HILLSBORO Star-Journal

HEADLINES

County issues 1st same-sex marriage license
For all the voices in the discussion and debate on marriage equality, the decision to allow Marion’s first wedding of a same-sex couple came down to one person, that being the chief justice of the district court, Mike Powers. Kaci Miller and Amanda Horacek became the first same-sex couple to marry in Marion County on Nov. 13, the same day Powers signed an administrative order to allow same-sex couples to wed.
Charges filed in Tabor beatings
Lance Carter and Tabarrius Quordez Coffey were charged in an incident that left a former Tabor football player hospitalized on Oct. 26. Carter was one of two athletes that suffered injuries that night, the other being Manuel Michael Pineda. Pineda was hospitalized that night while Carter reported his injuries the next day.
Hillsboro looking to hike utility rates again
The Hillsboro city council will consider increasing its utility rates for the fourth time since 2008, with council members planning to discuss the measure at a work session Tuesday following their regular meeting. City officials last year decided to take an “incremental approach” to increasing the utility bill rather than implement one large fee hike for residents and businesses, said City Administrator Larry Paine. Paine has been the driving force behind the higher utility rates since he became the city administrator in 2007. Paine wants to build cash reserves for each utility in case of emergencies and to strengthen the city’s bond rating, he said.
Alco shoppers deal with store closing
While Linda Mish raised a family, she shopped at the Hillsboro Alco regularly. Now that her children are grown, she does not visit the store as often but she still hunts for bargains. “I wait for deals on canned vegetables,” Mish said outside the Alco on Tuesday.
Police investigate prowler reports
Hillsboro police investigated two separate reports of prowlers atop buildings Saturday. The first occurred in the afternoon at Hillsboro High School. A neighbor reported hearing a ceramic tile break on the ground.
Food for the soul
Growing numbers of tour groups are finding their way to the rural Marion County town of Pilsen and are finding food for the soul as they learn more about chaplain Emil Kapaun, who gave his life serving others in a North Korean prisoner-of-war camp and is a candidate for the sainthood. When they finish touring the Father Emil Kapaun Museum and adjacent St. John Nepomucene Church, they are hungry.
Boy, 2, OK after shooting himself
A 2-year-old boy is recovering after accidentally shooting himself with his father’s .22-caliber pistol Friday evening inside their rural Marion home. Sheriff Robert Craft said the child’s father opened his gun safe, turned around, and the boy grabbed the barrel of the gun, which discharged.

DEATHS

Kenneth Schroeder
Kenneth Schroeder, 92, died Thursday at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. He was born March 16, 1922, to John P. and Marie (Goertz) Schroeder in Goessel. He married Ruby Prieb Feb. 27, 1947, in Hillsboro. She preceded him in death.
IN MEMORIAM:
Mary Wullenweber

DOCKET

OPINION

Dying a thousand deaths from hidden taxes
With their penchant for meeting behind closed doors we can’t be totally sure, but we think it’s a safe bet city council members haven’t been scheming how to stick it to everybody but their wealthiest constituents. Still, that’s exactly what they’ve been doing in considering raising utility rates in both Marion and Hillsboro.

PEOPLE

NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:
Several attend musical
'ROUND THE TOWN:
Ladies celebrate birthday dinner

SCHOOL

Tabor announces scholarships
Recipients of Tabor College presidential leadership scholarships in 2015 are Alison Nikkel of Centennial, Colorado; Alyssa Abbott of Jones, Oklahoma; Michael Prichard of Aurora, Colorado; and Cody Kroeker of Henderson, Nebraska. The winners were chosen from a group of 20 candidates who visited the campus earlier this month.
Tabor band to perform
The Tabor College Symphonic Band and Chamber Strings will present a free concert titled, “A Christmas Festival,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. Musicians will perform traditional Christmas songs, including music from seven countries and four musical eras. Brad Vogel will accompany the strings on harpsichord.

SPORTS

Player of the Year award surprises Page Hiebert
The thought of becoming Class 1A Division I Kansas Volleyball Association All-State Player of the Year probably didn’t even surface in the mind of Goessel High School junior and outside hitter Page Hiebert during volleyball season. Page was a selfless player.
Hillsboro players make all-league team
Selections to the Central Kansas League East Division All-League Team are in. First team selections include Hillsboro seniors Jesse Meier, offensive lineman, and defensive back Justus Hilliard. Honorable mentions include running back Justus Hilliard; offensive lineman Graham Pankratz; and linebacker Jesse Meier.

HILLSBORO Star-Journal

While Linda Mish raised a family, she shopped at the Hillsboro Alco regularly. Now that her children are grown, she does not visit the store as often but she still hunts for bargains. “I wait for deals on canned vegetables,” Mish said outside the Alco on Tuesday.

Hillsboro police investigated two separate reports of prowlers atop buildings Saturday. The first occurred in the afternoon at Hillsboro High School. A neighbor reported hearing a ceramic tile break on the ground.

A 2-year-old boy is recovering after accidentally shooting himself with his father’s .22-caliber pistol Friday evening inside their rural Marion home. Sheriff Robert Craft said the child’s father opened his gun safe, turned around, and the boy grabbed the barrel of the gun, which discharged.

Kenneth Schroeder, 92, died Thursday at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. He was born March 16, 1922, to John P. and Marie (Goertz) Schroeder in Goessel. He married Ruby Prieb Feb. 27, 1947, in Hillsboro. She preceded him in death.

IN MEMORIAM:

NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:

'ROUND THE TOWN:

The thought of becoming Class 1A Division I Kansas Volleyball Association All-State Player of the Year probably didn’t even surface in the mind of Goessel High School junior and outside hitter Page Hiebert during volleyball season. Page was a selfless player.

MARION:

HILLSBORO:

PEABODY:

CENTRE:

GOESSEL: