About 50 people attended the Marion County Commission meeting on July 8 to hear how the commissioners vote on the wind farm project. The commissioners voted 2-1 in favor of approving the conditional use permit proposed by Expedition Wind. The development plan, which was split out from the CUP, was not approved at this time. Patty Decker/Free Press The Marion […]

Prior to the Marion County Commission acting on a recommendation from its planning and zoning board to approve a conditional use for a wind farm being developed in the south-central part of the county, some questions were raised regarding the process at its July 1 meeting. In providing the commission with information about the steps necessary to make a decision […]

The Marion County Commission heard from Dave Mueller, who represents landowners leasing ground to Enel Green Power-Diamond Vista for its wind turbine project, but at Monday’s meeting, he wants the commission to remove Kirkham Michael as the county’s road consultant. “As the role of representing landowners, I handle their concerns and their issues, and their biggest issue through this entire […]

About 300 people attended the first of three nights of meetings regarding the wind farm project. Patty Decker / Free Press The Marion County Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals recommended a conditional use permit in the south-central part of the county for Wind Expedition-National Renewable Solutions, but with many opposing the permit. In the three-day hearing, which was June 3, […]

The Marion County Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals had its third meeting Monday to consider recommending a conditional use permit to Expedition Natural Renewal Solutions. The first two meetings on June 3-4 provided ENRS officials time to discuss the reasons why a CUP should be granted, and also to provide those opposed the opportunity to state why it shouldn’t be […]

The last day for candidates to file for county commission, city and school was June 4, according to information released from Tina Spencer, election office. In addition, Marion County voters have until Oct. 15 to register to vote, and advance voting begins the next day on Oct. 16. For those wanting to vote early, Spencer said, those dates are between […]

The Marion County Commission heard from Brice Goebel, the new county engineer for the road and bridge department at its meeting June 10. Goebel said it’s been long hours, but said many people who have had road concerns were happy he called them back. Regarding the roads, Goebel said he had a staff meeting with his personnel and talked about […]

After a unanimous vote to hire Brice Goebel as county engineer in mid-May, the next step was in approving a contract, which the Marion County Commission did June 3 following a series of executive sessions from May until ratification. In addition to hiring Goebel at a salary of $80,000, the commissioners also discussed the current staffing structure and existing job […]

The Marion County Commission approved a five-year solid waste management plan at its meeting June 3, but one commissioner believed its importance warranted more time for the public to review. Prior to approving the Central Kansas Regional Solid Waste Authority’s five-year plan by a vote of 2-0 (Commissioner Randy Dallke was absent), one citizen did ask a question. Amy Soyez, […]

Patty Decker/free press Ashley and Doug Copenhaver own a car detailing business called Mirror Image. They are located in Hillsboro. Doug Copenhaver of Hillsboro opened “Mirror Image,” an auto detailing business that goes beyond the normal car wash by making vehicles gleam. Unlike the typical automated washing system, Copenhaver said auto detailing involves a lot more. “The exterior of vehicles […]