HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Ordinance paves way for KDOT grant

Hillsboro City Council took another step Tuesday to meeting requirements for a Kansas Department of Transportation highway grant needed to change access to city streets on the north end of town. “At our last meeting, when we approved the agreement to annex the Winter property along Highway 56, we agreed to annex two pieces of property,” City Administrator Larry Paine said. “Today, with the approval of ordinance 1228 we move toward meeting the final requirements for the KDOT grant.”

Solid base gives focus for life

With six years of martial arts training under his belt, Mervin Lare of Hillsboro is ready to pass on what he has learned about power and focus to others, and he is doing it through Monday evening karate lessons at Hillsboro Elementary School. “I really like the exercise, coordination, and complexity of it,” Lare said. “Martial arts helps people of all ages learn discipline and focus, which carries over to all aspects of life. For kids, it helps them channel energy into positive action and keeps them out of trouble.”

Easter hats spice up gathering

Easter hats in all shapes, sizes, and styles showed up Friday at the Hillsboro Senior Center noon meal, thanks to a special invitation to area seniors from director Brenda Moss. “We just don’t get to wear these hats at other times of the year. They used to be such a big thing,” Moss said.

Election results, Goessel bond issue passes

In a landslide vote, the community passed the Goessel school district bond issue with a 92 percent margin. “I’m just floored right now,” Superintendent John Fast said after he saw the results come in at the Marion County Courthouse. “I never expected it to end quite like this. I was hoping for 78 percent in favor. This is just unbelievable.”

Dorothy E. Hoffman

Dorothy E. Hoffman, 82, died Monday morning at St. Luke Hospital in Marion. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Florence. The service will be preceded by a rosary. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion.

Ethel L. Winters

Ethel L. Winters, 71, died March 23 at Kidron Bethel Healthcare in North Newton. She was born Feb. 13, 1942, in Marion to Fred and Anna E. (Beisel) Brunner. She was a homemaker and retired bookkeeper at Chisholm Middle School in Newton. She was a 1960 graduate of Marion High School and a former member of Circle Eight square dance club.

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Expansion and award were 'God things' for Kessler

Marie Kessler loves to quilt. If she had her way, she would quilt 24/7 — and she almost does. However, on March 12 she took time off from Kessler Kreations in Hillsboro to go to Topeka with her husband, Lynn, and a group of other 2013 Kansas Small Business Development award winners.

Burns man learns to budget finances

George Spohn of Burns didn’t bother looking at the price of his bottled water; he knew it could be too expensive. And then, he got to the cash register. “Your total comes to $10.28,” the store worker said, looking at him expectantly.

Banker, real estate agent advise home buyers

Glenn Thiessen is the owner and broker for Fast Reality in Hillsboro. His job depends on selling homes. He said he would advise young couples to start with rental property so they can build up a nest egg.

Marion student gets theater scholarship

Some people have the ability to do everything well. Jay Dee Schafers, a senior at Marion High School is one of those. She is involved in many extra-curricular activities while maintaining a high grade-point average.

Tax refunds are a financial opportunity

The Internal Revenue Service expects about 75 percent of 147 million 2012 tax returns will qualify for a refund. Extension family resource specialist Elizabeth Kiss said people should consider using a refund to improve their financial situations before rushing to spend it. A tax refund is often the largest single sum of money a taxpayer will have during a year. That’s why it is important to take time in deciding how to use it, Kiss said. For some people who have difficulty saving, a tax refund acts as a forced savings.

April is Financial Literacy month

Gov. Sam Brownback declared the month of April 2013 as Financial Literacy Month, knowing that many citizens struggle in this area. “Kansans need to be equipped to make personal financial decisions such as maintain a budget, understanding loans, credit, investment and savings plans, banking and retirement plans in order to make informed choices concerning the different financial institutions available,” he said.

Monthly sales tax receipts down

General sales tax received by the county in March was down more than one-tenth compared to a year ago. Sales tax on January sales was $50,233, down from $56,020 in 2012. However, because of a payment triple the usual size for November sales, sales tax collections for the first three months of 2013 remain 66.1 percent above 2012 levels. So far, the county has received $266,123 in general sales tax, up from $160,209 for the first quarter of 2012.

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Solid waste authority to meet

The Central Kansas Regional Solid Waste Authority’s quarterly meeting will be held at 7 p.m. April 17 at the McPherson County Transfer Station, 1431 17th Ave, McPherson.

Lifelong Learning to feature glassware

Donavon Schmidt, rural Newton, will speak about the “ins and outs” of antique glassware at Lifelong Learning on Friday. He will bring some of his pieces to show. Schmidt invites those who have their own collection to bring a piece to hear his personal comments. The session will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the Wohlgemuth Music Education Center.

Butler County offers free classes

Butler Community College of Marion will offer several free recreational classes Saturday morning. From 8:30 to 9:35 a.m., classes will include classes about workouts for children and parents, financial planning for women, dog care and grooming, quilting and piecing, computer safety and maintenance, flint-knapping, and visiting Civil War sites.

County 4-H events planned

Marion County 4-H will have five project-based events in the upcoming month. The Harvey County Livestock Judging Contest will be Tuesday at the Newton fairgrounds.

Goessel Goal Getters meet

The Goessel Goal Getters 4-H club held their annual meeting March 4 at the Goessel City Building. Leaders explained the Purple Seal, awarded to the club for goals achieved during the previous year.

Scholfield walks 4 miles for groceries

Alan Schofield sometimes gets blisters on his feet, while walking the four miles from his Hillsboro home to Dollar General each week, but he doesn’t care. “I’m saving a lot on gas,” the 68-year-old man said. “I used to own a Ford Explorer. Man, that thing could eat up gas like nobody’s business. I would end up using a $100 bill in no time flat.”

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Tabor choir preparing for final concert

The Tabor College Concert Choir has completed its annual spring tour, after performing in seven churches in Denver and central California, and now the choir is preparing for the home finale of the tour. The choir will perform at 4 p.m. Sunday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. The concert theme is “The Radiance of His Glory,” based on Hebrews 1:3.

Choir and band concert is Monday

Hillsboro High School choirs and band will perform a concert at 7 p.m. Monday in the high school auditorium. The concert will include the music each group will perform at the upcoming State Music Festival. The concert will include performances by the high school band, concert choir, men’s glee, and women’s glee.

Technology students win 3 state championships

Hillsboro Technology Student Association won a trio of state championships and six other state rankings at the state conference Thursday through Saturday in Salina. Chase Meisinger and Erich Herbel combined to win first place in structural engineering. Herbel also won in dragster design, placed second in flight endurance, and was a finalist in robot skills. Jordan Bezdek won the robotics tournament.

Trojan softball destroys Nickerson

The Hillsboro softball team picked up where they left off last season with an explosive offense. The Trojans defeated Nickerson 19-2 and 15-0 in two four-inning games Tuesday. “It was fun,” center fielder Tena Loewen said.

Hillsboro track athletes take home medals

Emily Sechrist won the 3,200-meter and 1,600-meter run Tuesday. She ran a time of 12 minutes, 6.76 seconds in the 3,200 and a time of 5:43.46 in the 1,600. Josh Richert won the 1,600, 4:54.58, and the 800, 2:12.67.

Tabor to showcase spring athletics April 20

The Tabor College athletic, alumni, and parent relations departments will host the annual spring showcase April 20 on the Tabor College campus. Fans are invited to a fun-filled day that will feature six Bluejay athletic teams in action. The first activity is an alumni golf tournament at 7:30 a.m. at the Hillsboro Golf Course. To register for golf, contact the alumni office at (620) 947-3121, ext. 1706. Funds raised will go toward purchasing commencement Bibles.

Baseball team wins 3-of-4 games to start season

Head coach Doug Dick said the goal for the Hillsboro High School baseball team was to get a split with Nickerson on Tuesday. The Trojans accomplished that feat with a 3-2 win in game two. Pitching was key. Both Jordan Faul and Kale Arnold threw complete games in their second starts of the season, although Faul threw seven innings in a losing effort.

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