marion County in the upcoming months, drivers should prepare their vehicles to handle the conditions. Barry Allen, owner of Webster’s Auto Service, said the most common problem he sees when cold weather comes is tire pressure.
Salesmen's roles have changed
With a seemingly infinite amount of product information available online today, it should come as no surprise that consumers have become more informed buyers than they were before the Internet changed the way cars were sold. The salesman’s role
It's deer season on the road, too
Oh, deer. With deer-mating season, also known as “rut,” peaking in mid-November, motorists should be “especially vigilant” in the upcoming weeks, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol release.

DEATHS

Wavo Marie Depler
Wavo Marie (Dover) Depler, 86, died Oct. 7 at Newton Medical Center. The funeral service was Sunday at the Christian Church in Peabody. Burial was at Prairie Lawn Cemetery. Baker Funeral Home made the arrangements.
Roberta A. "Happy" Slifer
Roberta A. “Happy” Slifer died Tuesday at St. Luke Living Center. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Zeiner Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Marion Cemetery.
Carol L. Broadstreet
Carol L. Broadstreet, 72, died Saturday. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Zeiner Funeral Home, 205 Elm St., Marion.
Richard "Dick" Varenhorst
Dick Varenhorst, 70, former owner of Van’s Man clothing store, died Tuesday morning at his home in Marion. A visitation will be Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Zeiner Funeral Home. The funeral service will be 2:30 p.m. Friday at Marion Christian Church.
Thomas E. Duggan
Thomas E. Duggan, 80, of Tampa, passed away Friday, Oct. 10, 2014. He was born Nov. 20, 1933, to Thomas P. and Elizabeth Katherine (Coyne) Duggan, in Salina, Kansas. Tom was proud of his Irish Catholic ancestry, the Duggan family name, and his roots in the Tampa community. Survivors include his beloved wife, Dolores (Dee) Duggan of Tampa, married November 29, 1975; his daughters, Darla K. Hall of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Deb Hall of Herington, Kansas; and grandchildren, Adam Hall and Kaylee Ann Hall. He loved his sisters, Patricia (Gene) Westerhaus of Flagstaff, Arizona, and Betty (Don) Frick of Topeka, Kansas, and all his nieces and nephews and their children. He was preceded in death by his brothers, John Duggan and Bernard Duggan, who are still greatly missed.
Anita Mattix
Anita Mattix, 66, of Augusta, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014. Anita was born on Oct. 12, 1947, in Wichita, Kansas, to the late Helen (Bernhardt) Schick Westbrook Turner and Alvin Schick. She was the owner of the County Journal and worked as a teller for the White Eagle Credit Union, and a pharmacy tech at Cooper Drug. She never met a stranger and always enjoyed a cup of coffee with anyone that came through their backdoor. She always had time for good conversation. Anita was a cancer survivor. On Jan. 10, 1966 she married the love of her life, Jeffery C. Mattix. He preceded her in death in 2012. She is survived by: daughter, Shannon Mattix and fiancé, Jerry Shoemaker; son, Aaron Mattix, both of Wichita; grandchildren Levi Davidson (Corina), Kyle Davidson (girlfriend, Heather Banwert) and Madeline Mattix; brother-in-law, Jon Mattix (Barbara); Odie and Baxter the farm dogs; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Pauline K. Poe
Pauline K. “Polly” Poe (nee Keazer) entered into eternal peace on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, at age 87 at Aberdeen Heights Senior Living, Kirkwood, Missouri. She was glorious, brilliant, beautiful, gracious, and poised; friend, loving wife and supportive companion for 66 years to Allan Poe. She is survived by her husband Allan; their sons David (Cathy) Poe, Kevin (Marti) Poe and daughter Annette (Tommy) Margosian; four grandchildren, Tom, Eric, and Kurt Poe and Rachel (Michael) Jeter; three great grandchildren, Weston, Dominic and Lucas Jeter; sister Nancy (Phil) Kastor, and brother-in-law Harold (Joleen) Poe. She was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Evelyn Keazer, sister Joyce (Russell) Hett, and beautiful granddaughter Danielle Poe.

DOCKET

PEOPLE

ROUND THE TOWN:
Church sponsors cookout
NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:
Ransom Wiebes have a full weekend

SCHOOL

Maxwell awarded UPS scholarship
Erin Maxwell, a senior at Tabor College, has been selected to receive a $2,425 UPS Scholarship provided through the Kansas Independent College Fund. Maxwell is majoring in graphic design, and plans to pursue a master’s degree in architecture. She is also a member of the Lady Jays basketball team. She transferred to Tabor from Independence Community College.
HES playgrounds pose hazards
The message Erin Beavers delivered Monday to the Hillsboro school board was direct and urgent: children at Hillsboro Elementary School are at risk when they’re on the school’s playgrounds. “We’re not anywhere close to being a safety-compliant playground,” said Beavers, the chair of the playground committee for the school site council.

SPORTS

Trojans take second at McPherson tourney
What does a volleyball coach say to her team after watching it self-destruct in the worst game it’s played all season? If you’re Hillsboro Trojans coach Sandy Arnold, the answer is absolutely nothing.
Goessel volleyball adds to unblemished record
The Goessel volleyball team continued its winning ways as it moved to 29-0 with wins Oct. 7 over Wheat State League foes Little River and Wakefield. Goessel defeated Little River 25-8, 25-12 in the first match. The Bluebirds defense prevented points against Wakefield in wins 25-7, 25-8.
Hillsboro throttles Lyons
The Hillsboro Trojans stopped a four-game losing streak Friday by dominating both sides of the ball in a 37-6 thrashing of Lyons at Reimer Field. The Trojans fed off their defense, which had five interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, forced a safety, and gave the offense good field position throughout the game.
Weber undefeated at Abilene
Senior tennis player Allison Weber went undefeated Oct. 7 at an Abilene tournament. “It was a good final regular season meet for her as she needed a bit of a break after a long day on Monday at Ellsworth,” coach Bob Woelk said.
Goessel cross-country girls medal at Burrton meet
Goessel runners Rachel Manis, Jen Meysing, and Julia Nightengale all medaled in the Burrton Invitational cross-country meet Thursday at Harvey County West Park. Maxine Keyse and Maddy Meier helped the varsity team to a second-place finish. Zach Wiens earned his first medal of the season with his fastest time of the season. Leighton Wagner and Dan Kruger also improved their times in the 5-kilometer race.
Goessel football loses 20-22 in heart-stopper
The Goessel football team may want to forget the first three quarters of Friday’s game and savor the fourth. The Bluebirds scored three touchdowns in the final period, but converted only one 2-point conversion, losing to the Ellinwood Eagles 20-22.

HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Tabor College Theater Department will present the play “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder as part of homecoming festivities. “Our Town” paints a picture of small-town life — the good, the bad, the humorous, and the beautiful.

The Marion County Health Department is investigating an increased number of whooping cough cases in the county. County health nurse Diedre Serene said the cases are “more than usual,” and the public needs to be aware.

Dean Claycamp of the Kansas Small Business Development Center will be at the Hill Building in Marion from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 29 to give free help to those thinking of starting a small business. The workshop will examine feasibility and financial strategy. At least, that’s the plan.

The late Theodore Kroupa of Tampa was 20 years old when he purchased a 1926 Model T farm truck from his uncle. It was 14 years old. The truck was used primarily to haul wheat to market. It was passed down to his son, Kenneth, when Theodore died in 2006.

As winter weather descends upon Marion County in the upcoming months, drivers should prepare their vehicles to handle the conditions. Barry Allen, owner of Webster’s Auto Service, said the most common problem he sees when cold weather comes is tire pressure.

With a seemingly infinite amount of product information available online today, it should come as no surprise that consumers have become more informed buyers than they were before the Internet changed the way cars were sold. The salesman’s role

Oh, deer. With deer-mating season, also known as “rut,” peaking in mid-November, motorists should be “especially vigilant” in the upcoming weeks, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol release.

Wavo Marie (Dover) Depler, 86, died Oct. 7 at Newton Medical Center. The funeral service was Sunday at the Christian Church in Peabody. Burial was at Prairie Lawn Cemetery. Baker Funeral Home made the arrangements.

Roberta A. “Happy” Slifer died Tuesday at St. Luke Living Center. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Zeiner Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Marion Cemetery.

Carol L. Broadstreet, 72, died Saturday. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Zeiner Funeral Home, 205 Elm St., Marion.

Dick Varenhorst, 70, former owner of Van’s Man clothing store, died Tuesday morning at his home in Marion. A visitation will be Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Zeiner Funeral Home. The funeral service will be 2:30 p.m. Friday at Marion Christian Church.

ROUND THE TOWN:

NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:

What does a volleyball coach say to her team after watching it self-destruct in the worst game it’s played all season? If you’re Hillsboro Trojans coach Sandy Arnold, the answer is absolutely nothing.

The Goessel volleyball team continued its winning ways as it moved to 29-0 with wins Oct. 7 over Wheat State League foes Little River and Wakefield. Goessel defeated Little River 25-8, 25-12 in the first match. The Bluebirds defense prevented points against Wakefield in wins 25-7, 25-8.

Senior tennis player Allison Weber went undefeated Oct. 7 at an Abilene tournament. “It was a good final regular season meet for her as she needed a bit of a break after a long day on Monday at Ellsworth,” coach Bob Woelk said.

The Goessel football team may want to forget the first three quarters of Friday’s game and savor the fourth. The Bluebirds scored three touchdowns in the final period, but converted only one 2-point conversion, losing to the Ellinwood Eagles 20-22.