HILLSBORO Star-Journal

HEADLINES

Water tower to get $200,000 fix
The city of Hillsboro still needs a top to its historic water tower, and Wednesday the Hillsboro city council considered sending out requests for proposals to fix it. A strong Labor Day storm knocked the top off the water tower that was built in 1927. City officials considered using a replacement top from a water tower being dismantled in Haven. However, while investigating the Haven water tower, “We figured out it was not in as good shape as we wanted to put on ours,” said city administrator Larry Paine said.
Emergency workers told to tell dispatchers if unavailable
No concrete policy was put in place, but EMS Director Brandy McCarty has taken steps to reverse a problem that’s been slowing emergency response times throughout the county. The failure of emergency service employees to make known their lack of availability to the sheriff’s dispatcher, who orchestrates emergency runs throughout the county, has been a topic of discussion in recent county commission meetings.
MLK Day off? Elected officials made the call
State and federal government offices closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, although city offices throughout the county remained open — with city officials insisting there was no slight toward MLK, but rather a decision made by each city council as to which holiday city employees have off and when city offices will remain open. Many city governments in Kansas closed, including Wichita, Salina and North Newton.
Hetts' historic tree lives on ... on the front porch
It’s not unusual for a driver idling past the Hett household on North Lincoln Street to slow down and take a long look at the chunk of tree trunk fashioned into a wood bench on the front porch. Sometimes they ask Lanell or Aaron Hett if they made that bench, or even if the bench is made from a large pine tree that used to occupy the front yard some people still remember. The answer to both questions is yes.
Leadership Marion County seeks applicants
Applications for Leadership Marion County may be picked up at the Marion County Courthouse in the Marion County Economic Development office. Classes begin Feb. 5 and will meet every two weeks through May 14. Class members are sought from each of communities in Marion County.

DEATHS

Fern Hein
Fern Marie Hein, 94, died Friday at Bethesda Home in Goessel. She was born Dec. 31, 1920, to William and Mary (Craney) Rollings at Peabody. Her husband, Irvin E. Hein, preceded her in death in 1961.
Walter Kleinsasser
Walter Kleinsasser, 92, died Jan. 15 at Salem Home in Hillsboro. He was born Nov. 9, 1922 to John and Katharina (Glanzer) Kleinsasser in Carpenter, South Dakota. He is survived by a son, Joe of Hillsboro; daughter, Faith Klaassen of Newark, New Jersey; brother, Harold of Reedley, California; sister, Edna Espenson of Windom, Minnesota; and three grandchildren.

DOCKET

HEALTH

Mindfulness makes for better living
Shannon Hoffer believes in mindfulness. She lives it. When she is mindful, she is anchored to the present. “Growing up in Marion I connected to the present moment by participating in sports and playing piano, flute, and singing,” Hoffer said. “I love the way music makes me feel, good or bad.”
Driving assessment tests can provide peace of mind
Do you have concerns about a loved one’s ability to drive safely but you don’t know how to address the issue? Therapy departments at local hospitals offer driving assessments and can give a professional opinion or recommendation.
Breastfeeding support group moves to Marion
Mom to Mom, a support group for breastfeeding mothers recently relocated from the Community Building in Hillsboro to the Health Department in Marion. “It’s a neutral and comfortable place many mothers already know,” WIC breastfeeding peer counselor Lynette Hiebert said. “Our primary goal is getting children proper nutrition.”

PEOPLE

NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:
Residents entertain dinner guests
'ROUND THE TOWN NEWS:
King's Daughters have new officers

SCHOOL

Spinelli joins Tabor staff
Michael Spinelli has been named Director of Development — West Coast at Tabor College. Spinelli will network with Tabor alumni and donors on the West Coast, while nurturing and developing donor relationships.
USD 411: New addition to foster hands-on learning
Even on a student’s day off, eighth grader Christopher Strecker couldn’t resist visiting Goessel High School to volunteer his services moving equipment into the long-awaited new annex building. “New things get people excited and I felt like I could help speed up production and get things moved in sooner,” Christopher said. “I thought my day would be better spent helping out than playing video games.”

SPORTS

Hillsboro girls falter against Republic County
HHS boys take down Riley County
In spite of a complete disappearing act in the third quarter Tuesday, the Hillsboro boys made the most of the other three periods to get past Riley County 51-40 in the first round of the Trojans Classic tournament. The Trojans dominated the first half, taking a 30-9 lead by halftime. Micah Allen started the game with a nifty pump fake to shed a Falcon defender before canning a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Braden Vogt closed out the quarter with another trey, putting Hillsboro up 14-7.
Trojan wrestlers take 6th at Halstead
Although inexperienced at several positions, the Hillsboro Trojans wrestling team continues to improve, placing sixth among 23 teams at the Halstead invitational tournament Friday and Saturday. “All of the guys continue to improve each week, which is exactly what we expect from them,” coach Scott O’Hare said. “Going into the holiday break, there were a few basic fundamentals that some of the wrestlers were really struggling with. We have worked on some new drills over the past few weeks that really seem to be getting them more comfortable and confident in these skills.”
Wakefield, Berean top GHS
A promising start disappeared quickly as the Goessel boys lost Friday to Wakefield 55-48. The Bluebirds jumped out to 4-0 lead. Wakefield called a timeout, then scored 7 consecutive points. The Bluebirds never regained the lead.
Goessel girls bomb Wakefield
Page Hiebert led Goessel in scoring and rebounding as the Bluebirds remained unbeaten with a 42-23 win Friday over Wakefield. The Bombers played deliberately, passing the ball around the perimeter, searching for a crack in the Bluebirds’ defense. With less than two minutes to play in the first quarter, the Bluebirds led 6-5.

MORE…

MOVE MOUSE OVER IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT

Hillsboro High School students pose midway through a group ritual for free throws Tuesday, awaiting the outcome of a charity toss in the Hillsboro boys game against Riley County, which the Trojans won, 51-40. The Trojans Classic basketball tournament continues Friday with games at the high school and Tabor College.

Store clerk Macky Taylor restocks and organizes cold and allergy medicine Tuesday at Lanning Pharmacy. "The cold medicine shelves were pretty barren by the end of last Friday," storeowner Traci Lanning said. "We sold about 45 cold and flu related items last week. We usually sell about half that much in normal week."

Director of Maintenance Ben Schmidt assembles a teacher's desk for family and consumer sciences instructor Beth Ratzloff during Monday's move at USD 411. "We were always fixing stuff in the old rooms," Schmidt said. "They required a lot of maintenance." District maintenance crews also installed SMART boards, clocks, and waxed the west annex floors over the weekend, he said.

Hillsboro's Preston Loewen shows perfect form as he launches a 3-point attempt Tuesday against Riley County. The shot didn't fall, nor did any others for the Trojans in a scoreless third quarter, but they held off the Buffaloes for a 51-40 win.

HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Applications for Leadership Marion County may be picked up at the Marion County Courthouse in the Marion County Economic Development office. Classes begin Feb. 5 and will meet every two weeks through May 14. Class members are sought from each of communities in Marion County.

Fern Marie Hein, 94, died Friday at Bethesda Home in Goessel. She was born Dec. 31, 1920, to William and Mary (Craney) Rollings at Peabody. Her husband, Irvin E. Hein, preceded her in death in 1961.

Do you have concerns about a loved one’s ability to drive safely but you don’t know how to address the issue? Therapy departments at local hospitals offer driving assessments and can give a professional opinion or recommendation.

NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:

'ROUND THE TOWN NEWS:

Michael Spinelli has been named Director of Development — West Coast at Tabor College. Spinelli will network with Tabor alumni and donors on the West Coast, while nurturing and developing donor relationships.

A promising start disappeared quickly as the Goessel boys lost Friday to Wakefield 55-48. The Bluebirds jumped out to 4-0 lead. Wakefield called a timeout, then scored 7 consecutive points. The Bluebirds never regained the lead.