PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Deer no match for girls with crossbows

How does one tell the story of three middle school girls, hunting deer with crossbows, who each killed a buck in a week’s time? Factor in that they are best friends. All are avid hunters, taught by their fathers. They are an unusual bunch, but confident of their abilities and skills with a crossbow. They know how to be patient and how to follow a blood trail after they have hit their deer.

Commissioners talk new radio system

A new emergency radio system will go into effect piece by piece throughout the county, giving city police departments and fire departments time to figure out how to buy required 800 MHz radios. Sheriff Rob Craft said he needs to get dispatch capable for the system commissioners voted to approve a few months ago. When the new system goes live, the existing system will need to be kept operable until other emergency departments get their radios replaced, Craft said.

"On Dancer and Prancer and Sterling Silver..."

The Travis Wilson family shared an early Christmas gift with their neighbors on Peabody Street and other Peabody residents Saturday morning. Santa’s reindeer in training, “Sterling Silver,” was in a portable pen in a vacant lot across from the Wilson home, munching grass and keeping an eye on a group of curious people gathered around his pen.

Toll collector logs 30 years with KTA

About 30 years ago, Joe Thomas, 50, of Burns was going through some big life changes when he found a job as a toll collector for the Kansas Turnpike Authority. “I started in Cassoday when I was 19,” Thomas said. “I had just got married, and we had a baby on the way. I needed a good job.”

Tabor instrumental concert cancelled

An instrumental Christmas concert at Tabor College scheduled for Dec. 1 has been canceled. The public is invited to attend Handel’s “Messiah” at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church.

Tased and confused

A bewildered buck likely owes police a debt of thanks after officers used a Taser to shock it and ultimately help free it from a slack clothesline that threatened its life Friday in Marion. At about 2:45 a.m., Sarah Tolessa alerted law enforcement that a deer had become ensnared in a clothesline that was tethered to a tree in her yard in the 100 block of Locust St.

Giftcards are new currency for scammers

A recent warning from the Federal Trade Commission prohibits telemarketers from requesting wired money or prepaid card numbers over the phone. Now, scammers are getting around the rule by asking for a different form of payment — gift cards. The Kansas Attorney General’s office has received numerous reports in recent months of consumers being asked by telephone or online scammers to pay for things using gift cards, often in very large amounts.

Down-Home Christmas back for second year

Families will be able to visit Santa, take horse drawn carriage rides, do crafts, enjoy holiday tunes, and shop locally at this year’s “A Down-Home Christmas” event on Dec. 3. Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce promotions committee chair Marie Kessler said it is a community event designed to show locals what is offered in their hometown.

Employment program to support special needs

Ella Jost is a lot like other 13-year-old girls, but Down syndrome also makes her unique. While the parents of Ella’s peers dream about their kids becoming doctors, lawyers, or successful entrepreneurs, Kimberlee Jost, Ella’s mom, has grappled with an uncertain future.

Quilting for honor and gratitude

There was a time when the vacant space above Great Plains Computers and Networking in Marion was a place of honor, once the home of the local American Legion post. It became such a place again Saturday when more than a dozen women toted sewing machines, tables, irons, and fabric up the wide wooden staircase to spend the day making quilts for military service members.

A preview of Marion's Christmas Home Tour

Four uniquely decorated destinations await patrons of Marion City Library’s annual Christmas home Tour on Dec. 4. Cowboys and crosses, 20 Christmas stockings, a home light by candlelight, and a historic hotel are some highlights of the tour.

Hands free communication makes driving safer

Cellphones and cars can be a dangerous mix, but auto manufacturers have created ways to integrate them for safer travel. Bluetooth wireless connective technology has been the tool for connecting drivers with the world while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

KHP encourages and gives tips for safer Thanksgiving travel

More law enforcement officers will be on Kansas highways and streets over Thanskgiving weekend. Kansas Highway Patrol and other law enforcement organizations will conduct a special traffic enforcement program focused on impaired drivers, child passenger safety laws, and seat belt use among travelers throughout the holiday weekend.

Taking the edge off traveling with kids

Traveling to see family or take a weekend vacation can be a challenge with young children in the car. Parents need to ensure children’s safety and keep them from becoming a distraction to the driver.

Eugene Ecklund

Former farmer and rancher Eugene V. “Gene” Ecklund, 79, Herington, died Nov. 1 at Council Grove. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Wilsey Christian Church in Wilsey. A private burial will take place at a later date.

Dot Herbel

Gwydotta “Dot” Herbel, 97, died Nov. 12 in Eugene, Oregon. She was born Dec. 8, 1918, to C.M. and Lydia DeLair in Oketo.

Dorothy Horsch

Dorothy Marie Horsch, 84, of Manhattan, formerly of Marion, died Nov. 15 at Via Christi Health Center, Manhattan. She was born July 14, 1932, to James Phillip and Mabel Frances (Leger) Callahan in Manhattan. She attended Msgr. Luckey High School, and graduated from Marymount College, Salina, with a bachelor’s in chemistry. She worked as a medical technician at St. Joseph Hospital in Wichita.

Lois Perkins

Former homemaker Lois L. Perkins, 102, of McPherson, died Friday in McPherson. She was born July 30, 1914, to Hardy Wallace and Barbara Lucretia (Burns) Fortner in McPherson.

Lorrine Walsh

Lorrine L. Walsh, 82, died Nov. 15 at Salem Home in Hillsboro. A funeral service was Saturday at First United Methodist Church, Wakeeney. Interment was at Wakeeney City Cemetery.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

County jail

Civil division

Deeds reported

Emergency dispatches

Fish and game division

Offenses reported

Police reports

Traffic division

Suggestions for sharing the holidays

This will be one of my broken-record opinion columns. I have said this before, but I think I am spot-on with this idea and since it is my job to fill this space, I am going to share this with you one more time. Many of us complain about the excess that has become part of a simple religious holiday. There is griping about starting too early, piling on stress as we try to do everything to create the perfect holiday, and the sheer amount of money we spend on more stuff than most of us need or will ever use. Those arguments echo through our households from Halloween until after-Christmas sales have faded from memory.

It's a dog's life at Westview

There’s nothing more heartwarming for a pet lover than spending time with their beloved pet. The positive effect animals have for patients at nursing homes has been more recognized in recent years, leading to the facilities being more inviting to animals.

Deadline approaching for RadioShack giftcards

Holders of unused Radio Shack gift cards have until Dec. 2 to file for a refund for unused gift cards. Consumers must file a claim for a refund under the terms of a U.S. Bankruptcy Court order. Giftcards purchased from RadioShack, RadioShack’s website, or any authorized sellers will be refunded for the entire balance. Cards acquired any other way will not be treated as a priority claim.

Online concealed weapons courses not valid for Kansas licensing

Online concealed carry courses do not satisfy legal requirements to obtain a concealed carry license in Kansas, attorney general David Schmidt reports. Schmidt’s office became aware of advertising offering online concealed carry courses that appear to be marketed to Kansans, but to qualify for a Kansas concealed carry license, Kansans must complete a training program as outlined by Kansas law.

Parkside to hold open house Dec. 5

Parkside Homes for Senior Living will hold an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5 for visitors to learn about what the home offers for its residents. Visitors can sample Parkside cuisines, including soups and Christmas treats, and are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to Marion County Resource Center and Food Bank.

Calendar of Events

Senior center menu

BURNS:

WONSEVU:

Peabody-Burns Honor Roll

Peabody-Burns Middle School and High School released honor roll results for first quarter. Students who received highest honors have a 3.50 to 4.00 grade point average. Students who received regular honors had a 3.00 to 3.49 GPA. Peabody-burns high School Highest honors Seniors — Tony Adams, Katie Charles, Samantha Frye, Mallory Harris, Anna Lubbers, Austin Reynolds, Jory Rives, Marcus Sanders, Raegan Schreiber, Jayton Scott, Thomas Scott, Andrew Wedel. Juniors — Jorge Benito-Sanchez, Chance Elliott, Devon Gaines, Precious Kerr, Bailey Penner, Bradley Sullivan, Pablo Verdugo. Sophomores — Tyler Enz, Sydney Jantz, Breanna Lett, Michael Peugh, Tori Pickens, Taylor Wallace. Freshmen — Lindsey Frye, Kallie Hutchison, Sienna Richter. Regular Honors Seniors — Sandy Johnson, Cherokee Kinkaid, Paige Murray, Austin Purk, Nicole Sanders. Juniors — Zachary Stephey, Bryant Young. Sophomores — Shannan Clover, Sadie Ferrell, Sydney Hodges. Freshmen — Morgan Gaines, Caleb VanCuren, Tanner Wedd, Tristan Wedd. peabody-burns middle school Highest honors 8th grade — Amber Cubbage-Williams, Gavin Davis, Claney Flaming, Madyson Foth, Kaete Johnson, Brenton Lett. 7th grade — Alex Caldwell, Johnathan Glover, Kwenton Harms, McKayla Hauck, Jake Partridge, Sarah Spencer. 6th grade — Brandon Biggs, Sophie Coover, Alexis Davis, Ciara Frye, Adrian Groff, Kael Hutchison, Brooklynn Moore, Matthew Robinson, Lukas Spencer, Alex Young. Regular honors 8th grade — none 7th grade — Thomas Smith. 6th grade — Weston Gaines, Colton Gossen, Jager Lewis, Hayli Marie Newman, Tanner Parks, Samantha Richter.

Free child screenings in Florence

Children 5 and younger can receive free developmental screenings Dec. 13 in Florence. Appointments will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Schools raise more than 2 tons of food

The results of “Food Fight to Knock Out Hunger in Marion County” are in, and the winners are clear. Thanks to the efforts of USD 408 and 410 students, hungry families across the county have access to 5,177 pounds of food that wasn’t available before. Marion County Food Bank and Resource Center officials dubbed the event a “friendly completion” between school districts. Students competed in the food challenge from Oct. 21 until Friday.

School menus

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