PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

HEADLINES

School board takes bond off the table
The state’s school funding bill will change things for Peabody-Burns schools and allow the board of education different options to complete projects on their wish list without a bond. Discussion was held among board members about options to raise property taxes. The recent bill increased the cap for local property taxes from 30 percent to 33 percent of the general fund after a public mail-in ballot.
Pool repairs will not wait on budget issues
Peabody City Council members heard Monday night that emergency repairs had been made to the swimming pool during the past week. On April 7, city employees pulled the cover from the pool to begin the process of getting it ready for opening in May, and discovered a large crack on the west wall where the fiberglass lining had pulled away from the wall.
Skunk eludes capture on Main St.
Assistant Police Chief Clinton Jeffery said about four sources reported seeing a skunk running down Main Street Friday just before noon. “It was moving kind of funny on its back legs,” he said. “People were wondering if it was rabid.”
Photographer finds nest with owlets
Strange feathery faces may not be noticed to those driving down U.S. 50, but with their vision they certainly see everyone. A nest of great horned owlets reside about a mile west of Florence in a sycamore tree off U.S. 50 and near the railroad tracks. Phoebe Janzen stumbled upon the nest during one of her many photography excursions during the winter and started monitoring the nest.
Huelskamp answers questions at town hall
A handful of concerned constituents attended a town hall held by Rep. Tim Huelskamp Monday at the Hillsboro city building. Several asked questions pertaining to foreign debt, the farm bill, food stamps, minimum wage, and the federal budget. Residents from Hillsboro, Lehigh, and surrounding communities posed questions about the budget and government programs such as food stamps.
MEDI hears updates on business projects
City administrator Roger Holter reported to Marion Economic Development on Tuesday that renovations on 12 out of 20 apartments are complete at September I, and that Victory Plaza is ready to begin pouring pads for duplexes. Holter said he hopes the duplexes will be filled with about one-half current Marion residents and half people coming from out of town. Work on Subway is continuing to progress, Greg Carlson said, and Holter said Ace Hardware is in the process of hiring.
Town hall to feature drunk driving warning
Guest speaker Jared Estes will talk at a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. April 23 at Centre High School about how he and his family were involved in a drunk driving accident. Pizza will be served, and residents will have an opportunity to turn in expired medication for disposal. Marion County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and Marion County Peace Officers Association sponsor the event. For more information contact Ashlee Gann at (620) 877-0197 or Jill Day at (785) 983-4321.
Schmidt cautions after transfer station burglary
Transfer Station Director Rollin Schmidt told commissioners Monday he would have to find a better way to secure the station after it was broken into during the weekend. Schmidt said burglars broke into one of the windows on the north side of the station, then kicked open the office door and stole around $80 cash. There was minimal damage.
Country-rock band added to Chingawassa lineup
The Silver Bullet Band is the final addition to the music lineup at Chingawassa Days. The country-rock quartet from Kansas City will perform the evenings of June 6 and 7. They play covers of songs by Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, George Strait, Keith Urban, Little Texas, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and others.
Many Easter egg hunts around the county Saturday
Several local Easter egg hunts will be Saturday around the county. Children can hunt for eggs and discover what prizes the Easter bunny left for them. Marion — Children can hunt for eggs beginning at 10:30 a.m. in Central Park. The Easter bunny will make an appearance.
Fake Facebook profiles are scammers in disguise
Iva Britton was already on the paper’s friend list when another friend request from her showed up.

DEATHS

Harold Bauer
Harold Jerome Bauer, 85, died April 8, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born Jan. 7, 1929, at St. Rose Hospital in Great Bend, Kan., to Henry J. and Lydia Minnie (Nolte) Bauer. He worked for 60 years at Bauer’s Grocery in Hudson, a business started by his father in the 1920s and continued on by him and his brother, Charles Dean Bauer.
Lucilla Funk
Lucilla Funk, 91, died April 9 at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. She was born July 25, 1922, to Wilhelm and Martha (Richert) Unruh in Hillsboro. She married Elmer Funk on April 26, 1945, in rural Goessel.
Lucy Hughes
Lucy P. Hughes, 97, died April 8 at Asbury Park in Newton. She was born March 19, 1917, in Tampa to John and Gertrude Hutchison Pleiser. She grew up and attended school in Tampa, graduating from high school in 1935. She was bookkeeper and office manager for a piano and organ company in California for many years.
Mable Nicodemus
Mable Nicodemus, 93, died Sunday at Newton Medical Center. She was born Sept. 5, 1920, in Newton to Gilbert and Chloe (Meiers) Taylor. On April 21, 1940, she married Don “Nick” Nicodemus in Lindsborg. She was a longtime member of Salem United Methodist Church in Newton.
Dustin Thiesen
Dustin D. Thiesen, 29, died Thursday at his rural Hillsboro residence. He was born Dec. 16, 1984, to Duane D. and Donna K. (Janzen) Thiesen in Newton. He is survived by his father, Duane D. Thiesen of Gainsville, Texas; mother, Donna K. Spoonemore of rural Hillsboro; two sisters, Jamie Spoonemore and Holly Spoonemore of rural Hillsboro; and his companion dog, Duster.
IN MEMORIAM:
Georgia Lalouette

DOCKET

OPINION

How did this happen?
Well, it finally started in earnest. I have avoided the inevitable for so long that I thought I might actually skip the whole thing. Listening to friends try to handle this situation didn’t help because I thought I would remain exempt. Apparently, I would not need to go for a big cover up, so no one would know what really happened. However, now that I seem to have reached that point where the facts are out there for everyone to see, I admit I did think about covering it up. However, the other option is to attack the whole thing with grace and poise and just let the chips fall where they may. I am certainly not the first woman in this situation and I won’t be the last.
DAYS OF YORE:
Days of Yore

PEOPLE

Program presented to Burns seniors
Twenty-eight Burns senior citizens and friends met April 8 at the Burns Community Building for the monthly meeting and potluck luncheon. Beverly Morgan gave the invocation and all saluted the flag.
CDDO meeting is April 21
The board of directors of the Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization will have its monthly meeting at 4 p.m. April 21 at 500 N. Main St., Suite 204 in Newton. An opportunity for a public forum will be included.
Wiens family celebrates Easter
The family of MaryAnn Wiens celebrated Easter with dinner April 13 at the Hilltop Community Room. Those in attendance from Marion were MaryAnn Weins, Gerald and Jan Wiens, Jennifer Schneider, Don and Janice Hodson, Jeff, Erica and Noah Richmond, Lindsey Richmond and Bryan Grosse and Braylee, Jerry, Loreen and Eli Hett, and guest Frankie Turner.
20th Century Club members bond over sandwiches
Twenty-one members of 20th Century Club gathered at Zimmerman’s on April 7. The group shared hot ham and cheese sandwiches, salad, and dessert. Teresa Huffman, county economic developer, told the group about ways her office supports existing businesses and tourism in the county.
Neo-Century Club learns about knitting
Members of the Neo-Century Club listened to a program given by Karen Ehrlich, owner of Down on the Corner, about types of needles and yarns April 7 at Hilltop Manor. Hostesses were Suzanne Thole, Lou Roberts, and Lenore Dieter.
Leadership group tours schools
Leadership Marion County class and board members toured county school districts April 3 for Education Day. At each school the group listened to students, teachers, and district leaders about leadership, entrepreneurship, and technology programs.
Poverty simulation is May 3
Circles of Marion County and Families and Communities Together will have a poverty simulation May 3. The event will try to help participants answer the question, “What choices would you make if you had too little time and money to meet your needs?” The event is intended for people age 16 or older.
Lifelong Learning session to discuss history of phrases
The final Lifelong Learning session of the semester will feature the “Purveyor of the Past” and history teacher Joe Basso. At 9:15 a.m., April 25 in the Wohlgemuth Music Education Center at Tabor College, patrons will learn about the history and origins of several nursery rhymes and everyday expressions.
HOPE IN THE HEARTLAND:
Do you date ignore Easter?
WONSEVU:
Grandparents attend track meet
BURNS:
Methodist women visit friends

SCHOOL AND SPORTS

Peabody-Burns track athletes getting comfortable
The Peabody-Burns track teams struggled to score points at the Marion Relays Friday, but coach Brian Lightner said his athletes are better after competing. The boys’ team scored 11 points, placing 11th out of 14 schools. Junior Edmonson set personal records in each of his four events and Cody Partridge lead the team in points with a second place finish in the high jump. Lightner said several athletes had to step in for sick teammates also.
Pie throws raise money
Tabor College students raised $1,500 to provide a water well and other improvements for a ministry in Thailand, and they did it by throwing pies at faculty and staff members. For every dollar students donated, they could throw a whipped cream pie at a professor or staff member.
Gymnasts compete at state
Four of the six gymnasts on the Marion Skywalkers competition team placed at state competition April 5 in Independence. Emily Schafers of Marion placed first in the double-mini and trampoline and second in floor. Trevor Schafers, also of Marion, placed first in all three events. Emily qualified for national competition with her score for double-mini, and Trevor qualified with his trampoline routine.

SENIOR LIVING

Volunteers help seniors get around
Al and Gloria Ash of Marion are among a group of volunteers in the county who drive senior citizens to doctor appointments and other appointments, and they say it never feels like a burden. “We enjoy doing this,” Gloria Ash said.
Free preventive services offered for seniors on Medicare
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the government free of charge provides preventive services for those with Medicare insurance. Along with free yearly wellness exams, Medicare recipients can get free screenings for early detection of diseases before there are any symptoms. These screenings include mammograms, colonoscopies, and checks for high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Smokers on Medicare can get free help to kick the habit.

PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Assistant Police Chief Clinton Jeffery said about four sources reported seeing a skunk running down Main Street Friday just before noon. “It was moving kind of funny on its back legs,” he said. “People were wondering if it was rabid.”

The Silver Bullet Band is the final addition to the music lineup at Chingawassa Days. The country-rock quartet from Kansas City will perform the evenings of June 6 and 7. They play covers of songs by Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, George Strait, Keith Urban, Little Texas, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and others.

Several local Easter egg hunts will be Saturday around the county. Children can hunt for eggs and discover what prizes the Easter bunny left for them. Marion — Children can hunt for eggs beginning at 10:30 a.m. in Central Park. The Easter bunny will make an appearance.

Iva Britton was already on the paper’s friend list when another friend request from her showed up.

Lucilla Funk, 91, died April 9 at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. She was born July 25, 1922, to Wilhelm and Martha (Richert) Unruh in Hillsboro. She married Elmer Funk on April 26, 1945, in rural Goessel.

Mable Nicodemus, 93, died Sunday at Newton Medical Center. She was born Sept. 5, 1920, in Newton to Gilbert and Chloe (Meiers) Taylor. On April 21, 1940, she married Don “Nick” Nicodemus in Lindsborg. She was a longtime member of Salem United Methodist Church in Newton.

IN MEMORIAM:

DAYS OF YORE:

Twenty-eight Burns senior citizens and friends met April 8 at the Burns Community Building for the monthly meeting and potluck luncheon. Beverly Morgan gave the invocation and all saluted the flag.

The board of directors of the Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization will have its monthly meeting at 4 p.m. April 21 at 500 N. Main St., Suite 204 in Newton. An opportunity for a public forum will be included.

Twenty-one members of 20th Century Club gathered at Zimmerman’s on April 7. The group shared hot ham and cheese sandwiches, salad, and dessert. Teresa Huffman, county economic developer, told the group about ways her office supports existing businesses and tourism in the county.

Members of the Neo-Century Club listened to a program given by Karen Ehrlich, owner of Down on the Corner, about types of needles and yarns April 7 at Hilltop Manor. Hostesses were Suzanne Thole, Lou Roberts, and Lenore Dieter.

Leadership Marion County class and board members toured county school districts April 3 for Education Day. At each school the group listened to students, teachers, and district leaders about leadership, entrepreneurship, and technology programs.

HOPE IN THE HEARTLAND:

WONSEVU:

BURNS:

Tabor College students raised $1,500 to provide a water well and other improvements for a ministry in Thailand, and they did it by throwing pies at faculty and staff members. For every dollar students donated, they could throw a whipped cream pie at a professor or staff member.

Al and Gloria Ash of Marion are among a group of volunteers in the county who drive senior citizens to doctor appointments and other appointments, and they say it never feels like a burden. “We enjoy doing this,” Gloria Ash said.