Hillsboro Elementary School has focused on two new social and emotional learning pilots for the school year. The first one is called Mindful Mornings. These are held before school on Monday and Wednesday mornings in the gym where the students sit according to their grades and classes. Activities start out with saying the Pledge of Allegiance and listening to announcements. […]

The Marion County Commission introduced Robert “Bob” Church as its interim EMS director during the Monday meeting, and following the resignation of Ed Debesis, who served about 18 months as the director. The commissioners also agreed to allow Church to expand the pool of part-time medical technicians from four to eight to ensure the schedule was covered 24 hours a […]

The Goessel city council met on September 17 and discussed the intersection of Church Street and the baseball diamonds. Because of safety issues, west-bound traffic will now have to stop. The council authorized a stop sign at that intersection. Turning their attention to another sign, the city discussed replacing the Goessel sign that is near the highway. The council expressed […]

Danielle Rogers works with volunteers to secure mouth swabs. Several generations of Koons were on hand to participate in the drive. Carrie Koons registers on her phone while son-in-law Tyson Kendrick and daughter Shelby Kendrick also sign up. Granddaughter Anniston watches it all while Grandpa Rod Koons holds her. Carrie and Rod Koons paid a $60 fee to be swabbed […]

Emily Tennant helps a customer at her booth. Tennant and her husband make all of their own artwork. While they currently work out of Valley Center, they have plans to open a shop in Peabody where they will sell their items as well as offer various how to classes. To see more of their work, go to tennantwoodandmetal.com. Laura Fowler […]

Mike Beneke, owner of Double B Cattle of Lincolnville, was granted a 30-day extension to remove about 8 million pounds of silage from his property at 601 W. Main St., at a hearing Sept. 16. Unlike the first hearing on Aug. 30 in which Beneke had 10 days to remove the silage, the verdict last week was 30 days, or […]

The Marion County Commission continued shoring up its policies by reviewing its plans ranging from revisiting who should have vehicles, tuition and con­ferences attended at its Monday meeting. In addition, representatives of the McGrath Human Resources Group, based in Wonder Lake, Ill., reviewed objectives, and talked about their progress and more recommendations. Malayna Halvorson Maes, senior consultant, said that in […]

Corey Burton with his sister Collette Haslett during a recent stay at KU Med Center. Provided photo When a former Hillsboro resident was diagnosed with leukemia, many wanted to help but weren’t sure how. But now, thanks to some brainstorming and the Gift of Life organization, the residents of Marion County have a chance to see if they can help. […]

Bob Woelk and Emersyn Funk take a shift at the Hillsboro High School Leos Booth during the Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair on Saturday. They sold funnel cakes and drinks. Laura Fowler Paulus/Free Press Amy Plett stands at her booth at Art in the Park in Central Park in Marion. She sold festive, holiday wooden creations. “I love having a […]

by Patty Decker Farmers in Liberty, Men­no and Lehigh townships are losing patience with the Marion County Commission because the dirt roads they need to access their properties haven’t been maintained for months. Marion Countian Linda Peters, and others, spoke about the road issues at Monday’s commission meeting. Peters, the Liberty Township trustee, chairperson of the county road and bridge […]