Drought lowers expectations as pheasant, quail seasons open
Hunters will be hoping to bag their limits when pheasant and quail season opens Saturday, but it could be slim pickings for pheasant after another summer of extreme heat and drought conditions. Mike...
View ArticleHunters, remember common courtesies of your sport
This weekend the hills, fields and woods will once again awaken to the sound of booming shotguns as hunters and their dogs swarm the countryside searching for pheasants, quail, ducks and other...
View ArticleCouncil OKs service fee schedule
The Marion City Council at its Oct. 29 meeting approved a resolution by a 4-1 vote outlining a fee schedule for research services provided by city staff. City Administrator Doug Kjellin was asked at...
View ArticleMarion’s Alternative Market gathers $7,000 for charities
More than $7,000 was donated to local and worldwide charities during the second annual Alternative Market Saturday at Marion Presbyterian Church. Jackie Volbrecht, one of the organizers, said...
View ArticleFree Press veterans book officially released Sunday at Pilsen gathering
Hillsboro Free Press staff members (from left) Patty Decker, Nicole Suderman and Shelley Plett distribute copies of the new book “Our Nation Called” during the official release gathering Sunday...
View ArticleHolub warns of local property-tax hike if Senate bill passes
All you needed now was a property-tax hike. Marion County property taxes may have to be increased by 5.42 percent, based on past rates, according to the Kansas Association of Counties, if Kansas Senate...
View ArticleEncouraging word heard seldom heard for wiley coyote in Kansas
Nobody involved with agriculture in Marion County seems to have much good to say about the coyote. Neither do they speak well of the raccoon, opossum or skunk. Even the professional ag advisers in the...
View ArticleHunting trip reveals extent of drought
If the dry conditions we experienced in Ellis County on the opening weekend of pheasant season are any indication of what’s to come, we’re in for a lot of trouble. We walked several miles Nov. 10 and...
View ArticleThe case for choosing a live Christimas tree
Now that we’ve celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas is just around the corner, many folks will be selecting their annual tree to adorn their apartment or home. It’s been said many times before and...
View ArticleCooperative Grain and Land O’Lakes donate $3,662 to four area food banks
Four area food banks will be able to stock their shelves this holiday season, thanks to a total donation of $3,662 from Cooperative Grain & Supply and the Ampride stores in Marion and Hillsboro....
View ArticleA penny once meant something
Until recently, I often stopped by the corner convenience store after work to treat my sweet tooth. From the time I was 4 years old and walked barefoot down to Vern Wagner’s little general store, I’ve...
View ArticleCounty reports unusually high sales tax for month
Marion County commissioners met Friday, Nov. 30, in a $1,666,256 payday session. County Clerk Carol Maggard reported unusually high sales tax collection for September, collected by the state in...
View ArticleCounty reports unusually high sales tax for month
Marion County commissioners met Friday, Nov. 30, in a $1,666,256 payday session. County Clerk Carol Maggard reported unusually high sales tax collection for September, collected by the state in...
View ArticleAuxiliary launches funding projects
The Hillsboro Community Hospital Auxiliary raised $500 last month at its Bake & Book Sale with proceeds going toward the purchase of a portable ultra sound, said Velma Hadley, auxiliary volunteer...
View ArticleUSPS rep explains future options for Cedar Point patrons
The U.S. Postal Service is moving forward with a plan to reduce hours at some 13,000 offices to include Cedar Point and other facilities in Kansas, according to information presented Wednesday at a...
View ArticleMarion council sets minimum price for building
The Marion City Council agreed at its Dec. 10 meeting not to accept bids for the city-owned Arlie’s Paint Body & Glass building and land for under $200,000. The unanimous decision came after Mayor...
View ArticleDrought on Mississippi could impact county farmers
Weather can have both negative and positive effects for grain marketing just as it does for grain production. Drought-inhibited water depth for navigation on the Mississippi River may cause higher...
View ArticleAll I want for Christmas...is a farm bill
Though critical to farmers, ranchers and consumers, the farm bill has not been at the top of the list of issues on Capitol Hill. Instead, lawmakers are debating how to avoid what’s known as the fiscal...
View ArticleSecond year of drought hits fall crops hard across county
Impacted by drought conditions for much of the year, Marion County businesses experienced ups and downs in 2012, with new businesses opening and some businesses closing. JANUARY Marion native Mark...
View ArticleDoes anyone actually listen anymore?
Today, information bombards us like a meteor shower. It’s everywhere. Each day our eyes see thousands of images on television and computer screens. Our ears hear thousands of words. Many people read...
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