HILLSBORO Star-Journal

One man's find is another man's treasure

When David McMurray was moving things into storage in a garage he owns at the county lake, he found a photo album and scrapbook he knew was someone’s treasure. “We found it sitting there on an old fireplace that was in the garage,” McMurray said. “It was just things that were left over inside the garage.”

Mayfield violates ethics law

Although it did not seem to affect the city adversely, Marion Mayor David Mayfield violated the city’s ethics code by insisting on negotiating personally with the sheriff’s department to sell the city’s drug-sniffing dog, Blue. As part-time employee of the department, paid $1,311.51 in 2022, Mayfield’s participation in the discussion is forbidden by city code section 1-208. It states no city officer shall “discuss in any capacity” or “otherwise participate in” any agreement with any entity from which he receives $1,000 or more in remuneration. Violation is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and up to 90 days imprisonment.

Ambulance worker accused of violent crime

No employment action is expected against an emergency medical service employee arrested last week on suspicion of a violent crime. Kelli Ann Olson, 47, Newton, a registered nurse who works for Marion County emergency medical service, was arrested early Dec. 28 on suspicion of domestic battery.

Hillsboro seeks higher electric rates

Hillsboro electric customers should expect to see a rate increase on their March bills. City council members voted Tuesday to increase rates 1 cent per kilowatt-hour, or 7.7%. to bolster the amount of money in the city’s utility fund.

Commissioners talk shop with legislators

Newly elected state representative Scott Hill and representative Stephen Owens had a lively discussion with commissioners during Tuesday’s meeting. The pair were put on the agenda shortly before the meeting. Sheriff Jeff Soyez was notified so he could speak to the representatives as well.

Quilt store closes but another business coming

An iconic Marion quilt shop closed its doors Saturday after 12½ years so its owners could retire. Sew What Quilt Shop owners Jan Meisinger, Paula Perry, and Carol Riggs of Hillsboro started their business at 162 W. Main St. in a building shared with Down on the Corner and Hair Corner.

Group to discuss resources

Marion County Core Community will meet at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 19 to assess available resources in each of Marion County’s communities. The program pairs people in the middle class with those living in poverty. For more information, call Tracy Lowe at (720) 971-7133.

Parish welcomes new priest

Holy Family Parish is welcoming pastor Father Isaac Coulter to its churches. This will be his first pastorship. Pilsen will sponsor a potluck lunch after Mass on Sunday to welcome Coulter to the community.

Doris David

Services for Doris David, 96, who died Dec. 13 at Hillsboro Community Hospital, will be 10 a.m. Jan. 14 at Hillsboro United Methodist Church. Pastor Brad Penn will officiate. Relatives will receive friends 5 to 7 pm. Jan. 13 at Jost Funeral Home, Hillsboro.

Phyllis Holmes

Services for Hillsboro native Phyllis Joan (Blankley) Holmes, 87, who died Dec. 25 under hospice care, will be 3 p.m. Friday at Lakeview Funeral Home, 12100 E. 13th St. North, Wichita. Refreshments will follow at Life Church East, 338 N. 127th St. East, Wichita. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Accidents reported

Civil division cases

County jail arrests and bookings

Criminal division cases

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Offenses reported

Police activity reports

Young cattleman pursues his dreams

Grant Glaser of rural Marion grew up around Ellsworth and decided to strike out on his own after graduating from Kansas State University in 2018 with a degree in ag economics. He purchased a small farm northeast of Marion almost five years ago and lives on a ranch east of Marion near the Marion/Chase county line. He has been married to Marissa for 2 1/2 years. She works as a nutrition expert at Countryside Feeds in Hillsboro.

New food marketing group planned

Marion County farmers are among those the Kansas Rural Center hopes to include in a new local food program being developed with a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Common Ground Producers and Growers, Kansas Wesleyan University, and St. John’s Baptist Church of Salina are working to create a “food corridor” along I-135 from Wichita to Salina.

Peering into shadows of government secrecy

Mass resignations among Marion, Peabody, and county law enforcement. Firings in Marion’s school district and city administration. County services, from roads to ambulances, that don’t seem to live up to their name. Efforts to take away voters’ rights. Taxes and debt that mount like snow in arctic blizzards. Candidates who seem to discuss only irrelevant, hot-button topics like transgendered athletes and border and election security. Things are messed up — not just in Topeka and Washington, but right here in River City and elsewhere in Marion County.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

Happy Hustlers

Members of Happy Hustlers 4-H Club presented fruit baskets and went caroling Dec. 20 at St. Luke Living Center and Marion Assisted Living before meeting at Marion County Lake hall. Twenty-five members, six leaders, eight parents, and two guests answered roll call with their favorite Christmas songs.

Senior center menus

MEMORIES:

Schafers finalist for player of year

Trevor Schafers is a finalist for Kansas player of the year Jan., 11 from Circle of Stars Academy and VYPE Magazine. He will receive an award for qualifying as a player of the week. Irving Fryar, 17-year NFL play and five-time all pro will speak. Heisman Trophy winner Miek Rozier also will be in attendance.

Dye gets scholarship

Marion senior Tristen Dye has signed a letter of intent to attend Bethany College next fall on a cross-country and track and field scholarship. Marion cross-country finished third in State at Wamego Country Club this season. Dye had a run time of 18:58.16.

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