PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Flint Hills Market and Bakery closes

About seven months after opening for business, Flint Hills Market and Bakery emptied its shelves of its inventory Thursday and closed its doors in downtown Florence. Business owner Jenny Lee cited “personal reasons” for the closure, and stated the choice was not a “financial decision.”

Investigation into 'funny money' progressing

Peabody Police Chief Bruce Burke has issued a statement about the ongoing investigation into the distribution of small denomination counterfeit bills in Peabody. “We have a suspect,” he said. “The individual has not been formally charged, but we expect charges to be filed by Marion County Attorney’s office.”

Flushing, not fracking for oil near Peabody

An oil company that uses a saltwater disposal well about four miles northwest of Peabody has filed a request with the Kansas Corporation Commission asking to be allowed to increase the daily volume of saltwater disposed there. Trek AEC LLC, headquartered in Wichita, is asking to be allowed to increase the volume from its current volume of 3,000 barrels to 5,000 barrels per day at 250 pounds per square inch.

Council names candidate for pool manager

Peabody will have a new pool manager after the resignation of Beth Peter, discussed during a scheduled executive session at Monday evening’s Peabody City Council meeting. Peter requested that the session follow her annual report on the 2015 swimming season. She included council members, Mayor Larry Larsen, and city clerk Stephanie Lago in the 10-minute session.

HUB 10th anniversary is Friday

Friday will mark the beginning of a new decade of service to Peabody young people when the HUB is host to grand re-opening from 3:30 to 7 p.m., to which everyone is invited. “As with any business, we are proud to reach our 10th anniversary,” founder Doe Ann Hague said. “We’ve had our share of rough spots, but the community has remained supportive and we have had a good core group of loyal volunteers who are always there when we need them.”

Rancher attempts to rescue baby 'Easter bunnies'

Prospective future “Easter bunnies” have a county rancher to thank for saving them from possible slavering jaws of death. Mark Harms was clearing an area for a construction project in the family’s backyard March 16 near Lincolnville when he discovered four fuzzy cottontail babies nestled inside a fluff ball nest under a tin sheet.

Hospital signs physician for July arrival

Marion will welcome a new physician in early July when Scott Akers is expected to join the medical staff at St. Luke Hospital, CEO Jeremy Ensey announced Tuesday. “I feel very blessed for a search to go so smoothly and to find someone as quick as we did,” Ensey said.

Goessel man is MCC sale mechanic

Jerry Toews, 71, of Goessel has provided restored vehicles for the Mennonite Central Committee relief sale for almost 20 years. At least five of his restored vehicles will be auctioned April 8-9 at the Hutchinson fairgrounds. The mechanically inclined man said he likes anything old.

New sign-up period for conservation programs

April 11 through May 13 will be a new sign-up period for soil and water conservation cost-share programs. Funding will be available in July from Kansas Department of Agriculture. The water resources program provides cost-share assistance to landowners for terraces, diversions, new or restoration of grass waterways, livestock water systems, and grass seedings.

Agribusiness workshop presents new ideas

Bread marketer Norm Oeding, of Newton, learned a few things he didn’t know at an agribusiness development workshop in Marion Thursday. Bob Fettke, regional project manager from the Wichita office of Kansas Department of Commerce, talked to attendees about a utilities sales tax exemption for agriculture and other specific industries.

Going hungry for hunger's sake

While many students in the county enjoyed a day off from school on Friday, some decided to skip meals and use their time off to help others. Youth groups from four Hillsboro churches participated in a 30-hour fast that started at 8 a.m. Thursday morning and went into Friday afternoon.

Jared Gile to play Chingawassa

Midwest country music singer-songwriter Jared “Pete” Gile returns June 4 for a second year to open for headliner Phil Vassar at Chingawassa Days in Marion. Gile’s sound ranges from slow country to a faster paced rocking country feel.

Janet Smith

Janet D. “Jan” Smith, 66, died March 24 at St. Luke Living Center. A funeral service was Tuesday at Burdick United Methodist Church, with interment following in Lincolnville Cemetery.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

County jail

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Fish and game division

Police reports

Traffic division

Yes, we do rock

Some community-minded folks from Peabody United Methodist Church are going to provide a service for the community on Sunday. Calling their regular Sunday morning worship time “Faith in ACTION,” the congregation will meet at the church at 9:30 a.m. for a brief service and then spread out around town with pickups, trailers, and tools to clean up the mess that winter left behind. We have residents who still need help hauling limbs and branches that fell during the Thanksgiving week ice storm. Others could use help picking up trash and debris that blew in on winter winds. Still others might need a garden space cleared or a pile of rotting leaves swept off the front porch. If you want to be sure you get assistance, call the Methodist Church at (620) 983-2154 and leave your name and address so that work crews do not miss you.

Goertzen to share research of Peabody war camp at Lifelong Learning

Peggy Goertzen of Tabor College will speak about a World War II German prisoner of war camp that was located in the town of Peabody at Lifelong Learning at 9:45 a.m. Friday in the Wohlgemuth Music Education Building. Registration at the door is $5 and attendees may eat lunch in the Tabor Cafeteria for $4.

St. Luke employees attend training

St. Luke Hospital employees Frank Breugem and J.R. Ewing attended the Health Care Leadership for All-Hazards Incidents training course at Anniston, Alabama, March 13-19. At the training they learned about decision-making during a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive disaster with mass casualties.

Senior menu

BURNS:

DAYS OF YORE:

WONSEVU:

Women's choir to perform April 10

Tabor College’s women’s choir, Concerto Bella Voce, will perform their home concert at 4 p.m. April 10 at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. The concert is titled “The Tale of the Three Trees” and will be dedicated to former member Jenessa Hlad, who died suddenly last July. The event is open to the public.

Area school menu

Peabody down in numbers, not spirit

Peabody-Burns track may be down from having roughly 20 members to only eight, but head coach Kim Topham said that she is not worried about numbers. “Track’s such an individual sport,” Topham said. “You can set your own goals, and with the numbers we have, we’ll have individual goals more this year than team goals.”

Marion blends experience and youth

With a girls’ team that features three returning state placers and a bevy of quality athletes, Marion High coach Grant Thierolf has plenty to be enthusiastic about as track season approaches. But he’s equally enthusiastic about a senior whose wins haven’t been on the track; rather, they’ve been in the hearts of her teammates and coaches.

Hillsboro returns several state competitors

If you’re putting together a track team, having a returning state-champion pole vaulter is a good place to start. Marah Franz cleared 10 feet 6 inches last year to win the 3A girls’ vaulting crown. With the Trojans dropping to 2A competition this season, Franz goes into the season as the favorite, having soared higher than any of the returning 2A state competitors.

State-level talent leads Goessel

Goessel’s track teams will be anchored this season by two returning state medalists and four state qualifiers. Brittney Hiebert, fourth in the 800 meters and fifth in the 1600 at last year’s state meet, will be joined by state qualifiers Olivia Duerksen, Jennifer Meysing, Julia Nightengale, and Lauren Rymill.

Throwers to dominate Centre team

Of the 18 athletes out for track at Centre, 11 will be competing in throwing events. Coach Alan Stahlecker said that would limit Centre’s ability to compete in running and jumping events.

PBHS additions double size of Hillsboro baseball roster

Hillsboro High School baseball coach Doug Dick has a welcome problem this season: What is he going to do with all of the players he has? In a deal worked out earlier this year, an influx of 12 players from Peabody-Burns High School to complement Hillsboro’s 11 gives Dick a wealth of options and enough players to field a junior varsity squad.

Good gloves, fleet feet part of formula for MHS baseball

Marion High baseball coach Roger Schroeder hopes young is the new old this season, at least in terms of experience. “It’s going to be similar to last year in that we’re extremely young, but we should be more experienced based on the fact that we had so many young guys forced into the lineup last year,” he said. “I think that will help us. We played so much better the second half of the season. I’m hoping that positive momentum carries over.”

Upperclassmen set tone for Marion softball

If softball riches are to be found in numbers, then count Marion High softball coach Jennifer Felvus among the rich. Twenty-seven players have been on the practice field vying for varsity playing time, with experience coming to the fore as competition nears.

Sinclair putting pieces together for Hillsboro softball

Hillsboro High softball coach Stephanie Sinclair had a wealth of riches last year with a core group of six talented, experienced seniors who drove a state championship run that came up just short. This year, it’s back to the drawing board.

Enthusiasm increases Marion golf roster

Marion High baseball coach Roger Schroeder hopes young is the new old this season, at least in terms of experience. “It’s going to be similar to last year in that we’re extremely young, but we should be more experienced based on the fact that we had so many young guys forced into the lineup last year,” he said. “I think that will help us. We played so much better the second half of the season. I’m hoping that positive momentum carries over.”

Consistency key to Trojans golf

With five on the roster, three returning Trojans will serve as the heart of Hillsboro’s golf team. “I’m hoping we’ll be able to use all five guys for varsity this year,” coach O’Hare said. “But there are three young guys returning from last year that will be our core.”

Goessel looks to fill varsity golf slots

Goessel golf coach Chad Lindeman is on the hunt for varsity golfers, and if the past is any indication, he’ll find a combination that has a good chance of returning to state. “We’re pretty young and inexperienced at the varisity level this year,” he said.

Centre golf to focus on individual performance

With just one letter winner returning and four athletes out for spring golf at Centre, the emphasis will be on individual achievement. Senior Nathaniel Engler competed in the state meet last year and is hoping for a return trip. His lowest career score has been a 92.

Sophomores create Trojans tennis trio

A trio of Hillsboro sophomores are about to get their tennis game on. Jacob Isaac, Dakota Klein, and Dylan Wiens return for a second season.

Calendar of events

Citywide garage sales in April

Marion’s citywide garage sale will be April 30. Deadline to get listed on the map is 5 p.m. Friday, April 22. Look for entry forms at Marion County Record office and at local banks and city offices. The annual event is sponsored by this newspaper.

Chef Rob to hold grilling class

Chef Rob and Hillsboro Recreation Commission will hold a grilling class from 6 to 8 p.m. April 11 at Parkside Duplex number 10 in Hillsboro. The class will cover different ways to use marinades, rubs, and brining, and also will include grilling beef kabobs, bacon-wrapped drumsticks and grilled vegetables.

Essential oils class is April 18

Jill Utecht and Hillsboro Recreation Commission will be holding a Spring Cleaning with Essential Oils Make & Take Night class at 7 p.m. April 18 at Hillsboro City Hall. The class will focus on how to use essential oils to make natural cleaners that are simple, effective, and safe, and will include practical instructional time covering the best oils to use for cleaning, protocols for using oils in cleaning, and recipes for making cleaning supplies.

Waste Authority to hold meeting

Central Kansas Regional Solid Waste Authority will hold a quarterly meeting at 7 p.m. April 20 at McPherson County Transfer Station at 1431 17th Ave.

Cold weather rule to end Thursday

Kansas Cold Weather Rule will end on Thursday. Kansans who are behind on electric and natural gas utility bills will be subject to disconnection of service unless they contact their utility company to make payment arrangements.

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