Cooperative Grain and Land O’Lakes donate $3,662 to four area food banks

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 27 November 2012 14:47

Four area food banks will be able to stock their shelves this holiday season, thanks to a total donation of $3,662 from Cooperative Grain & Supply and the Ampride stores in Marion and Hillsboro. The donation includes matching funds from the “Feeding Our Communities” program sponsored by Land O’Lakes Foundation. Pictured above are: (from left) Lyman Adams, CG&S general manager, who is holding a check designated for the Marion County Emergency Food Bank; LaVonne Carrington, director of Main Street Ministries and its food bank in Hillsboro; Phil Schmidt, representing the Goessel Ministerial Alliance and the Goessel Community Food Pantry; Ron Sommerfeld, representing the Canton-Galva Ministerial Alliance and food bank; and...

Read more: Cooperative Grain and Land O’Lakes donate $3,662 to four area food banks

Free Press veterans book officially released Sunday at Pilsen gathering

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 13 November 2012 15:48

Hillsboro Free Press staff members (from left) Patty Decker, Nicole Suderman and Shelley Plett distribute copies of the new book “Our Nation Called” during the official release gathering Sunday afternoon at the Pilsen Community Center. About 50 people came to the event to pick up the books they had pre-purchased and to hear affirmation of the military veterans in a speech by Gaylord Sanneman, vice commander of the Kansas American Legion. A second distribution event followed that evening at the Marion VFW. Publisher Joel Klaassen said the 192-page book includes 1,658 service photos in the alphabetical section at the back of the book and 267 candid photos in the front of the book. Also included are 11 feature profiles of county...

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Marion’s Alternative Market gathers $7,000 for charities

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 13 November 2012 15:47

Naomi Morris of Hillsboro donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marion County in memory of her daughter. Morris said one of her granddaughters had a big sister which was beneficial to her. Seated is Ashley Gann, one of the 40 exhibitors. More than $7,000 was donated to local and worldwide charities during the second annual Alternative Market Saturday at Marion Presbyterian Church.

Jackie Volbrecht, one of the organizers, said Alternative Gifts International, which represents charities worldwide, received $4,088, local charities, $2,564 and the food bank, $380. The overall total for the event came to $7,072.

In its first year, Volbrecht said, AGI received $3,245 and local charities, $1,091 for a total of $4,336.

“Our attendance almost doubled (from last year), too” she said.

At the 2011 market 110 people contributed to the local and worldwide causes. This year the number was about 225.

“I cannot thank the exhibitors enough for participating in the 2012...

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Council OKs service fee schedule

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 06 November 2012 15:49

The Marion City Council at its Oct. 29 meeting approved a resolution by a 4-1 vote outlining a fee schedule for research services provided by city staff.

City Administrator Doug Kjellin was asked at the council’s Oct. 15 meeting to compare Marion’s rates to at least five cities and what each charge for research and copy fees.

“The majority of work that needs to be done on Freedom of Information Act is usually available on my computer,” Kjellin said, adding that it averages between one to two minutes to complete.

The only time researching documents can become time-consuming, he said, is when someone requests older files—but that has only happened once during his stint as city administrator.

Prior to approving the fee...

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