FIVE YEARS AGO
n Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Marion County Sheriff?s office, removed the remaining animals from an exotic-animal confinement located between Peabody and Burns. In all 10 animals were removed, including three tigers, three lions and two leopards.
n The Marion County Board of Commissioners discussed the possibility that enough money might be left over following the closure of the old solid-waste landfill southwest of Marion to fund a new position for a county economic development director.
n Sheriff Lee Becker warned seniors especially about a scam involving the sale of lightning rods and associated equipment at prices higher than normal. Three elderly people in the area had been taken in by the offer.
n Hillsboro Fire Depart?ment volunteers tried on ?bunker gear? purchased with a $19,000 Federal Emergency Manage?ment Administration grant.
n The Hillsboro City Council agreed to spend up to $32,000 to put sprinklers in Memorial Park and the Sports Complex in an effort to make both recreation areas more user-friendly.
n The USD 410 Board of Education was introduced to an ?interest-based bargaining? approach to negotiating teacher contracts. The plan was presented by the non-profit group called Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
n A meeting is planned for Jan. 22 in Lincolnville to see if their is community support for a new community building. The project would be funded through the KANSTEP program, and would require local volunteer labor to qualify.
TEN YEARS AGO
n Building a Marion-Hills?boro power plant generated opposing viewpoints about its financial viability from representatives of Western Resources/KP&L, the county?s current electrical provider, and representatives from the engineering firm of Shafer, Kline and Warren Inc.
n McDonald?s announced it will be enlarging its seating capacity in Hillsboro by 30 seats by building an addition to the east side of the store.
n Hillsboro High School boys? basketball coach Darrel Knoll won his 200th career game when the Trojans defeated Haven Friday night. Knoll, who began coaching at HHS in 1988-89, took a little more than 10 seasons to reach the milestone.
n The city of Goessel received a state grant of $18,000 from the Local Government Outdoor Recreation program that should cover half the cost of building two new ball fields in the city. The city?s recreation commission will chip in $8,000 and the city will kick in the rest.