Some of the staff at Hillsboro Community Hospital participated in a pie eating contest. Dr. Greg Erb won the generously donated prize of a steak dinner. Blyth Suttle won the opportunity to pie someone in the face and chose Dr. Erb. Laura Fowler Paulus/Free Press

The Marion County Commission talked about rock on its roads, information received from KDOT regarding rock testing, and voted on a respective policy at its meeting March 25. Commissioner Dianne Novak said she contacted KDOT and was told the state does testing of rock at no cost, and while she admitted it’s only one piece of many pieces dealing with […]

By Laura Fowler Paulus The Free Press The March 19 Hillsboro City Council opened with Hillsboro Code Enforcement Officer Ben Steketee’s update on the property at 312 West Grand. In December, the homeowners had been given more time to bring the property up to city codes. “I removed the lack of sufficient or proper fire resistance rated construction. That has […]

United States Senator Jerry Moran offered his help when he stopped in for a visit on Friday at the Hillsboro Community Hospital. “The offer stands for our help however we can do that,” said Moran. In addition to taking a tour of the facility, Moran visited with various staff members as well as city officials including city administrator Larry Paine […]

Hillsboro Museums will be displaying 40 original paintings by local artists for six weeks, beginning on April 6 at the historic William and Ida Schaeffler House. The exhibit will include paintings by more than 16 local artists that were created from 1902 to the present. Visitors can enjoy the paintings as well as the original furnishings and architecture of the […]

Alli Hett works the cash register during Saturday's opening while Manager Jerry Mendoza offers any assistance needed. Laura Fowler Paulus/Free Press There is a new hot spot in Marion that people of all ages are talking about after their grand opening on Saturday. Dorothy’s Coffee House and Tea Room is located in a former house across the street from the […]

Jane and Clyve Herbert sit in their storm-chasing vehicle that has professional Doppler radar. They live in Kansas about six months out of the year and six months in Australia and storm chase in both countries. Wendy Nugent/Free Press Bam. Bam. Bam. Horrific sounds of hail the size of baseballs and grapefruit hit their vehicle, slamming circular cracks in the […]

Progress can be a great thing. But sometimes progress, especially when it comes to technology, can raise more concerns than help. Several Marion County residents became upset when they learned that Verizon is planning to put a 129-foot cell phone tower up in a residential area. They grew even more concerned when the process for notifying residents of the proposal […]

The Hillsboro Community Hospital declared bankruptcy on Wednesday, March 13. The EmpowerHMS owned hospital was placed fully into the hands of the Receiver, Cohesive Healthcare Management and Consulting, on March 5. Olivia Robinson, who works in Human Resources at the hospital, responded to questions regarding the bankruptcy with a prepared statement. She said, “On behalf of the Hillsboro Community Hospital, […]

Hillsboro Elementary School held their annual family reading night for students and their families on Tuesday, March 5. The sucker pull is one of the most popular events as kids get the chance to banter with PE teacher Mike Jilka and the chance to win a prize. First grade teacher Julie Linnens made her yearly Julia Child chef appearance. She […]