HILLSBORO Star-Journal

HEADLINES

Chief celebrates 15 years at helm
Ben Steketee remembers the day 15 years ago when Mayor Delores Dalke asked him to become Hillsboro fire chief like it was yesterday. “She said ‘Well, we’re going to have to replace the fire chief,’ cause Wayne was about to retire, ‘and I think maybe you should be the fire chief,’” Steketee said. “I literally laughed out loud, and I said ‘Yeah, right, that’s a good one, mayor,’ and she said ‘No, I’m serious.’”
Price tag of the future: $19 million
City council met Tuesday to discuss a capital improvement plan created by city administrator Larry Paine that starts in 2017 and goes past 2023. With the 113 projects city Paine has worked through, he estimated the total cost to be around $19 million.
A 3,500-mile ride to save horses
Two women on horseback plodding along US-50 through Thursday morning’s heavy rain was an odd sight for passing drivers. It was odder still for Sheri Gerety when she looked out a window at her house just west of Peabody. “I was sneaking pictures from inside,” she said. “How many times do you see two women on horseback coming down your driveway?”
Missing blind man found dead
A 76-year-old Marion man who wandered away from his apartment sometime after 9:30 p.m. Monday was found dead Tuesday morning. Marion police officer Duane McCarty said Derrel Dye, 76, was blind and very hard of hearing.
Books to be unique fixtures in new building supply store
A 36-year-old priest is taking a leap of faith as he plans to combine two family businesses under one roof in downtown Hillsboro. Father Isaac Farha of Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Christian Church in Hillsboro will manage Farha’s Carpet and Building Supply when it opens later this fall on the southeast corner of 1st and Main Sts.
E-community fund assists Peabody Market purchase
New Peabody Market owners Mike and Jadina Crow are up and running with changes ranging from new paint to new inventory. “I’m a fixer-upper kind of a guy, so I have plenty of projects now,” Mike Crow said.
Hog, turkey to roast in tandem with Hope festival
Hope Lions Club will have its annual hog and turkey roast from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the First National Bank annex and community center in Hope. The roast will be held in conjunction with the 15th annual Hope Heritage Festival, which features a variety of events including kids games, cake walk, carriage rides, car show, pin-up contest, rock paper scissors tourney, ventriloquist, and several musical acts.

OTHER HEADLINES

Winds of change affect developers of wind energy systems
Rex Savage of Florence didn’t intend to be a trailblazer, but such is the fate of those who go first, as he did when he embarked on a quest to see a wind farm built in the county. Over the years Savage has been developing what’s known as the Doyle project, technology, regulations, prices, the industry, and Savage’s plans all have changed.
Tough choices loom as committee forges ahead
There are likely some tough decisions ahead for county economic development. With the recent formation of a county economic development committee, focus and money might need to be shifted to the proposals the committee brings forward when they are done evaluating how to recruit jobs to the county.
Conservation grant most promising option for fixing 190th road erosion
Although a much-traveled road between Marion and Hillsboro is closed indefinitely for repairs, a light at the end of the tunnel might be shining. A grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service is hoped to pay for needed repairs to get 190th Rd. open again. Citing safety concerns, the county closed the road last week after the road, already weakened by erosion from the South Cottonwood River, became softer, concrete began cracking, and a guardrail began tilting toward the river.
Man arrested for alleged sex crimes
Edwin M. Klenda, 55, Marion, was arrested last week on an attorney general’s charge of aggravated sexual battery. State statutes, cited in the complaint, define aggravated sexual battery as “the touching of a victim who is 16 or more years of age and who does not consent thereto with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of the offender or another … when the victim is overcome by force or fear.”

DEATHS

Charles L. Stinchcomb
Former veterinarian Charles Lowell Stinchcomb, 70, of Russell, died Aug. 15 at home. Born Jan. 24, 1946, to Charles F. and Rosalene (Higgins) Stinchcomb in Marion County, he married Barbara Ann Weber on June 12, 1966.
Reese Nuckles
Reese Tyler Nuckles, 10 months, died Aug. 31 at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, Missouri. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Peabody. A funeral service was Tuesday at Forest Park Church, North Campus, Joplin, Missouri.
Johelen Fincham
Johelen A. Fincham, 96, formerly of Marion, died Sunday at Vintage Park Assisted Living Community, Baldwin City. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion. Inurnment will be in Marion Cemetery.
IN MEMORIAM:
Duane Hamm

DOCKET

FARM

Farmers markets hit home stretch
As summer makes a gradual transition to fall, county farmers markets are starting to wind down for the year. After a short break, Peabody’s farmers market was back this year, having its last event for the season Aug. 29.
Donahue designs new trailer for easy loading
A request from a California-based company prompted Donahue Manufacturing in Durham to design a new flatbed trailer. “We had a dealer in California that manufactures a soil conditioner that is pulled behind by 3-point hitch tractor and is 20 feet wide,” owner Doug Kjellin said, “so it could not go down California highways or freeways. They had no way to get it up onto a flatbed, so we built the flatbed to come up to the implement.”
Animals see the light
It’s been used by chiropractors for several years, and now cold laser therapy has come to Animal Health Center of Marion County. Veterinarian Jessica Laurin said the therapy is used to treat arthritis and pain in animals that are sensitive to pain medication or steroids.
Spray planes treat crops
Aerial crop sprayers have been in abundance in the Kansas sky the past few weeks. A summer with ample moisture has produced lush corn, milo, and soybean crops that are being attacked by a myriad of harmful worms.
Soybean contest accepting entries
Entries for the annual Kansas Soybean Yield and Value Contests are now being accepted through Dec. 1. The highest dryland and irrigated yields in the contest will receive $1000, with an overall winner earning an additional $1,000 for achieving or surpassing 100 bushels per acre.

OPINION

Kudos and booms

PEOPLE

Vietnam era pilot's remains come home
Exactly 51 years to the day that Air Force Major Dean A. Klenda’s plane was shot down over North Vietnam, his remains will be laid to rest at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church cemetery in Pilsen. The funeral with full military honors will be Sept. 17. “I want to make a good day out of a bad day,” Dean’s sister, Deanna Klenda said. “I had thought it was impossible that his remains would ever be found.”
Welder turned to baking to sculpt unique and whimsical cakes
Fans of “Cakes by Rob” owner Rob Gibson of Peabody don’t just appreciate his art. They devour it. Gibson bakes many traditional a pastries out of his home, but where he really shines is sculpting unique creative cakes.
Tampa Triple T's report
Tampa Triple T’s 4-H Club met Aug. 14 at the Tampa ball field for their monthly meeting. Members were told that record books are due to Kim Oborny by Sept. 23, and also discussed how the club thought the county fair went.
Blood drive time and date changed
The American Red Cross blood mobile will now be at Eastmoor United Methodist Church in Marion from 1:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Sept. 15. The local site provides food for donors, volunteers, and Red Cross staff.
Senior menu
Calendar of Events
NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:
Many experience earthquake

SCHOOL AND SPORTS

Trojans trample Lions 35-0
By the time the clock ran out on the first half of Hillsboro’s Friday night home opener against Lyons, the Trojans already had the game well in hand. The 35-0 score from a lopsided first half held up to give the Trojans a decisive game one victory.
Trojan runners medal at opener
The Hillsboro Trojans cross-country team competed in their first meet of the year Thursday at Smoky Valley logging some hardware for notable achievements. Abigail Driggers placed eighth among freshman and sophomore girls with a time of 23 minutes, 22 seconds, which was a new school record, according to coach Robert Haude.
Goessel defense keys big win over Wakefield
Goessel jumped out to a lead, fell behind and then played a solid second half to win their home opener 38-24 against Wakefield. Goessel’s quarterback, Josh Schmidt, found a hole in the line and then zigzagged his way 39 yards to the end zone on the first play from scrimmage.
Bluebirds volleyball starts out undefeated again at 3-0
The Goessel Bluebirds spiked their way to a 3-0 season opener Aug. 30 in Herington. Goessel breezed through Ell-Saline 25-7 and 25-10, and knocked off Herington, controlling them 25-10 and 25-11.
Tabor holds academic convocation to open year
Tabor College students, staff, and faculty opened the 2016-17 school year with an academic convocation at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren church Aug. 30. Tabor College President Jules Glanzer welcomed the group and expressed the faculty’s commitment to students’ education and mission of the college.
Area school menus

HILLSBORO Star-Journal

City council met Tuesday to discuss a capital improvement plan created by city administrator Larry Paine that starts in 2017 and goes past 2023. With the 113 projects city Paine has worked through, he estimated the total cost to be around $19 million.

A 76-year-old Marion man who wandered away from his apartment sometime after 9:30 p.m. Monday was found dead Tuesday morning. Marion police officer Duane McCarty said Derrel Dye, 76, was blind and very hard of hearing.

New Peabody Market owners Mike and Jadina Crow are up and running with changes ranging from new paint to new inventory. “I’m a fixer-upper kind of a guy, so I have plenty of projects now,” Mike Crow said.

There are likely some tough decisions ahead for county economic development. With the recent formation of a county economic development committee, focus and money might need to be shifted to the proposals the committee brings forward when they are done evaluating how to recruit jobs to the county.

Former veterinarian Charles Lowell Stinchcomb, 70, of Russell, died Aug. 15 at home. Born Jan. 24, 1946, to Charles F. and Rosalene (Higgins) Stinchcomb in Marion County, he married Barbara Ann Weber on June 12, 1966.

Reese Tyler Nuckles, 10 months, died Aug. 31 at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, Missouri. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Peabody. A funeral service was Tuesday at Forest Park Church, North Campus, Joplin, Missouri.

Johelen A. Fincham, 96, formerly of Marion, died Sunday at Vintage Park Assisted Living Community, Baldwin City. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion. Inurnment will be in Marion Cemetery.

IN MEMORIAM:

As summer makes a gradual transition to fall, county farmers markets are starting to wind down for the year. After a short break, Peabody’s farmers market was back this year, having its last event for the season Aug. 29.

It’s been used by chiropractors for several years, and now cold laser therapy has come to Animal Health Center of Marion County. Veterinarian Jessica Laurin said the therapy is used to treat arthritis and pain in animals that are sensitive to pain medication or steroids.

Aerial crop sprayers have been in abundance in the Kansas sky the past few weeks. A summer with ample moisture has produced lush corn, milo, and soybean crops that are being attacked by a myriad of harmful worms.

Entries for the annual Kansas Soybean Yield and Value Contests are now being accepted through Dec. 1. The highest dryland and irrigated yields in the contest will receive $1000, with an overall winner earning an additional $1,000 for achieving or surpassing 100 bushels per acre.

Fans of “Cakes by Rob” owner Rob Gibson of Peabody don’t just appreciate his art. They devour it. Gibson bakes many traditional a pastries out of his home, but where he really shines is sculpting unique creative cakes.

Tampa Triple T’s 4-H Club met Aug. 14 at the Tampa ball field for their monthly meeting. Members were told that record books are due to Kim Oborny by Sept. 23, and also discussed how the club thought the county fair went.

The American Red Cross blood mobile will now be at Eastmoor United Methodist Church in Marion from 1:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Sept. 15. The local site provides food for donors, volunteers, and Red Cross staff.

NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:

By the time the clock ran out on the first half of Hillsboro’s Friday night home opener against Lyons, the Trojans already had the game well in hand. The 35-0 score from a lopsided first half held up to give the Trojans a decisive game one victory.

Goessel jumped out to a lead, fell behind and then played a solid second half to win their home opener 38-24 against Wakefield. Goessel’s quarterback, Josh Schmidt, found a hole in the line and then zigzagged his way 39 yards to the end zone on the first play from scrimmage.

The Goessel Bluebirds spiked their way to a 3-0 season opener Aug. 30 in Herington. Goessel breezed through Ell-Saline 25-7 and 25-10, and knocked off Herington, controlling them 25-10 and 25-11.