HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Grocery chain to buy Vogt's

A long-rumored sale of Vogt’s Hometown Market in Hillsboro is in the works. Heartland Foods, a seven-store chain with a store in Herington, is seeking to buy Vogt’s, Heartland Foods co-owner Paul Barnes said Monday. He said the parties agree in principle but the sale isn’t final.

2 nabbed in all-night manhunt

An intense manhunt by police and deputies, aided by a Highway Patrol helicopter with an infrared camera, scoured southwest Marion County all night Monday and into the day Tuesday in search of what was thought to be a ring of car thieves. The manhunt began with a citizen’s hunch about suspicious individuals at a convenience store in Hillsboro and didn’t end until a second tip from another resident who spotted a suspicious individual walking along a county road the following morning.

140-year-old mud insulation surprisingly effective

When Shane Marler started taking down old plaster walls in a home he and his wife, Morgan, were renovating between Hillsboro and Peabody, they were surprised at what they found behind the plaster. At first he thought it was the biggest mud-dauber nest he’d ever seen, but he quickly realized that the dirt behind the plaster was insulation. The original builders made bricks of mud and straw to use as insulation when the house was built in 1874.

Emler may resign Senate seat

Gov. Sam Brownback has nominated State Senator Jay Emler to serve on the Kansas Corporation Commission. Emler’s district includes Tampa, Durham, Lehigh, and Goessel in Marion County.

USD 410 discusses changers to playground

Runoff from years of rain and snow has turned the playground at Hillsboro Elementary School into mostly dirt, which often is tracked back into the school after recess. The problem is most noticeable when snow is on the ground, USD 410 Superintendent Steve Noble said Monday.

.22 ammo in short supply

As most gun owners know, people who use .22-caliber long rifle ammunition have had a difficult time finding it. According to Craig Dodd, manager of Chisholm Trail Outfitters in Hillsboro, the run on .22s first came to his attention in October 2012.

Goessel BOE to replace wrecked vehicle with 8-passenger van

Goessel Board of Education voted Monday to spend $23,000 to replace a wrecked 1999 GMC Yukon with an eight-passenger 2014 Ford Econoline from Midway Motors. Superintendent John Fast said that insurance will cover $3,175.

Dog is returned to owner after 9 month 150 mile trip

It is hard to find something more heartwarming than a little girl reunited with her best four-legged friend. That is exactly what took place Tuesday at the home of Judy Dannenfelser near Marion County Lake as she helped return Titan the Great Dane to his owner, 3-year-old Kiera DeJaynes. The story began nine months ago in Easton, nearly 150 miles away from Marion. Patricia DeJaynes had let Titan and the other family dog out to play outside their country house. Because Great Danes are shorthaired dogs, Titan slept inside but enjoyed playtime outside during the day.

County commissioners exchange roles

County commissioners did not have much business to tend to Monday but made a small change of their own, rotating responsibilities. Roger Fleming became the new chairman and Dan Holub became the vice chairman. “I felt no pressure today,” former chairman Randy Dallke joked. “I’m a no-nothing commissioner now.”

Trojan boys tame Bears Tuesday night

The Hillsboro boys’ basketball team built a double-digit lead early in the first quarter and never trailed against the Sterling Black Bears Tuesday at home, winning 57-44. Brett Weinbrenner led scoring for Hillsboro with 17 points. Christian Ratzlaff added 13 points.

Sterling hands Trojan girls first loss of the season

The Hillsboro girls’ basketball team lost its first game of the season Tuesday at home against the Sterling Black Bears, 58-50. Sterling was ranked No. 3 in 2A entering the game. A lopsided second quarter that gave Sterling a 10-point lead at halftime was the difference in the game.

Tabor track and field teams begin indoor season

Tabor’s track program began indoor competition Friday at the University of Kansas, competing against schools ranging from Division I to junior college. Head coach Dave Kroeker said he was happy how his athletes performed despite having only one week of practice.

Solomon Gorillas gang up on Goessel girls

In a Wheat State League game, the Goessel girls hit 11 free throws in the second quarter to take a nine-point lead at halftime, but Solomon dominated the second half, winning 48-37. Goessel trailed 6-4 at the end of the first quarter. Chelsea Stika and Aleena Cook each made a 3-pointer in the second period and Goessel scored 11 points from the free-throw line in the quarter to take a 25-16 lead at halftime.

Goessel boys lose to Solomon by double digits

A very athletic group represents the Solomon boys’ basketball team this year, and it showed in a 57-40 defeat of Goessel. Goessel fell behind 10-2 as the Gorillas capitalized on baskets after turnovers. However, Goessel tied the game at 11 with points from Zach Showalter, Ben Wiens, Reece Hiebert, and Lawton Makovec. Goessel trailed 15-13 at the end of the first quarter.

Students listed on Hillsboro honor rolls

Hillsboro wrestlers pinned in Herington

Hillsboro’s young wrestling team continued to fall to more experienced challengers during a tournament Saturday in Herington. The team placed last out of 14, earning only 30 points, but coach Scott O’Hare said the team continued to show improvement.

6 from county on Fort Hays honor roll

Fort Hays State University recognized 1,111 students — including six from Marion County — on its honor roll for the fall semester: Goessel: Aidan Cody Winblad, senior in physics. Lost Springs: Amy Kathryn Pagenkopf, senior in elementary education. Marion: Elizabeth Nicole Goentzel, freshman in chemistry; Aaron R. Molleker, freshman in animal science; and Adam Michael Molleker, junior in physics. Peabody: Leslie Elizabeth Cain, sophomore in geography.

Insurance sign-up offered Jan. 23

Information and sign-up assistance for marketplace insurance will be offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Prairie View office in Hillsboro. “This event is for people who don’t have affordable healthcare through their jobs,” Sheryl Slifer said. “People qualify if they are between 100 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level.”

Accidents reported

Civil division cases

Criminal division cases

Emergency dispatches

Incident reports

Jail arrests and bookings

Marriage licenses issued

Traffic division cases

Residents take radon warning seriously

Marion County is in an area prone to high levels of harmful radon gas, Dr. Paige Hatcher of St. Luke Physician Clinic said. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is radioactive, colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Prolonged exposure is the second biggest factor in lung cancer behind tobacco smoke, Hatcher said. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates radon is responsible for about 20,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the U.S.

Flu season is in full sneeze

It’s flu season again, and like many heath care providers across America, Marion Family Physicians has been treating a lot of influenza cases. Kansas is one of 35 states with wide-spread influenza activity according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Indoor track great for rehabilitation

Many people are using the walking track at USD 408 Sports and Aquatic Center for rehabilitation and health maintenance. Charles Heerey, now 81, had a heart attack in 1988 and angioplasty. Eight years later, he underwent bypass surgery. His doctor put him on a walking regimen. He visits the gym seven days a week and walks 1½ miles or 18 laps.

Martial arts class benefits kids, adults

During his first few years living in Hillsboro, Mervin Lare pondered beginning a martial arts class but was unsure of how to do so. Lare began taking classes in 2006 at UFM Community Learning Center in Manhattan, and moved up the ranks.

Gym, weight room available to adults

Peabody-Burns Recreation Commission makes the PBHS Brown Gymnasium and weight room available to adults from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sundays through March 5. Adults in the school district can participate in pickup basketball games or work on the weights during that time.

A few words on words

Spelling is more than one of those old-fashioned subjects schools try to teach in between sports events and concerts. Sometimes it makes a difference, as when County Commissioner Randy Dallke, stepping down as chairman, refers to himself as becoming a “no-nothing commissioner,” still asserting he’s in the know. If you could have read all of our unedited news stories this week, you would have learned how spelling bee contestants impressed their “piers” (yes, we were all wet on that one), how a fancy dead end has been transformed into a “cult sack” (something we’ve suspected goes on in suburban areas) and how one governmental group wants to convene a “bond council” (presumably to debate the merits of its thin “mil” levy).

Chambers of Commerce to hold annual meeting

The Hillsboro and Marion Chambers of Commerce will hold their annual joint meeting Jan. 27 at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. with a silent auction. Marci Penner will present a program. Dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m.

Pride wants input

Marion Pride Committee will meet at noon Thursday at the library to discuss options for a downtown streetscape project to be proposed in a grant application. The committee wants public input and is encouraging anyone wishing to present an idea or join the discussion to attend.

Brian Stucky to speak at museum

Area historian Brian Stucky will speak at Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum’s annual meeting at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, rural Goessel. After a business meeting, Stucky will reflect on “Why the Stories are Important.”

Chambers to have joint event

The Hillsboro and Marion Chambers of Commerce will hold their annual joint meeting Jan. 27 at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. with a silent auction. Dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m.

Auxiliary to meet Thursday

St. Luke Auxiliary’s annual meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Eastmoor Church. Cost is $12.50 payable at the door. For more information, call Eileen Sieger at (620) 382-2032.

Lovelesses celebrate 60th anniversary

Ervin “Mike” Loveless and LaVona (Weathers) Loveless are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this week with a card shower requested by their children. Mike is a retired farmer and oilfield worker. LaVona is a retired licensed practical nurse. Most of their life, they farmed and raised sheep in Antelope, never missing a Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival.

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