Residents prepare for ‘Redneck’ July 4

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 26 June 2012 18:24

In addition to the annual Redneck in Ramona festivities July 4, residents will also be commemorating the town’s 125th birthday, according to Jessica Gilbert, city clerk.

In an effort to make these two celebrations even more special, organizers are seeking entries for the antique tractor and vintage car parade scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

Gilbert said there will be three categories with $100 awarded to each first place.

The three groups include a patriotic red-white-blue classification, historical, because it’s Ramona’s 125th birthday, and a humorous class in keeping with the Redneck in Ramona theme.

Activities begin early Wednesday morning with a 10K and two-mile fun run, followed by a country breakfast at the Ramona City Hall...

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Fire damages home at Marion County Lake

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 26 June 2012 18:23

Damage is evident from an early morning fire in a home at 14 Back Bay Court at Marion County Lake Friday. According to Marion Fire Chief Mike Regnier, the cause of the blaze is still undetermined. Regnier said the Kansas Fire Marshal’s office was called to investigate the blaze Monday, but because officials were unable to get permission from the homeowner, they rescheduled. The fire was reported at 3:15 a.m. from a neighboring resident and firefighters were at the scene until about 5:30 a.m. The owner of the home lives in Wichita, but no further details were available at press time.

House candidate visits Marion

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 26 June 2012 18:22

Former district judge and current Repub­lican candidate for the Kansas House John Barker of Abilene addresses the Marion City Council during his visit to the city Monday. John Barker, 60, of Abilene was in Marion Monday to talk about why he would be the best choice in representing the people of the newly reformulated 70th District.

Also tossing his hat into the race is Doug Lindahl, 62, of Enterprise. Both men will be vying for the Kansas House of Representatives seat during the Aug. 7 primary, following Rep. Bob Brookens decision not to seek re-election.

Barker, a farmer, retired Eighth Judicial District judge and U.S. Army veteran, spoke to a group of Marion residents at Country Lakes Cafe during lunch and later introduced himself to members of the Marion City Council at its meeting.

“No wonder you guys beat us in swim meets,” he said, “what an aquatic center you have.”

During a tour...

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Commissioners to seek variance for radio tower

Written by Jerry Engler Tuesday, 26 June 2012 18:21

The Marion County Commis­sion voted 3-0 at its Monday meeting to ask the city of Marion for a variance on tower height regulations to allow construction of a 92-foot communications tower at the new jail located on Fourth Street.

Emergency Management Director Dan D’Albini said Darvin Markley had agreed to hold the county harmless in an unlikely event that any part of the tower should ever be damaged to fall on his property to the east of the jail.

The other two commissioners appeared to agree with Commis­sioner Roger Fleming when he said that protests by some Marion residents about the esthetics of the tower are un-warranted when the esthetics of water towers, electric poles and even the courthouse tower itself as sky clutter are...

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