Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

City to sell building to wind farm company
Marion city council members Monday accepted a letter of intent to purchase a building from a company working to develop a wind farm that would span from Florence to Aulne to north of Peabody. The letter from National Renewable Resources offers $190,000 for a building at 828 N. Roosevelt so the company can use it as an operation and maintenance headquarters for the proposed wind farm not yet approved by county commissioners. Six to eight employees will work at the operational headquarters, NRS vice president of development Jesse Hopkins-Hoel told council members.
Hillsboro doctor questions hiring of new director
One Hillsboro physician not planning to leave raised questions about the legality of recent Hillsboro Community Hospital decisions during Tuesday’s Hillsboro city council meeting. Physician Michael Reeh, who practices family medicine and geriatrics, said hospital receiver Cohesive Healthcare Management and Consulting’s decision to appoint Wichita physician Hannah Bingham as new medical director violates both state regulations and hospital bylaws.
Refusal to sign resolution won't stop wind farm application
Although county commissioner Dianne Novak has refused to sign a resolution after she voted against it last week, her refusal to sign will make no difference in its validity. The resolution gave wind farm developer National Renewable Solutions consent to include proposed road and right-of-way crossings in their revised conditional use permit application, which was presented to the planning and zoning office Friday.
Pot-bellied pig dies in house fire near reservoir
The home of Kelly Bernhardt at Limestone and 260th Rds. was a total loss in a house fire Monday that also killed the family’s pet, Hillsboro fire chief Ben Steketee said. “A loss of life is the worst thing you can lose in a fire,” he said. “They lost some precious pets, so that’s very hard.”
Lucky calf returned to mother safe and sound
When Judy Stika of rural Lincolnville looked out her kitchen window one morning, she saw a newborn calf lying in the corner of a corral south of her house. She kept her eye on it all day. The cow, named Whitey, moved between the calf and a bale feeder all day, but the baby never moved.

OTHER NEWS

City nets $9,750 grant from Kansas Historical Society
Marion could have a designated downtown historical district in about a year after the city hires a consultant with a grant from the Kansas Historical Society. The society announced the $9,750 grant Saturday.
Storms soak Marion County
Monday night and Tuesday storms brought soaking rain and hail to Marion County. Hail anywhere from nickel-size to 1-inch was reported around Hillsboro and Lehigh on Monday evening as storms rolled through the county, according the National Weather Service web site. Marion County received rains anywhere from 2 to 3 inches, with the highest recorded rainfalls around Hillsboro and Durham, said Chris Jakub, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wichita.
County lake still under warning for algae
Marion County Lake is under a blue-green algae warning after tests taken last week revealed the presence of harmful blue-green algae. Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism issued the warning Thursday.
Florence council approves reinvestments
Florence council Monday decided to reinvest certificates of deposit with Cottonwood Valley Bank. The city had $200,000 in CDs split over four CDs, which were invested with Cottonwood Valley at 0.15 percent. The city will be penalized any interest earned for the current year. One CD worth $50,000 is invested at a higher rate, which will not be reinvested.
Priest, wife arrested on suspicion of domestic battery
Hillsboro Orthodox priest Isaac E. Farha, 38, was arrested at 12:20 a.m. May 1 on suspicion of aggravated domestic battery in the 100 block of N. Washington St. According to police reports, Isaac allegedly threw his wife, Anastasia M. Farha, 36, Hillsboro, to the ground and held her face into the ground, leaving her unable to breathe.
Chat 'N' Dine to meet May 11
Marion County Lake Chat ‘N’ Dine will meet at 6 p.m. on May 11 at 34 A Lakeshore Drive for a potato bar. Hosts will be Garry and Dania Crawford. Entertainment for the evening will be a parade around the lake in Golf Carts and ATVs.
Graduation services set for Marion County schools
Marion County seniors are once again preparing for graduation, and what lies beyond. Marion
Homeowner building new house on old property
Roger Hoffner has decided to rebuild his home from the ground up after it was damaged in a fire last year. The decision was spurred by the settlement offered by his insurance company, Hoffner said.
Wet winter good for plants
The exceptionally wet winter has brought plants to their full potential this spring. Darlene Carlson, a gardener in rural Lincolnville, said all of the trees in her fruit orchard escaped frost damage and have bloomed profusely. Some fruit has already set. Perennials also came up and are blossoming.

DEATHS

Jim Gutsch
James “Jim” Gutsch, 76, died Nov. 29 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Burdick Methodist Church. He graduated from Centre High School. He was a truck driver.
Amy Klein
Amy Klein, 44, died Saturday at Salem Home in Hillsboro. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. She was born June 6, 1974, to Clayton and Danelda Klein at Devil’s Lake, North Dakota.
Karen Kline
Karen Kline, 72, died Sunday at Newton Medical Center. Services will be 10:30 a.m. May 14 at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion. A full obituary will be available next week.
Lisa Wiebe
Lisa Wiebe, 44, died Sunday at Schowalter Villa in Hesston. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Schowalter Villa Chapel. Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. She was born Sept. 30, 1974, in Garden City to Ted and Nettie Wiebe.
IN MEMORIAM:
Marilyn Geis

DOCKET

OPINION

When society has no class
A lot of young people — and a few of us not-so-young ones — soon will be donning strange-looking costumes for one of society’s most important rites of passage. Yes, it’s commencement season — time once again to hear some quasi-celebrity drone on about how “commencement” means “beginning.”
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
Setting the Pace
CALENDAR:
Calendar of events

PEOPLE

Wheat weavers tour local farm
Members of the National Association of Wheat Weavers kicked off their “Weaving Friendships” convention with a visit to Matt Voth’s Coyote Gulch wheat farm. Marian Vavra, tour coordinator for the group, said participants enjoyed everything about their visit to the Goessel-area farm.
Bicyclists pedal the county
Nineteen members of a bicycle-touring group explored Marion County last week. The group, Somewhere in Kansas, has taken an annual bicycle trip in the state for 26 years.
Friendship Day to be celebrated with tea
May Friendship Day will be celebrated with tea at 3 p.m. May 10 at Eastmoor United Methodist Church. The theme will be “The Time is Now Agree to Differ.” Norma Kline with the Sew Much Love project will give a presentation. Fabric and trim for Sew Much Love dresses may be purchased.
Letter carriers food drive is Saturday
Special blue bags will be appearing in the mailboxes of Marion residents this week. Residents are encouraged to fill the bags with items for Marion County Food Bank. Accepted items include canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, canned beans, tuna, or other canned meats and meals such as soup, stew, or chili. The bags will be picked up Saturday by letter carriers.
SENIOR CENTER:
Center needs meal delivery drivers, Marion Senior Center menu
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 40, 55, 70, 110, 140 years ago
MEMORIES IN FOCUS:
A pioneer in old-fashioned hospitality

SCHOOL AND SPORTS

Marion runners set personal bests at Remington
Marion’s track and field team put forth strong performances from start to finish, setting six personal records during the Remington Relays on Friday. Colton Mercer took his first gold medal of the season, leading the 800-meter race from the start, and setting a personal best of 2:08.24.
Home course no advantage
Home course advantage didn’t help Marion County teams Thursday at the Marion County 36-Hole Invitational, with Hillsboro finishing fifth, and Marion sixth out of six qualifying teams. Players from both teams placed higher in the second 18 holes, played at Hillsboro, than those at Marion.
Centre track captures pair of top finishes
Centre captured two gold medals Thursday at Herington, thanks in part to the efforts of Jensen Riffel and Cailey Barney. Riffel and Barney put forth strong performances, each placing in all four of their events. Riffel took first in boys javelin, while Barney won the girls long jump.
Tabor rehearsal hall to be renamed
A sign honoring the late Lonn Richards, director of instrumental music at Tabor for 23 years, will be unveiled at noon today. The sign, which will read, “Lonn Richards Rehearsal Hall,” will hang above the hall door in Wohlgemuth Music Education Center.
Marion-Florence FFA chapter honors members
The Marion/Florence FFA chapter held a banquet May 2 for parents, members, and employers. Members were recognized for their activities and given numerous awards. Devin Soyez was recognized as the Chapter Star Farmer and Mickelly Soyez was recognized as the Star Chapter Greenhand.
Centre students to showcase talent
More than 250 pieces of art created by Centre Elementary School students will be on display at a May 10 art show. The Artful Eye will feature the works of third through fifth grade students and include everything from jewelry to masks and watercolor and acrylic paintings.
Centre awards nights coming up
The annual Centre FFA banquet will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. CHS Awards Night is 6 p.m. May 16.
Project SEARCH interns prepare for graduation
Six interns enrolled in Tabor College’s Project SEARCH program for 2018-19 will be recognized for their achievements at a private graduation reception Friday. Justice Baugh of Hillsboro will be employed by a restaurant when she moves to Oklahoma. Jacob Clements works full-time at Dale’s Supermarket, and is interested in the Hutchinson Community College welding program in Hillsboro.
Centre and Marion school menus

Marion County RECORD

When Judy Stika of rural Lincolnville looked out her kitchen window one morning, she saw a newborn calf lying in the corner of a corral south of her house. She kept her eye on it all day. The cow, named Whitey, moved between the calf and a bale feeder all day, but the baby never moved.

Marion could have a designated downtown historical district in about a year after the city hires a consultant with a grant from the Kansas Historical Society. The society announced the $9,750 grant Saturday.

Marion County Lake is under a blue-green algae warning after tests taken last week revealed the presence of harmful blue-green algae. Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism issued the warning Thursday.

Marion County Lake Chat ‘N’ Dine will meet at 6 p.m. on May 11 at 34 A Lakeshore Drive for a potato bar. Hosts will be Garry and Dania Crawford. Entertainment for the evening will be a parade around the lake in Golf Carts and ATVs.

Marion County seniors are once again preparing for graduation, and what lies beyond. Marion

Roger Hoffner has decided to rebuild his home from the ground up after it was damaged in a fire last year. The decision was spurred by the settlement offered by his insurance company, Hoffner said.

The exceptionally wet winter has brought plants to their full potential this spring. Darlene Carlson, a gardener in rural Lincolnville, said all of the trees in her fruit orchard escaped frost damage and have bloomed profusely. Some fruit has already set. Perennials also came up and are blossoming.

James “Jim” Gutsch, 76, died Nov. 29 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Burdick Methodist Church. He graduated from Centre High School. He was a truck driver.

Amy Klein, 44, died Saturday at Salem Home in Hillsboro. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. She was born June 6, 1974, to Clayton and Danelda Klein at Devil’s Lake, North Dakota.

Karen Kline, 72, died Sunday at Newton Medical Center. Services will be 10:30 a.m. May 14 at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion. A full obituary will be available next week.

Lisa Wiebe, 44, died Sunday at Schowalter Villa in Hesston. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Schowalter Villa Chapel. Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. She was born Sept. 30, 1974, in Garden City to Ted and Nettie Wiebe.

IN MEMORIAM:

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

CALENDAR:

Members of the National Association of Wheat Weavers kicked off their “Weaving Friendships” convention with a visit to Matt Voth’s Coyote Gulch wheat farm. Marian Vavra, tour coordinator for the group, said participants enjoyed everything about their visit to the Goessel-area farm.

Nineteen members of a bicycle-touring group explored Marion County last week. The group, Somewhere in Kansas, has taken an annual bicycle trip in the state for 26 years.

May Friendship Day will be celebrated with tea at 3 p.m. May 10 at Eastmoor United Methodist Church. The theme will be “The Time is Now Agree to Differ.” Norma Kline with the Sew Much Love project will give a presentation. Fabric and trim for Sew Much Love dresses may be purchased.

SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

MEMORIES IN FOCUS:

Marion’s track and field team put forth strong performances from start to finish, setting six personal records during the Remington Relays on Friday. Colton Mercer took his first gold medal of the season, leading the 800-meter race from the start, and setting a personal best of 2:08.24.

Home course advantage didn’t help Marion County teams Thursday at the Marion County 36-Hole Invitational, with Hillsboro finishing fifth, and Marion sixth out of six qualifying teams. Players from both teams placed higher in the second 18 holes, played at Hillsboro, than those at Marion.

Centre captured two gold medals Thursday at Herington, thanks in part to the efforts of Jensen Riffel and Cailey Barney. Riffel and Barney put forth strong performances, each placing in all four of their events. Riffel took first in boys javelin, while Barney won the girls long jump.

A sign honoring the late Lonn Richards, director of instrumental music at Tabor for 23 years, will be unveiled at noon today. The sign, which will read, “Lonn Richards Rehearsal Hall,” will hang above the hall door in Wohlgemuth Music Education Center.

The Marion/Florence FFA chapter held a banquet May 2 for parents, members, and employers. Members were recognized for their activities and given numerous awards. Devin Soyez was recognized as the Chapter Star Farmer and Mickelly Soyez was recognized as the Star Chapter Greenhand.

More than 250 pieces of art created by Centre Elementary School students will be on display at a May 10 art show. The Artful Eye will feature the works of third through fifth grade students and include everything from jewelry to masks and watercolor and acrylic paintings.

The annual Centre FFA banquet will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. CHS Awards Night is 6 p.m. May 16.