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City aims to educate property owners about 'nuisance' weeds

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Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 07 September 2010 12:47

Don Ratzlaff / Free Press<p>This area of tall grass along the abandoned railroad right-of-way in Hillsboro would be an example of “nuisance weeds” and a violation of Hillsboro Ordinance 1029. Code-enforcement officer Ben Steketee wants to make citizens aware of their responsibililty to take care of such situations. Once a family agrees upon house rules, each member has an obligation to abide by those rules if the family hopes to function harmoniously.

As Hillsboro’s code enforcement officer, Ben Steketee says his No. 1 task is to inform the local family of citizens about the house rules it has established.

Particularly he’s concerned about nuisances that can affect public health and safety.

“I think people just aren’t aware of what the codes are,” he said, “I think it’s helpful just to...

Producers gather to hear about technology’s impact on corn and soybeans

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Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 31 August 2010 16:04

Mark Holloway, representing Monsonato, producers of Dekalb seed, makes a point with an ear of corn in hand.

Passersby on U.S. Highway 56 may have wondered about the long line of pickup trucks on both shoulders of the roadway about a mile east of Hillsboro last Tuesday evening.

Around 80 area farmers had gathered to observe test plots and learn about cutting-edge technology for growing corn and soybeans.

The event was the first “Fall Field Day” sponsored by Cooperative Grain & Supply on the 40-acre plot the business has developed over the past several months.

Representatives from four seed companies were on hand to explain the impact of genetics and application technology on the rows of corn and grain growing on the site.

All four companies—Monsanto, Stine Seed Co., Cropland Genetics and Phillips Seed—market their seed...

Richards enjoys addressing county health issues

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Written by Jerry Engler Tuesday, 31 August 2010 16:02

Tonya Richards, county sanitarian and director of environmental health, spent her childhood years in Goessel and graduated from Goessel High. She and husband Mark moved back to Goessel when they were ready to start a family. Tonya Richards likes best to do the things that improve the health and quality of life for people in Marion County in her job as the county sanitarian, also known as the director of environmental health.

She said she enjoys helping people develop a sanitary well water system, for instance, or develop an adequate sewage lagoon to replace the old straight pipe running down to the creek or out to a field.

That’s not all Richards likes. She’s also a county planning and zoning director who enjoys the dedication and fellowship she finds with the nine persons on the Marion County Planning Commission.

The nine are all volunteers appointed by the county commissioners, three from each commission district.

“They do a lot of hard work...

Advisory group gives final recommendations on new jail

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Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 31 August 2010 16:01

Marion County Sheriff Rob Craft shares an insight during the jail discussion last Wednesday in Hillsboro. Listening are (from left) committee chair Mike Kleiber, and commissioners Bob Hein and Randy Dallke. The advisory group appointed to come up with proposals regarding the jail in Marion County gave its final recommendations to the commissioners Aug. 25 in Hillsboro.

After 16 months, the Marion County Public Safety and Law Enforcement Center Committee members unanimously agreed to disband, noting they had done what the commissioners had asked of them.

Reviewing what the group accomplished, Mike Kleiber, committee chairman, summarized the ideas discussed and accepted by a majority of members.

“We looked at the size of the jail,” he said, “and the committee agreed a 26- to 30-bed facility would meet the county’s needs into the future with expansion, if necessary.

“We agreed on the selection of two architects that we...

Freshmen begin with Service 101

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Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 24 August 2010 15:53

College students spread over the county for service projects

These Tabor College freshmen spent a portion of their Monday pulling weeds at the Hillsboro Elementary School playground as part of the college’s freshman orientation tradiition. Students were divided among 12 projects, all in Marion County. This year, the class numbers more than 155 students, according to the registrar’s office.