PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

BREAKINTG NEWS

Hillsboro and Bank of Hays ask court to expand hospital receiver's power
If a company managing the operation of Hillsboro Community Hospital is not appointed to manage its parent company as well, the hospital is in imminent danger of being closed by the state. That’s the position taken by the city of Hillsboro and mortgage holder Bank of Hays in an emergency motion filed Thursday in district court asking that the receiver, Cohesive Healthcare Management and Consulting, be put in charge of the hospital’s parent company, CAH Acquisition Co #5, HMC/CAH Consolidated Inc.

HEADLINES

Peabody man killed in train wreck
A Peabody man died early Tuesday when his 2012 Jeep Liberty was hit by an Amtrak train northeast of Peabody. Sheriff Rob Craft said train crew members reported the Jeep was stopped on the tracks without its lights on when the accident occurred.
Soil contamination found at transfer station
Contaminated soil was discovered last week during excavation work at the county’s transfer station project. Refuse director Bud Druse alerted county commissioners to the contamination during Monday’s county commission meeting.
Woman's passion for painting flows again
After retiring a few years ago from a 43-year career in nursing, Peabody resident Carol Smith now has lots of time — and paint — on her hands. “I love art,” Smith said. “I decided early on that I was going into art.”
Membership woes leave Peabody zoning board short
Without a president and one member short of a full board since the beginning of January, Peabody Planning and Zoning is a few peas shy of a pod. Working without a full board is difficult because the experience and perspective available becomes more limited, board member Hope Reynolds said.
Horse removed in animal cruelty case
After a four-month investigation, a horse was removed Jan. 17 from a property in Peabody and the owner charged with animal cruelty in Peabody municipal court. Peabody chief of police Bruce Burke said Jeannie Gervais had been arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Reynolds takes city council seat
Mayor Tom Spencer recommended Peabody resident Rick Reynolds fill the empty position created when he was appointed mayor after the resignation of mayor Larry Larson. In a state of the city address Monday night, Spencer shared his three-phase plan as mayor.

OTHER NEWS

Icy weather puts damper on student sickness
For some area schools, two snow days last week reduced the number of students out sick. Hillsboro superintendent Max Heinrichs said the district has been tracking absences since a wave of cold- and flu-like illness began circulating in the county about a month ago.
Inmate care more costly in January
A $4,368.45 bill to the county from a medical billing company contracted by the jail was higher than usual in January. “Normally we’re not that high,” sheriff Rob Craft said of last month’s bill.
Director of aging leads in mileage claimed
Among county employees who claim monthly mileage reimbursement for use of their personal cars, Department of Aging director Gayla Ratzlaff’s reimbursements regularly come in at the top of the list. Over the last four months, Ratzlaff has been reimbursed $695.24 for use of her personal car.
EMS expenses average $676 per run
Marion County Emergency Medical Service is one of the county’s largest departments and budget activity reports reflect that, but determining how much each run costs can be difficult. For 2018, there were 1,419 ambulance runs, and 76 first response runs. The department generated $598,603.67 in revenue from these, usually from charging insurance companies when responding to a call.
Southern wind farm could launch next year
A wind farm nearly 15 years in the discussion and planning stages looks to begin spinning rotors, instead of wheels, by the middle of next year. The Expedition Wind Farm project being developed by National Renewable Solutions, based in Wayzata, Minnesota, was originally the brainchild of Florence resident Rex Savage. Under Savage’s hand, the idea notched forward but didn’t reach construction.
Chief requests new door for office
Peabody chief of police Bruce Burke told city council members Jan. 28 that he wants a new door for the police station. “We’ve had problems with the wind catching and blowing open the entry door since the door and closure were initially installed,” Burke said. “They are really not heavy enough for our situation.”
City offers summer job opportunities
Marion city council handled a laundry list of routine items at Monday’s meeting. Parks and Recreation director Margo Yates told council members seasonal workers, such as mowers, will be allowed to work outside of the department’s traditional hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Scouts kickoff cookie season with fun
Eastmoor United Methodist Church was a social hub for girl scouts Friday, as 35 scouts from Marion County and beyond gathered for the sixth annual Cookie Kickoff. The girls came from Marion, Peabody, Hillsboro, Moundridge, Hesston, and Herington to enjoy the event, which had an under the sea theme.

DEATHS

Brennan Fine
A private family graveside service for Brennan Michael Fine was Sunday at the Marion Cemetery. Brennan was born Feb. 3 at Wesley Medical Center.
Marilyn Hageberg
Marilyn Hageberg, 81, Burdick, died Feb. 5 at Legacy of Herington. Services were Monday at Burdick United Methodist Church. She was born Oct. 20, 1937, at Marion, the daughter of Ernest and Dola Blankley Meierhoff.
Danniel King
Private family services for Danniel King, 65, who died Feb. 5, will be at a later date. He was born Dec. 12, 1953, to Karl and Cecil Fluke Davidson in Clarinda, Iowa.
Bob Matz
Funeral services for Bob Matz, 84, who died Feb. 9 at Newton Medical Center, will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Marion. Burial will be in Marion Cemetery. A prayer service will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion. Visitation will follow.
Valera Morgan
The funeral service for Valera (Graham) Morgan, 94, who died Monday at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, will be 10 a.m. Monday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church in Marion. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion.
IN MEMORIAM:
Kenneth Forsyth
IN MEMORIAM:
Cleta Richmond

DOCKET

FARM

Breed called 'cattle of kings'
If Goessel resident Vernon Base lived in Africa, where his cattle came from, he’d be considered extremely wealthy. There a man’s worth is measured by how many live animals he has. Base and his wife, Angela, have raised Watusi for 24 years and the herd is up to 40 animals.
Cattle needs increase in cold
Extreme weather conditions, such as recently seen in Marion County, mean cattle have greater needs. Nolan Brunner, co-owner of Cow Camp Ranch at Ramona, a feedstock, cow/calf operation and commercial feed yard, said cattlemen need to be especially attentive to their animals’ needs in extreme weather.
Symphony 2019 looks to the stars
The state’s motto, Ad Astra per Aspera, “To the stars through difficulties,” will be the theme of this year’s Symphony in the Flint Hills on June 15. The event will be at a location its owners call Irma’s Pasture, south of Cottonwood Falls at Bazaar. Bazaar is an unincorporated dot in the prairie with 81 rural residents and a United Methodist church.
Grain prices edging up
Despite a slowing ag economy, grain prices are higher than a year ago. Tuesday prices at Cooperative Grain and Supply in Marion were $4.58 for wheat; $8.08 for soybeans; $3.12 for milo; and $3.40 for corn.

OPINION

The latest four-letter word: M-A-T-H
Among many great lines, Mark Twain popularized the concept that there are three types of deception: lies, damned lies, and statistics. Some statistical lies are just fancy ways people who are handy with numbers try to deceive the rest of us.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
Staying connected
CALENDAR:
Calendar of events
WONSEVU:
Williams see great-granddaughter

PEOPLE

Tabor guest professor tells about life in Ukraine
For four generations, Michael Cherenkov and his Ukrainian forebears have been pushing back against the godlessness of the former Soviet Union. The presenter at Friday’s Lifelong Learning session at Tabor College, Cherenkov has a two-year teaching assignment at Tabor and travels throughout the country to promote support for oppressed Christians in Asia.
Marion library gets top rating
Marion City Library was given top marks by a national library association, Library Journal. Head librarian Janet Marler said criteria for its 5-star award include budget, per-capita circulation, visits, number of programs and attendance, public internet usage, and e-circulation.
Sawyer wins musical chair event
Drew Hill, Stacey Sawyer, Dean Reida, Suzanne Meier, and Jason Gibson competed Feb. 1 in a musical chair event during half-time of the Goessel High School boys basketball game. Winner Stacey Sawyer took home a $100 gift certificate donated by Keith Foods.
New coach, new goals for Tabor softball
While softball coach Bryan Howard had to wait an extra five days to make his Tabor debut, the added practice time before Tuesday’s game was appreciated. “We haven’t been able to get outside, so we’re looking at it as a positive that we get an extra week to prepare,” he said. “Let’s take advantage of that time.”
Commodities arrive Feb. 20
Government surplus commodities will be at distribution sites in Marion County Feb. 20. Marion Senior Center will have pickup from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 20. Lehigh residents will pick up commodities at Main St. Ministries in Hillsboro.
Family to celebrate 100th birthday
The children of Catherine Hein will host a reception to celebrate her 100th birthday 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 24 at St. Mark’s activity center in Marion. Cards may be sent to St. Luke Living Center, 535 S. Freeborn St., Marion.
County Democrats to meet
Marion County Democrats will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday in the basement conference room of Marion Community Center. All precinct people, as well as county Democrats, are encouraged to attend to continue plans for the 2019 political year.
TEEN to meet Feb. 20
The Technology Excellence in Education Network will hold its meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 at the USD 408 district office in Marion. For questions or more information, contact Lena Kleiner at (620) 877-0237.
Peabody senior center menu

SCHOOL AND SPORTS

Warriors catch fire at homecoming
The crowd was on its feet Friday night during the Peabody-Burns boys’ game against Canton-Galva, where the Warriors came away with a 70-69 homecoming win. The girls team, although losing to the Eagles 50-27, showed marked improvement from earlier season games.
Peabody-Burns to celebrate National FFA Week
Peabody residents may see FFA members providing community services around town Monday. They will be kicking off National FFA Week by collecting trash, picking up leaves and limbs, and doing basic maintenance on Main Street buildings and signs. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, they will provide a community hamburger and mountain oyster feed at the ag shop.
Olympics planned for little ones
Students enrolled in Parents as Teachers and Head Start preschools in the county can enjoy a morning of come-and-go games and swimming at Marion Aquatic Center and Sports Complex from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 2. The event will include games to improve gross motor skills, swimming, snacks, and home activity ideas.
College degrees and honors
Peabody-Burns school menu

MORE…

HOVER OVER IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT

Peabody resident Carol Smith's passion is art. Since she is retired, she has time to paint as often as she wants. Her creations are featured on numerous rock websites.

Goessel resident Vernon Base walks among his herd of Watusi cattle. The Watusi, known as "the cattle of kings," were once used as currency in their native land of Africa.

Marion Manufacturing employee Bryan Higgins takes measurements on a stringing line for a double-high roll former, which will form metal and plastic siding for buildings. With a margin for error of 1/1,000th of an inch, his measurements need to be spot-on every time.

Peabody-Burns winter homecoming queen Taylor Wallace crowns king Max Caldwell following the girls' basketball game Friday night.

PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

A Peabody man died early Tuesday when his 2012 Jeep Liberty was hit by an Amtrak train northeast of Peabody. Sheriff Rob Craft said train crew members reported the Jeep was stopped on the tracks without its lights on when the accident occurred.

Contaminated soil was discovered last week during excavation work at the county’s transfer station project. Refuse director Bud Druse alerted county commissioners to the contamination during Monday’s county commission meeting.

After retiring a few years ago from a 43-year career in nursing, Peabody resident Carol Smith now has lots of time — and paint — on her hands. “I love art,” Smith said. “I decided early on that I was going into art.”

Without a president and one member short of a full board since the beginning of January, Peabody Planning and Zoning is a few peas shy of a pod. Working without a full board is difficult because the experience and perspective available becomes more limited, board member Hope Reynolds said.

After a four-month investigation, a horse was removed Jan. 17 from a property in Peabody and the owner charged with animal cruelty in Peabody municipal court. Peabody chief of police Bruce Burke said Jeannie Gervais had been arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Mayor Tom Spencer recommended Peabody resident Rick Reynolds fill the empty position created when he was appointed mayor after the resignation of mayor Larry Larson. In a state of the city address Monday night, Spencer shared his three-phase plan as mayor.

For some area schools, two snow days last week reduced the number of students out sick. Hillsboro superintendent Max Heinrichs said the district has been tracking absences since a wave of cold- and flu-like illness began circulating in the county about a month ago.

A $4,368.45 bill to the county from a medical billing company contracted by the jail was higher than usual in January. “Normally we’re not that high,” sheriff Rob Craft said of last month’s bill.

Among county employees who claim monthly mileage reimbursement for use of their personal cars, Department of Aging director Gayla Ratzlaff’s reimbursements regularly come in at the top of the list. Over the last four months, Ratzlaff has been reimbursed $695.24 for use of her personal car.

Marion city council handled a laundry list of routine items at Monday’s meeting. Parks and Recreation director Margo Yates told council members seasonal workers, such as mowers, will be allowed to work outside of the department’s traditional hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Eastmoor United Methodist Church was a social hub for girl scouts Friday, as 35 scouts from Marion County and beyond gathered for the sixth annual Cookie Kickoff. The girls came from Marion, Peabody, Hillsboro, Moundridge, Hesston, and Herington to enjoy the event, which had an under the sea theme.

A private family graveside service for Brennan Michael Fine was Sunday at the Marion Cemetery. Brennan was born Feb. 3 at Wesley Medical Center.

Marilyn Hageberg, 81, Burdick, died Feb. 5 at Legacy of Herington. Services were Monday at Burdick United Methodist Church. She was born Oct. 20, 1937, at Marion, the daughter of Ernest and Dola Blankley Meierhoff.

Private family services for Danniel King, 65, who died Feb. 5, will be at a later date. He was born Dec. 12, 1953, to Karl and Cecil Fluke Davidson in Clarinda, Iowa.

Funeral services for Bob Matz, 84, who died Feb. 9 at Newton Medical Center, will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Marion. Burial will be in Marion Cemetery. A prayer service will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion. Visitation will follow.

The funeral service for Valera (Graham) Morgan, 94, who died Monday at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, will be 10 a.m. Monday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church in Marion. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion.

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

If Goessel resident Vernon Base lived in Africa, where his cattle came from, he’d be considered extremely wealthy. There a man’s worth is measured by how many live animals he has. Base and his wife, Angela, have raised Watusi for 24 years and the herd is up to 40 animals.

Despite a slowing ag economy, grain prices are higher than a year ago. Tuesday prices at Cooperative Grain and Supply in Marion were $4.58 for wheat; $8.08 for soybeans; $3.12 for milo; and $3.40 for corn.

Among many great lines, Mark Twain popularized the concept that there are three types of deception: lies, damned lies, and statistics. Some statistical lies are just fancy ways people who are handy with numbers try to deceive the rest of us.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

CALENDAR:

WONSEVU:

Marion City Library was given top marks by a national library association, Library Journal. Head librarian Janet Marler said criteria for its 5-star award include budget, per-capita circulation, visits, number of programs and attendance, public internet usage, and e-circulation.

Drew Hill, Stacey Sawyer, Dean Reida, Suzanne Meier, and Jason Gibson competed Feb. 1 in a musical chair event during half-time of the Goessel High School boys basketball game. Winner Stacey Sawyer took home a $100 gift certificate donated by Keith Foods.

Government surplus commodities will be at distribution sites in Marion County Feb. 20. Marion Senior Center will have pickup from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 20. Lehigh residents will pick up commodities at Main St. Ministries in Hillsboro.

The children of Catherine Hein will host a reception to celebrate her 100th birthday 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 24 at St. Mark’s activity center in Marion. Cards may be sent to St. Luke Living Center, 535 S. Freeborn St., Marion.

Marion County Democrats will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday in the basement conference room of Marion Community Center. All precinct people, as well as county Democrats, are encouraged to attend to continue plans for the 2019 political year.

The Technology Excellence in Education Network will hold its meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 at the USD 408 district office in Marion. For questions or more information, contact Lena Kleiner at (620) 877-0237.

The crowd was on its feet Friday night during the Peabody-Burns boys’ game against Canton-Galva, where the Warriors came away with a 70-69 homecoming win. The girls team, although losing to the Eagles 50-27, showed marked improvement from earlier season games.