HILLSBORO Star-Journal

HEADLINES

County fair lucks into a carnival
One community’s loss is another’s gain. Such is the case this year with Marion County Fair, which confirmed Monday that a carnival will be at the fair for the first time since 2007. Another fair had complications, leaving Pride Amusements of Galena with an empty week. Pride Amusements co-owner Ed Burlingame contacted Fair Manager Stephanie Richmond to ask whether the fair association was looking for a carnival.
Developer continues effort to bring wind farm to county
The developer of a proposed wind farm in Marion County compares his quest to a hurdle race — none of the hurdles is insurmountable, but all it takes is one to trip over. “Everything takes longer, costs more, and is more difficult than you expected,” said Rex Savage of Windborne Energy, who is planning a wind farm south of 140th Road, north of U.S. 50, east of Pawnee Road, and west of U.S. 77.
Special ed in the black to begin new year
Board members of Marion County Special Education Cooperative couldn’t help but smile Monday evening when new director David Sheppard announced the cooperative had ended the year not only in the black but more than a half-million ahead. Earlier in the fiscal year members had been told the cooperative could end the year with less than $50,000 in the bank.
County property taxes likely to increase
Road and bridge funding may push Marion County property taxes higher in 2011, accountant Scot Loyd told county commissioners Monday. The proposed road and bridge and special bridge budgets for 2011 would cause a 3.8-mill increase from 2010, but the budgets are likely to be cut before the county determines its final spending plan.
Commissioner Holub continues to petition for exemption change
Marion County Commissioner Dan Holub is not going to give up seeking reversal of a legislative decision that would exempt Keystone Pipeline from paying property taxes. Holub contacted a Wichita television station and set up an interview Thursday to discuss his concerns.
World traveler keeps rolling along
A 62-year-old Tokyo man is living his dream of traveling across the U.S. and telling people his story, a lifetime in the making. Kenichi “Ken” Yamashita rolled through Marion County this past week, but not on a bicycle, the way he did 20 years ago with his son, Shoko.
Tabor College announces new directors
Alumnus to direct development Ron Braun of North Newton is the new director of development for Tabor College.

DEATHS

Alma Toews
Alma Toews, 69, of Hillsboro, died July 17 at Mercy Hospital, Moundridge. Born March 27, 1941, in Steinbach, Manitoba, to David and Katharina (Reimer) Toews, she was a schoolteacher.

DOCKET

OPINION

Many candidates, only a few differences
Choice is a word you won’t hear much in the current election, and not just in relation to abortion. Most candidates — particularly Republicans — seem remarkably similar on paper. All, even a few Democrats, give at least lip service to an array of conservative issues: cutting taxes, cracking down on illegal immigration, opposing abortion, and overturning what the federal government plans to do with health care.
LETTERS:
Just the facts, please, Some confusion about endorsements, Special interests, Supporters are not as they seem, Brookens defended

PEOPLE

CORRESPONDENTS:
Northwest of Durham

SCHOOL

Former Goessel teacher wins state award
Former Goessel Junior High School teacher Claire Overstake has received an Excellence in Education Award for math and science from the Kansas conference of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Overstake taught sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade science and seventh- and eighth-grade math the past two years, Principal Marc Grout said.

SUMMER FUN

Treat yourself to nature’s beauty
Organizers Janet Marler, Pam Bowers, Jeanice Thomas, and Margaret Wilson knew there was going to be hundreds of visitors in town for the Cal Ripken baseball tournament. Why not give visitors and residents something fun and unusual to do while in Marion?
Salon owner has passion for ranching
Callie Peterson of Marion kept busy Thursday afternoon cutting and coloring hair at her Signatures Salon. Hours later she was busy with much less delicate tasks: roping and vaccinating calves at Haywire Cattle Company, south of El Dorado. Peterson, along with brother Seth Larson, boyfriend Andy Jones, and his father, Randy Jones, began by herding cattle from a pasture into pens.
It’s not rocket science, is it?
Even after six years of competing in rocketry, Isaac Perry, 15, experiences a thrill from every launch. “It’s something so easy,” Perry said, “but you feel so good after you push the button.”
Think out of the box at area museums
Looking for something fun, educational, and free to do this summer? Several museums in Marion County offer such a combination. Marion Historical Museum has a new interactive exhibit.
Go camping … with comforts of home
Lowell Hale has a different idea of roughing it in the outdoors. “We’re roughing it with showers and air conditioning,” Hale said, not to mention high-speed Internet and satellite TV.
If they build it, demolition will come
The first time Tommy Tajchman of rural Marion saw a demolition derby, he decided he wanted to drive in one himself. Having volunteered to serve in a friend’s pit crew, he became enamored with the sport.
So will this gardener’s flowers, but only once a year
Jack Kerbs experienced an event last week that he anticipates every summer: His perennial hibiscus started to bloom. Kerbs has three perennial hibiscus in his garden at 320 S. Freeborn St., Marion. An 8-foot-tall hibiscus in the sunniest part of his backyard was filled with 20 maroon-colored flowers, about 10 inches in diameter, a week ago.

Marion County Commissioner Dan Holub is not going to give up seeking reversal of a legislative decision that would exempt Keystone Pipeline from paying property taxes. Holub contacted a Wichita television station and set up an interview Thursday to discuss his concerns.

A 62-year-old Tokyo man is living his dream of traveling across the U.S. and telling people his story, a lifetime in the making. Kenichi “Ken” Yamashita rolled through Marion County this past week, but not on a bicycle, the way he did 20 years ago with his son, Shoko.

Alumnus to direct development Ron Braun of North Newton is the new director of development for Tabor College.

Alma Toews, 69, of Hillsboro, died July 17 at Mercy Hospital, Moundridge. Born March 27, 1941, in Steinbach, Manitoba, to David and Katharina (Reimer) Toews, she was a schoolteacher.

LETTERS:

CORRESPONDENTS:

Organizers Janet Marler, Pam Bowers, Jeanice Thomas, and Margaret Wilson knew there was going to be hundreds of visitors in town for the Cal Ripken baseball tournament. Why not give visitors and residents something fun and unusual to do while in Marion?

Even after six years of competing in rocketry, Isaac Perry, 15, experiences a thrill from every launch. “It’s something so easy,” Perry said, “but you feel so good after you push the button.”

Looking for something fun, educational, and free to do this summer? Several museums in Marion County offer such a combination. Marion Historical Museum has a new interactive exhibit.

Lowell Hale has a different idea of roughing it in the outdoors. “We’re roughing it with showers and air conditioning,” Hale said, not to mention high-speed Internet and satellite TV.

The first time Tommy Tajchman of rural Marion saw a demolition derby, he decided he wanted to drive in one himself. Having volunteered to serve in a friend’s pit crew, he became enamored with the sport.