PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

HEADLINES

Crackdown looming on illegal burns in county
After responding to 70 calls in nine days for out of control burns, rekindled burns, and unreported burns, Marion County Fire Chiefs Association representatives Lester Kaiser, Brad Pagenkopf, Fred Sheridan, and Ben Steketee met with commissioners Monday about the county burn ordinance. They want a revised burn resolution with clear language and stiffer penalties to deter burns from being started when conditions are hazardous.
School board passes credit recovery
A discussion to renew Steve Reiner for the summer credit recovery program was met with resistance from one board member during Monday’s meeting. Since Peabody-Burns no longer has summer school, credit recovery would allow students that have failed a class to make up for the class over the summer.
Peabody city crew shifts into summer gear
Peabody public works employee Todd Woodruff walked city council members through the process of getting the community ready for summer at council meeting Monday night. He and fellow employees Ronnie Harms and Harold Brooks, Jr. have removed winterization safeguards in park restrooms, water fountains, and at Peabody Municipal Pool.
County short on EMS volunteers
Ed Debesis knew he was short on volunteers when he took over as county EMS director March 30, but recent reductions in Marion have emphasized the need for recruitment. Chairman Randy Dallke echoed that sentiment at Monday’s commission meeting.
Commissioners have mixed feelings toward lake houseboats
People live all around Marion County Park and Lake, but commissioners have their doubts about people living on it. Parks and Lake superintendent Steve Hudson approached commissioners Monday with a request from an individual to put a houseboat on Marion County Lake.
Shotgun-toting teen arrested on multiple drug charges
An out-of-county teen was arrested on suspicion of multiple drug charges including intent to distribute, and criminal use of weapons, at 10:41 p.m. April 6 near US-56 and Eisenhower St. Marion Police officer Lee Vogel stopped Jaron Palmer, 19, Wichita, for driving a vehicle with no tag light. Vogel’s police report indicated that Palmer was suspected of being under the influence of drugs.
Cleanup day is chance to enjoy the great outdoors
Lloyd Davies of Marion is once again in the midst of a familiar guessing game that he’s played each of the past 13 years: How many volunteers will participate in this year’s cleanup day at Marion Reservoir? “Lots of times I just don’t know who’s going to show up,” he said. “I’d love to have as many as we can get. Last year was great. We had close to 60 volunteers altogether. Other times we’ve had 15 to 30. Sometimes we just get an off day.”

OTHER HEADLINES

New FACT director says goal is to improve lives
Families and Communities Together has a new director who hopes to build on the efforts of past leaders to continue to improve the lives of people in the Marion County community. Joy Mark of Hillsboro took over on Dec. 31. She replaced Ashlee Gann, who resigned. FACT is an umbrella organization that oversees several Marion County social programs that benefit families and individuals needing services.
New Marion business expects to employ 10 people
A business that repairs, replaces and retrofits sliding doors for farm buildings is preparing to set up shop in Marion and expects to employ about 10 during its first year in business. Marion city council members agreed Monday to sell the former Arlie’s building at 828 Roosevelt St. to John and Amy Minor, owners of Power Track Sliding Door Systems of Kansas.

DEATHS

JoAnn Berry
Merrill Branson
Merrill C. Branson, 83, died Monday at St. Luke Living Center. No services have been scheduled at this time.
Beth Eldridge
A funeral service for Beth Ellen Eldridge, 59, Peabody, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Peabody Methodist Church. Visitation is 7 p.m. today at Gracepoint Church in Peabody.
Harvey Gaines
Harvey M. “Tony” Gaines of Peabody died Sunday. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Baker Funeral Home, Peabody.
Mary Goertz
Mary Jean “Jeanie” Goertz, 65, died Thursday at Heartland of Marion, Ohio. Burial with a graveside service will take place 10 a.m. Friday at Haven of Rest Cemetery, Hillsboro. A memorial service was held Monday at Mount Vernon Avenue Church of Christ, Marion, Ohio.
Penny Helland
A memorial service for Penny Janiece (Hanes) (Hedrick) Helland, 53, who died Jan. 3 in Coupeville, Washington, will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Hillcrest Cemetery in Florence. A potluck luncheon will follow at Florence Masonic Hall.

DOCKET

FARM

Dairy farmer sees the light with LED
LED could stand for “light enhanced dairy” after an area dairy farmer installed a new lighting system with the help of a state grant. Jason Wiebe, a dairy farm owner in Durham, recently received a $2,771 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant for replacing about 15 old metal hay lights in his free-stall dairy barn with approximately 30 LED lights.
Wheat prices continues downward trend
The decline in grain prices that began last fall appears to be continuing. On March 11, wheat was $4.10 at Lincolnville, but had dropped to $3.70 on Monday.
MES and Tabor team up for farm field trip
Marion Elementary School first grade students rolled up sleeves and got dirty in the name of hands-on education Friday at a Farm Fair event near Canada that included instructive guidance from Tabor College professors and students. Dave and Joanne Loewen, a Tabor College professor couple, opened a family farm that borders the reservoir north of US-56 on Nighthawk Rd. for the Farm Fair.
Retiring coop manager saw major changes
During the 40 years that Stan Utting has been a co-op manager, he’s seen a lot of change, from deregulation of railroads and crop acreages to bigger farms and larger elevators. Utting will retire after the final business meeting of Agri Producers, Inc. on April 23. He led the board of directors through a merger process with Hope and Chapman cooperatives that took effect March 1. Darrell Anderson of Hope is the new Agri Trails Cooperative manager.
Salina conference to spotlight ag teaching
The Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom is hosting its first-ever summer conference for Kansas teachers. “Creating the Best Day Ever” will be June 2 at the Salina Bicentennial Center. The conference is open to Kansas teachers, volunteers, out-of-school program coordinators and anyone interested in agriculture education.

OPINION

Figuring out how to fix it
I hope that all of you who live in Peabody took a few moments to read the bulletin that was sent to you with your city water bill. It had to do with an important gathering planned for April 28 at 7 p.m. in the Ann Potter room of Peabody Township Library. Many of you have concerns about the quality of life in Peabody, where we are headed, how to fix our water delivery system, maintain a good and wholesome place to raise and educate young families, and pay for the many services we need to be a prosperous and forward looking community.
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS:
Spring Fling

PEOPLE

Music, art, and food to be offered at block party
Donors needed for blood drives
Marion County residents have upcoming opportunities to donate blood at Red Cross Blood Drives. Red Cross will be in Hillsboro from 1 to 6 p.m. April 22 at Trinity Mennonite Church fellowship hall.
Frank to speak on emergency situations
Marion County Emergency Management director Randy Frank will speak at Tabor College’s Lifelong Learning at 9:45 a.m. Friday in the Wohlgemuth Music Education building. Frank will present helpful information regarding storm preparedness and emergency situations.
Piano and voice recital is Saturday
Anita Hancock’s piano and voice students will perform at 3 p.m. Saturday at USD 408 Performing Arts Center. Cooper Bailey, Abi Bernhardt, Jenna Bittle, Olivia Carlson, Cadence Craig, Aubrey Craig, Paige Ensey, Shaliah Ensley, Shyann Harris, Shyla Harris, Cade Harms, Hailey Harshman, Grace Hett, Kaelynn Metro, Jayden Spencer, Mia Spencer, and Abby Wesner will perform.
Senior menu
BURNS:
Families and friends visit in Burns
DAYS OF YORE:
10, 25, 50, 100, 125 years ago
WONSEVU:
Snellings host Easter dinner

SCHOOL AND SPORTS

School funding still in state of flux
Although Gov. Sam Brownback last week signed a school funding bill designed to satisfy an earlier Kansas Supreme Court mandate to properly fund schools or shut them down July 1, county schools remain in limbo. Lee Leiker, superintendent of USD 408, said the Supreme Court, which has ordered the attorney general to file a brief in Gannon v Kansas by April 18, has put the bill on a fast track for hearing. Attorneys for the plaintiffs must file a response by April 28.
Golfers improve scores
Several Marion/Peabody-Burns golfers improved 18-hole scores Monday at a Central Christian golf tournament in Hutchinson. The Warriors placed seventh of eight schools with a score of 435, missing sixth place by six strokes.
Area piano students take annual music exam
Area students participated in the District 6 Kansas Music Teachers Association Music Progressions at Bethel College on April 9. The event evaluates the progressive growth students studying music as a hobby and those wishing to be professional musicians. In addition to performing on piano, each student was tested in areas of listening, keyboard theory, and written theory.
Area school menu

UPCOMING

Calendar of events
CMBS spring banquet to be April 23
Halstead minister Linford Holdeman will be the keynote speaker for the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies spring banquet at 6:30 p.m. April 23 in the Wohlgemuth Building at Tabor College. Holdeman will speak on “Beginnings and Distinctive of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.”
Tabor band concert is April 24
Tabor College symphonic band will perform at 4 p.m. April 24 at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. The performance will feature a variety of sacred songs ranging from the 16th century to 20th century contemporary worship music.
Disability group to meet
The board of directors of Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization will hold its regular monthly meeting 4 p.m. Monday in the meeting room at 500 N. Main St., Suite 204, Newton. A public forum is scheduled at the beginning of the meeting.
TEEN to meet April 30
Technology Excellence in Education Network will hold its regular meeting at 6 p.m. April 20 in the USD 408 district office in Marion. More information is available by calling Lena Kliener at (620) 877-0237.

PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

A discussion to renew Steve Reiner for the summer credit recovery program was met with resistance from one board member during Monday’s meeting. Since Peabody-Burns no longer has summer school, credit recovery would allow students that have failed a class to make up for the class over the summer.

Ed Debesis knew he was short on volunteers when he took over as county EMS director March 30, but recent reductions in Marion have emphasized the need for recruitment. Chairman Randy Dallke echoed that sentiment at Monday’s commission meeting.

People live all around Marion County Park and Lake, but commissioners have their doubts about people living on it. Parks and Lake superintendent Steve Hudson approached commissioners Monday with a request from an individual to put a houseboat on Marion County Lake.

Merrill C. Branson, 83, died Monday at St. Luke Living Center. No services have been scheduled at this time.

A funeral service for Beth Ellen Eldridge, 59, Peabody, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Peabody Methodist Church. Visitation is 7 p.m. today at Gracepoint Church in Peabody.

Harvey M. “Tony” Gaines of Peabody died Sunday. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Baker Funeral Home, Peabody.

Mary Jean “Jeanie” Goertz, 65, died Thursday at Heartland of Marion, Ohio. Burial with a graveside service will take place 10 a.m. Friday at Haven of Rest Cemetery, Hillsboro. A memorial service was held Monday at Mount Vernon Avenue Church of Christ, Marion, Ohio.

A memorial service for Penny Janiece (Hanes) (Hedrick) Helland, 53, who died Jan. 3 in Coupeville, Washington, will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Hillcrest Cemetery in Florence. A potluck luncheon will follow at Florence Masonic Hall.

The decline in grain prices that began last fall appears to be continuing. On March 11, wheat was $4.10 at Lincolnville, but had dropped to $3.70 on Monday.

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS:

Marion County residents have upcoming opportunities to donate blood at Red Cross Blood Drives. Red Cross will be in Hillsboro from 1 to 6 p.m. April 22 at Trinity Mennonite Church fellowship hall.

Marion County Emergency Management director Randy Frank will speak at Tabor College’s Lifelong Learning at 9:45 a.m. Friday in the Wohlgemuth Music Education building. Frank will present helpful information regarding storm preparedness and emergency situations.

BURNS:

DAYS OF YORE:

WONSEVU:

Several Marion/Peabody-Burns golfers improved 18-hole scores Monday at a Central Christian golf tournament in Hutchinson. The Warriors placed seventh of eight schools with a score of 435, missing sixth place by six strokes.

Halstead minister Linford Holdeman will be the keynote speaker for the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies spring banquet at 6:30 p.m. April 23 in the Wohlgemuth Building at Tabor College. Holdeman will speak on “Beginnings and Distinctive of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.”

Tabor College symphonic band will perform at 4 p.m. April 24 at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. The performance will feature a variety of sacred songs ranging from the 16th century to 20th century contemporary worship music.

The board of directors of Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization will hold its regular monthly meeting 4 p.m. Monday in the meeting room at 500 N. Main St., Suite 204, Newton. A public forum is scheduled at the beginning of the meeting.

Technology Excellence in Education Network will hold its regular meeting at 6 p.m. April 20 in the USD 408 district office in Marion. More information is available by calling Lena Kliener at (620) 877-0237.