HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Hamm wins demo derby

Jason Hamm of Hillsboro sipped a cold Bud Light to commemorate his victory in what was a hot and hard-hitting demolition derby Saturday night at the county fair. “It was a good derby, with good officiating and good driving,” said Hamm, drenched in sweat just after the final heat.

Future of figure 8 uncertain as prize pool shrinks

After a raise in the entry fee and a reduction in the prize payout, Lloyd Anderson is adamant that he won’t participate in the county fair figure 8 race anymore. Not unless “drastic changes” are made. Anderson said he paid a $20 entry fee in 2013 for a race that featured a $500 prize pool, with a $250 top prize and payouts for the top four finishers. This year, the entry fee was $30 and the prize pool was $170, top prize $120, with only the top three racers receiving payouts.

Objections don't stop development

A mystery business that may begin selling pharmaceuticals, groceries, and fuel in Hillsboro is causing a stir countywide. Despite repeated protests from some businesses, Hillsboro City Council approved a contract for a national mystery business for the second time Tuesday.

Brown water? How bad it is depends on the city

Brown water plagues Marion and Peabody residents, but Hillsboro doesn’t get the same number of complaints. How quickly the three cities are replacing their nearly 100-year-old cast-iron waterlines with PVC pipe is one reason.

Ceramics add magic to gardens

To walk through Lynn Unruh’s rural Marion garden is to walk through a place that looks like it could be from a fairy tale. The gardens around her rural Marion home are dotted with castles and other small ceramic houses. She makes all of them by hand. The one-to three-foot ornate ceramic structures tie perfectly with Unruh’s love for gardening and architecture, both manmade and not, which is why she started creating them.

Primary election set for Tuesday

Residents of Marion County will go to the polls Tuesday to select their parties’ nominees for the Nov. 4 general election. Voters must bring their driver’s licenses or other forms of identification. Voters also may cast their ballots in advance at the Marion County Courthouse until noon Monday. Mail-in voting also is available. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Brownback draws fire from Republicans

Bob Brookens of Marion and Bill Kassebaum of Burdick are fellow Republicans, attorneys, and former Kansas legislators. Their grandfathers, E.C. Brookens and Alf Landon, went to college together. They also have in common deep concerns about what they believe are disastrous effects of Gov. Sam Brownback’s tax reform plans and the direction of the state under his leadership.

Probe of pot field continues

Field conditions could complicate the ongoing investigation into who was responsible for 2,429 marijuana plants seized July 15 in southern Marion County, Sheriff Robert Craft said Tuesday. “It appears seeds were broadcast over the area, with very minimal tending early on, and then nothing after that,” Craft said. “It hadn’t been tended for a long time.”

Discover threshers and tractors in Goessel

Antique farm equipment built up to a century old will be on display and demonstrated this weekend at Threshing Days at Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum in Goessel. This year International Harvesters will be featured.

Lake to host paddleboat races

Aquatic enthusiasts will have a chance to paddle to their hearts content during Marion County Park and Lake’s third annual paddleboat race at 10 a.m. Aug. 9. “Several years ago, I kept hearing people say that they wanted to do some boat races,” organizer Maggie Nichols said. “I just wanted to do something nice for the community.”

Butler makes move into Hill building

During the hottest week of the year, Butler maintenance employees and director Amy Kjellin were busy moving furniture from Bown-Corby to its new location in Hill School. Three rooms Butler will be using in the northeast corner have been painted, cleaned, and carpeted to fit Butler’s needs.

Fireworks to highlight Labor Day

The Florence Labor Day organizers met July 23 to plan the 77th annual Labor Day celebration Aug. 30 through Sept. 1. An 1860’s vintage baseball game will feature the Howe House Griffins vs. the Harvey Boys. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. Aug. 31. A watermelon-seed-spitting contest will follow the game. A 30-minute fireworks display will end the day.

Ensey is St. Luke's new CEO

After serving as interim CEO, chief nursing officer and Jeremy Ensey has replaced Jeremy Armstrong as CEO of St. Luke Hospital and Living Center. “I’m a little nervous because it’s a new challenge,” Ensey said. “But I am very excited to take on the challenge.”

Buildings top county agenda

County commissioners focused on future county building needs Monday as commissioners worked with certified public accountant Scot Loyd on the budget proposal for 2014. Proposed buildings included a multipurpose office building, a new metal building for the road and bridge department, and a new transfer station.

Funk

Former Hillsboro resident Robert L. Funk, 87, died Thursday at Asbury Park, Newton. Services were to be this morning at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church, Newton, with burial at 2 p.m. at Haven of Rest Cemetery, rural Hillsboro. Petersen Funeral Home, Newton, is in charge.

Kleiber

Lorene Kleiber, 91, died Thursday at Parkside Homes. Services were Monday at Strassburg Baptist Church. Pastor Don Mashburn officiated. Burial was in Lewis Cemetery, rural Ramona. Jost Funeral Home was in charge.

Strotkamp

Elizabeth Louise (Engel) Strotkamp, 80, of Peabody died July 23 at St. Luke Living Center, Marion. Burial was Monday at Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Peabody. Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion, was in charge.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil division cases

County jail arrests and bookings

Emergency dispatches

Marriage licenses

Offenses reported

Police incident report

Approaches to online differ

Centre USD 397 and Peabody-Burns USD 398 both offer online classes but have different approaches . Centre

Ruling will help county schools

Increased state funding ordered after the state supreme court ruled that legislature violated the state constitution by reducing aid to poor districts will benefit districts in the county. The lawsuit will help fund each school district’s local option budget (LOB).

Schools to start between Aug. 14 and 21

With summer break more than halfway over for most Marion County students, school is right around the corner. Enrollment dates, procedures, and projected student numbers vary across the county.

State senate candidates state positions

In preparation for Tuesday’s primary election, the Record asked candidates for a short, one-paragraph answer to the question: “What is the single biggest issue and how will you address it?” and to provide a picture of themselves for publication. The Republican candidates for state representative in District 70 were prompted similarly, but neither John E. Barker nor Brian Huwiler responded. Candidates’ written responses have been edited only for style.

County commissioner write-ins, too

Donald Ewert In-person interview response

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

Dementia group to meet

A free support group for people caring for older adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease will meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 7 in the library at Newton Presbyterian Manor, 1200 E. 7th St. More information is available from Helen Brown, director of social services at the nursing home, at (316) 283-5400, Ext. 1022.

Sloppy joe dinner proceeds to benefit widower

Proceeds from a sloppy joe supper Thursday at Hillsboro Farmers Market will defray medical and funeral expenses Aaron Gallaway incurred in the death this month of his wife, Brittney Gallaway. In addition to sloppy joes, the menu will include two cookies, chips, a slice of watermelon, and a bottle of water.

Democrat women honor cowboys

Marion County Democratic Women observed National Day of the Cowboy at their lunch Friday at Marion Senior Center.Marilyn Cox, Estelle McCarty, Connie Fisher, and Janet Bryant read cowboy poetry. Members also brought liquid dish detergent to contribute to the Marion food bank. Copies of a state convention program book, in which the Marion County group purchased an ad, were available.

Cottonwood Falls plans summer weekend

Authors, artists, and musicians will be featured Aug. 8 through 10 at Summer in Cottonwood Falls. Seven shops on Broadway will feature concerts or events along with courthouse tours on Aug. 8.

Authors to speak at ranch

Four authors will read from their works and discuss writing and literary “voice” at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Pioneer Bluffs, a historic ranch a mile north of Matfield Green on K-177. Authors Janet Sunderland, Jack Kline, Lisa Daly, and Tom Averill will read from the literary magazine Kansas City Voices.

Judicial district promotes 2

Nikki Davenport, chief court services officer in Dickinson County, has been promoted to district court administrator for the Eighth Judicial District, including Marion County. She replaces Cecil Aska of Geary County, who retired in March.

CORRESPONDENTS:

ANNIVERSARIES:

BIRTHDAYS:

All-star teams finish 3rd in tourneys

The youth baseball and softball season is over in Marion County. Three Cottonwood Valley All Star squads played tournaments in three different states, and all three finished in third. 10 and under baseball

Glasgow bowls at senior nationals

Willard Glasgow of Hillsboro finished 18th out of 40 in his age division at the six-game National Senior Bowling Tournament this month in Reno, Nevada. He qualified by winning his age bracket last fall at a state tournament in Leavenworth, where he competed as part of a team sponsored by Tampa State Bank.

Trampoline, tumbling classes offered

Hillsboro Recreation Commission and Skywalkers Trampoline and Tumbling of Marion, Wichita, Emporia, and Ottawa will be offering a summer gymnastics program starting today and additional classes this fall. Summer classes for boys and girls ages 5 through 18 will meet in the 4-H Building on the county fairgrounds for four consecutive Wednesday mornings, at times to be determined.

3 on preseason all-conference team

Three Tabor players, including two from Marion County, are on the preseason all-conference team for the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. Offensive lineman Jess Crowley of Wylie, Texas, was a unanimous selection. He was first-team all-conference after last season. New selections are defensive lineman Dylan Delk of Peabody and linebacker Ben Gardner of Hillsboro. All three are juniors.

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