25 years ago

june 12, 1996

At Monday’s meeting of the city commission, Archeologist Donna Roper reported on Phase III of the survey just completed of early-day Indian pits on land at the south edge of Marion which will be in the path of new sewer lines.

Also discussed was whether insurance will cover damage from a power surge in Marion several weeks ago when lines were crossed during a wind storm.

Marion Chamber of Commerce ambassadors Brenda McGinness, Diane Hett, and Violet Richmond presented “First Dollar of Profit” plaques to Flint Hills Clayworks owner Paula Miller and her daughter and to Linda Meier who opened the drive-in café, “Wagon Wheel Express,” May 3.

The pioneer spirit returns to Marion County June 17-19 as the Santa Fe Trail celebrates its 125th year. The Cottonwood Crossing Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association is commemorating the occasion with a special tour of the trail with stopping places at Lost Springs, Durham, and in western Marion County.

Nature needed most of a century to create the stately trees that shade Central Park. Thursday morning, it needed only an instant to destroy two of the park’s most sturdy landmarks. Since then, city crews have had to spend more than 240 man-hours cleaning up debris with virtually every block with at least one limb impeding traffic.

Sixty-two pints of blood were donated at the Red Cross Bloodmobile’s recent drive in Marion. Donors receiving pins were Lisa Donahue, 2 gallons; Dorothy Conyers, 6 gallons; Larry Olsen, 7 gallons; and Linda Peterson, 8 gallons.