HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Hillsboro electric rates hiked despite councilor's objection

When Hillsboro city council member Bob Watson made the motion Monday to raise Hillsboro’s electric rates, council member Shelby Dirks short-circuited a second by jumping in to express his dissatisfaction with the move. Dirks made clear his position that budget cuts should be used to balance the electricity equation, rather than foisting a rate hike on consumers.

No Hillsboro election surprise

Facing no opposition in their races, all registered candidates for Hillsboro city and school district races won Tuesday in an election marked by low voter turnout. Mayor Delores Dalke, and council members David Loewen and Robert Watson retained their seats on the city council.

Zoning board sends question to commission

If Marion County wants proof someone will buy electricity from the Doyle Creek wind farm project, Planning and Zoning Commission members said Thursday it’s someone else’s job to require it. The commission voted to strike a clause from zoning regulations that required evidence of a power purchase agreement (PPA) before issuing building permits, asserting finance issues fall outside the commission’s responsibilities for regulating land use.

Commissioners discuss ambulance

After hearing that Hillsboro Ford has no responsibility to pitch in for the repair of an out-of-warranty ambulance with just 27,400 miles on it, the county enlisted its attorney, Susan Robson, to ask for help anyway. Florence EMS is still using Marion’s reserve ambulance to carry out services while its own vehicle awaits repair.

Stained glass windows undergo restoration in Pilsen

The colorfully elaborate stained glass windows that illuminate the chapel at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pilsen are currently receiving some tender loving care. Approaching 100 years in age, the stained glass windows are the original windows installed when the church was built.

Frannie Rempel

Frannie Rempel, 87, died March 31 at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. A funeral service was Saturday at Trinity Mennonite Church in Hillsboro. Interment was prior to the service Saturday at Haven of Rest Cemetery, rural Hillsboro.

Accidents reported

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Deeds recorded

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Traffic division

Dirty work satisfies farmer's inner child

When Ronnie Carlson was growing up, everybody who knew him said he liked to play with dirt. Back then, his favorite toy was a shovel. The “toys” got bigger as he got older, and for the past 40 some years, the 66-year-old farmer and cattleman has been using tractor-mounted blades and scrapers to do all kinds of dirt work as a sideline.

Suderman breeds lambs for youth competitions

Jerry Suderman turned his machine shed into a sale barn Saturday as dozens of 4-H and FFA families flocked to his farm near 140th and Kanza Rds. to buy lambs for youth to show in livestock competitions. Children and parents from throughout the region could be overheard whispering numbers of animals they liked and discussing the good and bad points of each animal.

Feral cats delivered to farmers in need of mousers

Animal control officer Duane Davis has a soft spot in his heart for the bedraggled feral cats that roam the streets of Peabody. Instead of sending them to be exterminated after he traps them, he has found a way to put their killer instincts to good use.

Solar pumps becoming popular among cattlemen

Ed Vinduska has two solar-powered water systems on 480 acres of grass nine miles northeast of Marion. One runs a well that used to be operated by a windmill, which needed a lot of maintenance and wasn’t useful when the wind didn’t blow, he said. It is close to a pond, which can get low with murky water in the summertime. Vinduska’s cows prefer the well water.

Card shower ongoing for 85th birthday

Margaret “Margie” Stroda celebrated her 85th birthday April 2. Her family is celebrating her birthday with a card shower, which is ongoing. Her parents were George and Amelia Vinduska from Pilsen.

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Goessel honor rolls

Hillsboro softball opens with Smoky Valley wins

The Hillsboro Trojans picked up two wins in a season-opening doubleheader Thursday on the road against Smoky Valley. The Trojans led 2-0 in the fourth inning when Madison Klein delivered a grand slam home run, giving the Trojans all the runs they would need.

Trojans boys tennis team off to rough start

The freshman-dominated Hillsboro Trojans tennis team opened the season Thursday with a quadrangular tournament at Conway Springs. Jacob Issac scored the Trojans’ sole match win of the day, an 8-5 triumph over McPherson junior varsity player Alex Milleson.

Tabor hires cross-country coach

Tabor College has hired Brian Grime as men’s and women’s cross-country head coach and assistant track coach. Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Rusty Allen said Grime’s qualifications and characteristics make him the right fit for this position.

Trojan golfers take 5th at season opener

Hillsboro High School golf placed fifth of 10 teams with a team score of 423 strokes Tuesday at Herington in the season’s first golf meet. “It’s a decent start considering we had three freshmen who had never played in a competitive golf tournament before,” coach Scott O’Hare said. “I am really excited to see how we progress this season.”

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