County, Keystone settle on damages

Written by Jerry Engler Tuesday, 02 November 2010 14:29

Marion County commissioners reached a $431,043 settlement for road repair Friday with TransCanada Keystone Pipeline.

The payments were for damage caused by the company’s heavy trucks and equipment during construction this year of the oil sand slurry pipeline from Canada to a refinery at Cushing, Okla.

Bill Smock, Keystone project manager, told the commissioners that his company was prepared to offer $374,423 to repair and rebuild roads, including Remington Road (also known as the Pilsen Road), from 290th south to the county line, plus $26,620 for the public benefit “to spend in any way you see fit.”

In exchange, Smock said Keystone wanted a “hold harmless” agreement for the company that would exclude any more liabilities...

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Making an impact is key to success for Tabor’s Rangel

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 02 November 2010 14:27

Chris Rangel, martial arts master, at his desk in the Tabor College admissions department. “I discovered that I really missed working with kids and impacting lives at the college level,” he said about coming to Tabor after leaving an admission position at Bethel College earlier this year. Chris Rangel says his new role as admissions coordinator for transfer students at Tabor College fits well with his idea of a successful life.

“I can’t think of a finer place I’ve ever worked,” said Rangel, who began working at Tabor this summer. “I go home with a smile, I come here with a smile.”

Rangel has experienced success for most of his life. For the first few decades, most of it came through his mastery of the martial arts.

Rangel was the third generation in his family to embrace tae kwon do, the Korean self-defense system much like karate. His resume in that arena is impressive even for those unfamiliar with the sport.

Starting at age 31?2 and competing at the state level by age 8, Rangel currently is a...

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The thrill of victory and no agony of the feet

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 26 October 2010 16:49

Volleyball, cross county qualify for state

A young Trojan squad expresses its exuberance as team members come forward to accept their sub-state championship plaque at Council Grove.

Hillsboro High School volleyball and cross-country teams qualified Saturday for Class 3A state competition.

At right, Joel Allen shows the running form that made him the individual regional champion at Wichita and helped his team qualify with a second-place finish. For details, see Sports (Page 1B).

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Pelicans are familiar lake guests

Written by Jerry Engler Tuesday, 26 October 2010 16:17

American White Pelicans like this one have been coming to Marion Reservoir for 30 years or more, according to former park ranger Neal Whitaker. The American White Pelicans at Marion Reservoir, with their 8- to 10-foot wingspans and their 4- to 5-foot body lengths, would be hard to miss amid flocks of hundreds of birds who make the lake area their home.

American White Pelicans can stand up to 4 feet tall, and are easily one of the larger bird species of North America.

Although biologists recognize that the pelicans are clumsy on land, they are one of the more graceful birds in water and air—quite a sight to see in this part of the country. From a distance, they don’t appear that large. Close up, you realize they’re close to half the length of a boat.

So, here’s the obvious question: What are these birds you always associated with the ocean doing in the middle of...

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