5 Years Ago

• Ag Power Inc., owned by Mike and Carolyn Kleiber and Kirby Rector, announced the acquisition of Paul?s Auto from owners Paul and Sheryl Pankratz. Paul had been in the auto-parts store for 37 years. The new owners plan to keep the store?s affiliation with its Carquest supplier.
• Both of Hillsboro?s voting wards will be assured of new representation on the Hillsboro City Council as the April 2 local election draws near. Daren Arndt and Shelby Dirks are vying for the West Ward vacancy created by Wendell Dirks? decision not to see re-election, while Byron C. McCarty has filed for the vacancy that will be created by a similar decision by sitting council member Mike Padgett.
• The Hillsboro City Council approved the general concept for the design of a new electrical shop at its March 19 meeting. The new building will replace the one that was destroyed by a lightning-ignited fire the previous July. The project was estimated to cost between $91,000 and $97,000, depending on some design options.
• Bob Woelk, English instructor at Hillsboro High School, is working toward the reinstatement of a journalism class at HHS. The restart of the class might mean the revival of a student newspaper as well, according to Woelk.
• Marion citizen Diana Costello called Mayor Eloise Mueller to task at the March 25 Marion City Commission meeting for keeping open the option of seeking a regional landfill for Marion despite a recent advisory election vote against seeking one. Mueller said she doesn?t want to close off the possibility of pursuing a landfill, but also that the city is not actively seeking one now.
• A preconstruction meeting was scheduled for March 25 to mark the start of construction on a new water tower for the city of Goessel. The water tower was projected to be completed in 320 days after work begins.
• Planners for Marion?s Chingawassa Days announced the rock band 38 Special will be featured at this year?s festival concert June 1.