HILLSBORO Star-Journal

HEADLINES

Hillsboro grocery to reopen Friday
Since Vogt’s Hometown Market closed Feb. 2 and Heartland Foods moved into the building, the Heartland brass has had to wait a little longer than expected to begin business. The grocery chain, which also has a store in Herington, wanted to begin business Feb. 17 in Hillsboro, but paperwork issues pushed the opening date to Friday.
Tabor launches campaign for arts center
Around 300 Tabor College donors, faculty, staff, and students attended the annual donor appreciation dinner Friday evening at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, during which Tabor President Jules Glanzer announced the school’s goal to build a new Center for the Arts on campus. “We are excited to elevate Tabor College to the next level when it comes to the fine arts,” Glanzer said. “We want our students to be able to learn, grow, and perform in this brand new 50,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility. This will finally give us a place for our students to come and worship under one roof, all together.”
Commission votes on health benefits
After receiving options for county employee health rates Monday from BlueCross BlueShield, commissioners discussed different methods for the county to help pay for benefits. The commission first voted to step up the county’s portion of its $606 family plan to pay $50 per month per employee, with the option to increase that amount to $100 in 2016. Commissioners also approved paying a $470 monthly option covering single employees.
Newspapers win 17 state awards
Hoch Publishing Company, publisher of the Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star-Journal, and Peabody Gazette-Bulletin, has won 17 awards in the Kansas Press Association 2013 Awards of Excellence. “We don’t write the newspaper to win awards,” news editor Adam Stewart said. “We do it for our readers, but getting this recognition is a nice bonus.”
Farmer flown to hospital after semi rollover
Several Marion County emergency responders rushed to the scene of a farm semi-truck rollover Wednesday off Nighthawk Rd. south of 190th Rd. The driver, Linferd Funk of Hillsboro, had to be life watched to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Funk was the only one in the semi as it rolled once into the east ditch of the road spilling most of its load of soybeans into the ditch.
Woman opening bait and tackle store near reservoir
Rachael Naerebout is taking her love for fishing and turning it into a bait and tackle store to open sometime mid-April near Marion Reservoir. The store will be on her property 2 miles north of the reservoir on 230th Rd. She hopes to offer a full range of hunting and fishing supplies.
11th annual charity auction is Sunday
The Holy Family Parish will have its 11th annual charity auction Sunday at the Pilsen Community Center. In the past decade, the event has grown in size but changed its focus to benefit local people who are in need. “It started as a bake sale to raise money for overseas missions,” event committee member Sam Oborny said. “Over the years, it expanded to a live and silent auction, and now almost all the money raised stays in Marion County.”
Huelskamp staff to have local office hours
Rep. Tim Huelskamp will have local office hours from 2 to 3 p.m. March 6 at the Hillsboro Community Room. During that time a representative of Huelskamp’s staff will listen to constituent concerns. For more information or to schedule an appointment call (620) 225-0172.
Development screenings offered
Free screenings for children birth through 5 years old will be March 11 at the Marion Presbyterian Church. The screenings will check development in learning, motor, language, and social areas as well as vision and hearing.
Smart driver course offered
A smart driver safety course will be offered from 8 a.m. to noon March 10 and 11 at the Hillsboro City Building. The class is for all licensed drivers and will meet in the city building meeting room for two four-hour classes. No driving is required to complete the course.

DEATHS

Chris Jost
Christ Jost, 52, died Feb. 17 at Hillsboro Community Hospital. He was born Feb. 20, 1961 in Breckenridge, Minn., to Lawrence and Bonnie (Fritts) Jost.
Margaret May
Margaret May, 93, died Feb. 18 in Hillsboro. She was born March 31, 1920, in Emporia to Joseph Corey and Dora Van Gorden. She married Lawrence May on Aug. 14, 1938, in Emporia.

DOCKET

HOME

Marion couple slowly transforms house
When they purchased the house at 308 Miller St. in Marion in 1975, Terry and Pam Chizek were undaunted by the knowledge that it was built in 1924 and had seen floodwater several times. Throughout the ensuing years, they have made it into their own unique creation. In addition to replacing plaster and making other changes to the interior, they added a lot of rock to the house and yard, including a backyard with a limestone wall on two sides and a waterfall and pond constructed of rock.
It is never too early to prep gardens for spring
While many may have taken advantage of the springlike weather to take care of outside work, Serenity Gardens owner Jana Dalke said it’s best to wait until mid-April before planting anything in the garden. “If it was up to me I would wait,” she said. “The weather is still too unpredictable and there’s still a chance of cold weather killing plants.”
More moving toward hard-surface floors
When Jeannie Wildin of The County Seat got into the flooring business in the 1970s, carpet was king. Everyone wanted carpet in their homes. In recent years, though, the trend has been toward hardwoods, ceramic tiles, and stone. “Way more hard surface,” Wildin said.

OPINION

Award-winning local journalism
We got the news Monday that we had won 17 Kansas Press Association Awards of Excellence for 2013, including eight first-place, eight second-place, and one third-place. When we had so many changes in the newsroom last summer, it didn’t take long for the new reporters to start producing award-winning work. Olivia Haselwood was in her second week at the paper when she took a photo looking out the cabin of a combine during wheat harvest, which won first place in the news photo category. Not to be outdone, Oliver Good took first place in the feature photo category for his photo looking out of the courthouse clock tower while it was being repaired.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:
Legislature may refine 'real property' definition

PEOPLE

Katie Flaming to marry March 15
Katie Flaming and Joe Scott will marry on March 15 in Wichita. The bride-elect will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Wichita State University in May. Dwight M. and Tammy Flaming are her parents.
Leadership group visits ranch, capital
Leadership Marion County members conducted their February classes at Morning Star Ranch in Florence and at the state capital. Kerry Maag organized the event and Teresa Huffman facilitated “The Egg,” a description of working, thinking, and learning styles.
Smart driver course offered
A smart driver safety course will be offered from 8 a.m. to noon March 10 and 11 at the Hillsboro City Building. The class is for all licensed drivers and will meet in the city building meeting room for two four-hour classes. No driving is required to complete the course.
Democratic Women to meet
Marion County Democratic Women will meet at noon Thursday at Marion Senior Center. Members are asked to bring crackers for Marion County Emergency Food Bank.
Holy Land trip planned for Tabor students in 2015
Tabor College is again sponsoring a trip to the Holy Land Jan. 2 to 23. The trip will be led by Tabor Bible professor Dr. Douglas Miller, and will include 24 biblical sites, including Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem, the Jordan River (baptismal site), Sea of Galilee (boat ride), Jericho, ancient ruins, Dead Sea Scrolls, Masada, Mount Nebo, Petra, and several museums.
WRAPS offers no-till and cover crop incentives
Marion Reservoir Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy is beginning an incentive pay program to promote the use of no-till and cover crops in watershed areas. A workshop to learn more about the program will be from 11:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. March 11 at Lincolnville Community Center.
Huelskamp staff to have local office hours
Rep. Tim Huelskamp will have local office hours from 2 to 3 p.m. March 6 at the Hillsboro Community Room. During that time a representative of Huelskamp’s staff will listen to constituent concerns. For more information or to schedule an appointment call (620) 225-0172.
Neosho Basin Advisory Committee to meet in Marion
The Kansas Water Office’s Neosho Basin Advisory Committee will meet at 1 p.m. March 6 at the Marion Community Center. The meeting will discuss main water priorities for the Neosho Basin in reference to the Kansas Water Plan.
Lifelong Learning to take musical journey down Congo
Jill Schroeder-Dorn will take guests of the semester’s first Lifelong Learning session to the Congo at 9:45 a.m. Friday in Wohlgemuth Music Education Center. Her presentation “Church Music in the Congo” will feature video and audio recordings and discuss the development of Mennonite-evangelical music in the Congo.
NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:
Koehns travel to Canada
HILLSBORO SENIOR CENTER:
Center receives grants

SCHOOL AND SPORTS

4-H members share experience, demonstrate talents
A troop of 4-H members gathered to perform, compete, and test their knowledge during the Marion County 4-H Club Day on Saturday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro. Events included talks and presentations about 4-H projects, readings related to 4-H topics, and an impromptu topic contest, as well as performance and talent based categories that included skits, dance, singing, and instrumental sections.
Wreestlers compete in regional tournament
After two days of hard competition at regionals, four Hillsboro wrestlers emerged from the mat qualified to compete at state this weekend in Hays. Coach Scott O’Hare said the team fought very hard in Douglass with several students winning matches and coming just short of qualifying. The team placed fifth out of 22 at the meet.
Trojans win on senior night
The Hillsboro boys controlled the ball well and took advantage of poor shooting by Kingman Tuesday night en route to a 60-45 victory. The Trojans’ first three scores came on three-pointers, two from Jordan Faul and one by Christian Ratzlaff. Hillsboro led 18-7 at the end of the first quarter.
County students sweep competition at engineering expo
At the University of Kansas Engineering Expo Thursday in Lawrence, area students competed and earned recognition for their skills. Friday, elementary students competed in the Mindstorms robot challenge. The Goessel elementary team of Logan Sterk, Logan Webster, and Caiden Duerksen placed first, followed by Macy Sigel of Marion in second. The Goessel team of Alyssa Boden and Annalise Miller placed third.
KCAC tournament begins this week for Tabor basketball
The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference finished its regular season last week, setting the stage for its tournament schedule. The Tabor women earned the tournament’s third seed after defeating the University of St. Mary 73-54 Thursday and losing 72-61 to Friends Saturday. The Lady Jays play at 6 p.m. tonight against Sterling in Hillsboro.
Lady Trojans trounce Kingman
The Hillsboro High School girls’ basketball team finished the regular season Tuesday with a 61-32 win against Kingman on senior night. Kingman scored the first basket of the game, but five quick points from Addie Lackey put the Trojans ahead for the rest of the game. Lackey scored 16 points in the first half for the Trojans.
Goessel boys lose two squeakers
On Feb. 18, the Goessel Bluebirds went into Udall to tangle with the highly ranked Eagles. Several baskets from Brian Hiebert and Ben Wiens with one goal from Reece Hiebert helped the Bluebirds to stay within one point at the end of the first quarter, 12-11. Zach Wiens hit from close range and Lawton Makovec hit from long range to give the Bluebirds a 16-12 lead. Udall played with confidence and hit a shot at the buzzer to tie the game at 21 at halftime.
Goessel girls split games
In two non-league games, the Goessel girls went from hot to cold in the same week. On Feb. 18, the Bluebirds traveled to Udall and played stellar defense to coast to a 42-31 win. The Bluebirds got points from Erin Brubaker and Alicen Meysing to go up 5-0. However, the Eagles made a 16-2 run in the rest of the first quarter to take a 16-7 lead.
New tales to be found at book fair
A book fair will be held March 5 through 12 at Hillsboro Elementary School. The fair will be open from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. everyday except March 7 because of no school and possibly March 12 because of state basketball.
Marion County students sweep robot competition
Students from Marion, Goessel, and Peabody-Burns who are in the Marion County Special Education Extended Learning Program attended the University of Kansas Engineering Expo in Lawrence on Thursday and Friday. A Marion Middle School team of Colin Williams, Christian Becker, and Kylie Dixon competed Thursday in the Mindstorms Robot Challenge, and elementary and high school students competed Friday.
Goessel freshman places first at science fair
Lanna Wagner, a freshman at Goessel High School, participated Saturday in the regional science fair at Emporia State University. Her experiment, “So You Think You Can Wash?” was entered in the biomedical/health category. She placed first in Division I for this category and second overall for Division I.
Hillsboro student competes in piano festival
Claire Heyen, a junior at Hillsboro High School, competed at the Kansas State High School Activities Association state piano festival Saturday at Wichita State University. She received a I rating for her performance of Humoreske by Rachmaninoff. I is the highest rating given.

HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Rachael Naerebout is taking her love for fishing and turning it into a bait and tackle store to open sometime mid-April near Marion Reservoir. The store will be on her property 2 miles north of the reservoir on 230th Rd. She hopes to offer a full range of hunting and fishing supplies.

Rep. Tim Huelskamp will have local office hours from 2 to 3 p.m. March 6 at the Hillsboro Community Room. During that time a representative of Huelskamp’s staff will listen to constituent concerns. For more information or to schedule an appointment call (620) 225-0172.

Free screenings for children birth through 5 years old will be March 11 at the Marion Presbyterian Church. The screenings will check development in learning, motor, language, and social areas as well as vision and hearing.

A smart driver safety course will be offered from 8 a.m. to noon March 10 and 11 at the Hillsboro City Building. The class is for all licensed drivers and will meet in the city building meeting room for two four-hour classes. No driving is required to complete the course.

Christ Jost, 52, died Feb. 17 at Hillsboro Community Hospital. He was born Feb. 20, 1961 in Breckenridge, Minn., to Lawrence and Bonnie (Fritts) Jost.

Margaret May, 93, died Feb. 18 in Hillsboro. She was born March 31, 1920, in Emporia to Joseph Corey and Dora Van Gorden. She married Lawrence May on Aug. 14, 1938, in Emporia.

When Jeannie Wildin of The County Seat got into the flooring business in the 1970s, carpet was king. Everyone wanted carpet in their homes. In recent years, though, the trend has been toward hardwoods, ceramic tiles, and stone. “Way more hard surface,” Wildin said.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

Katie Flaming and Joe Scott will marry on March 15 in Wichita. The bride-elect will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Wichita State University in May. Dwight M. and Tammy Flaming are her parents.

Leadership Marion County members conducted their February classes at Morning Star Ranch in Florence and at the state capital. Kerry Maag organized the event and Teresa Huffman facilitated “The Egg,” a description of working, thinking, and learning styles.

A smart driver safety course will be offered from 8 a.m. to noon March 10 and 11 at the Hillsboro City Building. The class is for all licensed drivers and will meet in the city building meeting room for two four-hour classes. No driving is required to complete the course.

Marion County Democratic Women will meet at noon Thursday at Marion Senior Center. Members are asked to bring crackers for Marion County Emergency Food Bank.

Marion Reservoir Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy is beginning an incentive pay program to promote the use of no-till and cover crops in watershed areas. A workshop to learn more about the program will be from 11:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. March 11 at Lincolnville Community Center.

Rep. Tim Huelskamp will have local office hours from 2 to 3 p.m. March 6 at the Hillsboro Community Room. During that time a representative of Huelskamp’s staff will listen to constituent concerns. For more information or to schedule an appointment call (620) 225-0172.

The Kansas Water Office’s Neosho Basin Advisory Committee will meet at 1 p.m. March 6 at the Marion Community Center. The meeting will discuss main water priorities for the Neosho Basin in reference to the Kansas Water Plan.

NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:

HILLSBORO SENIOR CENTER:

The Hillsboro boys controlled the ball well and took advantage of poor shooting by Kingman Tuesday night en route to a 60-45 victory. The Trojans’ first three scores came on three-pointers, two from Jordan Faul and one by Christian Ratzlaff. Hillsboro led 18-7 at the end of the first quarter.

A book fair will be held March 5 through 12 at Hillsboro Elementary School. The fair will be open from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. everyday except March 7 because of no school and possibly March 12 because of state basketball.

Claire Heyen, a junior at Hillsboro High School, competed at the Kansas State High School Activities Association state piano festival Saturday at Wichita State University. She received a I rating for her performance of Humoreske by Rachmaninoff. I is the highest rating given.