A meeting was held on Tuesday, Aug. 28 at 9:30 a.m. at Hillsboro City Hall in the council room. The meeting was required to be open, since at least two members of the Hillsboro City Council were in attendance. Many were unaware of the meeting due to it being advertised only once on Aug. 23 on the City of Hillsboro […]

Mike Beneke, who was appointed by Marion County Commissioner Randy Dallke to serve on the Marion County Community Economic Development Corp, resigned effective Aug. 28. The note from Beneke had few words and simply stated: “I resign Aug. 28. “It’s been a pleasure and experience,” Beneke said, “and we have had our ups and downs. “(The group’s) hope was that […]

The Marion County Commission accepted the resignation of EMS director Ed Debesis and unanimously approved having a special question on the Nov. 6 ballot during its meeting at its Aug. 30 meeting. “I am resigning my position as EMS director effective Sept. 20,” Debesis said. “I’ve accepted a position elsewhere.” Commissioner Randy Dallke said, “thank you,” to Debesis. “I won’t […]

A pile of silage is shown above. The City of Marion contends it is blurring the lines between ag and populated areas. Patty Decker / Free Press Mike Beneke, who owns Double B, a cattle business east of Lincolnville, is wanting his day in court. The reason is because Marion city officials allege Beneke is blurring the boundary line between […]

New kindergarten teacher Michelle Ediger checks Jacob Breugem’s wristband so he can play frisbee. All proceeds from the wristbands and concession stands go toward various expenses at Hillsboro Elementary school. Austyn Driggers aims to dunk Autumn Hardey, counselor at HES. The most popular target was PE teacher Mike Jilka. Khloe Defiesta knocked him in and declared it the highlight of […]

The Goessel city council met on August 20 and passed ordinance number 280, which sets new wastewater charges, raising them by $5.00. The increase will take effect on October 1. The council was reminded that the current raise in rates is still not enough for the grant that the city is receiving; rates will have to be raised again. The […]

Ian and Shayna Smith of Three Rings Brewery in McPherson explain the different types of beer they offer to event attendees. Laura Fowler Paulus / Free Press The Historic Elgin Hotel in Marion hosted the Craft Beer and Live Music event this past Saturday night. Over 125 came to enjoy samplings of local breweries held in a large, open room […]

Sunday turned out to be a profitable day for five enterprising young people in Hillsboro. Included from left to right are: Cheyanne Plenert, 9, Cohwen Heimann, 8, Alex Heimann, 12, Jocelyn Smith, 9, and Cheyenne Smith, 8. It was the first lemonade stand Alex said he and his brother, Cohwen, operated. But, Cheyenne said, she and the other two girls […]

Marion County residents, including some Marion high football players, showed up on Saturday to help pack meals for Haiti. In two hours around 100 youth, youth sponsor and parents packaged around 26,250 meals. Laura Fowler Paulus / Free Press Area youth gathered in Marion from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday at the Marion Elementary school to participate in a global and […]

Local Hillsboro moms gather for coffee, tea, snacks and friendship on Thursday after sending their children to school. Sara Wichert, second from right, hosts this annual event. Laura Fowler Paulus / Free Press The first day of school can bring many mixed emotions for all involved. Moms, in particular, can feel excited, sad, happy and much more. And sometimes, they […]