Safety issues lead city to remove play equipment

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 23 February 2010 19:21

All that was left of the wooden climbing and sliding apparatus in Memorial Park on Monday afternoon was the outline of the surrounding gravel play area. City Administrator said an ad hoc committee is being formed to select and raise funds for new, safer play equipment. When warmer weather makes Hillsboro Memorial Park a more inviting place for kids to play, families familiar with the playground area will find the park...more spacious.

Two pieces of equipment—the wooden climbing and sliding apparatus installed years ago by local civic groups, and a cactus-like climbing apparatus—have been removed from the park for safety reasons.

The decision to remove them came following an inspection by Doug Sisk, the city’s recreation director, according to City...

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Historic blaze in Burns

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 16 February 2010 19:35

A fire marshal descends the front steps of the house after peering for clues in the basement rubble. The community of Burns lost an architectural treasure in the early morning hours Friday when the large, southern-style house known to locals as the “Barker House” and the “Antebellum House” was destroyed by fire.

The fortunate news is that the current owners, Les and Rhonda Loucks, plus their six child­ren, escaped the blaze unharmed.

Chief Terry Lowmaster from the Fire District 10 department that serves Burns, said he and fellow volunteers arrived on the scene shortly after 5...

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Nine groups receive Impact Fund grants

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 16 February 2010 19:34

The Hillsboro Community Foundation awarded its third round of its Hillsboro Area Impact Fund grants Friday evening during halftime of the Hillsboro High School boys’ basketball game.

Nine community organizations received grants totaling $9,000.

HCF established the Impact Fund as an undesignated endowment that will enhance the quality of life in the Hillsboro area. After raising more than $266,000 in donations and pledges during the inaugural 2007 campaign, the first Impact Fund grants...

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Former Bronco urges youth to soar like eagles

Written by John Giffin Tuesday, 16 February 2010 19:32

Steve Fitzhugh, former Denver Bronco professional football player, talks to Tabor College students in an evening session last Tuesday. He addressed local high school and middle school students earlier in the day. Former Denver Bronco Steve Fitzhugh’s brand of “Edu-tainment” made an appearance to Hillsboro High School and Middle School students Wednesday.

In an 11 a.m. session with high school students and 2 p.m. session with middle school students, Fitzhugh talked about bad decisions and the dangers of drugs, alcohol and sex. The presentation involved students with games, comedy and interaction.

He also addressed Tabor College students in the evening.

Fitzhugh played defensive back for the...

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HMS seventh-grader wins Marion County spelling bee

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 16 February 2010 19:29

Spelling-bee moderator Rod Garman displays the first-place plaque as finalists await the presentation: (from left) runner-up Tylor Baker, champion Claire Heyen and third-place winner Bradli Nowak. Hillsboro Middle School seventh-grader Claire Heyen spelled her way to becoming the 2010 Marion County Spelling Bee champion Wednesday, Feb. 10, in the Marion High School auditorium.

P-s-y-c-h-o-a-n-a-l-y-s-i-s was the word that clinched first-place honors in the ninth round.

In rounds one through eight, Heyen correctly spelled brighten, sculpture, fertilize, guidance, scruple, hysterical, larynx and infatuation.

Tylor Baker of Peabody-Burns Junior High School was this year’s runnerup...

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