PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

HEADLINES

Contractor making progress rehabilitating Westview Manor
Since the day the state was given temporary operation of Westview Manor in Peabody, an agency hired to begin the rehabilitation process has had someone on the scene. Nichole Burger, regional director of operations for Mission Health Communities, said Kansas Department for Aging and Disabilities Services contacted Mission Health on Dec. 12, the same day a judge ordered the facility into temporary receivership after a state surveyor found numerous violations in the condition and operation of Westview Manor.
Hurry up and wait for new commission
Adding two new county commissioners is about to enter a hurry-up-and-wait phase. Gov. Jeff Colyer decided last week to forgo an opportunity to elect new commissioners this spring and instead set their election for Nov. 5.
4-alarm blaze destroys barn
County fire departments responded to a four-department alarm fire Monday that destroyed a barn on US-77 between 30th and 40th Rds. Eight trucks responded to the mutual-aid call, arriving from Florence, Burns, Peabody, and Marion, Burns chief Barry Black said. Also present were an ambulance from Peabody and a sheriff’s deputy.
No, the county's not going to pot
Flush with success from having wiped away what could have been a lockdown for similar reasons a week earlier at Hillsboro Community Hospital, Marion County emergency workers held their breath as they plunged ahead to investigate what could have been crisis No. 2 at a public restroom this past week. It all began at 10:36 p.m. Friday when a possibly fidgety clerk at Johnson’s General Store in Florence telephoned dispatchers to report what she thought might be a whiff of suspicious behavior.
Florence council opens year with purchases
Florence City Council started spending early in 2019, voting Monday to pay a $25,000 deductible for removal of asbestos from the city’s gymnasium floor. The deductible will be paid from the city’s $90,000 capital improvement fund.

OTHER NEWS

Fire departments take predicting of wildfire danger in stride
Although some forecasts call for increased wildfires this summer, Marion County fire departments won’t change how they prepare. Neighboring Chase and Butler Counties are among the Kansas counties most prone to wildfires.
Commissioners relent, won't hire administrator
In a striking reversal, county commissioners voted 2-1 last week to rescind their controversial decision of three weeks earlier to hire a county administrator. Commissioner Dianne Novak made the surprise motion despite also having made the original motion to create the position, the idea of which was rejected by 55.3 percent of voters in a non-binding referendum a year ago.
Hostage crisis ends peacefully
A New Year’s Eve hostage crisis at Goessel ended peacefully but with one man in jail on suspicion of four felonies and in lieu of $150,000 bond. David Matthew Impson, 41, 310 E. Commercial, Goessel, was booked into jail early Jan. 1 on suspicion of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, and reckless endangerment of a child.
Hospital faces Friday shutdown
If Hillsboro Community Hospital doesn’t pay $28,644.31 owed to the city of Hillsboro for utilities, service will be shut off at noon Friday. “I have directed city administrator Larry Paine to shut off utilities at noon Friday if the bill is not paid in full by that time,” mayor Lou Thurston told city council members Tuesday.
Hospital also faces state warrants for failing to pay withholding tax
In addition to its payroll and utility problems, Hillsboro Community Hospital faces three tax warrants for unpaid state withholding taxes, the largest and most recent warrant filed by the Kansas Department of Revenue in November. In total, KDOR seeks $59,914.51.
Peabody awards consolation prize
Stephanie Winter of Peabody won $70 in Peabody Bucks as consolation winner of the Peabody’s Holiday Shopping Spree. Between Dec. 1 and 21, shoppers spent $4,500 to qualify for initial prizes announced previously and $1,860 in additional purchases to qualify for the consolation drawing..
Road conditions lead to tax protest
Cattleman Merle Schlehuber paid his property taxes under protest because of the condition of county roads running by his land. So did Chasen Gann and James Enns. All told, county appraiser Lisa Reeder said Monday, annual property taxes on 37 parcels are scheduled for tax protests because of the conditions of county roads.

DEATHS

Kenneth Funk
Services for Kenneth A. Funk, 84, who died Jan. 5 at Via Christi — St. Teresa Hospital in Wichita, were to be this morning at First Mennonite Church in Hillsboro. Burial was in the Haven of Rest Cemetery, rural Hillsboro.
Verden Harms
Services for Verden Harms, 88, who died Jan. 5 at Salem Home in Hillsboro, will be 1 p.m. Friday at Marion Christian Church. Born June 22, 1930, to W.W. and Anna (Thiessen) Harms in Goessel, he married Pauline Ollenburger on June 12, 1981, at Marion Christian Church. She died in 2017.
Linda Kelsey
Services for Linda Marie Kelsey, 69, who died Tuesday in her Topeka home, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Marion Christian Church. Born Nov. 17, 1949, in Florence to Irwin and Pauline Creamer, she married Ron Kelsey on July 12, 1971. After starting a family in the Marion area, the Kelseys moved to Hiawatha, where Linda worked as a farm service administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Perry Ratzloff
Services for carpenter and painter Perry L. Ratzloff, 90, who died Dec. 31 at Via Christi – St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, were Friday at Alexanderfeld Mennonite Church, rural Hillsboro. Burial was in Eden Cemetery, Burns. Born July 21, 1928, in Moundridge to Peter H. and Adina (Smith) Ratzloff, he moved to Cedar Point in 1939, to Burns in 1946, and later to Marion, eventually moving to Hillsboro in 2006.
Dewy Stevens
Services for Dewy Z. Stevens, 81, who died Thursday at his home in Florence, were Tuesday at Florence United Methodist Church. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery, Florence. Born Aug. 10, 1937, in Satanta to Dwight and Mable (Jones) Stevens, he graduated from Florence High School in 1955 and worked as a machinist for Boeing for 30 years. He also farmed, operated a service station, and drove a school bus.
Betty Meier
Services for Betty Meier, 96, who died Jan. 4 at Asbury Park in Newton, were Tuesday at First Baptist Church of Durham. Interment was in Haven of Rest Cemetery, rural Hillsboro.
IN MEMORIAM:
Paul Gianakon
IN MEMORIAM:
Sharon Nelson

DOCKET

FINANCE

Government shutdown may delay tax refunds
People who file income tax returns early will likely need to be patient this year because of the partial federal shutdown. Income tax returns are not likely to be processed until the shutdown ends.
Comparing drug plans can lead to big sayings
More than 207 senior citizens in Marion County were helped by comparing their prescription drug plans with other available plans, Department on Aging director Gayla Ratzlaff said Tuesday. Each person’s list of medications was submitted to the Medicare website. Then, his or her drug plan was brought up and compared to one or two less expensive plans.
Pre-arranging funerals can ease grief at difficult time
Planning and paying for a funeral can be difficult after the death of a family member. An increasingly popular alternative is to plan and finance the service ahead of time. Jennifer Metzger, secretary for Baker Funeral Home in Peabody, knows about the pre-arranging process from personal experience.
1040 no longer EZ for some
The 1040A and 1040EZ tax forms have been eliminated for 2018. All taxpayers will submit a new 1040 form that fits front and back of a half sheet of paper. The new form has 23 lines instead of 79. Much tax data will be relocated to other forms or schedules that will be attached to the 1040 return as needed.

OPINION

Would you believe it's Be Kind to Editors Month?
One thing you quickly learn in the news business is that there’s a day, week, month, or year for virtually everything in society. Radon Action Month? As a news release from the governor breathlessly announces this morning, we’re right in the middle of it.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
I'm back! We made it!
CALENDAR:
Calendar of events

PEOPLE

Leadership, times change for church
Florence United Methodist Church will change its pastoral leadership beginning Jan. 13. Kevin Seuser (pronounced Sizer)from Newton will lead Sunday worship services.
Cemetery board to meet
Prairie Lawn Cemetery Board will have its annual meeting at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17. Topics for the public meeting include any cemetery-related problems, suggestions, and concerns.
Card shower requested
The family of Lucy Shepler requests a card shower for her 92nd birthday Jan. 18. Cards can be sent to her at 501 N Vine St, Apt 104, Peabody, KS 66866.
County records 1st case of flu
Influenza type A has made its appearance in Marion County. Roger Schroeder, marketing director for St. Luke Hospital in Marion, said he was told a Marion youth tested positive last week.
Mennonite museum sets annual meeting
Goessel’s Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum board members will learn about a historic local trail when they meet at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Goessel Mennonite Church. The session will open with yearly reports and budget approval.
TEEN to meet
Technology Excellence in Education Network will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 16 at the school district office in Marion.
Peabody senior center menu
WONSEVU:
Families celebrate Christmas

SPORTS

Missed opportunities hurt both teams
Watching Friday night’s Peabody-Burns basketball games was like riding a roller coaster — some breathtaking highs and some close-your-eyes lows. A lack of one fundamental plagued the Warrior teams all night — fighting for rebounds.
Peabody-Burns school menu

PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Adding two new county commissioners is about to enter a hurry-up-and-wait phase. Gov. Jeff Colyer decided last week to forgo an opportunity to elect new commissioners this spring and instead set their election for Nov. 5.

Florence City Council started spending early in 2019, voting Monday to pay a $25,000 deductible for removal of asbestos from the city’s gymnasium floor. The deductible will be paid from the city’s $90,000 capital improvement fund.

Although some forecasts call for increased wildfires this summer, Marion County fire departments won’t change how they prepare. Neighboring Chase and Butler Counties are among the Kansas counties most prone to wildfires.

In addition to its payroll and utility problems, Hillsboro Community Hospital faces three tax warrants for unpaid state withholding taxes, the largest and most recent warrant filed by the Kansas Department of Revenue in November. In total, KDOR seeks $59,914.51.

Stephanie Winter of Peabody won $70 in Peabody Bucks as consolation winner of the Peabody’s Holiday Shopping Spree. Between Dec. 1 and 21, shoppers spent $4,500 to qualify for initial prizes announced previously and $1,860 in additional purchases to qualify for the consolation drawing..

Services for Kenneth A. Funk, 84, who died Jan. 5 at Via Christi — St. Teresa Hospital in Wichita, were to be this morning at First Mennonite Church in Hillsboro. Burial was in the Haven of Rest Cemetery, rural Hillsboro.

Services for Verden Harms, 88, who died Jan. 5 at Salem Home in Hillsboro, will be 1 p.m. Friday at Marion Christian Church. Born June 22, 1930, to W.W. and Anna (Thiessen) Harms in Goessel, he married Pauline Ollenburger on June 12, 1981, at Marion Christian Church. She died in 2017.

Services for Betty Meier, 96, who died Jan. 4 at Asbury Park in Newton, were Tuesday at First Baptist Church of Durham. Interment was in Haven of Rest Cemetery, rural Hillsboro.

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

People who file income tax returns early will likely need to be patient this year because of the partial federal shutdown. Income tax returns are not likely to be processed until the shutdown ends.

Planning and paying for a funeral can be difficult after the death of a family member. An increasingly popular alternative is to plan and finance the service ahead of time. Jennifer Metzger, secretary for Baker Funeral Home in Peabody, knows about the pre-arranging process from personal experience.

One thing you quickly learn in the news business is that there’s a day, week, month, or year for virtually everything in society. Radon Action Month? As a news release from the governor breathlessly announces this morning, we’re right in the middle of it.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

CALENDAR:

Florence United Methodist Church will change its pastoral leadership beginning Jan. 13. Kevin Seuser (pronounced Sizer)from Newton will lead Sunday worship services.

Prairie Lawn Cemetery Board will have its annual meeting at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17. Topics for the public meeting include any cemetery-related problems, suggestions, and concerns.

The family of Lucy Shepler requests a card shower for her 92nd birthday Jan. 18. Cards can be sent to her at 501 N Vine St, Apt 104, Peabody, KS 66866.

Influenza type A has made its appearance in Marion County. Roger Schroeder, marketing director for St. Luke Hospital in Marion, said he was told a Marion youth tested positive last week.

Goessel’s Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum board members will learn about a historic local trail when they meet at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Goessel Mennonite Church. The session will open with yearly reports and budget approval.

Technology Excellence in Education Network will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 16 at the school district office in Marion.

WONSEVU:

Watching Friday night’s Peabody-Burns basketball games was like riding a roller coaster — some breathtaking highs and some close-your-eyes lows. A lack of one fundamental plagued the Warrior teams all night — fighting for rebounds.