Future of Willow Glen subdivision now in city’s hands

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 21 December 2010 15:29

Willow Glen currently is home to 18 houses. The developed portion of the subdivision has about six lots available for sale through the city of Hillsboro. Even the best laid plans don’t always work out. When that plan involves real-estate development, the cost of unexpected setbacks can be prohibitive.

That’s part of the story of Willow Glen, an attractive residential development situated along the south edge of Hillsboro, according to Delores Dalke. A longtime real-estate broker in the community, Dalke now finds herself involved in the project as mayor.

Last month, project developer Eldred Kunkel gave about half of the 20-acre development—19 undeveloped lots in all—to the city of Hillsboro in lieu of back taxes and as a gesture of goodwill for a project that could not survive a timid local economy.

The development didn’t fail for lack of planning, according to Dalke, who...

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Hannaford preparing for KLTA presidency

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 23 November 2010 15:39

Hannaford Roger Hannaford III, president of Hannaford Title & Abstract & Title Co. Inc. of Marion, is only months away from becoming president of the Kansas Land Title Association.

Hannaford was chosen as the organization’s president-elect at its state convention in August at Overland Park. He will become president for a one-year term next August.

“It will consume a lot of time and energy away from the office, but it’s a nice honor and I look forward to it,” Hannaford said of his current role and the one that lies ahead.

As president-elect, he will lead several committees within the organization, including the education committee that plans KLTA’s annual three-day school in Wichita for people in the profession needing their...

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7,000-acre spread near Peabody sells to a Harvey County buyer for $8.51 million

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 23 November 2010 15:38

With the final closing last Tues­day, one of the largest land transactions in Marion County history is now official.

The 7,000-acre White Ranch three miles east of Peabody along U.S. Highway 50 is now part of Wildcat Creek Ranch, previously a 640-acre Red Angus operation southeast of Newton, for a selling price of $8.51 million.

“It’s probably the largest ever,” Roger Hannaford III, president of Hannaford Abstract & Title in Marion, said of the sale, which occurred by auction Oct. 19. “It’s the biggest one this office has ever been associated with.”

Considering the unknowns going in regarding the buyer, price and selling strategy, observers say the sale appears to be a good thing—not only for the buyer and auction...

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Final USD 410 project nearing long-awaited start date

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 26 October 2010 16:42

If Unified School District 410 hits its targeted start date of “on or before Jan. 1, 2011” for its central-office and transportation center complex, three and a half years will have passed since the project was initially commissioned by voters.

It originally was included as part of a $6.625 million bond issue patrons approved June 5, 2007, that included a new football stadium in partnership with Tabor College as well as additions to the high school and elementary school.

A lot has happened since the vote.

Lawsuit and a fire



Almost immediately after the vote, a USD 410 patron filed a lawsuit to block the projects. Funding for all but the stadium was released fairly soon and the entire suit eventually was settled.

Meanwhile...

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