HILLSBORO Star-Journal

City review shows sales tax increase

Clint Seibel, Hillsboro Development Corporation Director, used a 12-page glossy brochure hot off the press and an economic health slide show presentation to show City Council members Tuesday that Hillsboro is growing in many good ways. Using graphs to detail capital investments, real estate appraisal values, Hillsboro sales tax revenues, population, and school enrollment, Seibel showed increases almost across the board, with only real estate values lagging behind last year’s figures.

Runners race friends for fun

The rays of a warm sun cast shadows on nearly 20 runners on Sunday at the starting line of the Hillsboro Frostbite Run. It was a much better day than the originally scheduled Jan. 1 date for the areas first run of the year. “It was a perfect day,” Kodi Panzer of Marion said the day after the race. “I ran 16 miles before heading to the start of the Frostbite Run, and 20 miles the day before.”

Aviary adds color to lives

Little bodies of color flit and flash from branch to branch, chirping and preening, showing off for Hillsboro’s Salem Home residents, staff, and visitors. “They are curious little things,” Heather Crocker, aviary caretaker and Salem Home employee said on Friday. “The residents enjoy watching them, especially when we put in the bird bath. Now that’s entertaining.”

MKC donates to garden fund

After finding out Friday that the gardening bug, not termites, had bitten Superintendent John Fast recently, Goessel Elementary students learned at a school assembly that Mid-Kansas Cooperative selected their school garden program for a $500 grant award. “A large portion of the donations we make go toward agriculture education, fighting hunger, and youth leadership programs,” Kerry Watson, MKC communications specialist said prior to the Goessel award assembly. “This gardening project hits two of those sections: teaching kids where food comes from and fighting hunger. We have heard they donate some of their excess garden produce each year to local food banks as well.”

Lillian Peters

Lillian Peters, 89, died Jan. 29 at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. She was born July 4, 1923, to Reinhard and Anna (Hiebert) Funk. She was a licensed practical nurse at Salem Home in Hillsboro.

Dorothy Helen Wade Widler

MARION — Dorothy Helen Wade Widler, 82, retired bank cashier and church secretary, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. She was born in Wichita, Kan., to Everett Wade and Cerece (Dowell) Wade. Dorothy attended and graduated from Burns High School with the class of 1948.

Edith B. White

Edith B. White of Redding, Calif., and formerly of Florence, Kan., passed away Jan. 30, 2013 at the age of 101. Edith was born Oct. 12, 1911, in Burns, Kan., to Edward M. and Ella E. Robinson of Burns. She attended Burns and Peabody, Kan., schools and graduated from Peabody High School in 1929.

Accidents reported

Civil cases

County jail

Criminal cases

Deeds

Emergency dispatches

Hillsboro police

Marion police

Offenses reported

Peabody police

Traffic cases

More people shop local

All Georgia Spohn of Tampa wanted was to find a mock turtleneck sweatshirt. “I can’t find one anywhere,” the 93-year-old said, while rummaging through the racks at the Et Cetera Shop in Hillsboro. “I have looked in all the other stores. If they don’t have it here, I’m just going to forget the whole thing. I will never shop online. I don’t even have one of those computer things. It’s too risky.”

Regional trend threatens rural opportunity program

Marion County Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman scrolled through 200 emails. All of them inquired about moving to a rural opportunity zone, although many of the would-be applicants do not even specify that they want to move to Marion to receive student loan forgiveness and Kansas Income Tax exemption the program provides.

Congress to strengthen tax services

A recent federal proposal aims to help struggling families avoid costs of commercial tax preparation. The VITA Act, introduced two weeks ago in the U.S. House of Representatives, would strengthen free-of-charge, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance services that aid low- and moderate-income, working households.

Foundation gives out grant checks

It was smiles all around for recipients and gift representatives of Goessel Community Foundation grants Friday in Goessel. Between the high school girls’ and boys’ basketball games, foundation chair Cindy Wiens said it was a very good feeling to give money back to Goessel that originally came from the sale of the AGAPE Senior Center and other donators. “We are so happy to award checks to four local groups that are very important in our community,” Wiens said. “It is very exciting to be at the point with our foundation that we can give this money out.”

Youth group raises funds

The Marion Christian Church Youth Group is holding a Valentine’s Dinner at 6 p.m. Sunday to raise money for their mission trip to Knoxville, Tenn. The teens plan to serve at-risk youth and enjoy the Rocky Mountains in March.

Fines coming for loose livestock

Cattle getting loose between Hillsboro and Peabody have become such a recurring problem that Marion County Commission intends to enact fines for frequent offenders. Sheriff Rob Craft said Thursday that his department had responded to 40 calls about cattle being loose in the area between Hillsboro and Peabody during 2012.

County considers iPads

Hillsboro City Administrator Larry Paine touted the benefits of using technology to prepare for meetings Monday while speaking with Marion County Commission. Paine told the commission about Hillsboro City Council’s use of Apple iPad tablet computers in place of paper agenda packets. He said the switch to electronic agendas has saved paper and staff time putting the packets together and delivering them to council members.

Speeds dangerous on lake shortcut road

Dave Yates has had it with drivers taking a shortcut along his road, going by at speeds he often considers dangerous. Yates lives along Dan Drive, a narrow gravel street shared by several homes north of Marion County Lake. It connects with Gilham Road on the north and Lakeshore Drive on the south, making it a shortcut from Upland Road to the north end of the lake.

Cooking up new businesses

One of the biggest hurdles facing new businesses is the investment often required just to get off the ground. That is especially true for entrepreneurs whose businesses are food-related. Health regulations for restaurants and food companies serve an important purpose, but they also increase the investment needed to start a business. So I was thrilled Monday when Marion County Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman spoke with the County Commission about starting a certified commercial kitchen using grants, and making that kitchen available for new food businesses to rent. In the approximately 4.5 years I’ve been in Marion County, I’ve had the pleasure of featuring several excellent cooks, bakers, and jelly-makers. All of them make products that match or exceed the quality of most mass-marketed equivalents, and I think there would be a strong market for such artisanal wares from local kitchens. And I’m sure there are dozens of others whose products would be just as popular.

Reading for toddlers scheduled

Marion County Parents as Teachers will have an annual PJ Reading Event at Peabody Township Library from 10 to 11 a.m. on Feb. 16. “Children ages birth to 3 years are the focus age of the reading event,” said librarian Roger Charles. “’Let’s Play in the Snow,’ a book by Sam Mc Bratney, will be the featured story. Reading, play, art, and games will help the story come to life.”

Child screening is Tuesday in Peabody

A free screening for children birth through age five will be Tuesday at United Methodist church, 403 Sycamore St., Peabody. Appointments will be available from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Harlem Quartet to play in McPherson

The Harlem Quartet is performing at McPherson Opera House 7p.m. Saturday. The Harlem quartet is Ilmar Gavilan on violin, Melissa White, violin, Jaime Amador, viola, and Matthew Zalkind, cello. They plan to play classical and jazz music, including Beethoven and Chick Corea.

Shaver Angus joins association

Shaver Angus of Hillsboro is a new member of the American Angus Association. According to CEO Bryce Schmann, farm membership will allow the owners to keep production records on individual animals and will aid breeding selection in order to produce quality genetics for the beef cattle industry and quality beef for consumers.

Hendrix takes Herington principal position

Brandi Hendrix of Marion, executive director of the Technology Excellence in Education Network, has accepted a position as principal of the Herington Middle School and Herington High School beginning this fall. Hendrix said she has worked with the Herington school district the past five years, and she could not pass up the opportunity to be a part of its administration.

CORRESPONDENTS:

Two local students on OU honor roll

Coleman L. Jackson of Cedar Point and Jonathan Suderman King of Hillsboro were named to the University of Oklahoma-Norman honor roll. For most colleges, students must earn a minimum 3.5 grade-point average to be included.

Goessel scholars advance to state on regional win

The Goessel High School scholars bowl team won the regional tournament Thursday, January 31, at LeRoy. After advancing from pool play with a 3-2 record, the team of David Hesse, Bjorn Schumann, Heath Goertzen, Mark Schmidt, Jo Hoffman, and Ben Wiens went on a rampage and posted five straight victories in the championship round to claim first place. The team will compete for the state championship on Feb. 9 at Flint Hills. Coaches for the team are Mr. Wes Schmidt-Tieszen and Mrs. Gina Bergin.

Butler graduates from nursing school

Sherri Butler of Hillsboro graduated from the practical nursing program at Hutchinson Community College Dec. 12. The practical nursing program instructs students in the basic skills necessary in all types of nursing and care settings. The certificate program has two locations in McPherson and Salina.

Tabor residence hall to be dedicated

Harms Residence Hall at Tabor College is now home to 16 male students. College leaders will officially dedicate the structure at 11 a.m. Feb. 23 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The facility will be open for public tours.

Trojan boys bounce back

The Hillsboro boys’ basketball team showed a lot of heart with a win, 57-43, over Lyons. It was not so much in the game itself. The Trojans did outplay Lyons in the second quarter, amassing five steals in the quarter, but only led by six at halftime because of missed layups and turnovers. They would have only been up three had Brett Weinbrenner missed a corner 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Hillsboro girls beat Lyons

On Friday, the Hillsboro girls’ basketball team did what good teams do — take advantage of a lesser opponent. The Trojans jumped out to an 11-2 lead with 4 minutes, 13 seconds remaining in the first quarter. They stretched that lead to 43-7 by halftime on the strength of 58.1 percent shooting. They won the game, 63-38. Hillsboro nearly scored as many points in the paint, 32, as Lyons scored in the game.

Tabor women ranked 25th in NAIA

The Tabor College Women’s basketball team is ranked 25th in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division II national poll. It is the first ranking for Tabor since the 2006-07 season, which was the last season Tabor made the national tournament.

Trojan wrestlers split with SES

The Hillsboro wrestling team won two duals in the Southeast of Saline Dual Tournament on Saturday. The Trojans defeated Wabaunsee 31-12 and Republic County 39-11 but lost to Russell 40-9 and Southeast of Saline 54-12.

Goessel girls win with set play

The Goessel Bluebird girls ended a three-game losing streak with a crowd-thrilling finish at home on Friday, defeating Centre in overtime, 50-48. The game was close throughout, but Goessel turnovers kept the team from gaining a lead, and Centre ended the first quarter up by one, 7-6. The scoring picked up in the second quarter for both teams and Goessel got points from Alex Hiebert, Erin Brubaker, Johanna Hoffman, Makayla King and Aleena Cook. The half ended in a tie 19-19.

Seniors boost Bluebird boys in win over Centre

The Goessel Bluebirds boys’ basketball team worked back from a nine-point, first-half deficit on Friday to win over Centre. It was senior night and the Bluebirds four seniors Nic Buller, Davis Cook, Shane Goerzen, and Trey Schmidt fought hard as they led their team to its fourth Wheat State League win. Goessel started the game with a 5-2 lead, but the Cougar squad poured in ten consecutive points to take over at the end of the first quarter, 12-5.

Branson-like show coming to Marion

The last time Barb and Larry Smith of Marion took a vacation to Branson, Mo., they could only attend one variety show because of high cost. “Where we used to be able to go to four or five shows, we had to choose only one because the cost per show was so high,” Barb Smith said. “I am so excited that we are bringing a Branson quality show and a five-course dinner to Marion for Valentine’s Day, and it is less than half of what you would pay there per person.”

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