HILLSBORO Star-Journal

HEADLINES

Gatorade thief caught on security camera
An unreasonably thirsty patron at Ampride in Hillsboro decided to take a Gatorade from the shelves, have some, and put it back where he found it. Store manager Laura Legg said high-quality security cameras were used to identify the individual, and the situation was resolved without involving legal authorities.
Grand Ave. house fire leaves man burned
A house fire at 311 W. Grand Ave. in Hillsboro left owner Melvin Reimer of Hillsboro with burns as at least a dozen emergency vehicles from Hillsboro, Marion, and the sheriff’s department responded. Hillsboro Fire Chief Ben Steketee said the blaze was put out shortly after firefighters arrived.
Roundabout construction to start soon at intersection
Today’s planned selection of a contractor to build a roundabout to improve safety of the US-56/77 and K-150 intersection east of Marion came too late for two Burdick residents who died Friday from injuries sustained in an accident there. Officials are hopeful the roundabout will avert similar tragedies. “It’s still a bad situation,” Marion EMT Gene Winkler said. “I’m really glad that it’s coming.”
Burdick couple dies from intersection wreck
County can't decide on wind farm finance issue
They passed it off to the planning and zoning board, but when a recommendation came back to them Monday, county commissioners deferred for more study the question of what kind of financing evidence may be required for the Doyle Creek wind farm project. Zoning regulations include a clause requiring wind farms to show evidence of a specific buyer for the electricity they produce, called a power purchase agreement (PPA). At the request of county commissioners, the planning and zoning board at a public hearing determined the item didn’t belong in regulations specific to land use.
Newell gets 177 months
Former county dispatcher and Santa Claus impersonator Kenneth Newell held a blank expression as he was sentenced Monday to 177 months (14 years and nine months) in prison for two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child under 14 years of age. Newell pleaded guilty in March as part of a plea agreement in which 11 other counts were dropped.
Effort to limit underage drinking met with some resistance
Students may have been surprised to encounter some resistance while participating in an effort to curb underage drinking called “Sticker Shock.” The conflict occurred at a couple area businesses, which relayed concerns from vendors that stickers discouraging the purchase of alcohol for minors would “deface the property” if adhered to alcohol containers.

OTHER HEADLINES

Grass buffer proposed to deter lake algae
A 30-foot-wide unmowed grass “water filter” around the shoreline of Marion County Lake could remove nutrients that feed blue-green algae if Kansas Department of Health and Environment funds a plan discussed with county commissioners Monday. The proposal, being developed through K-State WRAPS, would involve removing non-native trees and creating a grass buffer that would be more efficient. The project also would deal with heavily treed draws, and target two livestock operations that are purported to be nutrient sources.
Saturation patrol results in 3 arrests
Marion police officers arrested two juveniles and one 18-year-old during a “saturation patrol” Saturday night and Sunday morning. Police Chief Tyler Mermis said it was raining when officers stopped an underage driver for failing to use a turn signal near the cemetery at the corner of Kellison and North Freeborn Sts.

DEATHS

Forrest and Marie Anderson
Burdick couple Forrest and Marie Anderson died Friday as a result of an automobile accident near Marion. A memorial service for the Andersons will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Herington. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery.
Reggie Bitner
Reggie Bitner, 53, died April 7 at Marion. A memorial service was April 10 at Marion Christian Church.
Harry Herbel
Harry J. Herbel, 86, father of Hillsboro resident Jane Brown, died April 14 at Herington Municipal Hospital. He was born July 9, 1928, at Herington, son of Fred and Anna L. (Sauer) Herbel. Funeral services were Monday at St. Mark Chapel in Herington. Military committal followed at Sunset Hill Cemetery.
Jean Jost
Jean Jost, 84, died April 15 in Hillsboro. She was born July 12, 1930, to Sam and Marie (Bartel) Neufeld at Dalhart, Texas. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. Family will receive guests from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Jost Funeral Home in Hillsboro.
Kevin Roberts
Kevin B. Roberts, 56, died April 15 at Newton Medical Center. He was born May 21, 1958 in Garden City, Kansas to Ted and Marjorie (Stephenson) Roberts. A graduate of Salina South High School, he worked in the maintenance and housekeeping departments at Newton Presbyterian Manor.
Herb Strotkamp
Burns resident Herb Strotkamp, 85, died Monday at St. Luke Living Center in Marion. Viewing is today from 1 to 5 p.m. at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion. A memorial service will be Thursday at Holy Family Parish, St. Patrick Catholic Church in Florence, starting with a rosary at 10 a.m. and a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Burns Cemetery.
James Unruh
James Lee Unruh died Tuesday. A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Burns Countryside Church.

DOCKET

HOME

Leafy greens get an early start at Mockingbird Hill
Green leafy vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, C, and K. Darlene Carlson, owner of Mockingbird Hill Gardens in rural Lincolnville, grows a wide variety of greens that she sells at farmer’s markets in Hillsboro and Marion.
Local farmers' markets to open in two weeks
Spring has sprung, gardens are greening, and it’s almost time for some of that early produce to be available at area farmers’ markets. The Marion Farm and Art Market will open for the season at 5 p.m. May 6 in Central Park.

OPINION

I killed a turkey
I have never hunted, but I bagged my first turkey last Wednesday, which was a strange coincidence when I learned afterwards that the day was also the official start to spring turkey season. I can take the credit because I killed it, but credit should be given where it’s due.

PEOPLE

Silver-Haired Legislator forum held
Mary Olson, Silver-Haired Legislator for Marion County, attended a regional forum April 15. The forum was held to help SHL members prepare for their meeting with legislators this fall in Topeka.
Bennett wins Sustainable Ag Award
Harry Bennett, an organic farmer formerly of rural Marion, was presented with the John’s Vogelsberg Sustainable Ag Award March 21 during the annual Kansas Organic Producers meeting in Emporia. Bennett has been in marketing with KOP for 35 years and will soon retire.
Hanschu receives company award
American Family Insurance named Jayson Hanschu of Hillsboro as its Agent of the Month for February and March. He received the distinction for outstanding sales of company products during those months.
Cards requested for Reznicek
NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:
Birthdays, dinners, and a sale
'ROUND THE TOWN:
A baby shower, dinner, and social visits

SCHOOL

Hillsboro schools, library begin a book club for boys
In an attempt to attract boys to the fun and enjoyment of reading, Hillsboro Public Library and Hillsboro Elementary and Middle Schools are collaborating to begin a new library program called “Guys Read.” “Guys Read” is a monthly book discussion group open to boys in fourth through eighth grade. The goal is to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers by helping them find books they want to read and introducing them to male reading role models from throughout the community.
Jantzen to speak at CMBS dinner
The Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies at Tabor College in Hillsboro will hold its annual spring dinner meeting at 6:30 p.m. May 2 in the lobby of the Wohlgemuth Music Education Center. The speaker will be Mark Jantzen, associate professor of history at Bethel College in North Newton. He will present a speech on “Mennonite Migrants, Mennonite Solders.” It will track Mennonite identity across four centuries in Poland, Prussia, and Russia through the lens of military service exemptions.
HHS academic awards are Monday
Hillsboro High School scholars will be recognized at Academic Awards Night at 7 p.m. Monday in Hillsboro Middle School Gymnasium. HHS students who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher will receive academic letters for their achievements.

SPORTS

Weber bounces back after hit by a line drive
The Hillsboro Trojans were cruising against Kingman on Monday. After winning the first game of softball doubleheader, they were one out away from wrapping up a second win. Allison Weber was in firm control as she pitched to a would-be final batter. Suddenly, a line drive ripped straight back at her changed all that.
Ediger places in top 20 golfers at Sterling
Hillsboro High School golf team placed eighth out of nine teams, with 407 strokes Monday at Sterling. Individually, Philip Ediger led the Trojans. He placed 20th out of 48 golfers with a score of 91.
Trojan tennis players learn from losses
Hillsboro High School tennis isn’t a winning program, it’s a learning program. “Our guys are working hard to catch up to the more experienced players from other schools,” head coach Stuart Holmes said. “Our guys are starting to hit more good shots, but it is still difficult to play at the same level as our opponents.”
Tabor College's annual spring sports showcase is Saturday
Football, baseball, softball, and soccer are the featured sports for the annual Tabor College Athletic Spring Showcase from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. “The showcase has become a tradition at Tabor College,” vice president for intercollegiate athletics Rusty Allen said. “Not only is it a lot of fun to have friends, alumni and family of our athletes on campus for the day, but it allows everyone an opportunity for a big picture look at the excellence we strive for in the athletic department.”
Goessel girls take 3rd at Haven
With some solid individual performances, the Goessel High School girls’ track team placed third April 14 at Haven. Brittney Hiebert took first in the 800- and 1,600-meter runs.
Makovec brothers lead Goessel golf at Marion
Lawton Makovec won the golf meet at Marion on April 14 with a score of 90, while his brother Rhett Makovec shot his best round of the season with 98 strokes to pick up fourth place. Lucas Hiebert finished in seventh place with a 102, Kellen Froese shot a 114 to take 10th place, and Luke Unruh finished the round with a 122.

HILLSBORO Star-Journal

A house fire at 311 W. Grand Ave. in Hillsboro left owner Melvin Reimer of Hillsboro with burns as at least a dozen emergency vehicles from Hillsboro, Marion, and the sheriff’s department responded. Hillsboro Fire Chief Ben Steketee said the blaze was put out shortly after firefighters arrived.

Burdick couple Forrest and Marie Anderson died Friday as a result of an automobile accident near Marion. A memorial service for the Andersons will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Herington. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery.

Reggie Bitner, 53, died April 7 at Marion. A memorial service was April 10 at Marion Christian Church.

Jean Jost, 84, died April 15 in Hillsboro. She was born July 12, 1930, to Sam and Marie (Bartel) Neufeld at Dalhart, Texas. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. Family will receive guests from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Jost Funeral Home in Hillsboro.

Kevin B. Roberts, 56, died April 15 at Newton Medical Center. He was born May 21, 1958 in Garden City, Kansas to Ted and Marjorie (Stephenson) Roberts. A graduate of Salina South High School, he worked in the maintenance and housekeeping departments at Newton Presbyterian Manor.

James Lee Unruh died Tuesday. A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Burns Countryside Church.

Green leafy vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, C, and K. Darlene Carlson, owner of Mockingbird Hill Gardens in rural Lincolnville, grows a wide variety of greens that she sells at farmer’s markets in Hillsboro and Marion.

Spring has sprung, gardens are greening, and it’s almost time for some of that early produce to be available at area farmers’ markets. The Marion Farm and Art Market will open for the season at 5 p.m. May 6 in Central Park.

I have never hunted, but I bagged my first turkey last Wednesday, which was a strange coincidence when I learned afterwards that the day was also the official start to spring turkey season. I can take the credit because I killed it, but credit should be given where it’s due.

Mary Olson, Silver-Haired Legislator for Marion County, attended a regional forum April 15. The forum was held to help SHL members prepare for their meeting with legislators this fall in Topeka.

Harry Bennett, an organic farmer formerly of rural Marion, was presented with the John’s Vogelsberg Sustainable Ag Award March 21 during the annual Kansas Organic Producers meeting in Emporia. Bennett has been in marketing with KOP for 35 years and will soon retire.

American Family Insurance named Jayson Hanschu of Hillsboro as its Agent of the Month for February and March. He received the distinction for outstanding sales of company products during those months.

NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:

'ROUND THE TOWN:

Hillsboro High School scholars will be recognized at Academic Awards Night at 7 p.m. Monday in Hillsboro Middle School Gymnasium. HHS students who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher will receive academic letters for their achievements.

Hillsboro High School golf team placed eighth out of nine teams, with 407 strokes Monday at Sterling. Individually, Philip Ediger led the Trojans. He placed 20th out of 48 golfers with a score of 91.

With some solid individual performances, the Goessel High School girls’ track team placed third April 14 at Haven. Brittney Hiebert took first in the 800- and 1,600-meter runs.