Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

Trouble on tap: Rural district serves up water that looks more like coffee
Last week, “All of a sudden, he came out of the bathroom and he said, ‘Baba, there’s something weird with the water,’” Wick said. “I looked, and it was the color of coffee.”
Trouble on Tap: Complaints many; answers few
Residents appalled by brown and black water sought help Monday from county commissioners, but the path forward seems perhaps as cloudy as the water emerging from their taps. Nathan Brunner said Rural Water District No. 1’s problems had been lasting longer, usually one to two days of dirty, brown or black water.
Bank to be sold to St. John group
Tampa State Bank, with offices in Tampa and Marion, is expected to become a branch of SJN Bank, headquartered in St. John, by the end of this year. Tampa bank has a long history in Marion County.
Pet rescuer faces charges after dog kills cat
Two dogs that escaped and killed a cat Saturday are owned by a would-be animal sanctuary operator with no license from the state or the city. Interim Police Chief Zach Hudlin said officers were sent at 8:15 p.m. to Fairway Dr. to investigate a report of two dogs roaming the neighborhood.
Discord in Peabody leads to challenge
Months of political tension in Peabody will lead to an electoral showdown in November between the incumbent mayor and incumbent council president. Two years ago, council president Kevin Burke considered running for mayor of Peabody. But one thing held him back.

OTHER NEWS

Customers come with creativity
For Bill and Essie’s BBQ in Marion, building a customer base has taken time and effort. But it also requires a strong dash of creativity, Megan Jones said. Daryl, Megan’s husband and the restaurant’s chef, has cooked at the senior center and sold food at a variety of community events.
44 sex charges dropped, but prison unaltered
A Canton man originally charged with 49 sex charges made a plea bargain Tuesday and was convicted on five charges. Matthew W. Dudte, 52, agreed to plead no contest to aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, and three counts of aggravated endangering of a child.
Marion to keep tax option open
Although it’s not certain that Marion will exceed its revenue neutral rate for 2026, council members voted Monday to notify the county clerk that it intended to do so. “You have to give notice that you may do it,” city administrator Bryan Wells told council members. “We want to keep our options open at this moment.”
FBI takes over investigation of Peabody's ex-clerk
State officials have concluded their investigation of now-deceased Peabody city clerk Jonathan Clayton and turned the case over to the FBI. “Our KBI case is closed,” Kansas Bureau of Investigation public affairs specialist Natalie Turner said. “The Federal Bureau of Investigation adopted the case from us.”
State tournament set for Peabody
A state Babe Ruth baseball tournament for kids 16 and younger and an alumni reunion for former players are planned starting July 16 in Peabody. Eight or more teams and 350 to 400 players and families are expected to descend on Peabody for the tournament.
Fourth Fest a blast even before fireworks
Most out-of-towners waited until evening to show up for Friday’s Fourth Fest in Peabody. Some arrived as late as 10 p.m.; that was when the fireworks show began, after all.

IN BRIEF

County qualifies for disaster loans
Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Marion County businesses, nonprofits, and residents with losses from storms and flooding June 3 to 7. Businesses and nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace real estate, equipment, inventory, and other assets.
Youth deer hunt planned
Applications are open for those 17 and younger who want to participate in a special deer hunt Dec. 13 and 14 at Marion Wildlife Area. Hunters will be limited to harvesting one deer. Each will be assigned a blind. Department of Wildlife and Parks staff will take hunters to their blinds and help with deer removal.
Cemetery board to meet
Public comment will be invited when Prairie Lawn Cemetery Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Peabody Senior Center. Topics discussed will include payroll, payables, burials, budget, cemetery-related problems, suggestion, and concerns.
School tech group to meet
Directors of Technology Excellence in Education Network, which provides online services to area school districts, will meet at 6 p.m. July 16 in the Marion-Florence district office, 101 N. Thorp St., Marion. More information is available from Lena Kleiner at (620) 877-0237.

DEATHS

Bettie Batt
Services for Bettie Batt, 98, Marion, who died Monday, will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church, Marion. Visitation with her family will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, Marion.
Velda Hiebert
Services for Velda Klein Hiebert, 100, who died June 6, were Monday at First Mennonite Church in Hillsboro. Jost Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Born Dec. 16, 1924, to Ephraim J. and Agnes (Hein Foth) Klein, she grew up on a farm in the Ebenfeld community and was baptized by G.W. Lohrenz at Ebenfeld Church.
Janette Walter
Services for Janette Walter, 93, who died Sunday at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro, will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Ebenfeld Church, rural Hillsboro. Born Nov. 26, 1931, at Ransom, she married Joseph M. Walter Jr. on June 28, 1953, in Goltry, Oklahoma.
IN MEMORIAM:
Viola Hiebert

DOCKET

OPINION

Stopping fat cats from gnawing at our wallets
Amid the herd of potential candidates unwilling to serve our county by seeking to fill a legislative vacancy, a dark horse stands out. Actually, it’s a dark cat — my black-and-white tabby, Zenger. Zenger proved his readiness for politics the other night when I departed in a hurry to marvel at fireworks at the county lake and left out a carryout box that still had a few slices of pizza in it.
Another one bites the dust
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
Something for nothing

PEOPLE

Peabody hears a voice from above
“I’m kind of embarrassed to ask this, but does anyone know what time the parade starts?” Aaron Waddell said into the microphone. “Is it at 4 or 5?” Waddell was sitting in a swivel chair in an announcer’s booth above Peabody’s baseball field. His voice traveled through loudspeakers and washed over the city park.
Senior center menus
MEMORIES:
15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 110, 145 years ago

MORE…

HOVER OVER IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT

This is how water came out of a tap last week at Kristina Kraemer's home in Tampa.

A granddaughter at a Town and Country Cafe family gathering in Florence over the weekend picks up paper streamers the best way she knows how - by wrapping them around herself.

Hap (left) and Aaron Waddell work in an announcing booth at Peabody's ballfield a few minutes before Fourth Fest's fireworks show.

Bright lights silhouette two people sitting on the edge of a dock near the swimming area at Marion County Lake during its 15-minute fireworks show Saturday. Fireworks displays also were offered in Peabody, Florence, Aulne, Hillsboro, and Goessel throughout the Fourth of July weekend.

Marion County RECORD

Last week, “All of a sudden, he came out of the bathroom and he said, ‘Baba, there’s something weird with the water,’” Wick said. “I looked, and it was the color of coffee.”

Tampa State Bank, with offices in Tampa and Marion, is expected to become a branch of SJN Bank, headquartered in St. John, by the end of this year. Tampa bank has a long history in Marion County.

Two dogs that escaped and killed a cat Saturday are owned by a would-be animal sanctuary operator with no license from the state or the city. Interim Police Chief Zach Hudlin said officers were sent at 8:15 p.m. to Fairway Dr. to investigate a report of two dogs roaming the neighborhood.

Months of political tension in Peabody will lead to an electoral showdown in November between the incumbent mayor and incumbent council president. Two years ago, council president Kevin Burke considered running for mayor of Peabody. But one thing held him back.

For Bill and Essie’s BBQ in Marion, building a customer base has taken time and effort. But it also requires a strong dash of creativity, Megan Jones said. Daryl, Megan’s husband and the restaurant’s chef, has cooked at the senior center and sold food at a variety of community events.

A Canton man originally charged with 49 sex charges made a plea bargain Tuesday and was convicted on five charges. Matthew W. Dudte, 52, agreed to plead no contest to aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, and three counts of aggravated endangering of a child.

A state Babe Ruth baseball tournament for kids 16 and younger and an alumni reunion for former players are planned starting July 16 in Peabody. Eight or more teams and 350 to 400 players and families are expected to descend on Peabody for the tournament.

Most out-of-towners waited until evening to show up for Friday’s Fourth Fest in Peabody. Some arrived as late as 10 p.m.; that was when the fireworks show began, after all.

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Marion County businesses, nonprofits, and residents with losses from storms and flooding June 3 to 7. Businesses and nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace real estate, equipment, inventory, and other assets.

Public comment will be invited when Prairie Lawn Cemetery Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Peabody Senior Center. Topics discussed will include payroll, payables, burials, budget, cemetery-related problems, suggestion, and concerns.

Directors of Technology Excellence in Education Network, which provides online services to area school districts, will meet at 6 p.m. July 16 in the Marion-Florence district office, 101 N. Thorp St., Marion. More information is available from Lena Kleiner at (620) 877-0237.

Services for Bettie Batt, 98, Marion, who died Monday, will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church, Marion. Visitation with her family will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, Marion.

Services for Janette Walter, 93, who died Sunday at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro, will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Ebenfeld Church, rural Hillsboro. Born Nov. 26, 1931, at Ransom, she married Joseph M. Walter Jr. on June 28, 1953, in Goltry, Oklahoma.

IN MEMORIAM:

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

MEMORIES: