BREAKING NEWS
UPDATED AFTER PRINT DEADLINE
All toxic algae warnings and advisories for Marion Reservoir were lifted Thursday for only the second week this summer. The only other week since May 31 when neither an advisory nor a more serious warning was in effect was June 21 through 28.
Devon Gaines went to the front of the championship line several times with his Shorthorn steer, named Shorty, last week during the Marion County Fair. And even though he won several awards, what he enjoyed most was the mellow personality of his project. “He’s always been a real tame calf,” Devon said. “I’ve been working with him all summer, putting him under fans, letting my little brother play around him, and just leading him around every day. He’s never caused any problems.”
After more than a dozen special meetings to work on the 2013 budget, Peabody City Council published its intent to hold a public budget hearing in the past week’s issue of the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin. At the council meeting Monday evening, Tom Schmidt said he was pleased by the effort the council members, department heads, and City Administrator Mac Manning had made to keep the mill levy the same as it was in 2012.
Kansas Department of Transportation has announced that on or about August 1, KDOT crews will begin crack sealing a section of Highway 50 in eastern Harvey County between Walton and Peabody. The project starts about one half mile west of the city of Walton and continues east about eight and a half miles to the Harvey/Marion County line.
Pasture fires came in threes this past week as seven Marion County fire departments battled blazes sparked by lightning, whipped by wind, and fueled by cow pies. When Burns Fire Department Chief Barry Black and his crew arrived July 25 at Northwest 150th Road and U.S. 77 in northern Butler County, the skies were thick with smoke from two more grass fires to the east.
Corn has started flowing to Marion County elevators, but the drought has forced a difficult decision on soybean farmers: cut their losses by baling now to use for feeding livestock, or hang on hoping for the rain that could lead to harvestable cash crops. “We’re in the middle of a wreck right now,” extension agent Rickey Roberts said. “A few weeks ago I thought we were in slightly better shape than last year. It’s done nothing but get hotter and drier. It’s not looking good for anything right now.”
Under the Kansas Secure and Fair Elections Act that went into effect last year, each voter must bring a photo ID when casting his or her ballot in Tuesday’s primary election. Among the IDs acceptable are a driver’s license, a concealed- carry handgun license, a U.S. passport, and identification cards issued to government employees, members of the military, students at Kansas colleges, public assistance recipients, and members of Indian tribes.
Glenda Rae Bernhardt, 51, died Wednesday, July 25, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo. Glenda was born July 5, 1961, at Glasco, Kan., the daughter of Paul and LaVerna Liby Higle. She was raised in Glasco and lived there for some years as an adult.
Retired schoolteacher Nuna Lee Friesen Parks, 83, died Friday at Salem Home, Hillsboro. Services were Monday. Jost Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Born Sept. 7, 1928, in Newton to Mart and Agnes (Groening) Friesen, she married Edward Parks Sr. last Nov. 19 in Eureka Springs, Ark.
Former Hillsboro businessman Arthur Wilhelm Schultz, 77, died July 25 at McPherson Care Center. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Aug. 18 at Stockham Family Funeral Home, McPherson. The Rev. Tom Mayse will officiate. There will be no visitation.
There were plenty of animals, photography entries, cooking projects, and other exhibits to view at the Marion County Fair this year. But there were not as many people to appreciate them. “I believe the heat does affect fair crowds,” extension agent Rickey Roberts said. “We just don’t have a facility that people can go into to cool off, like some other counties do, so some people just stay away altogether.”
It started out as a themed tribute to the “oldies,” but the Sock Hop last week at the Marion County Fair turned into a rain dance and an opportunity for young and old to have fun. “This is the first time I have ever seen people run out to dance in the rain,” said Brian Finch, owner of Finch on the Run Entertainment who provided music for the event. “That was so much fun. Actually, my whole trip to Hillsboro was so much fun because all the people I met were so friendly. It was so neat to see people of all ages having fun together. You don’t see that everywhere.”
She might be the youngest fair food service manager in the history of the Marion County Fair, but Hannah Perry, age 20, has a lot of experience when it comes to feeding multitudes. Last week, Perry supervised sale of chili dogs, nachos, drinks, and many other items to more than 700 people in the 4-H building on the Marion County fairgrounds. The hours were long, often 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., but Perry relied on experience to get the job done.
Hillsboro residents may have noticed the Waldron family at events like Hillsboro High School and Tabor basketball games. The young couple, complete with an energetic 2-year-old in tow, is hard to miss, especially if daughter Lydia is dressed in her fuzzy Bluejay outfit. Those same residents may have wondered how the Waldrons ended up in Central Kansas.
For four years, Marion Manufacturing floor manager Dave Richmond went through the same agonizing routine. He would bring in hardworking employees for three months during the company’s busy period and then send them back to unemployment when business slowed. Like most businesses, Marion Manufacturing was struck by the floundering economy.
A common horror story is told about Medicare in campaign commercials. It’s scarier than “Friday the 13th” or “Nightmare on Elm Street.” It’s also non-fiction. “Nobody wants to have a senior who is choosing between rent, a grocery bill, or medicine,” Karen Mayse said.
Marion County Commission proposed a 1.5 percent tax increase Tuesday, an increase of $9.78 on property taxes for a typical $85,000 home. The 2013 budget will be published and then residents will have an opportunity to voice opinions at a public hearing Aug. 20.
Have you seen the Internet pictures of the sign that says, “Satan called…he wants his weather back”? I think we should make an attempt to accommodate him. If you are the one who ordered up this heat wave, it is time to quit messing around and send it right back where it belongs. I am not watering my lawn or the big mature trees, but I am watering some smaller trees and shrubs, and the neighborhood birds and squirrels. The birds show their appreciation by doing their business all over my car. I am not sure how the squirrels show their gratitude…as a matter of fact, I am not sure I have ever seen squirrel “business.” I might have to put that on my bucket list for some future investigation.
DAYS OF YORE:
Days of yoreLETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
Wetta questions cost of city employees' insurance
It has been a disturbing network of events for Frelna Crawford, an ongoing saga that has taken place outside of her home. She never saw who did it, only caught fleeting glimpses. An old discolored pickup truck has been one regular visitor. A succession of vehicles speeding off into the distance all had something in common. They left cats, unwanted burdens, at the city limits of Marion.
Crafts are close to Susan Nafziger’s heart. An early childhood education specialist, she has spent many years creating activities for kids, including her own two children. It is only natural that her love of crafts and children became intertwined with another family interest, old-time engines and tractors.
Lorenzo Hurde, owner of Lorenzo’s Barbecue, didn’t set out to make a business of barbecuing when he started in 1962 in Larned. He barbecued as a hobby, often providing meals at church. Then he started catering part time. At the time, he was an engineer for the State of Kansas, but it wasn’t long before he realized he was making more money with barbecue than with engineering.
Mennonite Heritage and Agriculture Museum in Goessel will dedicate an addition to its Turkey Red Wheat Palace at 3 p.m. Sunday. The addition doubles the size of the original building, built in 1974. The old and new structures share a wall and together cover one-fourth of an acre.
Emporia State University’s small business center will offer free consulting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 22 at Butler Community College Marion campus, 412 N. Second St. Appointments may be made by calling (316) 218-6311.
More than 30 years ago, Greg Topham’s father gave him advice that shaped his career. “My dad was working for the post office, and he encouraged me to take the test,” Topham said.
Marion County Democratic Women observed National Day of the Cowboy at their lunch meeting Friday at Marion Senior Center. Sue Clough, Neysa Eberhard, Marilyn Cox, Estelle McCarty, and Connie Fisher read cowboy poetry.
The children of Roger and Cheryl Steward of Florence are requesting a card shower for their parents’ 50th wedding anniversary Monday. Cards may be sent to 103 E. 3rd St., Florence KS 66851.
The Newton law firm of Adrian & Pankratz has recently named Tim Hodge a partner and shareholder. Hodge, a graduate of Hillsboro High School, Tabor College, and Washburn University School of Law, has practiced with Adrian & Pankratz since 2003.
Four generations of the descendants of Daniel and Sara (Heller) Higgins were represented by 73 attendees at the 82nd annual reunion of the Heller-Higgins family July 22 at the Marion County Lake Hall. The family had a pot luck dinner and an afternoon of visiting.
Robert Landis of Lehigh will receive a $50 gift card for free fuel, redeemable at any Cenex location. Jamie Perkins, Landis’ daughter, nominated him for the award.
ANNIVERSARY:
Stuchliks gather to celebrate golden anniversaryCORRESPONDENTS:
Ammeter,
Burns
Enrollment for students in Peabody-Burns school district will be next week at the high school gymnasium. Students may enroll anytime from 8 a.m. to noon, 1 to 5 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 9 or from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 10.
When Esther Harms of North Newton died last fall, her husband, Wilmer, decided to honor her with a donation to Tabor College. The college is putting the more than $300,000 donation into construction of a much-needed dormitory.
Deadline to register for the fifth Annual Triple Threat Triathlon in Hillsboro is Aug. 20. Registration forms are online at http://www.woodswellness.com/Pages/TripleThreatTriathlon.aspx. The event will include a family triathlon at 9 a.m. on Aug. 25 in which three family members can compete, one person per event. Cost is $30 per family. At least one child and one adult must be on each team.
Parents of junior and senior high students who will be participating in fall sports will meet at 6:30 p.m. August 10 in Brown Gymnasium at the high school. The meeting will cover requirements for students participating in cross country, volleyball, and football, and cheerleading.
