HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Algae warning at county lake stretches into 10th week

Marion County Lake is under a blue-green algae warning for a 10th consecutive week, and its 12th since June 15. On Thursday, Kansas Department of Health and Environment listed 13 lakes affected by blue-alge warnings or watches, and Hodgeman State Fishing Lake has been closed.

The return of in town school bus routes

After parents of USD 410 students presented their need for an afternoon school bus service to Willow Glen neighborhood during Monday’s school board meeting, board members decided to start an after-school drop off for both Willow Glen and Carriage Hill neighborhoods in south Hillsboro. Led by parent Miranda Reed, Willow Glen residents said they pick their students up from school because there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. She said a 45 miles-per-hour speed limit poses an unsafe risk for walkers, as cars speed up to 60 miles per hour when heading south out of town.

Robson targets political social media

Commissioner Dianne Novak’s social media account came under fire from county counselor Susan Robson on Monday. Novak said a confidential memo from Robson in commissioners’ packets addressing social media was aimed at her.

Fire chief's plea goes unanswered

Two weeks and two meetings after Lincolnville fire chief Lester Kaiser asked for county reserves to help pay for new 800 MHz radios, county officials failed to answer his questions. “When do we order, who’s going to order, how are we going to order, is each department going to order individually or is (Sheriff) Rob (Craft) ordering for everybody, these are the questions that we’re going to have,” Kaiser told commissioners Monday.

Home for a heifer: Missing 4-H project found 45 days later

When David Oborny went out to his pasture to check on his calving red Angus cows Sunday, he did not expect to see a black heifer living among them. He checks on his cows a few times a week during calving season, but never before had he seen the black Simmental living among them.

How short is a minute?

County commission meeting minutes will now be shorter, but not because meetings will finish any faster. Commissioners directed county clerk Tina Spencer to include only official actions and to make minor notes of any extended discussions, in addition to the legally-required who, when, and where.

More sunflowers with less definite answers

Take a drive through the county and you are sure to see common sunflowers lining the sides of roads both in and out of the ditches. If you have noticed more of the state flower this year than in years past, you are not alone.

Streets to close for Arts and Crafts Fair

The police will block off streets starting 5 p.m. Friday for Hillsboro’s Arts and Crafts Fair. Vehicles need to be off the four blocks of Main St. and two blocks of Grand St. where the fair takes place.

Lola Augusta Brockmeier

Services for Lola Augusta Brockmeier, who died Sept. 3 at Herington, were Thursday. Burial was in St. John Lutheran Cemetery at Lincolnville. She was born Jan. 30, 1918 to Rudolph and Ottille (Krause) Albrecht at Lincolnville.

Cody Pankratz

Services for Cody Pankratz, 31, who died Sunday at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, will be at 1 p.m. today at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. He was born Feb. 23, 1986, to Jerel and Serena (Stum) Pankratz in Hillsboro. Survivors include father Jerel Pankratz of Greeley; mother Serena McGinn of Sedgwick; sisters Paula Schwarz of LaCygne; Heather Madison of Ft. Scott; Alec McGinn of Wichita; and Riley McGinn of Sedgwick; grandfather Allen Pankratz of Hillsboro; and grandmother Sandra Stum of Towner, Colorado.

Mary Ann Hoffner

Services for Mary Ann Hoffner, 78, who died Sept. 7 at Salem Home in Hillsboro, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro. She was born March 16, 1939, to Jesse Lee and Ollie Ann (Logue) Julius in St. Elmo, Illinois.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Criminal division cases

County jail bookings

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Marriage licenses granted

Offenses reported

Police incident reports

Traffic division cases

Marion's Art in the Park to see an increase in vendors

Art in the Park is shaping up to be an even bigger event than last year. About 130 vendors will set up shop in the park Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., up from 100 or so last year.

Both new and old at Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair

For the first time in Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair’s 47-year history, the estimated 40,000 shoppers who will attend this year’s fair can buy something new — that is old. In years past, Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Association only allowed vendors to sell original, handcrafted items. These items were new to both the seller and the buyer.

Walls preparing for arts and crafts fair in a new way

As 300 vendors from about 15 states are preparing for 40,000 shoppers anticipated for Hillsboro’s 48th annual Arts and Crafts Fair, one local vendor is preparing for quite a bit more. Brenda Walls, a vendor of about 20 years, is not only preparing to sell hand-crafted trees and ornaments, but she also is organizing the fair, including volunteers, vendor registration, and vehicle loading zones.

Elgin birthday party is Saturday

There’s a 131st birthday celebration Saturday at the Historic Elgin Hotel, and the public is invited to drop by between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to join in the festivities. “It’s not mine, thankfully,” owner Tammy Ensey said. “Our trusty old Elgin is having a birthday.

Parade announcing is 48-year family tradition

A day celebrating alumni and reminiscing marks a family tradition for Casey Case. Case announces the Old Settlers’ Day parade, which his dad, Alex, did for 30 years, 1969-99. Case stepped into his father’s shoes, or maybe not his father’s shoes, when he took on the role in 2000.

Old Settlers' Day started as a picnic in the park

The following is an account of the first Old Settlers’ Picnic, written by E.W. Hoch, editor, as it appeared in the issue of the Marion Record for Oct. 14, 1912. Old Settlers meet Good Crowd, Good Time and a Permanent County Organization Formed.

Pete the Rhino ready to explore Marion and beyond

Anyone with a taste for having fun and a camera to use can enjoy a new activity in Marion. Marion Parks and Recreation has a new initiative called “Where’s Pete?” that capitalizes on the community’s iconic “Pete the Rhino.”

Combining junk and antiques at Arts and Crafts Fair

With a passion for continuing their family-run business, Clemo Haddox and his brother Michael took over DC’s Juntiques from their parents in 2011 and continue to bridge the gap between junk and antiques. “We combine junk and antiques to come up with juntiques,” Clemo said.

Schaeffler House a peek at early 1900s

The 1909 home of a successful immigrant family in Hillsboro can be toured in its unchanged state. Schaeffler House is a Queen Ann-style home built by successful German immigrants William and Ida Schaeffler, who owned a popular mercantile store. It was a larger-than-average home for its time. A St. Louis architect designed the house.

Tabor College students to perform Peter Pan prequel

Fans of Peter Pan can experience the classic tale’s prequel at Tabor College’s theater production of “Peter and the Starcatcher” during homecoming week, Oct. 18-21. The show tells the story of how Peter became the boy who could fly with an enchanted island he could call home. He meets the Starcatcher, Molly Aster, in training, who then helps him and the orphans protect a trunk filled with magical Starstuff from Black Stache and his crew of pirates.

Lincolnville Octoberfest to celebrate "vintage harvest" with fashion pageant

“Vintage Harvest” will be the theme of Lincolnville Octoberfest on Oct. 7. A vintage fashion pageant on stage at 4 p.m. in the park will feature people wearing clothing commonly worn from the 1850s to 1970s. Pre-registration forms will be available later.

Holiday shopping event coming to Marion

A new Marion event featuring socializing and shopping is planned for the holiday season. Jingle and Mingle will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18 at Marion Community Center, 203 N. 3rd St.

Artifact ID workshop will be Sept. 23 at Marion library

Have you ever wondered what the story might be behind an arrowhead you picked up, or what in the world is that very old, rusted metal thingamabob you dug up in the yard? Answers to those questions and more may be found at a Kansas Anthropological Association artifact identification workshop coming to Marion City Library on Sept. 23.

Frogs endure

In case you hadn’t noticed, we haven’t had any rain for a while. A little field runoff stream where I like to go to shoot frogs and dragonflies (with my camera, of course) was flowing and green with duckweed a month ago. Frogs sitting at stream’s edge were easy shots with a telephoto lens, but would dive under the water when apparently dangerous me tried to get closer.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

Meet mayoral candidates with Lifelong Learners

Hillsboro mayoral candidates Lou Thurston and Charlotte A. Kennedy-Takahashi will be sharing their thoughts on the city at Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church. They also will be participating in a question-and-answer period.

Test-drive a Ford, earn money for your school

If you test-drive a Ford, you can earn $20 for county schools. Every test-drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 23 at Hillsboro Ford will earn $20 for the school of the driver’s choosing.

Senior center menu

NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:

ROUND THE TOWN:

Tabor faculty to hold free recital

Faculty at Tabor College will be performing “From Russia with Love” as the first recital of the 2017-18 Tabor College Recital Series. The recital will showcase soprano Jen Stephenson and pianist J. Bradley Baker, who will perform selections by Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. The show will include a presentation of images of Russian life and culture.

Hillsboro student earns degree

Meredith D. Lamkin of Hillsboro was one of more than 350 students who completed degrees at Wichita State University this summer. Lamkin earned a bachelor of arts in psychology.

Eagles spoil Trojans' home opener

Out of six losses suffered a year ago by the Hillsboro football team, perhaps none stung worse than a controversial loss at Kingman in the second week. Redemption was on the minds of the Trojans on Friday, nearly a year to the date later of the 31-30 heartbreaking overtime loss.

Bluebirds no match for Cougars

Two quick touchdowns by Centre had Goessel reeling at the outset of Friday’s football game at Goessel, and the Bluebirds never recovered, losing 66-20 in the point-rule-shortened game. Goessel started the game on with an onside kick that Centre covered in good field position. The Cougars took just 61 seconds to march into the end zone.

Lady Trojans finish 2-3 at tournament

The Hillsboro Lady Trojans volleyball team is off to a 5-8 start, competing in Saturday’s Southeast of Saline Tournament in Gypsum. Against teams from Classes 3, 4, and 5A, the Trojans were able to post a 2-3 finish.

Goessel cross-country has success at Hesston

Four of Goessel’s cross-country athletes earned medals in a large meet Thursday at Hesston, where each participant competed against other athletes in their grade. Julia Nightengale picked up the 13th place in the senior race with a time of 24 minutes, 37 seconds.

Goessel volleyball wins home tournament

The Goessel Bluebirds faced some stiff competition but still rolled to an unblemished record as they won their own invitational tournament Saturday. The Bluebirds opened with a dominating performance against Central Christian, winning 25-2 and 25-3, then cruised against South Haven, winning both sets with identical 25-13 scores.

SCHOOL MENUS:

Mennonite heritage sessions planned

Pastor Willmar T. Harder of Buhler Mennonite Church will be the featured speaker during Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum’s annual heritage lecture in Goessel. He will present two sessions, “Vivir Bien: Low German Mennonites in Bolivia” and “Kjenn Jie Noch Plautdietsh: Is Mennonite Low German a Dead Language?”

Flu shot clinics scheduled this month and next

Flu shot clinics for people age 6 months and up will be offered by Marion County Health Department. A clinic at Goessel School will be from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 17. A clinic at Hillsboro Middle School will be from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30.

Calendar of events

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