Marion County has several indicators of children’s wellness in health and education of which to be proud, according to the annual release of Annie E. Casey Foundation data analyzed by Kansas Action for Children. • Eighty-seven percent of children entering kindergarten in the county have been appropriately immunized during their first three years, and this rate has been rising on […]

Tire tracks from rescue vehicles criss-cross through fire-blackened ditches along U.S. Highway 77 south of Florence Sunday afternoon. More than 1,200 acres burned near Florence, fueled by 40-plus mph winds. About 80 acres burned near Hillsboro as well. Marion County volunteer firefighters had their hands full Sunday fight?ing grass fires near Hillsboro and Florence. More than 1,200 acres burned near […]

Florence Memorial High School, built in 1940, was closed in 1990 because of the consolidation with the Marion school district. After 12 years of delinquent taxes, the school was part of a sheriff?s sale March 1, but no one was interested in a $3,000 minimum bid. The building is now owned by Marion County. What once stood as a proud […]

Marion County law enforcement officials are urging people to be careful of possible tax scams in the area. The most recent series of calls involve individuals posing as IRS officials demanding immediate payment for alleged delinquent taxes, said Marion County Sheriff Robert Craft. ?I strongly encourage any?one who receives a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, […]

Emergency Medical Services Interim Director Ed Debesis and agreed to the temporary terms he will work under with the Marion County Commission Thurs?day, Dec. 31, in payday meeting. Debesis also serves with EMS at Hoisington. The commissioners hope that while working part-time here he can help improve the department until a full-time director is hired. After executive session with Debesis, […]

Terry L. David, Rice County Emergency Medical Service director at Lyons and Region III EMS Council coordinator, was appointed Monday by the Marion County Board of Commis?sioners to develop options for a long-term emergency management program at a consulting price of no more than $2,500. EMS Director Brandy McCarty, who was in her last day in that position after resigning, […]

Don Ratzlaff / Free Press<p>Escorted by 131 motorcycles and 11 classic cars, Santa Claus rides a Chevy pickup down 190th Road from Marion to Hillsboro on Saturday afternoon. Event organizers are expecting more than $13,000 and many gifts for children in the county. In its 22nd year, the Marion County Toy Run on Saturday drew 131 motorcycles and 11 classic […]

by Don Ratzlaff and Janae Rempel The Free Press Hillsboro?s two qualifiers competed in the Class 2A state cross-country races at Wamego Saturday, but both finished out of the medals. Junior Jonathan Hiner?man came closest, finishing the 5-kilometer in 18:24 seconds, which placed him 29th out of 100 runners. The top 20 finishers received medals. In the girls? 2A race, […]

Click for a pdf of delinquent property taxes for 2014 Information for those delinquent on property taxes in 2014 comes from Marion County treasurer.

Road and Bridge Director Randy Crawford submitted his written resignation Monday to the Marion County Board of Commis?sioners, effective Friday, Oct. 9. Crawford said, ?I apologize for the short notice, but my new company made their job offer contingent on an employment start date of Monday, Oct. 12, due to their project timelines.? The three commissioners said they will miss […]