PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Library approaches final chapter upgrades

As 2015 winds down, Peabody Township Library has announced that a light is visible at the end of a long tunnel known as upgrades to an aging structure. A project that began five years ago has nearly reached fruition, bringing the 100-year old Carnegie Library into ADA compliance, replacing dangerous knob and tube electrical service, and upgrading the technology section.

Consultant discusses EMS refusals

Rice County EMS director and consultant Terry David met with commissioners Monday to discuss various issues confronting the ambulance service. David highlighted the number of transport refusals in the county this past year.

Hamm official interim road and birdge supervisor

Commissioner Lori Lalouette may have been absent from the commission meeting Monday, but the remaining commissioners announced Monday that Jesse Hamm, who temporarily was filling in for the road and bridge supervisor position, is now the official interim. “He’s got some things to learn,” Dallke said, “but he’s already got (8 years) with road and bridge.”

Sneaky limb lifters

Several people in Peabody spent time picking up limbs for others after the ice storm of a week ago. Peabody Farm Service partners Liz Clark, Chuck Mead, and Darcy Pease were out most of Sunday afternoon with three vehicles and three trailers going from street to street picking up limbs.

Florence water gets all clear

Transgender waiver for Tabor College hints at larger issues

When new guidance extending transgendered individuals protection against discrimination was issued by the U.S. Department of Education last year, Tabor College had a dilemma thrust upon it. How could the college accommodate, for example, a male who changed his gender identity to female who wanted to live in a women’s dormitory, participate on women’s sports teams, and use women’s restrooms, and still stay true to the Mennonite Brethren confession of faith it upholds?

Deadlines loom for holiday mail

The United States Postal Service expects to deliver more than 15 billion holiday cards, letters, and packages this holiday season, according to USPS information. That number includes more than 600 million packages. USPS expects standard domestic mail to arrive on time in the continental United States if mailed by Dec. 15. The likelihood of delivery in time for Christmas drops quickly after that date and the cost of guaranteed delivery rises. The post office offers priority mail express with a mail-by date of Dec. 23, but encourages senders to allow extra time for mail being delivered outside major cities.

Salvation Army collects money for locals

People shopping in Marion and Hillsboro this Christmas season are likely to see little red Salvation Army kettles in local banks and businesses. Alvin and Arlene Hett of Hillsboro are the Salvation Army’s local contacts. Arlene said they have placed 25 of the kettles, mostly in Hillsboro and Marion, but also in Florence and Durham.

Vespers service at Presbyterian church a spiritual tradition

Marion Presbyterian Church will celebrate the season of advent with its annual vespers service, a traditional night service of song and scripture that dates back to the early 1960s. This year’s service will be 5 p.m. Sunday at the church. Regular attendees know to show up about 15 minutes early to catch the prelude, pastor Jeremiah Lange said.

Dollar General to open Sunday in Marion

Dollar General will open its doors for shoppers Sunday, albeit without much fanfare for now. Spokeswoman Katie Kile said a grand opening would come in early January, but the store would be open for business much sooner than that “to get things started.”

Kansas fire marshal gives holiday safety tips

The office of the State Fire Marshal has issued suggestions to prevent fires this holiday season. Tips include testing smoke alarms and making sure they work, looking for flame-resistant artificial Christmas trees, and keeping them at least three feet away from heat sources. Never leave burning candles unattended, and use flashlights or battery-powered lamps in a power outage instead of candles.

USD 410 head finalist for Topeka job

Seaman USD 345, a 3,800-student district bordering Topeka’s northern boundary, announced Tuesday that USD 410 superintendent Steve Noble is one of two finalists for its vacant superintendent position. USD 410 hired Noble in February 2009 for his first stint as a superintendent following years of administrative and teaching experience.

Romayne McGuigan

Colleen Thompson

Colleen K. Thompson, 76, died Dec. 7 at Newton. A daughter, Vickie Schroeder of Marion, survives her. Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Tuesday at Jost Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Family will receive guests from 6 p.m. until service time on Tuesday.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil division

County jail

Criminal division

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Offenses reported

Police reports

Traffic division

Hett barn remains focus of family gatherings and picnics

Eldon and Rhonda Hett have expanded the setting of the historic limestone barn on their farm south of Aulne to include a pond and beach and other landscaping, providing a pleasant place for picnics and family gatherings. The barn dates back to the late 1800s. The farmstead was purchased by Eldon’s grandparents, John and Rena Hett, in 1919, and John lived there for almost 20 years after Rena died in 1958. They raised nine children.

Farming innovation gaining local 'track-tion'

Among the tractors on display at Marion County Fair this summer, one more than all the others caused passers-by to turn their heads to gape at its odd, unfamiliar appearance. It wasn’t the size or the gleaming red paint characteristic of Case IH equipment that caught their eyes. Instead, it was the absence of tires.

Conservation reserve applications open

Farmers and ranchers wanting to restore, enhance, and protect certain grasses, shrubs and trees can receive financial assistance through USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program. Goals of CRP are to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and reduce loss of wildlife habitat. Participants establish long-term, resource-conserving plant specie on marginally productive agricultural lands. In return, Farm Service Agency provides rental payments and cost-share assistance.

Will lower beef prices increase demand?

Live cattle sale prices have been trending downward since September. That might worry cattle producers, but they hope it will result in increased demand. “Supply and demand works,” said Lincolnville cow and calf producer Mark Harms. “You always want your product to be priced according to value. The consumer decides what to buy. My hope is they would keep on buying beef.”

Enjoying shopping spree season

You know how life sometimes smacks you around when you least expect it? That happened to me during the past week, but I figured out a way to make it work and here is how I did it. I got into my car the day after Thanksgiving and there was a strange bright signal on my dash screen. Before leaving the driveway, I consulted the instruction book that came with my vehicle and found out I was on borrowed time with my engine. Well, that did not seem to be the best news of the day. The instruction book told me that if this light came on and did not later shut off, I should see my mechanic because there was likely to be ‘an issue with my engine’. I assumed that meant that life was about to change.

Did we just go there?

Yes indeed, we did. In a county where “don’t ask, don’t tell” was standard practice long before the military officially adopted it, we’ve gone where small town newspapers often are reluctant to go.

CORRECTIONS:

Lutheran creche honors farm couple

Kansas winds batter all equally, and such was the case with plastic Nativity figurines that once adorned the lawn of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tampa, surrounded by a makeshift stable made of hay bales. “One wise man had his head screwed together so many times because it was getting blown off,” pastor Clark Davis said. “The old one had a horrible time with Kansas wind. We had to put bricks in the bottom of them.”

Riggs, Corbett to wed in June

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Riggs of Peabody and Mr. and Mrs. Keith Corbett of Oakley are pleased to announce the engagement of their children Merabeth Anne Corbett and Ethan Clark Riggs. Corbett is a 2011 graduate of Oakley High School and attended Kansas State University. She works as a teller and electronic banking representative at the Farmers State Bank of Oakley.

Christensens have Thanksgiving get-togehter

The Christensen family had a Thanksgiving dinner and get-together Nov. 26 at Eastmoor Church in Marion. Those who attended from Marion County included Mary M. Hett, Gene and Marge Christensen, Tim and Whitney Christensen, Tiffany and Clinton Jeffrey and Liam, Jay and Cheryl Christensen, Katelyn and Matthew, and Burton and Amy Harshman, Burt, Hailey, and Allie, all of Marion; and Camille Christensen, Tampa.

Senior menu

BURNS:

WONSEVU:

DAYS OF YORE:

Warriors fall to Bulldogs

Peabody-Burns faced off against Chase County Friday, and both Warriors teams were defeated. The Warriors girls lost 59-22 to the Bulldogs for their first game of the season.

Marion Rec youth basketball circus begins again

Each year to orchestrate her rec basketball league, Margo Yates takes on a list of scheduling accommodation requests that would put any scouting report to shame. Of the 61 teams in grades three through six, not one was without stipulations as to how it should be scheduled.

School menus

Peabody Achievers 4-H report

Peabody Achievers The first meeting of Peabody Achievers 4-H Club was Oct. 11 at Marion County fairgrounds with 10 members, two leaders, and five parents in attendance. For their program, club members painted pens.

School menu

Calendar of events

County seniors to meet

Senior Citizens of Marion County will meet at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 18 at the Marion Senior Center. Mill levy requests, distribution of end-of-year mill levy funding, and installation of newly-elected board members and farewells of old members are on the agenda.

TEEN to meet Dec. 16

Technology Excellence in Education Network will have its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 16 via phone conference. More information is available by calling Lena Kleiner at (620) 877-0237.

Goessel singers to join McPherson brass choir Sunday

The McPherson Community Brass Choir under the direction of Jerry Toews will present a free Christmas concert for the public at 7 p.m. Sunday at Alexanderwohl Church north of Goessel. The McPherson brass is the oldest performing McPherson musical organization and has been performing since 1973.

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