PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Marion ambulance may get new digs in former Auto House building

A new home for Marion ambulances and sleeping quarters for on-duty emergency medical technicians looks closer to reality. County commissioners toured a building used as a towing and recovery business and spoke to the business owner about buying it for $175,000.

County leery of Straub outcome

Round two in the county commissioners’ quest to convert the former Straub building in Marion into county shop and offices comes Monday when Marion City Council will for a second time consider a conditional use permit for the property. Council members did not approve the county’s request in February, sending it back to the city planning and zoning commission, which again recommended approval April 6.

Violent offender returns to jail

A Peabody man, who bonded out of jail in March shortly after being arrested on suspicion of multiple charges during a violent domestic disturbance, is back in jail at least until his next court appearance. Marion County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Mathew Kangas, 32, on suspicion of criminal possession of a firearm, assault on a law enforcement officer, and bond revocation on April 11.

77-year-old maintains youthfulness by running

Some people are willing to go to great lengths to preserve their health, but sometimes it takes a slap in the face to get started. Jim Christensen of Marion was owner of Lynn’s Farm Equipment Co. in 1983 when an ongoing economic recession caused the farm economy to plummet.

County changes vote on health insurance

Despite an April 10 vote to purchase employee health insurance from United HealthCare, commissioners on April 12 held a special meeting to reconsider, ultimately voting to rescind Monday’s decision and stick with Blue Cross Blue Shield. The change-of-mind didn’t make UHC happy.

Museum receives finger painting of Father Kapaun

It turns out finger-painting isn’t just for kids. Because of an adult who loves to paint with his fingers and a father who believes in miracles, a new painting hangs in the Father Kapaun Museum in Pilsen.

Historical society seeks intern

Museum directors in the county are banding together to re-activate Marion County Historical Society as an organization that reaches out to promote all of the historical sites in the county. At another reorganizational meeting Monday, the group agreed to attempt to secure an intern to help them reach their goal.

Damaged sheriff's car pulled from road

A squad car, damaged when Deputy Derek Calvert struck a deer, is being pulled from use early, but that won’t leave the sheriff’s office short on cars. Sheriff Robert Craft told county commissioners Monday that the cost of repairing the damage to the headlamp, fender and quarter panel was not worth doing for a car already scheduled to be taken out of commission in two weeks.

Sesquicentennial to be observed on Chisholm Trail

Fifteen Marion County horseback riders will meet riders from Abilene at Diamond and 360th Roads on April 29 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail. At 6 p.m., they will receive a hand-off from the Abilene riders of the governor’s proclamation, signed March 22, announcing the trail’s sesquicentennial.

Arlene Carlson

Arlene Faye Carlson of Burdick died April 13 at Legacy of Herington. She was born July 19, 1927, to Henry and Bertha (Rohloff) Laudemann in White City.

Helen Gobin

Helen Maurine Gobin, 89, died April 15 at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Isabel Cemetery, rural Isabel.

John Person

John Clarence Person, 86, of Paris, Arkansas, died April 10 at Fayetteville, Arkansas. A graveside inurnment service will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Mission Cemetery near Burdick.

Gaylen Youk

Gaylen Youk, 67, died April 11at Salem Home in Hillsboro. He was born Aug. 9, 1949, to Leland and Lorene (Keller) Youk in Hillsboro. He married Betty Meetz on Sept. 23, 1988, in Newton.

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil division

Criminal division

County jail

Deeds reported

Emergency dispatches

Marriage licenses

Police reports

Offenses reported

Traffic division

Healthy and wealthy, but wise?

This week we have two examples of how mixing health care and government officials can lead to questionable decisions. We could take county commissioners to task for how they reached a decision on health insurance for employees and then reversed themselves when apparent loser Blue Cross/Blue Shield came back from the dead to retain their contract. We’ll just leave our critique at this: It wouldn’t have happened like this with a capable county administrator.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS:

Teen tops out on national admissions test

The week of April was a busy week for Marion High School junior Colin Williams: He decorated for and attended prom.

Special deliveries: Birds nest in unexpected places

Alternative nesting could be a growing trend in the avian community, as two Marion residents recently discovered birds nesting in unusual places. Hope hatches in a mailbox

Students join track for first time senior year

Some may say it’s never too late to start something new. Seniors Tony Adams and Thomas Paquette have taken that idea to heart after joining the Peabody-Burns track team for the first time their senior year of high school. Tony throws shotput and runs weight-man relay, while Thomas throws discus, javelin, shotput, and runs the 100-meter dash.

Peabody-Burns High School goes Hollywood

The experience of a Hollywood award show will be as close as ever this weekend when Peabody-Burns High School Voices choir performs a dinner theater experience at 6 p.m. Saturday in Brown Gymnasium. The theme, “Cinema Soundtracks,” will feature various songs made famous by or featured in movie soundtracks.

Piano and voice students will perform Saturday recital

Students of Anita Hancock will perform a piano and voice recital at 3 p.m. Saturday at USD 408 Performing Arts Center. Addy Ash, Cooper Bailey, Aubrey Craig, Cadence Craig, Olivia Carlson, Alexandra Carlson, Maria Carlson, Paige Ensey, Abree Ensey, Shaliah Ensley, Anani Ensley, Cade Harms, Shyann Harris, Hailey Harshman, Grace Hett, Grace Kruse, Kaelynn Metro, Jayden Spencer, Mia Spencer, and Abby Wesner will perform.

Area school menus

Activities and outings keep seniors entertained

Senior communities, assisted living centers, and nursing homes provide a plethora of activities and opportunities to keep their residents from feeling isolated. Robyn Radtke, activities and social services director at St. Luke Living Center, said one activity residents have several times a week is a rabbit named Bailey who comes to work with an employee.

Senior center volunteers are highly valued but hard to find

Some Marion County senior centers are experiencing a basic rule of economics right now: Scarcity Value. Volunteers seem to be in short supply, and the desire for their help is increasing. “Oh heavens, we couldn’t do it without them.” Janet Bryant, nutrition site manager for Marion Senior Center, said. “We really need volunteers. They play a vital role in making this center possible. I don’t know how it’s accomplished without them.”

Calendar of events

Workshop to demystify Medicare

Types of Medicare and how they relate to pharmaceuticals will be the topic of Tabor College’s Lifelong Learning at 9:45 a.m. Friday at Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church Activity Center, 610 S. Main St., Hillsboro. Pharmacist Eric Driggers, owner of Hillsboro Hometown Pharmacy, will present and field questions regarding Medicare and pharmaceuticals.

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