10 YEARS AGO

december 7, 2011

Marion County Hospital District No. 1 Board President Martin Tice is pictured as he marks the completion of the 17-month, $6.5 million renovation of St. Luke Hospital, as hospital CEO Jeremy Armstrong and board members look on during the ribbon cutting and open house Sunday at St. Luke.

Pictured behind Tice are Elora Robinson, Armstrong, Ken Vinduska, Linda Carlson, Jerry Dieter, and Mike Connell.

Al and Gloria Ash made certain Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand Sunday to pass out candy canes and Christmas greetings to people driving through the annual Tunnel of Lights display on Hill Rd.

Resident Dick Schwartz reported 275 cars, some from as far away as McPherson and Newton, drove through the subdivision display.

The Ashes said the Clauses distributed 554 candy canes.

Marion High School Warriors opened the basketball season Friday by soundly defeating Trinity Catholic of Hutchinson 51-32 at USD 408 Sports and Aquatic Center.

Jacob Harper led Marion scorers with 13 points. Jordan Hett scored 11 points. Other leading scorers were Scott Jones with eight points and Heidebrecht with six.

State Farm Insurance agent Becky Walsh is shown preparing donations of approximately 50 blankets and 100 pairs of socks for delivery to the Community Christmas drive sponsored by State Farm. The donations will be included in holiday packages for families in the Marion-Florence and Centre school districts.

In a memo to the city council, Marion City Administrator Doug Kjellin sharply criticized a pair of decisions the council made Nov. 18 when it waived a late fee on a city utility bill for St. Luke Hospital and agreed to restore utilities to Ernest Barrell despite a delinquent utility bill, with both decisions countermanding city policies. Kjellin also called the decision “irresponsible management of city funds that this staff works tirelessly to conserve.”