The Marion County Commission met on Monday, Nov. 4, where they heard from the Planning, Zoning and Environmental Health Director Sharon Omstead, as well as Russ Ewy, a county consultant for Planning and Zoning. In addition to a packed room full of citizens both for and against the wind farm, there were employees from Expedition Wind, LLC. Ewy explained that […]

Local man recounts time serving during World War II Gene Obee may have turned 94 years old less than two weeks ago, but the Hillsboro Parkside resident became a young 19-year-old soldier as he recounted his experiences many years go in World War II. Obee grew up in Burns. He and his two older brothers all decided to enlist in […]

With the weather getting colder, staying healthy and avoiding germs is on everyone’s minds. On Saturday, Marion County is hosting a health fair to help out with just that. From 8-11 a.m. On Saturday, Nov 2, the Marion County Health Fair is being held at the USD 408 Sports and Aquatic Center at 104 N. Thorp in Marion. It is […]

The Marion County Commission learned flu vaccines to be given at scheduled clinics this month were delayed at its Oct. 28 regular meeting. Diedre Serene, the Marion County Health Department director, said that typically the vaccine is in high demand, but this year the vaccine manufacturers weren’t able to guarantee arrival times. “This threw a monkey wrench into the schedule,” […]

David Mayfield Next week, or sooner if you are an early voter, registered voters in Marion County will be deciding who our leaders will be for the next foreseeable future. The City of Marion has a big decision to make as they replace Todd Heitschmidt with a new mayor. There are two possibilities. One option is Republican David Mayfield. Mayfield […]

The local general election in Marion County is less than one week away, and some voters have already cast advanced ballots at the courthouse in Marion. Tina Spencer, Marion County clerk and election officer, said early, in-person voting at the courthouse has been “somewhat slow.” “As of Monday,” she said, “we have had 159 early voters. We have sent out […]

Nancy Marr hunkered down in bed one night at her house in rural Marion County, a home where a number of unexplained things have happened. That evening, Marr was frightened. She didn’t know what was floating around her room. “That night, when I was sleeping, I saw an orb that scared me,” she said, adding she pulled her blanket up […]

Ilona Abrahams, 5th grade teacher and Alumni Director, Landon Jordan '01 and GHS Principal Scott Boden. Jordan, who is a pastor at New Anthem Community Church, was the featured speaker at the Alumni event for students to hear about career paths after high school. The Goessel school board met on Oct 14 and heard from fifth grade teacher/alumni coordinator Ilona […]

The Marion County Commissioners heard more about the road maintenance agreement involving the Diamond Vista wind farm project, approved a class for responders and more at the Oct. 21 regular meeting. Brice Goebel, county engineer, said the ongoing road maintenance agreement involving Enel Green Power, which acquired the Diamond Vista wind farm, wasn’t going as well as planned. Goebel and […]

Evan Yoder and Erin Hein hand out treats to students who participated in the walking school bus. Laura Fowler Paulus/Free Press In Hillsboro, it is not uncommon in the fall and spring to see a long line of children walking down Grand Ave in the morning before school. They are almost always led by Evan Yoder, the elementary school principal […]