Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

Dead for hours, Pilsen road driver drowned
A 64-year-old Wichita man drowned face down in two feet of water last week after his pickup ran off Remington Rd. south of 230th Rd. and became partially submerged upside down in a creek. When Robert B. Gustafson’s truck was reported by a passing Marion County road and bridge employee, he likely had been dead for several hours.
Barn fire highlights struggles with water
A structure fire at a homestead Sunday highlighted what it is like to fight fires in rural areas. Around 5 a.m. Sunday, the Lincolnville firefighters were dispatched to a barn fire at 2921 Sunflower Rd.
Sample flight a bit too exciting
A plane made an emergency landing Tuesday in Marion County. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, at around 1:30 p.m. a small plane flying out of the Newton Airport made an emergency landing just outside Peabody.
Marion fuel prices higher than most
Motorists pay between 70 to 80 cents more a gallon at the pump in Marion than in other nearby locations. A fuel station at Walmart in Emporia charges $2.09 for unleaded gas. Casey’s General Stores in Lyon County charges $2.15 a gallon.
Two inmates taken to hospital
Two inmates were taken by ambulance Saturday to St. Luke Hospital from Marion County Jail. A 43-year-old man complained of chest pains and was coughing up blood.
County lake is still a place to be in winter
Winter draws near and a lot of places and their activities tend to slow down. Marion County Lake is one of those places but still will be a fine destination spot come that first cold.

OTHER NEWS

Marion hears about grant for 78 more rhinos
Marion City Council signalled support Tuesday for a grant that would cover 60% of the cost of another 78 rhinos throughout Marion. While the item on the council agenda was for discussion only, economic development director Megan Jones was asked to bring the item to the council for action Dec. 22.
Planners review wind farm rules
Amendments to Marion County zoning regulations pertaining to wind farms dominated a meeting Thursday of the county’s planning and zoning commission meeting. The commissioners chose to go line-by line to review the entire document. Most expressed what they did not like about wind farms.
Short-term rentals at lake debated
Parking and occupancy limits on short-term rentals at Marion County Lake were points of contention at Thursday’s planning and zoning meeting. Regulations allow a maximum of eight people in a short-term rental, but commissioners discussed changing that number.
County looks at updating plan
The last comprehensive plan for the county was done 11 years ago, and commissioner Clarke Dirks would like to draft a new one. Dirks also wanted to be made sure the current plan wasbeing followed.
Wireless tower in Peabody recommended
Peabody could soon have better cell service. At their meeting Thursday night, planners approved recommendatinng to county commissioners that a conditional use permit be approved for a Nex-Tech Wireless tower with the stipulation the Federal Communications Commission approves the project.
Peabody promotes clerk
Peabody City Council promoted its city clerk Monday night. Without much discussion, council members made Paul Leeker city clerk / administrator at a salary of $65,000.
K-150 to be resurfaced
Kansas Department of Transportation has approved a $660,949.50 contract with Heft and Sons of Greensburg to resurface the entire length of K-150 in Marion and Chase counties. No date for the start of construction has been set.

DEATHS

Nellie Penner
Services for Nellie Wohlgemuth Penner, 92, who died Monday at Moundridge Manor, will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Alexanderfeld Church, rural Hillsboro. Family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church.
IN MEMORIAM:
Janice Case

FOR THE RECORD

OPINION

Tilting at windmills and herding rhinos
Why does government seem to have only two ways of dealing with things — shoving overly complicated regulations down our throats or throwing taxpayer money at supposed problems that aren’t real? We’re witnessing a classic example of the regulation response in how Marion County is dealing with wind farms.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
A brand-new boarding pass

PEOPLE

Veteran reporter joins Record staff
Hello. My name is Judd Weil and I am the latest addition to your community newspaper. I have been working in the fourth estate for a little over a decade, and it is hard for me to imagine myself doing something else. Believe me, I have tried.
Toys, checks delivered after toy run
Checks were handed out Saturday at Hillsboro Vintage Bank Ks for organizations participating in the 32nd annual Marion County Toy Run. The run, which was on Nov. 1, received funds and toys being distributed to county organizations to benefit needy children of the county.
Winter Fun Fair back for second year
The Marion County Winter Fun Fair is returning for its second year with new categories. The fair will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 3 at Marion County Fairgrounds.
Card shower requested
A card shower is being requested for the 90th birthday of Judy Priest, who along with her husband, Bob, lived at Marion County Lake until two years ago and served as pastors for numerous churches. The Priests now live at Kansas Christian Home. Cards may be sent to 415 Lakeshore Dr Apt F, Newton KS 67114
Athletes' character honored
Brylee Smith and Hugh Guetterman have been named Marion High School Champions of Character for November. According to staff, Brylee’s character shines in everything she does and Hugh is a respectful, coachable young man who leads by example despite being pushed out of his comfort zone.
Gooch changes to South Dakota
Hillsboro’s Jesiah Gooch, who was scheduled to sign as a preferred walk on at the University of Kansas , accepted a scholarship instead last week from the University of South Dakota.
Senior center menus
MEMORIES:
10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 110, 150 years ago

SPORTS PREVIEW

CENTRE:
Girls to rely on young players
GOESSEL:
Team speed may make up for height
HILLSBORO:
Girls return all five starters
MARION:
Warriors hope to build on experience
PEABODY-BURNS:
Boys few, but girls have enough for team

MORE…

MARION COUNTY WEATHER

Partly Cloudy and 39

LIVE RADAR AND CURRENT CONDITIONS

Temperature		39 degrees at 9:55 p.m.
Today's high so far		53 degrees
Today's low so far		26 degrees
Relative humidity		90%
Wind		S at 0.0 mph, gust to 0.0
Barometric pressure		29.92 inches of mercury
Precipitation today		0.00 inches

FORECAST AT A GLANCE

WED

56
ESE 3-16

Mostly Cloudy

39
SW 14-18

THU

50
NW 18-30

Mostly Clear

24
WSW 3-17

FRI

53
SSW 9-21

Partly Cloudy

37
SSW 8-15

SAT

59
NW 10

Partly Cloudy

30
NE 8

SUN

51
ENE 8

Partly Cloudy

31
ESE 6

DETAILED FORECAST

Tonight — Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Northwest wind around 6 mph.
Wednesday — Sunny, with a high near 56. East southeast wind 3 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Wednesday night — Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Southwest wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Thursday — Sunny, with a high near 50. Northwest wind 18 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph.
Thursday night — Mostly clear, with a low around 24. West southwest wind 3 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Friday — Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
Friday night — Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Saturday — Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Saturday night — Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Sunday — Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.

SEVEN-DAY ALMANAC

	Temperature		Degree days		Precip-
Date	High	Low	Heating	Cooling	itation
12/09/2025	57	32	21		0.00
12/10/2025	51	39	20		0.00
12/11/2025	62	35	17		0.00
12/12/2025	43	27	30		0.00
12/13/2025	31	12	44		0.00
12/14/2025	28	9	47		0.00
12/15/2025	49	21	30		0.00

Marion County RECORD

A structure fire at a homestead Sunday highlighted what it is like to fight fires in rural areas. Around 5 a.m. Sunday, the Lincolnville firefighters were dispatched to a barn fire at 2921 Sunflower Rd.

A plane made an emergency landing Tuesday in Marion County. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, at around 1:30 p.m. a small plane flying out of the Newton Airport made an emergency landing just outside Peabody.

Motorists pay between 70 to 80 cents more a gallon at the pump in Marion than in other nearby locations. A fuel station at Walmart in Emporia charges $2.09 for unleaded gas. Casey’s General Stores in Lyon County charges $2.15 a gallon.

Two inmates were taken by ambulance Saturday to St. Luke Hospital from Marion County Jail. A 43-year-old man complained of chest pains and was coughing up blood.

Winter draws near and a lot of places and their activities tend to slow down. Marion County Lake is one of those places but still will be a fine destination spot come that first cold.

Marion City Council signalled support Tuesday for a grant that would cover 60% of the cost of another 78 rhinos throughout Marion. While the item on the council agenda was for discussion only, economic development director Megan Jones was asked to bring the item to the council for action Dec. 22.

Amendments to Marion County zoning regulations pertaining to wind farms dominated a meeting Thursday of the county’s planning and zoning commission meeting. The commissioners chose to go line-by line to review the entire document. Most expressed what they did not like about wind farms.

Parking and occupancy limits on short-term rentals at Marion County Lake were points of contention at Thursday’s planning and zoning meeting. Regulations allow a maximum of eight people in a short-term rental, but commissioners discussed changing that number.

The last comprehensive plan for the county was done 11 years ago, and commissioner Clarke Dirks would like to draft a new one. Dirks also wanted to be made sure the current plan wasbeing followed.

Peabody could soon have better cell service. At their meeting Thursday night, planners approved recommendatinng to county commissioners that a conditional use permit be approved for a Nex-Tech Wireless tower with the stipulation the Federal Communications Commission approves the project.

Peabody City Council promoted its city clerk Monday night. Without much discussion, council members made Paul Leeker city clerk / administrator at a salary of $65,000.

Kansas Department of Transportation has approved a $660,949.50 contract with Heft and Sons of Greensburg to resurface the entire length of K-150 in Marion and Chase counties. No date for the start of construction has been set.

Services for Nellie Wohlgemuth Penner, 92, who died Monday at Moundridge Manor, will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Alexanderfeld Church, rural Hillsboro. Family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church.

IN MEMORIAM:

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

Hello. My name is Judd Weil and I am the latest addition to your community newspaper. I have been working in the fourth estate for a little over a decade, and it is hard for me to imagine myself doing something else. Believe me, I have tried.

Checks were handed out Saturday at Hillsboro Vintage Bank Ks for organizations participating in the 32nd annual Marion County Toy Run. The run, which was on Nov. 1, received funds and toys being distributed to county organizations to benefit needy children of the county.

The Marion County Winter Fun Fair is returning for its second year with new categories. The fair will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 3 at Marion County Fairgrounds.

Brylee Smith and Hugh Guetterman have been named Marion High School Champions of Character for November. According to staff, Brylee’s character shines in everything she does and Hugh is a respectful, coachable young man who leads by example despite being pushed out of his comfort zone.

Hillsboro’s Jesiah Gooch, who was scheduled to sign as a preferred walk on at the University of Kansas , accepted a scholarship instead last week from the University of South Dakota.

MEMORIES:

CENTRE:

GOESSEL:

HILLSBORO:

MARION:

PEABODY-BURNS: