Sub-state champs at Sterling

The Hillsboro Trojans huddle behind their championship plaque after defeating Remington, 35-21, in the title game Saturday. It will be the second straight state appearance at Hutchinson in three years under coach Nathan Hiebert, and the 14th trip for HHS since high school girls’ basketball was revitalized in Kansas in 1971-72. The Trojans (18-5) will play Garden Plain (18-5) at 8:15 p.m. Thursday. See Sports for tournament details.

USD 410 Superintendent Steve Noble begins his presentation on youth attraction with a clip from the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Nearly 40 community leaders in business, education and city government gathered Friday for a day-long conversation about the future and economic development of Hillsboro.

Billed as the Hillsboro Economic Development Strategy Summit, participants heard presentations on four topics—entrepreneurship, wealth retention, youth attraction and community leadership—then formed breakout groups on each of the topics. Rusty Allen, vice president for athletics at Tabor College, chats with Rod Koons, owner of Rod’s Tire & Service, during a break between sessions. Thirty-eight people attended the summit.

A routine fire department exercise last week uncovered a problem that could have serious consequences in an emergency: houses and businesses in Hillsboro without visible address numbers.

“There are a lot places that don’t have an address posted on their building,” said Ben Steketee, the city’s fire chief and code-enforcement officer. “Commercial and residential are required to have their address posted.”

Representatives from charitable groups in four Marion County communities received checks totaling $12,300 Saturday from the sponsoring organizations of last month’s Marion County Toy Run. This year’s funds pushed the 16-year total over the $100,000 mark. Pictured from left are: Irvin McPheeters, Peabody Association of Churches; Gaylord Goertzen, Hillsboro Area Ministerial Alliance; Tom Koslowsky, Sons of the American Legion; Mike Brouillette, Goessel Ministerial Alliance; Gary Andrews, Sons of the American Legion; David Rafland, Peabody Association of Churches; Ken Johnson, Sons of the American Legion; Kiki Krause, Marion Community Christmas; Kim Abrahams, Route 56 Classic Car Club; Ron Funk, Sons of the American Legion; Angela Lange, Marion Community Christmas; and Mike Sechler, Abate District 9 of Kansas.

The 2010 U.S. Census materials are expected to arrive in residential mailboxes March 15, according to Delores Dalke, Hillsboro mayor.

She urged all residents to fill out the questionnaire, which includes 10 basic questions, and mail it back as soon as possible.

“The results of the census determine funding for Marion County when it comes to programs and projects that support our communities,” she said. “We really need an accurate count.”