Marion County RECORD

City has fowl dilemma

A pair of proposed animal ordinances were debated at Monday’s city council meeting, but neither approved. After the chicken ordinance came to council’s attention in March, city attorney Susan Robson drafted a new ordinance, but council members diagreed whether chickens should be limited or banned altogether.

$575 for pizza and beer?

An unknown burglar apparently with an overwhelming craving for beer and pizza recently went to extremes to satisfy a destructive desire. The perpetrator damaged screens and glass on three windows and kicked in a backdoor at 704 N. Cedar St. doing an estimated $550 damage to gain access to $5 of pizza and 22 cans of Keystone Light, valued at $20.

Derelict home to be repaired

A house that’s been a thorn in the side of Marion city council for seven months has been purchased by a new owner who is in the process of fixing it up, and another house under city scrutiny might be next. The issue arose last year when police officers went to check on then-resident Allen Church and discovered unsafe conditions. City building inspector Marty Fredrickson reported to the council in February that despite the fact that the property’s owners, Church and Paul and Elaine Morse, had earlier promised to resolve the issue, he could see no changes in the condition of the property. Council members then gave the owners 90 days to complete repairs or the house would be demolished.

After 29 years, justice served

Time and technology finally caught up with a Georgia man who called district court to pay up on a speeding ticket he received in 1987. Rodney L. Lee was 22 years old when he was pulled over for doing 77 in a 55-mph zone two miles north of Durham. Lee listed his address as 49th Ordnance Co., Fort Riley, and provided a Georgia drivers license.

Holter, commissioners at odds over EcoDevo committee quals

Getting an economic development committee together has not proven to be easy, county commissioners learned Monday. County clerk Tina Spencer told commissioners Monday that they had not been receiving much interest.

Suspected counterfeiter no stranger to court

A Peabody man suspected of being the maker of bogus $5 and $10 bills found circulating in the county is in Marion County Jail. Richard Todd Litton, 30, Peabody, was arrested Friday on suspicion of burglary, counterfeiting, theft by deception, and nine counts of theft.

MES principal starts coding club, students program video games

Back in the days of early pixilated video game systems, homework was something kids were supposed to do before rotting their brains with mindless entertainment. However, members of a new coding club at Marion Elementary School are part of a trend to integrate gaming and other computer technology into elementary education.

Longtime judicial journey continues for Powers

When Council Grove attorney Michael Powers went looking for a new professional challenge in 1991, an opening for district judge in Marion County appeared to offer what he wanted. “I had a young family and I thought Marion County was going to be a really good place to raise them,” Powers said. “I thought it was something I might be good at and I wanted to try. If I got it, I would be able to remain in a similar community to Council Grove.”

Chingawassa buttons available Monday

Chingawassa Days buttons will go on sale Monday and at several locations in Marion and Hillsboro. Buttons can be purchased in Marion at Ampride, Carlsons’ Grocery, the City of Marion office, Central National Bank, Marion National Bank, Tampa State Bank, Western Associates, and Lanning Pharmacy.

Marion police collecting unwanted prescription drugs

Marion Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be taking unwanted prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30 at the Marion Police Department. This will be the 11th opportunity in six years for Marion to help prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

City to undertake housing assessment

A panel of Marion residents met last week to set the trail for assessment of housing in Marion. Marion economic development director Randy Collett said the group of 12 participants has been given the job of completing a housing assessment tool by June 30.

Romance blossomed at Camp Wood YMCA

The 100-year history of Camp Wood YMCA at Elmdale undoubtedly contains countless tales of summer camp romance, but perhaps none more endearing than that of the late Roger and Marie Morse of Marion. Marie, of McPherson, was a camper there in 1932. She etched her name and address on a bunk, and Roger later found it and wrote her.

Frank to become Legion district commander

Randy Frank was elected commander of Kansas American Legion Fourth District on Friday in Emporia, a step the 14-year Army field artillery veteran said was in keeping with the spirit of his unit. “Our motto was ‘answering the call,’ and that’s my motto for the next two years,” Frank said. “I believe it’s my turn to stand up and do what I can to help progress what we have for our Legionnaires.”

Advance Lodge No. 114 presents awards

Advance Lodge No. 114 held its annual Past Masters’ banquet Thursday at Florentine Masonic Center in Florence. Master Kelly Shaft welcomed members and guests. He also welcomed and introduced Lyn E. Beyer, Grand Master of Kansas Freemasons.

4.5 million pounds of chicken recalled

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, based in Waco, Texas, is recalling 4.5 million pounds of fully cooked chicken products that may be contaminated with materials including plastic, wood, rubber, and metal. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, the chicken products were sold to schools.

Ferne Hiebert

Ferne Hiebert, 87, died April 19 at Pine Village in Moundridge. A funeral service was Friday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. Interment followed at Hillsboro M.B. Cemetery.

Brayden Axelrad

Brayden C. Axelrad, infant son of Jason C. and Jennifer A. (Stimson) Axelrad of Tampa, died April 20 at Herington Municipal Hospital. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. today at St. John Lutheran Church in Tampa. Burial will follow at Tampa Community Cemetery.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil division

County jail

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Fish and game division

Offenses reported

Police reports

Traffic division

Wait until the Tooth Fairy gets a load of "Chewbaru"

Original or well-restored vintage vehicles make most people look twice. An art car almost assuredly makes them look thrice and then again. An art car belongs to an unusual genre of vehicles — any vehicle can be used as the base. It is the addition of the artist’s personal theme that makes the car stand out.

Amstutz earns top certification

A Hillsboro Ford technician recently earned top recognition from Ford Motor Company for his knowledge and work. Nathan Amstutz, who has worked for Hillsboro Ford five years, was awarded a Ford Senior Master Technician Certification after completing 75 online classes, 17 classroom courses, technology updates, and five years of experience as a Ford service technician.

Waxing vehicles helps restore their original shine

For some car lovers, there is nothing like a good-looking shiny ride, but with use, luster can dull and colors fade. Enter car wax — a time-honored treatment to restore a vehicle’s original shine.

K-15 receiving utility work in Marion County

Utility work began Monday on K-15 3.5 miles north of Durham. The work is focused on the east side of the highway and requires traffic to be reduced to one lane.

Capricious volunteerism

As we’ve oft noted in this column, opportunities for volunteerism abound in our county, and more often than not, folks step up to fill the need. Of course, many times it’s the same folks stepping up for one cause, then another, and then yet another. We all can think of people who could be dubbed patron saint of (fill in your town here) volunteers, and scratch our heads with either envy or wonder at how they manage to do it all.

Caught in the act

Tuesday morning I caught a Marion man right in the act. It was a random act of kindness.

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS:

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

Card shower to mark Broadstreet's birthday

Cards are requested in honor of former photographer and Marion resident Les Broadstreet’s 99th birthday May 5. Broadstreet and his wife, Berniece, operated a photography studio in Marion in the 1940s and 50s before moving to Wichita, where he established a reputation as one of the city’s top photographers. The Broadstreets returned to Marion in 2005.

Farm and Art Market to open May 4

Senior center to offer free identity theft workshop

Marion Senior Center will offer a free identity theft workshop at 12:15 p.m. May 4 at the center. Participants will learn how to protect themselves from the effects of ID theft, be introduced to five major types of identity theft, learn how to better protect personal information, and learn about restoration services and credit monitoring plans.

Dept. of Aging needs drivers

Marion County Department of Aging is in need of volunteer drivers to transport individuals 60 and older to medical appointments, shopping trips and other trips of necessity. A Dodge Caravan is provided for the service.

PEO holds Coronado Reciprocity meeting

Forty six PEO members representing Newton, McPherson, Halsted, Marion, and Chase County attended the annual Coronado Reciprocity meeting April 9, at Marion City Library. Marion Chapter DB served as host for the event. The theme was Trains and Books/Harvey House.

MEMORIES:

SENIOR CENTER:

Forensics students qualify for 3A state tournament

After placing first at Hillsboro, second at Moundridge, and winning the Heart of America League tournament at Centre, a troupe of Marion High School forensics students will compete against students from 46 3A schools Saturday at the state speech and drama championships in Wichita. Each student will perform in three rounds. The top 12 students will progress to the semifinals in each event, and only six of the highest-rated students progress to finals.

Students honored at academic banquet

Marion Kiwanis Club recognized 59 Marion High School students Monday at the clubs’ annual honor banquet. USD 408 Superintendent’s Lee Leiker called the near lack of seating “a pleasant problem to have” considering the large number of students who were honored for outstanding academic achievement.

MHS competes at state music festival

Marion concert choir and high school band performed at 3A state large group festival April 13 in Lindsborg, and four soloists performed at State solo and small ensembles Saturday at Southeast of Saline High School. Choir and band both received 1s. Adam Kjellin, Cade Harms, and John Lind received 1s on solos, while Elizabeth Meyer received a 2.

Centre FFA competes in ag mechanics and vet science

Adam Makovec, James Spohn, Dylan Deines, Greg Oborny, and Daniel Rudolph competed April 20 in the south-central FFA district competition in ag mechanics at McPherson. They demonstrated their knowledge in welding, electrical wiring, engines, mechanical math, tool measurement and identification, and land surveying.

Harris receives education foundation loans

Parker Harris, grandson of Marion residents John and Becky Summerville and great-grandchild of Marion resident Peggy Summerville, recently received a Loan Initiative for Future Teachers award from the Salina Education Foundation. LIFT provides up to $5,000 annually to students from Saline County who major in education and forgives $5,000 for each year the student teaches in Salina district.

Area school menus

Golfers compete at Remington

The combined Marion/ Peabody-Burns golf team competed Thursday at Remington. Coach Topher Rome said Remington had not sent the official team results of the tournament as of Monday.

Throwers lead Centre

Centre track athletes competed in two meets during the past week. Barrett Smith finished first in javelin April 19 at Buhler with a throw of 146 feet, 3 inches. Kate Basore finished first in javelin Thursday at Council Grove. Other top-three finishers at Buhler were Summer Espinoza, second in shot put; Smith, third in shot put; and Whitney Gutsch, third in shot put and discus. Xavier Espinoza finished in third place in the 400-meters at Council Grove.

Bowling results

Calendar of Events

Farm and Art Market to open May 4

Tampa Pride to offer all you can eat tacos

The public is invited to an all you can eat taco party by Tampa Pride from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Tampa Park. Cost for adults is $8, kids 5 to 12 are $5, and 4 and under get in free.

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