Hillsboro Free Press

Not only do the residents of Marion County say that the roads of the county need work, Marion County Road Engineer Brice Goebel, would agree. “I’ve only been here (in the position) since June 4. I’ve got tremendous amounts of rainfall, large amounts of very intense amounts that have exacerbated the problem of ditches being full, drainage problems, trees being in there, and just maintenance issues that all need to be addressed. And the rain just came down all over the county. I’ve just been hit everywhere. Mostly up in the north and west part of the county but then all [...]

For many families, purchasing all the necessary school supplies for school can be a daunting financial task. However, the Goessel Ministerial Alliance stepped up to help address this need in the community. In 2009, the Ministerial Alliance began assisting a handful of families with some necessary supplies. Since then needs have grown in the community, and the Ministerial Alliance has stepped up their generosity. This year they purchased just over $1,027 worth of supplies. With this money they purchased 20 boxes of #2 pencils, 80 packages of notebook paper, 30 assorted colored binders, 12 boxes of band aids for classrooms, over [...]

A ceremony dedicating the Sgt. Kevin A. Gilbertson Memorial Bridge will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3, at Arkansas City ­– honoring a U.S. Army soldier who died in the Iraq War. A sign with his name will be unveiled. The ceremony is open to the public. WHO: Sgt. Kevin A. Gilbertson. WHAT: Ceremony naming bridge for Sgt. Gilbertson. The Kansas Department of Transportation will later be placing northbound and southbound signs with Sgt. Gilbertson’s name near the bridge. WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 3, 11 a.m. WHERE: Southeast corner of the South Summit bridge, on U.S. 77 over the Arkansas River, south side of Arkansas City. [...]

Colin Hansen, Executive Director of Kansas Municipal Utilities, presented the award to Larry Paine. Hillsboro City Administrator Larry Paine was presented with the 2019 Edgar P. Schowalter Award by Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU), the statewide association of municipally-owned and operated electric, gas, water and wastewater utilities in Kansas. Paine was presented the award, the highest honor provided by the state association at the KMU 2019 Conference in Wichita on May 9, 2019. The award is given annually to a manager, employee, or policymaker from one of KMU’s member municipal utilities. Larry Paine has left a lasting legacy while continuing to innovate [...]

Larry and Joyce Smith own storage facilities in Salina, Lindsborg and McPherson. They made an offer to purchase part of lot 2, and all of lot 3 (both located to the East of the old Dollar General building) in the Hillsboro Heights area in order to build storage units. They are also asking to make purchase options on lots 4 and 5. City Administrator Larry Paine explained that the current zoning code does not permit storage units although there are already existing storage units in the subdivision by Rod’s Tires. Those storage units were approved under the old zoning code that [...]

The Marion County Commission met with opposition from landowners who asked for another week to review a newly proposed resolution on road rights-of-way by Expedition Natural Renewal Solutions that was presented at a special meeting on April 29. Despite the strong resistance by constituents, the commission voted 2-1 to approve the resolution. Commissioner Dianne Novak was the dissenting vote. The resolution addresses inclusion of Marion County road rights-of-way within the land area of the proposed wind energy conversion system for Expedition, said Commission chair Kent Becker. It further stated that wind energy conversion systems, including the transmission lines would be within [...]

The Hillsboro City Council approved the plans to have a larger beer garden at the Marion County fair this summer in their meeting on Tuesday, April 16. Brent Unruh explained that last year was the first year for a beer garden at the fair and it went well. “We didn’t have a single issue with the alcohol. It was the cleanest spot in the arena,” said Unruh. Several of the council members chimed in that they had heard positive feedback about the garden as well. Unruh asked permission to hold the beer garden again with a few modifications.They first asked if [...]

Marion County commissioners heard from local firefighters at Monday’s meeting and how their task force scored high marks as part of a burn project at Quivira Boy Scout Ranch in Sedan. Lester Kaiser, Lincolnville fire chief, said as volunteers they were graded on their performance with the highest marks given for attitude. In addition, Erik Johnson, whose home unit is the Colorado River Fire Rescue stated the Marion County firefighters were prompt in arriving and in duty areas. “The crew boss for the students advised me that the task force of personnel were engaged in their work. They integrated well with [...]

The Goessel city council met on March 18 and discussed the Goessel sign near K-15 that identifies the city. The council had already been discussing replacing that sign for several months and had considered various options. They had obtained pictures and prices. Council members have acknowledged that the current sign served the city well for many years. But it has faded and is no longer sturdy. It leaned over during the recent bad weather, and the lighting was damaged. The sign was surrounded by water from recent rain. The water had to subside before public works director Karen Dalke could get [...]

Almost 30 people attended Tuesday’s Marion County Commission meeting to voice concerns about the setbacks associated with wind turbines in the area and across Kansas. Clarifying an earlier report, no wind turbines are planned in the area south of U.S. Highway 50 and east of U.S. Highway 77 in the tallgrass prairie preservation area. In addition, Pat Pelstring, representing Expedition Wind Project, based in Wayzata, Minn., is urging the commission to avoid a moratorium, noting that many people in that area have already signed agreements. The group, he said, wants to get started by fall if at all possible. For Jeremy [...]