Cold and flu season extends along with the winter weather

Written by Nicole Suderman Wednesday, 19 March 2008 07:01

In theory, we are nearing the end of the peak cold and flu season. But the viruses and bacteria did not seem to get the message.

Germs continue to spread around Marion County. Stomach flu, colds, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza germs are sticking around.

Hillsboro Community Medi­cal Center laboratory now has influenza and RSV tests available. The test results help your physician prescribe the proper treatments for your illness.

Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is caused by the influenza virus, which infects the respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs).

Unlike many other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu causes severe illness and life-threatening complications in many...

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Commentary- Cause of open government going backward

Written by Randy Brown Wednesday, 19 March 2008 06:55

Those of you interested in preserving our democratic society need to celebrate Sunshine Week, March 16-22.

Actually, “celebrate” is far too strong a word. “Observe with passion” is a better way to look at it, because there’s not much to celebrate. The cause of open government is going backward—in Kansas and across most of the United States.

The Sunflower State, along with 37 other states, recently flunked the sunshine test by the Better Government Association, a non-partisan watchdog group that digs into problems and solutions about transparency and accountability in government. The study examined citizens’ access to public information.

The ugly results show that “citizens have little or no recourse when faced with...

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Commissioners say critics of lake plan are misinformed

Written by Jerry Engler Wednesday, 12 March 2008 09:55

The Marion County Commis­sion Monday heard complaints from a half-dozen Marion County Lake residents on the possibility of being shut out of public use of the Marion County Lake Hall that the commissioners said were based on “mis­information.”

The complaints were based on Jim Whitwell’s plans to open a cafe—under a $50-a-day plus 3 percent of gross receipts lease from the county—in the south kitchen of the Lake Hall. The north kitchen would still be reserved for public use, and Stillwell would cooperate in space for public use under the current agreement.

Commissioner Dan Holub said the “misinformation” he cited came from a headline in the Marion County Record that said the Lake Hall would be closed for public...

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Marion council hears compromise on truck issues

Written by Jerry Engler Wednesday, 12 March 2008 09:53

A compromise for residents and truck drivers was offered Monday by the Marion City Council while it attempts to negotiate with Union Pacific Railroad for reopening the Jex Addition crossing.

The truck drivers have been going down Grant Street to the protest of residents, particularly with small children in the residential area, to private parking offered by Daryl Brewer.

Councilor Gene Winkler made the announcement after 45 minutes of executive session with City Attorney Dan Baldwin.

Winkler said the city would point out to Union Pacific that it closed the crossing previously used by the trucks without any notification to the city.

He said the city would pay losses of truck parking fees to Brewer for 90 days with further review every...

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