HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Huffman resigns county post

Teresa Huffman, county economic development director, has resigned effective May 8. After submitting her resignation to county commissioners Monday, Huffman said she said she plans to retire. She plans to enjoy camping and spending time with her grandchildren.

Hillsboro to have an ambulance station

Hillsboro will have its own ambulance station after paving the way for full-time paramedics to be housed and fed while on duty. Hillsboro mayor Delores Dalke told county commissioners the city has made arrangements for housing and feeding paramedics who will be stationed there after the county hires the first two of four full-time paramedics planned for Emergency Medical Service.

Men enter home, duct-tape woman

A 19-year-old Goessel woman was duct-taped to a wooden rail in the bathroom of her home late Sunday morning by two intruders apparently looking to rob the home. Sheriff Rob Craft said the incident was discovered when the woman’s parents returned from church and found her taped up in the bathroom.

Go Kart, Go! Elementary students using recess to fix old go-kart

For the past couple of weeks, instead of running around playing tag or playing on playground equipment during their recess time, Hillsboro Elementary School fifth graders Chris Walker and D.J. Bartel have been tinkering. The duo is working on a project they initiated on their own — to get an old go-kart back up and running.

Hutchinson fire keeps 31 local firefighters busy

When the call to save lives and property in Reno County came, 31 county firefighters sprung to action. Among them were three Marion firefighters. Fire chief Mike Regnier said the Marion firefighters left March 7 with one vehicle and returned March 8.

Fish organizes relief effort

The largest wildfire in Kansas history swept through parts of western Kansas last week, and many Kansans, including right here at home, are responding to help those who lost homes, fences, and barns along with cattle. Nathan Fish of Hillsboro has spearheaded an effort to deliver supplies to ranchers in the Ashland area.

County historical society to reorganize

An effort is underway to reactivate and repurpose Marion County Historical Society to promote the county. The organization became inactive in the late 2000s. Mary Olson of Peabody got the ball rolling last fall after she learned the society had an active bank account. She organized a meeting in September with interested parties from Florence, Peabody, Marion, and Pilsen.

Heel-dragging Shields creates friction with county

Slow progress on a Lincolnville cleanup project led to quick tempers at Monday’s county commission meeting. Gavin Shields, who has stored cars, tires, equipment, and such on a lot at the south edge of Lincolnville since he closed his repair shop last year, and tangled with the planning and zoning commission since, was at the meeting to report how he’s doing with cleaning up the premises.

Burn resolution put on ice

This will not be the year a new burn resolution will take effect in the county. Although fire chiefs from Peabody, Lincolnville, Hillsboro, Marion, Lehigh, and Burns spoke to county commissioners Feb. 20 about replacing a burn regulation passed in 2014 with a new one, the terms of the proposed resolution have since been questioned, discussed, and had changes proposed.

Cows may have saved Tajchman family home

Scott Tajchman and his family, who live 5 miles north of Hutchinson, found themselves fleeing from their home last week as a wildfire threatened. The son of the late Valerian and Teresa Tajchman grew up at Ramona. His mother still lives on the farm.

Centre grad to lead co-op

It will be a homecoming of sorts when Lost Springs native Jerry Fenske takes over as chief executive officer of Cooperative Grain and Supply on April 1. Fenske has spent the past year as general manager of Leavenworth County Cooperative Association at Lansing.

Planning commission sets public meeting

Jim Ottensmeier

James L. “Jim” Ottensmeier, 68, died Monday at his home in Marion. A memorial service will be at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Claney Cemetery, rural Marion.

Ronald Pracht

Ronald Dean Pracht, 75, died March 7 at Robert D. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita. Ronald was born on Sept. 5, 1941, to Roland and Myrtle (Fox) Pracht in Marion, Kansas.

Elnora Reiswig Siemens

Marion native Elnora D. Reiswig-Siemens, 94, died March 12, at Lexington Park Nursing Home in Topeka. Viewing will be from 1 to 5 p.m. today at Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Marion. Interment will be in Marion Cemetery.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil division

County jail

Deeds reported

Divorces granted

Emergency dispatches

Marriage licenses issued

Offenses reported

Police reports

Traffic division

Treating food impurities like a crime

When someone dining out finds something odd and disgusting in their food, it’s cause for angst, for protests, perhaps for nausea, and certainly for a refund. But if that person is forensic biochemist Dan Madgwick of Marion, it’s a cause for learning.

Kansans urged to prevent spread of mumps

Marion County residents who have or may potentially encounter people from any of 12 Kansas counties that recently reported 56 cases of mumps should take precautions to prevent further spread of mumps. As of Tuesday, county health department director Diedre Serene said there had been no mumps cases reported in the county.

It's not in the genes, thank goodness

Peggy Blackman couldn’t be more relieved after getting results from a recent blood test. Test results show she’s not a genetic carrier for the ovarian cancer physicians diagnosed in 1986. With a daughter, four granddaughters, and seven great-granddaughters with another expected next month, Blackman said it was a great weight off her shoulders to find out her descendants weren’t born predisposed to the same cancer.

Strength-building class is a family affair for some

A full class of 15 people is engaged in eight weeks of a muscle-strengthening program provided by Marion County Extension Service. They meet twice a week for hour-long sessions. Melissa Stuchlik of rural Pilsen, her mother, Iona Dietrich of Tampa, and two aunts, are taking the class together.

Hillsboro to have ambulance station

Hillsboro will have its own ambulance station after paving the way for full-time paramedics to be housed and fed while on duty. Hillsboro mayor Delores Dalke told county commissioners the city has made arrangements for housing and feeding paramedics who will be stationed there after the county hires the first two of four full-time paramedics planned for Emergency Medical Service.

Economic exit

The news of county economic development director Teresa Huffman’s resignation Monday came as a bit of surprise, but the timing is right for her and for the county. Huffman said this is her gateway to retirement, and we have little doubt she’ll make the most of it. She’s made so many good connections throughout the state and beyond through her work that she could hook up that fancy Glamper of hers and hit the road for months at a time, never worrying about having a place to park overnight or finding friends to meet up with.

Families to get gooey and ooey on Saturdya

Formerly called “Ooey Gooey Night,” county families can expect to get messy Saturday at Wee Care’s annual fundraiser that is now called “Gooey Ooey Family Event.” Child care provider Joy Vogel said the group recently learned that “Ooey Gooey” was a copyrighted name, and thus changed the name.

Blood drive to be Monday

American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be stopping in Marion on Monday to accept donations. The blood drive will be from 1:15 to 6:15 p.m. at Eastmoor United Methodist Church.

Pie Night benefit is March 26

A fundraiser for Tabor College Project SEARCH will be from 5 to 7 p.m. March 26 at FamLee Bakery in Marion. Project SEARCH is a school-to-work transition program for young adults with disabilities. Funds raised will go to providing nine-month internships to prepare them for competitive employment within their communities.

Wichita actor, singer to speak at Lifelong

A program titled “’What Were Ya Thinkin?’: A Perspective on the National Anthem and the Inspiration for It,” will be given by Wichita- based attorney Debs McIlhenny, who is also a singer and actor for the Wichita Bar Show. “History promises us a permanent record of the good that comes from human strife,” McIlhenny said. “Yet, seldom do we expect one to be as visible and inspiring, every day, as this one.”

20th Century Club learns about hospital auxiliary

St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary Shoppe was the focus of a 20th Century Club meeting March 6 at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant. Hostesses Mary Ann Conyers and Dorothy Youk brought several items from the shop that they showed and sold. Conyers gave a presentation about the shop’s history and operations.

Neo-Century Club visits Elgin Hotel

Neo-Century Club visited the historic Elgin Hotel during its March 6 meeting. The club decided to help with games at St. Luke Living Center the fourth Friday of every month.

ANNIVERSARIES:

NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:

ROUND THE TOWN:

Ford to lead Tabor nursing program

New leadership for Tabor College’s Wichita-based nursing program could eventually lead to nursing education options for the Hillsboro campus. Staci Ford, director of nursing programs for Tabor College Wichita as of April, brings 20 years of experience in nursing and instruction to the position.

Grace Community Fellowship holds groundbreaking for new church

Though Sunday’s temperature high only reached roughly 42 degrees, members of Grace Community Fellowship braved the cold for what pastor Adam Utecht said was the “shortest groundbreaking ever” for their new church building. “It was really windy and chilly so we had our service in the elementary school, and then we headed out right after to the site,” Utecht said.

School board approves calendar

Two members were missing at Monday’s USD 410 school board meeting, but that did not stop the board from approving everything on their agenda. The district calendar for the 2017-18 school year was approved 5-0, as was a resolution to extend terms of USD 410 board members, a lease agreement with Grace Community Church, and a facility and vehicle use agreement with a Prairie View summer program.

Wheat-State names all-leaguers

Five county athletes have been selected for the 2017 Wheat State All-League basketball teams. Cole Srajer and Dylan Deines, both of Centre, made the boys first team. Eden Hiebert and Brittney Hiebert of Goessel and Kate Basore of Centre made the girls first team.

Area school menus

Calendar of events

Girl Scout cookie sale extends to March 26

Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland is extending its annual cookie sale by one week, ending on March 26 instead of March 19. Those interested in buying girl scout cookies may find the nearest cookie booth by entering their zipcode at kansasgirlscouts.org, or by calling 1-888-686-MINT.

County seniors to meet

The board of directors of Senior Citizens of Marion County will meet at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Peabody Senior Center. Lunch will be served at the center. For reservations, call Peabody Senior Center site manager at (620) 983-2226 or the Department on Aging at (620) 382-3580 by Mar. 15.

Cemetery board meets Thursday

Payroll, burials, and cemetery related issues will be discussed at a Peabody Cemetery board meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at city hall. The meeting is open to the public.

Adult coloring available at library

An adult session of coloring, cookies, and conversation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at Marion City Library. Coloring pages and pencils will be provided. For more information, call (620) 382-2442.

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