Rep. Don Schroeder begins the legislative coffee by reporting the progress of the state budget proposal. He said even after transfering $370,000 from the KDOT budget, the state still faces a $400 million revenue gap. Don Ratzlaff / Free Press ? Low turnout didn?t squelch discussion at Chamber forum. The turnout was small, but those who came had a lot […]

Click Here to view the chart. ? All six local districts will feel the pinch. Numbers provided by the Kansas State Depart?ment of Education last week indicate the so-called ?block grant bill? will have a negative impact on the educational process at each of the six school districts in the Free Press coverage area over the next two years. Gov. […]

? It?s time we hear the truth about public school funding in the State of Kansas. Steve P. Noble, USD 410 superintendent Recently, Rep. John Barker and Sen. Richard Wilborn voted ?Yes? on H Sub for SB 7, known as the ?School Block Grant Bill.? Both legislators represent at least portions of Marion County and USD 410 with Sen. Wilborn […]

Road and Bridge Direc?tor Randy Crawford told the Marion County Commis?sion Monday, that there?s a possibility the county could get its 20 percent share of $238,000 to build a new bridge on Alfalfa Road east of Florence from federal exchange funds. Otherwise, the county will have to add its share to next year?s budget to meet the state?s $1 million […]

Marion County may be walking a tightrope when it comes to replacing bridges on less-traveled roads this summer. Road and Bridge Director Randy Crawford told Marion County commissioners Mon?day that the state will allow $29,500 in engineering fees on eight county bridges designated by the state for rebuilding. Crawford said if the county doesn?t replace the bridges this year, the […]

I?m a Kansan, I?m a future educator and I?m concerned. The lack of value and importance placed on education by my state?s government feels like a slap in the face to someone who believes in education so much that I?m pursuing a career in it. It makes my heart heavy to read about the cuts being made to public school […]

Through a partnership with Eagle Communications, the Marion City Council unanimously approved bringing Wi-Fi free public access to the downtown business district and Central Park at its Feb. 2 meeting. Taking direction from the council about eight weeks ago, City Administrator Roger Holter said he researched the request and came up with possibilities as to how free Wi-Fi could exist. […]

Evan Ollenburger, a member of the 2014 graduating class, shows some of the projects created on the 3D printer used in the Hillsboro High School technology department. Even with ongoing budget cuts due to declining enrollment and state funding reductions, USD 410 Super?inten?dent Steve Noble believes the district did a good job of protecting classroom learning and student activities from […]

Todd Heitschmidt, president of Marion Advancement Campaign, shows a model that closely represents what the stage, entertainment pavilion and restrooms would look like when completed. The cost for this first phase is $105,000, and thus far $90,000 has been either pledged or donated. Patty Decker / Free Press After almost two years of fundraising, the Central Park Improvement Campaign has […]

The Marion County Com?mission heeded a call for help Monday from Suzanne Robinson, county attorney legal secretary, during a time of fiscal shortage by giving $250 to Child Advocacy Legal Services for cases involving physical, mental and child development. The commissioners, voting 3-0 to allocate the money, said they want Robinson to return if the agency?s deficit, created because of […]