Marion County RECORD

Expired Rx: When cocaine was legal

When Lanning Pharmacy clerk Chelsea Darrow was cleaning out the business’s attic the week of Sept. 12, she expected to find older treasures that dated to several years ago, but not a century. After finding old jewelry holders, Hallmark fixtures, and even an old pack of cigarettes, she saw a box in a back corner that held five smaller boxes of prescriptions dated as far back as 1902.

Honda stolen in plain sight

A white 1993 Honda CBR motorcycle that was for sale in front of HRK was stolen sometime between Sept. 16 and Friday, according to Marion police. When he heard his motorcycle wasn’t there anymore, Marion resident Bart Peace thought the HRK owners might have moved it.

HRK Variety Store sold to Augusta couple

After 33 years of providing customers with a cornucopia of items, HRK Variety Store owner Bernice Beach made one final, heart-wrenching sale. “I sold the store,” Beach, 78, said. “It breaks my heart to do it but it was the right thing to do. I’ve got some health issues, and I felt like it was time.”

School demolition in limbo

After 45 years of no high school classes being taught in Florence, the fate of the community’s school building remains mired in uncertainty. County officials are eyeing a grant to help with the cost of demolishing the dilapidated former school building, but the application would require several conditions to be met.

Voter ID restrictions trumped by court

Some Marion County voters who registered when they obtained or renewed drivers licenses may be in limbo when it comes to counting their votes in November. In 2013, Kansas implemented a voter registration law requiring proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, to combat what secretary of state Kris Kobach claimed was widespread voter fraud.

'Big' buddies reflect on being 'little'

They were little kids once, unsure of what to expect from big kids they passed in the halls, but now, everything is different. They are the big kids. A trio of Marion Elementary School fifth grade students offered insight into the school’s Book Buddies activity, which pairs older and younger students in effort to promote literacy, education, and school unity by fostering new connections.

Unos alumnos aprendiendo el Espanol

This year at Hillsboro Elementary School, students are not just learning the basics of English, but Spanish as well. Elementary school principal Evan Yoder went on a trip to Germany over the summer. While on the train, Yoder spoke to children and their parents and was amazed, he said, with how the children knew German and English fluently, along with other various languages.

Contention launches commission meeting

Testy words were once again exchanged at Monday’s county commission meeting. This time the issue was whether the minutes of the Sept. 19 meeting accurately reflected an exchange between commission candidates and commissioners.

Rollover accident sends 17-year-old to Wesley

Three area teens were involved in a one-vehicle injury accident Tuesday that results in two of them being transported for emergency medical attention. Goessel first response, Goessel fire, and Peabody ambulance were called to a rollover accident about 8 miles southwest of Hillsboro on 140th Rd. between Falcon and Eagle Rds. at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to emergency transmissions recorded by the newspaper.

Dickinson County to share on bridge cost

Marion County has been notified it’s eligible for a federal grant to pay 80 percent of the cost of replacing a steel truss bridge at 370th and Sunflower Rd. After county commissioners found out last week the grant is available, commissioner Dan Holub spoke to Dickenson County authorities, who agreed to pay 60 percent of the remaining balance, leaving Marion County to pay 40 percent.

City holds brief meeting

Lack of a quorum at Monday’s city council meeting made for one of the fastest meetings on record. Only Mayor Todd Heitschmidt and council member Chris Costello showed up for the meeting. In order to have a quorum for a vote, council member John Wheeler, at a sales meeting, was called on speaker phone for two matters.

Chamber talks Tour de Florence

Florence Chamber of Commerce met Sept. 22 in the Florence City Building. Organizer Ryan Goekler discussed final preparations for the Tour de Florence bike ride Saturday. The ride features a 60-mile route and a shorter alternate route. Preregistration starts at 8 a.m. in Grandview Park. The ride starts at 9 a.m.

Hillsboro fire department open house Saturday

Hillsboro Fire Department will hold an open house from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at the fire station. The department has done an open house for a couple years, said fire chief Ben Steketee.

What is big, bright, and red all over?

Anyone spotting the new Ford pickup recently purchased by the Fourth Fire District in a parking lot or at the city building will have no doubt about the whereabouts of Peabody Fire Chief Mark Penner. “Yes, it definitely stands out,” Penner said. “But the service we’re in sort of requires that folks see us coming. No reason to be shy about who we are or what we are doing.”

Familiar face rejoins Hillsboro police department

A familiar face recently returned to the crime-fighting team at Hillsboro Police Department. Officer Randy Brazil brings over 20 years of experience to HPD, much of which was spent working local beats.

Purple truck honors daughters

Patrons of Marion’s Old Settlers’ Day parade likely saw Don Hasenbank’s 1965 Chevrolet half-ton C-10 pickup Saturday. With a “K-State purple” paint job, it was hard to miss. However, its paint job wasn’t always so royal.

Cooler weather means visit the car wash

Now that it is autumn, cooler weather is on the way, and with cooler weather, it won’t be long before snow and ice follow, which causes roads to get treated and can mean bad news for paint on cars. Arlie Overton of Arlie’s Collision Specialists in Marion said that the salt brine used to treat roads for ice and snow could start corrosion on car paint if not cleaned off properly.

Don't neglect auto service

The average age of a personal vehicle on the road today is more than 11 years, according to recent news reports. In tough economic times, it’s natural to rein in spending. But putting off routine auto maintenance or ignoring service intervals is false economy. Small issues can morph into more expensive repairs. For example, failure to replace worn brake pads or a faulty oxygen sensor – both relatively easy services for qualified auto technicians – can result in expensive brake rotor service or costly replacement of the vehicle’s catalytic converter. Frequently neglected items include oil changes, tire and brake service, wheel alignment, air and fuel filters, and transmission service.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil division

County jail

Deeds reported

Emergency dispatches

Marriage licenses issued

Offenses reported

Police reports

Traffic division

Old Setters' dodge

Saturday’s Old Settlers’ Day was the first in recent memory where revelers peered skyward almost as much as they did forward. Marion Kiwanis Club has long had a formula for a perfect Old Settlers’ Day, and the only showers in it are candy raining down on eager youngsters along the parade route.

The beat goes on

I don’t know if this is universal or unique to me, but the older I get, birthdays have become less about celebration and more about reflecting on the past. This week’s thoughts hearken all the way back 1869, the year Jesse James robbed his first bank, and the year that set the stage for today’s credit card theft with the first patent for plastic.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

Lincolnville fire chief copes with unexpected 'vacation'

A fire chief and emergency medical technician, 55-year-old Lester Kaiser of Lincolnville is accustomed to responding to emergencies. He’s not accustomed to having one of his own. He woke up early one morning in August with a chill and then developed a fever. His wife, Barb, took his temperature and was concerned.

Card shower for Klein 90th

The family of Marion native Howard Klein requests a card shower for his 90th birthday Oct. 14. Klein was born on a farm north of Marion and graduated from Marion High School in 1944. He married Shirley Kaiser of Durham in 1953. After serving in the Army, Klein worked for Rock Island and Southern Pacific railroads until his retirement.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT:

MEMORIES:

SENIOR CENTER:

Centre not on even playing field

According to 2016-17 enrollment figures provided by Kansas State High School Activities Association, Centre High School has 70 students. Except for Elyria Christian School at McPherson, which has 54 students, Centre’s enrollment is the lowest among Wheat State League schools.

Band, choir begins fundraiser

Hillsboro High School band and concert choir have begun selling value cards as a fundraiser for their May 2017 trip to Colorado Springs to compete in the Cavalcade of Music. Cards can be purchased for $10 from any band or choir student, and discounts are good Oct. 1 through March 31. A list of students can be found on the choir page of the school web site.

Area school menus

4-H REPORTS:

Warriors score 48 in Remington shutout

Marion couldn’t put together a sustained drive early in Friday’s homecoming game against Remington, but that was a good thing, as the Warriors scored four touchdowns in their first 10 plays on the way to a 48-0 win. “The line blocked really well, our receivers blocked well, and there were some big holes where we were going,” said quarterback Jack Schneider, who ran for 142 yards and two touchdowns and passed for another.

Lady Warriors back on track

A trip to Ell-Saline was just what the Marion High volleyball team needed Tuesday, picking up two match wins to wash away the sting of three Thursday losses. The Warriors were competitive at Sacred Heart on Thursday, but lost two matches to the host school and one to Southeast of Saline.

Cougars lose to state-ranked Burlingame

Centre played Burlingame Friday at Bud Peterson Field and lost, 60-14. It was the Cougars’ third loss of the season. The undefeated Bearcats are ranked third in the state in 1A, Division I, and have won all four of their contests by at least 46 points.

Lady Cougars continue to struggle

Centre volleyball added three more to the loss column Saturday at the Herington invitational tournament. The team lost to top-ranked Sedgwick 16-25 and 12-25 and to Sunrise Academy 16-25 and 10-25.

Centre runners medal at Marion

Five of Centre’s cross-country runners medaled Sept. 20 at the Marion meet. They were varsity runner CJ Thompson, 12th; junior varsity runner Kate Basore, 9th; and junior high runners Lili Espinoza, 12th, and Jenna Brunner, 15th; and Tanner Stuchlik, 11th.

Centre golfers face stiff competition at Council Grove

Centre girls golf team competed against 3A and 4A schools Thursday at Council Grove. Hannah Peterson finished 24th, Maliequa Spohn 34th, and Avery Williams, 54th of 55 players.

Calendar of Events

Tai Chi offered

A 6-week Tai Chi class taught by Gayla Ratzlaff will begin at 7 p.m. beginning Oct. 11 at Hillsboro City Hall. Tai Chi can be used for stress reduction and to improve key fitness components of muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility. It has also been shown to reduce anxiety and depression.

Kansas Forest Service seedlings available

Kansas Forest Service is selling containerized seedling trees through Oct. 14. The Conservation Tree Planting program offers a variety of seedlings that are adapted to Kansas conditions.

Free child screening Oct. 11

A free screening for children birth to 5 years of age will be from 9a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 11 in Marion. Vision and hearing, along with cognitive, motor, speech/language, and social/emotional development will be checked. The process usually takes at least one hour.

Senator Moran offers congressional internships

Applications are being accepted through Oct. 28 for internships in U.S. Senator Jerry Moran’s offices in Washington, District of Columbia, Manhattan, and Olathe for the spring 2017 term. “I am proud to be able to offer this opportunity in my Senate office today, where I have interns year-round who have a unique opportunity to work closely with my staff on behalf of Kansans,” Moran said.

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