Five years ago

n Marion County commissioners approved a four-mill tax hike Monday that will raise more than $370,000 for rebuilding 35 miles of county hard-surface roads that provide access to Peabody. The action was in response to a plea from Peabody-Burns Superintendent Tom Alstrom, who called the roads a safety hazard for children riding buses.

n Area employers are gearing up for the Aug. 23 implementation of what many are calling the most significant changes to overtime laws in nearly 50 years. The so-called ?FairPlay Rules,? require employees in the country to be paid at least the federal minimum wage, and overtime pay at one and one-half times the regular rate for all hours above 40 in a workweek.

n Even though the Marion County Social and Rehabilita?tion Services office in Marion will close at the end of the month, the state has established ?access points? around the county to maintain a presence here.

n A jump in fourth-grade enrollment from 40 to 49 at Hillsboro Elementary School will require the expansion of one teaching contract from part-time to full-time.

n The following people will graduate from Leadership Marion County Aug. 23: Elise Brunhoefer, Chris Bielefeld, Jo Ottensmeier, Matt Dalke, Ken Parry, Darryl Thiessen, Tina Groening and Mark Moore.

Ten years ago

n Mixed feeling exist about the State Board of Education?s 6-4 vote Wednesday to remove evolution from Kansas science assessment standards.

n With students heading back to school this week, computers at USD 410 have been declared ?Y2K compliant? by Superinten?dent Gordon Mohn.

n Hillsboro High School coaches are ambivalent about the recent decision by the Kansas State High School Activities Association to run the game clock continuously when the lead in a basketball game reaches 30 or more points in the second half.

n The Doyle Valley Market Gardeners of Peabody have made plans for their first community dinner. The dinner?grown, cooked and served by local growers?will be Aug. 29 for the first 65 ticket holders and some 35 guests.