One of two bryozoan colonies found floating by the shore, down the hill from the Marion County Lake office. Kevin Hower / Free Press You may have noticed, scattered around the shorelines of Marion County Lake, gelatinous— and perhaps vaguely brain-like— round blobs of various sizes, floating on or near the surface of the water. In stark contrast to the […]

Thank you to everyone who attended our library fundraiser in July. We truly appreciate the support of the community for our library. We are happy to announce we will host another community fundraiser at 5 p.m. Aug. 13 at the library. Proceeds will be divided between the library and another community nonprofit organization in Florence. On the menu will be […]

Congratulations to Cindy Wiens of Goessel for winning the raffle drawing of the 30-inch by 40-inch original painting of the Schroeder Barn at the Mennonite Heritage and Agriculture Museum. The painting was done to call attention to the Schroeder Barn restoration project beginning this fall on the museum grounds. The drawing was held the last day of Country Threshing Days in […]

The Goessel city council met on July 23 and heard from Mayor Dave Schrag that brothers Dallas, Jeff and Mike Boese had purchased a large amount of fireworks and would like to share them with the community on the Saturday evening of Threshing Days, Aug. 4. Everyone is invited free of charge, and there is no cost to the city. […]

Kent Becker Kent Becker 680 290th Road,Durham, KS Cell: 620-382-5296 beckerkentd@gmail.com Occupation: County commissioner, bank consultant and director Family : Wife: Ginger; Sons: Tony resides in Colorado and Todd resides in Marion County. Four grandchildren Years resided in Kansas: 66 years; born and raised in Durham/Marion County Previous political experience: One year and four months as Marion County Commissioner Eight […]

The Retro in Ramona float was the first place float winner in the Independence Day parade at Ramona on Saturday. Showing off their retro attire, transportation and seating, from left, are Lexi Todd, Julie Noeth and Stephanie Symns.

Those driving from Newton to Peabody can soon expect the length of their trip to be more than tripled. That is, if they take the state’s recommended detour. The Kansas Department of Transportation announced Thursday that it will be making repairs over the next two months to Bridge 58, a bridge on Highway 50 that spans I-135 in Harvey County. […]

Father Emil Kapaun, who was born in Marion County, was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Korean War. His remains have not been recovered. Catholic Diocese of Wichita The recent summit between President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jung Un included an agreement to return the remains of American soldiers still missing from the Korean War. That caught […]

by Cynthia Goerzen The Free Press The Goessel City Council decided at its June 18 meeting on times and days that fireworks will be allowed within the city limits. Fireworks will be allowed on the following days: 8 a.m to 10 p.m., Sunday and Monday, July 1-2; 8 a.m. to midnight Tuesday, July 3. and 8 a.m to 11 p.m […]

by Cynthia Goerzen The Free Press The Goessel school board approved supplemental contracts during its June 11 meeting The following contracts were approved: Activities director, Brian Lightner; band, Scott Taylor; choir and high school musical, Braden Unruh; high school musical assistants, Heath Goertzen and Ryan Goertzen; cheerleader sponsor, Gretchen Schrag (and Alicia Oard if needed); concessions, Ryan Hoopes. Elementary SIT […]