• History, future blend at 143-year-old library

  Library Director Rodger Charles says the restoration of “Peabody’s Honor Roll” has made an impact: “It is beautiful and it has brought more foot traffic in the library as well. People have been hearing about it. You may not find a better blend of history and future in Marion County. After investing nearly $150,000 for improvements, the Peabody Township Library […]

  

• ‘SURVIVOR DAY’ FUN

  Teacher Phil Oelke (with hat) checks the archery technique of sixth-grader Isabell Jones. With her are classmates (from left) Deon Weeks, Jacki Latham and Lyle Fickes. With the end of the school year fast approaching, teachers and sixth-graders from Hillsboro Middle High School participated in an aptly titled year-ending activity. “Survivor Day” has been an annual tradition for sixth-graders since […]

  

• PROMISES AND PERSEVERANCE

  Sen. Jerry Moran on Saturday: ““I want to tell you how proud you should be of your community, how things came together to make this hospital possible.” One month short of nine years since the day the community of Hillsboro was promised a new state-of-the-art hospital facility, about 150 residents, well-wishers, dignitaries and hospital staff gathered Saturday morning to celebrate […]

  

• HES 5th-grader wins state Arbor Day poster contest

  Trudy Hein (left, with shovel), a fifth-grader from Hillsboro Elementary School, won the 2017 Kansas Arbor Day Poster Contest sponsored by the Kansas Forest Service. The theme this year was, “Kansas Trees are Terrific…and Energy Wise.” As a result of winning the contest, the Hein family was invited to come to the Capitol in Topeka April 27. They met Gov. […]

  

• Circles coordinator says poverty program works

  Having celebrated Circles Marion County’s fifth graduation class last week, coordinator Mark Rogers sums up the local impact of the program in two words. It works. “We have data showing that we are making a difference,” Rogers said. “The people who connect with our program and follow through, it does make a change in their life.” Financial well-being is not […]

  

• HCH makes the move to new facility

  Marion Regier, Hillsboro Community Hospital CEO, is almost “boxed in” as she helps with the move to the new facility along U.S. Highway 56. “I know sometimes we thought this day was never going to come, but they kept encouraging us.” Moving a hospital to a new facility is a lot trickier than wrapping household items in newspaper and labeling […]

  

• Toward a more refreshing OASIS

  OASIS students Zach, Isaiah and Avery (from left) pose near the Art Tree display at OASIS School, one of the ways school leaders are developing a more positive environment for students. Thursday’s garage sale will raise funds for a new water fountain and playground for its students. Residents have an opportunity to help students in Marion County who need the […]

  

• Hillsboro council says no to county fair beer garden

  Acting on the recommendation of the Police Chief Dan Kinning, the Hillsboro City Council at its April 18 meeting denied the request of the Marion County Fair Board to establish a beer garden as part of the fair’s demolition derby this summer. Two members of the fair board, Brent Unruh and Brandi Barney, said at the council’s April 4 meeting […]

• Kleinsasser inducted into officiating hall of fame

  Hillsboro resident Joe Kleinsasser (middle) is congratulated by Scott Hardin, president of the Greater Wichita Officials Association, upon his induction into the GWOA Hall of Fame. To Kleinsasser’s right is fellow official Jay Free, who introduced Kleinsasser at the event held April 12 at the Wichita Boathouse. Kleinsasser was recognized for several accomplishments during his officiating career: a registered basketball […]

  

• Top-selling MCC sale quilt has Hillsboro ties

  Charlene Driggers (left) sits with the quilt she and Rose Wiebe Haury (right) and Carol Ingenthron made for the 2016 Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale. Driggers’ husband Darrell bought the quilt at auction for $11,900. by Wendy Nigent The Free Press Fifteen seems to be the lucky number for Charlene Driggers, who listened to 15 audio books while hand-quilting the colorful […]

  

Breaking News

• Marion finishes as runners-up to Wichita-Independent in 3A state title game
• Marion defeats Cherokee-Southeast to advance to 3A state title game
• 190th Road reopens
• Marion defeats Hays-TMP-Marian, 6-5, to earn first-ever state baseball victory
• Seven Marion athletes qualify for Class 3A state track meet

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