Although the driveways and parking lot at Hillsboro Elementary School indicate a lot of work to go, the space created inside could be ready for full occupation as soon as Monday, according to school officials. If the weather cooperates, the projects at HES and the high school could be entirely finished by the end of the month.
Facility progress wasn’t where USD 410 administrators had hoped it would be when the new school year began last Wednesday.
But the inconvenience caused by unfinished building projects really hasn’t been any worse than it was when those projects were launched last spring.
An usually wet spring and summer prevented the district’s building contractor, Coonrod & Associates, from meeting the Aug. 10 target date for completing the improvement projects at the high school and elementary school.
“I’m the last one to make excuses, but the weather wasn’t overly cooperative—and I think everybody understands that,” said Superintendent Doug Huxman.
Prairie View, a long-time behavioral and mental health services provider headquartered in Newton, will be moving one of its Community Mental Health Center sites from Marion to Hillsboro.
The Alex Stuchlik Polka Band from Lost Springs performs during the Friday-evening downtown mixer that kicked off this year’s Hillsboro Family/Folk Festival. 5-Man Trio was the featured performing group and drew rave reviews. Also downtown, the Chamber of Commerce served barbecue and several classic cars were on display. Off and on rain showers dampened participation at this year festival, which culminated with the annual demolition derby on Sunday evening. On Memorial Day, the American Legion hosted its annual program of remembrance at Memorial Park. Kattie King / Free Press
Bryce Meisinger of rural Marion rings the triangle marking the opening of the first Hillsboro Farmers Market session in Hillsboro this summer. Holding the triangle is market co-director Sheryl Lehr. Now in its second season after a successful last year, the market will be held on the grounds of the Schaeffler House Museum at Jefferson and Grand Streets from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. each Thursday night. This Thursday, and every last Thursday through the season, is designated as “garage sale Thursday,” according to co-director Joni Calam.
The Hillsboro City Council heard encouraging news at a May 22 special meeting that the cost to repair the fire damage at the city-owned former AMPI building should be considerably less than first projected.
At its previous meeting, the council was informed that National Catastrophe Restoration Inc. of Wichita, which specializes in such projects, had submitted an initial bid of $440,000.
