Deadline nears for Impact Fund grant applications

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 06 November 2012 15:28

The Hillsboro Community Foundation is accepting applications for grant funds to be distributed in 2013 from the Hills­boro Area Impact Fund.

Organizations may apply that are exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) and serve Hillsboro and surrounding communities.

Application forms can be downloaded from hillsborofree­press.com or cityofhillsboro.net, or picked up from Eileen Unruh at The Insurance Center at 105 S. Main, Hillsboro. The deadline for submission is Nov. 16.

The...

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Youth raise $721 for Christmas fund

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 06 November 2012 15:27

Scary Larry's Hollow House, an annual fundraising project organized by Marion youth, raised $721 for the Marion Community Christmas fund during the three hours it was open Oct. 26. “The weather was very cold, but we had a constant flow of people with standing room only at the main building at times,” said Cathy Martin, an adult adviser. Pictured are members of the project team: (from left) back row, Corina Crabb, Charlie Nordquest, Margo Yates from Marion Community Christmas, Larry...

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Weather draws large turnout for treats

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 06 November 2012 15:24

Lego Man made an appearance along Hillsboro’s Grand Avenue during Trick or Treat Main Street on Halloween last Wednesday. With near-perfect weather, the turnout was strong for candy and other goodies. For a photo slideshow of the event, go to hillsborofreepress.com under “Breaking News.”

Peabody vet led battle to recognize atomic veterans

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 06 November 2012 15:14

Gary Thornton holds the poster identifying the “Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway” that was dedicated in 2009 near his home in Leon. Thornton, who still calls Peabody his hometown, was an unsuspecting guinea pig for the government’s secret nuclear tests in the early 1960s. He became a leading proponent in Kansas for formal recognition of the service atomic veterans rendered. When Gary Thornton was called to active duty in the U.S. Naval Reserve in September 1961, only months after his graduation from Peabody High School, he knew he would see the world and that he might find himself in harm’s way someday.

Thornton was right on both counts, but what he didn’t know was that his most serious encounter with harm would come from radiation as a guinea pig with the U.S government’s secret nuclear weapons testing program in the South Pacific.

Thornton’s heroism...

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An uphill effort to raise money for Marion schools

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 06 November 2012 15:13

With temperatures in the low 40s, a trio of front-runners in the 5-kilometer Dam Run for Education Race at Marion County Lake charge up the long hill along the lake’s south side Saturday. Pictured from right are Mike Moran of Marion, Kelly Linnens of Hillsboro and 10-year-old Seth Lanning of Marion, who went on to cross the finish line first.

The event, organized as a fundraiser by the Parents Advisory Council for Marion Middle School, also offered a 1-mile fun run (pictured below at the...

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