HILLSBORO Star-Journal

HEADLINES

Alco hopes to survive corporate bankruptcy filing
After a decline in the second quarter of the fiscal year, Alco Stores Inc. announced on Oct. 13 that it would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company intends to either sell or liquidate. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is indicative of corporate restructuring, and shouldn’t have an immediate impact on the Hillsboro location, Store Manager Robert Berens said.
Central National Bank donates $20,000 to Tabor arts center
Fundraising for Tabor College’s planned Center for the Arts got a big boost Tuesday when Central National Bank presented a $20,000 donation to college representatives at the Wohlgemuth Music Education Center. “We are proud to support our local college and the community of Hillsboro,” CNB Hillsboro branch president Mike Padgett said. “We look forward to the completion of the Center for the Arts. It will be a great venue for both the school and the larger community.”
Wind farms seeks to expand
Lifelong journalist joins newspaper
Ed Pilolla, 42, of Marion has joined the staff of Hoch Publishing Company. Pilolla brings a lifetime of experience as a newspaper writer, photographer, and editor.

DEATHS

Janet Toews
Janet “Diane” Hett Toews, 68, of Canton died Friday at Hospice House of Reno County. She was born Sept. 27, 1946, to Don and Dolores Hett in Marion. She married George William Toews on Dec. 11, 1966.
Rita Sperry
Former Goessel resident Rita Louise Sperry, 69, of Newton died Oct.20 in Newton. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton.
IN MEMORIAM:
Claudine Krch, Rose M. Grosse

DOCKET

HEALTH

McCarty brings determination to EMS
When Brandy McCarty entered her new office for the first time as EMS director, the shelves on the walls were empty. “I had to start from scratch,” she said.
Potential Medicare scams
During the ongoing open-enrollment period for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, Sandy Praeger, Commissioner of Insurance, is urging Kansas Medicare beneficiaries to be alert to any potential scams surrounding sign-up activity. The open enrollment period began Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7.
Weight loss saves woman's life
Cristina Peterson of Lincolnville was taking almost 350 units of insulin a day two years ago, but her diabetes remained out of control. Her doctor sent her to an endocrinologist in April 2013 in an attempt to stabilize her blood sugar, which was sky high. She weighed 230 pounds. ‘The doctor told me, ‘If you don’t do something, you are going to die,’” she said.
Aquatics center is source of healing waters
Among the swimmers who take advantage of open lap times at the Marion Sports and Aquatics Center pool, Mark Strand gets the prize for “swimmer who travels the furthest.” Nearly every morning, the Herington resident makes the 26-mile trip to work out in the water, and with good reason.

OPINION

A shirt of a different color
I have always been an average-looking bloke, not one to turn heads unless I say, do, or wear something folks consider curious or outlandish. A notable example is the head turning as I’m zooming around in my SUV — some folks know me solely as the “ladder guy” for the admittedly odd rigging of a 10-foot extension ladder on the back.
Painting a house, meeting folks
Gray paint flaking off the single-story house welcomed me to Marion. I hadn’t painted a house since college, which was 20 years ago. My wife and I and our toddling daughter had just moved from Los Angeles to Marion in August. It was a little bit of a hectic move, stuffing our worldly possessions in our car and U-Haul trailer and driving from the West Coast to Kansas. My wife was excited about moving back home, and my daughter and I were excited to have a rural adventure.
LETTERS:
Medicare issue, Supreme Court defense

PEOPLE

An ode to forks: Bryant pens song
Marion County Democratic Women got a little rowdy waving semi-sharp, pronged objects in their hands Friday before lunch at Marion Senior Center while they celebrated National Fork Day. “People brought in their forks and we brandished them high as we sang ‘The Fork Song,’” Janet Bryant said.
Calls will celebrate 60th anniversary
Bob and Cora Call, formerly of Marion, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary Friday. Cards may be sent to the couple at 114 NE 90th Terrace, Kansas City KS 64155-2350. The Calls' name was reported incorrectly in a print edition of the newspaper. The newspaper regrets the error.
NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:
Residents entertain guests
ROUND THE TOWN:
Canadians visit local friends

SCHOOL

Tabor announces new MBA program
Tabor College will offer a new masters in business administration degree program with a concentration in accounting on the Hillsboro campus starting in July of 2015. The completion of the new MBA program will allow students to take the certified public accountant exam. The 10-month program consists of 33 semester hours.
Piano ensembles to perform Sunday at Tabor
Tabor College students, faculty, and alumni will combine talents for “The Joy of Music,” a piano ensemble concert at 4 p.m. Sunday in the college chapel auditorium. “The piano extravaganza is an event we do every other year, focusing on literature that includes the piano in various ensemble arrangements,” professor of piano Sheila Litke said. “This year we are even doing a piece with one piano and 12 hands.”
Free screenings available at Goessel
A free screening for children birth through five years old will be Nov. 11 at the Goessel Mennonite Church. Appointments will be available from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Development will be checked in the learning, motor, language, and social areas. Vision and hearing also will be screened. The process takes at least one hour.

SPORTS

Trojan volleyball heads to state again
Playing in the state volleyball tournament has become an almost annual ritual for the Sandy Arnold-coached Hillsboro Trojans, who’ve won three consecutive titles. They’ll be gunning for a fourth crown after winning Saturday’s substate tournament in steamy Brown Gymnasium, thanks in part, players said, to another team ritual.
SE Saline topples Hillsboro
Not all Trojans are created equal, as Hillsboro found out Friday, losing to their counterparts from Southeast of Saline 42-0 at Reimer Field. Hillsboro won the opening coin toss and little else. Southeast quarterback Cody Schlesener bolted 63 yards for a touchdown on the third play of the game.
Goessel volleyball forges ahead to state
With a record of 39-0, Goessel will head to the Class 1A Division I state volleyball tournament in Hays as the number one seed in the bracket. It did not take long into the first game at sub-state for the fans to recognize that this Bluebird team was ready for more matches. With captain Erin Brubaker serving and Olivia Duerksen at the net, ball after ball fell to the Lebo side of the court. The Lady Wolves called two timeouts but would not score until the Bluebirds reached 15. Goessel dominated the first game 25-5.
Goessel football loes at Canton
The Goessel football team scored one touchdown in each of the first two quarters, but Canton-Galva was able to put up four touchdowns in each quarter, ending the game 64-12 at half-time. The Bluebirds did pick up 146 yard passing but only 34 yards on the ground.
Goessel cross country heads to state
Jen Meysing is the only member of the Bluebirds girls cross-country team who ran with the squad that finished fifth at the state meet in 2013. Meysing’s teammates earned the chance to share in her experience by claiming the championship of the Class 1A regional Saturday at Pleasanton.

HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Ed Pilolla, 42, of Marion has joined the staff of Hoch Publishing Company. Pilolla brings a lifetime of experience as a newspaper writer, photographer, and editor.

Janet “Diane” Hett Toews, 68, of Canton died Friday at Hospice House of Reno County. She was born Sept. 27, 1946, to Don and Dolores Hett in Marion. She married George William Toews on Dec. 11, 1966.

Former Goessel resident Rita Louise Sperry, 69, of Newton died Oct.20 in Newton. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton.

IN MEMORIAM:

When Brandy McCarty entered her new office for the first time as EMS director, the shelves on the walls were empty. “I had to start from scratch,” she said.

During the ongoing open-enrollment period for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, Sandy Praeger, Commissioner of Insurance, is urging Kansas Medicare beneficiaries to be alert to any potential scams surrounding sign-up activity. The open enrollment period began Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7.

Among the swimmers who take advantage of open lap times at the Marion Sports and Aquatics Center pool, Mark Strand gets the prize for “swimmer who travels the furthest.” Nearly every morning, the Herington resident makes the 26-mile trip to work out in the water, and with good reason.

LETTERS:

Marion County Democratic Women got a little rowdy waving semi-sharp, pronged objects in their hands Friday before lunch at Marion Senior Center while they celebrated National Fork Day. “People brought in their forks and we brandished them high as we sang ‘The Fork Song,’” Janet Bryant said.

Bob and Cora Call, formerly of Marion, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary Friday. Cards may be sent to the couple at 114 NE 90th Terrace, Kansas City KS 64155-2350. The Calls' name was reported incorrectly in a print edition of the newspaper. The newspaper regrets the error.

NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:

ROUND THE TOWN:

Not all Trojans are created equal, as Hillsboro found out Friday, losing to their counterparts from Southeast of Saline 42-0 at Reimer Field. Hillsboro won the opening coin toss and little else. Southeast quarterback Cody Schlesener bolted 63 yards for a touchdown on the third play of the game.

The Goessel football team scored one touchdown in each of the first two quarters, but Canton-Galva was able to put up four touchdowns in each quarter, ending the game 64-12 at half-time. The Bluebirds did pick up 146 yard passing but only 34 yards on the ground.

Jen Meysing is the only member of the Bluebirds girls cross-country team who ran with the squad that finished fifth at the state meet in 2013. Meysing’s teammates earned the chance to share in her experience by claiming the championship of the Class 1A regional Saturday at Pleasanton.