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Randy Dallke asked fellow commissioners Monday to reinstate fired paramedic Larry Larsen, to which outgoing EMS director Brandy McCarty responded with allegations of patient endangerment and sexual harassment.
Dallke presented a “Statement of Commitment” by Larsen, outlining 10 things Larsen would do to “be the best I can be both personally and professionally.”
This newspaper faced a difficult decision in deciding how to report Monday’s county commission meeting, which after a call to reinstate a fired paramedic devolved into a torrent of allegations against him.
Since the seemingly abrupt firing 16 months ago of ambulance director Steve Smith, controversy has surrounded the department. The director’s position was downgraded, the physician who initially served as medical director resigned, Tampa’s ambulance crew was forced to select a new chief, complaints were lodged with state regulators, the Peabody crew chief was fired, and the director who replaced Smith abruptly resigned.
County EMS director Brandy McCarty resigned Monday, following a 35-minute executive session with commissioners that included attorney Susan Robson, medical director Don Hodson, and EMS advisory board chairman Gene Winkler.
“She felt that if we’re going to go forward that it’s time for new leadership and we need to take a different approach to how we’re going to do it,” Chairman Dan Holub said in accepting McCarty’s resignation.
Emergency Medical Services advisory board members sent a clear message to commissioners at a joint meeting Nov. 10 to discuss revisions to the EMS director job description: Hire an experienced paramedic, and don’t settle for less.
Last year, commissioners compromised on established certification and experience requirements when they hired Brandy McCarty, a two-year EMT who had completed AEMT coursework but was not yet certified. Salary expectations for more-qualified candidates were beyond what commissioners were willing to pay.
Anyone who stopped by Shirley Reusser’s Christmas-themed garage sale early Saturday might have thought she hadn’t sold much. Tables were jammed with a vast selection of miniature trees, ornaments, dishware, Santas, and snow people, with more underneath.
But the sale started Friday, and Reusser and her daughter, Diedre Serene, unloaded a lot that day.
A man who police said, “appeared very intoxicated” allegedly assaulted seven people with yard tools in a Hillsboro trailer park recently.
Hillsboro Police officer David Funk responded to the drunk and disorderly call at 4 p.m. Nov. 10 at 302 W. Third St. trailer No. 7 where Donald Jackson, 46, of Hillsboro, allegedly got into an argument with his next-door neighbors and their guests.
USD 411 board members debated a policy change the Kansas High School Athletic Association recently made regarding the eligibility of homeschooled students who wish to participate in KSHSAA activities at Monday’s meeting.
KSHSAA’s policy formerly required students to be enrolled part-time to participate in KSHSAA activities.
County attorney Susan Robson decided she needed help more than a $6,000 raise, and commissioners Monday agreed to her request to divert the money to be used for hiring an assistant attorney.
“The way it is now, I don’t have anybody who can help me cover,” Robson said. “While a raise is nice and appreciated, having help would be even more appreciated.”
Crews broke ground Thursday on USD 411’s solar voltaic panel project.
Superintendent John Fast said Mark Horst and his team from King Solar are handling the prep-work.
Hillsboro native Willis Duerksen, 81, died Nov. 9 at Newton.
He was born April 5, 1934, to C.R. and Martha (Funk) Duerksen in Hillsboro.
Francis L. “Franny” Meirowsky, 78, died Nov. 11, at his residence.
Services will be at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Holy Family Parish in Florence, the Rosary was to be at 7 p.m. Monday, and the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Ira I. Penner, 94,
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held today at Valley United Methodist Church, with private inurnment in the Marion Cemetery.
Geneva Stacy, 86, died Nov. 13 at Salem Home in Hillsboro.
Family will have services at a later date.
Genevieve M. Stefan, 88, died Nov. 7 at St. Luke Living Center in Marion.
She was born Aug. 19, 1927, to Bernard and Mary (Wildeman) Zimmerman in Park. She married Marcus R. Stefan on Feb. 6, 1950, in Grinnell. She was a mother and homemaker for her husband and 10 children.
The annual Collett reunion was Oct. 11 at the Marion County Lake Hall. Over 70 family members were present for the potluck dinner and auction. Several items were sold by auctioneer Keith Collett, including Ethel Collett’s wedding dress, coffee cups, and Henry Collett’s horseshoe set.
Colleen Garmon served as president and Mary Collett as secretary and treasurer.
'ROUND THE TOWN:
Hamms eat with friends in Newton
Rosella Martin of Hillsboro didn’t know what she was getting into when she prayed as a teenager to marry a preacher. She felt it was a calling, but the 58 years of ministry she had while married to Pastor Loyal Martin were definitely on-the-job training.
“Pastors have their job descriptions, but their wives have to discover their niches,” she said, “and maybe it’s different at each place.”
“Cuddles” isn’t just a bunny that lives at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro; she’s an unofficial poster rabbit for a growing trend aimed at transforming the way nursing homes care for their residents: person-centered care.
Parkside has a pet rabbit because residents asked for one. That’s all director Gretchen Wagner and her staff needed to make it happen.
Rustyn Kerbs of Tampa had quite an adjustment to make when he advanced from Centre’s 1A eight-man football team to the Tabor College Bluejays. Kerbs red-shirted as a freshman, and is in his fifth year on the team.
The team has an overall record of 10-1 and is undefeated in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference at 9-0. With their 26-17 victory over Bethel Saturday, the Bluejays have clinched the conference title. They are ranked ninth nationally in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics TOP 25 poll.
Tabor secured a postseason berth after a 26-17 win over Bethel on Saturday. The win made the Bluejays champions of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Tabor will play at home Saturday against Doane College of Crete, Nebraska. The time of the game has not been set.
Tabor College Music Department and Hillsboro Area Ministerial Association will present a Thanksgiving concert titled “With Praise and Thanksgiving” at 4 p.m. Sunday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church.
In addition to the concert choir and Concerto Bella Voce, the newly formed Chamber Voices will make its debut. Jen Stephenson, assistant professor of choral music, will also make her debut directing Concerto Bella Voce.
Senior Citizens of Marion County will meet at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the Lincolnville Community Center.
Mill/Levy requests, SCMC officers for 2016, and reports from different groups are on the agenda.
Kathy Richardson, wife of National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson, will be speaking at Lifelong Learning at 9:45 a.m. Friday in Wohlgemuth Music Education Center lobby at Tabor College.
The presentation is titled “On Stage, Back Stage: The Working Life of National Geographic Photographer Jim Richardson, as told by his spouse Kathy Richardson.”