PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Hydrant not responsible for house loss

Countering eyewitness testimony from Leroy Wetta at the last Peabody city council meeting following a house fire on April 7, fire chief Mark Penner confirmed Friday that while yes, there was a malfunctioning hydrant, it had no direct effect on the severity of the fire or quickness with which it spread. The fire resulted in the total loss Chris Litton and Julia Mosqueda’s home in the 700 block of N. Walnut St. According to Penner, when crews arrived on scene Litton was in the process of cutting a hole in his roof with a chain saw, as an attempt to keep the fire contained to one area of the home.

Cold feet thwart violent crime

An alleged plan to steal from and kidnap a Hillsboro man at knifepoint landed another Hillsboro man in jail on $500,000 bond Saturday, after his would-be partner backed out and, apparently in fear of his life, reported the plot to police. Patric Patterson, 20, Hillsboro, allegedly asked Alexander Barlow, 18, Hillsboro, to assist him in a plan to enter the residence of 76-year-old Hillsboro Ford employee Ron Herbel to steal money and vehicle keys, use a knife to coerce Herbel into giving them his personal financial information, and kidnap him, police reported.

Sex crime hearing delayed for teacher

Preliminary hearing for a Peabody-Burns High School teacher charged with eight felonies alleging unlawful sexual relations and sexual exploitation of two students had his preliminary hearing in court delayed two months. Social studies teacher Chris Young is charged with five counts of unlawful sexual relations and three counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

Out with the old, in with new playground equipment

Longtime conversations about new playground equipment for Peabody-Burns Elementary School were revisited at Wednesday’s board of education meeting. After almost $15,000 was utilized in the playground used by preschool students on the northwest corner of the school, Superintendent Ron Traxson’s attention has shifted to the playground spanning the east side of the building predominantly used by kindergarten through fifth grades.

Park playground donation match deadline quickly approaching

In February, Peabody Hearts for Hart Park, began collecting donations that will be matched up to $10,000 dollars by an anonymous donor. Funds will go toward refurbishing old playground equipment and the purchase of new equipment at Peabody City Park. “Right now, we have a little over $6,000,” said committee member N.M. Patton. “So we need just about $4,000 to complete for the match.”

Commission transfers focus to cheaper trash option

A plan to build a transfer station at the current Marion location, presented to county commissioners Monday, is likely to be accepted. Commissioners didn’t vote to sign a contract with Kaw Valley Engineering, Emporia, but gave the proposed contract to county counsel Brad Jantz to review before they vote.

Hospital agrees to overdue bill settlement

A medical supplies company will collect $113,500 to settle past due accounts of Hillsboro Community Hospital and four affiliated hospitals, according to an agreed judgment approved Thursday by district court magistrate judge Margaret White. McKeeson Medical Surgical, Inc. filed suit against HCH, legally described as CAH Acquisition Company No. 5, in Marion County District Court in December for $73,756, including $52,924.70 in delinquent payments plus interest and attorney fees.

Pay plan study commissioned

County commissioners Monday voted to hire an Illinois-based consulting firm to review the county’s employee pay plan. McGrath Human Resources Consulting, Wonder Lake, Illinois, bid $17,997 to analyze the pay plan. According to their proposal, McGrath specializes in public sector jobs including human resource management, fire, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and communications.

Woman makes speedy jail return

A Topeka woman who bonded out of jail April 9 was booked back in on new charges less than 50 minutes later. Jasmine Marie Steele, 22, was first arrested about 11 p.m. April 8 for driving while suspended.

Cold weather has a silver lining

Believe it or not, in light of the fact that Marion County is in extreme drought, a cold spring might have helped the wheat crop. That is the opinion of county extension agent Ricky Roberts.

Opera history is Lifelong Learning topic

The contribution of opera houses to early frontier Kansas communities will be reviewed at Friday’s Lifelong Learning session at Tabor College, beginning at 9:45 a.m. in the Heritage Lobby of the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts. Jane Rhodes, 2009 Notable Kansas Book award winner for “Kansas Opera Houses: Actors and Community Events, 1855 – 1925,” will be the presenter.

Defense class for women offered

A personal safety and self-defense course for women and girls 12 and up will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 30 in the Hillsboro Middle School gym. “Fearless and Female” will be taught by course creator Cindy Coughenour. The course teaches women, teens, and young girls how to recognize and avoid dangerous situations in their daily lives, and how to fight back if necessary.

Donald Patterson

Donald Lee Patterson of El Dorado died Thursday, April 12, 2018, at Lakepoint Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in El Dorado, at the age of 82. He was born July 5, 1935, in Peabody, Kansas, the son of Lacester Devern and Dorothy Loretta (Fellingham) Patterson. He was raised in Kansas City, Missouri, and attended local schools. In 1953, Don was united in marriage to Dorothy Diane Nuttell. To this union one child was born. This marriage later ended in divorce. In 1956, Donald enlisted in the United States Army, serving during the Korean War with honor and dignity. He was honorably discharged in 1958. He worked for General Motors while going through law enforcement training.

Doris Regier

Doris Louise Regier, rural Newton and Kidron Bethel, was born May 22, 1932, to Titus and Elizabeth (Winey) Horst in Newton, Kansas. Doris grew up on a farm in the Highland community north of Newton and graduated from Newton High School in 1950. Doris graduated from the Bethel nursing program in 1955 as a registered nurse. She was baptized in First Church of the Nazarene, Newton, Kansas, and was a member of Zion Mennonite Church in Elbing, Kansas. Doris met Menno Regier in Kansas City and they were married April 1, 1957, making their home on a farm in rural Newton.

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Another $alary $tudy?

The seeds were there as county commissioners discussed rate changes to health insurance premiums, and now they’ve borne fruit: another study of county salaries is on the way. Commissioners approved the study Monday, and we can’t begin to figure out why. It was just four years ago this month that the county received the results of the last salary survey it paid an outside consultant to do.

Being good neighbor free of charge

It’s no secret that there has been an increased number of theft reports around our community lately. Just take a look at social media or the police reports published in our paper. Theft is one of those things that you can empathize with any victim. You work hard to acquire what you have, and when that’s taken from you unrightfully, it’s going to cause a gut-wrenching reaction, whether fear or anger. Especially in a home break-in situation, the thought of an unwelcome intruder in the one place that’s supposed to be a safe haven makes my skin crawl.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

Steven and Janet Matz to celebrate 40 years

Steven and Janet (Bughman) Matz of rural Lincolnville will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary April 29. They were married April 29, 1978, at New Gotland Lutheran church.

Senior food box program comes to county

Low income seniors age 60 and above are eligible to apply for monthly food boxes to supplement their nutritional needs. Packages include a variety of foods, such as nonfat dry milk, juice, farina, oats, ready-to-eat cereal, rice, pasta, peanut butter, dry beans, canned meat, poultry, or fish, and canned fruits and vegetables.

Educators attend state society convention

Members of the Marion County Alpha Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International attended state convention April 14 and 15 in Wichita. Convention highlights included a presentation fun facts and information about U.S. presidents by Council Grove second-grader Macey Hensley, a ceremony of remembrance to honor members who died this past year, and presentation of achievement awards.

Country schools is topic at historical society meeting

“If your parents said they walked five miles to school, they were lying,” Lowell Ensey said. History buff Ensey of Marion spoke at the annual meeting April 10 of Marion County Historical Society and presented results of several years of research he and Jim Bredemeier conducted into early country schools. They found that schools were one to three miles apart.

Commodities to arrive April 25

Government surplus commodities will arrive at county senior centers April 25. Commodities are available to individuals whose maximum monthly household income is below $1,316 for one person plus $468 for each additional family member.

Entz heritage to be meeting topic

The lives of two West Prussian emigrants will be the focus of a Fredric Remington Area Historical Society meeting at 7 p.m. May 7 at Remington High School, Whitewater. Viola (Entz) Udd will present “Bernhard and Marie Wilhelmine Entz: Their Lineage, Lives, and Letters.” The Bernhard Entz family emigrated from West Prussia in 1891 and settled on a farm one mile south of Newton. The presentation will focus on the life and times of Bernhard and Marie Entz.

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Correspondent calls it quits

Arlene Pankratz of Hillsboro has written ‘Round the Town’ correspondence for the Hillsboro Star-Journal for so long she cannot remember when she started. “It’s been a long time,” she said. “I was given a list of names to call, but I soon found out which ones not to call, and which ones to call.”

Bingo draws residents together

Ten St. Luke Living Center residents were all concentrating as they listened to bingo numbers called, checked their bingo cards, and placed markers over numbers Friday. Dick Bredemeier was on a roll, calling out “bingo” in the first, second, and third rounds.

'Sensational Sunflower'keeps busy at senior center

Like others of its kind throughout the county, Peabody Senior Center relies heavily on volunteers. As the center celebrates all 17 of its helpers during National Volunteer Week, one volunteer in particular stands out for her volunteer efforts around the community, extending beyond her duties at the center.

Student unhappiness with story ending sparks creativity

When Sarah McQuery’s sophomore English class read “By the Waters of Babylon,” by Stephen Vincent Benet, they were unhappy with the ending and motivated to write their own book. So they approached their teacher with the idea, not sure what her answer would be. “Did you guys think I was going to let you?” she asked to the class of 13 students Monday afternoon.

Teacher passes "green thumb" love

The Peabody-Burns High School greenhouse opened its doors for the first time of the season Saturday at the school’s annual Spring Fling. Unfortunately, blistering wind and cold temperatures were to blame for the cancellation of a car wash sponsored by the Come Home for Christmas committee and a bake sale sponsored by the cheerleaders that were originally planned to be at the event as well.

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MKC women's meeting is May 3

A service project and a presentation by Food & Swine blogger Cristen Clark will highlight the MKC Women’s Meeting on May 3 at the Atrium Hotel and Conference Center in Hutchinson. Schedule and event information and registration is available online at www.mkcwomensmeeting.eventbrite.com or by calling (620) 345-4142. Attendees who register online will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Cenex gift card.

Met Opera tenor to perform Thursday at Tabor

Opera enthusiasts will have a rare opportunity to hear a member of the country’s premier opera company when tenor Hugo Vera performs at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Richert Auditorium of the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts at Tabor College. Vera is an accomplished artist who has performed 34 roles and 20 choral orchestral works with distinguished American companies and is a part of The Metropolitan Opera artist roster.

Tabor band to perform pops concert

The musical artistry of George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, and other notable popular composers will be featured in a Tabor College Symphonic Band pops concert at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Richert Auditorium of the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts. “The music of George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein has forever changed the American musical landscape and I consider it an honor to perform their music,” said Shawn Knopp, director of bands at Tabor.

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