PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Peabody police left in lurch by stun gun patent case

Karbon Arms Inc. left Peabody Police Department and all of its other customers in a bind at the end of a lawsuit with TASER International over Karbon Arms’ infringement of TASER’s stun gun patents in January. As part of the conclusion of the lawsuit, in which the company was ordered to pay almost $2.4 million to TASER, Karbon Arms also provided a list of its customers to TASER. Since then TASER has notified Karbon Arms’ customers that continued use of stun guns made by Karbon Arms would be a violation of federal patent law and offered to sell them replacements. Peabody police spent $3,495 and committed $2,220 over the next four years to replace its stun guns.

Dogs rescued in Florence fire

Micah and Treva Bailey are learning a new meaning to neighborly after a fire destroyed at least two outbuildings and damaged their home at 218 W. 2nd St. in Florence shortly before 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. “A neighbor who lives one block over just happened to drive by and saw the fire,” Mary Britton, who owns the home across the street from the Baileys, said.

Medicare Part D changes hurt local pharmacies

Jean Pierce of Marion isn’t interested in going out of town to get her Medicare Part D prescriptions filled no matter how much insurance companies want to steer business to big chain pharmacies— and neither do her friends. “I’ll just stick with my local Marion pharmacy,” she said. “We have to keep something local going.”

Corps, county extend contract for lake patrol

County commissioners took minimal action Tuesday on a day Commissioner Dan Holub was not in attendance. Sheriff Rob Craft informed commissioners that he hoped to have a contract with the Corps of Engineers finalized next month to patrol the reservoir. Dallke said the contract has been around for at least 20 years.

More grants available for youth programs

Central Kansas Community Foundation, to which the Peabody Community Foundation belongs, has $35,000 available for services and programs that directly benefit the children of central Kansas. Through the Marie Haun Charitable Fund for Children, applicants can apply for up to $5,000 during the current grant cycle, which ends at 5 p.m. Feb. 28.

Community track meet to be May 3

The idea came from the Peabody-Burns track team wanting to give back to a community that supports them, coach Brian Lightner said. Therefore, as a service project to give back, he has set up a community track meet for 10 a.m. May 3 at USD 398 track. “I also wanted to give our younger children an opportunity to experience the events of track and field while they are young and give the adults a competition with a relaxed, home-town feel and atmosphere,” he said.

Jerry Owens

Jerry Dean Owens, 30, of Burns died Feb. 6 at his home. He was born Oct. 29, 1983, in Newton. No service is planned at this time.

Sherilyn Kadel

Sherilyn Kadel, 64, of Randall died Sunday. She was the daughter of Paul and Arlene Pankratz and a graduate of Durham High School. She was a music teacher. She is survived by her husband, David; two daughters, Jennifer Price of Denver and Holly Foster of Oklahoma City; her mother, Arlene Pankratz of Hillsboro; a brother; a sister; four grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Ted McIrvin

Ted McIrvin, 89, of Lehigh died Thursday at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. He was a farmer. He was born Nov. 24, 1924, to Rex and Anna (Prohaska) McIrvin at Cope, Colo. He married Darlene Vawter on Aug. 11, 1946, at Cope. She preceded him in death.

Rubena Wiebe

Rubena Wiebe, 90, died Thursday at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. She was born Nov. 3, 1923, to Bernhard and Margaret (Jantzen) Wiens in Hooker, Okla. She married Vernon Wiebe on May 30, 1947, in Hillsboro.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil division cases

County Jail arrests and bookings

Criminal division cases

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Police incident reports

Traffic division cases

Hodson explains decision to close medical practice

It is with mixed emotion that I announce the end of my practice of medicine in Marion. I came here 32 years ago as a young physician and have become very ingrained in the community. I have made friends of many of my patients and made patients of many of my friends. I have seen five physician partners come and go, several mid-level providers come and go, and have felt both obligated and lucky to be the one who was here long-term for the health care of our community.

Creepy lurker update

I am often surprised by the opinion columns that generate a response from the I personally found the fox and his behavior amusing, but never thought the column would even be read to the end; much less generate such a response from readers. It was one of those “are you kidding me?” columns. Sometimes months go by with no one mentioning this space and what has been printed here. And then something will strike a nerve with the reading public and everyone and his grandmother has a comment.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

DAYS OF YORE:

Economist to speak about his experiences with Russian farmers

The 68th annual meeting of the Marion County Conservation District is Saturday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church. Josh Roe, an economist with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, will be the speaker.

Birthday celebration for Wayne Larsen

Editor’s note: Because of incorrect information provided to the newspaper, the wrong date was listed in last week’s announcement. Former Peabody resident and 1944 Peabody High School graduate Wayne Larsen will celebrate his 90th birthday Saturday and would like to have his friends and acquaintances from Peabody join him.

Embry Hodges engaged

Preston and Lisa Hodges of Peabody announce the engagement of their daughter, Embry Hodges, to Nate Nelson, son of Shane and Michelle Nelson of Cassoday. The bride-elect is a 2011 graduate of Peabody-Burns High School and Butler Community College. She works for Another Day Inc.

Author Jim Gray to speak at library

Author, speaker, and promoter of Kansas cowboy heritage Jim Gray will present “A Bullwhackers Life — Freighting Supplies over the Plains” during a Kansas Humanities program that begins at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at Marion City Library in the new Santa Fe Room. Gray’s program will cover bullwhackers who traveled the Kansas frontier freighting supplies and shaping a profession akin to today’s long haul truck drivers.

Wiens family celebrates birthday, baby shower

The family of MaryAnn Wiens gathered over the weekend for the annual birthday dinner and bingo at Hilltop community room in Marion. After dinner, the family had a baby shower for Erica Richmond. Those present were MaryAnn Wiens, Gerald and Jan Wiens, Jennifer Schneider, Jim and Joni Crofoot, Don and Janice Hodson, Jeff, Erica, and Noah Richmond, Brian Grosse, Lindsey Richmond and Braylee, Loreen and Eli Hett, and guest Frankie Turner, all of Marion; Herb Bartel of Hillsboro; Marvin and Diann Cline of Smolan; and Stan and Denise Hett of Wichita.

BIRTHS:

WONSEVU:

Stability balls help maintain focus

After a little test of his own, Peabody-Burns Elementary School Principal Ken Parry decided to find a grant that would allow the school to purchase stability balls for all elementary classrooms. “The school psychologists brought in three or four to try in classes,” Parry said. “We noticed students were more focused and decided at that point it was worth it to us to try and get more for all of the elementary school.”

Senior night to honor athletes, parents

High school seniors who are participating in winter sports and their parents will be recognized at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 25 between the varsity girls’ and boys’ basketball games against Centre High School. Students to be recognized are Alyssa Brooks, cheerleader, daughter of Wesley and Bertha Brooks; Jordan Gibson, basketball, daughter of Rob and Wendy Gibson; Fenja Lang, basketball, host parents Kent and Kathy Henry; Sean Clay, basketball manager, son of Neil Clay and Carey Ables and grandson of Ernie and Janice Edens; Xavier Jabary, basketball, son of Larry and Karen Larsen; Enrique Palazon, basketball, host parents Paul and Tammy Frederickson; Garrett Schroeder, basketball, son of Darren and Paula Schroeder; and Filip Suskavcevic, basketball, host parents Gene and Renee Marple.

Riggs listed on honor roll

Jordan Riggs of Peabody achieved Dean’s Scholastic Honors at Pittsburg State University for the 2013 fall semester. To qualify, he had a grade point average of 3.6 or better and no grade lower than a B. The graduate of Hillsboro High School is a junior majoring in music.

Morris on WSU honor roll

Rebecca Morris of Peabody was included on the Dean’s Honor Roll at Wichita State University for the fall 2013 semester. The university requires students earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher on at least 12 credit hours to be named to the honor roll.

Mid--Kansas Co-op offering scholarships

Mid-Kansas Co-op is offering 20 scholarships for high seniors and returning college students. The deadline is March 15.

Warriors have busy week

Peabody-Burns boys’ basketball had a full slate last week with three games in five days. On Feb. 10, the team was victorious, 59-39, in a make-up game against Elyria at home. In a road game Feb. 11, the team edged Remington 47-46. The Warriors lost at Goessel on Friday 53-46. Up next is a home game against Moundridge. Elyria

Lady Warriors drop 3 games

Three contests ended in defeat for the Lady Warriors in a full week of competition. On Feb. 10, the team lost to Elyria 36-13. On Feb. 11, the team was beaten by Remington 62-14. In the final game of the week, Goessel claimed victory over the Lady Warriors, 44-24. The team will next have a home game against Moundridge. Elyria

Centers help when Meals on Wheels closed for snow

When senior centers in the county were closed because of a snowstorm earlier this month, Meals on Wheels were also suspended. Wilma Gilmer of Marion receives Meals on Wheels regularly because she has difficulty getting out of her home. However, she was well prepared for the storm.

Walk Kansas starts March 16

The county extension service will sponsor Walk Kansas from March 16 to May 10. The eight-week program will focus on helping participants be more active, make better nutrition choices, and learn ways to deal with stress. It is a team event that challenges participants to meet increasing levels of exercise. Participants will log and report their exercise each week. There will be weekly newsletters with exercise and nutrition tips, a recipe, and stress management ideas.

Senior board gives scholarship

In a report to the board of directors meeting for the Senior Citizens of Marion County, Gayla Ratzlaff told those in attendance that a commodity shipment would be delivered to Marion County in March instead of to Council Grove. She also shared information about the Marion County Health Fair to be March 29. A $500 scholarship was approved.

Exension to have class series on memory

The county extension service will offer a Master of Memory class series in March in Hillsboro. The classes will cover how memory works, strategies to improve memory, the effects of medications and medical conditions on memory, nutrition, memory function, and exercise for body and mind.

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