HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Block party promises more variety

Crackdown looming on illegal burns in county

After responding to 70 calls in nine days for out of control burns, rekindled burns, and unreported burns, Marion County Fire Chiefs Association representatives Lester Kaiser, Brad Pagenkopf, Fred Sheridan, and Ben Steketee met with commissioners Monday about the county burn ordinance. They want a revised burn resolution with clear language and stiffer penalties to deter burns from being started when conditions are hazardous.

School food program, community engagement draw board scrutiny

USD 410 school board members engaged in a lively, free-ranging discussion of proposed goals Monday, with the cost of the district’s food program and community engagement vying for the most attention. Many districts “operate in the black” with their food services, Superintendent Steve Noble said, but USD 410 spends about $50,000 more than it receives in government reimbursement.

Reservoir clean-up day an excuse to play

Lloyd Davies of Marion is once again in the midst of a familiar guessing game that he’s played each of the past 13 years: How many volunteers will participate in this year’s cleanup day at Marion Reservoir? “Lots of times I just don’t know who’s going to show up,” he said. “I’d love to have as many as we can get. Last year was great. We had close to 60 volunteers altogether. Other times we’ve had 15 to 30. Sometimes we just get an off day.”

Commissioners have mixed feelings toward lake houseboats

People live all around Marion County Park and Lake, but commissioners have their doubts about people living on it. Parks and Lake superintendent Steve Hudson approached commissioners Monday with a request from an individual to put a houseboat on Marion County Lake.

County short on EMS volunteers

Ed Debesis knew he was short on volunteers when he took over as county EMS director March 30, but recent reductions in Marion have emphasized the need for recruitment. Chairman Randy Dallke echoed that sentiment at Monday’s commission meeting.

Shotgun-toting teen arrested on drug charges

An out-of-county teen was arrested on suspicion of multiple drug charges including intent to distribute, and criminal use of weapons, at 10:41 p.m. April 6 near US-56 and Eisenhower St. Marion Police officer Lee Vogel stopped Jaron Palmer, 19, Wichita, for driving a vehicle with no tag light. Vogel’s police report indicated that Palmer was suspected of being under the influence of drugs.

JoAnn Berry

Merrill Branson

Merrill C. Branson, 83, died Monday at St. Luke Living Center. No services have been scheduled at this time.

Beth Eldridge

A funeral service for Beth Ellen Eldridge, 59, Peabody, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Peabody Methodist Church. Visitation is 7 p.m. today at Gracepoint Church in Peabody.

Harvey Gaines

Harvey M. “Tony” Gaines of Peabody died Sunday. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Baker Funeral Home, Peabody.

Mary Goertz

Mary Jean “Jeanie” Goertz, 65, died Thursday at Heartland of Marion, Ohio. Burial with a graveside service will take place 10 a.m. Friday at Haven of Rest Cemetery, Hillsboro. A memorial service was held Monday at Mount Vernon Avenue Church of Christ, Marion, Ohio.

Penny Helland

A memorial service for Penny Janiece (Hanes) (Hedrick) Helland, 53, who died Jan. 3 in Coupeville, Washington, will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Hillcrest Cemetery in Florence. A potluck luncheon will follow at Florence Masonic Hall.

Accidents reported

County jail

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Offenses reported

Police reports

Traffic division

Dairy farmer sees the light with LED

LED could stand for “light enhanced dairy” after an area dairy farmer installed a new lighting system with the help of a state grant. Jason Wiebe, a dairy farm owner in Durham, recently received a $2,771 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant for replacing about 15 old metal hay lights in his free-stall dairy barn with approximately 30 LED lights.

Wheat prices continues downward trend

The decline in grain prices that began last fall appears to be continuing. On March 11, wheat was $4.10 at Lincolnville, but had dropped to $3.70 on Monday.

MES and Tabor team up for farm field trip

Marion Elementary School first grade students rolled up sleeves and got dirty in the name of hands-on education Friday at a Farm Fair event near Canada that included instructive guidance from Tabor College professors and students. Dave and Joanne Loewen, a Tabor College professor couple, opened a family farm that borders the reservoir north of US-56 on Nighthawk Rd. for the Farm Fair.

Retiring coop manager saw major changes

During the 40 years that Stan Utting has been a co-op manager, he’s seen a lot of change, from deregulation of railroads and crop acreages to bigger farms and larger elevators. Utting will retire after the final business meeting of Agri Producers, Inc. on April 23. He led the board of directors through a merger process with Hope and Chapman cooperatives that took effect March 1. Darrell Anderson of Hope is the new Agri Trails Cooperative manager.

Salina conference to spotlight ag teaching

The Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom is hosting its first-ever summer conference for Kansas teachers. “Creating the Best Day Ever” will be June 2 at the Salina Bicentennial Center. The conference is open to Kansas teachers, volunteers, out-of-school program coordinators and anyone interested in agriculture education.

Eco for the birds and us

Marion Reservoir Cleanup Day organizer Lloyd Davies reminded me this week that the county sits smack dab in the middle of the Great Plains flyway, the migratory route for thousands upon thousands of diverse species of birds. Overflights of ducks and geese are things I’ve come to take for granted over the years, although on certain days I’ve eagerly filled my camera chip with shots of them at the county lake and reservoir. For the most part, though, they come and go with little notice from me.

New FACT director says goal is to improve lives

Families and Communities Together has a new director who hopes to build on the efforts of past leaders to continue to improve the lives of people in the Marion County community. Joy Mark of Hillsboro took over on Dec. 31. She replaced Ashlee Gann, who resigned. FACT is an umbrella organization that oversees several Marion County social programs that benefit families and individuals needing services.

Frank to speak on emergency situations

Marion County Emergency Management director Randy Frank will speak at Tabor College’s Lifelong Learning at 9:45 a.m. Friday in the Wohlgemuth Music Education building. Frank will present helpful information regarding storm preparedness and emergency situations.

Senior Center menu

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Area piano students take annual music exam

Area students participated in the District 6 Kansas Music Teachers Association Music Progressions at Bethel College on April 9. The event evaluates the progressive growth students studying music as a hobby and those wishing to be professional musicians. In addition to performing on piano, each student was tested in areas of listening, keyboard theory, and written theory.

Area school menu

Tennis players see some success

Hillsboro tennis players Dakota Klein and Jacob Isaac each logged a victory Thursday at a Trojans home meet. After being defeated 8-0 by opponents from Sterling and Circle, Klein shut out a Chapman opponent in his third match to place seventh in No. 1 singles play for the day.

Golfers take home 5th

Hillsboro High School golfers placed fifth of 10 schools with a team score of 458 Friday at a home meet. Coach Scott O’Hare said the Trojans improved their collective score by 50 strokes, and attributed their improvement to several factors.

Windy conditions alter Goessel

Goessel athletes found the going easier Friday on the track in Marion and golf course in Hillsboro, a favorable change from wind that battered them April 4 in Remington and Herington. Goessel track teams traveled to Remington where Brittney Hiebert began the season placing first in the 400 meters in 65.3 seconds, first place in the 800 meter run in 2:43, and second in javelin with a throw of 86 feet, 10 inches.

USD 411 to upgrade Internet access speeds

Goessel students might just be cruising down an “eight-lane information super highway” in the near future if all goes according to plan. Goessel board of education unanimously approved a $38,211 upgrade to computer networking switching hubs throughout the district Monday at district school board meeting.

Calendar of Events

CMBS spring banquet to be April 23 at Tabor

Halstead minister Linford Holdeman will be the keynote speaker for the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies spring banquet at 6:30 p.m. April 23 in the Wohlgemuth Building at Tabor College. Holdeman will speak on “Beginnings and Distinctive of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.”

Piano and voice recital is Saturday

Anita Hancock’s piano and voice students will perform at 3 p.m. Saturday at USD 408 Performing Arts Center. Cooper Bailey, Abi Bernhardt, Jenna Bittle, Olivia Carlson, Cadence Craig, Aubrey Craig, Paige Ensey, Shaliah Ensley, Shyann Harris, Shyla Harris, Cade Harms, Hailey Harshman, Grace Hett, Kaelynn Metro, Jayden Spencer, Mia Spencer, and Abby Wesner will perform.

Tabor band concert is April 24

Tabor College symphonic band will perform at 4 p.m. April 24 at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. The performance will feature a variety of sacred songs ranging from the 16th century to 20th century contemporary worship music.

Disability group to meet

The board of directors of Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization will hold its regular monthly meeting 4 p.m. Monday in the meeting room at 500 N. Main St., Suite 204, Newton. A public forum is scheduled at the beginning of the meeting.

TEEN to meet April 30

Technology Excellence in Education Network will hold its regular meeting at 6 p.m. April 20 in the USD 408 district office in Marion. More information is available by calling Lena Kliener at (620) 877-0237.

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