Burlington
Burlington Mayor Rick Raymer appointed Roger Kent Hoyt to fill the unexpired term of Bruce Murray, who resigned on Feb. 21.
The Coffee County Republican reported on May 8 that Hoyt owns Burlington Tax Center and BOS Scrapbook Center in Burlington. He will serve the remaining two years of the four-year term.
Marion
The Marion City Council approved an ordinance Monday that designated a truck route in the city.
The Marion County Record reported on May 9 that the route is Main Street/U.S. 256, North Cedar Street from Main to U.S. 56, Third Street from Main to the city limits, Whittier from Third Street to Burbridge, Burbridge from Whittier to Grant and Grant from Burbridge to Cleveland. The average truck weight will be 68,000 pounds.
Marion
The fire marshal in Marion County could close the jail following an inspection earlier this year.
The Marion County Record reported that an inspection earlier this year by the state office revealed that the county was not in compliance with having 24-hour supervision or a plan that would allow inmates to be able to evacuate the jail within a four-minute time period.
The Marion County commission met on Monday and Marion County Sheriff Lee Becker said a letter from the state fire marshal’s office did not accept his delay of adding more jail personnel in the 2008 budget. The state wants to see results faster than that.
Becker said the state hasn’t given a deadline yet, but they theoretically could come in and tell them to shut down the jail until they are in compliance.
Madison
New members of the Madison City Council were sworn into office Monday evening at the council’s meeting.
The Madison News reported on Thursday that Earl Murphy, Dale Wolgram and Mike Hawking all were sworn into four-year terms.
The council also appointed the city clerk, Carol Porter; city treasurer, Dean Smith; city attorney, Mike Herbert; and city judge Kristen Hutches.
Eureka
Eureka Junior and Senior High School class of 2007 will hold commencement exercises at 2 p.m. Sunday in the high school gymnasium.
The Eureka Herald reported on Thursday that there are 53 members of the Eureka class of 2007.
Chase County
Chase County High School’s journalism students received first place at the KSPA state journalism contest for the fourth year in a row.
The Chase County Leader-News reported on Thursday that during the May 5 event, Chase County students placed in 15 of the 22 categories.
F Information for this column has been gleaned from area newspapers and staff reports