Five years ago
n Emergency responders and state transportation officials are taking action in the hope of preventing the multi-vehicle accidents that occurred on consecutive days in a Marion County construction zone along U.S. Highway 50 last week, killing seven people and injuring five more. Both accidents occurred within 12 feet of each other.
n Around 100 people turned out Saturday evening for the first ?Fourth of July Eve? block party at the historic Schaeffler House in Hillsboro. The early-evening event, organized by the Hillsboro Museums board, included a children?s parade with bicycles, pedal toys and wagons decorated in patriotic themes, a brief concert by the Hillsboro Community Band, political speeches by State Rep. Don Dahl and Mayor Delores Dalke, plus games and a hot-dog meal.
n Donna Diener, a registered nurse at Hillsboro Community Medical Center, lost more than 60 pounds and dramatically improved her cholesterol, triglyceride and blood-sugar levels as a participant in the Healthy Fit program offered from October to May at HCMC and St. Luke Hospital in Marion. More than 100 participants reported weight losses. The program was supported by a grant from the Kansas Hospital Rural Options Project.
n Taylor Nikkel, 11, of Hillsboro opened a pet-sitting service in town called Taylor?s Animal Inn. ?I was bored one summer day and wanted to earn some money,? she said.
n The Hillsboro Recreation Commission and Kansas Wildlife and Parks will sponsor a shooting clinic from 9 a.m. until noon next Tuesday for boys and girls age 11 through 13. The inaugural effort, which is free of charge, is intended to promote involvement in outdoor activities.
n Judy Unruh was honored with a reception at Bethesda Home in Goessel upon her retirement as a registered nurse there after some 341⁄2 years of service.
Ten years ago
n After initial delays, Marion County?s $4 million roads project is ready to roll with work to commence within 65 days, the county commissioners reported. The project would resurface 68.5 miles of roadway of the next two years. The project will begin this fall with 13.1 miles along Indigo, 11 miles along 190th, 10 miles along Sunflower and 14 miles along 290th.
n Hillsboro?s population officially topped 3,000, thanks to a reported increase of almost 300 residents since last year, according to census figures released last week. The 12.5 percent jump makes Hillsboro the fifth-fastest growing city in Kansas with a population totaling 3,134.
n About 13 combines, complete with trucks and hauling equipment, showed up Monday to help Johnnie Bartel cut his 1999 wheat crop. Bartel was recently diagnosed with cancer.
n Two teachers from Hillsboro joined the Free Press staff as interns through the Coordinated Summer Internships program sponsored by the Kansas Department of Education. The two teachers are Dennis Boldt, who teachers business at Hillsboro High School, and Shane Clark, who teaches English/journalism at Mound?ridge High School.
n Hillsboro youth Jared Fish and Dan Ratzlaff participated in the Hutchinson Cosmosphere and Space Center?s Astronaut Training Program in June.
n Gary Myers, Tabor College athletic director for the past 11 years, has exchanged positions with assistant director Don Brubacher, who became the school?s fourth athletic director. Both men will continue their other coaching and teaching assignments.
n The children of Goessel helped move books from the old city library into the new one included in the newly constructed community building. The official opening of the new library is July 9.
