Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

2nd resignation leaves confusion in Peabody
The sudden resignation of city councilmember Julia Ensminger has thrown Peabody government into procedural confusion and raised questions about how the city legally can conduct meetings after dropping below its normal council quorum. The city sought guidance from the League of Kansas Municipalities after Ensminger’s resignation, Mayor Bailey Penner said.
Collett quits in Marion
Zach Collett resigned Monday from the Marion City Council, saying his family is moving from Marion after his wife, Keri, accepted a job in another small town. Collett, who has lived in Marion more than six years, called the decision “one of the hardest” his family had made and said serving on the Marion City Council had been “an incredible honor and a truly rewarding experience.”
Hillsboro moves clerk to top job
Hillsboro City Council offered city clerk Danielle Bartel the position of city administrator after two executive sessions totaling around 40 minutes Tuesday. “It is my pleasure to announce that we are extending an offer to Danielle Bartel to be our next city administrator,” Mayor Lou Thurston said. “We couldn’t be more excited.”
Young entrepreneur plants business in Marion
At an age when many of her peers are still deciding what comes after high school, 20-year-old Emilee Remmers of Lincolnville already is preparing to open her own storefront in downtown Marion. Remmers plans to open Em’s Sprouts and Stems in the old County Seat building at 2nd and Main Sts. The store will offer houseplants, floral arrangements, décor, workshops, and plant-related events. She hopes to open toward the end of the month.
Conservation money approved despite concerns
Marion County commissioners unanimously approved Marion County Conservation District’s $42,000 county allocation for 2027 Monday after a lengthy discussion about whether county taxpayers should help support conservation programs connected to millions of dollars in state and federal assistance. The district requested the same county allocation it received for 2026. District representatives said the money helped pay for one full-time and one part-time employee while supporting conservation and education efforts throughout the county.

OTHER NEWS

Few have filed for election
Less than two weeks before filing deadline, Marion County residents have failed to file for 130 elected positions that will be on the ballot in August or November. No Democrats or Republicans have filed for the 1st District county commissioner seat now occupied by Kent Becker.
Peabody plans busy holiday weekend
A series of events are planned for Memorial Day weekend in Peabody. Peabody Historical Society will serve a fried chicken meal by donation from 11 a.m. until meals are sold out Saturday.
Marion extends truck loan 2 years
Marion City Council members discussed tens of thousands of dollars in unbudgeted or partially budgeted expenses Monday while agreeing to stretch lease-purchase payments for a new electric bucket truck from three years to five. The change lowers monthly payments from $8,526.72 to $5,355.70 but increases total interest costs by about $14,000.
Demolition timing, airport costs reviewed
City Administrator Brian Wells updated council members Monday on the condition of 202 E. Main St., a downtown building previously proposed for redevelopment into a restaurant. He said recent rain appeared to have accelerated deterioration of a rear addition scheduled for demolition.
Trees invading grasslands to be discussed
Experts will discuss the “green glacier” woody invasion of Flint Hills grasslands at a free program from 2 to 4 p.m. June 6 at Pioneer Bluffs, a mile north of Matfield Green on K-177. Speakers will include Greenwood County conservationist Luke Westerman; rancher Jackson Lindamood, who researched the issue for a thesis at Kansas State University; and Katie Schmidt, who researched the issue at Dyck Arboretum.
Cemetery cleanup scheduled
Temporary Memorial Day decorations other than flowers in permanent vases at Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Peabody will be discarded if not removed by June 1. Additional information is available from the cemetery office at (620) 381-0814,

DEATHS

Elaine Backhus
Services for Elaine Ann Backhus, 81, who died May 12 at Good Samaritan Society in Hays, will be 1 p.m. Friday at St John’s Lutheran Church, Tampa. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, Herington.
IN MEMORIAM:
Cora Bloomer
IN MEMORIAM:
Ralph Steinborn
IN MEMORIAM:
LaVern Stucky
IN MEMORIAM:
Ivy Unruh

FOR THE RECORD

OPINION

Part of the problem or part of the solution?
And Marion seems to be setting close to the same pace with spending — begging for even more money while overlooking what should be healthy surpluses in other areas of its budget. The only common thread appears to be that both towns are doing their best impersonations of Washington, D.C., where a lot less luster than bluster emerges these days.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
Putting it all together
LETTERS:
Go easy on Trump, Wary of war, Congrats to grads, Eyeing the ides
AMERICA AT 250:
Trying to avoid a conflict can precipitate a worse one

PEOPLE

Blood drives planned across the county
Three blood drives are planned for Marion County between now and the end of June:
College degrees and honors
Senior Center menus
MEMORIES:
10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 110, 150 years ago

SPORTS

Trojan softball is lone victor at regionals
Postponing Hillsboro’s home softball against Yates Center from Monday to Tuesday because of weather didn’t kill momentum the Trojans were feeling. They won 12-2 in six innings via run-rule. The county’s only victorious team in regional play this past week will travel today to Uniontown for the second round of tournament play.
Goessel girls win league title
Regional competition will begin this week for county track and field teams. Goessel
Centre golfer wins sub-state
Centre’s lone golfer, Easton Glessner, walked away as the 1A sub-state champion Tuesday at a weather-delayed meet at Hanover. Glessner will travel Tuesday to McPherson for a two-day Class 1A state tournament.

MORE…

HOVER OVER IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT

Hillsboro didn't have confetti, but students still threw their mortarboards into the air to celebrate graduation Saturday afternoon.

Emilee Remmers is starting Em's Sprouts and Stems in the former County Seat location in Marion.

Driving home Saturday night around 11:17 p.m., Jess Reid captured this photo of a spray-painted abandoned couch in the middle of 5th and Main St. in Florence in the same spot where a Christmas tree is placed during the holidays. The message is readable on the couch, but it's unsure who dumped it first or who dumped it in downtown Florence.

Marion's Jameson Looper slides into home to even the score at 2-2 during Thursday's regional game against Chase County in Cottonwood falls. Chase County ended up winning 3-2.

Marion County RECORD

Less than two weeks before filing deadline, Marion County residents have failed to file for 130 elected positions that will be on the ballot in August or November. No Democrats or Republicans have filed for the 1st District county commissioner seat now occupied by Kent Becker.

A series of events are planned for Memorial Day weekend in Peabody. Peabody Historical Society will serve a fried chicken meal by donation from 11 a.m. until meals are sold out Saturday.

City Administrator Brian Wells updated council members Monday on the condition of 202 E. Main St., a downtown building previously proposed for redevelopment into a restaurant. He said recent rain appeared to have accelerated deterioration of a rear addition scheduled for demolition.

Temporary Memorial Day decorations other than flowers in permanent vases at Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Peabody will be discarded if not removed by June 1. Additional information is available from the cemetery office at (620) 381-0814,

Services for Elaine Ann Backhus, 81, who died May 12 at Good Samaritan Society in Hays, will be 1 p.m. Friday at St John’s Lutheran Church, Tampa. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, Herington.

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

LETTERS:

AMERICA AT 250:

Three blood drives are planned for Marion County between now and the end of June:

MEMORIES:

Regional competition will begin this week for county track and field teams. Goessel

Centre’s lone golfer, Easton Glessner, walked away as the 1A sub-state champion Tuesday at a weather-delayed meet at Hanover. Glessner will travel Tuesday to McPherson for a two-day Class 1A state tournament.