Marion council reviews park improvement plans

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 07 May 2013 14:32

The Marion City Council reviewed a three-phase project for improvements at Central Park during its regular meeting Monday, April 29.

Councilor Todd Heitschmidt, addressing the city as a member of the park board, said decisions need to be made on how the park board should proceed.

“We are throwing the ball back into the council’s court in deciding a location (for a new restroom building) as we come up with more dollars of what this will cost,” he said.

Heitschmidt provided a history of why the gazebo and restrooms should be completed separately, with the final phase being security equipment.

The restroom replacement is considered Phase I of the project because of its deterioration and size.

Other reasons for making it a...

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Funding issue won’t stop algae research

Written by Jerry Engler Tuesday, 07 May 2013 14:31

Philip Barnes of Kansas State University said at Mon­day’s Marion County Com­mission meeting that he will continue with his research to help slow fertilizer pollution and blue-green algae growth in Marion Reservoir despite the commissioners’ problem in finding a way to pay him for 2012 work because of budgeting rules.

Randy Dallke, commission chairman, said somehow over several years of funding the Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy program, under which Barnes coordinates his work, the commission’s budgeting process got off-track.

Dallke said the program is being paid out of the following year’s budget when it hadn’t been budgeted. The county’s budget consultants have informed the commission that this can’t...

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Peabody native sworn in as Sedgwick County judge

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 30 April 2013 12:01

Maughan Faith Maughan, a native of Peabody, was sworn in Monday as a new Sedgwick County District Court judge.

A graduate of the Washburn University School of Law, Maughan began her legal career as a prosecutor for the city of Wichita before becoming an associate attorney for Smith, Shay, Farmer and Wetta.

She then was appointed assistant district attorney with the Reno County District Attorney’s office. She has been a partner in a family-owned law firm, Maughan and Maughan LC, which has offices in Wichita and Lenexa.

In addition to her private practice, Maughan served as a judge for the city of Colwich and as a city prosecutor for the cities of Maize and Park City.

Maughan succeeds Judge Anthony J. Powell, who was appointed to the state...

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MCTV launches new show to promote community

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 30 April 2013 12:00

Gene Winkler tapes a Marion City Council meeting for MCTV Channel 20. The Marion-based station launched a new show of community interest last month called “The Corner,” which will promote the community, its businesses and events. Members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce were introduced April 19 to MCTV’s (Marion County Television) newest program, “The Corner,” airing on cable channel 20 every other Wednesday, Saturday and on Sunday.

The program is a joint project of the Chamber and the television station, according to Gene Winkler with MCTV.

“April was the first program we did, and has something that we hope is of interest to the community,” Winkler said.

The first show in the series featured anchorman Mike Powers, who, when he isn’t on television, serves as the chief judge for the 8th Judicial District in Marion County.

Winkler said Powers wrote the script and recorded all the segments before the show was even put together.

Initial...

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