SALUTE TON INSIDE WETMORE, KANSAS It’s Hometown of Russell & D.J. National Hawley 4-H Week! Holton Recorder subscribers for three years. RECORDERServing the Jackson County Community for 151 years See pages 9-11. Volume 151, Issue 81 HOLTON, KANSAS • Monday, October 8, 2018 14 Pages $1.00 New telescope best in five-state region By Brian Sanders gibbous” phase between first district owned the telescope. It’s taken a lot of “blood, quarter and full moon. In October of 2017, the Holton sweat, tears, money and time,” “It’s going to be a football- school board — of which Ford but a larger, more powerful shaped moon,” Ford said. is a member — gave its bless- telescope is finally up and “We’re also going to take a look ing to replace the telescope and running at Banner Creek Science at Saturn and Mars that night.” be gin the fund-raising efforts Center and Observatory. And even though the new (Ford ab stained from the vote). And Mike Ford couldn’t telescope has him smiling from “Our community was very, be happi er that the Holton ear to ear, Ford said bidding the very helpful in raising funds,” community now has the best old 20-inch telescope farewell he said. “And we had donors observatory in the five-s tate has a bittersweet air to it, as from all over. We were getting region. it was in place for so long — donations from as far away as “There’s just no comparison,” back when the observatory was Guam.” said Ford, longtime Holton located north of Holton High That fund-raising goal was educator and science center School and was known as Elk met earlier this year, thanks to director of the 24-inch Creek Observatory. more than $50,000 in donations PlaneWave telescope that has “That old telescope’s been in from Wetmore business owners recent ly been installed at the the community since October of and philanthropists Bob and observatory, replacing a 20-inch 2000,” he said. “A lot of people June Carson, as well as $40,000 reflector tele scope that’s been have utilized it, both on site and from an Arizona organization in place for almost 15 years remotely. It’s like we’re losing a that wanted to make its own and boosting the observato ry’s major part of Holton.” contribution to the observatory. capability for studying the stars But after a bolt of lightning in Ford also noted a plethora by about 60 percent. a June 2017 storm rendered the of smaller but nonetheless Ford noted he’s “still old telescope obsolete — the significant donations that added tweaking” the telescope to company that made it was no up to make the new telescope a get it ready for pub lic use, but longer around, and few, if any, reali. ty he’s also eager to show off the parts were available to make The 24-inch telescope arrived newest addition to the science repairs — Ford noted it was at the science center in late center at an upcoming event time to start fund-raising efforts August, and Ford said he and on the evening of Saturday, for a new telescope, which he Gary Hug of the Northeast Oct. 20 — the science center’s estimated at the time would cost Kansas Amateur As tronomers observation of NASA’s about $120,000. League uncrated the telescope International Observe The First, however, he had to get almost immediately, putting its Moon Night, allowing people the blessing of Holton school to see the moon in its “waxing district officials, since the Continued to Page 14 USDA approves loan Mike Ford is shown above with a new 24-inch PlaneWave telescope recently installed for hospital expansion at the Banner Creek Science Center and Observatory. Ford said the new telescope will boost the observatory’s capability for studying the stars by about 60 percent. Holton Community Hospital Jackson County, Inc., board of Foundation Board. Photo by Brian Sanders officials announced Thursday, directors, which does business The boards recently hired Har- Oct. 4, that HCH had been ap- as Holton Community Hospital. vey Nonprofit Development, of proved to move forward with a “There are so many checks and Denver, Colo. to conduct an edu- loan from the United States De- balances in place and they are cational and fundraising feasibil- Fall Fest to feature chili, vendors partment of Agriculture (USDA) working with us to ensure we ity study for the hospital. By Ali Holcomb local businesses and non-profits. The 19th annual chili cook-off to fund the expansion and reno- move forward as responsibly as On Wednesday evening, Oct. Fall Fest is set for Saturday, Items will be on display until 4 is also being held that day. vation of the current hospital. possible with our plan.” 3, Harvey Nonprofit Develop- Oct. 13, in downtown Holton, p.m. Chili cooks will compete for “The funds are secured and The hospital’s $17.6 million ment CEO, Ari Hunniford, pre- and the annual event will feature Two ribbon-cutting celebrations regional bragging rights, and we’re working with our USDA project will be funded mostly sented the findings of the confi- craft and product vendors, a are also scheduled for that prizes will be awarded for first, representative in Topeka to take through the low-interest USDA dential study to the boards. scarecrow contest, performances morning around the Square. At 9 second and third place in three the next steps,’’ said Carrie Saia, loan with some funding being The study consisted of 45 by Holton school bands and a a.m., a ceremony will be held at categories, People’s Choice, CEO at the hospital. “This is a secured locally. questions to help the boards de- chili cook-off contest. the newly combined More Than Judges’ Choice and Most very exciting time for our hos- “There is so much work that cide if an educational and fund- Sponsored by the Holton/ Lemons and Uptown Treasures Creative Chili Booth based on pital.” goes into a project this size and raising campaign should be con- Jackson County Chamber of on the east side of the Square. voting by chili samplers and The partnership with the it’s been a challenge to keep the sidered. Commerce, the annual event will Then at 9:30 a.m., a ribbon- judges. USDA has been a long process community up-to-date. We know “The study definitely pointed kick off at 8 a.m. with more than cutting for the reopening of the Cook-off participants must with the hospital conducting that can be frustrating and we’re out some inconsistencies with 40 vendors on the Courthouse Fifth Street Sandwich Shoppe on supply four to five gallons of chili multiple studies and surveys, working on that,” McGrath said. our communication style. The courtyard. the north side of the Square will for the event, as well as their own including a financial feasibility Keeping the community in- community was loud and clear Ashlee York, Chamber be held. table, extension cords, cookers study. formed was the focus at the re- that we must work harder at get- administrative assistant, said At 11:30 a.m. members of to keep the chili warm, ladles for “The USDA feels confident in cent dual board meeting held ting the information dispersed vendor items include homemade the Holton High School and serving and decorations and/or our ability to fulfill our financial with the Rural Health Resources in a direct and clear way,” Saia furniture, pottery, jewelry, Holton Middle School bands will costumes. responsibility for this project,” of Jackson County, Inc (Holton said. “It was also very clear how photography, children’s clothing, perform on the east side of the said Bobbi McGrath, president Community Hospital) Board and candles and barbecue, as well as Courthouse. Continued to Page 14 of Rural Health Resources of the Holton Community Hospital Continued to Page 14 Mayetta teen charged with attempted murder An 18-year-old Mayetta man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting and injuring a 17-year-old girl after an altercation Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 3, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse. Shortly after 3:30 p.m. that day, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an alleged shooting at a residence at 15580 L. Rd. on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation west of Mayetta. According to county records, the home is owned by Linda Bailey. Sheriff Morse reported that a car occupied by three females drove into the driveway of the home. The female victim was reportedly standing outside the vehicle in the driveway when Lance Malone Bailey, 18, of Mayetta allegedly opened fire with a rifle, striking the victim twice. Continued to Page 14 TUESDAY’S FORECAST A 1 Look for the complete forecast on page 2. An estimated 11,000 people filled the Topeka Expocentre Saturday evening to attend a rally featuring President Donald Trump while several thousand more watched it televised on a large screen outside the facility. Photo by David Powls DISTRICT COURT NEWS THE HOLTON RECORDER, MONDAY, OCT. 8, 2018, PAGE 2 DISTRICT COURT NEWS Truck Stop Traffic Criminal parapher nalia; diversion. State of Kansas vs. Weldon FUEL • CHEAP SMOKES William D. Ackerman, Hol- Dispositions State of Kansas vs. Cipriana A. Johnson, Holton, criminal ton, driving under the influence, State of Kansas vs. Kylie I. Cisneros, Topeka, possession damage to property, disorderly FRIENDLY SERVICE • Open 24 hours of marijuana, possession of drug conduct. found guilty. N. An derson, Horton, posses- 1346 US Hwy 75 • Powhattan, KS 66527 • (785) 467-5355 Amir M.