News

By Vince Hancock
Ellsworth County I-R

To all appearances, Duane “Butch” Janne is a reluctant raconteur. He doesn’t want anyone to think he has a big head, and he might not have said anything if his family didn’t urge him. But he would like some kind of record showing that yes, a kid from Wilson, Kan. can get a lot further than one might think — such as pitching professional baseball. Fifty-five years ago, he was that kid.

“I hope this won’t take too terribly long,” he said a few weeks ago, as the school year came to a close. Janne had stepped away from Blue Stem Auto in Wilson, his vehicle sales business.

Behind him, at the Ellsworth Rec Center diamonds, the girl and boy Bearcats, which include Wilson players, warmed up for practice.

By Susan Waring
Special to the Tribune

Two Marquette High School chums who graduated in 1949 met recently for a long overdue chat. Norma Jean Johnson Erickson and Shirley Ferpotto Bain recalled their memories of a long friendship when the two met at Riverview Estates where Norma Jean resides.

Shirley, who has been a Fort Worth, Texas, resident since the early 1960s, remembers Norma Jean being the valedictorian of the class. Norma Jean remembers that Shirley was four months older than she.

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By Alan Rusch
Ellsworth County I-R

LORRAINE — “This is the garden spot.”

That is how Dr. Allan Fritz, an agronomist with Kansas State University in Manhattan, described this year’s wheat test plot planted by the Midway Extension District south of Lorraine.

Dr. Fritz’ statement, made May 29, during the annual Ellsworth County Wheat Plot Tour, was echoed by his colleague, Dr. J.P. Michaud, a K-State entomologist at Hays.

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Ronny Soukup stands next to his 2015 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special during Saturday’s Run for the Soul. Organizers hope the earlier date, before wheat harvest begins, will eventually bring in more participants.

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By Vince Hancock
Ellsworth County I-R

As he nears the end of his 12th year in office, Al Oller is ready to step down. “I think that’s been long enough. I favor term limits. I intended to do two terms, but nobody filed four years ago.” Oller said.

This time around, Oller’s seat will be the only one on the ballot. Fellow commissioners Kermit Rush and Steve Dlabal won’t be eligible for re-election until 2020.

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By Vince Hancock
Ellsworth County I-R

Assisted living and veterans’ housing could eventually be offered within the walls of the old Ellsworth County hospital.

The new owner of the building, Terry Buchholz of Plattsmouth, Neb., does general construction under the name Unlimited Innovations. He purchased the local landmark in March, after first seeing it this past summer on his way home from New Mexico.

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By Judi Brown
Marquette Tribune

Even the unseasonably hot temperatures Saturday, May 26 could not dampen the spirits of the returning Wolverines who attended the Marquette High School Alumni Banquet held in the gym of the Marquette school.

Around 200 MHS grads and their guests brought potluck dishes to share with former classmates and visit with those who they may not have seen for years.

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