Marion County RECORD

BREAKING NEWS

UPDATED AFTER PRINT DEADLINE

New cases push COVID total to 59
A woman in her 30s became Marion County's 59th confirmed COVID-19 patient Friday. Confirmation came a day after a teenaged boy was confirmed Thursday and two days after a woman in her 70s was confirmed after press time Wednesday. Eight county residents, one of them hospitalized, continue to exhibit symptoms or receive treatment, health officials reported Friday afternoon.

HEADLINES

Novak ousted; Berg, incumbents win
Commissioner Dianne Novak is on her way out the courthouse door after being beaten nearly 3-1 in Tuesday’s primary election. “Not only is our district relieved, I think the whole county is relieved,” winner Mike Beneke said. “There was just as much concern outside our district as inside our district.”
Virus closes senior center; total hits 56
As the county’s COVID-19 total swelled again this week, with six new cases pushing the total to 56, a case at one of the more vulnerable locations in the county has shut down some senior meals. Hillsboro’s senior center is closed until Aug. 17 because an employee tested positive and was hospitalized for COVID-19.
Algae curse poised to be broken
Hope is on the horizon for Marion County’s algae-plagued lakes. Scientists are still evaluating the effectiveness of a hydrogen peroxide-based algaecide as a solution to harmful blue-green algae blooms.
Street delays blamed on lower utility use
Postponing several projects in mid-July left Marion searching for ways to patch and hold its streets together for at least another year, which streets director Marty Fredrickson blamed on lost revenue. Money was planned for two blocks somewhere in town in 2020, but it never materialized because COVID-19 decreased income for the city.

OTHER NEWS

Brownouts lead to claims against city
A series of brownouts has prompted some Marion businesses to file claims against the city’s insurance, but information on how many claims have been filed is not available. Insurance agent Alex Case, who represents the city’s insurance company, said several businesses had filed for damages they incurred, but he declined to provide a specific number.
Downtown power fails again
Power to portions of downtown failed Thursday after a tree branch on Washington St. tripped a fuse when it came in contact with an electrical line. City crews had to replace the fuse and trim the branch from the power line.
Family quickly flips Cardie Oil into new business
When Thad Looper got his chance to buy a tire service, the county resident saw it as the opportunity of a lifetime. “I’ve done stuff like this, working on cars, all my life,” he said. “It’s always been a dream to do something for myself.”
No charges filed in cafe incident
An incident involving Edward’s Café owner Mike Beneke and customer Lloyd Meier will not be pursued by the Marion County attorney. A report of the July 26 is being filed by Marion police.
Odd thefts likely related
A car stolen from Hillsboro and found Friday in a McPherson County retainer pond could be part of a string of incidents, according to police chief Dan Kinning. The 2012 Ford Fusion had been stolen Friday morning from Ronald Herbel’s garage in the 400 block of Floral Dr. while Herbel was sleeping, according to offense reports. No signs of forced entry were reported.
Burning signs prompt visit to commissioner
Burning campaign signs in a Peabody street Monday night prompted a knock on county commissioner Randy Dallke’s door. Peabody officer Megan Chizek found four Dallke campaign signs burning in the 300 block of W. 1st St. about 11 p.m.

DEATH

IN MEMORIAM:
Clayton Hamm
IN MEMORIAM:
Patricia Hall

DOCKET

FARM

Key question for farms: septic or lagoon?
Sewer lagoons are a standard for farmers who own livestock, but the topic becomes trickier when considering whether to use one for a house, county resident Duane Kirkpatrick said. Kirkpatrick, who lives on Sunflower Rd. south of Marion, had to go through that process last year when he started building a sewer pond to replace his failing septic tank.
Retirement ends 57-year career in conservation
July 31 was Betty Richmond’s last day at Marion County Conservation District office. She has been district secretary since July 1, 1963, shortly after graduating from Marion High School. Richmond got the job through Kenneth Muse, the district conservationist, who she had worked with while keeping Sunday School attendance and collection records at First ME Church, now Valley United Methodist Church.
Horse virus continues to spread
A virus that primarily affects horses, first confirmed in Marion County in early July, has since spread to 97 premises in 24 counties. Vesicular stomatitis virus was first confirmed June 16 in Butler County and appeared two weeks later at two locations in Marion County.

OPINION

What happens when idiocy goes viral
We’d much rather be talking about people fulfilling their dreams — a veteran mechanic finally getting to open his own shop, a police officer at long last following in the flatfoot footsteps of his family. We’d prefer writing about the irony of a thousand-dollar bridge on lovers’ lane faithfully inspiring generations for 133 years — only to learn it needs $183,000 in refurbishing.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
It's a cat's tale!

PANDEMIC

County again fails to act
County commissioners, one of them defying a Marion ordinance by failing to wear a mask, didn’t even vote Friday on a watered-down version of a mask mandate requested and originally drafted by the county health nurse Commissioner Dianne Novak, despite sitting less than six feet from Commissioner Dave Crofoot, was the lone person in the room who refused to cover her mouth and nose with a mask.
Cluster strikes Cottonwood Falls
A detention center once considered a model for Marion County is dealing with a cluster of 29 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The Chase County Health Department said positive cases at Chase County Detention Center are all men.
Arts and crafts fair canceled
A beloved Hillsboro tradition won’t happen this year. Planners of the Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair, scheduled for Sept. 19, announced Monday the event was cancelled. This would have been its 51st year.

PEOPLE

3rd-generation officer chases lifelong dream
Zach Hudlin always knew he wanted to be a police officer. Specifically, he wanted to be a law officer in Marion County, where his roots run deep.
Dumplings help re-roof museum
Peabody Historical Society is sponsoring a sweet fund raiser to raise money to put a $19,000 roof on the Print Museum. Society members are selling apple dumplings priced at $10 for a pack of four.
Fundraiser to benefit library
A pulled-pork meal benefitting Florence Public Library will be 5:30 p.m. Monday at the library. The menu will include corn on the cob, potato salad, and desert. Orders, which can be delivered to in-town residents, or picked up curbside, are being accepted through Thursday at the city library.
Card shower requested
A card shower has been requested for Marie Navrat, Marion, whose 95th birthday will be Aug. 12. Her address is 535 S. Freeborn St., Marion KS 66861.
Reunion canceled
The 102nd Hett family reunion has been canceled because of COVID-19 safety concerns. The 103rd reunion is planned for 12:30 p.m. Aug. 8, 2021, at Marion County Lake Hall.
Egg lady returns to share bounty
The senior center’s egg donor made a second appearance last week, sharing that she is glad for a place to share her bounty. She is not the center’s only food donor, as other people are willing to share tomatoes or cucumbers with seniors.
Senior center menus
SERMON ON WEEK:
Living water satisfies our spiritual thirst
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 40, 55, 70, 100, 140 years ago
MEMORIES IN FOCUS:
Is lover's lane due for some love?

SPORTS

Golf course's new website hits Day 1 snag
Marion Country Club’s new website was supposed to debut Saturday but it hit a bump out of the gate. The web address, golfmarionks.com, resulted in a message that the site was unregistered. The site was working by Monday.
Indoor tennis coming to Tabor
A two-court, indoor tennis facility that will allow team members to practice year-round will be built this fall on the Tabor College campus. The facility, a gift of undisclosed size from an anonymous donor, will be just south of football stadium parking and is expected to be completed by December.

MORE…

HOVER OVER IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT

Claudia Fox of Topeka plays fiddle Saturday during Camp and Jam, this year's replacement for Bluegrass at the Lake. Seventy people turned out to listen to whoever volunteered to perform Friday and Saturday at the county lake. Fox, who this year ended a several year hiatus from the fiddle, was out to prove she could still play.

Jex Addition resident Lucille Bitner calls her street "Lake Grant" because of how much it floods. Nearly all street work has been delayed until 2021.

Zach Hudlin poses with his police car in front of Marion's City Building. He is the third generation in his family to become a law officer.

After a year of work and delays, Marion County resident Duane Kirkpatrick is confident his sewer pond will be finished by next month. There has been enough recent precipitation that the lagoon will have to be drained before work can continue.

Marion County RECORD

BREAKING NEWS

Hope is on the horizon for Marion County’s algae-plagued lakes. Scientists are still evaluating the effectiveness of a hydrogen peroxide-based algaecide as a solution to harmful blue-green algae blooms.

Power to portions of downtown failed Thursday after a tree branch on Washington St. tripped a fuse when it came in contact with an electrical line. City crews had to replace the fuse and trim the branch from the power line.

When Thad Looper got his chance to buy a tire service, the county resident saw it as the opportunity of a lifetime. “I’ve done stuff like this, working on cars, all my life,” he said. “It’s always been a dream to do something for myself.”

An incident involving Edward’s Café owner Mike Beneke and customer Lloyd Meier will not be pursued by the Marion County attorney. A report of the July 26 is being filed by Marion police.

Burning campaign signs in a Peabody street Monday night prompted a knock on county commissioner Randy Dallke’s door. Peabody officer Megan Chizek found four Dallke campaign signs burning in the 300 block of W. 1st St. about 11 p.m.

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

A virus that primarily affects horses, first confirmed in Marion County in early July, has since spread to 97 premises in 24 counties. Vesicular stomatitis virus was first confirmed June 16 in Butler County and appeared two weeks later at two locations in Marion County.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

A detention center once considered a model for Marion County is dealing with a cluster of 29 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The Chase County Health Department said positive cases at Chase County Detention Center are all men.

A beloved Hillsboro tradition won’t happen this year. Planners of the Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair, scheduled for Sept. 19, announced Monday the event was cancelled. This would have been its 51st year.

Zach Hudlin always knew he wanted to be a police officer. Specifically, he wanted to be a law officer in Marion County, where his roots run deep.

Peabody Historical Society is sponsoring a sweet fund raiser to raise money to put a $19,000 roof on the Print Museum. Society members are selling apple dumplings priced at $10 for a pack of four.

A pulled-pork meal benefitting Florence Public Library will be 5:30 p.m. Monday at the library. The menu will include corn on the cob, potato salad, and desert. Orders, which can be delivered to in-town residents, or picked up curbside, are being accepted through Thursday at the city library.

A card shower has been requested for Marie Navrat, Marion, whose 95th birthday will be Aug. 12. Her address is 535 S. Freeborn St., Marion KS 66861.

The 102nd Hett family reunion has been canceled because of COVID-19 safety concerns. The 103rd reunion is planned for 12:30 p.m. Aug. 8, 2021, at Marion County Lake Hall.

The senior center’s egg donor made a second appearance last week, sharing that she is glad for a place to share her bounty. She is not the center’s only food donor, as other people are willing to share tomatoes or cucumbers with seniors.

SERMON ON WEEK:

MEMORIES:

MEMORIES IN FOCUS:

Marion Country Club’s new website was supposed to debut Saturday but it hit a bump out of the gate. The web address, golfmarionks.com, resulted in a message that the site was unregistered. The site was working by Monday.

A two-court, indoor tennis facility that will allow team members to practice year-round will be built this fall on the Tabor College campus. The facility, a gift of undisclosed size from an anonymous donor, will be just south of football stadium parking and is expected to be completed by December.