HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Algae advisory extended for 12th week

Marion County Lake’s blue-green algae advisory was extended Friday for a 12th consecutive week. The advisory does not extend to Marion Reservoir. The advisory is the lowest level of alert — a watch, not a warning or hazard status. A total of nine bodies of water in the state were placed under more-serious warnings Friday, while 10 others joined the county lake on the less-serious watch list.

No more salvaged police cars?

Marion’s police department, which recently has purchased only salvaged vehicles as squad cars, may be switching to buying only new vehicles and replacing them every 120,000 miles. “I think I’m gonna cry,” Mayor Mike Powers said. “It makes me so happy that this is the kind of thing that we need to start doing. We need to go forward and do things with a plan as opposed to just reacting to things.”

Panel to help pick chief

A four-member panel will help select a new fire chief for Marion. Former chief Chris Killough resigned Sept. 5 and was replaced Sept. 8 on an interim basis by former Florence fire chief Mark Slater.

Emaciated dogs seized in cruelty case

Marion police are awaiting a veterinarian’s assessment of two emaciated dogs police took to the clinic after seizing them from property in the 300 block of S. Cedar St. after receiving a call that dogs were being abused there. Chief Aaron Slater said no dogs were found when officer Kaylan Miles went to the address Friday.

Big meth bust inmate seeks release

An Arizona man jailed since Aug. 27 for allegedly possessing as many as 54,000 doses of methamphetamine filed suit Monday claiming he is being wrongfully held in jail. Wichita lawyer Christopher O’Hara filed a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of Ramon Maldonado Alfaro, 30, Glendale, Arizona. The writ claims Maldonado Alfaro is being illegally detained because no criminal charges have been filed.

Documentary to focus on area's Mennonite heritage

A newly completed documentary, “Grains of Glory, The Kansas Mennonite Story,” features Marion County residents. The documentary tells of Mennonite migration to central Kansas and their vital role in making Kansas “the breadbasket of the world” by transforming Kansas agriculture with Turkey Red wheat.

No objection as county approves $31.5 million budget

Nobody came to speak Monday at a county budget hearing, and no commission members had anything to say, so commissioners cast a unanimous vote to approve a $31,538,822 budget for 2026. The budget imposes a revenue-neutral tax rate, meaning the county will get the same amount of property tax this coming year as it did this year.

Talking books to be at library

People who have trouble reading because of blindness, poor vision; or other reading disabilities are able to enjoy books at no cost. Representatives of Kansas Talking Books are coming to Marion to explain how the program works.

Hillsboro man to help pick academy students

A Hillsboro man will help select Kansas applicants to attend military academies. Michael James, executive director of administration and finance at Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology and a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, will be part of a 20-member board selected by Senator Jerry Moran that reviews applications and interviews candidates.

Hillsboro takes aim on dilapidated properties

Hillsboro City Council voted Tuesday to schedule hearings Nov. 4 on two nuisance properties. The properties are at 310 N. Washington St., owned by Dennis Gora, and 401 S. Ash St., owned by Wilbert J. Bartel.

Local couples place at golf invitational

Wes and Connie Glock and Brad and Jeannie Wildin of Marion were the top local finishers in Marion Country Club’s 33rd annual couples invitational Sept. 7. Thirty-one teams from Andover, Burrton, Concordia, El Dorado, Hillsboro, Hutchinson, Marysville, McPherson, Newton, Olathe, Oxford, Salina, Shawnee, Valley Center, and Wichita competed in the 18-hole event along with Marion golfers.

Elinor Kliewer

Services for Elinor Kliewer, 91, Hillsboro, who died Sept. 7 at Kidron Bethel in North Newton, have not yet been scheduled. Born Dec. 8, 1933, in Mt. Lake, Minnesota to Henry and Emma (Boese) Ewert, she married Jonah Kliewer on June 24, 1955, in Reedley, California.

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

Historic secrets - The past surrounds us, but some federal registry sites are restricted

In all, 31 sites within the county are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most are categorized as having primarily local significance, but six are considered significant statewide, and four are considered significant nationally.

Art of crafting - Shows are organized differently

In Hillsboro, exhibitors are selected by a committee of judges and invited to bring handcrafted products to Hillsboro for a nationally recognized craft show. Experts come from each coast to display and sell their handiwork and one-of-a-kind creations.

Settling on a pattern - Class reunion organizers become old hands at preparing for Old Settlers Day

Old Settlers Day, when Marion graduates come home for fun and reunions, will be Sept. 27 this year. Events include a ride in a downtown parade, lunch and games at Central Park, and time together to catch up.

A hot time - People are secret ingredient for cookoff

Cooking chili for the annual Chili Cookoff at the county lake is what he does for enjoyment and to benefit the community. This year’s Chili Cook Off will be 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4.

Accidents reported

Civil Division cases

County jail arrests and bookings

Criminal Division cases

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Offenses reported

Police activity reports

Traffic Division cases

Doing a number on the media

You’re holding in your hand a rarity that happens only once every eight years on average. No, you won’t be able to make a fortune selling it to some collector. But it’s unusual all the same. This week’s paper is issue No. 53 of Volume 156. Normally, we think of a year as having 52 weeks, not 53. But do the math. Divide 365 days by 7 days and you get 52 weeks with a remainder of one day. Add to that one day the extra day we get from leap year every fourth year (except in century years not evenly divisible by 400) and you can see why we occasionally need a 53rd issue.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

CORRECTION:

Church to celebrate 150 years

The bell continues to ring out every Sunday morning, inviting people to join in worship at 9:10 a.m. at Aulne Bible Church. A special day is planned for Sept. 28 to celebrate the congregation’s 150th anniversary.

Blood drives planned

Several bloods drives are planned in coming weeks in Marion County:

Senior center menus

MEMORIES:

FOOTBALL:

VOLLEYBALL:

CROSS COUNTRY:

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