FIVE YEARS AGO
n Workers with AreaWide Lawn Service Inc. took advantage of spring-like temperatures this week to install a new irrigation system in Memorial Park. A sprinkler system also will be installed at the Sports Complex in an effort to make the two parks more inviting for public use.
n Because of their heavy use of electricity last summer, Hills?boro residents will see a 5.3 percent increase in their electrical rates beginning with the April 1 billing. Westar Energy bases its annual rate on a percentage of ?peak usage? from the previous year.
n Jared Jost, owner of Jost Funeral Home, assumed the reigns of power as the new Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce president at the recent annual meeting.
n Mirko Del Pozo, one of the lead actors in the Tabor College interterm production of ?Mother Hicks,? will not speak a single line when the production debuts next week. Del Pozo, a first-year student who cannot hear, will use sign language to communicate his part as Tuc, a deaf man in his 20s.
n Darrel Knoll won his 300th game as head boys? basketball coach at Hillsboro High School when his team defeated Belle?ville, 52-33, to finish third at the Trojan Classic. Through 151⁄2 seasons, Knoll has a winning percentage of 80.2 (300-74).
TEN YEARS AGO
n Joel Mathis, a Hillsboro High School and Tabor College graduate, was quoted in the latest issue of Time magazine as a ?real American? voice regarding the impeachment hearing for President Bill Clinton. Mathis works as city editor of the Emporia Gazette.
n Due to a drop in enrollment, USD 410 could start the 1999-2000 school year with a deficit of $194,000. The district?s leadership team, headed by Superinten?dent Gordon Mohn, has identified more than 120 ways to reduce spending.
n Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh was the guest speaker at the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce annual meeting.
n Marion County commissioners agreed to add the duties of emergency preparedness officer to the job description of Michelle Abbott-Becker starting Feb. 1.
n Down by 12 points in the second quarter, Hillsboro?s undefeated and top-ranked Trojans came back to win the cham?pionship of the Trojan Classic with a 52-46 overtime win over Smoky Valley. Tyson Ratzlaff scored 22 points to pace HHS, who improved to 11-0.
