Pros say fire repair cost is $440,000

Written by Don Ratzlaff Wednesday, 23 May 2007 06:23

A company that specializes in restoring buildings following a fire estimated that the cost to repair damage caused by a fire in late April at the city-owned former AMPI building to be more than $440,000.

At a special meeting May 14, the Hillsboro City Council reviewed an initial estimate from Wichita-based National Catas­trophe Resoration Inc. that totaled $440,087.

The council also reviewed an alternate estimate for a locally based effort that projected the cost at just under $86,609.

The building was not insured at the time of the fire.

The local estimate was pulled together by Martin Rhodes, the city’s building inspector and code-enforcement officer.

In his written evaluation of the situation at the building, Rhodes noted...

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Impact Fund campaign passes $200,000 mark

Written by Don Ratzlaff Wednesday, 23 May 2007 06:18

Members of the Hillsboro Community Foundation board want citizens to know the Impact Fund it launched in fall is a one-time campaign to raise $250,000 for a permanent endowment.

Board member say they’ve picked up signals that some people mistakenly believe the drive to raise funds for the Impact Fund will be an annual event.

It won’t be.

“This group won’t be going back to the community to make another gift,” said Mike Kleiber, HCF board president.

At the same time, Kleiber said the Impact Fund will always be open to additional, unsolicited gifts.

The larger the Impact Fund grows, the more investment interest it will generate that can be used as grants to help fund projects that will benefit the Hillsboro community—which...

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Plans set for Family/Folk Festival this weekend

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 23 May 2007 06:06

Planning is all but complete for the 2007 Hillsboro Family/Folk Festival and All-School Reunion on Memorial Day weekend.

The four-day schedule of events kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday with a downtown mixer featuring a barbecue-beef sandwich meal and live music by the Stuchlick Polka Band and 5-Man Trio.

The meal, to be served from 5 p.m. until the food runs out, is free with the purchase of a festival button. Bring lawn chairs to the 100 block of East Grand Avenue in downtown Hillsboro.

In the case of rain, the meal will be moved to city hall.

A full day of activities on Saturday begins with an airport fly-in and breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Alfred Schroeder Field in the west edge of town.

Also at 7 a.m., registration opens for the...

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Standing Tall

Written by Don Ratzlaff Wednesday, 16 May 2007 05:02

PeteRichert728[1].jpg With prosthesis leg in tow, Pete Richert displays the balance he’s developed during his physical therapy sessions at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Click image to enlarge.


Pete Richert isn't letting an amputated leg keep him from running after his dreams


Pete Richert may have lost a leg, but he hasn’t lost heart.

The Hillsboro native, whose left leg was amputated above the knee after a roadside-bomb incident Feb. 22 while serving in Iraq with fellow National Guards­­men, continues his rehabilitation at Fort Sam Houston near San Antonio, Texas.

The former standout distance runner at Hillsboro High School and Tabor College is not only accepting the prospect of a future with a...

Read more: Standing Tall