Goessel youth preparing 'Night in the Barn'

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 04 December 2012 18:16

This was the scene at last year’s Night in the Barn presentation. This year’s event is scheduled for Dec. 15 and 16 at the rural home of Carol Duerksen and Maynard Knepp.   The Tabor Mennonite Youth Fellowship will have its annual living nativity, “Night in the Barn,” from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16.

The llama that gives kisses, the big cow with her little calf, the sheep wearing bells and the donkeys that share their love of people—these are a few of the critters who will assemble in the barn of Maynard Knepp and Carol Duerksen between Goessel and Hillsboro.

The come-and-go event will feature unique perspectives from the innkeeper and a shepherd as well as Christmas carols.

Visitors are welcome to gather around a bonfire and enjoy hot drinks as part of the evening’s activities. Donations to the youth group will be accepted.

Directions to “Night in the Barn” from Goessel are 3...

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Mailing deadlines near for Christmas delivery

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 04 December 2012 18:15

Kathy Woelk, employed with the U.S. Post Office in Hillsboro, shows Kim Unruh of Hillsboro some of the Christmas envelopes and packages currently available at the post office. For most locations, it’s not too late to mail letters and packages in time for the holidays, said Becky Larson, Hillsboro postmaster.

The only place where cards and boxes may not make it on time is to Afghanistan. In order to have guaranteed items arriving on time, customers would have needed to mail no later than Monday, she said.

“We are encouraging Hillsboro customers to mail as early as possible this holiday season,” Larson said.

Suggested mail-by dates for cards and packages destined for U.S. addresses, she said, include Dec. 14 for parcel post, Dec. 20 for first-class mail, Dec. 21 for priority mail and Dec. 22 for express mail.

“For international destinations, mail-by dates range from Dec. 3 to Dec. 13, depending on...

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City to require code book for licensing

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 27 November 2012 14:46

The Hillsboro City Council agreed at its Nov. 20 meeting to adopt the 2012 International Building Code and require each contractor applying for a license to work within the city to show evidence of owning the code books that apply to their particular areas of professional service.

The city currently has been operating until now by the 2006 Uniform Building Code. Code books generally are updated every three years but Hillsboro did not adopt the 2009 edition.

While adopting the current IBC would help with local insurance rates, it also will require some investment by contractors.

The books range in cost from around $65 to $170. Ben Steketee, the city’s building code inspector, said all contractors will need to buy at least two of the...

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Goessel council approves rate increases for some utilities

Written by Cynthia Goerzen Tuesday, 27 November 2012 14:46

The Goessel City Council approved slightly higher water rates at its Nov. 19 meeting. Mayor Peggy Jay said an increase was necessary because receipts for water have not been covering expenses.

City Clerk Anita Goertzen had prepared a chart showing that 2012 water expenditures so far have totaled $98,898 while water receipts for the same period have totaled only $94,866, for a deficit of $4,032.

Councilor Dallas Boese noted that Goessel’s water rates are lower than the rates of other towns.

Goertzen had also explained at numerous previous meetings that water rates have to be raised in order to apply for grants for upgrades. A grant application will not be accepted with rates as low as Goessel’s rates.

Paula Flaming, deputy city...

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