HILLSBORO Star-Journal

HEADLINES

Fire marshal to review jail decision
The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office will review its declaration that Marion County Jail can only hold four inmates, County Attorney Susan Robson told commissioners Monday. She said the decision to review the case was based on architect Tony Rangel’s calculation that the upstairs of the jail should be allowed to hold 20 people including staff.
Tax hike less than expected
USD 410 Board of Education approved a budget with a smaller-than-projected tax increase. The board voted Aug. 18 to approve the 2010-11 budget with a 59.967 mill levy, a 2.5 percent increase from 2009-10. The tax levy will raise $1.87 million for the district.
High-dollar heifers shot
Lloyd Klassen, his son, Dale, and some of their neighbors are upset, and rightfully so. On Aug. 17 and 18, an employee of Klassen Dairy at Hillsboro found six injured pregnant Holstein heifers in a pasture southeast of Durham. The heifers were among the 90 head of cattle in the pasture.
Something smells rotten in the city of Hillsboro
A stench like rotten eggs has been emanating from Hillsboro’s wastewater lagoon, but the city is experimenting with a plan to alleviate the odor. Bacteria that grow in the absence of oxygen in collection lines and the lagoon produce hydrogen sulfide, the source of the rotten-egg stench, City Administrator Larry Paine said last week. Hydrogen sulfide can be lethal in high concentrations, he said.
Inconsistencies frustrate county
“The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing”, Commissioner Dan Holub said, referring to personnel in the state fire marshal’s office. That was the consensus Aug. 18 when the county commission met in special session to discuss the jail dilemma.
Pastor leads by example
Tabor Mennonite Pastor Corey Miller practices what he preaches. He preaches volunteering to serve others — a practice that has proliferated through his congregation. “There is a culture of service at Tabor Mennonite,” Miller said. “Many people have done terms with the Mennonite Volunteer Service.”
People, challenges keep her cooking
When Betty Gayle began cooking March 17, 1988, at Hillsboro Senior Center, she was amazed by the difference in scale from home cooking. Even the size of the rolling pin worried her. “I thought, ‘Man, can I lift this thing?’” Gayle said Friday.

DEATHS

Ginger Richter
Ginger Richter’s mother, Juanita Helmer, also is a survivor, along with Ginger’s children, Nicolas Toupin of Ponchas Springs, Colo., and Natali Toupin of Santa Rosa, Calif.; brother Galen of Marion; and sisters Greta Smith of Marion and Gena Brandt of Yankton, S.D. Ginger died Aug. 14. Her funeral was Friday at Marion County Lake Hall.
Cecil Rock
Cecil D. Rock, 80, of Herington, died Aug. 21 at his home. Born Feb. 12, 1930, at Abilene, to Earl and Nina (Bunker) Rock, he graduated from Herington High School in 1948.

DOCKET

GOVERNMENT

Durham gets good news about leak
Durham City Council received good news Aug. 3, from Verlin Sommerfeld, water supervisor. The city water system has been plagued with large water losses for some time, but no major leak could be found. In the past month, several leaks were found and repaired and water loss is now at an all-time low. Sommerfeld reported 360,000 gallons pumped and 357, 950 gallons sold for a loss of .63 percent. Sommerfeld also reported he had replaced two faulty meters.

OPINION

Let's hear it for teachers who love to teach
It was really refreshing when I went to Marion Elementary School last Wednesday to take pictures of students beginning another year. Parents were excited about their children’s new school year. Children were anxious, and mostly excited, about embarking on a new experience.
Hope in the Heartland
I keep a library on my desk. Often I carry that same library with me in my hand, in my book bag, on the passenger seat of my car, and other places. I have even been known to take the whole thing into a hospital when visiting a sick friend. I even tote it with me to my Sunday school class. Afterward, it goes with me to the worship service. I keep an identical library at home.
LETTERS:
Victim wants response from sheriff's office, Undersheriff: Theft investigation is in progress, Taxpayer upset about customer service at transfer station, Transfer station director wants unloading policy

PEOPLE

Family takes train out west
Troy and Marla Wiebe of rural Durham took what some would consider a unique mode of transportation on their summer vacation. They traveled by train from Nebraska to California, then to Idaho, and back to Nebraska, visiting relatives along the way. The Wiebes traveled with their four children: Cody, 14; Trevor, 11; Blake, 7; and Ashlyn, 3. They were gone from July 28 to Aug. 12. They took along their own food.
BIRTHS:
Ryleigh Byer
CORRESPONDENTS:
Northwest of Durham, Round the town

SCHOOL

Former crossing guard: Good way to get to know people
A new traffic plan at Hillsboro Elementary School went into effect on the first day of school, Aug. 18. “All in all, things went well this morning,” Superintendent Steve Noble said later.
County learning center offers flexibility to adult learners
The Marion County Learning Center offers flexible and unique curriculum options. A parenting class taught by Parents as Teachers counts as an elective credit.

SENIOR LIVING

Jewett finds fulfillment at senior center
Finding a purpose for living is important as people grow older. For Evelyn (Corey) Jewett, 84, of Marion, the answer lay in her involvement in Marion Senior Center.
Flowers therapeutic for Peabody resident
There are only a few inches of ground in the courtyard at Legacy Park that don’t feature colorful flowers. The garden includes coreopsis, geraniums, moss rose, morning glories, marigolds, zenias, and rose bushes, all planted by Esther Stuckey.
Hillsboro man continues New Testament translation
Retired pastor Bob Fenstermacher of Hillsboro has completed his translation of and exposition on Revelation in his effort to translate the entire New Testament from Greek. He has also completed his translation of 1 John. He is working on his exposition on the book. When he finishes with 1 John he will begin translating 2 John — naturally.
An invitation to all senior citizens
On Oct. 21, Senior Citizens of Marion County, Inc. will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a noon banquet at Marion Senior Center, 309 S. Third St., Marion. All current and former board members will receive special invitations. All other senior citizens age 60 and older are invited to attend for a $5 fee. Registration will be required.

HILLSBORO Star-Journal

USD 410 Board of Education approved a budget with a smaller-than-projected tax increase. The board voted Aug. 18 to approve the 2010-11 budget with a 59.967 mill levy, a 2.5 percent increase from 2009-10. The tax levy will raise $1.87 million for the district.

Lloyd Klassen, his son, Dale, and some of their neighbors are upset, and rightfully so. On Aug. 17 and 18, an employee of Klassen Dairy at Hillsboro found six injured pregnant Holstein heifers in a pasture southeast of Durham. The heifers were among the 90 head of cattle in the pasture.

“The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing”, Commissioner Dan Holub said, referring to personnel in the state fire marshal’s office. That was the consensus Aug. 18 when the county commission met in special session to discuss the jail dilemma.

When Betty Gayle began cooking March 17, 1988, at Hillsboro Senior Center, she was amazed by the difference in scale from home cooking. Even the size of the rolling pin worried her. “I thought, ‘Man, can I lift this thing?’” Gayle said Friday.

Cecil D. Rock, 80, of Herington, died Aug. 21 at his home. Born Feb. 12, 1930, at Abilene, to Earl and Nina (Bunker) Rock, he graduated from Herington High School in 1948.

It was really refreshing when I went to Marion Elementary School last Wednesday to take pictures of students beginning another year. Parents were excited about their children’s new school year. Children were anxious, and mostly excited, about embarking on a new experience.

LETTERS:

BIRTHS:

CORRESPONDENTS:

A new traffic plan at Hillsboro Elementary School went into effect on the first day of school, Aug. 18. “All in all, things went well this morning,” Superintendent Steve Noble said later.

The Marion County Learning Center offers flexible and unique curriculum options. A parenting class taught by Parents as Teachers counts as an elective credit.

Finding a purpose for living is important as people grow older. For Evelyn (Corey) Jewett, 84, of Marion, the answer lay in her involvement in Marion Senior Center.

There are only a few inches of ground in the courtyard at Legacy Park that don’t feature colorful flowers. The garden includes coreopsis, geraniums, moss rose, morning glories, marigolds, zenias, and rose bushes, all planted by Esther Stuckey.