Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

90-mph wind blacks out county towns
Wind gusts reaching 90 mph battered northern Marion County on Monday night, tearing the roof from a Tampa fertilizer facility, damaging structures, downing trees and power lines, and leaving entire communities without electricity as emergency crews worked through the night to clear roads and restore service. The hardest-hit areas appeared to be Durham, Tampa, Lost Springs, and Lincolnville, emergency management director Marcy Hostetler said, although damage was reported elsewhere in the county.
Marion sirens trigger automatically
Marion residents who wondered why outdoor warning sirens sounded repeatedly Monday night despite the absence of a tornado warning can look at an automated warning system tied directly to National Weather Service alerts. The city’s siren system activated automatically after the weather service issued a destructive severe thunderstorm warning for the area, city administrator Brian Wells said.
Kapaun pilgrims were walking for a miracle
Ramie Samour knows why people embark on the 60-plus-mile Father Emil Kapaun pilgrimage from Wichita to Ramie’s hometown church in Pilsen. “Everybody has a why,” she said Friday in Peabody at the second-night encampment of the annual walk. “For somebody it’s healing, for infertility, for somebody to find their faith, for a family member to be reconciled. I just wasn’t prepared to be the why.”
Turtle rescue is no snap
A lazy summer afternoon taught 6-year-old Jonah McCollom a lesson or two about reptiles and men. He and his mom were playing in Central Park when they spied an armored snapping turtle trying to cross Main Street traffic and decided to try to divert it back to Luta Creek.
Record wins coveted award for investigative reporting
For the second time in three years, the Finn Hartnett’s coverage of how a police officer with a checkered background had been hired in Peabody was honored with the award. After completing a year at the
Peabody takes steps toward stability
After weeks of resignations and uncertainty, Peabody took several steps Monday toward rebuilding city government. At the end of their meeting, council members unanimously appointed Trevor Hamm to fill one of two remaining council vacancies.
Felon accused of taking customer's gun
A convicted felon who allegedly told company owners he took a customer’s pistol because he could not legally buy one was arrested June 3 at Jost Fabricating in Hillsboro after the firearm was found in his vehicle. Ray C. Stringer was arrested after a customer reported a pistol missing from a vehicle.

OTHER NEWS

Jail asks to replace tech systems
Marion County commissioners are weighing an unbudgeted upgrade of a county jail control system that officials say has become increasingly unreliable and difficult to service 14 years after the jail was built. Based on vendor quotes, the estimated replacement cost for the system, which controls doors, intercoms, lighting, water, and fire alarms, is between $287,000 and $315,000.
County wants teeth in wind farm contracts
After years of fielding public complaints about wind farm noise, faulty lights, and broadcast interference, county officials bluntly pressed commissioners Monday to decide what to do about it. “These issues just keep coming up week after week after week after week,” planning and zoning director Sharon Omstead said. “We just need to know what your board wants to do about it.”
County adds limits on fireworks
After haphazard discharges of Fourth of July fireworks last year at Marion County Lake, county commissioners decided Monday to prohibit fireworks in the tightly packed mobile home and camping areas at the southwest corner of the lake. Other county rules remain the same as last year: Fireworks will be allowed to be discharged outside city limits, on private property only, and inside Lakeshore Dr., except in the mobile home area, at Marion County Lake.
State grant to help rebuild county road
A mile-long stretch of Nighthawk Rd. plagued by moisture-related problems will be rebuilt thanks to a state cost-share grant that could provide up to $450,000 for the project. Marion County was selected for through Kansas Department of Transportation’s spring 2026 cost share program. The project will reconstruct Nighthawk Rd. between 190th Rd. and US-56.
Long-sought bridge funding awarded
After previous unsuccessful attempts to secure state assistance, Marion County will receive $1.7 million to replace a deteriorating bridge north of Peabody. Gov. Laura Kelly and the state transportation department announced last week that Marion County was among 15 recipients selected for the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program.
Traditional fundraiser pulls in $16,000
St. Luke Hospital Foundation’s annual Dinky Duck fundraiser Saturday was expected to raise about $16,000 during Chingawassa Days, according to foundation marketing director Keri Collett. More than $9,000 had been raised through sponsorships before the event, and about 1,800 ducks were sold, Collett said.

DEATHS

Sharon Klein
A family graveside service at the Durham Park Cemetery is planned for Sharon Louise (Pschigoda) Klein, 79, Tampa, who died May 29. Born Nov. 20, 1946, in Herington to Walter and Ruby Pschigoda, she grew up near Hope, graduated from Hope High School, attended Kansas City Business College, and married Donald Dean Klein on May 8, 1965, at Durham Baptist Church. He preceded her in death.
Judith Priest
A memorial service for Judith Priest, who died April 18, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church. A complete life sketch was published April 29.

FOR THE RECORD

OPINION

Are we not in Kansas anymore?
Monday night’s thunderstorms may have done as much damage to residents’ nerves as they did to buildings, trees, and crops. Confused Marion residents, accustomed to an actual tornado sounding only when an actual tornado is actually imminent, spent seven minutes listening to — but not fully understanding — at least three different siren blasts.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
Give us this day our daily bread
AMERICA AT 250:
Individual liberty is served by pursuit of the common good
LETTERS:
Muzzle thyself, Trust undermined, Liberty and justice

PEOPLE

Cards requested for 90th birthday
The family of Lois Johnson is requesting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday June 18. Cards may be sent to her at 501 N Coble St, Marion KS 66861
Candidates to speak
Democrat and Republican candidates for statewide office will speak at forums here this weekend. Jason Hart, candidate for U.S. Senate, will speak at a Democratic Party forum at 10 a.m. Saturday at Marion Community Center. Republican candidates for the state board of education will speak at a Patriots for Liberty meeting at 3 p.m. Sunday at Marion County Lake Hall.
Judge named to state panel
District Judge Susan Robson of Marion has been appointed to a three-year term on the state Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Committee. The 20-member committee makes recommendations about reducing barriers to judicial access, coordinating delivery of legal services, and increasing resources for people who represent themselves in civil cases.
Cantor to perform
Will Hammons, a traveling cantor for Congregation Emanu-El in Wichita, will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at Peabody United Methodist Church. Hammons, who had his first leading role at age 15 portraying Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” in Peabody, will be accompanied by Tony Gowin on piano. A reception will follow at Sunflower Theatre. Admission will be by donation.
Senior Center menus
MEMORIES:
10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 110, 150 years ago

SCHOOL/ SPORTS

Coaches inducted into hall of fame
Two area coaches were inducted Saturday into the Kansas Volleyball Association’s Hall of Fame. Hillsboro volleyball coach Sandy Arnold was recognized for her successful program.
School tech group to meet
Directors of Technology Excellence in Education Network, which provides TEEN online services to most area school districts, will meet at 6 p.m. June 17 in the Hillsboro school offices, 416 S. Date St. More information is available from Lena Kleiner at (620) 877-0237.
College degrees and honors

MORE…

HOVER OVER IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT

Mollie and Gareth Braun, originally from England, take a shot at rhino-size jenga Saturday at Chingawassa Days in Marion's Central Park. They came to Marion from Chicago at a friend's recommendation.

Ages 14 and younger puckered up for a lemon and lime eating contest Saturday at Chingawassa Days in Marion's Central Park.

Dinner is served during a Friday night encampment in Peabody City Park to participants in the annual Father Kapaun pilgramage from Wichita to Pilsen.

Gladys Cristales and her 6-year-old son, Jonah McCollom, had little luck Tuesday afternoon redirecting a snapping turtle that attempting to cross Main St. near Central Park in Marion until a passerby stopped and provided less gentle help.

Marion County RECORD

A lazy summer afternoon taught 6-year-old Jonah McCollom a lesson or two about reptiles and men. He and his mom were playing in Central Park when they spied an armored snapping turtle trying to cross Main Street traffic and decided to try to divert it back to Luta Creek.

For the second time in three years, the Finn Hartnett’s coverage of how a police officer with a checkered background had been hired in Peabody was honored with the award. After completing a year at the

After weeks of resignations and uncertainty, Peabody took several steps Monday toward rebuilding city government. At the end of their meeting, council members unanimously appointed Trevor Hamm to fill one of two remaining council vacancies.

A memorial service for Judith Priest, who died April 18, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church. A complete life sketch was published April 29.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

AMERICA AT 250:

LETTERS:

The family of Lois Johnson is requesting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday June 18. Cards may be sent to her at 501 N Coble St, Marion KS 66861

MEMORIES:

Two area coaches were inducted Saturday into the Kansas Volleyball Association’s Hall of Fame. Hillsboro volleyball coach Sandy Arnold was recognized for her successful program.

Directors of Technology Excellence in Education Network, which provides TEEN online services to most area school districts, will meet at 6 p.m. June 17 in the Hillsboro school offices, 416 S. Date St. More information is available from Lena Kleiner at (620) 877-0237.