Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

Gunman decimates alpaca herd
Eight alpacas were shot in the head late Sunday or early Monday at Prairie Oak Alpaca Farm just north of Peabody. Jeff Methvin said his wife, Laurie, discovered one of the alpacas as she was leaving for work Monday. He returned home from work and “started finding more alpacas.”
Tips sought
The sheriff’s office is asking to hear from anyone with information about the shootings. Information may be provided to call deputy Kaylan Miles at (620) 382-2144.
Mayor, council member exchange barbs over secrecy
Mayor David Mayfield, his wife, and council member Ruth Herbel traded barbs Monday about a recent executive session that resulted in the city firing administrator Mark Skiles. Mayfield and his wife, Jami, accused Herbel of exposing the city to lawsuits when she disclosed information from the closed-door meeting Dec. 23.
Returning Tabor students don't always dig temporary new digs
As Tabor students returned from winter break Sunday, 35 of them had to pick up belongings from rooms in four residence halls that took water where water line breaks have caused them to relocate to different dorm rooms. Not all of them had to pick up everything. Spokesman Adam Suderman said volunteers helped move student’s belongings from damaged rooms so repair work could begin.
Hats off . . . to Canton: Western-wear store leaving Marion
After 4½ years in Marion, a custom hat-shaping and western wear merchandiser is moving her business from Marion to Canton. Johsie Reid, who operates JR Hatters at 308 E Main St., said moving the business to Canton would bring her closer to “her people.”

OTHER NEWS

Marion drug dog goes to sheriff
Marion sold its drug-sniffing dog, Blue, to the sheriff’s office Monday for $6,000. The sheriff’s office also agreed to buy $679 in equipment for the dog, which went with former police officer Aaron Slater when he transferred back to the sheriff’s office in November.
Real estate firm changes hands
A familiar Marion real estate agency has been sold to a different local agent so the former owner could retire. Longtime agent Lori Heerey is semi-retired, working with her husband, Doug Heerey, in his Shelter Insurance agency.
Repeat violator gets short stay in jail
Darin L. Hill, 53, Ramona, was booked into jail at 9:39 p.m. Thursday on suspicion of stalking in violation of a protection order. He was released on his own recognizance half an hour later.
Peabody has funding, seeks projects
Peabody Main Street Association hopes to get a grant for improvements to businesses on Walnut St. The organization is seeking applicants and hopes to distribute $25,000 to $50,000 per property from a Kansas Department of Commerce grant called Building a Stronger Economy.
Commissioners re-organize, plan projects
No changes were made Monday with Marion County Commission, despite swearing in three commissioners. Kent Becker, David Crofoot, and Jonah Gehring all will repeat four-year terms.
Police still investigating string of burglaries
Marion police still are investigating a rash of vehicle burglaries reported New Year’s Day. Five vehicles at four homes in the area of Birch and Lincoln Sts. were burglarized early Jan. 1, officer Zach Hudlin said.
Interim department heads named
Marion police officer Duane McCarty will lead the department as interim chief while the city looks for a replacement for Clinton Jeffrey, who resigned last month. City council members voted 4-0 Monday to appoint McCarty.

DEATHS

Valera Hamm
Services for Valera Hamm, 90, Durham, who died Friday at Salem Home in Hillsboro, will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Durham Baptist Church. Relatives will receive friends 6 to 8 tonight at Jost Funeral Home, Hillsboro.
IN MEMORIAM:
Mary Langenegger

DOCKET

FINANCE

Interest rates slow county housing market
Home sales in Kansas have taken a deep dive as potential buyers worry about higher interest rates. At the same time, inventory is down.
Retirees coping with inflation
Retirement is often portrayed as a carefree time when people get to kick back and do what they want. Not everyone has seen it that way.

OPINION

Of tirades and truth
Marion Mayor David Mayfield had his target. He had his script. He even had his own jeering section, including his wife, his former wife, his city-employee son, and even a minister. What he didn’t have Monday night, when he lit into city council member Ruth Herbel, were the facts. Misleading implications and allegations, he had plenty of.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
Give us our daily bread
LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Government spending

PEOPLE

Couple celebrating 50th anniversary
Elven and Marsha Marshall of Marion will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary today. They were married Jan. 11, 1973, in Loveland, Colorado.
Free commodities to be distributed
Weather permitting, distribution of free food items to low-income residents age 60 and older is scheduled for next week. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, commodities formerly were distributed monthly. This changed last year to bimonthly distribution. This year, the delay between distributions will be even greater. The next scheduled distribution after January’s will not be until mid-April.
Manager honored for 20 years on job
Janet Bryant, site manager for Marion senior center’s nutrition program since Jan. 6, 2003, got special attention Friday for her years of service. Senior center guests having lunch got to see her receive a rose from senior center president Clarita Caudill and a bouquet from her daughters, Jan Helmer and Ann Carr. Helmer and Carr stayed to have lunch with their mother.
Tabor plans ribbon-cutting
An entrepreneurship fair will highlight activities Friday at Tabor College’s Central Kansas Entrepreneurship Center. The fair will be at 2 p.m. followed by a program at 3 p.m., both at Shari Fleming Center for the Arts, and ribbon cutting at 3:30 p.m. at D and Lincoln Sts. Tours of the center will be available after the ribbon cutting.
History society seeks members
Peabody Historical Societyis recruiting new members. The society sends out several newsletters and communicates about planned events. Membership dues are $10 a year or $100 for a lifetime membership. Dues may be sent to Peabody Historical Society, P.O. Box 60, Peabody, KS 66866.
Democrats to fill vacancies
Filling precinct committee vacancies and previewing the 2023 legislative session will be on the agenda when Marion County Democrats meet at 10 a.m. Sunday at Peabody Township Library, 214 N. Walnut St. More information about the meeting is available from Eileen Sieger at (620) 382-7091.
Senior center menus
MEMORIES:
15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 115, 145 years ago

SCHOOL

Hillsboro schools eye building projects
Contemplating several building projects, Hillsboro school board members voted Monday to hire an architect and a construction manager. Wichita-based Shultz Squared Architects was hired to help the district with planning and design for several infrastructure projects.
Hillsboro names students of month
Junior Adrian Unruh and senior Katie Rempel have been named students of the month for January at Hillsboro High School. Adrian, son of Tim and Alissa Unruh, enjoys drawing, listen to music, taking pictures, and spending time at Rhubarb Market.
Marion ready to interview applicants
Marion USD 408 is narrowing applicants for school superintendent. At Monday’s meeting, school board members reviewed applications in a lengthy executive session.

SPORTS

Point guard can't pass up chance to play in Spain
Cheyenne Sawyer, a junior at Goessel high school, has her eye set on playing basketball in Barcelona, Spain. The trip, with Acis Educational Tours, will start June 19, and include tournament play June 20 and 21, sightseeing June 22, tournament play June 23, sightseeing and tournament play June 24, and tournament play June 25 and 26 before departure back home June 27.
Goessel girls race to victory; others struggle
The Goessel girls’ defense stepped up in a big way Friday against Solomon, capturing 22 steals for the game. The Bluebirds scored 20 points before the Gorillas got on the board. In the second quarter, the Bluebirds removed full-court pressure but still regularly intercepted lazy passes and rebounded well to lead 27-7 at half time.
Centre gets revenge; other teams fall behind
After falling to Wakefield at home in the first game of the season, the Cougars defeated the. It was Centre’s first victory of the season. “We played man-to-man defense, which threw them off,” coach Richard Idleman said. “It was a nice win. We needed it.”
Trojan grapplers 4th; Warriors split squad
Marion and Hillsboro wrestling team opened the tournament portion of the new year Saturday in the 50th annual Charles McMillin Invitational at Herington. The Trojans finished fourth out of 18 schools with 109 points and seven medalists.
Swimmers compete in Newton, head to Topeka
Marion and Centre’s combined boys swim team competed Thursday in Newton in the first swim meet of the new year. In the 50 meter freestyle, Tristen Dye finished 15th; Arthur Thornhill, 19th; and Zachary Schlesner, 31st.
MHS honors 2 athletes for character
Sophomore basketball player Addison Cooper and senior football player Quade Williams were announced Tuesday as Marion High School’s Champions of Character for December. “Addison is a great teammate and always looking for ways to serve her team,” activities director Jason Hett wrote. “She does what is asked of her with hard work and a great attitude. She is very polite and respectful to her teachers and coaches.

Marion County RECORD

Eight alpacas were shot in the head late Sunday or early Monday at Prairie Oak Alpaca Farm just north of Peabody. Jeff Methvin said his wife, Laurie, discovered one of the alpacas as she was leaving for work Monday. He returned home from work and “started finding more alpacas.”

The sheriff’s office is asking to hear from anyone with information about the shootings. Information may be provided to call deputy Kaylan Miles at (620) 382-2144.

After 4½ years in Marion, a custom hat-shaping and western wear merchandiser is moving her business from Marion to Canton. Johsie Reid, who operates JR Hatters at 308 E Main St., said moving the business to Canton would bring her closer to “her people.”

Marion sold its drug-sniffing dog, Blue, to the sheriff’s office Monday for $6,000. The sheriff’s office also agreed to buy $679 in equipment for the dog, which went with former police officer Aaron Slater when he transferred back to the sheriff’s office in November.

A familiar Marion real estate agency has been sold to a different local agent so the former owner could retire. Longtime agent Lori Heerey is semi-retired, working with her husband, Doug Heerey, in his Shelter Insurance agency.

Darin L. Hill, 53, Ramona, was booked into jail at 9:39 p.m. Thursday on suspicion of stalking in violation of a protection order. He was released on his own recognizance half an hour later.

Peabody Main Street Association hopes to get a grant for improvements to businesses on Walnut St. The organization is seeking applicants and hopes to distribute $25,000 to $50,000 per property from a Kansas Department of Commerce grant called Building a Stronger Economy.

No changes were made Monday with Marion County Commission, despite swearing in three commissioners. Kent Becker, David Crofoot, and Jonah Gehring all will repeat four-year terms.

Marion police still are investigating a rash of vehicle burglaries reported New Year’s Day. Five vehicles at four homes in the area of Birch and Lincoln Sts. were burglarized early Jan. 1, officer Zach Hudlin said.

Marion police officer Duane McCarty will lead the department as interim chief while the city looks for a replacement for Clinton Jeffrey, who resigned last month. City council members voted 4-0 Monday to appoint McCarty.

Services for Valera Hamm, 90, Durham, who died Friday at Salem Home in Hillsboro, will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Durham Baptist Church. Relatives will receive friends 6 to 8 tonight at Jost Funeral Home, Hillsboro.

IN MEMORIAM:

Home sales in Kansas have taken a deep dive as potential buyers worry about higher interest rates. At the same time, inventory is down.

Retirement is often portrayed as a carefree time when people get to kick back and do what they want. Not everyone has seen it that way.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Elven and Marsha Marshall of Marion will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary today. They were married Jan. 11, 1973, in Loveland, Colorado.

Peabody Historical Societyis recruiting new members. The society sends out several newsletters and communicates about planned events. Membership dues are $10 a year or $100 for a lifetime membership. Dues may be sent to Peabody Historical Society, P.O. Box 60, Peabody, KS 66866.

Filling precinct committee vacancies and previewing the 2023 legislative session will be on the agenda when Marion County Democrats meet at 10 a.m. Sunday at Peabody Township Library, 214 N. Walnut St. More information about the meeting is available from Eileen Sieger at (620) 382-7091.

MEMORIES:

Contemplating several building projects, Hillsboro school board members voted Monday to hire an architect and a construction manager. Wichita-based Shultz Squared Architects was hired to help the district with planning and design for several infrastructure projects.

Junior Adrian Unruh and senior Katie Rempel have been named students of the month for January at Hillsboro High School. Adrian, son of Tim and Alissa Unruh, enjoys drawing, listen to music, taking pictures, and spending time at Rhubarb Market.

Marion USD 408 is narrowing applicants for school superintendent. At Monday’s meeting, school board members reviewed applications in a lengthy executive session.

After falling to Wakefield at home in the first game of the season, the Cougars defeated the. It was Centre’s first victory of the season. “We played man-to-man defense, which threw them off,” coach Richard Idleman said. “It was a nice win. We needed it.”

Marion and Hillsboro wrestling team opened the tournament portion of the new year Saturday in the 50th annual Charles McMillin Invitational at Herington. The Trojans finished fourth out of 18 schools with 109 points and seven medalists.

Marion and Centre’s combined boys swim team competed Thursday in Newton in the first swim meet of the new year. In the 50 meter freestyle, Tristen Dye finished 15th; Arthur Thornhill, 19th; and Zachary Schlesner, 31st.