HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Tower escapes demolition

About $38,000 of unanticipated repairs to the historic water tower briefly raised the spectre of its demise, but city council members on Tuesday voted to keep the tower as part of the water system. Workers for the company hired to replace the top of the tower, blown off during a Labor Day weekend storm, discovered deteriorated steel in the tower. Left unrepaired, the tower would be useless.

Bat mom abandons babies

A trio of abandoned bat babies was recently rescued by an anonymous Good Samaritan. Lena Kleiner of Hillsboro witnessed the rescue after seeing the bat mom ditch her babies.

Main St. partially closed Monday, Tuesday

Main St. in Hillsboro, and parts of Grand St., will be partially closed in the upcoming week. On Monday, the east side of Main St., from 3rd St. to D St., plus all of the 100 block of E. Grand St., will be closed to traffic for the entire day.

City budget talks begin

City Administrator Larry Paine gave city council a wish list from department heads Tuesday at a preliminary 2016 budget work session, but told them the list was incomplete. “The last time we met, we talked about you guys sending me a list of things you wanted on the budget,” Paine said. “Unless I missed it, I haven’t gotten any emails saying ‘I’d like to have this considered,’ so at this point whatever you wanted to do there I have not included in this budget.”

Council continues search for economic development director

Spurned by the only person offered the position, Hillsboro is back in the hunt for an economic development director. “We’re going back to square one to start recruiting again,” city administrator Larry Paine said.

Co-ed ranch rodeo added to county fair

Cowboys and cowgirls will team up to test their ranching skills in a co-ed ranch rodeo at this year’s Marion County Fair. Chuck McLinden, fair board member, said the co-ed event replaces the women’s rodeo that has run for over a decade.

Intern visits Center for Mennonite Bretheren Studies

Liz Wittrig, an archival intern for Mennonite Brethren Historical Commission has been at the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Hillsboro the past week studying the center’s collection. Wittrig previously visited three of the four denominational archival centers in North America inFresno, California, Abbotsford, British Columbia, and Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Residents keep pressure on road department

Mike Beneke’s anger with how the county is maintaining roads didn’t boil over Monday as it did last week, but he brought along friends to keep the debate simmering. Beneke, along with Fred Carlson and Dan Dalke of Hillsboro, and Jim Bernhardt, Don Stenzel, and Ed Vinduska of Marion, spent nearly 30 minutes expressing concerns about maintenance and the seemingly abrupt firing of a 34-year veteran road employee.

Holub rejects courthouse addition

Responding to taxpayer concerns that they were trying to “sneak it into the budget,” Marion County Commission quickly distanced itself Monday from a preliminary proposal to expand the courthouse. “Marion County cannot afford $7.5 million right now or in the foreseeable future to update the courthouse,” commission chairman Dan Holub said. “I don’t see it happening— not now, and not in the future.”

Salary talk scarce at budget meetings

Suggestions of salary increases were almost nonexistent as county department heads discussed 2016 budget plans with commissioners in a daylong planning session July 1. Commissioners entertained proposals with news that projected revenues would be up about $126,000 in 2016, rather than down.

Nominations sought for health awards

Individual and organizational nominations for Kansas health champions are being sought by the Governor’s Council on Fitness as part of an effort to help Kansans improve their health. Eligible nominees include an outstanding volunteers, schools, communities, newspapers or reporters, local or state policy makers, or employers.

TEEN to meet Tuesday

The Technology Excellence in Education Network meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the USD 408 district office in Marion. More information is available from Lena Kleiner at(620) 877-0237.

Ann Boese

Former retail clerk Ann L. Boese, 92, died July 1 at St. Luke Hospital in Marion. She was born May 18, 1923, to David and Anna (Eberhardt) Helmer in Burstall, Saskatchewan, Canada

Harold Dyck

Former Peabody merchant Harold Eugene Dyck, 83, of Newton, died July 3. He was born Nov. 22, 1931, to Agnes and John Dyck at Burns. He married Neva Lehrman on Aug. 14, 1955, at Tabor Mennonite Church near Goessel.

LaVada Hagen

LaVada Hagen, 84, died June 29 in Hillsboro. She was born March 7, 1931, to Otto and Miriam (Reuscher) David in Hillsboro. She married Lewis Hagen Dec. 20, 1954, in Hillsboro. She was a hairdresser.

Bonnie Reagan

Bonnie Lynn Reagan, 63, of Hillsboro, died July 1 at her home. A memorial service will be 7 p.m. Thursday in the Herington Chapel and Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home. Inurnment will be at the Sunset Hill Cemetery in Herington at a future date.

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Wheat harvest about average this year

Moist cool weather in May gave hope for a higher count in Marion County’s wheat harvest, but with most fields cut, the numbers are about average for the county, Cooperative Grain and Supply grain coordinator Dick Tippin said. “We’re at about 2,400,000 bushel between all our locations,” Tippin said Thursday. “That’s right about average.”

Mr. Brunner goes to Washington

International livestock trade will have a voice from Marion County when Tracy Brunner heads to Washington for his first meeting as part of the USDA’s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for trade in animals and animal products. Brunner said the first meeting is at the end of the summer, and he’s excited to get started.

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Chat and Dine potluck Saturday

Marion County Park and Lake Chat and Dine Club will have its annual cookout 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the north shelter house at the lake. Participants are being encouraged to bring a side dish that can go with hamburgers and hot dogs. More information is available at(620) 382-2900.

Cards requested for 85th birthday

The family of Tony Schafers has requested a card shower for his 85th birthday on Friday. Cards are being received at 100 S. Freeborn St., Marion KS 66861.

Juggler/comedian coming

Juggler and children’s comedian Brian Wendling will perform at 10 a.m. Thursday at Marion Community Center. Marion City Library and Tampa State Bank will sponsor the free event. More information is available at (620) 382-2442.

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