New teacher Tena Loewen prepares her classroom for her incoming second grade class. While the position is new to Loewen, she is very familiar with Hillsboro and the halls of Hillsboro Elementary School. Laura Fowler Paulus / Free Press A new yet familiar face will be in the halls and classroom this year at Hillsboro Elementary School. Hillsboro native Tena […]

Polls closed last week but the Republican candidate for Governor is still up for grabs, and the race is only getting closer. Coming into this week, 110 votes separated Secretary of State Kris Kobach from Governor Jeff Colyer in a contentious gubernatorial primary race. This is a lead of less than a tenth of a percent across the state for […]

Volunteers Cheryl Bartel and Brenda Kimberly assist Hillsboro Residents Randy and Vianne Hagen as they vote at the poll at the Hillsboro United Methodist Church on Tuesday, Aug. 7. Patty Decker / Free Press The Marion County Commission completed its canvass during the Monday meeting with some adjustments made after the provisional ballots were reviewed. In the primary race for […]

Almost 30 people attended the special meeting Friday, Aug. 3, in the Florence council chambers. Brad Stout, with Adam & Jones Law Firm, seared in the back row (fourth from the left) will serve as the DeForest family’s condemnation lawyer, if the city votes for eminent domain on Aug. 20. Patty Decker/Free Press The Florence City Council almost made its […]

2018 Country Threshing Days, held in Goessel Aug. 3-5, kicked off with sawmill demonstrations followed by threshing and field demonstrations. For three days, attendees could participate in various activities from demonstrations such as corn binding, shelling, ensilage chopping and plowing to pedal tractor pulls and large engine startups. Activities were available for all ages. Children enjoyed visiting farm animals and […]

HALSTEAD—When the rumbling machines churn up the dirt for that long-awaited backyard construction project, the earth can smell sweetly satisfying. When Paul Britton of Halstead finished such a project this summer, he and his wife, Kerry, began to wonder what was in that dirt.  Paul developed a harsh cough with fever that felt like the flu. Later, a chest x-ray […]

Family and Children Together Inc. is working to provide school supplies for Marion County kids who cannot afford to purchase their own. This is just one of many things that FACT does for families in the county. FACT is a local nonprofit organization that serves all children and families in Marion County. Its vision is that all children live, learn […]

The glow run lit up Hillsboro last week. This was the second year for the event hosted by the Hillsboro Young Professionals. Phyllis Richert/ Free Press The second annual HYP Glow Run kicked off at 9 p.m. Friday, July 27. Runners wore orange shirts with the motto “Here we glow again” that they received as part of their registration as […]

Marion County Fair 2018 Champ Carla Hamm celebrates her victory on Saturday in the Powder Puff division of the Demolition Derby at the Marion County Fair. Phyllis Richert/ Free Press Marion County Fair 2018 Champ Carla Hamm celebrates her victory on Saturday in the Powder Puff division of the Demolition Derby at the Marion County Fair. Phyllis Richert/ Free Press […]

Kansas House District 74 residents will have a clear choice between Republican candidates during the Aug. 7 primaries. And without a democratic contender, the Republican candidate nominated in August will be the representative for the district through 2020. Current Representative Don Schroeder is running against political newcomer Stephen Owens. Both men are residents of Hesston. Owens said he became interested […]